Chapter 1266: Captured Again

By this point, the government army banners meant to confuse the enemy had instead become a burden. Routing soldiers saw the banners and came straight over to seek refuge. The moment they realized it was Zhao Family Army troops, they fled. Although Ji Xiang's unit was not tasked with killing the enemy, this was still endlessly annoying. In the end, they simply put away all the government army banners and sent troops out to drive off the routing soldiers.

There was hardly any real fighting. Group after group of defeated soldiers arrived, spotted the Xuzhou cavalry, and immediately fled. The previous day's battle had lasted less than two shichen, yet the cannons had roared like thunderbolts, and both infantry and cavalry had proven ferociously fierce. The government troops were already terrified. In such circumstances, who would dare fight to the death and entangle them? As for those battalions that still retained their strength, or units that had already regrouped, anyone with a shred of clear-headedness would not head toward Tianjin. Even if the Zhao Family Army's advance cavalry had not yet arrived, the main army would be here soon.

But there were still those with muddled minds, and those scattered and disorganized, who only knew to advance along the official road. Such engagements were resolved quickly. If one cavalry company wasn't enough, they simply committed a second. Rarely was there a need for a fourth. Yet while the fighting was simple, there was so much of it that it became unbearably vexing. Ji Xiang had originally not wanted to use the cannons, but by afternoon, ten cannons began to roar one after another.

As nightfall approached, perhaps the routing soldiers heading this way had stopped to make camp for the night, or perhaps the enemy in this direction had all learned that Xuzhou troops were in Tianjin. This allowed Ji Xiang's utterly exhausted unit to finally rest. By this time, some horses had already dropped dead from overwork. Fortunately, they had some captured spoils to replenish their mounts, which was the only reason they had been able to keep going.

The sun set, and night descended. The Zhao Family Army cavalry felt the ground tremble. They ignored their rest and their evening meal, all preparing for battle. But amidst the tension, each man also felt a surge of excitement, for the tremor came from the south. Barring any surprises, the main Zhao Family Army force had arrived.

And indeed, there were no surprises. After their great victory at Jinghai County, the army led by Zhao Jin had rested for a night and then hurried toward Tianjin the next day, reaching their destination by nightfall. With such a massive army on the march, how could the routing soldiers still dare to advance in this direction?

Outside Tianjin, the city was brilliantly lit, and cheers thundered. Bonfires were lit one after another. Pigs and sheep purchased along the way were slaughtered and cooked. That night, Zhao Jin even permitted each unit a small amount of alcohol. The Zhao Family Army, from top to bottom, was in a frenzy of celebration, for they had reached Tianjin and seized control of the grain stores there. This meant the Zhao Family Army could advance even further. Further west lay the capital of the Great Ming Empire.

No one thought they could fail to take it. Given the strength the Zhao Family Army had displayed along the way, the capital was simply not a problem. And what would they do next? At the thought of overturning heaven and changing the dynasty, every man was stirred with intense emotion. Although Zhao Jin had long since briefed them that this northern campaign was to intimidate the Great Ming, not to rebel, ascend the throne, and proclaim himself emperor, this feeling alone was exhilarating, utterly and thoroughly satisfying!

Below the walls, there was celebration and joy. Atop the walls, there was only darkness. Within that darkness, the civil officials, military officers, gentry, and local strongmen of Tianjin all watched the Zhao Family Army's encampment in trembling fear. Every one of them was silent. Every one of them was asking in their hearts: Is the dynasty about to change?

As they watched in silence, Zhao Family Army cavalry rode up to the base of the wall and shouted up at the ramparts: "Open the city gates and surrender first thing tomorrow morning. No delays, or we'll bombard the city and attack!"

After saying just that one line, they turned and rode back. There were no conditions, and no room for negotiation. Yet the people atop the Tianjin walls knew perfectly well that they had no ability to set conditions. During the day's offensive and defensive actions, Ji Xiang's unit had only protected the grain stores on the docks from harm, ignoring everything else. All three gates of Tianjin except the south gate remained safe, watched only by Zhao Family Army light cavalry.

Taking advantage of this window, Tianjin had also gathered over a hundred defeated soldiers into the city. The purpose of gathering these routed troops was not to defend the city, but to learn the exact news. Once they found out that the imperial court's army at Jinghai County had been utterly routed within a few shichen, all remaining hopes within Tianjin vanished like smoke. Few could believe that an army of nearly a hundred thousand could collapse so quickly, but the ceaseless stream of defeated soldiers proved it was fact.

No one spoke of dying for the dynasty. Not long after the cavalryman finished his shout, someone on the city wall tied a rope and lowered themselves down. They knelt outside the Zhao Family Army's main camp, begging for an audience, and brought a message from within the city. Tianjin's question was very simple: if they surrendered, could their lives and families be spared? They were willing to offer up their family property and wealth. All stores within the city would belong to the great army.

They even presented a detailed inventory to Zhao Jin. Tianjin was responsible for the transit and logistics of the capital and Ji Garrison, so there were vast quantities of supplies both inside and outside the city. These supplies were very useful to the Zhao Family Army. Zhao Jin's reply was also very simple: after the gates opened the next day, they would be given just under half a shichen to leave the city on their own. The Zhao Family Army would not pursue. For those who did not wish to leave, the Zhao Family Army would not make things difficult. If they did not secretly engage in any tricks or act against the great army, their lives and property would be spared.

When the message was relayed back into the city, the officials and gentry were both skeptical and trusting. Yet the current situation left them no choice but to believe. The Zhao Family Army had come too fast. Tianjin had not even had time to react, let alone prepare. There were no defeated soldiers or refugees to describe the conduct of the Xuzhou troops, but there was a trading house from Xuzhou within the city. By now, its staff were being treated as honored guests. The trading house's manager and clerks all guaranteed without hesitation that since Master Jin had given his word, there would certainly be no mistake. Everyone who had ever dealt with Xuzhou knew that Zhao Jin kept his promises.

At the end of the fourth month of the fourth year of the Tianqi reign, Tianjin opened its gates and surrendered. Before the surrender, the main gate opened, and several dozen riders galloped away at full speed. These were all officials and military officers from within the city. They did not trust the Zhao Family Army's guarantee. But with only half a shichen's time, and with the enemy possessing several thousand cavalry, trying to flee with their families was already impossible. Those with cold, hard hearts simply summoned their trusted guards, took a few valuables, and left first, abandoning their families and property.

The Zhao Family Army simply took over the city methodically. Unlike the other prefectures and counties in Northern Zhili, in the pre-arranged plan, Tianjin was to be treated as a forward base camp. After taking control, they did not rush to advance. On one hand, the entire army rested and reorganized; on the other, they carried out allocations and adjustments both inside and outside Tianjin.

Silver and grain from the official storehouses were taken out to buy and sell houses and properties, and to hire civilian laborers. Supplies inside and outside the city began to be swapped around. The city held a considerable stock of gunpowder and weapons. Blades, spears, and firearms were of little help to the Zhao Family Army, but gunpowder was in critically short supply. After sifting and selecting, it was distributed to replenish the various firearms units. At the same time, fodder and grain from outside the city were moved inside. Sheltered by the city walls, it was, after all, much safer than being outside.

Beyond this, the dozen-plus seagoing vessels that had arrived at Tianjin were all loaded full of supplies. At the same time, they were also hiring other seagoing ships that came to Tianjin, likewise loading them full of various military supplies. Both the Zheng family's great fleet and the Yu family's fleet sent ships back, preparing to mobilize new vessels to come here. This fleet on the water was the Zhao Family Army's final reserve, though it was unlikely they would ever need to use it.

By this time, Wang Zaijin and his advisors no longer felt the despair and hopelessness they had initially felt, nor did they harbor any extravagant hopes or expectations. They didn't even feel anxiety anymore. They simply observed the Zhao Family Army's military bearing and movements with detached curiosity, patiently awaiting the other side's arrangements. They had originally left filled with sorrow, never expecting that less than a shichen after departing, they would be captured and brought back by Zhao Family Army cavalry.

The moment they were captured, everyone from Wang Zaijin down felt their hands and feet turn ice-cold. They thought the Xuzhou troops had changed their minds, and that they were likely to be killed to make an example or forced to surrender. They never expected that after being brought back, the officer who received them was full of apologies, saying that they still needed them to go to the capital to deliver a message. Without someone of sufficient status, there would be trouble for both sides.

This courteous treatment left Wang Zaijin and his group utterly bewildered. Your Xuzhou troops have already reached this point, and possess such battle strength—what need is there to deliver any message? Shouldn't you just fight your way straight to the capital, become emperor, and claim the realm? Puzzled as they were, defeated men had no right to voice an opinion, so they could only sullenly comply.

Wang Zaijin watched the Zhao Family Army restore order in Jinghai County, then watched them strike camp the next day and march straight for Tianjin. Everything the Xuzhou troops did was ordinary. Wang Zaijin and his men felt they could do the same. Yet everything the Zhao Family Army did was methodical, orderly, and by the book. There were no mistakes, no delays or omissions. Every brigade, regiment, and company was in its proper place, everything neat and swift. It was the combination of countless such commonplace details that produced a rare and remarkable efficiency.

Wang Zaijin had seen plenty of what government troops were like. Whether in battle or on the march, they were always a chaotic mess. Because of that, everything had to be arranged in a leisurely, gradual manner, or else problems would arise. Chaos was everywhere, delays were everywhere, and together it all made a disorderly pot of porridge. Compared to the neat and orderly Zhao Family Army, the difference in quality was immediately obvious.

The advisors did not see as deeply as Wang Zaijin. They were all marveling at the Zhao Family Army's equipment and military supplies. The armor worn by the Zhao Family Army soldiers was astonishing, not to mention the firelocks and cannons. Every piece looked to be excellently maintained, and not a single piece was crudely manufactured. How could Xuzhou smelt so much good iron, and how could they equip so many soldiers with it? Thinking of the Great Ming, only those of Battalion Commander rank and above even had an iron helmet, and those were crudely made goods. As for iron armor, it was only chainmail—how could it compare to Xuzhou's iron plates?

As for military supplies, every time the imperial court dispatched troops, it was a disaster for the local areas. The government troops had little stored grain of their own and relied mainly on local provisions. Coupled with their utterly corrupt discipline, every time they passed through an area, it was as if a military calamity had struck. Even with the local areas exploited so harshly, the troops' own rations were still tight. If the enemy cut off their supply lines, army morale would instantly collapse. The reason they had been able to assemble so many troops for a decisive battle with Xuzhou this time was precisely because Tianjin stored a large amount of grain, and this grain was available for the government troops to use.

Watching the canal boats loaded full of grain and fodder, the several secretaries in charge of military supplies were all envious to the point of red-eyed jealousy. They naturally knew that relying on canal transport to move military provisions was the most convenient method, but in the past, it had simply been impossible to achieve.

Some people have contacted me through Weibo private messages and QQ chats, saying that I shouldn't be competing for monthly tickets, and also saying that my monthly ticket count is too high...

I didn't really pay them any mind, just sat in front of my computer, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Great Ming Warrior has over ten thousand subscriptions. Given the subscription-to-monthly-ticket ratio for our historical genre, is the current monthly ticket count really considered high?

As for the idea that I shouldn't compete for monthly tickets, I still can't figure out the logic. Writing books on this platform, writing openly and honorably, why shouldn't I compete?

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