Chapter 1073 This Idea Isn't Quite Right
While the younger generation of Gao Family Village merrily immersed themselves in filmmaking, the situation in the capital was starkly different.
Outside Beijing's Xizhimen Gate, Ajige, the Qing army's supreme commander, had encamped his main forces on the plains beyond the city walls.
Hidden in a small copse of trees to the north, Wang Er, Bai Mao, and Ma Shouying covertly observed the main Qing army through their spyglasses.
“The Qing main force is right there,” Ma Shouying whispered, his voice low. “Surely, we don’t need to keep fighting, do we? Why not just pull back, let the Qing seize the capital, and behead the old emperor? Wouldn’t that be splendid?”
Wang Er shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. “Brother Ma, I share that sentiment, truly. I’d love nothing more than for the Qing to kill the old emperor. But I know deep down, this line of thinking isn’t quite right.”
Ma Shouying raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And why not? Wouldn’t it be ideal for the Qing to dispatch the emperor for us, saving us the trouble?”
Wang Er's expression grew serious. “If they entered the capital and only killed the old emperor and those corrupt officials, I’d be cheering them on with both hands and feet. But it's clear they won't stop there; they'll harm the common people.”
Ma Shouying froze, taken aback by his words.
Wang Er sighed. “In the seventh year of Tianqi, when Zhong Guangdao, Zheng Yanfu, and I first rose in rebellion, our sole intention was to execute the corrupt official Zhang Yaocai and his oppressive cronies who preyed on the villagers. But the moment we stormed the county seat, our forces spiraled out of control. While I was at the county yamen, striking down Zhang Yaocai, my two sworn brothers led their men into the wealthy districts, where the affluent families resided...”
Ma Shouying’s eyes widened in horror.
A profound, unsettling silence fell between them.
After a considerable pause, Wang Er clenched his fist. “We can tear the emperor and his corrupt officials limb from limb; I wouldn't bat an eye. But we cannot stand by and watch the common people be senselessly swept into this, losing their lives for nothing. Only then can we rightfully claim we are staging a righteous uprising. Otherwise, we’re nothing but a band of vile brigands.”
Ma Shouying nodded slowly. *“Righteous uprising...”* he mused. *“Yes, there's a character for 'righteousness' in that.”*
With a shared understanding established, their path forward became much clearer.
The three leaders retreated to a deeper part of the woods, where several horses were tethered and the corpses of a few Qing scouts lay on the ground. It turned out they had exerted considerable effort to stealthily infiltrate so close to the Qing's main force.
It was no easy feat to ambush those Qing scouts and secure this opportunity for a close reconnaissance.
The three men swung onto their horses, cried out a command to spur them on, and galloped northwards.
After several *li* of furious riding, they rejoined their own troops.
Wang Pu, the Regional Commander of Datong, was there as well, waiting with his Datong border army.
Seeing their return, Wang Pu hastened forward. “What's the situation?” he pressed.
Bai Mao replied, “The Qing army is formidable. They have a full complement of siege weapons and cannons, immense shield-wagon formations, and vast numbers of Mongol cavalry. While our flintlock rifles are potent, it’s unrealistic to expect a few thousand men to directly charge and defeat tens of thousands of their main force.”
Wang Pu grit his teeth. “But they’re already pressing against Xizhimen Gate. If they breach the capital, the consequences would be unimaginable. We *must* devise a plan.”
“We can wave our banners, raise a clamor, and relentlessly harass the Qing's right flank,” Ma Shouying declared. “If we apply enough pressure, the siege of the capital is sure to be broken.”
“A fine strategy, Brother!” Wang Pu exclaimed. “Let's do it.”
Days later, Ajige frowned, his gaze fixed on a map.
Something felt... amiss.
The Qing army’s right flank was indeed experiencing escalating pressure. Wang Pu, the Regional Commander of Datong, leading the Shanxi relief army, had been ceaselessly harassing it from several *li* away. Numerous Qing scouting parties were routed, captured Ming civilians rescued, and stolen valuables and livestock recovered.
As Wang Pu’s forces grew increasingly active, the main Qing army began to feel the instability of their position.
This was, after all, Ming territory. For the Qing army, fighting on foreign soil, guerrilla warfare was an easy and effective tactic for the Ming. The Qing had no viable way to defend against such tactics in enemy lands.
Ajige deliberated for a long moment. “Enough!” he finally declared. “Our incursion this time has yielded sufficient gains; the plunder is abundant enough. It’s time to withdraw our forces. However, simply leaving feels... unsatisfactory. We ought to deliver one last insult to the Ming before we go, just for good measure.”
He swept a hand through the air. “Order the entire army: adorn your mounts lavishly, play triumphant music, and prepare for a glorious return!”
The Qing troops received their orders. Consequently, the Eight Banners soldiers draped themselves in the finest, most vividly colored fabrics and garments they had plundered.
Some fashioned cloaks from shimmering multi-colored silks; others wrapped their helmets in emerald green cloth. Still more wore flowing, cloud-like sleeves reminiscent of brothel courtesans...
The entire army looked more flamboyant than a theatrical troupe on stage.
Military drums and gongs, normally used to signal advances or retreats, were instead employed to produce a cacophony of sound, a resounding, mocking serenade directed at the capital. Only after this brazen display of scorn did they finally turn their horses northeast, towards the pass beyond the Great Wall.
“Ajige has retreated...” From atop Xizhimen Gate, the supervising eunuch Gao Qiqian, far from feeling insulted, instead breathed a sigh of profound relief. “The Qing army has withdrawn! This is excellent news! Quickly, quickly, inform His Majesty!”
The Chongzhen Emperor, Zhu Youjian, was greatly invigorated, personally issuing an imperial edict: “Is my Great Ming a place where the Qing can simply come and go as they please? Their morale is broken; now is the opportune moment to pursue! I command Minister of War Zhang Fengyi to lead his forces in pursuit!”
And so, Zhang Fengyi, that unfortunate soul, was compelled to lead his troops out of the city. He was no emperor, ignorant in the depths of his palace, nor a eunuch like Gao Qiqian, whose sole aim was to fawn over His Majesty. As the Minister of War, even a civilian official, he understood military strategy and, more importantly, how to assess the true strength of both friend and foe.
Zhang Fengyi yearned to roll his eyes and tell Zhu Youjian, “We barely held the city, and now you want me to pursue? Are you trying to send me to my death?”
Yet, these words remained unspoken. He could only steel himself and lead his army out. No sooner had they exited the gate than they spotted a large signboard planted by the roadside where the Qing army had recently encamped. On it, a single line read: “All officials, no need to see us off.”
“Minister!” the commanding general exclaimed, his voice trembling. “The Qing paraded themselves in gaudy attire, deliberately banging their gongs and drums, and even planted this insulting sign by the road. It’s clearly a ruse to lure our army into pursuit. If we fall into their trap, our entire force will be annihilated. The Qing would then turn around for another attack, and the capital would surely fall.”
The general fell silent.
“We’ll steel ourselves and make a show of pursuit,” Zhang Fengyi finally conceded. “Send out numerous scouts, spread wide. This army is the capital’s last defense; nothing must happen to it.”
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