Chapter One, Zhengyang Gate

Zhengyangmen

Amid a series of anxious shouts, Yang Qing opened his eyes in confusion, looking at the two unfamiliar faces in front of him

This is the sound of firecrackers welcoming the army of King Chuang into the city

A young commander from the opposing cavalry cast a resentful glance at him from nearly a hundred meters away, and then led his subordinates to turn around and leave

Just like earlier when he killed four cavalrymen in quick succession, there was no need to think about what to do; once he made his move, it was almost flawless, with agile positioning and precise attacks, flowing seamlessly like a well-rehearsed performance

Yang Qing was momentarily speechless. Suddenly, he drew the soldier's saber beside him. Before the surrounding soldiers could comprehend the situation, his figure flashed and, at an extremely fast speed, he reached behind the Governor. He then took a step back, leaning against the wall of the city tower, while simultaneously choking the Governor's neck, with the saber resting across it.

It is evident that he has a kind heart. Although opening the city gates is utterly impossible, he still waved to a young eunuch, who immediately placed a wolf-toothed club down. The imperial guard accompanying Yang Qing grabbed the rope and began to climb up. At this moment, the cavalry of the Shun army was already approaching rapidly. Yang Qing casually picked up a bow and arrow from beside the saddle. It was unclear whether it was the instinct of this body or something else, but at this moment, he felt not only a surge of strength throughout his body but also an indescribable sensation towards killing. The cavalry of the Shun army was already approaching rapidly. Yang Qing casually picked up a bow and arrow from beside the saddle. It was unclear whether it was the instinct of this body or something else, but at this moment, he felt not only a surge of strength throughout his body but also an indescribable sensation towards killing.

Yang Qing, having regained consciousness, also took off running, then shook off the hand of his well-meaning companion, instantly darting ahead of the one who had fled first. In the astonished gaze of the latter, he suddenly came to a halt, ... then looked at his own legs in disbelief, and immediately began to sprint with all his might once more

At this moment, the companion at the front had already mounted his horse. The three of them urged their horses forward without hesitation. Two urgent, unusual sounds came from behind. Yang Qing immediately crouched down, as two sharp arrows whizzed past him. The companion at the front turned his horse into a nearby alley, and Yang Qing and the other person quickly followed suit. Soon, they turned into another alley. After winding through several turns, they suddenly burst onto a main street. Yang Qing reined in his warhorse and gazed with astonishment at the towering city gate, silhouetted against the night sky stained red by the flames.

Yang Qingchao looked into the distance and said with a smile

The official above said.

He forcefully pulled down the corpse that was grappling with his companion for the cavalry spear, and then swiftly mounted his horse.

Be cautious, Supervisor!

The cavalryman on horseback lowered his head in confusion, with a line of blood running from his forehead to his chin.

The supervisor glanced at them casually

This capital city has lost all hope. If Your Majesty does not wish to be humiliated by the bandits, it is imperative to leave the city under the cover of night. There are sea vessels in Tianjin that can reach Nanjing. Governor, please take me into the palace at once. I am willing to swear to protect Your Majesty with my life during your journey to Nanjing.

A cheer immediately erupted on the city wall

Yang Qing said sincerely

Strange to the point of being centuries away

Then the supervisor casually pulled an arrow from his back and laughed

The night of March 18, 1644, in the city of Beijing

Do you intend to rebel? If you do not put this down, we can treat this matter as if it never happened

Amidst the latter's screams, he raised his head and shouted loudly at the two companions.

This is Beijing City

Almost simultaneously, a chaotic sound of collisions surged forth. Two men, both dressed in padded jackets with spikes, suddenly turned the corner at the street ahead of him. Following closely behind them was a warhorse that charged out, knocking one of the men over. At the same time, a soldier clad in full armor on the horse's back thrust his spear forward, piercing through the remaining man's body. Amidst the latter's screams, the warhorse rushed past, and the soldier effortlessly pulled out the spear, which was clearly not a prop, and directed it towards them. Behind him, more cavalrymen in full armor appeared, and the chaotic hooves trampled over the bodies of the two men, with one of them having their neck broken by the stampede before they had fully succumbed to death.

Mount!

In fact, it is not just that; at this moment, he feels a surge of strength throughout his body

Although this body does not appear very strong, at this moment he feels like an American muscle beast roaring in the arena, and a bloodthirsty attraction makes him feel like a show-off bodybuilder, flexing his arms with a sinister grin as he turns his head. At this time, he does not forget to pull his companion who is almost caught up by the cavalry behind. Yang Qing himself can hardly believe his own roar as he rushes forward, instinctively reaching out as he passes by the first fleeing companion, instantly snatching the goose feather knife from his hand.

A very subtle feeling

Is this a benefit of time travel

This is the last guardian of Chongzhen

Thank you, Governor Xie

A large hat made of palm leaves, a cotton coat covered in bubble nails, or perhaps it should be called a cotton armor, a weathered and gaunt face, one of them holding a clearly non-prop goose feather knife, behind them stands an ancient, weathered blue brick wall, the night sky illuminated by the firelight is filled with smoke, and the air is thick with the scent of gunpowder

Oh, how impatient you are! Wealth and honor cannot be sought in this manner. This esteemed officer, the emperor is not someone you can just meet whenever you wish. Whether the emperor is touring Nanjing is also beyond your control. You should stay here and guard the Zhengyang Gate well. Once we have repelled the bandit forces, our family will certainly not forget to commend you. After all, you are still young and lack a sense of propriety!

Yang Qing shouted

In the next moment, a sharp arrow whizzed by, striking the arrow stack in front of the supervisor. Startled, he quickly shrank back. At the same time, Yang Qing, with one hand gripping the parapet, exerted a strong force and flipped himself over. However, just as he rolled down, something suddenly collided violently against his back

This is the vanguard, their main infantry will arrive soon, and the Zhengyang Gate cannot be held any longer

The warhorse beside him neighed and reared up.

Thief, run quickly

"Sir, please open the door quickly!"

He said to the governor.

"Supervisor, please take this subordinate into the palace to meet His Majesty!"

His speed is clearly abnormal

Yang Qing, after finishing his words, casually took the arrow, then seized the bow from a soldier's hand, nocked the arrow, and without hesitation shot it back. The enemy cavalry on the opposite side had just nocked their second arrow when he struck them squarely in the face.

Yang Qing suddenly leaped up

The supervisor said with a smile that seemed neither fully a smile nor not a smile

Stationed on the empty street, he couldn't help but sigh and reflect.

As if he had personally killed tens of thousands of people, everything had become instinctual

Having never touched such an object before, he picked it up as if he were picking up chopsticks to eat. Drawing the arrow, pulling the bow, aiming, and shooting were all executed in one fluid motion. Even when he sensed the lateral wind, he instinctively made slight adjustments, and then the arrow struck the face of a cavalryman thirty meters away.

At this moment, the bow and arrow are the same.

You are indeed fortunate

Behind this magnificent city tower lies a city equally shrouded in smoke, where shells whistle as they continuously streak across the night sky. The few cannons on the city walls are also incessantly belching smoke and flames, and the cries of battle wash over the once glorious emblem of an empire like the relentless waves surrounding a solitary island

Supervisor, if I were to rebel, I would go there!

Very unfamiliar

Yang Qing said

Yang Qing turned around to look at the fierce and aggressive men from the Northwest rushing towards him, and then shook his head helplessly

Then, without having time to draw his sword, he seized the spear of the cavalryman on his left, turned sharply, and threw it with great force, piercing the body of the fourth cavalryman behind him. As the latter fell, the galloping warhorse also reached him. He grabbed the saddle and leaped onto the horse's back, casually picking up a nearby bud. Instinctively, he urged the warhorse to accelerate forward and struck down fiercely, shattering the head of the cavalryman whose thigh he had previously injured.

The person next to Yang Qing, who was leaning on a beautifully embroidered spring knife, suddenly shouted and got up to run away

Hurry up, you scoundrel, you don't want to be a fierce general!

Another one suddenly pulled him up

At that moment, the cavalry's spear, trembling with the gallop of the warhorse, thrust directly into the back of the last companion.

Yang Qing suddenly sat up

still accurately struck a cavalryman in the face

He exclaimed as he stopped once again

He arrived above his companion like a leaping cheetah, raising the goose-feather knife with both hands at the moment he passed over, and with a loud roar, he struck down from the air. Accompanied by a cold light slicing through the air, he landed instantly, and a drop of fresh blood fell from the lowered tip of the goose-feather knife in his hand

Flag School, Flag School

The remaining cavalry hurriedly dodged to the sides, while one soldier bent his bow but ten did not dare to advance. The deterrent power of a skilled archer is quite formidable. Yang Qing remained motionless, drawing his bow and intently watching them. Behind him, two companions quickly climbed the city wall. Then, retreating to the rope, Yang Qing swiftly shot three arrows in succession. Following that, he tossed aside his bow and grabbed the rope with ease. With a powerful pull of his arms, he leaped up from the horse's back, kicked off the city wall, and began to ascend with alternating hands. In just a few steps, he reached the top of the nearly twelve-meter-high wall. Then, retreating to the rope, Yang Qing swiftly shot three arrows in succession. Following that, he tossed aside his bow and grabbed the rope with ease. With a powerful pull of his arms, he leaped up from the horse's back, kicked off the city wall, and began to ascend with alternating hands. In just a few steps, he reached the top of the nearly twelve-meter-high wall.

The cries of the first companion to flee awakened Yang Qing, and his gaze fell upon the city wall, where a senior eunuch was anxiously directing the few soldiers to set up defenses. However, these soldiers were clearly far from elite; they were all gaunt and panic-stricken, some even lacking facial hair, holding their matchlock guns more like firewood sticks. Additionally, there were mainly those from the Jinyiwei, who shared the same status as himself at that moment.

In the blink of an eye, his second arrow was released

In the next moment, under the astonished gaze of his two companions behind him, Yang Qing seemed to be possessed by some fierce warrior as he brandished the feathered blade, leaping forward like a cheetah. He astonishingly evaded two spears that were thrust at him simultaneously, squeezing himself between the two cavalrymen behind him. In an instant, he completed a turn, and as the feathered blade grazed the right cavalryman's armor and sliced open his thigh, it swiftly pierced into the left cavalryman's ribs in conjunction with his turning motion.

There were no generals, no officials, only a group of eunuchs from the Imperial Guard and hastily recruited commoners

In the distance, amidst the flickering lights of fire, a torrent composed of countless iron armors surged forth

The supervisor shouted sternly

What a failure

The arrow was stopped by the iron plate embedded inside after penetrating the cotton armor

Even if there are not many of them

At the same time, the distant sound of firecrackers erupted in a dense chorus

Suddenly, a strange sound was heard

A few hours later, the Emperor of the Ming Empire hanged himself on Coal Mountain. More than a month later, the iron cavalry of foreign tribes trampled this city, followed by a massacre that swept across China, with the blood of tens of millions of innocent civilians merging into a vast sea of blood, drowning the picturesque landscape.