Chapter 10: Entering the City

Wang Puda: "Let's go"

Given this distance, if Zhen Youcai dares to report, Wang Pu has enough confidence to turn him into a hornet's nest before he escapes into the city. Of course, that said, if things really come to this point, Wang Pu's life would also be forfeit today. With the fifty servants he has by his side, even if the Jianzhou people in Shengjing are old, weak, sick, or disabled, they would still be able to bite them to death. Of course, that said, if things really come to this point, Wang Pu's life would also be forfeit today. With the fifty servants he has by his side, even if the Jianzhou people in Shengjing are old, weak, sick, or disabled, they would still be able to bite them to death

Zhen Youcai let out a breath, fell to the ground with a thud, and wiped the cold sweat streaming down his forehead with his sleeve.

The gatekeeper Jian Nu and Zhen Youcai were indeed very familiar with each other, greeting each other from a distance.

"No... please don't." Zhen Youcai said anxiously, "Although I have joined the banner, my heart still belongs to the Great Ming. Besides, how could a banner slave under the Jian invaders have a better life than the common people of the Central Plains in the Great Ming? Otherwise, I wouldn't have risked my life to persuade you today, General. You must believe me; my intentions are as clear as the sun and moon."

Zhen Youcai said: "General, do not search any longer. There are two military camps within the city, located on either side of the Daqing Gate. The Daqing Gate is the main entrance to the imperial palace. In a while, we will pass in front of the Daqing Gate, and at that time, you can carefully observe the terrain there. For now, do not look around too much; it would be troublesome if we arouse the suspicions of the Jianzhou bandits."

Zhen Youcai continued, "General, you should now believe me. If I wanted to betray you, the moment at the city gate would have been a perfect opportunity. You must understand that my life and fortune are now tied to yours. I am counting on returning to the Ming Dynasty with you to gain promotion and wealth, heh heh"

Only after dark will the bearded man lead his main force of servants to quietly approach Shengjing City under the cover of night. Changyong Fortress is already very close to Shengjing City, where the estates of the Jianzhou people are everywhere, and travelers on the official road are incessant. Marching during the day would be impossible to conceal, and only at night can they approach Shengjing City without anyone being the wiser.

Wang Pu responded with a sound and signaled the convoy to enter the city

The gates of Shengjing City were wide open, and two teams of Jian soldiers stood listlessly outside the gates. Inside the city, pedestrians and carriages came and went, yet they did not approach to inquire at all. It seemed that Zhen Youcai was not lying; indeed, the daytime defenses of Shengjing City were quite lax. In fact, it was not entirely fair to blame the Jian soldiers for their negligence, as since Nurhaci occupied Liaodong, the Ming army had never launched a significant counterattack, and the possibility of reaching the gates of Shengjing City was utterly remote. Who would have thought that the Ming army would attempt a surprise attack on Shengjing?

The next morning, Wang Pu and Scarface, accompanied by fifty capable servants disguised as Ahas, confidently drove towards Shengjing City with forty carts of grain and ten carts of vegetables and mountain goods, which had been prepared before dawn. Under the guidance of Zhen Youcai, they made their way to Shengjing, a journey crucial to the success of their surprise attack. Wang Pu could not afford to be careless; he was uneasy about entrusting the task to anyone else and had no choice but to take matters into his own hands

Zhen Youcai replied in a low voice: "A petty person, a petty person is just a clerk."

Zhen Youcai quietly approached Wang Pu and asked in a lowered voice: "General, are you looking for the barracks of the garrison stationed in the city?"

Zhen Youcai was so frightened that he fell to the ground, prostrating himself and tremblingly said: "I will speak, I will say everything. I am indeed named Zhen Youcai, but I was not captured by the Jianzhou bandits and brought to Liaodong three years ago. In fact... in fact, my ancestors have lived in Liaodong for generations, making a living by selling ginseng. However, later, the Jianzhou bandits became rampant, and the entire Liaodong region fell into their hands, leaving me with no choice... no choice but to enter the banner registry."... In fact, my ancestors have lived in Liaodong for generations, making a living by selling ginseng. However, later, the Jianzhou bandits became rampant, and the entire Liaodong region fell into their hands, leaving me with no choice... no choice but to enter the banner registry.

Zhen Youcai!" Wang Pu suddenly asked ominously, "Who exactly are you?"

Wang Pu cast a cold glance at Zhen Youcai, which could be considered an acknowledgment.

... ...

As he spoke, Zhen Youcai stuffed two ingots of silver into the hands of the leading Jannian general, who smiled broadly, his face beaming with joy. Turning around, he waved his hand and said, "Hurry inside, and be sure not to miss the appointed time"

When entering the city, Wang Pu remained vigilant. According to his estimation, the city of Shengjing is not large, with a circumference that does not exceed 10 li at most. There are two city gates to the south, while the other directions are not very clear. The height of the city wall is approximately 12 meters, and its thickness is about 6 meters. Inside the city gate, there is a small walled city, and on both sides of the walled city, there are concealed troop tunnels, with ramps for horseback riding to ascend the city.

Xiao Qi, Da Huzi, and the large group of servants were left at Changyong Fortress by Wang Pu

In fact, Wang Pu was unaware that the Eight Banners soldiers of the Manchu Qing dynasty were not permitted to garrison within the city of Shenyang. Only the two thousand elite soldiers of the Plain Yellow Banner directly under Hong Taiji could be stationed in the military camp in front of the Daqing Gate. This time, as Hong Taiji personally led the army into battle, the two thousand elite soldiers of the Plain Yellow Banner naturally had to accompany him, and the heavy responsibility of guarding the city of Shenyang fell upon the young men of the Plain Yellow and Bordered Yellow Banners.

"Nonsense!" Wang Pu exclaimed, "You were captured and brought to Liaodong three years ago, but the old slave Nurhaci conquered Liaodong decades ago. How could you possibly know that he relied on deceit to open the city gates and seize all of Liaodong? How could a mere clerk be privy to the core secrets of the Jianzhou? You even know about the guards required for Jianzhou's nighttime movements? How could a mere historian lead a grain convoy in and out of the imperial city? Do the Jianzhou and Sudala truly trust you like that?" A mere clerk knowing the core secrets of the Jianzhou? You even know about the guards required for Jianzhou's nighttime movements? How could a mere historian lead a grain convoy in and out of the imperial city? Do the Jianzhou and Sudala truly trust you like that?"

Zhen Youcai led Wang Pu and his companions to a secluded corner and whispered: "General, I know a Bannerman who lives in the southern city. His residence has two courtyards and is relatively secluded, so we will not be disturbed. It would be safer for us to hide there."

Wang Pu estimated that capturing the city gate would be relatively easy; the issue lies with the garrison within the city. Although the elite Eight Banners of the Manchu Qing are currently stationed at Songshan, those left in Shengjing are mostly the old, weak, sick, and disabled. However, caution is the key to success. If it is possible to discreetly eliminate the garrison within the city without anyone noticing, why not do so?

Zhen Youcai stepped forward and exchanged a few pleasantries in Manchu with the gatekeeper, a Bannerman. He secretly glanced back and felt a shiver run down his spine at the sight of Wang Pu and his fifty subordinates in such a stance. In truth, Zhen Youcai had no intention of betraying anyone. He honestly said to the Bannermen, "Gentlemen, I am here on the orders of Lord Sudala to deliver these dozens of carts of grain, vegetables, and game to the palace."

"General," Xiao Qi urged anxiously, "You must not believe it at all wwwhetushucomcom"

Wang Pu let out a muffled grunt as a response

"Good, he has actually become a citizen of the flag." Xiao Qi stepped forward and grabbed the small braid on Zhen Youcai's forehead, addressing Wang Pu, "General, this guy has even forsaken his ancestors; what purpose does it serve to keep him alive in this world? I will drag him out right now and let those Han people outside beat him to death."

Zhen Youcai glanced back at Wang Pu, who subtly nodded in response. Only then did Zhen Youcai hurriedly run up. Wang Pu stopped the grain cart, pretending to rest against it, while his hands had already slipped into the grain bags, grasping the long handle of the three-eyed gun. The servants behind Wang Pu also stopped their supplies and began to "rest against the grain cart".

Hoo.

Currently, there are no enemy troops pressing at the borders, and the concealed chambers in the walls are all empty

Zhen Youcai's eyes darted around, but for a moment, he was at a loss for words

The distance from Changyong Fortress to Shengjing is only thirty li, and the grain convoy arrived outside Shengjing City in less than two hours.

Wang Pu stared straight at Zhen Youcai, his gaze deep and cold like a millennium-old piece of black ice. After a long while, he suddenly gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice: "Alright, I will trust you, and we will proceed as you suggested"

Shengjing City is not large, and the two quickly arrived in front of the Daqing Gate while conversing. Wang Pu indeed saw the two military camps; their scale was not substantial, capable of accommodating approximately two thousand troops combined. The sounds of battle echoed in the training ground, where a group of young Jianzhou soldiers was undergoing drills, exuding a fierce atmosphere.

"That is agreeable," Wang Pu said softly, "as long as you serve the court diligently, this general and the library will certainly recommend you to His Majesty."

"Speak quickly!" Wang Pu slammed his palm heavily on the table and shouted sternly, "Who exactly are you?"

"No mistake, hehe, no mistake." Zhen Youcai said with a smirk, quickly turning around to wave at Wang Pu and the others, "Did you hear that? Hurry up and get the convoy into the city."

In such harsh conditions, one must exercise utmost caution, and never let one's guard down.

Wang Pu stared intently at Zhen Youcai, beginning to engage in a fierce internal struggle. What should he do? Trust or not trust? If he trusts, he would be wagering not only his own life and fortune but also the lives of over a thousand subordinates on this man Zhen Youcai. But can this man be trusted? If he does not trust, is there a better option? If they cannot capture Shengjing, fleeing back to the Ming would only lead to a dead end.

Zhen Youcai flattered with a smile: "Then I shall thank the general in advance."

Although this group of young boys were merely adolescents, Wang Pu did not harbor the slightest contempt for them. He would rather treat these more than two thousand Jianzhou children as the most formidable enemies. Now, he was deep behind enemy lines, surrounded only by foes and devoid of allies. The only support Wang Pu and his over a thousand retainers could rely on was themselves

This ... ... this ... ...

The convoy stopped at the side gate of the palace, as proceeding further would lead to the inner palace. Han individuals who had not undergone purification could not enter casually, and although Zhen Youcai had been granted banner status, he too was unable to enter. Soon, a eunuch came out to take over the carriage, marking the completion of Wang Pu and his companions' task. Next, they would leave the city to find a place to rest, and then return to the city tomorrow to retrieve the empty carriage.