Chapter 7, The Surprise Attack on Changping

At this moment, falling down is truly life-threatening

The general's call brought a secret delight to Guo Qi, and his attitude became much more amiable

It is truly unimaginable not to leave the capital; in the heart of the capital region, beneath the feet of the Son of Heaven, it has actually fallen into such a state of decline!

"The skills of a mere artisan are hardly worth mentioning." A civil official appeared beside Chongzhen, and immediately shot three arrows in succession, knocking down three bandits to the ground

When Chongzhen led over 700 cavalry to the vicinity of Changping, it was already dusk

Even Meng Guangxiang, Wu Linzheng, and others who were unaware of military affairs changed their expressions

Throughout the journey, not a single bandit was encountered, nor even a refugee; they all went to Beijing to seek sustenance

Chongzhen was left speechless; indeed, television dramas are deceptive

A quarter of an hour later, three flames suddenly rose from the southern gate tower

Wang Jiayan led a group of servants ahead.

The performance of these three nobles is indeed disappointing

He said to Wang Jiayan: "This matter still requires your assistance, Wang Qing."

"It is inappropriate to attack from any direction. With only a few hundred troops, there is a significant risk in assaulting any fortified city," Wang Jiayan shook his head and continued, "I believe it would be better to find a nearby village and gather some grain from the common people."

Chongzhen reassured everyone: "However, you need not worry, there will be no heavy troops of bandits in the city of Changping, and I have already devised a surprise attack strategy, which will allow us to easily capture Changping."

Upon hearing this, not only Wang Jiayan and Jin Xuan

The three foremost riders were all clad in dark black mountain-patterned armor, wearing helmets, and their faces were covered with fearsome demon masks

Wang Jiayan could not help but say: "It seems that the bandits also believe that after we break through the encirclement, we will definitely head south, which is why they only sent cavalry to pursue us to the south, neglecting the north."

Regardless of the scale of military operations, logistical support is an unavoidable challenge

... ...

"What excellent archery!" exclaimed Chongzhen, "Who is this person?"

Going without food for a meal or two is not a big deal, but going without food for several days can be life-threatening, especially since the journey to Nanjing is over a thousand miles.

Jin Xuan also inquired: "Your Majesty, do you mean to attack Changping Prefecture?"

"Did you come here fleeing from Yongping Prefecture?" Guo Qi asked, "What happened in Yongping?"

Guo Qi is a commander in the Dashun Army, responsible for guarding the city of Changping Prefecture, with five hundred soldiers under his command

Without further ado, this old man is Wang Jiayan

Hmm? Upon hearing this, Wang Jiayan's expression changed slightly. Attack when they are unprepared

Can such a small force take Juyong Pass? Surely, His Majesty cannot be speaking in a dream

However, the fuse will not be ignited for the time being, due to concerns about exposure

There are also the fifty or so vagrants behind, who are specifically chosen by Wang Jiayan as his thin and dark servants

Chongzhen said: "Then let us catch the bandits off guard once more"

Wang Jiayan is both dark and thin, and playing the role of a refugee is a true reflection of his natural appearance

Wang Jiayan was immediately rendered speechless, for what Chongzhen said was all true

Jin Xuan also said: "Your Majesty, I also believe that attacking Changping is too risky; otherwise, we should take a detour."

In fact, there is another sentence that Chongzhen did not express.

"Your Majesty speaks too highly of me," Wang Jiayan said, "I am ashamed."

Under the nightfall, only the sound of hooves striking the hard ground can be heard, producing a dull thudding noise

Chongzhen summoned Wang Jiayan to his side once again and gave him careful instructions

Soon, over 500 cavalrymen arrived outside the state office.

"Raising grain from the common people, is that not robbery?" Chongzhen said with a sneer, "I have heard a saying among the people, 'Thieves are like combs, soldiers are like razors,' which refers to how our Ming border troops, when suppressing bandits, are even more ruthless in plundering the common people than the various bandit groups. Are you suggesting that I should learn from the border troops?"

Throughout history, there have been relatively few instances of true defeat in battle; most losses can be attributed to logistics. For example, the historically significant Battle of Guandu, as well as the Battle of Changping between Qin and Zhao.

Despite the news from the front that Beijing has already been conquered and that the one hundred loyal soldiers under his command have entered a state of celebration, Guo Qi remains vigilant in inspecting the city defenses

Wang Jiayan had long been waiting inside the city gate. Upon seeing Chongzhen, he exclaimed: "Your Majesty, the enemy troops number only about one hundred, stationed at the east gate tower and the Changping prefectural office, with provisions and supplies also located within the prefectural office"

What is going on? Guo Qi asked, "Who dares to cause trouble here?"

Just as Chongzhen hesitated in his heart about whether to personally take the field, he suddenly heard a whoosh of air slicing through the silence.

"Yes, we must take Changping," Chongzhen nodded and said. "We left in a hurry and did not bring any supplies. Only by capturing Changping can we obtain provisions; otherwise, even eating will become a challenge."

After having a hearty meal, the sky turned dark. Wang Jiayan and his companions found a deserted, dilapidated courtyard near the South Gate to temporarily settle down, and the bandits did not pay much attention to them.

The firelight was the signal that Wang Jiayan had agreed upon with Chongzhen before his departure

A military officer replied, "They are refugees from Yongping Prefecture, seeking to enter the city to ask for food."

"Don't mention it," the old man sighed and said, "The Guanning Army has entered the pass, and these corrupt officials and soldiers seize everything from the villages, leaving us not a single grain of food. We really cannot go on like this, so we have no choice but to come and seek refuge with the rebel king."

As I looked down again from the probe, I saw a cavalry unit emerging from the woods like a ghost.

"His Majesty is joking," Wang Jiayan said, his face turning pale, "It is certainly impossible to attack Juyong Pass."

Hundreds of torches were quickly ignited, and these torches soon converged into a fire dragon, charging into Changping City

Wang Jiayan stated: "However, Changping is a major stronghold north of Jizhou, the gateway to the capital, and it is certain that the bandits will have heavy troops stationed there"

"What is there to be excited about?" Chongzhen said in a low voice, "Go check if the city gate is open."

Chongzhen removed his mask and said in a deep voice: "Horse bit the bridle, man bit the grass, target Changping City, go!"

Without supplies, the army will find it difficult to advance, its combat effectiveness cannot be guaranteed, and it will suffer defeats

The remaining few bandits finally collapsed

Most of the villages along the way have been abandoned; not to mention people, even wild dogs are nowhere to be seen

Gong Yonggu, Liu Wenbing, and the more than 700 cavalry behind them all began to attach branches to their warhorses' bits, while the soldiers themselves held a bundle of dry grass in their mouths to ensure that no sound would be made during their advance

Compared to other bandits, Guo Qi can be considered cautious

"Joining the King of Adventure is the right choice," Guo Qi said with a smile, "Following the King of Adventure ensures a meal."

Guo Qi, accompanied by over ten bandits and old soldiers, blocked the entrance of the prefectural office, shouting for a fierce battle. Liu Wenbing, Zhang Qingzhen, and Wei Shichun, each leading their own men, charged three times in succession but were unable to break through.

Jiang Baihu hurriedly led people to move the barricades aside, and the old man, along with the fifty or so refugees behind him, expressed their heartfelt gratitude as they entered the city. They then followed the guidance of the surrendered soldiers to arrive at the porridge station outside the prefectural office.

Suddenly, a scream echoed at the entrance of the state government office, and upon closer inspection, it was seen that the once imposing thief was now clutching his throat, collapsed on the bluestone steps

About one watch later, over seven hundred cavalry quietly arrived outside Changping City. Chongzhen looked up ahead and saw that the south gate tower was shrouded in darkness, utterly silent.

The old man immediately bent over and walked over, calling out "General"

Prepare," Chongzhen commanded in a deep voice

"Are you from Yongping Prefecture?" Guo Qi furrowed his brows and then pointed at an obviously elderly man in the crowd outside the city gate, saying, "Old man, come here."

Is this really the Jinyiwei? Where are the mantis legs and wasp waists that were promised? Is this it?

"Your Majesty, look quickly!" Gong Yonggu exclaimed excitedly, "Fire!"

Wang Jiayan was left speechless.

Chongzhen could not help but feel a certain anxiety; having escaped from the siege of hundreds of thousands of bandits in Beijing, would he really stumble in this small place of Changping?

Thus, the harsh reality is that if they do not capture Changping Prefecture, their monarch and ministers will truly face starvation

A segment of goose feather protruded between the fingers of the thief.

At this time, some of the bandits had already been awakened by the commotion coming from the southern gate, among them was Guo Qi

Chongzhen sighed and said: "You all know that the capital region has been repeatedly invaded by the Jianzhou bandits, and the villages in various states and counties are already nine out of ten empty. Where can we still find any signs of human habitation? Where is there still food? Only in the county towns can we find some food, so we must attack the Changping county town, whether we want to or not; if we do not attack, we will starve to death."

Gong Yonggu quickly rode forward, and after a moment, he returned to report that the city gate had been opened

More than 700 cavalrymen brandished various weapons in a chaotic manner

When Guo Qi arrived at the South Gate, he discovered that there were people causing a disturbance outside the gate

Chongzhen no longer hesitated, and with a wave of his hand shouted: "Light the torches, enter the city!"

At this moment, the defenses of Changping City must be quite lax

... ...

"Are we going around?" Chongzhen retorted to Jin Xuan, "Are we going to bypass Changping to attack Juyong Pass? That would indeed be a good choice, for once we capture Juyong Pass, we can directly enter Xuanzhou."

Jin Xuan said: "This is what is called being unexpected"

If the entry into the city goes smoothly and the gates are seized at midnight, Wang Jiayan will light three bonfires at the South Gate, at which point Chongzhen can confidently lead his troops into the city

However, among them, only one hundred are veteran soldiers who originated from bandits, while the rest are defected soldiers from the Ming military garrisons. Although they can also be considered soldiers, their combat effectiveness is significantly inferior to that of the veteran soldiers from the bandit ranks

Five kilometers southeast of Changping Prefecture, there is a sparse birch forest

"Is it not possible to attack Juyong Pass?" asked Chongzhen. "May I ask, Your Excellency, where else should we strike?"

In the stillness of the deep night, a squirrel emerged from its tree hollow, preparing to descend to the ground in search of food. However, just as it had descended halfway, it suddenly heard a low, rumbling neigh, which startled it back into the tree hollow.

Thanks to the few catchy slogans proposed by Li Yan, Chuang Wang is now so popular among the common people

Chongzhen decisively stated: "The Prince Consort and the Commander of the Imperial Guard shall lead two hundred cavalry to launch a surprise attack on the East Gate. Remember, there is no need to engage in a deadly fight; it is sufficient to drive them away! The rest shall follow me to the prefectural office to kill!"

The commander of the Jinyiwei, Wang Guoxing, was infuriated upon witnessing this and led a dozen Jinyiwei to charge forward in succession. However, he was ultimately struck down by Guo Qi with a swift blow, falling from his horse, while the Jinyiwei behind him scattered like birds and beasts.

He then said to the military officer behind him, "Officer Jiang, let them in to eat."