Chapter 0007: The Enemy is at the Gates
After Zhu Youlang gave his orders, soldiers came forward, led by Ma Xiongfeng, Yang Zai, and other trusted aides of Ma Jixiang
The total combined military strength amounts to 50,000, yet it is claimed to be 100,000
Come here, bring the traitor Ma Jixiang's accomplices
During this campaign of the Qing army against Yunnan and Guizhou, Zhao Butai and Wu Sangui were respectively conferred the titles of General of the Southern Expedition and General of the Pacification of the West
Even the Son of Heaven is willing to risk arrows and stones to hold the city, what reason do they have not to fight to the death?
Convey my imperial decree: execute all the treacherous ministers and traitorous individuals to serve as a warning to others
The mobilization of the army poses a significant issue regarding supplies and provisions
The soldiers were filled with joy and excitement, and they began to sing praises of Zhu Youlang's brilliance.
This individual is from the Gua'erjia clan, a member of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner, who has achieved numerous military accomplishments in various campaigns since the Qing army entered the pass.
In his eyes, these Ming army soldiers were all obstacles hindering his promotion and must be eliminated completely
What Zhu Youlang desires is precisely this effect
Wu Sangui commanded the Old Guanning Army, while Zhao Butai held the elite Manchu banner troops.
Under the command of Zhu Youlang, the elite troops of the Ming army have already ascended the city walls in advance to establish defenses
The commanders leading the troops are Wu Sangui and Zhao Butai
In the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen era, during the Jia Shen national upheaval, this individual, in order to counter Li Zicheng, actually opened the Shanhai Pass to allow Dorgon to enter the pass
... ...
Many soldiers who had never seen the emperor were able to catch a glimpse of his countenance, and they immediately felt it was worth it
In an instant, blood gushed from the neck, and a dozen heads rolled to the ground like watermelons
Granting the Yellow Banner Manchu Gushan Ejen, Second Class Asihani Hafan
After the Qing army arrived and set up camp outside Kunming, the atmosphere within the city had become extremely tense. A great battle was imminent, and the city walls were filled with stationed Ming soldiers
Under the escort of the Imperial Guards, Zhu Youlang approached Li Dingguo and said in a gentle voice: "Prince Jin, are all the defensive weapons prepared properly?"
The soldiers had been waiting for this decree, and they all raised their sabers to strike at the necks of Ma Xiongfēi, Yang Zài, and others
Divided into Wei and Men (East Gate), Yongqing Men (Northeast Gate), Baoshun Men (North Gate), Hongrun Men (Southwest Gate), Guangyuan Men (West Gate), and Lizheng Men (South Gate)
Han generals like him, who defected halfway, although they have made significant contributions such as the successful defense of Shanhaiguan, will still be met with some suspicion
What is more important than Shanhaiguan?
After personally executing Ma Jixiang, Zhu Youlang ordered the imprisonment and execution of Ma Jixiang's accomplices.
Of course, it is not too late to read books now
The soldiers looked down upon such cowardly traitors who sold out their country, and they kicked fiercely at their knees
After much contemplation, it ultimately comes down to the head of the Ming court emperor
Your Majesty is wise
There are a total of six city gates open throughout the city
The Qing army attacking Kunming this time is composed of three parts. The first is the elite Eight Banners, the second is the direct troops of Wu Sangui, and the third is the defected Green Standard Army.
At this moment, Li Dingguo's heart was filled with mixed emotions
After all, Feng Shuangli is a rare and formidable general, and the soldiers under his command are also brave and skilled in battle
Zhu Youlang wears a gilded protective crown adorned with fragrant herbs and a six-petal bright iron helmet, is clad in yellow fur with square leaves and waist-length bright armor, fastens a bright yellow waist sword belt, and carries a bow case, quiver, and a dagger.
The next morning, the Son of Heaven, Zhu Youlang, also ascended the city walls to coordinate and inspire the troops.
The city of Kunming during the Ming Dynasty was not the earthen city of the Yuan Dynasty, but rather a fortified city constructed under the supervision of Mu Ying in the fifteenth year of the Hongwu era. The total perimeter of the city is over 4,000 meters, with walls standing 9 meters high, slightly square in shape, and made of bricks
Zhu Youlang nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this
Of course, Wu Sangui did not mind this.
Decapitation and flag-raising
In this assault on Yunnan and Guizhou, Wu Sangui exerted every ounce of his strength, attacking cities and seizing land without reservation, mercilessly slaughtering his former compatriots
A period of over ten days is still sufficient to adequately prepare for all matters. What brings him comfort is that after he decided to hold firm in Kunming, the Feng Shuangli troops, which historically moved north to Jianchang, were able to remain in the city, which is indeed a good thing for the Ming army
After much discussion, Wu Sangui and Zhao Butai ultimately decided to set up camp five miles outside of Kunming. Their two camps were connected, but the command tents were located at the center of each respective camp.
In other words, to gain the absolute trust of the Qing court, he must establish an even greater declaration of loyalty.
Long live the Ming Dynasty
The soldiers of the Ming army shouted in unison
... ...
He could see the endless fury in the eyes of the soldiers. The morale boost brought by these more than ten severed heads was truly immense
In fact, Emperor Shunzhi was not entirely at ease with Wu Sangui, which is why he sent Zhao Butai to attack Yunnan and Guizhou alongside him
Although Zhu Youlang held a batch of Prussian firearms in his hands, relying solely on these weapons for defending the city was insufficient; it also required the flesh and blood of human beings
In response to the Emperor's inquiry, Li Dingguo respectfully replied: "Your Majesty, the logs and stones have been prepared, and the molten metal is being heated. As for the batch of Western firearms that Your Majesty sent someone to purchase, they have also been transported to the city walls"
He wishes to inform the military and civilians in Kunming that the Son of Heaven of the Ming Dynasty stands with you, and those who dare to betray the country and surrender to the enemy shall be executed without mercy
Decapitation and flag-raising
... ...
This attire made the thirty-five-year-old emperor appear heroic and majestic, as if a celestial being had descended to the mortal realm
Your Majesty is divine and martial
It was only after the Qing army had gathered provisions for a considerable time that they marched leisurely towards Kunming. By the time they reached the outskirts of Kunming, more than half a month had already passed.
Wu Sangui need not be mentioned; he was originally the General of Shanhai Pass for the Ming court
Among them, King Gongchang Wang Baiwenxuan was in charge of guarding the East Gate, Duke Tai'an Dou Mingwang was responsible for the Northeast Gate, King Qingyang Feng Shuangli guarded the North Gate, Marquis Pingyang Jin Tongwu was in charge of the Southwest Gate, Duke Qian Guo Mu Tianbo guarded the West Gate, and King Jin Li Dingguo personally guarded the South Gate
The current situation is that the Ming army is united in purpose, with a strong collective will, and with the assistance of Prussian artillery, it is by no means impossible to defend Kunming
Currently, Guizhou has been conquered, and the only remaining challenge is Yunnan
The two individuals cooperate with each other, which also implies a sense of mutual restraint
Zhu Youlang himself did not appear to be agitated; he pressed his hands down and said in a deep voice: "Today, I shall be with you all on the city wall. If the city stands, so do the people; if the city falls, so do the people!"
The effect of the Son of Heaven personally ascending the city walls was significant, as the soldiers of the Ming army were all filled with excitement, rolling up their sleeves and preparing to fight valiantly to the death
On the third day of the first month in the thirteenth year of the Yongli era, the vanguard of the Qing army arrived outside the city of Kunming
The soldiers will feel that what they are guarding is no longer an elusive court or a lofty monarch, but a Son of Heaven who is willing to live and die alongside them, the Son of Heaven of the Ming Dynasty
Eliminate the Eastern invaders, revive the nation
They had long been bound hand and foot, fully aware that they could not escape death, yet when confronted with death, each of them turned pale with fear.
Decapitation and flag-raising
Since then, the situation in the world has undergone a dramatic change, spiraling out of control
As it was already dusk, the Qing army did not rush to attack, but instead set up pots to cook rice, preparing to fill their stomachs and plan to assault the city the following morning
As for Zhao Butai, he is also a formidable person
... ...
If the Son of Heaven had been able to display such courage a few years ago, perhaps the situation would not be so critical and perilous now
However, he did not immediately issue an edict to execute these individuals, but instead decided to wait until the Qing army attacked Kunming before bringing these traitors out for execution
As long as the Son of Heaven stands on the city wall, it exerts a tremendous appeal
In an instant, more than a dozen treacherous ministers all knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly
Moreover, the number of these firearms is limited, and ammunition will eventually run out; they can only address immediate needs and should not become a dependency