Chapter 32: The Current All-Attributes

The Edge of the Heaven-Reliant Sword!

A weapon of refined quality.

Clearly, it was sharper and more formidable than a fine steel blade.

“A fine sword.”

“With my elemental power, it will surely dominate the battlefield.”

Looking at the sword, Zhu Zheng was immensely pleased.

In this era of melee weapons, the impact of a divine weapon was self-evident.

Of course,

this age was not purely one of cold weapons; firearms had also begun to be used on the battlefield.

However, cannons did not fire explosive shells, and muskets were still primitive matchlocks, with loading and powdering being cumbersome and slow.

“A fine steel blade can sever ordinary military blades; this Heaven-Reliant Sword, being of refined quality, needs no further introduction.”

“Armed with it, I am invincible on the battlefield.”

Zhu Zheng cherished the Heaven-Reliant Sword as he sheathed it, then stored the fine steel blade in his storage space.

With this sword in hand,

it was only fitting to wield something stronger.

Though the fine steel blade was sharp, it naturally paled in comparison to the Heaven-Reliant Sword.

“Attribute panel.”

Zhu Zheng called out inwardly.

A digital panel appeared before him.

Host: Zhu Zheng

Age: 24

Strength: 968 points

Agility: 616 points

Spirit: 623 points

Stamina: 658 points

Lifespan: 82 years plus 2,986 days

Treasure Chest: None

Martial Skills: Charged Slash [Beginner], Eight Extremes Smash [Beginner]...

Storage Space: Six cubic meters

“Strength is nearing a thousand pounds.”

“If I take the Blood Rage Pill, strength doubles.”

“This power is truly unmatched.”

“The battlefield is my pool of experience.”

Zhu Zheng gazed at his attribute panel with great satisfaction.

...

Huailai City!

“Reporting to General Song.”

“We have just received orders from the Ministry of War.”

“The allied armies from Liaodong Prefecture and Baoding Prefecture are advancing towards Beiping Prefecture. The first army will arrive within twenty days at the earliest, no later than a month,” a general reported to Song Zhong as he entered the hall.

Upon hearing this,

a smile of joy spread across Song Zhong’s face. “Ha ha ha, good, very good.”

“With Minister Qi personally strategizing, why worry about pacifying the rebel in Yan?”

“The combined forces from the two prefectures number nearly two hundred thousand and are equipped with many firearms. No matter how formidable Zhu Di is, he cannot withstand our imperial army’s advance.”

The generals present echoed in agreement.

“Currently, we hold nearly eighty thousand troops and control all key points around Beiping Prefecture. This is a massive net cast against the Yan rebels. As long as we hold firm, they cannot break through in twenty days.”

“Moreover,”

“the rebels are still blocked outside the three cities of Miyun.”

“In the end,”

“the Yan rebels are courting death.”

“The tide of our empire cannot be overturned by a mere vassal prince like Zhu Di.”

“Truly courting death…”

Song Zhong was unconcerned about the current war situation, and so were his generals.

After all,

this was a guaranteed victory.

Yet at this moment,

“Report!”

A messenger burst into the hall, panting and alarmed.

“What is the matter? Why such urgency?”

The messenger’s arrival immediately shattered the atmosphere.

“Reporting to General Song.”

“The three cities of Miyun, Jizhou, and Zunhua have all been captured by the rebels.”

“Except for the commander of Jizhou, the generals of the other two cities were killed by the rebels.”

“Fewer than four thousand soldiers escaped the three cities.”

The messenger knelt on one knee, reporting in terror.

“What did you say?”

Song Zhong sprang from his chair, eyes wide with shock.

“Impossible.”

“Though not heavily fortified, each city had nearly ten thousand troops. No matter how strong the rebels are, they cannot breach the cities in just a few days,” Song Zhong said coldly, disbelief evident.

“General,”

“I assure you, the report is true.”

“This is an urgent dispatch just received.”

“The rebels first broke through Miyun City, then cut off the retreat routes of the other two cities, causing all three to fall within three days,” the messenger hurriedly reported.

“How could this be?”

“How could they possibly do it?”

“Orders had already been given to move all heavy siege weapons from around Beiping, so the rebels could not have had heavy siege engines. How, then, did they breach the walls so quickly?” Song Zhong’s expression grew complex.

This situation had exceeded his expectations.

Originally,

in his plan,

the three cities of Miyun would hold out against the rebels for at least ten days. If they failed, troops would retreat to Juyong Pass, the truly strategic stronghold, and await reinforcements from the imperial court to quell the rebellion.

But now,

the three cities had not even held for three days.

“Where are the rebels now?” Song Zhong immediately asked.

“Reporting, General.”

“The rebels are advancing towards Juyong Pass, and the forces from all three cities have united.”

“Obviously, they intend to attack Juyong Pass.”

The messenger replied promptly.

“Juyong Pass is the true stronghold that restrains Beiping Prefecture. If it falls to the rebels, our army will lose all defenses, and the rebels will tear apart the net we have set for them,” Song Zhong said gravely.

His earlier confidence had now turned to worry.

“General,”

“I propose immediately reinforcing Juyong Pass. We cannot lose this key position,” a general urged anxiously.

“I second that.”

“We must quickly send reinforcements.”

“Relief forces will arrive in less than twenty days; we cannot allow the rebels to break Juyong Pass before then. The consequences would be disastrous.”

“General, please issue orders at once…”

The commanders who had been mocking the Yan forces now grew urgent.

“Pass my order.”

“All thirty thousand troops stationed in Huailai must be sent to reinforce Juyong Pass.”

“I will personally command the defense here.”

“With sixty thousand troops defending, we can surely repel the rebels’ advance.”

“Furthermore,”

“order the reinforcements to hasten their march and arrive as soon as possible.”

“The rebels are showing signs of uncontrollable momentum.”

Song Zhong’s expression was grave.

“Yes, sir.”

The generals promptly replied.

“Very well, quickly deploy the troops for reinforcement.”

“Bring all firearms from the city,” Song Zhong ordered sternly, waving his hand.

“Yes, sir.”

The generals echoed and then withdrew.

At this moment, Song Zhong’s face was solemn, harboring an unspoken thought: “Zhu Di!”

“It seems the ministers have underestimated you.”

“Such a vast net, such a dire situation, yet you have brought it to this state.”

“The ministers’ worries were indeed justified.”

“If you are not eliminated, how can the Ming Dynasty find peace?”

“Though the emperor’s policy towards the princes is harsh, it is all for the stability of the Ming.”

“If the princes are not curtailed, chaos will engulf the realm. This is all for the peace of the Ming and the people.”

“Anyone who dares to obstruct will be destroyed by the court!”