Chapter 33: The Battle That Decides Zhu Di’s Fate and Survival

Juyong Pass!

This was the imperial court's pivotal move to contain Zhu Di. As the foremost formidable fortress of Beiping Prefecture, it sat to the east, acting as a choke point for all merchant routes and supply lines leading to Beiping City. It could be said that as long as the imperial court held this pass, Zhu Di would be nothing more than a grasshopper in late autumn, doomed to perish.

And now, Qiu Fu, the premier general under Zhu Di, had been dispatched by royal command to personally take command of the fortress. Fifty thousand Beiping troops were arrayed before Juyong Pass. These were soldiers reorganized after several major battles; since most of the surrendered troops were former subordinates of Zhu Di who originally belonged to Beiping, they were easy to assimilate. As for the soldiers sent by the imperial court, they had been completely broken up and integrated. In the face of such overwhelming numbers, a small handful of outsiders could change nothing.

Atop Juyong Pass, Song Zhong stared with a heavy expression at the Yan army arrayed before the walls.

"In just a few days, the Yan rebels have managed to gather such a force," Song Zhong muttered, his eyes fixed on the scene below. "To bolster my defenses, I had very little grain or supplies in cities like Miyun; even in places like Beiping, the provisions were never enough to sustain such an army. Yet, Zhu Di is able to maintain the supplies for so many troops. This proves that he has long harbored traitorous intentions, hoarding grain and supplies. He has been planning this rebellion all along."

"General," a deputy beside him said, his tone filled with anxiety, "judging by the current situation, the rebel force is likely no less than fifty thousand strong. Can Juyong Pass truly hold?"

Before the man had even finished, Song Zhong’s brow furrowed, and he replied coldly, "I have over sixty thousand troops, the advantage of the terrain, and the support of cannons and muskets. The rebels have no heavy siege equipment; how could they possibly break the wall?"

"General Chen Lin!" Song Zhong shouted immediately.

"I am here," a commander stepped forward quickly.

"I command you to lead five thousand men as a supervisory force to oversee the battle within the city. Anyone who flees in the face of battle is to be executed immediately. Anyone who spreads panic or disrupts morale is to be executed immediately," Song Zhong commanded in a deep, stern voice.

"As you command," Chen Lin replied, turning to carry out the order.

"General Wu Jun," Song Zhong turned to another officer, "I entrust the defense of this pass to you. Once the rebels attack, hold the pass at all costs. For every man you lose, I will provide a replacement. As long as you hold the pass, you shall be handsomely rewarded, but if you fail, death is your only sentence."

"I obey," Wu Jun replied instantly.

"Sixty thousand troops: five thousand as supervisors, five thousand under my personal command to guard the fortress heart, and fifty thousand forming five layers of defense. If we hold Juyong Pass firmly, we will surely stop the rebels," Song Zhong declared. "Tell the men: the imperial court’s reinforcements of two hundred thousand are already on their way and will arrive shortly. Once they reach us, the rebels will be crushed in an instant."

"In this battle, kill the enemy and earn your merit; you shall be promoted and ennobled. The Emperor will not treat any of you unfairly," Song Zhong said, sweeping his gaze across the officers and soldiers on the ramparts. His words stirred a sense of fervor among the ranks.

At this moment, before Juyong Pass, the fifty thousand Beiping troops under Zhu Di stood assembled. Qiu Fu stood at the forefront, his expression grave.

"Soldiers of the Beiping Army!" Qiu Fu shouted, his voice ringing with authority as he stood before the five thousand men. "Before us lies Juyong Pass. The treacherous officials use this gate to block our path, intending to trap and starve our army as we march to rectify the injustices at court. Today, I, Qiu Fu, by the decree of the Prince of Yan, have come to lead you personally. Once we break this pass, the treacherous officials will have no shelter left in Beiping Prefecture. The Prince of Yan will reclaim control, and our Beiping Army will cleanse the court and restore peace to the Great Ming Empire!"

"We vow to follow the Prince of Yan to the death!" The fifty thousand troops raised their weapons high, shouting in unison. Their morale was formidable.

Within the army, the First Qian-shi Battalion, to which Zhu Zheng belonged, stood in the second wave. The first wave, led personally by Chen Heng, served as the vanguard for the main assault.

"This battle is the key to reclaiming Beiping Prefecture," Zhu Zheng thought, gazing at the fortress ahead. "It is a life-or-death struggle for Zhu Di. If we cannot take the pass, the imperial court’s main force will arrive and crush us with sheer numbers. If we take this pass and secure Huailai City, we will have a base to defend and can regain control of Beiping. This battle cannot be lost."

"Tan Yuan, Zhu Xu," Zhu Zheng called out.

"Commander," the two men moved closer. During the previous siege, a thousand-man commander had fallen, and Zhu Gaoxu had taken his place as an acting commander. As for Tan Yuan, his merits were currently being recorded.

"When we attack, be as cautious as possible," Zhu Zheng warned gravely. "The enemy force is significant, and they have cannons and firearms. Before we reach the wall, spread out; do not bunch up."

"Understood," both men replied solemnly.

At that moment, Qiu Fu drew his sword, pointed it toward Juyong Pass, and roared, "All soldiers, hear my command! Attack! The first to enter the city shall be promoted and ennobled! Kill!"

With that shout, the beating of war drums began to thunder across the front of Juyong Pass.

"Soldiers! Charge!" Chen Heng commanded, leading his ten thousand men toward the fortress. Under the rhythmic beating of the drums, the vanguard surged forward like a pack of wild beasts. They employed standard tactics: shield-bearers in front to draw fire and protect the ladders and rams, while archers followed behind to provide cover.

Like a tidal wave, the army rushed toward Juyong Pass.

On the ramparts, under Song Zhong’s direct command, the pass was heavily fortified. Watching the Yan army begin their assault, Wu Jun shouted, "Prepare the cannons!"

Instantly, dozens of cannons were aimed at the charging ranks. As the Yan army drew closer, Wu Jun bellowed, "Fire!"

Soldiers with torches lit the fuses. A moment later, a deafening roar shook the air as dozens of cannonballs were fired toward the advancing troops. Upon impact, the shells shattered, spraying iron shards and spikes in every direction.

"Ah... ah..." Many Yan soldiers, caught off guard, were pierced by the iron fragments and collapsed into pools of blood. Though these were not explosive shells, the improved weaponry of the Ming Dynasty still possessed lethal power.