Jiajing Chengming

"Let the city defense artillery of each city fight back and teach Altan a lesson for me!"

After Zhu Houcong learned that Altan and other enemies outside the city were clamoring for him to issue a self-criticism edict and to kill Zhang Cong and Gui E, he gave orders in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, think twice. This might anger Altan and force him to attack the city!"

Zhu Houcong looked at the Minister of Rites Li Shi who had spoken: "He is the best at attacking cities. I can use the walls of the capital that I have spent several years reinforcing to consume his fresh troops!"

"Attention, all guns!"

"Adjust the sights and prepare for long-range shooting!"

Thus, half an hour later, all the copper-core and iron-framed cannons in the heavy artillery batteries in various cities in the capital were adjusted with the rotation of the turntable.

"Adjustment completed!"

"Adjustment completed!"

……

"ignition!"

As responses came one after another, the commanders-in-chief of each artillery issued the order to ignite.

"Jiajing kid!"

The rebel general Li Tong had just appeared outside the capital city with a group of cavalry. Just as he shouted this, he saw rows of white smoke suddenly rushing into the sky from the city.

boom!
boom!
Li Tong then felt a loud noise as if his eardrum was about to be shattered.

Then, Li Tong saw that many of his cavalrymen, who were still smiling smugly, were torn to pieces by the suddenly flying bullets in an instant.

Soon, a large number of limbs and heads separated from the body were flying in the sky outside the city.

Li Tong shut his mouth, turned his horse around and headed towards the camp.

However, these heavy artillery pieces weighed thousands of pounds and were densely arranged on the thick and solid city walls of the capital. Therefore, some of the shells bounced up again after landing and directly hit Li Tong.

Li Tong suddenly felt as if he was torn in half by a knife. When his horse ran to the camp, the other people in Altan's camp saw that Li Tong himself was no longer on his mount.

Many of Altan Khan's men who came to the city gate to shout and curse were bombarded.

Some shells even fell directly into the camp of Altan Khan's tribe.

Altan Khan suddenly changed his color and had to move his camp back. For the time being, no one of his men dared to come to the city gate to shout and threaten.

"I didn't expect that the cannons of the Ming capital are even more powerful than we imagined! They can actually fire a distance of one or two miles!"

Therefore, Altan gritted his teeth and told Zheng Liang, who was beside him, about his accident.

Zheng Liang also said with a pale face: "It is indeed frightening."

Altan clenched his fists, his face twitching as he continued:
"What a stubborn Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty is! He would rather give this Khan a lesson than give in!"

"Does he think that I, the Khan, dare not attack the city, and will watch him and his gang of treacherous officials continue to dig away the population of my grassland to weaken my Tatar power?!"

Zheng Liang looked at Altan: "What does the Khan mean?"

"According to my heart, I would like to lead my army to attack the city immediately and massacre the entire capital, but that would waste our men and it would be difficult to recover in the future."

When Altan said this, he looked at Zheng Liang with a serious expression and said, "So, you still have to endure it and not attack the city."

"Go and capture all the Han people we caught in the countryside who did not choose to escape into the city! Let them force Zhu Houcong to surrender!"

"Zhu Houcong has always loved his people like his own children. Now I want to see if he dares to fire at his own people."

As Altan said this, he sneered, with a look of helplessness and rage after disappointment on his face.

Zheng Liang bowed and said yes, then left for a long time. After a while, Zheng Liang came to Altan to convey the words of Xuanda Governor Tang Long and Xianning Marquis Qiu Luan: "Great Khan, Tang Bu Tang and Xianning Marquis sent someone to tell us that they hope to stage a scene where we are defeated by them."

"You want to act again?"

“Why do they love acting so much?”

As Altan asked Zheng Liang, "What happened that made them suddenly decide not to join forces with Ben Khan's army to fight against Jiajing's personal army?"

Zheng Liang said hurriedly: "Because Zhu Houcong sent them an imperial decree, asking them to make up for their crimes and make meritorious contributions. They must repel us, otherwise their entire clan will be killed!"

After hearing this, Altan frowned, then couldn't help but curl his lips and sneer, saying: "It seems that the Jiajing Emperor of the Southern Dynasty didn't really regard them as his own people. He would rather get rid of them with his own hands than take the risk of being betrayed by them and then being wiped out."

"This is not surprising. After all, the Tumu Fortress incident is not far away. It is normal for Zhu Houcong to be more cautious."

Zheng Liang then added a few words.

Altan suddenly slapped the table with his hand, and said with a sullen face: "But is this Khan so easy to order around?!"

"Sometimes they pay us to enter the pass and force Zhu Houcong to kill Zhang and Gui; sometimes they ask us to withdraw our troops and play a scene in which they defeat us."

"Although my 100,000 Tatar soldiers are mainly cavalry, it is convenient to send them out, but we cannot mobilize such a large army without getting Zhu Houcong to agree to pay tribute and promise not to poach people from my grasslands, and without any benefit at all!"

Andan said.

After hearing this, Zheng Liang couldn't help but ask Alda: "What does the Khan mean?"

"You have to pay more!"

I replied.

Then, Altan said, "Just tell them this: the annual allowance for autumn defense that they gave us from Xuanfu Datong must be doubled!"

It turned out that many bold officers and generals in the border towns who had no sense of patriotism would secretly make rules with the Tatar leaders to buy peace with money in order to protect themselves and maintain peace. The officers and generals would regularly send money and food to these Tatar leaders, and the Tatar leaders would promise not to invade the border areas under the charge of the bribers on a large scale, and would even actively cooperate in the performance so that these officers and generals could have the merit of repelling the invaders.

It can be said that military defense can also become a business.

The money paid by these officials is generally called the annual allowance for autumn defense.

In recent years, Altan would also collect autumn defense supplies from Xuanfu and Datong.

After Altan said this, Zheng Liang asked the people sent by Qiu Luan to take Altan's request back.

"Have all the people been taken to the front?"

After that, Altan asked Zheng Liang about his subordinates taking the captured Han people out of the city gates.

Zheng Liang replied: "He has been taken away."

After hearing this, Altan laughed and said, "Great! Let's see whether Zhu Houcong wants to keep Zhang and Gui alive, or whether he wants to kill these people!"

At that time, outside the capital, a large number of Han people were indeed escorted to the front by Altan's cavalry.

These Han people were also driven by the Altan cavalry to dig pits outside the city.

Then, Wanhu Shandan and others under Altan drew their swords and forced the Han people to jump into the pit.

At the same time, Shandan also shouted to the Ming court officers and soldiers on the wall: "Listen to your emperor, our Khan has ordered that if your emperor does not issue an edict of guilt and execute the treacherous ministers Zhang and Gui, all these people will be buried alive here today!"

By this time, Zhu Houcong already knew that Altan's cavalry were outside ordering the people to dig pits and jump into them.

Xia Yan, who was standing in front of Zhu Houcong, could not help but say: "These fools are really stupid. The imperial edict of fortifying the city and clearing the countryside has been issued for so long, but they still refuse to hide in the city, and have become a handle for the bandits to threaten the court!"

"This can't be entirely blamed on the people. Many guards at the city gates in the capital secretly demanded bribes from those entering the city. They would only let those people in if they paid money. Otherwise, they would be arrested as spies and thrown into jail. Many people didn't want to spend money, and they also hoped to avoid being discovered by the Tartars, so they didn't enter the city."

At this time, the Minister of Personnel Li Chengxun, who was experienced in guarding border cities, expressed his opinion.

"Your Majesty! Human life is at stake. I am willing to submit to the law to save the people outside the city!"

Zhang Cong knelt down at this time, looking very calm.

Therefore, all the court officials looked at Zhang Cong.

Xu Zan couldn't even help but raise the corner of his mouth slightly at this moment, and glanced at Zhu Houcong with hope.

Among other court officials, those who were dissatisfied with Zhang Cong could not help but have some expectations.

Even Xia Yan's eyes flashed with the idea that Zhu Houcong might order the execution of Zhang Cong, or pretend to execute Zhang Cong and find a death row prisoner to prove Zhang Cong's death.

But Zhu Houcong looked at Xia Yan at this time, and Xia Yan also noticed the emperor's gaze, and had to stand up and say: "Your Majesty! I think it is not right. There is no reason for the dynasty to kill the first-rank prime minister of our dynasty because of foreign aggression! Once this is done, it will be a shame for the court, which is no different from ceding land and paying compensation!"

"The people are the most important. This time we are saving the people. What is more important?" At this time, Xu Zan couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, I think that the prime minister is willing to die now, which is a righteous act, not intentionally seeking humiliation for Your Majesty!"

Zhu Houcong looked at Zhang Cong and asked: "Does the Prime Minister really want to ask for death to save the people?"

"Your Majesty, the world can still do land reclamation without me, Zhang Fujing; but what crime have these people committed that they should die outside the city just because I promoted land reclamation?"

"As a scholar, I have been determined to serve the people since I was young. If countless people die because of me, then I will be guilty of the greatest sin!"

Zhang Cong spoke very emotionally at this time.

"You only think about the people, but have you ever thought about Your Majesty?"

At this time, Xia Yan loudly questioned Zhang Cong.

Then, Xia Yan turned around and knelt down before Zhu Houcong, holding up the ivory tablet and saying, "Your Majesty, if you humiliate me, I will die! If Your Majesty wants to kill Yuan Fu today to sign a humiliating alliance, please kill me first and then Yuan Fu!"

"I second the proposal!"

The Minister of Personnel Li Chengxun, the Minister of Revenue Wu Wendi, and the Left Censor-in-Chief Zhou Lun also knelt down.

"Draft an imperial decree to promote Zhang Fujing, the Grand Tutor, the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and the Grand Secretary of the Huagai Palace, to be promoted to the position of Junior Tutor, the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and the Grand Secretary of the Jinshen Palace, Gui E, to be promoted to the position of Junior Tutor, the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and the Grand Secretary of the Jinshen Palace!"

"Also, order the Minister of War Li Yue to issue orders to all cities to bombard Altan's troops and make it clear to Altan that I will repay the murder of my people tenfold tomorrow!"

Zhu Houcong frowned and left the hall without saying anything more. The more the reactionary forces at home and abroad did not allow him to use Zhang Cong and Gui E, the more he wanted to give them prominent positions to show his attitude.

Zhang Cong looked at Zhu Houcong's back in astonishment.

But in the end, Zhang Cong stood up and chased after Zhu Houcong: "Your Majesty, enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens is the quality of a benevolent monarch!"

"I have never thought of being a benevolent monarch. Besides, I cannot sacrifice the lives of a group of people for the lives of all the people in the world. If I compromise today, Altan will repeat his old tricks and use the people to threaten me again! Not only will Altan use this to threaten me, but those treacherous officials who secretly vent their anger on the foreign invaders will also continue to use this trick."

"My benevolence is to be benevolent when necessary, not to tie myself down for a false reputation! If it were just for a false reputation, why would I reform and govern! Why would I let you succeed in the fight for the great gift!"

Zhu Houcong spoke with a sullen face as he walked.

Zhang Cong stopped where he was, bowed and said nothing.

Outside Guangning Gate.

Altan also came to the city wall, and while watching the large number of people being forced to jump into the pit, he asked Shandan: "Did Jiajing reply?"

"No."

Shan Dan replied.

Altan laughed and said, "It seems that Zhu Houcong is really troubled by us!"

blah blah blah!

blah blah blah!

At this time, the sound of hurried horse hooves came from the city wall.

Then, countless arrows carrying imperial letters were shot down from the city.

The arrows were shot by the Jinyiwei who were riding on horses.

The Jinyiwei also shouted on the city wall: "Your Majesty has ordered that I will repay Altan tenfold for killing my people today!"

After hearing this, Altan's face darkened.

"Get out!"

But Altan reacted quickly and turned his horse around immediately.

Boom boom!

At the same time, a large number of artillery shells were flying over.

"what!"

Many civilians who were queuing and forced to jump into the pit were first plowed open by artillery shells to create a bloody path.

Some shells accidentally fell into the pits where the civilians were to be buried alive, causing a lot of blood and flesh to be smashed into pieces.

The cavalry of Altan Khan behind these civilians did not fare any better either. They were constantly blown away, with countless casualties.

"Damn it! Just a title of Hegong Prince and two ministers, are they that important to Zhu Houcong?!"

After Altan fled back to the camp in a panic, he began to question loudly and angrily.

"Khan calm down!"

"Tang Bu Tang and Xianning Hou sent back a message, saying they are willing to pay more, but they only ask us to cooperate."

Zheng Liang then persuaded Altan and brought back the words of Tang Long and Qiu Luan.

Altan said, "Okay! We will cooperate with them. It's meaningless to stay here any longer. When the time comes, tell them the time and direction of our retreat!"

……

……

"Your Majesty, Altan is retreating. According to the scouts, shouts and screams of killing are heard within a hundred miles."

"In addition, Tang Long and Qiu Luan reported to me that they have repelled Altan Khan!"

Soon.

The Minister of War Li Yue reported the latest situation to Zhu Houcong.

Zhu Houcong smiled coldly after hearing this: "This is a performance for me!"

"Your Majesty is right. Another thing is that Liu Tianhe, the general commander of the three borders, sent a report that he led his general Jiang Shuang and deputy general Wang Fu to bribe reliable Tatars as spies and followed the emperor's order to go out of the Helan Mountains and sweep the old nest of the weak and orphans of the Altan tribe. All of Altan's concubines and children have been captured alive!"

Li Yue then went on to report other matters.

Zhu Houcong nodded after hearing this: "Very good! What do you think we should do now?"

At this time, Li Yue directly said: "I think we can send a large army to pursue Altan! I recommend Zhang Wei, the Earl of Hui'an, and Zhou Shangwen, the general, to lead the troops out of the border, both under the command of Liu Tianhe."

Zhang Cong said: "Before the army is dispatched, Tang and Qiu should be promoted back in the name of their meritorious service in repelling Altan Khan, and other court officials should be sent to replace them, so as to prevent these two from secretly communicating with Altan Khan and forcing him to abandon his wife and children and move to another place first!"

"In this case, Liu Tianhe should be promoted to Right Censor-in-Chief and also be given the title of Minister of War! Only in this way can we convince the people!"

"In addition, to prevent Altan from being in the city, we should go out of the city to inform him so that he can be alerted in advance. The army should set out at midnight and set up camp after dawn!"

Minister of Personnel Li Chengxun said.

"I second the proposal!"

"Then we will promote two people to the capital first. Tang Long will be promoted to the title of Minister of War and will assist in the military affairs of the Beijing Camp. Qiu Luan will be promoted to the Governor of the Mighty Camp."

"Also, tell Liu Tianhe not to leave any of them behind. Build a Jingguan at the foot of the Helan Mountains, on the road that Altan must pass through, and block his retreat. When my army arrives, we will annihilate Altan together!"

"As for the army's march, please follow our request!"

"And spread my decree to the whole army. Altan Khan is extremely evil and unteachable. Anyone who chooses to be loyal to Altan Khan will be killed without mercy! Regardless of whether they are old, weak, women or children! Build a Jingguan to re-emphasize the might of our Ming army on the grassland!"

"When our army defeats Altan Khan's army, it will be my chance to gather all the tribes on the grassland to jointly suppress Altan Khan and rectify the situation outside the Great Wall!"

All the court officials said they would obey your order!

Boom!
Boom!
On this day, before dawn, just after Altan's army had broken camp, under a bright moon, the sound of war drums began to ring out across the capital.

The musicians of the Taichang Temple also played war songs for the emperor's army to go to war on the city wall.

At the same time, the gates of all parts of the capital were opened.

Rows of Ming troops, who had been prepared in advance, wearing armor, riding horses or holding spears and heavy guns, came out of the city gates one after another, carrying lanterns and battle flags, accompanied by drum beats and songs composed in the style of Hongwu Zhengyun.

The army, like red dragons, set out on their journey under the shining moonlight. (End of this chapter)