Huangming

Chapter 423 A Desperate Struggle, A Life-or-Death Breakthrough

"puff!"

A mouthful of dark red blood suddenly spurted from the corner of Huang Taiji's mouth, splashing onto the blue bricks in front of him.

Huang Taiji suddenly let go of the crenellations, his body swayed, his vision went black, and he fell towards the bottom of the city wall.

"Sweat!"

Fan Wencheng's voice rang out almost simultaneously with Huang Taiji's fall to the ground.

He was closest to Huang Taiji, and almost instinctively lunged forward, his left arm tightly around Huang Taiji's waist and abdomen, his right hand supporting his back.

He could clearly feel the weight of the person in his arms sinking, and the metallic taste emanating from their throat; his heart sank to the bottom in an instant.

He Heli followed closely behind. This old general, whose hair and beard were already white, didn't even have time to care about the collision of his armor. He grabbed Huang Taiji's wrist and pinched his philtrum hard with his thumb.

"Dad! Hold on! You can't fall!"

Tong Yangxing rushed over, put his hand on Huang Taiji's shoulder, and glanced around.

The soldiers on the city wall were in chaos. Those nearby had witnessed Huang Taiji vomiting blood, their faces filled with terror. Some even instinctively took a half-step back, and whispers spread like a tide:

"The Khan is vomiting blood... Is Heaven going to destroy the Great Jin?"

"The outer city has fallen, and Prince Ajige is gone. Can we still hold out?"

"Shut up, everyone!"

Tong Yangxing shouted sternly, his voice deliberately ruthless.

But the soldiers' eyes remained fixed on Huang Taiji's pale face. His words of "shut up" could not suppress the spreading panic. Instead, they made the whispers even more fragmented and desperate.

After about half a cup of tea's time, Huang Taiji's Adam's apple bobbed, and he struggled to open his eyelids a crack.

He first felt a stinging pain in his philtrum, followed by a strong support in his waist and abdomen, and finally he could see Fan Wencheng, He Heli and others surrounding him.

"I... am fine."

Huang Taiji's voice was hoarse. He raised his hand to push Fan Wencheng away, but found that his arm was so weak that he could hardly lift it.

That mouthful of blood was forced out by a sudden surge of anger.

The news of Ajige and Amin's deaths, the prisoners' attempts to persuade him to surrender, and the wavering eyes of the soldiers—everything was like a knife stabbing into his heart.

But he cannot fall. If he falls, the 20,000 troops in the inner city will be scattered within a day.

He took a deep breath and, with the help of Fan Wencheng and He Heli, slowly straightened up.

Huang Taiji's gaze swept over the soldiers around him. The young and old faces were full of unease and doubt. The already low morale was on the verge of collapse.

What are you all looking at!

Huang Taiji suddenly raised his voice.

"I just coughed up some phlegm from the wind!"

"Xiong Tingbi sent those prisoners to demoralize our troops, and you believe that?"

He took two steps forward, his hand gripping the city wall trembling slightly, but he deliberately straightened his back:
"Pass down the order! Use the reserve dried meat today, and give each soldier an extra two ounces of meat and half a bag of fried noodles!"
"We still have enough provisions in our inner city. As long as we hold out for this period, the Ming army, having come from afar, will eventually retreat due to insufficient supplies, just like last year!"

The soldiers' eyes visibly flickered.

Two ounces of meat wouldn't be much on ordinary days, but now that the siege has lasted so long, the army has been eating thin porridge mixed with wild vegetables. This sudden "extra meal" is like a small reassurance.

"Is what the Khan said true? Do we have enough food?"

The veteran frowned, but no longer showed the panic he had before; he simply mumbled a reply:
"The Khan would never lie to us."

Huang Taiji saw this, but he knew in his heart that this amount of meat was far from enough.

He had to completely dispel the soldiers' doubts about their bodies.

So he shook off Fan Wencheng's hand, forced himself to walk to the other side of the city wall, looked at an old soldier with hunched shoulders beside him, and shouted in a loud voice:
"I am with you!"

I will go and see the guards at all four gates today!

Anyone who dares to back down in the face of battle will be the first to behead me.

Whoever fights to the death and defeats the Ming army will be rewarded with cattle, sheep, and land by this Khan!

As he spoke, he strode toward the west gate tower.

He walked very slowly, and the yellow-striped armor, weighing over thirty pounds, seemed ten times heavier than usual. The dull pain in his chest came in waves, but he never helped anyone again, nor did he show any weakness.

The soldiers on the city wall watched his retreating figure, their whispers gradually ceasing, and their heads, which had been hanging low, quietly lifted up.

"It seems that the Khan is indeed in good health."

"Oh well, who cares? Being able to eat meat today is the important thing!"

As for who wins and who loses, it has nothing to do with these ordinary soldiers.

Fan Wencheng and He Heli followed behind Huang Taiji, exchanging worried glances as they watched his tall but slightly unsteady figure.

They all knew that Tiancong Khan was just putting on a brave face.

But at this moment, they can only rely on this "forced effort" to maintain the last bit of morale in the inner city.

After inspecting the four gates and seeing the soldiers begin distributing dried meat, Huang Taiji's panic subsided, and he slowly descended the city wall with Fan Wencheng's help, heading towards the palace in the inner city.

As soon as he stepped into the palace gate, he could no longer hold on. His legs went weak, and he collapsed heavily onto the stone steps in front of the gate.

The dull pain in his chest returned. He clutched his chest, gasping for breath. The previous majesty was gone from his eyes, replaced by deep exhaustion.

Upon seeing Huang Taiji's condition, Fan Wencheng immediately stepped forward and helped him up.

"Your Majesty! Hold on, this servant will help you back to the palace!"

"No need."

Huang Taiji raised his hand to push away Fan Wencheng's support, sat down on the steps, and rested, panting heavily.

He Heli, who was standing nearby, panicked and reached out to help, but was stopped by a look from Huang Taiji.

Once he had caught his breath, Huang Taiji slowly raised his hand and untied the straps of his armor.

The yellow-striped armor plates were layered upon each other, weighing over thirty pounds.

The moment the straps came undone, the armor slammed to the ground with a thud, kicking up a few clouds of dust.

Freed from the constraints of armor, Huang Taiji finally stood up.

"He Heli."

Huang Taiji's voice regained some of its composure, but the last syllable still carried a hint of barely perceptible fatigue.

"Summon Dudu, Bayara, Engeder, and Jirhalang to the main hall of the inner palace for an immediate meeting."

Seeing that he had finally calmed down, He Heli quickly bowed and replied:
"I'll go right away!"

After He Heli left, Huang Taiji headed towards the main hall.

Upon entering the main hall, he sat directly in the main seat and closed his eyes.

Before long, footsteps could be heard outside the hall.

He Heli, Dudu, Bayala, Engeder, Jirhalang, Fan Wencheng, Tong Yangxing and others then gathered in the hall.

"Your servants pay their respects to the Great Khan!"

Everyone knelt down on one knee.

Huang Taiji waved his hand and said wearily, "Get up, all of you. In this situation, there's no need for formalities."

Everyone slowly stood up, their eyes all falling on his face.

Seeing that he was sitting upright despite his pale face, I felt a little relieved, but the unease still lingered in my heart.

Huang Taiji didn't beat around the bush; he got straight to the point, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall, and said, word by word:

“Ajige died in battle outside Fushun Pass, and Amin was beheaded on the banks of the Suzi River.”

All our chess pieces placed outside the Ming army camp were uprooted by Xiong Tingbi.

Now, Hetu Ala has lost its outer city, its elite troops, and its supplies are only enough to last two months; it has become a truly isolated city.

"Our Great Jin is already at its most dangerous moment."

With 100,000 Ming troops besieging the city from the outside and no food or elite troops inside, dragging this out any longer would be a dead end!
Gentlemen, what are your plans?

After the question was asked, the hall fell even quieter.

"What? Everyone's gone silent?"

Huang Taiji's voice suddenly rose, tinged with disappointment and anxiety. He slammed his hand on the table, spilling most of the tea from the teacup.

"You're all usually so eloquent, but when it comes to life and death, you're all helpless?"

at this time.

Jirgalang took a step forward. He was Huang Taiji's most trusted confidant. Although his face was pale, he remained calm.

He clasped his hands in a fist salute, bowed, and said:

"Great Khan, please calm your anger."

I believe that Hetu Ala is already an isolated city. The outer city has been breached, and no matter how strong the inner city is, it cannot withstand the Ming army's cannons. Staying here any longer will only lead to our demise.

In my humble opinion, we should prepare to break out immediately.

"As long as we're alive, we can always rebuild. If we can break through the encirclement and retreat north, we'll always have a chance to make a comeback!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Tong Yangxing quickly stepped forward, bowing his head in agreement:
“What Jirhalangtaiji said is absolutely right!”

The servant also felt that holding out was not the solution; breaking through was the only way to survive.

Although the Ming army is numerous, there are always gaps in the encirclement. As long as the right route is chosen, it is not impossible to break through.

"A gap? Where did this gap come from!"

He Heli suddenly spoke, his face full of worry, his brows furrowed.

“The Ming army surrounded the city layer by layer, there was a navy at Suzi River, Mongolian cavalry at Longgang Mountain, and even musketeers were hidden in the mountains and forests!”
Of our 20,000 men, half are new recruits. How do we break through?

In my opinion, the inner city wall is three zhang high and sturdy made of stone, so we should just hold it!

Xiong Tingbi brought 100,000 men. The daily food and fodder consumption was astronomical. As long as we can hold out long enough, he will naturally retreat when his food supplies run out.

Didn't he just withdraw like that last year?

"Last year is last year!"

Fan Wencheng shook his head.

"Dong'e'e has forgotten that the Ming army didn't have this many cannons last year. This year, Xiong Tingbi brought two hundred breech-loading cannons, and the outer city was blasted open by the cannons!"
Although the inner city is fortified, if the Ming army bombards it day and night, they will surely be able to breach it within five days.

More importantly, morale in the city was already low. After the surrender of the heads today, many soldiers were discussing surrendering in private. If this dragged on any longer, it was inevitable that someone with ulterior motives would open the city gates and surrender the city.

In my humble opinion, the sooner we break through, the better; if we delay, things might change!

Turen then stepped forward.

"Minister Fan is right, but we must also choose a good route to break through."

To the west lies the Ming army camp, and to the south lies Fushun Pass; neither is a safe route.

To the north lies Longgang Mountain, densely forested, perhaps able to conceal people, but also harboring Ming scouts…”

Dudu clenched his fists and finally mustered the courage to speak:
"How about... heading east? Although there's a Ming navy on the Suzi River, we can find some small boats and cross quietly at night. Maybe we can get around to the Korean border..."

His voice grew softer and softer, and even he himself felt that the idea was unreliable.

The Ming army's sand barges patrolled the Suzi River day and night; it wasn't so easy to sneak across.

Huang Taiji listened to the cacophony of voices below—some advocating a breakout, others insisting on holding out to the death, and still others undecided—and his brow furrowed.

He raised his hand and pressed his temples, feeling a throbbing sensation there, and the metallic taste in his throat returned.

Continuing to argue will only waste time; Da Jin doesn't have much time left to waste.

"enough!"

Huang Taiji suddenly shouted to stop them, and the hall fell silent instantly. Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

Having heard so much, Huang Taiji had already made his choice.

He immediately said:
"The only option left is to break through the encirclement."

Holding out to the bitter end is tantamount to waiting for death; no amount of arguing will change anything.

However, breaking through is extremely dangerous and requires meticulous planning; there can be no room for error.

He turned to look at everyone, his gaze sweeping over each face. His tone softened slightly, but it was still heavy: "After you go down, each of you must figure out the route, timing, and how to deal with the Ming army's interception. Within three days, each of you must submit a complete breakout plan to me."

Remember, this is not only for the sake of the Great Jin, but also for your own lives.

"The slave obeys the order!"

Everyone bowed in unison to accept the order, their voices no longer filled with the usual fervor, but only with a heavy sense of suppression.

They turned and left the main hall, their steps heavy as if filled with lead.

No one dared to imagine how many of their 20,000 men would ultimately escape from the encirclement of 100,000 Ming soldiers.

No one dared to imagine what the future held for Da Jin, even if they escaped.

"Tong Qing, please wait."

Just as Tong Yangxing's boots were about to step out of the palace gate, Huang Taiji's voice suddenly rang out.

Tong Yangxing paused, his heart skipped a beat, and he slowly turned around, head bowed, replying:
"Whoo."

He felt uneasy.

Could it be related to Tong Guoyao?
Tong Yangxing lowered his head, waiting for the other party to speak.

Huang Taiji leaned back in the nanmu chair, and it took him a while to calm down the discomfort in his throat.

He looked up at Tong Yangxing, his eyes no longer showing the anxiety he had felt during the discussion, but instead a deep and unfathomable calmness.

"Although you didn't say much during today's meeting, you always stood by my side."

"The Great Jin Dynasty is in such a perilous state, yet it still has such a loyal subject as you. I am very gratified."

As soon as these words came out.

Tong Yangxing quickly stepped forward, knelt on one knee, bent even lower, and spoke with just the right amount of humility:
"Your Majesty, you flatter me. I am originally a Han Chinese, but thanks to your wise promotion and your trust, I have been able to establish myself in the Great Jin."

Serving the Great Jin and the Great Khan is simply the duty of a servant; I dare not claim to be 'utterly loyal.'

"Duty?"

Huang Taiji chuckled lightly.

"In today's world, the word 'duty' is more precious than gold."

"How is your grandson doing these days?"

It really was about his grandson, Tong Guoyao.

Tong Yangxing took a deep breath and said, "Reporting to the Great Khan, he has always been well-behaved. He usually only moves around in the Han Army Banner camp and has not dared to cause any trouble."

Upon hearing this, Huang Taiji said:
“Now, we can’t let him stay put any longer. It’s time to move your grandson, Tong Guoyao, this pawn.”

"Move...move the chess pieces?"

Tong Yangxing was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening.

Huang Taiji intended to use this Ming army inside man as a counter-intelligence!
His heart raced, and he hurriedly asked, "What does the Great Khan wish me to do?"

Huang Taiji leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping across the palace entrance. Only after confirming no one was outside did he slowly speak:
"After you go back, find an opportunity to send a message to Tong Guoyao, saying that the inner city's food supplies are exhausted, the morale of the garrison is low, and you have secretly contacted several former members of the Han Army Banner, preparing to open the west gate at midnight tonight and surrender the city."

He paused, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

"You need to give him enough 'opportunities' so that he feels it's a gift from heaven."

He was ordered to deliver a message to the Ming army that very night, and to lead Xiong Tingbi's men in through the west gate.

Tong Yangxing's eyes gradually brightened; he finally understood Huang Taiji's thoughts:
"Does the Great Khan intend to... lure the main force of the Ming army to the west gate, so that we can break out from the other city gates?"

"good."

Huang Taiji nodded.

“The Ming troops in the outer city were already keeping an eye on the inner city. Once they heard that the West Gate was surrendering the city, they would swarm in and crowd towards the West Gate.”

At that time, our main force will break out from the North Gate, cross Longgang Mountain, and head towards the grassland.

Tong Guoyao thought he had performed a great service, but little did he know that he was merely a pawn used by the Khan to lure the enemy away from their prey.

Tong Yangxing's back was covered in a layer of hot sweat, not from fear, but from excitement.

He looked at Huang Taiji, who, despite his pale face and exhaustion, still exuded an aura of strategic brilliance, making him instantly realize that the Great Jin might still have a chance to turn the tide.

He quickly kowtowed, "This servant understands! This servant will make the arrangements immediately and will certainly not disappoint the Great Khan!"

"it is good."

Huang Taiji's face showed the first truly relaxed smile of the day.

He looked at Tong Yangxing and immediately offered him a lucrative deal.

"If you can successfully break through this time, you will be the greatest contributor to the Great Jin Dynasty."

When I rise again in the future, I will definitely bestow upon you the title of 'Han Beile'.

Among the Eight Banners, no Han Chinese has ever obtained the title of Beile; you, Tong Yangxing, will be the first.

The words "Han Chinese prince" struck Tong Yangxing like a thunderbolt.

He suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with disbelief, which was then overwhelmed by ecstasy.

He kowtowed three times, his forehead hitting the blue bricks with a thud, his voice trembling with sobs.

"Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great favor! Even if I were to be shattered to pieces, I will accomplish this task! I will ensure Your Majesty's safe escape and the restoration of the Great Jin!"

Huang Taiji waved his hand, signaling him to rise:
"Go. Remember, this matter is a secret between you and me, and not even Tong Guoyao can reveal a word of it."

He has to genuinely believe he's 'performing a meritorious act' for the performance to seem believable.

"This servant understands!"

Tong Yangxing stood up, bowed again, and then turned and quickly walked out of the palace gate.

After a while.

Only Huang Taiji remained in the hall.

He watched the direction Tong Yangxing had left, and the smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a complex expression.

Huang Taiji raised his hand and rubbed his temples, a metallic taste rising in his throat again.

He suppressed the urge to vomit blood, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

Use Tong to cultivate one's character.

This move is risky. If Tong Yangxing betrays them, or if Tong Guoyao senses something is wrong, he and Da Jin will be doomed.

But at this moment, he had no other choice.

After dealing with these complicated matters, Huang Taiji felt his eyelids were drooping and, escorted by palace servants, went to his bedchamber.

Soon, he entered Hetu Ala's bedroom.

"Sweat profusely."

Two figures dressed in grand golden palace attire immediately came forward to greet them.

Su Qin and Namuzhong were both famous beauties on the grassland. Their curvaceous figures were wrapped in robes, and their skirts swayed gently as they walked, exuding a touch of charm. But at this moment, their faces no longer held their usual smiles, only cautious worry.

They had already heard about the head being presented below the city gate from the whispers of the palace servants.

Huang Taiji remained silent, allowing them to step forward and undress.

After the clothes are removed.

Su Qin quickly brought over a cup of warm tea, while Namuzhong took a dry cloth and gently wiped his body.

The two women sat down next to him, their voluptuous bodies pressing against him, seemingly trying to arouse his animalistic instincts.

However, Huang Taiji felt no romantic feelings whatsoever.

"Hetu Ala is going to fall."

suddenly.

Huang Taiji spoke, but the content of his words caused both women to freeze simultaneously.

Su Qin's teacup wobbled, and tea splashed onto her hand, but she didn't notice.

Namuzhong was completely stunned.

Huang Taiji stared at the top of the tent, sighed, and said:
"Ajige committed suicide outside Fushun Pass, and Amin was stabbed to death by a hail of bullets on the banks of the Suzi River..."

The Ming army's breech-loading cannons could blast a gap more than ten feet wide in the outer city. In a few days, the stone walls of the inner city would also be blasted into dust.

We can't hold on any longer.

"Great Khan..."

Namuzhong's voice trembled first, and she raised her head, her eyes already brimming with tears.

She recalled the tragic situation she had endured last year when Ligdan Khan was defeated and she had been forced to wander from place to place.

Having finally found refuge with Huang Taiji, he thought he could finally live a more peaceful life, but unexpectedly, in just six months, he would once again face the prospect of becoming someone else's spoils of war.

Huang Taiji finally turned his head, his gaze sweeping over their pale faces, his tone as indifferent as if he were asking a trivial matter:
"What are your plans? If you want to leave, it's not too late."

The Ming army has always been lenient towards surrendered Mongol people; perhaps they can give you a way out.

Namuzhong's tears finally fell. She clenched the hem of her clothes, but stubbornly shook her head.
"Your Majesty, the birch tree has fallen. How can the dodder that entwines it survive?"

If you don't survive, even if we escape, we'll just be playthings to be manipulated. We might as well stay with you; at least we'll have a quick end.

Su Qin immediately straightened her back, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and although her voice was still trembling slightly, it conveyed a sense of determination:

"If the Great Khan breaks through the encirclement with a sword, we will be the dagger in your sheath!"
The daughter of the grasslands is not afraid of blood staining horseshoes, nor is she afraid of dying without a burial place.

It's better than being treated as war booty and sold off again!

Huang Taiji looked at their forced composure and suddenly chuckled, his laughter filled with bitterness.

How could he not know that, though his words were harsh, the fear in their eyes was undeniable?

It is only natural for monkeys to scatter when the tree falls, and it is human nature to seek profit and avoid harm. How could he expect them to actually accompany him to his death?

Hearing these words now, I still felt a little warm inside, even if that warmth was somewhat feigned.

"tired."

Huang Taiji closed his eyes, leaned back on the pillow, and his voice was full of exhaustion.

"You all should rest too."

Soon after, his even breathing could be heard inside the tent.

The days of hard work and anxiety had exhausted him, and as soon as he relaxed, he fell into a deep sleep.

But his brows remained furrowed, as if he were in a dream, still worrying about the fate of Hetu Ala.

The only sound inside the tent was the crackling of the flickering candlelight.

Su Qin and Namuzhong exchanged a glance, both seeing deep sorrow in each other's eyes.

After confirming that Huang Taiji had indeed fallen into a deep sleep.

Namuzhong quietly wiped away her tears.

Do you still remember springtime on the Chahar Grassland?

Namuzhong quietly wiped away her tears, her voice as soft as a whisper.

"Back then, we followed Ligdan Khan, chasing gazelles on horseback, drinking mare's milk wine around the campfire at night, and the tents were filled with blooming golden lotus flowers..."

Su Qin nodded, his voice choked with emotion:

"How could I not remember?"
But now...

We're going to be homeless again.

After the Ming army breaches the city, we Mongol women will likely be assigned to Ming generals as concubines and maids, never to return to the grasslands for the rest of our lives.

"How unfair the Eternal Heaven has been to us."

Namuzhong buried her face in her knees, her shoulders trembling slightly. "Lindan Khan has been defeated, and Huang Taiji is about to be defeated too. Why are we so unlucky..."

They dared not cry out loud, for fear of waking Huang Taiji. They could only huddle together, silently counting down the remaining days in Hetu Ala in the dim light of the flickering candle.

The Daikin ship was already riddled with holes.

These two unfortunate women seemed destined to sink into the bottomless abyss along with the ship.

ps:
The extra chapter will be very late, so check it out tomorrow morning.
(End of this chapter)