Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

He then walked back to the map: "Juyong Pass, Zijing Pass, Daoma Pass".

The Ming Dynasty's defense line was very long, and the garrison troops were also very scattered.

We don't need to launch a full-scale attack on the most dangerous pass; we only need to choose the point where a breakthrough is most likely.

Bayan Temur stepped forward: "Zijing Pass?"

Yesen nodded: "The Juyongguan Pass is forty miles long, with steep mountains on both sides, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack."

Daomaguan is remote, so even if it were breached, it wouldn't pose much of a threat to Beijing.

Although Zijing Pass is also strategically important, many parts of its walls have fallen into disrepair over the years.

More importantly, it is based on the confessions of the Ming soldiers we captured.

Han Qing, the general guarding Zijing Pass, was brave but lacked wisdom and strategy.

The only concern is the newly transferred deputy general, Sun Xiang, who is skilled in defending cities.

Arazhiyuan's tone softened considerably: "Grand Tutor's analysis is reasonable, but even if we choose Zijing Pass, a direct assault on the pass will still result in huge losses."

The Ming dynasty defenders held a commanding position, rendering our cavalry's advantage ineffective.

Esen laughed: "Who said we were going to launch a full-scale attack? The army will feign an attack at the pass to make the defenders think we are going to break through the pass with all our might."

Meanwhile, five thousand elite troops were selected to cross the mountains via a side path and circle around to the rear of Zijing Pass.

With attacks from both sides, the pass will surely fall!

Saikan Wang raised a question: "Grand Tutor, didn't the Ming army know about the existence of these paths? Wouldn't they have set up defenses?"

Esen said confidently, "So what if they know?"

The Inner Great Wall stretches for thousands of miles; where did the Ming Dynasty find so many troops to defend it everywhere?

The garrison only set up checkpoints in some strategic locations.

Our scouts have already identified three viable paths.

After a long silence, Arajiin finally nodded slowly: "Since the Grand Tutor has made up his mind, I have nothing more to say."

However, my cavalry is skilled in field battles but not in siege warfare.

"The feint attack on Juyong Pass can be left to me, but for the task of infiltration and outflanking maneuvers, I request that the Grand Tutor dispatch other elite troops."

Esen knew this was Arazhiyuan's bottom line, and nodded in agreement: "Alright! Zhiyuan, you are in charge of the feigned attack from the front. Make sure it's a big show, so that the Ming army thinks we are going to attack the pass with all our might."

Bayan Temur, select five thousand elite troops to infiltrate in batches via the side paths.

Remember, travel light and don't get caught.

Bayan Temur accepted the order: "Yes!"

Esen continued his deployment: "King Saikan, you lead 20,000 men to monitor the direction of Datong and prevent Guo Deng from leaving the city to harass our rear."

The rest of the units will follow me and provide support from the center.

Three days later, troops will simultaneously march on Juyong Pass and Zijing Pass!

"Yes, sir!"

Esen looked around at his generals again: "Gentlemen, this battle is related to the fate of our Oirat for a hundred years."

Once Zijing Pass is breached, Beijing will be right before our eyes.

At that time, they could take any gold and silver treasures they wanted, and take any silk and brocade they wanted, and the Ming Dynasty would have to pay tribute every year.

Our descendants will no longer suffer from the White Plague, and our tribe will become the most powerful force on the grasslands!

The generals' breathing became heavy, their eyes blazing with greed and longing: "Beijing! Beijing!"

After the generals withdrew, Esen stood alone in front of the map, gently stroking the words "Beijing" with his fingers.

Bayan Temur returned and whispered, "Brother, Arazhiyuan still had a backup plan."

Esen said calmly, "I know, but he has already agreed to continue the advance, and that's enough."

Once outside Beijing, the situation was beyond his control, leaving him no room to retreat.

"That Zhu Qizhen..."

"Take him with you and keep a close watch on him. Although his value has greatly diminished, he was once the emperor of the Ming Dynasty."

If we could actually reach the outskirts of Beijing, it might come in handy.

Bayan Temur smiled knowingly: "I understand."

The autumn wind howled outside the tent. Esen lifted the tent flap and looked southeast, whispering a name: "Zhu Qiyu... Let's see if you can protect the country your brother lost."

On the same night, in the Forbidden City, Beijing.

The candles in Wenhua Hall remained lit throughout the night.

Zhu Qiyu and Yu Qian sat facing each other, with the "Complete Map of the Defense of the Capital Region" spread out in front of them, which they had looked at countless times in the past half month.

Yu Qian pointed to the map: "The latest military report says that Esen's army has set up camp 30 li outside Datong City, and their movements are unknown."

However, according to scouts, light cavalry squads have been frequently scouting eastward from the Oirat camp in the past two days, with the likely target being the Inner Three Passes.

Zhu Qiyu rubbed his throbbing temples.

Since ascending the throne, he has stayed up until the wee hours almost every night, and his dark circles under his eyes are getting worse and worse.

But the mental stress is greater than the physical exhaustion.

He knew the general course of history, and that Esen had eventually broken through the Inner Great Wall and was at the gates of Beijing.

But he didn't know the details; he only knew that Esen had breached Zijing Pass in early October.

With the help of the prisoners, they bypassed the main pass and surrounded Zijing Pass.

But he didn't know where Esen had infiltrated.

This state of "knowing yet not knowing" is the most agonizing.

He had already ordered Sun Xiang to strengthen patrols of the mountain roads on both sides of Zijing Pass and to set up more checkpoints.

However, the defensive line is too long and the troop strength is limited, making it difficult to cover all aspects.

Yu Qian pointed to a point behind Zijing Pass on the map: "This place is called Mashuikou, which is the main road from Zijing Pass to Beijing."

I suggest that a general be sent to lead 5,000 elite troops to garrison here.

Firstly, it serves as reinforcements for Zijing Pass; secondly, even if Zijing Pass falls, a second line of defense can be established here to delay the Oirat advance.

The firearms from Nanjing have not yet been delivered to Beijing.

The three inner passes must delay until the firearms are transported to the city walls of Beijing.

When Zhu Qiyu first ascended the throne, he secretly issued an edict to Han Qing, the general guarding Zijing Pass.

They were required to remain in place until October 1st.

Once October 1st has passed, a retreat can be initiated as needed to preserve manpower.

Afterwards, they will not only not be held accountable, but will also be rewarded for their good deeds.

Zhu Qiyu issued this secret edict to protect the soldiers at Zijing Pass.

These soldiers, who had experienced bloody battles, were the backbone of Zhu Qiyu's post-war army reconstruction.

However, based on the information gathered by scouts, Esen's attack may come sooner than expected.

Therefore, it is necessary to establish a second line of defense to delay the Oirat forces.

"Who can take on this task?"

Yu Qian said without hesitation: "Fan Guang is a steady and resourceful man who is good at defense."

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Granted! Order Fan Guang to lead troops to Mashuikou immediately."

Tell him that once the firearms in Beijing are in place, they will be withdrawn!

But we must stay put until we receive news from Beijing!

Furthermore, spur the horses on and make the fleet move faster, the faster the better!

"As you command."

Zhu Qiyu then asked, "Minister Yu, do you know why I am personally defending the city?"

Yu Qian hesitated before asking, "To boost morale?"

Zhu Qiyu shook his head: "That's only one aspect. More importantly, I want everyone to know that not all the emperors of the Zhu family are spineless."

"I will go to all the tribes of the grasslands, and let the whole world know that the Ming Dynasty has produced another emperor on horseback!"

Yu Qian immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to fight to the death with you!"

Zhu Qiyu helped him up: "This is not a fight to the death, but a battle to win. We must win."