Chapter 20: Entering the City

As the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty—Bianliang, Kaifeng was occupied by the Jin after the Jingkang humiliation. When the Yuan took over the Central Plains, it became a crucial hub along the Yellow River. However, repeated wars and floods erased the glory of what was once the most magnificent capital in the land.

It is often said that Kaifeng is a city built upon layers of cities, with one city above ground and several beneath.

The Kaifeng of today is no longer the grand capital of Bianjing but a reconstruction on the original site after the destruction of Bianliang.

Zhu Zhuo sat astride his horse, observing the city. Apart from the government offices and wealthy households, the streets were lined with dilapidated homes. The citizens, gaunt and emaciated to the point of being skin and bones, swarmed the city like a dense colony of ants.

The fierce and ruthless constables wielded iron rulers and chains, constantly driving away the begging populace. Zhu Zhuo’s heart ached, but he had no choice; if the crowd surged forward unchecked, a deadly stampede would be inevitable.

This was the chaotic era at the end of the Yuan dynasty, a time when thousands of starving souls resorted to desperate measures, even cannibalism.

In times of peace, people would shut their doors and hide at the sight of an army.

But this was chaos. The desire to survive overwhelmed all fear.

An emaciated old man in his seventies, dressed in tattered linen barely held together by a few threads, held the hands of three children under five. He knelt before Zhu Zhuo’s horse, repeatedly bowing and pleading:

“I am still able to wield a blade in battle. As long as there is food, these three grandchildren of mine have not eaten a single grain for two days and nights. I beg you, great commander, to show mercy.”

Blood from the old man’s forehead stained the stone pavement red. Seeing this, the starving masses around him knelt as well.

Zhu Zhuo gazed upon the tens of thousands of starving people, sighed deeply, and called out, “Zhu Neng, bring the constables to gather these disaster victims and settle them in the military camp outside the city.”

Zhu Neng clasped his fists in promise, but Jin Zhong, who had just arrived on horseback, looked troubled:

“Master, there are fewer than a thousand shi of military grain left. We really won’t be able to feed them.”

“Do as I say. I will find a way to solve the grain shortage.”

Only when truly leading an army did Zhu Zhuo realize that the daily needs of tens of thousands—eating, drinking, and other matters—were no small feat. A stable base was essential.

As the starving masses departed with countless thanks, Zhu Zhuo was filled with complex emotions.

“There are hundreds of thousands inside Kaifeng, millions across the Yuan half-empire. Can the prince really save them all?”

“Who is causing a disturbance here?” Zhu Zhuo’s voice boomed with anger. Zhang Yu immediately dragged a scholar from a street corner.

“What an arrogant Confucian scholar.”

The man, dressed in a long robe, with black hair and bright eyes, stood upright and respectfully clasped his fists in a bow.

“I am Tie Xuan, a scholar from Dengzhou, paying respects to Prince Qin of the Great Ming.”

“Take him away and beat him with ten military rods.”

“Is what I say wrong? Why punish a scholar by military law, my lord?”

“You claim to be a disciple of the sages, yet you do not understand that one must first sweep their own house before sweeping the world.”

“I think you are no different from those self-righteous officials outside the Meridian Gate who seek fame and fortune. Drag him away.”

Zhang Yu and his men roughly pulled the defiant Tie Xuan away like a dead dog.

Zhu Zhuo knew Tie Xuan’s reputation well. Historically, the Fourth Prince nearly fell victim to this man. Tie Xuan had long been on his list of those to be won over—and ranked among the top three.

He regarded Tie Xuan as a talent fit to govern and stabilize the nation. Yet, despite his affection for him, Tie Xuan had embarrassed him at the outset.

No wonder those who tried to win Tie Xuan over in history ended up furious enough to grind him into minced meat.

“You shamelessly use me to boost your reputation. In this life, even Old Zhu and the Crown Prince dare not do that. Who do you think you are, Tie Xuan?”

Arrogant—far too arrogant.

No matter how famous or fierce a minister or general was, before Zhu Zhuo, they all had to bow—and accept court punishment.

Arriving beside the arsenal near the Kaifeng government office, Prefect Song Xing wore a mournful expression:

“County Commander, without Prince Chahan’s orders, even a single step further could cost my head.”

“Who am I?”

“You are the prince’s county commander.”

“Is the prince here?”

“No.”

“How about the colonel?”

“Uh, no either.”

“Have you heard of the saying ‘a son-in-law is half a son’? Now, am I not the highest authority in the entire Henan and Jiangbei Provincial Secretariat?”

“Theoretically, yes. But you don’t hold an official position in the Yuan government.”

“In the name of Princess Minmin Temür, I order you, Prefect Song, to open the arsenal. Count to three, or I will open fire.”

“One. Loading the cannon.”

Song Xing immediately jumped up like a startled rabbit, shouting, “Quick, open the gate!”

The constables hurriedly lowered the drawbridge with ropes and pushed open the massive doors. Before Zhu Zhuo stood an enormous arsenal.

Weapons and armor piled mountain-high. This arsenal contained nearly all the military equipment south of the Yellow River in the Yuan dynasty—it was Chahan Temür’s true treasure trove.

With these weapons and some personal guards, it would be possible to raise an army of two hundred thousand in an instant. This explained why historically, Wang Baobao, despite being defeated three times by Xu Da, could revive like an indomitable cockroach.

In an age of low productivity, these countless weapons and armor were the result of nearly a century of Yuan accumulation. Wang Baobao’s hurried departure in this life left no equipment behind—only provisions. He assigned Batu Meng’s battalion to guard Kaifeng, but he never imagined Zhu Zhuo had melted down all the iron pots to forge a firearm cannon.

Batu Meng was executed by Zhu Zhuo’s cannon fire, and the Yuan troops in the city instantly lost their backbone. Naturally, these weapons became Zhu Zhuo’s spoils.

“Empty everything here out for me.”

No sooner had Zhu Zhuo spoken than Prefect Song rushed over, sniffling and tearful, pleading:

“County Commander, you mustn’t! This would be considered looting and would destroy my family.”

Zhu Zhuo looked at him strangely.

“I’m moving my own things. What business is it of yours?”

“But…”

“Don’t you see my banner? We are the righteous army. Do you dare stop us from arming ourselves to save the Great Yuan? Prefect Song, I suspect you of secretly colluding with the rebels.”

“I dare not, I dare not! Please spare me, County Commander. I am utterly loyal to the Great Yuan.”

Song Xing kowtowed frantically.

It took over half a day for thousands of men to clear the mountain of weaponry. Zhu Zhuo kicked Song Xing, who lay on the ground, scolding:

“What are you waiting for? Don’t you see our brothers in the righteous army haven’t eaten?”

“Ah? County Commander, I will send someone to prepare food immediately.”

“No need to trouble Prefect Song. Take us to the granary. I will personally inspect whether the corrupt officials have embezzled any of my precious provisions.”

“County Commander, even if we had the audacity, none would dare touch a single grain of the military rations.”

Zhu Zhuo gave a signal, and Zhang Yu carried Song Xing by the collar like a chick to the Kaifeng granary. Wang Baobao had left a battalion to guard it; after all, in chaotic times, food was worth more than gold.

The Yuan soldiers on guard sounded the alarm upon seeing the newcomers. A Yuan general rode out, but before he could speak, Zhu Zhuo drew his bow like a full moon. The arrow flew like lightning, piercing through the general’s helmet. The man fell from his horse, blood mixing with the dust.

Prefect Song turned pale, trembling:

“County Commander, are you rebelling?”

“That rider was too noisy, disturbing the peace at night,” Zhu Zhuo replied indifferently.

This man was insanely bold, even more so than the colonel.

At these words, the surrounding Yuan troops, who had been ready to draw swords, immediately knelt and surrendered.