Chapter One: The Invading Tartars Threaten the Capital's Borders

On the evening of the second day of the tenth month in the eleventh year of the Chongzhen era of the Great Ming Dynasty, a convoy of more than forty fine horses galloped swiftly along the official road from Xuanfu toward Juyong Pass. Mounted on these horses were over twenty fierce riders, each appearing as if riding double, clad uniformly in long armored coats. Their armor featured iron sleeves and was broad and imposing, yet concealed plates lay beneath the dark armor, its surface studded with large copper rivets.

Each rider’s saddle was outfitted with heavy weapons such as thick-backed sabers or iron clubs, and slung across their backs were double quivers filled with strong bows. Additionally, every man bore a matchlock firearm, carefully wrapped in gun covers, yet their exquisite design suggested they were high-quality Rumichu muskets.

Leading the group was a lone rider, spurring his horse ahead. Though appearing to be just over twenty years old, his features were refined and handsome, dressed unmistakably as an officer of the Ming army. Mounted on his horse, he looked especially heroic and imposing.

He wore a front-closing chainmail shirt, an iron-tasselled helmet, and a thick woolen cloak draped over his shoulders. A Kaiyuan bow and quiver hung diagonally at his sides. On the victory hook attached to the right side of his saddle dangled a hooked-blade club about seven feet long. The club’s head bore a short, two-inch duckbill-shaped blade with a ridge on one side and a blood groove on the other. This weapon could chop, smash, and thrust, combining the powers of a club and spear—a favored long-handled weapon among cavalry at the time. Those skilled in wielding such arms were the elite horsemen and valiant generals within the ranks.

From afar, he was seen holding the reins of his warhorse with one hand, stopping about five li from Juyong Pass. The horse seemed reluctant, still tapping forward slowly, its cloak billowing in the wind, lending the rider a gallant and spirited aura.

The twenty or so rugged riders following him also halted beside him, their horses’ hooves lightly striking the ground as the animals snorted out thick white breaths. The riders’ cloaks fluttered sharply in the breeze.

“Commander, just ahead is Juyong Pass. Beyond it lies the Changping jurisdiction. Shall we rest and let the horses recover?” asked one rider, his face marked by a distinct scar.

At that moment, from the direction of Juyong Pass, a plume of dust rose as two strong horses galloped swiftly toward them, reaching near in an instant.

“Respectfully reporting, General Qian, Scout Commander Chen and the vanguard have already passed Juyong Pass and are advancing toward Changping City for reconnaissance. The gate is wide open; General Qian may proceed through the pass,” a young rider reported loudly as he rode up.

The man addressed as “General Qian” held the reins with his left hand and lightly raised his whip with his right, pointing backward as he ordered in a deep voice, “Chen Zhong, take two men and send word to the rear. All outposts shall pass through Juyong Pass in sequence. We must reach the outskirts of Changping before nightfall. Dispatch Scout Commander Hu to lead the rear guard and collect any straggling cavalry. I will wait for him at the foot of Changping City.”

“Understood!” a young rider beside him responded loudly, then led two riders galloping back, leaving a trail of dust.

“Form up and cross the pass. Follow me to Changping,” the lead general shouted, cracking his whip before spurring his horse toward Juyong Pass.

Dust billowed as the riders followed closely, crossing the pass and racing onward toward their destination, Changping.

...

This formidable band of riders served under Zhang Yan, Deputy General of the Xuanfu Garrison. The leader was his cousin, Zhang Cheng, known as “General Qian,” commanding nearly a thousand cavalry under Zhang Yan’s banner.

In September of the eleventh year of Chongzhen, the eastern nomad chieftain Huang Taiji appointed his brother, Prince Dorgon of the Manchu, as the Grand General, with Hao Ge and Abatai as his deputies, commanding the left-wing troops. Meanwhile, Manchu Prince Yoto was named the Grand General of the Yangwu army with Du Du as deputy, leading the right-wing troops. The entire force, under Dorgon’s supreme command, numbered about one hundred thousand men. They first breached the border defenses at Qiangzi Ridge and Qingshan Pass near the Yanshan Mountains, then united near Tongzhou on the outskirts of the capital, threatening the vital areas around Ming’s capital.

With the capital in peril, the court urgently summoned Lu Xiangsheng, Minister of War and Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, who commanded the elite border armies of Xuanfu, Datong, and Shanxi, hastening them to reinforce the capital. Emperor Chongzhen even bestowed upon Lu Xiangsheng a treasured imperial sword, ordering him to arrive at the capital by nightfall to oversee the imperial rescue forces.

Zhang Yan, Deputy General of Xuanfu, also received orders from Governor Lu Xiangsheng to lead his troops along with the three garrison armies to defend the capital.

Wanting to look after his family, Zhang Yan sought permission from Governor Lu to have his nephew, Cavalry General Zhang Cheng, lead over a thousand elite cavalry divided into four squads as the vanguard, tasked with scouting ahead and arriving early at Changping City to earn merit.

He also requested from Governor Lu a batch of finely crafted armor and weapons from the Xuanfu-Datong armory for Zhang Cheng’s troops. Now fully armored, Zhang Cheng’s squad even possessed twenty finely made Rumichu matchlocks, which he assigned to his personal guards.

Yet, upon receiving the order, Zhang Cheng only led three squads ahead, deliberately leaving the right squad behind with Zhang Yan to bolster his cavalry forces. Officially, this was to strengthen the cavalry near Zhang Yan, who had only about two hundred cavalrymen in the central squad, while over twelve hundred infantry were under another general’s command and would arrive later. Thus, Zhang Cheng’s decision seemed reasonable, though the squad he left behind had another secret mission.

Racing forward, Zhang Cheng managed to reach Juyong Pass ahead of the main army, nearing Changping.

...

But Zhang Cheng was no longer the man he once was.

About three months prior, in early July of the eleventh year of Chongzhen, Zhang Cheng had drunkenly caused a disturbance in Xuanfu town, leading a few military leaders under his command to violently assault another captain in town. His uncle, Deputy General Zhang Yan, severely punished him with thirty strikes of the military cudgel, leaving Zhang Cheng unconscious and barely breathing when carried back to the camp.

Though frustrated by his nephew’s recklessness, Zhang Yan was overall satisfied with Zhang Cheng’s performance. The young man was skilled in archery and horsemanship, had studied military strategy in his youth, and understood the art of leadership. He shared hardships with his soldiers and was deeply respected by them. His only fault was a penchant for drinking and causing trouble when drunk, which greatly angered Zhang Yan.

This time, angered that the camp soldiers had been too lenient with the cudgel on Zhang Cheng, Zhang Yan personally delivered thirty blows himself.

His intention was to teach his nephew a lesson and correct his bad habit of drunken disorder. Though Zhang Cheng was knocked unconscious, Zhang Yan did not worry much at first.

But when the military doctor reported that Zhang Cheng was barely clinging to life, regret filled Zhang Yan's heart. He feared a tragedy might befall his nephew, thus abandoning his widowed sister-in-law.

No one expected Zhang Cheng to remain unconscious for three days and nights without food, then miraculously awaken. At first, he was confused and often spoke incoherently, but his body was otherwise unharmed. Though weak, with proper rest and care, he faced no threat to his life.

Relieved, Zhang Yan took him home for continued convalescence. After about ten days, Zhang Cheng had mostly recovered, able to move freely though not yet ready to wield weapons or ride as before, requiring further rest.

The only peculiarity was that the young man often sat alone, staring blankly and muttering to himself. But with his health restored, Zhang Yan relaxed and regarded this as a minor concern.

To Zhang Yan, his nephew was now a much improved man—more steady, cautious, and courteous than before.

After further observation, Zhang Yan noticed Zhang Cheng had become diligent in learning, humble in asking questions, and spent his days in the camp among the soldiers, drilling and commanding formations. Occasionally, he led the troops on field exercises—something Zhang Yan did not fully understand—but Zhang Cheng had completely abandoned his former drinking habit.

This change brought great comfort to Zhang Yan, who felt the harsh punishment had not been in vain.

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