Chapter Two: In Both Past and Present Lives, All Is Wine

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Changping was originally Changping County, with a circumference of ten li and twenty-four steps. During the Zhengde era, Changping was elevated to a prefecture and came under the jurisdiction of Tianfu. It guarded the northern imperial tombs, was shielded by the strategic area of Miyun to the east, and controlled the crucial Juyong Pass to the west. In the Wanli period, Changping was upgraded to a town, with a chief military commander and deputy commander stationed there, along with the Changping Military Affairs Assistant and eunuchs guarding the tombs.

As a vital bulwark protecting the capital’s mausoleums, since the ninth month of the eleventh year of Chongzhen—when Qing forces invaded—the loyalist troops from various towns gathered here under the unified command of the Minister of War, temporarily led by Governor Lu Xiangsheng of Xuanda.

...

On the third day of the tenth month, at the hour of the snake (9 to 11 a.m.), outside Changping city, wild grasses swayed over vast stretches of barren land, with only withered branches left on the trees. Not far away, beside a small river, lay a clearing of grassland.

Zhang Cheng’s thousand-strong headquarters camp was set up here, with easy access to timber and water. Over a hundred tents of varying sizes stood scattered about, numerous horses grazing or drinking near the tents, while small groups of agile cavalrymen galloped back and forth.

Beyond this, a simple wooden palisade enclosed the camp. At its center stood a slightly larger tent—the central command tent of Zhang Cheng’s regiment—where several men gathered.

“Commander, my unit arrived at Changping on schedule, with no one lost. This is a merit indeed,” reported Chen Zheng, chief of the forward sentry unit.

Zhang Cheng sat on a wooden stool in the middle of the tent, a makeshift wooden table before him.

Inside, the three sentry commanders—forward, left, and rear—as well as six squad leaders from the third sentry, were all present. Each sentry commander had a stool to sit on, while the six squad leaders stood behind their respective commanders.

“Commander Chen, increase your patrols and reconnaissance. You must thoroughly understand the surrounding situation, especially the movements of the enemy bandits. Be absolutely certain,” Zhang Cheng said gravely.

Forward sentry commander Chen Zheng rose, clasped his fists, and replied, “Rest assured, Commander.”

“The Manchu enemies are rampant, and their cavalry is highly skilled. Your sentry must be especially vigilant at night. Fight when you can, but if unable, retreat swiftly. Do not be reckless in seeking glory,” Zhang Cheng instructed.

Chen Zheng replied cautiously, “Understood.”

“Commander Hu, your sentry will remain to guard the camp. Increase patrols, set up both visible and hidden sentries, and maintain strict vigilance within a five-li radius. Guard the camp with utmost care,” Zhang continued.

Rear sentry commander Hu Dake immediately stood and replied, “Orders received.”

Zhang Cheng scanned those present and said solemnly, “This time our unit follows Governor Lu into the capital’s defense. Everyone must work together and fulfill the king’s cause. But always be cautious and prudent. I sincerely hope to lead all of you brothers back safely to Xuanda.”

Everyone stood, clasped their fists, and said in unison, “Commander, rest assured. We will work together to serve the king, drive out the Manchu barbarians, and protect the capital.”

Zhang Cheng stood up swiftly. “Very well. I am willing to advance with you all in the king’s cause, to live and die together. Order the left sentry to assemble and follow me ten li out to respectfully welcome Governor Lu.”

With that, he left the tent. Outside, his personal guards had prepared his warhorse. Zhang Cheng took the reins and mounted with agile ease.

The others mounted as well and rode off to their tasks. Only left sentry commander Zhang Guangda stayed close beside Zhang Cheng, accompanied by Zhang’s twenty personal guards.

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The two squad leaders of the left sentry rode off to gather their troops.

Zhang Cheng rode around the camp inspecting. Soon, a rider approached, staying mounted but reining in beside left sentry commander Zhang Guangda, and loudly reported, “Commander, the left sentry is fully assembled.”

Before Zhang Guangda could reply, Zhang Cheng spurred his horse and galloped out. Zhang Guangda could only follow, with Zhang’s twenty guards trailing behind.

In the clearing near the camp gate, over two hundred cavalrymen of the left sentry stood in formation awaiting orders. Zhang Cheng rode in swiftly, cracked his whip, and dashed out of the camp gate.

The first squad leader of the left sentry followed, then the second squad’s cavalry, all galloping toward Juyong Pass.

It was midday of the third day of the tenth month.

Outside Changping, about seven or eight li toward Juyong Pass, stood an unnamed small hill, about a hundred meters high, gently sloping with sparse trees but thick waist-high wild grass.

On the grassland below, over two hundred fierce cavalrymen concealed themselves among the tall grass. About thirty gathered closely together, while their horses roamed freely nearby.

A tall, imposing figure stood motionless atop the hill like a stone statue, deep in thought. Beside him stood a vigorous warhorse. The grass was shorter here, accentuating his towering presence.

Around him on the hillside were about twenty elite cavalrymen, each clad in gleaming armor and helmets, brave and imposing. They gathered in pairs or threes, holding their horses’ reins, standing guard.

This figure was Zhang Cheng, cavalry commander of the Xuanda border garrison. This spot was the only route from Juyong Pass to Changping. He awaited the arrival of Lu Xiangsheng, Minister of War and Right Deputy Censor, bearing the imperial sword and commanding all loyalist forces of Xuanda, Shanxi, and Shanxi provinces, as well as Zhang’s uncle, Xuanda deputy commander Zhang Yan.

...

At this moment, Zhang Cheng stood alone on the hilltop, tall and resolute as the breeze brushed past. He gazed down at the two hundred loyal and valiant soldiers below, pondering how many would return alive to Xuanda after this campaign into the capital’s defense.

But what truly troubled him was not this question, but rather...

Why had he come to the Ming Dynasty?

Zhang Cheng repeatedly shouted this question in his heart. He had asked himself countless times, yet he had no answer.

He could only faintly recall that day, sometime in July 2017. He had led a team to crack a major case, received commendation from his superior, and treated a few trusted comrades to a feast out of his own pocket. They had indulged in a wild night of revelry.

Though he had drunk quite a bit, it was not enough to send him back to the Ming Dynasty, was it?

He vaguely remembered returning home that night, but what happened afterward? His memory was a blank. No matter how hard he tried, he could recall no clue. Even memories of his previous life were fading with time, as if slowly slipping away.

The more he pondered, the more confused he became, his head feeling as if it were splitting in two. He could make no sense of it.

“Damn this ridiculous time travel! At least let me understand it properly!” Zhang Cheng cursed aloud.

This matter had troubled him for over three months and remained his greatest unresolved mystery—perhaps one that would never be solved.

Fortunately, he was naturally optimistic and chose not to dwell on it endlessly. Otherwise, he might have become mentally unhinged.

He certainly did not want to become insane just after crossing over.

One had to find a way to live on. Only by surviving could he hope to gradually unravel these unsolvable mysteries.

Now he thought about this campaign following Lu Xiangsheng into the capital’s defense. As a history enthusiast, he had a deep memory of Ming history, especially the final decades.

But he only knew the general course of history and major events of the late Ming, such as the Manchu breaching the northern border defenses in Chongzhen’s eleventh year, invading Beijing and even reaching Jinan.

He also knew that Lu Xiangsheng would fight the Manchu main force at Julu and die there.

But the specific routes and details of this Manchu incursion into the capital’s defense were unknown to him.

He realized that regarding Lu Xiangsheng’s death at Julu, he was powerless. He could only take one step at a time: first protecting himself, then working to preserve his strength for the future.

“Damn it!” Zhang Cheng cursed under his breath.

He vaguely recalled reading online novels in his previous life, where many protagonists traveled through time equipped with systems or magical treasures.

Some even brought solar-powered computers, allowing them to research nonstop. Their technology was so advanced they crushed all opposition and ruled the earth.

Others arrived with tens of thousands of refrigerated shipping containers stocked with endless meat and all manner of modern supplies and military gear. Time travel for them was just a refreshing vacation in the Ming Dynasty.

Some even conducted repeated technological experiments before crossing, simulating modern science under Ming conditions so they could use these perfected “black technologies” immediately upon arrival. Zhang Cheng admired such intellect and memory.

But as for himself, it seemed he had brought nothing at all.

“Why the hell did I just go for a drink and end up time-traveling?” Zhang Cheng raged inwardly, venting his frustration at fate’s cruelty.

Could it be a dream?

Even if it were, it had lasted far too long—over a month without waking up.

And it had been quite thrilling, waking up in a cannibalistic late Ming, swept along by merciless history, following the war god Lu Xiangsheng to his death at Julu...

“Bullshit. Whatever, since I’m here, I’ll make the best of it!” Zhang Cheng reassured himself.