Anti-Qing and Restore Ming: The Bordered Blue Banner; Fight to the Death Without Retreat: The Two Yellow Banners

The sound of the battle drum startled everyone in the South City.

This was no ordinary drumming; it was the urgent mobilization beat of the garrison!

The Five-City Gendarmerie had numerous outposts, with 3 encampments in the Inner City and 4 in the South City.

According to the "Jiang Military Code," once the mobilization drum sounded, all soldiers had to immediately don their armor in perfect order and rapidly rally toward the South City Gendarmerie under the command of their officers.

Scouts were required to depart the camp instantly.

Within two quarter-hours, if any battalion in the South City failed to arrive at the South City Gendarmerie headquarters, all officers below the rank of commander would be beheaded.

...

Inside the reception hall.

Green Pearl's movements in donning her armor were practiced and calm, a clear sign of frequent drills.

Late Spring held a plate of pastries, diligently feeding the young master.

Jiang Qingyun stood in place with his arms outstretched, chewing steadily while his mind raced just as fast.

A battle was coming!

He needed plenty of energy and immaculate armor.

"Husband, has something happened?"

Jiang Nan hurried in, already armored, with a bow and arrows slung over his shoulder and a long spear in hand.

Jiang Qingyun swallowed the lard pastry in his mouth and spoke at a rapid pace:

"There is chaos in the Inner City. The specific situation is unknown, but I am going to lead the troops to quell the unrest. You stay in the manor. After I leave, everyone in the household will take orders from you. Anyone causing trouble—kill them."

Just before stepping out of the manor, Jiang Nan could not help but urge:

"Brother, you must protect milord."

"As long as the darts are here, we live; if the darts are lost, we die."

Jiang Bei's attitude remained unchanged as always; a bodyguard's professional ethics were never mere empty words.

...

"Milord, you say—"

Zhao Zesheng stepped closer, wishing to deliberate.

Jiang Qingyun's expression remained neutral.

He was a seasoned eighteen-year-old veteran with twenty years of bureaucratic work experience. He knew precisely when to play blind, when to play slow-witted, and when to strike with ruthlessness, without a single trace of hesitation.

How could one possibly assume at this moment that the Plain Blue Banner was staging a mutiny?

Wasn't that just begging to be sucked into the epicenter of the vortex?

Right now, he should appear baffled—extraordinarily baffled.

"Commander Zhao, we await the return of the scouts for the full picture. Do not indulge in wild speculations."

"Understood."

...

Patrol soldiers arrived one after another. The great advantage of having numerous warhorses was the rapid mobility of the troops.

Beneath the "Jiang" banner, soldiers gathered in increasing numbers.

Everyone stretched their necks, gazing toward the north, only to see billowing black smoke rising behind the towering watchtower of Zhengyang Gate, accompanied by the ceaseless thunder of artillery fire.

Who was fighting whom?

Had the Forbidden City fallen?

Many wanted to ask why they were not advancing to provide reinforcement right now.

Jiang Qingyun remained completely silent. He wanted to see if anyone would dare step forward today to question his command; if so, he would sever their head on the spot.

A leader's authority allowed not a shred of defiance.

...

In the distance...

The scouts finally returned, riders frantic, hooves flying and kicking up billows of snowy mist.

...

Donghua Gate.

Sharp arrows pierced the chests of the guards from the Two Yellow Banners, and cold blades sliced through the majesty of the yellow riding jackets.

The Plain Blue Banner had already breached Donghua Gate and was fiercely besieging the Wenhua Hall.

The doors and windows of Wenhua Hall were completely barricaded, and a group of imperial bodyguards held their ground inside, continuously shooting down the Plain Blue Banner rebels with arrows.

"Heavy armored infantry, charge!"

A group of queue-wearing soldiers clad in double-layered blue cotton armor lowered their heads and charged fiercely with raised shields, closely followed by a massive wave of light-armored archers.

Close-quarters archery exchange.

Bow against bow.

The once awe-inspiring imperial bodyguards were steadily mowed down.

Majestic though the yellow riding jackets were, dammit, they couldn't block arrows. Fighting unarmored against heavy armor was roughly equivalent to Abbess Liu pressing the attack against Jiang Qingyun from start to finish.

Their knees were practically pinned to their shoulders.

A second-class guard with an arrow through his lungs spat a mouthful of blood and shouted incoherently, "The Two Yellow Banners shall fight to the death and never retreat!"

These men bought precious time with their lives.

Fully armored imperial guards finally rushed onto the battlefield, dragging along several Western-style cannons.

The military preparations within the Forbidden City were complete; dozens of large cannons were stockpiled in the cellars alone. The main issue today was the complete lack of preparation, catching them off guard in the Plain Blue Banner's surprise attack.

Around Wenhua Hall, the cries of battle shook the heavens as flesh and blood flew.

...

Shunzhi and his ministers had already retreated to the Inner Court, and bodyguards hastily erected chevaux-de-frise in front of the Qianqing Gate.

Xiaozhuang finally made her appearance!

This woman was extraordinary; the moment she stepped out, she stabilized everyone.

"Oboi."

"This slave is here."

"Go command the interception of the rebels and make sure to hold the Three Great Halls. No matter what, the Three Great Halls cannot fall—they are the dignity of the imperial court."

"As you command."

Oboi vaulted onto his horse and charged toward Wenhua Hall.

...

"Sonin."

"This slave is here."

"Leave the palace through the Shenwu Gate, mobilize troops to rescue the monarch, and encircle the rebels. This matter is of utmost importance; take the imperial jade seal with you to summon the troops."

"This slave obeys."

Sonin's heart pounded with turbulence—trust, this was absolute trust. Without the jade seal, he might well have been unable to mobilize the Mounted Cavalry Division, which held the greatest troop strength in the Inner City.

...

"Fan Wencheng."

"This subject is here."

"Leave through the Xihua Gate, and dispatch the troops of the Five-City Gendarmerie to garrison the offices of the Six Ministries. They are the closest."

"This subject obeys."

...

"Nikan, Yolo."

"This slave is here."

"You two leave through the Shenwu Gate, take control of the capital's nine gates, and forbid any city gate from opening without an order. Open the side gate of Zhengyang Gate to let the reinforcements from the Five-City Gendarmerie in."

"As you command."

The two princes behaved as obediently as mere slaves.

...

"Proclaim to the Forbidden City: none of the palace gates are to be opened. Regardless of which reinforcements arrive, have them wait outside the palace walls. If anyone attempts to force their way into the palace by arms, executing them on the spot shall be considered a meritorious deed."

"Open the armories and distribute weapons. Today, anyone who picks up a blade or spear and stands here—whether palace maid, eunuch, or imperial chef—shall be rewarded for their contributions when this is over."

"Her Imperial Dowager and the Emperor remain right here, awaiting your victorious return."

"Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long live, long live the Emperor!"

The crowd was stirred with emotion, shouting in unison.

Strangely enough, at this moment everyone was filled with boundless confidence, and smiles even appeared on their faces.

...

The Imperial Guard possessed few men, but they had cannons.

The Plain Blue Banner rebels had numbers, but lacked firearms.

Leader of the Imperial Bodyguards Oboi was especially ferocious, charging repeatedly clad in triple heavy armor. After having two warhorses killed beneath him, he finally recaptured Wenhua Hall.

Drenched in blood, he brandished his saber and roared:

"Fire the cannons!"

Several iron balls smashed into the dense shield formation of the Plain Blue Banner, sending shattered limbs flying.

"Charge!"

Oboi took the lead, pressing hard upon the Plain Blue Banner with the imperial guards.

...

"We can't take the Forbidden City, what do we do?"

An officer shouted while clutching his injured arm.

"Even if we die, we're taking as many down with us as we can! I'm going to the Six Ministries offices to slaughter people, who's coming with me?"

Kerkun stepped forward, leading a group of men along the moat as a shortcut to slaughter their way toward the offices of the Six Ministries.

The defenders of the Meridian Gate hastily used bows and arrows to intercept them, but the effect was minimal. They could only watch helplessly as over a hundred rebels headed toward the Six Ministries offices, unable to open the palace gates to provide rescue.

After Kerkun left.

That same veteran officer who had recounted the grievances between Aisin Gioro and the Plain Blue Banner at the teahouse a few days prior stepped forward.

Ginger is spicy when old, and men are vicious when aged.

The old bastard spoke with the absolute spirit of Jia Xu possessing him.

"The Prince Regent is dead, and those damn Two White Banners have turned into obedient lapdogs for the Two Yellow Banners. Four niru units, follow this old man and drag them down into the muddy waters with us."

...

Oboi, having recaptured Donghua Gate, witnessed an unbelievable sight.

He grabbed a guard by the collar.

"Take a good look, what does that banner say?"

"It seems to say... 'Overthrow the Qing and Restore the Ming'!"

"Overthrow the Qing and Restore the Ming??" Oboi trembled with rage. "They've rebelled—they've truly rebelled! Attack! Wipe out every last one of these unfilial descendants of the Plain Blue Banner!"