Chapter 129: No One Can Save Us

Taiyuan, Headquarters of the Shanxi Regional Commander.

Before Dorgon led the main force of the Manchu invaders to the gates of Datong, Wang Pu had already dispatched several riders on swift horses to deliver news of the Manchus breaking through the pass to Taiyuan, Yulin, Guyuan, and the Imperial Capital simultaneously. Zhou Yuji, the Regional Commander of Shanxi, received the report the evening before last. When the rebel bandits attacked Datong, Zhou Yuji could feign ignorance and ignore them, but he dared not take the Manchu breach lightly.

That very evening, Zhou Yuji sent fast riders to every guard post and garrison in Shanxi, urgently summoning all local troops to assemble in Taiyuan.

By this morning, the troops from the nearest garrisons had already arrived outside the city walls of Taiyuan. The commanding officers were just discussing strategy with Zhou Yuji at his headquarters when Wang Qiaonian, the Governor of Shanxi, hurried in, accompanied by several local officials. He asked anxiously, "Commander Zhou, is it true that the Manchus have broken through the pass and invaded Datong?"

Commander Zhou Yuji glanced coldly at Wang Qiaonian and did not answer immediately.

In truth, the rebels had been attacking Datong for some time, and Zhou Yuji had sent messengers to the Governor’s office repeatedly. However, Wang Qiaonian had been avoiding him, simply fearing that Zhou would demand grain and military pay. Yet, now that the Manchus had breached the pass, this Governor could no longer sit still.

"Commander Zhou," Wang Qiaonian pressed urgently, "I am asking you, have the Manchus truly invaded?"

Wang Qiaonian was genuinely panicked. He had never worried about the rebel bandits; with capable generals like Wang Pu and Zhou Yuji stationed in Datong and Taiyuan respectively, he did not believe the rebels could cause significant trouble, allowing him to maintain his position as Governor securely. But a Manchu invasion was an entirely different matter.

The Manchus were far more brutal than the rebels. The rebels’ uprisings were merely people rioting; once defeated or when the harvests improved, they would return to being docile subjects. A Manchu invasion was another story entirely—wherever they passed, the land was left devastated, stripped of all life.

Reduced to this, Wang Qiaonian had no choice but to humble himself and approach this military man, Zhou Yuji. He could only hope that Zhou could turn the tide and keep the Manchus out of Taiyuan. If Zhou Yuji failed to defend the city, Wang Qiaonian’s career—and potentially his life—would be at an end. In years past, when the Manchus invaded the Central Plains twice, countless local officials had been executed by the Chongzhen Emperor for failing to defend their territories. Wang Qiaonian could not help but fear for his own fate.

"Governor Wang," Zhou Yuji said coldly, "the Manchu army reached the gates of Datong two days ago."

"What?" Wang Qiaonian was shocked. "So the Manchus have truly arrived?"

Zhou Yuji presented Wang Pu’s urgent report to Wang Qiaonian. "This is the express dispatch from the Datong Regional Commander, Wang Pu. Please read it, Governor."

Wang Qiaonian scanned the document quickly, then asked with a trembling voice, "Commander Zhou, if the Manchus break through Datong and continue south to raid Taiyuan, can the city be held?"

Zhou Yuji sneered inwardly, though he maintained a respectful facade. "If even Datong cannot be held, then Taiyuan is even less defensible."

"Oh, what is to be done?" Wang Qiaonian’s face turned pale. "Then... Commander, you must immediately request reinforcements from the three neighboring towns of Guyuan, Gansu, and Ningxia. Especially the Guyuan Regional Commander, Jiang Xiang; I hear he is a tiger of a general with well-trained elite troops. And you must send an urgent dispatch to the capital, begging His Majesty to deploy the Imperial Guards to assist."

"Governor Wang," Zhou Yuji interrupted, unable to bear it any longer, "do you truly believe the Shaanxi border towns or the Imperial Capital would send reinforcements?"

Wang Qiaonian, completely losing his composure, cried, "Then recruit local militia immediately! Tell me how much grain and pay you need, and I will have it transferred from the treasury at once."

"Very well, since you have said so, Governor," Zhou Yuji replied, finally hearing something to his satisfaction. "General Wang stated in his report that the Manchus have mobilized an army of two hundred thousand. They are coming with overwhelming force. I have calculated that to hold Taiyuan, we need at least fifty thousand militia, two hundred thousand taels of silver, and one hundred thousand piculs of grain."

Wang Qiaonian gritted his teeth. "I will handle the silver and grain. Please expedite the recruitment of the militia, Commander. It must be done before the Manchus break through Datong. Oh, I wonder how much longer General Wang can hold out in Datong..."

***

Yulin, the Jiang Family Compound.

Regional Commander Jiang Xiang galloped up to the main gate and pulled on his reins, causing his mount to rear up and come to a sudden halt. He leaped gracefully from the saddle, threw the reins to a waiting servant, and hurried inside.

He rushed through the gatehouse and corridors toward the main hall. Inside, the Yulin Regional Commander, Jiang Rang, was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back. Beside him stood Jiang Zhi, his eyes following his brother's movements. It was Jiang Zhi who had been sent by Wang Pu to deliver the message. Hearing footsteps, the brothers turned to see the sturdy figure of Jiang Xiang entering.

"Second Brother!"
"Second Brother!"

Jiang Rang and Jiang Zhi hurried to greet him. The Jiang family was the most powerful clan in Yulin. Although Jiang Rang was the head of the house, Jiang Xiang was the true backbone of the family. Having received Wang Pu’s urgent report, Jiang Rang had not dared to make a decision alone, waiting for Jiang Xiang to return from Guyuan.

"Eldest Brother," Jiang Xiang asked, "what is the emergency that required calling me back to Yulin so urgently?"

Jiang Rang replied, "A major crisis. Because it is so critical, I didn't let our ninth brother tell you the details; I wanted to tell you myself."

Jiang Xiang asked, "What is it?"

Jiang Rang said, "The Manchus have mobilized an army of two hundred thousand to besiege Datong. Wang Pu has sent an urgent report requesting reinforcements."

"What!?" Jiang Xiang’s expression darkened. "Two hundred thousand? Is this true?"

"Absolutely," Jiang Zhi exclaimed. "The Datong border troops have already fought a skirmish with the Manchu vanguard, killing over two thousand of their cavalry. I saw it with my own eyes."

"So it is true?" Jiang Xiang muttered. "Wang Pu sacked Shenyang and captured Hong Taiji, and then His Majesty had Hong Taiji dismembered. It is only logical that they would launch a full-scale attack on Datong for revenge. However, after breaking Datong, they may not necessarily divide their forces to attack Yulin. They are more likely to head south to plunder the prefectures of Shanxi. But their primary target must be the capital, so Yulin should be safe."

"That is a relief," Jiang Rang said, exhaling.

Jiang Zhi asked, "Second Brother, shall we send reinforcements?"

"Are you a fool, Third Brother?" Jiang Xiang frowned. "Moving an army requires grain and pay. Who will provide it? The prefectures of Shaanxi or Datong? Should our family pay for it? Furthermore, the Manchus are not mere rebels. Even if we emptied our family coffers, we could only field twenty or thirty thousand men—not enough to stop them. Going there would be suicide."

Jiang Zhi asked, "So you intend not to send reinforcements?"

"The Shaanxi border is currently occupied with suppressing the rebels in Qingyang, Yan'an, and Pingliang. There are no reinforcements to spare," Jiang Xiang said. "However, it was decent of Wang Pu to send you back to Yulin to warn us. We owe him a debt. If he survives this, we will repay him in the future."

Jiang Rang nodded. "You are right, Second Brother. That is all we can do."

***

The Imperial Capital, Qianqing Palace.

The Chongzhen Emperor received Wang Pu’s report only a dozen hours after the others. He had just finished reviewing the memorials and was about to have a sip of ginseng tea when the Minister of War, Chen Xinjia, stumbled into the palace. He had forced his way in, with two young eunuchs struggling to stop him.

This was a right the Emperor had granted his ministers: whenever there were critical matters of state, they could enter the palace without prior notification, at any time or place, and would not be held accountable. In this regard, the Chongzhen Emperor was a diligent monarch, filled with the courage to reform old habits.

Seeing Chen Xinjia’s panicked state, the Emperor stood up instinctively. Chen Xinjia tripped over the threshold and nearly fell, but Wang Chengen rushed forward to steady him. "Careful, Minister Chen!"

Chen Xinjia ignored the help, not even wiping the sweat from his brow, and pulled a sealed letter from his sleeve, his voice trembling. "Eight... eight hundred... li urgent dispatch. Datong... report..."

The Emperor said, "Chengen, bring it here quickly!"

Wang Chengen took the letter with trembling hands and presented it to the Emperor, who tore it open without checking the seals. After reading it, the Emperor’s face drained of all color.

Chen Xinjia wiped his forehead and asked, "Your Majesty, have the Manchus invaded Datong?"

The Emperor nodded solemnly. "Wang Pu says that two hundred thousand Manchus have launched a full-scale invasion and are at the gates of Datong."

"What?" Wang Chengen and Chen Xinjia gasped. They had expected a raid, but not on such a massive scale.

The Emperor paced for a moment, then regained his composure. "Minister Chen, this is a sinister move. Datong is only one target; the capital and I are their true objectives! Issue an edict to the entire realm: summon all troops to the capital to defend the throne, especially Hong Chengchou and Wu Sangui. Order them to march toward the capital immediately."

Chen Xinjia asked, "Your Majesty, what of the rebels in Henan?"

The Emperor sighed. "The rebels in Henan... we must set them aside for now."

Chen Xinjia asked, "And Datong?"

The Emperor was silent for a moment. "If Datong can be held, Wang Pu will hold it even without my reinforcements. If it cannot, he will fall regardless of what I send. Whether Datong stands depends on the fate of Wang Pu and the people of Datong."

"Alas," Wang Chengen and Chen Xinjia sighed. They suddenly felt that Wang Pu was a decent fellow—at least he was a man of straightforward character, unlike the scheming officials in the capital.

***

Datong, Headquarters of the Regional Commander.

Wang Pu sat in the main seat. Prince Dai, Zhu Chuanqi, sat to his left, while the two palace administrators and the garrison eunuch, Zhang Zi'an, sat to his right. The Datong Prefect, Wei Daben, sat at the end.

Zhu Chuanqi had long avoided Wang Pu, fearing demands for money, but with two hundred thousand Manchus at the gates, he had no choice but to face him.

Wang Pu looked at Zhu Chuanqi coldly. "Your Highness, the urgent report was sent two days ago to Taiyuan, Yulin, and the capital."

Zhu Chuanqi was red-faced and stuttering. "I wonder if Zhou Yuji, Jiang Rang, or His Majesty will send reinforcements. If they are few, it will not suffice. Twenty thousand Manchus is too many!"

"Your Highness, stop dreaming," Wang Pu said coldly. "Neither Zhou Yuji nor Jiang Rang will send help. And His Majesty? He is likely calling all troops to the capital to defend himself!"

Zhu Chuanqi gasped. "This..."

Wang Pu said, "No one can save us now. We must rely on ourselves!"

Zhu Chuanqi trembled. "With... with these fewer than eight thousand men?"

Wang Pu said, "Beyond the eight thousand troops, Prefect Wei has recruited over ten thousand militia. If Your Highness is willing to use your wealth to reward them, they will fight like elite soldiers. It is not impossible to hold Datong."

"Must I use my silver again?" Zhu Chuanqi complained.

"If you are unwilling, that is fine," Wang Pu said expressionlessly. "But if Datong falls and the Manchus enter the city, your family’s treasures will change owners. Oh, and I heard the Manchu regent, Dorgon, is a lecher. I hear your two concubines are absolute beauties..."

"Stop," Zhu Chuanqi said unhappily. "My concubines are beautiful, but they pale in comparison to your own wife. If Dorgon wants to snatch beauties, he will start with yours. Fine, I will provide the silver, but your Wang family is also wealthy. We should split it."

Wang Pu shouted, "Defending Datong is defending the Wang family! If the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. If Datong is lost, the Wang family will be no more. Very well, our Wang family will contribute one million taels of silver. Anyone who kills a Manchu will be heavily rewarded!"

Zhu Chuanqi gritted his teeth. "I will also contribute one million taels!"

Suddenly, Zhang Zi'an stood up, his face flushed. "If the Prince and the Commander are willing to give their wealth for Datong, how can I stand by? I will donate two hundred thousand taels!"

"Eunuch Zhang, you are..." Wang Pu looked at the old eunuch with newfound respect. He knew this was likely all of Zhang’s savings. It seemed that in the face of national disaster, even a soul could be purified.

"Do not forget, Commander," Zhang Zi'an said. "I am also a man of Datong. Defending it is my responsibility as well."

***

Outside Datong, in the Manchu camp.

When Ning Wanwo, his face covered in blood, walked into the command tent supported by two guards, Dorgon, Dodo, Ajige, and Fan Wencheng stood up in shock.

Dorgon asked, "Master Wanwo, what happened?"

Ning Wanwo sighed. "I am useless; I have failed you, Master."

Fan Wencheng asked, "What is the meaning of this?"

Ning Wanwo said, "I went to Leigong Mountain with grain, sheep, and horses to persuade the rebels. Unexpectedly, they attacked me without a word. They not only cut my queue but carved crosses into both my cheeks, saying I no longer deserved a face..."

Ajige asked foolishly, "Why did they say you don't deserve a face?"

Dodo laughed. "They are mocking you for being shameless, acting as a slave to us."

Ajige asked, "What of the supplies?"

Ning Wanwo replied, "The rebels seized them and killed all the Bannermen who accompanied me."

"Damnable!" Ajige roared, clenching his fists. "Those wretched rebels! I will lead troops to raze Leigong Mountain and slaughter them all!"

"Enough," Dorgon frowned. "Twelfth Brother, calm down. I have scouted the terrain; the mountain is steep, with cliffs on three sides and only one path from the south, which they have fortified. It will not be easy to take."

"What fortification?" Ajige scoffed. "We have cannons!"

"Our goal is Datong and Wang Pu," Dorgon said. "Why waste time with these rebels? If they will not serve us, so be it. Fifteenth Brother, take five thousand men and camp ten miles away to monitor them. As long as they do not interfere, leave them be."

Ajige argued, "We cannot let this go!"

"Enough!" Dorgon roared. "Do you want to sacrifice the elite of the Two White Banners? Return to your tent and reflect on your actions!"

Seeing Dorgon’s rage, Ajige dared not speak further. Dorgon had been the backbone of the three brothers since the death of their father.