You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 55 Auspicious Snowfall, 226!

That evening, light snow began to fall.

More than 70 low-ranking officers from the Zhenglan Banner quietly left the teahouse and gathered their confidants. The mutiny was a last-minute decision, made in a very rushed manner.

That's precisely why it can be kept secret.

That night,

The military order to "launch an armed raid on the Forbidden City" spread rapidly, like ink drops falling into a water vat, or like a spark falling into a pile of dry wood, causing a raging fire.

Zhenglan Banner is taking action!

……

The soldiers tried to get some sleep, while the women cooked and prepared rations. The young men were so frightened and scared that they tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Countless young men and women seized this night to meet and complete this important life event.

Some things, if you don't do them now, it'll be too late.
Armor Factory Alley.

A young couple embraced tightly, unwilling to part. They were childhood sweethearts and had planned to marry next year, but now they had to rush into their wedding.

The man adjusted the laces of his armor while giving instructions in a low voice.

"You should leave first thing tomorrow morning, far away from the capital."

"how about you?"

"If I don't die, that would be best. If I die, you must never come back."

Where can I go?

"You should disguise yourself as a Han woman and head south to seek refuge with the Ming Dynasty."

"But the Ming Dynasty is our enemy."

"It used to be, but it's not anymore."

……

On the morning of February 26th.

The swirling snowflakes added a touch of tragic grandeur to the operation in Zhenglan Banner.

It is said that on the day Dou E was unjustly killed, the snow was as heavy as it is today.

Before dawn, as agreed, everyone opened their doors, first meeting up with familiar neighbors in the alley, and then continuing to meet up with more acquaintances.

If viewed from the air, the narrow alleys resemble blood vessels, and the streams of flags resemble blue blood, eventually converging into the main artery—Chongwenmen Inner Street.

The process of gathering troops was very quiet.

So quiet that almost no one noticed, a mutiny was about to break out here.

Tap~ Tap tap.
When the two night watchmen reached Chongwenmen Inner Street, they were astonished to find the quiet street filled with silent soldiers.

Then, two more corpses appeared on the ground.

……

Arrow shaft alley.

A rider suddenly charged out, breaking the silence.

Li Shuaitai, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, lay sprawled on his horse in a sorry state, arrows whizzing overhead, while in the distance, a group of Plain Blue Banner rebels relentlessly pursued him.

His warhorse was suddenly struck by an arrow, let out a mournful cry, and threw its master off his feet.

Fortunately, the snow was thick, so he wasn't seriously injured. After getting up, Li Shuotai continued running without looking back. In the time it takes to burn half an incense stick, he finally shook off his pursuers.

To the north lies the defense zone of the Bordered White Banner.

He ran wildly through the streets and alleys, not daring to utter a sound, for fear that the two white banners were allies of the plain blue banner.

……

He ran all the way past Jinyu Hutong, until he saw Donghua Gate and the guards on duty, before he roared at the top of his lungs:

"The Plain Blue Banner has rebelled!"

"The entire Zhenglan Banner has rebelled!!"

The silence of the Forbidden City was shattered, and lights were lit up one after another at Donghua Gate, Wenhua Hall, Taihe Hall, and Qianqing Gate.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Emperor Shunzhi, who had just begun his morning court session, could hardly believe his ears.

"Your Majesty, the Plain Blue Banner has rebelled."

"What's the rebellion?"

"Zhenglan Banner".

What flag?

"The Plain Blue Banner."

Seeing that the young emperor was already flustered and incoherent, Fan Wencheng, a Grand Secretary of the Secretariat, stamped his foot and grabbed a eunuch.

"You, go and report to the Empress Dowager immediately."

Yes, sir.

……

The Prince Xin's Mansion is located on the east side of the Forbidden City.

Doni, who had been demoted to the lowest level, stared in shock at the soldiers who had suddenly barged into his residence.

"What are you going to do?"

"Please lead us, Your Highness, to conquer the Forbidden City. We, the soldiers of the Plain Blue Banner, will support Your Highness in ascending the throne."

Instantly, Donnie was so frightened that his little braid on the back of his head stood on end. "No, absolutely not."

"Please reconsider, Your Highness."

"I would never follow you in doing such a heinous act..."

The sound stopped suddenly.

Donnie was stabbed in the throat, blood splattering everywhere. He desperately grabbed the sheet, trying to cover his wound.

The soldiers withdrew from the Prince's Palace and headed back towards the Forbidden City.

……

"Master, the mutinous soldiers are about to break in."

"Understood, I'll do my best to block it."

Hong Chengchou didn't turn his head and continued writing "A Letter of Blood and Tears to My Lord". At this moment, his heart was as still as water, and his pen moved like dragons and snakes.

After finishing writing, he drew a knife and cut off his braid.

"Fifth Uncle, please hurry and deliver the braid and letter to the Forbidden City. I'm counting on you."

"Hey~"

The loyal old servant, with tears in his eyes, kowtowed and quickly climbed over the wall to leave.

Having long resolved to die, Hong Chengchou returned to his study and stared blankly at the set of armor bestowed upon him by Emperor Chongzhen on the shelf.

The snow is getting heavier and heavier.

It seems that many years ago, the snow on Matsuyama was just this heavy.

After half an incense stick~
He walked out of the study and bumped into Zheng Lanqi rushing in.

"Hong Chengchou is here! What do you intend to do?"

"You old thief, prepare to die!"

In an instant, he was hacked to pieces and chopped into mincemeat by the enraged crowd.

……

The Plain Blue Banner continued its march, with the Forbidden City as its destination!
Neat ranks, impeccable military bearing, elite weaponry, soldiers ready to die, and snowflakes falling from the sky.

Chachacha~
The footsteps of thousands of people approached from afar, heading towards the Forbidden City.

Closer, closer.

A captain broke the silence, turned to look at the orderly ranks, and shouted:

"Overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming!"

The flag bearers, clad in blue armor, responded in unison, immediately abandoning their marching formation and accelerating towards Donghua Gate.

"Close the door quickly."

Despite their best efforts, the guards at Donghua Gate were still unable to close the heavy gate before the rebels could rush in.

……

A guard of royal lineage raised his sword and shouted:

"Brothers, we have nowhere to retreat. Behind us is the Golden Palace, behind us is the Emperor. Let's fight them!"

"kill!"

At this time, the Manchu bannermen had not yet collectively fallen into depravity. For example, the excellent cultural practices such as raising birds in cages and exploring the ways of the world were just beginning to emerge on a small scale and had not yet taken root in people's hearts.

The Eight Banners troops remained highly effective in combat.

In short, today is an elite battle against an elite.

Arrows flew wildly through the air as both sides fought to the death.

……

Chiang Kai-shek's residence.

Zhao Zesheng pounded on the door desperately.

"Something's happened! Something terrible has happened! Open the door!"

If it weren't for the superior-subordinate relationship, he would have loved to climb over the wall and rush into the adults' bedroom immediately.

creak~
The door finally opened.

Jiang Bei, carrying a copper rod, and Zhou Cang, carrying a sword, stood on either side, their wariness evident.

"Something terrible has happened in the inner city."

"Take me to see the master quickly."

Jiang Qingyun, who was fast asleep, crawled out of bed in the late spring. Hearing that fighting had broken out in the Forbidden City, he was momentarily stunned.

……

"Don't make a sound yet."

He listened intently, and the faint sound of cannon fire from the inner city could be heard.

Boom~
Damn it!
The Forbidden City has truly become a battlefield, and the advantage is in my hands!
Jiang Qingyun was excited, but remained calm.

"Beat the drums, muster the troops, assemble."

"No one is allowed to act without my order; anyone who disobeys will have their entire family executed."

"Send out more scouts and increase the number of lookouts to find out who is causing trouble in the inner city. Then report back to me."

(End of this chapter)