Travel back in time and become Chongzhen, watch me turn the tide

The cavalry surged across the land like a surging river. Though fewer than a thousand men, they possessed the force of a tidal wave. Sunlight shone off their armor and weapons, illuminating them with a dazzling brilliance. The clatter of their hooves was measured and powerful, as if the very earth itself were trembling, each step a powerful rhythm. The dust they kicked up swirled and danced behind them like a yellow dragon, drawing passersby on both sides of the road to stop and watch. Their eyes were filled with awe and fear, and they retreated to the side, fearing to provoke this awe-inspiring force.

Chongzhen, clad in a black brocade robe, rode atop a majestic steed. His face was pale, his brow furrowed, his eyes tinged with anxiety and alertness. His hands gripped the reins tightly, his knuckles white with the strain. While the troops around him were imposing and impressive, his heart was a turmoil, a sense of unseen pressure looming over him.

Chongzhen knew what Huang Fei had just said.

According to historical records, Gao Jie had long coveted the prosperous and wealthy Yangzhou, and always wanted to occupy Yangzhou and use it as his base for separatist rule, thereby plundering Yangzhou's wealth to satisfy his own selfish desires.

After the new court divided the country into four towns, Gao Jie was finally appointed to be in charge of the defense of Yangzhou. He wanted to enter the city of Yangzhou, but the officials and people of Yangzhou saw that he had committed all kinds of evil on his way south, including burning, killing, looting and other atrocities, and that he wanted to occupy Yangzhou, so they resolutely refused to let him in and refused to let any soldier into the city. They only allowed him and his subordinates to garrison outside the city!

This made Gao Jie furious. He ordered his troops to besiege Yangzhou in an attempt to break through the city, but his soldiers could not open the city gates at all. In anger, he began to burn, kill, loot, and rape women outside the city, even young girls, causing great damage to the suburbs of Yangzhou.

Calculating the time, isn't it now that Gao Jie's troops are besieging Yangzhou City?

Thinking of the suffering of the people of Yangzhou, Chongzhen wanted to rescue the city, but with such a small number of troops, how could he intervene in this fight? Moreover, he had more important things to do...

However, at this time Chongzhen remembered another thing, which was the Battle of Tuqiao that led to the falling out between Gao Jie and Huang Degong.

Historical records indicate that Huang Degong governed eleven prefectures and counties, including Chu and He, and was originally stationed in Luzhou. However, before he could move to Luzhou, the commander-in-chief, Shi Kefa, concerned about Gao Jie's arrogance and dominance, requested that Huang Degong move his station to Yizhen to contain him. Gao Jie, upon learning of this, harbored a deep resentment.

Huang Fei and Huang Degong, who shared the same surname, were close friends, calling each other brothers. Huang Fei was preparing to move his forces from Miaodao to Zhenjiang and station them at Wuhu to quarry stone. However, Huang Fei intended to travel by land, but this route would pass through Huaiyang, where Gao Jie and Liu Zeqing were stationed. Fearing a target for Gao and Liu, Huang Fei wrote to Huang Degong, requesting he send troops to assist him and prevent any unforeseen consequences.

Huang Degong didn't take it seriously. He felt that with his reputation, as long as he showed up, Liang Gao and Liu wouldn't dare to play any tricks, so he took 300 cavalrymen to meet them.

But Gao Jie had long planned to attack him, setting a complex ambush at Tuqiao in Gaoyou. As Huang Degong's 300 cavalrymen stepped into the trap, a roar of killing shook the earth, and Gao Jie's ambushers emerged like a tide. Huang Degong, with his extraordinary martial arts and astonishing courage, fought his way through the enemy, slaying over a dozen men before escaping the encirclement. However, his 300 elite cavalrymen, despite their heroic efforts to protect his escape, were ultimately outnumbered and annihilated.

At the same time, Gao Jie also sent his men to launch a surprise attack on Huang Degong's camp. However, Huang Degong's men were no ordinary force. Generals Qiu Yue and Ma Dai, with their extraordinary cunning, cleverly orchestrated a plan to repel the invading force, forcing Gao Jie's men to flee in desperation, leaving behind thousands of dead bodies.

Although the incident was later mediated by Shi Kefa, it also clearly exposed the complex contradictions within the Southern Ming court and the arrogance of the four generals. It can be seen that when the Qing army marched south, the Southern Ming court was like a pile of loose sand and quickly collapsed. It was no coincidence.

Chongzhen reflected that they had also used the opportunity to contact Huang Degong regarding the move to Zhenjiang, and he wondered if such a coincidence would provoke another conflict. After all, historical records show that the four garrisons were already in place when Huang Fei moved to Zhenjiang. Gao Jie hadn't even captured Yangzhou yet, so he wouldn't easily turn his attention to them. Furthermore, they hadn't requested Huang Degong to come out of the city to greet them, so Gao Jie wouldn't rashly attack Huang Degong's camp. Chongzhen thought about this and shook his head helplessly. Since arriving in this era, he had been walking on thin ice, every step afoot. Now, he was like a frightened bird, every little thing causing him to worry. Perhaps he was overthinking some things.

However, he did not know that from the moment he stepped into this time and space, just like a butterfly gently flapping its wings, the trajectory of his fate had begun to change subtly, and all history was quietly developing in an unknown direction.

In the military camp in Yizheng City, Huang Degong sat in the tent, holding the letter sent by the messenger tightly in his hand, with a hearty smile on his face.

"Where is my brother Wenlu now?" His voice was as loud as a bell, echoing in the tent.

The messenger bowed slightly and replied respectfully, "The general set out from Taizhou this morning. According to his estimated walking speed, he should be almost at the border of Yangzhou now."

When he heard the word "Yangzhou", Huang Degong frowned slightly and a trace of worry flashed in his eyes.

"Gao Jie has been making quite a fuss over there lately. I'm afraid this guy will cause trouble if I go over there..." He muttered to himself, the uneasiness in his heart gradually spreading.

The messenger's face was filled with bitterness and fatigue. He smiled wryly and said, "It's truly a mess out there. Soldiers and refugees abound along the way, and many villages and towns have been looted and slaughtered... I encountered several waves of rebel soldiers along the way. If it weren't for my swift horse, I probably wouldn't have been able to get here to tell the general!"

"Gao Jie, that bastard, only knows how to take his anger out on the people, huh!" Huang Degong had always despised Gao Jie, especially for his cuckoldry and subsequent surrender to the Ming. His face was filled with rage, and he said angrily, "If that's the case, Wen Lu might cause trouble if he passes through his territory!"

"That's...possible." The messenger's tone was filled with anxiety, and his eyes revealed deep worry. "What should we do then?"

"It's alright," Huang Degong laughed, his voice filled with boldness and confidence. "Since I have nothing else to do today, I'll go and fetch my brother myself. I don't believe Gao Jie would dare to disrespect me."

"Thank you so much, General Huang!" The messenger felt relieved when he heard this and hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

"Qiu Yue, give me three hundred cavalrymen. I want to go and pick up my brother myself!" Huang Degong turned around and ordered loudly.

"Marshal, Gao Jie has quite a few complaints about us moving the town here. Aren't three hundred men too few for you?" Qiu Yue stepped forward quickly, his face full of worry, and hurriedly advised.

"What? Does Gao Jie still dare to fight me?" Huang Degong slammed the table, his eyes wide open, and shouted angrily: "He's rebelling!"

Another general, Ma Dai, also hurried forward, clasped his fists and said, "It's best to be careful in everything, Marshal."

"You two are just cowards," Huang Degong scolded them with a smile as he looked at them. These two were his most capable generals, brave and resourceful, and had made countless contributions to him. "This is still Ming territory. Gao Jie and I are both vassals. How could he possibly attack me? Don't worry, it's not that I look down on Gao Jie. Even if something happens, my three hundred cavalrymen are more than enough to handle it!"

"Marshal!" Qiu Yue and Ma Dai wanted to continue persuading.

"Okay, hurry up and arrange the people, I'll leave now!" Huang Degong waved his hand and decisively interrupted them.

Seeing the firmness and determination revealed in Huang Degong's words, the two could only sigh and go down to prepare.

In Gao Jie's tent, the atmosphere was as heavy as the oppressive feeling before a storm.

Gao Jie sat behind the desk, his brows furrowed, his eyes fixed on the front, his fingers tapping on the table, making a monotonous and annoying sound.

"Are you saying that the cavalry under Huang Fei's command is heading towards Huang Degong's camp?" His voice was low and cold, as if it came from the bottom of a deep valley.

"Judging from the direction they are heading, they should be heading towards Yizheng. The scouts just reported that Huang Degong led about 300 cavalrymen to meet them. Judging from the direction they are heading, they should be meeting up with Huang Fei..." The person who was speaking at this time was Gao Jie's nephew, General Li Benshen, who was also the person Gao Jie trusted the most.

Gao Jie stood up and paced slowly, stroking his beard with both hands, his mind filled with confusion. "Why are these two meeting at this time?"

Gao Jie is a man of cruel and suspicious character. His first reaction to the meeting between Huang Fei and Huang Degong was that there must be some conspiracy.

"It's not coming towards us, is it?" Li Benshen said after a moment's contemplation. "But we have to be on guard. Shi Kefa put Huang Degong next to us just to guard against us, right? Otherwise, we can take this opportunity..."

"No!" Gao Jie hurriedly stopped him, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes. "Huang Degong and I are now at peace, and Huang Chuangzi is no pushover. If we deal with him, we'll have to kill him in one blow. What if..."

"He only brought 300 cavalrymen this time." Li Benshen lowered his voice, his eyes revealing greed and ferocity. "This opportunity cannot be missed..."

Gao Jie fell into deep thought, his mind struggling fiercely. On the one hand, he was wary of Huang Degong; on the other, he was tempted by this seemingly perfect opportunity.

After a long while, he slowly spoke, his voice filled with hesitation and uneasiness: "No... No... Can't..."

The tent was completely silent, with only his heavy breathing echoing in the air.