Chapter 55: Zhu Zheng Defends the City! A Prime Moment to Pick Up Attributes!

The Next Day!
Before Zhuozhou City!
An army of one hundred thousand stood poised beneath the city walls.
Countless battle flags emblazoned with the character "Ming" fluttered in the forefront, an unspoken declaration of their role as the righteous imperial forces of the court.

At the center of the formation, the imperial army’s supreme commander, Li Jian, rode atop his warhorse, surrounded by his generals.
Ahead of them, over five hundred cannons were all aimed squarely at Zhuozhou City.
Such an artillery array was unparalleled across the land, a display only the Ming court could muster.

Even atop the city walls, there were but a scant thirty cannons facing the approaching army—these were spoils seized from Song Zhong’s troops during the earlier recapture of Beiping Prefecture.

“The court is truly the court,”
“Look at this artillery lineup.”
“So many cannons.”
“This will be a fierce battle.”

On the battlements, Zhang Yu gazed at the besieging forces with a heavy sigh.
“After all, it is the imperial court; they can marshal the might of the entire realm.”

“Our Ming artillery is formidable. The Prince of Yan has raised arms, so naturally, they will spare no effort,” Zhu Zheng remarked calmly.

Having risen to the rank of commanding officer, Zhang Yu no longer spoke with concealment or suspicion. There was no talk of treachery; at this level, everyone understood rebellion for what it was.

To “clear the emperor’s side and pacify the realm” was merely a just cause to rally the troops. Had they been told outright from the start that they were rebelling, few would have dared to fight, their morale shattered before battle even began.

“The enemy’s artillery is strong, and their numbers abundant.”
“Our troops hold the advantage of defense, but our numbers are few.”
“You now command only five thousand soldiers to defend this city. If you cannot hold, I will order the other two battalion commanders to immediately relieve you,” Zhang Yu turned to Zhu Zheng and said.

“General Zhang, rest assured,” Zhu Zheng replied solemnly, clasping his fists.
“I will remain on the city walls at all times.”
“I will not yield an inch.”

“Let us hope,”
“we all live to see the day the prince emerges victorious.” Zhang Yu smiled, patting Zhu Zheng’s shoulder before descending the battlements at a measured pace.

As the commander responsible for defending Zhuozhou City, Zhang Yu was tasked with full command, not to linger atop the walls.

After Zhang Yu’s departure,

“Brothers,”
“How do I command?” Zhu Zheng scanned his men and bellowed.
“The general leads up front, the soldiers follow behind.”
“The general will not seek to survive at the expense of others; the soldiers will not fear death.”

In unison, the troops on the walls shouted back.

Having followed Zhu Zheng on many campaigns, they had come to understand his code of command thoroughly.

This was why every soldier under Zhu Zheng’s banner admired and revered him so deeply.

In every assault and siege, Zhu Zheng charged ahead without retreating once.

Moreover, every soldier knew he had risen purely by merit, without any compromise or favoritism.

This earned their utmost respect.

“Good.”

Zhu Zheng laughed heartily, then grew serious. “Today is the battle to defend the city!”

---

“Treacherous rebels mass at our gates. Though our numbers are insufficient, we hold the advantage of defense.”
“As always,”
“I, Zhu Zheng, will stand firm with my brothers. Even if I cannot lead the charge, I will stand at the very forefront of the city gates with you all.”
“For the Ming, we swear to defend the city unto death!”

A mighty shout echoed through the city gates.

“For the Ming, we swear to defend the city unto death!”
“For the Ming...”

Five thousand soldiers on the battlements roared in unison, their spirits soaring.

Below the walls, the other battalion troops also raised their voices.

Each man was filled with fervor, inspired by Zhu Zheng’s leadership.

“Zhu Zheng commands with a unique style,”
“No wonder he rose from a mere logistics soldier to such heights in just a few months,” Zhang Xin, stationed beneath the walls, thought to himself.

At that moment,

Before the city,

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The sound of drums thundered suddenly, signaling the enemy’s imminent assault.

“Ming soldiers!”

“Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, ungrateful of imperial grace, has raised arms in rebellion and is thus an unforgivable traitor!”

“We act under imperial mandate to suppress this treachery.”

“Today,”

“To breach Zhuozhou City in one battle will be a monumental achievement.”

“Spread this order:”

“Those who first enter the city shall be promoted three ranks and rewarded with a thousand gold coins.”

“For me, kill!”

Li Jian drew his sword and pointed toward the city, shouting loudly.

This was the order to attack.

Upon his command, the five hundred cannons immediately ignited their fuses.

“Vanguard, advance!”
“Under cannon cover!”
“Charge!”

Xu Kai, the commander of the vanguard, shouted orders, leading the assault.

The vanguard numbered fifty thousand—more than the entire defending Yan force inside the city, even after Zhu Di’s deliberate division of his troops. This revealed the sheer overwhelming might of the imperial court Zhu Di faced.

With the order given,

The artillerymen at the front lit their fuses without hesitation.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Thunderous explosions reverberated across the field.

Cannonballs rained down upon the city gates, battering Zhuozhou City relentlessly.

On the walls,

---

Zhu Zheng remained unshaken.

The cannons of this era were far less destructive than those of later times. They did not carry high explosives but instead released iron spikes and shards upon impact—deadly, yes, but manageable.

Prepared for this, Zhu Zheng issued his commands:

“Lower your bodies!”
“Back against the wall, shields held before you!”

His voice rang out.

“Orders understood!”

Tan Yuan responded loudly.

The soldiers hurried to comply, pressing backs to the wall with shields raised.

This formation was enough to block the countless iron spikes and sharp fragments.

When the cannonballs fell,

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Some struck the walls, others the gates; upon exploding, shards scattered in every direction.

Many struck the stone walls, many more clanged against the shields.

Thanks to Zhu Zheng’s preparation, only a few soldiers were injured.

“Advance! Advance!”

Xu Kai shouted.

Under artillery cover, fifty thousand troops surged forward with siege engines, determined to breach the walls.

The cannonade continued without pause.

On the battlements, Zhu Zheng showed no anxiety. Through the gap in the gate, he watched the enemy forces press forward.

This was Zhu Zheng’s first time defending a city.

Also his first time facing so great an enemy force.

“Three hundred meters.”
“Two hundred meters.”

He estimated the enemy’s advance.

At the same time,

Clenching his five-stone bow, he nocked an arrow.

His gaze fixed on the enemy’s vanguard standard-bearer.

Of course, he also targeted the commanding officers and generals leading the assault.

These would be Zhu Zheng’s priority targets.

At last,

When the enemy vanguard came within a hundred paces—

The perfect range for counterattack—

“Fire the cannons!”
“Release the arrows!”

Zhu Zheng shouted.

At his command, he straightened and drew his five-stone bow to its full draw, eyes locked on the enemy standard-bearer leading the charge.

Whoosh!

An arrow flew through the air...

...