Volume One, Chapter 14: Reinforcements-Grande Ming: Um tael de prata por minuto, uma velocidade de colonização inimaginável(Aquele que vende pernas de cordeiro no norte)

"Your servant obeys," he said.

At that moment, a commotion arose from afar.

"Your Majesty!" a eunuch hurried over. "The west side of the city..."

"What now?"

"The armory... The armory has been breached!"

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Youjian's eyes. "Those traitors!"

He strode swiftly to the palace gate. "Issue my decree: whoever captures these rebels shall be promoted three ranks!"

"Long live the wise Emperor!" the crowd responded in unison.

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves echoed from a distance.

"Report!" a scout rushed in. "A large force has been spotted outside the north gate!"

"How many?"

"About ten thousand cavalry!"

A sharp light flickered in Zhu Youjian's eyes. "Just in time."

He turned to Wei Zhiren. "Prepare all the firearms from the Eastern Depot immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

At this moment, the system issued an alert:

[Urgent Intelligence:
The rebel main force has begun its assault.
Immediate response is advised.]

Zhu Youjian sneered. "Let them come."

Standing before the palace gate, he watched the distant flames. The entire capital seemed engulfed in chaos—shouts of battle, clattering hooves, and the flickering glow of torches piercing the night.

"Kill!"

Suddenly, a battle cry rang out.

The rebel attack had begun.

Zhu Youjian stood by the window, eyes fixed on the distant fires. He opened the system interface:

[Intelligence Analysis...
Current Situation:
- Rebels have breached the city gates
- Signs of defection within the Imperial Guards
- Wen Tiren and others are fleeing
- The armory has been compromised]

"System, given this situation, what is the optimal strategy?" Zhu Youjian asked in a low voice.

The system responded immediately:

[Strategic Analysis:
- Rebel main force is in the west; recommend concentrating Eastern Depot troops to defend the Imperial City
- Wen Tiren and others fleeing west may be colluding with the rebels]

Zhu Youjian nodded. "Continue."

[Tactical Recommendations:
- Recall loyal generals immediately
- Guard against threats from the west
- Strengthen Imperial City defenses
- Control key routes within the city]

"I am already aware of these," Zhu Youjian said impatiently. "I want the most effective plan."

The system interface flickered:

[Calculating Optimal Strategy...
Accuracy Ranking:
- Abandon pursuit of Wen Tiren (accuracy %)
- Concentrate forces to hold the Imperial City (accuracy %)
- Await arrival of reinforcements (accuracy %)]

Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes. "Why is abandoning the pursuit deemed the best choice?"

[Reasoning:
- Wen Tiren and others are expendable
- Pursuit will disperse defensive strength
- The immediate priority is preserving the Imperial City
- The rebel main force is the true threat]

"That makes sense," Zhu Youjian mused. "How should I deploy then?"

[Recommended Actions:
- Recall Eastern Depot troops to concentrate defense of the Imperial City
- Dispatch scouts to monitor westward movements
- Await reinforcements
Expected Benefit: Increased survival probability %]

Zhu Youjian turned to Wei Zhiren. "Issue orders to recall all pursuing forces."

"Your Majesty..." Wei Zhiren hesitated, "What about Wen Tiren and his group?"

"Let them flee," Zhu Youjian said coldly. "I must concentrate all strength on the Imperial City."

The system continued to update:

[Warning:
The rebel main force is mobilizing.
A full assault is expected within an hour.]

Zhu Youjian watched the distant flames. "Perfect timing."

He turned to Wang Cheng'en. "Tell Cao Huachun to withdraw his men."

"At once."

Suddenly, the system issued another alert:

[Urgent Intelligence:
The garrison at the east city gate has defected.
Rebels have breached the first line of defense.]

A cold light flashed in Zhu Youjian’s eyes. "Order everyone to fall back into the Imperial City."

"Your Majesty!" Wei Zhiren urged, "What about the civilians inside the city..."

"We have no time for that," Zhu Youjian said coldly. "We must safeguard the core first."

The system interface continued to flicker:

[Recommendations:
- Immediately seal all gates of the Imperial City
- Concentrate firearms on the battlements
- Prepare incendiary oil and battering devices]

Zhu Youjian nodded. "Follow the system’s advice."

He approached the map, carefully reviewing the defensive layout:

[Imperial City Defense Map:
- East Gate: Eastern Depot troops
- West Gate: Eastern Depot troops
- South Gate: Eastern Depot troops
- North Gate: Eastern Depot troops]

"Not enough," Zhu Youjian frowned. "We need more manpower."

The system responded promptly:

[Recommendation:
Recruit palace eunuchs to bolster defenses.
Expected increase: 200 men]

"Approved," Zhu Youjian gestured. "Wang Cheng'en, make it happen."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

At that moment, a tremendous blast shook the entire Imperial City.

"What is happening?!" Zhu Youjian demanded sharply.

"Your Majesty," a eunuch ran in, "The rebels are assaulting the Meridian Gate!"

Zhu Youjian smiled coldly. "Just as expected."

The system suddenly issued a warning:

[Danger!
Rebel artillery in position.
Immediate evacuation recommended.]

Zhu Youjian shook his head. "No need. We stand our ground here."

He returned to the window, watching the chaos. Flames engulfed the capital.

The system continued to update:

[Defense Deployment Complete:
- Firearms positioned on battlements
- Incendiary oil and battering devices ready
- Troops stationed in phases]

"Excellent," Zhu Youjian nodded with satisfaction. "Let them come."

Another massive explosion shook the city.

"Boom!"

The entire Imperial City trembled violently.

"Your Majesty!" Wei Zhiren rushed in. "The Meridian Gate..."

"What’s wrong?"

"It’s been breached!"

Zhu Youjian’s expression changed drastically. "What?!"

The system immediately issued an alert:

[Emergency!
Rebel main force has broken through the Meridian Gate.
Activate backup plan immediately.]

Zhu Youjian gritted his teeth. "How many men remain?"

[Counting...
Eastern Depot troops: approx. 100
Palace eunuchs: approx. 100
Estimated endurance: two hours]

"Enough," Zhu Youjian sneered. "Let’s see how capable these rebels really are."

The system continued to update:

[Battle Analysis:
Rebel Advantages:
- Ample manpower
- Numerous firearms
- High morale]

Zhu Youjian studied the analysis, then asked suddenly, "System, if we attempt a breakout now, what is the success rate?"

[Calculating...
Breakout success rate: %
Recommendation: Hold position.]

"Your Majesty!" Wang Cheng'en hurried in. "Cao Huachun sends word."

"Speak."

"He reports sighting of reinforcements’ banners!"

Zhu Youjian’s eyes brightened. "From which direction?"

"Outside the north gate!"

The system immediately analyzed:

[Intelligence Verification...
Confirmed reinforcements.
Estimated troops: over thirty thousand.]

Zhu Youjian sneered. "Just in time."

He turned to Wei Zhiren. "Order: hold the line with all strength for two hours."

"Your servant obeys!"

The system continued:

[Tactical Recommendations:
- Concentrate firepower to hold the inner city
- Await reinforcements
- Launch pincer attack to annihilate the enemy]

Zhu Youjian nodded. "So be it."

At that moment, another explosion rocked the city.

"Boom!"

The Imperial City shook again.

"Your Majesty!" a eunuch ran in. "Bad news!"

"What now?"

"The rebels... have breached the inner city!"

Zhu Youjian's face turned ashen. "Those traitors!"

The system immediately issued a warning:

[Danger!
Rebels have broken into the inner city.
Recommend immediate retreat to secret passages.]

Zhu Youjian shook his head. "No need."

He went to the window, watching the fierce fighting below. The entire Imperial City was shrouded in flames.

The system continued to analyze:

[Current Status:
Defenders: approx. 200
Rebels: approx. [number]
Estimated endurance: half an hour]

"That’s enough," Zhu Youjian sneered. "Half an hour is plenty—for the reinforcements to arrive."