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The brilliant victories achieved by the Red Flag Army on the three fronts were like three prairie fires, completely igniting the land of China.

Controlling the Grand Canal and the Yellow River hub meant that the Qing government's economic lifeline was severed; the vast area of ​​control spanning Hebei, Shandong, Henan and Anhui was like a sharp knife inserted into the heart of the Qing government; the Central Plains granary and the huge population resources provided the Red Flag Army with a continuous stream of soldiers and supplies.

In an instant, the world was shaken and the world's attention was drawn!

Inside the Forbidden City, the solemn and dignified atmosphere of the past has been replaced by panic and despair.

The young Emperor Longxi on the dragon throne was a mere puppet, while Aobai, who truly held power, and Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, who was temporarily allied with him, looked ashen-faced as they faced the glaring red expanse on the geomantic map.

"They've rebelled! They've all rebelled!" Ao Bai's hair and beard stood on end as he slammed his fist on the imperial desk, making the teacups rattle. "Jinan is lost, Kaifeng is lost, even Xuzhou is lost! These peasants are trying to uproot our Great Qing!"

Although Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's face was pale, her eyes remained sharp. Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, she said in a deep voice, "It's useless to say these things now! Ordos's army is tied down in Shandong and Henan, and can't help a fire that's far away. The most urgent task is to immediately gather all the capable soldiers and extinguish this flame before it marches north!"

After a heated debate in the court and behind-the-scenes deals, a battle plan that required all-out effort was quickly formulated: to urgently deploy three elite forces.

The northern front issued an urgent order, with a speed of 600 li, for the Mongol cavalry in southern Mongolia to immediately enter the pass from Zhangjiakou, using their swift and unpredictable archery skills to reinforce the capital region and threaten the flank of the Red Flag Army.

The western front ordered the elite Shanxi Green Standard Army, led by veteran generals, to swiftly advance eastward from Jingxing Pass, aiming to seize the Handan-Cizhou line and prevent the Red Flag Army from advancing further west or north, while also attempting to form a pincer movement with the southward-moving Mongol cavalry.

The southern front issued a strict order to the remnants of the Qing army north of the Yangtze River to integrate the forces of the Huai River region and, under the command of a valiant general, to march north from Huai'an towards Xuzhou to launch a counterattack, striving to recover lost territory and at least contain the "Prairie Fire" army group on the southern front.

Finally, the Qing court gritted its teeth and mobilized the last reserve force of the Eight Banners guarding Yanjing, numbering over 20,000.

These proud warriors, who were once the foundation of Manchuria, have now been sent to the battlefield.

Ao Bai addressed the troops personally, his voice hoarse and sorrowful: "Warriors of the Eight Banners! The Taizu and Taizong Emperors are watching us from heaven! Behind us lies the capital, your families! In this battle, there is no turning back!"

In an effort to dismantle the anti-Qing alliance and appease the Han people, the Qing court issued an unusual edict declaring "Manchus and Han Chinese united to fight against the Red bandits." This edict announced a temporary suspension of some discriminatory policies against Han Chinese and promised equal rewards for military achievements, attempting to win over Han Chinese officials and landlord militias who were still observing the situation.

The edict was written in a sincere tone, attempting to create a false impression of unity: "The Red Flag bandits of Shandong have destroyed our clothing and violated our moral principles. They are the common enemy of the world! All our subjects, whether Manchu or Han, should unite as one to defend the nation and protect our country!"

……

The Red Flag Army headquarters had by then moved to Kaifeng, and the enemy and friendly forces' positions were clearly visible on the sand table.

The news of the Qing army's three-pronged troop movement had already been detected by the astute intelligence network.

Su Ning summoned his generals, his expression calm and composed, showing no sign of panic.

"The Qing court is desperate and has used up all their resources. It seems they intend to wage a strategic decisive battle against us in the Daming Prefecture area of ​​Beizhili!"

He pointed to the location of Daming Prefecture: "This place is the gateway to Zhili, a vital waterway and land route, with flat terrain, suitable for large-scale cavalry operations. The Qing army's intentions are very clear: the Shanxi Green Standard Army on the western route, the Mongol cavalry on the northern route, and the Eight Banners reserve forces that may come south from the capital will all converge here, seeking a decisive battle with our main force."

"Commander Su, our army has been fighting one battle after another. Should we temporarily retreat from the front lines and consolidate our existing territory?" a staff officer suggested.

"No!" Su Ning categorically denied, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Although the enemy's advance is fierce, their hasty assembly will inevitably lead to chaotic command. The Mongol cavalry excels in open field battles but is inept at siege warfare; the Shanxi Green Standard Army has long been out of practice; and the Eight Banners troops are merely empty shells! Our army, on the other hand, has won consecutive victories, its morale is high, and its equipment, training, and tactics far surpass those of the enemy! This is the perfect opportunity for us to annihilate the Qing army's main force in one fell swoop and strike at the heart of the enemy!"

"Order! The westward-advancing army, with a portion of its forces, shall cooperate with the Huaibei rebels to closely monitor and impede the Qing army advancing northward from the south, preventing it from affecting the main battlefield."

"Order! The Northern Expeditionary Force shall leave behind necessary garrison troops and then the main force shall quickly advance westward to join the main force of the 'Thunderclap' Corps on the outskirts of Daming Prefecture, forming the main force for the decisive battle."

"Order! The southward-bound troops shall consolidate the defense line of Xuzhou, and at the same time, send elite small units deep behind enemy lines to harass the Qing army's supply lines and spread panic."

"Furthermore! The entire army shall intensify its preparations for war, replenish ammunition, and conduct pre-battle mobilization for officers and soldiers, emphasizing that this battle is crucial to the fate of China and that we must go all out."

"Order!"

……

In an instant, the entire northern China was in turmoil.

Dust billowed along the official road leading to Daming Prefecture as armies from all sides frantically assembled towards their designated battlefields.

The hoofbeats of Mongol cavalry shook the Yanshan Mountains; the banners of the Shanxi Green Standard Army snaked along the ancient Jingxing Road; the Qing army north of the Yangtze River struggled northward under pressure; and the red torrent, from Kaifeng, Jinan and other directions, resolutely converged on Daming Prefecture.

Daming Prefecture, this ancient city, is about to become the arena that will determine the fate of two eras.

The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder; an unprecedented battle of the century was about to erupt!
All eyes were on this, awaiting the final outcome.

Will the Qing Dynasty stage a dramatic comeback, or will the Red Flag Army completely toll the death knell for the old era?
The answer will be born in blood and fire.

……

Kaifeng, the headquarters of the Red Flag Army.

Despite his string of victories, Marshal Su did not bask in the glory; instead, he became even busier with military and political affairs.

On this day, the guards announced that two special guests had come to visit together...

Mu Jiansheng, the young prince of the Mu Prince's Mansion in Yunnan, and Chen Jinnan, the leader of the Heaven and Earth Society.

The atmosphere in the reception room was somewhat awkward.

Mu Jiansheng, dressed in a brocade robe, still retained the air of a scion of a noble family despite the weariness of his journey; Chen Jinnan, on the other hand, wore a blue robe and had a calm and composed demeanor, exuding the air of a chivalrous hero.

The two shared the same goal: to retrieve Mu Jianping, Fang Yi, and other members of the Heaven and Earth Society who had been detained previously.

"Commander Su," Chen Jinnan spoke first, his words sincere yet principled, "My subordinates previously misbehaved and caused trouble in your esteemed territory, for which I apologize on your behalf. I hope that you will consider our shared anti-Qing stance and allow me to bring them back and discipline them strictly."

Mu Jiansheng also cupped his hands and said, "Commander Su, my younger sister is young and ignorant and has offended your power. I hope you will forgive her. The Mu Royal Mansion is grateful for your mercy in sparing her life and saving her life, so we have prepared a small gift to express our gratitude."

With a wave of his hand, his attendants brought over several boxes containing Yunnan's medicinal herbs, gemstones, and other local products.

Suning sat calmly in the main seat.

He had anticipated this turn of events and said calmly, "Chief Chen, Prince Mu, there's no need for such formalities. Both sides were right and wrong in what happened that day. Since you two have come in person, I, Su, will naturally give you face. You may take the person away."

Upon hearing this, both Chen Jinnan and Mu Jiansheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Mu Jiansheng's mind raced. Before coming, he had made inquiries from various sources and knew that the young Commander Su in front of him was unfathomably strong and had great potential.

If an alliance could be formed, or even... a marriage alliance, it would be a tremendous help to the Mu family, which is confined to the southwest.

He glanced at her and saw that although Su Ning held a high position of power, he had no wives or concubines. His own younger sister was young and beautiful, and her personality was also quite obedient...

An idea quickly took root and sprouted in his mind.

Just as Chen Jinnan was about to express his gratitude and leave, Mu Jiansheng spoke again, his tone becoming more humble and even slightly probing: "Commander Su is magnanimous, and I am deeply grateful. However... although the Qing court is currently showing signs of decline, a centipede dies but does not fall dead, and the great cause of overthrowing the Qing still requires the concerted efforts of all parties. My Mu family has been stationed in Yunnan for generations and still has some influence in the southwest. I wonder... if we could take our relationship a step further and support each other?"

Su Ning, being a man of great stature, immediately understood the hidden meaning in Mu Jiansheng's words.

His gaze shifted slightly as he looked at Mu Jiansheng.

The alliance with the Mu family could indeed tie down some of Wu Sangui's troops in the southwest, divert the Qing court's attention, and benefit the Red Flag Army's northward strategy.

Furthermore, aside from being somewhat foolish, the Mu family did not actually commit any major wrongdoings.

After a moment's thought, Su Ning slowly said, "What the young prince says is not without reason. The fight against the Qing is not a matter for one family or one clan; it truly requires the cooperation of all parties. If the Mu family is willing to lend a hand in the southwest, I, Su, will naturally be happy to see it happen."

He didn't give a clear answer, but his attitude had softened. Mu Jiansheng was overjoyed and immediately pressed his advantage: "Commander Su is farsighted! To show my sincerity, and also so that my younger sister can stay by your side to learn more and broaden her horizons, I am willing to let my younger sister Jianping and her bodyguard Fang Yi stay and serve you, so that our two families can be friends forever. What do you think, Commander Su?"

He emphasized the word "serve" slightly, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Chen Jinnan frowned slightly as he listened from the side; he hadn't expected Mu Jiansheng to suddenly propose a marriage alliance.

Although this is a matter between the Mu family and the Red Flag Army, the Heaven and Earth Society has a close relationship with the Mu family, and this move will inevitably affect the balance of power among the various factions.

But as an outsider, he couldn't very well interrupt.

Su Ning glanced at Mu Jiansheng, then thought of Mu Jianping's clear yet slightly timid eyes, and finally nodded: "The young princess is innocent and carefree, it's good for her to stay in Kaifeng and broaden her horizons. I will take good care of her. As for the matter of the two families joining hands, we can discuss it in detail later."

This was tacit approval of Mu Jiansheng's "good intentions".

"Excellent! On behalf of the Mu Prince's Mansion, I thank Commander Su!" Mu Jiansheng suppressed his excitement and bowed deeply.

However, Fang Yi, who was standing outside the hall waiting to be summoned, and her fiancé Liu Yizhou, who was with her, overheard the conversation inside the hall.

Fang Yi's face turned pale instantly, and her body trembled slightly.

She and Liu Yizhou were deeply in love and had already pledged their lives to each other, but now she was to be left with a strange man as a "dowry"?
Liu Yizhou was so angry that he trembled all over and his eyes turned red!

His beloved junior sister was so carelessly given away by the young prince, and to this unknown and powerful "Commander Su"!
A fire of humiliation, anger, and jealousy burned fiercely in his chest. His fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and his gaze toward Su Ning's figure in the hall was filled with deep-seated hatred.

“Senior Brother Yizhou…” Fang Yi tugged at his sleeve worriedly.

Liu Yizhou abruptly shook him off, growling, "How...how could they do this!"

Having said that, he turned and left angrily, disregarding the occasion.

Inside the hall, the agreement was reached, and the guests and hosts seemed to be having a good time.

Mu Jiansheng was satisfied, while Chen Jinnan was preoccupied.

Outside the hall, however, a seed of hatred and betrayal had been quietly sown.

Liu Yizhou's anger, like an undercurrent, surged beneath the seemingly calm surface of the alliance, and it was anyone's guess when it would unleash a raging storm.

By acquiring Mu Jianping, Suning gained a potential ally in the southwest, but inadvertently planted an unstable pawn in their midst.

Every blessing has its curse, and the prelude to this political marriage is destined to be anything but peaceful.

……

The Red Flag Army won one victory after another, capturing key cities and strategic locations such as Jinan, Kaifeng, and Xuzhou. Its momentum was unstoppable, and its prestige resounded throughout the world.

Although there were many anti-Qing forces in the world, such as Wu Sangui in the southwest, Zheng Jing at sea, and local righteous armies, they either defended their own strategic locations, hesitated to advance, or had scattered forces. Only the Red Flag Army was the most formidable and had the most outstanding achievements. It had become the mainstay of the anti-Qing cause!

With this ebb and flow, the weakness and corruption of the Qing court were laid bare.

Countless people with a heart for China and aspirations for its restoration, whether they were frustrated scholars, skilled heroes, former Ming officials who saw the times clearly, or Han generals who were not given important positions, all turned their attention to the red dragon flag fluttering in the north.

For a time, on all the roads leading to Kaifeng, Jinan and other areas controlled by the Red Flag Army, people flocked to join the army and serve the country, forming a surging torrent of people "looking north for the royal army".

Many well-read scholars, who were frustrated by the Qing government's suppression or had no chance of passing the imperial examinations, came with the ideal of "expelling the Manchus and restoring China".

They either served as military advisors in the shogunate, assisted in local governance, or wrote articles to promote the Red Flag Army's doctrines, greatly enriching the Red Flag Army's administrative and propaganda capabilities.

An old scholar who came to join the army said excitedly, "Judging from the Red Flag Army's demeanor, strict discipline, and concern for the common people, coupled with Marshal Su's great talent and strategy, they are truly the rightful heirs of China! Although I am not talented, I am willing to do my best and use my pen as a sword to criticize them!"

Some Green Standard Army generals and local militia leaders who were utterly disillusioned with the Qing government either led their troops to surrender or joined the Red Flag Army alone, using their military experience to serve the Red Flag Army.

What they valued was the Red Flag Army's formidable fighting power and bright future.

A former Qing army officer frankly stated: "The Eight Banners are no longer fit for battle, and the Green Standard Army is also languishing. Only the Red Banner Army, with its vigorous spirit, superior weaponry, and innovative tactics, is capable of achieving great things!"

Heroes from all over the land, bodyguards, and even reclusive martial arts masters were drawn to the Red Flag Army by its prestige and its slogan of "Recreating China."

They either joined the army to serve, or used their personal connections to gather information and liaise with various parties for the Red Flag Army.

Faced with this wave of enthusiasm for joining the workforce, Suning ordered the establishment of a special "Talent Recruitment Center," where reliable individuals are responsible for screening, evaluating, and placing employees.

We neither blindly accept people nor reject them outright; we appoint people based on their talents and employ them according to their abilities.

The Red Flag Army was expanding and growing at an astonishing rate.

The sounds of drills echoed throughout the recruit camp, as new teams and even divisions were constantly being formed.

The arms workshops within the controlled area were operating at full capacity, utilizing captured weapons and their own technology to accelerate the production and repair of armaments and stockpile supplies.

However, everyone knew that the real test was about to begin—the Battle of Daming Prefecture!

Suning and its leadership were not blinded by their current prosperity.

They understood that the Qing court had gathered its last remaining mobile elite forces, intending to fight to the death.

If this battle is won, the Qing court will have no more protection, and the gates of Beijing will be wide open; if this battle is lost, the Red Flag Army's northward advance will be thwarted, the various observing forces may shift their focus, and the overall anti-Qing situation may fall into a stalemate.

The entire Red Flag Army-controlled area was like a highly efficient war machine, fully preparing for the upcoming decisive battle.

The newly trained troops were quickly added to the main force, especially the "Thunder" and "Dawn" forces that were about to participate in the Battle of Damingfu.

Soldiers and officers familiar with the terrain and climate of Beizhili were given priority to be transferred to the front lines.

Grain and fodder collected and purchased from various parts of the Central Plains, as well as ammunition produced by military workshops, were continuously transported northward via the Yellow River, the Grand Canal, and the newly repaired official roads, establishing a vast reserve of supplies in the front-line areas.

A large number of scouts and intelligence personnel were deployed to the area around Daming Prefecture and even further afield to closely monitor the movements, strength, equipment, and morale of the three Qing army forces, striving to know themselves and their enemy.

Each unit conducted repeated tactical simulations and live-fire exercises to prepare for different scenarios, such as possible Mongol cavalry charges, city sieges and defenses, and field battles.

In particular, how to deal with large-scale cavalry formations became the focus of the exercise.

The slogan "Expel the Tartars, rebuild China, defeat Daming, and strike at the heart of the enemy!" resounded throughout the military camp.

AI robots, acting as political officers, went deep into the troops to explain the great significance of the battle, boost the morale of officers and soldiers, and strengthen their belief in victory.

Outside Kaifeng, the newly formed Red Flag Army cavalry was practicing horsemanship and mounted combat. Although they couldn't compare to the Mongol cavalry who grew up on horseback, their strict discipline and fearless spirit made up for it. On the artillery positions, gunners were wiping the cannon barrels and calculating the firing range. Infantrymen were checking their rifle bayonets and practicing attack formations...

The rain is coming and the wind is all over the building.

Daming Prefecture, this ancient place name, has become the focal point that determines the fate of China.

The newly forged sword of the Red Flag Army is sharpening its most razor-sharp edge, preparing to face the most severe and glorious battle since the start of the war!
The hearts of people across the land were in suspense as the troops converged on Daming Prefecture, awaiting that earth-shattering collision.

...(End of chapter)