I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

The following morning, dark clouds covered the sky above Juyong Pass.

Du Zhizhi stood on the city wall, silently calculating every detail in his mind.

Juyong Pass was built against the mountain, and the small gates on both sides of the mountain beam were not the main defensive focus. The guards had been replaced by their own people, who could be opened at any time, allowing the Shun army to sneak in silently.

"Report!"

Scouts reported that Liu Zongmin had once again led a large army to the front.

Tang Tong roared, "This bastard dares to come here! I'll take his life today!"

"General Tang!"

Du Zhizhi shouted, and Tang Tong, thinking that this guy was going to stop him again, was immediately very dissatisfied.

"Eunuch Du, they've already come to our doorstep. If we cower and don't come out now, won't we be looked down upon?"

"That's not what we meant!"

Du Zhizhi waved his hand and said, "Be careful on this journey. I wish General Tang a resounding victory!"

Tang Tong was a little confused, thinking to himself, "This spineless guy, wasn't he always against going into battle?"

What's going on today? Why did you suddenly change your mind?

However, he was too lazy to think about it further and simply said, "We'll go and meet the enemy; the defense of our home will depend entirely on Eunuch Du!"

"General Tang, you flatter me. This is simply my duty!"

Tang Tong nodded, turned and left, but after taking only two steps, he suddenly turned back.

"We must also send people to scout the ridges on both sides to prevent the rebel army from sneaking in from the mountains."

"Please rest assured, General Tang, everything has been arranged!"

Tang Tong felt increasingly uneasy, but couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

With a major battle imminent, he was too lazy to think much and led his troops out of the city to confront Liu Zongmin head-on.

The two armies faced off at Juyong Pass. Liu Zongmin raised his broadsword and shouted, "Tang Tong, the Ming Dynasty is finished! If you know what's good for you, why don't you surrender to my Great Shun and share in its riches and glory?"

Tang Tong glared angrily and shouted back, "You traitors, you dare to dream of overthrowing the Ming Dynasty! You're dreaming!"

A great battle was about to break out, and the soldiers on both sides were like tigers descending the mountain, fighting each other to the death.

Liu Zongmin personally took to the field, wielding a broadsword, and wherever he went, Ming soldiers perished on the spot.

"Tang Tong, you brat, if you surrender now, I might spare your life!"

Tang Tong's face turned ashen with anger, and he charged forward, knife in hand.

when!

The two steel knives clashed together, producing a piercing clang.

Tang Tong felt his tiger's mouth go numb from the shock, and he quickly gripped it tightly to prevent the knife from flying out of his hand.

Little did anyone know, Liu Zongmin had the same reaction, and was so shocked that he couldn't catch his breath and speak.

After a long pause, he let out a heavy breath and shouted, "You've got some strength! Come on, Grandpa's going to have a three-hundred-round battle with you!"

The two charged at each other and clashed again, exchanging blows in a lively and exciting battle.

Du Zhizhi stood on the city wall, the north wind blowing his cloak, making it flutter loudly.

His gaze was cold and stern as he looked down at the chaotic battlefield, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.

As the city gates on both sides opened silently, the Shun army, which had been lying in ambush on the mountain ridge, surged in like a tide.

"kill!"

Once the Shun army entered the city, they showed no mercy and began to slaughter everyone with their long swords!

The garrison inside Juyong Pass was already weak, and with the main force out on the move, they quickly fell into chaos in the face of this sudden turn of events. Even those who fought desperately were ultimately outnumbered and either killed on the city walls or forced to lay down their arms and surrender.

Du Zhizhi stood on high ground, observing everything with a cold eye.

In his eyes, these Ming soldiers who died tragically were merely sacrifices in exchange for power.

The thought of soon rising to prominence, becoming second only to the emperor, made the corners of his mouth involuntarily turn up in a smile.

Tang Tong and Liu Zongmin were locked in fierce combat, exchanging blows and fighting neck and neck, completely unaware that the walls of Juyong City were now covered with the flags of the Shun army.

After an unknown amount of time, a battle cry came from behind.

Tang Tong suddenly awoke with a start and looked back, only to see countless Shun soldiers pouring out of Juyong Pass, forming a pincer movement against him.

Liu Zongmin laughed loudly: "Tang Tong, you little brat, why don't you surrender now!"

Tang Tong was greatly alarmed. When had the Shun army gotten behind him?

Juyongguan Pass is built along the mountainside, and if you want to get around it, you can only go along the ridges on both sides.

However, the ridge only has narrow paths, which are not suitable for large-scale marches. Before setting off, he had instructed Du Zhizhi to strengthen the patrol of the ridge on both sides.

If the Shun army is discovered, a small contingent of Ming troops can be dispatched to fight and repel them.

He looked up at the city wall in confusion, trying to find Du Zhizhi's figure.

However, there was nothing on the city wall except for the banners of the Shun army.

An ominous thought came to him. He looked at Liu Zongmin and saw a smug smile on the other's face, as if he had expected this all along.

In that instant, he finally realized that he had been betrayed by Du Zhizhi!

However, it was too late for regrets. Faced with the Shun army's pincer attack from both sides, the morale of the Ming army plummeted, and its men continued to be killed.

Seeing this, Liu Zongmin laughed loudly, brandishing his knife and shouting, "Tang Tong, I respect you as a man. If you surrender now, I might spare your life!"

"Bullshit!"

Tang Tong's eyes widened, filled with resentment and anger.

However, he knew in his heart that the defeat was inevitable and could not be reversed no matter what.

Whether he died in battle or surrendered, the fall of Juyong Pass was a foregone conclusion!

From that moment on, the gates of the capital were wide open, and the Ming Dynasty was in grave danger!

Liu Zongmin shouted, "This is your last chance! Surrender or not?"

Tang Tong bit his lip tightly, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Since defeat is inevitable, there is no point in continuing to resist; it will only increase casualties.

Are we really going to surrender?

He was very unwilling, but there was nothing he could do.

If it weren't for Du Zhizhi, that spineless man, Juyong Pass could have been defended perfectly well!

If I had known this would happen, I should have killed him with one blow back then!

But what's the point of saying all this now...?

Tang Tong slowly closed his eyes, his hand gripping the hilt of the knife began to relax, and he prepared to make his final decision.

"Look, what's that?"

Suddenly, a commotion arose behind me.

Tang Tong suddenly opened his eyes, looked in the direction of the sound, and froze on the spot.

Behind Juyong Pass, a yellow flag was approaching, and it turned out to be...

The Great Dragon Flag!

Tang Tong's heart skipped a beat, and he could hardly believe his eyes.

However, the banner was rapidly approaching, and at the same time, shouts of battle came from behind.

"It's the great dragon banner! The Emperor has arrived!"

"That's right, only the Emperor can use the imperial banner!"

Everyone started talking at once, and they all became excited.

As the banner drew closer, the Shun army in the direction of Juyong Pass began to fall into disarray.

It was clear that their rear guard had been attacked!

Tang Tong was overjoyed and shouted, "His Majesty has arrived! His Majesty has come to rescue us personally!"

Upon hearing this, all the Ming soldiers were energized, roaring and charging forward with all their might!

Liu Zongmin's smile froze instantly, and he muttered, "Damn it, this is really strange, how could this be..."

To everyone's surprise, the Chongzhen Emperor appeared at this time.

The seemingly certain victory was shattered in an instant, and the battle situation became unpredictable once again.

Tang Tong charged ahead, attacking from the left and right like a god of war.

Under the Ming army's fierce attack, the Shun army began to show signs of defeat.