Top-notch Little Horseman

Everyone inside the pass was terrified. Liang Biao gripped his steel knife tightly, his expression extremely solemn.

"Captain, they are the elite of the Northern Barbarians! Three hundred cavalrymen, their combat strength far surpasses that of ordinary mountain bandits. Even if Zhenbeibao sends troops to help, it may be too late."

"Moreover, if Zhenbeibao sends troops, it will probably be even more troublesome."

The soldiers held their breath and faced the dark, overwhelming tide of iron cavalry from beyond the pass.

Ye Chen stood at the highest point of the city gate, his robes fluttering in the wind and snow.

"This is a battle we must fight ourselves; it's a battle that will make us famous!"

"Order everyone to set up defenses; it's time to put our muskets to the test!"

The Northern Barbarian cavalry, relying on their fierce iron cavalry, didn't take the Desolate Dust Pass seriously at all.

The leading general of the Northern Barbarians, wielding a wolf-tooth broadsword, roared fiercely: "Break through the pass, seize the grain, and raze the desolate Dust Pass to the ground!"

As the roar subsided, the three hundred cavalrymen simultaneously spurred their horses forward, their iron hooves thundering and shaking the earth.

The Northern Barbarian cavalry charged towards the city gate like a black torrent, raining down arrows that whistled through the air and shot straight at the city walls.

Once the cavalry were within range of the firearms, Ye Chen gave the order: "Fire!"

In an instant, gunfire rang out, and steel balls were fired at the Northern Barbarian cavalry.

As the muskets fired in unison, steel balls rained down on the charging Northern Barbarian cavalry.

The Northern Barbarian cavalry charging ahead were instantly thrown into chaos, their horses neighing wildly in fright, and their front ranks crumbled in an instant, their blood and flesh mixed with the snow covering the ground.

The remaining cavalry that managed to break through the barrage of fire were then precisely targeted and killed by sniper rifles positioned high above, each shot striking without leaving a trace, sniping one Northern Barbarian cavalryman after another.

The Northern Barbarian general had never seen such a fierce defensive weapon. The firepower of the weapon, capable of piercing armor and killing enemies, completely shattered their cavalry advantage.

The bloody battle ended in just half an hour.

Three hundred elite cavalrymen from the Northern Barbarians suffered heavy casualties, and the remnants fled in disarray, no longer daring to approach Huangchen Pass even half a step.

As the snowstorm subsided, few corpses remained beneath the city gate, and the chilling air, carrying the stench of blood, permeated the surrounding landscape.

In this battle, Huangchen Pass suffered zero heavy losses and, relying on its new firearms, decisively defeated the Northern Barbarian cavalry, achieving legendary status in one battle.

The news spread rapidly throughout the North, shaking the entire region.

The Qin border troops who had previously looked down on Huangchen Pass, the refugee forces entrenched in various places, and the border generals who were observing the situation all learned of Ye Chen's name and knew that Huangchen Pass possessed unparalleled combat power.

Zhao Chen immediately reported the merits of this battle, presenting the great achievements of Huangchen Pass in defending the territory and protecting the northern frontier.

The imperial court was shaken, and no one dared to regard Ye Chen as a mere border soldier anymore.

But it was at this moment that Ye Chen received a letter.

He opened it and frowned slightly. "Qian Wansan? He wants to invite me to dinner?"

"The big spender invites you! Boss, there's bound to be good news this time!" The monkey had a very good impression of this wealthy man, after all, he had eaten a lot of delicious food at the Qian family mansion.

"Whether it's a good thing or not, we'll only know when we get there." Ye Chen is never blindly optimistic, nor is he pessimistic or hopeless. From the past, the only thing he can believe in is the unchanging fact of the moment when the target in the crosshair lens falls.

"Liang Biao, Smoker, I'm leaving the house to you. Monkey, come with me." Ye Chen instructed.

"Don't worry, nothing will go wrong. Just leave it to us." Smoker nodded, as reliable as ever.

When you're out and about, safety is something you have to provide for yourself. Ye Chen tossed the cloth bag containing the musket and triangular bayonet to Monkey to carry.

Nowadays, they might not each have a short flintlock pistol, but they probably have ten. Naturally, they would bring one for self-defense when they went to the Qian residence.

Although they are not heading to a dangerous place, they should still be wary of others and make the necessary preparations.

The person who came to receive Ye Chen was Yan Luo, Qian Wansan's confidant.

When Ye Chen arrived at the Qian family mansion again, it was just in time for dinner.

To entertain the guests, lanterns were hung in the winding corridors of the courtyard, and maids were specially assigned to guide Ye Chen, making it a very grand affair.

Ye Chen wondered if Xiang Yu had made it as festive as this when the King of Guanzhong went to the Feast at Hongmen.

It was still the same two-story building. Yan Luo didn't search him because he would be going up too. As for the monkey with the weapon, he couldn't be searched and could only wait at the bottom of the stairs on the first floor.

"My brother has a huge appetite, so please don't let him go hungry." Ye Chen accepted this arrangement.

"Lord Ye, no guest will leave the Qian residence hungry," Yan Luo assured him.

Ye Chen today is no longer the horse herder he once was; Yan Luo dares not underestimate him.

And so, Ye Chen once again arrived at the private club on the second floor belonging to Qian Wansan.

Qian Wansan was actually personally setting the table, including how to place the bowls and chopsticks in a more elegant manner; he was quite knowledgeable about this.

"Lord Ye, it's been a long time. Please have a seat." Qian Wansan greeted Ye Chen with a smile and led him to the table.

For a banquet for just two people, Qian Wansan still prepared nine dishes, literally delicacies from land and sea, another meal that would cost several taels of silver.

"Mr. Qian, you're too kind. The two of us can't possibly finish all this. Please let me pack it up and take it back with me." Ye Chen was overjoyed. Now that he was traveling, he had to take care of hundreds of mouths to feed.

"Why bother packing it up? If Lord Ye likes it, I'll definitely have someone book several tables and fill a whole cart to take it away," Qian Wansan said with great generosity.

The two sat down side by side without saying a word. They first ate and drank, and Qian Wansan even personally served Ye Chen food and wine, showing great hospitality.

During the banquet, the two talked a lot, and Qian Wansan personally provided Ye Chen with money and provisions.

The two hit it off immediately, and Ye Chen officially integrated the various forces in the Northern Territory.

Zhao Chen of Zhenbeibao led his troops to surrender, and all the scattered garrisons, border fortresses, and local militias in the northern frontier submitted.

The once chaotic and fragmented Northern Territory now completely follows Ye Chen's lead.

The imperial court feared his growing power, yet relied on him to guard the northern frontier and deter the Northern Barbarians. Therefore, it was forced to appoint Ye Chen as the Prince of Zhenbei, in charge of all military and political affairs in the northern frontier.

Ye Chen has firmly established himself in the Northern Territory.

By this time, the Qin Dynasty was already deeply rotten and beyond redemption.

With eunuchs wielding power and treacherous officials in charge of the court, exorbitant taxes and levies were imposed at every level, and natural disasters occurred frequently, causing widespread suffering and resentment among the people. Rebellions broke out in various prefectures and cities, and the flames of war spread across the Central Plains, threatening the very foundation of the Qin Dynasty.

Ye Chen remained stationed in the northern frontier, allowing the country to recuperate and build up its strength. He did not participate in the chaos in the Central Plains, but instead silently observed and waited for an opportunity to act.

Ye Chen was strict in governing his army and cared for the people. In the northern frontier under his jurisdiction, there were no harsh taxes, no famine, and no war. The people lived in peace and prosperity, which was a stark contrast to the tragic situation in the Central Plains where war raged and the people suffered.

Refugees and rebel armies from all over the world admired and flocked to him. Many local rebel forces, upon hearing of Ye Chen's benevolence and military prowess, all sent envoys to surrender.

In just three years, Ye Chen subdued most of the rebel forces across the country without shedding a drop of blood, commanding a million soldiers and controlling half of the country.

The time is ripe.

The last emperor of the Qin Dynasty was incompetent and corrupt, slaughtering loyal officials and oppressing the people, and had long lost the hearts of the people.

Ye Chen raised an army in the northern border and marched south.

Wherever the army passed, the people lined the streets to welcome them, and the prefectures and counties surrendered at the mere sight of them. They were invincible and unstoppable.

The corrupt Qin Dynasty, which had been decaying for a century, was utterly powerless to resist this newly formed mighty army, which was disciplined, popular, and unparalleled in combat strength.

The army swept through cities and fortresses, reaching the outskirts of the capital.

The gates of the capital city were opened wide, and civil and military officials came out of the city to surrender. The last emperor bound himself and pleaded guilty. The Qin Empire, which had lasted for hundreds of years, was completely destroyed and collapsed.

In the first year of the new era, in the spring.

Under a clear blue sky, auspicious clouds shine brightly, and everything is renewed.

Ye Chen built the Temple of Heaven in the southern suburbs of the capital, offered sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, followed the will of Heaven and the people, inherited the great lineage, ascended the throne and became emperor, and established the country as Tianlong.

It symbolizes the dawn breaking, the cleansing of corruption, the illumination of the whole country, and national prosperity and peace.

At the coronation ceremony, all the brothers from the former Desolate Dust Pass were seated in the court.

Liang Biao, Luo Kai, Cao Bucun, and others were appointed generals and marquises, while Zhao Chen was stationed to guard the northern border and stabilize the country's gateway.

All the border soldiers and loyal men who followed him were rewarded and given their positions.

He was once a horse herder, rising from humble beginnings and taking root in the desolate land. With his wisdom, courage, and benevolence, he guarded the border, defeated powerful enemies, quelled the chaos, and brought peace to the world.

From a lowly guard on the snowy border to the powerful Prince Zhenbei who intimidated the northern frontier, he eventually swept away the chaos, overthrew the old dynasty, ascended to the throne, and ushered in a prosperous and peaceful era.

The dragon flag flew high, officials paid homage, and shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" resounded throughout the land.