221: The breach of Changping Pass led to the capture of Sofia, a Russian stratagem that lured Aqi to a meeting to discuss the establishment of a new dynasty and the subsequent war.

After three strikes of the morning drum at the Imperial Horse Farm, the hooves of the Black Armor Cavalry crushed the morning frost outside the Changping Stronghold. Xie Hui rode on his warhorse, clutching the disassembled diagram of the Heaven-Shaking Thunder that Zeng Rou had rushed to complete overnight. His gaze swept over the stronghold walls—half-worn Dragon banners fluttered on the ramparts, mixed with several Tsarist Russian tricolor flags, clearly indicating foreign intervention.

"Brother Hui, the Scout in the stronghold reported," Fang Yi rode closer, a Green Wood Hall signal flag pinned to her green skirt, "the defending general, Zhang Wu, has defected to Tsarist Russia and is now mixed in with Princess Sofia's envoy. The tricolor flags on the ramparts are the signal."

Zeng Rou hugged the military equipment manual, the hem of her blue skirt stained with grease—she had just applied the final rust-proofing oil to the improved cannon at dawn: "Sofia's envoy brought twenty Tsarist Russian firearms, which are lighter than the ones we captured. However, there's a copper ring at the barrel's joint; if shot accurately, one cannon shot can make the firearm explode."

Chen Yuanyuan sat in the carriage, a windproof cloak over her white dress, holding a newly written letter of surrender: "I met Sofia in Moscow. Although she is a princess, she values profit greatly. If we promise her trade privileges, we might be able to turn an enemy into a friend."

Tu Hai's shining silver armor glinted in the morning light. He raised his hand, signaling the Black Armor Cavalry to form ranks: "This subordinate will lead five hundred cavalry to charge the front, Lord Xie will lead the new recruits to flank from the rear, Miss Chen will follow with the medical station, and Miss Zeng and Long'er will be responsible for cannon support."

As the cavalry approached the stronghold, a burst of gibberish Russian suddenly came from the ramparts. A tricolor flag fell to the ground with a "thud," revealing Tsarist Russian soldiers holding firearms behind it. "As expected, there's an ambush!" Xie Hui waved his hand, "Long'er, fire the cannon! Target the firearm wielders on the ramparts first!"

The improved cannon fired with a "boom," and a fireball trailing smoke slammed into the ramparts. Several Tsarist Russian soldiers were thrown back by the blast, their firearms clattering to the ground. Zeng Rou stared through her binoculars and suddenly shouted, "Brother Hui! That woman in the white cloak in the middle is Sofia! The red-clothed woman beside her looks like AQi, the Tsarist Russian female assassin, and her swordplay is extremely fast!"

Xie Hui focused his gaze. On the city tower stood a golden-haired, blue-eyed woman with a double-headed eagle emblem embroidered on her cloak—it was Princess Sofia. The red-clothed woman beside her held a curved saber; it was indeed AQi, mentioned in the outline. "Miss Chen, you will come with me to negotiate. Fang Yi, bring the signal flag and prepare for backup!"

The two rode their horses to the moat. Sofia suddenly spoke, her Chinese heavily accented: "General Xie, we have no intention of being your enemy. We merely wish to buy out the golden buddha ore vein in Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. If you agree, Tsarist Russia is willing to help you overthrow the Qing Dynasty."

Chen Yuanyuan softly reminded: "She's testing our attitude towards the golden buddha. The golden buddha of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain was secretly hoarded by Wu Sangui; we absolutely cannot let Tsarist Russia get involved."

Xie Hui sneered: "The golden buddha is an item of our China; how can outsiders covet it? If the Princess is willing to withdraw her troops, our dynasty can grant you border trade. Otherwise..." He pointed to the improved cannon behind him, "The power of that cannon shot, Princess, you must have witnessed it."

AQi suddenly rushed out from behind Sofia, her curved saber gleaming coldly as it aimed directly for Xie Hui's face—her movements were extremely fast, and the wind stirred by her blade stung one's face. Xie Hui raised his sword to meet her, his black iron sword clashing with the curved saber, sparks flying. He seized the opportunity to channel his Nine Yin True Qi, numbing AQi's tiger's mouth and causing her curved saber to clatter to the ground.

"Good kung fu!" Sofia clapped her hands, a flicker of admiration in her eyes, "I am willing to retreat, but I must take AQi with me. She is my most capable guard."

Xie Hui shook his head: "AQi stays. I will allow her to serve as a cavalry instructor in the New Dynasty. If the Princess agrees, three more clauses can be added to the trade treaty."

AQi rubbed her numb wrist and suddenly spoke, her Chinese more fluent than Sofia's: "I have long grown tired of Tsarist Russia's conflicts. If the New Dynasty can truly accommodate me, I am willing to stay." She picked up her curved saber and bowed to Sofia in a knight's salute, "Princess, farewell for now."

Sofia shrugged, leading her envoy back into the stronghold. The tricolor flag quietly lowered, replaced by the Heaven and Earth Society's red flag. Zhang Wu opened the city gate and knelt to surrender: "This subordinate was blind and ignorant. I am willing to lead three thousand soldiers to submit, only asking for a way to live."

Songgotu, unable to wait any longer, rushed into the city with Small Scale, heading straight for Zhang Wu's silver vault: "Three thousand soldiers? Easy to say! First, let this official count the silver in the vault. If even one coin is missing..." He suddenly exclaimed, "General Zhang, why are there Tsarist Russian diamonds hidden in your silver vault? They're worth at least one hundred thousand taels!"

Wei Xiaobao leaned over, looking at the dazzling pile of diamonds: "Lord Suo, give me two! I'll make earrings for Miss Xiao Hong!"

"Stop!" Xie Hui smiled and shook his head, "These are military funds. When the New Dynasty is established, they will be used to build roads and schools for the common people. Miss Zeng, gather the Tsarist Russian firearms and modify them according to your method; AQi, you first lead the cavalry to familiarize themselves with curved saber tactics. Our Black Armor Cavalry is in need of such an instructor."

AQi cupped her fists, her red clothes fluttering in the wind: "General Xie, rest assured, I will ensure that no one survives the cavalry's blades."

After taking Changping, everyone inventoried the supplies within the stronghold. Shuanger's ledger filled up quickly: "Two hundred Tsarist Russian firearms, ten thousand taels of gold, enough provisions for fifty thousand people for three months." She looked up at Xie Hui, "Brother Hui, the Kangxi Emperor sent Xiao Lizi to deliver a message, saying that the Nine Gates Commander of the Forbidden City has secretly submitted and is just waiting for us to reach the city walls."

Tu Hai unfolded the map, his fingertip resting on the Forbidden City marker: "This subordinate suggests leaving ten thousand men to guard the outer strongholds, and the remaining forty thousand will march directly to the Forbidden City. The Black Armor Cavalry will be the vanguard, and the improved cannons will bombard the city gates. We will surely breach the city within three days."

Zeng Rou suddenly pointed to the northwest corner of the map: "This is Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Wu Sangui's remnants are gathering there. They have the 'Ice Flame Cannon' that Tsarist Russia gave them back then, which can fire ice projectiles in the snow. We need to prepare early."

Chen Yuanyuan put down the newly written letter of surrender: "I have already contacted the Miao villages near the snow mountain. They hate Wu Sangui and are willing to be our guides."

Xie Hui nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone around him: Shuanger managed provisions, Zeng Rou managed military equipment, AQi managed cavalry, Chen Yuanyuan managed defection, Tu Hai managed troops, and although Wei Xiaobao and Songgotu loved money, they always proved useful at critical moments. He pulled out the eight forty-two chapter sutras from his small universe; the yellowed covers seemed to reflect the outline of the New Dynasty.

"First, conquer the Forbidden City, then campaign against Jade Dragon Snow Mountain," Xie Hui suddenly raised his voice, "The first flag of the New Dynasty will be planted on the Meridian Gate Tower of the Forbidden City!"

"Plant the flag! Establish the New Dynasty!" Everyone shouted in unison, their voices startling the cold crows on the city tower. Songgotu seized the opportunity to stuff two small diamonds into hisIn my arms, but Wei Xiaobao caught him red-handed: "Lord Suo, stealing again! When the New Dynasty is established, you'll be the first one investigated!"

"Nonsense!" Songgotu stiffened his neck, "this official is saving incense money for the Ancestral Shrine of Loyal Martyrs. Big Brother Mao's spirit in heaven is watching!"

As dusk fell, the bonfires of the Changping Stronghold cast a red glow across the sky. AQi was teaching cavalry curved saber techniques, Zeng Rou was calibrating the Tsarist Russian firearms, Chen Yuanyuan was writing letters to the Miao villages, Shuanger was brewing herbal soup, and Songgotu was still lingering at the silver vault entrance, muttering, "Weigh it again, maybe there's still some missing."

Xie Hui stood on the city tower, looking at the distant lights of the capital city. Tomorrow, they would be at the Forbidden City, and the final step to overthrowing the Qing Dynasty was about to be taken. The small universe key in his embrace felt hot, containing not only supplies but also Mao the Eighteenth's great saber, the hopes of all the heroines, and the trust of countless brothers.

"Big Brother Mao," he whispered to the night sky, "Tomorrow, we will go to the Forbidden City and bring your memorial tablet into the Ancestral Shrine of Loyal Martyrs of the New Dynasty, so that everyone in the world will know that there was a hero named Mao the Eighteenth who gave his last breath for this era of peace and prosperity."

The night wind swept across the city tower, carrying the neighing of distant warhorses, as if Mao the Eighteenth was responding. Xie Hui tightened his grip on the black iron sword and turned to walk towards the bonfire, towards the brothers and confidantes who were willing to follow him through life and death—the dawn of the New Dynasty was at hand.