Initially, after driving back the Liao army, Zhu Yuanzhang established Nanjing as the capital. However, the memory of the Hu people's rule lingered in the hearts of the Han people. To defend against the nomadic tribes from the north, Zhu Yuanzhang, along with Guo Wei of Taiyuan, assigned their sons to various frontier posts. Later, the Yan King, who was stationed in Beiping, successfully staged a coup, seizing the throne and becoming known as Emperor Yongle in history.
He later relocated the capital to Yanjing. While his old base was a significant factor, the proximity to the nine strategic passes, including Shanhai Pass, Jimen, and Datong, was also crucial. Any weakness in the border defenses would allow the invading troops to swiftly reach the capital. Ministers repeatedly advised against the move, but he dismissed their concerns. Driven by his ambition and a desire to constantly remind future emperors of the importance of border security, he believed this strategy would force them to remain vigilant. Ironically, while his intentions were noble, his descendants ultimately lost the Ming Empire.
Today, Yanjing is under the rule of the Qing Dynasty. The people on the streets are forced to adopt the Manchu hairstyle, their once proud men now reduced to slaves of a foreign power. It is truly tragic.
Hua Wu Que walked along the street, looking around, ignoring the curious glances from others. A group of soldiers came rushing from the side, led by a servant who bowed and scraped before a Manchu general. Upon spotting Hua Wu Que, the servant stood up straight and pointed, yelling, "General, this Han man dared to defy our Qing laws and keep his hair long. I was furious upon seeing this and immediately reported it to you!" His words, ironically, were spoken in the language of the Han people!
The Manchu general kicked the servant to the ground and glared at Hua Wu Que, shouting, "Keep your head, not your hair! Keep your hair, not your head! How dare you, a Han man, keep your hair in the Qing territory! You have the audacity to defy me! Seize him!" With a wave of his hand, a group of armored soldiers, adorned with the "Brave" insignia on their uniforms, rushed forward. It was unclear if they were Han or Manchu.
Hua Wu Que had already faced such treatment when entering the city gate, having declared himself a Han man. He was now accustomed to it. With a quick step, he darted to the side, leaping onto a tree. He plucked a handful of leaves and flung them into the crowd. The leaves, imbued with his internal energy, were no less potent than ordinary projectiles. The soldiers were knocked to the ground.
Seeing Hua Wu Que's prowess, the leading general turned to flee. However, he heard a faint sound of breaking air behind him. A leaf flew past his neck, causing him to choke and collapse to the ground, lifeless.
The traitorous Han man, terrified, scrambled backward, pleading, "Don't kill me! Don't kill me! I'm also a Han man!"
The "demon" shook his head and walked past the traitor, who thought he had escaped. But as he rejoiced, a pebble shot at him, striking his right eye with excruciating pain. He convulsed and fell backward.
Hua Wu Que felt a pang of depression. Although he had lived through turbulent times in his previous life, it was during the Sui and Tang dynasties. The Han empire was strong then, and even amidst the chaos of war, they weren't subjected to foreign rule. He had never witnessed such obsequious behavior from Han people towards foreign powers. In the eyes of these barbarians, Han people were no better than slaves or livestock.
At the city gate, Yuan-Mongolian people with similar hairstyles were greeted with bowing and scraping. Yet, when it was his turn, they were met with threats and aggression. The root cause was the decline of the Han dynasty, the demise of the Ming emperors, and the cowering submission of the Song dynasty, leading to this dire state of affairs.
He was never a good person, but after today's encounter, he vowed to himself that one day he would exact revenge upon these barbarians, returning their suffering upon the Han people a hundredfold, a thousandfold!
While lost in his thoughts, he heard the sound of running and shouting in the distance. The Qing army, alerted to the situation, was coming to the rescue. As he prepared to confront them, he heard a woman's voice calling from an alley, "Over here! Hurry!"
Hua Wu Que turned to see a woman with fair skin and a beautiful face peeking out from the alley, beckoning him. When he didn't react, she glanced at the approaching soldiers and hurriedly ran out, grabbing his arm and dragging him into the alley. She kept repeating, "Don't be a hero here! Those are the Eight Banners Iron Army, led by Ao Bai. They've surrounded us, and archers are firing from afar. No matter how skilled you are, you won't escape. Come with me! I, Luo Bing, cannot bear to see a good man like you, who fights for the restoration of the Han dynasty, die here!"
Hua Wu Que, lost in the sensation of her delicate white hand, finally understood that this woman was none other than Luo Bing, the "Twin Swords", known for her tireless efforts alongside Huang Rong in the world of technology. As he looked closer, he noticed her graceful figure and slim waist, which seemed as though he could grasp it in his hands. She hurried along, constantly looking back, and her towering bosom caught his eye as she turned.
Luo Bing could not imagine that this handsome young man was ogling her from behind. To ease his worries, she explained, "I am Luo Bing, the Twin Swords of the Red Flower Society. We have gathered here in Yanjing, alongside heroes from the Heaven and Earth Society, at the behest of our leader, to rescue the heroes from the Mu王府. You seem like a righteous man, so I'm bringing you to meet them and discuss your plans."