Small Tricks and Great Wisdom

Gorge Pass.

Built along the edge of Sanchuan Gorge, a hundred li east of Capital City, its southernmost end connected to the Nong River. A military camp stretching five li had been built on the river's north bank.

This mighty pass had almost no weaknesses when facing threats from the east—at least, none in conventional warfare. To the south lay the surging Nong River, while the mountains to the north stretched for hundreds of kilometers, where the even more imposing Shanhe Pass stood.

For Emperor Jiande's personal expedition, he had mobilized not only two camps totaling one hundred thousand Imperial Guard troops, but also one hundred thousand prefectural soldiers gathered from Beiyuan Road. They entered Qingpu Road from the outskirts of Shanhe Pass to pinch the rebels, all to prevent them from escaping through Shangbei Port.

July 16.

On the morning of the second day after Emperor Jiande arrived at Gorge Pass, he held a simple sacrificial ceremony within the pass. Then, surrounded by civil and military officials, he personally ascended the gate tower. Today, the army would take the initiative and sweep away the rebel camp before Gorge Pass.

To display the imperial family's majesty, under the officials' direction, a one-zhang-high imperial throne had been erected outside the gate tower early that morning, and fluttering dragon banners covered the entire tower.

Gorge Pass General Wei Xian was basking in boundless glory today. To commend him for his merit in defending the city these past days, and to lend greater stature to today's clearing operation, the Emperor had promoted him at dawn to Governor-General of Qingpu Road, with the rank of Minister of War.

When the Emperor ascended the gate tower surrounded by civil and military officials, one hundred thousand soldiers immediately cried "Long live the Emperor!" three times under