That night, the three passes were abandoned. Beacon fires blazed across the sky, and the Tatars' iron-shod hooves swept effortlessly through the defenses.
Only fourth-rank Deputy Commander Qi Shanguo and fifth-rank Brigade Commander Wei Long remained to defend Northern Liang's frontier, leading forty thousand border troops in a desperate resistance, sworn to defend Great Qian's territory to the death.
Before dawn, Liangzhou was shaken, and government offices at every level dispatched urgent reports to the Capital!
By evening, a swift message carried by pigeon reached the Ministry of War Office.
The Minister of War hurried to the Grand Secretariat and the Directorate of Ceremonial with his left and right vice ministers, after which they sought an audience with the emperor together.
Inside Sweet Dew Hall, the atmosphere was rigid as iron.
The High Ministers stood with their hands lowered and heads bowed, not saying a word.
Emperor Jingde sat high upon the Imperial Throne, his expression exceptionally dark, and demanded sharply:
"All this talk of collapsing morale and an overnight mutiny! As I see it, Wei Yuan has deceived his superiors and concealed the truth-a treasonous outrage!"
The emperor's furious voice reverberated through the hall.
The Minister of War reported cautiously:
"Your Majesty, this began when Thousand-Household Commander Jia Huan of the Embroidered Uniform Guard openly investigated the embezzlement of border troops' pay. Many were implicated. Beiliang Governor-General Wei Yuan has petitioned the court to confess his fault. Corruption and falsified military achievements do indeed plague the border army."
"However, once the Embroidered Spring Sabers arrived, the officers and soldiers became frightened. Their morale collapsed beyond control, and they mutinied overnight."
"Wei Yuan declared in unequivocal terms that he would resist the Tatar Invaders to the death and willingly give his life for the country."
The ministers of the Grand