In the wilderness, a somber, massive column of troops moved forward at a slow pace.
"General, I have said everything I can say. They still insist that you enter the city for talks."
At the head of the formation, Zhang Yuan rode on his horse, chattering incessantly as he recounted the entire ordeal. Liu Zeqing sat carelessly in his saddle, a smoking pipe in his hand, listening to Zhang Yuan’s droning while he puffed away. (Tobacco existed during the Ming Dynasty; the Wanli, Tianqi, and Chongzhen emperors had all banned it, but to little effect.)
Chapter 63