Early the next morning, everyone broke out of camp and walked out of the valley onto the official road, heading straight to the northwest.
After traveling less than seven or eight miles, we arrived at the south entrance of Guangou, where Juyong Pass is located.
Outside the south entrance of the pass, more than ten cavalry and horses were waiting in front. Before the troops set off, Liu Jin had already sent Gu Dayong to inform Dong Yang, the commander-in-chief of Juyong Pass. Dong Yang was shocked when he heard that the emperor's chariot had arrived in person. He never expected that
The emperor would appear here, so he immediately led the counselors and generals guarding the gate to greet the emperor.
After seeing Zhu Houzhao, Dong Yang and others knelt down and kowtowed and shouted long live.
Zhu Houzhao was very happy to see Dong Yangsheng's majesty and majestic appearance. He ordered him to get on his horse and lead the way. Everyone followed Dong Yang and others from the south entrance of Guangou and went straight into Guangou.
Entering Guangou, the scene in front of them made Zhu Houzhao, Zhang Yanling and others full of praise and amazement. On both sides of Guangou, there are many mountains, steep peaks and dense forests. The nearby slopes are towering and there are many cliffs. What is even more rare is that Guangou
There are flowing springs and waterfalls in the middle, stretching all the way, which are both magnificent and beautiful.
Zhu Houzhao praised loudly: "Sure enough, it lives up to the name of Juyong. Not only the scenery is magnificent, but the terrain is also extremely dangerous. It deserves to be the northwest fortress of our capital. It is embarrassing to say that this is my first time to come to this place where the great pass is located."
place, and this place is only more than a hundred miles away from the capital."
Liu Jin said with a smile: "Isn't the Emperor here now? Don't be afraid of being late for a good meal. Maybe the Emperor didn't feel this way before when he came here. Now that he comes as the Lord of the Ming Dynasty, it is more meaningful."
Zhu Houzhao smiled and said: "That's right. If I had come here before, I'm afraid I wouldn't be in the same state of mind as I am now."
Everyone said yes again and again. Liu Jin saw Zhu Houzhao looking around and asking endless questions, so he smiled and said: "Master Dong, why don't you introduce the situation here to the emperor. It will also let the emperor know more about this place."
Dong Yang hurriedly bowed in response, thought for a moment and pointed to the peaks on both sides of the valley and said, "Your Majesty, you must know that the valley we are walking on is actually on the boundary between two mountain ranges."
Zhu Houzhao said in surprise: "I really don't know. Are these two mountain ranges?"
Dong Yang nodded and said: "Exactly. To the west is the northernmost remnant of the Taihang Mountains, called Jundu Mountain. To the east is the Yanshan Mountains. The Guangou here happens to be the junction of the two mountain ranges. One line and two mountains.
The ten-mile-long Guangou Valley happens to be the dividing line between the two mountain ranges."
Zhu Houzhao was astonished and laughed loudly and said: "It's amazing, it's really amazing. God is really a miraculous craftsmanship, but it seems to have been planned in advance. The beauty of the clock is so beautiful that people can't help but admire it."
Everyone accompanying him was also amazed. Even Zhang Yanling claimed to have rich experience, but he didn’t know it was so magical, so he couldn’t help but marvel.
"Look, Your Majesty, the mountains on both sides are dangerous and beautiful, which is a natural barrier. This pass is the gateway to the northwest of the capital. If you guard it here, one man can guard the pass and no one can open it. Therefore, when I founded the Ming Dynasty,
At that time, General Xu Da spent a lot of effort to build the Juyong Pass. From then on, the northwest of the Ming capital was no longer in danger of being breached." Dong Yang continued.
Zhu Houzhao nodded and praised: "Yes, I heard the late emperor say that the terrain of the Ming Dynasty's capital is difficult and unparalleled by other cities. I didn't quite understand it at the time. But when I got to a place like this, I seemed to understand something.
The late Emperor Yongle had his own reasons for choosing to move the capital here."
Zhang Yanling wanted to laugh when he heard this, and thought to himself: The biggest reason Zhu Di moved his capital to Beijing was that this was his hometown and his fiefdom. He was originally the king of Yan, and his fiefdom was in Yanjing. Did he still stay in Nanjing after seizing the throne?
Isn't that just asking for trouble? Moving the imperial court to Yanjing's home base makes it easier to control the situation. This is probably the biggest reason.
However, the geographical location of Beijing is really good. It is definitely a good place to be the capital.
"Your Majesty, our capital city has mountains and water. It is indeed a geomantic treasure land." Liu Jin agreed.
"The way you describe it doesn't seem to indicate the advantageous location of the capital." Zhu Houzhao said.
"Your Majesty, I have heard someone say that the capital's terrain is advantageous, and there are a few words that describe it very insightfully." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Zhu Houzhao said: "Uncle, come and listen."
Zhang Yanling said: "That's right, the capital is located on the left side surrounded by the sea and the right side by Taihang. It rests on Juyong in the north and the river in the south. Its shape is outstanding in the world."
Zhu Houzhao clapped his hands and praised: "Well done, you can make it clear in just a few sentences. Liu Jin, look at what the Marquis of Jianchang said, and then listen to what you said. Liu Jin, you guys need to read some books."
."
Liu Jin looked at Zhang Yanling and smacked her lips and said, "When did Mr. Hou start writing so much? Our family has heard that Mr. Hou doesn't like reading either."
Zhang Yanling chuckled and said: "Eunuch Liu, I can't say what I just said, I just heard it."
"Who is so talented? Let me meet you next time." Zhu Houzhao said.
Zhang Yanling thought to himself: I don't have the ability to bring him to see you. He is a man from the Qing Dynasty who said this. I don't know where the smoke is coming from. But he said: "That man has passed away."
Zhu Houzhao said: "It's really a pity."
As he spoke, the terrain in front narrowed, the Guangou road slowly rose, and a majestic Guan City appeared in front of him at a high place. At the same time, winding and circling city walls loomed over the high mountains on both sides.
"Are we here? Is that Guancheng?" Zhu Houzhao shouted.
"Your Majesty, this is Juyong Pass City. What we see is not the Main Pass City, but the city wall at the South Pass. After entering, we will see the Main Pass City, and after passing the Main Pass City, we will reach the North Pass." Dong Yang
said.
But everyone was no longer interested in listening to his detailed explanation. All eyes were cast on the Xiongguan Pass in front of them. The Xiongguan City Tower was towering and the city walls were erected. According to preliminary estimates, the height of the walls covered with rammed earth and bricks was at least ten feet high. Standing on the flat ground
Looking up, it gives people a great sense of oppression.
The entire city is like a copper wall and an iron wall lying across the ground, giving the impression that there is no possibility of crossing it. The Great Wall walls on both sides are connected, and the west side goes straight up the mountains, circling like a giant dragon. The east side of the Great Wall climbs across the valley.
The high mountains and ridges of Shangyan Mountain are undulating between the mountains, disappearing and appearing.
At this time, the morning sun rises three poles. Under the sunshine, the green mountains, golden city walls, and red column eaves on the towers are majestic and majestic. The entire pass is like a giant, opening its arms to completely embrace the mountains and ravines, standing majestically in the pass.
among.
Entering from the South Pass, you will enter a horseshoe-shaped urn city. Entering the urn city and looking up at the surroundings, you will feel a sense of despair and oppression. Facing the north of the urn city is the main gate of Juyongguan. The towers stand tall, like a tiger dominating a dragon.
The momentum of the market.
Everyone had great expectations for Juyongguan. At this moment, there was no sense of disappointment at all in this expectation, but the feeling was even stronger. Zhang Yanling was also filled with admiration in her heart.
As the gateway to the northwest of Beijing, Juyongguan should have such momentum and majesty to protect the tranquility of the capital. You know, Beijing is only four to five hundred miles away from the northern border. Xuanfu Town is the northwest border
The town's first line of defense can certainly guard the border.
However, as the most important pass of the second line of defense, Juyong Pass played an excellent supporting role in the defense of the northwest of the Ming capital. Even if the Xuanfu failed, Juyong Pass was an iron gate to prevent the enemy from invading the capital. It could definitely