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  he battle raged around him. Horses screamed and reared. Arrows flew and men crashed to the ground. The enemy had them surrounded. The young emperor watched helplessly as his soldiers whirled about in confusion, desperately trying to protect him. He knew nothing of war. He had led his men into a hopeless battle against the Mongols. Now there was nothing he could do. Slowly, calmly, as if in a dream, he gathered his robes about him and sat down on the battleground to wait for the end.Hours later, a victorious Mongol prince rode out onto the silent field. He was startled to find the emperor, alone, still seated on the blood-soaked ground. The bodies of his loyal guardsmen lay all about him, but he was unharmed. He did not resist as the prince led him away. The year was 1449. Zhu Qizhen (ju chee-jen), sixth emperor of the powerful Ming dynasty, Son of Heaven, and ruler of all China, was kidnapped by barbarians. |