Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

"As you wish." Although Guo Tianyang was full of doubts, he did not dare to ask more questions and could only obey orders.

"Is Gao Shiming back?" Lin Xiaofeng asked anxiously. Gao Shiming was the eunuch in charge of the 24 yamen of the Imperial Household Department. His position was higher than Guo Tianyang, and he was also a person Lin Xiaofeng trusted. He did not disappoint Lin Xiaofeng's expectations. In history, after Li Zicheng broke through Beijing, Gao Shiming saw that the situation was hopeless and burned himself to death for his country. He was loyal. Before that, he was ordered to go to Shandong to comfort Liu Zeqing who pretended to be injured by falling off a horse. According to the time calculation, he should have returned.

Thinking of Liu Zeqing, Lin Xiaofeng felt so angry that his teeth itched. Among the military commanders in the late Ming Dynasty, he was the most hateful. He killed innocent people and took credit for his achievements, just like a bandit. He made the people suffer from burning, killing and looting, and then set fire to the bandits. If someone impeached him, he would send someone to assassinate the other party, and then use a large sum of money to bribe the cabinet ministers in the court to make big things small and small things nothing. Now he has 15,000 soldiers and horses. If he obeys the dispatch of the court, he will definitely become a surprise force.

"Your Majesty, Eunuch Gao has been waiting for orders outside the door. Seeing that Your Majesty was resting, he did not dare to disturb you." Guo Tianyang answered cautiously.

Hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng felt warm in his heart. Throughout the Ming Dynasty, there were very few people who sincerely wished him well. There were a few in the harem, a few in the court, and the rest were these eunuchs. Although they were of humble status, they were the most loyal servants.

"Let him in." There was a hint of tenderness in Lin Xiaofeng's voice.

"Yes, sir." Guo Tianyang quickly responded and retreated.

Gao Shiming, who was outside the door, walked quickly into the hall, knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live the emperor." There was a tremor in his voice, which clearly showed his awe for the emperor.

Gao Shiming has a pale complexion, giving people the feeling of a corpse. His facial features are regular, and except for his slightly effeminate voice, he is no different from an ordinary person. But his loyalty and wisdom are what Lin Xiaofeng relies on.

"Have you seen Liu Zeqing?" Lin Xiaofeng's voice was a little anxious.

"Your Majesty, I observed that Liu Zeqing had no scars on his body, and it seemed that he was faking an injury." Gao Shiming's words were certain.

"I knew it a long time ago. Didn't he give you any money?" Lin Xiaofeng said with a hint of sarcasm.

Gao Shiming felt a chill down his spine. How could the emperor know what was happening a hundred miles away? He hurriedly took out a package from his arms and raised his hands above his head: "Your Majesty, this is the silver Liu Zeqing gave me. I haven't touched a cent." There was a hint of fear and uneasiness in his voice.

"Take it, take it!" Lin Xiaofeng smiled with relief. If Gao Shiming didn't take the money, his next plan would not be implemented. The money would become a bait for him to lure Liu Zeqing to Nanjing.

Seeing Gao Shiming's bewildered face, Lin Xiaofeng explained, "Since Liu Zeqing is unwilling to come to the capital to defend the king, let him go to Nanjing." His eyes sparkled with wisdom, "I have decided to let the prince go to Nanjing to supervise the country. Therefore, I will give you an imperial decree. You go to Shandong again and let him go to Nanjing with the prince."

Zhongzhi? Gao Shiming's head had not yet recovered from the fear of collecting money, and he was shocked by this word again. The imperial edicts of the Ming Dynasty had strict regulations. After the emperor issued an edict to the six ministries and the cabinet, the cabinet would draft the edict according to the emperor's intentions, and the six ministries would provide legal advice. If the edict violated the law or ancestral precepts, they could reject the imperial edict. The imperial edict that the emperor believed was correct would be sent to the Silijian for inspection and stamped approval. The approved imperial edict would be handed over to the cabinet, and the cabinet would send the imperial edict to the Yushitai (Duchayuan) for signature. The signed imperial edict would be sent to the inner court to be stamped with an official seal. This is the process of the imperial edict. Zhongzhi was an edict issued directly, bypassing the six ministries and the cabinet. In the Ming Dynasty, officials who ignored the imperial edict would end up miserably. On the contrary, officials who ignored Zhongzhi would not only not be impeached, but even when the emperor blamed them, officials from the cabinet and the six ministries would plead for them.

Gao Shiming thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, Liu Zeqing refused to obey the imperial edict and go to Nanjing. He may not obey the imperial decree and go to Nanjing either." There was some worry and uncertainty in his voice.

Lin Xiaofeng smiled and said, "Given his cowardly personality, he would be more than happy to do so." His eyes gleamed with confidence, "Remember, ask him to wait in the Tiemenguan area in two days, and then he will take a ship to Nanjing with the prince."

Gao Shiming, who had just returned from Jinan Prefecture, was exhausted and just wanted to have a good meal and a good sleep. But the emperor's words instantly cheered him up.

"Yes." He answered loudly, with a bit of firmness and determination in his voice.

"It's almost noon now. You should go and have your meal. We'll set off immediately after meal." Lin Xiaofeng's words were filled with concern and urging.

"I obey your order." Gao Shiming turned around, glanced at Guo Tianyang with resentment, and then left in a hurry. It's so annoying to compare yourself with others! Although Guo Tianyang's position is not as high as his, he often accompanies the emperor. This kind of trust is what he wants. But he also knows that everyone has his own mission and responsibility, and he must complete the task assigned to him by the emperor.

After Gao Shiming left, Lin Xiaofeng instructed Guo Tianyang again: "Remember, draft an imperial edict tomorrow morning: Shandong General Liu Zeqing refused to obey the imperial edict and should be executed. Whoever kills Liu Zeqing will be promoted three levels and receive a reward of one thousand taels of gold." There was a hint of coldness and determination in his voice.

"Your Majesty, Liu Zeqing has a lot of troops under his command, so it may not be easy to kill him." Guo Tianyang reminded carefully. He knew Liu Zeqing's power and cunningness, so it would not be easy to kill him.

Lin Xiaofeng naturally knew this. If it was easy to kill him, the historical Lin Xiaofeng would have killed him long ago. If he wanted to kill him, he had to use a trick. And he had already prepared this trick.

"Draft an imperial edict immediately and order Yi Xiangli, commander-in-chief of the Guanliao Dengjin Navy, to dispatch fifty ships to wait for the prince at Tiemen Pass and then escort him to Nanjing." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was filled with unquestionable majesty.

After finishing all the affairs, Lin Xiaofeng stood by the window, staring at the gradually quiet palace outside the window, and began to re-plan his plan in his heart. The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on his face, reflecting his resolute and deep eyes. The prince went to Nanjing. This was a strategy jointly discussed and decided by the court. Although the people in the cabinet and the six ministries did not change, this edict should also be issued to ensure the stability of the overall situation.

Yi Xiangli, the general of the navy, was a loyal man. He followed his uncle Huang Long to resist the Jiannu in Liaodong since he was a child. He experienced many hardships and made great achievements. When Li Zicheng broke through Beijing, he led his army south, guarded Zhenjiang, and defended this land to the death. After the death of Emperor Hongguang, he vowed to never surrender, and led the navy south again, entered Zhoushan, and assisted Emperor Longwu, showing his unparalleled loyalty and courage. However, he was defeated in the end, attempted suicide, and was killed by the Qing army. His heroic deeds are regrettable.

Lin Xiaofeng was convinced that Yi Xiangli would act according to his will, and his loyalty and perseverance were beyond doubt. However, the only variable was Liu Zeqing. This man was cunning and good at changing his attitude according to the situation. If he didn't fall for it, all the previous efforts would be wasted. Lin Xiaofeng couldn't help but frown, thinking about how to deal with this thorny problem.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Xiaofeng turned around and said to Guo Tianyang beside him: "Guo Tianyang, when you issue an edict to Liu Zeqing and Yi Xiangli, you must add a sentence saying that the overdue military pay has been handed over to the prince, and the prince will pay it on behalf of the court." His tone was firm and resolute, revealing unquestionable majesty.

The Ming army lacked financial resources, which was not just a problem for Liu Zeqing alone. All the armies of the Ming Dynasty faced this dilemma. Using the prince and military pay as bait, even if they did not go to Nanjing, they would definitely go to Tiemenguan to collect military pay. In this way, the variables became constants, and Lin Xiaofeng's plan would be more stable.

"Go ahead, order the cabinet to draft an imperial edict immediately, and summon Gongsun Yuchun to see me." Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand, signaling Guo Tianyang to leave. He knew very well that every step that followed was crucial and there could be no mistakes.

Soon after, Gongsun Yuchun came to the side hall in bright red court robes, full of expectation. His steps were brisk and powerful, and every step revealed his vision and desire for the future. Lang Jiwu and Gu Chaosheng both had important tasks to shoulder, and now it was Gongsun Yuchun's turn, and he felt extremely honored and excited.

Not everyone in the Jinyiwei of the Ming Dynasty was qualified to wear Feiyufu, and Feiyufu was not their regular dress. More noble than Feiyufu were Mangfu and Dou Niufu, which were all rewards from the emperor. The recipients could be civil officials or military generals. Generally speaking, it was an honor, and the yellow jacket of the Qing Dynasty was similar. Gongsun Yuchun was a military scholar who passed the imperial examination in the first year of Lin Xiaofeng's reign. He was nearly 40 years old at that time. Although he entered middle age, he maintained a good figure, with thin cheeks and bright eyes, revealing an indomitable and tenacious temperament.

"Jinyiwei Commander Gongsun Yuchun pays respect to His Majesty." Gongsun Yuchun walked up to Lin Xiaofeng and saluted respectfully. His voice was loud and powerful, revealing his awe and loyalty to the emperor.

"Get up." Lin Xiaofeng carefully observed his condition, and then asked, "How is the combat effectiveness of the three thousand Jinyiwei in the capital?" There was a hint of worry in his tone, and it was obvious that he was not satisfied with the current situation of the Jinyiwei.

Gongsun Yuchun pondered for a moment and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, the Jinyiwei has long been in name only. There is a widespread phenomenon of people drawing salaries without working. Not to mention supervising officials, even fighting against ordinary soldiers, they may not be able to win." His words revealed helplessness and heartache, and it was obvious that he was deeply worried about the current situation of the Jinyiwei.

"Commander Lang obeys the orders of the Eastern Depot, and the Jinyiwei are under his control in every way. Also, due to serious wage arrears, capable subordinates have already found other ways out. The remaining people are either old, weak, sick or disabled, with nowhere to go, so they have to stay in the Jinyiwei, at least they have food to eat; or they just muddle through and live from day to day." Gongsun Yuchun's words revealed his deep dissatisfaction and helplessness with the current situation of the Jinyiwei.

Lin Xiaofeng was not surprised by Gongsun Yuchun's words. If the Jinyiwei still had the strength to fight, the Ming Dynasty would not have perished so quickly. He knew that the Jinyiwei's problems could not be solved overnight, but he still hoped that through his own efforts, this once elite division would regain its glory.

"Can the Jinyiwei use firearms?" Lin Xiaofeng asked suddenly, with a sharp light in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, the Jinyiwei have annual assessments, and firearms, bows and crossbows, close combat, and horseback riding are all compulsory items. Although the results were falsified and we are not proficient in them, we should have no problem using them skillfully." Gongsun Yuchun replied, with a hint of confidence in his tone, and it was obvious that he had a certain understanding of the Jinyiwei's ability to use firearms.

Very good! Lin Xiaofeng was relieved. Although the Jinyiwei was inferior, it was better than the three camps. He knew that under the current circumstances, he had to make full use of every resource in his hands to ensure the stability of the overall situation.

"Let's put aside the internal affairs of the Jinyiwei for now. I want to ask you about the bandits. I heard that the bandits have a poem. Do you know it?" Lin Xiaofeng suddenly changed the subject and asked. There was a deep light in his eyes, and it was obvious that he was very concerned about the bandits.

Gongsun Yuchun pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not read it." There was a hint of hesitation and worry in his tone, and it was obvious that he was concerned about the bandit's poem.

"No problem, I want to know." Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand and asked Gongsun Yuchun to read it out. He knew that only by understanding the enemy's thoughts could he formulate a better response strategy.

"Yes," after getting Lin Xiaofeng's permission, Gongsun Yuchun read carefully:

"In the morning, they seek promotion, and in the evening, they seek sex. These days, poor people have a hard time surviving."

"Open the city gates early to welcome the King of Rebellion, and make sure all officials, big and small, are happy."

"Kill cattle and sheep, prepare wine, open the city gates to welcome the King of Rebellion. When the King of Rebellion comes, he doesn't need to pay grain."

"Eat his mother, wear her mother, if eating is not enough, there is also the King of Rebellion."

"No need to serve, no need to pay taxes, just live happily."

This poem is full of sarcasm and ridicule against the bandits, but it also reveals the people's dissatisfaction and helplessness with the current situation. Lin Xiaofeng followed Gongsun Yuchun and recited it several times silently. After getting familiar with it, he asked: "Gongsun Yuchun, if I change this poem, how long will it take for it to spread throughout the capital?" There was a hint of expectation and determination in his tone, and it was obvious that he had his own plans.

"Change the poem?" Gongsun Yuchun scratched his head in confusion. The bandit's poem was banned, how could it be changed? But as a minister, he didn't dare to ask more. Jinyiwei had all kinds of people. After thinking for a moment, he replied: "If it is catchy, it will take at least two days." There was a hint of confidence in his tone, and it was obvious that he was sure of his judgment.

"Okay! Write it down, I'll change it now. Don't change the front part, just change the back part." Lin Xiaofeng's words revealed a kind of determination and decisiveness. He was obviously fully prepared.

Gongsun Yuchun did not dare to neglect it and took out the pen and paper he carried with him to record. Carrying pen and paper with him was an old tradition of the Jinyiwei, and he had never forgotten it. He carefully recorded every word of Lin Xiaofeng, fearing that he would miss any word.

"Open the city gates and welcome the rebel king. The rebel king will not pay taxes when he comes!" As soon as Lin Xiaofeng said this, Gongsun Yuchun almost knelt down. If he was not in the palace, he would have every reason to suspect that the emperor was a fake. Was this a modification of the poem? It was clearly propaganda for the bandits! His heart was full of doubts and puzzlement, but he still resisted asking.

"Your Majesty, this... this is inappropriate, isn't it?" Gongsun Yuchun had to ask, but he didn't dare to ask more. There was a hint of hesitation and worry in his tone, and he was obviously very puzzled by Lin Xiaofeng's decision.

"Don't worry, it will be changed later." Lin Xiaofeng's words revealed a calmness and confidence. He was obviously fully prepared.

"Kill the son, rob the wife, and burn all the house and food."

"Come quickly, leave quickly, and leave a good Erlang behind!"

"If you don't farm and reclaim wasteland, your whole family will be in tears next year."

Lin Xiaofeng recited it several times himself, and the words were very smooth. He nodded with satisfaction, and then said, "Hurry up and arrange for someone to sing it in the capital." There was a hint of determination and decisiveness in his tone, and it was obvious that he had made full preparations.

"As you say!" Gongsun Yuchun replied respectfully. He knew that every decision made by Lin Xiaofeng was crucial and he had to do his best to implement it.

However, just as Gongsun Yuchun was about to leave, Lin Xiaofeng suddenly stood up. He was wearing a patched dragon robe and walked slowly to Gongsun Yuchun. Gongsun Yuchun felt an invisible pressure coming at him. He knelt on the ground and said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, I am terrified."

"Don't panic, I still have two important tasks to entrust to you." Lin Xiaofeng's words revealed a gentle yet firm tone. He obviously had full trust and expectations for Gongsun Yuchun.

"Your Majesty, please give your orders." Gongsun Yuchun replied respectfully. His heart was filled with excitement and anticipation, looking forward to sharing more responsibilities with Lin Xiaofeng.

"The first thing is to protect the people in the cabinet, especially the people I promoted in the court today. Is there any problem?" Lin Xiaofeng's words revealed an unquestionable majesty and determination. Gongsun Yuchun would have agreed without hesitation at ordinary times, but today he was under great pressure. He tried hard to recall what happened in the court, and after a moment he said, "Your Majesty, no problem." There was a hint of firmness and confidence in his tone, and he was obviously fully prepared.

"Okay, I'll ask you if I have any questions. The second thing is more tricky. After much thought, I think only you can do it." Lin Xiaofeng's words revealed a kind of expectation and trust. He obviously had a full understanding of Gongsun Yuchun's abilities.

The fear in Gongsun Yuchun's heart gradually dissipated, replaced by excitement. It's here, it's finally here. Your Majesty is going to give me a difficult task. God bless me, I, Li, will finally stand out! His heart was filled with excitement and anticipation, looking forward to making greater contributions to Lin Xiaofeng.

Gongsun Yuchun realized that he had been impolite, and quickly stood up. He knocked his knees heavily on the ground, making a dull sound. He kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead almost touching the cold ground, and his voice trembled a little: "Your Majesty is magnanimous. I was impolite just now. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me. Forgive me." His heart was like a surging sea, with turbulent waves and a myriad of thoughts. He thought, could Lin Xiaofeng's words be testing his loyalty to Your Majesty? Thinking of this, he hurriedly expressed his sincerity: "I am the commander of the Jinyiwei. The Jinyiwei is Your Majesty's personal army and is only loyal to Your Majesty. Even if I have the courage of the sky, I dare not do such a treasonous thing. I beg Your Majesty to understand."

Lin Xiaofeng's brows slightly wrinkled, like a light cloud between the mountains, and he quickly thought of countermeasures. His eyes were deep, as if he could see into people's hearts. After a moment, he slowly spoke with unquestionable majesty in his voice: "If you don't stab me, how can I kill those hypocrites who are full of benevolence and righteousness?" He then pressed on, revealing a determination in his tone: "If we don't kill these people, where will the money come from? How can we save the Ming Dynasty without money? Do you know the interests involved?"

Gongsun Yuchun was shocked when he heard this. He looked up at Lin Xiaofeng and saw that there was a firmness and determination in Lin Xiaofeng's eyes. It was a kind of unquestionable strength. He thought to himself, what is the purpose of His Majesty's action? However, he did not dare to ask more questions, but just bowed his head and kept silent.

Seeing that Gongsun Yuchun was determined not to obey, Lin Xiaofeng let him go. He explained: "I ordered you to assassinate him only for others to see. I took this opportunity to strengthen the security of the capital. The task of arresting the murderer naturally fell on the Jinyiwei. Who the murderer is cannot be determined by your words."

Lin Xiaofeng's words were like a stream of clear water, which made Gongsun Yuchun suddenly enlightened. He secretly admired in his heart: So this is how the strategy was used, it was really wonderful. He looked up at Lin Xiaofeng, his eyes flashing with admiration.

"Your Majesty, I understand. But I dare not. Your Majesty is the supreme ruler. If I fail, the consequences will be disastrous." Gongsun Yuchun said fearfully. There was a tremor in his voice, and he was obviously frightened by this sudden order.

"You're not really going to stab me," Lin Xiaofeng smiled faintly, as if everything was under his control, "You won't fail. You don't need to really hurt me, just let others see you stabbing me."

"I really can't obey your order!" Gongsun Yuchun still knelt on the ground, refusing to agree. Although he understood Lin Xiaofeng's intention, the crime of assassinating the emperor was extremely serious. Disobeying orders would only result in beheading, but assassinating the emperor would result in the punishment of nine generations of his family, which filled him with fear.

Seeing this, Lin Xiaofeng was furious. He slapped the dragon throne hard, stood up, and said with a sharp gaze and a heavy tone: "As the Son of Heaven, I guard the country's gates and protect the country. Why should I fear death?" There was an unquestionable power in his words, "I am not afraid of death, but I am afraid that the people will suffer from hunger and cold and be displaced. Why are bandits so hard to stop? Sun Chuanting said that Li Zicheng won the hearts of the people. What is the heart of the people? Tell me, what is the heart of the people?"

Gongsun Yuchun remained silent, he lowered his head in deep thought, his heart full of confusion. He didn't understand why Lin Xiaofeng was so obsessed with the people's hearts, and he didn't understand why he had to take such extreme measures to win the people's hearts.

Lin Xiaofeng continued, "The hearts of the people, the hearts of the people. If you give them food when they are hungry, you can win their hearts. I want to win the hearts of the people of the world, but before that, I need enough money to pay military salaries, provide relief to disaster victims, and exempt grain taxes. Otherwise, the Ming Dynasty will be destroyed. Can you afford this crime?" Seeing that Gongsun Yuchun still did not dare to accept the order despite the heavy crime, he continued to put pressure on him, and his tone revealed an unquestionable majesty.

Gongsun Yuchun's scalp tingled when he heard this. He knelt on the ground for a long time without saying anything. His heart was full of contradictions and struggles. He didn't know how to make a decision. After a long time, he raised his head, his eyes were red as blood, as if he had made a difficult decision: "Your Majesty, I obey your order."

Lin Xiaofeng breathed a sigh of relief. He ordered, "You must do this personally and do not leak it." His tone was serious and earnest, and it was obvious that he had high hopes for Gongsun Yuchun.

"Your Majesty, I obey your order!" Gongsun Yuchun bowed and withdrew with heavy steps. Every step made him feel heavier and the pressure was too great. He did not expect that the Jinyiwei would have the mission to assassinate the emperor, and it was the emperor himself who ordered it. He was full of confusion and anxiety, not knowing whether this decision was right or wrong.

Looking at Gongsun Yuchun's receding back, Lin Xiaofeng asked Guo Tianyang who had just returned: "What time is it now?" There was a hint of fatigue and weakness in his voice, and it was obvious that he was worried about the affairs of the court.

"Your Majesty, it is now the last quarter of the Si hour. In half an hour it will be time to go to the Wuzi Library." Guo Tianyang replied. There was a hint of respect and caution in his voice, and it was obvious that he was full of awe for Lin Xiaofeng.

"One hour... is enough." After pondering for a moment, Lin Xiaofeng ordered, "Guo Tianyang, pass the order and ask the Crown Prince, Prince Yong, Prince Ding, Queen Zhou and all the concubines to go to the Qianqing Palace. I have something to say." There was some determination and firmness in his tone, and it was obvious that he was about to make an important decision.

"As ordered!" Guo Tianyang left in response. He was full of doubts and expectations, not knowing what decision Lin Xiaofeng would make. However, he did not ask any more questions, but just silently carried out Lin Xiaofeng's orders.

The affairs of the court came to an end for the time being, and next Lin Xiaofeng had to find a way out for Daming. He was not completely sure that he could hold on to Beijing, but now he could pave the way for the prince and point the way for Daming. He stood in front of the window, looking at the scenery outside. It was early spring, and the willow trees outside the window had already sprouted green branches, swaying gently in the breeze. However, this beautiful scenery could not cover up Lin Xiaofeng's inner anxiety and uneasiness. He knew that Daming's situation was already very critical, and he had to make a decision as soon as possible to find a way out for Daming.

Soon after, the Qianqing Palace was full of people. The three princes, concubines and their wives looked at each other in silence, guessing what was going to happen. At the beginning of the first month of the lunar year, the emperor and the cabinet had discussed the matter of moving south, but due to various reasons and Lin Xiaofeng's fickleness, nothing came of it. Gathering everyone here today must mean that they were going to bring up the old matter again.

The three princes, concubines and princesses kowtowed and stood on both sides, waiting for orders anxiously. Everyone knew that it was dangerous to stay in the capital, and it was relatively safe to go to Nanjing. However, they were reluctant to leave this land. The capital was their home, where they had lived for many years, and where they had too many memories and concerns.

Lin Xiaofeng looked at these familiar yet unfamiliar faces, calmed himself down and said, "Everyone please sit down. Today there are only relatives here, no distinction between monarch and subject." There was some tenderness and kindness in his voice, as if he was comforting these relatives who were about to face separation.

There were limited seats in the Qianqing Palace, and everyone dared not speak or sit down, so they sat on the ground in turn. They were filled with uneasiness and anxiety, not knowing what decision Lin Xiaofeng would make.

Lin Xiaofeng continued, "The bandits have already invaded our borders and are unstoppable. As the governor of the Nine Gates, Guo Tianyang told me that it would be difficult to defend Beijing." After saying this, the originally quiet Qianqing Palace suddenly became chaotic. Everyone was filled with shock and fear, and they could not believe this fact.

According to the Ming Dynasty's regulations, the imperial harem was not allowed to interfere in government affairs or discuss political affairs in private. Although they had long known that Beijing was difficult to defend, they were still shocked to hear this from Emperor Chongzhen. They were filled with helplessness and despair, not knowing how to face this cruel reality.

"Silence!" Guo Tianyang's sharp voice suppressed the noise of the crowd. "In the 18th year of Yongle, we moved the capital to Beijing, and the world praised the emperor for guarding the country. This is both our honor and our responsibility. The Zhu family is not afraid of death and is swearing to defend China to the death!" There was some excitement and determination in his voice, as if he was cheering everyone up.

Lin Xiaofeng's voice also became heavy: "However, the bandits are so powerful that the capital is difficult to defend!" His tone revealed a sense of helplessness and sadness, "So I'm afraid! I'm afraid that the world will be in chaos and the people will suffer! I'm afraid that the people will suffer if the Jiannu move south! I'm afraid that the foundation of the Ming Dynasty for nearly three hundred years will be destroyed in my hands!" He paused and continued, "I don't want to be the king of a fallen country, nor do I want you to suffer the pain of a fallen country. After weighing the pros and cons, I think temporarily moving south is the best strategy."

The royal family members were silent, their hearts were full of contradictions and struggles. The capital was their home and they did not want to leave this land. However, if they continued to stay here, this warm home would become a cold grave. And this grave would be destroyed and dug by bandits, and the body that should have been buried with honor would become dry bones in the wilderness. Thinking of this, some people began to sob softly. Crying seemed to be contagious, and in the blink of an eye, the Qianqing Palace was filled with crying.

Lin Xiaofeng watched all this with a blank expression, but his heart was calm. He felt that the clan, especially the royal family, was too weak. In the late Ming Dynasty, countless people died from natural disasters and man-made disasters, and the royal family cried just because they had to leave home. Who would mourn for those graves in the wilderness and the dead bones under the broken bridge? He was full of helplessness and sadness, but he also knew that he had to make this decision to find a way out for the Ming Dynasty.

After everyone's emotions calmed down, Lin Xiaofeng continued, "I have decided to let the Crown Prince, Prince Ding, and Prince Yong go to Yingtian Prefecture. Except for a few people who will accompany you, all the concubines, eunuchs and officials in the six palaces will stay with me in the capital and wait for the arrival of the army to defend the king. After arriving in Yingtian Prefecture, the Crown Prince will be the regent. If I die on the battlefield, you will succeed to the throne in Yingtian Prefecture." There was some determination and firmness in his tone, as if he had already made plans for the worst.

"Shua——" a sound was heard, and the Qianqing Palace fell into silence, as if even the air had frozen. The news from the court had not yet reached the harem, and everyone thought that Lin Xiaofeng would personally lead the army south to fight against the bandits, but they did not expect that the emperor actually planned to stay in the capital. This sudden decision caught everyone off guard.

Although the crown prince Zhu Cilang was young, he was very sensible. His young face was full of anxiety and uneasiness. He knelt on the ground in a hurry, tears streaming down his cheeks, wetting his clothes. He pleaded with tears in his eyes: "I am too young to supervise the country. Please move to Yingtian Prefecture to protect the Ming Dynasty!"

Prince Yong and Prince Ding also knelt on the ground one after another, their eyes full of pleading and worry, and they said in unison: "Your Majesty, please move to Yingtian Prefecture to calm the people's hearts!" The other concubines also knelt on the ground and pleaded in unison, with tears in their voices: "Your Majesty, please move to Yingtian Prefecture to protect our Ming Dynasty!"

"Your Majesty, please think twice!" In an instant, cries of grief rang out in the grand Qianqing Palace, and every voice was filled with fear of the unknown and worry about the future.

"Silence!" Guo Tianyang shouted in a trembling voice at Lin Xiaofeng's signal, his eyes full of determination. No matter what decision Lin Xiaofeng made, he would obey unconditionally. This was his mission and his destiny! The noisy Qianqing Palace soon returned to silence, leaving only the heavy breathing of the crowd.

"I have made up my mind!" Lin Xiaofeng's face was stern and unquestionable. His eyes seemed to be able to penetrate everything and look directly into the unknown future. The prince wanted to say something but was stopped by Queen Zhou who was standing beside him. Her eyes were full of helplessness and sadness. At this time, no one could change the emperor's decision.

"Your Majesty!" Queen Zhou took a step forward. Although her voice was soft, her tone was firm. Her figure was a little thin, but her skin was as white and smooth as jade. It was particularly dazzling in the dim palace. "I am willing to stay in the capital and fight against the bandits with Your Majesty. We will share life and death together!" Her facial features were delicate and picturesque. She was dressed in white, revealing the dignity and elegance of a mother of the country. Such beauty is quite in line with people's aesthetics today, but in this moment of crisis it shows an extraordinary demeanor.

Lin Xiaofeng had not noticed at first, but after seeing the beauty of Queen Zhou, he could not help but take a few more glances, and an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart. Seeing that Queen Zhou was not going to leave, Concubine Yuan also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, my daughter is unwilling to leave either! (Because in order to win favor, Queen Zhou only allowed herself to call herself a concubine in front of Lin Xiaofeng, and other concubines called themselves daughters.)" She did not have the insight of Queen Zhou, but felt that the world was in chaos, and she was worried that they would encounter bandits on the way, or that the escorting soldiers would mutiny, and the fate of these women would be worrying. Even if they escaped to Yingtian Prefecture, they would only die alone, so what was the point? Instead of taking risks, it is better to stay with Lin Xiaofeng and share life and death with him.

Concubine Yuan was also a beauty, slightly inferior to Empress Zhou, but younger. Her eyes flashed with uncertainty about the future and attachment to Lin Xiaofeng. However, Lin Xiaofeng did not have such thoughts. Seeing that both concubines were unwilling to leave, he had nothing to say. He just waved his hand and said to Guo Tianyang: "Go to Renshou Palace to convey the order and ask Empress Yi'an to pack up and go to Nanjing."

Empress Yi'an was Lin Xiaofeng's sister-in-law and the original empress of Emperor Tianqi Zhu Youxiao. After the death of Emperor Tianqi, Lin Xiaofeng honored her as Empress Yi'an and she originally lived in Ciqing Palace. But when Zhu Cilang got married in the fifteenth year of Lin Xiaofeng's reign, Empress Yi'an moved from Ciqing Palace to Renshou Palace, where the scenery was pleasant and spring-like all year round, and it was a peaceful place for her later years.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Guo Tianyang did not dare to delay. He turned around and hurriedly went to Ciqing Palace to deliver the message. His heart was filled with worries about the unknown and loyalty to the emperor.

"Everyone else, leave. The prince stay!" Lin Xiaofeng's voice echoed in the empty Qianqing Palace, with an unquestionable majesty. No one dared to disobey, and left the Qianqing Palace with heavy expressions, leaving only Lin Xiaofeng and the prince, facing each other in silence.

Lin Xiaofeng looked at Zhu Cilang with complicated eyes, his heart was full of expectations and worries for this young prince. He got this prince for no reason, if he called him by his name, wouldn't it seem a bit arrogant?

"Father!" Crown Prince Zhu Cilang bowed, his voice trembling slightly, his eyes filled with uncertainty about the future and awe for his father.

Lin Xiaofeng thought for a while and asked, "Cilang, if Beijing is breached and I die, what will you do?" There was a barely perceptible sadness in his voice, as if he had foreseen the future tragedy.

"Father is the body of the Son of Heaven. With the blessing of heaven, he will definitely be able to defend the city of Beijing!" The prince replied. There was a hint of firmness in his voice, but more of uncertainty about the future.

"Don't say these empty words, answer my question!" Lin Xiaofeng was a little helpless. These ancient people were always good at flattery. If the emperor had the body of the Son of Heaven and was blessed by heaven, then the change of dynasties would not have been possible.

The prince was frightened by Lin Xiaofeng's tone, and knelt on the ground trembling, not daring to speak. His heart was filled with fear and anxiety. In this situation, as a prince, a careless word could lead to an irreparable situation.

"If you don't know, I'll tell you." Lin Xiaofeng stood with his hands behind his back, his aura as king evident in his words. His eyes seemed to be able to see through everything, looking directly at the changes in the future. "If I die, don't think of avenging me for the first time."

Crown Prince Zhu Cilang was startled and raised his head in confusion. His eyes were full of doubt and puzzlement: "Father, I don't understand."

Lin Xiaofeng did not explain immediately, but continued: "You must not join forces with the Jiannu to fight against the bandits, but should destroy the Jiannu first, and then destroy the bandits." There was an unquestionable firmness in his voice, as if he had foreseen the future strategic pattern.

"Have you remembered?" There was a hint of expectation and worry in Lin Xiaofeng's voice. He looked at Crown Prince Zhu Cilang as if he was looking at a hope for the future.

"I remember that, but father." Crown Prince Zhu Cilang was even more puzzled, his heart was full of doubts and confusion. Logically speaking, if his father died at the hands of Li Zicheng, then the resentment between the Zhu family and Li Zicheng would rise to the level of family feud and national hatred. Since its founding, the Ming Dynasty has advocated governing the country with filial piety. If the crown prince mobilized the entire country to fight against Li Zicheng, then in the eyes of the people of the world, he would be loyal and filial, and it could be said that he was justified. Even if the crown prince did not go looking for trouble with Li Zicheng, would the civil and military officials of the court and the people of the world agree?

"No need to say more!" Lin Xiaofeng glared at the prince and scolded: "You can destroy the country, but you can't exterminate the race! Once the Jiannu enters the pass, do you think Li Zicheng will be a match for the Eight Banners Army?" There was a hint of anger and helplessness in his voice, as if he had foreseen the future tragedy.

Crown Prince Zhu Cilang did not speak. His heart was filled with uncertainty about the future and awe of his father. He thought that since Li Zicheng was able to fight from Shaanxi to Xuanfu, his fighting ability must be good. Although the Jiannu in Liaodong were good at riding and shooting, they only had 100,000 soldiers. Li Zicheng claimed to have an army of 500,000, and a spit from each soldier could drown the Jiannu.

Seeing Zhu Cilang's unconvinced look, Lin Xiaofeng felt that he was disappointed. His mind was full of the history of the Ming Dynasty, and he knew Li Zicheng's details. Let's not talk about how much water there was in Li Zicheng's 500,000 troops, at least 50% of them were mobs. In the era of cold weapons, there was a world of difference between elite troops and mobs. The morale of elite troops was more stable, and they could withstand more casualties without retreating. When they were against the wind, they could still fight and even launch a counterattack. And a mob composed of peasants like Li Zicheng would quickly collapse once they fell into a disadvantage in a field battle. At that time, one person's escape would lead ten people to escape, ten people would lead a hundred people to escape, and a hundred people would lead a thousand people to escape. Not to mention a 500,000-man army, even a million troops would be useless. The most important reason why he was able to fight from Shaanxi to Xuanfu was that he did not encounter real tough guys. He fought siege battles and rarely fought field battles. And the Eight Banners soldiers are best at field battles!
Lin Xiaofeng thought about it and wanted to give an example to illustrate: "Do you know Zhou Yuji from Ningwu Pass?" There was a hint of heaviness and sadness in his voice, as if he had foreseen the future tragedy.

"I know," Crown Prince Zhu Cilang replied, with a hint of trembling and uneasiness in his voice.

"He only had a few thousand soldiers, but he caused nearly 80,000 casualties when the bandits attacked Ningwu Pass!" When mentioning Zhou Yuji, Lin Xiaofeng sighed again. Some of the generals in the late Ming Dynasty surrendered and some died in battle. Now there is no one available.

"Ningwu Pass is easy to defend but difficult to attack, so the huge losses suffered by the bandits are to be expected." Zhu Cilang said unconvinced, his heart full of expectations for the future and confusion about his father's strategy.

"Heh!" Lin Xiaofeng finally understood why Emperor Chongzhen in history did not allow the prince to go to Yingtian Prefecture alone. He was not capable of controlling half of the Ming Dynasty! Lin Xiaofeng stamped his feet angrily, with a hint of helplessness and anger in his voice, "You are unworthy of being the crown prince of a country! The bandits are good at attacking and defending cities, but not good at field battles. Facing the Jiannu, Li Zicheng will be vulnerable unless he defends to the death. If he wins, it's fine, but if he loses to the Jiannu, then the north will fall into the hands of the Jiannu, and then it will bring a catastrophe to our China!"

Seeing his father was angry, Zhu Cilang was too scared to speak any more. He could only kneel on the ground and bow his head in silence. After a long time, Lin Xiaofeng's eyes flickered and he sighed: "Forget it, Zhu Cilang is only sixteen years old and needs time to grow up!" Unfortunately, he no longer has time to train this prince of the Ming Dynasty. He can only try to arrange more talented people to assist him. His heart is full of expectations for the future and worries about the growth of the prince. He hopes that this young crown prince can thrive in the future storms and protect the country of the Ming Dynasty. (End of this chapter)