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

Not long after entering the city gate, the afterglow of the setting sun had not completely dissipated. There was a faint sunset glow hanging in the sky, like the last flower blooming in the sky. Zhu Fenghui rode on his horse, looking sharply ahead. At this moment, a group of pale and thin civilians, who looked like dead trees, suddenly rushed forward and surrounded the army defending the city. The soldiers of the five military camps in front reacted quickly, pulling out their sharp blades one after another, while those in the back pulled their bows and prepared their muskets. The whole scene was as tense as a taut string.

Zhu Fenghui carefully looked at the people blocking the road. They were dressed in rags, and their eyes revealed deep despair and hunger. They were huddled together like a group of helpless ants, seeking a glimmer of hope for survival in despair. Their faces were full of fatigue and hunger, as if they had reached the end of their lives.

"The government troops are coming! The government troops are coming!" someone in the crowd shouted loudly, his voice full of expectation and desire.

"Finally I've seen you. Please save us. We will starve to death if we don't eat!" A thin old woman cried, her eyes full of desire for life.

"When those thieves fled, they stole all the food in the warehouse. We have been hungry for two days!" A ragged child also cried, his little hands tightly grasping the corner of his mother's clothes, as if he was afraid that he would lose all support if he let go.

Although the common people were afraid of the gleaming blades, they still stood there and complained. Their eyes were full of hope and help from the government troops, as if the government troops were their only lifeline.

Zhu Fenghui turned to look at He Wenlong, the garrison commander of Yanqing, and asked with a frown, "What's going on?" His voice was low and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

Wenlong lowered his head and said with a frustrated look: "Those thieves only robbed the rich and powerful at first, but when they retreated, they suddenly turned around and robbed ordinary people. Almost all the food in the city was looted, so they fled in a hurry." His voice was full of helplessness and indignation, as if he deeply hated the thieves' actions.

When Feng Hui heard this, he immediately understood the seriousness of the matter. He knew that Li Zicheng did this on purpose to force the people into a desperate situation and make the recovery operation of the court more difficult. How can the people survive without food in the city? If they are forced into a corner, they might rebel. If the court wants to recover Xuanfu, it will be even more difficult. First, there will be no taxes to collect after the recovery, and food will have to be sent to the people; second, if there is a famine, the people will become chaotic and it will be even more difficult to deal with.

He pondered for a moment and asked, "Is there really not even a grain of rice left in the city? Then why don't the people escape out to find a way to survive?" His eyes revealed deep concern and worry.

Wenlong looked at the city helplessly and said, "Yes, there are, but no one dares to move. The common people have heard that everything around Xuanfu has been looted, and they can't get through Juyongguan to the south, so they are guarding against us like thieves. Now we can only hope that the government troops will come to rescue them." His voice was full of helplessness and sorrow, as if he felt deep sympathy for the people's plight.

Feng Hui felt heavy in his heart after hearing this. He sighed and said, "When a country rises or falls, it is the people who suffer." His words were full of deep concern for the people and worries about the fate of the country. Then he said to everyone in a serious tone, "I am Zhu Feng Hui, the new governor of Xuanfu. I have been ordered to fight against the bandits and recover the lost territory. Although Yanqing is under the jurisdiction of Tianfu, I can do whatever I want here!" His voice was loud and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty and determination.

"The court has known about the situation here for a long time and wanted to send troops ten days ago. But the treasury is empty and there are not enough soldiers, so it has been delayed until now. I swear here that I will never let you starve to death!" His words were full of firm determination and deep concern for the people.

When the common people heard this, they were half-believing and half-doubting at first, but then gradually showed joy. They made way for him one after another, their eyes revealing their expectations and trust in the new governor. They had no choice but to believe in the new governor.

"Where is the food? Lead the way!" Feng Hui said to Wenlong. His voice revealed an unquestionable majesty and urgency. He knew that this matter had to be handled carefully. There were already thousands of civilians in front of him, and there were tens of thousands of people starving in the entire Yanqing City. People who are extremely hungry can do anything. If they lose control, it will be terrible.

Wenlong thought for a moment and said, "There are several places where food is stored in the city. I'll take you to the nearest one." His voice revealed a firm determination and trust in Fenghui.

Under the protection of a group of soldiers from the Five Army Battalions, they arrived in front of a luxurious mansion. This mansion was obviously the residence of a wealthy businessman. There were intricate patterns carved in front of the door, which looked magnificent. However, at this moment, the door of the mansion was closed, as if it was isolated from the world like an isolated island.

As soon as the door was opened a crack, a head popped out and shouted, "This is a private place! Trespassers will be killed!" Before he finished speaking, a group of soldiers wearing Ming army armor and holding bows and firearms rushed out and aimed at Feng Hui and his men. These soldiers were obviously well-trained, and their eyes revealed a kind of vigilance and hostility.

The soldiers of the Fifth Army Battalion were exhausted but determined. They immediately grasped their weapons and waited for Feng Hui's orders. Their eyes revealed a trust and loyalty to Feng Hui, as if they would protect him to the death no matter what happened.

Feng Hui knew that these people were regular soldiers and most likely the defenders of Yanqing, as they were well-trained. So he hid behind his shield and shouted, "I am the governor of Xuanhua Prefecture of the Ming Dynasty and the right assistant minister of the Ministry of War. I have been ordered to recapture Yanqing and Xuanfu! The emperor has ordered that those who surrender will be pardoned and reinstated! Who is inside?" His voice was loud and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty and determination.

When they heard that the governor was coming, the figure on the wall flashed. Then a middle-aged man in official uniform and black gauze hat came out. He was Li Paohui, the prefect of Yanqing. His face was full of fear and uneasiness, as if he was deeply surprised and worried about Feng Hui's arrival.

"I, Li Paohui, the prefect of Yanqing, come to see the governor! May I ask if you have a badge, a certificate of appointment, or a pardon?" Li Paohui asked respectfully. In ancient times, officials had to go through a series of cumbersome procedures to prevent counterfeiting, so these documents were indispensable.

Feng Hui did not answer directly, but asked someone to present the certificate to Li Paohui for inspection. Li Paohui looked at it carefully, and returned it to Feng Hui after confirming that it was correct. His eyes revealed a kind of awe and respect for Feng Hui, as if he deeply recognized the identity and status of the new governor.

Just as he was about to ask Feng Hui if he also wanted to see his ID, he suddenly heard the common people outside clamoring: "This Lord Li is the prefect of Yanqing!" "Yes, I would recognize him even if he was burned to ashes!" "He is a corrupt official, who else could it be but him!" The common people's voices were filled with anger and hatred, as if they were deeply indignant at Li Paohui's corrupt behavior.

Feng Hui's eyes turned cold when he heard this. He had some understanding of Li Paohui's character. This prefect was obviously not a good official who cared about the people. So he asked: "As the prefect, the people are almost starving to death, why don't you provide disaster relief?" His voice revealed a questioning and dissatisfaction with Li Paohui.

Li Paohui said with difficulty: "I also want to provide disaster relief, but there is really no food to provide! Even the people in our yamen are starving!" His voice was full of helplessness and sophistry, as if he wanted to use this to cover up his own corruption.

"No!" Feng Hui's eyes became fierce. Before he left, the emperor gave him the power to act at his own convenience, which meant that he could act first and report later. "I heard that there is food here. I want to borrow it for emergency use and return it to you when the imperial relief food arrives. How can you say there is no food?" His voice revealed a questioning and dissatisfaction with Li Paohui, as if he had seen through his corrupt nature.

Li Paohui looked at the crowd that was packed around him and had to lower his voice and say to Feng Hui, "The grain here belongs to Huang Yunfa, a big businessman from Shanxi. He and his people control half of the border trade. They have people in the court protecting them, and they have good relations with the bandits. How dare I touch this grain?" His voice was full of helplessness and sophistry, as if he was trying to shirk responsibility.

Feng Hui narrowed his eyes, put his hand on the hilt of the knife and said: "Why are the people inside the wall wearing government army armor?" His voice revealed a questioning and dissatisfaction with Li Paohui, as if he had seen through his conspiracy.

"This..." Li Paohui hesitated, looking miserable. His eyes revealed a kind of panic and uneasiness, as if he felt deeply helpless and worried about Feng Hui's questioning.

Before he could finish, Feng Hui shouted, "Come here! Li Zhizhou is a traitor, arrest him immediately!" His voice was loud and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty and determination. Two soldiers responded and attacked Li Paohui from both sides. Their movements were swift and powerful, as if they were going to take down this corrupt prefect in one fell swoop.

Li Paohui was horrified and shouted, "Yan... Governor Yan, what do you mean?" His voice was full of fear and confusion, as if he was deeply surprised and shocked by Feng Hui's actions.

The Ming soldiers behind the wall heard the governor's exclamation and raised their weapons to fight. Their eyes revealed a kind of vigilance and hostility, as if they were deeply dissatisfied and angry with Feng Hui's actions. However, they did not dare to act rashly, because Feng Hui's identity and status made them feel deeply in awe and respect.

Jiang Yingkui also drew his sword, stood in front and said: "We are ordered to lead 50,000 troops to recapture Xuanfu. All those who surrendered and returned to the court will be reinstated and have their salaries repaid! Those who dare to resist will be executed on the spot, and all nine generations of their families will be executed!" His voice was loud and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty and determination. His eyes revealed a kind of respect for the soldiers.

Hey, you, the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, I am the governor of Xuanfu, I have a large army and the imperial sword that can execute first and report later, why can't I control you? Tell me, what crime have you committed that makes me have to touch you? Master Zhu Fenghui sneered, and there was a bit of disdain and majesty in that sneer. He said slowly: "I have the privilege of executing first and reporting later. I don't even care about the prefect, let alone a small prefect like you!" His eyes were as sharp as an eagle, as if he could see through the deepest secrets of people's hearts.

"As for your crimes, I will list them one by one in front of everyone, and let everyone hear whether you are worthy of me using this imperial sword." Zhu Fenghui's voice was not loud, but every word was clear, penetrating the noise of the crowd and reaching everyone's heart.

"First, the bandits have been driven away. As a local official, you did not quickly restore order and appease the people. Instead, you helped those unscrupulous businessmen guard the warehouses and enriched themselves. This is a typical dereliction of duty and you have disregarded the lives of the people!" His words were filled with anger, as if they could ignite the anger in people's hearts.

"Secondly, so many people starved to death in the city, and tens of thousands of eyes were watching them, but you pretended not to see it and turned a blind eye to the suffering of the people. You simply treat human lives as worthless. Your heart is colder than ice in winter!" His voice was full of sorrow, and people couldn't help but feel heartbroken for those innocent people who died.

"Third," Zhu Fenghui said here, deliberately standing forward, his body straight and upright, like an unshakable mountain. He shouted loudly to the crowd behind the wall: "I, the governor of Xuanfu appointed by the imperial court, concurrently the right assistant minister of the Ministry of War, and the prefect of Yanqing, Li Paohui, mobilized the garrison without my order. This is a serious crime of treason! Do you know that this crime of treason is enough to execute the entire Li family!"

When the people behind the wall heard this, they were so frightened that their faces turned pale. They opened the doors, threw down their weapons, and ran out like dogs that had lost their homes. They knew that there were 50,000 troops waiting outside the city, and the court had said that if they surrendered, they would not be killed and would be given supplementary military pay. The soldiers only wanted a full meal, so how could they dare to resist!
"Sir Yan, the city was in chaos after the bandits retreated. We were bribed by Li Zhizhou with silver, and we had no choice! Please spare our lives, sir!" A soldier knelt on the ground, holding his head in his hands, trembling.

Zhu Fenghui didn't rush to agree. He turned to look at He Wenlong, the garrison commander of Yanqing. After all, these people were his subordinates. Whether they would accept the surrender depended on his opinion. He Wenlong nodded, with a flash of determination in his eyes. He understood that this was the time to clean up the mess and show his loyalty to Zhu Fenghui.

Zhu Fenghui then said solemnly: "Pardon me!" His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty. Upon hearing this, everyone surrendered one after another, and Li Zhizhou was so frightened that his face turned pale, his legs softened, and he fell to the ground.

At this moment of despair, he suddenly remembered something, a cunning flashed in his eyes, and he struggled to say to Zhu Fenghui: "Master Yan, do you know who I belong to? Do you know who is Huang Yunfa's backer in the court? If you touch me, you will be the enemy of the entire force!"

When Zhu Fenghui heard this, a playful smile appeared on his face. He became interested and thought to himself, "Humph, it seems that this fish is not small. Maybe I can catch a bigger fish."

Before leaving, Guo Tianyang specifically told Zhu Fenghui that there were more than a dozen profiteers in Xuanfu who not only colluded with the bandits, but also secretly sent money and food to the Jiannu. Although the stronghold in the capital had been destroyed, the power in Xuanfu was still there, and it was necessary to find out who the officials behind them were.

"Speak!" Zhu Fenghui deliberately pretended to be cautious, but his eyes were as sharp as a knife, as if he could see through people's hearts.

When Li Paohui heard that there was a chance, he immediately became alert, with a hint of pride in his eyes: "I am Zhang Shangshu's man, Huang Yunfa and Zhang Shangshu have a deep friendship! If you touch me, you will become an enemy of Zhang Shangshu!"

Zhang Shangshu? Zhu Fenghui was puzzled. There was no one with the surname Zhang among the six ministers. Suddenly, he remembered a person - Zhang Jinyan! The former Minister of War, who was torn into pieces by five horses because of a serious crime, and his three clans were exterminated. This person's name was a taboo in the court, and he didn't expect it to be mentioned here today.

The capital was under martial law, and no news could get out. Yanqing was even more isolated. What happened in the capital? Except for the road to Juyongguan, all other roads were blocked. Tang Shengyu guarded it tightly, and no news could leak out. People outside didn't know that the capital had been turned upside down.

Zhu Fenghui sneered and looked at Li Zhizhou grimly. That look seemed to be able to freeze everything: "Do you want to know what I'm going to do?" His voice was low and threatening.

"What are you doing?" Zhu Fenghui had just finished speaking when he slashed at Li Zhizhou's neck with the knife in his hand. With a snap, blood splattered everywhere, and Li Zhizhou fell down helplessly, his eyes full of unwillingness and fear.

The entire Yanqing City fell silent, leaving only the sound of the wind blowing and people's frightened breathing. Everyone was stunned and stood still, as if time had frozen at this moment.

A fifth-rank official was killed without warning. It was just like the principal of a school was suddenly chopped off. How could the students not be afraid? They were filled with fear and anxiety, not knowing what would happen next.

But before long, the people began to cheer, and the fear in their hearts was replaced by an inexplicable pleasure. "Good killing!" an old man shouted excitedly, "It's so satisfying! It's more comfortable than having a full meal!" A woman next to him also echoed: "Lord Yan is simply the reincarnation of Bao Gong! A true honest official!"

Zhu Fenghui put away his knife, his eyes as firm as a rock. He knew that there were three ways to win the hearts of the people: one was to use fear to make the people unite spontaneously; one was to implement benevolent policies to make the people grateful; and the other was to eliminate corrupt officials through killing and transform the people's fear and anger into centripetal force for the court. He chose the most direct and effective way.

"Someone come! Arrest all the people in this house and put them in jail! Move all the food to the provincial government office! Set up a porridge factory in front of the government office to provide relief to the victims!" Zhu Fenghui's voice resounded through the sky, and his figure looked particularly tall in the afterglow of the setting sun.

When the people heard this, they immediately ran home to get their bowls and chopsticks. Those who went late were afraid that they would miss the queue! Their hearts were filled with gratitude and expectation, as if they saw the hope of life.

Things went much more smoothly afterwards. All the food in the city was gathered in the state government, and those who should be imprisoned were imprisoned, and those who should be killed were killed. In less than two hours, the soldiers of the five military camps completely took control of Yanqing's defense. They were well-trained and disciplined, which made the people feel at ease.

In order to prevent accidents, the soldiers lived on the gate tower or in the nearby courtyards. If there was any situation, they would immediately go up to the city wall to fight or go out of the city to provide support. They guarded the city day and night without any slackness.

After making all the arrangements, Zhu Fenghui came to the house of a wealthy merchant near the city gate. When the merchant heard that Li Zicheng was coming, he took his gold and silver treasures and fled to the capital, leaving behind this empty house.

There was a blazing fire in the yard, and the soldiers were busy around it. Some were cooking, some were drying clothes, and some were lying on the ground to rest. Their faces were full of fatigue and determination, but there was a glimmer of hope in their eyes.

Zhu Fenghui frowned, woke up a sleeping soldier, and asked, "Why are you sleeping outside? Go inside and sleep!" There was some concern and reproach in his voice.

The soldier was sleeping soundly, but when Zhu Fenghui patted him, he suddenly woke up. But before he opened his eyes, he said in a daze: "Go away! The room is full, and the empty room next door is reserved for Lord Yan, don't go in!" There was a bit of confusion and honesty in his voice.

Zhu Fenghui looked at Jiang Yingkui and found that he also looked apologetic. He knew that these soldiers had sacrificed their comfort for him.

"Brother Yan, just make do with it for now." Jiang Yingkui said with a laugh, "I'll find you a small courtyard to live in tomorrow." There was some helplessness and apology in his voice.

Zhu Fenghui shook his head and said, "Brother Jiang, you misunderstood me!" There was some firmness and determination in his voice, "I, Zhu Fenghui, was a ninth-rank official a month ago, barely making a living. Now, because of my military achievements and the appreciation of your majesty, I have been promoted to the governor of Xuanfu and concurrently the vice minister of the Ministry of War. I am your superior in official matters, but in private we are brothers. Since we are brothers, we should eat and live together. Those who are sleeping outside should hurry into the house!" His voice resounded through the sky, full of unquestionable majesty.

The soldiers were stunned when they heard this, and no one moved. After all, according to the rules, a second-rank civil servant must stay in a single room. Zhu Fenghui's words sounded a little unreliable. They were full of doubts and confusion, wondering what this gentleman was up to.

Jiang Yingkui thought Zhu Fenghui was being polite, so he advised: "Brother Yan, don't be polite..." Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Zhu Fenghui.

"We brothers should advance and retreat together!" Zhu Fenghui's voice was filled with excitement and determination, "It's like this on the battlefield, and it's also like this in private! I don't need to be special!" His eyes flashed with sincerity and enthusiasm, as if they could ignite the fire in people's hearts.

"You!" Zhu Fenghui pointed at the soldiers who were awakened and said, "Go into the house quickly! Don't mind my smelly feet!" As soon as he finished speaking, there was a burst of laughter. The soldiers took action one after another, and soon Zhu Fenghui had integrated into their group. They sat around the fire, chatting and laughing, as if they had forgotten their fatigue and hardship. "Haha! Even the feet of a second-rank official are smelly! This is the most people-friendly second-rank official!" A soldier said with a smile. His words resonated with people, and people echoed him one after another
In the heart of the capital, the atmosphere in the Huangji Hall was solemn and dignified, as if even the air had frozen. The sunlight shone through the carved window lattices, dappled on the floor paved with gold bricks, forming a sharp contrast with the heavy atmosphere in the hall. The cabinet chief Li Banghua, dressed in luxurious court clothes and with a stern face, was standing in the center of the hall, reporting government affairs to the emperor. His voice was steady and powerful, and every word seemed to be carefully crafted, showing his wisdom and revealing his deep grasp of the current situation.

"Tongzhou's water transport and land transportation have been restored. The rice from the south of the Yangtze River will arrive in the capital within a year and a half." There was a barely perceptible sense of relief in his words, as if it was an affirmation of the results of his hard work.

Then he continued to report: "Last night, Zhu Fenghui brought frequent good news. Yanqing has been recovered, the prefect Li Paohui was beheaded, and the number of surrendered people reached 1,239." There was a gleam of sharpness in his eyes, as if he could penetrate time and space and see the fierce fighting on the battlefield.

"When the bandits retreated, they plundered the people everywhere, just as Your Majesty had predicted. The food in Yanqing has been exhausted. The grain transport teams from the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War and the civilians have already left Juyongguan and are expected to arrive tonight." His tone revealed his worry about the situation, but more of it was his anticipation for the upcoming victory.

Lin Xiaofeng nodded gently, praising Zhu Fenghui's achievements. His eyes were deep, as if he could see into people's hearts. He couldn't help but think of Tang Shengyu, the brave and skilled general. Perhaps he hadn't arrived at the city of Yanqing and missed this victory. Lin Xiaofeng's mouth curled up into a faint smile, which was a sigh for the impermanence of the battlefield, and a little regret that Tang Shengyu was unable to participate in the battle.

"What are Zhu Fenghui's plans for tomorrow?" Lin Xiaofeng asked. His voice was calm and deep, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

"Your Majesty, Zhu Fenghui plans to recapture Huailai Wei tomorrow!" Li Banghua replied, his voice firm and powerful, as if he fully supported Zhu Fenghui's plan.

Hearing the name Huailaiwei, Lin Xiaofeng's eyes flickered slightly, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise slightly. Although this place name is not prominent, Tumubao to its east is an important place in history. Tumubao is only a dozen miles away from Huailaiwei. It was here that Zhu Qizhen, the god of war of the Ming Dynasty, began his "study abroad" journey. Lin Xiaofeng's thoughts drifted away, and he thought of that history, the history that brought shame to the Ming Dynasty. If the decline of the Tang Dynasty began with the Battle of Xiangji Temple, then the decline of the Ming Dynasty actually began with the Tumubao Incident. He shook his head, drove these thoughts out of his mind, and turned to look at other places on the map. His eyes were sharp and deep, as if he could penetrate the fog of time and space and see the battlefield of the future.

"Is Zhu Fenghui's intention to recover the area first and then govern it?" Lin Xiaofeng asked, with a barely perceptible hint of expectation in his voice.

"Yes, he said in his memorial that if the time was delayed by one day, more people would starve to death. So he only sent a few soldiers to inform those small cities that if the other party was willing to surrender, he would send food and relief, otherwise he would ignore them." Li Banghua explained, his tone revealing his appreciation for Zhu Fenghui's plan.

"In my opinion, no one will refuse to surrender." Li Banghua's words have a basis. The Ming army and Li Zicheng had been fighting in Henan for more than ten years. The local officials and gentry had long understood this truth. It was useless to hold on. It was better to surrender, unless there was a heavy force approaching. This trend has spread throughout the country, as if it was a silent acquiescence, a helpless acceptance of reality.

Li Banghua continued, "After recapturing Xuanfu, Zhu Fenghui will govern according to the new policies of the court." His voice revealed his expectations for the new policies, as if he saw the arrival of a new era.

"Okay, very good." Lin Xiaofeng did not raise any objection to Zhu Fenghui's plan. He adhered to the principle of not employing people if he doubted them and trusting people if he employed them. His eyes were firm and deep, as if he could see through people's hearts and see Zhu Fenghui's loyalty and wisdom.

After looking around to make sure there was no one around, Li Banghua whispered, "Your Majesty, the combined population of Xuanfu, Yanqing, Huailai, and Baoan is less than 400,000, but Zhu Fenghui has requested 600,000 dan of grain, which is enough for Xuanfu to eat for five months. I think we must be on guard against Zhu Fenghui! The Ming Dynasty already has one Wu Sangui, how can we have another? Moreover, if the Jiannu get Xuanfu, then the surplus grain will fall into their hands." His voice was low and powerful, revealing a deep worry.

"Don't worry, I trust Zhu Fenghui." Lin Xiaofeng said firmly, his voice revealing an unquestionable majesty and trust. His eyes were sharp and deep, as if he could penetrate the fog of people's hearts and see Zhu Fenghui's loyalty and determination.

"But Your Majesty!" Li Banghua said eagerly, with a hint of anxiety and worry in his voice, "This is not just a matter of trust, it's also about money and food! The price of rice in Jiangnan is about one tael of silver per stone. It costs an additional one tael and one cent to transport it to the capital by land, and seven cents for grain transport. Six hundred thousand stones of rice will require at least one million taels of silver, and it may cost one million and two hundred and sixty thousand taels if it is more, not including military pay! The Ministry of Households has spent more than one million taels of silver on defending the city, and Wu Sangui has taken away another one and a half million. If the cost of food needed by Zhu Fenghui is added, the Ministry of Households' expenditure will exceed four million taels within a month!" His voice was low and powerful, revealing a deep worry and helplessness.

Li Banghua's worries were reasonable. With an empty treasury and huge expenditures, anyone would feel anxious. Lin Xiaofeng also felt the seriousness of the situation. His brows were furrowed, as if he could feel the heavy pressure. He began to think about strategies to increase revenue and reduce expenditure. His eyes swept across the map, as if looking for answers to solve the problem.

After a while, Lin Xiaofeng asked, "Why not sea transportation? I heard that the cost of sea transportation is less than half of that of canal transportation." There was a hint of doubt and confusion in his voice, as if he was full of desire to explore this issue.

After a moment's silence, Li Banghua said, "The cause of this matter is rather complicated. Sea transportation was attempted during the reigns of Emperor Xiaozong and Emperor Muzong, but ultimately failed due to unfavorable trial voyages and resistance from the court." His voice revealed a sense of historical heaviness and helplessness, as if one could see the twists and hardships of that period of history.

Lin Xiaofeng knew very well that this was all due to conflicts of interest. A faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, which was a helplessness and ridicule for the officialdom struggle. He understood that in order to change the status quo, he had to break the shackles of these interests.

"Forget about the past. I have made up my mind. I have ordered Zheng Zhilong's caravan to transport 300,000 dan of grain to the capital. The freight will be determined by the Ministry of War. I have also secretly ordered Zheng Zhilong and his sons and Yi Xiangli, the general of the navy, to come to the capital secretly. I have important things to discuss with them." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was firm and powerful, as if he was swearing and promising the future. His eyes were sharp and deep, as if he could penetrate the fog of time and space and see the victory of the future.

Although Li Banghua was confused, as a minister, he did not ask questions that he should not ask, and quickly wrote down the emperor's order. His strokes were strong and firm, as if he fully supported the emperor's decision.

When he was about to leave, Lin Xiaofeng suddenly asked, "Where is Huang Degong?" There was a hint of anxiety and expectation in his voice, as if he was looking forward to Huang Degong's arrival.

After calculating the time, Li Banghua said, "The report from three days ago said that Huang Degong had reached the south of Xuzhou, marching sixty miles a day, and would reach the capital in more than a month." His voice revealed a kind of admiration and expectation for Huang Degong, as if he saw Huang Degong's brave and fighting figure.

After hearing the news, Lin Xiaofeng straightened his back. His eyes revealed a deep expectation and determination, as if he saw the scene of Huang Degong leading the army back in triumph. Huang Degong was a general he relied on, and the main force in this hunt for the Jian Nu. His bravery and determination made Lin Xiaofeng full of confidence and expectations for the future.

Huang Degong's bravery can be summed up in one word: "fierce". In the Battle of Qianshan, when he faced powerful enemies such as Ma Wu, the King of Chuangshi, and Wang Xingguo, the Three Harriers, he still bravely moved forward even when he was shot in the face, and finally captured the two. He would drink several buckets of wine before each battle, and then charge into battle, and was known as "Huang Chuangzi" in the army. His figure was tall and mighty, like an unshakable mountain, standing tall on the battlefield, making the enemy terrified.

In April of the 17th year, the only general Lin Xiaofeng could use was Huang Degong! His heart was filled with expectations and trust in Huang Degong, as if he saw the scene of Huang Degong leading the army to sweep the enemy.

"I have three things to tell you!" Lin Xiaofeng began to deploy, his voice firm and powerful, as if it was an oath and promise to the future, "The first thing is: after you return to the Ministry of War, draft an imperial edict in the name of the Ministry of War ordering Huang Degong to attack Zhang Xianzhong instead of going to Beijing to defend the king." His eyes were sharp and deep, as if he could see through the fog of people's hearts and see Huang Degong's loyalty and wisdom.

Li Banghua was stunned when he heard the order, because he remembered that the emperor had said that Jiannu would enter the pass in mid-to-late May. His heart was full of doubts and puzzlement, as if he saw the future battlefield and Huang Degong's figure.

Lin Xiaofeng did not explain the reason and continued: "The second thing is: How many artillery, Portuguese and gunpowder can you secretly transport to Xuanfu before the Jiannu enter the pass without the Ministry of War noticing?" His voice was low and powerful, revealing a deep worry and determination. His eyes were sharp and deep, as if he could penetrate the fog of time and space and see the future battlefield and Zhu Fenghui's figure.

Li Banghua was very smart and quickly understood the emperor's intention. He suspected that there was a spy in the Ministry of War. He was shocked and uneasy, as if he saw the darkness and conspiracy inside the Ministry of War.

"Your Majesty is suspicious." Li Banghua asked tentatively, with a hint of uncertainty and doubt in his voice.

Seeing that there was no trace of blame on Lin Xiaofeng's face, Li Banghua was relieved, as if a huge rock had been removed from his chest, allowing him to breathe again. He began to ponder the matter in front of him, frowning, and his eyes revealed an indescribable complex emotion. He knew that the capital's firearms and gunpowder reserves were the best in the country. They were the crystallization of the efforts and time of countless craftsmen, and they were a solid backing for defending the country. However, even though he was the Minister of War and the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, he could only mobilize 20% of them. These 20% of firearms, like the tip of an iceberg, not only showed the strength of the court, but also hinted at the limitations and constraints. Moreover, these 20% of firearms still needed to be pretended to be received by a reliable person, which was really tricky and delicate, like dancing on thin ice, and every step needed to be cautious.

Although it was only 20%, the number was considerable, enough to change the direction of a battle. However, he was still a little hesitant about the caravan. Merchants, this group always had a bit of unpredictable meaning in his mind. Although the merchants he recruited would keep the secret strictly, there were many people under the merchants and there was a risk of leakage. In order to keep the secret, the Jinyiwei must be involved in the caravan, like a sharp knife, hidden under the soft silk, ready to cut off any possible threats at any time.

Fortunately, Xuanfu is only more than 300 miles away from the capital, and the caravan can make a round trip every ten days. This condition made Li Banghua think about it, as if it was a godsend opportunity, allowing him to weave a complex and sophisticated network in this small space.

The plan had been made. Li Banghua said to Lin Xiaofeng in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I can deliver 20% of the capital's firearms and more than 100,000 kilograms of gunpowder to Huang Degong in the name of the Ministry of War. After the caravan leaves the capital, it will first head south, like a cunning fox, confusing the enemy's sight, then change the flag and head north, bribe Tang Shengyu, pass through Juyongguan, and quietly arrive in Xuanfu, like a shooting star in the dark night, without a sound or a trace."

Lin Xiaofeng nodded, with a hint of approval in his eyes, as if he recognized Li Banghua's plan and also expected the future. "Okay! Prepare the formalities first, and send someone to deliver it immediately after Zhu Fenghui recaptures Xuanfu!" His voice was not loud, but it was filled with unquestionable majesty.

Li Banghua responded, "Yes, sir!" His voice was firm and as steady as a mountain.

Lin Xiaofeng said, "There is a third thing!" He looked to the southwest, where was the unknown battlefield and the place they were concerned about. "I will allocate 500,000 taels of silver from the treasury, plus a secret letter, and you will try to deliver it to Huang Degong." His tone was firm and unyielding, as if he was adding the final chip to the impending storm.

Li Banghua responded again: "I obey your order!" After that, he left Huangji Palace. His back seemed a little lonely, but also full of determination.

After Li Banghua left, Lin Xiaofeng immediately ordered Guo Tianyang to draft an imperial edict. There seemed to be a fire burning in his heart, which was the desire for the future and the persistence of victory. "Secretly draft an imperial edict for Huang Degong, asking him to ignore the imperial edict drafted by the Ministry of War and continue to go to Beijing to defend the king. After arriving in Northern Zhili, do not take the official road and try to avoid the eyes of the court, especially the Ministry of War!" His voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to hit Guo Tianyang's heart.

"After drafting the edict, send a trustworthy eunuch to deliver it to Huang Degong. It can be slow, but it must be faster than the imperial edict drafted by the Ministry of War!" Lin Xiaofeng's words were filled with unquestionable majesty, as if setting the final tone for the coming storm.

Guo Tianyang did not dare to neglect it and hurriedly got up to go to the inner court to draft an imperial edict. His heart was filled with tension and anticipation, as if he was making final preparations for an upcoming war.

Lin Xiaofeng leaned back on the dragon chair, regaining the feeling he had when he first crossed over. A series of thoughts made him a little tired, and when he was about to fall asleep, a young eunuch walked up to him and whispered, "Your Majesty, Jinyiwei Commander Gongsun Yuchun is here to see you."

Lin Xiaofeng opened his eyes, and a trace of clarity flashed in his eyes, as if a beast had awakened from a deep sleep. "Xuan!" His voice was not loud, but it carried an indescribable majesty.

Gongsun Yuchun staggered in and wanted to kowtow, but Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand to stop him: "No need. Why does Commander Li look like this?" There was some concern and curiosity in his tone.

It would have been better if he hadn't asked. Once he asked, Gongsun Yuchun looked embarrassed. He replied shyly, "I recently recruited more than a thousand Jinyiwei in the capital. When I was teaching them how to climb over the wall yesterday, I accidentally fell off the wall and sprained my ankle. I'm sorry to have embarrassed your majesty." His tone was a bit self-deprecating and helpless.

Lin Xiaofeng smiled and shook his head, as if he was laughing at Gongsun Yuchun's embarrassment, and also to add a bit of relaxation to the upcoming storm. "Commander Li, how many Jinyiwei are there in the capital who are good at monitoring officials?" His tone was a bit serious, but also a bit expectant.

Gongsun Yuchun counted with his fingers and said, "About two hundred people." His voice was firm, as if he was making final preparations for the upcoming battle.

Lin Xiaofeng's eyes revealed murderous intent, like a cheetah ready to pounce on its prey. "From today on, immediately send people to secretly monitor all officials in the Ministry of War. From the third-rank assistant minister to the unranked clerk, they must all be monitored. If there is a shortage of manpower, you can borrow from the East Factory. I have already informed them." His voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to hit Gongsun Yuchun's heart.

"Everywhere they go and every person they meet must be recorded." Lin Xiaofeng's words were filled with unquestionable authority, as if he was setting the final rules for the impending storm.

"Whether there are abnormalities or not, don't touch them for a short time!" There was a hint of coldness and determination in his voice, as if he was making the final deployment for the upcoming battle.

Gongsun Yuchun responded, "I obey your order!" His voice was firm and powerful, as if he was making a final oath for the upcoming battle.

After Gongsun Yuchun left, Lin Xiaofeng finally breathed a sigh of relief. It was as if a huge rock had fallen from his heart, allowing him to breathe again. He returned to the Qianqing Palace, took a short nap after lunch, and returned to the Huangji Palace after waking up.

At this time, the Huangji Palace was already crowded! Some people were wearing court robes, some were wearing brocade clothes, and some were wearing the lowest cloth clothes. They were standing or sitting, talking in low voices, or staring into the distance. Most of them were entering the imperial city for the first time, and also the first time to come to the Huangji Palace. Their eyes were full of curiosity and awe, as if they were witnessing a feast of history.

They looked around, full of curiosity and awe about this place. The towering dragon throne and the magnificent decorations made them feel an indescribable shock. People who didn't know thought they were having a market, but only those present knew that these were people from the Ming Dynasty Capital Manufacturing Bureau and Research Institute. They were the protagonists of this historical feast.

Cheng Qinghua stood at the front, his eyes revealing an indescribable excitement and expectation. When he saw Lin Xiaofeng coming in, he led everyone in performing the three-knock and nine-bow ceremony of the emperor and his subjects. Their movements were in unison, as if they were making final preparations for the coming storm.

Lin Xiaofeng was very happy! There seemed to be a fire burning in his heart, which was the desire for the future and the persistence for victory. After the selection of the Ministry of Industry, thousands of scholars and craftsmen were recruited in more than ten days. The more than one hundred people who came to the Huangji Hall were the best among them. Their eyes revealed an indescribable firmness and persistence, as if they were making a final oath for the upcoming battle.

Lin Xiaofeng said, "Everyone, I set up the Manufacturing Bureau and the Research Institute for only two purposes: inheritance and development!" His voice was not loud, but it carried an indescribable majesty and expectation. His eyes swept over everyone, as if he was looking for the last warrior for the upcoming battle.

"Who among you is good at mining, smelting iron, and making firearms?" His tone was a little anxious and expectant. There seemed to be a fire burning in his heart, which was the desire for the future and the persistence for victory.

The crowd didn't quite understand what he meant, but more than ten people still stood up. Their eyes revealed an indescribable determination and persistence, as if they had made the final preparations for the upcoming battle.

Lin Xiaofeng nodded and turned to ask Cheng Qinghua: "Minister Fan, what do you think are the problems with Ming Dynasty's firearms?" His tone was a bit concerned and expectant. There seemed to be a fire burning in his heart, which was the desire for the future and the persistence for victory.

Cheng Qinghua replied: "Take the Ming Dynasty's artillery as an example. First, it takes too long to cast; second, it is easy to explode; third, it is too heavy and difficult to move; fourth, it is slow to load; fifth, rainy and snowy weather will cause the gunpowder to become damp and ineffective..." His voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to hit everyone's heart. His eyes revealed an indescribable firmness and persistence, as if he was looking for the final answer to the upcoming battle.

"Although there seem to be many problems, the biggest problems in actual use are still the production time, bursting and weight." Cheng Qinghua's voice was a bit helpless and expectant. There seemed to be a fire burning in his heart, which was the desire for the future and the persistence for victory.

Cheng Qinghua previously worked in the Ministry of Industry, so he was well aware of the flaws of firearms. His eyes revealed an indescribable firmness and persistence, as if he had made the final preparations for the upcoming battle.

Casting a cannon is a delicate job. First, you need to make a mold, and then wait for the mold to dry in the shade before you can proceed to the next step. This process can take as short as one or two months, or as long as several months! Unfortunately, the mold that has been laboriously made must be discarded after one use. This is one of the reasons why cannon casting is slow and expensive!

Lin Xiaofeng nodded, looked at the craftsmen and said, "I need you to solve these three problems! Let's discuss now and see if there is a theoretical solution." His tone was a bit anxious and expectant. There seemed to be a fire burning in his heart, which was the desire for the future and the persistence of victory.

More than ten people stood in the center of the Huangji Hall, gathered together to discuss. At first, they were intimidated by the majesty of the court and did not dare to speak loudly. But as they discussed, they forgot about this matter and the discussion turned into an argument. Their voices became louder and louder, as if they were making the final debate for the upcoming battle. (End of this chapter)