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

Under the East City Gate, a large banner with the Chinese character Yuan fluttered in the wind, like a lion gently swaying its unruly mane in the breeze. More than 3,000 new recruits stood under the banner, their faces filled with excitement and nervousness, like deer entering the forest for the first time, looking forward to but also afraid of the unknown adventure. They gathered together, excitedly exchanging their hometowns and names, their voices rising and falling, like birds singing in the morning, full of vitality and energy.

"Stop talking!" A cold and icy command suddenly sounded, like the air suddenly solidifying in winter, causing the small group of people around to shut up immediately. This majesty quickly spread, like frost in the cold wind, silently covering the entire team. The entire team suddenly became silent, and even breathing became cautious.

At this time, General Hua Ruiqi, surrounded by hundreds of his personal soldiers, slowly walked onto the pre-built wooden platform. He was wearing armor and a battle robe on his shoulders, looking majestic, like an unshakable mountain. He looked at the black crowd of new recruits below the stage with a deep gaze, as if he could see into everyone's heart. He announced loudly: "From today on, you are a member of the government army!" His voice was loud, like thunder rolling in the sky, shaking everyone's heart.

"As government troops, you must be loyal to the court and love the people. Anyone who disobeys will be killed without mercy to show our military might!" His voice was cold and firm, like a sharp blade in the cold wind, which made people feel awe.

"Yes, sir! We will follow Governor Yuan's orders!" The recruits' responses came one after another, resounding through the sky. Their voices were full of firmness and determination, as if they were swearing an oath to heaven and earth and challenging the future.

After the scene calmed down, Hua Ruiqi said to the generals in charge of training the recruits: "Starting tomorrow, the recruits will be divided into two teams for training." His voice was steady and powerful, like the pulse deep in the earth, which made people feel trust.

"One team trains in the morning, and the other in the afternoon. Soldiers training in the morning get up at midnight, and after eating, they are responsible for night patrols in the city. After dawn, they go to the martial arts training ground to train until noon. Soldiers training in the afternoon are the opposite, starting in the afternoon and ending in the evening. After nightfall, they conduct night patrols until midnight." His words were clear and specific, like a precise clock, which made it impossible to fault him.

The generals were slightly startled when they heard this. They looked at each other with a hint of doubt in their eyes. They whispered, "Governor Yuan, what happened?" Their voices were low and cautious, like a secret whisper in the night.

Hua Ruiqi's expression became solemn, his eyes were deep and sharp, as if he could see through everything. He said in a deep voice: "A series of murders occurred in the city last night. There was more than one murderer, and they all fled after committing the crime. The only clue at present is that a piece of the left ear of one of the murderers was bitten off." His voice was full of anger and determination, as if he wanted to catch these murderers one by one.

"I declare that anyone who can capture the murderer will be rewarded with 500 taels of silver!" His voice resounded through the sky, like thunder rolling across the horizon. His eyes swept across everyone present, as if to deeply imprint this determination in their hearts.

"Ah?" The generals were shocked by the huge bounty, and a trace of surprise and greed flashed in their eyes. They asked one after another: "Governor Yuan, are you serious?" Their voices were full of expectation and excitement.

"I have spoken, and I cannot go back on my word," Hua Ruiqi answered decisively. His voice was firm and powerful, as unshakable as a mountain. His eyes were full of majesty and determination, as if he wanted to deeply imprint this promise in everyone's heart.

"I obey your orders!" The generals responded in unison. Their voices were full of firmness and determination, as if they were swearing an oath to heaven and earth. They turned around and left, and began to prepare for the training and patrol of the new recruits.

However, can such an arrangement really catch the murderer? I'm afraid it's not easy. After all, the murderer may have already fled the city to seek refuge. But Hua Ruiqi's real purpose is not just to catch the murderer, but also to give an explanation to the people in the city and ensure the stability of Wuchang Prefecture so as to recover Jingzhou in the future. His heart is full of love for the people and loyalty to the court, and he is willing to give everything for this responsibility and mission.

After returning to the central army tent, Hua Ruiqi began to deal with the piles of official documents. He personally inquired about the source of soldiers, food, and supplies, and made sure everything was ready. His eyes swept over the documents, like a hawk circling in the sky, looking for every possible prey. His fingers tapped the pen gently, as if he was composing a piece of music for the upcoming battle.

A few days later, Hua Ruiqi received an official document from He Tengjiao. The content of the letter was concise and clear: he no longer had any extra armor, but there were many idle weapons that could be provided to Hua Ruiqi. Hua Ruiqi sneered and threw the official document aside. This He Tengjiao is really a loyal "villain". He is loyal because he is loyal to the Ming Dynasty court; but he is a villain because he is too selfish and only considers his own interests in everything, regardless of the overall situation. Hua Ruiqi's heart was full of dissatisfaction and contempt for He Tengjiao, but he knew that now was not the time to turn against him. He needed to focus all his energy on the upcoming battle. For the stability of Wuchang Prefecture and the glory of the court, he must go all out.

Just then, a messenger came in and reported: "Governor Yuan, the last shipload of polished japonica rice has arrived at the dock and is being loaded onto trucks for shipment to the city." His voice was full of excitement and joy, as if he was reporting great news.

Hua Ruiqi frowned slightly when he heard this, and then relaxed his brows. He asked, "How long can the existing food and grass in Wuchang City last?" His voice was steady and powerful, as if he was asking a crucial question.

"Governor Yuan, it's enough for our army to use for a month," the herald replied. His voice was full of confidence and determination, as if he was assuring Hua Ruiqi.

"Okay! Beat the drums and go to the tent!" Hua Ruiqi gave the order, his voice as loud as a bell. He sat firmly on the commander's seat, his eyes like torches, scanning the generals in the tent. His heart was filled with pride and ambition, as if he wanted to pass this determination to everyone. He began to issue military orders: "Jin Shenghuan, Xu Guodong, Wu Xueli, Lu Ding!" His voice resounded through the sky, like thunder rolling in the sky.

"I'm here!" The four generals came out at the same time, their voices full of determination, as if they were swearing an oath to Hua Ruiqi. Their eyes were bright and their spirits were high, like four tigers ready to attack.

"Each of you will lead your troops upstream along the Yangtze River, first attack Hanyang (now Hannan District), and then take Yuezhou." Hua Ruiqi's words were clear and powerful, as if he was drawing a blueprint for the upcoming battle. His eyes were full of majesty and determination, as if he wanted to deeply imprint this order in everyone's heart.

"I obey your orders!" The four generals responded in unison. Their voices were full of determination, as if they were swearing an oath to heaven and earth. They turned around and left, and began to prepare for the upcoming battle.

"Wang Yuncheng, you lead the troops to attack Xianning." Hua Ruiqi's voice sounded again, like thunder rolling in the sky. His eyes swept towards Wang Yuncheng, as if to deeply imprint this order in his heart.

"Xu Guodong, you lead the troops by land, join forces with Jin Shenghuan and others to attack Hanyang. After retaking Hanyang, go south to join forces with Wang Yuncheng to attack Xianning." Hua Ruiqi's words rang out again, as unshakable as a mountain. His eyes were full of majesty and determination, as if he wanted to pass this order to everyone.

"Zhang Yingyuan, you lead the troops to attack Xiaogan." Hua Ruiqi's voice sounded for the last time, like the last lightning in the sky. His eyes swept towards Zhang Yingyuan, as if to deeply imprint this order in his heart.

The six generals took the order and left. Their figures gradually faded away in the afterglow of the setting sun, like six tigers ready to charge into an unknown battlefield. Only Ma Jinzhong and Hui Dengxiang were left with nothing to do. Their hearts were filled with doubts and expectations.

"Governor Yuan, where should we go?" Ma Jinzhong asked. His voice was full of doubt and expectation, as if he was seeking an answer from Hua Ruiqi.

"Didn't I write this clearly in the letter I sent you the other day? Just follow the plan!" Hua Ruiqi said calmly. His eyes were full of majesty and depth, as if he could see through everything. His fingers tapped the table lightly, as if he was composing a movement for the upcoming battle.

"This..." Ma Jinzhong was speechless for a moment. His heart was full of doubts and confusion, but he knew that Hua Ruiqi's order could not be disobeyed. He had no choice but to obey the order, but his heart was full of expectations and worries about the unknown battlefield.

"Go." Hua Ruiqi waved his hand, as if to bid farewell to the upcoming battle. His eyes were full of majesty and determination, as if he wanted to deeply imprint this order in everyone's heart.

Ma Jinzhong and Hui Dengxiang looked at each other helplessly and had to obey the order. After they joined forces, they left Wuchang Prefecture and headed west. Three days of running made them exhausted, but the expectation and determination in their hearts made them full of strength. They came to Mianyang County (now Xiantao City), 150 miles away from Wuchang Prefecture. Ma Jinzhong just observed with a telescope and found that the gate of Mianyang County was wide open. The defenders had already left the city and knelt down to surrender.

After seizing the weapons of the defenders, Ma Jinzhong and Hui Dengxiang came to the magistrate of Mianyang County. The magistrate said flatteringly: "Finally, the two generals have arrived! Please come into the city and have tea!" His voice was full of flattery and fawning, as if he was trying to curry favor with the two generals.

"Are there any remnants of Zhang Xianzhong here?" Ma Jinzhong asked. His voice was full of majesty and severity, as if he was interrogating a criminal.

"He left a month ago," the county magistrate replied. His voice was full of helplessness and fear, as if he was explaining something to the two generals.

Hearing that Li Zicheng's main force was stationed in Daming Prefecture and the enemy's forces in Chengtian Prefecture were weak, Hui Dengxiang stood on the tower of Jingling, looking at the distant sky, frowning. He suggested: "Why don't we take this opportunity to sneak attack Chengtian Prefecture? Maybe we can achieve something." Ma Jinzhong shook his head. He was tall and strong, with a firm face and a thoughtful look in his eyes. He slowly said: "No, Chengtian Prefecture is the main road to Xiangyang. The enemy will definitely guard it heavily. We might as well change the route and attack Jingzhou."

When Hui Dengxiang heard this, his face suddenly changed, like an autumn leaf blown by the cold wind. He whispered, "Jingzhou? Is it enough with just the two of us?" Thinking back to the past, before General Hua Ruiqi cut down the old, weak, sick and disabled soldiers, the combined number of soldiers under their command was nearly 30,000, and they were mighty and powerful. But after this cut, there were only more than 15,000 people left, and the strength was greatly reduced. It might be more than enough to attack a small city, but Jingzhou was a battleground for military strategists, easy to defend but difficult to attack.

Ma Jinzhong also fell into deep thought. He recalled the solid walls of Jingzhou, which were three feet high and three feet and three feet thick. There were three soldier holes and twenty-four artillery positions hidden on the walls. The inside of the walls was rammed earth, and the outside was made of stone strips and blue bricks, mixed with lime and glutinous rice paste, with a thickness of more than three feet. Such a solid defense is daunting. He sighed and said, "With our limited military strength, it is almost impossible to capture Jingzhou. Even if we manage to take it, we will definitely suffer heavy casualties. Although we are loyal to the court, we don't want to put ourselves in danger."

Ma Jinzhong felt that it was not appropriate to attack Chengtian Prefecture and Jingzhou, so he made another suggestion: "Why don't you stay in Jingling to guard it, and I will lead the troops to attack Qianjiang, which is 80 miles southwest of here." There was a hint of determination in his words, as if he had already made a decision. He continued: "If we take Qianjiang, I will immediately report the victory to Governor Yuan and ask him to send troops to assist us in attacking Jingzhou or Chengtian Prefecture. If he does not send troops, then we will stay put for the time being." Hui Dengxiang nodded and agreed to Ma Jinzhong's plan.

Time flies. Before Ma Jinzhong had time to send out his troops, the magistrate of Qianjiang County had already surrendered. Upon hearing this, Ma Jinzhong secretly rejoiced that he did not act rashly to attack Jingzhou. He hurriedly summoned the surrendered envoy and asked about the situation in Qianjiang. The envoy replied tremblingly, "There are no enemies in Qianjiang City. The enemy had withdrawn to Jingzhou a month ago." When Ma Jinzhong heard this, the stone in his heart finally fell. He asked again, "How many enemies are there in Jingzhou City?" The envoy shook his head and said, "I don't know about this." Ma Jinzhong got angry when he heard this. He slammed the table and angrily scolded, "Do you really not know or are you deliberately hiding it from me? I have a head for a long time!" The envoy was frightened and cried, begging for mercy again and again: "I really don't know the specific number. I just heard that there are enemies everywhere in the city." Ma Jinzhong waved his hand impatiently and told him to go back and tell the county magistrate to prepare to welcome the people he sent to enter the city to investigate. The messenger kowtowed and thanked repeatedly as if he had been pardoned, then left.

After the messenger left, Hui Dengxiang asked Ma Jinzhong in confusion: "Aren't you afraid that he is pretending to surrender?" Ma Jinzhong was actually a little suspicious in his heart, but on the surface he pretended to be calm and said: "Knowing yourself and the enemy will ensure victory in a hundred battles. We can't act rashly." He then said to Hui Dengxiang: "We have to send people to investigate the situation in Qianjiang, and also send people to inquire about the enemy situation in Jingzhou and Chengtianfu." He added: "We also need to send people back to Wuchang to ask Governor Yuan for reinforcements, and let him decide our next move." After hearing this, Hui Dengxiang clapped his hands and praised: "This is a great idea!"

Two days later, news about Qianjiang came back. The spies reported that there were less than a thousand defenders in the city, the people lived and worked in peace, and no trace of the enemy was found. Ma Jinzhong and Hui Dengxiang felt relieved after hearing this, but their worries were not completely dissipated. Five days later, General Hua Ruiqi's letter also arrived. There was only one word on the letter - "wait". Although Ma Jinzhong and Hui Dengxiang had many questions in their hearts, they did not dare to ask more, and could only reorganize the troops in Jingling and wait for orders.

During this period, the atmosphere in the military camp of Jingling was tense and depressing. The soldiers were undergoing rigorous training every day to prepare for emergencies. Ma Jinzhong and Hui Dengxiang also often gathered together to discuss the war, but each time they were unable to make a decision due to the lack of sufficient intelligence. They could only anxiously wait for further instructions from General Hua Ruiqi.

Ten days later, news about Jingzhou and Chengtianfu came back one after another. The spies brought a detailed report on the enemy, including the enemy's troop deployment, weapons and equipment, and defense situation. After reading it, Ma Jinzhong couldn't help but admire Hua Ruiqi's caution. He immediately ordered the news to be passed on to Governor Yuan and asked him for further instructions.

In the central military tent of Wuchang Prefecture, a messenger came in hurriedly and reported: "The coalition forces of generals Jin Shenghuan, Xu Guodong, Wu Xueli, and Lu Ding have captured Hanyang and are approaching Yuezhou!" The Governor-General looked solemn after hearing this. He hurriedly asked: "How many defenders are there in Yuezhou?" The messenger replied: "About eight or nine thousand people, the specific situation is not very clear." After hearing this, the Governor-General ordered the coalition forces to surround but not attack, and wait for further orders.

At this time, another messenger came in and presented Ma Jinzhong's report. The report described in detail the recovery of Qianjiang and the enemy situation in Jingzhou and Chengtian Prefecture. After reading it, the governor frowned, realizing the seriousness of the situation. He immediately summoned his generals to discuss countermeasures.

General Hua Ruiqi also came to the central army tent. He was tall and mighty, with a serious and deep face. After listening to the governor's introduction, he frowned and thought secretly. The arrival of Li Yan and Hong Niangzi would undoubtedly make the situation more complicated. He needed to re-evaluate the enemy's strength and intentions, and formulate a corresponding response strategy.

He reopened the map and studied the strategic layout carefully. He realized that Zhang Xianzhong stationed troops in Jingzhou and Yuezhou to prevent them from marching westward. Zhang Xianzhong's battle with Jian Mingxiao in eastern Sichuan was in a stalemate. If they attacked Zhang Xianzhong at this time, they would be caught in a situation where they could not take care of both ends.

"Jingzhou..." Hua Ruiqi pondered over the decision. Attacking Jingzhou would result in heavy losses, but not attacking might lead to the serious crime of dereliction of duty. He closed his eyes, and the tragic scene of the battlefield emerged in his mind, with the blood and shouts of the soldiers intertwined. He took a deep breath, and finally made up his mind and said: "Pass the order down, let the 20,000 government troops in Jiujiang move to Wuchang, leaving 10,000 to guard the city, and the rest will follow me to attack Yuezhou. Hui Dengxiang will continue to guard Jingling and guard against the enemy in Chengtian Prefecture. Ma Jinzhong will be stationed in Qianjiang, waiting for the opportunity." He added: "At the same time, report our action plan to Nanjing, and urge the court to replenish armor and weapons as soon as possible."

As Hua Ruiqi's order was passed down, the barracks immediately became busy. The soldiers began to get ready for the upcoming battle. Ma Jinzhong and Hui Dengxiang also received orders respectively. They immediately began to deploy troops and prepare to implement Hua Ruiqi's plan. A new battle is about to begin, and they will face unknown challenges and tests. But they firmly believe that as long as they unite as one and move forward courageously, they will be able to defeat the enemy and protect the peace and tranquility of this land.

Under the city of Jingzhou, the atmosphere was so tense that it seemed as if the air was about to freeze. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the ancient city walls, adding a bit of desolation and tragedy to this historic city. On the city walls, the battle flags fluttered in the wind, as if telling of the upcoming war.

"Report to Commander Feng, the Ming army is coming from four directions!" The scout rushed into the tent, knelt on one knee, and reported with heavy breath. His face was covered with dust and sweat, and his eyes revealed tension and anxiety.

"To the north is Zhang Yingyuan, heading straight for Xiaogan; to the south is Wang Yuncheng, making a surprise attack on Xianning." The scouts' voices echoed in the tent, and every word was like a heavy hammer hitting the generals' hearts.

"The kid Jin Shenghuan in the west has taken over Hanyang by taking advantage of his navy. Now their troops are heading towards Yuezhou City!" the scout continued. His voice was already a little hoarse, but the urgency in his tone became more and more obvious.

"And there is Ma Jinzhong on the western route. He's traveling by land and has stationed his troops in Qianjiang, which is one hundred and fifty miles away from here!" After the scout said this, he looked up at Feng Shuangli, waiting for his instructions.

Feng Shuangli, the governor of the Dashi Rear Army, held his chin with his left hand and tapped the table with his right hand, frowning as he thought about countermeasures. His face was firm and his eyes were deep, but at this moment, he could not hide his worries. The Ming army was large in number and there was no chance of a decisive battle in the field, so they could only defend the city. But the most feared thing about defending a city is despair. Yuezhou's food reserves were not enough, and if there were no reinforcements, the morale of the soldiers would definitely collapse.

"Oh!" Feng Shuangli sighed, "I made a wrong decision! If I had known it would be like this, I should have given up Yuezhou and defended Jingzhou to the death." His voice revealed helplessness and self-blame.

The generals comforted him: "General, don't blame yourself. The Ming army launched a surprise attack and we were unable to defend ourselves. It's not our fault."

"Yes, that old fox Hua Ruiqi has been staying in Jingzhou for several months without moving, and suddenly he attacks in four directions. Who could have imagined that?" A general said, shaking his head. His tone showed both admiration for Hua Ruiqi and helplessness about the current situation.

"But having said that, Hua Ruiqi is really good at using troops. I have to admit that." Feng Shuangli nodded in agreement. His eyes revealed his admiration and fear for Hua Ruiqi.

"Does everyone have any good ideas to break the siege of Yuezhou?" Feng Shuangli asked. His voice echoed in the tent, with a hint of expectation and anxiety.

There was silence in the camp. The Ming army had more than 70,000 soldiers, while they only had 30,000. A head-on confrontation was like hitting a rock with an egg. The generals looked at each other and fell into deep thought.

At this time, a general stepped forward and said with a cupped hand: "Governor, I am willing to lead the troops out of the city to cut off the Ming army's food supply!" His voice was firm and powerful, revealing a kind of determination and courage.

Feng Shuangli saw that it was Xu Yong, who used to be Murong Jiongran's subordinate and later defected to him. Although he was brave, this plan was too risky. What if he was ambushed? His heart was filled with worry and hesitation.

"Is there any movement in Chengtian Prefecture?" Feng Shuangli turned and asked the scout, trying to find a breakthrough from another aspect.

The scout replied, "Ma Bao of Chengtian Prefecture is training his troops every day, nothing else. I just heard that Li Yan and Hong Niangzi are coming with several thousand troops, but I don't know whether it is true or not." There was a hint of uncertainty and doubt in his voice.

When Feng Shuangli heard that Li Yan was coming, he was both happy and worried. He was happy that Li Yan might come to support him, but he was worried that Li Yan might take the opportunity to attack Jingzhou. His mood was complicated and contradictory, as if he was being pressed down by a huge rock and couldn't breathe.

Xu Yong asked about Zhang Yong's whereabouts again, but the scout shook his head to indicate that he didn't know. Xu Yong sighed and had to retreat. His heart was filled with loss and helplessness, like a fire that was about to go out.

Feng Shuangli thought for a long time and finally made up his mind: "Although Yuezhou is difficult to defend, we cannot give up easily. I plan to use a surprise attack to win, first defeat one of the Ming army's troops and dampen their morale." His voice was firm and powerful, revealing a sense of indomitable spirit and determination.

Therefore, he decided to take action in Qianjiang, intending to defeat Ma Jinzhong to relieve the siege of Yuezhou, while also delaying the Ming army and buying time for Zhang Xianzhong to enter Sichuan. His plan was thorough and ingenious, like a carefully laid net.

However, he still underestimated Ma Jinzhong and Hua Ruiqi. Ma Jinzhong ran away as soon as he heard the news, without giving him a chance to fight. When Feng Shuangli arrived in Qianjiang, the county magistrate told him that Ma Jinzhong had fled to Mianyang with his baggage. Feng Shuangli was so angry that he gritted his teeth, but he had no choice but to attack Jingling. As a result, he heard that Hui Dengxiang had also run away, and his heart was filled with anger and helplessness.

Now he was in a dilemma! Although he was angry that the Ming army was so weak, he also knew that he could not act rashly. In the end, he had no choice but to order a retreat to Jingzhou, and his heart was filled with reluctance and helplessness.

Seeing that the enemy had retreated, Ma Jinzhong quietly returned to Qianjiang. The county magistrate went to greet him again, this time calling on the Ming army. Ma Jinzhong set up strict sentries in the city just in case. His heart was full of vigilance and caution, like a cheetah spying on its prey in the dark.

Outside Yuezhou, Hua Ruiqi also received good news: Feng Shuangli failed to attack Qianjiang and Jingling, and Ma Jinzhong and Hui Dengxiang both ran away. He showed a smug smile on his face, as if everything was under his control. Not long after, he received another letter from He Tengjiao, saying that he would send troops from Changsha to attack Yuezhou together. His heart was full of anticipation and excitement, as if he saw the dawn of victory.

This battle situation is so unpredictable! It's hard to say who will win or lose! Every general's heart is full of expectations and anxiety, as if a big drama is about to begin.

"Hey, this guy He Tengjiao, he arrived just when Yuezhou was about to be taken by us, it's obvious that he wanted to steal the credit!" A general said indignantly, his eyes full of dissatisfaction and contempt for Tengjiao.

"Yes, we fought so hard to win the victory, but they didn't even give us a few more sets of armor. He still wants to come and pick peaches?" Another general echoed, with a bit of helplessness and indignation in his tone. The military camp they were in was simple but full of the atmosphere of battle. The walls were covered with maps and weapons, which looked both practical and rough.

"He Tengjiao, what a villain!" When the generals heard that Teng Jiao was coming, they were all furious. Their faces were full of anger and dissatisfaction, as if Teng Jiao's arrival was the greatest insult to their hard work.

Seeing this, Hua Ruiqi gently raised his hand and signaled everyone to be quiet. His movements were calm and powerful, as if everything was under his control. "Don't worry, everyone. With me here, how dare He Tengjiao mess around?" His voice was steady and firm, with an unquestionable majesty. However, General Jin Shenghuan said helplessly, "But what if he insists on getting involved?" His eyes revealed some worry and anxiety, and he was obviously very uneasy about Tengjiao's arrival.

It is indeed difficult to prevent this kind of competition for credit. Ricky knew that even if he only sent a small soldier to the battle, he could still get some credit when he came back. He sighed slightly, feeling helpless. He knew that Teng Jiao's arrival would undoubtedly add a lot of trouble to their battle.

"Heh..." Hua Ruiqi smiled slightly, his smile showing some confidence and calmness, "Have you all forgotten my responsibilities? Teng Jiao dared to disobey my orders?" His tone was full of unquestionable majesty, as if everything was under his control.

After all, Governor Ricky was in charge of the military affairs of Jiangxi, Huguang, Anqing, and Yingtian. Teng Jiao was only the governor of Huguang, so he had to listen to Ricky's orders when it came to deploying troops. His power and status were unmatched here, which was why he was so confident.

Ricky was not afraid that Teng Jiao would steal the credit, but that he would cause trouble. Teng Jiao's soldiers, that fighting power, tut tut, let's not talk about it. When he thought of Teng Jiao's army, he couldn't help but feel disdainful. He knew that Teng Jiao's army was far less powerful than his Ming army, which was why he was so worried.

"Come here, write a letter to Teng Jiao, asking him to guard Baling County and prevent the bandits from running south of Dongting Lake." Ricky gave the order decisively, his tone full of unquestionable majesty. He knew that he had to stop Teng Jiao's interference to ensure victory in the battle.

After dealing with Teng Jiao, Ricky began to redeploy his troops. He stood in the center of the military camp, surrounded by busy soldiers who were preparing for the upcoming battle. Ricky's eyes were firm and powerful, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

Feng Shuangli's plan to abandon Yuezhou made Richie's plan of besieging the city and attacking the reinforcements fail. Ma Jinzhong and Hui Dengxiang ran away again, and Shuangli's plan failed. All this made Richie feel a little annoyed, but he knew that he could not be discouraged.

"We will split our forces into two groups. Leave 20,000 troops to continue besieging Yuezhou, and the rest will follow me north to attack Jianli." Ricky gave an order, and his voice resounded throughout the military camp. The Ming army advanced by land and sea, bypassing Yuezhou City. Their morale was high, as if they had already seen the hope of victory.

When they arrived outside Jianli City, the defenders surrendered immediately after seeing the scene. Then, Shishou and Jiangling also surrendered. The army's morale was greatly boosted after taking three cities in two days! The soldiers cheered and jumped for joy, as if they had seen the dawn of victory.

Outside the camp in Jiangling, the Ming army soldiers were immersed in the joy of victory. They sat around the campfire, laughing and talking. After all, the three cities were picked up for free, who wouldn't be happy? Their faces were full of joy and satisfaction, as if all their efforts had been rewarded.

However, in the central army tent, Jin Shenghuan and others stood respectfully on both sides, without any joy on their faces. They knew that although they had won consecutive battles, the real battle had just begun.

"Let the army rest and wait for the right time." Ricky ordered, his tone full of calmness and composure. He knew that he had to wait for the best time to capture Jingzhou in one fell swoop.

Sheng Huan could not help it, he stood up and asked with a bow: "Governor, our army has won battle after battle, why don't we pursue the victory and take over Jingzhou?" There was some doubt and confusion in his tone.

"Wait." Ricky answered simply, his eyes revealing some depth and wisdom. He knew that waiting was the best strategy.

"What are you waiting for?" Sheng Huan asked with a puzzled look on his face. He was obviously very puzzled by Ricky's decision.

"Wait for changes!" Ricky said meaningfully. His tone was full of confidence and calmness, as if everything was under his control. He knew that only by waiting for changes could he find the best time to attack.

Sheng Huan was just wondering when something unexpected happened. The scout rushed into the tent and knelt on one knee, his face full of tension and anxiety. "Report to the Governor! Wang Yuncheng captured Xianning three days ago, and Zhang Yingyuan occupied Xiaogan two days ago, and they are now rushing here!" His voice was urgent and powerful, as if every word was full of weight.

"The rebels in Yuezhou have no more reinforcements, their food is almost gone, and they are ready to abandon the city and surrender." The scout continued to report, his tone filled with excitement and joy. He knew that this news was undoubtedly great news for the Ming army.

"There were originally 8,000 defenders in the city. Excluding the old, weak, sick and disabled, there are more than 3,000 young and strong men left. Now they are scattered among the three camps of Xu Guodong, Wu Xueli and Lu Ding." The scout continued to report, his face full of seriousness and concentration.

Hearing this news, Ricky was relieved. It had been less than a month since the uprising, and except for Jingzhou, Chengtianfu and Xiangyang, all other places in Huguang had returned to the hands of the imperial court. He looked at the sky outside the window, and a surge of lofty ambitions surged in his heart. However, there was no sign of relaxation on his face. He knew that although everything seemed to be moving in a good direction on the surface, the real difficulties had just begun.

Before Zhang Xianzhong entered Sichuan, he took away all the elite troops, leaving behind mostly the old, weak, sick and disabled, and those who were unwilling to leave. The recovery of these places was not so much Ricky's credit as it was Zhang Xianzhong's failure to defend them well. Thinking of this, Ricky couldn't help but smile bitterly. He knew that he had to fight harder to prove his worth.

But Jingzhou is different, it is a tough nut to crack! Ricky's eyes revealed a bit of firmness and determination. He knew that conquering Jingzhou would be one of the biggest challenges in his life.

"Report!" Another scout rushed in, his face full of tension and anxiety, "Prime Minister Hui Deng sent a message that Li Yan and Lady Hong have brought several thousand soldiers to Chengtian Prefecture."

When Ricky heard this, he stood up suddenly, with a bright smile on his face. "Here you are, finally here! That's great!" His voice resounded throughout the entire military camp, as if even the sky was shaken.

The generals looked at each other, not understanding why Ricky was so happy. They didn't know whether Li Yan would help Shuangli, but he certainly wouldn't help the Ming army. However, Ricky seemed to have seen the hope of victory.

He did not explain, he knew it in his heart. The way to use troops is not to gain or lose a city or a place, but to achieve strategic goals. Attacking Jingzhou is not to occupy more territory, but to contain Zhang Xianzhong and force him to withdraw the main force from Sichuan. In this way, the pressure on other places will be reduced. With the arrival of Li Yan, Li Zicheng will lose a capable assistant, and the pressure on Huang Degong will be reduced. This is Ricky's strategic consideration!

"Pass the order, the army will set out immediately, the target is Jingzhou!" Ricky gave the order, his voice was like thunder, resounding throughout the military camp. The army marched towards Jingzhou in a mighty manner, their morale was high, as if they had already seen the hope of victory.

On the southern wall of Jingzhou, Feng Shuangli looked at the overwhelming Ming army outside the city and the dense warships on the river, but there was no fear on his face. On the contrary, he smiled, a smile full of confidence and calmness. He knew that he had made full preparations and was waiting for the arrival of the Ming army.

Yesterday was a double blessing for him. First, Li Yan of Chengtian Prefecture wrote to him, expressing his willingness to help in the war; then he received a letter from Ai Nengqi saying that the Dashi Army's attack on Sichuan was not going well, and Zhang Xianzhong ordered him to divide 20,000 troops and sail down the river to reinforce Jingzhou. These two pieces of news undoubtedly brought great encouragement and confidence to Feng Shuangli. He knew that he was no longer fighting alone.

Ricky doesn't know this news yet. If he really besieges the city, it will be bad - once the reinforcements from upstream arrive, Ricky will be defeated from both sides. In addition, if Li Yan joins the battle, Ricky may even be in danger of being wiped out. Thinking of this, Feng Shuangli's heart became happier and happier. He seemed to have seen the hope of victory before his eyes.

"Commander-in-chief, when will General Dingbei's army arrive?" The messenger's voice broke Feng Shuangli's contemplation. He raised his head and looked into the distance, with a surge of anticipation and anxiety in his heart. He knew that General Dingbei's army would be their greatest help in this battle.

"Report to the governor, it will take five days at most, three days at least." The messenger replied, with a firm and confident tone in his voice. He knew that this news was undoubtedly great news for Feng Shuangli.

Feng Shuangli picked up the telescope and looked into the distance, then laughed: "Hahaha, now I feel relieved! Hua Ruiqi, it's time for you to taste the taste of failure!" His laughter resounded throughout the city wall, as if even the sky was shaken. He knew that he had made full preparations and waited for the arrival of the Ming army. And this time, he would not give the Ming army any chance!

"Commander-in-chief, I am willing to lead the troops out of the city to fight the Ming army to the death!" Xu Yong saw the aggressive Ming army and wanted to dampen their spirit. His face was full of determination and resolution, as if he was ready for a decisive battle with the Ming army.

However, Feng Shuangli smiled and shook his head: "No hurry, let's show weakness first and wait for them to relax."

Feng Shuangli looked around and saw that all the generals had arrived. Some were standing, some were sitting, and their expressions were different, but all of them showed a strong determination. He nodded secretly in his heart. These people were all veterans who had fought with the Great Western King Zhang Xianzhong in the south and the north. They were all experienced and brave. He called out loudly: "Generals, please come closer. We have something important to discuss."

The current situation was really unexpected. The Ming Dynasty navy suddenly appeared on the originally calm river surface, swimming upstream, moving in a sneaky manner, as if they were planning some conspiracy.

When the generals heard that there was an urgent matter, they quickened their pace, came to Feng Shuangli, and saluted respectfully. They knew that Feng Shuangli was the think tank of the Dashi Army, and he could always come up with a solution whenever he encountered a problem.

Feng Shuangli went straight to the point and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Ming Dynasty's navy is going upstream and acting in a sneaky manner. What do you think they want to do?" His voice was loud and majestic.

The generals expressed their opinions one after another, some frowned in thought, and some directly stated their guesses. In summary, there are two main guesses. The first is that the Ming army may intend to attack Zhijiang County upstream of Jingzhou, which is an important stronghold of the Dashi Army. Once it is lost, the consequences will be disastrous. The second is that they may want to enter Sichuan to support the Ming army there and fight a decisive battle with the main force of the Dashi Army in eastern Sichuan.

Feng Shuangli listened to everyone's opinions and his face gradually became serious. He understood that whether attacking Zhijiang or entering Sichuan, it would be extremely disadvantageous to the Dashi Army. Their only way out was to go upstream and join Zhang Xianzhong's main force. But now, the Ming army wanted to cut off their retreat, what should they do?
"Governor, there are only 2,000 defenders in Zhijiang County. If we don't rescue them, Zhijiang will definitely not be able to be saved!" A general said anxiously, his face full of worry.

"Yes, Governor, we must act quickly!" another general echoed.

"Let's fight the Ming army! Either they die or we live!" A young general stood up excitedly, with the flame of battle flashing in his eyes.

Feng Shuangli understood this, but he wanted to wait and see. He knew that it would take Ai Nengqi no more than five days to arrive from Jingzhou, and at least three days. By then, the strength of their Dashi Army would reach more than 50,000 people, and they would not necessarily lose in a battle with the Ming army.

He stood up and looked at the river. He saw that most of the Ming Dynasty warships had already left, and only a few small boats loaded with supplies were weighing anchor. He had an idea and picked up the telescope to carefully observe the Ming Dynasty military camps in the south and east of the city. He saw flames in the camps soaring into the sky, and smoke rising and drifting in the wind, like a vivid picture.

"Everyone!" Feng Shuangli pointed at the Ming army camp and said, "How many soldiers do you think are in the camp?" There was a hint of doubt in his voice.

"Didn't they say there were 70,000?" a general asked doubtfully.

"That's the total strength. There are more than 10,000 troops stationed in Qianjiang and Mianyang, and the navy has divided a part of the troops. How many are left in the camp?" Feng Shuangli asked in return, with wisdom flashing in his eyes.

The generals suddenly realized what was going on and took up their telescopes to observe. This time, they really saw the problem.

"There's something wrong with the number of tents in the Ming Dynasty military camp." An old veteran said in a deep voice.

"What do you mean?" Feng Shuangli asked. He already had a vague guess in his mind.

"According to the rules of the Ming Dynasty army, a tent is 16 feet long and can accommodate ten people. Everyone uses a shared stove to cook." The old general explained, "But you see, there are only more than 50 tents in the camp, but the smoke from cooking is so numerous that it seems like there is a fire."

Everyone looked in the direction Feng Shuangli pointed, and it was just as the old general said. There were few tents in the camp, but the smoke from cooking was dense, as if it was a sea of ​​fire.

Feng Shuangli was surprised, and turned around and said to everyone: "The Ming army is deliberately showing weakness to lure us into battle. Are there actually heavy troops ambushed in the camp?" There was a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

Everyone nodded in agreement, except for the surrendered general Xu Yong, who shook his head slowly. He was tall, with a resolute face and an unyielding look in his eyes.

Feng Shuangli asked, "What do you think, General Xu?" He had always thought highly of Xu Yong and knew that he was a man of insight.

Xu Yong coughed lightly and said, "Governor Feng, based on my observation of Hua Ruiqi, he is not the kind of person who would deliberately show weakness. This is most likely an empty city plan!" There was a hint of certainty in his voice.

"Empty City Strategy?" Feng Shuangli frowned and looked towards the Ming army camp again. His heart was full of doubts. Could it be that Hua Ruiqi really dared to use the Empty City Strategy against them?

"That's right!" Xu Yong nodded heavily and asked, "What was Hua Ruiqi's purpose in besieging Jingzhou?" There was a hint of doubt in his voice.

"Recover lost territory?" Feng Shuangli expressed his thoughts with some doubt.

"No," Xu Yong shook his head again, "The intention of Hua Ruiqi and the Ming court is to destroy our Dashi Army. The King of Dashi is fighting hard in eastern Sichuan. The Ming court wants Jian Mingxiao to block us in the front, while Hua Ruiqi is responsible for cutting off our retreat and trapping us in eastern Sichuan." There was a hint of firmness in his voice.

"Now Jian Mingxiao has successfully blocked our advance, but Hua Ruiqi has not blocked our retreat, so he sent the navy upstream for this purpose!" Xu Yong continued, with a wise gleam in his eyes.

Feng Shuangli pondered for a moment and found it unbelievable: "How is this possible? The Ming Dynasty navy is alone and deep in the enemy's territory. Even if they can occupy one or two cities, what can they do? Our Dashi Army has more than 100,000 troops, and Hua Ruiqi has only 70,000. How can he stop us?" There was a hint of doubt and unwillingness in his voice.

Xu Yong uttered a place name with a serious expression: "Yiling." His voice seemed to carry a chill, making everyone present feel a sense of pressure.

Feng Shuangli didn't react at first, but when he recalled the past, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. He remembered the place of Yiling, which was the eastern entrance of the Xiling Gorge of the Three Gorges. The river was narrow and the water was turbulent. The roads on both sides were rugged and difficult to walk on. After passing Yiling, the river became wider, the water flow was much calmer, and the road became flat, so that cars and horses could pass unimpeded.

During the Three Kingdoms period, Liu Bei failed in the Battle of Yiling, largely because of the unfavorable terrain. When the Shu army attacked Yiling, there were two routes to choose from: mountain roads and waterways. However, the mountain roads were rugged and difficult to travel, and it was difficult for the army to deploy its troops, so they could only advance in columns. In order to solve this problem, Liu Bei set up camps for hundreds of miles, but he was still defeated because of the terrain. The same problem existed on the waterway. To avoid undercurrents and dangerous shoals, the ships could only advance in a line, and once they approached the shore, they became targets. There were many passes that could be defended on the way into Sichuan, but there was only one dangerous place, Yiling, that could be defended when leaving Sichuan!
"You mean... the Ming navy is going to attack Yiling?" Feng Shuangli felt a chill down his spine, and his voice trembled. If Yiling fell, the Dashi Army in eastern Sichuan would have no way out.

Xu Yong did not give a definite answer, but only expressed his guess. But his eyes revealed a kind of firmness and determination, as if he had already made plans for the worst.

Feng Shuangli was in a dilemma. He knew that the Dashi Army did not have many defenders in Yiling. If the Ming Dynasty navy really attacked, they would definitely not be able to hold on. Should they hold on to Jingzhou and wait for Ai Nengqi's reinforcements? Or should they look for another strategy? His heart was full of hesitation and struggle.

"How many naval forces are there in the city?" Feng Shuangli asked the soldiers around him, with a hint of urgency in his voice.

"To answer the commander-in-chief's question, our navy consists of less than 2,000 men and only a little over 100 warships," the soldier replied respectfully.

"Is there any news from the scouts?" Feng Shuangli continued to ask, he had already made a decision in his mind.

"There are Ming Dynasty cavalry patrolling five miles outside the city. The scouts in the city can't leave, and the scouts outside the city can't come in." The personal soldier replied, with a hint of worry on his face.

Feng Shuangli leaned on the battlement and looked out for a while, his eyes became more determined. He understood why the Ming Dynasty navy dared to advance alone? Because the main force of our Dashi Army's navy is in eastern Sichuan! There is no force near Jingzhou that can compete with them. As long as there are warships, their food supply can remain unobstructed. As long as the river water does not dry up, their food supply will never be cut off. On the other hand? What if they can cut off the Ming Dynasty navy's food supply? Then they will naturally retreat!

After thinking about this, Feng Shuangli put down the battlements and turned around and said to everyone: "Generals, follow me back to the barracks! Let's discuss how to surprise the Ming army!" There was a hint of determination and firmness in his voice.

The generals all echoed and followed Feng Shuangli back to the barracks. They knew that Feng Shuangli had made a decision and they had to face this challenge together.

What about the time from morning to noon? The smoke from cooking outside the city rose again! So everyone stopped discussing! (Because the Ming army and the common people had different meal times! The common people only had two meals a day, but the Ming army had to eat three meals a day!) Feng Shuangli stood up and said, "Okay! It's settled! Let's attack the Ming army at midnight tonight!" There was a hint of firmness and determination in his voice. He knew that this was a life-and-death battle, and they had to go all out to win. (End of this chapter)