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

"Your Highness, please wait a moment. I have something else to ask you." Qian Qianyi saw Zhu Cilang was about to leave, so he hurriedly called him. At this time, Zhu Cilang, dressed in luxurious prince's clothes, revealed an extraordinary demeanor between his eyebrows, but his eyes were a little hesitant and confused, as if he was troubled by something.

"Mr. Qian, please feel free to speak." Zhu Cilang stopped and responded politely. His voice was gentle and a little tired. It was obvious that the recent state affairs had put him under considerable pressure.

"Did Your Majesty mention any strategy for dealing with Ma Shiying in your decree?" Qian Qianyi asked anxiously, his eyes full of anxiety, and he was obviously very concerned about Ma Shiying's issue.

Zhu Cilang sighed and frowned slightly, as if recalling his father's will: "No, I have asked my father, and he let me make my own decision." There was a hint of helplessness in his voice, and he obviously felt a little embarrassed about his father's decision.

"Then how does your highness plan to deal with Shiying?" Qian Qianyi asked urgently. He knew that Ma Shiying had a close relationship with Ruan Dacheng. If he was not handled properly, it might implicate many people. His eyes were full of anxiety, as if he hoped to get a clear answer from Zhu Cilang.

Zhu Cilang remained silent, hesitant. He looked out the window at the towering palace walls and verdant pines and cypresses, but his mood at the moment was incompatible with this peaceful scenery. Ding Kuichu's defeat and surrender was hateful, but Ma Shiying's transfer of troops back to Fengyang indirectly led to Kuichu falling into Li Zicheng's trap, and he could not escape his responsibility. Thinking of this, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

At this time, Shi Kefa saw this and hurried out to smooth things over: "Your Highness has never dealt with a minister in the court. This matter needs to be decided after discussion among the ministers." His voice was calm and steady, like a warm current flowing into Zhu Cilang's heart.

Shi Kefa's words made Zhu Cilang suddenly realize. He remembered Ni Yuanlu's teaching: "Don't make decisions lightly, think twice before acting." When appointing or dismissing ministers, one should indeed listen to the opinions of the ministers. So, his expression became calm, and he said to the two of them: "You two gentlemen, please step down first. We will discuss this matter at the court meeting tomorrow." There was some firmness in his voice, and it was obvious that he had made a decision.

"I obey your command." Shi Kefa withdrew with a look of admiration in his eyes, which clearly showed his approval of Zhu Cilang's wise decision. Although Qian Qianyi wanted to say something else, he had no choice but to leave with Shi Gong, as he saw that the crown prince had already ordered them to leave. He had a look of reluctance in his eyes, which clearly showed that he was not completely satisfied with Zhu Cilang's decision.

As soon as the two left, Ni Yuanlu came out from behind. He was dressed in official uniform, walked steadily, and looked solemn. He saluted the prince respectfully: "Your Highness's actions today are beyond the expectations of this old minister." There was a bit of approval in his voice, obviously approving of Zhu Cilang's performance.

Zhu Cilang looked puzzled: "Teacher, it seems that you are dissatisfied with your disciple's performance." There was some confusion in his eyes, and he was obviously a little surprised by Ni Yuanlu's evaluation.

"That's indeed what I meant." Ni Yuanlu said seriously, "If Your Highness was just an ordinary minister, what you did today would be fine; but Your Highness is the crown prince, the future monarch, and you should be dignified yet kind to your ministers, and be kind yet dignified." He began to teach Zhu Cilang, his eyes were a little stern, and he obviously hoped that Zhu Cilang could better understand his identity and responsibilities.

"If it weren't for Mr. Shi's rescue, Your Highness would have almost been misled by Qian Qianyi's words." Ni Yuanlu continued, with a hint of worry in his voice, obviously expressing his concern about Qian Qianyi's influence.

Zhu Cilang asked in surprise: "I would like to hear the details." There was a bit of curiosity in his eyes, and he obviously hoped to get more teachings from Ni Yuanlu.

"Okay," Ni Yuanlu stood with his hands behind his back, looking out the window. The sky was blue and the white clouds were floating, like a beautiful painting. He asked, "How does Your Highness intend to deal with Ma Shiying?" His voice was a bit serious, and he obviously hoped that Zhu Cilang would take this issue seriously.

"I plan to decide based on the opinions of the ministers. If the majority agree to pardon him, then I will pardon him. If the minority agree, then I will punish him." Zhu Cilang replied. There was a firmness in his eyes, and it was obvious that he had made the decision.

"That's ridiculous!" Ni Yuanlu suddenly raised his voice, which startled Zhu Cilang. After calming down, he asked, "What did I do wrong? Isn't it right to rule the world together with the scholars?" There was some confusion and doubt in his voice.

"The more Your Highness acts like this, the more intense the factional struggles in the court will become!" Ni Yuanlu said earnestly, "The way of a wise monarch is to enable wise men to make the best use of their advice, and the monarch makes decisions based on these suggestions." There was wisdom and depth in his eyes, as if he had seen through the changes in the court.

Zhu Cilang pondered over Ni Yuanlu's words: "Sir, do you mean that you want me to choose a trustworthy person from among the ministers to rely on?" There was a look of sudden enlightenment in his eyes, and it was obvious that he had understood Ni Yuanlu's intention.

"That's right." Ni Yuanlu nodded, with a look of approval in his eyes, obviously indicating his recognition of Zhu Cilang's understanding.

"But..." Zhu Cilang looked worried, "Human hearts are unpredictable. Among the civil and military officials in the court, who should I trust? Who is the real wise minister of the Ming Dynasty?" There was a bit of helplessness and confusion in his voice, and he was obviously very troubled by this issue.

"Hahaha!" Ni Yuanlu laughed loudly. His laughter was hearty and heroic, as if it could dispel all the haze. After laughing, he solemnly said to Zhu Cilang: "Emperor Shizong once said that there is no absolutely wise minister. People's hearts are fickle, and only in practice can we see who is a wise and capable person. Use the wise and dismiss the unwise. This is the way to employ people and the secret of governing ministers." His eyes were wise and deep, as if he had seen through the essence of human hearts.

"I hope you can recommend someone to me." Zhu Cilang looked at Ni Yuanlu expectantly. There was a bit of eagerness and desire in his eyes. He obviously hoped to get a clear answer from Ni Yuanlu.

Ni Yuanlu sighed and turned to look outside the palace door, his eyes were deep and distant. Suddenly, he asked: "Your Highness, do you know who sent the letter from His Majesty?" There was a bit of mystery and unpredictability in his voice, as if this question hid some deep meaning.

"Jinyiwei." Zhu Cilang answered, with a bit of doubt and puzzlement in his eyes. He obviously didn't understand why Ni Yuanlu asked that.

"Then who is this Jinyiwei?" Ni Yuanlu continued to ask, his eyes sharp and insightful, as if he hoped to get more information from Zhu Cilang.

Zhu Cilang was stunned. Although he had heard the other party announce his name when delivering the letter, he did not pay attention and only thought that he was the messenger. However, when he tried to recall the name, his eyes suddenly lit up: "The person coming... could it be Zhang Tongchang?" There was a bit of uncertainty and doubt in his voice, and it was obvious that he was not very familiar with this name.

"It's Zhang Tongchang." Ni Yuanlu nodded, with approval and expectation in his eyes. "This man is the great-grandson of Zhang Wenzhong. He is not only talented in both civil and military affairs, but also loyal and reliable. Your Highness, have you ever thought about why His Majesty sent him to deliver the letter?" There was some guidance and inspiration in his voice, and he obviously hoped that Zhu Cilang could understand some deep meaning from it.

Zhu Cilang's heart moved when he heard this. He looked at Ni Yuanlu with a look of sudden enlightenment in his eyes: "Sir, what you mean is... Your Majesty intends for me to use Zhang Tongchang?" There was a bit of surprise and expectation in his voice, and it was obvious that he understood Ni Yuanlu's intention.

"That's right." Ni Yuanlu nodded, his eyes showing some wisdom and depth. "Your Highness needs a trustworthy person to assist him, and Zhang Tongchang is the best candidate. He is not only loyal and reliable, but also extremely talented. He will definitely be able to give Your Highness advice and help You achieve great things." There was some firmness and trust in his voice, and it was obvious that he recognized Zhang Tongchang's abilities.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang felt a warm feeling in his heart. He looked at Ni Yuanlu with gratitude and admiration in his eyes: "Thank you, sir, for your guidance. I will keep it in mind. At the court meeting tomorrow, I will propose to reuse Zhang Tongchang." There was firmness and determination in his voice, and it was obvious that he had made a decision.

Upon hearing this, Ni Yuanlu smiled with satisfaction, his eyes showing approval and expectation: "Your Highness is wise. I believe that with the assistance of Zhang Tongchang, you will be able to accomplish great things." There was excitement and emotion in his voice, as if he had already seen the glorious future.

……

On May 28th, in Chengtian Prefecture, the sun was shining brightly, the breeze was blowing, and the flowers, plants, and trees in the prefecture were swaying gently in the breeze, as if they were also celebrating this special day.

"Grandma, the imperial decree has arrived!" Ma Wannian shouted as he ran, his face full of excitement. His voice was clear and pleasant, full of energy and vigor.

Jian Mingxiao was studying the map. When she heard Wannian's voice, her brows slightly furrowed. Wannian always called her grandma regardless of the occasion. Although she had repeatedly warned him, he never changed and became even more stubborn. Her eyes were filled with helplessness and doting. It was obvious that she was a little troubled by Wannian's naughty personality.

Jian Mingxiao stood up and looked out the door. He saw Wannian running quickly, followed by a middle-aged man who looked dusty. The man was wearing a blue cloth, a dark gray cloud-patterned belt around his waist, and a black net scarf on his head. He had a round face and bright eyes, and looked gentle and refined. His steps were steady and powerful, and he was obviously a man who had experienced many hardships.

"This person looks so familiar." Jian Mingxiao murmured to herself, with a hint of confusion and thought in her eyes, and she was obviously trying hard to recall this person's identity.

Wannian had already run to the door: "Grandma, who is this..." There was a bit of eagerness and expectation in his words, and he obviously hoped that his grandmother would recognize this person.

"Wait a minute!" Jian Mingxiao interrupted Wannian. She stared at the newcomer and looked him over carefully, then said, "I know you."

It is said that in the thirteenth year of Lin Xiaofeng's reign, Zhang Tongchang entered the Jinyiwei with the military exploits of his ancestors. He was tall and straight, with a heroic look between his eyebrows, and his every move showed the style of a military commander. After entering the Jinyiwei, he was diligent and responsible, and soon he was transferred to the position of Zhongshu Sheren due to his outstanding achievements, specializing in conveying the emperor's edicts and wishes.

After the fall of the capital, Zhang Tongchang rushed around with only one thought in mind: how to save the crumbling Ming Dynasty. Looking at the devastated capital, he could not help but feel sad. Thinking back to the time when Zhang Juzheng was in power, the Ming Dynasty was so glorious, and the prosperity of Emperor Wanli seemed to be still before his eyes. However, now that the two small courts of Hongguang and Longwu have collapsed one after another, he had no choice but to follow the Prince of Gui, Zhu Youlang, and serve as the right assistant minister of the Ministry of War in the Yongli court, in charge of military affairs.

In the fourth year of the Yongli reign, the Qing army invaded Guangxi like a wolf and a tiger. Zhang Tongchang was not afraid and stepped forward, ready to sacrifice his life for the country. He knew that the Zhang family's loyalty to the Ming Dynasty had long been deep in their bones and would not change until death.

One day, after Zhang Tongchang had delivered the emperor's order, he mysteriously handed a secret order to Jian Mingxiao. He smiled and said, "General Qin, he fought from Sichuan to Hubei and made great contributions in suppressing bandits. The emperor was very happy to hear about it and sent me to comfort the army." As he spoke, he took out a cloth bag from his arms and opened it carefully. Inside was a tightly wrapped IOU!

Jian Mingxiao carefully read the IOU, and the doubts in his heart finally vanished. He secretly felt lucky that this was at least not a decree to kill him.

More than a year later, Lin Xiaofeng finally filled the hole in the IOU. Zhang Tongchang felt relieved when he heard the news. He then said to Jian Mingxiao: "With this IOU, the King of Shu can no longer ask Governor Qin for the debt. As for the money to comfort the army, the emperor asked Governor Qin to do it himself." Jian Mingxiao was stunned when he heard it, and he kept muttering in his heart. What does this "do it himself" mean? Does it mean that Governor Qin has the final say on how much money and food the army should get and when to pay it? But although he is the governor of four provinces, he does not have that much power!
Zhang Tongchang put away his smile and explained seriously: "Governor Qin is about to fight a big war, and this money is actually his life-saving money. That's why the emperor lets him make the decision himself so that he can prepare for the war wholeheartedly." After hearing this, Jian Mingxiao suddenly realized and carefully put away the IOU.

After sitting back in his seat, Zhang Tongchang asked first: "I heard that Governor Qin is attacking Wuguan, how is the battle going?" His words revealed his concern about the war situation.

Jian Mingxiao sighed and said with a frown: "It's difficult! Wuguan is in a dangerous terrain and we lack artillery fire. We can only bluff outside and haven't been able to capture it yet." His eyes revealed helplessness and anxiety.

"What about the main forces of Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong?" Zhang Tongchang asked again. He knew very well that these two forces were the biggest threat to the Ming Dynasty.

"Li Zicheng is in Fuyang and Runan, and Zhang Xianzhong is near Lu'an." Jian Mingxiao replied, his eyes becoming more serious.

Zhang Tongchang nodded, and after thinking for a moment, he said: "The emperor specially sent me to tell Governor Qin to be careful to prevent the bandits from entering Sichuan again." His voice was firm and powerful, as if injecting an invisible force into Jian Mingxiao.

Jian Mingxiao responded with a smile: "Don't worry, I have already made arrangements." There was a hint of confidence in his smile, as if he had already seen the dawn of victory.

As the two were chatting, Jian Mingxiao suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Brother Bieshan, how did the emperor know that the chieftains in Yunnan were going to rebel? If this is true, I have to go back and quell the rebellion." His tone revealed anxiety and concern.

Zhang Tongchang shook his head and comforted, "No, the war in Huguang is intense and we cannot withdraw our troops easily." His words revealed his grasp and consideration of the overall situation.

"What about Yunnan?" Jian Mingxiao asked with a worried look on his face. He knew very well that if the rebellion in Yunnan was not quelled in time, the consequences would be disastrous.

Zhang Tongchang understood what he meant and comforted him, "Yunnan can be handed over to the Mu family, Duke of Qian. They have been guarding Yunnan for two hundred years. They must have a way to quell the rebellion." His voice was gentle and firm, as if to reassure Jian Mingxiao.

Jian Mingxiao listened, although he was still a little worried, but he could only nod helplessly. He knew that what Zhang Tongchang said made sense, and he could only try his best to do it.

Then, Jian Mingxiao asked about Ma Shiying's recent situation. Zhang Tongchang said: "Although Ma Shiying lost the battle, he still made contributions in the defense of Fengyang. The prince asked him to make up for his crime." His tone revealed his affirmation and encouragement for Ma Shiying.

When Jian Mingxiao heard this, he got furious and slammed the table, saying, "Ma Shiying has an army of 50,000 under his command, but instead of thinking about recovering Henan, he was defeated by the enemy. How can the prince be so merciful?" His voice resounded throughout the room, revealing his dissatisfaction and anger with the prince's decision.

Zhang Tongchang shook his head and said with a wry smile: "This is not mercy, there are difficulties. There are undercurrents in the Nanjing court, and the Donglin Party and the nobles are fighting for power. Ma Shiying is not a member of the Donglin Party. If his military power is deprived, the benefits will fall into the hands of the Donglin Party and the nobles." His voice was low and powerful, as if revealing an unknown secret.

"Why?" Jian Mingxiao asked in confusion. He frowned, trying to understand the complex relationship.

Zhang Tongchang sighed and explained, "The people the prince employs are either nobles or members of the Donglin Party. In order to balance the forces of all parties, he dare not easily hand over military power to any party. So after thinking about it, Ma Shiying is the most suitable." His voice revealed helplessness and emotion. He knew that the relationship between them was complicated and could not be explained in one sentence.

Jian Mingxiao still disagreed after hearing this: "There are good and bad people in the Donglin Party. We can't generalize. People like Shi Kefa and Gao Hongtu are loyal ministers and good generals. Why can't we give the military power to them?" His tone revealed his trust in the Donglin Party and his dissatisfaction with the prince's decision.

Zhang Tongchang smiled bitterly and said helplessly: "Governor Qin is right, but the prince doesn't dare to take the risk. They are all Donglin Party members, and the prince is worried that if he gives them the military power, it will lead to a greater struggle for power. Therefore, he can only choose Ma Shiying, a relatively neutral candidate." His voice revealed his helplessness and understanding of the prince's decision. He knew that the relationship was complicated and could not be explained in one sentence.

Jian Mingxiao thought about it and nodded. Although he was still somewhat dissatisfied, he also understood the prince's difficulties and helplessness. He knew that in this chaotic world, everyone had their own position and choice. All he could do was to try his best to protect this land and its people.

At this time, Zhang Tongchang turned to look at Ma Wannian. Ma Wannian looked around blankly, seemingly not interested in the conversation. He asked curiously, "Master Zhang, do you have anything to tell me in private?" His tone was teasing and relaxed.

Jian Mingxiao laughed and coughed, jokingly saying, "This is a court secret, you can't listen to it." His smile was full of mystery and pride. He knew that only he and Zhang Tongchang knew this secret, and they were the core figures in the court, shouldering the responsibility of protecting the country.

Ma Wannian suddenly realized what was going on, smiled and left the room, closing the door behind him. He knew that although he was a military commander, he still had to maintain a certain distance and respect in front of such court secrets.

Zhang Tongchang watched Ma Wannian leave, and a feeling of emotion welled up in his heart. He knew that in this chaotic world, everyone had his own role and mission. As a descendant of the Zhang family, he shouldered the heavy responsibility of protecting the Ming Dynasty. He took out a stack of secret letters from his arms, all of which were sealed with blank envelopes, tightly sealed, and no one knew what was written inside. His eyes revealed firmness and determination, as if he was ready to face all challenges.

Jian Mingxiao asked curiously, "What are these?" His eyes revealed curiosity and inquiry. He knew that what Zhang Tongchang had in his hand must be extraordinary.

"The secret letter from the Embroidered Uniform Guard," Zhang Tongchang replied, "only they themselves can understand it." His voice was low and powerful, as if revealing an unknown secret organization.

"Who is it for? What does it say?" Jian Mingxiao asked. His curiosity was completely aroused, and he wanted to know the secret behind this secret letter.

Zhang Tongchang shook his head and said mysteriously: "Governor Qin, don't ask too many questions. Just make sure these letters can fall into Zhang Xianzhong's hands. This is what Ma Jixiang, a captain of the Guangdong Jinyiwei, asked me to bring. I am acting in accordance with the emperor's order." His voice revealed an unquestionable firmness and determination. He knew that the secret behind this secret letter was related to the safety of the country and could not be easily disclosed. Jian Mingxiao agreed to take the letter, and an inexplicable excitement and expectation surged in his heart. He knew that this secret letter might be related to the outcome of a war and the future of the Ming Dynasty. He secretly vowed to deliver this secret letter safely to Zhang Xianzhong and contribute his own strength to the victory of the Ming Dynasty.

"Thank you, Governor Qin." Zhang Tongchang said gratefully. He knew how rare it was to have a trustworthy ally in this chaotic world. He secretly felt lucky to have a reliable partner like Jian Mingxiao.

"It's a small matter. You are the descendant of Zhang Wenzhong, so I must treat you as a distinguished guest. Come, let's have a drink!" Jian Mingxiao said generously. He raised his glass and gestured to Zhang Tongchang. He knew how rare it was to have a common goal and ideal in this chaotic world. He was willing to fight for the future of the Ming Dynasty with Zhang Tongchang.

Zhang Tongchang quickly declined: "I won't drink, the emperor is still waiting for me to go back to discuss important matters." There was a hint of apology and helplessness in his voice. He knew that he had a heavy responsibility and could not easily give up his work. He secretly vowed to fight for the future of the Ming Dynasty and live up to the expectations and entrustment of his ancestors.

At the beginning of June, the sky was clear blue, and the breeze blew, bringing a hint of early summer warmth. Zhang Xianzhong, the leader of the Dashi Army, led his army out of Lu'an and marched westward. In fact, Xianzhong originally wanted to take a good rest in Lu'an. After all, they ran from Huguang to Jiangxi, and then from Jiangxi to Nanzhili. They were all exhausted all the way. In addition, due to the unfamiliar climate and water, the Dashi Army lost a lot of people and horses, and everyone looked tired and haggard.

At this time, a spy came running in hurriedly, his face covered with dust and his clothes in disarray. He knelt in front of Xianzhong and reported breathlessly: "Lü Daqi personally led the army from Huainan to the south. This Lü Daqi is a ruthless character. Even Li Zicheng was beaten by him. His reputation is well-known." There was a bit of awe and uneasiness in the spy's words.

Xianzhong frowned upon hearing this. Even Li Zicheng was so powerful, but he still failed. How could he dare to fight against Lü Daqi? So Xianzhong changed his plan temporarily and decided to avoid Lü Daqi's edge and go west. He looked up to the west, with a hint of determination and resoluteness in his eyes.

The army continued to move forward, and the scenery along the way kept changing. Sometimes there were green mountains and clear waters, and sometimes there were loess high slopes. Although the soldiers were tired, they had strict military discipline and marched in an orderly manner. On the way, another spy hurried to report: "Report to the King of Daxi, thirty miles ahead is Gushi County, Runing Prefecture, Henan. Li Zicheng lost Fengyang before, but Gushi was taken back by Gao Jie. Our spies sent news that there are less than a thousand soldiers guarding the city."

Xianzhong rode a tall warhorse, looking majestic. After listening to the spy's report, he pondered for a moment and then asked, "Have all the documents persuading the surrender been posted?" Xianzhong and Li Zicheng had a habit of sending envoys to issue documents persuading the surrender before each siege, hoping to win without fighting.

The spy bowed and replied, "King of Daxi, the vanguard camp has posted documents asking for surrender everywhere in and outside the city."

"Okay." Xianzhong waved his whip to let the spy retreat, then turned to look at the military advisor Ruan Shiwu. Ruan Shiwu was a thin middle-aged man with a stern face and deep eyes. He was wearing a green robe, a tall hat, and a feather fan, which gave him a somewhat immortal temperament. Xianzhong wanted to hear his opinion.

Speaking of Xianzhong's military advisors, there were three capable people under his command: Pan Du'ao, Xu Yixian and Wang Zhaolin. Pan Du'ao was a burly man with a full beard and muscular body. He was good at training soldiers and charging, and he always rushed to the front when there was a battle; Xu Yixian was a weak scholar-like man. He was proficient in military tactics and equipment, and was deeply trusted by Xianzhong. He compared himself to Zhuge Liang and wanted to help Xianzhong unify the world. Unfortunately, he was unlucky and died early; Wang Zhaolin, on the other hand, was a man with a smiling face, good at divination and flattery. He could always say a few nice words in front of Xianzhong, which made Xianzhong particularly favor him.

Li Zicheng was also superstitious, and his military advisor Cheng Minghe was also a master of divination. At that time, the "Shaobing Song" and the saying "Stop when you meet Shun" were still popular, and Li Zicheng and Xianzhong believed them without a doubt. So Li Zicheng chose "Dashun" as the country's name, and Xianzhong later started a rebellion and decided to use "Daxi" as the country's name. But at Ruan Shiwu's suggestion, the reign title also used "Dashun", and even the copper coins cast were "Dashun Tongbao". This clearly wanted to get some connection. The Qing Dynasty may have also heard of the "Shaobing Song", so the reign title of Emperor Shunzhi also had the word "Shun".

Although those in power may not believe all of this, they all hold the attitude of "better believe it than not". They always hope to use God's will to consolidate their rule.

When Ruan Shiwu saw Xianzhong asking him, he replied respectfully: "My dear father-in-law, I observed the stars last night, and we will be able to take Gushi without bloodshed this time." He said it with certainty, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

Xianzhong was delighted when he heard this. He rode to Wang Zhaolin, patted him on the shoulder and said, "If it is true as the military advisor said, I will definitely reward you handsomely." His tone was full of anticipation and excitement.

"Thank you, father-in-law!" Wang Zhaolin immediately bowed deeply, then stood up straight with a proud look on his face. This arrogance was all because Xianzhong favored him. He always felt that he had an irreplaceable position in Xianzhong's heart.

Xianzhong turned around and looked at the missionaries An Wensi and Li Lisi. An Wensi was a tall, blue-eyed Portuguese; Li Lisi was a short, bearded Italian. They were both Jesuit missionaries who caught Xianzhong's attention because of their peculiar looks. Xianzhong thought they looked peculiar, so he promised to build the largest church for them and help them preach after the world was pacified. The two were so grateful that they became ministers of the Imperial Observatory of the Great Western Dynasty. Although they did not understand Chinese, they always tried their best to understand and learn.

"What do you two think?" Xianzhong asked them, with a hint of teasing and curiosity in his tone.

An Wensi said in not very fluent Chinese: "The King of Daxi is wise and brave. This time he goes to Gushi, he will definitely be successful." He spoke with some difficulty, but his eyes were full of sincerity.

"It's about immediate success, not immediate achievement!" Li Lisi quickly corrected him. He looked serious, as if this was an extremely important question.

"You two are both right, stop arguing." Ruan Shiwu looked at them with disdain and laughed sarcastically. He always felt that these two foreigners were a bit ridiculous and ignorant.

Xianzhong felt a little relieved after hearing what the three "magicians" said. He raised his whip high and shouted to the messenger: "Pass the order down, speed up, and reach the outside of Gushi before dark!" His voice resounded through the sky, as if even the heaven and earth were responding to his order.

"Go!" As the whip fell on the horse's back, the warhorse whistled and galloped away. The army followed closely behind, raising dust and momentum.

Before evening, the spy came back with the letter of surrender. His face was full of joy, as if he had seen the dawn of victory. "Report, the magistrate of Gushi County sent an envoy to deliver the letter of surrender, willing to submit to Daxi." As he said this, he handed over the letter of surrender.

Xianzhong didn't bother to read it carefully, so he just threw the letter of surrender to Wang Zhaolin and said, "Military Advisor, please take a look at it for me." There was a hint of casualness and indifference in his tone.

"As you command, father-in-law." Wang Zhaolin took the letter of surrender and quickly glanced through it. His face suddenly changed, as if he had seen something incredible.

Xianzhong noticed his abnormality and asked hurriedly: "Why did the military advisor's face change? Isn't this a letter of surrender?" There was some confusion and uneasiness in his tone.

"It's a letter of surrender, but there seems to be something wrong in it." Wang Zhaolin opened the letter of surrender and read: "I am Wu Yang, a native of Wujiang, grew up in Nanzhili and served as an official in Henan. Now I hear that the Dashi Army is approaching, and I am terrified... I have long heard that General Li Dingguo of Dashi is brave and invincible. I am willing to join his army, and I earnestly ask the King of Dashi and General Li to grant my wish." He read every word, as if each word weighed a thousand pounds.

After Wang Zhaolin finished reading, Xianzhong was stunned. His face darkened, as if covered by dark clouds. What did this mean? Li Dingguo's reputation was so loud? An inexplicable anger and jealousy surged in his heart.

Wang Zhaolin had always disliked Xianzhong's four adopted sons, so he took the opportunity to slander them: "Father-in-law, this... is probably not a good sign." There was some worry and uneasiness in his tone.

"Why do you say that?" Xianzhong asked deliberately. There was a hint of sinisterness in his eyes, as if he had guessed what Wang Zhaolin was thinking.

"Look at this letter of surrender. Li Dingguo's reputation has surpassed yours. This is not a good thing. It's very bad." Wang Zhaolin said, adding fuel to the fire. His tone was filled with anxiety and instigation.

Xianzhong was silent. A complex emotion surged in his heart: jealousy, anger, uneasiness... He suddenly felt something was wrong. Those who surrendered before surrendered directly to him. He had never heard of anyone wanting to surrender to Li Dingguo. Could it be that Li Dingguo's reputation was really louder than his? No, this was impossible! Li Dingguo was just a general of Daxi, and he was the king of Daxi! What's more, Li Dingguo was his adopted son. How could his reputation surpass his own?

At this moment, Xianzhong suddenly realized. He understood that all this was a conspiracy by Wu Yang, the magistrate of Gushi County! This move was actually a plot by the Ming court to sow discord between him and Li Dingguo! A surge of anger and murderous intent surged in his heart, and he was determined to expose this conspiracy and make Wu Yang pay the price he deserved!

After realizing that this was a divisive plot by the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Xianzhong's angry eyes were like burning flames, staring at Ruan Shiwu fiercely, as if his eyes wanted to devour him. His face was ashen, and his mouth was tightly pursed, revealing an unquestionable determination.

He pointed in the direction of Gushi County and shouted, "Gushi County Magistrate dares to sow discord between us father and son. Arrest him immediately and execute him in front of me!" His voice was like thunder, making the ears of the people around him buzz. With the order, the Dashi Army marched forward like a flood, heading straight for Gushi City.

At this time, the magistrate of Gushi County, Wu Yang, had already been waiting outside the city. He was terrified when he saw the sky full of flags and the tide of soldiers. His face was as pale as paper, and his hands were clenched together, his knuckles turning white from the force. Soon, hundreds of cavalrymen swept in like a whirlwind, and the leading knight shouted, "Who is the magistrate of Gushi County?"

"It's me." Wu Yang replied calmly. His clothes were gorgeous and his identity was obvious. However, his heart was like a turmoil, with fear and anxiety intertwined.

"Catch him!" A small leader gave an order, and seven or eight soldiers rushed forward, pulled Wu Yang off his horse, and quickly took him away. His body was dragged roughly by the soldiers, and his heart was filled with humiliation and anger.

Everyone was stunned by this scene. The county magistrate was captured just like that. Everyone was shocked, but no one dared to act rashly. They quietly waited for the arrival of the Dashi Army, their hearts filled with fear and anxiety.

Soon, Wu Yang was brought before Zhang Xianzhong. The little leader pushed him hard, and he fell heavily to the ground, raising a cloud of dust. He looked up and saw Zhang Xianzhong, a tall and thin man with a slightly yellow face and a sinister and cunning look in his eyes. An unyielding pride surged in his heart, and he answered fearlessly: "You must be the King of the Great West."

"That's right." Zhang Xianzhong's expression softened a little, but his tone was still stern. "Why do you want to sow discord between us? Who instructed you to do that?"

Wu Yang looked confused and shook his head: "Why do you say that, Your Majesty? When have I ever provoked anyone?" There was a hint of innocence and confusion in his voice.

"Stop pretending!" Ruan Shiwu shouted angrily, waving his whip. "Tell the truth and save yourself from physical pain!" His whip was waving in the air, making a whistling sound.

Wu Yang had an innocent look on his face, his eyes widened: "I really don't know what you are talking about, how can I explain it?" There was a hint of helplessness and grievance in his voice.

"You're looking for death!" Ruan Shiwu was furious and raised his whip to hit Wu Yang on the back. His official robe was instantly torn apart, blood oozed out, staining his clothes red. However, Wu Yang gritted his teeth and endured the pain without crying out.

Seeing this, Ruan Shiwu whipped him again, but Wu Yang still gritted his teeth and said nothing. His eyes revealed a firm belief and unyielding will.

Ruan Shiwu was about to fight again, but Zhang Xianzhong stopped him. He looked at Wu Yang and asked, "Who wrote the letter of surrender?" There was a hint of doubt and inquiry in his voice.

"Yes... it's me." Wu Yang replied with pain. Although his voice was weak, it revealed a firm strength.

"Heh," Ruan Shiwu interrupted, "Do you think we can't see through a little trick like the letter of surrender?" There was a hint of sarcasm and contempt in his tone.

"What's the trick?" Wu Yang asked in confusion. His eyes revealed confusion and ignorance.

"You are so stubborn!" Ruan Shiwu took out the letter of surrender and threw it in front of him. "You wrote 'I have long heard that General Li Dingguo of the Great West is brave and good at fighting. I am willing to become your disciple'. Don't you want the world to only know Li Dingguo and not the king? If this is not sowing discord, what is it?" There was a hint of anger and questioning in his voice.

Wu Yang looked directly at Ruan Shiwu, his eyes revealing a kind of determination and fearlessness. He asked back: "What's wrong with me surrendering to Li Dingguo?" Although his voice was weak, it was like thunder, exploding in everyone's ears.

When these words came out, the people around were stunned. They looked at each other, their hearts full of doubts and puzzlement. They didn't understand why Wu Yang would so firmly choose to surrender to Li Dingguo.

Wu Yang continued, "If I am wrong, please tell me clearly; if I am not wrong, please release me." His voice was full of determination and firmness. These words left Wang Zhaolin and Zhang Xianzhong speechless. They looked at each other, their hearts filled with confusion and helplessness.

At this time, Li Dingguo arrived at the right time. Seeing this, he asked, "Father, what happened?" There was a hint of doubt and concern in his voice. However, before Zhang Xianzhong could answer, Wu Yang shouted, "I am the magistrate of Gushi County. When I heard that the Dashi Army was coming, I wrote a letter of surrender myself, but I was suspected of sowing discord. Please understand, General Li!" There was a hint of grief and helplessness in his voice. He hoped that Li Dingguo could testify for him and prove his innocence.

Li Dingguo looked at him in surprise: "Do you recognize me?" There was a hint of doubt and curiosity in his voice. He didn't understand why the Gushi County Magistrate was so determined to surrender to him.

"Not only do I recognize you, I have admired you for a long time and even painted a portrait of you for worship. I am so lucky to see your true face today." Wu Yang said sincerely. His eyes revealed a kind of respect and admiration. He hoped that Li Dingguo would believe him and understand his difficulties.

Zhang Xianzhong, Ruan Shiwu and Li Dingguo were all stunned when these words came out. They looked at each other, their hearts filled with shock and confusion. They didn't understand why Wu Yang would so firmly choose to surrender to Li Dingguo and admire him so much.

Li Dingguo took a half step back, looked at Zhang Xianzhong, then looked at Wu Yang, his heart full of contradictions. He said, "Foster father, you guys talk first, I have something to do and I'll leave first." There was a hint of helplessness and confusion in his voice. He didn't want to get involved in this dispute, he just wanted to leave as soon as possible.

Zhang Xianzhong smiled awkwardly. He looked at Li Dingguo and then at Wu Yang, feeling helpless. He knew that this dispute was unavoidable. He could only try his best to resolve it, hoping not to make things worse.

Li Dingguo said, "Since County Magistrate Wu admires the general's name and has come to surrender, let him go to the general's tent and obey his orders." There was a hint of helplessness and compromise in his voice. He hoped that Zhang Xianzhong would accept Wu Yang and not let the dispute continue.

However, Li Dingguo was embarrassed: "I have no shortage of people in my army, and it is difficult to control an official who surrenders without knowing the details." There was a hint of worry and concern in his voice. He did not want to accept an official who surrendered without knowing the details, so as not to bring unnecessary trouble to his army.

"No need to say more. Pass the order down. Set up camp outside the city and send scouts to investigate the situation within 30 miles to prevent the Ming army from launching a surprise attack." Zhang Xianzhong ordered without question. There was a hint of firmness and determination in his voice. He knew that the war had just begun and he had to stay alert at all times to prevent the Ming army from launching a surprise attack.

As night falls, fires flicker in the Daxi military camp. Soldiers are busy setting up camp and patrolling, and the entire camp is filled with tension and vigilance. However, in this tense atmosphere, an unknown conspiracy is hidden.

A patrolling soldier found a few pieces of paper on the ground. He picked them up curiously and saw that they were exquisite envelopes. There were no words on them, but there were letters hidden inside. He wanted to burn the letters, but after picking up several in a row, he felt something was wrong, so he quickly reported it to his superiors.

The letters eventually fell into Ruan Shiwu's hands. He examined the envelopes, full of doubts and vigilance. He asked the soldiers about the origins of the letters, and the soldiers replied that they had picked them up from the ground and thought they were useless at first, but later they felt something was wrong and reported it.

Ruan Shiwu carefully wrapped his hands with thick cloth and opened the envelope, only to see that the letter paper was covered with ciphertext. He knew every word, but when put together, they made no sense. He frowned, his heart filled with confusion and anxiety.

"What does this... mean?" Ruan Shiwu asked in confusion. His eyes revealed helplessness and confusion. He didn't understand what these secret codes meant, and what conspiracy they were hiding.

Zhang Xianzhong rushed over after hearing the news. He was also confused when he saw the letter. However, he suddenly realized: "This must be a secret letter from the Jinyiwei! There is a spy in our army!" There was a hint of anger and determination in his voice. He knew that this war was not only against the Ming army, but also against the spies and conspiracies hidden in the dark. He must always be vigilant to prevent any accidents. (End of this chapter)