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

On that early autumn afternoon, the sun shone through the sparse clouds and shone in front of the Xuzhou prefect's residence. Li Banghua stood there, his body straight, his hands behind his back, his eyes as sharp as cold stars, staring at Wang Shi in front of him, and asked word by word: "You said you have given the extra money to the prefect. When did you give it to him? How much did you give?"

Wang Shi, a slightly plump official with a round face, was pretending to think, his eyes flickering, trying to fish out some usable fragments from the ocean of memory. After a moment, he replied cautiously: "Your Excellency, my memory has always been poor. It has been a long time since this happened, and I really can't remember it."

"Have you forgotten?" Li Banghua's voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, with unquestionable majesty.

"Yes, it's been too long and my memory is a little fuzzy." Wang Shi lowered his head, not daring to look directly into Li Banghua's eyes that seemed to be able to see through people's hearts.

"That's not right. I remember you had a good memory! Just now when I asked you the reason for the extra taxes, you said it was the prefect's order before you even looked at the account book. How come you have forgotten it now?" Li Banghua's eyes became even colder, as if he could penetrate Wang Shi's disguise and see directly into his inner cunning.

Wang Shi was speechless and regretted it in his heart. In fact, he was eager to shirk responsibility and did not even have time to look at the account book. However, his many years of experience in officialdom helped him quickly find a way to deal with it, so he kowtowed again and said, "I am just a ninth-rank official, and I listen to the prefect in everything. Therefore, there is no need to look at the account book. As long as there is an increase in taxes, it must be the prefect's intention."

Upon hearing this, Li Banghua sneered and turned to Chen Guidong, the governor of Xuzhou, and said, "Chen Guidong, I give you one day to investigate this matter thoroughly."

Gui Dong and Wang Shi were stunned when he heard this. Gui Dong muttered to himself, how can he investigate himself? Isn't this obviously embarrassing him? Wang Shi was stunned. Just when he was about to ask, he was punched in the back of the neck by the soldier behind him. His eyes went dark and he fainted.

Li Banghua looked at this scene, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes. He turned to Gui Dong and said, "I came here mainly for three things." His voice was steady and powerful, and every word seemed to hit Gui Dong's heart.

"First, disaster relief! The people are the foundation of the country, and they must not suffer because of disasters."

"Second, refund the overpaid taxes and recover the overdue taxes. Tax revenue is the lifeblood of the country, how can we allow others to embezzle it?"

"Third, we must rectify the administration of officials. The officialdom's atmosphere is related to the rise and fall of the country, and we must not slack off in the slightest."

At this point, Li Banghua's tone became particularly heavy: "I have handed over the power to you, I hope you will not disappoint me! Go, do a good job!"

Gui Dong was bewildered. He did not expect Li Banghua to really ask him to examine himself. He was about to open his mouth to defend himself, but was stopped by Li Banghua's cold eyes: "I have made it very clear, don't say it again!" After that, Li Banghua put his hands behind his back and slowly walked out, leaving Gui Dong alone in a daze.

When Li Banghua returned to the post station and was about to have a cup of tea, he heard the guard's voice outside the door: "Who is it? It's Li..."

"Shh, is the Lord here? I have something urgent to discuss." A low and hurried voice interrupted the guard.

"Come in!" Li Banghua put down the teacup and looked at the door.

The door was gently pushed open, and a dark figure flashed in. After the door closed, the dark figure took off his armor, revealing a face covered in sweat. It turned out to be a soldier in armor, Gongsun Yuchun, who was sweating profusely, obviously in a hurry.

Li Banghua smiled and handed him a clean towel and said, "Commander Li, why did you sneak to the post station?"

"You also know that the nobles and officials of Nanjing have sent spies to keep an eye on the post station, and even the crown prince has been sent to monitor him. Once the news of your trip south leaks out, the officials in Nanjing will definitely be in a panic." Gongsun Yuchun took the cloth towel, wiped the sweat from his face, looked at the teacup and swallowed.

"Don't worry, sir. No one can recognize me. Even if they do, they would have known that I had left the capital long ago." Gongsun Yuchun said confidently.

"Oh? Why do you say that?" Li Banghua pushed the teacup in front of Yuchun and asked curiously.

Yuchun unceremoniously picked up the teacup and drank it all, then burped with satisfaction: "You are an important official of the court, so you naturally use a teacup to drink tea, but we rough people are more comfortable with tea bowls."

Li Banghua rolled his eyes at him and said, "You hit the cook after eating. This is what I mean by people like you."

Yuchun smiled and looked at the cakes on the table - Xuzhou's special snacks, honey three-knife, sheep horn honey, honey cake, etc. He began to taste them without hesitation, completely disregarding his image.

Soon, he had finished half of the plate of cakes. Li Banghua looked at him in surprise: "Li... Gongsun Yuchun, eat slowly."

"Thank... burp... thank you very much, Your Excellency. I'm fine." Yuchun answered while eating, with a look of satisfaction on his face.

"No..." Li Banghua covered the plate with his hand, "I'm not concerned about you. I'm just afraid that you'll choke to death here and cause trouble for me."

"Oh." Yuchun reluctantly withdrew his hand and began to chew slowly. Although he ate in a rough manner, his eyes revealed an indescribable perseverance and loyalty.

Li Banghua heaved a sigh of relief after confirming that Yuchun was fine. If Yuchun really choked to death while eating pastries, others would definitely think that he killed him. After all, no one believed that the commander of the Jinyiwei would be so embarrassed in private.

"Let's talk business. What do you want to talk to me about?" Li Banghua asked, his tone revealing an unquestionable majesty.

"Oh, yes," Yuchun patted his forehead, "I almost forgot!" He paused for a moment, then continued, "I followed the elder south and had three missions."

"First, protect the safety of the elder; second, obey the elder's orders." Having said this, he paused for a moment, as if hesitating whether to continue.

"What about the third one?" Li Banghua urged.

"Third...it is His Majesty's secret order, and we cannot tell the elder for the time being." Yuchun lowered his voice, seeming a little embarrassed.

Li Banghua said unhappily: "If you don't want to say it, don't say it. I hate people who only speak half of their words!" His tone revealed obvious dissatisfaction and disgust.

"I actually have a request for you, Lord." Yuchun picked up the teapot, took a tea bowl, and poured tea for Li Banghua himself. Although his movements were rough, they revealed a rare attentiveness and respect.

"If you have something to say, just say it directly. Don't try to get close to me." Li Banghua said with disgust, obviously not happy with Yuchun's behavior.

Seeing that the time was right, Yuchun took out a document from his pocket, spread it on the table, and covered the main text with his right hand, leaving only the seal on the lower left corner. His eyes revealed an indescribable firmness and determination.

"Please grant me the seal of the imperial envoy." Although his voice was low, it revealed an unquestionable determination.

Li Banghua glared at him: "What do you mean? You want me to stamp the document without showing me the contents?" His tone revealed obvious doubt and dissatisfaction.

"Yes," Yuchun nodded, "The third task is in this letter." His eyes revealed helplessness and determination, as if this was a fact he could not change.

"Go find someone else to do it. I won't stamp it." Li Banghua flatly refused, his tone revealing an unquestionable determination. Are you kidding? You asked me to stamp it without showing me the content. There must be something fishy going on.

"Other people's seals are useless. Only the imperial envoy's seal will work." Yuchun's tone revealed helplessness and anxiety, as if this was a dilemma he could not avoid.

"Read the content first and then stamp it." Li Banghua insisted, his tone revealing an unquestionable determination. He would never make any decision lightly, especially something that might involve major secrets.

The two men were in a stalemate for a while. Seeing that Li Banghua refused to give in, Yuchun had to remind him, "You can read the documents, but please don't leak them." His tone revealed a sense of helplessness and anxiety, as if this was a reality he could not avoid.

"All right!" Li Banghua snorted coldly and took the document and started reading it. His eyes were as sharp as a hawk, and he reviewed the contents of the document word by word. However, the more he read, the tighter his brows furrowed.

After reading it, Li Banghua stared at Yuchun with a frown and asked, "Are you okay?" There was obvious doubt and confusion in his tone.

"Why do you say that, Lord? I'm in good health!" Yuchun looked at Li Banghua blankly, obviously not understanding why he asked that.

"Then why are you transporting so much food and fodder to Huguang? Hua Ruiqi in Huguang can be self-sufficient by cultivating his own land. Jian Mingxiao's food and fodder are also transported from Sichuan. There is no shortage of food there at all!" Li Banghua's tone revealed obvious doubt and dissatisfaction. He was obviously very puzzled by Yuchun's decision.

"Don't ask me, sir. I won't tell you even if you ask me." Yuchun's tone revealed helplessness and determination, as if this was a fact he could not change.

"Did His Majesty ask you to do this?" Li Banghua's tone revealed obvious doubt and inquiry. He tried to find some clues from Yuchun's words.

"I guess so." Yuchun blinked, his eyes revealing an indescribable complex emotion. It was as if this decision was not something he was completely willing to make, but he couldn't change it.

"What do you mean by 'I guess so'?" Li Banghua's tone revealed obvious dissatisfaction and doubt. He was obviously very dissatisfied with Yuchun's vague answer.

"Your Majesty only gave me the task, but didn't tell me how to do it. I decided to transport food and grass to Huguang based on the current situation." Yuchun's tone revealed a sense of helplessness and determination, as if this was a reality he could not avoid. His eyes flashed with a firm light, as if he was ready to face all difficulties.

Grain Raising Storm
Li Banghua stared at the document carefully and read it over and over again. The document clearly stated that Hangzhou and Suzhou were required to collect 50,000 shi of grain within ten days and transport it to Huguang according to the order of the Jinyiwei. The Jinyiwei would find a way to pay for the grain, and the local government would not have to worry about it. Because raising grain was a complicated matter, it was handed over to the local government. Gongsun Yuchun's request was also reasonable.

Li Banghua put down the document and looked out the window with deep eyes. Outside the window, the autumn wind was bleak and the fallen leaves were flying, giving people a sense of desolation. However, his heart was as clear and lofty as the autumn sky. He knew very well that behind this document was not only the weight of 50,000 shi of grain and grass, but also the Ming court's earnest expectations for the Huguang battlefield.

He turned around, looked at Gongsun Yuchun, and asked, "Gongsun Yuchun, do you have any money?"

Yuchun was a burly man with a resolute face. Upon hearing this, he took out a piece of paper from his bosom and shook it. "I don't have any cash, but I have silver notes! The Nanjing branch of Daming Money House has opened, and the first batch of silver has arrived. I can take this silver note and withdraw money at any time."

Li Banghua nodded, and he admired Lin Xiaofeng's governance ability even more. He remembered what Lin Xiaofeng had said to him: "The key to governing a country lies in the separation of powers and checks and balances, and it cannot rely entirely on one person or a group of people." Now it seems that Lin Xiaofeng has indeed done this. The establishment of the Ming Dynasty Bank not only solved the financial problems of the court, but also avoided the drawbacks brought about by excessive concentration of power.

"Oh? Who is in charge of this money house?" Li Banghua asked curiously.

"I dare not hide it from you, Lord. It's the Ming Dynasty Money House. The Jinyiwei is in charge of external affairs, the Dongchang is in charge of accounts, the local government offices deposit the money, and the Silijian is also responsible for checking the accounts!" Yuchun answered truthfully.

After hearing this, Li Banghua was even more impressed by Lin Xiaofeng's thoughtful consideration. He understood that the reason why Lin Xiaofeng asked Jinyiwei to take care of the outside affairs was because the money house involved outside affairs, and the eunuchs were not suitable to come forward, and they also had to be responsible for collecting intelligence. In order to prevent Jinyiwei from embezzling money, Dongchang was responsible for accounting. In this way, the normal operation of the money house was guaranteed, and the abuse of power was avoided.

He thought for a moment and asked, "Opening a branch in Nanjing was Lin Xiaofeng's idea, right?"

Yuchun nodded, "Yes, Lord. Lord Lin said that the money house involves external affairs, and the eunuchs are not suitable to be involved, and they also have to be responsible for collecting intelligence, so the Jinyiwei is allowed to take care of external affairs. In order to prevent the Jinyiwei from embezzling, the East Factory is responsible for accounting. It costs a lot of money to build a silver vault by yourself, and if the business is not good, you will lose money, so you keep the silver in the treasury of Nanjing Yingtianfu, which saves money and ensures that the money house does not lose money."

After hearing this, Li Banghua admired Lin Xiaofeng's foresight even more. He understood that Lin Xiaofeng did this to ensure the stable operation of the bank, and also to separate powers and avoid the drawbacks of excessive concentration of power.

He pondered for a moment and asked, "This Daming Bank is considered the first state-owned enterprise founded by Lin Xiaofeng, right?"

Yuchun nodded, "Yes, Lord. Lord Lin spent a lot of effort to set up the Daming Money House. He said that state-owned enterprises mean monopoly, which may hinder economic development and technological progress. If we want to develop science and technology quickly, we have to introduce a competition mechanism. But Lord Lin is not worried about the economic lifeline being controlled by outsiders, because the economic lifeline of Daming still depends mainly on agriculture."

After listening to this, Li Banghua agreed with Lin Xiaofeng's point of view. He understood that agriculture was the foundation of the country. In the long run, agriculture and farmers were the most important to the court. The state-owned enterprises advocated by Lin Xiaofeng were also to ensure the court's control over key industries, while introducing a competitive mechanism to promote the development of science and technology.

He thought for a moment and then asked, "What does Lin Xiaofeng think of state-owned enterprises?"

Yuchun thought for a moment and replied, "Lord Lin said that he doesn't want to have more state-owned enterprises, but he is also afraid that if there are more and more state-owned enterprises and more and more employees, a privileged class will emerge and oppress the people. He cannot tolerate this."

After hearing this, Li Banghua admired Lin Xiaofeng's concern for the people even more. He understood that everything Lin Xiaofeng did was for the people and the country of Ming Dynasty. He knew that only officials who truly cared about the people could win the support and support of the people.

After praising Lin Xiaofeng, Li Banghua took out the imperial seal and solemnly stamped it on the document. He understood that this document was not only an order, but also a responsibility. He wanted to pass this responsibility to Gongsun Yuchun and let him lead the Jinyiwei to complete this arduous task.

Gongsun Yuchun put away the official documents with satisfaction, and then looked at the cakes on the table. He smiled and said, "Lord, the cakes here are really good. Can I take some back for my brothers to try?"

Li Banghua's mouth twitched slightly, thinking that Gongsun Yuchun was really a foodie. But he still nodded and said, "Gongsun Yuchun, don't just focus on eating cakes, how is the job going?"

Yuchun reluctantly withdrew his gaze and said, "Don't worry, the Jinyiwei will do the job. We have already sent spies to the fourteen prefectures and four prefectures in Nanzhili. We will be able to collect the reputations of all the officials in a day or two."

Li Banghua felt relieved after hearing this. He understood that the appointment and removal of officials in the south this time should not only be based on their political achievements and previous mistakes, but also on the people's evaluation of them. Those who are honest but the people have complaints about them cannot be retained; while those who are corrupt but the people still support them can also be considered for retention or even promotion. Just like Chen Guidong, the governor of Xuzhou, is such an example.

He thought for a moment and then asked, "What about the situation of Chen Guidong, the governor of Xuzhou?"

Yuchun thought for a moment and replied, "Chen Guidong has served in Xuzhou for many years and has made remarkable achievements. But recently there have been some rumors that he has been corrupt and accepted bribes, but the people still have a good opinion of him. We have already sent secret agents to investigate his situation, and I believe there will be results soon."

After hearing this, Li Banghua felt more confident. He understood that only by fully understanding the situation of officials could he make the right appointment and removal decisions. He believed in the abilities of Gongsun Yuchun and the Jinyiwei, and believed that they would be able to complete this difficult task.

He nodded and said, "Is that so? I'm relieved. Gongsun Yuchun, if you like these cakes, take them all away. But don't forget the important business."

Yuchun smiled, took out a cloth bag from his bosom, and put all the cakes on the plate into it. He clasped his hands and said, "Thank you for your reward, Lord! I will obey your command. Don't worry, I will definitely do this for you!" After that, he opened the door and ran out.

Li Banghua smiled bitterly, thinking that Gongsun Yuchun was a real treasure. However, he also knew that although Gongsun Yuchun was greedy and playful, he was very reliable in doing things. He believed that Gongsun Yuchun would be able to complete this difficult task.

He took out another cake plate from the cabinet and ate the cakes while sipping tea. He looked out the window at the autumn scenery, and his heart was full of longing for the future of the Ming Dynasty. He believed that with the joint efforts of the Ming Dynasty's rulers and ministers, the Ming Dynasty would be more stable and prosperous. ...

In Chengtian Prefecture in Huguang, on the fifth day of the eighth lunar month, Ma Wannian excitedly ran to Jian Mingxiao and shouted, "Grandma! Grandma!"

Jian Mingxiao sighed, thinking that Ma Wannian was really impatient. But she also knew that Ma Wannian must have something important to tell her since he was so anxious to find her. She put down the pen in her hand, looked at Ma Wannian and asked, "My dear grandson, let's not talk about this anymore. Tell me what's the urgent matter?"

Ma Wannian said anxiously, "Grandma, Li Xingzhong, the general of Baoding, has sent someone to ask for an audience."

"Li Xingzhong?" Jian Mingxiao was startled, then she remembered this person. She was surprised that he had been promoted to the general of Baoding, and even more surprised that he was going south to join the war. She frowned and asked, "Where is he?"

"Waiting outside the door." Ma Wannian replied.

"Call him in quickly." Jian Mingxiao ordered.

After a while, a short, sallow-faced boy walked in. He looked to be in his teens, with an ordinary appearance, and it would be difficult to be spotted in the crowd. Jian Mingxiao looked at him and couldn't help but feel a little pity in her heart. She asked him with concern whether he had eaten, but the boy just bowed and replied, "Replying to Governor Qin, I am not hungry, I came here to deliver a secret letter."

After saying that, he tore open his clothes, took out a letter wrapped in oil paper and handed it to her. Jian Mingxiao hurriedly opened the letter and took a look, and immediately took a breath of cold air. She looked at the boy in front of her, and an ominous premonition surged in her heart.

"Grandma, what's wrong?" Ma Wannian asked anxiously.

Jian Mingxiao did not answer him, but looked at the young man and asked, "Li Xingzhong personally led 15,000 cavalrymen southward. Has he already reached Fuyang?"

The boy nodded, "Yes."

"Where do these cavalrymen come from?" Jian Mingxiao asked again.

"Not General Xingzhong's cavalry, but your Majesty's cavalry." The young man corrected.

Jian Mingxiao was even more surprised when she heard this. She understood that the emperor must have issued a new order, asking Li Xingzhong to lead the cavalry south to participate in the war. Although this was good news, it also contained a mystery. She pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Did Li Xingzhong say why he wanted to go south to participate in the war?"

The young man thought for a moment and replied, "General Xingzhong said that he received a secret order from His Majesty to lead the cavalry south to cooperate with the Huguang army in the battle. He did not tell me the specific strategy and plan."

Jian Mingxiao was even more confused after hearing this. She understood that the emperor must have a new strategy and plan. But she also knew that the interests involved were not simple. She needed to think carefully before making the right decision.

She thought for a moment, then said to the young man, "Go back and tell Li Xingzhong not to act rashly. I will discuss this with the generals in Huguang as soon as possible, and then give him a reply."

The young man nodded and turned away. Jian Mingxiao looked at his back and felt worried. She knew that this war was not simple. The interests involved involved the entire Ming Dynasty.

In the crisp August, the sun shines through the sparse clouds, dappling on the ancient city walls, adding a bit of solemnity and solemnity to this city that has experienced vicissitudes. Jian Mingxiao, the governor of four provinces, sits in his spacious study. The breeze outside the window gently blows the documents on the desk, making a rustling sound, and seems to whisper the upcoming changes.

"Li Xingzhong, Li Yong came here and said, I understand what he means. That thief Xian is wandering around Luoshan County, let's just let him jump around for now." Jian Mingxiao said slowly, his voice was steady and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty. His eyes were deep, as if he could see through people's hearts, but also hid some subtle worries.

"Also, I can find a way to get the one-month rations mentioned in the letter, but the road is so long that it's not easy to transport them to Henan." There was a hint of helplessness in his words. After all, with frequent wars, it was not easy to allocate supplies.

Li Yong, a burly general with a resolute face, bowed quickly to express his gratitude upon hearing this: "Thank you, Governor Qin, for your consideration. In fact, it's good enough to keep the food and fodder in Wuchang. There's no need to transport them so far." His tone was full of gratitude, and also revealed a clear assessment of the situation.

"Hmm?" Jian Mingxiao asked with a smile that was a bit cunning, "Didn't you say there was a shortage of food? Why aren't you transporting it again?" His words were full of amusement, as if he was testing Li Yong's true intentions.

Li Yong saluted again, looking even more respectful: "General Li guesses that the thief will definitely break into Huguang again, so please ask Governor Qin to make preparations in advance." Every word he said seemed so cautious, for fear of the slightest mistake.

At this time, Ma Wannian, a young and energetic deputy general with arrogance in his brows, became unhappy when he heard it, and retorted: "My great-grandmother was the governor of four provinces. How can it be the turn of the general of Baoding to point fingers!" His voice was high-pitched, full of dissatisfaction and provocation.

When Li Yong heard this, his face immediately turned red. He lowered his head and apologized repeatedly: "I am guilty of my words. Please be magnanimous, Governor Qin, and don't hold it against me." His tone was full of self-blame and fear. Obviously, this sudden accusation caught him off guard.

Jian Mingxiao gently reprimanded Ma Wannian, but his eyes revealed a subtle doting. Obviously, he admired the straightforward character of this young deputy general. Then, he turned to comfort Li Yong: "Okay, I understand what Li Xingzhong meant. You go back and tell him." His voice was gentle and firm, giving people an inexplicable sense of security.

"Okay, I'll take my leave then." Li Yong said, bowed again and prepared to leave.

"Don't be impatient. It's not too late to leave after eating." Jian Mingxiao wanted to keep him for dinner, and his words were full of sincerity and enthusiasm.

But Li Yong bowed and said goodbye again: "Thank you for your kindness, Governor Qin, but I still have to return to Fuyang and report to General Li." His tone was firm, and it was obvious that military orders were as heavy as mountains and could not be delayed.

On August 11, the sky was blue with a few white clouds floating by. Li Yong rode back to Fuyang alone on horseback. His figure was elongated in the afterglow of the setting sun, looking lonely and determined. Li Xingzhong, the general who wanted to make military achievements, had been waiting anxiously.

The guards ran in and reported: "Li Yong is back!" Xingzhong stood up immediately. He was tall and his steps were steady. Every step he took revealed a kind of imposing aura. He walked out of the tent to greet Li Yong.

Li Yong looked a little tired, but when he saw Xingzhong, his eyes immediately became firm. He reported, "I have met with Governor Qin, and he promised to prepare grain in Wuchang and told me about the situation of the bandits in Luoshan County." His voice was hoarse, but full of firmness and determination.

Upon hearing this, Xingzhong immediately spread out the map and looked for the location of Luoshan County. He found that Luoshan County was located in the southwest of Fuyang, about 240 miles away, but in fact it would take about 300 miles to walk on horseback. However, cavalrymen run fast, so they will arrive in three or four days. His eyes flashed with wisdom, as if he was thinking about the next action plan.

At this time, Li Shunzu, the deputy general of the central army, stood up. He was tall and straight, with a heroic look in his eyes. He said, "I think we should fight Li Chuang first, and then deal with Xian the thief." His voice was loud and full of confidence and determination.

"Why do you say that?" Xingzhong asked him, patting his shoulder to show his closeness. He had high hopes for this nephew, hoping that he could become the best of the new generation of the Li family.

Shunzu pointed at the map and talked eloquently: "First, Fuyang is far from Luoshan County, but much closer to Li Chuang in Runan. According to military strategy, we cannot give up the near for the far; second, Luoshan County has many muddy paddy fields, and it is difficult for cavalry to fight. Most of us are cavalry, so we should go west to fight Li Chuang first, and then go south to deal with the Xian bandit." His analysis was clear and it was obvious that he had a deep understanding of the situation.

Xingzhong did not rush to express his opinion upon hearing this, but turned to look at Cha Binxun. Binxun's ancestor Cha Dashou had followed Li Chengliang and made great military achievements. Later, he followed Li Rusong to pacify the Japanese pirates and was promoted to the deputy general of Liaodong. However, the Li family later declined, and Binxun also lost power. This time when he went south, Xingzhong valued Shunzu the most, and Binxun was second.

When Binxun saw Xingzhong asking him, he quickly replied, "The terrain is not a problem. According to Li Yong's report, Luoshan County is experiencing drought this year. There are few rice fields, but many wheat and sweet potatoes. It's almost autumn harvest time, and there is little water in the fields. It will be no problem for the cavalry to go through." His voice was steady and powerful, revealing a clear assessment of the situation.

Upon hearing this, Xingzhong smiled, patted Shunzu on the shoulder and said, "Although the right time and place are important, we have to analyze it based on the actual situation." His smile contained some approval and encouragement, and it was obvious that he agreed with Binxun's analysis.

Shunzu blushed and lowered his head in shame. He knew that he lacked practical experience and some of his judgments were indeed too hasty. Seeing this, Xingzhong comforted him and said, "This is not the main reason." His tone was full of tolerance and understanding.

Sun-jo and Bin-hoon both asked curiously, "What is the main reason?" Their eyes were full of curiosity and desire.

Xingzhong explained: "Among our cavalry, only one thousand are the elite troops of Guanning, and the rest are either transferred from the infantry or newly recruited. This first battle is mainly for training, and the thief Xian is relatively weak, so let's attack him first." His voice was steady and powerful, revealing a clear judgment and grasp of the situation.

"Besides, we have other tasks." There was a hint of mystery and depth in his words.

"What mission?" Sun-jo and Bin-hoon asked in unison, their eyes full of curiosity and anticipation.

"Subdue Li Dingguo." Xingzhong said slowly, with an unquestionable firmness in his voice.

"Li Dingguo? Isn't he the adopted son of the traitor?" Shunzu said disdainfully, "How can he..." Before he could finish his words, he was sternly interrupted by Xingzhong.

"Shut up!" Xingzhong's voice was filled with anger and majesty, "This is His Majesty's will, you are not allowed to comment on it!" There was an unquestionable light in his eyes, and he was obviously full of awe and respect for His Majesty's decision.

"Yes, General!" Shunzu bowed respectfully upon hearing this. He knew that his words were inappropriate and had angered Xingzhong.

After the discussion, everyone started to prepare military rations. Xingzhong knew that speed was of the essence in war, so he immediately sent people with official documents to the prefectures and counties along the way to ask them to prepare food and fodder. His eyes flashed with wisdom and determination, and he was obviously full of confidence and expectation for the upcoming battle.

The next morning, the army, carrying three days' worth of food, marched towards Gwangju. Their figures looked particularly majestic and magnificent under the shining sun. Gwangju had not yet been occupied by the rebels, and after receiving the official document, they immediately prepared food and grass and waited for the arrival of the army.

Two days later, Sunjo led the vanguard troops to Gwangju. Their figures were particularly eye-catching and majestic outside the city gate. The officials of Gwangju had been waiting for a long time. When they saw the arrival of the vanguard troops, they immediately went to greet them. They warmly received Sunjo and others and quickly replenished their food for five days. After a short rest in Gwangju, the vanguard troops continued to move west and finally set up camp on the banks of the Zhugan River east of Luoshan County. Their camp was surrounded by mountains and rivers, and the terrain was dangerous, which was conducive to both defense and attack.

At the same time, they also sent out scouts to scout the enemy's situation and ensure that they were fully aware of the enemy's movements. The scouts rode fast horses, shuttling between the mountains, forests and fields, their eyes flashing with vigilance and sharpness, always ready to report the enemy's latest movements to the army.

By noon the next day, Xingzhong's main force also arrived outside of Gwangju. Their figures stretched for miles outside the city gate, and they were magnificent. The officials of Gwangju once again warmly welcomed them and replenished them with five days of food. Xingzhong nodded gratefully, knowing that the food was crucial for the upcoming battle. Then, he led the main force to the Zhugan River to meet with the vanguard. Their camps were connected, forming a huge military camp with a magnificent momentum.

Zhugan River is a tributary of the Huai River. Due to the drought, the water level is very low, so the cavalry can easily jump over it. Their figures on the river bank look particularly majestic and majestic, like a group of warriors about to go out to fight, ready to welcome the upcoming battle. Their eyes are shining with determination and determination, as if they have seen the dawn of victory waiting for them ahead.

On the outskirts of Luoshan County, in a lush forest, Zhang Xianzhong suddenly heard the rapid footsteps of the spy, accompanied by the rustling sound of leaves being trampled. The spy looked nervous, walked quickly to Xianzhong, knelt down and reported: "King of Daxi, more than 10,000 cavalrymen of the Ming Dynasty have approached the Zhugan River, and are only a few dozen miles away from us!"

When Xianzhong heard this, his face changed drastically, his eyes widened, as if he could hear the sound of his own heartbeat. He stood up suddenly, clenched his hands into fists, and was terrified. "Who is the commander of this Ming army?" He hurriedly asked the spy, with a barely perceptible tremor in his voice.

The spy bowed his head and replied, "Report to the King of Daxi, the common people said that this Ming army came from Baoding, and the general leading it is called Li Xingzhong, who is a difficult character to deal with."

Military Advisor Wang Zhaolin, holding a feather fan, frowned and suddenly interrupted, "Li Xingzhong? He is Li Rusong's second son. He is not young anymore and has rich combat experience. I'm afraid he came here with bad intentions!"

Xianzhong frowned and said to himself, "Strange, Li Xingzhong arrived just when I was about to send out troops, not too early or too late. This is too strange. Is it God's will?"

Ruan Shiwu's eyes flashed, and a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. He immediately agreed: "It is indeed suspicious. There must be something fishy about this matter."

In fact, Li Xingzhong's arrival was purely coincidental, but Xianzhong's doubts were not groundless. He originally planned to leave Luoshan, cross Lingshan, and go south to Huguang on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15, taking advantage of the hazy moonlight. After arriving in Huguang, he camped in the north of Jingzhou, intending to cut off the Ming army's food supply. Jian Mingxiao's food was transported from Sichuan, northward through the Han River, through Chengtian Prefecture to Xiangyang, and then transported to Nanyang and Wuguan respectively. As long as the food supply was cut off, the Ming army in these places would be in chaos, and at that time, the Dashi Army could take the opportunity to recover the lost territory.

At the same time, Li Zicheng also divided his troops to attack these places. After destroying Jian Mingxiao's main force, he could take advantage of the situation to recover Huguang and Henan. Zhang Xianzhong planned to take the opportunity to attack Sichuan. This was a secret agreement between Dashi and Dashun, and it was a matter of great importance and could not be lost.

But now Li Xingzhong's arrival completely disrupted Xianzhong's plan. He crossed his arms and fell into deep thought, wondering if there was a traitor who leaked the secret. He looked around, deep in the dense forest, with birds singing, but it seemed particularly quiet, as if even nature was waiting for his decision.

Ruan Shiwu seized the opportunity and asked in a low voice: "Father-in-law, do you suspect there is a traitor?" There was a cunning light in his eyes, as if he was testing Xianzhong's reaction.

Xianzhong didn't say anything, just nodded slightly. The muscles on his face were tense and he looked extremely serious.

Shi Wu knew it was time. Although he didn't want to frame Li Dingguo, Li Dingguo was investigating the theft of the money. Shi Wu decided to strike first. If Li Dingguo found the clue first, Shi Wu would be finished. He deliberately frowned and asked, "Father-in-law, how many people do you think know about this plan?"

Xianzhong answered without hesitation: "Six, me, you, and my four adopted sons." His voice was low and powerful, and every word revealed unquestionable majesty.

Shi Wu's face turned serious, and he asked tentatively: "Godfather, you don't suspect that I leaked the secret, do you?" His eyes flashed with sincerity and expectation, as if he was really defending himself.

Xianzhong thought about it, shook his head and said, "No. Going to Huguang, Jiangxi, Nanzhili, and then to Henan, these were all your strategies. If you were really a traitor, I would have been surrounded by the Ming army long ago." There was a hint of certainty in his tone, and it was obvious that he still had a certain degree of trust in Shi Wu.

Shi Wu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Xianzhong still trusted him. But the more this was the case, the more he had to get rid of Li Dingguo's threat as soon as possible. He raised his voice so that everyone around him could hear: "The person who leaked the secret can only be one of the four adopted sons!" There was a subtle ruthlessness in his voice.

Xianzhong's brows knitted even tighter. He could not accept the possibility that his four adopted sons, whom he had always trusted, might betray him. He was silent for a while, and finally made up his mind: "Just do as the military advisor says." His voice was low and powerful, revealing unquestionable majesty.

He immediately ordered: "Sun Kewang, you lead your troops to fight Li Xingzhong. Even if you cannot win, you have to buy time for me. Li Dingguo will support you from behind." His eyes flashed with determination and resoluteness, as if he had already made preparations for the worst.

"Liu Wenxiu, Ai Nengqi, come with me to break camp and head south to Lingshan." There was a hint of unquestionable majesty in his voice, as if he was ready to fight to the death.

No matter how the war went, their agreement could not be changed. The Ming army was no longer what it used to be. Not only were they not afraid of fighting, they were also brave enough to charge into battle. The Ming Dynasty also gradually regained the hearts of the people through measures such as disaster relief, rectification of the administration, and tax reduction. If they missed this opportunity, their hope of entering Shu would be slim.

As soon as the order was issued, the Dashi Army immediately began to move out of camp. The busy figures of the soldiers shuttled through the woods, and the neighing of horses and the rumbling of vehicles intertwined together, forming a tense and orderly picture. After receiving the order, Sun Kewang and Li Dingguo immediately ordered the baggage camp to pack up and led the army to the Zhugan River without any hesitation.

When they were still five miles away from the river, Sun Kewang received news that the Ming army had crossed the river. He looked at his cavalry. Although they were numerous, they were not all elite troops. Some soldiers even rode mules and horses. It would be difficult to defeat Li Xingzhong's troops. But Sun Kewang did not intend to fight hard. He just wanted to delay time and retreat after dark. Even if he could not win, the loss would be much smaller because Li Dingguo was still resting five miles behind.

"Send the order to fight! The infantry will be divided into three rows, and the cavalry will hide behind the rows and wait for the opportunity." Sun Kewang made the deployment decisively. His voice was steady and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty. The soldiers immediately took action and quickly formed a battle formation according to Sun Kewang's command.

As soon as the battle formation was completed, Li Shunzu led two thousand cavalrymen to charge over. The flags of the Ming Dynasty fluttered in the wind, and the cavalrymen were in high spirits. They were wearing brand new armor, which shone brightly in the sun, dazzling people. There was a firm light in their eyes, as if they were ready for a fight to the death.

Sun Kewang took up the telescope and carefully observed the Ming army, and found that they were indeed extremely elite. Under the armor, there was a cotton armor to protect the neck, and the breastplate and copper nails were densely covered, which was watertight. And their arms were also covered with iron armor, called arm armor. Sun Kewang's palms were sweating, because he had never seen such a sharp weapon. Looking at the war horses, they were equipped with the same equipment as the Guanning cavalry, with head armor, chest armor, and belly armor, which was simply a mobile fortress.

Just as Sun Kewang was amazed, the Ming army waved its flag, and a thousand cavalrymen from the left army surged out like a tide. Their figures looked particularly tall and mighty in the sun, as if they were heavenly soldiers and generals descending from the sky. Sun Kewang knew that a fierce battle was about to begin... (End of this chapter)