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

On the afternoon of August 28, the imperial examination in Nanjing had just ended. Lin Xiaofeng, who was in the Forbidden City in Beijing, was sitting on the dragon chair in the imperial study, holding a secret letter that had been sent from 600 miles away. The letter described in detail what Li Banghua had done in Nanjing, and every word was like a sharp blade, cutting his heart. After reading the letter, Lin Xiaofeng was not relieved, not because Li Shi was executed, but because he felt that Li Banghua was too lenient in handling the matter. If it were him, at least eight or ten of the powerful people in Nanjing would have to be eliminated to serve as a warning to others.

Lin Xiaofeng casually threw the letter to Guo Tianyang standing next to him, his eyes revealing a trace of fatigue. "Tell me, who is backing that kid Li Shi?" His voice was low and powerful, as if every word contained endless power. Tianyang quickly picked up the letter, read it carefully, and then replied respectfully: "It's from Gao Shiming's group."

"Gao Shiming..." Lin Xiaofeng thought about the name and began to think. Gao Shiming had been traveling around since March last year, and did not return to Beijing until the Dragon Boat Festival this year. He fell ill as soon as he came back, and has not fully recovered yet. Although Lin Xiaofeng admired his loyalty, he was still a little worried about his employment. The people around Gao Shiming always made him feel a little uneasy.

Tianyang also finished reading the letter and stood there with his head down, not knowing how to respond. Lin Xiaofeng stood up and paced a few steps in the imperial study, then stopped and stared at Tianyang. "Isn't the position of the general manager of the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau still vacant? You can take it." His voice was calm and firm, as if he was announcing a fact that had been decided long ago.

When Tianyang heard this, he was surprised at first, and then he was overjoyed. He knew that this was a favor from the emperor, which gave him real power. Although he was a eunuch in charge of writing in the Imperial Household Department before, his power was limited to the palace. Now it was different. He could go out of the palace and plant his roots deeper, and he had both money and power.

Tianyang was so happy that he was bubbling with joy. Lin Xiaofeng solemnly reminded him: "I have three requests, you must remember them. First, I can turn a blind eye to petty corruption, but if you dare to commit major corruption, I will never forgive you; second, don't harm the people or interfere in local affairs; third, you must be my eyes and ears, and I must see and hear everything clearly."

Tian Yang knelt down immediately upon hearing this, and repeatedly assured, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do as you say." There was a slight tremor in his voice, but more of it was firmness and determination. He knew that this was an opportunity given to him by the emperor, and it was also a stage for him to show himself.

The three requirements raised by Lin Xiaofeng sound simple, but they are not easy to do. Especially the first one. You have to know that corruption is rampant in this world, and it is impossible to completely eliminate it. Personal favors, gift-giving and gift-returning, and corruption have become commonplace. The censors and supervisors can be a little restrained, but the eunuchs are not so conscious. They all rely on self-consciousness and conscience. Lin Xiaofeng also knows that corruption is not easy to deal with, so he just wants to control the scale as much as possible and not let the trend of corruption become too prevalent.

After getting Tianyang's assurance, Lin Xiaofeng stood up and walked out. The sun outside was hot and dazzling, but he didn't care. The Yongwei Battalion and Jinyiwei had been waiting there for a long time. They escorted the emperor's carriage all the way west to Fan Mansion, which was the home of Cheng Qinghua, the Minister of Works and Minister of Rites.

Lin Xiaofeng went to Fan's house mainly to support Qinghua. After Li Banghua went south, Qinghua temporarily took over the job of the cabinet's chief minister. It was inevitable that some people in the court were active. Lin Xiaofeng personally visited the house to support Qinghua and let the officials of the six ministries know that Qinghua was protected by him and should not do anything rash.

As soon as the imperial carriage left the imperial city, the eunuchs hurried to inform Qinghua and asked him to prepare to welcome it. The Jinyiwei arrived at the Fan Mansion first, searched inside and outside, and set up security outside to confirm that everything was fine. Qinghua's family had been waiting outside the door for a long time. When they saw the imperial carriage coming, they hurriedly bowed and shouted long live the emperor. According to the rules of the Ming Dynasty, when ordinary people saw the emperor, they only needed to bow their hands and did not need to kneel. This rule can be seen in the paintings of the Ming Dynasty, which seems both solemn and friendly. It was not until the Qing Dynasty that ordinary people began to be forced to kneel down to greet the emperor, saying that it was to consolidate the rules of slaves, but Lin Xiaofeng always felt that such rules were too harsh.

When Lin Xiaofeng entered the Fan Mansion, Qinghua and his family bowed and saluted. Lin Xiaofeng got out of the car and bowed and saluted, and then they went into the front hall together. After a few polite words, Lin Xiaofeng sat in the guest seat, Qinghua sat in the main seat, and the others stood by. Qinghua was very nervous, after all, the other party was the emperor! He was so nervous that his palms were sweating, but he still tried to stay calm.

Lin Xiaofeng didn't rush to speak, but first looked around. He couldn't help but sigh. Although the Fan Mansion was fully furnished, most of them were shabby and old; the ground was half brick and half earth, which looked quite inconsistent. But fortunately, it was clean and tidy, so he didn't feel uncomfortable. He thought, this Qinghua is also an honest official, his family is so poor.

"Your Majesty, please have some tea!" Qinghua personally presented the teacup, his voice trembling. Lin Xiaofeng took a sip and thought it was good, so he drank it all. He looked down at the bottom of the teacup, and the six words "Made in the Xuande Period of the Ming Dynasty" were clearly visible. The teacup was decorated with Sumaliqing, and the color was as bright as a gem. It was extremely exquisite, and it was obviously a good product produced by the imperial kiln. The porcelain from the imperial kiln that flowed out was either rewarded, sold, or stolen.

"Hey, this Xuande teacup is pretty good. Minister Fan also likes antiques?" Lin Xiaofeng asked with a smile. There was a hint of playfulness in his smile, as if he was testing Qinghua's reaction.

When Qinghua heard this, his face turned red: "I do like antiques, but my family is poor, so I can only afford this set of Xuande tea sets." There was a hint of embarrassment and helplessness in his voice, and it was obvious that Lin Xiaofeng saw through his thoughts.

Lin Xiaofeng nodded, looked at the tea set carefully and said, "How much did you spend on this set of tea set?" His voice was calm and gentle, as if he was asking about an insignificant matter.

"Fifty taels of silver." Qinghua's voice trembled slightly, and he was obviously frightened by the number. He knew that the value of this tea set was far more than fifty taels of silver.

"Alas, what a pity." Lin Xiaofeng sighed, as if he felt sorry for Qinghua. There was a deep light in his eyes, as if he was thinking about something important.

Qinghua was stunned when he heard this: "Your Majesty, what does this mean?" There was a hint of confusion and uneasiness in his voice, and it was obvious that he did not understand Lin Xiaofeng's intention.

Tian Yang explained, "Minister Fan, His Majesty said that this tea set is fake." There was a hint of smile in his voice, as if he was watching a good show. He knew that Lin Xiaofeng was testing Qinghua's eyesight and judgment.

"Fake? Impossible!" Qinghua got anxious when he heard it, and quickly picked up the teacup to examine it carefully. He looked left and right, up and down, but couldn't see anything wrong. The texture, color, and style of this teacup are exactly the same as the real thing! He thought about it again and asked tentatively: "Your Majesty also likes antiques?" There was a hint of temptation and inquiry in his voice, obviously trying to get some clues from Lin Xiaofeng.

"I don't take pleasure in this." Lin Xiaofeng said calmly. His eyes revealed a hint of indifference and indifference, as if he was not interested in antiques. He knew that Qinghua was testing him.

Qinghua mustered up the courage to ask back: "Then how did Your Majesty know that this was fake?" There was a hint of dissatisfaction and doubt in his voice, and it was obvious that he did not believe Lin Xiaofeng's judgment.

Lin Xiaofeng blinked his eyes and said a surprising fact: "There are so many Xuande tea sets in the palace. The one in your hand is different from the ones in the palace." There was a hint of confidence and determination in his voice, as if he was full of confidence in his judgment. He knew that Qinghua would believe it now!
Hearing Lin Xiaofeng's words, Cheng Qinghua's face turned pale instantly, as if covered by a layer of frost. It's not that he didn't know whether the antiques were real or fake, but he had never seen such a realistic fake before. After seeing so many real things, you can tell at a glance that there is something wrong with the fakes, just like after hearing so many truths, lies will be exposed. Qinghua held the teacup, looking left and right, and the doubts in his heart grew like weeds, becoming heavier and heavier. Once this doubt came up, it was like putting an invisible hat on someone, and the accusations followed, making him feel suffocated.

Qinghua was so angry that he gritted his teeth and almost wanted to throw the teacup. But when he thought about the fifty taels of silver he had spent on the teacup and how he was counting on it to keep up appearances, he couldn't bear to throw it away. He cursed the unscrupulous merchant who sold him the fake product, and at the same time he began to doubt his own eyesight and judgment.

Seeing Qinghua like this, Lin Xiaofeng smiled and advised: "Don't be angry, Minister Fan. It's not worth it to get sick from anger. Although this teacup is fake, it can still be used to drink tea and quench thirst." Then he turned to Guo Tianyang and said: "After returning to the palace, pick out a few sets of good porcelain and imperial items to reward Minister Fan. Just consider it as my gift for visiting today."

When Qinghua heard this, he stood up immediately and declined, saying, "Your Majesty, this is impossible. Although my family is poor, I dare not accept such a generous gift."

Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand and said with a smile: "Don't be polite, Shangshu. You are the head of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works. I feel embarrassed that your family is so poor. I will ask the craftsmen in the palace to make something good for you as a token of my appreciation. Don't refuse it, otherwise you will look down on me, Lin Xiaofeng."

Qinghua was so moved that he almost cried after hearing this. He secretly vowed to work harder to help the emperor and repay his kindness.

Li Banghua did not enjoy the treatment, but Qinghua did. Everyone in the Fan Mansion was grateful to Lin Xiaofeng, and felt that the emperor was really considerate of his subjects and was a good emperor. Lin Xiaofeng sat in the mansion for a while, and because he was afraid of delaying Qinghua's family's dinner, he stood up and said goodbye.

He thought that since he had brought so many guards with him, if they stayed for dinner, they might bankrupt Qinghua's family. So it would be better to go back to the palace for dinner. He stood up and said to Qinghua, "Sir Shangshu, I will not disturb you from eating. I will come to see you another day when I am free."

Qinghua hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please take care. I respectfully send you off."

The imperial carriage started slowly and drove towards the direction of the imperial city. It was a cool and pleasant evening in the capital. The plague had been completely eradicated, and the streets had returned to their former prosperity. The tax exemption policy in the past two years had made life much more comfortable for the people, and the natural disasters were finally over. When the people saw the imperial carriage passing by, they all retreated to the side and knelt down to thank the emperor for his kindness.

"Long live the emperor!" The people cheered one after another, full of admiration and gratitude for Lin Xiaofeng. Lin Xiaofeng sat on the imperial carriage, smiling and waving to the people. His good reputation spread throughout the capital, and even his guards were loved by the people.

An old man enthusiastically invited the guards to eat steamed buns: "Come on, young men, try my freshly baked steamed buns, take as much as you want, no charge!" The guards smiled and thanked the old man for his kindness, but did not dare to really take the buns. They knew that as guards, they must always remain vigilant and dignified.

There was also an old lady who wanted to matchmake the guards: "Oh, these young men are so handsome! Are there any married ones? How about I introduce you to some good girls?" The guards couldn't help laughing when they heard this. They stood straight, not daring to respond, but just communicating their embarrassment and helplessness with their eyes.

The guards who led the way shouted to the people to make way, but the people watched the imperial carriage enter the imperial city amid cheers. They talked about the emperor's wisdom and kindness, and lamented that this was a rare good emperor.

Soon after returning to the Qianqing Palace, a young eunuch hurried in and reported, "Your Majesty, the emergency military report from Jingzhou has arrived." When Lin Xiaofeng heard the name of Jingzhou, his face changed slightly. He took the military report and read it carefully before putting it on the table, but his eyes were looking outside the palace, and his throat was so dry that he swallowed his saliva.

Guo Tianyang didn't dare to say anything when he saw this, he just called Lin Xiaofeng softly: "Your Majesty..."

Lin Xiaofeng took a deep breath and exhaled slowly: "Jian Mingxiao is planning a decisive battle with Li Chuang and Zhang Xianzhong." His voice was a little low and heavy, and he was obviously very worried about the news.

Tian Yang quickly comforted him, "General Qin is very experienced and will definitely win. Your Majesty, don't worry too much."

However, Lin Xiaofeng smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying: "It's hard to predict what will happen in this world! All we can do is change our human nature. Jian Mingxiao's food is almost gone, and if we fight hastily now, it's really hard to say whether we will win or lose! We can only leave it to fate." His eyes revealed a kind of helplessness and worry, and it was obvious that he did not hold out much hope for winning this decisive battle.

Tianyang said worriedly: "If Jian Mingxiao is defeated, the situation of suppressing bandits in the south will become critical. I request that Huang Degong be transferred to the south for support."

Lin Xiaofeng shook his head and said, "Time is running out. Jian Mingxiao has decided on a decisive battle. We can't wait for Huang Degong. He is thousands of miles away, and distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. It is better to let him stay near the capital. We will need him in the spring of next year." His tone was firm and decisive, and it was obvious that he had made his decision.

As the sun sets, the capital is enveloped in darkness. A strong wind suddenly blows, bringing a biting autumn chill. In the dead of night, the people of the capital have fallen asleep. The crescent moon quietly emerges, and the night watchman beats the gong to remind people: "It's the fifth watch of the evening on the twenty-ninth of August! Go to bed early and get up early to take care of your health!" His voice is particularly clear and loud in the silent night.

The soldiers on the top of the city were awakened, picked up their weapons and looked out. It was pitch black and they could not see anything. They secretly muttered to themselves: Why is there someone beating the gong in the middle of the night? It really disturbs our sleep!

However, at this moment, torches were suddenly lit, illuminating the city gate tower. The sound of the capstan turning was heard, and the gates of the south city slowly rose. The city gates opened wide, and the drawbridge was lowered. More than 10,000 soldiers and horses poured out of the city like a tide, waiting in formation. Their armor flashed coldly in the firelight, and their weapons also emitted bursts of murderous aura.

At the same time, the north gate was also opened. Shadows of people appeared, and soldiers and horses also went out of the city to form a battle array. They echoed the soldiers and horses in the south city, and together they formed a solid defense line for the capital.

At dawn, the northern and southern armies had already deployed their battle arrays. The Shun army's spies discovered this and hurriedly reported to Li Zicheng: "Report to the king! The Ming army actually took the initiative to go out of the city to fight in the field!"

Li Zicheng was shocked when he heard that the Ming army actually took the initiative to go out of the city to fight. He quickly ordered all the troops to quickly assemble and prepare for the battle. He had long wanted to fight a big battle with the Ming army, but the Ming army had been defending and refused to come out, leaving him helpless. Now that the Ming army had come to him, Li Zicheng was naturally overjoyed. He immediately sent someone to inform Zhang Xianzhong to attack the Ming army together.

Li Zicheng personally led 30,000 Dashun troops to the battlefield. He looked through a telescope and laughed, "The Ming army has only 10,000 people. Our army is several times larger than theirs. We will definitely win this battle!" His voice was full of confidence and arrogance, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

In the Dashi Army camp ten miles south of the city, Ruan Shiwu also reported to Zhang Xianzhong: "Father-in-law, the Ming army has left the city!" There was a hint of eagerness and excitement in his voice, and he was obviously full of anticipation for this decisive battle.

Zhang Xianzhong immediately ordered the entire army to assemble and prepare for a decisive battle. The 30,000 Dashi troops were ready to go, with shining armor and sharp weapons. Their faces were full of determination and bravery, as if they were ready to fight for victory. With sufficient dry food and water, they rushed straight to the Ming army's position, like a group of hungry wolves ready to pounce on their prey.

Outside the north gate of Chengtian Prefecture, the autumn wind was bleak and the battle flags were fluttering. Jian Mingxiao rode on a tall horse, holding his spear horizontally, his eyes as sharp as torches, staring closely at the enemy positions in the distance. There, the bandits of the Dashun Army were busy holding a swearing-in ceremony. They were divided into three teams: left, middle, and right. The teams on the left and right sides had more than 30,000 people in total. Although the team in the middle had fewer people, it still had more than 10,000 people, all of whom were the elite among the elite.

Ma Wannian stood beside Jian Mingxiao, his face full of worry, his brows furrowed as if water could be squeezed out of them. "Grandmother, there are more than 40,000 Li Zicheng's bandits in total, we..." Before he finished speaking, Jian Mingxiao smiled calmly, his eyes revealing determination and calmness: "Wannian, you have to remember that it's not the quantity of soldiers that matters, but their quality; it's not the courage of a general that matters, but his strategy." Upon hearing this, Ma Wannian immediately straightened his back, his eyes sparkling with admiration, and nodded seriously.

Jian Mingxiao turned around and looked at the soldiers around him. These elite soldiers from Sichuan, the White Spear Soldiers, had been established not long ago, just over a year ago, but they had already experienced dozens of tough battles, had a brilliant record, and were rich in experience. However, their numerical disadvantage made them face unprecedented challenges. With only more than 10,000 people, they had to deal with an enemy four times their number, which was not easy to fight head-on.

"Qin Zuoming, Qin Zuoming, listen to my orders!" Jian Mingxiao shouted loudly, his voice was sonorous and powerful. Two people responded, they were the sons of Qin Minping, and Minping was Jian Mingxiao's younger brother. Unfortunately, he died in the She'an Rebellion in the fourth year of Tianqi. Jian Mingxiao's family is full of heroes, but also sacrifices a lot. Her husband Ma Qiancheng was framed by eunuchs and died in prison in the 41st year of Wanli; her brothers Qin Bangping and Qin Banghan died in the battle of Hunhe in the first year of Taichang; her younger brother Minping also died in the She'an Rebellion; her son Ma Xianglin died in Xiangyang in the fifteenth year of Lin Xiaofeng; her daughter-in-law Zhang Fengyi also died in Houjiazhuang, Henan in the sixth year of Lin Xiaofeng; even her nephew Qin Gongming died in the Shapu Rebellion.

Looking at the two nephews in front of her, Jian Mingxiao felt a complex emotion in her heart, some were relieved, but also worried. The relief was that with them in the front, the Sichuan Army should not have any major problems; the worry was that the outcome of this battle would determine their survival. She said to them in a deep voice: "I order the two of you to lead more than 10,000 elite troops to defend the north of the city and block the enemy's attack. Remember, if you win, don't chase too hard; if you lose..." At this point, Jian Mingxiao's voice suddenly became stern, as if carrying an unquestionable force, "There is a moat behind you. Once the war starts, I will order the city gates to be closed. At that time, you can either fight to the death or surrender early!"

When Zuo Ming heard this, his face changed, but he still swore firmly: "Don't worry, aunt, we Sichuan soldiers will only die on the battlefield and will never surrender!" His voice resounded through the sky, full of determination and courage.

Jian Mingxiao nodded, with a surge of lofty sentiments and ambitions in her heart. She returned to the city with hundreds of her personal soldiers and headed straight for the south gate. Because the real decisive battle today is actually here. Although the white-pole soldiers in the north of the city can stop Li Zicheng's attack, the south of the city is in danger. There are also more than 10,000 Ming troops over there, but they are not as good as the white-pole soldiers in terms of quality or equipment. Moreover, they are divided into four teams. Fan Yiheng, Ma Yingshi, Jia Liandeng, and Yang Weidong each lead a team of people. There is neither tacit understanding nor trust between them. If the fight gets out of control and someone escapes, the entire army may collapse. Jian Mingxiao thought of this, and a surge of worry surged in her heart.

After arriving at the South Gate, Jian Mingxiao did not rush out to fight, but first climbed up the tower to observe Zhang Xianzhong's army. From a distance, the flags of the Dashi Army covered the sky, and the soldiers were all ready to fight. There were at least 30,000 of them. Zhang Xianzhong and Li Zicheng joined forces, with a total of 70,000 troops, while we only have more than 30,000 people. How can we win this battle? She thought to herself, frowning.

Zhang Xianzhong was also not idle, he also used a telescope to observe the Ming army's formation. When he saw that they were not white-pole soldiers, he immediately felt relieved and waved his hand to order: "Send the order to Liu Wenxiu on the right wing, let him attack!" As the order was issued, the cannon roared, the central army flag was waved, and Liu Wenxiu led 8,000 infantrymen to slowly approach the Ming army.

The left wing of the Ming army was led by Fan Yiheng and Ma Yingshi, who led 5,000 troops. They met the Dashi army in the artillery fire. Both sides used chariots as cover and fired at each other with long-range firearms, but the casualties were not great. After a few rounds, the two sides began to fight hand to hand. Grenades were flying all over the sky, smoke was everywhere, and the battlefield was full of dead and wounded soldiers. The warriors of the Dashi army tried to rush out from the gaps in the chariots and break through the Ming army's defense line, but they were all blocked by spears. Occasionally, a few escaped and were killed by swordmen. After several unsuccessful charges, the Dashi army had to retreat temporarily.

When Zhang Xianzhong saw that the left wing did not gain an advantage, he ordered Ai Nengqi on the left wing to attack again. After receiving the order, Ai Nengqi led 8,000 infantrymen to launch a fierce attack on the right wing of the Ming army. But the Ming army still used the same old tricks and held on. From morning to noon, the battle was stalemate, and Zhang Xianzhong had no way to deal with them, so he had to order a retreat. The battle in the north of the city was almost coming to an end. Although Li Zicheng had a large number of people, he also lost a lot of elite soldiers, and ultimately failed to break through the defense line of the white-pole soldiers. After withdrawing his troops, Li Zicheng hurriedly summoned the generals to discuss countermeasures. At this moment, the messenger rode a fast horse and rushed in. "Report!" The two messengers jumped off before the horse stopped, their faces covered with dust and anxious expressions.

"Nanyang's Ming generals Tan Hong and Tan Yi surrendered without a fight. Their 8,000 troops have already submitted to Mr. Li and Lady Hong!" As soon as the messenger finished speaking, Li Zicheng was surprised at first, but soon showed a look of joy: "Good! Quickly send a message to Mr. Li, and have him go south to besiege Xiangyang immediately!"

"Mr. Li has already set out from Nanyang to Xiangyang, and he is probably almost outside the city now." The messenger replied with a hint of admiration on his face, "He also said that we should leave some troops behind to contain the main force in Xiangyang, and then the entire army should go to Chengtianfu to attack Jian Mingxiao."

Li Zicheng nodded, his eyes glittering with cunning. He knew that the key to this battle was whether Chengtianfu could be captured. As long as the city was captured, the entire battle situation would be reversed. He took a deep breath and issued the final order: "The entire army is ready to go. Tomorrow morning, we will attack Chengtianfu!"

Li Zicheng sat on a tiger-skin chair in the center of the military tent, his face firm and his eyes gleaming with victory. He announced the news of victory to all the generals, and for a moment, cheers rang out in the military tent, like thunder, shaking the dust off the top of the tent. This was undoubtedly a good sign for the Dashun Army, meaning that they were one step closer to the final victory.

At this time, Cheng Minghe spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful, and everyone immediately stopped smiling and became serious. He knelt respectfully in front of Li Zicheng, clasped his hands together, and said with a hint of worry: "Your Majesty, although this is good news, I am worried that Tan Hong and Tan Yi may be pretending to surrender." His brows were furrowed, and his eyes revealed a deep worry.

Nangong Shangpu also stood up. He had a thin face and a wise look in his eyes. He shook his head slightly, agreeing with Cheng Minghe's opinion: "Your Majesty, I am also worried that this is a trick of the enemy. We have to be on guard."

Upon seeing this, Jing Changhao first saluted Li Zicheng, then turned to the two generals Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance and said: "Zuo Fu, Military Advisor, you are worrying too much. Tan Hong and Tan Yi were originally brothers of our rebel army, and they had no choice but to surrender to the Ming Dynasty. Now that my Dashun Army is at the gates of the city, their surrender is inevitable. Moreover, their previous brutal behavior has attracted the attention of Jian Mingxiao. Even if they do not surrender, they cannot escape Jian Mingxiao's control." He said it in a decisive tone, as if everything was within his expectations.

Shang Pu and Ming He smiled at each other and apologized to Jing Changhao: "We are short-sighted. General Zong Min's considerations are indeed thorough." In fact, they were jealous of Li Yan's ability to win without fighting, so they said so. Their eyes revealed a complex emotion, with both admiration and jealousy.

In view of Jing Changhao's analysis and the situation of the Dashun Army, everyone stopped arguing about the matter. Seeing that everyone had no objection, Li Zicheng asked again: "Mr. Li proposed to mobilize troops to besiege Chengtian Prefecture. What do you think?" His words were filled with an unquestionable majesty.

After some discussion, everyone thought this plan was feasible. As the saying goes, "To capture a thief, you must first capture the leader." As long as Jian Mingxiao was defeated, the Sichuan Army, despite its large number, would collapse without a fight. Li Zicheng nodded in agreement: "Okay, I will send troops from Xiangyang right away." His voice was sonorous and powerful, revealing a firm determination.

Then he asked: "Before the reinforcements from Xiangyang arrive, should our army continue to attack or rest and wait?" His eyes revealed hesitation and inquiry.

Xiangyang is 200 miles away from Chengtian Prefecture. It takes one night to deliver the message, and two or three days to march. A strong attack will lead to loss of manpower, while stopping the attack will give the enemy a chance to catch their breath, which is not conducive to subsequent battles. This is an issue that needs to be carefully considered.

Cheng Minghe stood up, his face firm, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. He slowly opened his mouth and put forward his own suggestion: "Your Majesty, I think we should send a large army to the border, and at the same time send a small force to test the attack. This will not only prevent the enemy from breathing, but also preserve our military strength." His voice was steady and powerful, revealing a thoughtful wisdom.

Li Zicheng hesitated after hearing this. He frowned slightly, as if weighing the pros and cons of this suggestion. He looked in the direction of Zhang Xianzhong, with some concerns in his heart: "Zhang Xianzhong is attacking the city with all his strength. If we do this..." There was a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

Shang Pu reminded with a smile: "Has the emperor forgotten the real purpose of our war?" There was a cunning and wisdom in his smile, as if everything was under his control.

After his reminder, Li Zicheng remembered their dual plan: on the surface, they were joining forces with Zhang Xianzhong to encircle Jian Mingxiao, but in fact they wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to annex his troops and further plot to enter Sichuan. Zhang Xianzhong had his own troops, and in order to annex him, they had to get rid of or disperse his elite troops. Doing it themselves would damage their reputation, but using the Ming Dynasty would not be a problem.

So he ordered: "Send a message to Zhang Xianzhong, tell him to continue the attack!" His voice was sonorous and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty and determination.

In the Daxi military camp ten miles south of the city, smoke from cooking fires rose up, interweaving with the sunset glow in the sky to form a peaceful picture. However, this tranquility was only temporary, and the shadow of war still shrouded this land.

Zhang Xianzhong was sitting in the military tent drinking porridge, his face was rough and his eyes were gleaming with wildness. Suddenly, he heard hurried footsteps outside the tent, breaking the tranquility.

Liu Wenxiu hurried into the tent, his face anxious, his eyes revealing a nervous atmosphere. He clasped his fists in salute, and then reported anxiously: "Foster father, there is urgent military information." There was an unquestionable anxiety and nervousness in his voice.

Zhang Xianzhong put down his bowl and chopsticks, and his eyes immediately became fierce. He looked at Liu Wenxiu, with a tone of majesty and inquiry: "What's the situation? Tell me quickly!" His voice was sonorous and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

Liu Wenxiu took a deep breath and calmed himself. He slowly spoke and reported the urgent military situation one by one: "Brother sent a message from Jiukou Post Station saying that Ming army scouts were found, and judging by their equipment, they look like Li Xingzhong's troops." His voice was steady and powerful, revealing the calmness and composure that a soldier should have.

Zhang Xianzhong was surprised and asked: "Which Ming army are they from? From Jingzhou?" His eyes revealed a kind of doubt and inquiry. He knew that the Ming army in Jingzhou was quite strong, and if it was them, then the situation would be a bit tricky.

Liu Wenxiu shook his head and denied: "They are not from Jingzhou. Judging from their equipment, they should be Li Xingzhong's army." There was certainty and affirmation in his voice.

Zhang Xianzhong was even more surprised: "How come they came so quickly?" His eyes revealed a kind of disbelief and anxiety. He knew that Li Xingzhong's army was not to be underestimated. If they really came, it would undoubtedly be a huge threat to their siege plan.

Liu Wenxiu replied, "It is only thirty miles away from Jiukou Post Station and a fast horse can reach it in half a day." His voice was filled with helplessness and anxiety. He knew that time was running out and he had to make a decision as soon as possible.

Zhang Xianzhong pondered for a moment and ordered Liu Wenxiu: "Tell Sun Kewang that his camp is Dingguo's elite troops. Don't be afraid of Li Xingzhong's troops. You must contain them, otherwise you will be punished by military law." His voice was sonorous and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty and determination. He knew that this was a battle of life and death, and he had to go all out.

After receiving the order, Liu Wenxiu asked about the strategy for tomorrow's deployment. Zhang Xianzhong said firmly: "Continue the attack and don't give the enemy any chance to breathe." His eyes revealed a kind of determination and firmness, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

In Chengtian Mansion, Jian Mingxiao was counting the losses. Her brows were furrowed. Under the attack of the two thieves, the losses were quite heavy. She looked at the battle report in her hand, and a feeling of grief and anger surged in her heart. However, she knew that now was not the time to be sad. She had to arrange defenses as soon as possible to resist the enemy's attack.

After the meal, she immediately arranged for defense. She ordered the white-pole soldiers to guard the north of the city, Fan Yiheng and others to guard the city, and Hou Tianxi and others to lead the army to the south of the city to meet the enemy. Her voice was sonorous and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty and determination. She knew that this was a battle of life and death, and she had to go all out.

After the generals dispersed, Ma Wannian walked in mysteriously. His face was mysterious, and there was a strange light in his eyes. He spoke slowly, with a hint of mystery in his voice: "Grandma, there are arrows and white cloth sent, and there are things tied on them. I don't understand the content." There was a kind of doubt and inquiry in his voice.

Jian Mingxiao took it and read it, suspecting it was a secret letter from the Jinyiwei. She had an ominous premonition in her heart, as if she saw an impending crisis. She immediately summoned the factory guards to decipher it, and the result was twelve words: "Nanyang has fallen, Tan Hong and Tan Yi surrendered without a fight." Her eyes revealed a kind of shock and anger, as if she saw betrayal and humiliation.

Ma Wannian was shocked when he heard this: "Grandma, how could they be like this?" His voice was filled with disbelief and anxiety. He knew that the surrender of Tan Hong and Tan Yi was undoubtedly a huge blow to their war situation.

Although Jian Mingxiao was somewhat surprised, she was not surprised. She had known for a long time that the two were brutal and had long wanted to get rid of them, but the time had not come yet. She took a deep breath and calmed herself down. Then she spoke slowly, with a firm and resolute voice: "Not good! Tan Wen is still in Nanyang, responsible for the transportation of grain and grass!" Her voice was filled with anxiety and worry, as if she had seen the impending crisis. She knew that this was a battle of life and death, and a decision must be made as soon as possible, otherwise everything would be ruined.

In the past, the two brothers of the Tan family, Tan Hong and Tan Yi, had a fate like drifting ships, rising and falling in the torrent of history. At first, they served the country side by side in Fang Guoan's army. At that time, they were full of loyalty and passion for the country. However, the capture of Beijing was like a sudden storm, changing their course. They turned to Lv Daqi, seemingly looking for a new safe haven.

The appearance of Emperor Yongli was a new starting point for them. They surrendered to Liu Wenxiu and followed him to the Yongli court, as if they had found a new home. However, the twists and turns of fate did not stop there. In the 13th year of the Yongli reign, Tan Hong and Tan Yi quietly had the idea of ​​surrendering to the Qing Dynasty. Their plan, like an undercurrent, quietly surged under the calm surface of a lake.

Only Tan Wen, who remained loyal, stood like an isolated island in the turbulent sea. He discovered the conspiracy of his brothers, and his heart was filled with pain and struggle. He told Yan Tianlu and others in Kuidong about their plan, hoping that someone could stop this betrayal.

When Tan Hong and Tan Yi found out, they were furious, their faces twisted in anger, as if they had become strangers. They conspired to kill Tan Wen on the boat, and at that moment, perhaps in their hearts, there was only a desire for power and indifference to life.

Governor Jian Mingxiao did not know Tan Wen's true thoughts, but when he heard that Tan Wen was in Chengtian Prefecture, he became suspicious. He was like a vigilant cheetah, smelling a strange smell in the air.

"How many people do Tan Wen have under his command?" Jian Mingxiao asked Ma Wannian. His voice was calm and deep, as if he could see through everything.

"There are probably more than a thousand people, half of them are soldiers and half of them are civilians." Ma Wannian replied, with a hint of uneasiness in his eyes, as if he had a premonition of something.

Jian Mingxiao thought for a moment and said, "Call him to see me and don't alarm anyone else." His voice was calm and cold, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

After a while, Tan Wen followed Ma Wannian in. He smiled and saluted Jian Mingxiao, as if he didn't know what was going to happen. There was a kind of tenacity and fearlessness in his smile, as if he could face any difficulties calmly.

Jian Mingxiao looked at Tan Wen carefully. His eyes were as sharp as a knife, as if he could see through people's hearts. He was silent for a while, as if he was thinking about something. Ma Wannian quietly winked at him, as if he was ready to execute any order at any time.

"Tan Wen." Jian Mingxiao's voice was calm and cold, like a sharp knife, cutting through the tranquility of the air.

"I am here." Tan Wen responded. His voice was firm and powerful, as if it could withstand any storm.

"Can I trust you?" There was a hint of doubt in Jian Mingxiao's voice, and his eyes flashed with a complex light.

Tan Wen put away his smile and answered seriously: "Although my martial arts skills are not very strong, my loyalty to the court is evident to all." His voice revealed a firm belief, as if no matter what difficulties he faced, he would not betray his beliefs.

Jian Mingxiao didn't say anything, but stared straight into Tan Wen's eyes. His eyes revealed an indescribable complex emotion, as if he was conducting a silent trial on Tan Wen. Tan Wen's heart tightened, and he hurriedly tried to think if he had done anything wrong, but he couldn't think of anything. His heart was full of doubts and uneasiness, as if he was shrouded by an invisible force.

Just when Tan Wen was in a state of confusion, Jian Mingxiao suddenly said, "The Jinyiwei has reported that Tan Hong and Tan Yi have surrendered to the Qing Dynasty." His voice was calm and cold, but it was like a thunderclap, exploding in Tan Wen's ears.

When Tan Wen heard this, he was completely stunned. His mind was blank, as if it was emptied by an invisible force. Surrender? And surrender without a fight? He couldn't believe his ears. He finally understood why Jian Mingxiao doubted him. It turned out that it was because he was the elder brother of Tan Hong and Tan Yi. His heart was filled with pain and struggle, as if it was torn apart by an invisible force.

Tan Wen swallowed and tried to calm himself down. He knelt on one knee and said firmly, "I really don't know about Hong and Yi's surrender. Please investigate, Governor." His eyes revealed a firm belief, as if he would not betray his loyalty no matter what difficulties he faced.

Jian Mingxiao walked slowly with his hands behind his back. His steps were steady and powerful, as if every step was stepping on Tan Wen's heart. He said, "You came to see me alone, which shows that you don't know. But as their elder brother, I have to be on guard." His voice revealed a kind of helplessness and determination, as if he had made a difficult decision.

Tan Wen nodded, his heart full of understanding and acceptance. He said, "I understand, and I am willing to hand over my military power." His voice revealed a calmness and fearlessness, as if he could face any difficulties calmly.

As he said this, he took out the grain transport officer's seal and held it high to offer to Jian Mingxiao. But Jian Mingxiao did not take it, but pushed his hand back. He said, "Take this first, I have no intention of taking away your military power." His voice revealed a kind of trust and expectation, as if he saw Tan Wen's future.

Tan Wen was stunned. He looked at Jian Mingxiao in confusion, as if he couldn't believe his ears. He asked, "What does the adults mean?" His voice revealed a sense of confusion and inquiry.

"You have to surrender too." Jian Mingxiao said seriously, with a determined light flashing in his eyes, as if he had made an irreversible decision.

Upon hearing this, Tan Wen knelt on his knees and said, "My lord, please understand! I am a general of the Ming Dynasty. I will die on the battlefield and have no intention of surrendering." His voice revealed a firmness and determination, as if no matter what difficulties he faced, he would not betray his beliefs.

"It's not a real surrender, it's a false surrender." Jian Mingxiao explained, "Do you understand?" His voice revealed a kind of helplessness and determination, as if he had made a difficult decision. He knew that this decision was undoubtedly a huge test for Tan Wen, but he believed in Tan Wen's loyalty and wisdom.

Tan Wen thought again and again, his heart was full of struggle and hesitation. He knew that this decision was undoubtedly a huge challenge for him, but he also understood that it was the only way out. In the end, he agreed solemnly. He didn't want to be a spy, but Tan Hong and Tan Yi had already surrendered, and it would be difficult for him to gain a foothold in Chengtian Prefecture. If the news leaked out, he would have no place to stay. It would be better to pretend to surrender and wait for the opportunity. His heart was full of firmness and determination, as if he was ready to face all challenges.

After discussing the plan of false surrender, Tan Wen said goodbye and left. His heart was filled with complexity and anxiety, as if he was shrouded by an invisible force. He knew that this decision was undoubtedly a huge test for him, but he also understood that this was the only way out. He must persevere, for the future of the Ming Dynasty and for his own beliefs. (End of this chapter)