I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

Baoding Prefecture, early morning.

Zhu Youjian was drinking porridge when Li Ruolian hurried over, followed by another person.

"Your Majesty, I have an urgent report!"

"Okay, go ahead and say it."

Zhu Youjian put down his chopsticks. He knew very well that Li Ruolian was a very proper person and would not disturb him while he was eating unless there was something urgent.

Li Ruolian stepped aside, and the person behind her stepped forward to bow.

"Your humble servant Wang Dalong has fulfilled his mission and delivered the imperial edict to Zezhou. General Gao Jie of Zezhou has led 10,000 troops to reinforce the area and has already captured Zijing Pass, cutting off the retreat of the southern rebels!"

"pretty!"

Zhu Youjian couldn't help but slam his hand on the table, splashing rice porridge everywhere.

Only then did he notice that Wang Dalong was covered in dust and his face was covered in mud, clearly having rushed back overnight.

"You've worked hard, come, let's eat!"

Wang Dalong was startled and hurriedly waved his hands, "No, no..."

"Sit down and eat!"

Without saying a word, Zhu Youjian forced Wang Dalong into his seat.

Wang Dalong was at a loss and could only look at Li Ruolian.

Li Ruolian said, "Aren't you going to thank me!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty..."

Wang Dalong had just stood up, preparing to bow, when Zhu Youjian pressed him down again.

Gao Jie was no pushover. In his previous life, Emperor Chongzhen had also issued an edict, but even after the man was hanging from a tree, not a single soldier was seen.

Wang Dalong's trip can be described as risking his life. If Gao Jie were to defect again, he would surely kill the imperial envoy first.

Now that Gao Jie, Liu Zeqing, and Liu Liangzuo's three armies are coming to reinforce, Liu Fangliang is doomed!

"Li Ruolian!"

"Your subject is here!"

"By imperial decree, Hong Niangzi and Miao Gang are ordered to cooperate with the Warriors Battalion to attack the North Gate, Gao Jie's troops to attack the West Gate, Liu Zeqing to attack the East Gate, and Liu Liangzuo to attack the South Gate. Launch a general offensive!"

"This battle cannot be delayed; it must be won swiftly. Whoever breaches the city first will be ennobled!"

"As you command!"

Li Ruolian turned and left, leaving Wang Dalong sitting at the dining table in a daze.

Should I eat this meal, or not...?

This stalemate can't go on forever, let's eat already!

Wang Dalong made up his mind, picked up the bowl and slurped down the porridge. Feeling still not full, he casually ate a steamed bun.

Zhu Youjian strolled to the door and suddenly asked, "What day is it today?"

Wang Dalong looked around and, seeing no one to serve him, quickly stood up and replied, "April 10th!"

"April 10th, hmm, it's been a month..."

Zhu Youjian muttered to himself, but Wang Dalong was completely confused.

What do you mean, a month?

Does the tenth day of the fourth lunar month have any special meaning?

Little did they know that the month Zhu Youjian spoke of was the month he himself had been in this world.

According to the course of history, Li Zicheng captured Beijing on March 18, ending the 276-year-old Ming Dynasty.

It is already April, and Li Zicheng is still eating sand outside Juyong Pass. The course of history has deviated from its original trajectory and is developing in a new direction.

Upon receiving the order, the troops from all directions began their all-out advance, and within just one day, the city of Zhengding was completely besieged.

Why is there still no sign of His Majesty's reinforcements?

Inside Zhen Ding City, Liu Fangliang paced anxiously back and forth, his face ashen.

Ma Chongxi also frowned, but he still tried his best to reassure him: "My lord, don't worry. The message for help has been sent by fast horse, and His Majesty should be able to send troops over soon."

Upon hearing this, Liu Fangliang angrily said, "Our army is now surrounded on three sides, and the situation is critical. If reinforcements don't arrive soon, we'll be encircled and annihilated!"

Ma Chongxi sighed helplessly. He knew the current situation was dire, but he could only wait.

"My lord, we can only wait now; there is no other way. I believe His Majesty will not stand idly by..."

"Report—"

As the two were talking, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the barracks. A city guard rushed over and shouted, "Report! A large force is heading towards Zhengding from the west, estimated to be over ten thousand!"

Upon hearing this, a glint of joy flashed in Liu Fangliang's eyes. He excitedly grabbed the guard's shoulder and asked, "Is it reinforcements?"

The guard shook his head and said, "They're too far away to see the flags clearly. They must be coming from the direction of Zijing Pass!"

"Then that's it!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Fangliang was overjoyed. He clenched his fist and shouted, "The reinforcements have finally arrived! We're saved!"

Ma Chongxi also showed a look of joy, and he exclaimed, "Your Majesty dispatched tens of thousands of troops in just one day, which shows that Your Majesty is determined to win the southern front!"

Liu Fangliang's spirits instantly lifted, and he quickly began to consider how to make the most of the upcoming reinforcements.

Now that we are surrounded by enemies on three sides, we must take the initiative and defeat them one by one in order to turn the tide of the war.

After much deliberation, I still think Liu Liangzuo's troops are the easiest to defeat.

"Pass down the order: the entire army is to prepare for battle and march out of the city to meet Liu Liangzuo's troops in the south."

"In addition, immediately send messengers to the western route to reinforce the troops, but do not enter the city. They should cooperate with our main force to attack Liu Liangzuo's troops."

Upon hearing this, Ma Chongxi frowned again: "My lord, isn't this too reckless? It's still unclear who is leading the Western Route Army, and it's even uncertain whether they are reinforcements."

Liu Fangliang smiled and said confidently, "Zijing Pass is in the hands of my Great Shun. If it is not our reinforcement, would it be the Ming army's reinforcement? Speed ​​is of the essence in war. We must take advantage of the fact that the various Ming armies have not yet merged to wipe out Liu Liangzuo's troops in the south before we can reorganize our troops and fight a decisive battle with Chongzhen's main force."

Although Ma Chongxi still had concerns, he knew very well that the opportunity to fight was fleeting.

If Liu Liangzuo's forces can be defeated before the Ming army can combine its forces, the subsequent battle will be much more advantageous.

"This humble official will obey Your Excellency's orders!"

"I will personally command this battle, while the strategist will remain in the city to provide support!"

"yes!"

Having made up his mind, Liu Fangliang quickly reorganized his troops and prepared to confront Liu Liangzuo's forces head-on.

"Pass down the order: beat the drums to boost morale, and send the entire army on the offensive!"

With a command given, the war drums thundered, and the Shun army surged out of the city gates like a tidal wave, heading straight for Liu Liangzuo's troops.

At this moment, Liu Liangzuo had already ordered his troops to form ranks and await orders. The two armies faced each other, and the atmosphere was extremely tense.

A major battle was about to break out, and the two commanders arrived at the front lines at the same time, exchanging insults.

Astride his horse, Liu Fangliang pointed at Liu Liangzuo opposite him and shouted, "Liu Liangzuo, you two-faced, treacherous scoundrel, today is your death day!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Liangzuo sneered and retorted without backing down, "Liu Fangliang, you traitor, how dare you insult this general! Do you know you're already trapped like a turtle in a jar, unable to escape! Today, this general will cut you down on his horse for His Majesty's sake!"

"Hmph, Liu Liangzuo, don't be so arrogant. The Ming Dynasty is already at its last gasp; you won't be able to keep jumping around for much longer!"

Liu Fangliang's eyes widened in fury. He brandished his spear and shouted, "Warriors of the Great Shun Army, charge with me!"

A major battle was imminent, and the two sides immediately engaged in fierce combat.

Swords clashed, blood and flesh flew, and the battlefield was filled with a tragic atmosphere. The shouts of soldiers and the neighing of warhorses mingled together, creating a poignant and heroic scene.

Liu Fangliang and Liu Liangzuo each commanded from the front lines, both wanting to defeat the other in one fell swoop. However, the two armies were evenly matched, and it was difficult to determine a winner for the time being.

"Liu Liangzuo, you disloyal and unjust man, you have betrayed the Great Shun Dynasty, you shall die a horrible death!"

Liu Fangliang shouted insults in front of the troops, trying to provoke Liu Liangzuo and disrupt his morale.

However, in the midst of the chaos, no one could hear anything; everyone's attention was focused on the enemy, and they were only thinking about how to kill them.

The battle lasted a full hour, with neither side gaining the upper hand. Seeing this, Liu Fangliang grew extremely anxious.

He knew very well that if he could not achieve a quick victory, he would face an even more dire situation once the other Ming troops arrived.

"Kill them!"

Just then, an army charged out from the west.

Liu Fangliang was overjoyed; reinforcements had finally arrived!