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

Outside Xuanwu Gate, at the Great Parade Ground.

Zhu Youjian stepped out of the imperial carriage and looked up to see the Warriors Battalion training.

Soldiers, armed with wooden guns and swords, fought one-on-one, their shouts of battle rising and falling.

It was the transition from spring to summer, and the weather was gradually getting hot. The soldiers simply went shirtless, and their sweat and dust mixed together, turning into mud that slowly dripped down.

In the distance, a group of soldiers were practicing formations, probably the Mandarin Duck Formation or the Fish Scale Formation, and the formation kept changing, making it dazzling to watch.

"Your subject, Li Ruolian, along with all the soldiers of the Warriors Battalion, pays homage to Your Majesty!"

Li Ruolian was unaware of the Emperor's impending arrival and rushed over as soon as she received the news.

"No need for formalities, please rise!"

Zhu Youjian waved his hand, a hint of joy in his eyes, and said, "The Warriors Battalion has just been formed and is already engaged in training. Your Excellency is quite dedicated as the commander."

Li Ruolian lowered his head and said, "I am a military scholar, and leading troops into battle is my specialty. I have never neglected it over the years, nor would I dare to neglect it."

"Oh? Why do you say you dare not waste it?"

"Although I serve in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, I am always ready to serve the country. As long as Your Majesty issues an order, I am willing to charge into battle for Your Majesty. Even if I face thousands of troops, I will not flinch."

"Indeed, I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"

Zhu Youjian nodded and said, "I'm not here today to offer empty words. The reason for reorganizing the Warriors Battalion is that the Beijing Garrison is truly demoralized, and I need reports of victories from the front to boost morale!"

Li Ruolian said, "The Warriors Battalion consists of elite soldiers selected from the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Although they have only been formed for three days, judging from the training results, their combat effectiveness is guaranteed. I request permission to lead the troops into battle!"

Do you know where the Warriors Battalion's first battle after its reorganization took place?

Li Ruolian thought for a moment and asked, "Juyong Pass is the strategic stronghold of the capital. Now that Li Zicheng's army is pressing in, does Your Majesty need us to reinforce Juyong Pass?"

Zhu Youjian smiled and gently shook his head.

After a moment's thought, Li Ruolian said again, "That scoundrel Zhang Xianzhong has occupied the land of Sichuan and declared himself king. We are willing to go and punish him!"

Zhu Youjian shook his head again: "Going to Sichuan is too far. Besides, Qin Liangyu is stationed in Hubei. Zhang Xianzhong cannot threaten the capital for the time being. We can deal with him slowly."

After much deliberation, Li Ruolian finally said, "Does Your Majesty perhaps intend to send the Warrior Battalion out of Shanhaiguan to fight against the Manchu Tartars?"

"Wu Sangui is at Shanhaiguan Pass. Besides, you only have three thousand men. Rushing deep into our territory is tantamount to suicide."

Li Ruolian then said, "Chief Minister Chen is leading troops in a stalemate with Liu Fangliang in Baoding Prefecture. We can go to his aid and will surely defeat the rebels!"

"You guessed right this time, but not entirely."

"This... forgive my ignorance, Your Majesty, but please enlighten me!"

Zhu Youjian then said, "According to the intelligence just sent back by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, when Chen Yan led his army to war, his family also left the capital. What's more, Chen Yan's relatives, friends, students, and former officials, along with their families, numbered over a hundred. These people had sold all their valuables in the capital and then took the gold and silver with them to Nanjing."

"Chen Yan also specially dispatched a contingent of troops to ensure the smooth arrival of the convoy in Nanjing. This contingent consisted of about five thousand men and was commanded by guerrilla general Miao Gang, who seemed to be a distant relative of Chen Yan. Almost all of his troops were his private soldiers and only obeyed his orders."

During the Ming Dynasty, the military garrisons were a system of land reclamation. When there was no war for a long time, the soldiers in the garrisons would gradually become tenant farmers, and the high-ranking officers would become their landlords.

Landlords controlled the land, which meant they controlled the lifeline of tenant farmers, because if they didn't give them food, the tenants would starve!

If this continues, the army will consist of two types: ordinary soldiers who work the land for a long time and are used as cannon fodder in war.

Another type is the officer's personal guard.

They received benefits on a daily basis and obeyed only the officer in charge, making them no different from private soldiers.

Once they've taken the money, they're expected to fight to the death. These guards are quite formidable, but their numbers are limited, because if there were too many, the officers couldn't afford to support them.

However, the overall combat effectiveness of the army was greatly reduced, as evidenced by the corruption of the various garrisons at the end of the Ming Dynasty.

When Zhu Youjian received this intelligence, he truly understood Chen Yan's intentions.

He made a solemn vow in front of the court officials and volunteered to lead troops into battle, but secretly moved all his family members and wealth to the south. Clearly, this old scoundrel wanted to run away!

If Beijing falls, he has troops, money, and provisions at his disposal, and could easily support the enthronement of a prince in Nanjing and continue to serve as his chief minister.

Li Ruolian immediately replied, "Five thousand men are nothing to fear. I am confident I can capture them and recover the lost gold and silver for Your Majesty!"

Zhu Youjian waved his hand and said, "If it were just a guerrilla general and five thousand soldiers, I wouldn't care. But Zhang Jinyan has already leaked this information. Once Li Zicheng gets the news, he will definitely send someone to inform Liu Fangliang. I don't know how many people Liu Fangliang will send to intercept and kill them."

Li Ruolian then realized the seriousness of the problem, and her brows furrowed tightly.

However, he quickly replied, "No matter how many men they send, I will bring the silver back to Your Majesty!"

"This is the Warriors' Battalion's first battle. We must not act rashly, otherwise it will affect morale in the future."

Li Ruolian replied, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I am absolutely confident!"

Zhu Youjian nodded and said, "I have already informed the Ministry of War that all weapons and equipment in the armory should be given priority to the Warriors Battalion."

Upon hearing this, Li Ruolian quickly said, "Your Majesty, I have a request!"

Tell me about it!

"I recall there is still a batch of muskets in the armory. Could they be allocated to the Warriors Battalion?"

Upon hearing the word "bird gun," Zhu Youjian couldn't help but ask, "There are bird guns? How come I didn't know?"

Li Ruolian explained, "Your Majesty, I have checked the Ministry of War's inventory and found six hundred muskets. However, because the quantity is too small, they have not been widely deployed to the front lines."

"Why not produce more of such good stuff?"

"Because of the complicated manufacturing process, Wanggong Factory is currently unable to produce in large quantities."

Zhu Youjian nodded. This thing will be the main equipment in the future. It seems that Li Ruolian has a good eye for things.

"Send someone to the Ministry of War right now to collect all six hundred muskets. The situation on the battlefield can change in an instant. I'll also grant you a special privilege: once you leave the capital, you may act as you see fit and make any decisions without reporting to me. I only care about the results."

"Furthermore, I bestow upon you the Imperial Sword, which allows you to mobilize garrisons along the route for assistance at any time. Everyone who sees this sword shall see me; those who disobey will be punished for defying an imperial decree!"

Li Ruolian knelt on one knee: "Your subject will certainly not fail in your mission!"

Zhu Youjian stepped forward and helped him up, saying, "I am well aware of the dangers this journey will be, but the court needs a great victory. I await your news in the capital!"

"I obey your decree!"

Li Ruolian watched the imperial carriage depart, then gave the order for the entire Warriors Battalion to assemble.

"Listen up, everyone! His Majesty was just here!"

Before he finished speaking, a commotion broke out on the parade ground.

The soldiers were so engrossed in their training that they didn't even notice anyone had come by.

What an honor it is that His Majesty personally inspects the area!

Li Ruolian continued, "His Majesty said that the reorganization of the Warriors Battalion is for the purpose of fighting and winning battles!"

"You are all elite members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Arresting and interrogating people is no problem, but are you capable in battle?"

"OK!"

The soldiers immediately became excited.

Li Ruolian shook her head: "The voice was too soft, I couldn't hear it!"

"OK!"

The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices echoing across the parade ground.

"very good!"

Li Ruolian smiled with satisfaction, then raised her hand: "Warrior Battalion, attack!"