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

"Commander Li, you may have made a mistake."

Chen Ruxiu thought the other party had misunderstood and shook her head with a smile.

"That's right!"

Li Ruolian looked calmly at Chen Ruxiu.

"No, that..."

Chen Ruxiu thought the other party had not understood, so she continued to explain: "Commander Li, you are really mistaken. We are going to Nanjing, not back to Beijing."

"Whether you go to Nanjing or Beijing, it's probably not up to you!"

"What...what do you mean?"

Chen Ruxiu finally sensed that something was wrong, and her brows furrowed tightly.

"It means exactly what it says: not only must the people go back, but all the goods, gold, and silver must also be taken back!"

"Are you treating us like prisoners?"

"So what if it is?"

Chen Ruxiu finally realized that Li Ruolian had not come to rescue them!

Miao Gang stepped forward and said, "You are all members of powerful families, yet you are moving your entire families south when a great enemy is at hand. Do you realize that this will cause unrest among the people and turmoil in the court?"

"Ha ha……"

Chen Ruxiu laughed loudly, then said, "If it were court officials who abandoned Beijing, they would indeed be punished. But we are just ordinary people. What's wrong with going from Beijing to Nanjing? What law of the Ming Dynasty have we violated? What right do you have to detain us?"

"you……"

Miao Gang was speechless. He was a reckless man, good at leading troops in battle, but not so good at verbal sparring.

Chen Ruxiu was a genuine scholar who had passed the imperial examinations. Although he had not entered officialdom, his grasp of court etiquette was enough to control Miao Gang.

Seeing this, Li Ruolian patted Miao Gang on the shoulder, then stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Chen Ruxiu.

"You're right. You're not officials, but you are their family members. Now that the country is in trouble, His Majesty and we are at the forefront. There's no need for you to share the burden."

Chen Ruxiu said coldly, "If that's the case, why not let them pass?"

Miao Gang panicked and hurriedly said, "Commander Li, we can't let them go!"

Chen Ruxiu smiled and said, "General Miao, if I remember correctly, your wife and children are also in your entourage."

"That's right, I was planning to send my family away, but I've changed my mind. Is that not allowed?"

Whether you change your mind or not is your business. As long as we haven't violated any imperial laws, you have no right to detain us!

"So what if I deducted it from your account? You're not happy about it?"

Miao Gang was so angry that his face turned red and his neck bulged, so he simply started acting like a thug.

Chen Ruxiu smiled and said, "You should think carefully. Which of these people can you afford to offend? This Commander Li can protect you for a while, but not forever. I advise you to think it through before making a decision!"

"To put it bluntly, if Commander Li makes too many enemies, I'm afraid he won't be able to protect himself!"

"You, you... are arrogant!"

Miao Gang was immediately defeated and speechless.

Although he was furious, he also knew that if he wanted to establish himself, he could only curry favor with these powerful people. If he offended them, he would definitely suffer the consequences.

The same applies to Li Ruolian; if she offends too many people, even His Majesty will not be able to protect her.

Seeing Miao Gang's embarrassed state, Chen Ruxiu laughed even more brightly and couldn't help but recite: "Onlookers laugh at my arrogance, but what does it matter if I'm arrogant or unrestrained?"

At this moment, Li Ruolian suddenly said, "You are common people, you can go wherever you want, the court will not interfere."

Chen Ruxiu bowed respectfully and said, "Then please allow us to pass, Commander Li!"

"Oh, by the way, the road is not safe. Commander Li is quite capable in combat, much better than that good-for-nothing Miao Gang. Hopefully, he can escort you along the way."

"Please rest assured, Commander Li, I will not let you all make a wasted trip. Once we arrive in Nanjing, you will be well rewarded."

Li Ruolian asked, "My Warriors Battalion has three thousand soldiers. The expenses for food and supplies for the men and horses along the way have been considerable."

"Only three thousand people, nothing!"

Chen Ruxiu pointed to the fleet behind him and said, "See that? The ships are full of gold, silver, jewelry, jade, and antiques. Just take some out and it'll be enough for your Warriors Battalion's military pay for ten years."

"very good!"

Li Ruolian had been waiting for these words, and immediately said, "This commander suspects that your assets are of dubious origin. Take them back to Beijing immediately and hand them over to the Embroidered Uniform Guard for a thorough investigation!"

Chen Ruxiu's face darkened, and she said angrily, "Are you determined to make trouble for us? Do you know the consequences of offending us?"

"I am paid by the army and serve the Emperor. Are the people behind you more powerful than the Emperor himself?"

"you……"

Chen Ruxiu finally realized that she had been tricked!

Li Ruolian looks harmless, but she's a ruthless character.

In comparison, Miao Gang is a pig, a stupid pig!

"well!"

Chen Ruxiu said with a sinister smile, "Your name is Li Ruolian. I'll remember you. Just you wait and see!"

Li Ruolian waved her hand: "Gather everyone under supervision and take inventory of the ship's valuables!"

"You just wait, you just wait!"

Chen Ruxiu was being pushed and shoved, her face full of anger, shouting loudly.

Li Ruolian ignored him and instead looked at Miao Gang, saying, "Your family and property are also included. Since I, the commander, intend to handle this impartially, I will treat everyone equally. Do you have a question?"

"No, no problem!"

Miao Gang shook his head vigorously, seemingly having rediscovered his direction since the battle with the Warriors Battalion, whether out of a sudden pang of conscience or something else.

Thinking back to his time in the military, he realized that he spent his days either currying favor or trying to embezzle pay.

Over the years, although he rose to the rank of guerrilla general, he watched helplessly as the Ming Dynasty's garrisons deteriorated.

Thinking back to the pathetic way we fled last night, and then to today's great victory, I have many feelings.

"Commander Li has given me a chance to redeem myself through meritorious service; I am deeply grateful!"

Li Ruolian nodded and said, "In that case, I'll give you another chance!"

"Please give your orders, Commander Li. Even if it means facing mountains of knives and seas of fire, I, Miao Gang, will not flinch!"

"It's not that serious. I'm going to send you to the capital to personally report the situation to His Majesty."

"You know the whole story, which makes it easier for you to explain. At the same time, it's also an opportunity for you to apologize. His Majesty is merciful; as long as you admit your mistakes and correct them, he might reinstate you."

Upon hearing this, Miao Gang's expression changed, and he quickly knelt down on one knee.

"I cannot express my gratitude enough; from now on, I will follow Commander Li's lead without question!"

Li Ruolian waved her hand and said, "We are both loyal to His Majesty, so let's not talk about such things again."

"Yes, I was being presumptuous!"

Miao Gang was overjoyed and secretly rejoiced.

Fortunately, she didn't go down a dead end; otherwise, look at what happened to Chen Ruxiu.

So what if he's the son of the Grand Secretary? He still got the short end of the stick!

"besides!"

Li Ruolian then said, "You must truthfully report to His Majesty where the rest of your five thousand soldiers went, aside from the dead and wounded, and how you gathered the remnants of the army."

Miao Gang nodded and said, "I suspect that the remnants fled to Baoding Prefecture to join Chen Yan's army."

"Baoding Prefecture..."

Li Ruolian seemed thoughtful, then said, "Pass down the order: rest on the spot!"