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

Zhu Youjian left the city overnight, heading straight for Tongzhou, and then traveled south along the Grand Canal.

Luo Yangxing and Wang Dehua each led 500 elite guards to protect the emperor, all of whom were masters capable of fighting ten men each.

By daybreak, after a long march of two hundred li, both men and horses were exhausted.

Zhu Youjian summoned Miao Gang and asked, "Where is this?"

Miao Gang said, "Bazhou is just ahead. Would Your Majesty like to move into the city to rest?"

"No need!"

Zhu Youjian shook his head and said, "I came out to handle official business, so please try not to disturb the local area."

"Then I will go ahead and scout the way!"

After receiving permission, Miao Gang led several captains to investigate.

They had only walked a short distance when they saw the figure of a scout ahead.

"Be careful!"

Miao Gang dared not be careless and observed from a distance, discovering that the other party was also staring at him from afar.

Both sides were probing each other indirectly, observing as closely as possible while maintaining a certain distance.

At that moment, Miao Gang suddenly realized that the person opposite him seemed somewhat familiar.

"Brother Da Long! Brother Da Long!"

The other party was Wang Dalong, who, upon hearing the shout, urged his horse forward.

"Miao Gang? Is it really you?"

Miao Gang laughed heartily: "So it's you!"

Wang Dalong lowered his guard and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"The situation is rather complicated and cannot be explained in a short time. You will come with me to see His Majesty!"

"What? Your Majesty!"

Wang Dalong was startled and almost fell off his horse.

After a brief exchange, it turned out that Li Ruolian's Warriors Battalion was heading north along the Grand Canal and had just arrived in Bazhou last night, where they were setting up camp for rest.

Zhu Youjian immediately ordered, "Send word to proceed to the Warriors' Camp's encampment for rest and reorganization!"

Wang Dehua and Luo Yangxing exchanged a glance, then said, "Your Majesty, shall we summon Li Ruolian, the commander of the Warriors' Battalion, to come and greet you?"

Zhu Youjian smiled faintly; these two had thought things through quite thoroughly.

Logically speaking, when the emperor and his ministers meet, it should be Li Ruolian who comes to pay his respects.

What kind of logic is there for an emperor to take the initiative to meet with his subjects?

"I understand your concerns, but this is the front line. Let's set off without formalities!"

"yes!"

Wang Dehua did not insist any further, and the team set off, following Wang Dalong to the Warriors Camp's encampment.

Upon receiving the news, Li Ruolian immediately led his entourage to greet the emperor: "Your subject Li Ruolian pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

"Rise!"

Zhu Youjian looked around and saw that the Warriors Battalion was well-disciplined, and Li Ruolian was indeed a talented commander.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Li Ruolian stood up and welcomed Zhu Youjian into the central military tent.

"Your Majesty, I have repelled the rebel army and intercepted their fleet. What should be done next? Please advise!"

Zhu Youjian asked, "How far is this place from Baoding?"

"Your Majesty, it is only two hundred li away, and we can arrive in a day or two."

Zhu Youjian thought for a moment and then instructed, "Luo Yangxing, Wang Dehua!"

"Your subject is here!"

"Yes, sir!"

"You two escort the fleet back to the capital. All personnel must be thoroughly investigated. Those who commit crimes should be dealt with accordingly without any qualms. All ill-gotten gains must be deposited into the national treasury. Set off immediately."

"yes!"

After the two agreed, Zhu Youjian ordered, "Li Ruolian, prepare the troops and follow me to Baoding!"

Li Ruolian hurriedly said, "In my opinion, it would be better to send someone to Baoding to deliver the imperial edict first..."

"No!"

Zhu Youjian waved his hand and said, "If we inform him in advance, Chen Yan will be prepared and set off immediately. I want to catch him off guard!"

"However, I am worried..."

"I'm inspecting the troops at the front lines. What's there to worry about? Go and give the orders!"

Zhu Youjian was determined that this matter had to be handled quickly!

If Chen Yan learned that his family and property had been escorted back to Beijing, he might actually betray the regime on the spot.

By then, with 200,000 troops surrendering to Liu Fangliang and turning against him, the Ming Dynasty would truly be doomed!

Therefore, we must be fast!

Before Chen Yan receives the news, we must confront him directly and ask him how he acquired his million taels of wealth.

Also, weren't you, the chief minister, the one who opposed the relocation to the south the most?

Now, how can we explain secretly sending family members to Nanjing?

Zhu Youjian made up his mind that Chen Yan could no longer be used!

We must regain control of the troops at the front; otherwise, something terrible will happen.

Upon receiving the order, the Warriors Battalion immediately broke camp and set off towards Baoding.

At the same time, a small contingent of troops set off from Zhengding, also heading towards Baoding.

The team was led by Ma Chongxi, Liu Fangliang's personal strategist.

In fact, Liu Fangliang was completely dumbfounded when he received Chen Yan's letter of surrender.

Just last night, Zheng Siwei led his remaining troops back.

Ma Chongxi's suggestion was fine; as long as they captured the fleet, they could use it to blackmail Chen Yan and the others.

However, man proposes, God disposes, and Zheng Siwei was defeated!

When they set out, the five thousand men were full of vigor, but less than a thousand of them escaped back in utter disarray.

Zheng Siwei was also helpless. They had won the battle, but suddenly a force of soldiers appeared. Their fighting strength was extremely strong, especially their skill in using firearms. It was clear that they were equipped with the best muskets.

Who knew the Ming army had a backup plan? We were careless!

However, luck doesn't matter on the battlefield, and no one will listen to your explanations.

A defeat is a defeat, and no amount of reasoning will change that!

Since the plan had failed, Liu Fangliang had no choice but to redeploy and prepare to launch a strong attack on the Ming army.

Although he knew very well that what followed would be a fierce battle, he didn't have much time left.

Li Zicheng issued three imperial edicts in succession, ordering his troops to launch a strong attack and prepare to launch a two-pronged assault on the capital.

Unexpectedly, at this very moment, Chen Yan's letter of surrender arrived!

Ma Chongxi was greatly surprised. During the negotiations, Chen Yan's attitude was not firm, but he would not surrender easily.

But a letter of surrender was sent the very next day. Could there be a trap involved?

In order to test the waters, Ma Chongxi once again volunteered to go to Baoding first to negotiate the surrender.

If we can successfully take over Baoding, it will be like a piece of fat meat falling from the sky.

With 200,000 troops under his command, he marched straight for the capital without any further obstacles!

Even if it's a trap, at most you'll be detained; it's unlikely your life will be in danger.

Chen Yan is a cunning old fox. Killing me wouldn't do him any good, so he'll definitely keep me alive to negotiate and try to gain as much benefit as possible.

…………

Around noon, Ma Chongxi led his delegation to Baoding.

Outside the city gate, a troop of soldiers was already lined up and waiting.

Ma Chongxi thought to himself, "What is meant to be will be!"

Now that we're here, there's no turning back!

The other side had clearly spotted the delegation, and dozens of riders galloped towards them.

The first general came up to Ma Chongxi, dismounted, and knelt on one knee.

"This humble general, Zhang Wenyuan, is here to await the arrival of the Great Shun army!"

Ma Chongxi looked around warily and said, "Please lead the way, General Zhang."

Zhang Wenyuan glanced behind Ma Chongxi and asked, "May I ask, Your Excellency, when will the Great Shun army arrive?"

"Taking over a city is not that simple. I am here on the orders of the Marquis of Cizhou to handle the relevant matters. The army will arrive soon."

Zhang Wenyuan was somewhat disappointed, as he had volunteered to come and greet them.

I thought I would see Liu Fangliang, but instead only a vanguard officer came.

"please!"

Zhang Wenyuan stopped hesitating, then mounted his horse and led the way.

After entering the city, Ma Chongxi finally felt relieved.

Things went smoothly; there were no axemen lying in ambush.

He leisurely looked at the ancient city and the soldiers within, a satisfied smile on his face.

The last line of defense leading to the capital collapsed without a fight!