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

Outside Baoding city, the Ming army camp.

Zhao Yong was already prepared and was waiting anxiously.

At this moment, the scouts reported that a group of rebel soldiers had arrived outside.

Zhao Yong quickly asked, "Are you sure you saw it clearly? It's coming this way!"

"Reporting to General Zhao, the main force of the rebel army is still heading towards Baoding, but several groups of troops have been dispatched, seemingly heading towards various camps. One of them is heading straight for our camp!"

Zhao Yong pondered for a moment, then asked, "How many people came to our camp?"

"My subordinates were worried about being exposed, so they were quite far away and couldn't see very clearly, but there were probably two or three thousand of them!"

"You did a great job!"

Zhao Yong nodded, then ordered, "Pass down the order to collect all weapons and equipment, especially muskets and bows and arrows. Have the cooks prepare food and some good wine; I, the general, wish to entertain my guests!"

Half an hour later, the Shun army arrived at the Ming army camp.

Zhao Yong hurriedly came out to greet him, clasped his hands in a salute, and asked, "May I ask how you are addressed, General?"

"Wang Liangzhi, the battalion commander of the Great Shun Divine Fire Camp!"

Wang Liangzhi was over seven feet tall, which was considered quite tall in an era when people couldn't get enough to eat.

However, standing in front of Zhao Yong, he was a full head shorter.

This man was concerned about his image and unwilling to be outdone, so he raised his head and pointed his nose at Zhao Yong.

"General Wang, what brings you to my camp?"

"By order of General Liu, I have come to inspect and prepare for the handover!"

"Please come in quickly, I have prepared wine and food!"

With a smile, Zhao Yong led Wang Liangzhi to the central army camp, where he was treated to fine wine and food.

Wang Liangzhi originally went to Baoding with Liu Fangliang. After entering the city, he would have plenty of food and drink, and might even be able to plunder. Unexpectedly, Ma Chongxi ruined things, and he ended up in this godforsaken wilderness.

Seeing the other party's respectful expression, the anger in my heart subsided a little.

Seeing that it was almost noon and the soldiers were about to eat, they stopped being polite.

Inside the camp, the soldiers toasted each other and enjoyed a hearty meal.

Wang Liangzhi patted Zhao Yong on the shoulder and said, "Brother, don't worry. Once we're in Da Shun, I'll have your back!"

Zhao Yong raised his glass: "Then thank you very much, General Wang!"

"Ugh! We've gotten too distant!"

Wang Liangzhi picked up his wine cup, downed it in one gulp, and continued, "Under our General Liu, there are eight great generals, known as the Eight Tigers. Do you know who they are?"

"I'd like to hear more details!"

As Zhao Yong spoke, he made sure to refill the other person's glass.

Wang Liangzhi, already somewhat drunk, said, "First of all, there's Deputy Commander Zheng Siwei. That man fights like a madman; he's truly a fierce general!"

"Then came the Ma brothers, Ma Shiyao and Ma Shitai. These two were from the same hometown as General Liu and were among the first to join him in the uprising!"

"Then came Zuo Guangxian and his son Zuo Xiang, this...this...father and son...hiccup!"

Zhao Yong chimed in, "Let's eat and chat!"

Wang Liangzhi picked up a piece of food and continued, "These two men are not good people. They started out in the White Lotus Sect, swindling and cheating. Later, when the imperial court sent troops to suppress the White Lotus, they had nowhere to go, so they joined the rebel army."

"General Wang, what aspect of his character are you referring to?"

"These two are lecherous scoundrels. They set up a brothel in the area, specifically targeting young women who wanted children. They'd drug them, rape them, and then the women would get pregnant, and their families would even have to pay them money as a thank you. Tell me... where can you even seek justice for this?"

Wang Liangzhi looked disdainful, took another sip of wine, and said, "Let me tell you, although we three brothers were the last to join General Liu's army, sooner or later, we three brothers will be the ones calling the shots in the Southern Route Army. Do you know why?"

Zhao Yong shook his head: "I don't know."

"Look at you, you're so stupid!"

Wang Liangzhi shook his head and said with a smile, "Because there are three of us! Whether it's the brothers Ma Shiyao and Ma Shitai, or the father and son Zuo Guangxian and Zuo Xiang, they are all two people!"

"Haha, I see!"

Zhao Yong smiled obsequiously, constantly offering toasts and serving food, being extremely attentive.

Boom!

Just as everyone was enjoying their meal, a muffled sound suddenly came from afar.

Wang Liangzhi asked in surprise, "What was that sound? Thunder?"

Zhao Yong laughed and said, "It's not thunder, it's cannon fire!"

"What the hell?"

Before Wang Liangzhi could react, he felt a tightness around his neck.

Zhao Yong grabbed the other man by the collar and lifted him up, leaving his feet dangling in the air.

"What...what are you doing?"

Wang Liangzhi struggled desperately, but to no avail.

"After this final meal, it's time to hit the road!"

The smile on Zhao Yong's face had vanished, replaced by an indescribable chill.

Wang Liangzhi was terrified and cursed, "You barbarian, how dare you scheme against me!"

thump!

Before he could finish speaking, he was slammed heavily to the ground.

The fall left me completely disoriented, and I felt as if all the bones in my body had been broken.

Zhao Yong drew his knife with a backhand and slashed down heavily!

A cold glint flashed, and Wang Liangzhi's head was already severed from his body.

The rebel soldiers outside were eating when suddenly someone put a knife to their necks.

Some people fought back but were killed on the spot.

Zhao Yong took out his spear, used the tip to lift Wang Liangzhi's head, and came to the outside of the tent.

"Wang Liangzhi has been executed. The rest of you, lay down your weapons and you will be treated leniently. Those who resist will be killed without mercy!"

A cold wind swept through, and the camp was eerily quiet.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, and looking at the fate of those who resisted, the rebel army had no choice but to kneel down and surrender.

Zhao Yong threw Wang Liangzhi's head aside, then mounted his horse.

"The grain transport team and cooks will stay behind to guard the prisoners!"

"The rest of you, follow me into battle!"

"Kill the enemy!"

"Kill the enemy!"

The soldiers had been waiting for a long time, so they immediately grabbed their weapons and rushed out of the camp!

There is an official road between Baoding and Zhengding, which is the shortest route between the two cities.

Liu Fangliang suffered heavy losses and barely escaped the Ming army's artillery range, only to be stopped by Ma Chongxi.

"My lord, we cannot take the main road!"

Why?

"The Ming army clearly planned this all along; the troops in those camps were there to cut off our retreat!"

Liu Fangliang thought for a moment and said, "I have already dispatched troops in advance. Even if we can't stop them, it should at least be a fierce battle, enough for the main army to retreat back to Zhengding!"

Ma Chongxi insisted, "My lord, to be on the safe side, let's take the back road!"

Liu Fangliang shook his head again and said, "How do you know there aren't any ambushes on the path?"

"This, this..."

Ma Chongxi was speechless, because it was indeed a possibility.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from behind, growing ever closer.

Liu Fangliang frowned and said, "The Ming army is catching up!"

Ma Chongxi wanted to insist, saying, "In my opinion, the side road is safer..."

"I cannot agree with your words, sir!"

Liu Fangliang waved his hand and continued, "The Ming army is cunning. Since they have been planning this for so long, they will not overlook any detail. Now, the side roads are actually more dangerous. Pass down the order: everyone take the main roads!"

Upon receiving the order, the soldiers continued their southward march.

After running for an unknown amount of time, we were exhausted and the horse was tired. Just then, we saw a small river at the foot of the mountain ahead, so we stopped to rest.

Ma Chongxi looked around warily and said, "There are mountains on two sides here. What should we do if we encounter an ambush?"

Liu Fangliang said, "Do you really think the Ming army is like Zhuge Liang, capable of setting up an ambush in advance?"

"I am just worried, since the terrain here is conducive to an ambush."

"Hahaha, what a joke!"

Liu Fangliang suddenly burst into laughter and said, "I was merely careless for a moment and fell into the Ming army's trap. In such an open area, even if the Ming army had an ambush, would I be afraid of them?"

"Rush!"

"kill!"

Just then, a troop of soldiers suddenly appeared from the mountain pass ahead.

Liu Fangliang, his eyes red, roared, "There really are some who aren't afraid of death! Pass down the order: follow me and charge into the enemy lines! No retreat!"

The two sides began to clash, and at this point, the role of the commander-in-chief became apparent.

On the Ming army's side, Zhao Yong was in command. This man was over eight feet tall, a head taller than the average person, with muscles all over his body. He carried a long spear made of pure iron, which could be broken by ordinary swords and spears if touched.

Zhao Yong charged into the enemy ranks, killing more than ten people in an instant, as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.

Liu Fangliang flew into a rage and shouted, "Bring me my great Guan Dao!"

Ma Chongxi advised, "My lord, you shouldn't argue over a short-term gain; you should retreat quickly!"

"Get away!"

Liu Fangliang shoved the man aside, picked up his broadsword, and charged forward.

Ma Chongxi sighed helplessly, and taking advantage of the chaos, he found an abandoned warhorse, mounted it, and rode away.

Run or don't run, I'm running first!

Zhao Yong saw that one of the men was wielding a large knife and knew he was no ordinary person, so he mustered all his strength and smashed it with his gun!

when!

Both weapons were made of mixed iron, and when they clashed together, they produced a piercing clang.

With nowhere to vent his resentment, Liu Fangliang immediately raised his knife and charged forward again.

The two exchanged blows for several rounds before the sound of horses' hooves came from behind them.

Da da da……

Liu Fangliang glanced back and saw Ming army banners again, and couldn't help but curse, "Is all you know how to win by sheer numbers?"

Zhao Yong spat and said, "If you've got the guts, let's have a one-on-one fight!"

Liu Fangliang retorted angrily, "Have you no shame? I'll fight you one-on-one. Are you waiting for your reinforcements to arrive?"

"If you don't dare, then you don't dare. Stop with the nonsense! Prepare to die!"

Zhao Yong charged forward again, but Liu Fangliang refused to fight.

"Pass on my order: withdraw Zhen Ding!"

After saying that, he turned his horse around and charged off.

Upon receiving the order to retreat, the Shun army immediately ceased fighting and fled in a panic.

However, the Ming army had no intention of letting them go.

Beating a drowning dog doesn't need an order.

Everyone charged forward with a roar, because these fleeing rebel soldiers were all heroes!

An opportunity to get promoted and make money is right in front of you; the question is whether you can seize it!

The Shun army had been out since early morning and hadn't had a drop of water. They were thirsty and hungry, and some of them were too exhausted to run any further, so they simply threw down their weapons and surrendered.

Zhao Yong immediately ordered: "Leave two teams to guard the prisoners; the rest of you, continue the pursuit!"