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

Da da da……

Under the midday sun, a fast horse galloped from the direction of the capital.

At this time, Baoding Prefecture was holding a grand banquet to celebrate this long-awaited victory.

"This great victory is entirely due to the bravery and dedication of the entire army!"

Zhu Youjian was overjoyed; after this battle, the deadlock was completely turned around!

With the threat of the Southern Route Army eliminated, Li Zicheng was left to fend for himself.

Next, as long as the rebel army is kept outside Juyong Pass, the capital will be safe for the time being!

If Li Zicheng couldn't enter Beijing, and Wu Sangui wouldn't surrender to the Qing, the Manchus wouldn't be able to cross the Shanhaiguan Pass.

This is the butterfly effect in the long river of history: changing one event can change the entire course of history.

"Li Ruolian, Commander of the Warriors Battalion, is hereby granted the title of Earl of Loyalty and Valor!"

Li Ruolian hurriedly knelt and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. I am willing to die for you!"

"Alright, rise!"

Zhu Youjian then looked at Zhao Yong: "Minister Zhao, you are truly a formidable general. What position do you currently hold?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yong bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, I serve as the Vice Commander of the Central Army in the Five Armies Commandery."

Who is the commander of the central battalion?

"It's Zhang Wenyuan, who was executed by slow slicing along with Chen Yan."

Zhu Youjian nodded and said, "Your abilities far surpass Zhang Wenyuan's, yet you have remained subordinate to him all these years. It seems to be my oversight that has buried your talent!"

"I dare not accept such praise. I am simply not very good at flattering superiors, and I am also rash and prone to offending people with my words and actions."

"I admire capable people, and I also admire people with genuine character!"

Zhu Youjian slowly raised his hand: "From this day forward, you are promoted to Commander-in-Chief, succeeding Chen Yan, and given the title of General Who Pacifies the Bandits. I hope you will achieve new merits!"

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your divine grace!"

Zhao Yong was so excited that tears welled up in his eyes. After so many years, he had finally made something of himself!

He rose from a junior officer in the Central Military Commission to the commander-in-chief in one fell swoop, which is equivalent to skipping three ranks!

What's even more gratifying is that I no longer have to put up with that bastard Zhang Wenyuan's attitude!

Zhu Youjian turned to He Fu and said, "Baoding Prefecture is about to implement new policies; you, sir, bear a heavy responsibility and have a long way to go!"

He Fu was now in a difficult situation and could only bow, saying, "Please, Your Majesty, put it aside. I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's grace!"

Zhu Youjian looked around and asked, "Where's Miao Gang? Has Miao Gang arrived yet?"

"Your subject is here!"

Miao Gang jumped out from the crowd and knelt down to pay his respects.

Because he currently holds no official position, he dares not stand in front and can only hide in a corner.

Seeing Zhao Yong rise from the fourth rank to the second rank, and Li Ruolian even being granted a noble title, she was filled with envy...

However, he was well aware that he was guilty and only hoped to make amends for his crimes, not daring to ask for more.

Upon hearing that Emperor Chongzhen had personally appointed him, he hurriedly rushed out to pay his respects.

"Your humble servant Miao Gang inquires about His Majesty's well-being!"

"I am well! You may rise, my lord."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Miao Gang stood up, but dared not look up, feeling uneasy.

Zhu Youjian stared at him for a while, then said, "As the ancients said, no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. It is of utmost importance to know one's mistakes and correct them."

"It is truly gratifying that you, my lord, have realized your mistake and returned to the right path. This surprise attack on the enemy's supply camp has directly cut off Liu Fangliang's retreat, which is a great achievement."

"For any meritorious service, I will not hesitate to bestow rewards. Effective immediately, you are reinstated to your original position. If you achieve further merit, you will be rewarded again!"

"Your Majesty, I thank you! Long live the Emperor!"

Miao Gang was so excited he almost cried. Not only was he pardoned, but he was also reinstated to his original position.

Think about the kinds of people you used to associate with?

Aside from the surrender faction, there are the blame-shifting faction and the faction that gives blind orders.

Now that I'm following the emperor, I finally see a future!

"Report!"

Just then, a hurried sound came from outside.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, a captain of the Imperial Guard hurriedly entered.

Seeing that he was covered in sweat and panting heavily, there must be some urgent military situation at hand.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has made an urgent report!"

Upon hearing that it was the Crown Prince's memorial, everyone immediately fell silent.

Li Ruolian stepped forward, took the memorial, and presented it to Zhu Youjian.

After Zhu Youjian opened it, he only glanced at it before his brows furrowed immediately.

The letter stated that Li Zicheng was launching a full-scale attack on Juyong Pass.

The rebel army had artillery, and the city walls couldn't withstand the bombardment.

Meanwhile, Tang Tong, the general of Miyun, led eight thousand elite troops and rushed to the capital to defend the emperor.

Before Zhu Youjian left the capital, he issued an edict that the troops sent to defend the emperor should not enter the city. Therefore, Crown Prince Zhu Cilang ordered Tang Tong to set up camp outside the city and wait for the emperor to return to the capital so that he could give further instructions.

At this moment, the imperial army was stretched thin. Faced with the danger at Juyong Pass, the cabinet and the Ministry of War held an emergency meeting and decided to dispatch Tang Tong's troops to Juyong Pass immediately to reinforce the defenses and block the rebel army's offensive.

Zhu Cilang was acting as regent for the first time and had little experience, so he dared not make a decision lightly and sought advice from Wang Chengen.

Knowing the urgency of the situation, Wang Chengen suggested that the Crown Prince send Tang Tong to the front lines, and at the same time dispatched Du Zhizhi, a eunuch from the Imperial Horse Administration, to supervise the army. The intention was to urge Tang Tong to do his best and ensure that military orders were carried out smoothly and that the situation at the front lines was communicated in a timely manner.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Youjian turned deathly pale with anger.

Historically, Tang Tong did indeed lead troops to defend the emperor and was dispatched to Juyong Pass.

Du Zhizhi also followed Tang Tong to Juyong Pass. What's infuriating is that it would have been better if that bastard hadn't gone. Once he arrived, he immediately opened the city gates and surrendered!

It was precisely because this man surrendered to Li Zicheng that Tang Tong also defected.

Juyong Pass directly led to Li Zicheng's army besieging Beijing.

Zhu Youjian sighed inwardly, "Am I ultimately unable to escape my predetermined fate?"

Even with all that effort, Li Zicheng would still reach the gates of Beijing!

Seeing that Emperor Chongzhen looked unwell, Zhao Yong asked, "Your Majesty, has the rebel Li Zicheng invaded? I am willing to lead troops to meet him!"

Zhu Youjian stood up, and at that moment he secretly vowed that even if he were to play against the heavens, he would win by half a move!

If God wants history to repeat itself, then let's fight God!

Even if it means death, I will never hang myself!

"Li Zicheng is currently attacking Juyong Pass. What are your thoughts?"

Everyone looked at each other, but Zhao Yong was the first to speak.

"Juyong Pass is under attack, so let's go reinforce it. What's there to hesitate about?"

He Fu shook his head and said, "If reinforcements are sent to Juyong Pass, the defenses of Baoding will inevitably weaken, and Liu Fangliang may very well take the opportunity to launch an attack."

"His supplies have all been burned, what trouble are they still causing?"

"General Zhao, you are mistaken. Liu Fangliang's grain supplies were all looted. When they run out, he just goes back to looting."

Zhao Yong thought for a moment and said, "Then let's divide our forces. Leave half of the troops to guard Baoding, and the rest to reinforce Juyong Pass!"

He Fu neither agreed nor disagreed with this, but turned to Emperor Chongzhen and said, "Juyong Pass relies on natural defenses and should be able to hold out for a while. Baoding is surrounded by plains, which makes it easier for the rebel army to take advantage of the situation. In my opinion, it would be better to concentrate our forces to eliminate Liu Fangliang first, and then go north to fight Li Zicheng."

Zhao Yong waved his hands repeatedly to stop him: "You're wrong. Li Zicheng has cannons; Juyong Pass simply can't hold out!"

He Fu insisted, "However, the defense line of Baoding Prefecture is even more important!"