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

when!

Li Ruolian reacted quickly, knocking the short knife out of Hongzi's hand with a single stroke.

Hong Niangzi was furious: "I've fallen for your treacherous scheme today. If you want to kill me, then kill me. Why humiliate me like this?"

Whether or not you are killed depends on His Majesty's decision!

"Who did you say...?"

Hong Niangzi was very surprised, thinking to herself, "Isn't Emperor Chongzhen at Juyong Pass?"

Are you going to take me to Juyong Pass?

She wasn't afraid of death, but she worried that news of her capture would reach Li Zicheng's ears, and that she would suffer a fate worse than death!

Li Ruolian snorted coldly: "Take him away!"

The crowd tied up Hong Niangzi, while the other surrendered soldiers had their weapons confiscated and were imprisoned on the spot.

Zhu Youjian was fast asleep when he heard that Hong Niangzi had been captured, and he immediately jumped out of bed.

"Who? Matchmaker?"

He Fu bowed and said, "That's right!"

"So... they caught them?"

"Your Majesty's predictions were spot on! As expected, Lady Hong launched a night raid on our army's supply camp, and she personally led the attack. Commander Li successfully ambushed and captured her!"

Zhu Youjian thought he was still half asleep, so he patted his forehead and pinched his thigh.

Once he confirmed it wasn't a dream, he smiled and said, "Come, take me to see this heroine!"

Upon arriving at the front hall, Li Ruolian quickly bowed in greeting.

"I apologize for disturbing you so late at night, Your Majesty!"

"Alas! You have rendered a great service, what crime have you committed?"

Zhu Youjian smiled as he looked at Hong Niangzi, who was bound like a rice dumpling.

Hong Niangzi was also staring at Zhu Youjian, her voice fierce: "So you're the Chongzhen Emperor, you dog? Weren't you at Juyong Pass?"

"presumptuous!"

Li Ruolian shouted and pressed down on Hong Niangzi's shoulders.

"Let her go!"

Zhu Youjian waved his hand, then pulled up a chair and sat down.

Hong Niangzi retorted, "I was captured by you tonight because I'm no match for you. Kill me or torture me, it's all up to you!"

Zhu Youjian ignored him and instead said, "Untie her!"

Li Ruolian was stunned and said, "Your Majesty, you mustn't..."

"It's alright, loosen the ropes!"

"But, this..."

Seeing that Zhu Youjian wouldn't listen to advice, Li Ruolian quickly looked at He Fu.

He Fu immediately said, "Your Majesty's respect for the virtuous and talented is something we admire greatly. However, this bandit leader is no good man, and we must not be careless!"

Zhu Youjian scoffed, saying, "There are three grown men in this house. Are they afraid of a woman? Untie her!"

Left with no other choice, Li Ruolian had to untie the ropes binding Hong Niangzi, then stand behind her and grip the hilt of the knife at his waist.

He had secretly made up his mind that if Hong Niangzi suddenly attacked, he would kill her without asking why!

Hong Niangzi was also shocked. What kind of trick was this?

Zhu Youjian then said, "Get her a chair."

"No need!"

Hong Niangzi rubbed her slightly sore and numb wrists and continued, "I won't surrender, you don't need to pretend!"

Zhu Youjian smiled and asked, "How should I address you? General Hong? Or Lady Li?"

"Hmph, since we're all going to die anyway, what's the difference?"

"Then let's call her Madam Li!"

Zhu Youjian nodded and then asked, "Is Madam Li here tonight to raid our army's supplies?"

"Since you already know everything, why ask?"

"If I'm not mistaken, tonight's operation was Li Yan's idea, wasn't it?"

"So what if it is? So what if it isn't?"

Li Ruolian could no longer contain herself and angrily said, "His Majesty is asking you a question, answer properly!"

Hong Niangzi said irritably, "So what if you don't answer properly? Go ahead and kill me if you dare!"

brush!

Li Ruolian drew her sword and held it to Hong Niangzi's neck.

"You think I wouldn't dare?"

Seeing this, Hong Niangzi showed no fear on her face; instead, she went forward as if she wanted to die.

Zhu Youjian quickly stopped her: "Li Ruolian, you should step back!"

"Your Majesty, this man has shown you great disrespect and should be executed as a warning to others!"

"If you kill one Red Lady, there's always White Lady, Green Lady, and millions of bandits across the land. Can you kill them all?"

Zhu Youjian stood up, reached out and removed the knife from Hong Niangzi's shoulder, then sat back down in his chair.

"I have said before that if the people don't have enough to eat, they will rebel against me. Sometimes, killing is not the only way to solve the problem. Do you think I am right, Lady Li?"

Hong Niangzi's expression changed, and she said, "You, the emperor, aren't entirely incompetent; you even know why the people want to rebel?"

Zhu Youjian asked, "Do you know that during my seventeen years on the throne, I issued six edicts of self-reproach?"

"What's the use of an edict of self-reproach?"

Hong Niangzi retorted disdainfully, "Do you think that saying a few nice words will make the people have enough to eat?"

"Of course I know, so I issued another edict: for the rest of the Ming Dynasty, no more taxes shall be levied!"

"When did this happen?"

"It was announced to the world just a few days ago."

"I don't know, and even if I did, what could I do? The world is already in chaos; it cannot be quelled by a single imperial edict!"

"So how do you think we can calm things down?"

"unless……"

The matchmaker almost blurted it out, but then stopped herself.

"Forget it, it's pointless to say anything!"

How do you know it's useless?

"What's the point of saying anything if you can't even do it?"

"I am the emperor, what in this world cannot I do?"

Hong Niangzi sneered, "If I asked you to issue a decree to distribute the land of wealthy families and gentry to the common people, would you agree? Even if you did, would those wealthy families, commoners, princes, and nobles agree?"

Zhu Youjian seemed to have been prepared, and countered with, "Whether I can do it or not is another matter. I only ask you, could Li Zicheng do it?"

"Of course we can do that. Have you ever heard of the saying, 'When the rebel leader Li Zicheng came, no taxes were collected'?"

"Of course I've heard of it. Isn't this folk song the masterpiece of your Mr. Li?"

"If you already know, why ask?"

Zhu Youjian abruptly changed the subject, asking, "If Li Zicheng is truly as the folk song describes—not paying taxes, not looting, and not indiscriminately killing civilians—why would Lady Li still choose to fight alone? Don't think I don't know that you didn't stay by Li Zicheng's side because of ideological differences with the other generals, is that right?"

Lady Hong raised her eyebrows and said, "So what if it is? It's true that some people are robbing the people, and I've argued with them a few times. But, the King of Chuang... no, His Majesty the Emperor of Great Shun, he also has his reasons!"

Zhu Youjian immediately countered, "Oh? What's your predicament?"

Hong Niangzi was not good with words, but when pressed, she could only say, "Do you know how many hardships and dangers the rebel king has overcome to rise from nothing to having a million followers?"

"Most of his soldiers came from impoverished backgrounds and couldn't even get enough to eat, so how could they have extra food for marching and fighting? They looted to survive!"

"In this chaotic world, who can completely guarantee that their subordinates won't do anything outrageous? The rebel leader has already tried his best to restrain them; otherwise, how could he have won the support of the people?"

Zhu Youjian shook his head slightly, his gaze sharp: "Then let me ask you, if everyone can act recklessly under the pretext of saving their own life, where is justice in this world? Where is the law?"

"Is your so-called 'doing your best to restrain' just making innocent people suffer in this chaotic world?"

"I levy taxes to maintain the operation of the country and protect the people from foreign invasion. Why do you see this as the act of a tyrannical ruler?"

"Should I simply stand by and watch the nation's finances dry up, the army go unpaid, and foreign enemies invade while internal strife erupts?"

The matchmaker was speechless after hearing these words. She opened her mouth, wanting to refute, but found that she couldn't find a suitable reason.

She bit her lip and said stubbornly, "I'm just a woman, what do I know about grand principles? I only know that King Li Zicheng at least gave us people hope to live. I've been captured by you tonight, I only ask for death, don't waste any more words!"

Zhu Youjian looked at her, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

"Madam Li, you are mistaken. Hope is not given by others, but earned by oneself."

"Li Zicheng might offer you temporary protection, but he can't solve the fundamental problem. Even if the Shun dynasty replaces the Ming dynasty, what difference will it make?"

"Though I am neither a saint nor a perfect man, I only hope that the people of the world can live in peace and prosperity, and no longer suffer from the ravages of war. As for you, if you can repent and help me pacify the world, I will forgive your past mistakes and reward you according to your merits, and bless your descendants."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Hong Niangzi's eyes, which then turned to suspicion: "You would be so kind? Don't think I would believe you."

Zhu Youjian smiled slightly, took two steps forward, and walked up to Hong Niangzi.

"You can choose to continue being my enemy, or you can choose to become a sword in my hand. However, I must remind you that your choice will affect the lives and deaths of countless people."

After thinking for a long time, Hong Niangzi finally said, "You might as well kill me. I don't trust you!"

"How about this, you state your conditions now, and I'll do what you need to convince you?"

"I……"

Hong Niangzi initially intended to refuse, but then a clever idea struck her, and she said, "I have an enemy. If you can help me get revenge, maybe I'll believe you!"