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

Under the cover of night, Lady Hong led three thousand cavalrymen northward.

Before setting off, Li Yan and Ma Chongxi calculated the route and time. The cavalry would make a long-distance raid overnight and would encounter the Ming army's grain transport team at dawn. If everything went smoothly, they could return the next night.

By the time the news reached Baoding and Emperor Chongzhen sent troops to attack, it was too late.

The plan seemed perfect, but Ma Chongxi still had some concerns.

From the experiences recounted by Hong Niangzi, it is clear that Emperor Chongzhen was by no means a foolish or incompetent ruler.

However, this was a golden opportunity, and the only chance was to seize it while the Ming army was unaware of the danger.

If tonight's raid succeeds, it will not only immediately replenish the Shun army's food supplies, but also inflict heavy losses on the Ming army. This shift in power will have a significant impact on the course of the war.

Moreover, Emperor Chongzhen was waiting for Hong Niangzi to surrender, and these three days should have been the time when the Ming army was most relaxed.

Taking all these factors into consideration, Li Yan and Ma Chongxi decided to agree to take action.

After leaving the camp, Hong Niangzi was already familiar with the route, but this time the route still had to pass through that abandoned village.

Having learned from past mistakes, we naturally cannot fall into the same trap twice.

So, Hong Niangzi dispatched a small contingent of soldiers to scout ahead.

Cheng Youde hurriedly stepped forward and volunteered to go personally.

Hong Niangzi said coldly, "At least you know what's good for you. But the mistakes you've made can't be made up for by simply scouting the way!"

Cheng Youde lowered his head and said, "After escaping back, I have been filled with remorse and unease every day, only wanting to avenge the general. Fortunately, the general is blessed with good fortune, otherwise, I don't know what I would have done..."

"Alright, stop saying those nice things!"

Hong Niangzi waved her hand impatiently and said, "If tonight's operation goes smoothly, you'll be considered to have redeemed yourself, and we won't bring up the past anymore!"

Cheng Youde was extremely grateful: "Thank you so much, General, for your kindness!"

"Go scout ahead first. If you find anything, do not linger. Return immediately and report back, understand?"

"Please rest assured, General, I will be right back!"

Cheng Youde led his men away from the group and quickly disappeared into the night.

The night was very dark. When we approached the village, it was pitch black and we couldn't see anything at all.

"Lieutenant Cheng, can't we take another route? Why do we have to go through this village?"

"This is the shortest route. Besides, the Ming army has already launched an ambush once; they shouldn't repeat the same tactic. Let's do this: two people per group, carefully check the area, and meet up here in fifteen minutes!"

"yes!"

Ten scouts were divided into five groups and headed in different directions.

Cheng Youde remained where he was, silently waiting for the time to pass while observing the surrounding movements.

The moon was obscured by dark clouds, with only a few stars visible in the sky.

The surroundings were eerily quiet...

not good!

Cheng Youde was startled, because he suddenly realized that it was too quiet!

How could there be no insects chirping on a midsummer night?

The moment that thought crossed his mind, he turned his horse around and prepared to flee!

Immediately afterwards, flames suddenly ignited all around!

Cheng Youde was unable to adapt for a moment, so he covered his eyes with his hands, and then saw through his fingers that he was surrounded.

The number of torches indicates that the enemy has a considerable number of people.

Oh no, there's an ambush! I'm doomed!

"You, get down!"

Li Ruolian rode forward and pointed her knife at Cheng Youde.

"No, don't kill me..."

Cheng Youde was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he slid off the horse and knelt on the ground.

Li Ruolian ordered, "Extinguish the torches and continue the ambush!"

The surroundings immediately plunged into darkness again, with only one lamp still lit. Then, Cheng Youde was carried to an abandoned thatched hut.

By the dim light of the fire, he could clearly see ten people on the ground, bound tightly.

It was the scouts he had brought, all of them present and accounted for.

Cheng Youde knew that tonight was likely to be a dangerous night.

Why are the Ming army not following the usual pattern? They've chosen to ambush us here again.

Li Ruolian said, "I'm giving you two choices, listen carefully!"

Cheng Youde dared not say anything, but nodded repeatedly.

"First, if you die with them, Hong Niangzi will sense the danger and cancel tonight's operation. You've sacrificed yourselves for the greater good."

"Secondly, go back now and tell Hong Niangzi that everything is normal!"

Cheng Youde's back was covered in cold sweat, and he said tremblingly, "Is there... a third way?"

Li Ruolian didn't want to waste words with him at all. She stood up and waved her hand behind her.

Two captains stepped forward, drew their long swords from their waists, and their blades flashed coldly.

"No, don't kill me!"

Cheng Youde shouted, "I don't want to die! I can go back, but... but..."

Li Ruolian turned around and chuckled, "What right do you have to bargain with me?"

Cheng Youde gritted his teeth and said, "Back then, I was on the verge of starvation, and it was Hong Niangzi who took me in. She has given me a second life!"

"Fine, then you can die in her place; that will repay your debt of gratitude!"

"No!"

Cheng Youde shouted, "That's not what I meant! Hong Niangzi has been incredibly kind to me; I could never betray her so easily, unless... you give me money!"

Li Ruolian was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "What money? What are you talking about?"

"I need money, give me enough money, and I'll run away!"

"snort!"

Li Ruolian asked, "Then tell me, how much money would it cost to make you betray Hong Niangzi?"

"I need... at least five hundred taels, no, I want eight hundred taels!"

"Haha, hahaha..."

Li Ruolian was both amused and annoyed, then said, "The famous Hong Niangzi is only worth a mere eight hundred taels. If she knew, she would be furious with you!"

Cheng Youde, his face dark, said, "If you're willing to give more, I have no objection!"

After a moment's thought, Li Ruolian said, "No matter how much money you have, you can't escape the pursuit of the rebels unless you have the Ming Dynasty behind you, understand?"

"you mean……"

"After this is done, I'll give you an official position... no, I'll give it to you now. His Majesty has already ordered the expansion of the Warriors Battalion. Now we need to add an outpost, which will be responsible for reconnaissance, espionage, and defection. From now on, you will be the centurion of the outpost."

"One hundred households?"

Cheng Youde's expression changed. He was a proper deputy general under Hong Niangzi.

However, this army, which was called the Great Shun Army, was actually just a motley crew of refugees. No matter how high their status was, how could it compare to a proper official position in the imperial court?

A centurion is a sixth-rank military officer who can command a hundred men. This is neither a high nor a low rank.

Li Ruolian nodded and continued, "Don't worry, my Warriors Battalion always rewards merit. As you saw, if we were to fight directly, Hong Niangzi wouldn't stand a chance. The reason our army set up an ambush here is because His Majesty wants to capture her alive."

"If Your Majesty can capture her once, you can do it again, and again..."

"The reason for such a great deal of trouble is that His Majesty is a man who loves talent. Li Yan and his wife have a strong sense of righteousness and are different from Li Zicheng and others. Sooner or later they will be used by His Majesty."

"The day Li Yan and his wife surrender, you will be of no use!"

"If you work for me now, that's considered a meritorious service. Later, when rewards and promotions are given, that's a given!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Youde immediately made up his mind: "This humble servant is willing. From now on, I will, I will..."

"Oh, I forgot to introduce her, she's Li Ruolian, the commander of the Warriors Battalion!"

Cheng Youde quickly replied, "From now on, this humble officer will follow Commander Li's lead without question!"

"very good!"

Li Ruolian waved her hand and said, "Untie him!"

Cheng Youde stretched his arms and looked behind him. There were still ten people tied up!

"Commander Li, what should be done with these people?"

Li Ruolian countered with, "What do you think?"

A cold glint flashed in Cheng Youde's eyes as he said, "Too many people, too many eyes and ears; we can't let him live!"

"This is your person, you need to think this through!"

"I've thought it through very clearly!"

Cheng Youde turned around: "Commander Li, may I borrow your knife?"

Li Ruolian didn't speak, but waved her hand, and someone immediately handed her a knife.

After receiving the sword, Cheng Youde turned around and slashed one of his own men.

The others were horrified and shouted, "Lieutenant Cheng, are you crazy?"

brush!

Cheng Youde didn't say anything, and with another slash, the man fell into a pool of blood.

A moment later, he killed ten people, then wiped the blood from his face and returned the knife with both hands.

Li Ruolian asked, "You've killed everyone, how are you going to explain this when you get back?"

"Please rest assured, Commander Li, I know Hong Niangzi's personality very well and have a plan to deal with her!"

Cheng Youde smiled faintly, already having made up his mind.