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

Zhen Ding Prefecture Camp.

Li Yan was restless, like an ant on a hot pan.

Ma Chongxi reassured him, "General, there's no need to panic. Hong Niangzi will surely return safely!"

Li Yan said with a bitter face, "Chongzhen released her because she feigned surrender, but what excuse does she have this time?"

They already let you off the hook once, but instead of keeping their promise, you went and stabbed them in the back. Anyone would have done that!

Ma Chongxi retorted, "Last night, I heard Cheng Youde say that the Ming army's ambush was clearly aimed at capturing her alive. If Chongzhen truly hated Hong Niangzi to the core, why didn't he just kill her directly instead of going through all this trouble to devise a plan to capture her alive?"

"This, this... I'm afraid Emperor Chongzhen will not be able to quell his hatred and will torture her in every way possible..."

"General, you are overthinking it!"

Ma Chongxi waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, things aren't that simple. I think Chongzhen has feelings for Hong Niangzi, but I don't know what he's really up to..."

At this point, I suddenly noticed that Li Yan's face looked terrible, almost greenish-black.

Thinking back on what I just said, did I misunderstand something...?

"What I meant by having ideas wasn't that; it was... ideas about the bigger picture!"

Ma Chongxi quickly explained, and Li Yan's expression softened slightly.

"What you say makes sense, sir, but..."

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside.

"Report! The lady has returned!"

"What?!"

Li Yan was completely shocked. They're... back?

Ma Chongxi smiled and said, "Congratulations, General!"

Li Yan excitedly stood up and strode to the door. When he saw Hong Niangzi standing there unharmed, his eyes instantly welled up with tears.

"My wife, you're finally back! Tell me quickly, what exactly happened?"

Hong Niangzi walked into the room, sat down by herself, poured herself a cup of tea, and then slowly said, "Chongzhen still tried to persuade me to surrender, and then he just let me go."

Li Yan and Ma Chongxi were both surprised when they heard this.

The two looked at each other, both seeing disbelief in each other's eyes.

However, a hint of worry appeared in Ma Chongxi's eyes.

Emperor Chongzhen captured Hong Niangzi twice and released her both times. What tricks was he playing?

This woman is brave but lacks strategy; could she have been fooled by Chongzhen's sweet talk?

"Why is Emperor Chongzhen being so lenient with the lady? He just released her once, and now he's released her again. Is there some kind of conspiracy?"

Hong Niangzi shook her head and said, "This time it's not a freebie; there are conditions. If you don't believe me, just ask Cheng Youde."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan and Ma Chongxi both looked at Cheng Youde.

Cheng Youde stepped forward, bowed, and said, "The Ming army has made a demand: they want us to provide 5,000 shi of grain and 50,000 taels of silver in exchange for your wife."

Upon hearing this, Ma Chongxi couldn't help but ask, "They've already returned; aren't they afraid we'll break our promise?"

Cheng Youde shook his head and said, "The Ming army said they think we are all people of principle and would not go back on our word, so they released the people first to show their sincerity."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan felt a pang of unease.

They've already said all that, so should we give them the money and supplies or not?

Give it to them; this is no small amount, and it will significantly impact our own material reserves.

If we don't give it to them, they might release the person first, making us seem like we're being unreasonable.

Li Yan paced back and forth in the room, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper, unsure of what to do.

Ma Chongxi was also deep in thought. After a long while, he slowly said, "General, this matter needs further consideration. Once the money and provisions are given out, our future will likely be even more strained."

Li Yan stopped and looked at Hong Niangzi, his eyes filled with conflict: "Wife, what should we do?"

Lady Hong sighed softly and said, "I am already a defeated general, and defeated twice at that. What right do I have to offer any opinions?"

A moment of silence fell over the surroundings, with only the slightly heavy breathing of the crowd sounding particularly clear.

After a long while, Cheng Youde suddenly said, "I think that if the Ming army is willing to release Hong Niangzi, it's not a big deal if we agree to exchange money and grain for her."

Li Yan retorted angrily, "Are you talking nonsense? Our army's logistics are already insufficient, how could we possibly come up with so much money and food?"

Cheng Youde said, "General, don't forget that we still have a force in Zhangde Prefecture. If all goes well, they should be back in the next couple of days."

Li Yan looked at Ma Chongxi and said, "What is your opinion, sir?"

Ma Chongxi said, "It wouldn't hurt to send some of the money and provisions we can obtain from the Prince of Zhao's residence to the Ming army!"

"Alright, it's settled then. We'll provide the money and provisions!"

Li Yan immediately made the decision.

Hong Niangzi asked, "Leaving aside the matter of money and provisions, we've already suffered two defeats since arriving in Zhengding. What should we do next?"

These words caused everyone to fall into deep thought once again.

Li Zicheng's army is currently launching a strong attack on Juyong Pass. Logically, the role of the southern army should be to contain the Ming army and put pressure on Chongzhen. However, the reality is quite the opposite. Not only has it failed to achieve its strategic objectives, but it has also suffered repeated setbacks. The morale of the entire army is now low. If this continues, the army will likely collapse without a fight.

Ma Chongxi said, "Since the Ming army is adept at intrigue and trickery, let's fight a fair fight. In any case, we have the advantage in terms of troop strength!"

Li Yan hesitated for a moment and said, "Judging from the Ming army's two military operations, Chongzhen is by no means an incompetent ruler. If the Ming army holds its ground and does not come out, it will be difficult for our army to gain any advantage."

Upon hearing this, Hong Niangzi nodded and said, "What you say makes sense, sir. Chongzhen is not a foolish ruler; on the contrary, he is very shrewd. We lack siege weapons, and a forced attack does not offer much of a chance of success."

The couple were a perfect match, but Ma Chongxi secretly harbored some concerns.

The commander of the Southern Route Army is Li Yan, and his troops are all former subordinates of Hong Niangzi. If these two reach an agreement, I will become an outsider.

His biggest worry now is whether Li Yan and his wife will betray him. Judging from the current situation, there are already bad signs.

I doubt it!

After a brief silence, Cheng Youde suddenly spoke.

All six pairs of eyes turned to him. Cheng Youde composed himself and continued, "Although the Ming army gained the upper hand twice, they succeeded both times through trickery. Let's not play tricks with them; let's fight a fair fight. Who will win and who will lose is still unknown!"

Hong Niangzi frowned and said, "Cheng Youde, you deserted twice in the face of battle, and I haven't even punished you yet. Shut up!"

After being reprimanded, Cheng Youde indeed stopped talking and retreated to the side in a huff.

Ma Chongxi, however, had an idea in mind and said, "I believe that what the adjutant said makes sense. No matter the outcome, we'll only know after we fight! Our mission is to contain the Ming army and relieve His Majesty's pressure. If we remain indifferent, we may delay His Majesty's important affairs!"

After much deliberation, Li Yan said, "Then let's prepare for both possibilities. Once the troops from Zhangde Prefecture return, we'll first send money and provisions to the Ming army to repay Chongzhen's favor, and then we'll officially begin the war!"

Ma Chongxi asked, "Since war is about to break out, is it absolutely necessary to provide these funds and provisions?"

Li Yan said, "Our Great Shun Army is a righteous force; how can we break our word? Chongzhen wants to see us make a fool of ourselves, but we will not let him succeed!"

Hong Niangzi then said, "What's there to be afraid of? Giving him the money and provisions is just temporary safekeeping. Once our army breaks through Baoding, all the money and provisions will be ours!"

Ma Chongxi had no choice but to say, "Since the general has made up his mind, I will obey!"