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

On the city wall of Zijing Pass, Liu Dadan leisurely drank wine and ate pickled vegetables, with a small pot next to him simmering tofu. He was quite content.

He used to be a tenant farmer, working himself to the bone all year round, but he still couldn't get enough to eat. In years of famine, he even had to go out and beg.

Seeing those officials and wealthy merchants indulging in debauchery all day long, refusing to give even spoiled food and drink to the homeless and beggars, while the streets were filled with corpses of those who had starved or frozen to death, one could only lament one's miserable fate and hope to be reborn into a wealthy family in the next life, but one could no longer count on such a life.

Just then, the rebel army passed through the area, and many refugees heard that there would be food if they joined the army, so they joined one after another. Liu Dadan also wanted to join the army, but he was too old and they didn't want him.

After all, recruiting soldiers is for fighting wars, not for providing you with a retirement.

At this time, a fellow villager told him that the general leading the team was named Liu Fangliang, and might even be a relative of his.

Liu Dadan told others that he was a distant relative of General Liu Fangliang, with all sorts of aunts and uncles, and just like that, he joined the rebel army in a daze.

Over the years, he has traveled around and made some military achievements, and was promoted to the rank of eighth-grade centurion.

After Liu Fangliang breached Zijing Pass, someone was needed to stay behind to guard it. Liu Dadan volunteered immediately and became the garrison commander of Zijing Pass.

While the Shun army and the Ming army were locked in fierce fighting at the front, he was able to drink a little wine every day and occasionally even have a meal of tofu. Such a life couldn't be more satisfying!

"Commander Liu, someone's coming!"

Liu Dadan picked up a piece of tofu, and without looking up, said, "Our people?"

"right!"

"Verify his identity and let him pass."

"You'd better greet him in person."

"Who is this person that I need to personally greet?"

Liu Dadan was getting impatient. "Can't you see my tofu is just cooked? How can you be so oblivious!"

"It's me!"

A voice came from behind, and Liu Dadan said with displeasure, "Who is it? I didn't see anyone... Oh, this humble servant greets the Marquis of Cizhou!"

Liu Dadan hurriedly knelt down and threw the tofu back into the pot.

Marquis Liu Fangliang of Cizhou stepped forward, picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of tofu and put it in his mouth. Because it was too hot, he had to slurp it down.

"Damn it, this tofu is actually pretty good!"

Liu Dadan, covered in sweat, said, "I was unaware of Your Excellency's visit and failed to greet you properly. I hope you will forgive me..."

"Alright!"

Liu Fangliang pursed his lips and said, "I vaguely remember you being a distant relative of mine?"

Liu Dadan was somewhat at a loss: "I was impersonating a relative of the Marquis of Cizhou, a crime deserving of death. However, I have never used your name to swindle or deceive anyone. Please forgive me!"

Liu Fangliang chuckled and said, "Looking at your attitude, did I say I was going to cause you trouble?"

Liu Dadan could only force a smile, but his face was so wrinkled that it looked worse than if he were crying.

"I remember you've been in the army for quite a while now, and you've only managed to become an eighth-rank centurion. If word gets out, wouldn't that be embarrassing for me, Old Liu?"

Liu Dadan hurriedly said, "Please rest assured, Marquis of Cizhou, I will never dare to do it again..."

"What are you saying? What don't you dare to do?"

"I wouldn't dare impersonate your relative..."

"No!"

Liu Fangliang suddenly slammed his hand on the table, startling Liu Dadan.

His name is actually a misnomer; his parents named him "Bold" because he was too timid as a child.

However, human nature is formed from birth, and no matter how much one shouts, one's courage will never grow.

Hearing Liu Fangliang say this now, he was terrified.

He was the Marquis of Cizhou of the Great Shun Dynasty, a founding hero, while I was just a lowly eighth-rank guard. The difference was too great.

Unexpectedly, Liu Fangliang suddenly said, "You must remember that you are my relative. If your official rank is too low, it will be a disgrace to me! I'll promote you to a seventh-rank captain first. Your duty will still be guarding Zijing Pass. If you make meritorious contributions, you can be promoted further."

Liu Dadan was completely dumbfounded. What was going on?

Liu Fangliang continued, "From now on, anyone entering or leaving Zijing Pass must have my warrant; otherwise, they will not be allowed to pass!"

"This humble servant thanks the Marquis of Cizhou!"

Liu Dadan finally realized what was happening and hurriedly kowtowed to express his gratitude.

"If you release them without authorization, you'll lose your head!"

"Please rest assured, Lord Cizhou, this humble servant would not dare!"

After Liu Fangliang finished speaking, he didn't waste any more words and got up to leave.

Liu Dadan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, looked at the large contingent of soldiers marching together, and secretly pinched his thigh!

hiss!

pain!

All of this is true; he's been promoted. But there's no such thing as a free lunch. Why is Liu Fangliang being so cautious? Who is he wary of?

It was definitely not the Ming army, because the Ming army would not have obtained our consent before passing through Zijing Pass; they would have simply bombarded it with cannons.

That must be the Shun army. Could it be that internal strife is about to break out?

goo goo goo...

Steam was still rising from the pot, and a faint smell of burning could be heard.

Liu Dadan realized what was happening and hurriedly put out the fire. Looking at the slightly burnt tofu, he couldn't help but shake his head!

You can fight however you want, just don't stop me from taking advantage of you!

Liu Fangliang and his party passed through Zijing Pass and hurried to the Zhen Ding camp.

At this time, the Southern Route Army was preparing for battle, and the military camp was bustling with activity.

Li Yan personally came out to greet him: "I was unaware of the arrival of the Marquis of Cizhou. I have failed to greet you properly! I have failed to welcome you properly!"

Liu Fangliang dismounted and said, "Brother Li Yan, please don't stand on ceremony. I have come today with His Majesty's decree."

Li Yan hurriedly replied, "Your subject Li Yan respectfully welcomes the imperial edict!"

"Hey, my dear brother, don't be in such a hurry!"

Liu Fangliang stepped forward, helped Li Yan up, and then said, "Where is your sister-in-law? Let her come and receive the decree together."

"My wife is still training the troops. I have already sent someone to tell her that she should be back in half an hour at most."

"No rush, no rush, let's talk about it when your sister-in-law comes back."

Liu Fangliang didn't stand on ceremony. He sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and then asked, "During your time in command of the Southern Route Army, have you fought against the Ming army?"

Li Yan, his face filled with shame, said, "Three battles, three defeats; I, Li, have failed His Majesty's trust!"

Liu Fangliang then asked, "I heard that you are preparing to launch a general offensive, brother?"

Li Yan nodded and said, "The role of the Southern Route Army is to contain the main force of the Ming army. Even if it cannot take the city, it should force the Ming army to divide its forces and relieve the pressure on His Majesty."

"How many soldiers do you have, my worthy brother?"

"Now it mainly consists of my wife's troops. Originally there were more than 50,000 men, but after three defeats, only 37,000 remain."

As Li Yan was speaking, he suddenly realized that something was wrong.

After Liu Fangliang sat down, one of the men following behind him was a familiar face named Wang Yongzhen, a military officer.

This person was of high status, yet he remained at the door with a very solemn expression, as if facing a formidable enemy.

This is strange. It's just a matter of conveying an imperial decree. Why is there such a fuss?

A thought suddenly popped into Li Yan's mind: Liu Fangliang was one of Li Zicheng's most trusted generals. Did he travel thousands of miles to Zhengding just to deliver an imperial edict?

wrong!

He suddenly realized that things might be far more serious than he had imagined!

Thinking of this, Li Yan went to the door and said, "General Wang, brothers, why don't you come in and sit down?"

Wang Yongzhen gripped the hilt of his knife, forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, and said, "No need to be polite, you guys chat, we'll wait outside."

Li Yan became even more certain of his deduction, and pulled harder, saying, "How can we let General Wang stand outside? If someone sees us, won't they blame me, Li Yan, for not knowing how to treat guests?"

Just as Wang Yongzhen was about to decline, a series of rapid hoofbeats came from outside.

"Husband, why did you call me back?"

Hong Niangzi reined in her horse, preparing to dismount.

Li Yan's expression changed drastically, because he could clearly see that Wang Yongzhen had gripped the knife hilt tightly, and the veins on the back of his hand were clearly visible.

"Wife, run! It's a trap!"

In his haste, Li Yan didn't have time to think and hurriedly shouted a reminder.

Sure enough, upon hearing Li Yan shout, Liu Fangliang immediately ordered, "Arrest him!"

Wang Yongzhen reached for his knife, but it wouldn't budge, because Li Yan was gripping his sleeve tightly.

"Wife, let's go quickly!"

Li Yan didn't know what had happened, but he knew that if Hong Niangzi was captured, both of them would die!

Wang Yongzhen kicked Li Yan to the ground and led his men to surround Hong Niangzi.

Li Yan hurriedly scrambled to his feet, but someone pressed down on his shoulders, preventing him from breaking free.

Red Lady, mounted on her horse, drew her twin swords with a backhand motion, her face frosty.

"Lord Cizhou, release my husband!"

Liu Fangliang sneered and said, "By His Majesty's decree, Li Yan and his wife have committed illicit relations with the Ming Dynasty, a crime unforgivable, and are to be executed immediately!"

"You're talking nonsense!"

Enraged, Hong Niangzi cursed, "You accuse my husband and I of having an affair with the Ming Dynasty, what evidence do you have?"