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

As the sun sets, it casts long, thin shadows on the horse's back.

Hong Niangzi walked aimlessly forward, feeling that the world was vast, but she could not find a place for herself.

Back then, when the people heard that a righteous army was passing through their area, they eagerly joined in.

I don't know when it started, but the word "righteous army" has changed its meaning.

It was clearly a group founded by poor people, so why has it turned out like this...?

"Madam, be careful!"

Suddenly someone behind her reminded her, and Hong Niangzi snapped back to reality, only to find that a large number of cavalry had appeared behind her and were rapidly approaching!

brush!

Seeing that she couldn't escape, Hong Niangzi made a quick decision and drew her twin swords, ready to fight.

Rumble...

Countless warhorses were galloping wildly, numbering as many as two or three thousand, and the ground beneath their feet was trembling.

With the neighing of horses, the men surrounded Hong Niangzi, and then a general stepped forward.

The man stared at Hong Niangzi, sizing her up, and muttered, "I thought we'd encountered enemy activity, but it's a woman?"

Lady Red's almond-shaped eyes widened as she roared, "If you want to fight, then fight! Stop talking nonsense!"

"You're a woman, shouldn't you be at home washing clothes and cooking? Who are you trying to scare with those two knives? Besides, I don't even know you, why are you shouting and threatening to kill me the moment we meet?"

"Stop pretending with me. Didn't Liu Fangliang send you to kill me?"

Upon hearing this, the other party was somewhat taken aback and asked, "What Liu Fangliang? Who exactly are you?"

Hong Niangzi snorted coldly, brandishing her twin swords, and shouted sharply, "A scholar can be killed but not humiliated! I, Hong Niangzi, am here! Come and take my life if you dare!"

"Haha, hahaha..."

The general burst into laughter, and after a long while, he said, "So you're Hong Niangzi! What a stroke of luck!"

The matchmaker frowned and demanded, "Who exactly are you?"

The other party puffed out his chest and said loudly, "A true man does not change his name or surname. I am Miao Gang, the guerrilla general of the Fifth Army of the Great Ming Dynasty. Just the night before last, I fought with your men. Your men were too weak and were wiped out by our side in one battle."

Hong Niangzi was filled with doubts and wondered to herself, "I've been preparing for battle these past two days, how did I end up fighting him?"

Could it be Cheng Youde's outpost?

However, when he came out of the outpost today, he didn't mention fighting against the Ming army at all!

So she called out loudly, "Hey, are you sure you're not mistaken?"

Miao Gang's lips curled into a smug smile as he said, "Let me give you a hint: Zhangde Prefecture!"

Hong Niangzi suddenly realized something and was secretly shocked. It turned out that the troops she had sent to Zhangde Prefecture had been ambushed by these people!

A surge of grief and indignation welled up within her, and she gritted her teeth, saying, "So it was you! All you do is resort to sneak attacks and underhanded tactics; you're utterly despicable!"

Miao Gang, however, didn't take it seriously. He played with the riding whip in his hand and said slowly, "All's fair in war. On the battlefield, there is only winning and losing, not any distinction between despicable and clever. Speaking of which, wasn't it despicable of you to send people to raid the Prince of Zhao's mansion?"

"We...we were...robbing the rich to help the poor, acting on behalf of Heaven!"

"Red Lady, I won't argue with you. Today you have no way to escape. Just surrender obediently, so that I, the general, won't have to lay a hand on a woman like you."

Hong Niangzi laughed angrily: "Hmph, you think you can make me surrender? You're dreaming! Bring it on, even if it costs me my life, I won't let you get away with this!"

Having said that, she gripped her twin swords tightly, her eyes filled with determination, ready for a desperate battle.

Miao Gang raised his whip: "Capture Hong Niangzi alive, and this general will reward you handsomely!"

The Ming soldiers immediately charged forward with shouts, but unexpectedly, Hong Niangzi advanced instead of retreating, wielding her double swords and charging into the enemy ranks.

She moved with agility, wielding her twin swords with fierce power, each swing sending up a spray of blood. Although the Ming cavalry were numerous, they were unable to get close for a time.

However, the number of troops on both sides was far too disparate, and the Ming army began to wear them down through attrition warfare. Hong Niangzi was wounded in many places and covered in blood.

But she gritted her teeth and persevered, trying to fight her way out.

Seeing this, Miao Gang smirked and shouted, "Tripping ropes!"

Two Ming soldiers swiftly pulled out a fine steel chain. Hong Niangzi's warhorse, which was galloping wildly and caught off guard, was tripped and neighed, throwing Hong Niangzi flying.

thump!

Hong Niangzi fell heavily to the ground. Before she could get up, she was pinned down by the swarming Ming soldiers and unable to move.

Miao Gang laughed triumphantly and loudly ordered, "Leave them alive! Capture them and present them to His Majesty; that would be a great achievement!"

At this moment, Hong Niangzi was filled with despair. She had just encountered a mutiny, and Li Yan's fate was unknown. Now she had been captured, and she felt utterly hopeless.

Taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, she picked up the dagger from the ground, intending to end it all.

Miao Gang reacted swiftly, flicking his riding whip to precisely knock the dagger from her hand, and shouted, "You can't die! This general still needs you for a reward!"

After saying this, he ordered his men to tie up Hong Niangzi tightly.

Hong Niangzi was tied up like a rice dumpling. Suddenly, she felt that this scene was familiar. The scene of her first capture by the Ming army flashed through her mind. The scene was almost exactly the same as today.

Looking back, she realized that in just a few days, she had already been captured by the Ming army for the third time. She couldn't help but smile bitterly to herself, thinking how cruel fate was...

Miao Gang was overjoyed and escorted Hong Niangzi and her party back to Baoding, where they immediately went to meet Emperor Chongzhen.

"Your humble servant Miao Gang has fulfilled his mission and has come to report the victory!"

"Please rise quickly, my lord!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian knew there was good news and couldn't help but smile broadly, asking, "How did the battle go in Zhangde Prefecture?"

Miao Gang stood up, his face full of pride, and began to recount: "We traveled day and night, arriving in Zhangde Prefecture ahead of schedule. We then ambushed them on their inevitable route, and within two days, we indeed caught up with the rebel army. Those traitors were no match for our army. I led the charge, and in just one round, we routed the rebel army."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian's lips unconsciously curled into a smile, and he said, "This battle was fought brilliantly; you deserve credit!"

"This entire campaign was thanks to Your Majesty's brilliant strategy. I merely followed the plan and dare not claim any credit. Your Majesty's masterful planning and decisive victories are truly admirable!"

Zhu Youjian, not wanting to hear such flattery, asked, "I resolved such a huge problem for the Prince of Zhao; what did he say?"

Miao Gang hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, Prince Zhao is deeply grateful to Your Majesty and, in order to repay Your Majesty's grace, is willing to donate five thousand shi of grain to supplement the army's pay. This is a memorial written by Prince Zhao himself; please take a look."

As he spoke, he took out a memorial from his bosom and presented it with both hands.

Zhu Youjian took the memorial, glanced at it quickly, and couldn't help but complain, "My uncle is really stingy. If I hadn't sent troops, the Zhao Prince's mansion would have been razed to the ground by now. Are the hundreds of lives of the Zhao Prince's mansion only worth five thousand shi of grain?"

Seeing that Zhu Youjian was somewhat displeased, Miao Gang quickly changed the subject: "Your Majesty, I have some good news to share."

Zhu Youjian immediately perked up: "Oh? What's the good news?"

Miao Gang was secretly delighted, feeling that his future wealth and glory were within reach. He unconsciously puffed out his chest and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I have a great gift to present!"

"What kind of big gift is it that's being kept so secret?"

Miao Gang arrived at the door and called out, "Bring him up!"

Before long, the bound and gagged Hong Niangzi was brought before them.

She was disheveled, her eyes were lifeless, and her body was covered in blood; she had long lost her former charm.

Zhu Youjian was dumbfounded when he saw this.

Miao Gang bowed and said, "On my way back, I happened to encounter the bandit leader, Hong Niangzi, and captured her to present to Your Majesty!"

Zhu Youjian stared at Hong Niangzi, speechless for a long time, because he was unprepared and didn't know where to begin.

Miao Gang continued to boast about his achievements: "On the day of the decisive battle, bring Hong Niangzi to the front lines of the two armies. If Li Yan surrenders, that's fine, but if he has to watch his wife beheaded, he'll be thrown into a state of utter chaos..."

"Madam Li, what exactly happened?"

"...Then we can take advantage of the opportunity, take advantage of the opportunity, that..."

Miao Gang was speaking enthusiastically when he suddenly realized something was wrong and quickly shut up.

He was a little confused. His Majesty actually recognized Hong Niangzi, and the tone of his voice... why did it feel so strange?

As Zhu Youjian spoke, he came to Hong Niangzi and began to untie the ropes binding her.

Miao Gang was at a loss. He wanted to help, but he didn't dare, so he took two steps to the side.

Hong Niangzi suddenly felt a pang of sadness, and tears welled up in her eyes.