Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

Tired of playing, they lay on the soft grass, enjoying the sunshine and the breeze. Lin Xiaofeng gently hugged the children and began to tell them stories about the grassland. He talked about the vastness and magnificence of the grassland, the life of the herds of cattle and sheep, and the horses galloping on the grassland. His voice was gentle and magnetic, as if it could bring the children into a magical dream.

The children listened attentively, their eyes sparkling with curiosity and yearning for the unknown world. They seemed to see those vivid pictures: cattle and sheep grazing leisurely on the grassland, horses galloping and jumping, and those hardworking herdsmen busy. These pictures made them feel the freedom and wildness of the grassland, and also inspired their love and awe for nature.

The breeze blew gently, bringing the freshness and fragrance of the grassland, as if it was a gift from nature, making people feel relaxed and happy. The cries of cattle and sheep echoed in the distance. They lived freely on this green land, adding vitality to the grassland. The laughter of children and the cries of cattle and sheep intertwined to form a wonderful symphony.

Lin Xiaofeng's heart was filled with gratitude and happiness. He looked at the innocent smiles of the children and felt their reliance and trust in him. He knew that this was the life he had always pursued. On this grassland, he found the warmth and happiness of home, and the joy of growing up with the children.

As time went by, the sun gradually set, and the golden afterglow spread all over the grassland. At this moment, the grassland became more beautiful and mysterious, as if it was shrouded in a golden halo. Lin Xiaofeng stood up and took the children's hands, and they were ready to embark on the journey home. Before leaving, they looked back at this beautiful grassland, their hearts filled with nostalgia and reluctance.

On the way home, Lin Xiaofeng talked with the children about the fun things and feelings of the day. They shared each other's happiness and gains, and talked about their love and yearning for the grassland. This wonderful time has become their common memory and will become the most precious treasure in their lives.

When night falls, the stars are twinkling, and the night on the grassland seems particularly peaceful and mysterious. Lin Xiaofeng and the children sit around the campfire, admiring the bright stars in the night sky. They tell stories and legends about the stars, feeling the magic and charm of nature. On this warm night, they seem to be integrated with the universe, feeling the mystery and greatness of life.

As time went by, the children gradually fell asleep. Lin Xiaofeng gently covered them with blankets, then sat quietly by the campfire, thinking about today's experience. His heart was full of gratitude and satisfaction, because he knew that this grassland had given him and the children endless joy and growth.

When the new day came, the sun shone through the curtains and filled the room. Lin Xiaofeng and the children got up early and prepared to start a new day of adventure. They put on light clothes and sports shoes, took the necessary equipment and food, and set off on a new journey.

Hiking on the grassland is a unique experience. They feel the beauty and mystery of nature, and also feel the deep emotions between each other. During the hike, they encountered many interesting things and scenes, which made them feel the diversity and richness of the grassland.

At noon, they rested under the shade of a tree. The children ate a delicious picnic, while Lin Xiaofeng took a camera to record this beautiful moment. They talked about their future dreams and plans, and shared each other's stories and experiences. This hiking experience not only strengthened their bodies and wills, but also enhanced their understanding and trust with each other.

As the sun sets, they return home. Although they are a little tired, their hearts are full of joy and satisfaction. This wonderful hiking experience has become their common memory and will remain in their hearts forever.

In the following days, Lin Xiaofeng and the children continued to explore the mysteries and beauty of the grassland. They rode horses across the grassland, watched the magnificent sunrise and sunset, and tasted delicious grassland food... Each experience made them feel the magic and charm of nature, and also made them cherish each other's company and growth more.

Whenever night falls, they will sit around the campfire and share their stories and feelings. Those laughter, those warm moments, those beautiful memories... will become the most precious treasure in their lives, accompanying them through every spring, summer, autumn and winter.

On this vast grassland, Lin Xiaofeng and the children found the warmth and happiness of home, and also found the meaning and value of life. They know that this grassland not only gave them endless joy and growth, but also taught them to cherish and be grateful. They will always remember this wonderful time and will always miss this beautiful grassland.

As time went by, the children grew up, but their love and yearning for the grassland never changed. Whenever they had the chance, they would return to this beautiful grassland to feel the gift and protection of nature. And Lin Xiaofeng always stayed by their side, sharing their happiness and growth.

They left behind so many wonderful memories on this grassland. Those laughter and tears, those challenges and growth, those companionship and warmth... will become the most precious wealth in their lives. And this wonderful time will also be forever fixed in their hearts, becoming their eternal memories and remembrance.

Now, whenever they recall the good times on the grassland, Lin Xiaofeng and the children feel a warm current in their hearts. They know that the beautiful grassland not only witnessed their growth and changes, but also carried their endless joy and warmth. And those beautiful memories will always accompany them through every stage of their lives and become their most precious treasures.

In addition to daily play and exploration, Lin Xiaofeng also takes the children to participate in various activities on the grassland. Once, they participated in the Nadam Festival on the grassland and watched traditional sports competitions such as wrestling, archery and horse racing.

But just when Lin Xiaofeng was about to spend his life like this, he suddenly felt an inexplicable piercing light, which knocked him unconscious while he was lying on the lawn...

"What...what is going on???"

…………

Deep in the Forbidden City, in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Lin Xiaofeng looked at himself in the mirror, his expression dazed, as if he was deeply attracted by something. He held a rope tightly in his hand, which was the only proof that he had traveled to this era. Since the memories came flooding back like a tide, he felt uncomfortable all over. Looking at the dragon robe on his body and the Yishan crown on his head, an inexplicable sadness rose from the bottom of his heart, and there was only despair in his eyes.

"Is God teasing me? I just reached the pinnacle of my life, but I traveled through time and space and became Emperor Chongzhen!" Lin Xiaofeng's thoughts were like flying snowflakes, and it was difficult to calm down. He glanced out the window and saw that the red walls and golden tiles of the Forbidden City looked particularly solemn in the afterglow of the setting sun, but also revealed a subtle sense of desolation.

Who is Chongzhen?

He was the king who brought ruin to the Ming Dynasty! He was also a typical example of a king who worked harder but ended up ruining his country. He was stubborn, fickle, suspicious, and knew nothing about the art of being a king. He personally brought ruin to the Ming Dynasty. Lin Xiaofeng couldn't help but smile bitterly, thinking to himself, as a modern man, how could he gain a foothold in this ancient palace?
What's even more sad is that today is March 10, the 17th year of Chongzhen. Seven days later, Li Zicheng will break through the outer city. Nine days later, Li Zicheng will break through the inner city of Beijing, and Emperor Chongzhen will hang himself on Coal Hill... Lin Xiaofeng closed his eyes, as if he could already see that tragic scene.

Then, Wu Sangui surrendered, the Jianzhou Jurchens entered the pass, and Li Zicheng was defeated. The three hundred years of history that followed were not only a disgrace to the Zhu family, but also a disaster for the Chinese nation. After the Jianzhou Jurchens established themselves in Beijing, they marched southward, massacring Jiading three times and Yangzhou for ten days... Corpses were everywhere and blood flowed like a river.

What kind of time travel is this? It's simply a disaster experience ticket!

Lin Xiaofeng looked at the rope in his hand and thought, "Maybe...if I hang myself now, I can travel back again?" He stared at every inch of the rope, as if that was his only hope to return to the modern era. But then he thought, it's better to live a miserable life than to die. However, if he doesn't hang himself, what else can he do? The current Ming Dynasty is like a candle in the wind. The court is corrupt, the army has no fighting spirit, there are bandits in the country, and there are threats from the Jianzhou Jurchens outside. Natural disasters and man-made disasters continue.

Lin Xiaofeng has been in this era for seventeen years, but he has not been able to change the fate of the Ming Dynasty. What can he change? With this question in mind, he closed his eyes and pondered. His thoughts were like the wind in the Forbidden City, shuttling through every corner, but he could not find a way out.

After a long time, a eunuch in a red python robe hurried into the hall and fell to his knees with a plop: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"

Lin Xiaofeng slowly opened his eyes. The middle-aged eunuch was called Guo Tianyang, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department and the person Lin Xiaofeng trusted the most. He had a thin face and his eyes revealed a sense of determination and loyalty. In history, after Lin Xiaofeng hanged himself, Guo Tianyang put down his body, tidied up his clothes and then committed suicide. His loyalty was evident.

"Don't panic, talk slowly." Lin Xiaofeng hid the rope he brought with him when he traveled through time behind him and said lightly. This rope always reminded him not to give up easily.

Guo Tianyang's face turned pale, and he said in a trembling voice, "Yes, Your Majesty. There are three...three things."

"An urgent report has been sent from Xuanfu over six hundred miles away. The bandits broke through Xuanfu last night and headed straight for the capital. General Weng Guofan surrendered to the enemy; Governor Zhu Zhifeng and Military Supervisor Cheng Jinhe hanged themselves." Guo Tianyang's voice echoed in the empty hall, and every word was like a hammer hitting Lin Xiaofeng's heart.

Guo Tianyang paused for a moment, and seeing that the emperor had no expression on his face, he continued, "Dingxi Earl Tang Shengyu has been ordered to come to the king's defense, and he and the military supervisor eunuch Du Jinhong are waiting for the emperor's order outside the palace."

"Tianjin Governor Shan Rongqing sent someone to deliver a secret letter."

After saying that, Guo Tianyang knelt on the ground and raised the letter above his head with both hands. Lin Xiaofeng noticed that Guo Tianyang's hands were trembling slightly, and it was obvious that he was also frightened by this sudden change.

Lin Xiaofeng did not take the letter immediately, but frowned and pondered. Among these three things, one is a bad thing, one is a good thing, and one is neither good nor bad. The bad thing is that Xuanfu has been lost, and the only obstacle for Li Zicheng to enter Beijing is Juyongguan. And the garrison of Juyongguan is less than 2,000 people, and it is definitely not able to hold it. The good thing is a secret letter from the governor of Tianjin. He is proficient in Ming history and already knows the content of the letter, so he opened the envelope and took a look.

The content was indeed the same as history: [Your Majesty, now that the bandits have invaded the border, the capital is undermanned and has no reliable support for either fighting or defending. I have prepared a hundred ships and a thousand elite soldiers, waiting for Your Majesty to move south at any time in Tongzhou.] Shan Rongqing was afraid that the capital could not be defended, so he prepared more than a hundred ships and asked Lin Xiaofeng to go to Yingtian Prefecture for refuge.

As for Tang Shengyu's order to come to the capital, it was neither good nor bad news. In early March, Chongzhen urgently dispatched Wu Sangui, the general of Liaodong, Wang Yongji, the governor of Jiliao, Tang Shengyu, the general of Changping, and Liu Zeqing, the general of Shandong, to Beijing to protect the capital, and called on the nobles and officials in Beijing to donate money for military expenses. However, among the people dispatched by Lin Xiaofeng, Wu Sangui and Wang Yongji returned from Liaodong with 300,000 soldiers and civilians, but they could not reach Yutian, a hundred kilometers away from Beijing, until March 22, and they were too late to rescue the emperor. Although Tang Shengyu came quickly, he also surrendered quickly. When Li Zicheng arrived at Juyongguan, the eunuch Du Jinhong ordered the city gates to be opened. Tang Shengyu saw that the situation was hopeless and stopped resisting. All the 8,000 soldiers under his command surrendered. As for Liu Zeqing, he refused to come to the capital to serve the emperor!
Lin Xiaofeng casually threw the secret letter to Guo Tianyang, looked at the eunuch he trusted most and slowly asked: "What do you think of Shan Rongqing's request that I move to Yingtian Prefecture?"

"I dare not say." Guo Tianyang answered tremblingly. His eyes revealed a kind of fear and uneasiness, and it was obvious that he also felt very difficult about this issue.

"You are innocent!" Lin Xiaofeng consoled him. He understood Guo Tianyang's concerns. After all, relocating the capital was a big deal. If the decision was wrong, the consequences would be disastrous.

"Yes!" Guo Tianyang swallowed his saliva and said bravely, "I think this is the best strategy!"

"Why do you say that?" Lin Xiaofeng asked. He wanted to know Guo Tianyang's specific thoughts so that he could make a more informed decision.

"I am now concurrently serving as the governor of the Nine Gates. This morning, after meeting with Governor Jin Yaozhong, I learned that among the 80,000 people registered in the three camps in the capital, some were transferred to fight against bandits and some were just eating empty salaries. Now there are less than 30,000 available people, and they are all old, weak, sick and disabled." Guo Tianyang said in one breath. His tone revealed a sense of helplessness and anxiety, and he was obviously very worried about the defense situation in the capital.

"The capital city is probably no longer safe!" Guo Tianyang spoke the truth with courage. His voice was low but full of determination and firmness.

"Rather than defending Beijing, it is better to move to Yingtianfu. As long as the emperor is here, our Ming Dynasty will remain the same." Guo Tianyang continued. His eyes revealed a kind of expectation and desire, obviously hoping that the emperor could make a wise decision.

Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He would never dare to say this under normal circumstances, but the situation was different now. The bandits would arrive soon and it would be too late if he didn't leave. He knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly, "Your Highness, I dare to ask you to follow Shan Rongqing's plan and move south!"

Lin Xiaofeng shook his head gently and said, "I can't leave." His tone revealed a firmness and determination, and it was obvious that he had made a decision.

"Your Majesty!" Guo Tianyang was so anxious that he almost cried. He couldn't understand the emperor's decision. After all, moving the capital seemed to be the only way out.

Lin Xiaofeng did not doubt Guo Tianyang's loyalty, but just shook his head and said, "The capital is full of Li Zicheng's spies. Once the news of the southward migration spreads, there will be chaos without a fight. At that time, he only needs to send an elite cavalry to Shandong to march at night. He can intercept us by land or by sea to cut off my way south. By then, I will have nowhere to escape and nowhere to defend."

Guo Tianyang's forehead was sweating and he began to feel how ignorant and reckless his behavior was. He understood the emperor's concerns. After all, if the news of the southward migration was leaked, the consequences would be disastrous.

"Even if I can reach Yingtian Prefecture smoothly, it is equivalent to handing Beijing over to the bandits. Wu Sangui has the Jianzhou Jurchens in the north and the bandits in the south... Can he not surrender?" Lin Xiaofeng's voice revealed a sense of helplessness and anxiety. It is obvious that he is very worried about the future situation.

"The Guanning Army is the last elite force of our Ming Dynasty. I don't want to give it to others." Lin Xiaofeng's voice revealed a firmness and determination, and he had obviously made a decision. He didn't want to say more, but Guo Tianyang lacked a sense of the overall situation and needed to be trained before he could become his right-hand man.

Guo Tianyang wiped the sweat from his forehead and said hesitantly: "But..." He didn't dare to say the second half of the sentence. He didn't dare to say it and couldn't say it because the emperor is the son of heaven and he will be safe.

Lin Xiaofeng closed his eyes and thought for a moment. He understood that the waters at the end of the Ming Dynasty were too deep. In the northeast, there were the Jianzhou Jurchens, in the north, there were the Mongols, in the southwest, there was the rebellion of Zhang Xianzhong, and in the west and the central plains, they were turned upside down by Li Zicheng's peasant army. Land annexation was serious, the treasury was empty, civil servant groups and factions were constantly fighting, and military pay corruption was endless. In addition, the severe cold brought by the Little Ice Age led to a reduction in grain production, and drought and plague were prevalent in various places. What should be done?
After a long time, he slowly opened his eyes. Since he had traveled to this world, there must be a way to change history. But history has already changed. In history, Lin Xiaofeng did not receive this secret letter because of his erratic and suspicious character. No one in the civil and military officials was willing to convey this secret letter to him. After all, if they were discovered by Li Zicheng's men during their escape, Shan Rongqing and the person who conveyed the secret letter would be executed for treason.

Now God gave him a week to change the fate of Lin Xiaofeng and the Ming Dynasty. On March 17, Li Zicheng will capture Guangning Gate and no one will be able to reverse the situation. He stood up and ordered: "Guo Tianyang, remember what I said!" His voice revealed a firmness and determination, as if he was fully prepared to meet the upcoming challenge.

Guo Tianyang moved his eyebrows slightly, a sly look in his eyes, and winked at the eunuch next to him, with an unquestionable majesty in his eyes. The eunuch immediately ran out smartly, with brisk steps, as if every step was following a silent drumbeat. After a while, he came in with a tray, on which were neatly placed the four treasures of the study, including pens, ink, paper and inkstone, like an exquisite painting, quietly waiting for the changes that were about to be painted on it.

Lin Xiaofeng stood there with his hands behind his back. His figure was particularly calm and profound under the setting sun outside the window. His voice was as steady and powerful as the deep water of an ancient pond: "Ji Zhongrong, from Tongzhou, Zhili, is now the prefect of Jiangyin County. An Jianming, from Shangyu, Zhejiang, is also the prefect of Jiangyin County. Shi Wanyi, from Jintan, Nanzhili, is now the instructor of Jiangyin. These three people should be sent to the capital immediately by express delivery of 600 miles."

Guo Tianyang couldn't help but feel a ripple in his heart when he heard these three names. Why did these three people with low official positions attract the attention of the emperor? He bowed and asked with a hint of temptation in his tone: "Your Majesty, who are these three people? I really don't have any impression..."

Lin Xiaofeng smiled slightly, with a deep meaning hidden in that smile: "Don't ask things that you shouldn't ask, you will know it naturally when the time comes." After that, he turned and looked out the window. The scenery outside the window was picturesque, but it could not conceal the smell of the coming wind and rain.

After hearing this, Guo Tianyang's face instantly turned pale. He knelt on the ground, kowtowed and apologized, with a tremor in his voice: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I will arrange it right away."

"Wait, we just need to call Ji Zhongrong alone." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was plain, but it revealed an irresistible majesty.

"As you say." Guo Tianyang stood up and walked, thinking. He walked through the corridor, and the flowers and plants on both sides of the corridor seemed to be whispering, discussing this sudden change.

Miao Renjian was the commander-in-chief of the Jinyiwei, and Gongsun Yuchun was the commander-in-chief. Both were leaders of the Jinyiwei. Gu Chaosheng was the governor of the East Factory. What did the emperor want to do by summoning these three people? Did he want to kill people? Guo Tianyang's pace accelerated involuntarily, and the doubts in his heart grew like weeds.

He slapped himself and tried to calm himself down. "Killing people is fine! These officials who have harmed the country should all be killed. But the bandits are coming, and it's probably not the right time to kill officials now." Thinking of this, he shook his head and smiled bitterly. "The emperor must have his own reasons for doing things. Why should I worry too much? I just need to manage the eunuchs in the palace and guard the nine gates."

After a while, Guo Tianyang returned to Lin Xiaofeng and reported, "Your Majesty, everyone has arrived and is waiting outside the door."

"Let them in." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was still steady, as if everything was under his control.

"Yes. Dingxi Earl Tang Shengyu and Du Jinhong also asked for a meeting. I wonder if the emperor will summon them?" Guo Tianyang asked cautiously.

Lin Xiaofeng slapped his forehead and said with sudden realization: "Let them come in too." Tang Shengyu had been named Dingxi Bo by Lin Xiaofeng. He was wearing a red Qilin suit and standing outside the door, looking around. The pattern on the Qilin suit was lifelike, as if it contained endless power. However, at this moment, he was in a panic.

Suddenly seeing Miao Renjian and Gu Chaosheng, he was startled. Why were the Jinyiwei and the Dongchang here? What did they want to do? In an instant, all the evil things he had done in his life came to his mind, like a dark cloud pressing down on his head, making him breathless.

Could it be that the emperor wanted to harm him? Thinking of this, Tang Shengyu regretted it deeply. He regretted that he should not obey the emperor's order and should not enter the palace to ask for rewards. Since Lin Xiaofeng ascended the throne, officials have all had a miserable end, especially military generals. Yuan Chonghuan, Sun Chengzong, Sun Yuanhua, Zheng Chongjian, Sun Chuanting and others have all suffered misfortune. Their fate is like a sword hanging over his head, which makes him shudder.

Tang Shengyu wanted to leave, but when he saw the Jinyiwei on both sides of the palace gate, he knew he had no way to escape. He had no choice but to lower his head and follow Guo Tianyang in, bowing and paying homage: "Long live the emperor!"

"No need to be polite, just stand up!" Lin Xiaofeng's voice contained a barely perceptible sneer.

"Why is Dingxi Bo here?" Lin Xiaofeng asked deliberately, with a playful gleam in his eyes.

Tang Shengyu had no choice but to tell the truth: "Your Majesty, I came here this time, first, to collect military pay, and second, to thank the emperor for his grace." The 8,000 soldiers under his command had not been paid for five months. As a loyal army, they deserved to be rewarded, otherwise there might be a mutiny.

Lin Xiaofeng smiled and said, "How much do you want?" There was a deep meaning hidden in that smile, as if everything was under his control.

Tang Shengyu frowned and thought hard. He knew that the court had no money. What did Lin Xiaofeng mean by asking this? Was it a warning? A warning to himself not to ask the court for money? But if there was no money, how would the eight thousand soldiers live?
Tang Shengyu thought for a long time, and said while suppressing his fear: "I need ten thousand taels of silver." There was a slight tremor in his voice, as if he was begging.

Before Lin Xiaofeng could speak, the eunuch Du Jinhong shouted angrily: "General Tang is wrong, now you are Lord Dingxi. The court is short of money and food. Where can we get 10,000 taels of silver to give you?" His voice was sharp and harsh, like the cold wind in winter.

"Don't say I don't have it. Even if I do have it, I can't give it to you. Go back and tell your brothers that the court is in trouble now. It will be over if you just be patient." Du Jinhong raised his sarcastic face, hoping to get Lin Xiaofeng's praise.

"Du Jianjun, you have never led an army, so you don't know the difficulty of leading an army. The ten thousand taels I mentioned is already too little." Tang Shengyu gritted his teeth and looked at Du Jinhong, feeling very angry. He didn't understand why the Ming emperor didn't trust military commanders and sent eunuchs to supervise the army every time he went out to fight. They knew nothing and had never even heard the sound of artillery. How could they not be defeated when they sat in the central army tent and gave random orders?

Lin Xiaofeng sneered in his heart when he saw Du Jinhong's clown-like performance. In history, it was this man who sent people to surrender when Tang Shengyu was preparing to fight. Damn it!
"What Du Jinhong said makes sense!" Lin Xiaofeng asked with a smile, "I have a question and you must answer it truthfully." There was a playful light in his eyes, as if everything was under his control.

"I obey your command." Du Jinhong answered respectfully.

"If, I'm just saying if, Dingxi Bo secretly colluded with the bandits, what would you do?" Lin Xiaofeng's words made Tang Shengyu feel cold on his back. He was fighting bravely on the front line, but the emperor suspected that he had secretly colluded with the bandits. In an instant, a complex feeling of surprise, sadness, grievance, anger, regret, etc. surged in his heart.

He knew that the suspicion that was coming would eventually come. If he had known this earlier, he should have learned from Liu Zeqing! Shandong General Liu Zeqing lied that he was injured in a horse accident and could not obey the emperor's order. Lin Xiaofeng not only did not blame him, but also rewarded him with several hundred taels of medical expenses. Where is justice?
Du Jinhong glanced at Tang Shengyu and said slowly: "I will cut off his head with the sword Your Majesty gave me." His voice was cold and firm, as if he was carrying out a sacred mission.

Tang Shengyu knelt down and begged for mercy: "Your Majesty, I am innocent!" There was a hint of trembling and despair in his voice.

Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand gently: "There is no need for Dingxi Bo to cry out for injustice. I was just saying what if. Don't mind it." His voice was plain, but it revealed an irresistible majesty.

Tang Shengyu stood up tremblingly, his hatred for Du Jinhong and his dissatisfaction with Lin Xiaofeng reached its peak. As an emperor, Lin Xiaofeng did not understand the principle of "don't employ people if you doubt them, and don't doubt people if you employ them". Such a Ming Dynasty is not worth preserving!
Lin Xiaofeng asked Du Jinhong again: "If you collude with the bandits, what should Dingxi Bo do?" There was a playful gleam in his eyes, as if everything was under his control.

"Me?" Du Jinhong was stunned for a moment, and said respectfully: "I am loyal to Your Majesty and to the Ming Dynasty!" There was a hint of firmness and loyalty in his voice.

Lin Xiaofeng said expressionlessly: "I'm just saying if." His voice was plain, but it revealed an irresistible majesty.

Du Jinhong knelt down and kowtowed: "If I have colluded with the bandits, please, Lord Dingxi, chop off my head." There was a hint of trembling and fear in his voice.

"Good!" Lin Xiaofeng clapped his hands in praise. "Now that you've admitted it, why don't you act quickly, Lord Dingxi?" There was a hint of teasing and amusement in his voice.

Tang Shengyu was stunned, and so was Du Jinhong. He thought Lin Xiaofeng was joking, so he smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are joking. I am a coward and cannot stand such a joke." There was a hint of embarrassment and flattery in his voice.

"Are you worthy?" Lin Xiaofeng looked at him expressionlessly, his eyes revealing endless indifference and majesty.

Seeing Lin Xiaofeng's serious face, Du Jinhong panicked. He was trusted by the emperor and never thought that he would be killed. So he knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I am loyal to Your Majesty and the Ming Dynasty. I would never dare to do anything against the will of the emperor. I hope Your Majesty will understand!" There was a hint of despair and pleading in his voice.

"Clear and clear?" Lin Xiaofeng sneered, took Shan Rongqing's secret letter from Guo Tianyang, and threw it on the ground. "The letters between you and the bandits have long been intercepted by Guo Tianyang. This is the ironclad evidence of your secret communication with the bandits!" There was a hint of anger and majesty in his voice, as if he wanted to destroy everything.

"Huh?" Du Jinhong exclaimed, his face instantly turned livid, as if an invisible hand had suddenly grabbed his throat. He suddenly fell to the ground, kowtowed repeatedly, and his forehead made a dull sound when it hit the cold ground. "Your Majesty, I am innocent! Someone must have framed me! I have always been loyal to Your Majesty, how could I do such a treacherous thing?"

He raised his head, his eyes full of pleading and helplessness, his eyes were red, and tears seemed to be flashing, "Your Majesty, you know that I have always been your most loyal minister, willing to go through fire and water for you, without hesitation! Please be careful and don't let the villain succeed!" After saying this, he saw that Lin Xiaofeng was silent, but his brows were furrowed and his eyes were deep, so he turned to look at Guo Tianyang, with a glimmer of hope in his eyes, "Mr. Guo, you cultivated me, how could I betray Your Majesty? Please remember our old friendship and be careful for me!"

Guo Tianyang frowned, his face stern. He knew that the emperor had no solid evidence, and had made a conclusion about Du Jinhong based on a letter from Shan Rongqing. Killing Du Jinhong was nothing more than to appease Tang Shengyu and stabilize the army. Thinking of this, he snorted coldly, with an unquestionable determination in his voice, "Du Jinhong, the evidence of your collusion with the bandits is solid, what else can you quibble about? Come, arrest him and wait for your punishment!"

Two Jinyiwei rushed in upon hearing the noise, and restrained Du Jinhong on the left and right. They were wearing flying fish uniforms, with embroidered spring swords on their waists, and had stern expressions. They dragged Du Jinhong out without saying anything. Du Jinhong was panicked, and he looked around, and his eyes finally fell on Tang Shengyu, his eyes full of pleading and confusion.

"Lord Tang, please ask His Majesty for mercy! I really didn't collude with the bandits!" Du Jinhong shouted, his voice filled with despair and unwillingness. However, Tang Shengyu just snorted coldly, pretending not to hear, and a complex expression appeared on his face, with both pride and indifference.

Du Jinhong was in despair and was about to be dragged out of the hall. At this time, Lin Xiaofeng raised his hand to signal the Jinyiwei to stop. He smiled, but the smile did not reach his eyes. He turned to Tang Shengyu and said, "Dingxi Bo, according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, what crime should be punished for colluding with bandits?"

Tang Shengyu was shocked when he heard this. He immediately understood Lin Xiaofeng's intention and said in a deep voice: "According to military law, he should be beheaded." His voice was cold and hard, without a trace of emotion.

"Du Jinhong, as a military supervisor, knew the law but broke it. Now that the charges have been established, he should be dealt with according to military law." Lin Xiaofeng said calmly, his eyes deep, as if he could see into people's hearts.

Tang Shengyu couldn't help but look up at Lin Xiaofeng, his heart full of doubts. It was His Majesty who sent Du Jinhong to be the military supervisor yesterday, and it was His Majesty who wanted to execute Du Jinhong today. Did Du Jinhong really have an affair with the bandits? No, it's impossible! Anyone could have an affair with the bandits, but eunuchs would never do that. When a dynasty changes, they might use the old ministers of the previous dynasty, or they might marry the concubines of the previous dynasty, but they would never use the eunuchs of the previous dynasty.

So, what exactly did Du Jinhong want by colluding with the bandits? Tang Shengyu was filled with doubts and confusion.

"Tang Shengyu, Du Jinhong is in collusion with the bandits. Don't you want to kill him for me?" Lin Xiaofeng's voice sounded coldly, with irresistible majesty.

Tang Shengyu didn't think much and knelt down and kowtowed, "Your Majesty, obey your order." After saying that, he stood up and walked to Du Jinhong and grabbed his collar. At the moment he turned around, he could not hide his ecstasy, and a grim smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, dragging Du Jinhong out of the hall.

"Your Majesty, I am innocent!" Du Jinhong's pleading voice gradually faded away, leaving only a string of echoes echoing in the hall.

Not long after, Tang Shengyu returned to the hall with satisfaction. His previous dissatisfaction with Lin Xiaofeng also disappeared with the death of Du Jinhong. But the only thing he was not sure about was who would be the next military supervisor. His eyes flashed with expectation and anxiety.

"Your Majesty, I have completed the execution and Du Jinhong has been killed. I wonder who Your Majesty plans to send as military supervisor?" Tang Shengyu asked respectfully, with a hint of urgency in his voice.

"There is no need to send another military supervisor." Lin Xiaofeng replied with a smile. His smile was gentle and profound, as if he could see into people's hearts.

Tang Shengyu was stunned, and the eagerness in his eyes was instantly replaced by confusion. "Your Majesty, I don't understand what you mean." There was a hint of confusion and fear in his voice.

"The Marquis of Dingxi is a pillar of the Ming Dynasty. I trust you, so there is no need to send another military supervisor." Lin Xiaofeng explained, his eyes full of trust and expectation.

"Guo Tianyang, go to the treasury and withdraw 20,000 taels of silver to give to Ding Xibo. I will try to raise the rest of the money." Lin Xiaofeng ordered again, his voice carrying unquestionable majesty.

Looking at the Chongzhen Emperor Lin Xiaofeng sitting high on the throne, Tang Shengyu's eyes moistened instantly. The grievances and distrust he had suffered before all disappeared at this moment. He knelt on the ground, his voice full of determination and gratitude, "Your Majesty, I will defend Juyongguan Pass to the death and not let the bandits advance a single step!"

"No, you can't defend it to the death!" Lin Xiaofeng shook his head, his eyes flashing with wisdom.

Tang Shengyu was stunned. His Majesty killed people and gave gold. Didn't he want him to serve? He had already expressed his determination to defend the city, so why didn't His Majesty allow it? His heart was full of doubts and confusion.

Lin Xiaofeng shook his head slightly and explained: "Li Zicheng divided his troops into two routes to attack the capital. His general Luo Wenbin has already occupied Baoding Prefecture. Once Li Zicheng is blocked, Luo Wenbin will definitely come to support. At that time, Juyongguan will be attacked from both sides, and you, Dingxi Earl, will be in danger." There was a hint of worry and concern in his voice.

"I am not afraid of death!" Tang Shengyu said stiffly, with a hint of firmness and determination in his voice.

"The court is in need of people right now, and I cannot let you fall into danger. You only need to hold Juyongguan for a few days this time. Before Luo Wenbin's army surrounds you, you can take everyone back to the capital." Lin Xiaofeng ordered, his eyes flashing with wisdom.

"I will never let the emperor down!" Tang Shengyu replied respectfully, with a hint of gratitude and determination in his voice.

Miao Renjian and Gu Chaosheng looked at Tang Shengyu's receding back and felt a little uneasy. Yesterday, Tang Shengyu was very dissatisfied with Lin Xiaofeng's decision to send Du Jinhong as the military supervisor. Today, the emperor only killed a eunuch to regain Tang Shengyu's loyalty. Although it is difficult to distinguish the truth from the false, the emperor's ability to win people's hearts has been fully revealed. Their eyes flashed with complex expressions, both worry and expectation.

After pacifying Tang Shengyu, Lin Xiaofeng sat on the dragon chair and thought about the next plan. It stands to reason that it should be done with all possible means. But the problem now is that Lin Xiaofeng has neither soldiers nor generals to use! Influenced by the God of War of the Ming Dynasty, the emperors of the late Ming Dynasty had no military power. There are 26 guards in the Beijing Camp, 21 of which are under the control of the Ministry of War. The only ones that Lin Xiaofeng can mobilize on his own are the Jinyiwei and the Tengxiang Four Guards. The Tengxiang Four Guards were later reorganized into the Yongwei Camp, which is the elite among the elites! It's a pity that Huang Degong and the elite troops of the Yongwei Camp have been sent by him to hunt down Zhang Xianzhong, and are now fighting in Anhui, thousands of miles away! Distant water cannot quench nearby thirst! Even if there is military power in the capital, there is no one to use!

Lin Xiaofeng looked at the empty hall with helplessness and anxiety in his heart. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to try to calm his inner waves. However, when he opened his eyes again, his eyes were shining with determination and resoluteness.

"Miao Renjian, Gu Chaosheng." Lin Xiaofeng closed his eyes and spoke with unquestionable majesty in his voice.

"Your Highness is here." The two men responded in unison, with a hint of nervousness and anticipation in their voices.

"How many people are there from the Jinyiwei and Dongchang in the capital?" Lin Xiaofeng asked with a hint of urgency in his voice.

"Your Majesty, the Jinyiwei has more than 3,000 people." Miao Renjian replied with a hint of pride and determination in his voice.

"Your Majesty, there are two thousand people in the Eastern Depot." Gu Chaosheng also replied, with a hint of calmness and confidence in his voice.

Lin Xiaofeng calculated silently in his heart. The three major camps, Jinyiwei, Dongchang, the Imperial Guards, and the Wucheng Bingmasi all add up to about 38,000 people available in the capital. Excluding the necessary guards in the imperial city, there are only 36,000 people that can be mobilized. Li Zicheng's army is said to be 500,000, but in reality it is 200,000. After they left Shaanxi, they split into two routes and needed to station about 110,000 or 120,000 people along the way to attack Beijing. Although the number is not as large as imagined, half of them are the elite troops they brought from Shaanxi!
The ratio of one to four!

Use the old, weak and sick to fight against elite troops?

It's so hopeless!
However, this was just his wishful thinking. The most important thing to defend Beijing is money! If there are not enough people, you can recruit soldiers, but recruiting soldiers requires more money! The relationship between the emperor and the soldiers is like that between a boss and an employee. Having money may not necessarily mean you will risk your life, but having no money will definitely not mean you will risk your life! Why should those soldiers who are hungry and cold protect the emperor who sits firmly on the throne? Where the money went and how it disappeared has nothing to do with them! As long as the soldiers don’t get the money, they will think it’s the emperor’s fault!
Lin Xiaofeng understood this very well! He knew that in this chaotic world, if he wanted to stabilize the morale of the army, he must have enough silver to support it. Otherwise, even if he had more soldiers, he would not be able to resist Li Zicheng's attack.

Moreover, the combat effectiveness of the Ming army was not low at the end of the Ming Dynasty! There is a saying: The Ming army is invincible if it is not fully paid! Where can I get full pay? Of course, it is from Huang Taiji in Liaodong! In order to get enough silver and supplies, those Ming army generals and soldiers defected to Huang Taiji. This greatly weakened the military strength of the Ming Dynasty.

"How many months of wages have you owed?" Lin Xiaofeng closed his eyes and continued to ask, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue and helplessness.

Miao Renjian frowned! As the top figure of Jinyiwei, he still knew this kind of news! The governor of the three camps was Xiangcheng Bo Huo Zhengchu, and he didn't want to offend him!
Gu Chaosheng was also afraid of offending people! So he kept silent!
"Miao Renjian, just tell me whatever you know! It's already this time! There's no need to hide anything!" Lin Xiaofeng urged.

"The three camps have been in arrears for eight months!" Miao Renjian replied. (End of this chapter)