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

Hou Chongfu froze in place as if struck by lightning, and roared in his heart: "This is too much! I was deceived to this extent!" He originally thought that the prince's migration to the south was a trick to lure the enemy, the purpose was to let their army go deep into the enemy's territory alone, and then annihilate the main force of the Dashun Army in one fell swoop. However, how could those powerful traitors in the court not be able to distinguish the truth from the false? This person's words must be a lie! His thoughts were like leaves in the wind, flying endlessly.

The moonlight was like a wash, sprinkling on this ancient land, adding a bit of coolness to the night. Hou Chongfu's eyes were particularly sharp under the moonlight. He glanced around, trying to find a flaw in the silence. However, there was no other sound except the whisper of the wind.

Thinking of this, he immediately ordered his guards: "Quick! Take off the pants of these two men!" The guards dismounted and skillfully took off the pants of the two men. Hou Chongfu took a closer look and was shocked. These two men were actually eunuchs! They were thin and pale, which was very different from what he imagined the prince's guards to be.

He swung his sword at one of the eunuchs and pointed at another and shouted, "Where is the prince? Where is Zhu Cilang?" The eunuch said tremblingly, "I, I am telling the truth! The prince... the prince is really not in the convoy!" His voice trembled and was full of fear.

Hou Chongfu was furious. After days of chasing, he finally caught up with the team that was migrating south, but he didn't expect this to be the outcome. He gathered his strength and swung his sword, splitting the man pretending to be the prince in half. Blood splattered, brains flowed, and the body fell to the ground. This scene was so shocking that the surrounding personal soldiers couldn't help but gasp.

Upon seeing this, a personal soldier reminded the stunned Hou Chongfu: "General, what should we do?" Hou Chongfu gritted his teeth and said: "We must wipe out these bandits today! Kill!" His voice was like a raging fire in the ice, cold and resolute.

However, just as he was about to issue the order, he suddenly heard a deafening shout of killing from behind. He looked back and saw that under the moonlight, more than a thousand Ming cavalrymen were rushing in from the way they came. Although they were few in number, they were well-equipped with armor, bird guns, bows and arrows, shields, and they were full of momentum, like a group of hungry beasts.

Those Shun troops who were looting and killing people in the back were overwhelmed by the Ming army before they had time to flee. In a blink of an eye, Hou Chongfu lost more than a hundred cavalrymen. Seeing this, he immediately judged: "Retreat! Join the main force!" There was unquestionable firmness in his voice.

Although his men were all elite, they were exhausted after days of running. Moreover, they did not know the number of enemies, so blindly fighting was a bad idea. So, Hou Chongfu led his troops to turn around and flee, making a detour and running towards the direction of the main force. His heart was filled with anxiety and uneasiness, but more of a desire for victory.

There were still two thousand light cavalry there, which were his main force and confidence. As long as the two sides joined forces, the Ming army in front of them would not be a match. However, as they gradually approached their destination, the shouts of killing became louder and louder. The main battlefield had already fallen into a state of anxiety, with flames rising into the sky and smoke everywhere.

Although the two thousand cavalrymen left by Hou Chongfu were all elite, they were lightly equipped in order to pursue Zhu Cilang. In order to reduce the weight of the horses, most of them wore cotton armor and only brought three days' rations, looting for food along the way. Although their equipment was simple, their combat effectiveness should not be underestimated.

There were two main types of armor in the army at the end of the Ming Dynasty: one was cloth armor, also known as dark armor; the other was cotton armor. The dark armor was made of cotton cloth both inside and outside to withstand the impact of guns and the severe winter in the north. The lining was filled with iron armor steel sheets, which had excellent defense. However, it weighed about 50 kilograms, which was a big disadvantage. Wearing it would greatly restrict the movements of the soldiers.

The cotton armor is very light, and only seven pounds of cotton are needed to make it. Its advantages are that it will not become heavy even if it encounters rain, and it will not be damaged even if it rots. But its disadvantages are also obvious. Its protection is average. When facing bird guns, it can only ensure that people will not be injured. In fierce battles, such protection is obviously not enough.

In addition, they were exhausted after days of running around and lack of rest. Their fighting capacity was no different from that of ordinary soldiers, or even worse. What was worse was that their formation had been disrupted by the Ming army. The soldiers ran around, trying to find their comrades and enemies, but everything seemed so difficult in this chaotic battlefield.

The advantage of cavalry lies in mobility. The purpose of war is not only to kill the enemy, but also to reduce one's own casualties. In ancient wars, only heavy cavalry dared to charge the enemy's infantry formation, while light cavalry was responsible for surrounding and shooting, like peeling onions. However, now they have lost this advantage.

Although there were archers in the infantry formation, they needed to judge the route of the enemy cavalry and find the target in the crowd. The superiority and inferiority were immediately determined between the upper and lower. The infantry formation of the Ming army was strict, with shields, spears, and archers each performing their duties, forming an indestructible line of defense.

Hou Chongfu quickly scanned the battlefield and found that his 2,000 cavalrymen were split into two groups by the Ming army. One group fought with the Ming cavalry and chased each other in the wilderness. The sound of bows and crossbows came one after another, and soldiers kept falling off their horses or dying under the iron hooves of their horses. Their figures flickered in the moonlight, like a cruel nightmare.

The other part was entangled by the Ming army's infantry. They rode on horses and held sabers to fight with the Ming army's infantry beside a dirt slope. Hou Chongfu slapped his horse's back and cursed: "What a bunch of rubbish! Why do you need to fight with infantry in close combat? You should ride and shoot! I'm so angry!" His voice echoed on the battlefield, with endless anger and helplessness.

He didn't know that these cavalrymen had no choice but to do so. The overnight raid had exhausted the horses, and their speed advantage, which they were proud of, was greatly reduced when facing the infantry. In addition, they were all wearing cotton armor, and had no advantage at all when shooting at the infantry wearing dark armor and holding shields. The horses were getting slower and slower, and in order to reduce losses, they had to fight quickly and engage in hand-to-hand combat with the Ming army.

However, even elite troops are much stronger than ordinary soldiers in hand-to-hand combat! Although the Ming army's individual combat power is low, they have thick armor, long spears and spears in their hands, and rely on military formations to resist wave after wave of attacks! Hou Chongfu's heart was filled with anxiety and helplessness. He knew he had to make a decision, otherwise this battle would be irreversible.

Hou Chongfu slapped his horse's back angrily and rushed towards the Ming army's infantry. Halfway through the charge, he suddenly slapped his forehead, turned his horse's head and rushed towards the Ming army's cavalry. Because the cavalry was fighting with the infantry, he would not be able to help if he rushed over, and it would be easy to accidentally hurt friendly troops!

It would be better to repel the Ming cavalry first. Without the cavalry, the infantry would be trapped! At this time, Jinyiwei Qianhu Cao Guodong looked back and saw that only half of his 1,000 cavalry were left! Everyone was covered in blood, and he didn't know whether it was the enemy's or his own!
He looked from afar and saw nearly a thousand cavalrymen with white cloth tied on their right arms charging towards them! Their bodies were agile and the sound of their horses' hooves was like thunder, as if they were going to flatten the battlefield. "Is Zhang Zhiyu still alive?" Cao Guodong shouted loudly, panting. There was a bit of anxiety and expectation in his voice.

"Ahem... cough," a weak cough came from beside Cao Guodong, "I, I am more alive than you." Although Zhang Zhiyu's voice was weak, it was firm and persistent. Cao Guodong took a closer look and identified the bloody man with the eunuch Zhang Zhiyu! His heart was filled with surprise and admiration. He did not expect that this eunuch had such a strong will and fighting power.

"Okay," Cao Guodong nodded with satisfaction, then turned to everyone and said, "Are the Jinyiwei still there?" There was some concern and expectation in his voice, and he hoped that these loyal soldiers could still hold on.

"Here!" Although the voice was small, it was sonorous and powerful, and it was resounding! Although these Jinyiwei were seriously injured, their will was as firm as steel and did not waver in the slightest.

"I will now hand over the command of my Jinyiwei to the eunuch Zhang Zhiyu. He is your superior, and his life is my life!" There was a bit of determination and trust in Cao Guodong's voice. He knew that he could no longer continue to command this battle and could only place his hopes on Zhang Zhiyu.

"Did you hear that?" "Yes!" The Jinyiwei had no doubts, and this situation was beyond doubt! In their hearts, there was only the belief in fighting and winning, and everything else was no longer important.

"Captain Gao... what's going on?" Zhang Zhiyu rode his horse to Cao Guodong's side, wanting to ask the reason, but he saw that the color on Cao Guodong's face was fading at a speed visible to the naked eye. He was filled with anxiety and uneasiness, wondering what had happened to Cao Guodong.

He looked down and saw blood flowing under the saddle! Zhang Zhiyu was about to speak but was stopped by Cao Guodong! "I'm tired. Let Eunuch Zhang lead the charge this time!" Cao Guodong's voice was a little tired and helpless. He knew that he didn't have much time left.

Seeing the enemy getting closer and closer, Zhang Zhiyu had no time to feel sad and quickly reorganized the formation. "Cao Guodong, you will shout the slogan for this charge! After the battle, we will eat toasted buns together!" Zhang Zhiyu stretched out his bloody left hand, wiped away his tears and said. There was some determination and expectation in his voice, hoping that this battle could be won.

"Okay! Everyone..." Cao Guodong's voice was filled with excitement and inspiration. He knew this was the final battle. "Kill!" With his order, the Jinyiwei rushed towards the enemy like a raging fire in a gust of wind. In their hearts, there was only the belief in fighting and winning.

The roar of iron hooves was like thunder rolling in the sky, and the symphony of swords and knives stirred up a solemn sound, composing a tragic war song on this vast land. Zhang Zhiyu wiped away the tears in his eyes, and his resolute face looked particularly cold under the reflection of the war. He resolutely waved the command flag in his hand, leading the remaining 500 cavalrymen, like a raging fire in the wind, and charged the enemy again. He looked back at Cao Guodong's body, with mixed feelings in his heart, and his thoughts were like flying dust, erratic. The people of the East Factory have always despised the Jinyiwei, calling them the running dogs of His Majesty, and claiming to be His Majesty's personal attendants. Today, he felt an inexplicable grief for the death of Cao Guodong, perhaps because in this troubled time, Cao Guodong had given him the kindness of baked buns many times, and that warmth was particularly precious on this cold battlefield.

Zhang Zhiyu turned his grief into anger, like a volcanic eruption, and drove his horse straight towards the enemy general. The 500 cavalrymen under his command were like a flood that broke through the dam, unstoppable. Their figures flickered in the firelight, like black lightning, cutting through the night sky. Every cavalryman was like a god of war crawling out of hell. In their eyes, there was only victory, hatred for the enemy, and a desire to survive.

General Hou Chongfu, the brave general, was surprised when he saw the charging cavalry. They had only 500 men, but they seemed to have the momentum of 5,000 men. They were indomitable and determined to fight for survival. Before he could recover from his shock, the two armies had already been fighting. Screams came one after another, and life disappeared in an instant, like drifting leaves, falling silently on the cold land. Some people were crushed under the horses, with broken bones and broken organs, but their eyes still had a desire for life; some people lost their arms and wailed on the horse's back, their voices were like the cries of night owls; some people were shot by several arrows, but they still rushed towards the enemy with their weapons, and their figures looked so tall in the firelight; some people lost their helmets, half of their heads were cut off, and the remaining eyes were full of despair, looking for the way home, which was a deep attachment to home.

This was a bloody battle, and steel was the only rule. In the neighing of the war horses, the victory and defeat were clear. After the charge, Hou Chongfu looked around and found that there were only five or six hundred cavalrymen left behind him. You know, there were at least 1,300 or 1,400 people when the two teams merged. Although the enemy's combat effectiveness was strong, how could they destroy half of them with a single charge? He looked from afar and saw five or six hundred cavalrymen falling down with the war horses. It was a tragic ending, the last song written by the soldiers and the war horses together. The war horses panted, and white mist sprayed from their noses. They looked particularly desolate in the moonlight, and their eyes were full of fatigue and helplessness. People can hold on with one breath, but war horses are different. They have been running around for days without rest, and the continuous charge has exhausted their horsepower. A soldier walked up to the fallen war horse and kept whipping it: "Get up, get up quickly!" However, the war horse's body was hot and muscle spasming, and its limbs were stiff and unable to move. Even if it didn't die, it couldn't be ridden. When Hou Chongfu witnessed this scene, he knew that the situation was hopeless. He felt a deep sense of powerlessness and a profound understanding of the cruelty of war.

"It's over, it's all over!" Hou Chongfu was heartbroken. Not only did he fail to win, but he also lost 3,000 elite troops. These were all soldiers he personally brought out! Their smiles and their pride all vanished on this battlefield. A personal soldier immediately suggested: "General, the Ming army is well-rested, let's retreat!" Hou Chongfu hesitated for a second and finally ordered: "Retreat!" Someone asked: "What about the brothers on the battlefield?" Zhang Zhiyu's heart tightened again. He looked at the soldiers who were still fighting on the battlefield. They did not surrender and still raised their weapons to resist. However, the cavalry lost their horses, just like the general lost his soldiers. They were not used to fighting on flat ground, and they were killed by the Ming army in an instant. "May you be lucky! Without horses, even if they are saved, it will be difficult to escape the pursuit of the Ming army." Zhang Zhiyu's voice was filled with deep helplessness and grief.

After Zhang Zhiyu met up with the Left Commander-in-Chief Jiang Taiwei and his 800 cavalrymen, he shouted loudly, "Commander-in-Chief Liu, is the prince safe?" Jiang Taiwei looked around the battlefield with a cold eye and replied, "No worries." Their goal was to capture the leader first. Jiang Taiwei wanted to capture the enemy general, while the other side wanted to capture the prince. A moment later, they found Hou Chongfu. Although he didn't know his name, he stood among the cavalry with extraordinary momentum, and was obviously not an ordinary person. Jiang Taiwei pointed to Hou Chongfu's position and said to Wang Shide, a hundred households of Jinyiwei, "You take 500 Jinyiwei and Zhang Zhiyu to capture this man together. If he escapes, there is no need to chase him. Come back for support immediately." "Yes, sir!" Then he said to the eunuch Wang Xuehai of the East Factory, "You take 200 factory guards to kill the bandits who are fighting with the infantry." "Yes, sir!"

Zhang Zhiyu led Wang Shide to charge again, and their figures were like two black lightnings, cutting through the night sky. Wang Xuehai led 200 people to support the infantry, and Jiang Taiwei led 100 people to clean up the battlefield. In fact, they were finishing off the enemy, treating the wounded and destroying the enemy. When General Hou Chongfu of Guoyi saw the Ming army chasing him, he immediately fled, and his figure looked so embarrassed in the night. The Ming army did not pursue them, and they also retreated. The days of running around had made them exhausted, and they were already at the end of their strength. If they fought again, they would inevitably be wiped out. Moreover, this is already the sphere of influence of the Ming army. It is very dangerous for them to go deep into the territory alone, and they must not stay here. The most important thing is that the purpose of their trip is to capture the Ming prince Zhu Cilang. Since Zhu Cilang is not here, there is no need to fight anymore.

After Hou Chongfu left, the bandits on the battlefield gradually gave up resistance, threw down their weapons and wanted to surrender. Jiang Taiwei walked up to a surrendered soldier and asked expressionlessly: "Who led the team this time?" "It was General Hou Chongfu, the Guoyi General." "Behead!" Jiang Taiwei gave an order and killed all the bandit soldiers. They were all diehards of the bandits, and even if they were released, they would return to the bandit camp. Moreover, their hands were stained with the blood of the Ming army, and not killing them would not be enough to appease the public anger.

After beheading the captives, Jiang Taiwei began to count the number of people. The casualties of this battle were very heavy. Among the 1,000 Jinyiwei, 284 died and 176 were injured; among the 1,000 Factory Guards, 371 died and 89 were injured; the heaviest casualties were among the Tianjin defenders, 752 of them died and the rest were injured. Looking at the heavy casualties of the defenders, Tianjin Governor Shan Rongqing shed tears: "What a sin! What a sin!" His voice was filled with deep sorrow and helplessness.

Jiang Taiwei calculated silently, then ordered: "The Jinyiwei, Dongchang and I will escort the prince's carriage to Zhigu. The Tianjin defenders suffered heavy casualties and returned to the garrison to rest." "Who is the highest-ranking official among you?" A man covered in blood stood up and said, "I will serve as the captain-general." "I will leave you two carts of silver. Although it is not much, it can fulfill my promise. You must set off immediately and return to the garrison to recuperate. After returning, hand the roster to Luo Yangxing (former commander of the Jinyiwei and current governor of Tianjin). When I arrive in Nanjing, I will ask His Majesty for an order to commend the merits and rewards, and engrave the names of the soldiers who died in the battle in the Martyrs' Shrine." The blood-covered captain's eyes instantly moistened. He knelt on one knee and said, "I obey your command!" "Let's go!" There was a firm determination in Jiang Taiwei's voice. He wanted to bring these brave soldiers home and let them get the honor they deserve.

Jiang Taiwei led more than a thousand Jinyiwei to reorganize the team and set off again. Under the pursuit of the bandits, the team that moved south suffered heavy losses. There were casualties among the court officials and nobles, and the sound of crying was endless on the road. After seeing Jiang Taiwei, several nobles cursed: "Jiang Taiwei, you will not die well! When the bandits were chasing us, you did not stop us from behind, but left us behind to attract the bandits. When we reach Nanjing, we will never forgive you!" There was deep anger and dissatisfaction in their voices.

Jiang Taiwei said apologetically, "Marquis Xuancheng, don't be angry. Fortunately, your gold and silver blocked the way, otherwise the bandits would not have disrupted their formation and we would not have been able to win. After I go back, I will reward you for your merits!" "Bullshit! Bullshit!" Marquis Xuancheng Wei Shichun said angrily, "When the bandits didn't chase us, you took the Jinyiwei and the factory guards and escaped without a trace. How could you win by luck? It's obvious that they have killed enough!" "And what about the prince? You are ordered to protect the prince's safety. I saw with my own eyes that you abandoned the prince's carriage and fled." There was a deep doubt and anger in their voices.

Speaking of the prince, the group finally found a reason to attack Jiang Taiwei. The purpose of their trip was to protect the prince. If anything happened to the prince, they had every reason to remove Jiang Taiwei from his post and investigate him immediately. Jiang Taiwei smiled faintly and said, "The prince is already on the ship in Zhigu. As soon as we arrive, we can sail into the sea and head straight for Tiemenguan." Wei Shichun was stunned, "Why is the prince so quick?" Jiang Taiwei replied expressionlessly, "I had expected the bandits to do this, so I asked the soldiers of the Yongwei Camp to disguise themselves and escort the prince out of the capital in advance. We galloped all the way and have been in Zhigu for a long time."

Wei Shichun was stunned for a long time before he came back to his senses. After thinking through the whole process, he muttered to himself: "So you actually let us be scapegoats for the prince!" "Hateful! Hateful! Hateful!" "Jiang Taiwei, you wait..." His voice was filled with deep anger and unwillingness.

Jiang Taiwei looked at these people expressionlessly, his heart full of helplessness. Can he command the people of Yongweiying? The one who came up with this plan was not him, but the current emperor, the emperor of Ming Dynasty! In name, he arranged for court officials and nobles to go to Nanjing with the prince, but in fact, he used these people as bait to block the knife for the prince! If nothing goes wrong, it's fine. Once something goes wrong, it's his idea, Jiang Taiwei! How could the emperor let his ministers be scapegoats? He is a good emperor who loves his ministers like his own sons! Jiang Taiwei's heart was full of bitterness and helplessness. He knew that he was just a pawn in this political game, but his loyalty and belief prevented him from betraying his duties and mission.

In the imperial territory of Beijing, the warm spring sun shines on every inch of land, but it cannot hide the changing situation. Walking on the stone road leading to Kunning Palace, Lin Xiaofeng's steps seemed a little heavy, and his eyes flashed with complex emotions. He suddenly stopped and turned to look at Guo Tianyang beside him, frowning slightly, and asked anxiously: "Guo Tianyang, is the prince okay?" There was a hint of imperceptible anxiety in his voice.

Guo Tianyang, a burly and resolute general, stopped immediately upon hearing this and replied with a firm gaze: "The prince has been escorted to Zhigu by the soldiers of the Yongwei Camp. Once the people who have moved south arrive, they can board the ship and head straight to Nanjing!" His voice was steady and powerful, as if no wind or rain could shake his determination.

Hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng nodded slightly, but his brows did not relax, but instead became even more furrowed. "Oh, that's good. Did the people who migrated south encounter any danger on the road?" His words revealed his concern for the safety of the people, but behind this concern, there was a deeper consideration.

"The Ministry of War reports every day that the migration to the south is safe. Nothing happened yesterday. If there was any unexpected change, it would have happened tonight!" Guo Tianyang's answer was concise and clear, and his tone revealed his control over the situation.

Lin Xiaofeng nodded again, thinking secretly in his heart. Tomorrow they will board the ship, and Li Zicheng's navy has not yet formed. It is tantamount to a foolish dream to intercept the prince at sea. However, his repeated inquiries are not really concerned about the people who migrated south, although they are all loyal subjects of the country. In his heart, there is a more important voice echoing - the prince is the key to determining Liu Zeqing's fate, and there can be no mistakes!
As he continued walking, the outline of Kunning Palace gradually became clear, but Lin Xiaofeng felt an unprecedented fatigue. The days of hard work not only consumed his physical strength, but also nearly broke his spirit. The real life of an emperor was very different from what he had imagined. Not only did he have to defend this crumbling capital, but he also had to fight wits and courage with the civil and military officials in the court. Every step was like walking on thin ice.

Walking into Kunning Palace, Queen Zhou's gentle comfort was like a spring breeze, blowing away the haze in his heart. Accompanied by the Queen, Lin Xiaofeng finally let go of all his defenses and fell asleep. In his dream, he seemed to have returned to his carefree youth, away from power struggles, with only innocent smiles and warm sunshine.

……

The next morning, Qianmen Street was bustling with activity. Children's hawking voices echoed in the streets and alleys, clear and melodious.

"Newspapers for sale! Lin Xiaofeng, Seventeen Years Old, two cents a copy, two cents a copy!" They waved fresh newspapers in their hands, moving among the crowd, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation.

People who got up early were attracted by the sudden hawking just after they emptied their chamber pots. They gathered around curiously, looking at the papers in the children's hands, their hearts full of doubts.

"Newspaper? Are the court bulletins also delivered?" an old man asked in confusion, stroking his beard.

"No, the court's official newspaper wouldn't be called the Seventeenth Year of Lin Xiaofeng. Anyone who dares to use the reign title of Your Majesty must be a tough guy." A middle-aged man next to him shook his head, with a gleam of curiosity in his eyes. "I say, could this be the emperor's own newspaper? The emperor is very short of money recently. Not only is he selling things in the palace, he is also organizing a half-day tour of the imperial city. You can visit the palace for only a thousand taels of silver!" Another person interrupted, with a bit of ridicule in his tone.

"It's possible. It's only two cents. Buy it and have a look." A woman in simple clothes was intrigued and decided to buy a copy to have a look.

She took the newspaper, unfolded it, and saw a line of huge black characters: "Lin Xiaofeng's 17th year, first issue." Then, the emperor's pardon made her eyes widen: "Exempt the land tax for one year in the whole country, abolish the three taxes, and never increase taxes!"

She suspected that she was seeing things, so she looked at the newspaper carefully from top to bottom, then turned to ask the person next to her, "Am I reading this correctly? This court newspaper says that the emperor has exempted the entire country from land tax for one year?"

She was asking a young scholar, who took the newspaper and looked at it with an incredible look on his face. How could this be possible? The land tax accounted for 70 to 80 percent of the imperial tax revenue, how could it be exempted just like that? What was the emperor trying to do? Could the Ming Dynasty continue?
The scholar returned the newspaper to her and whispered, "Just read it casually, don't take it seriously. It's just something some young man wrote randomly." However, the woman was already immersed in the content of the newspaper. She read aloud as she read.

"The Emperor was assassinated on his way back to the palace after inspecting the Wuzi Treasury. The murderer was the current first-class duke, Zhu Chunchen, Duke of Chengguo. Zhu Chunchen has now been transferred to the Ministry of Justice and is awaiting a joint trial by the three courts."

"The bandits are about to arrive, and the court is recruiting soldiers to defend the city. Anyone who can carry a weight of ten kilograms can go to the Ministry of War to sign up for the army. Young and strong people will be given four taels of silver for defending the city, and the rest will be given three taels each."

"Former Cabinet Prime Minister Chen Yan and Military Secretary Guang Shiheng secretly colluded with bandits and the Jiannu. In order to destroy the evidence, the Jiannu's spies in the capital created a massacre to exterminate the entire family. Now the spies have been identified, and they are eight businesses that work for the court..."

"The bandits broke through Xuanfu and headed straight for Juyongguan, the gateway to the capital!"

The things she read were all the recent major events in the court. Some of them caused a sensation in the capital, while others were unknown. But these were things that the people wanted to know and would talk about with great relish after reading them.

As more and more newspapers were sold, the information in the newspapers spread more and more widely. People began to discuss the matter. Some marveled at the emperor's wise decision to exempt the land tax, while others were shocked and angry at the official scandals revealed in the newspapers.

"Is what's written here true?" an old man asked doubtfully.

"It's true. I just asked my second uncle's aunt's nephew, who works in the palace. He said that the content of the official report is absolutely true and was written by the Emperor himself." Another person answered affirmatively.

"That's great! The emperor knows we are poor, so he exempted us from the land tax for one year. Am I not exaggerating to say that he is a famous emperor throughout history?" a woman said excitedly.

"It's not too much, it's not too much!" The people around echoed.

The news of Lin Xiaofeng's seventeen years swept the capital like a whirlwind. Children spared no effort to sell newspapers in the streets and alleys, and the people enthusiastically signed up to join the army. There were countless topics to talk about after dinner. After reading the newspaper, the officials felt mixed emotions. Some were happy that the emperor handled the affairs of state wisely and decisively, some were sad that their colleagues were killed and their financial paths were blocked, and more people felt a helpless sense of loss. This official report showed all the information of the court and the actions of the officials, making their mysterious and noble faces torn to pieces.

In the East Warm Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace, Lin Xiaofeng sat beside the Dragon Desk, handling a mountain of official business while listening to Guo Tianyang's report. He had a satisfied smile on his face, but when he heard someone say that he sold the newspaper for a penny after reading it, he couldn't help but frown.

"The Ming Dynasty is indeed full of dishonest businessmen!" He said casually, then slapped his thigh and ordered: "Go and ask the Jinyiwei to find me a few well-known dishonest businessmen. I have something to tell them to do."

Just as Guo Tianyang was about to leave, he saw the cabinet chief Li Banghua rushing in and shouting anxiously, "Your Majesty, urgent news!"

Li Banghua's frail body was swaying in the wind, like a dead leaf about to wither. His hair and beard were all white and had long been blown into disarray by the wind. His eyes were red and bloodshot, as if he had endured countless sleepless nights. His face was sallow, revealing an undisguised fatigue and old age. It made people feel worried. The cabinet affairs were as heavy as a mountain. Could this old man over 70 really handle this important task? It seemed that he was carrying the fate of the entire country on his shoulders. It was so heavy that people could not look directly at him.

Li Banghua was about to kneel down to salute, but Lin Xiaofeng stopped him quickly, with an unquestionable firmness in his voice: "Mr. Li is old, and when you meet me privately in the future, you will not have to perform the etiquette between monarch and subject." His words revealed his sympathy and respect for this old minister.

"Your Majesty, this is not allowed! Although I am old, the rules cannot be abolished." Li Banghua insisted, with a stubborn light flashing in his eyes, as if that was his last point of persistence as a subject.

"No need to refuse." Lin Xiaofeng did not allow him to explain. His tone was full of majesty that could not be refused, but also concealed a hint of imperceptible tenderness.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Banghua swallowed his saliva, his voice trembling slightly, and took out a piece of paper from his arms. His wrinkled hands were particularly eye-catching. "Your Majesty, urgent news! Luo Wenbin has led his 40,000 troops to leave Hejian Prefecture and head straight for the capital." There was a bit of urgency and worry in his words.

Lin Xiaofeng sat on the dragon chair, his face as calm as still water, but his heart was already in turmoil. It's finally here! What was supposed to come finally came. He closed his eyes, and scenes of cruelty on the battlefield flashed through his mind. Li Zicheng was trapped outside Juyongguan by Tang Shengyu, and Luo Wenbin would definitely go to support him. Once Juyongguan was broken, they would join forces to attack Beijing. This battle was about the survival of the country.

"Lord Li, what does the cabinet think about this?" Lin Xiaofeng's voice was calm and steady, and every word seemed to be well thought out.

"The cabinet hasn't discussed it yet." Li Banghua replied, with a hint of apology and helplessness in his voice.

"Then let's discuss it now." Lin Xiaofeng said, with a tone of determination that could not afford any delay.

Soon, Shao Shihan, Cheng Qinghua, and Miao Yikui also hurried to the Qianqing Palace. Their faces were full of anxiety and solemnity, as if they could feel the coming storm.

Shao Shihan spoke first, his voice filled with urgency: "Your Majesty, the distance from Hejian to the capital is less than 400 miles. With Luo Wenbin's marching speed, he can reach the capital within five days. I think we should try to make him march slower. This way, we can buy more training time for the military and civilians in the capital, and let Tang Shengyu hold on to Juyongguan for a few more days."

Lin Xiaofeng nodded at first, then shook his head. Although Shao Shihan's words made sense, they were only theoretical after all. How to implement it specifically? Who to send? How to mobilize the army? How to deploy the battle array? He didn't say any of these! This is simply a typical example of literati ruining the country. However, this cannot be blamed entirely on them. In the court, those who talk don't act, and those who act are not good at speaking. If we follow the words of these civil officials, the generals and the emperor will only be cheated. Evil feudal dynasty!
Cheng Qinghua understood this logic. He now also served as the governor of the Beijing camp. After thinking for a moment, he said in a deep voice: "I think we should send a cavalry to attack Luo Wenbin. Whether successful or not, it can slow down his marching speed. If we are lucky enough to burn their food and grass, Luo Wenbin's troops will retreat without a fight." There was a firm light in his eyes, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

Miao Yikui bowed and said in a steady voice: "Your Majesty, I think this matter should not be discussed with the cabinet. We should go to the three camps to ask the military officers for their opinions." His words revealed his trust and respect for the military commanders.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a little cold, Li Banghua hurriedly said with a bit of urgency in his voice: "Your Majesty, we should take a long-term view on this matter. I request to convene the generals of the three major camps, the Five City Army, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the East Factory, and even the Yongwei Camp to discuss it together." His eyes flashed with deep worry for the country.

Lin Xiaofeng nodded happily, and a warm feeling surged in his heart. These people were finally able to think ahead. "Approved, summon them to the Qianqing Palace immediately." His voice was filled with unquestionable majesty.

Soon, everyone was there. The atmosphere in the Qianqing Palace was heavy and tense, as if even the air had frozen. Li Banghua read out the urgent report, and the generals all frowned, with a thoughtful look in their eyes.

As the governor of the Beijing Camp, Cheng Qinghua felt a little embarrassed, so he said with some encouragement in his voice: "Lieutenant General Li of the Fifth Army Camp, Lieutenant General Zhang of the Shenji Camp, and Lieutenant General Wang of the Shenshu Camp, you all should talk about countermeasures. There is no right or wrong in this matter, and His Majesty will not blame you for what you say. Now is the time for the court to use people, so you all should talk about it."

Each of the three major camps in the capital had a deputy general, all of whom were second-rank military officers, and below them were lieutenant generals, third-rank military officers. They were the backbone of the country and the warriors on the battlefield.

Deputy General Wang of the Shenshu Camp was fat. He looked around, then took a half step forward and spoke with some confidence in his voice: "Your Majesty, I don't think we need to do anything. If they attack the capital, I will defend the city. If they attack Juyongguan, I will lead the troops to attack their logistics and supplies. Once the supplies are lost, the morale of the army will be dispersed." His eyes flickered with the desire for victory.

Lin Xiaofeng nodded. Although the fat man's words made some sense, they were not comprehensive. The enemy could split their troops into two groups, one to guard against the reinforcements from the capital, and the other to attack Juyongguan. In this way, the fat man would be helpless. Wait. There are many cavalrymen in the Shenshu Camp. What kind of horse can withstand the pressure of his body? Lin Xiaofeng couldn't help but feel a little curious.

Without waiting for Lin Xiaofeng to ask, Lieutenant General Li of the Fifth Army Camp ignored Lieutenant General Wang and said with disdain, his voice somewhat cold: "Your Majesty, I think the most urgent task is to fortify the city and clear the fields! Move all the people within a hundred miles of the capital into the city. This will not only replenish the troops, but also prevent the bandits from getting supplies. Over time, their food and grass will be cut off, and they will naturally retreat!" His eyes flashed with a deep understanding of strategy.

Lin Xiaofeng raised his eyebrows and looked at him carefully. Lieutenant General Li was of medium build, with a hint of murderous intent between his eyebrows. He looked smart and capable, but Lin Xiaofeng didn't want to guess what was going on inside, and he couldn't guess it. Lieutenant General Li's strategy was feasible. The bandits' supplies were 30% bought and 70% robbed! If their supply source was cut off, their logistics would be seriously affected. War, on the surface, was a contest of people, but in reality it was a contest of money and food. It was precisely because of the lack of money and food that Lin Xiaofeng in history was defeated!
The Minister of Revenue Shao Shihan stepped forward and shook his head, with some worry in his voice: "Lieutenant General Li's plan is not right! Relocating the people will be a waste of money and labor, and the court is already running out of money. If this expenditure is increased, the treasury will be stretched. If the people resist relocation, forcing them to relocate will cause civil unrest!" His eyes flashed with deep concern for people's livelihood.

Lieutenant General Li glanced at Shao Shihan and asked with a hint of sarcasm in his voice: "Minister Fang, do you know how much it costs to recruit a soldier?"

"This year, the young and strong ones will need four taels of silver, and the others will need three taels." Shao Shihan replied, with a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"Then do you know how much money the bandits need to recruit a soldier?" Lieutenant General Li's words were a little cold.

Shao Shihan stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and then asked tentatively, with some doubt in his voice: "Two taels? One tael? Or not a penny at all?"

Lieutenant General Li sneered, "More than not spending a penny! Wherever they go, if they are short of soldiers, they will rob the people of their money and food. The people cannot survive without money and food, so they have no choice but to join them in order to stay alive." His eyes flashed with deep hatred for the bandits' behavior.

"This is why the bandits can never be killed!" His voice was filled with indignation and helplessness.

Shao Shihan was stunned and asked back with a bit of disbelief in his voice: "Aren't they afraid that the people will not work hard?"

"Working but not putting in any effort? Ha!" Lieutenant General Li sneered again, "Do you think the bandits will send soldiers to attack the city when they attack? No!" His eyes flashed with a deep insight into the bandits' tactics.

"They will drive the people forward with swords and knives to serve as living targets. If the people turn around and run away at this time, they will be killed immediately, but if they rush forward, they may have a chance of survival. When the cannons and muskets have fired a round and need to be reloaded, the soldiers in the rear will charge!" His voice carried a somewhat cruel description of the battlefield.

Shao Shihan's face turned ugly. He had never thought that those who shouted the slogan of equal distribution of land and exemption of grain would actually do such a cruel thing. In his heart, a deep hatred and anger towards the bandits surged.

"Don't the people hate it?" His voice was trembling and helpless.

"Hate! Of course I hate!" Lieutenant General Li said slowly, with a hint of depth in his voice, "But after each city is captured, those driven out civilians will become the so-called 'climbing army'. In the next attack on the city, they will become the soldiers who drive out the civilians." His eyes flashed with a deep understanding of human nature in war.

"If it were you, would you hate it? No, because you have turned from a victim into a perpetrator, you will not double the humiliation you have suffered on others!" His voice contained a profound analysis of human nature in war.

Shao Shihan finally couldn't bear it anymore and shouted angrily, with a bit of anger and helplessness in his voice: "Ridiculous! Absurd! Killing people is not the right thing to do. How can they treat the people like this?" His eyes flashed with deep hatred and anger for the bandits' behavior.

"Your Majesty, I beg you to move all the people within a hundred miles to the city to protect them from the bandits!" His voice was filled with anxiety and worry. His words revealed his deep concern for the people.