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

On that ancient and vast land, the infantry of the Shun army had already shown signs of collapse. Thanks to Yan Tianlu, a burly and resolute general, who turned the tide, his eyes burned like fire, and his voice resounded through the battlefield like thunder, barely stabilizing the morale of the army. However, no one expected that in a flash, they were defeated by the swarm of people. The people came like a tide, with deep hatred for the Shun army and longing for the Ming army. Their shouts and cries intertwined to form an unstoppable force. The infantry of the Shun army mistakenly thought that the front line had collapsed, and they abandoned the battle and fled, running away in a chaotic scene, as if the whole world was caught in a mad vortex.

"Counterattack? That's just talk!" A soldier panted, his face was covered with sweat and tears. Although the sword in his hand was sharp, it seemed so powerless at this moment. "The casualties on the battlefield are mostly caused by trampling on each other." The so-called elite soldiers of the Shun army, those warriors who once vowed to fight to the death and kill those who escaped, became empty talk at this moment. The soldiers only knew that running fast might give them a glimmer of hope, but if they hesitated a little, they would be swept away by the defeated soldiers and would surely die! Their hearts were filled with fear and despair, as if they were tightly grasped by an invisible big hand and could not break free.

"Run! The Ming army is coming!" A terrified voice rang out among the crowd and spread quickly like a plague.

"The credit belongs to others, but your life is your own. Run if you want to live!" The spies disguised as Shun army, but actually Ming army spies, were also mixed in among them, running away shouting, with cunning light flashing in their eyes, as if they were watching a wonderful drama.

The battlefield situation changed rapidly, and the Shun army was defeated. Yan Tianlu's face was pale, his eyes were full of helplessness and grief, and he lamented: "We are defeated, all defeated!" Once the army's morale was gone, it was like a declining trend that could not be reversed by ten thousand bulls. No matter how he shouted, he could not stop the soldiers from fleeing. He hurriedly ordered his personal soldiers to report to the emperor: "Our army has been defeated. Please retreat twenty miles quickly, avoid the enemy's sharp edge, take in the defeated soldiers, and plan for the future!" After that, he pushed his personal soldiers onto the horse and galloped away. His figure looked so lonely and tragic in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Yan Tianlu also mounted his horse, led dozens of his personal soldiers, and tried his best to gather the defeated troops in the chaos. However, the defeat was inevitable, and even Li Zicheng himself could not stop it. Yan Tianlu and his personal soldiers were soon dispersed by the defeated soldiers and were forced to flee westward. The Ming army followed closely behind and drove them away, like a group of helpless sheep.

Once the infantry line was broken and the commander was missing, the Shun army's 15,000 cavalrymen were thrown into chaos. Xie Junyou, Ma Chongxi, and Ma Shiyao had no time to think. Their hearts were filled with anxiety and fear. They each led their men to flee, trying to find a glimmer of hope in this chaotic battlefield. Seeing this, the Ming army's cavalry divided their forces to pursue. The situation on the battlefield suddenly changed, as if a cruel game had just begun.

In a cold weapon battle, the most lethal situation is when the formation collapses and the fleeing soldiers are pursued. The Shun army was like a headless fly, trampling on each other, and countless people died. Their bodies covered the battlefield, their blood dyed the ground red, and the air was filled with a strong smell of blood. What's worse, some commanders wanted to organize their troops to counterattack, but were killed by deserters instead. Their eyes were full of resentment and anger, but they were powerless to change this cruel reality.

"Go to hell! We've had enough!" A Shun soldier roared, his eyes flashing with madness, as if he wanted to pour out all his anger. However, his resistance was in vain, and he was soon overwhelmed by the Ming cavalry.

As a result, the battlefield in the east turned from confrontation to a one-sided massacre by the Ming army. Fires broke out in the army, and the shouts of the defeated army shook the earth, even Li Zicheng was alarmed. He stood on the earth slope, holding a telescope and looking east, and was horrified by the scene. In the morning, he had given Yan Tianlu 25,000 elite soldiers to prevent the Ming army from attacking, but he didn't expect to be defeated so quickly! His heart was filled with resentment and anger, but he also knew that the situation was over.

On the other hand, Zongmin's army had already gained the upper hand and could have broken into the city in half an hour. However, all this was in vain, and their efforts and sacrifices were in vain. Facing the defeated army, Li Zicheng had no choice but to give an order: "Pass the order, the central army and other units will retreat to Juyongguan as soon as possible!" His voice was filled with endless grief and helplessness, as if announcing the end of an era.

Juyongguan is strategically located, not far from the capital, and can be used for attack or defense. Li Zicheng wanted to use this place to revive his army. His heart was full of determination and hope, as if he saw future victory in this steep mountain pass. After the order was passed, he suddenly remembered Sang Dongxu in Tongzhou, where there were 25,000 elite soldiers. If the Ming army cleared the enemies under the city, they would definitely attack Tongzhou. Sang Dongxu had the armies of Jiang Taiwei and Wu Sangui in front of him, and the Beijing army behind him, so he would definitely be defeated. His heart was full of worry and anxiety, but he also knew that he could not take care of everyone.

Li Zicheng ordered the messenger again: "Go and tell Sang Dongxu to abandon Tongzhou and go to Juyongguan!" The messenger took the order and left. His figure looked so lonely and determined in the afterglow of the setting sun.

He then ordered: "General Luo Wenbin and Mr. Li should also retreat to Baoding Prefecture." His voice was filled with unquestionable majesty and determination, as if he was declaring an irreversible order.

Li Zicheng personally led the central army as the rear guard to retreat to Juyongguan. When they arrived at the foot of Shijingshan, they looked at the capital from afar and saw thick smoke, which was the smoke of war and the pain in their hearts. Along the way, defeated troops continued to return, but the Ming cavalry chased them endlessly. In the wild without the protection of fortifications, the defeated troops became living targets for the Ming army's cavalry shooting. Their wailing and begging for mercy intertwined to form a tragic picture.

The arrows of Guanning Army rained down on Shun Army and caused heavy casualties. Li Zicheng wanted to counterattack but Guanning Army suddenly retreated. He did not dare to pursue and could only continue to retreat to Juyong Pass. His heart was filled with anger and helplessness but he also knew that he could not change this cruel reality.

The Ming army on the Beijing city wall cheered loudly when they saw the bandits retreat. They held out for seven or eight days and finally defeated the powerful enemy. This victory was hard-won. Their faces were filled with joy and pride of victory, as if all their efforts were rewarded at this moment.

"We won! The bandits retreated!" a Ming army soldier cheered, his voice full of excitement and joy.

"Bullshit! This is a defeat, not a retreat!" Lieutenant General Li scolded angrily, his eyes flashing with a cold light as if he wanted to pour out all his anger.

"Lieutenant General Li is right. The bandits have been defeated!" The morale of the Ming army on and off the city was boosted when they heard the news. The momentum of counterattack has been formed. Even the old, weak, sick and disabled soldiers bravely moved forward like a tiger descending from the mountain. This is because the incentive system of the first merit system can get rewards for killing the enemy. However, this system also has disadvantages. It is better to rob more property than to kill more enemies. Some people even kill innocent people for the sake of taking credit. Later, although it was changed to first merit plus military merit, this drawback was still not completely eliminated. When the generals reported their merits, they still relied on the heads as proof. Without the heads, there was no merit, so many people waited and watched. When they won, they competed for the credit, and when they lost, they fled. This is also one of the reasons why the army was defeated repeatedly in the late Ming Dynasty.

Lin Xiaofeng stood on the top of the city wall and breathed a sigh of relief while looking at the scene of slaughter below. They won this battle! His heart was filled with joy and pride, as if all his efforts had been rewarded at this moment. However, he also understood that this victory was only temporary, and the road ahead was still long. They needed to fight harder to protect this land and the people on this land.

Watching the bandits flee in defeat, the guards on the city wall seemed to have lost all their strength and sat down on the battlements. Their faces were full of fatigue and relief, but their eyes were shining with unyielding light. In recent days, the bandits have been attacking the city like a tide, bringing unprecedented pressure to this ancient city. What they are guarding is not only the masonry structure of the city, but also the peaceful lives of their relatives and the innocent people in the city.

A burst of crying suddenly sounded, like the cold wind of early spring, piercing everyone's heart. "Woo!" This sound seemed to be contagious, and instantly spread across the city. It was mixed with joy, emotion, excitement, and the people's complex emotions about victory. This victory was too hard to come by, and it was exchanged for the blood and lives of countless soldiers. Every tear was a mourning for the deceased hero, and also an expectation for a peaceful life in the future.

vomit--

The crying had not stopped, and the vomiting sound was heard again. It turned out that the scene outside the city was really horrible. Looking around, there were corpses everywhere, some left by the bandits when they attacked the city, and some killed in the field battle today. The blood dyed the earth red, interweaving with the afterglow of the setting sun to form a tragic picture. The broken limbs and corpses were shocking, and the air was filled with a suffocating smell of blood. This was a real sea of ​​corpses, the most realistic portrayal of the cruelty of war.

Lin Xiaofeng stood beside Lieutenant General Li, his face was pale, but his eyes were shining with determination. He resisted the urge to vomit and said to Lieutenant General Li: "Lieutenant General Li, quickly order the people to clean up the battlefield. Although the bandits have retreated temporarily, they will definitely come back." Although his voice was low, it revealed an unquestionable determination.

"Yes, sir!" Lieutenant General Li pulled himself together and immediately began to deploy. His voice was loud and powerful, as if it could dispel the haze in people's hearts. "Lieutenant General Li, go and repair the damaged city walls quickly; Lao Zhang, you lead a thousand men out of the city to clean up the battlefield. All usable armor and weapons must be collected and cleaned for use. The horses that died in the battle must also be transported back as food; our soldiers who died in the battle will be buried on the hillside southwest of the city; the bodies of the bandits will be gathered and burned to prevent the outbreak of plague."

"The rest of you continue to defend the city and be careful of attacks from bandits!" Lieutenant General Li's orders were like sharp arrows that pierced through the fog in people's hearts and made them regain their will to fight.

Seeing that Lieutenant General Li had arranged everything in an orderly manner, Lin Xiaofeng finally felt relieved. He returned to the imperial city with dozens of people, always concerned about the safety of Queen Zhou. His steps were firm and powerful, and every step touched people's hearts.

In this battle, not only all the defenders of the capital were dispatched, but only a few hundred people were left in the imperial city, and most of them were eunuchs. When Lin Xiaofeng arrived in front of the Qianqing Palace, he saw Queen Zhou leading the concubines waiting outside the door. Her figure looked particularly thin in the afterglow of the setting sun, but her eyes were full of perseverance and determination.

"Your Majesty!" Queen Zhou's face was full of worry. Although her voice was soft, it revealed deep concern. She knew that Lin Xiaofeng was concerned about the fate of the country, so she specially summoned all the concubines in the harem to the Qianqing Gate. If the capital could not be saved, she vowed to die with the concubines to maintain the dignity of the royal family.

"Queen, my beloved concubines! We have won a great victory today, and the bandits have retreated!" Lin Xiaofeng's voice was like a spring breeze that swept through everyone's heart, rekindling their fire of hope.

After hearing the news, Empress Zhou and the concubines all breathed a sigh of relief. The former was worried about the country, while the latter was worried about their own safety. Tears flashed in their eyes, which was mourning for the deceased soldiers and also the expectation of a peaceful life in the future.

"You all should go back to the palace and have a rest. I will drink with you another day." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was gentle but firm. His words were like a ray of warm sunshine, illuminating everyone's heart.

"Yes, sir." The concubines bowed and took their leave. Their figures gradually faded away in the afterglow of the setting sun, leaving behind endless thoughts and expectations.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty!" After everyone left, Queen Zhou suddenly knelt on the ground. Her figure looked particularly graceful in the wind, but also revealed deep self-blame and helplessness. Tears flashed in her eyes, which were worries about the country and self-blame for herself.

"What crime have you committed?" Lin Xiaofeng asked in astonishment. He quickly stepped forward to help her up. His eyes were full of concern and confusion. He didn't understand why Queen Zhou blamed herself so much.

"If there is nothing urgent, let's discuss it another day. I want to take a rest now so that I can have the energy to deal with the battle in the court tomorrow. There are still treacherous people in the capital who have not been eliminated, and we can't have peace." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was low and powerful, and his words revealed his firmness and determination for the future.

Queen Zhou lowered her head and said softly, "I am worried that the capital will be lost and the royal family will be insulted, so I asked my father to come to the palace to prepare for the emergency." Her voice was as soft as drizzle, but it revealed deep helplessness and self-blame. She knew that her actions were not appropriate, but she was also thinking about the safety of the country.

After hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng was full of respect and gratitude for Queen Zhou. He held her tightly in his arms and was reluctant to let go for a long time. His heart was filled with endless emotion and excitement. He knew that Queen Zhou made such a decision for the safety of the country.

After a while, he asked Queen Zhou, "Where is your father, Earl Jiading now?" His voice was gentle but firm, and his words revealed his expectations and determination for the future.

"In the side room of Kunning Palace." Queen Zhou replied. Her voice was soft but firm, and her words revealed her concern and expectation for her father. She knew that Lin Xiaofeng would make proper arrangements for her father's safety.

"Then go call him over." Lin Xiaofeng ordered. There was a gleam of wisdom in his eyes, and he knew that what was going to happen next would be very important.

Queen Zhou thought that Lin Xiaofeng was going to ask her father for donations again, so she had no choice but to go and deliver the decree in person. Her heart was filled with helplessness and worry, but she also knew that this was for the safety of the country.

After a while, Jiading Earl Zhou Kui came to Lin Xiaofeng. His figure seemed a little hunched, but his eyes revealed the shrewdness and cunning of a businessman. His former arrogance was gone, because the warning from the previous day was still vivid in his mind.

Lin Xiaofeng's behavior today was a little different from usual. He stood up and personally helped Zhou Kui up, and said kindly, "Don't be polite, my Lord." His voice was gentle and powerful, and his words revealed his respect and care for Zhou Kui. This made Zhou Kui feel a little surprised and frightened.

Zhou Kui secretly glanced at Lin Xiaofeng's smile, and suddenly felt a chill invading his bones. He was afraid that Lin Xiaofeng would covet his property. His eyes flashed with anxiety and vigilance, like a prey about to be caught by a hunter.

"Your Majesty, I have used up all my family's wealth. Although I want to serve my country, I am powerless." He said with a sad face. His voice was filled with tears and helplessness, like a businessman who was about to go bankrupt.

Lin Xiaofeng did not speak, but motioned to Guo Tianyang beside him to give Zhou Kui a seat. There was a gleam of wisdom in his eyes, and he knew how to deal with this cunning businessman.

However, Zhou Kui refused to sit down, claiming that his hemorrhoids were acting up. In fact, he was afraid that Lin Xiaofeng would charge him. His eyes flashed with vigilance and fear, like a liar who was about to be exposed.

Lin Xiaofeng smiled and asked, "My Lord Father-in-law, I have something to ask you, and I hope you can tell me the truth." His voice was soft but powerful, and his words revealed his desire and determination for the truth.

"I will tell you everything I know," Zhou Kui said hastily. His voice was trembling and fearful, like a criminal about to face trial.

"My Lord, do you have any caravans or businesses that trade with Mongolia?" Lin Xiaofeng asked directly. His eyes flashed with a sharp light, as if he could see into the secrets deep in people's hearts.

Zhou Kui hesitated for a while and then nodded and admitted it. His eyes flashed with helplessness and fear, like a liar who was about to be exposed.

"So what are your main businesses?" Lin Xiaofeng continued to ask. His voice was deep and powerful, and his words revealed his persistence and determination in seeking the truth.

"Food, horses, cotton, silk, salt, fur, cattle, sheep, etc. are all involved." Zhou Kui listed them one by one. There was a trace of trembling and fear in his voice, as if a criminal who was about to face trial was confessing his crimes.

"Then is there any ironware involved?" Lin Xiaofeng stared at Zhou Kui with a sharp gaze. His eyes flashed with a sharp light, as if he could see through the secrets deep in people's hearts.

Zhou Kui knelt on the ground in fear and begged for mercy repeatedly: "Your Majesty, please forgive me! There were some transactions involving ironware. Because Mongolia has a great demand for iron and the price is also very high, our caravan sold some ironware to them. I was just following the crowd." There was crying and helplessness in his voice, as if a criminal who was about to be punished was begging for mercy.

The Ming Dynasty prohibited iron pots, ironware and other items from flowing into the Mongolian region to prevent them from recasting weapons. If the Mongols wanted to buy new pots, they had to exchange them for old ones. The Jiannu took this opportunity to bribe the caravans and transport iron ore and ironware to the Liaodong region to fight against the Ming court's army! This is a serious national security risk, and Lin Xiaofeng must deal with it seriously.

"I just executed some merchants who betrayed their country for personal gain a few days ago, did you know that?" Lin Xiaofeng asked sternly. His voice was low and powerful, and his words revealed his anger and determination towards the traitors.

Zhou Kui nodded with a dead heart to show that he knew about this matter. His eyes flashed with despair and helplessness, as if a criminal who was about to be executed was waiting for the final verdict.

"Then I will give you a chance now! Can you take over all the business of those companies within half a month?" Lin Xiaofeng suddenly changed the subject and asked. There was a hint of tenderness and expectation in his voice, like a judge giving a criminal a last chance.
After sending Zhou Kui away, Lin Xiaofeng walked steadily through the palaces of the Forbidden City and headed straight for Wenyuan Pavilion. The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the glazed tiles, shining with golden light, adding a bit of solemnity and mystery to this ancient palace. Lin Xiaofeng had no leisure to appreciate the beautiful scenery. He was quite worried about the physical condition of Li Ge Lao. As a king who cared about the world, he knew that in this turbulent time, the health of every loyal minister was crucial. Li Banghua, a veteran of three dynasties, was not only a pillar of the country, but also a solid force in his heart.

Walking into Wenyuan Pavilion, a light scent of books hits your nose. Compared with the hustle and bustle outside, this place seems particularly quiet. When the ministers in the pavilion saw the emperor coming, they came forward one after another, their faces filled with sincere joy and respect. "Congratulations, Your Majesty, the capital has successfully defended, the bandits have been defeated, and have retreated to Juyongguan!" Their words were full of excitement and pride, as if this victory was not only a military victory, but also a great encouragement to the faith in everyone's hearts.

Lin Xiaofeng looked around, and every official's face was filled with relief after exhaustion. He knew that behind this joy was the sweat and blood of countless soldiers and civilians. "This is all the credit of your joint efforts with the soldiers and civilians to repel the bandits. You all have made great contributions!" His words were warm and firm, like a spring breeze, which made everyone's heart surge with warmth.

The officials responded modestly, but the light in their eyes revealed an undisguised pride. Lin Xiaofeng looked at this scene with mixed feelings. Recalling half a month ago, when the bandits broke through Xuanfu and approached the capital, the people in the capital were panicked, and some even proposed to move the capital to avoid their attack. Fortunately, the army and the people were united, not only defending this ancient capital, but also repelling the bandits in one fell swoop. This tenacity and courage made him feel deeply gratified.

"All of you please leave. I have something to say to Lord Li alone." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was not loud, but it was filled with unquestionable majesty. The officials politely left, and soon only the emperor and his officials were left in the cabinet.

Lin Xiaofeng stared at Li Banghua. The old man looked a little haggard, but his eyes were still sharp. "Lord Li, do you know why I called you here?" He asked softly, with some concern in his tone.

Banghua pondered for a moment, shook his head slowly, and a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes. "I know a little bit, but Your Majesty needs to understand that this kind of thing cannot be solved overnight." His voice was steady, revealing a kind of indifference after experiencing vicissitudes of life.

Lin Xiaofeng shook his head, a trace of determination flashing between his brows. "But this matter cannot be delayed." His words revealed the urgency that could not be delayed.

Banghua was stunned. He didn't understand why the emperor was so anxious, so he asked tentatively, "I would like to hear your majesty's opinion."

"It's about business!" Lin Xiaofeng's words were simple and clear, but they were like a stone that caused a thousand waves, causing ripples in Banghua's heart.

Banghua was even more confused. He frowned and asked, "Your Majesty, didn't you punish those merchants who betrayed the country? What other problems do merchants have?" Lin Xiaofeng took a deep breath and said slowly, "Merchants are just the surface. Collusion between officials and businessmen is the root of the problem. Officials use their power to seek personal gain, and merchants use wealth to exchange for power. The exchange of power and wealth eventually leads to disasters. With five times the profit, some people will take risks; with ten times the profit, some people will defy the law and break discipline; with more than ten times the profit, some people will not hesitate to sacrifice their lives."

Banghua looked solemn when he heard this. He was well aware of the seriousness of the problem, but he also understood how difficult it was to solve it.

"I order you to eliminate this drawback." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was firm, with irresistible force.

Banghua was puzzled at first, then frowned, and finally showed a look of horror. He asked cautiously: "Where did your Majesty get this view from?"

Lin Xiaofeng chuckled and coughed twice, as if to hide something. "I saw it in the book Das Kapital." There was a hint of mystery in his words.

Banghua was knowledgeable, but he had never heard of this book. He racked his brains but could not figure it out, so he could only shake his head helplessly.

"I can lend it to you to read later, but the most urgent thing now is to eliminate the malpractice of collusion between officials and businessmen." Lin Xiaofeng avoided the question and brought the subject back to the main topic.

Banghua pondered for a long time and shook his head helplessly. The problem of collusion between officials and businessmen involves a wide range of issues, and it is not easy to eradicate it.

Lin Xiaofeng chuckled, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. "I have a way, but I need your help, Lord." His voice was gentle and firm, like an invisible force that made people trust him.

Banghua stood up in awe, bowed his hands and said, "I am willing to serve you as a dog and a horse." His tone was full of determination and loyalty.

"My strategy is to 'give someone a taste of their own medicine'." Lin Xiaofeng said slowly, each word seemed to be carefully considered.

Banghua's eyes flashed, and he quickly understood the emperor's intention. He asked tentatively, "Your Majesty wants me to do collusion between officials and businessmen?"

Lin Xiaofeng nodded, then shook his head. "Yes, but not entirely. I want you to use your power to organize caravans and businesses to trade with bandits, Mongolians, and Jian Nu. You sell goods that are prohibited by the court, and sell goods that are allowed by the court at a low price. On the surface, it is to gain benefits, but in fact it is to allow the Jinyiwei to infiltrate behind enemy lines and conduct reconnaissance and subversion activities." His words revealed a profound wisdom.

Banghua hesitated for a moment and asked, "Do I have to do this myself?" There was some hesitation in his tone.

"Yes!" Lin Xiaofeng answered affirmatively, his eyes full of trust and expectation.

Banghua analyzed: "The bandits, Mongols, and Jiannu will definitely investigate the background of the business. If they know that it is Your Majesty or the nobles who are behind it, although the transactions will not be interrupted, it will be difficult to gain their trust." His words revealed a sense of sophistication and caution.

Lin Xiaofeng explained with a smile: "You are the prime minister of the cabinet and the leader of the civil officials. You can do this without causing their suspicion. In this way, the Jinyiwei can gain their trust and carry out rebellion and sabotage activities." His tone was full of trust and admiration for Banghua.

Banghua suddenly realized, bowed and said, "I'll do it right away." His tone was full of determination and firmness.

Lin Xiaofeng made further arrangements: "Jiading Earl Zhou Kui has already annexed the industries of the rebel merchants. If he asks you for help, you can act accordingly. He is in the light and you are in the dark. This can not only attract the attention of the bandits and the Qing army, but also let him do things that are inconvenient for you." His words revealed a foresight.

Banghua bowed and said, "I obey your order." His heart was filled with respect and loyalty to the emperor.

As a veteran of three dynasties, Banghua, who was nearly 70 years old, naturally understood the emperor's intention. The emperor used Zhou Kui, ostensibly to promote him, but in fact to suppress other merchants and pave the way for his own business. Business wars were as fiercely competitive as battlefields. Once Zhou Kui disrupted the situation, small businesses would naturally retreat, and resources would fall into the hands of the emperor. Banghua knew this clearly, and Lin Xiaofeng also thought of this and was secretly happy.

The monarch chooses his subjects not for his integrity but for his ability to adapt to the position. Although Zhou Kui is greedy, his ability can still be used. With Zhou Kui in the front, the businesses in the northern border will be reshuffled, and the chaotic situation will be beneficial to both the Ming Dynasty and the Jinyiwei. Lin Xiaofeng's heart is full of expectations and plans for the future.

He reminded: "You must handle the business matters as soon as possible and select some loyal and reliable people to lead the rest of the matters. I will arrange for the Royal Guard to contact you. Remember that this matter must be kept absolutely confidential and not disclosed to outsiders." His tone was full of seriousness and caution.

Banghua responded, "I obey your order." His heart was full of loyalty and trust in the emperor.

Lin Xiaofeng sighed, looking a little tired, but his eyes were still sharp. "Let's talk about the second thing," he said with a heavy tone, "You have been in the cabinet for half a month. Have you found any shortcomings in the court?" His tone revealed a deep concern for the country.

Banghua mistakenly thought that the emperor was dissatisfied with him, and struggled to kneel down and apologize. Lin Xiaofeng held him down and said, "You can talk as you like, no need to apologize." His tone was full of tolerance and understanding.

Banghua looked at the emperor with gratitude, then said slowly: "I believe that the court has three main shortcomings: frequent natural disasters, rampant corrupt officials, and neglected military preparations." His words revealed a worry and concern for the country.

Banghua wanted to continue, but Lin Xiaofeng stopped him: "We will discuss these things in the court tomorrow. Now that the bandits have retreated, I want to take this opportunity to rectify the government." His tone was full of determination and expectation. He knew that this battle had just begun, but as long as they had determination and wisdom, nothing could stop them from moving forward.

Walking out of Wenyuan Pavilion, Lin Xiaofeng's steps seemed particularly heavy, as if every step was on lead. The afterglow of the setting sun shone obliquely on him, coating his slightly tired figure with a faint golden glow. His face was firm, and his eyes flashed with an unyielding light, which was a kind of tenacious will that remained after experiencing vicissitudes. Although he was exhausted physically and mentally, the anger in his chest was like a raging fire, burning fiercely, supporting him to move forward.

Since crossing into this chaotic world, the sword in his hand has drunk the blood of countless people. Whenever the night is quiet, the past battles haunt him like a nightmare, making it difficult for him to sleep. However, whenever dawn comes, the desire for peace once again ignites his fighting spirit. In the past, when the bandits besieged the city, he was able to deter the bandits with his own strength, but it was ultimately just a drop in the bucket. Now, although the bandits have retreated, the murderous intent in his heart is even stronger. He vowed to take this great victory as an opportunity to kill as a warning to others and let everyone in the world know that in troubled times, there is also an iron-fisted rule.

At dusk, Guo Tianyang gently pushed open the palace door, stepped into the silent Qianqing Palace, and gently woke up the sleeping Lin Xiaofeng: "Your Majesty, Gongsun Yuchun wants to see you."

Lin Xiaofeng slowly opened his eyes, a sharp light flashed in his eyes, and then he straightened his slightly messy clothes and said in a deep voice: "Let him in!"

Gongsun Yuchun stepped into the hall and saluted respectfully: "Your Majesty, what command do you have for me?" Although he had never experienced battle in person, he had been running around the market in recent days to fill the vacancies in the Jinyiwei, and he had been working hard.

"How is the progress of the task I asked you to do?" There was a hint of unquestionable majesty in Lin Xiaofeng's voice.

Gongsun Yuchun looked embarrassed and slowly replied, "Your Majesty, time is tight and we have only recruited a few hundred people so far."

Lin Xiaofeng frowned upon hearing this and sighed inwardly. This number of people was undoubtedly a drop in the bucket for his grand plan.

"How many Jinyiwei were there before Xuanfu fell?" There was a hint of urgency in his words.

Gongsun Yuchun pondered for a moment before answering, "Xuanfu is an important town in the Nine Frontiers, with elite frontier troops stationed there. It is also the place where the Jinyiwei have infiltrated. According to the manual left by Lang Jiwu, there are nearly a thousand Jinyiwei in Xuanfu. But considering the problem of empty salaries, the actual number may be only about 30%, about 300 people. But I don't know if they have surrendered to the bandits."

"Three hundred people? Not enough. Far from enough!" Lin Xiaofeng murmured in a low voice, with a flash of determination in his eyes.

The eight "locust merchants" had their base in Xuanfu. If they could not recover it in the short term, he planned to send the Jinyiwei to secretly eliminate these troubles. The longer these people lived, the more uneasy he would feel. Although he knew that this move might cause the wealth of these caravans to fall into the hands of Li Zicheng, at this moment, he could no longer care about that.

When Gongsun Yuchun saw this, although he was confused, he did not dare to ask more questions and could only stand quietly by.

"Let's do this. First, we will clean up the problem of empty salaries in the Jinyiwei. Send these people to widely deploy spies and develop subordinates. At the same time, adjust their salaries. Those in Beijing will receive two taels of silver per month, and those serving outside the capital will receive three taels of silver per month. Food and salaries will be calculated separately. Anyone who successfully instigates a rebellion will be rewarded based on the number of people and the official position of the other party, and the money will be paid from the inner treasury. You can draw up a plan, and execute it if I have no objection." Lin Xiaofeng's words were filled with unquestionable determination.

"The funds for instigating rebellion and purchasing intelligence will be allocated to you from the treasury. I'll give you 500,000 taels of silver first. If it's not enough, ask me for more." His voice was low and powerful, revealing an irresistible majesty.

Jinyiwei was directly under the jurisdiction of the emperor. When Lin Xiaofeng was carrying out the rectification, the court officials had no right to interfere. This was exactly where his confidence came from. In the past, when the bandits besieged the city, it was a good time to use people and it was not convenient to carry out the rectification. Now that the bandits have retreated, it is a good time to rectify and restore.

"My expectation for the Jinyiwei is just to restore it to its glory in the 20th year of Wanli!" There was a hint of emotion in Lin Xiaofeng's words, as if he was reminiscing about those glorious days.

When Gongsun Yuchun first heard about the five hundred thousand taels of silver, he was slightly panicked, but then when he heard the emperor's will, his eyes sparkled with excitement. The glory of the Jinyiwei was about to be revived! He knelt to receive the order, with a hint of excitement in his voice: "I will handle it immediately!"

Lin Xiaofeng watched him leave and shook his head helplessly. Today's Jinyiwei no longer has the glory of the past. Recalling the Wanli period, how prosperous was the Jinyiwei? Among the three major expeditions of Wanli, fighting against Japanese pirates was one of them, and it had the highest technical content. At that time, the Jinyiwei was full of talents. Because the Ming Dynasty had frequent trade with foreign countries, there were many talents who were proficient in foreign languages. They were able to mix in Korea, Japan and other places, and made great contributions to the security of the country.

However, looking at the current Jinyiwei, they are weak in combat power, out of touch with the news, rampant corruption, and prevalent empty salaries! These drawbacks can only be slightly alleviated in the short term, and it will take time to completely eradicate them.

Not long after Gongsun Yuchun left, three people hurried in. Jiang Taiwei, Gao Shiming, and Zhang Zhengyang came together, obviously with important matters to report.

"Your Majesty, long live the emperor." There was a hint of urgency and excitement in their voices.

When Lin Xiaofeng heard their voices, he showed joy on his face. Jiang Taiwei's arrival meant that Sang Dongxu of Tongzhou had been defeated, otherwise he would never have come here.

As expected, Jiang Taiwei was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, Sang Dongxu heard that the bandits in the capital were defeated and there was an uproar in the army. I took the opportunity to attack and defeated their army outside Tongzhou City. All the troops fled to Juyong Pass. I was worried that there would be changes in the capital, so I did not pursue them."

"Good, very good!" Lin Xiaofeng praised with a smile, the satisfaction in his eyes was evident.

Then, Gao Shiming reported: "Your Majesty, after I delivered the imperial edict to Liu Zeqing, I was detained by him. After Commander Liu eliminated Liu Zeqing at Tiemenguan, I stayed in his army to serve." More than ten days after leaving Beijing, Gao Shiming finally returned. He suppressed his excitement and reported the situation to Lin Xiaofeng.

Lin Xiaofeng looked at his tanned face and was moved. The Ming Dynasty still had loyal ministers! He secretly admired.

Finally, Zhang Zhengyang reported: "Since the death of Pang Zijin and Shan Huafeng, I have become the leader of the Yongwei Battalion of the Capital. Your Majesty, I led the Yongwei Battalion to fight today and returned victoriously! We killed nearly 500 enemies and lost less than 100 soldiers."

"Good! Very good!" Lin Xiaofeng was already at a loss for words and could only praise again and again. He knew very well that the return of these loyal ministers and brave generals was undoubtedly a shot in the arm for the Ming Dynasty.

"You can rest tonight and we will reward you based on your merits tomorrow!" There was a hint of fatigue in his words, but more of it was relief and anticipation.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" the three answered in unison and then withdrew.

After the others left, Gao Shiming was the only one left. Lin Xiaofeng looked at him with a hint of concern in his eyes: "Gao Shiming, thank you for your hard work."

"It's not hard, this is my job." Gao Shiming said without complaint. As the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, he was an important official among the eunuchs, and he would not complain even if it was hard and tiring.

"Guo Tianyang, take out five hundred taels of silver from the treasury and give it to him." There was a hint of unquestionable majesty in Lin Xiaofeng's words.

"Your Majesty!" Gao Shiming was so moved that tears streamed down his cheeks. "This is all my duty. How dare I expect a reward from Your Majesty!"

Lin Xiaofeng sighed, took out a secret letter from his bosom and handed it to him, saying: "This is not a reward, but travel expenses. You have to travel far away again."

Ah? Gao Shiming looked at the secret letter in his hand in astonishment. Five hundred taels of silver for travel expenses, how far was he going to go? Could it be that the emperor wanted to send him to Korea?
After receiving the letter, he did not dare to look directly at Lin Xiaofeng, but asked in a low voice: "Where does the emperor want to send me?"

"Go find Huang Degong, he will tell you where that person is." There was a hint of mystery and expectation in Lin Xiaofeng's words.

Gao Shiming thought about it for a moment and understood what Lin Xiaofeng meant, but he was still waiting for the emperor to say it himself.

"There is the threat of the Jiannu in the north, the invasion of the rebels in the west, and the rebellion of Zhang Xianzhong in the southwest! If we want to break this situation, we must adopt the strategy of forming alliances and making alliances!" There was a hint of determination and wisdom in Lin Xiaofeng's words.

"This is a letter of amnesty from the imperial court. You take this letter to see Zhang Xianzhong. The journey is long and full of difficulties and obstacles, and you may even lose your life. However, if you succeed, then the Ming Dynasty will have a chance to breathe; if you fail, it is also destiny, and you will not be blamed!" There is an unquestionable determination and expectation in his words. (End of this chapter)