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

The morning light was just beginning to appear, gently sprinkling on the bluestone slabs in front of the Huangji Palace, adding a bit of vitality to this solemn place. The sun shone through the thin mist, caressing every inch of space like a veil, making the air filled with a faint warmth. This was the first morning court held since the defeat of the bandits. The faces of all the officials were filled with unconcealed joy, and their clothes shone with colorful luster in the morning light, as if they were also celebrating this moment of victory. Only the emperor Lin Xiaofeng sat upright on the high dragon throne, his face calm, without sadness or joy, as if everything was under his control. His eyes were deep, as calm as a cold pond, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

"Your Majesty!" Li Banghua, the cabinet chief and the Minister of War, walked out of the queue slowly. His steps were steady and each step seemed so calm. He cupped his hands and reported respectfully: "The bandits were defeated yesterday and have now retreated to Juyong Pass. According to the spies, the bandits have left Juyong Pass and are fleeing towards Xuanfu."

Lin Xiaofeng narrowed his eyes slightly, secretly admiring Li Zicheng's wisdom and strategy. He really had capable people under his command. He imagined the magnificence of Juyongguan, a natural barrier that was as solid as a rock. But Xuanfu was a different story. It had a dangerous terrain and was easy to defend but difficult to attack. If Xuanfu was lost, the bandit army would be trapped between the two passes with nowhere to escape. Unexpectedly, Li Zicheng also saw through this plan and retreated directly to Xuanfu. In this way, the capital would be safer. Lin Xiaofeng felt a faint sense of relief in his heart. He knew that this victory was not only due to the bravery of the soldiers, but also because of the assistance of wise men.

"How was the battle yesterday?" Lin Xiaofeng asked calmly. His voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard throughout the hall.

Li Banghua took out a battle report from his sleeve and read slowly: "Yesterday our army fought fiercely with the bandits outside the city, beheading 29,297 people and capturing 8,344 people; 2,709 of our soldiers were killed, 1,251 were seriously injured, and 5,462 were slightly injured. The three battalions in the west of the city suffered the most casualties, and General Wang, the deputy commander of the Shenshu Battalion, was unfortunately shot to death."

After listening to this, Lin Xiaofeng looked solemn. He seemed to be able to see the fierce battle scene, hear the deafening drums and the shouts of the soldiers. He asked again: "Since the bandits besieged the city until we retreated, how many bandits have we killed? How many casualties have we suffered?"

Li Banghua replied: "From March 21st when the bandits besieged the capital to the 27th when they were defeated, our army killed more than 71,000 people, half of whom were civilians among the bandits. Our army had 10,089 killed, 3,242 seriously injured, and 14,891 slightly injured."

Lin Xiaofeng nodded silently. He was not surprised by the loss of the Ming army. He knew that those temporarily recruited militiamen had no armor to protect them. Although they were equipped with temporary armor made of books, which could resist projectiles, they could not resist arrows. In addition, without helmets, the casualties were naturally heavy. A faint sadness surged in his heart for those soldiers who died heroically. As for the number of beheadings, Lin Xiaofeng had doubts in his heart, because after the bandits retreated, some surrendered, some were trampled to death, and some escaped. The latter two might be confused when counting. However, even if he knew that there was a false report, Lin Xiaofeng did not intend to investigate it, because the strategic victory had been achieved and the capital was at peace; the generals falsely reported their military exploits just for profit. In this battle, the military and civilians of the capital worked together and did not hesitate to spend a lot of money to reward them.

"This victory was hard-won, and the Ministry of War should reward people according to their merits. But remember, this reward was earned by the soldiers with their lives, and we must ensure that every reward reaches them. If I hear that someone has withheld the reward silver, I will kill all three of their clans!" After saying this, Lin Xiaofeng's eyes swept over the officials, and a cold atmosphere filled the entire hall, and all the officials felt a chill down their spines. The civil officials were better, but the military generals looked embarrassed, because they knew that these words were specifically directed at them. They were secretly glad that they did not do anything out of line in this matter, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous.

In ancient times, rewards and military pay were allocated from the Ministry of Revenue to the Ministry of War, and then distributed to the frontline generals by the Ministry of War. The distribution was arbitrary by the generals, and although there were military supervisors present, they would often go along with the corrupt practices, and it was difficult to eliminate the practice of eating empty pay. Lin Xiaofeng knew this very well, so his words were filled with unquestionable majesty. He wanted to ensure that every reward could be truly distributed to those brave soldiers.

"As you command!" Li Banghua did not retreat after receiving the order, but took out another memorial, "Your Majesty, although the bandits have temporarily retreated, the court still has many hidden worries. This is the memorial I submitted, please read it."

"It's okay for you to speak frankly, Mr. Li. I will read it carefully when I have time." There was a hint of fatigue in Lin Xiaofeng's words, but his eyes remained firm.

"Yes." Li Banghua coughed lightly, and his voice echoed in the hall. "Although the bandits have just been defeated, the defense of the capital cannot be relaxed. The most urgent task is to strengthen the troops of the Beijing Camp and Jizhou to prevent the bandits from attacking again, and to guard against the Jiannu in Liaodong who may take advantage of the situation. In order to serve the king, the Governor of Ji and Liao and the General of Liaodong have given up Ningyuan. Liaodong has been lost, and we have to defend it!"

After saying this, the whole court fell into silence. Although the bandits have retreated, the Jiannu are still eyeing outside Shanhaiguan, which is a serious threat. If they enter the pass to plunder again, the Ming Dynasty will be in danger. The Eight Banners Army invaded the Central Plains five times, and the Ming army suffered heavy losses repeatedly, and the economy also suffered serious losses, which also gave the bandits a chance to breathe. If the time is right, they will definitely launch another fierce attack and bring heavy damage to the Ming Dynasty. The faces of all the officials showed solemn expressions. They knew that this victory was only temporary, and the real challenge was still to come.

"Does Li Qing have any suggestions?" Lin Xiaofeng asked, with a hint of urgency in his voice.

"I suggest reorganizing the military forces of the three major camps in the capital. However, the reorganization I mentioned is not as simple as others understand. I plan to divide the soldiers of the three camps into two parts: those who are qualified will be officially included in the military rolls and become soldiers; those who are unqualified will be temporarily kept and paid monthly wages. After half a year, they will be re-examined, and those who are qualified will be included in the military rolls, and those who are unqualified will be eliminated. During this period, I will widely recruit new soldiers for training to make up for the shortcomings of the Beijing camp." Li Banghua elaborated on his plan in detail, with a determined look on his face.

After listening to this, Lin Xiaofeng did not raise any objections. He looked around at the officials around him. There were many new faces in the court who were officials promoted for their military merits. They either belonged to Li Banghua's party or to the factions of other cabinet ministers. Seeing that the other three members of the cabinet did not raise any objections, the officials also expressed their agreement. They knew that this plan was feasible and necessary.

"Let's follow Li Qing's advice!" Lin Xiaofeng finally made a decision, with a hint of firmness in his voice. He knew that this decision was crucial to the future of Ming Dynasty.

At this time, the Minister of Works Cheng Qinghua hesitated for a moment, then walked out of the queue and reported: "Your Majesty, I request to resign from the post of Governor-General of the Beijing Camp." There was a hint of helplessness and determination in his voice.

Lin Xiaofeng did not respond to him immediately, but looked at Li Banghua first. Li Banghua nodded slightly to show that he already knew about this matter. Lin Xiaofeng's move shocked all the ministers, and they all lamented how much Li Banghua was favored. They knew that Li Banghua's position in the emperor's heart was unshakable.

"Why do you want to resign?" Lin Xiaofeng asked, with a hint of doubt in his voice. He knew that Cheng Qinghua had always been a diligent and responsible official and would not resign easily.

"Your Majesty, I am currently concurrently in charge of the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Rites, and the Cabinet. I am very busy and it is difficult for me to take on the duties of the Governor of the Capital Camp. Moreover, according to convention, this position should be held by a meritorious military commander. Now that the siege of the capital has been lifted, we should restore the old system." Cheng Qinghua explained sincerely, with a tired look on his face. He knew that his request might displease the emperor, but he really could not take on this position at the same time.

Cheng Qinghua's words were not false. The Ministry of Works was indeed very busy, such as the manufacture of gunpowder grenades and the construction of the Martyrs' Shrine. The Ministry of Rites would also become even busier, because Lin Xiaofeng had already said that the duties of the Land Administration of the Ming Dynasty might be transferred to the Ministry of Rites. After hearing this, all the officials nodded in agreement. They knew that Cheng Qinghua's words were true and understood his difficulties.

"Does the cabinet have any opinions on this?" Lin Xiaofeng turned to ask Li Banghua again, with a hint of majesty in his voice. He knew that this decision needed the consent of the cabinet before it could be implemented.

"We all think that we should choose a suitable candidate from among the meritorious military commanders to take up this position," Li Banghua replied, with a hint of firmness in his voice. He knew that this decision was crucial to the future of the Ming Dynasty, and he also understood the emperor's intentions.

"In that case, I will grant Minister Fan's request. However, the position of Governor of the Beijing Camp cannot be left vacant for a long time! Now that all the civil and military officials are here, who do you think is qualified for this position?" Lin Xiaofeng said as he looked around at the ministers, his eyes revealing a kind of expectation and trust. He knew that this decision required the joint discussion and recommendation of the ministers to come up with the best candidate.

Liu Dudu's achievements are like bright stars, inlaid on the sky of history, and three of them are particularly dazzling and admirable. The first achievement was that he safely escorted the prince to Tianjin and set sail into the sea. It was a turbulent undercurrent under the calm sea. With his extraordinary wisdom and courage, he ensured the prince's safety along the way and sowed the seeds of hope for the future of the country.

Liu Dudu, the nephew of Empress Xiaochun and the younger brother of Xinle Hou Liu Wenbing, has no title, but he has the air of a meritorious nobleman. He is tall, with a resolute face and an unyielding look in his eyes, as if he can see through people's hearts and see through the fog to the future battlefield. Every time he goes on an expedition, he is like a warrior leaping out of the long river of history, embarking on the journey with the belief that he will win.

The second achievement was that he followed the emperor's order to eliminate the rebellious minister Liu Zeqing and led the army to defend the emperor. It was a stormy night with thunder roaring, as if foreshadowing a great change. Commander Liu, wearing armor and holding a long sword, stood in front of the army. His voice penetrated the wind and rain and stirred the hearts of every soldier: "Eliminate the traitor for the country tonight!" Under his leadership, the army was like a tiger descending from the mountain, unstoppable, and finally successfully eliminated the rebellion and stabilized the government. His bravery and wisdom became a legend passed down by later generations.

The third achievement was defeating the bandits in Tongzhou and lifting the siege of the capital. His merits were outstanding and everyone praised him! At that time, outside Tongzhou, bandits surrounded the city and the situation was critical. Governor Liu remained calm in the face of danger. He personally surveyed the terrain and laid a net. On the day of the decisive battle, he led the charge and his bravery inspired every soldier. In the end, the bandits were defeated, the siege of the capital was lifted, and his reputation was resounding through the sky.

However, the situation in the court was unpredictable. When the Left Governor Jiang Taiwei was proposed to concurrently serve as the Governor of the Beijing Camp, all the ministers agreed and passed it almost unanimously. Only the Right Censor-in-Chief Fang Kezhuang, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice Zhang Xin, the Military Affairs Department Zeng Yinglin, Chen Mingxia and others had ambiguous attitudes and did not say a word. Lin Xiaofeng was standing aside, his mind as clear as a mirror. He knew these people's concerns and calculations very well. He smiled lightly and thought to himself: "The fox's tail is finally exposed, but it is still waiting for the opportunity."

The emperor finally spoke and decided to let Jiang Taiwei concurrently serve as the governor of the Beijing camp. Jiang Taiwei received the order with a firm look and vowed to live up to the emperor's grace. The emperor reminded him that he had a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, and Jiang Taiwei solemnly agreed, with a sense of responsibility and mission arising spontaneously.

At this time, Lin Xiaofeng looked calm and proposed to continue discussing other matters. Li Banghua stood up again and raised the urgency of Jizhou's defense with earnest words. However, Zeng Yinglin retorted, mentioning the difficulties of money, food and soldiers, with a tone of helplessness and anxiety. He didn't know that the silver in the national treasury and the inner treasury was already quite rich, enough to support the overall situation. Li Banghua smiled in his heart and disdained Zeng Yinglin's short-sightedness. He was confident and proposed three clever ways to recruit soldiers, revealing his infinite vision and confidence in the future.

There was a moment of silence in the court. Li Banghua's bold words touched everyone's heartstrings. Why did he dare to do so? Everyone looked at Lin Xiaofeng for the answer. Lin Xiaofeng sat on the dragon chair, his face calm as water, but his mind was full of thoughts. He recalled the past of the Jizhou Mutiny, a period of history that even history books were reluctant to record easily. The complexity and cruelty behind it were far beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

The first mutiny in the 23rd year of Wanli was a continuation of the internal struggle of the court. The glory and end of Qi's army were the victims of the party struggle. Those brave soldiers were ruthlessly slaughtered because of the crime of rebellion due to insufficient food and wages. In fact, they were the victims of the struggle of the court. Lin Xiaofeng was deeply moved. That period of history was an eternal pain in his heart.

As for the second Jizhou mutiny, it was caused by the court's lack of money, and he insisted on cutting down the new army. Some of the cut soldiers defected to the enemy, which was heartbreaking. Li Banghua attributed these two incidents to man-made disasters, and his courage is admirable.

"Your Majesty, the cabinet chief Li Banghua made irresponsible remarks in the court, insinuating the emperor, and he should be punished!" Zhang Xin, the left vice minister of the Ministry of Justice, hurriedly stood up and said, trying to take this opportunity to overthrow Li Banghua or plant the seeds of hatred in the emperor's heart. The atmosphere in the court suddenly became more subtle and tense, and a new storm seemed to be brewing quietly.

Is Zhang Xin impeaching Li Banghua? Lin Xiaofeng muttered to himself, and a playful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. The sound was as loud as a pig's hum, attracting the attention of people around him, but he was unaware of it and was still immersed in his own thoughts.

There are thousands of roads in this world, but some people choose the road that seems bright but is actually full of thorns. Zhang Xin recommended Li Banghua as the Prime Minister. How could outsiders easily understand the calculations behind this? Not only for the smooth implementation of government orders, but more importantly, he needed such a heavyweight figure to suppress the government and stabilize the precarious situation.

Li Banghua, a veteran of three or even four dynasties, had a position in the court that was like the unshakable Mount Tai, which made people look up to him. It was only because Zhu Changluo, the Emperor Guangzong of the Ming Dynasty, was in office for a short time that his brilliance was briefly ignored by the world, but the majesty that was precipitated was something that no one could ignore.

Before Lin Xiaofeng could open his mouth, Zhang Xin had already been counterattacked by Li Banghua. The scene was like a sudden cold wind in spring, catching people off guard.

"Minister Zhang, what do you mean? When have I ever alluded to His Majesty?" Li Banghua's voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to be carefully crafted and struck people's hearts.

Zhang Xin was furious, his cheeks flushed with excitement. He defended himself, "There were two mutinies in Jizhou. One was in the 23rd year of Wanli's reign. It was so long ago that we don't need to mention it. The other one was in the second year of this reign. The new army was disbanded at that time. That was the order of His Majesty. If I'm not alluding to His Majesty, who else could I be alluding to?"

Li Banghua watched coldly, a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth, and asked back: "On July 14th of the first year of our dynasty, Yuan Chonghuan clearly pointed out in the "Platform Memorial" that the new army's military pay was short of 1.2 million taels. He could save 600,000 taels, and the Ministry of Revenue could raise another 600,000 taels! He also proposed to eliminate useless soldiers and check the empty quota. This matter was handed over to Liaodong Governor Bi Zisu and Jizhou Governor Wang Yingzhi to handle. If these two governors can get the support of Your Majesty and Chonghuan, the reduction of the army can be completed in half a month."

He paused and continued, "The new army pay refers specifically to the pay for new soldiers. New soldiers and old soldiers are not divided into new and old in the traditional sense. The old soldiers in Jizhen are the garrison troops, mainly responsible for early warning tasks along the Great Wall. The new soldiers are 'practical for Liao'. Although they are stationed in Jizhen, they are not responsible for defense. They are the reserve force of the Guanning Army and the field troops. They are treated better than the garrison troops. Only Chonghuan can mobilize them."

"At that time, His Majesty replied in the memorial: whether the new soldiers in Ji Mi, Shui Jin and Heng Shan should be dismissed, and whether the horses at the gates should be reduced, should be reported to the commander-in-chief Yuan Chonghuan and the governor-general's office after consultation."

"Chonghuan is the instigator of the disarmament movement, and Your Majesty has also been bewitched by him!"

"The man-made disaster I mentioned clearly refers to Yuan Chonghuan. You said I was alluding to Your Majesty. Where is the evidence?"

"The one who insinuated Your Majesty was not me, but you!"

These words were so powerful that Zhang Xin was shocked after hearing them. He had never expected that although Li Banghua was old, his memory was so amazing that he could recall the detailed contents of Yuan Chonghuan's memorial. Such skills were truly admirable.

The atmosphere in the court was heavy for a moment. Zhang Xin hesitated and could not say a word for a long time. At this time, the Minister of Personnel Miao Yikui stepped forward and said sternly, "Minister Zhang, Li Ge Lao worked so hard for the country that he fell ill. Not only did you not help him, but you slandered him. What is your crime?"

"Slandering the elder is a light crime, but insinuating about Your Majesty is a capital crime!" Cheng Qinghua, the Minister of Works and Minister of Rites, followed closely behind. His words were even more sharp and hit Zhang Xin's weak spot directly.

"Your Majesty, the Cabinet Prime Minister Li is loyal to the country and is a pillar of the country! The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice Zhang Xin has framed a loyal and good man without any evidence. He is a culpable person! Your Majesty, please punish him!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I also second the proposal!"

Once the two important cabinet ministers took the lead, other ministers followed suit, especially those in the Censorate. They seemed to have found their backbone and stood up one after another to denounce Zhang Xin.

Censor Shi Bangyao was the first to bear the brunt of the attack. He had a close personal relationship with Li Banghua, so how could he stand idly by when seeing his old boss in trouble? He spoke righteously and forcefully to defend Banghua.

You Du Yushi Fang Kezhuang originally had a good relationship with Zhang Xin, but seeing that Zhang Xin was isolated and helpless, he turned to Bang Hua. His eyes revealed a hint of helplessness, but also made him more determined in his choice.

The court was filled with voices condemning Zhang Xin. He was terrified and felt like he was living a year in a day. He secretly regretted that if he had known that Banghua was so powerful, he should not have impeached him so easily. Even if he wanted to impeach him, he should have let the Censorate do it. If the Censor impeached him, he would be innocent!

"Zhang Xin... do you admit your guilt?" Lin Xiaofeng asked leisurely after the anger of the ministers subsided a little, his voice carrying a hint of amusement and scrutiny.

Zhang Xin was confused at the moment and didn't know how to answer. Was he guilty? Theoretically, he was, but it was not a serious crime. Under the circumstances at that time, he could easily be fooled by Banghua's words. If someone pleaded for him, he might be able to escape danger.

But no one in the whole court was willing to help him! He knelt on the ground alone, dejected and silent.

"We'll discuss this matter later. The most urgent task is the garrison in Jizhou and the recruitment of new soldiers." After looking around at the ministers, Lin Xiaofeng returned to the main topic. His voice was steady and powerful, as if it could bring a little peace to this chaotic court.

"I think it's feasible!" Jiang Taiwei finally spoke. Although his voice was not loud, it was firm. In the eyes of the generals, the best choice to defend the capital was Jizhou. This place had both offensive and defensive capabilities, so it was the right place for him.

The other generals also nodded in agreement, their eyes revealing their trust in Jizhou and their expectations for the future.

Seeing that everyone was unanimous, Lin Xiaofeng decided: "Let's do as Lord Li said! Now the bandits have retreated to Xuanfu, and the gate of Juyongguan is wide open. I still want Dingxi Bo to guard Juyongguan. As for the vacant post of Jizhou General, who is the right person to take it?"

After Lin Xiaofeng finished asking, everyone focused their attention on Ji Zisheng. Ji Zisheng was originally the governor of Ji and Liao. Although Liao had been lost, Jizhou was still there, so he was the most suitable candidate. However, the governor had more power than the general. Ji Zisheng had made great contributions to the king, so how could he be demoted? The best way was to let him serve as the governor and concurrently as the general.

Lin Xiaofeng looked at Li Banghua but didn't say anything. His eyes were deep and complicated, as if he was testing something. Banghua knew what he meant and remained silent. His eyes were also deep, as if he was thinking about some important decision.

Seeing this, the officials knew what was going on, so they all turned their heads and looked away. They didn't want to disturb the thoughts of these two heavyweights at this time. Wu Sangui had a lot of troops and was very important. Everyone in the court knew it. Ji Zisheng was ostensibly managing the affairs of Jizhou and Liaodong, but in fact he was restraining Wu Sangui. Regardless of the effect, Ji Zisheng had to stay by Wu Sangui's side. This was a delicate balance in the court.

Miao Yikui thought for a moment and tried to say, "Your Majesty, I think Li Shouyu, the general of Changping, or Wang Aoyong, the governor and general of Tongzhou, can take the position. The troops of Changping and Tongzhou have been transferred to the capital, and they have no troops under their command. It would be better to transfer them to Jizhou."

As soon as he finished speaking, someone raised a different opinion: "Wu Sangui and the Guanning Army have already retreated to Shanhaiguan. General Gao Di has 10,000 soldiers under his command. It is most appropriate for him to guard Jizhou!"

"Does anyone else have any recommendations?" Lin Xiaofeng's voice sounded again. He looked around at the ministers, waiting for their answers.

Everyone was silent. Shanhaiguan and Jizhou were both important places for the imperial court. How could the selection of the general be made rashly? The slightest mistake could lead to irreversible consequences. This silence was both a worry about the future and a cautious choice.

"We can transfer Li Shouyu to Jizhou as the general, and transfer more than 10,000 defenders from Shanhaiguan to strengthen the strength. As for Gao Di, I need to think about it again." Lin Xiaofeng's tone was a little hesitant, but more resolute. Among the three people, the reason why he chose Li Shouyu alone was because he was still a loyal and good person. According to historical records, when Li Zicheng attacked the capital, Shouyu, as the general of Changping, was defeated due to insufficient troops and finally committed suicide. He was really a loyal and brave man. His image emerged in Lin Xiaofeng's mind. He was a resolute and unyielding general with a burning desire in his eyes.

Wang Aoyong is an important character in "The Story of Two Ministers". After surrendering, he became a capable assistant of the Qing Dynasty. Lin Xiaofeng did not have a deep impression of him. He only remembered that he was a burly man with a cold face, but there was always some calculation in his eyes. His ending was quite satisfying. He was killed in Qingzhou by Zhao Yingyuan, a general of Li Zicheng, who pretended to surrender. Thinking of this, Lin Xiaofeng couldn't help but smile slightly, as if he had seen Wang Aoyong's astonished and desperate eyes.

Not to mention Gao Di, the official history records that he and Wu Sangui led the Eight Banners Army into the pass. His image is not clear in Lin Xiaofeng's mind, he only remembers that he was a thin man with a gloomy face. Because Wu Sangui's reputation was too great, Gao Di's reputation was not so prominent. But Lin Xiaofeng knew that he was a person who should not be underestimated, otherwise he would not have led the army into the pass with Wu Sangui.

Lin Xiaofeng looked at the scenery outside the window, but his heart was surging. The spring sunshine shone on the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, shining brightly, but this tranquility could not cover up the coming storm. He had already handed over Shanhaiguan to Wu Sangui. If he handed over Jizhou to Gao Di, it would be an unwise decision. He had to consider carefully, as every decision might affect the future of the Ming Dynasty.

After discussion, the personnel changes were decided: Li Shouyu took over as the general of Jizhou, Gao Di was still in charge of Shanhaiguan, hoping that they could keep their duties with Wu Sangui, but Gao Di's station would be moved from Ningyuan to Shanhaiguan. Although the Liao land was lost, our determination to recover it must not be lost. Lin Xiaofeng silently said in his heart, his eyes were firm and resolute, as if he had seen the day when the Ming army would recover the lost land.

"Your Majesty, the bandits have retreated. We should issue an edict to have the troops return to their original defense positions and continue to suppress the bandits." Zeng Yinglin, the military official, suggested. His voice was filled with urgency and anxiety, as if he had already seen the scene of the bandits wreaking havoc. This suggestion was echoed by all the ministers, who nodded in agreement.

Huang Degong, Murong Jiongran, Gao Jie and others were chasing the bandits. The siege of the capital had been lifted, and it was a good time to pursue them. Lin Xiaofeng nodded at first, but then shook his head. He had deeper worries and considerations in his heart.

"What is your majesty worried about?" Li Banghua asked. There was some concern and doubt in his voice, as if he had seen the worry in Lin Xiaofeng's heart.

"Jiannu!" Lin Xiaofeng's voice was heavy and helpless. His eyes flashed with worry, as if he had seen the Jiannu army approaching.

"The Jiannu?" Banghua narrowed his eyes in thought, "Your Majesty, do you expect them to invade in the near future?" There was a hint of surprise and confusion in his voice.

"Not recently, I estimate that the Jiannu will enter the pass after February." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was firm and resolute. He had already made a clear judgment in his mind, but this judgment shocked all the officials.

Everyone thought that the Jian Nu might take advantage of the retreat of the bandits and the unstable political situation to invade, or wait until Liaodong was stabilized before plotting. But the emperor said the deadline was two months, how did he come up with this judgment? They all cast doubtful glances, as if they had seen the secret in Lin Xiaofeng's heart.

Lin Xiaofeng asked back: "Lord Li, tell me, why did the Jiannu army repeatedly invade the Central Plains?" There was a hint of coldness and seriousness in his voice, as if he had seen the brutality and ferocity of the Jiannu army.

Banghua replied, "There are three reasons. First, they plunder the people to make up for the shortage in Liaodong. Second, they rob gold and silver treasures to meet their needs. Third, they explore the strength of our army and attempt to destroy our elite troops." There was a hint of analysis and reasoning in his voice, as if he had seen the strategy and intentions of the Jiannu army.

Lin Xiaofeng nodded, "The Lord is right. The Jiannu invaded mainly for people and things. Things include gold, silver, ironware, cotton, linen, and food." There was a hint of approval and emotion in his voice, as if he had seen the suffering and hardships of the people of the Ming Dynasty.

"It's already the end of spring, and it's only two months away from mid-to-late May. Do you know when mid-to-late May is?" There was a hint of urgency and anxiety in Lin Xiaofeng's voice, as if he had already seen the impending crisis.

Shuntian Governor Wang Tingmei said in surprise: "That's the summer harvest time." There was a bit of surprise and realization in his voice, as if he had already seen the golden ears of wheat in the wheat fields and the busy figures of farmers.

Lin Xiaofeng nodded, a worried look on his face. His heart was already filled with worry and uneasiness, as if he had seen the Jiannu army wreaking havoc in the wheat fields.

The land in the north can grow two or even three crops a year. In summer, millet, sorghum, corn, soybeans, etc. are planted, and wheat is planted after the harvest in autumn. Wheat needs to survive the cold winter to grow, and it matures in April and May of the lunar calendar. The further north you go, the later it matures. In the North China Plain where the capital is located, the summer harvest is probably in mid-to-late May. It is a golden wheat field, which is the hard work and expectation of the farmers for a year. But now, this wheat field may become the target of the Jiannu army.

"If I were Fan Wencheng or Dorgon, I would definitely choose this time to break through the checkpoints and invade. First, I can rob food, and second, I can test the military strength of our Ming Dynasty." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was a bit heavy and helpless. His heart was already filled with anger and hatred for the Jiannu army, as if he had already seen the scene of their rampage.

"Or they will follow Li Zicheng's example and besiege the capital." Lin Xiaofeng continued. His voice was a bit cold and serious, as if he had seen the scene of the siege of the capital. It was a prosperous city, the heart and soul of the Ming Dynasty. But now, it might become a prey to the Jiannu army.

"As for Shanhaiguan, where Wu Sangui is guarding, Dorgon only needs to use part of his troops to contain him, so that he will have no spare energy to take care of the west." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was full of analysis and reasoning. His heart was already full of worry and expectation for Wu Sangui, as if he had already seen his figure standing firm at Shanhaiguan. He was a brave general and a loyal guard of the Ming Dynasty. But now, he may face the siege and containment of the Jiannu army.

Lin Xiaofeng stated his concerns. His concerns were not without reason. Dorgon and Fan Wencheng were not ordinary people, especially Fan Wencheng, who made a great contribution to the rise of Jiannu. He was a sinister and cunning person and the number one enemy of the Ming Dynasty. His ancestor Fan Zhongyan spent his whole life fighting against foreign enemies. Who would have thought that five hundred years later, his descendants would actually surrender to foreign enemies? If Fan Zhongyan knew about this, he would definitely jump out of the coffin and hit him with the coffin board. Thinking of this, Lin Xiaofeng couldn't help but reveal a bitter smile at the corner of his mouth.

Li Banghua frowned even more. The emperor's worries were indeed reasonable. With Dorgon and Fan Wencheng's wisdom and strategy, how could they miss such a good opportunity? That was an upcoming war, a war that concerned the fate of the Ming Dynasty. They had to be prepared, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous.

Then at the latest in two months, there will be a war between the Ming army and Jiannu! This is an unavoidable war, a war that concerns the survival of the Ming Dynasty. They must go all out, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous.

"The imperial edict cannot be withdrawn!" Banghua looked exhausted. His voice was firm and resolute, as if he had seen the upcoming war and the hope of victory.

Just now we were chasing the bandits and now we have to face the challenge of Jian Nu. The Ming Dynasty is really in a period of disaster! Lin Xiaofeng silently recited this sentence in his heart, his eyes flashing with determination and resoluteness. He knew that this was an unavoidable war, but they had to go all out for the future of the Ming Dynasty and the peace of the people.

"To resist foreign invasion, we must first stabilize the internal situation!" Right Censor-in-Chief Fang Kezhuang could not help but say, "If the troops sent to defend the king are allowed to return, Zhang Xianzhong, Li Zicheng and other bandits will get a chance to breathe and eventually become a major concern for us!" There was some eagerness and anxiety in his voice, as if he had already seen the scene of the rampant bandits and the crisis of the Ming Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, we are now trapped both internally and externally. We should stabilize the internal situation first and then resist external aggression!" The ministers echoed one after another. There was a certain firmness and determination in their voices, as if they had seen the future and hope of the Ming Dynasty.

However, Lin Xiaofeng did not think so. He came with the memory of his previous life and knew that this statement was untenable. The cession of territory and compensation in the late Qing Dynasty and the mistakes of the Republic of China were good examples. He knew that only a strong military force and firm determination could resist foreign aggression and protect the people of the Ming Dynasty. In order to quickly solve this problem, Lin Xiaofeng had already sent Gao Shiming to take the lead, but the officials did not know it yet. Therefore, he had to propose a strategy to surrender Zhang Xianzhong in the court meeting before he could implement it openly. He wanted to use Zhang Xianzhong to restrain the Jiannu and buy more time and opportunities for the Ming Dynasty.

Lin Xiaofeng looked around at the ministers and frowned slightly: "My dear ministers, do you think we can eliminate all the bandits within two months?" His voice was a bit cold and serious, as if he had seen the scene of the bandits wreaking havoc and the crisis of the Ming Dynasty. He knew that this was an unavoidable war, but they had to go all out, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous.

"It has taken the army nearly two months to go back and forth. If we withdraw now, what will we do to resist the Jiannu invasion?" Lin Xiaofeng continued. His voice was full of analysis and reasoning, as if he had seen the Jiannu army approaching and the crisis of the Ming Dynasty. He knew that they had to be prepared, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous.

"They are not a mob like Li Zicheng! The Jiannu army is powerful and their artillery is formidable. The walls of the capital can withstand their red cannons.
As soon as Lin Xiaofeng mentioned the proposal of "appeasement of the bandits", the whole court fell into silence, so quiet that even the sound of breathing seemed to become clearly audible. The sunlight shone through the window lattices, sprinkling on the magnificent palace, but it could not illuminate the haze in the hearts of the ministers. No one dared to respond, as if this proposal was a heavy stone, pressing on everyone's heart. Cheng Qinghua's heart was even more mixed. He thought to himself: "If the appeasement could really work, then why would the Ming Dynasty allow the bandits to run rampant like this? The twists and turns and helplessness in this, can't be summed up in one word?"

Recalling the Battle of Chexiang Gorge seven years ago, the confrontation between the Ming army and the bandits in the mountains at that time was like a long nightmare. Cheng Qinghua's thoughts drifted to that stormy day. Chen Qiyu, the then governor of four provinces, was an old general with a firm face but a bit of fatigue in his eyes. He stood on the canyon, looking at the besieged bandits below, his heart full of complexity. At that time, Gao Yingxiang, Li Zicheng, Zhang Miaoshou, Zhang Xianzhong and others, although ragged and pale, had an unyielding light in their eyes. Chen Qiyu believed their surrender and accepted them with Lin Xiaofeng's permission. As a result, this decision was like opening Pandora's box. The bandits got a chance to breathe, and soon they rebelled again like wild horses, wreaking havoc everywhere.

The records of that period in history books are full of irony and helplessness: "The bandits and Qi Yu's officers and soldiers exchanged cups, feasted and drank, even exchanged horses and rode together, and slept side by side. The bandits without clothes and armor were fully equipped, those without bows and arrows sharpened their weapons, and those who had not eaten for several days were given a full meal." However, these words cannot be fully believed. The clerks in the late Ming Dynasty had sharp pens like blades. Even if Chen Qi Yu was stupid, how could he allow officers and soldiers to sleep with bandits? Among them, there is more distortion and smearing of that period of history.

This was not actually Lin Xiaofeng's fault. After all, people always have hindsight. At that time, Lin Xiaofeng was a young and promising official, and his eyes were full of vision and hope for the future. He and the court regarded these bandits as hungry people and thought they were just temporarily rebelling, so they accepted their surrender. Moreover, at that time, the official army was short of military pay and had a strong war-weariness. They were delighted to hear that the bandits had surrendered, both from top to bottom. In addition, Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong and others had not yet become a major threat, so the court was not deeply worried. However, things are unpredictable, who could have predicted the situation today?

Whether the bandits will rebel again is secondary. The key lies in who will be appeased? Nowadays, the bandits are mainly divided into two forces, one is Li Zicheng and the other is Zhang Xianzhong. These two people, like two cancers, are deeply rooted in the land of the Ming Dynasty, causing headaches for the court.

Should we call for the surrender of Li Zicheng? Cheng Qinghua shook his head secretly. He had already dug up the Zhu family's ancestral tombs, proclaimed himself emperor in Shaanxi, and besieged Beijing and burned down the imperial mausoleum. Now that he was defeated and retreated to Xuanfu, who would dare to call for the surrender of Li Zicheng? This would undoubtedly be courting disaster.

What about Zhang Xianzhong? He had just killed the King of Chu, so how could he be granted amnesty? Moreover, this was the emperor's arbitrary decision. Even if the court allowed it, the two might not accept it. How could the twists and turns and difficulties in this process be described in one word?
Li Banghua, the chief minister of the cabinet, was an old man with a stern face and deep eyes. He was skeptical about Lin Xiaofeng's strategy. He asked with a cupped hand: "Your Majesty, who do you plan to join forces with to fight against the Jiannu?" Although his voice was not loud, it was like a thunder, breaking the silence of the court.

Lin Xiaofeng said slowly: "Zhang Xianzhong. I plan to adopt the strategy of forming alliances and making alliances. Let Xianzhong contain Zicheng, while our army concentrates on dealing with the Jiannu. If we can achieve a victory inside the pass, then the Jiannu will not dare to invade easily again within two years." His voice was firm and powerful, as if he had already seen the future victory.

The court was silent, with only Lin Xiaofeng's voice echoing. The capital had been trapped for a long time, and the situation in the southern border was unclear. Seeing no one responding, Li Banghua said again: "Your Majesty, even if Xianzhong accepted the amnesty, he might not really attack Zicheng. He probably accepted the amnesty just to rest his troops and wait for an opportunity to rebel again. This is tantamount to raising a tiger and leaving trouble!" There was a bit of anxiety and helplessness in his voice.

Lin Xiaofeng smiled and said, "My intention is to let Xianzhong contain Zicheng, not to let him attack. Both the Ming Dynasty and I need time to rest, and so does Xianzhong." There was some confidence and calmness in his smile, as if everything was under control.

However, the situation in the north was not optimistic. The north was desolate without soldiers or generals. In the past, the Ming Dynasty was full of talents. Even in the chaotic times of the Southern Ming Dynasty, there were still people like Zhang Huangyan and Zheng Chenggong who turned the tide. As for the talented people in Dashun and Dashi, Lin Xiaofeng was powerless. He sighed in his heart, why are all the heroes in this world born in chaotic times?

If the Jian Nu did not enter the pass, and if Li Zicheng and Xianzhong were not dead, how could they be willing to submit? Lin Xiaofeng understood the interests involved. He would rather let Xianzhong's power grow than let the Jian Nu gain any advantage. This was his bottom line and what he insisted on.

Lin Xiaofeng sought the amnesty of Xianzhong, but in fact, he had other plans. He hoped to gain the wisdom of Li Dingguo. This young general, with his talent and wisdom, made Lin Xiaofeng see the future of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was not short of talented generals, but it was hard to find talented commanders, and talents like Han Xin were even rarer. Liaodong was defeated repeatedly because it lacked a commander like Li Dingguo. Lin Xiaofeng secretly thought that if he could get the help of Li Dingguo, then there might be a glimmer of hope for the future of the Ming Dynasty.

Lin Xiaofeng continued, "Taizu started an uprising against the Yuan Dynasty with the aim of expelling the Tartars. Now I also plan to follow his example and revive the Ming Dynasty. As for Li Zicheng, Xianzhong and others, as long as the people have enough food, they will naturally disintegrate." His voice was passionate and powerful, as if he had already seen the future of the Ming Dynasty.

All the civil and military officials in the court looked at Lin Xiaofeng's "confident" expression and were speechless. They might have doubts and worries in their hearts, but more of them were expectations and hopes for the future.

"Since everyone has no objection, then let's adjourn the court and reward the meritorious officers, and do our respective duties!" At noon, Lin Xiaofeng announced the adjournment of the court. His voice was filled with fatigue and determination, as if he was ready for the next battle.

In fact, the strategy of uniting with the enemy to control the barbarians only needs to convince the cabinet. With Li Banghua, there is no worry in the court. Lin Xiaofeng deliberately said this in front of all the officials to show his attitude: he cannot coexist with the Jiannu! This is his determination and his persistence.

After the court meeting, Lin Xiaofeng left the four ministers of the cabinet. They walked towards the Palace of Heavenly Purity together. The sun shone through the clouds on them, as if they were covered with a golden battle robe. The five emperors and ministers tasted the food carefully prepared by the Shangshenjian while discussing state affairs. Their voices were sometimes passionate and sometimes low, but every word was full of expectations and determination for the future.

After quickly finishing his meal, Li Banghua said, "Your Majesty's intention is very clear. However, if internal troubles are not eliminated, external worries will be difficult to resolve. Since Zicheng was defeated, he may not cause chaos again in the short term. But Xianzhong is different. He has already captured Kuizhou in the first month of the year and is approaching Chongqing and Chengdu. If we go to summon him now, I'm afraid he won't obey." There was a bit of anxiety and helplessness in his voice.

Lin Xiaofeng put down his chopsticks and said, "So I need a big victory to shock him! Only when he feels afraid, will he be willing to accept the amnesty." There was a firm light in his eyes, as if he had already seen the future victory.

Li Banghua nodded in agreement, his eyes revealing a firm look. Only the winner is qualified to negotiate, and the loser has no right to talk about peace. This is the law of war and the reality they must face.

"However, the capital has been besieged for many days, and the news from the southwest has been sent to Nanzhili, but we still don't know where Xianzhong is at this moment." There was some worry and helplessness in Li Banghua's voice.

After pondering for a moment, Lin Xiaofeng said, "I estimate that Xianzhong has reached the Wanxian area, but has been stuck due to floods." There was some confidence and calmness in his voice, as if he had everything under control.

Although Li Banghua didn't know how Lin Xiaofeng got the news, he didn't doubt it. He took out a map from his bag and spread it out in front of him. The map was marked very carefully, and the situation of the garrisons in the prefectures and counties was clear at a glance. They carefully examined the map, looking for a strategy to fight against Xianzhong.

"Xianzhong has soldiers available near Wanxian." Li Banghua's voice was filled with anxiety and expectation.

Before he could finish, Lin Xiaofeng interrupted and said, "Lord Li, the court's message transmission is slow, and it is too late for the troops near Wanxian. We should observe the situation of the troops near Chongqing." There was a hint of calmness and rationality in his voice, as if he had already seen the future battle situation.

Li Banghua thought about it and felt that it made sense. The capital was thousands of miles away from Shu, and the post station's transportation capacity was already overwhelmed. Calculated at a speed of 200 miles per day, it would take at least 20 days to reach Shu. How could the twists and turns and difficulties in this process be described in one word?
They continued to examine the map, looking for a strategy to fight against Xianzhong. Li Banghua carefully examined the map and said, "Chen Shiqi, the governor of Sichuan and the right assistant minister of the Ministry of War, has 37,000 soldiers, but he likes writing and his military preparations are lax. Last year, the court decided to replace him with Long Wenguang. Long Wenguang is in northern Sichuan, and he is slow to move with his family, so he may not have arrived yet." There was some worry and helplessness in his voice.

"Liu Jiayin, the Sichuan general, has three thousand soldiers and is stationed in Shunqing, three hundred miles north of Chongqing." Lin Xiaofeng added, with a firm light flashing in his eyes, as if he had already seen the future victory.

"General Jian Mingxiao has less than 10,000 soldiers and horses guarding Zhongzhou, more than 300 miles downstream from Chongqing." Li Banghua continued, his voice filled with anxiety and anticipation.

"Ningnanbo Murong Jiongran has 150,000 soldiers and horses (End of this chapter)