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

Hearing Zhang Zhiyu's words, Hua Ruiqi initially thought that he was already quite drunk, with a dazed look in his eyes and a meaningful smile on his lips. He looked at Zhang Zhiyu carefully, noticing that the corners of his mouth slightly raised and a sly look in his eyes, and then he suddenly realized that Zhang Zhiyu was acting. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart that Zhang Zhiyu's acting skills were so perfect that even he was almost fooled.

Just as Hua Ruiqi was about to cooperate with him and continue the scene, he suddenly saw Zhang Zhiyu close his eyes and fall to the ground like a kite with a broken string. This scene came so abruptly that Hua Ruiqi couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

"This...what happened to Eunuch Zhang?" Murong Jiongran cautiously took a half step back, puzzled but not daring to approach, fearing that Zhang Zhiyu would suddenly poison him. His eyes were full of vigilance and uneasiness, like a cheetah about to face a threat, always ready to deal with possible attacks.

"Brother Zuo, I'm really sorry, Eunuch Zhang is drunk. Let's stop here today and drink again another day!" Hua Ruiqi couldn't figure out Zhang Zhiyu's intention, so he decided to retreat tactically. There was a bit of helplessness and apology in his tone, as if he was really sorry for Zhang Zhiyu's misconduct.

Murong Jiongran was eager for them to leave quickly. Although he was being polite, he had already ordered his servants to quickly carry Zhang Zhiyu to the carriage outside the door. There was a hint of anxiety and uneasiness in his eyes, as if he was afraid that Hua Ruiqi and Zhang Zhiyu would bring him some trouble.

Murong Jiongran finally calmed down after watching the carriage go away. He breathed a long sigh of relief, as if he had finally gotten rid of a heavy burden. However, his eyes were still a little wary and uneasy, as if he was always ready to deal with a possible crisis.

"Father, you and Hua Ruiqi have always had a good relationship. Will he really harm me?" Zuo Menggeng asked doubtfully. His eyes were full of puzzlement and confusion, as if he couldn't believe that there was any conflict between his father and Hua Ruiqi.

"Hmph," Murong Jiongran looked around the messy lobby and said with a sneer, "People's hearts are hard to predict, so it's better to be careful." There was a hint of indifference and vigilance in his tone, as if he was full of distrust towards everyone.

"Also, go take a shower and change your clothes quickly. I suspect Zhang Zhiyu has poisoned your clothes!" Murong Jiongran's words were filled with anxiety and worry. He was afraid that Zuo Menggeng would be hurt.

Then he ordered his servants: "Throw away everything used in today's banquet. The farther the better!" There was some determination and decisiveness in his tone, as if he was afraid that these things would bring him some bad omen.

After making all the arrangements, he still felt uneasy, so he walked outside the yamen and said to the general on duty: "Send a thousand men to surround the government office. If even a bird flies in, I will hold you accountable!" There was a determination in his eyes, as if he was ready to face all challenges.

……

In the carriage, Hua Ruiqi was about to ask about Zhang Zhiyu's condition, but he saw that he had already turned over and sat up. His eyes flashed with a gloomy light, like a beast ready to attack.

"Eunuch Zhang, how did the poisoning go today?" Hua Ruiqi asked cautiously, afraid of touching Zhang Zhiyu's sensitive nerves.

Zhang Zhiyu looked gloomily in the direction of the government office, his hands clenched into fists, as if he wanted to concentrate all his anger and unwillingness in them. "This person is too cautious, there is no chance to poison!" There was a bit of helplessness and regret in his tone, as if he really missed a great opportunity.

Hua Ruiqi was stunned: "No chance? Doesn't the storybook talk about poisoning from a distance? Why doesn't Eunuch Zhang try it?" His eyes were full of confusion and puzzlement, as if he really couldn't understand Zhang Zhiyu's decision.

Zhang Zhiyu retorted unhappily: "The stories are all fictional. The Jinyiwei and the Eastern Depot don't have such ability!" There was a bit of disdain and sarcasm in his tone, as if he despised those unrealistic fantasies.

Hua Ruiqi slapped his forehead and said with sudden enlightenment: "So, there is no hope of poisoning?" There was a bit of loss and helplessness in his tone, as if he had really lost confidence in this plan.

"Well, Lord Hua, you don't have to take feelings into consideration. Just act according to the plan tomorrow!" Zhang Zhiyu's tone was firm and resolute, as if he was ready to face all challenges.

"Yes..." Hua Ruiqi responded, but his heart was full of doubts and uneasiness. He didn't know whether this plan would succeed, and he didn't know what challenges he would face in the future.

"I know you have a good relationship with Murong Jiongran, but people with different ideals cannot work together. We have all seen what Murong Jiongran did today. Let alone 50,000 soldiers, I will not lend you even 5,000!" Zhang Zhiyu's words were filled with indifference and determination, as if he had completely lost trust in Murong Jiongran.

"Your Majesty and the court can tolerate him commanding an army, on the premise that he obeys orders! We wanted him and his son to die with dignity, but they gave up their dignity themselves!" There was a hint of sarcasm and dissatisfaction in Zhang Zhiyu's tone, as if he despised Murong Jiongran's actions.

After listening to Zhang Zhiyu's words, Hua Ruiqi finally abandoned his sympathy. He sighed, his heart full of helplessness and regret. However, he also knew that there was no way out now. He lay silently in the carriage, thinking about future plans in his heart.

The next morning, the sun shone through the sparse clouds and fell on the lobby of Wuchang Prefecture. Hua Ruiqi arrived here early, with a firm look in his eyes, as if he was ready to face all challenges.

"Brother Zuo, I've been ordered to borrow 50,000 soldiers and horses. I hope you can help me!" Hua Ruiqi's words were filled with pleading and expectation, as if he really hoped that Murong Jiongran could lend him soldiers and horses.

Murong Jiongran responded with a naive smile: "Brother Yuan, you misunderstood. It's not that I don't want to lend them, but they don't listen to my orders. These are Zhang Xianzhong's surrendered soldiers or new recruits. They lack combat effectiveness and have limited loyalty." There was a bit of helplessness and explanation in his tone, as if it was really impossible to lend out the troops.

"Moreover, the imperial court still owes them military pay. How can they have the heart to fight?" There was a hint of complaint and dissatisfaction in Murong Jiongran's words, as if he was very angry about the imperial court's withholding of military pay.

Hua Ruiqi glanced at Zhang Zhiyu outside the door and whispered, "Brother Zuo, Zhang Zhiyu is the military supervisor of the court. Please gather your generals and help me put on a show in public!" There was a bit of urgency and pleading in his tone, as if he really needed Murong Jiongran's help.

Murong Jiongran thought about it and nodded in agreement. His eyes flashed with complex light, as if he was weighing the pros and cons deep in his heart. However, he also knew that there was no way out now. He had to play this scene well with Hua Ruiqi.

Half an hour later, the Ming army surrounded Wuchang government office. The sun shone on the armor, flashing a dazzling light. For safety reasons, Murong Jiongran dispatched another thousand people to guard near the government office and ordered them to clear the streets. There was a vigilant light in his eyes, as if he was afraid that the assassins from Jinyiwei and Dongchang would suddenly appear.

After hearing the news that the streets were cleared, Murong Jiong was overjoyed. His heart was filled with anticipation and excitement, as if he had finally seen the dawn of victory. He and Zuo Menggeng walked in front, while Hua Ruiqi and Zhang Zhiyu walked side by side behind them, and together they walked out of the government office and onto the street.

Dozens of senior generals and more than a hundred generals under Murong Jiongran stood neatly outside the door. They were full of energy and wore bright armor. The sunlight shone on them, as if they were covered with a layer of golden battle robes.

Murong Jiongran stood on the steps and announced loudly: "Everyone, this is Lord Hua Ruiqihua of the court. He has something to say to you." There was a solemnity and majesty in his tone, as if he was really announcing something important.

"All of you stand still and listen. Do you hear me?" Murong Jiongran's words were commanding and majestic, as if no one could doubt them.

"The last general takes orders."

"As ordered."

The generals responded in unison, their voices resounding through the sky, as if they were swearing an oath for the upcoming battle.

Murong Jiongran walked to Hua Ruiqi with a smile: "Brother Yuan, please come in." There was a bit of politeness and humility in his tone, as if he was really inviting Hua Ruiqi to give a speech.

Hua Ruiqi took half a step forward without any hesitation and said loudly: "Everyone, I, Hua Ruiqi, am the governor of the military affairs of Jiangxi, Huguang, Anqing and Yingtian. Today I have been ordered to come to Wuchang to borrow 50,000 troops from Ningnan Earl Murong Jiongran to encircle and suppress Zhang Xianzhong." There was some excitement and excitement in his tone, as if he was really calling on everyone to fight for the peace of the country.

"Who is willing to join me in going out to fight and achieve great things?" Hua Ruiqi's words were filled with expectation and pleading, as if he really hoped that someone would respond to his call.

However, the generals looked at each other and chose silence tacitly. There was a complex light in their eyes, as if they were weighing the pros and cons deep in their hearts. Murong Jiongran had privately told them not to send troops, because Zhang Xianzhong had hundreds of thousands of troops and was unstoppable! This time the merits of sending troops would not be great, but they might lose their lives. None of them wanted to lose their lives because of a momentary impulse.

Seeing the silent generals, Hua Ruiqi already knew the result. He was filled with disappointment and helplessness, as if he really couldn't convince these people to send troops. At this time, a deputy general stood in the crowd and said, "It's not that we don't want to send troops, but the court owes us military pay. Our brothers can't even get enough food, how can we fight?" There was a bit of complaint and dissatisfaction in his tone, as if he was very angry about the court's arrears of military pay.

Hua Ruiqi nodded, indicating that he understood their predicament. He knew that these generals were not Murong Jiongran's direct troops, and their elite troops had been lost in Zhuxian Town. They joined Murong Jiongran because of his official military status and because he could get wealth. In this chaotic world, only sufficient wealth can win the hearts of the army. Although Murong Jiongran was able to get some wealth, the problem of unpaid wages was still very serious.

At this time, another deputy general, at the signal of Murong Jiongran, asked aggressively: "Lord Hua, you are lying to us! If Jian Mingxiao really had money, his army would not have retreated in Zhongzhou!" There was a bit of doubt and provocation in his tone, as if he really didn't believe what Hua Ruiqi said.

"That's right, now we'll follow whoever has the money!" Another general echoed
"Are you leaving now?" A breeze blew by, rolling up a few yellow leaves on the ground, as if they were also surprised by this sudden departure. Murong Jiongran and Zuo Menggeng looked at each other when they heard this, their eyes full of confusion and astonishment, as if they didn't believe their ears, and seemed to be looking for some kind of answer.

Hua Ruiqi's stern face looked particularly resolute in the afterglow of the setting sun. He turned around and strode towards the carriage. Each step seemed so heavy, as if he was carrying a heavy burden. Just as he was about to lift the curtain and enter the carriage, he suddenly stopped, turned around, stared at Murong and Zuo with a sharp gaze, and said in a deep voice: "Brother Zuo, nephew, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it!"

Murong and Zuo looked around and saw the sunset was like blood, dyeing the sky red. There was no one around except them, and there was silence. They walked to Hua Ruiqi involuntarily, and Zuo Menggeng asked softly: "Brother Yuan, if you have anything to say, just say it."

Hua Ruiqi's eyes became deep, as if he could see into people's hearts. He slowly said: "The court has bestowed on you and your son the titles of Pingnan Earl and Pingze General. It has been very kind to you. Why are you doing this? Have you thought about the consequences?" His voice was not loud, but every word was like a hammer, striking on the hearts of Murong and Zuo.

Murong Jiongran smiled bitterly, his face was covered with traces of time, and his eyes flashed with helplessness and vicissitudes: "In troubled times, everyone is in danger. The same is true for Wu Sangui and for me, Murong Jiongran! What's wrong with this?" He looked up into the distance, where the setting sun was slowly sinking, as if telling the end of an era.

"Dukes, marquises, and earls are just empty titles. I'm old now and have long since stopped caring about these things." There was a hint of indifference in Zuo Menggeng's voice, but more of it was confusion about the future.

Hua Ruiqi was stunned for a moment. He looked at his friend with a trace of pity in his eyes. He frowned and asked, "Brother Zuo's words make sense, but you haven't finished yet. It's right to protect yourself in troubled times, but you have to know what to do." He paused, and his voice became deeper. "Do you want to be a king? Or do you want to be a general?"

When these words came out, Murong Jiongran was stunned. He usually only thought about preserving his strength and standing firm in this chaotic world, and never thought deeply about such questions. Should I be a king? Or a general? This question was like a huge rock, pressing on his heart, making him breathless.

Hua Ruiqi continued, "If you want to be a king, you must recruit soldiers and win the hearts of the people; instead of letting soldiers plunder and let the people complain! If you want to be a general, you must choose a side, charge at the front, and make achievements. Even if you fail, you can exchange your hard work for merit!" His voice was passionate, and every word was full of power, as if to wake Murong Jiongran from his confusion.

"Instead of shrinking back and wasting the opportunity to fight!" Hua Ruiqi's voice suddenly rose, his eyes flashing with anger and disappointment, "You have your own army, but you neither do what a king should do nor what a general should do. Do you know the consequences?"

Murong Jiongran was at a loss after hearing this series of questions. He looked at his friend and wanted to answer but was speechless. His heart was full of contradictions and struggles. On the one hand, he believed that the court would certainly use him if the bandits kept coming, and his merits would increase day by day. On the other hand, he also knew that in the Ming Dynasty, it had become a habit to support the bandits and protect oneself. If others could do this, so could Murong Jiongran.

Zuo Menggeng raised his young face, with puzzlement and confusion in his eyes. He asked Hua Ruiqi: "Lord Hua, can't we maintain the status quo?" There was a bit of childishness in his voice, and it was obvious that he had not fully understood the cruelty and complexity of this chaotic world.

Hua Ruiqi sighed, his eyes became deep and complicated: "It was possible before, but not now!" There was a bit of helplessness and regret in his voice, "Because His Majesty does not tolerate any grain of sand in his eyes!"

"Brother Zuo, nephew, let's meet in the next life!" After Hua Ruiqi said this, he turned sideways and quickly left the carriage. His figure looked particularly lonely and resolute in the afterglow of the setting sun.

At this moment, a loud bang came from the carriage! As soon as the sound started, thick smoke gushed out with hundreds of small lead bullets! The huge impact force directly blew the carriage curtain apart, and the sky full of lead bullets instantly enveloped Murong and Zuo. Before they could make a sound, their fragile bodies were pierced by the lead bullets. The flesh was torn apart, blood mist rose, and the corpse was horrible. The residual force of the lead bullets did not diminish, and hit the brick wall behind Murong again. After a crackling sound, the scene returned to silence.

Everyone was stunned by the sudden explosion. The quick-reacting generals hid on the ground with their heads in their hands, while the slow-reacting generals stood there like fools. The air was filled with the thick smell of gunpowder and blood, which almost suffocated people.

"Ah!" Someone was hit by a lead bullet and screamed while holding his wound. Their screams were particularly harsh in the silent air. More people looked confused and terrified. They didn't know what happened, but they felt a shadow of death looming over them.

"It seems to be the Portuguese!" The experienced general rubbed his ears, his voice trembling. The Portuguese, a weapon from a foreign country, became a nightmare on the battlefield with its powerful firepower and terrifying lethality.

However, where did the Portuguese come from? Two thousand soldiers had cleared the area, leaving no one behind. Could it be that the Portuguese appeared out of thin air?

Soon, a general saw the carriage that Hua Ruiqi was riding in! That's right! They checked everywhere, but they didn't check Hua Ruiqi's carriage! Who would have thought that he would hide a Portuguese gun in the carriage!

"It's Hua Ruiqi. He hid a Portuguese gun in the carriage! He blew up Pingnanbo to death!" a general shouted in horror.

"Yes, not only Pingnanbo, but also General Pingzei was blown to death by him!" another general added. There was a bit of anger and unwillingness in their voices. They couldn't believe that the commander they were loyal to was blown to death by a traitor.

"Brothers, go ahead and avenge the father and son of Pingnanbo!" The generals came to their senses and were furious. They immediately drew their weapons and surrounded Hua Ruiqi. Their eyes were full of anger and murderous intent, as if they wanted to tear Hua Ruiqi into pieces.

"Who dares!" Zhang Zhiyu sat in the carriage and had finished reloading the falcon. His voice was calm and firm, as if he was not afraid of the crisis at all. Fortunately, the carriage was fixed to the ground in advance, otherwise it would have been dragged away by the frightened horses.

The Ming Dynasty's arquebus was composed of a main gun and a secondary gun. Its disadvantages were short range and poor accuracy. Its advantage was fast firing rate. If the secondary gun was filled with gunpowder in advance, the firing rate would be faster than that of the bird gun. Zhang Zhiyu knew this very well, so he was able to reload it in such a short time.

Hua Ruiqi stood up, covering his ears, and took out the imperial edict from his arms: "The imperial edict has arrived!" His voice was loud and majestic, as if it could penetrate the chaotic air.

The generals were stunned at first, and then they stopped after seeing the imperial edict in Hua Ruiqi's hand and the Portuguese in Zhang Zhiyu's carriage. They knew that the imperial edict represented the emperor's will and the authority of the court. They did not dare to offend easily.

"By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that the bandits are invading the capital. I order all the troops in the world to come to the capital to defend the king. Murong Jiongran and his son have their own troops and disobey the order. They shall be guilty of death!" Hua Ruiqi read the imperial edict aloud. His voice was clear and powerful, and every word seemed to penetrate people's hearts.

"They have committed serious crimes such as allowing soldiers to plunder, killing innocent people to claim credit, and withholding military pay!" He continued to read the contents of the imperial edict, and each charge frightened the generals present. They knew that once these charges were proven, Murong Jiongran and his son would be killed.

"Today, you will be punished for multiple crimes and executed on the spot!" Hua Ruiqi's voice suddenly rose, and his eyes flashed with justice. "The rest of the generals will be reinstated. I decree this!"

He held high the imperial edict and shouted to the crowd: "I, Hua Ruiqi, have been ordered to lead troops to encircle and suppress Zhang Xianzhong. Those who are willing to work with me to achieve great things can stay. Those who are unwilling to serve can leave now and take your troops out of the city. I will never chase you." His voice was full of strength and determination, as if he wanted to wipe out all the injustices in this troubled time.

"We are all soldiers. If you have any dissatisfaction, we will meet on the battlefield!" There was a bit of heroism and domineering in his words, as if he wanted to trample all the challenges in this troubled time under his feet.

"I'll give you half a day to consider it! No more waiting after that!" There was a certain degree of determination and unquestionableness in his words, as if he wanted to sweep away all the hesitation and confusion in this chaotic world.

All the generals present stopped at the same time. They looked at each other, their hearts full of contradictions and struggles. Murong Jiongran and his son were already dead. They couldn't be deader. Even if Hua Ruiqi was killed, it couldn't change this fact. So what should they do now? Continue to serve the court? Or kill Hua Ruiqi and fight against the court? The former is a soldier, and the latter is a thief. They are afraid that the court will settle accounts with them later, and they are also afraid that after killing Hua Ruiqi, there will be no way back. For a moment, everyone was hesitant.

"Hurry up and open all the city gates. Those who want to leave can leave at any time. Those who don't want to leave, come with me to wipe out Zhang Xianzhong!" Hua Ruiqi stood on the high platform of Wuchang Prefecture, his eyes were sharp and his voice was loud, as if he could penetrate everyone's heart. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on his armor, reflecting his resolute and unyielding face. There was both determination and a hint of tenderness in his eyes, which was a remembrance of the past and an expectation for the future.

Murong Jiongran's army is like a complex painting. The Ming army is the main line, but it is also intertwined with the surrendered soldiers of Zhang Xianzhong and Li Zicheng, as well as the armed forces of landlords in Henan and Huguang. They are attached to Murong Jiongran. On the surface, they are official troops, but in fact they are his private army, a double-edged sword. If used well, they are invincible, but if used poorly, they may backfire.

In the crowd, there was a young general with a handsome face and a heroic look. His name was Li Lingyun. He was once a member of Murong Jiongran's army, but deep down he had long been dissatisfied with Murong Jiongran's actions. At this moment, he looked at Hua Ruiqi with mixed feelings in his heart, with uncertainty about the future and admiration for Hua Ruiqi.

After a while, a voice cautiously broke the silence: "Lord Hua, we once robbed the people and the grain transport ships under the order of Murong Jiongran. How will the court deal with us?" The questioner was an elderly general, his face full of traces of time, his eyes flickering with anxiety. Hua Ruiqi turned around and glanced at everyone. His voice was firm and warm: "The mistakes in the past were all caused by Murong Jiongran. Now he has been executed by me. The court will no longer pursue your past crimes." There was unquestionable power in his words, but then he changed the subject, "I am now the governor of the Ming Dynasty, and my subordinates are all officers and soldiers. I will never allow you to engage in plundering again. If you cannot obey, please leave as soon as possible. I, Hua Ruiqi, do not support such people!"

The generals looked at each other, and the atmosphere was solemn for a moment. At this time, Li Lingyun stepped forward and stood firmly beside Hua Ruiqi. His eyes were full of determination, as if saying, "I am willing to follow Lord Hua and start a new life." Several people also walked to Hua Ruiqi one after another, posing a vigilant posture, intending to protect him and continue to serve the court. Someone took the lead in expressing his position, and others followed suit. Among the senior generals present, 70% stood on Hua Ruiqi's side, while the remaining 30% looked solemn, wanting to leave but not daring to.

Hua Ruiqi continued, "Everyone, I mean what I say! Before sunrise tomorrow, I will not leave the Wuchang government office, nor will I issue any orders. Anyone who wants to leave can leave at any time." As soon as he said this, the 30% of the generals who wanted to leave immediately turned around and left, obviously not trusting Hua Ruiqi. Murong Jiongran's fate made them both scared and heartbroken.

"Please give the order, Lord Hua. We are willing to capture those who surrendered to the enemy and betrayed the country." As soon as someone left, someone else asked for a fight. Hua Ruiqi shook his head slowly, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes. "Everyone has their own ambitions. We can't force them. I will do what I say."

"But...if the civil officials in the court knew about this, I'm afraid Hua Gong would be in trouble!" A Ming army general said worriedly. His worries were not without reason. The turmoil in the court often made it difficult for military generals to move forward.

Hua Ruiqi smiled calmly, his smile was free and easy beyond life and death: "The worst that can happen is death, what's there to be afraid of?" The generals admired his courage, while Hua Ruiqi stared at the bodies of Murong Jiongran and his son. He stood up and walked to the bodies, with thousands of words in his heart, but at this moment he didn't know what to say. Murong Jiongran fought on the battlefield all his life, and his footprints were all over the country. His death was his own fault and a tragedy of the times.

Hua Ruiqi was silent for a long time, then he took out a silver ingot from his arms and handed it to the Ming army general next to him: "Please buy two coffins to bury Murong Jiongran and his son." His voice was low and firm, full of farewell to the past and expectations for the future.

"But they are prisoners designated by His Majesty. Lord Hua is doing this..." The general hesitated.

"In public terms, they deserve to die; in private terms, I am Murong Jiongran's friend and he should be buried. I will bear all the causes and consequences of this matter, so you don't have to worry." Hua Ruiqi's words carried unquestionable power.

"Lord Hua is a man of integrity and righteousness, we admire him! If His Majesty blames us, we are willing to shoulder the responsibility together with him!" More than a dozen generals clasped their fists and bowed at the same time, their eyes flashing with admiration and trust for Hua Ruiqi.

Hua Ruiqi smiled bitterly and shook his head. He looked at the sky in the distance, and an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart. It was already early May, and among the three fronts of the Ming Dynasty, his place was the least noticeable. The emperor, who was thousands of miles away, had no time to care about this place, but Hua Ruiqi knew that he had to fight to the end for this land and for those who were willing to follow him.

"Tomorrow morning, please mobilize the troops and gather food and fodder. After the flood is over, follow me to Yuezhou!" Hua Ruiqi's voice resounded throughout the military camp, and his eyes were full of determination. However, the generals around him were all embarrassed.

"What's wrong?" Hua Ruiqi asked puzzledly.

"Lord Hua, we're out of money! We've squandered 60 to 70 percent of the money we looted. Defending the city is no problem, but if we want to go out of the city to fight, we'll need to prepare money and food," the general replied.

Hua Ruiqi looked in the direction of the capital and prayed silently in his heart: Your Majesty is in control of the situation and can win the battle thousands of miles away. There must be a way to solve this problem. His eyes showed both expectations for the future and helplessness towards reality.

At this time, in the Qianqing Palace in the capital, Lin Xiaofeng was considering the contents of the newspaper, with a wise look in his eyes. He knew that the navy of the Ming Dynasty would soon gather, and he would also meet Zheng Chenggong, one of the three pillars of the Southern Ming Dynasty in history. At this moment, Lin Xiaofeng was full of anticipation and excitement.

"Your Majesty, General Yi Xiangli of the Guanliao Dengjin Navy, and Zheng Zhilong, the Vice Governor of the Front Army Governor's Office, are asking for a meeting outside the palace with their son Zheng Sen." Guo Tianyang's voice came from outside the palace door, breaking the silence in the room.

"Let them in!" Lin Xiaofeng put down the newspaper, looking a little excited. On the one hand, the Ming navy had finally gathered; on the other hand, he was about to meet this historical hero.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" After Guo Tianyang gave some instructions outside the hall, the three of them walked into the hall.

"I am Yi Xiangli, the commander of the navy of Guanliao Dengjin."

"I am Zheng Zhilong, the former military governor and deputy governor of the Military Governor's Office."

"Student Zheng Sen."

"Knowing Your Majesty, long live the emperor!" The three of them knelt down at the same time and saluted, shouting "Long live the emperor".

"Stand up." There was an unquestionable majesty in Lin Xiaofeng's voice.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The three of them stood up and stood in the hall.

Lin Xiaofeng slowly looked at the three people in front of him. The one on the far left was Yi Xiangli, the general of the Guan Liao Dengjin Navy. He was wearing a military officer's robe, with a burly figure, and sharp features on his dark face, revealing an unyielding heroic spirit. Zheng Zhilong stood in the middle, wearing a first-class military officer's robe, with a round face, five long beards fluttering on his chest, looking like an old pedant, but his eyes were shining with wisdom. Standing on Zheng Zhilong's right was a young man, about twenty years old, wearing a crown hat, with a handsome face and two short mustaches on his lips, giving people a gentle and elegant demeanor of both civil and military skills. This was the future Zheng Chenggong.

"General Yi has done a great job in escorting the prince. What should I reward you for?" Lin Xiaofeng asked Yi Xiangli. He first plotted with Jiang Taiwei to kill Liu Zeqing at Tiemenguan, and then escorted the prince to Nanjing. Regardless of the process or the result, Yi Xiangli did a perfect job, and he should be rewarded according to his merits!
"I am very humbled. I do not seek to achieve any merit, but only to avoid making any mistakes." Yi Xiangli answered respectfully, his eyes flashing with awe and loyalty to Lin Xiaofeng.

"Have the military salaries of the Guanliao Dengjin Navy been paid?" Lin Xiaofeng continued to ask.

"Yes, Commander-in-Chief Jiang Taiwei has paid all the overdue military salaries at Tiemen Pass." Yi Xiangli replied, with a hint of pride and relief in his voice.

"Good! Promote Yi Xiangli to the position of deputy governor of the Left Army Governor's Office, and reward his officers and soldiers with 100,000 taels of silver." Lin Xiaofeng waved his finger and awarded the reward. His eyes flashed with wisdom and decisiveness, as if he could see through everyone's mind. He knew that the future of the Ming Dynasty needed these loyal and brave soldiers to protect it together.

In the middle and late Ming Dynasty, although the Five Military Commandery still stood in a corner of the Forbidden City in name, its splendor and power had long since disappeared in the long river of history like the afterglow of the setting sun. However, as a symbol of past glory, it still occupies a place in the hearts of court officials and the people, and the heavy sense of history makes people involuntarily respect it.

Yi Xiangli knelt on the ground, his figure stretched out in the midday sun, appearing particularly humble and resolute. "I have done everything within my duty, and I feel guilty for accepting this. Please withdraw your command, Your Majesty." His voice was soft, but every word was sonorous, revealing an unquestionable determination.

Lin Xiaofeng smiled slightly, and that smile had both the majesty of an emperor and gentleness. "This is my will, and it is also my attitude and affirmation towards the military commanders of the Ming Dynasty." His words were like a spring breeze, warming people's hearts, and like autumn frost, irresistible.

"Your Majesty... I accept your command and thank you!" Yi Xiangli supported himself on the ground with his arms and kowtowed three times solemnly. The moment his forehead touched the ground, one could seem to hear the loyalty and determination surging in his heart.

After rewarding the officials based on their merits, Lin Xiaofeng's gaze passed through the ministers and finally fell on Zheng Zhilong. It was a deep and complex look that contained both expectation and scrutiny.

"Tongzhi Zheng, how is the situation of transporting grain by sea vessels this time?" Lin Xiaofeng's words were filled with some concern and eagerness.

Zheng Zhilong's body shook slightly, and he hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to reply: "Your Majesty, this time we used the sea ship to transport 300,000 dan of grain. However, due to the strong wind and waves, some cabins were flooded, so there was a loss of about 10% of the total." There was a bit of helplessness in his words, and the sweat on his forehead flashed in the sun, which was particularly eye-catching. Although the loss of 10% was not large, when the country was in turmoil, every grain of food was as heavy as Mount Tai.

"The seagoing ship has docked in Tianjin and will be transported to the capital in three days." Zheng Zhilong continued to report, with a hint of subtle nervousness in his voice. He didn't know the real intention of Lin Xiaofeng summoning him and his son to Beijing, and this unknown made him feel uneasy.

Lin Xiaofeng nodded and turned his gaze to Zheng Zhilong's side, where a young man with a heroic appearance stood. "Is that Zheng Sen standing on your right?"

"Yes, my son Zheng Sen is studying at the Imperial College in Nanjing, so I dare to call myself a student in front of Your Majesty!" Zheng Zhilong explained hurriedly, with a bit of pride and humility in his tone.

Lin Xiaofeng's gaze stayed on Zheng Sen for a few seconds, then he asked, "Zheng Sen, who taught you in Nanjing?"

Zheng Sen bowed deeply and said in a clear and firm voice: "I learned from Qian Qianyi."

Qian Qianyi… This name was like a flash of lightning in the court, instantly illuminating everyone's memory. The leader of the Donglin Party, the former Minister of Rites, and now a traitor, his life is like a history book with ups and downs, which makes people feel deeply moved. Lin Xiaofeng thought to himself that Zheng Sen should not continue to study under Qian Qianyi, otherwise this talented young man would be led astray.

"Zheng Sen, what do you think it takes to be a hero when you are born in troubled times?" Lin Xiaofeng's words were filled with a bit of testing and expectation.

Zheng Sen thought for a moment, then replied: "I think that a real man should have the knowledge of how to behave in the world and the strategies of governing the country and maintaining peace. He should be able to serve the country and honor his wife and children. Such a man is a hero." His voice was firm and confident, revealing an extraordinary demeanor.

Lin Xiaofeng looked at Zheng Sen twice more, secretly praising him. Then he changed the subject: "Do you think that studying at the Nanjing Imperial College can make you a hero?"

Zheng Sen shook his head without comment, his eyes revealing a bit of confusion and bewilderment. After studying at the Imperial College, the next step is to enter the court as an official, and become a civil servant. However, in this chaotic world, civil servants often find it difficult to turn the tide. The last scholar who turned the tide was Yu Qian, but his ending was sad.

Lin Xiaofeng continued, "Under troubled times, no egg can remain intact! In troubled times, there are still people who suffer from the wind!" His voice was like thunder, shaking everyone's heart.

"If you want to govern a country, you must first stabilize it. To govern a country, you need culture, and to stabilize it, you need military force. This is the original meaning of being both civil and military." There was some depth and wisdom in his words.

"However, the Ming Dynasty does not lack literati, but military generals!" His words were like a sharp sword, pointing directly at the pain points of the Ming Dynasty.

"Do you think what I said makes sense?" Lin Xiaofeng asked Zheng Sen, his eyes revealing a bit of expectation and testing.

Zheng Sen glanced at Lin Xiaofeng secretly, then stared at the floor tiles in front of him in deep thought. After a long time, he bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, I ask for your guidance." His voice was full of respect and thirst for knowledge.

"Your father is the deputy governor of the Front Army Governor's Office and leads the navy to garrison Fujian. I think you should give up your pen and join the army to serve under your father." There was an unquestionable firmness in Lin Xiaofeng's words.

"It's the right time to achieve great things, to honor my wife and my children!" he added, his voice revealing some encouragement and expectation.

Zheng Zhilong's heart moved, and he looked up at Lin Xiaofeng. He originally wanted Zheng Sen to study under Qian Qianyi because he didn't want him to repeat his mistakes, but now it seems that this hope has been shattered. However, since the emperor asked Zheng Sen to join the army, he would definitely not start from the grassroots. Thinking of this, Zheng Zhilong's concerns were reduced a lot.

In the Ming Dynasty, the promotion of military officers was extremely strict. Not only did they have to serve for a certain number of years, but they also had to have outstanding performance in war. But if Zheng Sen could get the emperor's favor and promotion, his future would be limitless.

"What does Your Majesty mean?" Zheng Zhilong asked hurriedly, with a hint of urgency and anticipation in his voice.

"I summoned you here to discuss two things. Let's talk about the first thing first!" After saying that, Lin Xiaofeng ordered Guo Tianyang to spread a huge map of Liaodong on the ground. The map was like a huge piece of silk, slowly unfolding in front of everyone, with Liaodong's topography, cities, mountains, rivers, and several ferry crossings suitable for docking.

Then he led the others to the map. Lin Xiaofeng pointed to the Liaodong area and said, "The Jiannu have occupied all the land outside the Great Wall. They have two naval forces. One is stationed in the upper reaches of the Songhua River and is responsible for transporting supplies for the Jiannu. The other is Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming and others who surrendered to the Jiannu. They are stationed in the southern part of Liaoning and are helping the Jiannu build the Eight Banners Navy!" His voice was a bit heavy and worried.

"Southern Liaoning?" Yi Xiangli had fought countless battles in this area. He tried to find a suitable place for shipbuilding in Southern Liaoning. His eyes scanned every inch of land and every river on the map, trying to find the hidden place for shipbuilding.

"Here!" Lin Xiaofeng pointed to Shizikou in southern Liaoning (now the Lushunkou District of Wafangdian) and said, "I heard that the Jiannu are building a navy here." There was some determination and firmness in his voice.

Yi Xiangli and Zheng Zhilong looked at each other and understood what Lin Xiaofeng meant. But this idea only stayed in their minds for a moment and then quickly disappeared. Because it was too difficult to attack Jiannu from the sea! On the one hand, the other party deployed various heavy artillery in the coastal areas. Those heavy artillery had a longer range and greater power than naval guns. If you want to launch a sneak attack, you must pay a heavy price.

Yi Xiangli bowed and said, "Your Majesty, do you want me to launch a surprise attack on the Jiannu navy?" There was some uncertainty and doubt in his voice.

"Yes and no!" Lin Xiaofeng's words confused everyone. He swept his eyes across everyone's faces, trying to find someone who could understand his deep meaning.

Zheng Sen was the first to react. He frowned and guessed, "Is Your Majesty trying to lure the snake out of its hole?" There was a hint of sudden enlightenment and anticipation in his voice.

"Yes! My intention is to use merchant ships to lure Kong Youde and Geng Zhongming to lead their troops to attack, and then concentrate our forces to destroy all their ships." Lin Xiaofeng explained. There was a hint of wisdom and determination in his voice.

"In this way, the Jiannu will have no navy, and the Ming navy will be able to sail freely on the sea!" he added, his voice revealing a bit of pride and ambition.

"But..." Zheng Sen continued to ask, "What if the other party doesn't fall for it?" There was some worry and doubt in his voice.

"It's okay, just think of it as a training exercise for the Ming navy." Lin Xiaofeng said, his voice carrying a bit of calmness and confidence.

"What do you think?" he asked everyone, his eyes revealing a bit of expectation and testing.

Yi Xiangli and Zheng Zhilong discussed in a low voice for a while and then said, "It's feasible, but we can't guarantee that this expedition will be successful." There was a hint of caution and pragmatism in their voices.

"Let's do it this way!" Lin Xiaofeng made the final decision, with an unquestionable firmness in his voice.

"Promote Zheng Zhilong to the commander-in-chief of the Fujian navy, and lead the Fujian navy to station in Dengzhou and jointly attack southern Liaoning with Yi Xiangli." He announced, his voice revealing a bit of majesty and solemnity.

"The second thing is about military pay! You will go to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue to collect all the wages owed to the Fujian Navy." Lin Xiaofeng continued, with some concern and thoughtfulness in his voice.

"Then I have an important task for Zheng Sen to do!" He looked at Zheng Sen and said, his eyes revealing a bit of expectation and trust.

Zheng Sen first looked up at Zheng Zhilong, and after getting his eye agreement, he quickly saluted and said, "I will do my best to serve you." There was some firmness and determination in his voice.

"From now on, Zheng Sen is promoted to deputy commander-in-chief of the Fujian Navy!" Lin Xiaofeng announced, his voice carrying a bit of solemnity and majesty.

"I want you to send a batch of silver to Nanjing within one month, leave a part of it for the prince, and send the rest upstream along the Yangtze River to Hua Ruiqi stationed in Jiujiang!" he ordered, his voice revealing a bit of urgency and importance.

"The war in the southwest is intense. Jian Mingxiao has money but no soldiers, while Hua Ruiqi has soldiers but no money. The two of them cannot unite, so they can only transfer money from the capital!" He explained, with a bit of helplessness and worry in his words (End of this chapter)