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

"Your Majesty, please teach me!" Li Banghua bowed respectfully, with a humble attitude and eyes full of admiration and expectation. Although he was a little thin, his brows revealed an unyielding tenacity, which was the calmness and courage that precipitated after the baptism of the battlefield.

If someone mentioned Lin Xiaofeng before the battle of the capital, saying that he commanded the military recklessly, did not know how to fight, and had no strategic vision, Li Banghua might still listen to those discussions and might have a little doubt in his heart. But after the battle of the capital, if anyone dared to talk nonsense again, he, Li Banghua, would be the first to stand up and teach him a lesson with a slap! Because in his heart, when it comes to strategic planning, the current emperor Lin Xiaofeng is definitely the top master who is unmatched in the world!

Lin Xiaofeng sat on the dragon throne, his figure was straight and his brows were full of heroic spirit, as if he was born to be an emperor on the battlefield. As usual, he spread out a map on the dragon table. The map seemed to be the mountains and rivers in his mind, and he knew every inch of the land. He pointed in the direction of Miyun and said to Li Banghua: "My dear Li, look at this!"

Li Banghua hurried forward and looked at the map carefully, his focused expression seemed to engrave every detail into his mind. He knew very well that this was not just a map, but also the emperor's strategic layout and the fate of the country.

"Dorgon has 20,000 elite soldiers under his command. Huang Degong is blocking the way in front, and there is a mountain road leading directly to Qiangziling in the back. We can attack if we advance or defend if we retreat. Even if we cannot win, we can rely on the terrain of the mountain to deploy artillery to cover the main force's withdrawal from Qiangziling. Am I right?" Lin Xiaofeng's words revealed his precise grasp of the battle situation.

Li Banghua nodded in agreement, secretly admiring the emperor's insight. He knew that this was not only a judgment of the war situation, but also a deep understanding of Dorgon's character and military habits.

"Let's take a look at Duoduo!" Lin Xiaofeng pressed the index finger of his right hand heavily on the position of Xuanfu Town, with such force that it seemed to penetrate the map. "He entered the pass from Dushikou, first captured Longmenwei, and then headed straight for Xuanfu."

"If we send a surprise force to capture Longmenwei, Duoduo will be in a desperate situation. He will either be defeated and flee westward to Datong, or retreat back to the grassland through the trade route. Am I right?" There was an unquestionable firmness in Lin Xiaofeng's words.

Li Banghua nodded again, but he was still thinking about the possibility of this matter. He knew very well that the current situation was as clear as seeing a fire in the daytime. Not only the emperor, but even the small officials of the Ministry of War could see it clearly. But the reason why Duoduo was not worried about the capture of Longmenwei was that the terrain there was open and could avoid the artillery attack in the city. He could bypass it from a distance. Unless there was an army in the city that could fight a field battle, he could be stopped. But the problem is that outside Juyongguan, except for Xuanfu Town, which has more than a thousand soldiers who can fight, the others are all teams that cannot go to the battlefield. It is difficult to stop Duoduo!
Seeing Li Banghua frowning, Lin Xiaofeng smiled slightly, revealing a calm and confident smile. He said, "I know what's going on."

He first pointed to Shanhaiguan, his eyes seemed to be able to penetrate thousands of mountains and rivers and reach the distant pass, "I plan to transfer 5,000 Guanning cavalry to Jizhou, and go to Miyun with Ji Zishen and Gao Diyi."

When Li Banghua heard this, he was afraid that the emperor would go astray, so he hurriedly tried to dissuade him: "Your Majesty, please think twice!" There was a hint of anxiety and earnestness in his tone.

"What's wrong?" Lin Xiaofeng raised his head, his eyes as sharp as torches, as if he could see into people's hearts.

Li Banghua pointed at Qingshan Pass, his fingers trembling slightly, revealing his inner anxiety, "Your Majesty, the Guanning Cavalry cannot be easily mobilized! They have a heavy responsibility! If the Jiannu split their troops to Xifengkou or Qingshan Pass, they must quickly support them! Otherwise, Shanhaiguan will be attacked from both sides!"

"Moreover, Ji Zishen and Gao Di are now guarding Xifengkou. If they are transferred away, the gate will be wide open and the Jiannu can march straight into the interior." There was a bit of helplessness and worry in Li Banghua's words.

After listening to Li Banghua's words, Lin Xiaofeng smiled and nodded, revealing a kind of profoundness and wisdom in his smile. He continued, "Li Shoufu has recruited 5,000 new soldiers in Zunhua, which is enough to guard Santunying. It will be difficult for Jiannu to cross Xifengkou. As for Qingshanguan, Wu Sangui can guard it himself. If I were Jirgalang, I would not easily provoke Wu Sangui."

Li Banghua had no way to refute what he said. He knew that the emperor's plans were always carefully considered, and every step was meaningful. But he thought of something else, and frowned again: "Your Majesty is deploying troops like this, are you trying to encircle and annihilate Dorgon's Zhengbai Banner?"

"No!" Lin Xiaofeng did not answer directly, his eyes revealed a hint of mystery and depth.

Li Banghua was even more puzzled. Huang Degong had 40,000 troops, and Ji Zisheng and Gao Didi had more than 20,000 troops in total. If this big commotion was not for Dorgon, then who was it for?
Suddenly, Li Banghua glanced in the direction of Xuanfu Town, as if he understood what Lin Xiaofeng meant, and hurriedly dissuaded him, "Your Majesty! This plan is too risky! I don't think it's appropriate!" There was some anxiety and worry in his tone.

Lin Xiaofeng stared at the direction of Xuanfu Town, his eyes seemed to be able to penetrate time and space and reach every corner of the battlefield. He said: "Zhu Fenghui and his men have been fighting for five or six days. Even if the Jiannu were made of iron, they would not be able to withstand it, right? The casualties are at least three or four thousand. I think the time is ripe."

"But what if the Jiannu find out about mobilizing so many troops? The consequences will be disastrous!" Li Banghua was still trying to persuade them, his voice trembling with anxiety.

"And as for Gao Diyi...I'm worried that he can't defend Miyun!" Li Banghua's words were filled with helplessness and worry.

Gongsun Yuchun was confused as he listened to what they were saying. He just felt that the atmosphere in the palace was so tense that it seemed like water could be squeezed out of it, making him feel a little suffocated.

"Commander Li, what do you think?" Lin Xiaofeng suddenly asked Gongsun Yuchun, with a hint of temptation and expectation in his words.

Yuchun lowered his head and whispered, "I don't understand what Your Majesty means." There was a bit of shyness and fear in his voice, as if he was a child who had just entered the palace.

Lin Xiaofeng smiled and looked at Li Banghua, asking him to explain. That smile revealed a kind of tolerance and encouragement, as if saying: "It's okay, take your time, you will understand."

Li Banghua nodded and began to explain the emperor's plan in detail. He said, "Your Majesty intends to dispatch 5,000 Guanning cavalry to Jizhou to join Ji Zisheng, and then go to Miyun together." At this point, he paused, and then continued, "Your Majesty wants Gao Di to pretend to be Huang Degong and deal with Dorgon in Miyun!"

"How could such a small number of people hide the truth from Dorgon?" Yuchun asked in surprise, his eyes full of confusion and puzzlement.

Li Banghua blinked and said, "It's not impossible! After Gao Di arrives in Miyun, he can take advantage of the night to exchange positions with Huang Degong. He can only change people but not flags, firearms, and baggage. Everything Huang Degong needs will be transferred from the capital... No matter how smart Dorgon is, it will be difficult for him to detect it in a short time!"

"Oh..." Yuchun suddenly realized, and a hint of enlightenment and admiration flashed in his eyes. He didn't expect the emperor's plan to be so ingenious, it was simply amazing.

"What happened next?" Yuchun asked impatiently, his heart full of anticipation and curiosity about the subsequent plans.

"Later..." Li Banghua continued, "Huang Degong will go to Xuanfu with Ji Zisheng and Wu Sangui's 5,000 Guanning troops to launch a surprise attack on Duoduo!"

"Great!" Yuchun clapped his hands and praised, his eyes flashing with excitement. Although this plan does not have any tricks, it wins by taking the enemy by surprise! The capital is short of troops, but it is rare to be able to put together such an elite division. The Guanning Army has been fighting in Liaodong for a long time, and its combat effectiveness and experience are very rich. Huang Degong is also good at field combat, and he fought Zhang Xianzhong in Jiangnan. Add to that Ji Zisheng's nearly 4,000 cavalry, and the chance of winning will be even greater.

However, Yuchun still said with some concern: "Although I understand Your Majesty's plan to mobilize troops, I still have some concerns." There was a bit of worry and uneasiness in his voice.

"What are you worried about?" Lin Xiaofeng asked. His eyes revealed concern and expectation, as if he was encouraging Yuchun to speak out his thoughts.

"If Gao Di can't defend Miyun, the capital will be in danger! Dorgon's army will march straight in, and many firearms and supplies in the capital have been transferred to Huang Degong, so there will be insufficient supplies for defending the city." Yuchun expressed his concerns, his eyes flashing with anxiety and uneasiness.

Lin Xiaofeng certainly understood this truth. He left the map, closed his eyes and pondered for a long time. The atmosphere in the palace seemed to be frozen. It was so quiet that only the emperor's heavy breathing and heartbeat could be heard. Although this plan was risky, the benefits were also great. As the saying goes: The bigger the wind and waves, the more precious the fish. How can you know if there are any fish if you don't try?
After thinking it through, Lin Xiaofeng said slowly: "Don't forget, my two dear ministers, I do this to repel the Jiannu as soon as possible and lift the siege of Daming Prefecture!" There was firmness and determination in his voice, as if he was swearing an oath to heaven and earth.

"And Jiang Taiwei is guarding the capital. If Miyun is in danger, I can transfer him over to reinforce!" Lin Xiaofeng's words were filled with unquestionable firmness and confidence.

There was silence in the Qianqing Palace. Li Banghua stood there thinking deeply about Lin Xiaofeng's plan. As the Minister of War, he was responsible for the lives of the Ming Dynasty, the emperor, and the soldiers. He was well aware of the risks and benefits of this plan, and also understood the emperor's determination and belief. He looked out the window and saw the sky was blue and sunny, as if nature was cheering for the emperor's plan. He took a deep breath and prayed in his heart: May God bless the Ming Dynasty, bless the emperor, and bless the soldiers to return safely!

Xuanfu Town has 60,000 Eight Banners troops. If we attack the city, there will definitely be

"Your Majesty!" Li Banghua's face was extremely solemn, like a sky covered with dark clouds. He spoke in a deep voice, every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, "Although this plan can be implemented, if it fails, our Ming Dynasty's field troops in the north will be gone! They are the backbone of our country and the steel Great Wall to resist foreign enemies!"

Lin Xiaofeng's mind was as clear as a mirror. He knew that if he lost the war, the consequences would be disastrous, and the torrent of history might push the Ming Dynasty into an abyss of no return. But he also understood that this was indeed a move that he had to make. The crises of Li Zicheng and Damingfu were like two sharp daggers, pressing tightly against the throat of the Ming Dynasty, leaving only more than a month to respond! Time was running out, and the situation was grim, like a sword hanging over one's head, making it difficult for people to breathe.

First of all, the five thousand Guanning cavalry had to be mobilized immediately. They were Wu Sangui's elite troops, like his beloved ones. It was not easy to mobilize them! Each of these five thousand cavalrymen had been through hundreds of battles, with bright armor and thunderous horse hooves, which were like a sharp sword in their hands.

Then, Ji Zisheng and Gao Di had to be dispatched to Miyun as quickly as possible, like sending two torrents to attack the enemy's defense line. These two people, one is a veteran and calm, the other is a new and bold, their combination will undoubtedly bring a fatal blow to the enemy.

Finally, Ji Zisheng and Huang Degong should join forces and go straight to Xuanfu to fight a decisive battle with Duoduo's gang! This is a life-and-death contest, a battle that concerns the survival of the country. The faster the troops are mobilized, the more fully Huang Degong is prepared, and the greater their chances of winning!

Lin Xiaofeng sighed and forced a smile on his face. There was helplessness and determination in that smile. He said to Li Banghua: "My dear Li, you have to understand that I am not taking any rash risks. I am really forced into a corner by the Jiannu and Li Zicheng. They are like two fierce tigers, attacking Xuanfu on one hand and Damingfu on the other. With the current strength of our Ming Dynasty, we simply cannot take care of both ends!"

"So I decided to take this risk and defend both places! I can't just watch the land of Ming being trampled by the enemy and the people being bullied by the enemy."

"Fortunately, the prince has arrived in Nanjing safely, and I feel a little more at ease." A trace of tenderness flashed in Lin Xiaofeng's eyes, which was the longing and concern for his family.

Since crossing into this world, Lin Xiaofeng has put life and death aside, so he is fearless! He knows that he has a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, and he must fight for this country and these people.

Li Banghua sighed deeply, bent down, and said respectfully: "Since Your Majesty has made the decision, I will obey your order and mobilize the troops." There was a hint of firmness and determination in his voice.

"Okay, you must remember what I said!" Lin Xiaofeng sat on the dragon throne in the Qianqing Palace, his heart in turmoil. This was the first time he planned a plan to fight against the Jian Nu after traveling through time, and he was inevitably a little excited. There was a firm light in his eyes, which was the desire for victory and loyalty to the country.

"Pass the order down, Ji Zishen and Gao Di's troops must leave the camp immediately and head for Miyun. Except for war horses, armor, weapons and firearms, everything else must be thrown away. After arriving in Miyun, Gao Di and Huang Degong must secretly exchange defense zones." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was like thunder, resounding throughout the palace.

"Huang Degong's troops only carry weapons and small firearms. Everything else will be provided by the court." There was a hint of determination and decisiveness in his words, and every word was like a sharp sword, pointing directly at the heart of the enemy.

"After Huang Degong and Ji Zishen meet up, they must quickly rush to Juyongguan and then enter Xuanfu." There was a hint of urgency and expectation in Lin Xiaofeng's words. He knew that this battle was about the survival of the Ming Dynasty.

Li Banghua silently kept these words in his heart. There was a firm light flashing in his eyes, which was the loyalty to the country and the desire for victory.

"As for Wu Sangui..." Lin Xiaofeng stopped talking here. A hint of hesitation and confusion flashed in his eyes. He knew that Wu Sangui was like a cunning fox, always unpredictable.

Wu Sangui always pretended to obey the imperial orders but secretly disobeyed them. How could he be easily asked to send troops? It was difficult! He might find excuses to delay time, or even fight a small battle with Jirgalang, and then report that the pass was urgent and he could not get away. How could he be asked to send troops?
While thinking, Lin Xiaofeng tapped the table with his fingers. The tapping sound was like a war drum, stirring his heart. Suddenly, he stopped tapping, and a flash of enlightenment flashed in his eyes. It turned out that he was thinking in the wrong direction. He always used the things that Wu Sangui feared to speculate on his behavior. This was a big mistake!

We should analyze what he wants so as to cater to his needs! What does Wu Sangui want? Money, food, soldiers, and horses! Money and food have been given, and horses are not so easy to get. Then we can only start with soldiers!
Outside the Great Wall, he could recruit private soldiers in the name of the court; but inside the Great Wall, it was too dangerous to do so. Shanhaiguan was so close to the capital that the court would know about any disturbance. Even if he wanted to recruit private soldiers, he didn't have the courage to do it. But now, the opportunity came.

Thinking of this, Lin Xiaofeng took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with determination and decisiveness, and he said: "Send an order to Wu Sangui, asking him to send 5,000 Guanning troops to Miyun to deal with the Jiannu together with Huang Degong." His voice was like thunder, resounding throughout the palace.

When Li Banghua heard this, a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes. He was about to speak, but Lin Xiaofeng continued, "Another decree, Shanhaiguan is the gateway to the country, the most important place among the important places, order Wu Sangui to recruit 10,000 new soldiers to fight against the Jiannu. And give him resettlement funds for recruiting new soldiers." There was a trace of majesty and determination in his voice, and every word was like a sharp sword, pointing directly at Wu Sangui's heart.

"Also, when Ji Zishen and Gao Di leave Jizhou, temporarily hand over the 5,000 troops of the local general Li Shoufu to Wu Sangui's command." There was a hint of cunning and wisdom in Lin Xiaofeng's words. He knew that this would not only restrain Wu Sangui, but also make him work for the court.

Li Banghua looked up in surprise. Although he didn't say anything, the dissatisfaction on his face was obvious. He also knew that the emperor's decision was out of helplessness. Wu Sangui was too important! If he was too strict, he might surrender to the Jian Nu. If he was too lenient, he would be controlled by the court. He could only be temporarily appeased with money and food.

After Li Banghua calmed down a little, Lin Xiaofeng asked leisurely: "Li Qing, if you were in Wu Sangui's position, do you think he would send troops?" His eyes flashed with expectation and inquiry.

Li Banghua thought for a while and said, "Maybe. After all, the military pay for 10,000 people is not a small amount. If it were me, I would let the generals work without putting in any effort, grab the credit when the wind is favorable, and run away when the wind is unfavorable." There was a hint of helplessness and sarcasm in his voice. He knew that this was the game between the court and the generals.

"That's good." Lin Xiaofeng breathed a sigh of relief. "Draft the decree!" There was a hint of determination and expectation in his voice. He knew that this battle was related to the survival of the Ming Dynasty. He was not worried about the combat effectiveness of the Guanning Army, but only worried that they would not come. As long as they came, Huang Degong would have a greater chance of winning.

After everything was arranged, Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand gently, and Li Banghua and Gongsun Yuchun withdrew together. Their figures were like two flashes of lightning, disappearing quickly into the depths of the palace.

On the way back, Gongsun Yuchun wanted to speak several times but held back. His eyes flickered with hesitation and confusion. He knew that there were some things that he couldn't say or ask.

Li Banghua glanced at him and said, "Commander Li, if you have anything to say, just say it directly. I don't like the sneaky style of the Jinyiwei." There was a hint of majesty and dissatisfaction in his voice. He knew that the style of the Jinyiwei always made people uncomfortable.

Gongsun Yuchun smiled and said, "Lord Li, how does the fine salt that the emperor just gave you taste?" There was a hint of inquiry and expectation in his voice. He knew that this fine salt was a token of the emperor's love.

"This salt is not just top quality, it's the best!" Li Banghua's voice was filled with admiration and surprise. He knew that this fine salt was a rare and good thing.

"Then... Lord Li, can you do me a small favor?" There was a hint of hesitation and expectation in Gongsun Yuchun's voice. He knew that this favor might make Li Banghua a little embarrassed.

Li Banghua said without thinking: "Buy salt?" There was a hint of doubt and inquiry in his voice. He knew that Gongsun Yuchun would not ask him to buy salt for no reason.

Gongsun Yuchun was surprised by Li Banghua's sharpness. He nodded and said, "Three days later, there will be a fine salt shop called Zhou Shang on Qianmen Street in the capital. You only need to use ten taels of silver to buy ten taels of fine salt." There was a hint of urgency and expectation in his voice. He knew that this favor might be a little difficult for Li Banghua.

Li Banghua stroked his beard. The price of salt was not low. Fortunately, the emperor had just given him a lot of good things, so he could just repay the favor. He nodded and said, "I will do as Commander Li wishes." There was a hint of determination and decisiveness in his voice. He knew that he would definitely help.

"But..." Li Banghua changed the subject, "You have to do me a favor too!" There was a hint of cunning and wisdom in his voice. He knew that Gongsun Yuchun would definitely help him with this.

"What favor?" Gongsun Yuchun asked. His eyes were gleaming with inquiry and expectation. He knew that the favor Li Banghua was asking would not be simple.

"Send someone to infiltrate the bandit army to find out if they are colluding with the Jian Nu. I always feel that Li Zicheng's attack on Damingfu this time is not that simple." Li Banghua's voice was solemn and worried. He knew that this war was related to the survival of the Ming Dynasty. He had to find out whether there was any collusion between Li Zicheng and the Jian Nu.

Li Ge Lao muttered in his heart: "Is Li Zicheng secretly in contact with those Jianlu?" His brows were furrowed, and his eyes revealed deep doubts. In this dim study, the flickering candlelight reflected the complex expression on his face. Outside the window, the night was as dark as ink, and occasionally a few drums were heard in the distance, adding a bit of uneasiness to the atmosphere.

"Oh, that's not true." Someone explained hurriedly, with a bit of urgency in his voice, "Li Zicheng actually looks down on the Jianlu in his heart, and he probably doesn't want to join forces with him. However, it can't be said that all his subordinates are in the same mind as him. So, we plan to send Commander Li to investigate this matter quietly." The person who spoke had a sincere face and a firm gaze, as if he wanted to use his words to dispel Lord Li's doubts.

When Gongsun Yuchun heard this, he showed an embarrassment on his face. What he thought in his heart was: Check, of course, but it's not that easy! He looked out the window, the night sky was dotted with stars, as if telling endless secrets. If it was really like Banghua guessed, there were really people in Li Zicheng's army who were hooking up with Jianlu, how could a few Jinyiwei easily find out about such a confidential matter? Besides, Li Zicheng had so many civil officials and generals, it would be difficult to start the investigation! His heart was full of worries, as if a huge rock was pressing on his chest, making him breathless. Banghua saw Gongsun Yuchun's difficulties, his eyes turned, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, saying: "Li Zicheng is now surrounded in Daming Prefecture. We can start with his civil officials, especially Cheng Minghe, Nangong Shangpu, and Li Yan!" His voice was low and powerful, as if every word was carefully considered.

……

In a blink of an eye, they arrived at Daming Mansion. They saw Li Xingzhong lying on the floor of the mansion like a scoundrel, with a look of decadence on his face. The light in the mansion was dim, with only a few oil lamps emitting a faint light, reflecting his stubbled face. Zhao Wang Zhu Chang and Zhou Wang Zhu Shaoying were sitting on the floor, looking at Li Xingzhong's appearance, and they were worried. There was both dissatisfaction and helplessness in their eyes, as if they were at a loss about the situation before them.

"General Li, what are you talking about?" King Zhou couldn't help but ask, with a hint of blame and confusion in his voice.

"Well, maybe I'm unhappy because no one wants to play with me." Li Xingzhong answered lazily. His eyes were empty and lifeless, as if he had lost interest in everything. "How about we find some time to play a few rounds of mahjong?" There was a hint of teasing in his words, as if he was looking for a hint of fun.

(I heard that mahjong was invented by Zheng He when he sailed to the West. At that time, the people on the ship were very bored, and some even made trouble because they missed home. In order to appease people, Zheng He figured out this cross-era entertainment project. The mahjong tiles are colorful, and each tile contains different meanings, like a small world.)
"No, my mother won't let me play with you!" King Zhou looked disgusted and wanted to get up and leave. His eyes revealed his dissatisfaction and vigilance towards Li Xingzhong.

"Don't go, I promise I won't hide my cards this time!" King Zhao quickly grabbed him and promised solemnly. His eyes were shining with anticipation, as if he was full of strong interest in mahjong.

"Really?" King Zhou asked doubtfully.

"I lied to you that I'm a puppy!" King Zhao said, patting his chest, his face filled with an innocent smile, as pure and innocent as a child.

"You two should take it easy. If my mother hears this, she will punish us!" The left and right chief secretaries of the Zhao Palace hurried to smooth things over. Their faces were filled with anxiety and worry, as if they were afraid that the matter would get out of hand.

"I don't want to listen, I want to play!" King Zhao said willfully. His eyes revealed determination and persistence, as if his love for mahjong had surpassed everything else.

"Your Highness, please spare us!" The two chief secretaries knelt down and begged for mercy. Their eyes were full of fear and helplessness, as if they were helpless against the willfulness of the King of Zhao.

"Then... you can play mahjong with me!" King Zhao agreed with a smile. His smile was full of pride and cunning, as if he had already won.

The two chief secretaries were in a dilemma, not daring to agree or refuse, so they had to look at the people around them for help. When everyone saw this, they all looked at Li Xingzhong. Their eyes were full of expectation and helplessness, as if they hoped that Li Xingzhong could solve this problem.

"General Li, you should get up quickly! The enemy army has been besieging the city for two days, and you are neither fighting nor training. What are you doing lying here?" Someone couldn't help but say. There was a hint of blame and dissatisfaction in his voice, as if he couldn't understand Li Xingzhong's behavior.

(By the way, the fief of King Zhao was in Zhangde Prefecture, which is now Anyang, Henan. The local customs and practices there are unique and rich, and King Zhao's growth here also gave him a unique personality and hobbies.)
Li Xingzhong looked up at the nine-year-old King Zhou and the twelve-year-old King Zhao, and his fighting spirit was gone in an instant. He thought: These two are just children! How can I bully children and rob them of their money? If this gets out, not only will the court officials not forgive me, but even the people of Daming Prefecture will tear me apart! His heart was filled with helplessness and self-blame, as if he was ashamed of his behavior.

It's too late to regret now! If he had known the ages of the two young princes, he would not have taken on this hot potato. His heart was filled with regret and helplessness, as if he was suffocated by a huge rock.

"Your Highnesses, can we discuss something?" Li Xingzhong asked tentatively, with a hint of caution and anticipation in his voice.

"Go ahead, anything is fine as long as it's not about borrowing money." King Zhao answered readily. His eyes revealed a bit of cunning and complacency, as if he had seen through Li Xingzhong's mind.

When Li Xingzhong heard that there was no hope of borrowing money, he had to place his hope on King Zhou: "Where is His Royal Highness King Zhou?" There was a hint of expectation and helplessness in his voice.

"My mother told me not to play with old men," the nine-year-old King Zhou said with a grin. His eyes revealed a bit of innocence and playfulness, as if he was full of curiosity and fun about everything.

Li Xingzhong was completely desperate. He thought about the plight of Daming Prefecture: there were not enough soldiers to defend the city! Without the 10,000-plus soldiers he brought, the walls of Daming Prefecture would not even be filled with soldiers! How could such a force dare to go out to fight in the field? Once they left the city, they would be eaten by Li Zicheng! His heart was filled with worry and helplessness, as if he was being pressed down by a huge rock and couldn't breathe.

Li Zicheng was now surrounding the enemy without attacking, seemingly defending himself, but who knew when he would suddenly launch an attack? Li Xingzhong's heart was filled with uneasiness and anxiety, as if it would explode at any time.

At this moment, Li Xingzhong found a clue from King Zhou's words: "Since Your Highness listens to your mother so much, why is he willing to play mahjong with me?" There was a hint of doubt and expectation in his voice.

"Well... I can disobey her." Zhou Wang answered seriously. His eyes revealed a bit of determination and persistence, as if his love for mahjong has surpassed everything else.

Li Xingzhong was completely at his wit's end. He lay there for a while, then simply sat up and said, "Your Highnesses, the enemy army is now besieging Daming Prefecture and we are all trapped here. If we want to defeat the enemy, we need money to recruit soldiers." His voice was filled with a bit of urgency and helplessness.

"Then what should I do to get you to lend me money?" Li Xingzhong asked. His eyes were full of expectation and anxiety, as if he was confused about this question.

King Zhao and King Zhou looked at each other and smiled, and said in unison: "Come and play mahjong with us!" There was a bit of pride and cunning in their smiles, as if they had already won.

Li Xingzhong was stunned when he heard this. Suddenly, he seemed to understand something and looked at the cunning eyes of King Zhao and suddenly realized: "Your Highness, you want to gamble, right?" There was a bit of surprise and helplessness in his voice.

"What else?" King Zhao looked at him sideways. "I won't do business that will lose money! Mahjong is the fairest!" A confident smile spread across his face, as if he was full of confidence in mahjong.

"Okay!" Li Xingzhong slapped his thigh and ordered, "Someone come and set up the table to play mahjong!" There was a bit of determination and helplessness in his voice, as if he had already made the final decision.

Upon seeing this, the left and right chief secretaries of Prince Zhao's palace rushed to Li Xingzhong, pointed at his nose and cursed: "Li Xingzhong, as the general of Baoding, you did not go outside the city to kill the enemy but instead used mahjong to deceive the vassal king of the Ming Dynasty. We will definitely report you to the court!" There was a bit of anger and dissatisfaction in their voices, as if they could not tolerate Li Xingzhong's behavior.

Li Xingzhong smiled disdainfully: "You can sue me whatever you want!" There was a sense of indifference and calmness in his voice, as if he no longer cared about anything.

"You..." The two chief secretaries were so angry that they were speechless. Their eyes were full of anger and helplessness, as if they were helpless about Li Xingzhong's behavior.

Li Xingzhong had a large army under his command and Li Zicheng was besieging the city. Who would dare to do anything to him? Their hearts were filled with helplessness and worry, as if they were at a loss as to what to do in the face of the situation.

"We'll go tell the concubine right now!" The two chief secretaries left angrily. Their steps were hurried, as if they wanted to escape from this place that made them feel angry and helpless as soon as possible.

When they came back, the mahjong game was over. King Zhao was slumped in his chair, as if he had lost his soul. His eyes were empty, as if he had lost all his strength and fighting spirit. The cards on the mahjong table were in a mess, as if he had just experienced a fierce battle.

"Your Highness, what's wrong with you?" a long official asked anxiously. There was a hint of concern and worry in his voice, as if he was very uneasy about the state of the King of Zhao.

The King of Zhao was speechless and seemed to be stupid. His eyes revealed deep loss and helplessness, as if he had just experienced an unspeakable blow.

"What did you do to His Highness?" Another chief official questioned Li Xingzhong. There was a hint of anger and dissatisfaction in his voice, as if he could not tolerate Li Xingzhong's behavior.

Li Xingzhong said calmly: "It's nothing, just made him lose some money." There was a sense of indifference and calmness in his voice, as if he didn't care about what had just happened.

"How much?" There was a hint of surprise and uneasiness in the Changshi's voice.

"One million taels." Li Xingzhong said calmly. There was a certain indifference and calmness in his voice, as if this number was nothing to him.

"How much more?" The two chief secretaries stared with their eyes wide open, unable to believe their ears. Their eyes were filled with shock and anger, as if they were

Li Xingzhong was a burly fellow with a resolute face, but he had a cunning heart. He secretly cheated the prince of Zhao out of a million taels of silver under the guise of gambling with him! This was done in secret, and if it weren't for the extraordinary intelligence of Lord Xu, the left chief historian of the prince of Zhao's mansion, it would have been difficult to detect. When Lord Xu learned about this, he was extremely anxious. He quickly stood up and revealed all of Li Xingzhong's crimes, and his words were full of indignation.

At this time, Concubine Zhao was sitting in her gorgeous sedan chair, which was decorated with dragons and phoenixes, showing the majesty of the royal family. She listened to Lord Xu's report with a frown on her face, and her face was as calm as water. After listening, she was silent for a moment, and then asked softly, "Is there anything else?" Although her voice was soft, it carried an unquestionable power.

When Lord Xu heard this, he was stunned, thinking: "This... is gone!" He stammered, "No... it's gone." He was filled with trepidation, wondering why the concubine was so indifferent.

"Oh." Concubine Zhao responded, and then ordered the sedan bearer: "Go back home." Her voice was calm and firm, as if everything was under her control.

At this point, Lord Xu was furious. He stood there in a daze, watching the sedan chair about to leave, and felt panic in his heart. He quickly ran to the sedan chair and asked again in a low voice: "Queen Dowager, Li Xingzhong has bullied Prince Zhao, how can we just leave like this?"

Concubine Zhao lifted the curtain of the sedan chair, her eyes calm but majestic, she looked at Lord Xu and asked, "What else? What do you want to do?" Her gaze was as sharp as a torch, as if she could see through people's hearts.

When Lord Xu heard this, his heart was beating fast, but he still said with a stiff upper lip: "Li Xingzhong is just a general of Baoding. How dare he go against you!" His voice was trembling, and it was obvious that he was trying hard to hold on.

When Concubine Zhao heard this, her brows raised and her face was as cold as ice. She asked in return: "Do you know whose son Li Xingzhong is? Whose grandson is he? He used to be the deputy general of the central army in Liaodong, and now he was suddenly promoted to general. Do you think this is a coincidence?" There was an unquestionable majesty in her tone.

Lord Xu had no choice but to admit: "This... means that the Li family is in power again." There was a hint of bitterness in his voice, and he was obviously helpless about this fact.

"Then who made him so powerful?" Concubine Zhao continued to ask, her eyes were like knives, as if she wanted to cut through all the hypocritical masks.

"This... is the current emperor." Lord Xu answered with a lack of confidence, as he was well aware of the sensitivity of this question.

"Oh!" Concubine Zhao sneered, her face becoming even more severe. "If you oppose Li Xingzhong, then you are opposing the imperial court and His Majesty! How dare we, an orphan and a widow, go against them? Isn't this pushing us into the fire?" There was an indescribable grief and helplessness in her voice.

When Master Xu heard this, his face turned red, like a child who had made a mistake, and he couldn't say a word. He was filled with shame and regret, knowing how unwise his impulsiveness was.

Concubine Zhao sighed and said, "I understand what you are thinking. You just want to hide when something happens. But have you ever thought about this: if something happens to the emperor, can we live a good life?" There was a deep worry and helplessness in her voice.

"If the matter is accomplished, we may not get any credit; but if it fails, we will be the first to suffer!" Concubine Zhao continued, with an indescribable sadness and helplessness in her tone, "So, we have to recognize the situation. The King of Zhao was appointed by His Majesty, and only by following His Majesty closely can we protect ourselves in the open and secret struggles of those vassal kings."

Lord Xu listened to Concubine Zhao's words, feeling both ashamed and excited. He knew very well how foolish and ignorant his impulse just now was. He looked at Concubine Zhao's majestic and deep eyes, and an indescribable respect and admiration surged in his heart.

"But His Majesty is now isolated and helpless. If anything goes wrong, the Ming Dynasty will be finished!" Lord Xu was still a little worried, and there was a hint of trembling and uneasiness in his voice.

"You scholars just love to fantasize." Concubine Zhao shook her head, her eyes showing a kind of insight and understanding of worldly affairs. "There are so many princes. After the prince, there are the county princes. After the county princes, there are the generals. Any one of them can become the emperor, right? But don't forget that since the emperor ascended the throne, although the weather has not been favorable, the people are on his side. The people don't have a good impression of the princes of the Zhu family. They only respect the emperor. The emperor lives a simple life, works hard and loves the people. How many emperors can there be in the Ming Dynasty? And the emperor also has a virtuous queen who can cook and sew. Such a queen is also rare."

"Besides..." Concubine Zhao wanted to continue, but Lord Xu was already ashamed and interrupted her: "The Concubine is right. I know I was wrong." There was a hint of trembling and regret in his voice.

Concubine Zhao looked at Lord Xu for a while and breathed a sigh of relief. Her eyes were filled with helplessness and emotion towards the world: "If Li Xingzhong comes to us for help, we should help him if we can. Helping him is helping His Majesty. You all know Li Zicheng's attitude towards those vassal kings. Now helping His Majesty is helping ourselves." Her voice was filled with deep worry and helplessness.

"As you command! I'll do it right away!" Lord Xu bowed deeply and prepared to send the concubine back. He felt so regretful that he didn't even have the face to see the concubine. He knew very well how stupid and ignorant his impulse just now was.

Before leaving, Concubine Zhao lowered the curtain of the sedan chair and asked again, "Do you know why Zhangde Prefecture did not recruit soldiers to resist the rebels?" Her voice was filled with insight and understanding of the world.

Lord Xu blinked and said, "This... I'm not quite sure. Please enlighten me, Dowager Concubine." There was a hint of awe and thirst for knowledge in his voice.

"I simply don't believe that those corrupt officials can put the silver to good use." Concubine Zhao sighed and said, "It would be good if 20% of the 100% silver could reach the hands of the people! The people who don't know the truth think we are stingy; those who know the truth hate those officials so much that they wish the rebels would come and kill them! How can we defend a city like this?" There was a sense of helplessness and indignation towards the world in her voice.

"What's wrong with us orphans and widows just trying to save our lives in this chaotic world?" Concubine Zhao's words were like a knife, and Lord Xu felt very uncomfortable. Especially when it came to the issue of corruption, every word was true, which made him feel as heavy as a big stone pressing on his back.

"Just pretend that what happened today never happened." Concubine Zhao said finally, "Just say that Prince Zhao lost one million taels of silver to Li Xingzhong, the general of Baoding, in gambling and came to settle the transaction today." After saying that, she patted the sedan chair lightly and the bearers lifted it up and slowly left.

Lord Xu looked at the direction where the sedan was going away, and his heart could not calm down for a long time. He secretly admired Concubine Zhao. Although she was a woman, her knowledge and judgment were not inferior to those high-ranking officials in the court. In this chaotic world, the future of King Zhao was really limitless!

Thinking of this, Lord Xu hurried back to Daming Prefecture to follow the instructions of Concubine Zhao. As soon as he entered the hall, he heard the childish voice of King Zhao: "How arrogant!" Lord Xu was stunned and looked in the direction of the voice, only to see King Zhao and King Zhou sitting upright and listening to Li Xingzhong's story about Li Zicheng's siege of Daming Prefecture.

"Li the thief actually said that if you don't surrender within three days, he will massacre the city. How arrogant!" King Zhao said angrily. His little face was full of anger and determination. Although he was young, he had an unyielding heart.

Li Xingzhong looked at Lord Xu and then at the King of Zhao. If even the Queen Mother rejected him, he would have no choice but to leave. Dying on the battlefield was his honor as a military commander and his loyalty to his ancestors and His Majesty. But at this moment, Lord Xu stepped forward and saluted and said, "Your Highness the King of Zhao lost a million taels of silver in a gambling game with Li Xingzhong, the general of Baoding, today. If it is convenient, please come with me to settle the transaction." There was a hint of firmness and determination in his voice.

"Okay." Li Xingzhong breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to King Zhao, saying, "Your Highness, I admire your magnanimity!" He also felt more respect and admiration for King Zhao.

Just as Li Xingzhong was about to leave, King Zhao stopped him and said, "General, please be sure to inform me when the rebels attack the city. I want to go up to the city myself and fight against the rebels together with the defenders!" There was an indescribable firmness and courage in his voice.

Li Xingzhong looked at the Prince of Zhao and saw his young face showing a firm fighting spirit. He felt an indescribable respect and emotion in his heart. Who said that the princes of the Ming Dynasty were all selfish? This Prince of Zhao will definitely live up to the expectations of the previous king and become a pillar of the Ming Dynasty in the future! His eyes were full of expectations and hope for the future. (End of this chapter)