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

Outside the city of Damingfu, the night was as dark as ink, but it was illuminated by countless lights. The Shun army's central army tent was as bright as day under the cover of this light. Li Zicheng sat steadily in the center, his face was firm, his eyes were deep, as if he could see through everything. Surrounding him were civil officials and military generals, such as Jing Changhao, Nangong Shangpu, Cheng Minghe, Li Yan, Luo Wenbin, Sang Dongxu and others. They stood respectfully, forming a circle, and everyone's face was full of seriousness and solemnity.

Outside the Daming Prefecture, the autumn wind was bleak, and the leaves were swaying in the night wind, as if they were also worried about the upcoming battle. The moonlight sprinkled on the battlefield, adding a bit of desolation and solemnity to this land.

At the beginning of the meeting, everyone discussed the strategy of Li Zicheng and Luo Wenbin joining forces to besiege Daming Mansion. Nangong Shangpu proposed an idea, saying that they should surround but not attack, and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out. This strategy won Li Zicheng's heart. He nodded slightly, with a hint of approval in his eyes, and then this strategy was decided.

At this time, Li Yan bent down and coughed twice. Although his voice was a little hoarse, it was full of determination. He said respectfully to Li Zicheng: "Your Majesty, I think we can't just besiege Damingfu like we did in Kaifeng. We have to catch Li Xingzhong off guard while he is still on the ground!"

When Li Zicheng heard this, he turned to look at Li Yan, his eyes full of inquiry and expectation. Since the defeat in Beijing, he has increasingly valued Li Yan's wisdom. He asked: "Li Qing, what is the basis for your saying this?"

Li Yan took a deep breath and continued, "In war, speed is the most important thing. If it drags on for too long, accidents are likely to happen. Now on the Ming army's side, we have fierce generals like Huang Degong in the north and powerful enemies like Gao Jie and Liu Liangzuo in the south. We have to be on guard!" His tone was full of worry and concern.

"Also, Your Majesty, we suffered heavy losses in the battle in Beijing, and we have finally recovered. We must not repeat the same mistake!" Li Yan added earnestly, his eyes full of expectations for the future and deep worry about the war situation.

After hearing this, Nangong Shangpu immediately stood up and retorted, "Mr. Li, what you said is wrong! It is no secret that the Jiannu have entered the pass. There are news coming from Datong and Beijing that Duoduo is besieging Xuanfu with tens of thousands of troops, vowing to destroy Zhu Fenghui. Dorgon has also come out and is confronting Huang Degong at Qiangziling. The Jiannu are making trouble in the north, and we are advancing steadily in the south. In Beijing, except for Jiang Taiwei who is guarding it, Wu Sangui is entangled by Dorgon in Shanhaiguan, and Huang Degong in Miyun does not dare to act rashly. As for Ji Zishen, his cavalry totals less than 4,000. What is there to be afraid of?" He spoke with confidence, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

Everyone was silent after hearing this, and all their eyes turned to Li Yan. It was not easy for the military officers to interrupt the debate between the scholars. They all knew that this was related to the future and fate of the Dashun Army.

Li Yan smiled and said, "What if Gao Jie and Liu Liangzuo from the south really come? What should we do?" His tone was full of challenge and expectation, as if he was testing Nangong Shangpu's strategy.

Nangong Shangpu laughed and said, "If they come, we will stage another great victory in Zhuxian Town!" As soon as these words came out, everyone laughed. Back then, when Li Zicheng besieged Kaifeng, Lin Xiaofeng sent 180,000 Ming troops to rescue. As a result, there was internal discord and disagreement among the Ming army. Li Zicheng used a strategy of besieging a point and attacking the reinforcements, dug a long and deep ditch in Zhuxian Town, and defeated the Ming army. At that time, Murong Jiong was so scared that he ran away first, and the rest of the Ming army also fled. Some fell into the ditch and were trampled to death, and some were hit to death. It was so miserable! The Shun army won a great victory and captured tens of thousands of people!
Nangong Shangpu went on to say: "If Gao Jie and Liu Liangzuo come, we will make sure they never return!" His tone was full of confidence and pride.

However, when Li Zicheng heard Gao Jie's name, his brows slightly frowned, as if he was a little uncomfortable. A complex emotion surged in his heart, including fear of Gao Jie and worry about the future.

Li Yan sighed and said, "You can't say that! There were three key reasons for winning the battle of Zhuxian Town, and none of them could be missing. But look at Daming Prefecture now, it doesn't have either of these two reasons!" His tone was full of helplessness and worry.

Nangong Shangpu asked curiously: "What are the three reasons? I would like to hear the details." His eyes were full of curiosity and deep concern for the battle situation.

Li Yan explained: "First, there were not many main forces of the Ming army in Kaifeng City at that time, only more than a thousand soldiers, and there was no way to break out and ask for help. But now there are several thousand or even tens of thousands of Ming troops in Daming Prefecture. If we divide our troops to surround them, it will probably be difficult to trap Li Xingzhong." His tone was full of deep understanding and concern about the battle situation.

"Secondly, at that time, the Ming army had five reinforcements in Zhuxian Town. They all had their own plans and the military orders were not unified, so they were defeated. But now, if the Ming army only sends one or two reinforcements, even if they have internal disagreements, they will not be defeated as badly as Zhuxian Town." Li Yan continued, his eyes filled with deep worry about the future.

After hearing this, Nangong Shangpu smiled and said, "Mr. Li, you may have forgotten the strength of the Ming army. At that time in Zhuxian Town, the Ming army had 180,000 troops, and we had 130,000. But now we have 70,000. Gao Jie and Liu Liangzuo together have only 40,000, and together with Li Xingzhong's several thousand men, they only have 50,000. We will dig deep trenches and set more traps. Even if the Ming army attacks with all their strength, they will not be able to touch us at all!" His tone was full of confidence and pride, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

Li Yan wanted to say something more, but when he saw Li Zicheng's bad face, he shut up. However, he was still not convinced, and asked again: "What if Huang Degong defeated Dorgon and drove them back to the outside of the Great Wall, and we haven't captured Damingfu yet? Where will Lin Xiaofeng save first?" As soon as he finished speaking, the whole audience was shocked! Huang Degong defeated Dorgon? No one believed it.

Li Yan further explained: "Things are hard to predict. What should we do if something really happens?" His tone was filled with deep worry and uneasiness about the future.

Cheng Minghe was the first to speak: "We must save Xuanfu first! Liaodong is a major concern for the Ming court. How could Lin Xiaofeng give up this opportunity?" His tone was full of confidence and determination, as if he had already seen the future battle situation.

However, Jing Changhao shook his head and said, "No, it should be Daming Prefecture! There are two vassal kings here, and both are princes. How could Lin Xiaofeng sit back and do nothing?" His tone was full of deep understanding and concern about the war situation, as if he had already seen the future fate of Daming Prefecture.

The two groups argued, each with their own reasons. Nangong Shangpu, Cheng Minghe and others believed that Xuanfu should be rescued first, while Li Yan, Jing Changhao and others insisted on saving Damingfu first. Their voices echoed in the night, as if they were arguing about the upcoming battle.

Finally, Li Zicheng got angry and shouted, "Stop arguing!" His voice was like thunder, and it hurt everyone's eardrums. He stood up and looked around, and finally stopped his gaze on Li Yan and said, "Mr. Li, your assumption is based on Dorgon's defeat to Huang Degong, but judging from the current situation of the Ming army, this is almost impossible!" His tone was full of confidence and determination, as if he had seen the future battle situation and the hope of victory.

It was late at night, and the moonlight was like water, quietly sprinkling on the tent, adding a bit of mystery to the silent night. Dreams seemed to become more frequent in this quiet atmosphere, like ghosts in the night, quietly invading everyone's heart.

Li Yan's heart was filled with anxiety, and his eyes flashed with determination under the weak candlelight. He persuaded again: "If we can capture Daming Prefecture, the millions of taels of gold will enrich the national treasury, our army will be well-equipped, the soldiers will be strong, and we will no longer have to worry about food and military pay!" There was a bit of urgency in his voice, trying to convince everyone. His face looked particularly resolute under the candlelight, and his deep eyes seemed to be burning with a raging fire, reflecting his infinite longing for the future.

Li Zicheng looked at Li Yan's sincere expression, opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but held back. He sighed, turned to look at Liu Zongming, and nodded gently. His eyes revealed a bit of helplessness and heaviness, as if he was carrying the burden of the whole world.

Jing Changhao understood what Li Zicheng meant, but he still had doubts in his heart. He first asked the soldiers in front of the tent to retreat ten steps away, then frowned and said: "Mr. Li, and all the generals!" His voice was low and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

"It's not that we don't want to attack Daming Prefecture, but if we forcefully attack, our soldiers will suffer heavy casualties!" Jing Changhao explained. There was a hint of worry in his tone, as if he had already seen the bloody scene on the battlefield in the future.

Upon hearing this, Yan Tianlu rolled up his sleeves and said loudly: "There will always be casualties in a war. Besides, most of the dead are civilians. We still have our old elite troops. What are we afraid of!" His voice was rough and bold, revealing a heroic spirit that was not afraid of life or death.

Jing Changhao smiled bitterly and shook his head: "The problem lies with these people, especially the matter of Lin Xiaofeng." His eyes revealed a bit of helplessness and bitterness, as if he had already foreseen the difficulties in the future.

"Huh?" Yan Tianlu was stunned, his eyes full of confusion and puzzlement.

"What do you mean?" Sang Dongxu also looked confused. His eyes wandered among the crowd, trying to find the answer.

Luo Wenbin nodded in the shadow of the tent, agreeing with Jing Changhao's statement. He came from Zhending Prefecture and felt the same way about the situation here. His face looked particularly deep in the shadow, as if hiding countless secrets and worries.

Li Yan also nodded. He had seen the key to the problem. His eyes revealed a bit of wisdom and depth, as if he had seen through the future direction.

Jing Changhao sighed again: "You all know that Lin Xiaofeng exempted the entire country from taxes for a year, right?" There was a hint of helplessness and heaviness in his voice, as if he had already foreseen the difficulties of the future.

Everyone nodded. This matter had already spread in Zhangde Prefecture. Everyone's face showed a bit of solemnity and worry, as if they had already seen the difficult battle in the future.

"Do you still remember our slogan?" Jing Changhao asked. His voice was full of excitement and excitement, trying to awaken the memory of everyone.

"Remember, 'Open the city gates to welcome the King of Rebellion, and no grain will be collected when the King of Rebellion comes'!" Someone answered loudly. His voice was full of determination and conviction, as if he had already seen the future victory.

"But what's the reality?" Jing Changhao asked. His eyes revealed a bit of severity and coldness, as if he had seen the hypocrisy and deception in everyone's hearts.

"Actually," Sang Dongxu said, but swallowed it back. His eyes were full of hesitation and struggle, as if he had foreseen the difficulties in the future.

Li Yan said directly: "In fact, the land tax was exempted for three years!" There was a bit of frankness and straightforwardness in his voice, as if he was not afraid of the accusations and doubts of the crowd. He believed that there was nothing to hide. Not paying taxes was just a cover-up. The land tax was the foundation of the country. If you want long-term stability, you must collect it. Emperors in history, such as Qin Shihuang, Emperor Wu of Han, Emperor Taizong of Tang, and Emperor Taizu of Song, which one did not do this? The Dashun Dynasty was naturally no exception. Gao Yingxiang rebelled at that time for the same reason.

Jing Changhao nodded in agreement: "The people have felt it too! Our slogans are shouted loudly, but in reality we can't do it." There was a sense of helplessness and heaviness in his tone, as if he had already seen the difficult battle in the future.

"Before Lin Xiaofeng exempted us from taxes, the people opened their doors and surrendered, lining the streets to welcome us, because they thought that with the Shun army coming, they wouldn't have to worry about food." Jing Changhao continued. His eyes revealed some memories and emotions, as if he had seen the glorious days of the past.

"We have sufficient manpower. The surrendered Ming troops need military pay, but the common people only need food." There was a hint of pride and satisfaction in his tone, as if he had already seen the glorious future of the Dashun Army.

However, his tone suddenly changed: "But what happened later? Not paying taxes became a three-year exemption, and those soldiers who wanted to make achievements became cannon fodder. The people felt cheated!" There was a bit of anger and dissatisfaction in his voice, as if he had seen the anger and disappointment of the deceived people.

"Now the Ming court has also said that it will exempt taxes for one year. The people have gone from admiring us to being suspicious of us. Most of the new people joining us are refugees and have no fighting power at all." There was a hint of worry and helplessness in his tone, as if he had already seen the difficult battle in the future.

"This is not a good thing!" His tone was heavy and helpless, as if he had already foreseen the difficulties in the future.

"So the emperor decided to besiege but not attack Daming Prefecture in order to consolidate our manpower and public opinion." There was firmness and determination in his tone, as if he had already made the final decision.

"Mr. Li, generals, do you have any questions?" Jing Changhao asked. His eyes revealed a sense of majesty and unquestionableness, as if he was already waiting for everyone's answer.

Everyone was silent, including Li Yan. Although this reason was not impeccable, it was indeed sufficient. If they attacked by force, the casualties would be too great, and the people would die, and the people's hearts would be quickly lost. There was also a risk of using the surrendered Ming army, as they might turn against the enemy after being recruited with a large sum of money. Using the soldiers from the old camp? That would be like destroying the Great Wall.

Li Zicheng coughed lightly, glanced across the tent, and then said calmly: "Although it was Niu Zuofu who proposed to surround but not attack, it was also the result of my careful consideration." There was a bit of majesty and unquestionableness in his voice, as if the final decision had been made.

"The Ming army is like this. When they have fewer people, they are more effective, but when they have more people, they tend to become chaotic." There was a hint of contempt and sarcasm in his tone, as if he had seen through the nature of the Ming army.

"No matter if it is Huang Degong, Gao Jie or Liu Liangzuo, as long as they dare to come, we will definitely annihilate them!" There was some firmness and conviction in his voice, as if he had already seen the future victory.

"Are you confident?" His tone was full of excitement and inspiration, trying to awaken the fighting spirit in everyone.

"Yes!" All the generals answered in unison, their voices firm and powerful. Their eyes revealed a bit of determination and faith, as if they were ready for battle.

"Okay! I swear to capture Damingfu!" Li Zicheng said proudly. His voice was full of excitement and excitement, as if he had seen the future victory. His face looked particularly resolute and heroic under the candlelight, and his deep eyes seemed to be burning with blazing fire, reflecting his infinite vision and firm belief in the future.

……

At Shanhaiguan, the moonlight also fell like water, adding a bit of mystery and solemnity to this ancient pass. Wu Sangui held the troop dispatch order and the imperial edict in his hands, his face uncertain. His eyes flashed with complex light under the moonlight, as if he was experiencing a fierce struggle and choice in his heart.

"Brother Wu, what's wrong with you?" Advisor Fang Guangchen asked immediately. There was some concern and worry in his voice, as if he had already anticipated Wu Sangui's predicament.

Wu Sangui said nothing, but handed the order to Fang Guangchen, his face full of worry and heaviness. His eyes revealed a bit of helplessness and struggle, as if he had already seen the difficult choice in the future.

After reading it, Fang Guangchen asked carefully, "Brother Wu, what are you going to do?" There was a hint of caution and tentativeness in his voice, as if he was trying to find out Wu Sangui's true thoughts.

Wu Sangui blinked, his eyes flashing with determination and firmness: "Brother Fang, do you think I can disobey your order?" His voice was low and powerful, as if he had made the final decision.

Fang Guangchen smiled, and his smile was filled with a bit of bitterness and helplessness: "Brother Wu, do you think it is so easy to disobey the order?" There was a bit of contempt and sarcasm in his tone, as if he had seen through Wu Sangui's thoughts.

Wu Sangui looked outside and saw that there was no one, and whispered, "It's not impossible. Jirgalang harasses us every day, so I sent cavalry to confront him, and then submitted a petition requesting that these cavalry be kept." There was a hint of cunning and wit in his voice, as if he had already thought of a response plan.

"And then?" Fang Guangchen asked with a smile. His eyes revealed a bit of curiosity and tentativeness, as if he was trying to find out Wu Sangui's next plan.

Wu Sangui took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with firmness and determination: "Then, I will still be the Marquis of Pingxi and the General-in-Chief of Liaodong of the Ming Dynasty, guarding Shanhaiguan!" There was a bit of heroism and excitement in his voice, as if he had already seen the future victory.

"Wrong!" Fang Guangchen shook his head. "Brother Wu, do you think that the people in the court are all fools? If it weren't for the contributions of Ji Zisheng and the Guanning Army, you would have been killed long ago!" His tone was a bit harsh and cold, as if he had seen through Wu Sangui's situation. "How dare he!" Wu Sangui was angry, and his face looked particularly ferocious and angry under the moonlight. He almost called out Lin Xiaofeng's name, as if he was filled with endless resentment and anger towards this person.

Fang Guangchen asked back: "Brother Wu, why do you think His Majesty doesn't dare to kill you?" There was a hint of contempt and sarcasm in his tone, as if he had seen through Wu Sangui's heart.

Wu Sangui said excitedly: "It's obvious! The Guanning Army is the elite of the Ming Dynasty. Killing me would be like destroying one's own Great Wall! Moreover, many of my generals are Mao Wenlong's old subordinates. They will definitely avenge me in other ways!" There was a bit of pride and satisfaction in his voice, as if he had already seen the scene of his generals avenging him.

"If I can't kill me, I will surrender to the Jian Nu!" Wu Sangui gritted his teeth and said. His eyes listened to the words of the counselor Fang Guangchen, and Wu Sangui sat quietly in the chair for a long time without saying a word. The candlelight in the room flickered, reflecting on his angular face, which looked particularly solemn. Although Fang Guangchen's words were unpleasant to hear, every word was the truth from the heart. Wu Sangui's thoughts were like the snowflakes flying outside the window, chaotic and complicated. If you dare not obey the emperor's orders, it would be a blatant betrayal of the court. At the very least, you will be blamed, and at the worst, you may end up like Liu Zeqing, in disgrace and be dealt with by others. Even if the court temporarily spares you, there is no guarantee that there will be any trouble in the future. From this point of view, does Wu Sangui have only one way to go, which is to surrender to the Jian Nu?

He stared at the night outside the window, feeling mixed emotions. Is it really possible to surrender to Jiannu? The Guanning Army and Jiannu have an inexplicable feud! They didn't surrender when they were short of food, but now they have enough food and money to surrender? If he really surrendered, Wu Sangui would have three options for the future: one is to charge into battle like the Eight Banners of Han. Although he could make great achievements and have a house full of gold and silver treasures, there would inevitably be deaths in war. Every time a soldier died, his strength would be weakened. When the Guanning Army was exhausted, he would become a toothless tiger; the second is to be sent to defend Liaodong and be the backing of Jiannu, but this is almost impossible. Which master would let an enemy sleep by his bed? How could Jiannu easily give him his back? The third is to be deprived of military power, like Zu Dashou, doing nothing all day, drinking tea and listening to music, almost like a useless person. None of these three paths is what Wu Sangui is willing to take! He couldn't help but feel unwilling and helpless, as if the hand of fate was tightly strangling his throat.

He once again cast his gaze at Fang Guangchen, the counselor's eyes revealed determination and wisdom. Wu Sangui stood up and bowed to Fang Guangchen to express his gratitude: "Thank you for your reminder, Brother Fang. I know what to do now." Fang Guangchen smiled and nodded, also bowed and said goodbye. His figure stretched out in the candlelight and gradually disappeared outside the door.

Wu Sangui pondered for a while and then shouted loudly: "Come, call me the lieutenant general Bakeyong of the Zhenbiao Camp." His voice echoed in the empty house with an unquestionable majesty.

Speaking of the organization of the Guanning Army, it has undergone several changes. At the beginning, during the time of Sun Chengzong and Yuan Chonghuan, it was divided into 15 battalions, such as the vanguard, the rear force, the center, the left wing, and the right wing. Each part was further divided into three battalions, the left, the center, and the right, for a total of 45 squads. The soldiers were also divided into three types: combat soldiers, guards, and reserve troops. In the era of Zu Dashou, there were four more "Yi Battalions" that were specifically designed to deal with the surrendered Jiannu. Although they were not regular troops, they were well-known and well-known.

Now in Wu Sangui's hands, he changed it into seven battalions, called Zhenbiao Neiding, Zuo, You, Zhong, Qian, Hou, Dabo. Among them, Neiding Battalion is the most elite, which is Wu Sangui's private army. It has a small number of people but is extremely powerful. These soldiers were hand-picked by him, and each of them is loyal to him and willing to go through fire and water for him.

After careful consideration, Wu Sangui decided to send Ba Keyong to lead the cavalry of the Zhenbiao Middle Camp as the main force, and then draw cavalry from other camps to Xuanfu for support. It was not that Wu Sangui was indecisive, but the troops he could mobilize were limited. The Neiding Camp was the foundation and could not be moved; the four Yi camps could not be moved either, for fear of being bribed by the court. Ba Keyong was loyal and brave. Although the combat effectiveness of the Zhenbiao Middle Camp was not top-notch, it was still no problem for self-protection, so Wu Sangui chose him.

Soon, Bakyong arrived. He was tall and strong, with a dignified look on his face. He knelt on one knee and saluted: "Greetings, General!" His voice was loud and powerful, revealing a sense of heroism. Wu Sangui personally stood up to pour him tea, and Bakyong took the tea and drank it all in one gulp. His generosity was admirable. Wu Sangui smiled and scolded him a few times, and Bakyong also responded with a few words in a playful manner. The relationship between the two was both intimate and casual, as if they were old friends for many years.

Let's talk business. Wu Sangui told Bakyong about the imperial court's troop deployment. Bakyong was stunned when he heard it, and his heart was beating fast. He knew that this mission was difficult and dangerous, but he also understood that this was Wu Sangui's trust and reuse of him. Wu Sangui also analyzed in detail the situation of the three routes of the Jiannu entering the pass. Bakyong frowned when he heard it, worried that 5,000 cavalry could not stop the offensive of 60,000 Jiannu. Wu Sangui comforted him and said, "Huang Degong is the main force this time, and we are mainly supporting. The most important thing is to maintain our strength." There was an unquestionable firmness and determination in his words.

Although Bakyong was unwilling, he had no choice but to obey the order. He knew Wu Sangui's difficulties and hardships, and also understood his responsibilities and mission. He stood up, bowed to Wu Sangui, and said, "Don't worry, General, I will do my best!" There was a sense of determination and firmness in his voice.

Wu Sangui patted Bakyong on the shoulder and said, "Victory and defeat are common in the military. It is my decision to send troops to fight. If you were me, what would you do?" His eyes revealed expectation and trust. Bakyong sighed and agreed. He knew that this mission was difficult and dangerous, but he also understood that this was Wu Sangui's trust and reuse of him. He would definitely go all out and live up to the trust!
So Wu Sangui gave him 5,000 cavalrymen and asked him to act according to his circumstances to preserve his strength and promised that if the court held him responsible, he would bear the responsibility. Ba Keyong took the order and left, his heart full of pride and ambition. He knew it was a tough battle, but he also believed that under the leadership of Wu Sangui, they would definitely win! The night gradually deepened, but the tents of the Guanning Army were brightly lit and the morale was high. They were all preparing for the upcoming battle, waiting for that moment to come.

Bakyong nodded lightly at first, but then a trace of worry appeared on his face, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes revealed a bit of uneasiness. He whispered: "General, are you really not afraid that the court will hold you accountable? After all, our action this time..." Wu Sangui patted his shoulder, his eyes firm, as if he could see through everything. He did not answer directly, but said earnestly: "Now is not the time to discuss these things. The most important thing is to maintain our strength. You and I know that in this chaotic world, strength is the hard truth." He emphasized, "We are tied to the Guanning Army. We prosper together and suffer together. Moreover, I believe that the court and the emperor do not want to see the Guanning Army sacrificed in vain. After all, we are their important barrier against foreign enemies."

"This is an order from the court," Wu Sangui said in a low and powerful voice. "You lead 5,000 cavalry and rush to Miyun overnight. You just need to obey the command of General Huang Degong and ignore what others say. Remember?" Bakyong took the order. The heavy sense of responsibility made him kneel on one knee again and replied respectfully: "I obey your command." His eyes flashed with determination and loyalty, as if he was ready to face all difficulties.

"Remember, just like the Battle of Songjin, fight if you can, retreat if you can't, don't hesitate." Wu Sangui's words were full of vicissitudes and experience. Before he finished speaking, Bakeyong had already led 5,000 elite cavalry, and hurriedly left Shanhaiguan like a storm, galloping towards Miyun. Their figures stretched out in the afterglow of the setting sun, with an unyielding will and a belief in victory.

At the same time, two messengers rode fast horses, like two black lightnings, carrying Wu Sangui's secret order to Jizhou. They knew in their hearts that this was not just about delivering news, but also a task related to the safety of the country. Li Shouqi was secretly ordered to pay close attention to the situation in Zunhua and Qingshan Pass, and not to miss any details. In order to prevent Jirgalang from making small moves behind the scenes, Wu Sangui also arranged an ambush outside the pass, attempting to attract and contain the enemy's attention with a surprise attack, and strive for more initiative for the overall situation.

In Miyun, after receiving the imperial edict, Huang Degong frowned and looked solemn, as if he was no longer the brave and skilled general, but had become one of those generals who failed because of their eagerness to fight, such as Hong Chengchou in the Battle of Songshan and Sun Chuanting in the Battle of Ruzhou. Their failures were like a heavy stone weighing on his heart. He shook his head, trying to get rid of these thoughts, but he was still at a loss about the upcoming battle, like a ship in the fog, unable to find the direction.

"The enemy's momentum in entering the pass is so fierce. Even if we can hide it from Dorgon and reach Xuanfu, we may not be able to defeat Duoduo." Huang Degong anxiously asked Commander Li who delivered the letter, with a hint of helplessness and worry in his tone. His eyes wandered in the empty tent, as if looking for a glimmer of hope. "The enemy has a large number of cavalry and is almost invincible in field battles. We only have 2,000 cavalry, plus Ji Zisheng and Wu Sangui's troops, there are only more than 10,000 people, and everyone has not been run-in, so there may be problems when the battle comes. Your Majesty urged us to fight quickly, but we have no advantage in manpower and cavalry. This battle is difficult!"

At this time, Gongsun Yuchun quietly slipped a secret letter to Huang Degong through the crack of the door, his movements were quick and secret. Huang Degong was about to ask, but Yuchun stopped him with a gesture, indicating that he should read the letter first. Huang Degong opened the secret letter and saw that it was Lin Xiaofeng's handwritten letter. He was shocked. The content of the letter was bold and risky, and he broke out in cold sweat on his forehead: "This plan is too risky! What if..."

Yuchun shook his head calmly, his eyes revealing an extraordinary calmness and determination: "So what? His Majesty said that the art of war is about winning by surprise, and only by taking risks can we defeat the enemy. Only by giving them a heavy blow will they not dare to go south again in a short period of time. In this way, the Ming Dynasty can take this opportunity to recuperate and completely wipe out those bandits."

Huang Degong did not answer immediately, but unfolded the secret letter again and stared at it for a long time. He felt mixed emotions, with both concerns about the strategy and admiration for the emperor's wisdom. He thought that the emperor in the capital seemed to really understand the art of war. Although it was unknown whether this strategy would succeed, from his point of view, it was indeed perfect. Strategies such as concealing the truth and waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out were all contained in this letter, like a carefully arranged chess game, with murderous intent hidden in every move.

Huang Degong carefully folded the secret letter and put it into his sleeve. He said to Yuchun, "This letter is too important. No wonder His Majesty sent Commander Li to deliver it personally." Yuchun nodded, his expression solemn: "If Marquis Jingnan has no questions, then I will return to the capital to report." There was a hint of urgency in his tone, as if every moment was related to the overall situation.

Huang Degong looked out the window. The sun shone through the clouds, bringing a touch of warmth to the tense atmosphere. He invited Yuchun, saying, "Why don't we have lunch together? We can talk while we eat." Yuchun agreed with a smile, which was hearty and friendly. Although the scar on Huang Degong's face was trembling slightly, he couldn't take back the words that had been spoken. Moreover, he knew that Gongsun Yuchun was a favorite of the emperor, and making friends with him would only benefit him.

Therefore, Huang Degong prepared a sumptuous banquet for Yuchun. The banquet was filled with various delicacies and the aroma was overflowing. Yuchun refused the wine on the grounds that he was afraid of getting drunk while riding a horse, so Huang Degong smiled and offered tea instead of wine. The two ate and talked, and the atmosphere was very harmonious. Yuchun also took out some fine salt as a gift for Huang Degong, saying that this salt was longevity salt, which came from folk tribute and had the effect of prolonging life. Even the emperor was eating it.

Huang Degong tasted the salt and found it to be extraordinary, with a delicate taste and endless aftertaste. He was so happy that he wanted to take more, but Yuchun stopped him and said that the salt was expensive and could only be bought with one tael of silver in the capital, and its actual value was far more than ten times. Huang Degong was puzzled and asked, "What is the purpose of your Majesty giving me this salt?"

Yuchun replied with a smile, his eyes revealing some deep meaning: "Your Majesty knows that you have close friends in the capital, so he specifically asked you not to use silver next time you give a gift, but to use this salt instead. This will not only show your sincerity, but also show your Majesty's gift."

Huang Degong thought to himself that this was a good opportunity to make friends with important officials in the court, so he gladly accepted Yuchun's suggestion. The two of them ate and talked about military strategies, court intrigues, the general situation in the world, and personal ideals. The atmosphere became more and more harmonious. Huang Degong felt a long-lost sense of ease and joy, as if he had found a trace of peace and hope in this chaotic world.

Hearing that this was said by the commander of the Jinyiwei, Huang Degong was so scared that it was as if a chill suddenly came down his spine and he shivered. The wrinkles on his weather-beaten face seemed to deepen a little because of this sudden fear. He wanted to talk about the twists and turns in this matter, but Gongsun Yuchun acted as if nothing had happened. The corners of his mouth slightly raised, and a hint of subtle cunning flashed in his eyes. He comforted him, "Don't worry, Lord Jingnan. Although the emperor has seen everything, he doesn't intend to blame you in his heart."

"There are clear boundaries between our monarch and his subjects. The ministers in the court also have their own rules. Even our military generals have to follow the rules when leading troops outside." Gongsun Yuchun's words carried an unquestionable authority, yet were gentle, as if he was giving Huang Degong a reassurance.

"As for the rules, there will always be people talking about them, but the emperor does not intend to overturn them all overnight. After all, everyone has shortcomings." Gongsun Yuchun's words were meaningful, and his eyes revealed a deep insight into human nature.

"If others can take advantage of this weakness, then the emperor can too, right?" Huang Degong felt mixed emotions when he heard this, especially since it came from the commander of the Royal Guards, which surprised him greatly. He thought to himself that this commander of the Royal Guards seemed ordinary, but in fact he was very scheming. Every word he said seemed to be carefully calculated, which not only appeased people's hearts, but also contained a warning.

After leaving the capital for so many years, the city has changed a lot. Even the Ming emperor in the Forbidden City has grown from a little kid to a true emperor. Huang Degong knows that this emperor has not only learned how to control officials with power, but also understands the subtleties of human hearts. His methods go far beyond simply killing people to establish his authority.

Thinking of this, Huang Degong's mood became extremely complicated. He quickly knelt down, kowtowed towards the direction of the capital, and said gratefully: "Your Majesty, I am Huang Degong, and thank you for your great grace!" There was a bit of trembling in his voice, which showed both awe of the imperial power and worry about his own fate.

While waiting for dinner, Huang Degong received two more pieces of news. One was that Ji Zisheng and Gao Di had secretly led their troops out of the city and were rushing to Miyun at full speed, and they would arrive in three days. The other was from the commander of the Guanning Army's Zhenbiao Middle Camp, Lieutenant General Ba Keyong, saying that their 5,000-strong army would also arrive in Miyun in six days. These two pieces of news were like two huge rocks, pressing down on Huang Degong's heart, making him feel both stressed and hopeful.

"One three days, one six days..." Huang Degong calculated the time to himself, then slapped his thigh, a trace of determination flashed in his eyes, "Someone come!" There was irresistible majesty in his voice.

The personal guard outside the door responded and came in, with a straight figure and a firm look in his eyes: "I am here!"

"Hurry up and send someone to tell Weng Zhiqi in Pinggu that the time has come and ask him to act according to the plan. Remember, you must be on time. I want to see him in three days." Huang Degong's words were filled with unquestionable determination, as if every word contained a tremendous force.

"Yes, sir!" After receiving the order, the personal soldier immediately ran away, and his figure quickly disappeared into the night.

Huang Degong was not willing to be left behind. He jumped on his horse, whipped the horse and headed north. His figure stretched out in the afterglow of the setting sun, like a determined silhouette.

At this time in Pinggu City, the sky was not completely dark yet. The sunset dyed the sky red, like a burning flame. The smoke from the city rose up, interweaving with the sunset, forming a quiet and peaceful picture. The aroma of food was everywhere, making people salivate. The city gate had just been closed for a while, but it was opened again because of an emergency, making a heavy creaking sound, breaking the tranquility.

After verifying their identities, the two Ming cavalrymen headed straight for Weng Zhiqi's house. Their figures stretched out in the afterglow of the setting sun, like two black lightning bolts, breaking the tranquility.

"Report! Miyun has an urgent order!" A loud announcement broke the tranquility in the courtyard and also broke the peace in Weng Zhiqi's heart. Two cavalrymen entered the house one after another, and saw Weng Zhiqi holding a knife and gesturing on the ground. His face was firm and his eyes revealed an unyielding fighting spirit.

The personal soldier pushed open the door and said respectfully: "Deputy General Weng, the general has an urgent order saying that the time is ripe and we can act as planned. Please be on time. The general wants to see you in three days." There was a hint of urgency in his voice, as if he was also nervous about the upcoming battle.

"Three days later?" Weng Zhiqi repeated, and then asked, "Does today count?" There was a hint of anxiety in his voice, as if he couldn't wait to join the upcoming battle.

"Of course!" the soldier answered. His voice was firm and powerful, as if he was cheering for Weng Zhiqi.

Weng Zhiqi slapped his thigh, a trace of determination flashed in his eyes: "Oh! Time is running out!" He immediately ordered: "Pass my order, the entire army must finish their meal, organize their equipment, and assemble outside the north gate within one hour!" There was irresistible majesty in his voice, as if every word contained a tremendous force.

"Also, the firearms soldiers must be prepared!" Weng Zhiqi added, with a hint of urgency in his voice, as if he couldn't wait to see the heroic figures of the firearms soldiers on the battlefield.

Military orders were quickly passed down, and Pinggu City was instantly enveloped in a tense atmosphere. When the common people saw the army gathering, they all asked worriedly: "Are the Jiannu going to attack? Are you going to rescue them? What will we do if you leave?" There was a hint of fear and uneasiness in their voices, as if they had already sensed the upcoming turmoil.

The soldiers didn't have time to explain, they just hurriedly prepared. They knew that time was running out and every minute and every second was crucial. Weng Zhiqi led 3,000 troops out of Pinggu City. Their figures stretched out in the afterglow of the setting sun, like a determined silhouette, heading towards an unknown battlefield.

The troops that Huang Degong assigned to Weng Zhiqi had only over a hundred cavalrymen, and the rest were infantrymen, with dozens of mules and oxen used to pull baggage carts. Although the team was small in size, the morale was high, and every soldier was full of fighting spirit and determination. Weng Zhiqi led the team to march northward in a mighty manner, and their figures gradually faded away in the afterglow of the setting sun, as if they were challenging an unknown fate.

Although the distance of 40 li is not too long, it is not too short either. They walked for more than an hour and it was already dark. So the army stopped to rest. The soldiers sat together, eating simple dry food and talking about the upcoming battle. Although their faces were tired, their eyes revealed an unyielding fighting spirit.

A lieutenant general walked up to Weng Zhiqi and asked, "Lieutenant General Weng, where should we go next?" There was a hint of confusion and uncertainty in his voice, as if he was seeking an answer from Weng Zhiqi.

Weng Zhiqi pointed to the north and said, "There is a valley over there. Although the road is difficult to travel on, it can be passed by horses and people. Let's go there!" There was a hint of firmness and determination in his voice, as if he was fully prepared.

"Are we going to launch a surprise attack on the Jiannu's rear?" the lieutenant general asked curiously, his eyes revealing a kind of anticipation and excitement, as if he couldn't wait to join the upcoming battle.

"You'll know when you get there." Weng Zhiqi smiled mysteriously, his eyes revealing a depth and wisdom, as if he had already seen through everything in the future.

The army set up camp on the spot and waited until 3:00 in the morning, when the sky was slightly bright. They continued to move forward for nearly two hours and finally arrived at the mouth of the valley. The peaks on both sides of the valley were towering into the clouds, as if they were two natural barriers, isolating the valley from the outside world. There were dense trees and weeds growing at the mouth of the valley, giving people a mysterious and quiet feeling.

Weng Zhiqi looked at this place he had been to before, but his heart was calm. He carefully observed the terrain around him, and then ordered: "Send a hundred scouts two miles deep into the valley to scout the enemy. If you encounter the enemy, shoot them, but don't chase them." There was a hint of calmness and composure in his voice, as if he had been fully prepared.

The scouts immediately took the order and set off. Their figures quickly disappeared in the valley, as if they were swallowed by this mysterious land. Weng Zhiqi sat with the generals and spread out an old map to study. The map was very simple, with only two horizontal lines to represent the mountains, and trees, strange rocks and paths drawn on the mountains. Despite its simplicity, in Weng Zhiqi's eyes, it seemed like a battlefield full of opportunities and challenges.

Weng Zhiqi pointed to a mark on the map and said, "Take your men to dig a big hole here, the deeper the better." There was a hint of determination and coldness in his voice, as if he had already seen the tragic scene of the enemy falling into the trap.

"Take your men to cut down trees, the more the better, and push them into the valley after they're cut down." Weng Zhiqi gave another order, his voice carrying a hint of eagerness and anxiety, as if he couldn't wait to see the battlefield with fireworks.

"Take your men up the mountain and push some stones down into the valley, but be careful not to hurt your own people." Weng Zhiqi added, his voice carrying a hint of concern and caution, as if he was reminding the soldiers to pay attention to safety.

"The rest of you will be responsible for unloading the gunpowder from the baggage wagons and preparing to set off fireworks so that everyone can have a good New Year!" Weng Zhiqi finally gave an order, with a hint of humor and ease in his voice, as if he was using this method to ease the soldiers' tension.

Everyone listened to the order without objection, and after a short rest, they immediately got busy. They knew that time was running out and every minute and every second was crucial. Suddenly, a gunshot was heard in the distance, breaking the tranquility of the valley... The battle was about to begin. (End of this chapter)