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

As soon as Aobai stepped into the battlefield, he began to wonder. The battle was very different from what he had expected. The infantry of the Ming army was like a well-trained machine. They suddenly retreated into the chariots. Their spears were like a forest, impenetrable, like hedgehogs ready to strike, waiting for the enemy to fall into their trap. The cavalry led by Tulai were originally as fierce as wolves, but now they were surrounded like dumplings and could not move. Fortunately, they were very smart and found a loophole and slipped out like a cunning fox. Aobai was even more confused. Why was the Ming army so strange? They withdrew their defenses before taking action.

At this time, a group of infantrymen wearing heavy armor were only a few steps away from the Ming army's position. They moved quickly, dismounted their horses, picked up their weapons and rushed forward like a tiger descending from a mountain, extremely brave. The heavy cavalry led by Oboi did not directly confront them, but wandered around the position, looking for the best time to attack. Soon, Oboi had figured out the clues. It turned out that the Ming army took a detour to defeat the infantry of the Eight Banners first. This move was really smart.

Looking at Huang Degong, he was simply a human-shaped god of war, swinging the iron whip in his hand with a whirring wind. Every move and style contained infinite power, chopping, sweeping, smashing, and stabbing, each move was deadly. Under his leadership, the Ming army's infantry rushed into the enemy formation like chicken blood. Those heavy armored soldiers and Sauron soldiers were like paper under their attack and could not be stopped at all.

The Ming army also invented a new weapon, with a hook on the head and a ring on the body, which was flexible and powerful. Several Ming soldiers lured the enemy in front, and once the enemy took the bait, they would seize the opportunity, swing the hook gun, hook the enemy's leg directly, and then pull hard, and the heavily armored soldier would fall to the ground like a dog eating shit. Then, a group of Ming soldiers surrounded him, either chopping or trampling on him, with such cruel means that it was chilling.

Without the protection of heavy and white armor, the infantry formation of Jiannu was like paper, and collapsed in an instant. The troops led by Huang Degong rushed left and right, as if they were in an empty space. The Eight Banners soldiers had never seen such a fierce Ming army, and they were scared out of their wits. The brave ones could still resist for a few times, while the timid ones simply dropped their weapons and ran away.

"Kill, kill, kill!" Huang Degong's troops were like possessed by the god of war. Their eyes were as big as copper bells. They hacked and killed anyone they saw. Their momentum was like a rainbow.

Duoduo was observing the battlefield with a telescope a few miles away, his face suddenly changed: "White... White Spear Soldiers? That kid Jian Mingxiao is here?" He thought back to the time when he entered the Pass with Huang Taiji and saw with his own eyes how powerful the White Spear Soldiers were. Their power was specifically designed to restrain heavy armor, and it would be a dead end for infantrymen to encounter them.

"Tenth Prince, the left wing is about to collapse, we need to send reinforcements!" The deputy governor of the Bordered White Banner stamped his feet anxiously, sweating profusely. Duoduo pondered for a moment and said, "No hurry, I will give you two thousand cavalry, follow the heavy infantry, and attack the Ming army from the flank to cut off their retreat." Although the deputy governor did not understand the meaning, he still obeyed the order and left.

Seeing the increasingly fierce attack of the center and left wing of the Ming army, Duoduo ordered again: "Central army, right wing, take your time, don't rush!" He was worried that if the center army accelerated to rescue the right wing, the entire formation would be in chaos. As long as the center and right armies could hold their ground, a few thousand infantry casualties would not be a big deal, after all, most of them were Han Eight Banners, and it would not be a big deal if they died.

The Jiannu's left wing could not hold out. Huang Degong's surprise troops rushed in and swept through like cutting vegetables. The Eight Banners soldiers behind them never thought that the Ming army could break through the defense of heavy armor and white armor. By the time they reacted, the Ming army had already rushed to their front. Now, the Eight Banners soldiers could only run away desperately. Those who ran fast might survive, but those who ran slowly would have to die here.

The battle was extremely fierce, and victory or defeat depended on a moment. Once the Jiannu's formation was broken, defeat was inevitable. The defeated soldiers retreated like a tide, and there was no way to stop them. One of the commanders wanted to lead the troops to meet the enemy, but he was hit by the chaotic army and trampled into a meat pie, dying miserably.

Huang Degong suddenly remembered something in the bloody battle, and he rushed back with the flag bearer. Not long after, they ran into Aobai who attacked from the flank. The heavy infantry led the way, and Aobai followed closely behind. The two sides collided and were stunned.

Huang Degong wondered how the Jiannu could fight back. Oboi was also wondering why the Ming army retreated again. With the word "kill" uttered, Huang Degong whipped his whip and started a fierce battle with the heavy infantry. The situation on the battlefield was as complicated as a maze. In front of the right wing of the Ming army were Oboi's cavalry, in front of Oboi were the heavy infantry, in front of the heavy infantry was Huang Degong, and in front of Huang Degong were the Eight Banners soldiers who were in disarray. Huang Degong charged in from the front, and the main force of the Ming army followed from the back, and the entire battlefield became a mess.

Aobai saw that the situation was not good, and quickly led the cavalry to attack from the side. However, the long spears and horse-barricades of the Ming army were not vegetarian, and the cavalry was at a disadvantage in a fight with the infantry, not to mention that the Ming army also had bows and arrows and firearms as auxiliary. The heavy infantry was attacked from the front and back, and they couldn't run away. Fortunately, Aobai's cavalry launched another charge, which saved them.

Huang Degong saw that the time was almost right, so he led his troops to retreat in an orderly manner. It was not that he could not continue to fight, but he saw that the main forces of both sides were rushing here, and it would not be a good thing if they were crowded here and fought together. The right wing of the Ming army slowly retreated, and Oboi returned without gaining any advantage. Except for the heavy armored cavalry, the other cavalry could only harass and cut off the retreat.

The Jiannu cavalry fought with Ji Zisheng, Nalan Jiben and others for a while, then fired two rounds of arrows and retreated. Duoduo's heavy cavalry also fled with the main force before they had time to show their strength. The wheels of the chariot wheels turned loudly and harshly, and the smoke gradually dissipated. The shouting and killing on the battlefield also gradually subsided.

The afternoon sun was scorching, and the soldiers took off their helmets and wiped their sweat. Weng Zhiqi walked to Huang Degong and wanted to say something but swallowed it back. The joy of victory was mixed with a little regret that the enemy was not completely wiped out after all. "General, today..." Weng Zhiqi started. "We won!" Huang Degong said firmly. "But..." Weng Zhiqi wanted to say something else. "There is no but, as long as more enemies are killed than casualties, we win!" Huang Degong interrupted him. "Cheer up, boys! Our army has won a great victory! Let's have a banquet tonight to celebrate!" His voice resounded through the sky, and the soldiers cheered to celebrate this hard-won victory.

In the big tent of the central army, the dim candlelight flickered, reflecting on Duoduo's face, which was as dark as lake water. He spoke slowly, his voice low and powerful: "It's not just me who feels this way. Everyone has an expression like frost in the severe winter." The air in the tent seemed to freeze, and everyone knew that although the Ming army did not pursue the victory, the defeat of the Eight Banners Army was an indisputable fact, obvious, naked, and unavoidable. Since entering the pass, the fortified city of Xuanfu has been like a hard bone to chew, making them unable to capture it for a long time. What's worse, they were severely punished by Huang Degong. When mentioning this, Duoduo's eyes flashed with a trace of regret and unwillingness.

Especially Tulai, his figure was particularly eye-catching in the dim light. Although the arrow wound on his shoulder was not serious, the pain made him grimace involuntarily, which made people feel pity. Tulai, a general who was always known for his bravery, also looked a little embarrassed and helpless at this moment.

"What are the casualties of each flag?" Duoduo's voice sounded again, with a bit of heaviness. It was late at night, and the sound of the wind outside the tent seemed to be telling of uneasiness. Duoduo hesitated for a moment, and finally asked.

"Over there with the Bordered White Banner..." A general was about to speak but was interrupted by Duoduo.

"What I want is the total number!" There was unquestionable severity in Duoduo's voice, and the atmosphere in the tent became even more tense.

The messenger was about to speak when Duoduo interrupted him. The casualties of each flag were different, but without exception, they all suffered heavy losses, especially the Zhenghuang Banner cavalry led by Tulai, who bore the brunt of the losses. When all the casualty figures were added up, although they sounded barely acceptable, the heavy feeling weighed on everyone's heart like a boulder.

"Three hundred and twenty-seven people were killed, five hundred and thirty-three were seriously injured, and countless were slightly injured!" The messenger's voice was low and sad, and every number was like a sharp blade, piercing Duoduo's heart.

Duoduo's right hand unconsciously clenched into a fist, his nails almost digging into his palm. Deaths and serious injuries, the loss of nearly nine hundred people! It was barely acceptable to fight a siege like this, but such a tragic defeat in a field battle was really shameless to face the elders and folks of Shengjing.

"What about the Ming army? What were their casualties?" Duoduo asked, trying to calm himself down.

"About 60% to 70% of us." The herald's answer made Duoduo feel a little relieved, but the doubts in his heart did not disappear.

"Everyone, Huang Degong is a man who should not be underestimated. His infantry is particularly brave. We can't disperse them even with thousands of cavalry surrounding them. It's difficult to win a quick victory!" Duoduo's words were filled with helplessness.

Hauge nodded, his expression solemn: "There are even stranger ones."

"Strange?" Everyone cast doubtful looks at him, and the atmosphere in the tent became even more tense.

"Yes, I watched the whole battle, but I didn't see the Ming army's heavy artillery come into play. This is too wrong." Hauge's words were full of confusion.

"Perhaps..." Aobai pondered for a moment, "Perhaps the Ming army is afraid that our cavalry will charge too fiercely, and the artillery will have poor mobility and be easily attacked by us, so it is useless."

"No! No matter how much the Ming army fears our cavalry, they would not leave such powerful weapons unused. I sent people to take a closer look, and there is indeed no trace of artillery on the Ming army's position." Duoduo's words were firm, and the doubts in his heart spread like wildfire.

Duoduo's brows were furrowed, and his anxiety was like a fire. The Ming army without heavy artillery could defeat our infantry. If they really used artillery, it would be terrible! He glanced at everyone and whispered, "Huang Degong is now in a strong momentum. We can't fight head-on, we have to win by wits and strategies."

"The Tenth Prince is right!" everyone agreed.

"We all listen to the Tenth Prince!"

"We've been on a long journey and are exhausted. We can't take Xuanfu and our morale is low. I agree with Uncle Tenth Prince's opinion." Hauge said seriously, his eyes revealing firmness and determination.

"Okay! Come on, quickly deliver this secret letter to Qiangziling and hand it over to Prince Rui in person." Duoduo picked up the already written secret letter from the table and handed it to the guard. The guard took the secret letter, turned around and left in a hurry. The atmosphere in the tent was still tense and solemn.

After the guards left, Duoduo asked Tulai again: "How come the cavalry you led were entangled by the Ming army's infantry?"

Tulai smiled bitterly and said slowly: "Replying to the Tenth Prince, we were blown up by the Ming army's hand grenades."

"That grenade looked small and had limited power. But the Ming army's infantry could throw it far away. They threw it from behind the chariot, and our cavalry couldn't dodge it even at a distance of twenty or thirty steps. When the grenade exploded, the horses were startled, and the Ming army took the opportunity to rush forward." Tulai recounted it in detail, his words revealing a bit of helplessness and annoyance.

Duoduo nodded, and understood in his heart. This grenade is really a new thing. The Ming army suffered a lot from this weapon.

"Grenade can be used in both city defense and field battles." Duoduo pondered, but he also knew its advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that it can kill enemies in a large area and disrupt the morale of the army; the disadvantage is that it can't be thrown far and requires certain tactical coordination.

"If the Ming army has it, we in the Eight Banners must have it too!" Duoduo slammed the table and said angrily, his eyes revealing a bit of determination and firmness.

"Herald!"

"Here!" The herald responded with a solemn expression.

"Go ask Liu Zhiyuan if he can imitate the Ming army's hand grenades? If you can, make them for me quickly, I need them urgently!" Duoduo's words were filled with urgency and expectation. Liu Zhiyuan was the leader of the Yellow Banner of the Eight Banners Han Army. He followed Duoduo into the pass together and had a deep understanding of the Han army's weapons and equipment.

"Tell all the flags to stay in the camp honestly tomorrow and don't go out to cause trouble. Dig trenches and set up deer horn formations in front of the camp to prevent sneak attacks by the Ming army." Duoduo's words were steady and calm. He knew very well that at this critical moment, any rash action could bring immeasurable losses.

"Okay!" The herald responded and turned and left in a hurry. The atmosphere in the tent was still tense and solemn, but everyone's heart was full of expectations and determination. They knew that although they lost this battle, it did not mean the end. As long as they united as one and won with wisdom, they would be able to defeat the Ming army and win the final victory.

……

But in the central camp of the Ming army, it was a completely different scene. It was as lively as the New Year, with Ji Zisheng, Bake Yong, and a bunch of deputy generals and lieutenant generals all sitting around a table full of delicious food and wine, holding wine glasses in their hands, their faces filled with the joy of victory.

"Brothers!" Huang Degong came out in casual clothes, his face relaxed but solemn. The noise in the tent suddenly quieted down, and everyone held their breath, waiting for the winner to speak.

"We won a great victory in today's field battle! This is all thanks to everyone!" Huang Degong's words were filled with excitement and pride, and his eyes revealed his admiration and affirmation for the soldiers.

"The Ming army is mighty! The Ming army is mighty!" The cheers surged like waves, almost shaking the tents apart. The cheers of victory could be heard throughout the camp.

This victory was not easy to come by, especially after Lin Xiaofeng's defeat in Songshan fifteen years ago, the court had lost confidence, and the soldiers were terribly afraid of the Jian Nu. But today's battle has dispelled everyone's fear! No matter how fierce the Jian Nu is, they are not invincible! Everyone's heart is full of pride and confidence. They know that as long as they are united, nothing can stop them from moving forward.

Outside the camp, among the grass and trees on the hillside, the Ming army scout looked back at the bustling military camp, feeling warm in his heart. He opened the oil paper package in his arms, and the barbecue inside was still hot. This was part of the celebration banquet specially prepared for them by the general. Although they could not celebrate with the generals in the big tent, this thought made them feel extremely warm.

"Brothers, the general hasn't forgotten us. He's drinking and celebrating inside, and we're eating meat outside!" The scout's words were full of generosity and satisfaction, and his eyes revealed his joy and pride in this victory.

"Of course!" The soldiers nearby took out the oil-paper bags and ate them in big mouthfuls. Although they were in the wild, the joy of victory made them forget their fatigue and hardship.

"But don't forget to be alert and guard against sneak attacks by the Jiannu at night!" a soldier reminded, his eyes revealing a bit of vigilance and caution.

"Don't worry!" another soldier responded, his weapon tightly in his hand, ready to deal with possible crisis at any time.

"I'm watching!" said another soldier, his eyes revealing a bit of determination. They knew that although they had won, the battle was not over. They had to stay vigilant at all times to prevent the Jiannu from counterattacking.

As the scouts were eating and chatting, Huang Degong raised his right hand and his voice rang out again: "Tonight we are celebrating our victory, and we should only say good things. But there is something I have to say." There was a seriousness and solemnity in his words, which made the originally lively tent quiet again.

"Today's victory was won with blood and lives. We who are still alive celebrate, but we must not forget those brothers who sacrificed their lives." Huang Degong's words were filled with grief and mourning, and his eyes revealed his deep longing for his deceased comrades.

"Isn't that right?" There was a hint of inquiry and expectation in his words, waiting for the soldiers' response.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" The generals responded in unison, with a certain firmness and determination in their voices. They knew that this victory was not only an affirmation of them, but also the best consolation for their deceased comrades.

"This first cup of wine is for the heroes who died in battle. They sacrificed their lives for our victory!" Huang Degong raised the glass high above his head, then slowly poured it onto the ground. His movements were solemn and dignified, as if he was paying tribute to the heroes who died in battle.

"Who should we toast to with the third cup of wine?" Huang Degong's voice echoed in the military tent. His eyes were firm, as if he had already made a decision and was just using this sentence to gather everyone's attention. His face was firm, and the years had carved deep grooves on his face, each of which seemed to be an achievement on the battlefield, recording his bravery in countless charges.

"First, respect our parents, they gave us life; then respect our wives and children, they are the concern and hope in our hearts; finally, respect our brothers, they gave us the courage to fight side by side!" Huang Degong's words were full of affection, and his eyes swept over every general present one by one, as if he was having a spiritual communication with them.

Huang Degong raised his glass, and the wine swayed gently in the glass, reflecting his resolute and unyielding face. However, he did not drink the wine, but slowly poured it on the ground, which was his endless thoughts and respect for his relatives far away. The wine seeped into the soil, as if it also carried the loyalty and blood of the soldiers, and merged into the land they swore to defend.

The atmosphere inside the military tent was heavy and solemn. Some generals had red eyes and tears glistening in their eyes, which reflected their deep affection for their country and the world; some cried silently, with tears sliding down their cheeks, silently telling of their inner pain and reluctance; others turned away quietly, wiped away their tears with their sleeves, not wanting others to see their fragility and sadness.

When the wine jug was empty, Huang Degong ordered the remaining wine to be divided equally among everyone. He looked at the half-cup of wine in his hand, swallowed his saliva, sighed deeply, and said in a deep voice: "For this last cup, I propose that we toast ourselves and every brother who fought bravely on the battlefield!" His voice echoed in the military tent, carrying an indescribable sense of tragedy and pride.

"I, Huang Degong, have spent half my life on horseback. I ask for nothing else but to be able to drink to my heart's content while I am alive, and to be remembered in history and engraved on the stele of the Martyrs' Shrine after my death." Huang Degong's words revealed a kind of open-mindedness and heroism, and his eyes sparkled with longing and determination for the future.

"I believe that everyone here also has such an aspiration." Huang Degong's words inspired everyone, and his voice echoed in the military tent like a passionate war song.

"Come, let's have this glass of wine, to toast ourselves!" Huang Degong raised his glass high, his voice as loud as a bell.

"Cheers!" Everyone raised their glasses and drank them all. Then there was the sound of glasses breaking, as if they were cheering for this ambition, this fearless courage and firm belief.

After three rounds of drinking, Huang Degong waved his hand to signal for meat and tea, and took a piece of meat to eat with relish. His eating manner was bold and graceful, as if to tell everyone that even in the most difficult times, a soldier's true character and dignity must be maintained.

The personal soldiers outside the tent quickly brought large bowls of tea to each general, and the fragrance of tea filled the air, bringing a touch of freshness and tranquility to the solemn atmosphere. After everyone gave way to each other, the atmosphere in the central army tent reached a climax. There was no red tape of literati here, only the straightforwardness and heroism of the generals. They ate meat with big mouthfuls, drank tea from big bowls, and enjoyed this rare moment of relaxation, as if to put all the fatigue and sorrow behind them.

After the meal, Huang Degong suddenly stood up and ordered his personal soldiers: "Go, clear out all the idle people inside and outside the tent. I have something important to discuss with you." His voice was low and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

The guards did not dare to neglect and quickly drove out the barbecue cook and other irrelevant personnel. The atmosphere in the tent suddenly became a little weird, as if an invisible pressure was spreading among everyone. Ji Zisheng and Bak Yong looked at each other, and saw doubt and uneasiness in each other's eyes. They didn't know what important thing Huang Degong was going to announce next, but they all understood that this matter must be very important.

Huang Degong took the towel handed to him by his personal soldier and wiped the oil stains on his hands, then said in a deep voice: "I have called everyone here today because I have two main things to announce." His voice echoed in the military tent with an indescribable solemnity and seriousness.

"One is to celebrate our recent victory; the other is about the plan for withdrawal." Huang Degong's words revealed a well-thought-out decision and wisdom.

"Retreat?" As soon as the words fell, there was an uproar in the tent. Everyone started to discuss, some questioned the necessity of retreating, and some worried that retreating would show weakness to the enemy.

"Didn't we just defeat the Jiannu? Why are we retreating again? Wouldn't it be a sign of weakness to the enemy if we retreat at this time?" a general asked in confusion.

"Yes, how can the Jiannu be our opponent? Why should we retreat?" Another general also expressed his doubts.

"What exactly is your plan, General?" Everyone looked at Huang Degong, expecting him to give a reasonable explanation.

Facing the doubts and confusion of the crowd, Huang Degong elaborated on his plan of deceiving the public and making a feint to the east and attacking the west. He had been planning this plan for a long time, and today he finally decided to make it public. His words revealed a firm belief and determination, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

Although the retreat was extremely dangerous, Huang Degong had made careful arrangements. He ordered trenches to be dug on both sides of Huailaiwei overnight to block the pursuit of the Jiannu cavalry. At the same time, he determined the route and timetable for the retreat and emphasized the importance of strictly abiding by military orders. Every decision he made seemed so decisive and wise, as if he had foreseen all the possibilities and challenges.

When it came to who would stay behind to guard Huailai Wei, Xu Wenpu stepped forward and volunteered: "A real man should fight on the battlefield and die for his country! Please rest assured and retreat. Leave Huailai Wei to me!" His voice was loud and firm, revealing a fearless courage and firm belief.

When these words came out, everyone was shocked. Some were impressed by Xu Wenpu's bravery and selflessness, some admired his passion and ambition, and some worried whether he could defend Huailaiwei and how long he could defend it. But no matter what, they all understood that Xu Wenpu's decision was out of loyalty and love for the country and the nation.

Huang Degong waved his hand for everyone to be quiet, and then announced the final decision: "The matter has been decided, you just need to act according to the plan. Later, Weng Zhiqi will inform you of the specific time and order of withdrawal of each unit, please be sure to comply." His voice revealed unquestionable majesty and determination.

"Otherwise, military law will be ruthless!" Huang Degong's words revealed a sense of iron-bloodedness and coldness, as if he was warning everyone that military orders are as heavy as mountains and must not be disobeyed.

"We will obey the orders of Mr. Huang!" Everyone responded in unison, and then dispersed, ready to execute the order. They understood that every decision made by Huang Degong was for the benefit of the country and the future of the nation, and they were willing to follow him and face all challenges and difficulties together.

Huang Degong looked at the backs of the people leaving and sighed softly. His heart was full of expectations and worries about the future, but he understood that as a general, he must strengthen his faith and determination and work hard for the interests of the country and the future of the nation.

"Has the secret letter really been sent to the capital and Miyun?" Huang Degong's voice was filled with a hint of worry and expectation.

"It has been delivered. I saw it with my own eyes." The general at the side answered, his voice revealing firmness and confidence.

"Good." Huang Degong muttered to himself, as if to comfort himself. He knew that this war had just begun and there was still a long way to go, but he believed that as long as everyone worked together and fought together, they would be able to overcome all difficulties and challenges.

In the Qianqing Palace in the capital, Lin Xiaofeng and Li Banghua were discussing the way to govern the country. Their conversation was full of wisdom and depth, as if they were discussing the future fate and direction of the country.

Lin Xiaofeng said: "Lord Li, governing a country is not an easy task, and governing officials and the people is even more difficult." His voice revealed a deep understanding and emotion about the way of governing a country.

"I think that if there were no corrupt officials running rampant, the people might be able to live a stable life." Li Banghua said with emotion, his eyes flashing with a yearning and expectation for clean and honest politics.

"Mr. Li, do you think this is possible?" Lin Xiaofeng asked back, his voice revealing a kind of helplessness towards reality and a pursuit of ideals.

Li Banghua was silent. As the chief minister of the cabinet, he knew the complexity of officialdom and the difficulty of eliminating greed. He understood that it was not easy to completely eliminate greed.
Lin Xiaofeng continued, "Looking through history books, why did the country perish? Was it because of land annexation, harsh policies, natural disasters, or the economic problems that Your Majesty mentioned?" His voice revealed a deep thinking about history and a deep worry about the future.

Lin Xiaofeng shook his head: "Neither. The fundamental reason for the change of dynasties is that the production relations have not been adjusted accordingly with the development of productivity!" His voice revealed a profound insight and understanding of the laws of social development.

Li Banghua was completely confused, as if he was listening to a foreign language. He was puzzled by Lin Xiaofeng's words, but also full of awe and admiration.

"Your Majesty, please teach me, what are production relations and what are productive forces?" He couldn't help but ask, his voice revealing a desire for knowledge and a pursuit of wisdom.

Lin Xiaofeng patiently explained in words that Li Banghua could understand: "To put it simply, it is about whether the distribution system is adapted to the needs of production development." His voice revealed a profound analysis of the problem and a clear direction towards a solution.

"Oh, so that's it!" Li Banghua suddenly realized, then looked up and asked, "Then Your Majesty, do you think the Ming Dynasty is also facing such a problem?" His voice revealed a deep worry and expectation for the future of the country.

Lin Xiaofeng did not answer directly, but let him think about it himself. He knew that Li Banghua was a smart and knowledgeable person, and he only needed a little enlightenment to understand the truth.

Li Banghua pondered for a moment and sighed helplessly. He understood that the Ming Dynasty not only had such a problem, but it was also quite serious. But he also understood that it would take great efforts and sacrifices to solve this problem. He was willing to work hard for the future of the country and the fate of the nation, no matter how great the difficulties and challenges were.

Just as he was about to continue asking Lin Xiaofeng for advice, a young eunuch ran in hurriedly with a report in his hand: "Your Majesty, Tang from Huailai Wei has arrived!" His voice revealed a sense of urgency and nervousness, as if he was conveying an important message.

Lin Xiaofeng raised his head suddenly, his eyes sparkling with excitement, like two bright stars, reflecting his inner excitement. He knew that Huang Degong and Duoduo had fought a great battle in their first battle, and had achieved substantial results. He carefully reviewed the battle report sent from the front line, and the joy on his face was simply uncontrollable, and the corners of his mouth were almost raised, as if the flowers in spring were blooming so brilliantly.

He hurriedly ordered the eunuch beside him to deliver the good news to Li Banghua as soon as possible, and emphasized: "Huang Degong is a very brave Huang Chuangzi. He was able to defeat the elite troops of the Jiannu. It's a pity that he only beheaded more than 200 people, which is still a little less."

The young eunuch took the order and left, while Lin Xiaofeng looked out the window. The scenery outside was pleasant, with the sun shining through the clouds onto the palace walls, giving the ancient palace a golden glow. He couldn't help but feel a surge of pride in his heart, as if the beautiful mountains and rivers were trembling under his feet.

Li Banghua took the battle report, but his expression became serious, like a frosted leaf in autumn, revealing an unquestionable solemnity.

"Your Majesty, think about it, the number of beheadings must be more than what was reported in the battle report. Huang Degong may have deliberately underreported it." His voice was steady and powerful, like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake.

"Oh? Tell me about it." Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng immediately raised his head and looked at Li Banghua curiously. His eyes seemed to be able to see into people's hearts and they sparkled with wisdom.

Whenever there was a battle report from the front, the civil officials would always doubt the number of enemies killed, thinking that the generals were exaggerating in order to win credit and reward. After all, the more enemies killed, the more reward the court would give. On the surface, these civil officials said that they were saving money for the court, but in fact they wanted to suppress the generals and make them bow down in front of them. This trick was really effective, and many generals had to bow down and surrender.

However, if the civil and military officials of our Ming Dynasty who led troops outside did not want to be bullied by others, they had to maintain good relations with the bigwigs in the court. To put it bluntly, they had to give gifts in order to gain their protection and support. This trend had already spread in the court, like a turbid current, corroding the body of the Ming Dynasty.

But Li Banghua is different. He is the chief minister of the cabinet, but he can jump out of this circle, not follow the crowd, and stick to his principles and bottom line. Lin Xiaofeng secretly admired him: "This guy really didn't let me down."

Li Banghua bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, the battle report says that after the battle, both sides sent teams to clean up the battlefield, transport the wounded, and collect the bodies. The number of enemies killed reported by us is calculated based on the bodies found at the scene, which is definitely inaccurate."

He paused and continued, "Also, when the Jiannu escaped, they had a habit of snatching the bodies of their comrades away, so there were fewer bodies left at the scene."

"In fact, we have killed more enemies than not. Especially now that the weather is hot, those seriously injured Jiannu soldiers will most likely not survive." There was an unquestionable firmness in his tone.

"I estimate that the casualties on the Jiannu side are at least thousands." His eyes flashed with wisdom, as if he could see through every detail of the battlefield.

After listening to this, Lin Xiaofeng nodded repeatedly, and his admiration for Li Banghua became even deeper. He knew very well that this cabinet chief not only had extraordinary wisdom, but also had a heart loyal to the country.

Li Banghua went on to say: "Although Huang Degong broke the Jiannu's left wing, their cavalry is still very powerful. If we chase them too closely, we might be surrounded by them. So, he chose to retreat and hold on to the camp. This strategy was correct."

"Good!" Lin Xiaofeng was getting more and more satisfied with Li Banghua's performance. He knew very well that this cabinet chief not only had extraordinary talents, but also had a heart that cared about the country and the people. Whenever the country was in trouble, he would always stand up and offer advice for the country and the people.

Li Banghua is a rare talent who can not only stabilize the civil service group, but also understand the thoughts of military generals and handle the relationship between the emperor and the civil and military officials. Lin Xiaofeng looked at Li Banghua and could not help but feel a surge of emotion in his heart. He knew very well how important such talents were to the country.

However, he was also worried about Li Banghua's health. After all, he was old and in poor health, and the cabinet affairs were so heavy that he didn't know how long he could hold on. Thinking of this, Lin Xiaofeng couldn't help but feel worried.

"Since we have won the first battle, we will just have to wait for Dorgon to fall into our trap." Lin Xiaofeng's words revealed a sense of confidence and determination. He believed that as long as they worked together, they would be able to defeat Dorgon and protect the Ming Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I have sent people to set up smoke signals and bonfires along the way. Once Dorgon's army makes any movement, they will be reported to the capital and Huailaiwei immediately. Although the Jiannu cavalry is fast, it is not faster than the smoke signals!" Li Banghua's words revealed a calmness and wisdom. He knew that victory in war depends not only on fighting on the battlefield, but also on the mastery and transmission of information.

However, Li Banghua suddenly stopped talking here, as if he had something to hide. His brows were slightly furrowed, as if he was restrained by an invisible force.

Lin Xiaofeng smiled and waved his hand: "It's okay, just tell me, I've made up my mind." His eyes revealed encouragement and trust, as if they could bring endless strength to Li Banghua.

"Pass the order!" Lin Xiaofeng's voice resounded throughout the palace, like a thunderbolt breaking through the sky.

"Your servant is here." The eunuch outside the door heard it and hurried in, kneeling on the ground waiting. His heart was filled with awe and anticipation, as if he was waiting for a grand ceremony.

"Summon Jiang Taiwei and Shi Shouhong to the palace to see me." Lin Xiaofeng's words revealed an unquestionable majesty. He knew that these two ministers were the pillars of the country, and they would definitely be able to make suggestions for the country and jointly deal with the current crisis.

"As you wish." The young eunuch took the order and left, his heart filled with excitement and pride. He knew that he was participating in a historical event that would change the fate of the country.

After the young eunuch went to deliver the imperial eunuch, Lin Xiaofeng said to Li Banghua: "Lord Li, let's continue talking about governing the country. Where were we just now?" His eyes revealed expectation and desire, as if he wanted to get more wisdom and inspiration from Li Banghua.

Li Banghua thought for a while and said: "Speaking of production, production relations and productivity." His words revealed a sense of depth and thought, as if he was exploring the mystery of national development.

"Yes!" Lin Xiaofeng tapped his forehead lightly with his index finger, as if a flash of inspiration had come to him. "To make production relations adapt to productivity, there are two ways to go. One is to rebel, and the other is to reform." His eyes flashed with wisdom and determination, as if he had found the direction of national development.

"Mr. Li, listen to me!" Lin Xiaofeng's words revealed an unquestionable majesty and expectation. He knew that Li Banghua was an important pillar of the country, and his opinions and suggestions were crucial to the country's development.

Li Banghua was about to speak when Lin Xiaofeng raised his hand to interrupt him. He couldn't help but feel confused and curious, wondering what the emperor would say next.

"Let's put the rebellion aside for now." Lin Xiaofeng's words revealed a sense of calmness and rationality. He knew that rebellion was not the best way to solve the problem, it would only bring more pain and disaster to the country and the people.

"Let's talk about reform first." Lin Xiaofeng's words revealed a sense of expectation and desire. He knew that reform was the fundamental way to solve the country's problems, and only through reform could the country become more prosperous and powerful.

Li Banghua was relieved when he heard this. He thought the emperor was going to take action against him, but fortunately it was just a false alarm. However, he couldn't help but feel worried and expectant. He knew that reform was an arduous task, which required courage and wisdom, and even more so, firm determination and perseverance.

"Reform." Li Banghua said after a moment's silence, "Your Majesty, there are many examples of reform in history. I will pick a few famous ones. During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, there was Shang Yang's reform in the Qin State; during the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty, there was Wang Anshi's reform; during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, there was the Wanli New Deal presided over by Zhang Juzheng."

His words revealed the weight of history and the light of wisdom, as if he was traveling through the tunnel of time and space, exploring the mysteries of history.

"What's the result?" Lin Xiaofeng asked. His eyes were full of curiosity and expectation, as if he wanted to get more enlightenment and wisdom from Li Banghua.

"The result." Li Banghua looked embarrassed. "Except for Shang Yang's reform, which was relatively successful, the others all ended in failure." His voice revealed helplessness and regret, as if he was sighing for those failed reforms.

"Does Mr. Li know why the reform failed?" Lin Xiaofeng's words revealed a sense of exploration and thinking. He knew that only by finding the reasons for the failure of the reform could we avoid repeating the same mistakes and make the reform truly successful.

Why? Li Banghua couldn't answer it for a moment. This question is too complicated. The reform involves too many people and interests. Just like Wang Anshi and Zhang Juzheng, they could still implement the reform with an iron fist when they were alive, but once they died, all their previous efforts were in vain.

Even if Shang Yang's reform was successful, wouldn't he end up being killed in battle or torn to pieces by chariots? Thinking of this, Li Banghua couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion and worry. He knew that reform was a difficult task that required huge costs and efforts.

Seeing that Li Banghua didn't say anything, Lin Xiaofeng said, "Reform is a matter of saying it is difficult, but it is not difficult either!" His voice revealed a firmness and confidence, as if he had found a successful way to reform.

"I have read in a book that: 'Don't touch the interests of the upper class, and don't disturb the thoughts of the lower class; touching the interests of the upper class is like asking for their lives; disturbing the thoughts of the lower class is like digging up their ancestral graves.'" Lin Xiaofeng's words revealed a profound philosophy and wisdom.

"The thoughts of the lower class are the source of the interests of the upper class!" His words revealed a wisdom and profound insight into people's hearts. He knew that only by truly understanding the thoughts and needs of the people could the reform be truly successful.

"If the reform can take both aspects into consideration, it may succeed. But it is difficult! How can you have your cake and eat it too?" (End of this chapter)