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

Lin Xiaofeng looked at Li Banghua's face, which changed from gloomy to bright, and felt mixed emotions in his heart.

"So, your new policy, Lord Li, sounds good, but it's really hard to implement!" Lin Xiaofeng said, closing the memorial on the table and handing it to Li Banghua. His fingers tapped the table lightly, making a dull sound, as if telling the difficulty of implementing the new policy.

"Lord Li, we have to take our time with this matter, especially the Jiangnan area, which cannot be touched." There was a hint of helplessness and worry in Lin Xiaofeng's voice.

"I understand, but my health is getting worse day by day. I am really afraid that one day I will no longer be able to assist Your Majesty..." Li Banghua's eyes turned red as he spoke. He looked at the sky outside the window, and the gray sky seemed to be telling of his inner distress.

The Ming ship has too many holes, and the sooner it is repaired, the better. This is why Li Banghua is eager to push the new policy. He knows very well that if it is delayed any longer, the ship will sink.

Lin Xiaofeng patted Li Banghua's shoulder gently and comforted him, "Lord Li, I know you are concerned about the country and the people." His voice was gentle and firm, as if trying to inject strength into Li Banghua.

"But things in this world are unpredictable. We can't always do whatever we want." Li Banghua sighed, his voice full of helplessness.

"If the new policy is implemented, Jiangnan will be able to be stabilized. But once you, Lord Li, leave and I am also gone, how long can this new policy last?" There was some worry and confusion in Lin Xiaofeng's voice.

"The road must be taken step by step, the food must be eaten bite by bite, and the reform must be done in two steps." Li Banghua's voice revealed a firmness and determination.

"In the first step, we can learn from Zhang Juzheng's reforms at that time; in the second step, we can fully implement your new policies." Lin Xiaofeng continued, with a gleam of wisdom in his eyes.

"However, Zhang Juzheng's approach, especially promoting Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism and abolishing academies, is simply a policy to fool the people. It must be strictly prohibited." Li Banghua's voice was full of anger and dissatisfaction. He was well aware of the harm of such a policy.

"I obey your order." Li Banghua bowed deeply to show his acceptance of the order. Although his movements were slow, they were full of firmness and determination.

Looking at Li Banghua's increasingly dim eyes, Lin Xiaofeng felt really bad.

"Actually, Lord Li, your strategy could have taken other approaches." Lin Xiaofeng's voice revealed a sense of mystery and expectation.

Li Banghua's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had grabbed a life-saving straw: "Your Majesty, please tell me clearly." His voice was full of eagerness and desire.

"That's education." Lin Xiaofeng's voice revealed firmness and determination.

"There are academies all over the country, and there is also the Imperial College in the capital. You can ask people to spread the concept of the new policy to those scholars, and write down those who support the new policy so that you can make use of them in the future." Lin Xiaofeng's words were like a clear spring, nourishing Li Banghua's dry heart.

"If one generation is not enough, then two generations will do. If two generations are not enough, then three generations will do. As long as there are people, the new policy will not be interrupted. A single spark can start a prairie fire." Upon hearing this, Li Banghua was so excited that he repeatedly saluted. There was a kind of hope and expectation in his eyes, as if he saw the dawn of the future.

As they were speaking, a young eunuch came in and said, "Your Majesty, the Left General Jiang Taiwei and the Lieutenant General of the Yongwei Camp Shi Shouhong request to see you." His voice interrupted the conversation between the two, but also brought new hope.

"Announce." Lin Xiaofeng's voice revealed a sense of majesty and expectation. He knew that what happened next would affect the future of the Ming Dynasty.

"My dear ministers, what do you think we should do about this?" Lin Xiaofeng's voice was filled with anxiety and anticipation. He knew very well that the outcome of this battle would determine the fate of the Ming Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, I think that although General Huang Degong can contain Duoduo, it is difficult to completely eliminate him." Jiang Taiwei thought for a while and replied. His voice was full of helplessness and worry.

Lin Xiaofeng turned to look at Shi Shouhong, his eyes flashing with expectation and inquiry. He knew that the lieutenant general of the Yongwei Battalion must have his own opinions.

"I agree with the Left Commander. Although the Marquis of Jingnan is brave, the infantry cannot catch up with the cavalry. The Jiannu are all cavalry, so it is difficult for us to expand our victory." Shi Shouhong's voice revealed a sense of helplessness and regret. He knew very well that the outcome of this battle would determine the fate of the Ming Dynasty.

Li Banghua, who was sitting next to him, said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid you are not just thinking about Duoduo, but Dorgon." His voice revealed wisdom and insight. He knew that Lin Xiaofeng must have a bigger plan in mind.

"If Duoduo is defeated, he will definitely ask Dorgon for help, and then Huang Degong's food supply will be in danger. Our food and grass are all transported from the capital, along Hebei, all the way north, through Changping, Juyongguan to Huailai." Lin Xiaofeng's voice revealed a kind of worry and anxiety. He knew very well that the outcome of this battle would determine the fate of the Ming Dynasty.

"If Dorgon wants to save his brother, he will definitely attack Changping!" Li Banghua's voice was full of determination and resoluteness. He knew very well that the outcome of this battle would determine the fate of the Ming Dynasty.

"Dorgon?" The two of them suddenly understood and nodded, indicating that they understood Lin Xiaofeng's intention. There was admiration and expectation in their eyes, as if they saw the victory in the future.

"Your Majesty is truly a master of strategy and victory from afar. We admire you very much!" Jiang Taiwei's voice was full of admiration and praise. He knew very well that Lin Xiaofeng's wisdom and decision-making ability would determine the fate of the Ming Dynasty.

"Your Majesty is wise, and we are far behind!" Shi Shouhong also bowed and praised. His voice revealed a kind of sincerity and admiration, as if he saw the dawn of the future.

The military officers flattered him loudly, and Lin Xiaofeng's mouth twitched, thinking that the military officers have learned the tricks of the civil officials very quickly. But he was still very happy in his heart, because he knew that these military officers really admired him.

Lin Xiaofeng smiled bitterly, then said to the two men in a serious tone: "The battle report said that although Huang Degong defeated the left wing of the Jiannu, he was unable to pursue due to insufficient cavalry and killed few enemies." His voice revealed a sense of regret and helplessness. He knew very well that the outcome of this battle would determine the fate of the Ming Dynasty.

"It's the same when fighting Duoduo and it's the same when fighting Dorgon." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was full of determination and resoluteness. He knew very well that only by defeating Dorgon could the threat of Jiannu be completely eliminated.

"So I plan to send you to fight together with Huang Degong to besiege Dorgon." Lin Xiaofeng's voice revealed a kind of majesty and expectation. He knew very well that the outcome of this battle would determine the fate of the Ming Dynasty.

Although Dorgon only had 20,000 soldiers, Lin Xiaofeng did not dare to underestimate him, especially his cavalry that could fight and run. If he wanted to keep them, he had to use cavalry to encircle them. He knew that this battle would be a tough one, but he also knew that only by defeating Dorgon could the threat of Jiannu be completely eliminated.

Jiang Taiwei had several thousand cavalrymen under his command, and the Yongwei Battalion also had several hundred cavalrymen, which was not a small number in total. He knew very well that these cavalrymen would be the key to their defeat of Dorgon.

Jiang Taiwei was about to agree when he suddenly thought of a question: "Your Majesty, if General Shi and I leave the city, what will happen if the Jiannu attack the capital?" His voice was full of worry and anxiety. He knew that the safety of the capital was also an important part of the fate of the Ming Dynasty.

Lin Xiaofeng sneered: "I have deployed several times more troops than the enemy in the capital. Dorgon can't even take care of himself, how can he have the energy to attack the city? Besides, attacking the city requires equipment, and they can escape as many as they can take?" His voice revealed a kind of confidence and majesty. He knew very well that only by protecting the safety of the capital could he concentrate on dealing with Dorgon.

Jiang Taiwei heard this and it made sense. He knew that Lin Xiaofeng's decision was correct. Only by defeating Dorgon could the threat of Jian Nu be completely eliminated.

"I am willing to lead my cavalry and work with the Marquis of Jingnan to wipe out the Jiannu!" Jiang Taiwei's voice was full of determination and resoluteness. He knew that this battle would be a tough one, but he also knew that only by defeating Dorgon could the threat of the Jiannu be completely eliminated.

Shi Shouhong saw that Lin Xiaofeng had made up his mind, so he also bowed and said, "I obey your command." His voice revealed a firmness and determination. He knew very well that the outcome of this battle would determine the fate of the Ming Dynasty.

"Can Huang Degong fight?" Fan Wencheng, a gentle yet intelligent strategist, explained the mysteries of Sun Tzu's Art of War and asked Dorgon in a slightly tentative tone. His voice was deep and magnetic, as if every word contained endless wisdom.

Dorgon did not answer immediately, but handed the letter to Fan Wencheng. The densely packed small characters on the letter, arranged neatly like ants, told two major events: First, Duoduo described in detail the small defeat in the first battle with Huang Degong, and the words revealed his admiration for Huang Degong's bravery and fighting skills; second, he requested Dorgon to send troops to cut off Huang Degong's food and grass line to cut off his survival.

Speaking of food and grass, Fan Wencheng's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he saw the dawn of victory. He quickly read the letter and returned it to Dorgon, revealing an excitement that was difficult to conceal: "Prince Rui, the warriors under Huang Degong are indeed the elite troops of the Ming Dynasty. They have attacked our Eight Banners Army many times without causing chaos. It's really a headache."

"Then we will cut off their food supply, causing their army to become morale-destroying and collapse without a fight." Dorgon said decisively, his voice revealing an unquestionable firmness.

"But..." Fan Wencheng changed the subject and spread out the map. On the yellowed parchment, the mountains, rivers, cities and passes were clearly marked. "Now there is a problem, which is the timing for us to send troops."

He pondered for a while, running his finger lightly across the map, and continued, "The news of the battle between Prince Yu and Huang Degong must have reached the Ming court before it reached us. They will not sit idly by."

"So, the Ming Dynasty must have guessed that we already knew about Huang Degong's little moves. For example, he might have quietly crossed the Huailai River and wanted to catch us off guard." Dorgon took over the conversation, his eyes revealing a deep insight.

The atmosphere in the tent suddenly became tense, and everyone frowned, repeatedly pondering the meaning of these words. The wind outside was howling, making the tent curtains rustle, as if it was also nervous about the upcoming battle.

"Yes." Dorgon nodded in agreement, his eyes revealing a firmness and determination, "We must act before they do."

"If Your Majesty were in the position of the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, what would you do?" Fan Wencheng asked, with a tentative and expectant tone in his voice.

Dorgon thought for a moment and said, "They may adopt two strategies. One is to send more troops to Miyun to prevent us from breaking through the defense line to cut off Huang Degong's food supply. The other is to quickly transport food and grass to support Huang Degong to ensure that he can continue to compete with us."

Fan Wencheng smiled slightly, his smile was full of confidence and cunning: "If the Ming court is wise, they will do both, both increase troops in Miyun and transport grain to Huailai. In this way, we have to face the Ming army outside the city and guard against their grain transport troops. The pressure is not small."

Ajige was a little confused. He scratched his head and asked in confusion: "It is possible to send more troops, but Huailai is less than 200 miles away from the capital. Shouldn't the food and grass have arrived long ago? Why are they so anxious?"

"No!" Fan Wencheng said firmly, with an unquestionable certainty in his tone, "From Juyongguan to Huailai, only the Guangou Road is easy to travel. It rained heavily a few days ago, and the water in the ditch rose sharply. Although people and horses can barely pass through, it is difficult to transport grain. Now that the water has receded a little, the Ming Dynasty will definitely seize the time to transport grain to ensure that Huang Degong's troops can get adequate supplies."

"So what does Mr. Fan mean?" Dorgon asked, his eyes revealing expectation and trust.

"Speed ​​is of the essence in war. We must act quickly." Fan Wencheng proposed his plan with a firm and decisive tone. "I suggest that we let the soldiers rest early today and set out at dawn tomorrow to concentrate our forces to attack the Ming army outside Miyun City. In this way, we can disrupt their deployment and buy time to cut off Huang Degong's food supply route."

"The one defending the city is Gao Di. His troops are good at defending cities, but not good at field combat." Dorgon added, his eyes revealing an understanding and contempt for the enemy.

"Even if reinforcements come, they cannot stop the charge of our Eight Banners cavalry." Fan Wencheng said confidently, his tone filled with a desire and expectation for victory.

"The important thing is," he emphasized, "after defeating the Ming army outside the city, do not linger in the battle, but reorganize the army immediately and rush to Juyong Pass. Only by occupying Juyong Pass can we completely cut off Huang Degong's food supply and put him in a desperate situation."

"Everyone should understand that Gao Di's army is mainly used to defend the city. Ten of them are no match for Huang Degong alone." Fan Wencheng emphasized again, his tone carrying a mixture of contempt for the enemy and confidence in victory.

Dorgon looked at Ajige and Ebilun, and they both nodded in agreement. Ajige blinked and said in an excited tone: "This plan is feasible. We will definitely catch them off guard."

Ebilun bowed and said in a respectful tone: "I will obey Prince Rui's orders in everything. I am willing to go through fire and water for you, and I will do anything for you."

"Okay!" Dorgon slapped the table and stood up. His figure looked particularly tall and mighty under the candlelight. "Pass the order down. All camps should eat early tonight and set out on time tomorrow morning. Shi Tingzhu will lead the Plain White Banner Han Army as the vanguard. I will personally lead the central army to surprise the Ming army. Ajige will lead the Bordered White Banner Han Army to be the rear guard and protect the baggage together with Ebilun."

"After you defeat the Ming army outside the city, do not pursue them. Immediately mobilize the army to head to Juyongguan. We must arrive before sunset!" Dorgon's voice resounded throughout the tent, and his tone was filled with unquestionable firmness and determination.

"Yes, sir!" the generals answered in unison, their voices revealing a desire for victory and trust in Prince Rui.

……

In the Ming army camp outside Miyun City, the atmosphere was completely different. A scout rushed into the central army tent.

"Report!" he shouted, "Report to the general, the enemy is preparing dinner!"

Gao Di was sitting at his desk, flipping through Sun Tzu's Art of War, his eyes revealing a kind of depth and wisdom. Hearing this, he looked up at the sky and frowned slightly.

"What time is it now?" he asked the scout with an unquestionable majesty in his tone.

"My lord, it's probably around 3 p.m." The scout replied, with a hint of nervousness and uneasiness in his voice.

"When did the enemy have dinner in the past few days?" Gaudi asked again, his eyes revealing an attention and keenness to details.

The scout thought for a moment and replied, "The day before yesterday was the end of the Shen hour, and the day before yesterday and yesterday were both the beginning of the You hour."

"I understand." Gaudi waved his hand and asked the scout to retreat. He had already made up his mind. The enemy's actions were always so regular, but this time they had moved up the meal time. Could they have some conspiracy?
He opened the Art of War again, but quickly closed it again. Although the Art of War was good, it had to be used flexibly in combination with the actual situation. He decided to call the generals together to discuss countermeasures.

"Come here, tell the generals of each unit to gather in front of the tent, but don't beat the drums to alarm the soldiers." He ordered, his voice calm and composed.

Soon, all the generals arrived. They all looked serious, their eyes revealing a fear of war and a desire for victory.

"Dear generals, we received good news from Huailai Guard the night before. The Marquis of Jingnan won the first battle and killed hundreds of enemy soldiers. He is truly a role model for us to learn from!" Gao Di said happily, his tone filled with encouragement and praise for the soldiers.

Cheers suddenly rang out in the tent, and the generals expressed their desire to learn from the Marquis of Jingnan and fight bravely to defend the Ming Dynasty's borders.

"Well done! This battle has enhanced the prestige of our Ming border troops!" a general said excitedly.

"That's great! The Jiannu are just a bunch of ginseng-digging barbarians, yet they dare to come to the Central Plains and act wildly!" said another general indignantly.

"The Ming army is mighty!" the generals shouted in unison, their voices resounding through the sky.

Gao Di coughed twice, signaling everyone to be quiet. "Generals, please be patient. I called you all here today because I have a military order to convey." His tone was serious and solemn.

The generals immediately put away their smiles and became serious. They knew that the order the general was going to convey must be of great importance.

"What? The imperial court's decree and the Marquis of Jingnan's order are for us to hold out outside the city for a day?" a general asked in surprise, his eyes revealing disbelief and dissatisfaction.

"Yes, isn't this a violation of military orders? We can clearly press on to pursue the victory and expand the results of the battle." Other generals also expressed their dissatisfaction and doubts.

"Don't worry, I'm just following orders. If there is any responsibility, I will bear it alone." Gao Di said firmly, with an unquestionable firmness and responsibility in his tone.

The generals looked at each other, and finally bowed their hands to show their obedience. They knew that the general always set an example and kept his word, and they were willing to follow him to guard the border of the Ming Dynasty.

"Okay! Then follow the order. Those who are late will be punished according to military law!" Gao Di gave the order seriously. His eyes revealed a desire for victory and trust in the soldiers. After the generals dispersed, they returned to the camp to convey the order. As night fell, there was only a faint fire in the Ming army camp.

When Dorgon heard that there was no one outside Miyun City, his heart suddenly tightened, as if something was grabbing him. He was so frightened that he kept muttering. His eyes looked particularly deep in the dim candlelight, and his brows were furrowed as if water could be squeezed out. This sudden news was like a heavy hammer, hitting him uneasy.

"Say it again?" Dorgon grabbed the spy by the collar, his expression as if he didn't believe what he heard. His fingers turned white from the force, showing his inner shock and anxiety.

The spy repeated it again, his face turning a little pale, his voice trembling a little: "Outside Miyun City, it is really an empty city, there are no people or animals, even the barracks, fences, horse posts, etc. disappeared overnight."

When Dorgon heard this, he immediately shouted, "Quick, call Mr. Fan to discuss important matters!" There was anxiety and urgency in his voice, as if every moment of delay would bring unpredictable danger.

After a while, Fan Wencheng came in a hurry. He also knew the news of the Ming army's retreat. Fan Wencheng's face was solemn, his brows were furrowed, and his heart was as confused as if it had been scratched by a cat. He walked quickly into the central army tent, and his eyes swept over everyone, trying to find a clue from their faces.

"Mr. Fan, what do you think the Ming army is up to?" Dorgon asked anxiously as he put on his armor. His fingers slid across the buckles of his armor, making a subtle sound, just like the confusion in his heart.

Fan Wencheng stood there, frowning, his mind spinning. Empty city plan? Not likely! The Ming Dynasty didn't need to do that. Give up resistance? Even less likely! What was going on? His mind was in a mess, like being scratched by a cat, and the veins on his forehead were bulging.

"Where did the Ming army retreat to?" Fan Wencheng asked the spy. His voice was low and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

"We didn't see where their main force went, but judging from the firelight and wheel tracks last night, they may have retreated back to Miyun City." The spy replied, with a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

Miyun? What was the purpose of retreating to Miyun? Could there be something more important than Huang Degong in Miyun City? Impossible! Fan Wencheng frowned even more tightly, his eyes flickered in the candlelight, as if he wanted to penetrate the darkness and see the true intentions of the Ming army.

"Prince Rui, I still can't figure out their intentions. We need to gather everyone together to discuss it." Fan Wencheng said in a deep voice, with a hint of helplessness and anxiety in his voice.

Soon, Ajige, Ebilun and other generals gathered in the central army tent. The candlelight flickered inside the tent, and everyone's face was very serious, as if water could be squeezed out of it. They sat together, their eyes focused on Dorgon and Fan Wencheng, waiting for their decision.

"Does the Ming army know they can't beat us and want to preserve their strength and retreat first?" Ajige guessed, with a hint of contempt and disdain in his voice.

"It's possible." Fan Wencheng nodded, his eyes sweeping across everyone's faces, trying to find a clue from their expressions.

"Or did the Ming Dynasty secretly send Jiang Taiwei to hide in the city and wait for us to pass through before launching a surprise attack on us?" another general guessed, with a hint of nervousness and vigilance in his voice.

"This is also possible!" Fan Wencheng pondered, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic sound.

"This is possible, that is possible, which one is true?" Ajige was so angry that he almost hit Fan Wencheng. His face turned red, as if blood could drip out.

"Quiet!" Dorgon quickly stopped them, "Mr. Fan is thinking, don't disturb him." There was a hint of majesty and unquestionableness in his voice.

After a while, Fan Wencheng's body trembled violently, and his back was soaked, as if he had just been pulled out of the water. His face was as pale as paper, and his eyes revealed an indescribable fear and anxiety. Everyone stared at him, especially Dorgon, who quickly stepped forward and asked, "What's wrong with Mr. Fan? Do you want to call a doctor?"

Dorgon was most concerned about Fan Wencheng. After all, he was an important official of the Qing Dynasty and a member of Dorgon's think tank. Without him, Dorgon would not have the status he has today. There was a hint of anxiety and concern in his tone.

Fan Wencheng waved his hands, took a deep breath, and then said, "We almost fell into a trap!" His voice was deep and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty. As soon as these words came out, it was like a thunderbolt in a clear sky, which exploded the atmosphere in the big tent. Everyone started talking, some were surprised, some were angry, and some were at a loss.

"Nonsense! Fan Wencheng, you deserve to be killed for talking nonsense!" a general shouted angrily, his face was ashen, as if water could drip out of it.

"Prince Rui brought 20,000 elite soldiers into the pass this time. All of them are the elite soldiers of the Eight Banners. How could they be wiped out so easily?" Another general also questioned, with a hint of disdain and contempt in his voice.

"Fan Wencheng, you have to explain yourself clearly, otherwise don't blame me for being rude!" Ajige was so angry that he wanted to take action. He clenched his fingers into fists as if he was going to punch the table.

Dorgon waved his hand to ask everyone to be quiet, then asked Fan Wencheng softly: "Mr. Fan, please continue." There was a hint of majesty and unquestionableness in his voice, and at the same time it revealed a kind of trust and respect for Fan Wencheng.

Fan Wencheng wiped the sweat from his forehead, his fingers trembling slightly, as if revealing his inner tension and anxiety. He took a deep breath and then slowly said: "The Ming army first let Huang Degong contain us in Miyun, and then secretly attacked Huailaiwei and fought a decisive battle with Prince Yu. In fact, their purpose is to lure us out of the pass and cut off Huang Degong's food supply at Juyong Pass."

"As soon as we set out, Huang Degong will immediately return to Juyongguan. Their real target is not Prince Yu, but you, Prince Rui!" Fan Wencheng's voice was deep and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty. He looked directly at Dorgon, as if to deeply imprint this news in his heart.

Dorgon was stunned when he heard this. His eyes looked particularly deep in the dim candlelight, as if he could penetrate the darkness and see the true intentions of the Ming army. He pondered for a moment before slowly asking, "But...Didn't Duoduo already pin down Huang Degong in Huailaiwei? How could he escape from the encirclement of the Eight Banners cavalry?"

Fan Wencheng pointed to the darkness outside the tent, and his finger drew an arc in the darkness, as if he could penetrate the darkness and see the trajectory of the Ming army's movements. He said in a deep voice: "Huang Degong and his men must have retreated under the cover of night, and sent a death squad to stop us, buying time for the main force to enter Guangou and use the terrain advantage to resist our cavalry."

"When Prince Yu is blocked outside the Great Wall by Tang Shengyu, the Ming Dynasty will send Huang Degong to fight with you, Prince Rui. Huang Degong has 40,000 troops, while we only have more than 20,000. The situation is not favorable for us." Fan Wencheng's voice was deep and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty. He looked directly at Dorgon, as if he wanted to deeply imprint this news in his heart.

Hearing this, Dorgon frowned, his mind was spinning. He pondered for a moment, then slowly asked, "It would be great if we win, but if we lose, we only have two options: one is to leave the pass from Qiangziling, the other is to go south to plunder and find an opportunity to leave the pass. But the first option will definitely be blocked!"

"Who blocked them? Who?" Ebilun asked anxiously, his voice carrying a hint of nervousness and vigilance. He swept his eyes across everyone's faces, trying to find a clue from their expressions.

"Gao Di!" Fan Wencheng said slowly, with a hint of unquestionable majesty in his voice. He looked directly at Dorgon, as if to deeply imprint this news in his heart, "This person is also the key to my guess about the Ming Dynasty's intentions."

"Why did Gao Di retreat back to Miyun without fighting?" everyone asked in confusion, their eyes focused on Fan Wencheng, waiting for his explanation.

Fan Wencheng continued, "Miyun is only a hundred miles away from the capital. Gao Di is the general of Shanhaiguan. He dared not retreat without authorization. He must have done so with the will of the Ming Dynasty." His fingers tapped lightly on the table, making a rhythmic sound. "Why did the Ming Dynasty let Gao Di retreat? Because they knew that Gao Di was no match for us. Retreating can preserve their strength and lure us to cut off Huang Degong's food supply route."

"But...isn't it too obvious that the Ming Dynasty did this?" Ebilun still felt something was wrong. His brows were furrowed as if water could be squeezed out of them. He swept his eyes across everyone's faces, trying to find a clue from their expressions.

"The Ming Dynasty had no choice, because they would have to use Gao Di later. After we left, Gao Di would set up camp outside the city and cut off our retreat." Fan Wencheng explained, with a hint of helplessness and anxiety in his voice. He looked directly at Dorgon, as if he wanted to deeply imprint this news in his heart.

"We will be blocked by Gao Di in front and chased by Huang Degong in the back. We will definitely lose!" Fan Wencheng said emphatically, his fingers clenched into fists, as if he was going to punch the table. His eyes revealed an indescribable firmness and determination.

There was silence in the big tent, and everyone was stunned. They were about to send troops, but suddenly there was such a news that might destroy the army. What should they do? Everyone looked at Dorgon, waiting for his decision.

Dorgon pondered for a moment before slowly asking, "Mr. Fan, what should we do now?" His voice was majestic and unquestionable, and also revealed a kind of trust and respect for Fan Wencheng.

Fan Wencheng took a deep breath and said slowly: "We now have two choices. One is to go directly through Qiangziling, enter from Dushikou to fight Huang Degong and attack Xuanfu Town; the other is to cut off Huang Degong's food supply first. If they don't counterattack, we will continue to cut off their food supply; if they counterattack, we will try to fight them and see how the situation is; if we win, we will continue to attack; if we lose, we will go south to plunder and then withdraw." His voice was low and powerful, revealing an unquestionable
Dorgon stood there, frowning, like a silent mountain, casting a resolute shadow in the dim candlelight. His eyes were deep, as if he could penetrate the heavy fog in front of him and look directly at the unknown future. After a moment, his eyes suddenly lit up, like a meteor across the night sky, and a brilliant plan quietly took shape in his mind. He immediately ordered his men to fetch paper and pen, and turned his back to everyone, moving quickly and powerfully, as if every word contained infinite power. He quickly wrote a secret letter, the words revealing unquestionable determination and wisdom, and then stamped his seal with his own hands. The totem on the seal seemed to also tell the immortality and glory of the Qing Dynasty.

As the night deepened, Dorgon sent a fast horse rider, who was agile and sharp-eyed, like the most ferocious wolf on the grassland. The rider took the secret letter and rode out without hesitation, disappearing into the night, leaving behind only a series of rapid horse hoofbeats that echoed in the silent night, like the prelude to a war drum.

After finishing all this, Dorgon breathed a sigh of relief, and a confident smile appeared on his face, which was a firm belief in victory. "In the face of real strength, any tricks are futile! Our Qing cavalry has been galloping on the battlefield for decades and has never been afraid of the Ming army." His voice was low and powerful, and every word sounded like an oath from the bottom of his heart.

"It is like this now, and it will always be like this in the future!" His voice echoed in the tent with unquestionable majesty.

"All generals, listen up!" Dorgon's voice suddenly rose, like thunder, shaking the air in the tent.

The generals in the tent raised their heads, their eyes full of awe and trust for Dorgon, a tacit understanding and loyalty formed after countless battles. They looked at Dorgon with firm eyes, as if to say: "No matter how difficult the road ahead is, we will follow you until the moment of victory."

Three days passed quickly like flowing water, and the Qing army assembled again. They were like a group of tigers ready to go, waiting for the final sprint. At Dorgon's command, thousands of cavalrymen rushed out like arrows from a bow. They were not only pioneers, but also responsible for engineering tasks along the way. No matter what obstacles they encountered, they could quickly build bridges and roads, or flexibly change the marching route according to the terrain. Outside Miyun City, the trenches dug by the Ming army were just insignificant challenges in their eyes. In a blink of an eye, they were filled by the Eight Banners soldiers with tenacity and wisdom. The army followed closely behind, advancing rapidly like a torrent.

At this moment, a blazing bonfire suddenly ignited on the top of Miyun City, and the flames shot up into the sky, dyeing the night sky red. There were also flames on the top of the mountain a few miles away, as if it was the warmest response between heaven and earth. The darkness before dawn was illuminated by these flames, which seemed particularly dazzling, and also foreshadowed the upcoming decisive battle.

"There's smoke rising from the southeast!" A sentry came running to report, his face full of tension and anxiety.

Outside Huailaiwei, Huang Degong was shocked when he heard the news, but then he calmed down and sighed. He had been waiting for six days. During these six days, he assembled troops day and night, and put on a decisive battle posture to confuse the enemy. He knew very well that this battle was related to the fate of the Ming Dynasty and there could not be any mistakes. Duoduo kept his troops in place, occasionally sending out small troops to test, as if waiting for something.

Huang Degong finally received the news that Dorgon was sending troops. He was both excited and worried. By noon, Dorgon still refused to come out, so Huang Degong ordered the army to return to the camp. He knew that the real battle was about to begin.

In the central army tent, Huang Degong held the wine glass in both hands, his expression solemn, as if water could drip out of it. Captain Xu Wenpu stood straight in front of him, his face full of determination and loyalty.

"Commander Xu, do you know why I asked you to come here?" Huang Degong's voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to carry a thousand pounds of weight.

"I know that the Marquis of Jingnan will return to the interior tonight to have a decisive battle with Dorgon. I will do my best to stop Dorgon's army." Xu Wenpu's voice was firm and resolute, and there was an unyielding light in his eyes.

Huang Degong nodded, his eyes full of trust and expectation: "That's right! If I win this battle with Dorgon, the north will be stable for two years; if I lose, the Ming Dynasty will be in danger. This battle is about the future of the Ming Dynasty and the fate of each of us."

"I'll leave it to you tonight, General." Huang Degong's voice was heavy and helpless. He knew what this battle meant to the Ming Dynasty.

After that, Huang Degong handed the wine glass in his hand to Xu Wenpu. The amber liquid in the wine glass seemed to be a microcosm of the future of the Ming Dynasty. "Give my regards to the soldiers!" His voice was choked with sobs and reluctance.

Xu Wenpu took the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. His eyes flashed with determination: "Don't worry, Lord Jingnan, I will keep my word! For the Ming Dynasty and our homeland, we will never retreat!"

Huang Degong didn't say anything more, just patted Xu Wenpu on the shoulder and watched him leave. His eyes were full of complex emotions, trust, expectation, and a little bit of subtle sadness.

Before nightfall, the baggage camp had quietly transferred the supplies to Huailai City. In the dead of night, the army began to evacuate in batches, with the infantry going first and the cavalry responsible for the rear. They were like a group of silent ghosts, quietly moving forward in the night, leaving only a series of firm footprints.

At this time, Duoduo also got the news. He sat in the tent with a playful smile on his face, as if everything was under his control.

"Reporting to the Tenth Prince, I sneaked into the Ming army camp to investigate and found that Huang Degong's troops were evacuating in an orderly manner." A scout in black knelt on the ground and reported, his voice sounding a bit hurried and nervous.

"Really?" Dodo stood up and asked, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.

"Indeed! I sneaked in at night and saw it with my own eyes." The scout's voice was firm and powerful.

Duoduo waved his hand to let the scouts retreat, and then looked at the generals in the tent. Haoge, Aobai, Tulai and others were on the left and right, with a look of anticipation and excitement on their faces.

"Everyone, I received a secret letter from Prince Rui, saying that he sent troops to Juyong Pass this morning to cut off Huang Degong's food supply." Duoduo's voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to carry a heavy weight. "He also said that Huang Degong might retreat to Juyong Pass at night to fight Prince Rui."

"Prince Rui is really a prophet." Hauge said, patting his chest, his face full of admiration and trust for Dorgon.

Duoduo nodded, his eyes flashing with deep thought: "In this case, why don't we take advantage of the victory and give the Ming army a heavy blow?"

"Why not?" Hauge asked, his face full of anxiety and confusion, "If it's any later, the Ming army will run away."

Duoduo smiled as he looked at Haoge's anxious look, his eyes full of wisdom and calmness: "Huang Degong has no more than 10,000 cavalrymen, and the rest are infantrymen, and they are carrying baggage, so their marching speed must be slow. If we attack now, Huang Degong will be aware of our intentions, and he may stop retreating and defend the city instead. Prince Rui gave me two strategies, one is to attack immediately to stop Huang Degong's retreat; the other is to give him two hours to let his main force move away from Huailai before we pursue him. Cavalry are invincible in the wild, and even if we can't annihilate them completely, we can still inflict heavy damage on them."

"What do you think?" Duoduo's voice was filled with inquiry and expectation.

Everyone discussed it, but soon reached a consensus. Their eyes were shining with determination and excitement, as if they had seen the dawn of victory.

"Good!" Duoduo cheered up, his voice resounding through the tent like thunder, "I guess the Ming army has destroyed the road outside Huailai City. If we want to pursue them, we must pass through the city."

"Bayan, you must check the siege equipment and artillery immediately, and lead the Han army of the Plain White Banner to attack Huailai at midnight." There was unquestionable majesty in Duoduo's voice.

"Hauge, lead your troops to support Bayan." Duoduo continued, his eyes flashing with trust and expectation.

"I will personally lead the army to cover the rear." Dodo's voice was low and powerful, and his eyes were full of firm belief in victory.

"Tulai, Aobai, before attacking the city, you must prepare tools for filling the earth and explore the small paths beside Huailai City. If there are no small paths and the attack on the city is not going smoothly, then build a road outside the city." There was some calmness and wisdom in Duoduo's voice.

"Yes, sir!" the generals responded in unison, their voices resounding through the tent like thunder.

After the generals dispersed, the Jiannu camp suddenly became noisy. The soldiers were busy preparing siege equipment and artillery, and their faces were full of anticipation and excitement. The night was getting darker, but the Jiannu camp was brightly lit, as if it was a sea that never sleeps.

As soon as midnight arrived, the Ming army on guard outside the city came running in to report: "The Jiannu are attacking at night!" There was a hint of urgency and nervousness in their voices.

Xu Wenpu stood on the top of the city wall, looking into the distance with a telescope. He saw the flames like a dragon, heading straight for Huailai. A strong sense of responsibility and mission surged in his heart. He knew that this battle was related to the future of the Ming Dynasty.

"Brothers, if you receive a salary from the court, you must be loyal to it! Today we must die for our country!" Xu Wenpu's voice resounded through the city walls like thunder, and his eyes flashed with determination and indomitable spirit.

"You go first, I'll be there soon!" There was some determination and firmness in Xu Wenpu's voice.

A soldier under the city responded: "Don't worry, Lord Xu, we will live up to our mission!" There was some determination and heroism in his voice.

Soon, the Jiannu siege troops arrived. In front of them were shield carts and ladders, with flames rising to the sky; behind them were the elite soldiers of the Eight Banners, with shining armor, ready to go. They all had a ferocious look on their faces. (End of this chapter)