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

Outside Tongguan, on the vast plains, the 20,000-strong Shun army was ready for battle. They were like a steel torrent. Although they had experienced many setbacks in field battles, it was not easy to gather so many people now. The sun shone on their armor, flashing a cold light, reflecting their resolute and unyielding faces.

Li Zicheng rode on his horse, his figure erect and his eyes firm as torches. He gave orders in a loud voice, full of unquestionable majesty.

"Zongmin, take more than a thousand cavalrymen and hide quietly behind the left wing. When the opportunity comes, act immediately and make sure to catch the enemy by surprise."

“Zongdi, you also lead more than a thousand cavalrymen and hide behind the right wing, just like Zongmin, waiting for the opportunity to fight. Once you launch the attack, you must be like a tiger descending from the mountain, unstoppable.”

"Gao Yigong, Ning Weize, Gu Kecheng, each of you leads an infantry unit and divides into three armies: left, center, and right. After entering the battle formation, don't rush to shoot at the enemy. Instead, quickly approach them and engage in close combat. Use our flesh and blood to let the enemy know how powerful we are."

"Li Laiheng, you are responsible for guarding the west gate of Tongguan. If the battle goes badly, open the gate immediately and retreat to Xi'an! Remember, preserving your strength is the most important thing."

After saying this, Li Zicheng looked eastward, and saw the sky was blue, the sun was shining, and the breeze was gentle, blowing on his face, making him feel particularly comfortable. However, his thoughts drifted to the distant Henan, where he had fought for more than ten years, and every inch of land was soaked with his sweat and hard work. If he lost this battle, would he still have a chance to make a comeback? Li Zicheng was unsure, but he didn't want to delve into it. The most important thing now was to deploy his troops and prepare to meet the enemy.

He turned his head and looked at the fierce general Hao Yaoqi beside him, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.

"Hao Yaoqi..."

"I'm here!" He waved the flag and saluted respectfully. He had a burly figure and a firm face, like an unshakable mountain.

"I will give you three hundred elite cavalrymen. You will go around the enemy's rear and attack them by surprise. You don't need to kill many, as long as you can disrupt their formation. The outcome of this battle depends on you..."

Li Zicheng patted the flag-waving man on the shoulder, then urged his horse forward. His figure looked particularly tall in the sunlight, like a fearless god of war.

"I obey your command!" He waved the flag, called up his troops, and left quickly. There was a determination flashing in his eyes, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

After the generals left, Li Zicheng looked at Ma Shiyao. The 5,000 soldiers he was responsible for guarding were good at defense but not good at attack. They were now guarding the city walls and gates. Their armor shone coldly in the sun, like a group of warriors holding their ground.

"Shiyao, I feel very uneasy. I'm afraid it will be difficult to win this battle." Li Zicheng's eyes were dim and his tone was heavy. His heart was filled with worry and uneasiness.

Ma Shiyao is straightforward and smart. He asked directly: "What does the emperor want me to do?" There was a firm light in his eyes, as if he was ready.

"If you lose the war, you should surrender to the Ming Dynasty." Li Zicheng's words were filled with helplessness and heaviness.

"And then..." Ma Shiyao suddenly realized what Li Zicheng's intention was.

"Your Majesty, please retreat first. I will pretend to surrender to Jian Mingxiao. When they are still struggling to gain a foothold, Your Majesty, please come back quickly, and we will attack them from both inside and outside and drive them out of Guanzhong!" Ma Shiyao's words were full of firmness and determination.

"Good idea, that's exactly what I was thinking!" Li Zicheng nodded in agreement, with a gleam of appreciation in his eyes. He continued, "When we counterattack, you can do whatever you want."

"Then how do we get in touch?" Ma Shiyao asked, his eyes gleaming with concern.

"Send the message via secret letter." Li Zicheng replied, his voice firm and powerful.

"I obey your command!" Ma Shiyao took the order and left. His figure looked particularly firm and brave in the sunlight.

However, at this moment, a loud noise came, like thunder rolling in the sky, shaking everyone's heart. The Ming army's cannon sounded, and tens of thousands of troops lined up in formation and marched forward in an orderly manner. They held swords and spears as the vanguard, with bird gunners in the middle and archers in the rear, and they pressed forward step by step to Tongguan. At the same time, the troops responsible for the siege also approached along the shallows of the river bank, and their figures looked particularly ferocious and terrifying in the sun.

Li Zicheng was filled with a strong sense of uneasiness and anxiety. He looked at the Ming army's formation and knew that this was a life-and-death battle. He held the whip tightly in his hand, with a firm light flashing in his eyes, as if he was ready to die.

After several rounds of firearms clashes, the two sides began a fierce hand-to-hand battle. The sound of killing shook the earth, blood and flesh flew everywhere, as if the whole world was swallowed up by this battle. The morale of the infantry led by Gao Yigong and others gradually declined, and they began to show signs of retreat. There was a gleam of fear and despair in their eyes, as if they had already seen the end of failure.

The Ming army's spearmen continued to stab, and a gap appeared in the formation. The swordmen took the opportunity to rush in and attack from left and right. Their figures were like ghosts on the battlefield, making it difficult to defend against them. The Shun army had no time to defend themselves and fell to the ground one after another. Their blood dyed the ground red, like a bunch of enchanting flowers blooming on the battlefield.

The Ming army pursued the enemy with their victory. Although the swordsmen of the Shun army fought hard, they were ultimately unable to withstand the sharpness of the Ming army's spears. They could only retreat step by step, with despair flashing in their eyes. They knew that the battle was already lost and they could no longer resist the Ming army's attack.

Jing Changhao on the left wing and Yan Tianlu on the right wing saw that the situation was not good and launched a counterattack at the same time. They led their respective troops and launched a fierce attack on the Ming army like a tiger descending from the mountain. However, the Ming army had been prepared for it, with chevaux de frise, shields, and arrows fired at the same time. Their defense was like a copper wall and iron wall, making it impossible for the Shun army to attack.

The two generals had no choice but to retreat, their eyes flashing with unwillingness and despair. They knew that the battle was already lost and they could no longer change the outcome.

Li Xingzhong set up an ambush on the retreat route, and the two generals suffered heavy losses. When they encountered the attack of elite cavalry, they were defeated in one blow. Their troops were like loose sand, and were scattered by the attack of the Ming army.

The Ming army pursued the enemy and Jing Changhao was wounded and fled. His personal soldiers bravely followed and died bravely. The scene was tragic and magnificent. Their blood dyed the earth red, like tragic flowers blooming on the battlefield. Their bravery and sacrifice moved and impressed people.

The Shun army's infantrymen were thrown into disarray when they heard the news of the cavalry's defeat. Their eyes flashed with fear and despair, as if they had already seen the end of defeat. They began to flee in all directions, trying to escape from this battlefield full of death and despair.

The Ming army took the opportunity to intensify their offensive, and their attack was as fierce as a storm. The Shun army finally collapsed, trampling on each other, and countless casualties. The Ming army took the opportunity to attack the city and occupied the streets and alleys. The Shun army's guards surrendered one after another, with helplessness and despair flashing in their eyes.

Tongguan changed hands! However, the battle was not over yet. Hao Yaoqi led the remnants to attack the rear wing of the Ming army by taking advantage of the terrain. They appeared behind the Ming army like ghosts and launched a fierce attack. However, Jian Mingxiao was well prepared. He sent Zha Binxun to lead more than a thousand cavalry to attack Hao's troops from the front and back.

"Surrender and you won't be killed!" Binxun shouted loudly, his voice full of majesty and unquestionable power. However, Yaoqi was furious and led the remaining cavalry to charge. Their attack was as fierce as a storm, but in the end, the whole army was annihilated.

The figure waving the flag on the battlefield looked particularly tragic and heroic. He knew that he could no longer change the outcome, but he still chose to fight to the end. His bravery and sacrifice moved and impressed people. He was a true warrior, a hero who fought for his country and nation until the last moment.

The two armies' cavalry were not competing in numbers or sheer force, but in their courage to not fear life or death! On this vast battlefield, every inch of land seemed to be soaked in blood and sweat, the air was filled with a heavy smell of gunpowder, and the neighing of horses and the collision of weapons intertwined into a tragic war song.

In a real fight, it is rare to see cavalrymen collide with each other. Firstly, the impact of a sprinting warhorse is not to be underestimated. If they really collide, the knights on both sides will either die or be disabled. No one will easily choose this life-for-life fighting method. The muscles of those warhorses are tense, and there is a crazy fire flashing in their eyes. They know that if they collide, their life or death will be uncertain. Secondly, warhorses are not stupid. They are also afraid of pain and death. When they see the enemy cavalry rushing, their instinct is to dodge. Therefore, when cavalry charge, most of them will choose to avoid the front and attack from the flank, looking for the opponent's flaws like a cunning fox.

On the battlefield, Hao Yaoqi and Cha Binxun launched a charge at the same time. Hao Yaoqi was a burly man with a face like a red date and a pair of tiger eyes that flashed with an unyielding light. He was wearing iron armor and holding a long sword, like a god of war. Cha Binxun was tall and slender with a cold face, and his eyes revealed a calmness and wisdom. He was also wearing armor and holding a sharp blade, like a sword out of its sheath.

Thirty steps away, the sound of horse hooves was like thunder, shaking people's hearts, and like a war drum, urging people to move forward. Hao Yaoqi and Zha Binxun's horses were like two black lightnings, cutting through the smoke on the battlefield and rushing towards each other. Within fifteen steps, the sound of horse hooves suddenly became smaller, leaving only the sound of breathing and heartbeats echoing in the ears. Within five steps, both of them held their breath, holding their weapons tightly, with a determined light flashing in their eyes. They were just one step away from colliding, and even their heartbeats seemed to stop. But the horses instinctively turned sideways, and the two just passed by.

In a flash, the two swords were swung out at the same time, both heading for the other's neck, but in the end, only a "clang" sound of sparks collided on the blades. At that moment, it seemed as if time had frozen, leaving only the symphony of two weapons and two pairs of murderous eyes. The inertia of the war horses carried them several feet away, and the two turned their horses around and confronted each other again. Whether it was the Ming army or the Shun army, they all stopped what they were doing and gathered around to watch the fun. After all, it was rare for generals to have a one-on-one duel, and this was a rare good show.

The Ming army wanted to capture Hao Yaoqi, but Cha Binxun stopped them: "Don't worry, I think this man is a brave man, we should give him a chance to fight." His voice was calm and firm, revealing an unquestionable majesty. Hao Yaoqi nodded to show respect, flexed his wrist and asked: "May I ask your name, brave man?" There was a hint of challenge and expectation in his tone.

Zha Binxun calmly replied, "Liaodong Army, Zha Binxun." His voice revealed a sense of pride and honor. Hao Yaoqi smiled, "I have never heard of this title." His smile was filled with a hint of disdain and provocation. Zha Binxun's mouth twitched slightly, and he changed his words, "My ancestor is General Zha Dashou." His tone revealed a sense of admiration and inheritance.

Hao Yaoqi suddenly realized: "So you are the descendant of a general from Liaodong. I am so sorry!" His words revealed a kind of admiration and respect. Then he asked Zha Binxun: "What about you, brave man?" His eyes were full of curiosity and inquiry.

Cha Binxun replied: "Shunjun Hao Yaoqi." His voice revealed a kind of firmness and confidence. Hao Yaoqi was stunned after hearing this: "I have never heard of this name either." There was a hint of regret and confusion in his tone.

After saying that, Hao Yaoqi raised his sword and rushed forward again. Cha Binxun was not afraid and waved his sword to meet him. The two fought fiercely in front of everyone, and their skills were simply textbook-level for single-soldier combat. Horsemanship, strength, and skills were all available, especially the competition of strength and skills, which was dazzling and exciting.

Hao Yaoqi was born as a flag bearer, with great strength, and every strike of his sword seemed to be able to split mountains and rivers. Although Cha Binxun was slightly inferior in strength, he had superb skills. After all, he was from a family of generals in Liaodong and had been dealing with weapons since childhood, so every move of his was extremely accurate. After fighting for about half an hour, Cha Binxun shot Hao Yaoqi's horse with an arrow, which ended the battle.

Seeing this, the Shun army surrendered one after another. The Ming army rushed forward and tied up Hao Yaoqi. The battle outside Tongguan City was over. The Shun army either died on the battlefield or surrendered. The remnants of the defeated army fled to Xi'an. Countless corpses and blood were left on the battlefield, and the air was filled with a strong smell of death. However, for the winner of this battle, this was just a small episode in their journey.

Cha Binxun escorted Hao Yaoqi to the outside of the military tent and loudly asked the governor to come out and guess who he had captured. There was a sense of pride and boasting in his voice. Ma Wannian came out and asked, and Cha Binxun smiled and replied: "Hao Yaoqi!" There was a hint of pride and satisfaction in his smile.

"Oh? My grandmother just captured Yan Tianlu." Ma Wannian's voice revealed a kind of disdain and contempt. Upon hearing Yan Tianlu's name, Cha Binxun's smile froze. He knew that Yan Tianlu was an important general in the Dashun Army, and his arrest would undoubtedly deal a heavy blow to the Dashun Army. In comparison, his contribution to capturing Hao Yaoqi seemed insignificant.

Ma Wannian had a smug look on his face, as if saying, "Look, my grandmother captured Yan Tianlu, so what's the big deal about you capturing Hao Yaoqi?" Cha Binxun was depressed, but he also understood that merit on the battlefield cannot be expressed with words, but must be proven by actual actions.

He pushed Hao Yaoqi into the central army tent in a depressed mood, and followed behind him in a depressed mood. As soon as Hao Yaoqi entered the tent, he heard a familiar voice: "Here you come!" He looked and saw that it was Sang Dongxu, who was standing there radiantly wearing new armor.

"You surrendered to the Ming Dynasty too?" Hao Yaoqi asked angrily. There was a hint of disappointment and anger in his tone. He knew that Sang Dongxu had once been his brother who fought side by side with him, but now he had become his enemy.

Sang Dongxu nodded and said, "I was captured in the battle of Chengtianfu. Fortunately, General Qin did not despise me." His voice revealed a sense of helplessness and compromise. He knew that there were no eternal enemies or eternal friends on the battlefield, only eternal interests.

Hao Yaoqi cursed: "You spineless man!" His voice revealed a kind of anger and disappointment. He knew that Sang Dongxu's surrender would undoubtedly bring greater difficulties to the Dashun Army.

Sang Dongxu sighed: "Leave a way so that we can meet again in the future." His voice revealed a sense of helplessness and compromise. He knew that what he could do now was to try his best to preserve the interests of himself and the Dashun Army.

Hao Yaoqi had nothing to say and could only look away angrily. But he happened to see Yan Tianlu also tied up in the central army tent, and the Ming army was untying him. Anger and confusion suddenly surged in his heart. He didn't know why Yan Tianlu surrendered to the Ming Dynasty, and he didn't know where the future of the Dashun Army would go.

Hao Yaoqi shouted, "Stop!" But the Ming army ignored him and quickly untied Yan Tianlu. He looked at Yan Tianlu and asked, "You also surrendered to the Ming Dynasty?" His voice revealed a kind of disbelief and disappointment.

Yan Tianlu didn't say anything, but just stood there silently. His eyes flashed with complex light, with helplessness, compromise, and confusion about the future.

Hao Yaoqi's mind was in a mess, and his values ​​were about to collapse. He didn't know how to face this cruel reality, let alone how to fight for the future of the Dashun Army.

At this time, Jian Mingxiao, wearing casual clothes, sat on a chair and coughed lightly. The whole tent suddenly became quiet, and everyone listened to his voice with bated breath. Soldiers should obey orders as their first duty. She looked at Hao Yaoqi and said, "Do you know why you can live until now?" Her voice revealed a kind of majesty and irresistible power.

Hao Yaoqi remained silent, his heart full of doubts and confusion. He didn't know why Jian Mingxiao asked him this question, and he didn't know what his fate would be.

Jian Mingxiao continued, "Before attacking Tongguan, His Majesty wrote me a secret letter. He said he dreamed that you helped the Ming Dynasty to recover Liaodong, so you survived." Her voice revealed a mysterious and indescribable power. It was as if she was telling Hao Yaoqi a huge secret and mission.

"Governor, although I don't know how to interpret dreams, I can understand your majesty's deep meaning!" Jian Mingxiao's voice was loud and clear in the military tent, like the sound of metal and stone colliding. Her eyes were sharp and firm, as if she could see through people's hearts. The flickering candlelight in the military tent reflected on her resolute face, adding a bit of majesty.

"You are all citizens of the Ming Dynasty and warriors of the Han family. You should be determined to fight on the battlefield and keep the enemy out of the country!" Jian Mingxiao's words were full of love for the country and expectations for the warriors. Her voice echoed in the military tent, inspiring everyone's heart.

"What a pity... natural disasters and man-made tragedies continue, forcing you to embark on this path." Jian Mingxiao's tone revealed a hint of helplessness and regret. She knew very well the bitterness and helplessness behind these warriors.

"Now, on behalf of the court, I tell you that if you surrender sincerely, the court will definitely treat you leniently." Jian Mingxiao's words were full of sincerity and tolerance. She hoped that these warriors could return to the right path and fight for the future of the country.

"Surrender or not?" Jian Mingxiao swept his eyes over the crowd, waiting for their answer.

Hao Yaoqi did not directly answer Jian Mingxiao's question, but turned to ask Sang Dongxu who had already surrendered: "Sang Dongxu, what official position did you get after you surrendered to the Ming Dynasty? How many soldiers did you have under your command? Were you valued?" Hao Yaoqi's eyes were full of confusion and puzzlement. He didn't understand why Sang Dongxu chose to surrender.

"I am now a deputy general, in charge of 2,000 soldiers and horses, and currently in charge of the transportation of food and grass." Sang Dongxu raised his head and answered fearlessly. His eyes revealed a hint of determination and persistence, as if he had found a new belief and destination.

Hao Yaoqi sneered: "The once famous general is now just a deputy general. Is he still working for the Ming Dynasty?" His tone was full of disdain and ridicule, and he couldn't understand Sang Dongxu's choice. Sang Dongxu was about to defend himself, but Jian Mingxiao gently waved her hand and signaled him to leave. Her eyes revealed a kind of depth and wisdom, as if she had seen through it all.

Jian Mingxiao stood up, turned her back to the crowd, and said in a long voice: "In my life, I have always been walking on thin ice and very cautious." Her voice revealed a calmness and composure that came from having experienced many vicissitudes of life.

"The human heart is unpredictable. I don't know whether you are truly willing to surrender. To be on the safe side, the court and I will not easily grant you military power until Li Zicheng is eliminated." Jian Mingxiao's words were full of caution and consideration. She was well aware of the complexity and volatility of human hearts.

Hao Yaoqi sneered again: "Why not just tell us to hide us away! Once Li Zicheng dies, we will be useless and can only wait to die under the surveillance of the Ming Dynasty." His tone was full of anger and unwillingness, and he could not tolerate the Ming Dynasty's suspicion and vigilance.

"Wrong!" Jian Mingxiao also sneered, her voice revealing a kind of confidence and determination, "You are very useful to the court! The Mongolian tribes in the northern border, Chahar, Ordos, Khorchin, Khalkha, and the Jiannu in Liaodong are all eyeing us covetously. The chieftains in the southwest are also ready to make a move."

"After Li Zicheng is eliminated, the court will naturally grant you military power!" Jian Mingxiao's words were full of plans and expectations for the future. She hoped that these warriors could fight for the peace of the country's borders.

"By then, you may be able to gallop across the grasslands and fight against Mongolia; perhaps you may be able to lead your troops to Liaodong and kill the Jiannu; at worst, you may be able to quell the rebellion of the chieftains in the southwest!" Jian Mingxiao's words were full of passion and encouragement. She hoped that these warriors could display their talents and courage.

"Life is short, don't go astray and go further and further away!" Jian Mingxiao's tone revealed a kind of earnestness and concern. She hoped that these warriors could turn back and take the right path.

After hearing these words, Hao Yaoqi was silent for a long time. His eyes flashed with complex light, with doubts, struggles, and confusion about the future. He didn't know where to go, should he continue to stick to his beliefs or surrender to the Ming Dynasty?
Jian Mingxiao did not force him to make a decision immediately, but asked someone to take him down and let him think carefully. She knew that this decision was not easy for Hao Yaoqi, and he needed time and space to think.

As soon as Hao Yaoqi left, Ma Shiyao came to the military tent, knelt on one knee and presented the roster: "Reporting to the Governor, Ma Shiyao led 5,000 defenders to surrender to the court. This is the roster of the defenders." His voice revealed a firmness and persistence, as if he had found a new home.

Ma Wannian quickly stepped forward to take the list and quickly glanced through it. His eyes revealed a kind of satisfaction and relief, and he was very happy about Ma Shiyao's surrender.

Jian Mingxiao smiled and said, "Get up, how much food and grass is there in the city?" Her voice revealed a gentleness and concern, as if a loving mother was asking her child.

"Reporting to the Lord, we have 100,000 dan of grain, 10,000 jin of gunpowder, 50,000 arrows, and other military supplies are also sufficient." Ma Shiyao's voice revealed a sense of pride and he was very satisfied with his contribution.

"Good," Jian Mingxiao said to the clerk, "Ma Shiyao has made great contributions by donating food and military supplies!" Her voice revealed a kind of appreciation and affirmation, and she spoke highly of Ma Shiyao's contribution.

Ma Shiyao smiled and said modestly, "I am ashamed, ashamed." His smile revealed a kind of humility and simplicity, as if a farmer was harvesting his crops.

"Anything else?" Jian Mingxiao asked. Her eyes revealed a keenness and insight, as if she could see through everything.

"I do have something else to report," Ma Shiyao looked around, his expression becoming mysterious. His eyes revealed a kind of hesitation and struggle, as if he was about to say something important.

Jian Mingxiao understood and waved to let the other generals leave. She knew that what Ma Shiyao was going to say must be very important and needed to be kept secret.

Soon, only Jian Mingxiao, Ma Wannian, Li Xingzhong and Yang Zhan were left in the tent. Their eyes revealed a kind of expectation and nervousness, waiting for Ma Shiyao's next move.

Ma Shiyao cleared his throat and said, "Governor, before Li Zicheng escaped, he ordered me to pretend to surrender, and when you are still unstable, I will attack you from both inside and outside." His voice revealed a determination and firmness, as if he had already made up his mind.

Jian Mingxiao frowned upon hearing this, pondering the truth of the news and the response strategy. Her eyes revealed a kind of depth and wisdom, as if she had seen through it all.

Ma Wannian stepped forward and said sternly: "You are guilty of deception, do you know the consequences?" His voice revealed anger and majesty, and he could not tolerate Ma Shiyao's betrayal.

"I dare not." Ma Shiyao was so frightened that his whole body trembled. His eyes revealed a kind of fear and uneasiness, as if he had realized his mistake.

"Grandma, how should we deal with this matter?" Ma Wannian was at a loss for a moment. He looked at Jian Mingxiao, waiting for her decision.

Jian Mingxiao looked at Li Xingzhong and Yang Zhan. She had a reason for keeping them in the tent. Her eyes showed trust and expectation, as if she had seen the future victory.

Li Xingzhong and Yang Zhan asked almost at the same time: "Why did you inform on me?" There was a sense of curiosity and inquiry in their voices, and they felt that they could not understand why Ma Shiyao informed on them.

Jian Mingxiao was relieved when she heard this. She knew that Li Xingzhong and Yang Zhan's performance exceeded her expectations, especially Yang Zhan, who showed the potential of a good general.

Ma Shiyao replied seriously: "My Lords, the reason why I informed on you is very simple." His eyes revealed a kind of firmness and persistence, as if he had already made up his mind.

"Tell me about it," Ma Wannian urged. His eyes revealed a kind of anticipation and nervousness, waiting for Ma Shiyao's next move.

Ma Shiyao nodded: "I served under Li Zicheng for sixteen years. When he was organizing the army in Xiangyang, he set up five major camps and appointed twenty-two generals." There was a sense of recollection and emotion in his voice, as if he was recalling the past.

"Among them, the commander of the left camp is Luo Wenbin, and under him are two generals, Zuo Guoyi and You Weiwu." Ma Shiyao continued, his eyes revealing a kind of admiration and loyalty, as if he was full of respect for Luo Wenbin.

"And I, Ma Shiyao, am General Zuo Guoyi." Ma Shiyao's voice revealed a sense of pride and he was very satisfied with his identity.

"After the battle of Damingfu, General Liu was hidden, which made me very unhappy! This time I informed on the matter to show my loyalty to General Luo. I wonder if you are satisfied?" Ma Shiyao's voice revealed sincerity and expectation as he waited for everyone's response.

Jian Mingxiao slammed the table and said excitedly: "Satisfied, very satisfied!" Her voice revealed a kind of appreciation and affirmation, and she spoke highly of Ma Shiyao's reporting.

Now that he had gained Jian Mingxiao's trust, Ma Shiyao wrote a secret letter to Li Zicheng in person. His handwriting was fluent and powerful, and every word revealed his determination and loyalty.

After the letter was written and confirmed to be correct, he sent his personal soldiers to deliver it. The personal soldiers took the letter and quickly disappeared into the night, running towards Li Zicheng.

On May 13, the 19th year of Lin Xiaofeng, Jian Mingxiao led a large army to leave Tongguan and station in Tongguan Weicheng (now Huayin City). The army was mighty, with flags flying and high morale.

The defenders of Tongguan City were less than a thousand people. When they heard that the Ming army had captured Tongguan, they were so scared that they immediately knelt down on the roadside and surrendered. Their eyes revealed a kind of fear and helplessness, as if they had seen their own fate.

After Jian Mingxiao took over the defense, she immediately arranged the defense. She knew the importance of Tongguan and that if it was lost, the consequences would be disastrous. Therefore, she personally supervised the battle and arranged the defense line to ensure that nothing could go wrong.

The terrain to the east of Tongguan is undulating, with mountains and gullies; to the west is a vast plain, which is very suitable for deploying troops. Jian Mingxiao stood on the city wall, looking at the plain in the distance, his heart full of expectations and confidence for the future.

In the afternoon, the army began to march westward. The sun shone on the soldiers' armor, shining brightly. They marched forward with firm steps, as if they were an invincible iron army.

"Report!" The scout said.

Under the vast sky, 3,000 Shun cavalrymen rushed to the battlefield like a black storm, carrying boundless murderous intent and determination. They were dressed in iron armor, holding long swords, galloping on their horses, the sound of their hooves was as deafening as thunder, and they aimed directly at the Ming army that was crossing the river, intending to launch a sudden attack.

At this time, the Ming army in the river was like a group of helpless ducks, disturbed by the iron hooves of the Shun army, and the team could not take care of the front and back, and the formation was instantly chaotic. The river water and blood were intertwined, forming a shocking picture.

Three thousand cavalrymen lined up in a horizontal line, rushing forward like a tide, their eyes filled with bloodthirsty fanaticism and a desire for victory. The sound of horse hooves and shouts intertwined, forming an unstoppable torrent, and the distance between the two armies was rapidly shortened.

Fifty steps! Within fifty steps, life or death will be decided! The Shun cavalry fired arrows in unison, arrows rained down, cutting through the sky, emitting bursts of whistling, like a roar in the wind, carrying endless murderous intent and cruelty.

"The bandits are coming, quickly raise your shields and form a defensive formation!" The Ming army general ordered loudly, his voice echoing on the battlefield with a hint of unquestionable majesty. The soldiers quickly picked up their shields and raised them above their heads to form a solid line of defense, their eyes full of determination and fearlessness.

The rain of arrows poured down, hitting the shields fiercely, making a loud thumping sound, like the beating of a war drum, shaking everyone's heart. Then, the second and third waves of arrows followed, as dense as locusts in summer. The soldiers could only cling to their shields, not daring to move, for fear of being injured by the ruthless arrows.

The Shun cavalry had approached to within fifteen steps. They charged and searched for flaws in the Ming army's formation, like a group of hungry cheetahs looking for their prey. Suddenly, a gap appeared! Gu Kecheng was overjoyed, his eyes flashing with madness and bloodthirstiness, and he shouted loudly: "Warriors of Dashun, follow me, break the formation at this moment!" His voice was passionate and full of power, inspiring every Shun cavalryman.

The three thousand cavalrymen rushed towards the gap like hungry wolves, their eyes full of desire for victory and hatred for the enemy. However, just as they were about to rush into the gap, the Ming soldiers suddenly thrust their spears diagonally into the ground, forming a series of barricades. These spears were like sharp blades, waiting for the Shun cavalry to rush in.

The Shun cavalry was caught off guard and rushed into a forest of spears instead of a gap. The cavalry hurriedly tightened the reins, but it was too late. The light cavalry charging here was tantamount to walking into a trap. Some cavalry quickly stopped and avoided the tragedy; others rushed into the spear formation due to inertia, and both the men and horses were injured. The battlefield was suddenly filled with wailing, forming a shocking scene.

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!" Seeing the bad situation, Gu Kecheng whipped his horse and hurriedly retreated. His eyes were full of helplessness and unwillingness, but the advantage of cavalry was its mobility and flexibility. If they did not retreat, they would be surrounded and annihilated. He knew this very well, so he decisively issued the order to retreat.

"Fire!" The Ming army captains waved their flags in unison, their voices firm and powerful, full of desire for victory. Bird guns, three-barreled guns, bows and arrows fired at the same time, and lead bullets poured out like a rainstorm, carrying endless murderous intent and cruelty. The distance was so close that even heavy armor could not resist. Shun army cavalrymen were shot and fell to the ground one after another, wailing one after another, forming a tragic picture.

Gu Kecheng knew that he had fallen into a trap. He gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with anger and unwillingness. However, he made a quick decision, abandoned his horse and fled. His figure on the battlefield was like a black lightning, quickly disappearing in the distance. The rest of the cavalry also retreated, but in the panic they forgot about the infantry behind them. When the infantry and cavalry collided, the men and horses fell to the ground one after another, and the blood dyed the battlefield red, forming a shocking scene.

The Shun army's infantry and cavalry retreated like a tide, their figures gradually faded away on the battlefield, leaving behind only a mess and the smell of death. However, the morale of the Ming army was greatly boosted, and their eyes were filled with the light of victory and hatred for the enemy.

"Kill the enemy and serve the country, today is the day!" A Ming soldier shouted loudly, his voice was passionate and powerful, inspiring every Ming soldier. "Sun, moon, mountains and rivers, the Ming Dynasty will be forever!" Another soldier also echoed loudly, their voices echoed on the battlefield, forming an unstoppable torrent.

The Ming army infantry took the opportunity to counterattack. They were like a group of crazy beasts, cutting throats with knives, piercing chests with spears, and crushing skulls with blunt objects... The Shun army soldiers fled in despair. Their figures on the battlefield were like a group of helpless lambs, being hunted down by the Ming army soldiers.

The Ming cavalry took the opportunity to attack from both north and south. Li Xingzhong led 5,000 cavalrymen to launch a surprise attack behind the Shun army. Their figures were like black lightning, shuttling across the battlefield, looking for the enemy's flaws. The Shun army was badly defeated, and Li Zicheng was unfortunately shot in the melee. His figure was shaky on the battlefield, as if he would fall at any time.

"The situation is hopeless, retreat quickly!" Tian Jianxiu anxiously persuaded Li Zicheng, his eyes full of helplessness and unwillingness. However, Li Zicheng looked at the defeated army and the corpses on the ground, and his heart was broken. He knew that the situation was hopeless and irreversible after losing all his elite troops, so he could only accept this cruel reality helplessly.

"I, Li Zicheng, followed the will of heaven and the will of the people to raise an army to save the people. Why did heaven let me down?" He shouted in anger, but no one responded, only the sound of the wind blowing gently in his ears. His eyes were full of despair and unwillingness, as if he could not accept this cruel reality. However, he still drew his sword and looked into the distance, and ordered word by word: "Retreat!" His voice was low but full of determination and resoluteness.

The remaining Shun army soldiers, led by Li Zicheng, fled westward to Xi'an. Their figures on the battlefield were like a group of helpless lambs being chased and killed by Ming army soldiers. However, they could only grit their teeth and run hard in the hope of escaping this place of death.

When they arrived in Lintong, they met a messenger sent by Li Yan. The messenger's face was pale and his eyes were full of anxiety and uneasiness. He said in a trembling voice: "Wuguan has been lost, please return to Xi'an as soon as possible!" Li Zicheng was shocked when he heard this and he couldn't believe his ears.

"When did it fall?" he asked angrily, his voice full of anger and unwillingness. He couldn't accept this cruel reality, as if the whole world was collapsing.

"Two days ago." The messenger replied, his voice low and weak, as if he was crushed by this cruel reality.

"How did you lose it?" Li Zicheng continued to ask angrily, with crazy flames flashing in his eyes, as if he wanted to burn the whole world to ashes.

"The Ming army bombarded the city. Although our army fought hard, we were ultimately defeated. The city wall collapsed and the Ming army took the opportunity to attack. We had no choice but to retreat." The messenger replied in a trembling voice, his eyes full of fear and despair.

"Where is the Ming army now?" Li Zicheng continued to ask, his voice was low but full of determination and resoluteness. He knew that he had to face this cruel reality and could not escape it.

"They are in the Shangluo area and moving towards Lantian." The messenger replied, his voice full of helplessness and unwillingness.

Li Zicheng turned pale upon hearing this. Xi'an was in imminent danger. Shangluo was only 250 miles away from Xi'an, and Jian Mingxiao's army had already arrived in Huazhou, which was less than 200 miles away from Xi'an. Light cavalry could arrive within two days. He knew that he had to make a decision as soon as possible, otherwise the entire Xi'an would be in crisis.

"Our army has lost Tongguan and Wuguan, and Xi'an is no longer safe. Return quickly and take your families with you!" Li Zicheng ordered decisively. Although his voice was low, it was full of determination and resoluteness. The generals obeyed the order and immediately turned their horses around and galloped back to Xi'an. Their figures on the battlefield were like black lightning, quickly disappearing in the distance. (End of this chapter)