I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

The north gate of the city was wide open, and Hong Niangzi, dressed in emerald green cotton armor and wearing a bright red cloak, led a large army into the city in a grand procession.

Following Liu Fangliang's orders, all the guards in the city remained firmly in their positions.

Therefore, Hong Niangzi encountered no resistance along the way and went straight to the government office.

This is Liu Fangliang's command post, and also the place where Li Yan is being held.

"kill!"

The army stormed in with overwhelming force, killing anyone who stood in their way. The defending troops were decimated, and the remaining soldiers had no choice but to surrender.

Instead of looking for Liu Fangliang, Hong Niangzi went straight to the prison cell. Soon, her subordinates brought over a jailer.

"Open!"

"Yes, yes..."

The jailer opened the cell door a little, and Hong Niangzi, anxious and impatient, rushed in.

However, after searching inside, she couldn't find Li Yan anywhere.

"Come here!"

Hong Niangzi pointed to the jailer and asked, "Where are the people locked up inside?"

The jailer said tremblingly, "He has already been executed."

Upon hearing this, Hong Niangzi suddenly felt everything go black and fainted.

"Madam, Madam..."

His subordinates rushed forward to help him up, asking, "When did this happen?"

"Just two weeks ago."

"What did you say, two weeks ago?"

Hong Niangzi slowly woke up and said, "I'm asking you, where is Li Yan?"

"I don't know..."

The jailer scratched his head, looking extremely puzzled.

Hong Niangzi drew her knife and angrily demanded, "Tell me the truth, isn't Li Yan locked up here?"

"No, no..."

The jailer was so frightened that he turned pale and was at a loss for what to do.

Only then did Hong Niangzi give up and hurriedly led her people to search each room.

"Stop! Don't move!"

Just as everyone was searching house by house, they saw Ma Chongxi holding a knife and blocking Li Yan in front of him.

Hong Niangzi flew into a rage, threw down her knife, took the strong bow from her back, nocked an arrow, and shouted, "Ma Chongxi, release my husband!"

Ma Chongxi quickly hid himself behind Li Yan and said, "Madam Li, let's make a trade!"

What do you want?

"Let me go, in exchange for Li Yan's life, how about it?"

Hong Niangzi looked at Li Yan, whose body was covered in wounds, clearly indicating that he had just been tortured.

Her nose stung, and tears welled up, but she forced them back and said, "You can't leave!"

Ma Chongxi suddenly swung his sword, slashing Li Yan's left calf, causing it to bleed profusely.

Hong Niangzi panicked and shouted, "Stop! What are you doing?"

"I want to live. A life for a life—you won't lose out!"

"Tonight's attack was personally commanded by His Majesty; I had no say in it!"

"I don't care!"

Ma Chongxi shook his head and said, "I'm only giving you one chance. Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, you must send someone to safely escort me out of the city. Otherwise, we'll all die!"

Hong Niangzi was at a loss and subconsciously looked at Li Yan.

Because when she didn't know what to do, it was Li Yan who gave her advice.

Li Yan, still weak from torture, blinked three times and said, "Wife, don't believe him. Even if you send him out of the city, he won't let me go..."

"Shut up!"

In a moment of desperation, Ma Chongxi slashed Li Yan's right leg with his knife.

Li Yan had knife wounds in both legs, and he immediately lost his balance and fell to the ground...

At that very moment, with a whoosh, an arrow pierced the night sky, precisely striking Ma Chongxi's chest and emerging from his back.

Li Yan slowly stood up, watched Ma Chongxi fall, and then said, "My wife, what excellent archery!"

Hong Niangzi could no longer hold back her tears, walked to Li Yan's side, and hugged him.

Li Yan blinked hard just now, which was the agreement between the two of them.

After Li Yan married Hong Niangzi, he never thought of rebelling. Instead, he secretly ran back to his hometown.

As a result, he was arrested by the local government, accused of being a rebel leader, and executed on the spot.

Upon learning this, Hong Niangzi immediately led a group to storm the execution ground.

When the two met, Li Yan was tied up and his mouth was covered with a cloth. When he saw Hong Niangzi, he could only blink repeatedly, which roughly meant, "I promise to follow you in the rebellion, please save me!"

Today, when Hong Niangzi saw Li Yan wink, she knew he was telling her to act decisively!

"My dear wife, be gentle, it hurts..."

Li Yan was covered in external injuries, and he immediately grimaced in pain.

"Help! Help!"

Just then, a series of urgent shouts came from the doorway.

Li Yan and Hong Niangzi's expressions changed simultaneously, because they recognized the voice as Liu Fangliang's!

As soon as Hong Niangzi released Li Yan and turned around, she saw Liu Fangliang riding in on horseback, looking disheveled.

"Pass on my order: Assemble immediately..."

Liu Fangliang realized something was wrong halfway through his sentence.

Matchmaker? Li Yan?

He knew things were going badly, so he quickly turned his horse around and prepared to flee.

Li Yan shouted, "Wife, don't let him get away!"

Hong Niangzi immediately leaped onto her horse and chased after him.

At this time, Zhengding City was in chaos. The Ming army entered through the north gate and divided its forces to attack the other three gates. The east and west gates had already fallen, and only the south gate was still struggling to hold on.

Liu Fangliang fled in the direction of the South Gate!

When the guard at the south gate saw Liu Fangliang arrive in person, he hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Reporting to the Marquis, the Ming army's offensive is fierce, and there are several breaches in the city wall. I am ordering men to repair them!"

Liu Fangliang waved his hand: "No need to repair it. Open the city gates and fight your way out!"

The city's garrison commander said with difficulty, "My lord, the city gates are completely sealed off; there's no way out!"

Looking at the city gate, piled high with stones and timber, Liu Fangliang couldn't help but sigh, "Heaven has forsaken me!"

"Thief, please leave!"

Hong Niangzi had caught up with them and, without saying a word, raised her pair of mandarin duck swords and charged forward!

Liu Fangliang cursed inwardly and raised his knife to meet the attack.

when!

Hong Niangzi's right-hand long sword clashed with Liu Fangliang's sword, producing a crisp clang. Almost simultaneously, her left-hand short sword suddenly slashed upwards, aiming straight for the opponent's throat!

Liu Fangliang leaned back, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow, his back drenched in cold sweat from the shock.

This move is the ultimate technique of the Mandarin Duck Blades, called "Gentle Breeze Descending from the Jade Terrace," which is extremely ruthless and aims to take lives with a single strike.

Missing her first attack, Hong Niangzi unleashed a flurry of moves, her twin blades flashing coldly in the candlelight.

Liu Fangliang blocked several moves in succession, and seeing that he was at a disadvantage as the fight went on, he suddenly unleashed a powerful sweeping attack.

As expected, Hong Niangzi dodged.

Taking advantage of the opening, Liu Fangliang turned his horse around and ran away!

Hong Niangzi chased after him desperately, holding on tightly.

Liu Fangliang roared, "You woman, what are you doing following me? Wasn't sleeping with Chongzhen enough? Now you want to sleep with me too? I don't like shrewish women!"

Hong Niangzi turned pale with anger and cursed, "Bullshit! Today I'm avenging my husband, and you won't escape!"

"I have no grudge against Brother Li Yan. It was Ma Chongxi who betrayed us, Niu Jinxing who fanned the flames, and Li Zicheng who made the decision. I was just following orders. You've got the wrong person!"

"None of these people you're talking about can escape, and neither can you!"

The two chased each other, and before they knew it, the east was already turning a pale white.

When Liu Fangliang saw that the city was full of Ming soldiers, he felt utterly hopeless.

Why can't we just stay put at Juyong Pass?

Why do you have to go back to Zhen Ding and join in the fun!

Now look what's happened—they haven't gained military power, and they're going to lose their lives...

At this moment, he suddenly realized that Hong Niangzi had entered through the north gate, and the guards there were all her former subordinates, so they must have been turned against her.

In comparison, the defenses at the North Gate were the weakest, and it's even possible that they weren't defended at all!

A glimmer of hope flashed through Liu Fangliang's mind. He abruptly turned his horse around and galloped toward the north gate.

As they approached the north gate, they found that the defenses there were indeed extremely weak. Although Ming soldiers were coming and going, no one paid any attention to this area.

Liu Fangliang was overjoyed and kept slapping the horse's rump, pushing it forward with all its might.

As long as you rush out, you can survive!

However, at this moment, things changed again!

Suddenly, a dark mass of cavalry appeared at the city gate. They were clad in iron armor, wielding various weapons, and even their steps were remarkably synchronized.

What's even more alarming is that a huge dragon flag is flying at the very front of the procession.

That was the emperor's exclusive symbol, the Great Dragon Banner!

Liu Fangliang's heart sank. This army must be the elite force around Chongzhen, the legendary Warriors Battalion!

He turned his horse around again, preparing to flee.

Hong Niangzi shouted, "That's Liu Fangliang! Seize him!"

The Warriors Battalion reacted swiftly, with the front-line cavalry immediately flanking and surrounding Liu Fangliang.

Liu Fangliang was still trying to find a way to break through, but found that he had nowhere to escape.

"Liu Fangliang, prepare to die!"

Hong Niangzi's voice rang out again, and she immediately spurred her horse forward, her twin swords aimed directly at Liu Fangliang.

Liu Fangliang looked around; there was nowhere to escape.

He glared fiercely at Hong Niangzi, gritting his teeth as he said, "You traitor, you'll get your comeuppance sooner or later!"

Hong Niangzi did not answer, and slashed down with both swords.

when!

Liu Fangliang once again blocked with his sword, and both of them were simultaneously thrown back by the force of the other's blow.

At this moment, the Ming army's vanguard was positioned on both sides, and Zhu Youjian, mounted on his horse, slowly walked forward.

"Madam Hong, please step back. I have a few words to say to him."

Hong Niangzi was filled with resentment, gripping her twin swords tightly, but bound by the imperial decree, she obediently stepped aside, her gaze still fixed on Liu Fangliang, fearing he might take the opportunity to escape.

Liu Fangliang looked the man up and down. He was in his thirties and wearing a bright yellow dragon robe. He must be the Chongzhen Emperor.

"Are you the Chongzhen Emperor?"

Zhu Youjian nodded slightly, his expression calm: "That's right, I am Chongzhen."

Liu Fangliang's sneer intensified, his tone full of contempt: "I thought you had three heads and six arms! Turns out you're nothing special."

Upon hearing these words, Zhu Youjian suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity.

It seems that Zheng Siwei said something similar before he died.

He looked at Liu Fangliang and said, "You were quite a figure under Li Zicheng. Look at Liu Liangzuo, and then look at Gao Jie. They were both former subordinates of Li Zicheng, and now they are generals of the Ming Dynasty. Are you willing to pledge your loyalty to me?"

Upon hearing this, Hong Niangzi immediately panicked and cried out, "This man almost killed my husband! He cannot be allowed to live!"

Zhu Youjian gently waved his hand, signaling Hong Niangzi not to speak yet.

Liu Fangliang's eyes darted around, as if he were weighing the pros and cons.

"Being loyal to the Ming Dynasty is not out of the question. Let's talk about what kind of treatment you can give me. I don't ask for much, but at least I want to be on equal footing with Liu Liangzuo and Gao Jie."

Zhu Youjian laughed, a hint of amusement in his smile: "They are merely regional commanders. With your great abilities, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to bestow upon you the title of a king."

Upon hearing this, Liu Fangliang frowned slightly: "Kill me if you want, don't make fun of me!"

Zhu Youjian shook his head and said, "What I said is true. How about we call him the Rebel King?"

Liu Fangliang pondered for a long time, unable to tell whether the other party was serious or just bored, so he said, "It's not appropriate. 'Chuang Wang' is the title of Li Zicheng, and I can't use it."

Zhu Youjian chuckled lightly: "His title of 'Chuang Wang' was self-proclaimed, while yours was bestowed by me. How can you compare them?"

A flicker of doubt crossed Liu Fangliang's eyes: "You're not lying to me, are you?"

Zhu Youjian remained calm and said, "I am the emperor, my word is law. Why would I lie to you? Besides, what benefit would I gain from lying to you?"

Liu Fangliang thought for a moment and wondered to himself, "Could it really be a windfall?"

Thinking of this, he said, "If you appoint me as the King of Rebels, I will do whatever you say!"

Zhu Youjian smiled slightly and said slowly, "I will now confer the title upon you, but I still need to borrow something from you."

Liu Fangliang waved his hand dismissively and said generously, "Why borrow? Take whatever you want!"

Zhu Youjian's smile widened: "I'll borrow your head for a bit!"

Liu Fangliang's expression changed drastically. He pointed his knife at Zhu Youjian and shouted angrily, "Are you making fun of me?"

Zhu Youjian shook his head, his expression remaining calm: "From this moment on, you are the Rebel King, personally appointed by me, and it absolutely stands!"

Liu Fangliang looked confused: "Weren't you going to kill me?"

A sly glint flashed in Zhu Youjian's eyes: "That's right, after you die, I will announce to the world that the Rebel King is dead!"

Liu Fangliang suddenly realized what was happening, and his face turned deathly pale. He finally understood that Zhu Youjian wasn't just being idle; he was trying to create the illusion that the rebel leader was dead.

If the rebel armies across the land learn that King Li Zicheng is dead, they will either surrender to the imperial court or fight their own battles. This move is truly ruthless!

Liu Fangliang stared wide-eyed at Zhu Youjian, thinking to himself, how could a person be so despicable?

Just then, Hong Niangzi suddenly shouted, "His Majesty lent you his head, yet you still refuse to die!"

Li Ruolian waved her hand, and the Warriors Battalion began to tighten the encirclement. Liu Fangliang charged left and right, but to no avail.

Just as he was struggling desperately, a long knife pierced through his chest from behind, and blood dripped down the tip of the blade.

He slowly turned his head and looked at the frosty-faced Red Lady. He opened his mouth to speak, but a cold glint flashed before his eyes. He felt all the strength in his body drain from his throat, and then he fell heavily off his horse.

Li Ruolian stepped forward and took a look. Liu Fangliang was clutching his throat with both hands, blood was gushing out, and he soon stopped breathing.

"The rebel leader is dead!"

The Warriors' Battalion immediately shouted, "The Rebel King is dead!"

"The rebel leader is dead!"

"The rebel leader is dead!"

Hong Niangzi glanced to the side; Zhu Youjian's expression remained calm and undisturbed.

This person... is so wicked!