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

The statement "The rebel leader is dead" is incredibly inflammatory!

The garrison in Zhengding City heard people shouting that the rebel king was dead, but they had no idea what was happening and no time to verify the truth of the news. When they saw the menacing Ming army, most of them decided to give up resistance.

The Ming army swept through the city like autumn leaves in the wind, immediately taking control and capturing prisoners.

All the generals, having received the imperial edict, gathered at the prefectural government office, beaming with joy as they prepared to receive their rewards.

In particular, General Gao Jie of Zezhou held Li Ruolian's hand and kept exchanging pleasantries. If one did not know the situation, one would think that the two were old friends who had not seen each other for many years.

Li Ruolian, growing impatient, asked directly, "General Gao, is there something you need?"

Gao Jie gave an awkward laugh and said, "Isn't there someone named Wang Dalong in the Warriors' Camp?"

Li Ruolian nodded: "There is such a person. Does General Gao have something to discuss with him?"

"It's nothing major, but this guy seems courageous and decisive; he truly deserves to be a soldier trained by Commander Li!"

"General Gao, you're too kind. If needed, I'll send someone to fetch Wang Dalong right away."

"No, no..."

Gao Jie waved his hand repeatedly and said, "Let's take care of business first. I'll go find him and catch up later!"

Li Ruolian nodded and said nothing more.

Everyone was still waiting, but Zhu Youjian did not appear for a long time.

In the backyard, Li Yan knelt on the ground, and Hong Niangzi knelt with him.

Zhu Youjian was somewhat puzzled and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Traitor Li Yan, die!"

Li Yan was covered in wounds and tortured beyond recognition, but what truly saddened him was the deep-seated pain of betrayal.

He had witnessed the corruption of the Ming Dynasty firsthand and was determined to establish a new order that would allow the people to live in peace and prosperity, and eliminate starvation in the Central Plains.

In the end, he became embroiled in a power struggle and was betrayed by his own people.

The Great Shun Dynasty had not even begun, yet it was already eager to become the next Great Ming Dynasty.

There is no greater sorrow than a broken heart; this is truly the case.

Hong Niangzi quickly said, "Your Majesty, I don't want any reward, I just want my husband spared the death penalty."

Li Yan tugged at Hong Niangzi's sleeve and said, "My lady, I, Li Yan, will take full responsibility for my actions. It has nothing to do with you."

Zhu Youjian chuckled and said, "Li Yan, tell me, what is your crime?"

"rebel!"

"What should be the punishment?"

"capital offense!"

Zhu Youjian nodded and said, "According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, those who plot treason will have their entire family (nine generations) executed. Have you thought it through?"

Li Yan's expression changed: "My wife deserves credit for capturing and killing Liu Fangliang, you...you can't do this!"

"Merit is merit, and fault is fault. I once said that whoever is the first to breach the city will be ennobled as a marquis, and I will not go back on my word. However, those who rebel and treason will have their entire family executed. Not to mention a marquis, even a vassal king cannot break the rules!"

Li Yan lowered his head and said, "I know my sins are grave, and I only ask for death. I beg Your Majesty to have mercy on my wife..."

"As I've said, merit is merit, and fault is fault; they cannot be offset against each other!"

Li Yan knew very well what Zhu Youjian wanted, but he was now heartbroken and no longer wanted to be involved.

Whether it's the Ming Dynasty or the Shun Dynasty, whatever, I'm tired!

Hong Niangzi couldn't help but stand up and say to Li Yan, "His Majesty's benevolence far surpasses that of Li Zicheng. You've devoted yourself wholeheartedly to Li Zicheng, what are you after? I know you don't covet power, you talk about the people's plight every day, but look at what Liu Fangliang has done!"

"He plundered every last person in the entire city of Zhen Ding, conscripted men to serve as cannon fodder on the front lines, stole their grain, and even murdered entire families. Is this the Great Shun you've been serving?"

"Li Yan, let me tell you, I married you because I valued your talent, but if you remain obstinate, I... I'll die with you!"

Li Yan smiled wryly and said, "My wife, why are you doing this to yourself?"

"A woman should follow her husband wherever he goes, whether he's a chicken or a dog. If you're determined to die, then I won't live either!"

After finishing her sentence, Hong Niangzi suddenly had a flash of inspiration and turned around, saying, "Your Majesty, could you give me half a day?"

Zhu Youjian asked, "What do you want to do?"

"I want to take my husband somewhere!"

"Where to?"

Hong Niangzi shook her head and said, "If you trust me, give me half a day."

Zhu Youjian thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay!"

Thanks!

After saying that, Hong Niangzi pulled Li Yan and walked outside.

Li Yan looked surprised and asked, "Wife, what are you going to do?"

"Don't speak, come with me!"

Hong Niangzi pulled Li Yan out the door, mounted his horse, and headed straight for the North Gate.

Li Yan felt uneasy when he saw that the Ming army's banners had been replaced on the city walls.

Unexpectedly, the guards at the city gate did not stop Hong Niangzi at all, and did not even come forward to ask her any questions. They simply let her pass.

Li Yan, a scholar, was not good at riding horses, so he could only hold on tightly to Hong Niangzi's waist.

"My lady, where are you going?"

You'll see when you get there!

Li Yan glanced back and couldn't help but say, "Emperor Chongzhen trusts his wife so much, yet he didn't send anyone to accompany her?"

"Whoa!"

Hong Niangzi abruptly reined in her horse, turned around, and asked, "Husband, what do you mean by that?"

Realizing he had misspoke, Li Yan quickly said, "It's nothing, it's just... I don't quite understand."

"There are many things you don't understand! Giddy up!"

Hong Niangzi didn't ask any more questions and continued to urge her horse onward.

Li Yan's expression was a little strange, but he had no choice but to obediently shut his mouth and dare not say anything more.

After running for an unknown amount of time, a wide-open space came into view.

In the distance, people can be seen working in the fields.

Hong Niangzi said, "Did you see that?"

Li Yan, puzzled, asked, "What is it that you're talking about, my lady?"

"Look ahead!"

"What's up ahead?"

Hong Niangzi said angrily, "You, Li Yan, always talk about worrying about the country and its people, claiming you want to seek justice for them, but now the people are right in front of you, and you turn a blind eye?"

Li Yan blushed instantly and said, "My wife is right, I will remember this!"

Hong Niangzi dismounted and helped Li Yan down, asking, "Can you still walk?"

Li Yan nodded: "That's fine."

Hong Niangzi then led the horse and Li Yan towards the nearest farmland.

"Excuse me... Oh, is that you, Tian Laosan?"

Tian Laosan looked up, a displeased expression on his face, and said, "I've already told you, I won't go with you!"

Hong Niangzi smiled and said, "Don't misunderstand, I'm just passing by today."

Tian Laosan didn't answer, but lowered his head and continued hoeing the ground.

Li Yan asked in a low voice, "Wife, do you know him?"

"He used to be Liu Fangliang's subordinate."

"what?"

Li Yan immediately tensed up, looking around warily, and said, "Wife, be careful!"

Don't worry!

Hong Niangzi replied calmly, then said, "Tian Laosan, what are you doing?"

Without looking up, Tian Laosan said, "I'm hoeing the ground."

"Why are you hoeing the ground?"

Old Tian finally looked up, and asked impatiently, "What exactly do you want to do?"

"It's nothing, I was just passing by and wanted to chat for a bit."

Old Tian said, "If we miss the Awakening of Insects, the seedlings won't sprout easily, so we need to plow the land more often."

How much land do you own?

"Five mu, didn't I tell you that last time?"

At this moment, Li Yan finally realized something and asked, "Whose fields are these? Why are you farming here?"

"Of course it's mine!"

Tian Laosan was very unhappy, and his tone became even more impatient.

"No, I'm asking you, who rented it to you?"

"What? Who rented this to me? These fields were allocated to me by His Majesty the Emperor!"

Li Yan then asked, "Is it free? No rent required?"

Old Tian shook his head: "No!"

Li Yan thought for a moment, then asked, "How much are the taxes?"

"At harvest time, I'll take out one-tenth of the transaction tax, and the rest is mine."

"Only 10% tax?"

"right!"

Li Yan was greatly shocked. He turned around and asked, "Wife, what exactly happened?"

Hong Niangzi pointed to the farmers working in the distance and said, "They are all like Tian Laosan. They were originally Liu Fangliang's subordinates. When Liu Fangliang was defeated, he only cared about escaping for his own life and left these people behind, making them prisoners of the Ming army."

"Emperor Chongzhen did not punish them. Instead, he allocated land to them and allowed them to settle down there. As you can see, each person was allocated five mu of land and only had to pay 10% tax. He also issued an edict that the government should not levy any additional taxes under any pretext."

"Oh, right, Emperor Chongzhen also issued an edict stating that no more taxes would be levied during the Ming Dynasty!"