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

Li Yan hesitated not because he was worried about any danger.

Instead, it's best to persuade locals to surrender, people who know the area well and are familiar with it.

If you, an outsider, go there and say that your superiors are all big liars who withheld your military pay and pensions and even tricked you into rebellion, would anyone believe you?

The only local among them was Dong Bai, the prefect of Laizhou. After pondering for a long time, he said, "I do know a few military officers, but I don't know if they are reliable. Even if they are, do their words carry enough weight? If they don't work, they might just alert the enemy."

The three men pondered for a moment. This war was a civil war, and it would be best to avoid it if possible, but they couldn't find a suitable candidate.

Miao Gang grew increasingly agitated and said, "Why not send some capable soldiers to infiltrate the rebel army and spread the news from the bottom up?"

Li Yan shook his head and said, "The Shandong garrison is a self-contained system, and it's very difficult for outsiders to infiltrate. If they are discovered, it will only alert the enemy."

Miao Gang said impatiently, "Then let's just fight!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yan sighed softly and said, "If there's truly no one else available, we'll have no choice but to launch a direct attack."

After speaking, he turned to the map, pointed to the red circle marked on it, and said, "First, send elite troops to launch a surprise attack on the left flank of Dengzhou Guard. The operation must be swift and decisive. The left flank is closest to Laizhou; we cannot allow them to send the message back..."

"Report!"

Just then, a personal guard rushed in to report: "Reporting to Commander Miao and Prefect Li, someone from the capital has arrived!"

Miao Gang immediately asked, "Who is it?"

"A guerrilla fighter named Sun Biao, and several Imperial Guards escorting them."

Who is Sun Biao?

The two men looked at each other, puzzled, and then said, "Let him in."

Then, a burly man in his forties strode in, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "This humble general, Sun Biao, greets Prefect Li and Commander Miao!"

Li Yan and Miao Gang exchanged a glance, feeling puzzled by Sun Biao's sudden appearance.

Dong Bai suddenly stepped forward and carefully examined Sun Biao: "Are you Commander Sun of the Left Army of Dengzhou Guard?"

Sun Biao clasped his hands in a salute: "It is indeed this humble general! And you are... Prefect Dong?"

Dong Bai nodded and turned to Li Yan to explain, "This man is a battalion commander of Dengzhou Guard. He led troops to our aid last year when the Japanese pirates raided the area. Our prefecture had met him once before."

Li Yan was even more puzzled: "If General Sun is a commander of the Dengzhou Guard, why did he come all the way from the capital?"

Sun Biao then recounted his origins and whereabouts, before pulling out a secret imperial edict from his robes: "His Majesty has promoted me to the rank of Guerrilla General, ordering me to atone for my crimes through meritorious service. This edict is for the two of you."

After checking, Miao Gang nodded to Li Yan, indicating, "It's real."

Dong Bai suddenly asked, "General Sun, how was the batch of Laizhou aged wine that our prefecture sent to your garrison last year?"

Sun Biao was taken aback, then laughed and said, "Prefect Dong must be mistaken! You sent Jimo rice wine, saying it could cure everyone's rheumatism!"

Dong Bai then smiled: "That's right, I made a mistake."

After all, he had only met Sun Biao once and couldn't be sure of the other's identity. Dengzhou Guards fought at sea year-round, and many soldiers suffered from colds due to the sea breeze. Last year, a batch of Jimo rice wine was sent over, which could be used to test the waters.

Li Yan was quick-witted and immediately saw through the clues, while also confirming that Sun Biao was not a problem.

How much does General Sun know about the inner workings of Dengzhou Guard?

Sun Biao said bitterly, "Those high and mighty officials, you never see them when we're fighting, but they're busy withholding rations, pay, and pensions, and they even lie to us, saying it's the imperial court's doing! Now they're inciting everyone to rebel. Please rest assured, you two, I, Old Sun, will go and persuade them to surrender. Once everyone knows the truth, they definitely won't fight for them!"

Li Yan said solemnly, "This journey is extremely dangerous; I thank General Sun for his help!"

Sun Biao waved his hand boldly: "Prefect Li, don't worry! The brothers aren't stupid, they've just been deceived. I, Old Sun, have my own ways of persuading them! Without further ado, I'll head back to the Qianjun Thousand-Household Office tonight; those are all my old brothers."

A glint of light flashed in Li Yan's eyes: "Is the Left Outpost Battalion under the jurisdiction of your commander's office?"

"Exactly!" Sun Biao patted his chest and said, "I'll be on duty there."

"Okay!" Li Yan immediately decided, "Let's start here."

Without saying a word, Sun Biao turned around and was about to leave.

Dong Bai hurriedly called out to him, "Wait!"

Having said that, he took out a document from his desk: "This is the record of the actual amount of grain and salary issued in Laizhou. General Sun, take this with you; it will be more convincing."

Sun Biao took the document, solemnly tucked it into his robes, and clasped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you very much, Prefect Dong!"

After Sun Biao left, Li Yan immediately ordered: "The entire army must prepare to depart!"

Miao Gang was somewhat puzzled and asked, "Aren't we supposed to wait for Sun Biao to persuade us to surrender?"

Li Yan said in a deep voice, "How could I not hope for a successful surrender? But we must prepare for both possibilities. If Sun Biao fails, we will immediately launch a surprise attack on the left outpost battalion as planned. We must not miss this opportunity!"

Miao Gang suddenly realized: "I'll go arrange it right away!"

That night, Miao Gang personally led two thousand elite troops, advancing stealthily under the moonlight. They laid an ambush on the only road to Dengzhou, swords drawn and arrows nocked, waiting for the rebel army of the Left Squadron to appear.

The night wind howled, and time ticked by. Miao Gang crouched in the grass, his eyes fixed on the distant camp lights. As dawn broke, the anticipated battle never materialized.

"Report!" A scout galloped in, "Reporting to Commander Miao, the Left Outpost Battalion has surrendered to the Imperial Court! Prefect Li requests your immediate return!"

Miao Gang, his brow furrowed and filled with doubt, led his troops back. As soon as they entered the prefectural government office, they saw Li Yan and Sun Biao chatting and laughing in front of it. Several officers, bound hand and foot, were kneeling on the ground, their faces bruised and swollen.

"What's going on?"

Miao Gang dismounted and pointed at the prisoners, asking them a question.

Sun Biao grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth: "Commander Miao, you don't know this, but after I went back and told them the truth, the brothers tied up the commander, the deputy commander, and several centurions overnight!"

He kicked at the prisoners at his feet and continued, "These corrupt officials tried to resist, but the brothers beat them half to death!"

Li Yan added with a smile, "All eight hundred soldiers of the Left Outpost have surrendered. Now they are just waiting for the imperial court's order to help us quell the rebellion."

Miao Gang was overjoyed and patted Sun Biao on the shoulder, praising, "General Sun is truly remarkable! You took the Left Outpost Camp without losing a single soldier."

Sun Biao suddenly became serious and said, "However, there's bad news. Zeng Hualong, the governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou, has issued an order requiring all troops to prepare for an uprising. If I had arrived a day later, those bastards might have already put us all on the hot seat."

"I suggest we strike while the iron is hot and capture the other battalions immediately. Otherwise, once the war starts, it won't be so easy to persuade them to surrender!"

Li Yan smiled and said, "General Sun's words are exactly what I wanted to say, so let's begin!"