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

When Cheng Youde heard Hong Niangzi trying to persuade him to surrender, he was completely dumbfounded.

His first reaction was, "Oh no, I've been exposed! These words are clearly aimed at me!"

Where is my knife?

Oh dear, why is it hanging on the wall again?

I'll definitely wear it with me next time!

I just don't know if there will be a next time...

Hong Niangzi, oblivious to Cheng Youde's unusual behavior, continued, "I'm a person who always has clear likes and dislikes. If the government doesn't give me a way to survive, I'll kill officials and rebel. If Li Zicheng can't tolerate me, I can rebel against him too!"

"Emperor Chongzhen was not incompetent or foolish. I personally witnessed him punishing corrupt officials and comforting the people, which is why I decided to surrender. Today, I have come here to tell you everything from the bottom of my heart."

"If you're willing to stay with me, then we'll serve the Ming Dynasty together. If you're not, kill me now, then go to Liu Fangliang and claim credit. The decision is yours!"

As she spoke, Hong Niangzi unfastened the dagger from her waist and slammed it heavily in front of Cheng Youde.

Cheng Youde was startled and even more at a loss.

"I know this is difficult for you, but there's no time. You have to make a choice now, and whatever the outcome, I won't blame you!"

"This, this..."

Cheng Youde's forehead was covered in cold sweat. He looked at the knife in front of him, then at Hong Niangzi, and noticed that her clothes had many tears and bloodstains.

"Madam, are you injured?"

Hong Niangzi waved her hand and said, "It's just a superficial wound, nothing serious."

"I will immediately instruct the army doctor to bandage you..."

Snapped!

Hong Niangzi slammed her hand on the table, angrily saying, "I'm asking you to make a choice, why are you being so indecisive? Are you even a man?"

Cheng Youde inwardly groaned, wondering if this was a trap or not.

What if I say yes, but you're testing me and then you kill me?

If I don't agree, and you actually surrender to Chongzhen, you'll still have me executed...

No matter which choice you make, your life will be in danger!

Hong Niangzi grew impatient, gripped the hilt of her sword, and with a whoosh, the long sword was drawn.

Cheng Youde was shocked and thought to himself, "It's all over, it's all over, this is going to be a complete falling out!"

They were really testing me. Now that they see me hesitating, they've decided to kill me.

He had only one thought in his mind: fight!

The sword was hanging on the wall, and it was too late to grab it now. With Hong Niangzi's skills, she could definitely stab herself through the heart before she could even touch the hilt!

In desperation, he grabbed the table with both hands, preparing to overturn it to buy himself some time...

"Take it!"

"what?"

Cheng Youde was stunned again when he saw the knife hilt that Hong Niangzi handed him.

"I told you to take it!"

"this……"

Cheng Youde slowly put down the table, carefully took the knife from Hong Niangzi, and was at a loss.

"Either kill me, or come with me!"

After speaking, Hong Niangzi placed the knife against her own neck and slowly closed her eyes.

Cheng Youde was drenched in cold sweat, and his hand gripping the knife hilt began to tremble.

Is this woman crazy?

Even if you're trying to persuade them to surrender, you shouldn't risk your own life!

Clang!

The steel knife fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

Hong Niangzi slowly opened her eyes and saw Cheng Youde take a step back and then kneel on one knee.

"Your subordinate is willing to follow you, Madam!"

…………

Zezhou, the Ming army camp.

Gao Jie looked at Wang Dalong, who had come from afar, with disdain and asked, "Whose subordinate are you?"

Wang Dalong clasped his hands in salute and said, "Reporting to General Gao, I am under the command of the Warriors Battalion and await Commander Li's orders."

"Commander Li? Which Commander Li?"

"Li Ruolian, former Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Who is Li Ruolian? I've never heard of her."

With a mocking smile, Gao Jie continued, "I've heard that the Warriors Battalion was disbanded long ago. Their sudden reappearance—are they just liars?"

Wang Dalong, neither humble nor arrogant, said, "A month ago, His Majesty investigated the Embroidered Uniform Guard and selected three thousand elites to reorganize the Warrior Battalion. Li Ruolian, the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was appointed as the Commander of the Warrior Battalion."

"When did Li Ruolian first appear in the court? What evidence do you have that His Majesty has reorganized the Warriors' Battalion?"

"The imperial edict bears the emperor's seal and seal; General Gao can tell at a glance."

Gao Jie tossed the imperial edict aside and said, "I see you still don't understand the rules. Mobilizing troops requires authorization from the Ministry of War. Do you have the necessary documents from the Ministry of War?"

Wang Dalong's expression turned somewhat grim. He said, "Since there is an imperial edict, why is a document from the Ministry of War necessary?"

Gao Jie scoffed and said slowly, "Mobilizing tens of thousands of troops is such a big undertaking. How do we determine the marching route? How do we ensure the supply lines? Who will pay the soldiers' salaries? To put it simply, the preparation time alone will take three months, or even half a year."

Wang Dalong frowned and said, "His Majesty has urgently summoned General Gao, demanding that he depart immediately!"

"That's a joke! You think you can just do whatever you want? Besides, we need to verify whether the imperial edict in your hand is real or fake. If it's fake..."

Wang Dalong could no longer contain himself and loudly retorted, "How could an imperial edict be fake?"

Gao Jie was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting that this lowly flag officer would dare to defy him.

The guards on either side stepped forward and shouted, "How dare you speak to the General like that?"

Gao Jie stopped the man, then took two steps forward, looked at Wang Dalong with a mocking gaze, and said, "You've got guts, kid. In this little corner of Zezhou, no one dares to talk to me like that. What's your name again?"

"Wang Dalong, the flag bearer of the Warriors Battalion Outpost!"

"Wang Dalong, is that right? You're just a junior officer. I, the general, won't stoop to your level. Kneel down and kowtow three times, and I'll let bygones be bygones for your offense."

"General Gao, I'm here to deliver an imperial edict."

"Kneel down!"

"Though I am of lowly status and position, I am here representing His Majesty. I may kneel, but I cannot kneel before the imperial edict..."

"I'll make you kneel down!"

"I'm ordering you to receive the imperial decree!"

Wang Dalong suddenly made a move, drawing his sword from his waist and holding it against Gao Jie's neck.

The scene froze instantly; everyone was stunned.

Gao Jie's face turned ashen, and he roared, "What are you all standing there for? Take down this arrogant bastard!"

The guards then realized what was happening and drew their swords, surrounding the area.

"Don't move!"

Wang Dalong pushed the knife forward, the blade cutting through flesh, and blood dripped down the blade.

Gao Jie's face turned from black to white, and he hurriedly said, "Don't move, don't move..."

The guards held their knives, but dared not advance or retreat, and remained in a stalemate.

Wang Dalong said, "General Gao, are you going to disobey the imperial order?"

Gao Jie's expression was complex; he wanted to laugh but couldn't. After a long while, he said, "Commander Wang, you should think carefully. This is Zezhou. What will be the consequences of your actions?"

Wang Dalong said, "I've thought it through very clearly. General Gao disobeyed the imperial order and deserves to be executed!"

"This general never said he would disobey an imperial order. Such a significant matter must be thoroughly investigated. Don't you agree...?"

"General Gao, I have no time to waste with you. Now, immediately, send out troops without delay!"

"Alright, I'll order the troops to march now. Can you put down your sword now?"

As Gao Jie spoke, he secretly observed Wang Dalong's reaction. Seeing that Wang Dalong had relaxed his guard, Gao Jie suddenly took a big step back.

The guards seized the opportunity to step forward and shield Gao Jie behind them.

Unexpectedly, Wang Dalong remained completely calm and said in a deep voice, "General Gao, it seems you're determined to defy the imperial decree?"

Gao Jie touched the bloodstains on his neck, grinning maliciously, and said, "The emperor is far away, so what if you defy the imperial decree? I think you should worry about yourself! Daring to cause trouble on my turf, you're really asking for trouble!"

Wang Dalong showed no fear and said, "There are only two outcomes today. Either I will kill you on the spot, and then the deputy commander-in-chief will receive the imperial decree. Or you will kill me, confirming your crime of disobeying the imperial decree, and then wait for His Majesty to personally lead the army to flatten Zezhou and exterminate your entire clan!"

One of the guards said, "General, stop wasting words with him! Let's all attack together and hack him to death!"

"Wait a moment!"

Gao Jie suddenly stopped the group, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.

Li Zicheng's advance was unstoppable, and it was unknown how long the Ming Dynasty could hold out. Therefore, his original plan was to delay and adopt a wait-and-see attitude.

It was impossible to disobey the imperial decree, but one could claim to be seriously ill or injured in a horse-riding accident; in any case, it was impossible to send troops out arbitrarily.

What's most valuable in chaotic times?

Silver, grain, women... no, soldiers!

With an army, there will be silver, food, and countless women.

Even if Beijing falls, as long as they have troops, they can go to Nanjing, install any prince as emperor, and still enjoy wealth and honor.

However, Wang Dalong's arrival shattered his dreams.

If we kill him, it will truly confirm the crime of disobeying the imperial decree. Would we then have to rebel again?

He rebelled against Li Zicheng in the first place and even abducted his wife. Now Li Zicheng wishes he could devour him alive.

No, we can't push this to its limits...

Gao Jie's facial expression changed visibly, from glaring angrily to being unpredictable, then to feigning composure, and finally to forcing out a smile that looked worse than crying.

"Brother Da Long, I was just kidding!"

Upon hearing this, all the guards were dumbfounded. What was going on?

Gao Jie pushed the men apart and said, "What are you all doing? Put down your knives. I was just joking with Brother Da Long. How can you all be so clueless? Brother Da Long, don't mind me. I just like to joke around. Look at the mess this has made, hahaha..."

The crowd was somewhat bewildered and quickly put away their knives.

Wang Dalong also sheathed his sword and asked, "General Gao, have you received the imperial decree?"

"Look at what you're saying! His Majesty has issued a decree, how dare I refuse?"

When does General Gao plan to send out his troops?

"Now, immediately, right now!"

Gao Jie turned and ordered, "Pass on my command: everyone assemble immediately and march north to defend the emperor!"