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

"Report—"

A scout rushed to report from the Zhen Ding camp.

"Reporting to the Marquis of Cizhou, Lady Hong led her vanguard battalion in a surprise attack on two of our forward outposts overnight!"

Liu Fangliang's face darkened as he looked at Ma Chongxi standing to the side.

"What's the deal with the outpost?"

Ma Chongxi stood up and said, "Reporting to the Marquis, three days ago, Li Yan decided to launch a decisive battle against the Ming army and sent Cheng Youde with three thousand men to advance fifty li ahead to clear obstacles along the way and protect the grain supply route."

"Who exactly is this Cheng Youde?"

"This man has been following Hong Niangzi for many years, but..."

Ma Chongxi frowned and continued, "Those two secret letters of mine were sent out by him."

Liu Fangliang was somewhat confused and asked, "According to what you're saying, he and Hong Niangzi aren't on the same page, so why doesn't he use Hong Niangzi to claim credit, instead of obeying her orders?"

"This matter is rather strange, and I don't understand it either."

Ma Chongxi, who considered himself a strategist of his time, was also confused about the situation. He looked at the scouts and asked, "Have you found out? Is it Hong Niangzi leading the team personally?"

"Hong Niangzi and Cheng Youde split into two groups and launched a simultaneous surprise attack on two forward outposts!"

"That's strange..."

Ma Chongxi muttered to himself, "If Cheng Youde was coerced by Hong Niangzi, he should have had a good chance of escaping..."

Liu Fangliang had lost his patience and said, "Since Hong Niangzi is determined to oppose me, she cannot be allowed to live, Wang Yongzhen!"

Wang Yongzhen stepped forward: "Your subordinate is here!"

"Go and lead five thousand soldiers to fight against Hong Niangzi!"

"Yes, sir!"

Wang Yongzhen answered crisply and decisively, then turned and left.

Ma Chongxi looked worried and said, "I think there's something strange about this matter. Perhaps Li Yan knows something about it."

"Then interrogate him, torture him severely, and see how long he can keep his mouth shut!"

Ma Chongxi immediately got up, went to the cell where Li Yan was being held, signaled the guard to open the cell door, and then slowly walked in.

Li Yan looked up at him, then lowered her head again, closed her eyes, and calmed herself down.

"Brother Li, how have you been these past few days? Have you been eating well? It's getting chilly at night, perhaps you need some extra blankets?"

Ma Chongxi's words carried a hint of politeness, as if the two were still colleagues fighting side by side.

Li Yan sneered and said, "Ma Chongxi, you plotted against me from behind, so why pretend to be kind here? You'd better not let me leave here alive, or I'll take your head!"

Ma Chongxi shook his head slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Brother Li, you flatter me. We've worked together for many years, how could I really be so heartless? It's just that the current situation is complicated, and I have no choice. If you can tell me some inside information, and let me know how you and your husband prepared a backup plan, you can avoid some physical suffering."

Li Yan frowned, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes: "A backup plan? What backup plan? What are you talking about?"

"Cheng Youde and Hong Niangzi split up and launched a surprise attack on our forward outposts. Surely this was part of your plan? Or did you already know about my connection with Cheng Youde and deliberately keep something in reserve?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yan's face darkened further. He said, "If I had known that you two were secretly engaged in these shady dealings, I would have executed you under military law long ago. Why would I have allowed you to lead troops into battle?"

Seeing this, Ma Chongxi secretly pondered that Li Yan's reaction did not seem to be fake.

But how do we explain Cheng Youde's behavior?

If this person were truly loyal to Hong Niangzi, he wouldn't have helped her deliver the message. Yet, if he were disloyal, he went out of his way to help Hong Niangzi when she was desperate. This person is so contradictory!

Unless Li Yan is lying, they must have other plans!

Ma Chongxi, having made up his mind, said again, "Brother Li, just confess. You know how ruthless the Marquis of Cizhou is. If he uses torture, you'll suffer terribly. Can your body withstand it?"

Li Yan sneered repeatedly, saying, "I, Li Yan, act with integrity and have nothing to hide. I know nothing about the questions you ask. If you're so capable, go ask Cheng Youde yourself. Don't try to scare me with any torture. If you have the guts, kill me right now!"

"You can't die now! Hong Niangzi has gone mad to save you; your life is still useful!"

"Despicable and shameless! I trusted you so much!"

Knowing that Li Yan wouldn't speak easily, Ma Chongxi stopped wasting his breath and waved to the guards behind him.

"Someone, loosen up Brother Li Yan's muscles!"

After saying this, he turned around and went outside the cell, ordered someone to brew a pot of hot tea, and began to drink it by himself amidst screams of agony.

After finishing the pot of tea, the sounds in the cell became barely audible. Only then did Ma Chongxi slowly stand up and return to his cell.

Li Yan was covered in wounds and blood, and his breath had become very weak.

Ma Chongxi slowly walked closer and said, "I'll ask you one more time, what exactly are you and Cheng Youde's intentions?"

"Pooh!"

Li Yan suddenly spat a mouthful of blood onto Ma Chongxi's face, then burst into laughter. However, his internal organs had been damaged, and the smile on his face gradually became distorted.

Ma Chongxi raised his hand, wiped the blood and foam from his face, and said, "Just tell the truth. We've worked together, why make things so difficult?"

Li Yan, panting heavily, said, "I, Li Yan, have lived a life of integrity and upright conduct. To accuse me of treason is utterly ridiculous!"

Ma Chongxi, you immediately retorted, "Hong Niangzi was captured by the Ming army twice, and was released safely both times. You still insist that nothing happened? Do you really believe that yourself?"

"Ma Chongxi, can't you see it yet? This is a Ming army counter-espionage plot! I thought you were a smart man who wouldn't be misled by the Ming army, but I forgot that you are not only smart, but also a villain who will stop at nothing to seize power!"

Seeing this, Ma Chongxi's eyes darted around, and he said with a smile, "Brother Li Yan, don't you think something's strange? Emperor Chongzhen was not only incompetent and foolish, but also a lecherous man. How could Hong Niangzi have been captured twice and emerged unscathed? Haven't you noticed anything...?"

"Ma Chongxi, I'll fuck your mother, shut up!"

Li Yan flew into a rage, his eyes turning bloodshot, and like a maddened beast, he pounced on Ma Chongxi.

He was tied up tightly, and no matter how much he struggled, it was to no avail.

Seeing this, Ma Chongxi's smile widened, and he continued, "I guess you've noticed as well. Although Hong Niangzi isn't exactly a beauty of unparalleled grace, she is certainly dashing and spirited. Chongzhen is already tired of those delicate palace maids every day. Seeing Hong Niangzi come to his doorstep, isn't that...?"

"I'll tear your dog mouth apart!"

Li Yan roared, veins bulging on his face, his rage uncontrollable.

Instead of backing down, Ma Chongxi stared into Li Yan's eyes and said, "We're all men, and I understand how you feel. Things have come to this point, are you still going to protect her? Just confess everything. What exactly are you plotting?"

Li Yan, panting heavily, finally said helplessly, "You were also present at the military meeting that day. Cheng Youde was the vanguard, you know that. What exactly do you want to ask?"

"Just tell me, have you already surrendered to the Ming army?"

"No!"

"Really not?"

Li Yan was exhausted. He slowly closed his eyes and said, "I, Li Yan, act with integrity and uprightness. Even if I were to rebel, I would rebel openly and honestly!"

Ma Chongxi then said, "I'll ask you one last question: were you aware that Cheng Youde helped me deliver the message?"

Li Yan shook his head: "I don't know!"

Judging from Li Yan's condition, Ma Chongxi knew that if he were subjected to further torture, he might not be able to withstand it.

This person is bait to lure Hong Niangzi, and cannot die yet.

But what was Cheng Youde's reason for doing this?

After much thought, there's only one possibility.

This man knew that Liu Fangliang's dream of taking over the Southern Route Army and becoming its commander-in-chief had been shattered, and he felt deceived, which is why he chose to pledge allegiance to Hong Niangzi once again.

If this is indeed the case, then Cheng Youde is truly foolish.

Following Liu Fangliang won't be a loss. Once the capital is captured, you'll be a founding hero, and when rewards are distributed, you'll certainly be among them.

Following Hong Niangzi now is just courting death, isn't it?