Ming Dynasty: I, Zhu Yunwen, started by resurrecting my grandmother.

Zhu Di sighed, "Yes, we've fought so many battles with the Northern Yuan, but none of them have been as difficult as the Iron Fist."

Yao Guangxiao said, "How about this? We send a large army to surround Jinan, but we will not attack. We will cut off their water and food supplies. In time, they will collapse on their own."

Furthermore, we have set up ambushes at key crossroads; if the imperial court sends troops to rescue us, we could have surrounded the enemy strongholds and attacked the reinforcements.

Zhu Gaoxu disagreed: "Great monk, according to you, when will we have to wait?"

By the time Jinan is captured, it will be too late.

If the Northern Yuan were to launch another attack on Beiping, striking our rear, we would be unable to defend both ends.

Zhu Di listened and felt that both of them made sense.

Yao Guangxiao's plan was good, but it took too long, and he couldn't wait.

Zhu Di looked at Yao Guangxiao: "Sidao, do you have any other ideas? Can you hurry up?"

We need to race against time!

"If we waste too much time, Zhu Yunwen will be able to redeploy his troops, making it difficult for us to launch another attack."

Yao Guangxiao fiddled with the string of Buddhist beads in his hands, pondered for a moment, and said, "If all else fails, we'll use a strategy of luring the snake out of its hole."

Zhu Di looked puzzled and asked, "What does 'luring the snake out of its hole' mean?"

"We can select some old and weak people and have them challenge and insult them in front of Jinan every day to see if Tie Xian can keep his temper in check."

If he loses his composure and leads his troops out of the city to fight us, then he will have fallen into our trap.

We'll lay in ambush around them beforehand, lure them into our encirclement, and then annihilate them all in one fell swoop.

Zhu Di listened and thought his suggestion was good: "Let's do as you say!"

So Zhu Di sent Zhu Neng with several hundred old, weak and disabled soldiers to the north gate of Jinan. Zhu Neng dismounted, lay on the ground, and kept cursing: "Tie Xian, you coward, you're as timid as a mouse!"

"Tie Xian, do you dare to come out and fight Grandpa?"

He cursed Iron Fist's ancestors for eight generations, using the most vile and offensive language imaginable.

However, the drawbridge at the north gate of Jinan remained in place, and the gate itself remained closed.

At this time, a soldier guarding the city reported the situation to Tie Xian.

Tie Xuan just smiled and ignored him.

Sheng Yong was furious: "Lord Tie, they've gone too far. I'd better lead a force and deal with them myself."

"No need to rush, ignore them."

Give each soldier two wads of cotton to plug their ears.

Their tactic is called "luring the snake out of its hole." I suspect they have a large force lying in ambush nearby, ready to ambush our troops once they leave the city. How could such a petty trick fool me?

"Is it possible?" Sheng Yong asked skeptically.

So the two of them climbed onto the city wall.

Tie Xuan took out a monocular telescope and looked around. He saw that a large number of the Prince of Yan's troops were lying in ambush in the woods.

"Just as you predicted!" Sheng Yong bowed down.

Tie Xuan laughed heartily: "Yao Guangxiao is cunning. We should raise the white flag of truce and wait for the imperial reinforcements. They've come from afar, and transporting supplies is extremely inconvenient. They'll retreat on their own after a while!"

"The railway expert is right."

Just then, a carrier pigeon landed on Tie Xuan's shoulder.

Tie Xuan held the carrier pigeon in his hands, tore open the letter, unfolded it, and his expression changed drastically.

Sheng Yong asked, "What happened?"

"Zhao Ning'er was captured by the pirates Chen Zuyi and his gang."

Zhu Yunwen's forces are currently small, and he hopes we will go to his aid. Tie Xuan looked troubled.

Upon hearing this, Shangyong was also surprised: "But we are currently preoccupied with our own problems, where would we find the troops to help them?"

Tie Xuan shook his head: "General Sheng, you're wrong. We're not going to help them, we're going to save ourselves."

Think about it, if it weren't for them holding Chen Zuyi and his son Chen Shiliang back,

If Chen Zuyi joins forces with Zhu Di to attack Jinan from both sides, then we will be in grave danger.

Sheng Yong, after hearing what he said, also felt it made sense: "What do you mean?"

"We have to find a way to rescue Zhao Ning'er," Tie Xuan said firmly.

"We are now surrounded by the King of Yan's army. How can we possibly get out?"

Tie Xuan thought for a moment and said, "How about this, you will guard Jinan, and remember not to go into battle."

At the third watch of the night, I led an army to break out of the encirclement.

"Lord Tie, that's too dangerous."

Tie Xuan looked ahead and said, "It's alright. I've dealt with Zhu Di for a long time and I already know them."

I think breaking through shouldn't be too difficult.

"So, how do you plan to break through?"

"Didn't they use a feint to attack us from the east while we attacked from the west?"

At midnight tonight, you should lead several hundred soldiers to beat drums and gongs at the north gate, making as much noise as possible to attract their troops here and make them think we are going to fight outside the city.

Then, I broke through from the south gate.

"This plan is excellent!"

It was the third watch of the night.

North Gate of Jinan.

Sheng Yong arrived with several hundred men.

They beat drums and gongs, set off firecrackers, which alerted Zhu Di.

Zhu Di personally donned full armor, mounted his warhorse, and came to watch.

He asked Yao Guangxiao, who was standing next to him, "What's going on?"

We challenge them daily, but they dare not accept the challenge. Are they planning to raid our camp now?

In his haste, Yao Guangxiao was also confused about what was going on: "To be on the safe side, we should proceed cautiously and not fall into their trap too easily."

"We just need to hold the camp and use archers to block the gates to prevent them from breaking in."

Zhu Gaoxu said, "Great monk, aren't you being too timid?"

Were you scared out of your wits by Tie Xuan?

If he dares to attack our camp, what do we have to fear from him?

"Why don't I lead an army to attack them? I'm sure we'll achieve a great victory."

Zhu Di shook his head: "You have to use your brain when you fight a war, you can't just rely on brute force!"

Jinan's defenses are strong, with high and large city walls and a moat. How many people would die if we launched a direct assault?

You've attacked Jinan more than once, and you haven't been able to take it, have you?

Zhu Gaoxu was furious, feeling that his heroic talents had no place to be used.

As expected, Zhu Di fell for Tie Xuan's trick and moved his troops to the north gate to guard against Sheng Yong.

The south gate was poorly defended, so Tie Xuan led 5,000 men out through it. After a fierce battle,

Tie Xuan successfully broke through the encirclement and headed straight for Suzhou.

Noon the next day.

They then rushed to Zhu Yunwen's camp.

Chang Yuchun, Zhao Sili, and Zhu Yuntong came out of the tent to greet him. After exchanging greetings, Zhu Yuntong invited Tie Xuan into the tent.

Zhu Yunwen poured a cup of tea for Tie Xuan, Chang Yuchun, and Zhao Sili.

Zhu Yunwen looked at Tie Xuan and asked, "Lord Tie, I really didn't expect you to arrive so quickly. What's the situation in Jinan right now?"

Tie Xuan then recounted the events of his battle with Zhu Di.

Everyone who heard this sighed in dismay.

Zhu Yunwen was deeply moved: "You have kept Zhu Di's 100,000-strong army outside Jinan. You are under great pressure yourself, and you still led 5000 troops to support us. This is really too much trouble for you."

Tie Xuan smiled slightly: "King Wu, there's no need to be so polite. I've already spoken to Sheng Yong about it."

I don't think there should be any major problems.

How is the battle going with Chen Zuyi?

Zhu Yunwen then recounted the situation on this side.

Tie Xuan gave a thumbs-up in praise: "King Wu, you are truly fearless! You actually dared to go and fight Chen Zuyi one-on-one!"

Looking across the entire Ming Dynasty, there is probably no one else like you.

Zhu Yuntong waved his hand and laughed, "I'm at my wit's end, it's a last resort, but Chen Zuyi is quite shrewd."

In the end, they still couldn't rescue Zhao Ning'er.

Tie Xuan pondered for a moment and said, "Why don't we try diplomacy first and then force him? We can write him a letter, appealing to his emotions and reasoning with him, and ask him to release Zhao Ning'er."

We can give them money or horses; if they don't agree, then we'll resort to arms.

Everyone agreed with Tie Xuan's point, and Wang Yuemin stood up: "Alright, Yunhuo, you write the letter, I'll deliver it!"

Zhu Yunwen looked at her and thought to himself that Wang Yuemin was truly a woman who was just as capable as any man.

"It might not be appropriate for you to go; they all know you," Zhu Yunwen said with a worried expression.

Wang Yuemin, however, disagreed: "So what? When two countries are at war, envoys are not to be killed!"

So what if they know me?

"Do those thieves even follow these rules?"

"It's alright, don't worry. I'll take Fu Bao with me. If they dare to make a move, I'll let Fu Bao bite them to death!" Wang Yuemin's eyes were filled with resentment.

Everyone thought it was okay to let Wang Yuemin give it a try.

So Zhu Yongtong quickly wrote a letter and handed it to Wang Yuemin, repeatedly instructing him to be extremely careful when he arrived.

Wang Yuemin nodded in agreement, mounted a warhorse, and rode away.

Donglai, Haikou.

On the sea, even without wind, there are waves three feet high.

Hundreds of large ships were neatly arranged on the sea.

Each large ship was teeming with pirates.

They were all bare-chested, baring their teeth and brandishing various weapons; the timid would be scared to death.

Wang Yuemin met Chen Zuyi on the large ship.

She handed the letter written by Zhu Yuntong to Chen Zuyi.

The letter essentially said that if Chen Zuyi could release Zhao Ning'er, they would offer him 300 jin of gold and 500 warhorses as a token of their gratitude, which would amount to quite a sum.

After reading it, Chen Zuyi nodded and asked, "Where are you from?"

Judging from your attire and appearance, you don't seem to be from the Central Plains.

Wang Yuemin raised her head and looked sharply at Chen Zuyi: "To tell you the truth, I am Minmin Temur."

Chaghan Temur is my father, and Wang Baobao is my sworn brother.

Upon hearing this, Chen Zuyi was greatly surprised and puzzled, and asked, "So you are a princess of Beiyuan."

The Northern Yuan and the Ming Dynasty were irreconcilable enemies, so why are you helping Zhu Yunwen?

"You don't need to worry about that."

Chen Shiliang pointed at Wang Yuemin and said, "She killed many of our brothers. We might as well just kill her."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuemin raised her face and said, "Since ancient times, in times of war between two countries, envoys are not to be killed!"

"We're pirates, we don't care about your rules!"

"Guards, seize her!"

At this moment, more than a dozen pirates rushed in from outside the cabin, intending to tie up Wang Yuemin.

Just then, Fu Bao rushed forward, letting out a low "howl" and revealing its sharp fangs.

Chen Shiliang was also terrified and retreated.

Just as the two sides were about to fight, Chen Zuyi waved his hand and said, "You may all step back. This young lady is right. War between two countries has nothing to do with the envoy."

Even though we're pirates, we still have to follow some rules.

Wang Yuemin saw this and sneered inwardly, thinking, "I think you're just bullies who prey on the weak."

Chen Zuyi admired Wang Yuemin's extraordinary courage and said, "Princess, you should go and rest first."

Please allow me to think this over carefully, and I will give you an answer tomorrow morning.

"That's fine then. Where is Zhao Ning'er? I want to see her."

"Can."

So Chen Shiliang led Wang Yuemin to the bottom of the cabin.

He pointed and said, "This is it. Go in and take a look."

To prevent Zhao Ning'er from escaping, Chen Shiliang tied her hands and feet and placed her on the couch.

Aside from being a little damp, the cabin was fairly clean and tidy.

Zhao Ning'er was lost in thought.

She thought to herself that she was probably doomed this time and would never see Yunhu again.

If only I hadn't argued with him, I would have planned to ride back to the capital alone, but I never expected to fall into a pirate trap halfway there.

She thought to herself that these pirates were really something else.

Just as she was lost in thought, she suddenly heard a creak, and the door opened.

A woman walked in from outside.

Zhao Ning'er glanced at the woman and realized that if it wasn't Wang Yuemin, then who was she?

Zhao Ning'er looked at her, found it strange, and asked, "Why are you here?"

Wang Yuemin carefully examined Zhao Ning'er.

Although Zhao Ning'er was tied up here, she remained calm and composed, not at all like someone who had been expected to be panicked.

Wang Yuemin found Zhao Ning'er to be exceptionally beautiful.

Wang Yuemin thought to herself that a woman like this would be attractive to anyone, not just men, but even she herself. She thought to herself, no wonder Zhu Yunwen was so infatuated with her that he was willing to risk his life for her.

"Miss Zhao, I have come here to deliver a message to Chen Zuyi and his men."

Zhu Yunwen has joined forces with Tie Xuan and the others, and they plan to rescue you.

This time, Zhu Yunwen also offered Chen Zuyi very favorable terms, hoping to peacefully exchange you for him.

Zhao Ning'er was deeply moved: "He doesn't need to pay such a high price for me. He needs money right now."

Moreover, how could his small army possibly be a match for Chen Zuyi and his son Chen Shiliang?

Wang Yuemin then recounted the situation outside to her, including that Zhu Di had already raised an army in rebellion and clashed with Tie Xuan several times in Jinan, and that the two sides were currently deadlocked.

Zhao Ning'er sighed: "As expected, Zhu Di wasn't crazy; he still rebelled after all."

Zhang Xin is indeed a traitor. In that case, the situation in the court is not optimistic.

"To the north we have your Northern Yuan, the Prince of Yan, and now we have pirates."

"yes."

"Don't think about it too much for now. Chen Zuyi said he'll give me an answer tomorrow morning and see if he can release you."

As long as you're safe and sound, that's all that matters.

"No matter what, thank you. I really didn't expect you to come and save me." Zhao Ning'er looked at Wang Yuemin, her eyes filled with gratitude.

"Don't say that. I'm not here to save you. I'm only doing this for Yun-huo's sake," Wang Yue-min said truthfully.

Zhao Ning'er, filled with doubt, asked, "Does this mean you and Yunheng have really consummated your marriage?"

"It's just a little bit short. No matter how I try to persuade him, he won't listen. It's like he's acting a little abnormal." Wang Yuemin crossed her arms over her chest.

"Are you serious?"

"Why would I need to lie to you?"

Hearing this, Zhao Ning'er was secretly delighted, thinking that their talk of entering the bridal chamber was a lie.