March 18th, arrived as scheduled.

Zhengyang Avenue, from Zhengyang Gate to Zhengyang Square, was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns, with red cloth covering the ground, and guards were on martial law.

On both sides of the road, there were dense crowds of Ming Dynasty people.

They were looking forward to the end of the road.

"Here she comes, the Crown Princess is here!"

As waves of exclamations rang out, vocal music was immediately heard.

In the distance on Zhengyang Avenue, there was a drum and music team in front, accompanied by dozens of Tiqi guards. In the center were sixteen strong men carrying a sedan chair.

The sedan chair with sixteen bearers was exclusively for the emperor.

In fact, situations like the current one involving Zhu Ying and Ye Yueqing rarely occur in ancient and modern history.

As the crown prince, Zhu Ying now enjoys the treatment that only the emperor has. Of course, this treatment was also specially approved by Zhu Yuanzhang.

In other dynasties, the crown prince had a different set of etiquette systems.

In some dynasties, there were even rifts between the emperor and the crown prince, so such a grand scene was naturally impossible.

After becoming emperor, the process of getting married was no longer necessary.

Then we went straight to the process of enthroning the queen.

Not to mention the common people watching the ceremony.

On Zhengyang Square, officials stood respectfully on both sides, at the top, under the flag-raising platform of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, and Zhu Ying stood beside him.

"Grandson, how do you feel right now?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked with a smile as he looked at his eldest grandson who was staring at the front without moving.

Zhu Ying heard this and turned around and smiled, "Grandpa, please don't make fun of me. This is my first wedding, and I can't really describe how I feel."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and looked at the wedding procession slowly approaching the end of Zhengyang Avenue.

His eyes were hazy, and he seemed to see the scene of his own wedding.

At that time, he was the captain of nine personal soldiers of Guo Zixing. He led the troops in battle and handed over all the spoils to Guo Zixing.

After receiving the reward, he said that the credit belonged to everyone and distributed the reward to everyone.

Guo Zixing admired Zhu Yuanzhang very much, and thinking of the entrustment of his best friend Ma Gong, he married Ma to Zhu Yuanzhang.

At that time, Zhu Yuanzhang was still called Zhu Chongba.

The soldiers in the army also changed his name to Master Zhu.

After Zhu Yuanzhang got married, he also changed his formal name.

Zhu Guorui.

This was the name I mentioned when I first met Zhu Ying.

Thinking of his past self, Zhu Yuanzhang's lips curled up slightly, but tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.

The good times of having my elder sister by my side can never be regained.

The noisy sound of drums and music brought Zhu Yuanzhang back to his senses. He realized that today was a great day for his eldest grandson, and he quickly wiped away the tears from his eyes.

Zhu Ying did not notice this scene.

His mind was drawn to the wedding procession that was getting closer and closer.

This was his first marriage in his past and present lives. He hadn’t even been in love, but he had already reached the stage of getting married.

Start a family,

Such a distant word, but now it is right before our eyes.

Although he didn't say anything, he already had a different feeling in his heart.

It's a wonderful feeling.

Perhaps influenced by the past life, an invisible responsibility fell on my shoulders.

It won't be long before he takes on the role of a father.

Before they knew it, the team had already arrived at Zhengyang Square.

"Why are you still standing there? Go quickly."

Hearing the old man's urging in his ears, Zhu Ying responded and hurried over.

When Zhu Ying walked past the Ming Dynasty flag-raising platform, all officials bowed, soldiers knelt on one knee, and the people bowed their heads.

There was also music and drums playing.

Behind him, the Ming Dynasty flag was slowly rising for the first time.

Zhu Ying walked to the sedan chair, holding Ye Yueqing, who was wearing a red veil, and slowly walked to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Listening to the official from the Ministry of Rites reading the imperial edict, Zhu Ying felt the tension in Ye Yueqing's hands.

Unlike the common people’s wedding ceremony, as the eldest grandson of the Ming Dynasty and the crown prince, officials from the Ministry of Rites offered sacrifices to heaven and earth and worshipped their ancestors.

Many of the rituals were somewhat similar to the ceremony of enthroning the crown prince at that time.

To the common people, it is naturally elegant and solemn.

After the ceremony, it was already noon.

The rest will naturally be held in the palace.

…

"Today is March 18th, the day of His Royal Highness's wedding. We are ordered to stay away and cannot celebrate. Today, we will completely defeat the rebels and pacify Shaanxi as a gift to His Royal Highness. Are you willing?"

In the big tent, Lan Yu stood up and said in a deep voice.

Today is the wedding day of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but he can only redress his grievances here and cannot congratulate him. This makes Lan Yu very unhappy.

As the saying goes, the sky is big, the earth is big, but your uncle is the biggest.

Zhu Ying's biological mother was Lan Yu's niece and sister's daughter.

According to seniority, Lan Yu is Zhu Ying's great uncle.

In the current clan relationship in the Ming Dynasty, those who are within the five degrees of mourning are considered blood relatives.

But now he couldn't go to congratulate Zhu Ying as his uncle.

As for the two brothers Chang Sheng and Chang Sen of the Chang family, they have no status at all, so how can they compare to me?

Upon hearing what Duke Lan Yu of Liang said, Cao Zhen was the first to stand up and express his opinion:

"These rats in the gutter have been hiding here and there all day long. These days, they dare not confront our army at all."

"Now that the location of their lair has been figured out, the general has allowed me to have three thousand soldiers. I will be the vanguard and kill them in pieces. I will definitely make these rebels surrender obediently."

What Cao Zhen said was not bragging.

During these days, the Ming Dynasty besieged Tian Jiuchen and other rebels, and launched many small-scale ambushes, all of which ended in complete victory.

After all, the rebels had not received any systematic training, and their rebellion had not lasted long, so they had only fought two successful battles.

These two battles were one-sided and did not have much effect on improving the soldiers' health.

Even when they were attacking Luocheng, the Shanxi merchants had arranged for internal support. After two days of siege, they captured the city gate and took the city in one fell swoop.

On the other hand, Lan Yu's men were all veteran soldiers, and they were guarding the capital.

In daily training and in all aspects, their combat effectiveness was no less than that of their superiors. Also, because they were under the emperor's feet, naturally no one dared to fool around or engage in corruption in secret.

With the appearance of the Black Armor Guards, the combat effectiveness of the soldiers in the guards was greatly increased.

In a battle in the mountains, victory cannot be achieved by simply outnumbering people like in a plain. A charge by an elite group of soldiers will be more effective.

As Cao Zhen agreed, more generals also requested to serve.

Naturally, there was no reason for Lan Yu to refuse.

At this moment, the mountain village was filled with a gloomy scene.

Even though Gao Fuxing boosted morale through many strategies, the gap in hard power was still too big.

The elite government troops were simply not something that these farmers who had just revolted could resist.

If a small team of more than ten people encounters the Ming army, they will be destroyed.

Often one government soldier could chase and kill four or five people.

Whether in terms of armaments or personal fighting ability, the gap in this area is huge.

"Mr. Gao, there is no momentum left in our stronghold now. Hundreds of soldiers deserted yesterday."

"If this continues, it won't be long before the village is finished."

"This morning, many leaders made excuses and no one dared to patrol the mountains."

"What should we do now? Does Mr. Gao have any plan?"

Tian Jiucheng took Gao Fuxing and had a secret talk behind the Dazhai.

The delicacies on the table did not arouse any appetite at all.

Tian Jiucheng is now at a loss. He originally thought that he could hold out for at least two months, but the key issue is food.

I didn't expect that in less than a month, I would be at the end of my rope.

The Ming Dynasty's official army was really cruel. Dozens of teams shuttled through the mountains and forests, attacking and killing the patrollers in various ways.

Now we can only close the gates of the village and stay here.

At this time, Gao Fuxing no longer had the confidence he once had, and instead had a look of panic on his face.

"My lord, please forgive me for being blunt, but the many victories of the government troops have completely crushed the morale of our brothers. According to my estimation, the government troops will launch a total attack on the mountain stronghold in the next two days."

"This time, for our village, it is a matter of life and death."

"If we can repel the government troops, our stronghold may be able to enjoy peace for many days, and perhaps even hold out until the Ming court gives up."

Listening to Gao Fuxing's analysis, Tian Jiucheng thought for a moment and asked, "Sir, maybe, even if we fight them off, we can't keep the stronghold."

Gao Fuxing smiled bitterly and said, "The commander of the army this time is the famous Ming general, Duke of Liang, Lan Yu."

"Lan Yu's temper is well known throughout the Ming Dynasty. It is said that last year, he beat up the Minister of Personnel Zhan Hui and surrounded his mansion, forbidding him to submit a memorial."

"This kind of person is the most tyrannical. If he fails the first time, he will most likely ignore the casualties and force the army to attack the mountain."

"Your Majesty should have seen the strength of these government troops in recent days. They are completely different from the government troops we fought before. They are all extremely brave."

"Any old soldier who comes to our stronghold is a leader, but on the other side, he is just a small soldier."

At this moment, Tian Jiucheng suddenly realized that even with the advantage of geographical location, he could not stop the Ming army.

Perhaps the only reason for choosing to encircle the enemy rather than attack directly was probably the spring plowing season.

Thinking of this, Tian Jiucheng couldn't help but smile bitterly and said, "If we surrender now, will we still have a chance to survive?"

Gao Fuxing shook his head and said, "Others may have it, but the king and I are doomed."

Hearing such an affirmative tone, Tian Jiucheng knew that it was just wishful thinking.

Unfortunately, after years of planning, his plan was shattered in less than half a year once he launched the war.

As he thought about it, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in Tian Jiucheng's eyes.

"Mr. Gao, from the perspective of the situation now, even if we hold off the first Ming charge, we will only end up with defeat and death."

"As the old saying goes, if you keep the green mountains, you will never run out of firewood. It is better to escape now, lie in wait, and look for another opportunity."

Gao Fuxing said bitterly: "Now we are surrounded from front and back, there is no way to retreat."

"Even if I want to escape, where can I escape to?"

Tian Jiucheng looked at Gao Fuxing deeply, and then said: "Sir, you don't know, the reason why I chose to build a mountain stronghold here is naturally for a reason."

"In my residence on the mountainside, there is a secret passage that leads to the path behind the mountain."

"Normally, it would be difficult for the government troops to escape if they were just on the move, but if a large army came, there would be a chance."

"Let them fight in the front to attract the attention of the government troops, and we will take hundreds of our trusted followers and retreat from the back mountain."

When Gao Fuxing heard this, he was moved.

He actually didn't know that Tian Jiucheng had such a secret hidden, and even he himself didn't know about it.

After a moment of deep thought, Gao Fuxing said, "If we just slip away, I'm afraid we won't make it in time."

"If others knew that the king was no longer in the stronghold, their morale would collapse and the Ming army would easily break through the gate."

"Although I don't know how secretive the Great King's secret passage is, if we are discovered, we can still escape from these mountains."

Listening to Gao Fuxing's analysis, Tian Jiucheng gritted his teeth and said, "Sir, just rest assured."

"Only three or two people know about the secret passage. When the Ming army attacks, I will order my trusted confidant Wang Jingangnu to lead the troops to guard the front. This will definitely buy us enough time."

Hearing this, Gao Fuxing's eyes flashed.

Wang Jingangnu is considered the most capable fighter in the entire mountain village.

When he started the rebellion, he was extremely brave.

Gao Fuxing knew without asking any questions that Tian Jiucheng definitely did not tell Wang Jingang about the secret passage of the King Kong slaves. Pushing him out at this time would be simply sending him to his death.

After hesitating for a moment, Gao Fuxing asked, "The village is not big, and we can't hide the fact that we're leaving for too long."

"Your Majesty will have to lead hundreds of your trusted followers, which will make it even easier for you to be exposed. If your leader surrenders to the Ming court, then it will be a waste of effort."

Gao Fuxing really couldn't understand why Tian Jiucheng was still thinking about his gold and silver treasures at this time.

A few hundred people are nothing compared to the more than 30,000 people in the mountain stronghold, but they are all Tian Jiucheng's confidants.

Anyone would have noticed a problem if so many people disappeared at once.

After hearing this, Tian Jiucheng paused for a moment, then explained, "Don't worry, sir. Commander Wang will fight to the death, even if he knows that we are leaving."

After hearing this, Gao Fuxing finally understood.

Wang Jingangnu has always been fully supportive and extremely loyal to Tian Jiucheng.

Of course, before this, Tian Jiucheng had done a favor to Wang Jingangnu, which was why he was able to do so.

Tian Jiucheng had already predicted that even if Wang Jingangnu knew the news, he would choose to fight and die.

Gao Fuxing didn't ask any more questions.

Those who achieve great things do not pay attention to trivial matters.

It’s a pity that such a loyal and righteous man like Wang Jingangnu was lost.

Just as Gao Fuxing went back to prepare his belongings, a loud shout came from the village:

"The government troops are attacking the mountain!!! The government troops are attacking the mountain!!!"

When Gao Fuxing heard this call, he couldn't help but feel a little contempt.

To despise copycats is to despise yourself.

At the same time, he felt relieved. Without any hesitation, he took the package, avoided the crowd, and went to Tian Jiuchen's residence.

Down the mountain,

Cao Zhen was riding on a horse with thousands of soldiers behind him. He looked up at the closed gate of the village on the mountainside and the surrounding watchtowers.

He sneered, "Do you really think a mere village gate can stop this general?"

Then he shouted: "Brothers, bring up the cannons, let these villains know the power of our Ming firearms!"

Following Cao Zhen's order.

The soldiers made way for them, and more than ten large cannons were pushed forward.