Zhu Cilang has been unable to sleep or eat recently. Since he learned about the news brought by Linghu Yunlong, he has always been worried about Li Yan.

Even Zhu Cixuan himself had no good idea to rescue Hong Niang from the enemy camp. Judging from the news he has received, the situation is not optimistic.

Seeing that the prince was depressed, Douhuaer thoughtfully brought him a bowl of pork ribs and winter melon porridge: "Your Highness, this porridge is refreshing, you can drink it while it's hot."

Zhu Cilang said "yes" and was not interested in drinking these greasy things: "Let it go there."

"Your Highness, why are you upset? If you are in a bad mood, why don't you go out for a walk outside the hall?"

Zhu Cixuan said "Yes" again: "Douhua'er, I ask you something. Is there any way to rescue the prisoners locked in the enemy camp. For example, Wangcai was captured by Jiannu, what can we do to rescue him?"

Douhua'er was stunned: "You have come to stump me, and I know this. If Jiannu caught Wangcai, if Wangcai was useful, they would definitely take strict supervision. Let's go to rescue him rashly, and it will only be a death sentence."

Zhu Ciyang was shocked: "What do you mean is that Wangcai can't save this bastard?"

Douhuaer nodded: "If the wealth is important to Your Highness, Jiannu will probably use the wealth as bait and lead the highness to send someone to rescue him. If the wealthy is gone, he will be even more trapped in the enemy's trick."

Zhu Cilang felt cold in his heart and secretly cried out something wrong. He stood up and paced back and forth in Zhongcui Palace. If this is the case, then Li Yan, Zhan Yunpeng and others will be in danger.

...

The thick fog helped them a lot, and even Liu Zongmin, the rear of the Hu Ben Army, was shocked. There were many powerful generals under his command, but in the face of the unknown enemies in the fog, his subordinates fell one after another.

The worst thing is that so far, except for killing several Hongniang men at the beginning, they did not encounter an enemy's body on the way to pursue.

In other words, the enemies behind the palace were all well-trained armies. They were definitely not subordinates of Hong Niangzi. Liu Zongmin's eyes showed a hint of fear, because you don't know how many people there were on the other side.

The fog made Liu Zongmin lose his judgment, and he dared not order to pursue him again. So, Li Yan and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief. When they retreated to the gate of Luoshan County, everyone was finally safe.

This was a failed rescue, and the price was heavy. Thirteen of the Tiger Ben Army, which had 50 people, were injured. Five of them were still seriously injured.

This was a huge loss for the invincible Hu Ben Army. Li Yan felt deeply guilty of his failure of this mission.

Ling Susu's side is even more serious. More than 30 subordinates she brought out died, and these were old subordinates who followed Hong Niang from Jigong Mountain. In order to rescue Hong Niang, these people were not afraid of sacrificing their lives. When they encountered Liu Zongmin ambushing, if Zhao Yun and the others had not discovered it in time, they would probably not have been able to come back.

Morale was low to freezing point, and when everyone returned to Luoshan County, everyone was silent.

This failure means that it is impossible to rescue Hong Niangzi in the future.

The injured soldiers were taken down to treat, and no one of the soldiers stationed in Luoshan County spoke. Li Yan sat dejectedly on the city wall, the fog gradually dissipated, and Li Zicheng's team appeared outside the city.

However, this mission failed in the end. Hong Madam could not be saved anyway, because he was afraid that Li Zicheng would take Hong Madam to the city to shout in person in the future. If he did not open the city gate, he would have a hundred ways to torture Hong Madam.

What should I do then? What should I make a decision? Should I watch the Hong Madam suffer all the torture at the hands of the bandits, or should I open the city gate and beg for surrender?

Li Yan had no answer in his heart. At this moment, Zhan Yunpeng came to Li Yan in dismay, with a bandage wrapped around his left arm. Zhan Yunpeng himself was also injured and he was hit by the enemy's cold arrow.

In the fog, the biggest threat to the bandits was not their pursuit. Instead, the cold arrows shot along the way, and the archers in the thick fog were completely blindly shooting. Even so, most of the soldiers were injured by the arrows.

Seeing Zhan Yunpeng's arrival, Li Tuiran sighed: "General Zhan, how are your injuries? Who else are there? How are they?"

Zhan Yunpeng shook his head and patted Li Yan on the shoulder with his right hand: "Several seriously injured people have been taken down to treat, Mr. Li, you must be mentally prepared for the failure of our rescue mission this time."

Li Yan felt cold in his heart. Even Zhan Yunpeng said so, isn't Hongniu really helpless?

If Li Zicheng threatened the Hongniang to attack the city, I would never open the city gate. Although I, Li Yan, are not a great hero, I cannot watch the people of Luoshan County being massacred by bandits.

If the Hong Madam is gone, I, Li Yan, will die with her. Thinking of this, Li Yan's mood was a little better. He patted the dust on his body and stood up: "I'll go and see the injured brothers."

The night is hazy, and tonight's mid-autumn. Unlike previous years, even the moon hides in the thick clouds and refuses to come out.

Li Yan went to visit the injured brothers, but fortunately, the lives of several seriously injured people should be fine. On late autumn nights, Li Yan walked alone on the streets of Luoshan County. The streets were cold and it was difficult for a few families to laugh during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

In the chaotic times, people's lives are like grass, and the people in the city are also suffering. When will there be no natural disasters and when will there be no bandits and corruption, perhaps the people's lives will be slightly better.

After all, there were still people praying for blessings, and a few people lit the Kongming lantern.

Beautiful lanterns, also known as sky lanterns, commonly known as wishing lanterns and praying lanterns, are usually displayed on major festivals such as Lantern Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival.

These people hope that these Kongming lanterns can bring expectations to their lives. Only with hope can they have the motivation to survive.

Li Yan raised his head and looked at the rising Kongming lantern, and couldn't help but smile bitterly. It would be great if he could sit on it and fly to the enemy camp to rescue Hongniang.

...

In Beijing, Empress Zhou sent people to summon him several times before Zhu Cixuan went to Kunning Palace from Zhongcui Palace. Zhongqiu was a day for family reunion, and Emperor Chongzhen also ended his government affairs early. It can be seen that Chongzhen was very happy. At least the current Ming Dynasty is a world of difference compared to more than a year ago.

Zhu Cilang was still worried about Li Yan and the others' affairs. At this time, the clouds in Beijing were clear and the moon was bright, and the round moon hangs high in the sky.

Zhu Cilang discussed the harvest of the imperial farm with Chongzhen. Chongzhen just smiled slightly when he heard this. What Zhu Cilang said was too unreasonable. The yield of sweet potato corn in the imperial farm could popularize planting in several provinces according to Zhu Cilang's wishes.

Today is mid-autumn, and the family reunion is not easy for Chongzhen to disturb everyone's interest. I just listen to Zhu Cilang's words.

It was midnight when Zhu Cilang returned to Zhongcui Palace surrounded by Wangcai Sanxi and others. In the palace, several little palace maids gathered together in whispering, and they chattered and looked up at the sky.

Zhu Cilang looked back in shock, and the people outside the palace set off many Kongming lanterns. During this grand festival, Beijing was still lively.
Chapter completed!