Back to Ming Dynasty with Industrial Revolution System

Chapter 268 Li Zicheng

In northern Shaanxi, thousands of miles of barren land, suffering from famine and war, sparsely populated and full of bones.The drought continued, the peasant uprising army was rampant, and the imperial court sent officers and soldiers. The two sides fought in this area, causing the people to suffer even more.The peasant uprising army robbed food everywhere, and officers and soldiers also collected from them. However, the [-] shi relief food sent by the imperial court turned into [-] shi when it left the capital, but it was less than [-] shi when it reached northern Shaanxi. For the drought, A drop in the bucket.

A burly man wandered around here with dozens of refugees armed with red-tasseled spears and broadswords.

"Brother, the villagers around here have all fled to the mountains. It is difficult for us to raise food for the winter." A refugee said to the leading man.

"This kind of life is really unbearable. We are uncomfortable, and the nearby villagers are also sad. The current plan is to rob the government of food. Those corrupt officials have stored up a lot of food, and they are making a fortune." The leading man saw a The barren land, frowning.

"The weapons of the officers and soldiers are sharp. We have killed and wounded a lot of brothers to build a granary. It's not worth it for the food." The refugees under him said.

"Bastard, even death in battle is better than starvation! Those despicable officials, I can't wait to peel their skin and eat their flesh! Although we are suffering from a severe drought in northern Shaanxi, it is not impossible to solve it. It is all the fault of those people Exploitation from top to bottom led to the catastrophe in northern Shaanxi." The leading man gritted his teeth and kicked away the stones on the side of the road.

"If we can't find food, how can we go back and turn to King Chuang? Will it affect your status in front of King Chuang?" asked a group of refugees.

"I'm King Chuang's niece and son-in-law, and King Chuang won't blame me," said the big man in the lead.

"Brother, look, there seems to be a caravan surrounded there. They might have something good. This time we have something to tell King Chuang!" Several refugees who climbed the hillside to watch the surrounding situation shouted.

"There are still caravans daring to appear in this area? Maybe they are profiteers hoarding food. Let's go, let's snatch them." The leading man rushed over with dozens of homemade weapons.

Behind the hillside, as expected, several carriages were stopped by more than 20 ragged people.The merchants and bodyguards near the carriage were tied to the ground by these people.These ragged men, dressed almost like refugees, looked like other peasant rebels, searching the carriage.

"Which one of you are subordinates!" The leading man brought dozens of refugees over and surrounded the more than 20 refugees, "Get the hell out of here, you dare to wander in King Chuang's territory, aren't you tired of living?" !"

"We are the subordinates of the Eighth King Zhang Xianzhong. We have been following this caravan for a long time. It is clear that we came first. What do you want to do?" More than 20 refugees are obviously ruthless people, and they said confidently.

"A strong dragon does not overwhelm a snake, not to mention that our King Chuang is not inferior to your Eight Great Kings. Let me say one more thing, get out, or I will not let you go!" Say, "Guys, get ready to go!"

Dozens of refugees under King Chuang drew their swords and pointed their guns, and the two sides were at war.

"Grass, you Chuangwang people are so big, I really think that northern Shaanxi is your territory. But we don't plan to argue with you today. If you bully the few, you are not a good guy. Let's go, let's go back and rescue the soldiers." Zhang Xianzhong said Seeing that the situation was not good for them, the subordinates left in a hurry after saying a harsh word.

Looking at Zhang Xianzhong's subordinates who fled, some refugees were a little worried: "Brother, these people are subordinates of the Eight Great Kings. We snatched things from them. Will they take revenge on us later?"

"Living at the knife's edge, we don't even care about them when we don't have enough to eat? Is it necessary to give up the things on our Chuangwang's territory to the Eight Great Kings?" The big man in the lead said dissatisfiedly, "Let the brothers check what is on the carriage. things, and then put them all back.”

Dozens of refugees excitedly searched the big carriage.An even greater sense of excitement awaited them as they raised the canvas covering the carriage.

"There is food, cotton cloth, and Chinese herbal medicine. These are all in short supply!" They opened their eyes wide in disbelief.

"Sure enough, it was profiteers who took advantage of the drought and war to make a fortune, and killed them all." The leading man saw these supplies worth a thousand taels of silver on the big carriage, and his eyes were hot for a while, and at the same time, he hated the tied businessman.

"Brother, what are these?" Several refugees found several wooden-like weapons from the carriage. "It looks like a firecracker from the Ming army? I don't know how to use this thing."

The big guy in the lead took the musket and played with it in his hand, his pupils gradually dilated.His heart also beat violently.

"Brother, are you going to kill this businessman?" The refugees picked up the bound businessman and put a big knife across their necks.

"Wait." The big man in the lead realized that something was not simple, and asked the businessman, "Who are you guys? Why are there muskets?"

"Hero, can you untie me first, so that I can discuss it with you." The businessman said in embarrassment.

"Untie him." The leading man waved his hand.

"We are businessmen from the Liao Army in the Liaodong area. We came to the Hetao area to do business. I heard from the Mongolians there that there was a shortage of supplies in northern Shaanxi, and we could sell our goods at a good price when we came here, so we passed by The Hetao area went south to northern Shaanxi. Unexpectedly, shortly after entering northern Shaanxi, he was targeted by bandits. Fortunately, there were martyrs who came to the rescue. We are willing to donate all the things on this big carriage to you martyrs. As long as you let us live ’” the merchant begged.

"Brothers, they say we are righteous men? Haha." The big man in the lead laughed.

The rest of the refugees also laughed.

"Don't you guys?" The businessman pretended to be confused.

"Of course we are righteous men." The leading man said, "It turned out to be businessmen from the Liao Army, no wonder. I heard from the Mongols that your Liao Army has advanced muskets and artillery. It seems that these are muskets that are more powerful than the officers and soldiers. Right? Demonstrate how to use it. If it satisfies me, maybe I will let you go."

"This musket is only used by us to protect the convoy. There was an emergency just now and we didn't have time to use it. Anyway, I can teach you how to use the musket, but I want to know your name, the martyr." The businessman asked.

"If you don't change your name, you don't change your surname. I am Li Zicheng under King Chuang's account. It is your luck to fall into my hands today." The big man said

　Note: At this time in history, Li Zicheng had not yet turned to Chuang Wang Gao Yingxiang.Drama needs.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)