Wealthy singing houses and dancing pavilions, desolate abandoned tombs and desolate terraces. All things turn back and turn into dust, but only the green mountains remain unchanged.
Liu Zongmin had emptied all the cellars of rich houses in Zhuxi County, and General Liu was a little surprised by the fatness of those wealthy households. The city was already suffering from famine, and cannibalistic tragedies were being staged every day, but
Separated only by a high wall, these wealthy families can actually sit on the Diaoyutai and store so much grain, meat, wine and food. Are they really not afraid that hungry people will rise up in rebellion and light up sky lanterns one by one?
However, General Liu had a good life. He only used more than a dozen clamps and sticks to serve the wealthy families. He neither set fires for fun like the officers and soldiers, nor killed people for fun like the Manchurians did with ropes.
They pierced their hands, strangled their necks with ropes, and sold people into slavery. As for how these rich people can survive after all the food in the cellars is raided and confiscated by the camp? They can ask the hungry people in the streets how they survive.
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"I didn't expect that in the small town of Zhuxi, despite major disasters such as floods, droughts, locusts, and wars, these rich people could still be stingy." Li Guo was obviously also quite surprised by Liu Zongmin's harvest. This time
The harvest from breaking the county seat of Zhuxi County far exceeded the old palmist's expectations.
"Is there anyone who can read? Bai Wang is too busy to record the seized materials alone." Liu Zongmin waved a riding whip in one hand and asked Li Guo to break into the camp and return to the public whatever was seized, whether gold, silk, rice or grain.
, pearls, shells and other items must be handed over to the palm first, and all expenses also come from the palm. If there is insufficient food, everyone will be reduced equally. If no one can pocket a single gold, the offender will die.
Most of the rogue bandits in the late Ming Dynasty had this centralized financial and logistical system, but just like Luo Rucai who indulged in music and music, and Zhang Xianzhong who was a little more womanizing, it was difficult for most of the rogue bandits' leaders to truly capture and return them to the public.
All are short. But Li Zicheng is special among them. He is neither a womanizer nor has any requirements for material enjoyment. He is rough and rough with the soldiers. Therefore, although there are only a few hundred men left in the camp now,
He was trapped in the mountains for nearly a year, but he still maintained the temperament of a real army.
"Old Guan Dui, I went to a private school for a few years and know some words." After being adopted by Li Guo as his adopted son, Li Laiheng followed Li Guo first. Since he was a new member of the camp, Liu
Zong Min and Li Guo have not arranged any work for him for the time being, which makes Li Laiheng really unsure.
At this time, when Li Laiheng heard Liu Zongmin's question, he immediately seized the opportunity and recommended himself. In the Ming Dynasty, when the literacy rate was extremely low, being able to write well was definitely a huge advantage.
Li Guo didn't know that Li Laiheng actually went to private school and was literate, so he looked a little surprised. He always had a serious and deep expression on his face, and he couldn't show any emotion or anger at this time. He just said: "You're hungry."
It has been too long, and it will be difficult for you to go into battle immediately. If you can read, you can follow the white guard team first, which can be considered a help."
"A tiger, your son is quite capable, haha." Liu Zongmin was a generous man with no other intentions. He only laughed and admired Li Guo's eyes, but he didn't notice that Li Laiheng sounded a little awkward even though Li Guo was older than him.
There are many people in the world, and he is a heroic figure in history. There is no psychological pressure in worshiping him as his adoptive father. However, when others say that he is Li Guo's son, it still feels a little uncomfortable.
"The rain is getting heavier and heavier, Laiheng, please go and help the white management team get things done so that our team can evacuate before the officers and soldiers arrive." This heavy rain in the Yunyang Mountains is indeed getting heavier and heavier.
The rain became heavier, which caused great obstacles to both the camp and the army. Li Guo also gradually felt uneasy. Marching in the rain was not easy, and the road to the camp might not be easy.
"Okay, foster father, this can be regarded as my first real errand in the camp. I should try my best to do it." Li Laiheng nodded, gestured to Li Guo and Liu Zongmin with fists, then turned and left.
Although Li Laiheng still felt a little uncomfortable when he heard others call him Li Guo's son, he himself called Li Guo his adoptive father very smoothly. In this troubled world, the father and son who had just been grafted together had an existing relationship.
There are many barriers, but there are also some subtle feelings of warmth.
Li Guo looked at Li Laiheng's back as he turned and left. This thin young man looked very much like the evil boy who had followed Li Zicheng, his uncle and brother Yi, many years ago, to dig up rice-rich houses to store grain and open warehouses to benefit the people.
Own.
After ten years of military service, Li Guo had become accustomed to hiding his innocent heart under a serious and indifferent appearance. But now when he looked at Li Laiheng walking into the heavy rain, his figure blurred, a strange feeling arose in his heart.
premonition.
"Brother Jiexuan, do you think this guy looks like us ten years ago?"
Liu Zongmin glanced at Li Laiheng's back, burst into laughter, and replied: "Hahaha, only Zicheng among us was literate ten years ago. Is your son more like Zicheng than a tiger? Hahahaha."
Naturally, Li Laiheng couldn't hear Liu Zongmin's joke. At this time, he was busy recording the quantity of rice, wheat, beans, bunches, gold, silver, wine and meat with Bai Wang.
Rice and wheat are the most important foods. People can't live without food, and soldiers can't survive without food. Bean bundles refer to bean cakes and grass bundles for horses to eat. Although there is a lack of horses in the camp now, almost all of them are infantry.
, but it is also necessary to make reserves for a rainy day. After breaking out of the Yunyang Mountains in the future, the cavalry army will inevitably have to be rebuilt.
In comparison, gold, silver, wine and meat are not very important. Li Zichen himself rarely drinks alcohol. When his old bosses are all in rough clothes, even a rebellious figure like Liu Zongmin rarely spends money on material enjoyment.
It exceeds Li Zicheng's standards for treating himself. Although gold and silver are valuable, the main area of activity of Chuangying is still in the inaccessible mountains and forests. There is no way to get these honeysuckles out, so for the time being, they can only store them up.
However, the quantity of these supplies was indeed beyond Li Laiheng's expectation. Compared with other soldiers who broke into the camp, he had stayed in Zhuxi County longer and had a deeper understanding of it.
What kind of situation had Zhuxi County reached before? In broad daylight, hungry people cut up and snatched corpses to eat. At night, the screams of people who were eaten alive could often be heard.
Li Laiheng originally thought that hunger had completely destroyed the human ethics and social order in Zhuxi County, but now he discovered that the hell of cannibalism only existed among the common people in Guizhou. Those rich and powerful families remained behind the high walls.
You can also sing and dance and enjoy the peaceful scene.
The rich wine and meat stink, and there are frozen bones on the road. This is a truth that will never go out of style for many years, but the tragedy of human cannibalism, compared with the frozen bones beside the road, stimulates the deepest sorrow and indignation in Li Laiheng's heart.
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Bai Wang seemed to see the unhappiness in Li Laiheng's heart, and said from the side: "There are not many literate people in the camp. I am often responsible for this errand, and I have long been used to this scene. The method you proposed is quite powerful. Draw a few
Then what kind of form? It will be much clearer if you record it."
He continued: "In troubled times, people want to be a peace dog, but they can't get it. If they sell themselves to a wealthy family and become a domestic slave, they may not be able to have a full meal. That's just the way the world is."
"That's the way the world is... Baiguan Team, do you think the world is right?" Li Laiheng stopped writing in his hand and asked.
"Oh, right or wrong, we can't make the decision now," Bai Wang chuckled, but Li Laiheng suddenly saw a strong and brave spirit on the face of this cautious and alert young manager, "But old man
The person in charge once said that everything in the world depends on people. If the old Zhu family cannot handle the task of governing the world, there will always be someone who can handle it well!"
Along with the thunder, the rain became heavier. The soldiers who broke into the camp in Zhuxi City had bundled up the grain and military supplies. There were many hungry people around, hiding in the broken houses, looking at the grain through the cracks, their eyes filled with tears.
It was a red light, but the expression on his face was still numb, and he couldn't muster any courage to fight for the food.
Several generals from the camp who were responsible for attacking Zhuxi County also came to the city gate. Liu Zongmin was wearing a helmet ripped off from the soldiers, while Li Guo was only wearing a cap to protect him from the rain. Li Shuangxi, Bai
Wang Ze simply wore a big felt hat to protect himself from the rain.
This group of people gathered at the gate of the city and were discussing the strategy of how to return the captured materials to the old camp in the deep mountains and old forests under the eyes of Zuozhen's army after leaving the city.
"It's raining heavily and the mountain roads are difficult to travel. The Zuo Army may not send troops to Zhuxi County in this kind of weather." Li Shuangxi said first. He didn't think too deeply. He just felt that Zuo Liangyu had always been interested in pursuing and suppressing the camp.
If you are not careful, you may not put in so much effort and leave your station to fight on a rainy day.
Li Guo retorted: "We can't ask for leniency in everything. If Zuo Liangyu is cruel and sends troops, we are unprepared, and we will be dead."
Li Laiheng nodded silently in his heart. They broke into the camp because of the rebellion of rogue bandits. Compared with the official army, their strength was much weaker. Only by being careful in everything can they survive.
Liu Zongmin also agreed with Li Guo's opinion. He said: "Master Zuo Tu'er may have guessed that we would not leave Zhuxi County in the rainy day, so he sent soldiers to fight in the rain to catch us off guard."
"It will be very difficult if we have to transport so much grain and also deal with Zuo's soldiers." Li Shuangxi said with a look of embarrassment on his face.
"I think we still need to divide our troops." Liu Zongmin frowned at this time. His serious and deep expression looked very much like Li Guo's. He added, "The troops are divided into two teams. The front team will transport food and fodder and return to the old camp first.
, the rear team fought and moved to contain the officers and soldiers."
Li Guodun first said yes and said: "That's what I mean, we must leave a rear team... But if this rear team has to deal with the left soldiers alone, the situation will be very dangerous."
Li Laiheng vaguely felt his adoptive father Li Guo glance at him, and he immediately felt uneasy. He was a pawn who had just joined the invasion camp. Wouldn't he be used as a bait and stay to break up the main force?
Li Laiheng's little thoughts are in line with the theory of Houheixue in later generations. However, a gentleman is magnanimous and a villain is always worried. If Chuangying develops according to the theory of Houheixue, it will be like this when he is trapped in the mountains and forests.
When the situation is over, it should have collapsed long ago. There is a different set of logic in the camp.
Sure enough, Liu Zongmin and Li Shuangxi said at the same time: "Then I will stay in the rear!"
Li Guo looked unhappy and said to Li Shuangxi: "The rear team has to fight and leave at the same time. It needs bold and careful people. Shuangxi, you always make mistakes when doing things, so it's better to go to the front team."
After hearing Li Guo's criticism, Li Shuangxi was not happy that he didn't have to stay behind. Instead, he looked sad and felt deeply shocked.
"Brother Jiexuan, the front team may also encounter other officers and soldiers. It needs a smart and capable person to lead the team." Li Guo said to Liu Zongmin again, "Shuangxi is brave but not thorough, Bai Wang is smart but lacks prestige. I
It seems we still need Brother Jixuan to lead the front team in person."
"Bah!" Liu Zongmin spat lightly and was very dissatisfied with Li Guo's arrangement. He said, "What? Then the rear team can only be left to a tiger to do it for you? I don't think that can work."
Liu Zongmin in Li Laiheng's impression has always been a very stereotyped image. Even now that he has seen Liu Zongmin with his own eyes, he still has not separated Liu Zongmin from that stereotyped image. The stereotyped image of Liu Zongmin in later generations seems to be a low-profile version of Li Kui.
Zhang Fei is not even considered a first-class character. Apart from his bravery, his deeds in history seem to be only negative deeds such as harming Chen Yuanyuan and torturing Ming Dynasty officials.
But at this time, Liu Zongmin showed another side that was different from Li Laiheng's impression.
He very carefully analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of each general in the camp, and agreed with Li Guo that neither Bai Wang nor Li Shuangxi were suitable to lead the rear team. But Liu Zongmin then further analyzed: "The front team,
The rear team is actually fighting and moving. The front team cannot hope not to encounter any officers and soldiers, nor can the rear team smash through the south wall and be wiped out. But the front team is focused on walking, and the rear team is focused on fighting, so
I think the front team needs a brave and careful person like a tiger to lead it, and the back team needs a warrior like me to lead it."
Liu Zongmin emphasized again: "In addition, do you think you are better than me when fighting in the army, beheading generals and seizing flags?"
He no longer called Li Guo's nickname "Tiger", but instead called Li Guo's nickname "Tiger" to complement it, which was obviously much more serious.
Li Guo was speechless. He knew that Liu Zongmin's opinion was more reasonable, so he could only acquiesce in Liu Zongmin's arrangement. The camp in Zhuxi County was divided into two teams, Li Guo, Bai Wang, Li Shuangxi, and Li Laiheng.
The front team transported grain and fodder and returned to the old camp first, while Liu Zongmin stayed alone and led the hundreds of elite soldiers he carefully selected to carry out rear-end operations.
The debate between the generals in the camp gradually collapsed some stereotypes in Li Laiheng's mind. He believed that he did not have much prejudice against the peasant army in the late Ming Dynasty, but he did not hold a high evaluation either.
In fact, in Li Laiheng's later generations, most opinions believed that the late Ming Dynasty was an era of inferiority, and the peasant army seemed to have finally lost even in this competition of inferiority.
But the scene in front of him told Li Laiheng that the world in the late Ming Dynasty was not just bad.
At the end of the Ming Dynasty, there were not only greedy and incompetent officials, domineering and lawless military generals, troops who fled after hearing the news, and a world full of depression, but also some real heroic spirits.
These heroic spirit are either hidden deep in the loess of Qinlong border, or deep in the ocean with thousands of miles of waves, or deep in the lush jungle.
The north wind blows from the south and the north wind blows, and we repeatedly make long-term plans to target the lonely and loyal.
A group of jackals are rampaging and trying to contain them, but the phoenix flies high and its career is in vain.
The sorrow and hatred disappear darkly, the banyan tree is green, and the heart is filled with the red of lychee.
If you want to know the heroic spirit of thousands of years, it is all in a night of wind and thunder.
The north wind is approaching, and the camp has been divided into two teams. Li Laiheng also followed the steps of the soldiers in the front team, walked out of the gate of Zhuxi County, and took his first step on the thorny road!