The one who came was an old man in his fifties or sixties, accompanied by at least a dozen dart-headed figures, who at first glance were not small merchants and peddlers with no background power, but in all likelihood, there were people with some backgrounds.

As the president of Qian, Li Hongji certainly did not dare to slack off. However, after getting some news from the previous soldiers, plus this person's attitude and look were a little too pretentious, as if he was not a civilian businessman, but his own superior, he smiled and said: "I heard that you brought a heavy gift to the army, and it turned out to be just more than 20 copper coins that are not in good condition." Anyway, what do you want to transport out of your mouth? Iron or salt? ”

"Some words are a little inappropriate to say in front of too many people, can you back down?" There are a lot of officers and soldiers who have seen the rarity. The old man also gestured to Li Hongji. Li Hongji, who has become the president of Qian, is of course an officer with some status, and after the order, many other people, including Li Guo, had to stay away.

"Say it! Isn't it that there are good criminals hanging up in the capital after fleeing to the border pass? Now we are not considered to be the most knowledgeable soldiers. I also heard some rumors from the capital. Wei Zhongxian fell, and many of the world's most wanted criminals escaped... Of course, Li Hongji is also a serious and careful person, and after seeing that the old man's accent and face at this moment were a little wrong, and he took the initiative to take off his fake beard, he guessed.

"Mr. Qian's mind is very thoughtful. But this time, Mr. Qian still guessed wrong. Our family is not a eunuch to commit a crime, but has been given a secret edict by the emperor today and handed over some errands to Mr. Qian. Mr. Chi may wish to recall some of the events of the past few months. Or inquire a thing or two in this army. It's just a stationman with no roots. Why did he suddenly rise to prominence and become a very important confidant of General Yang? The salaries and equipment for your team are distributed almost according to the rules and there is no arrears, have you heard of such good things from the other thousand generals under General Wang? Such grace will only come from the Son of Heaven. ”

At this time, Li Hongji was still a little skeptical, if it was a eunuch sent by the Son of Heaven, why didn't he announce something important at this time?

"Li Hongji, are you literate?" The eunuch of the sixtieth year suddenly said.

"When I was at the post station, I studied hard day and night, so I knew a few words."

"And what about arithmetic?"

"There are a lot of chores, and the accounts within a thousand are still clear."

"Well, this time the real gift is the book. On the back page of the book is a secret letter, which should be visible after the fire has been roasted. It is written the contact information of the future secret letters. You follow the law of numbers, corresponding to the number of pages and specific words in the book, which is the money that the Son of Heaven may leave to you in a few months. In addition, MeSign also records some requirements and reasons for you. I hope you can understand why you have suddenly been given such a mission from heaven ... Oh, and don't delay, take a look at the lamp now... ”

When he first saw that this was a letter encouraging him to start an incident, the doubts in Li Hongji's heart intensified a little. Just about to say something. The old eunuch added, "We know that these things do not make you truly convinced that the Holy One arranged for you to start an incident in a few months, and of course the Holy One will not leave any of his own handles. Let's do it: if you have the chance, you will be surprised if you burn the twenty inferior lead coins we brought today. Think about it carefully, will Wang Erzhi and his ilk offer a price of five or six hundred taels of gold in order to win over the hundreds of people under you. Also: From spring to May this year, the Holy Lord's army will lead his own soldiers to inspect the situation in the northwest area, and may let his own soldiers personally participate in the battle against bandits. Those cats and dogs, is it possible to get the news so long in advance, whether it is true or not, you will understand... I don't plan to leave, staying here is a witness... ”

When Li Hongji continued to read in the secret letter that showed the handwriting, he couldn't help but be even more surprised: "Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, it has been 260 years, from top to bottom, from the countryside to the high-ranking officials in the capital. Although there are also some loyal and brave people, if you want to clarify the world and the sea, it has come time to break the old and establish the new. Don't use extraordinary methods, it's not enough to return the Ming Dynasty to the bright future. I hope that in the months leading up to the Dragon Boat Festival, you will seize the time to train and consolidate your military strength, and some of my firearms and training and even the experience of marching and field battles have been included in the appendix. At the same time, it is also necessary to properly and secretly prepare the minds of the officers and men in the army, so that when the incident arises, it will not be too hasty. ”

Rebellion by order? The Son of Heaven ordered his subordinates to rebel? Or take pains to create opportunities? This is really something that has never been done before. This made Li Hongji stunned at this time. At this time, although Li Hongji couldn't help but disbelieve in the face of such evidence, and gave up his previous plan to report and make meritorious contributions, the suspicion in his heart still did not completely dissipate. But he still said solemnly: "Don't worry." If everything is true after a few months, I will definitely live up to the trust of God. and will hold high the banner of righteousness for the way of heaven... ”

In the following months, the team led by Li Hongji focused on practicing the skills of marching immediately, finding out news, and marching and camping according to Xiao Xuan's arrangement. There are also some essentials on how to carry out ambushes and even counter-ambushes, and even some essentials on the use and storage of firearms and gunpowder.

Relying on resources, including thousands of craftsmen in the team, as well as resources saved through the palace and even obtained from the previous round of looting. The Guards Battalion led by Xiao Xuan, and even the Brave Guard Battalion led by Huang Degong and Zhou Yuji were also strengthening their strength while training.

By the time the first year of Chongzhen approached the summer, the strength of the Guards Battalion and the Brave Guard Battalion had further doubled since the beginning of the year. One battalion of the Guards Battalion alone is equipped with more than 50 newly cast general cannons, and there are more than 500 guns in the range of 30 or 40 catties equipped with thousands of people. The strength, including the Brave Guard Battalion, has more than doubled.

This is not the most important thing, the continuous months of training, so that many teenagers who already have a certain equestrian foundation have reached an objective level under the training investment at any cost, whether it is archery on the horse or under the step.

During this period of time, I saw that Xiao Xuan did not expand the big case he encountered a year ago into a big purge, nor did he continue to move the interests of too many people. also secretly acquiesced to this somewhat willful martial emperor. At least judging from some of Xiao Xuan's attitudes towards Empress Zhou and her relatives, it seems that this is not an unreasonable tyrant.

But since the spring of the seventh year of the Apocalypse to the summer of the first year of Chongzhen, the severe drought in Shaanxi and Gansu for two consecutive years has also made the people of Wang Er and others stronger and stronger, even exceeding the momentum that would have been there at this time in history.

(End of chapter)