On August 16 of the 11th year of Chongzhen, the sky in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province was just shining, and Li Zi got up early as usual, hurriedly washed up, and then hung a flower horse sword and carried a horse whip out of the old camp gate. Although he knew that the weather must be hot after dawn, he still wore a half-worn dark blue standard cloth arrow coat, tightly tied with silk, covered with an old sheepskin cloak of red mountain silk, a white felt hat with red tassels, and a pair of thick-soled felt riding boots. After a while, his righteous son Li Shuangxi and a group of pro-soldiers led the war horses to do a few activities, and after a while, his righteous son Li Shuangxi and a group of pro-soldiers led the war horses. He took the reins from one of his own soldiers, mounted the oolong horse, and walked towards the gate.

Li Zicheng's mood at this time is not very good, since he entered Shaanxi, Shaanxi, which was originally empty, soon became the world of the army, this is his hometown, Li Zicheng, who returned to his hometown, should be very happy, but at this moment he is not happy.

Because he had just arrived in Shaanxi, Niu Jinxing rushed over and told him that Hubei was lost, and Li Zicheng didn't take it seriously at the beginning, Hubei lost the north, anyway, he had already searched the land in Hubei once, and most of the rich gentry and rich families let themselves be looted, even if he Pang Gang occupied Hubei, he was just eating his own leftovers.

But what happened next made him uncomfortable, this Pang Gang actually announced that he had left the Ming Dynasty and went it alone, but this news made Li Zicheng so depressed that he couldn't do it, and he felt that Pang Gang was a pioneer!

As soon as he walked with his front foot, he immediately accepted it with his back foot, what is it called to make a wedding dress for others, this is it.

Moreover, since coming to Shaanxi, Li Zicheng found that although he returned to his hometown, it was not as convenient as in other provinces to scavenge land by himself. After many years of war in Shaanxi, the big gentry and rich families fled and died, and the rest were all bitter haha, and everyone was a villager who looked down and didn't look up, so naturally they couldn't grab things like when they were in the provinces outside.

But now the problem comes, if you don't grab things, is it still called a rogue, and the sixty or seventy thousand horses under Li Zicheng's hands just eat, drink, and Lazar every day is a lot of money, if you sit and eat like this, you don't need the official army to encircle and suppress the gang, sooner or later, you have to disperse, for this problem, Li Zicheng's hair has fallen out a lot these days.

There is a red double town in Xi'an Prefecture, there is an iron mine here, it has always been rich in high-quality iron ore, Li Zicheng tens of thousands of horses, the number of weapons and armor needed is huge, with the increase of soldiers and horses, it is no longer realistic to rely on the weapons of captured officers and soldiers to equip themselves, therefore, Li Zicheng also specially set up a craftsman battalion, specifically responsible for the supply of weapons to the army.

Li Zicheng and Li Shuangxi and dozens of his own soldiers wandered around the artisan camp all morning, including the various artisan camps that made weapons and sewed armor, tents, flags, and uniforms. For breakfast, he squatted on the ground with the miners of Hongshuang Town to eat together. There were about 3,000 people in the artisan battalion, and nine out of ten were digging coal kilns, and only a few were burning charcoal. The people who dig coal kilns in the western part of Henan are called coal blacks, they are unemployed peasants, digging coal for others, the life is extremely heavy, the life is extremely hard, and there is often a danger to life, so in the Ming Dynasty for more than 200 years, the miners who dig coal in various places are the mainstay, and the workers who open copper mines, iron mines, tin mines and silver mines continue to cause trouble, and the government and the landlord class are collectively called "mine thieves". After Li Zicheng was stationed in Hongshuang Town, he often came to join the army with the nearby coal blacks, organized into a battalion, and stationed in a leeward and sunny col.

After eating breakfast, Li Zicheng wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and then began to inspect again, but when he was alone, there was a faint look of worry on his face.

At this time, Li Shuangxi came over from the side and reported: "Father-in-law, Li Gongzi is here." ”

"Get him here." For Li Yan, Li Zicheng still respects him very much, that is, this person has turned the originally scattered rebel army into an organized and disciplined team, and his combat effectiveness has improved a lot compared to before, and this is all up to him.

"The student has seen King Chuang." Soon came in a hurry, Li Yan came over and saluted Li Zicheng.

Li Zicheng smiled and said: "Li Gongzi, you came just in time, now our rebel army is short of weapons, and the grain production of this craftsman battalion can't keep up, I don't know what you can do?" ”

Li Yan shook his head and said that he had no choice, after all, these things are really difficult to do, not that you can get weapons if you are outstanding, excellent weapons are not blown out, they can only be supported by a stable industrial base.

Although he had expected the result for a long time, Li Zicheng still sighed in disappointment, and he said slowly: "Li Gongzi, since Fang Liang, Nai'er and others were wiped out by the tens of thousands of troops killed by that Pang Gang, there is a bad rumor in our army, saying that Pang Gang is the first strong army of the Ming Dynasty and the nemesis of our righteous army. But I, Li Zicheng, don't believe in that evil, I must have to fight with him, but who let us be rogues, the current rebel weapons, armor, food, war horses, everything is lacking, without weapons, do we let our brothers fight with the Qingzhou soldiers of Pang Gang with their fists?

There is also Niu Junshi, if he hadn't lost the last batch of silver taels and grain that we left in Wuchang Mansion, our words would have been much better. ”

Speaking of this, Li Zicheng's face showed a trace of dissatisfaction, originally he left Niu Jinxing in Hubei to be optimistic about the grain production base in Hubei, Li Zicheng originally wanted to wait until the autumn grain harvest in September to hang the land again, but he didn't expect Pang Gang to call, and by the way, he also left the grain in Hubei to leave. But Niu Jinxing ran back to Shaanxi without even letting out a fart, if it weren't for the fact that he was recommended by Li Yan, Li Zicheng would have punished him a long time ago.

Li Yan said with a smile: "Don't worry, King Chuang, it is really helpless for Niu Junshi to be forced to give up Hubei, it's just that Pang Gang is too cunning, but these things have passed, it's useless to say more, this time the students came to report the good news." ”

"Annunciation?" Li Zicheng was slightly stunned, "Where does the joy come from?" ”

"There's someone from the east, which east?" Li Zicheng didn't react for a while, and looked at Li Yan with some confusion.

Li Yan smiled mysteriously, and just whispered: "Liaodong." ”

Li Zicheng's body was shocked, and he said in a trembling voice: "What, Liaodong? ”

"Yes, Liaodong?"

"What are they doing here?"

Li Zicheng suddenly became alert, and because of the natural surname of a leader, he was wary of anything he didn't understand.

Li Yan said: "They came here to join hands with us to overthrow the corrupt Ming court, and the people who came also said that they can provide us with a batch of weapons and armor, and they can also help us contain the border army, but these things have to wait for you to personally interview the envoy sent by the Jurchens." ”

After Li Zicheng stood still, he asked with some emotion, "Where is the messenger?" ”

"It's in the old camp, and now it's being entertained by the two of them, Niu Junshi and Song Sergeant."

"Let's go, let's go back right away!"

After Li Zicheng finished speaking, he immediately turned over and galloped towards the old camp

There were originally several villages behind Hongshuang Town, but since the old camp was stationed here, the villagers here have long been scattered, and soon this place became the temporary station of the old camp.

At this moment, in a big house, Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance were sitting on both sides, and in the middle sat several men dressed as businessmen in robes, who were talking without a word.

Among the merchants, a middle-aged man in a cyan robe was the most eye-catching, with a square face that looked neat at first glance, but his eyes always turned differently, giving people a sense of great loyalty.

This person's name is Qiao Jiayong, and he is one of the representative figures in the Jin Dynasty in Shanxi, and today he came to help these mud legs that he despised.

Although he resisted this order in his heart, it was issued directly to him by the Manchu leadership, so even if he was reluctant, he had to carry it out.

Taking a sip of tea, Qiao Jiayong smiled and said to Niu Jinxing: "Niu Junshi, I don't know when King Chuang will come back?" We've been waiting for a full hour. ”

Niu Jinxing still looked indifferent, and chuckled: "Don't worry, Mr. Qiao, as the master of the righteous army, many things must be handled by him personally, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a good opportunity, Boss Qiao still has to wait." ”

"I'm sorry, an anti-thief leader actually claims to be in charge, and he is not afraid of the wind flashing his tongue." Qiao Jiayong scolded with disdain in his heart, but he still said with a haha on his face: "Yes, after all, this is not the same time, the current Wang family's great cause is too big, and it is not as good as the past." ”

Qiao Jiayong's words revealed a sneering flavor, Song Xiance and Niu Jinxing naturally heard it clearly, but one of these two people was hypocritical, and the other was deep, and for the sake of possible assistance, both of them automatically filtered out this sentence.

And the origin of this Qiao Jiayong is not simple, I heard that he is not only the head of the next generation of the Qiao family, but also a representative of the Jin merchants.

What is Jin Shang? Jin merchants refer to since the middle of the Ming Dynasty, more and more active in the Ming shopping malls of Shanxi merchants, they to operate the salt industry, ticket number and other commerce, to be manifested in the donation of wages, the purchase of land, usury capital, etc., especially the ticket number is the most famous.

At the end of the Ming Dynasty, some Shanxi merchants used Zhangjiakou as a base to travel back and forth between inside and outside the Guan, engaged in trade activities, transported materials to the Manchu regime, and even transmitted documents and information. According to the "Qing Shilu", in the third year of the Mandate of Heaven (1618), there were 16 traders in Fushun from Shandong, Shanxi, Hedong, Hexi, Suzhou and Hangzhou. The trade activities of Shanxi merchants inside and outside the customs gave great support to the Manchu regime in terms of materials, and the Manchu regime also gave courtesy and attention to Shanxi merchants. Historically, Shanxi merchants played a very important role in the Qing rulers' strengthening of their rule over the Mongol region and China.

The Manchu Qing attached great importance to the Jin merchants, and the Jin merchants were naturally loyal to the Manchus, and almost all the activities of the Manchu regime in the Ming Dynasty had the shadow of the Jin merchants.

This time, Qiao Jiayong came to assist Li Zicheng, a tributary of Li Zicheng, on the order of Huang Taiji, to enhance their strength, so that they would have more energy to make trouble in Daming's belly.

Just when they were saying something unnutritious, there was a sound of heavy footsteps outside the door, and Qiao Jiayong saw a burly middle-aged man and Li Yangongzi, who had just gone out, walking in, and he knew that it must be Li Zicheng who was coming.

Qiao Jiayong stood up and said to Li Zicheng: "This must be the world-famous King Chuang, Qiao Jiayong has seen King Chuang in Xiashanxi!" ”

Li Zicheng strode over, held Qiao Jiayong's hand and laughed: "Eh, I have always heard that Jin Merchants produce talents, but I still don't believe it, but now when I see Boss Qiao, I believe that the rumors in the past are indeed true!" ”

"King Chuang has won the award, Qiao is just a pawn, and he should not be praised so much by King Chuang." Everyone loves to listen to good words, and Qiao Jiayong is no exception. Although Qiao Jiayong's city government will not be stunned by a few good words, Li Zicheng's high hat still makes him feel very comfortable, you see, even this world-famous rogue leader has to pat my ass.

After the horses were filmed, the two sides took their seats, Li Zicheng sat down with a golden knife, looked at Qiao Jiayong and said: "Brother Qiao, I am a rough person, and I can't talk around the corner." I heard Li Gongzi say that you Jin merchants intend to fund the weapons and armor of my righteous army, I don't know if this is true? ”

Qiao Jiayong nodded lightly and said: "It's true, but Qiao wants to correct a little, it is not our Jin merchants who fund King Chuang, but the Great Qing Kingdom, and King Chuang must not be mistaken." ”

Li Zicheng said with a smile: "Oh, our rebels ask ourselves if we don't know each other in the Manchu Dynasty, I don't know why they want to fund us?" ”

"Well, there's a reason for that." Qiao Jiayong also knew that the person opposite was a figure who had been helpless in the Ming Dynasty for ten years, so naturally he would not say anything for empty reasons such as so-and-so, which would only backfire.

So Qiao Jiayong said very "honestly": "King Chuang, you must also know about the war last year, the losses of the Qing Dynasty are very large, and now the Manchu Qing Dynasty has no other meaning, they only ask King Chuang that you can seize the world as soon as possible, and our Qing Dynasty is willing to form a brotherly state with you." ”

After hearing this, Li Zicheng smiled and said, "Is it just that? ”

Of course not, Qiao Jiayong's old face flushed, gritted his teeth and said: "You have also heard about Pang Gang's blatant rebellion against the Ming Dynasty a few days ago, my Qing Emperor said, if you are willing to attack Hubei again and give that Pang Gang a heavy blow, what do you want, we will give it to the Qing Dynasty?" ”

As soon as Qiao Jiayong said this, although several people, including Li Zicheng, did not show it on the surface, they secretly despised it in their hearts, Tartar is not much, you think of yourself as a man, you still have to be shameless.

Li Zicheng sank his face and said unhappily: "Isn't Boss Qiao joking?" Thinking that Pang Gang's troops are all elite, and the firearms are extremely sharp, you let our rebels recover Hubei, isn't it a knife to kill people? ”

Li Zicheng, the leader of the rogue who has been in the Ming Dynasty for ten years, was angry, and a trace of murderous aura spread out on his body, waiting for Qiao Jiayong coldly, which made Qiao Jiayong feel a lot of pressure.

Qiao Jiayong, who originally had a disdain for Li Zicheng and the others, suddenly panicked, and hurriedly shook his head and said: "King Chuang misunderstood, my Qing Emperor didn't mean this, we just hope that you can put pressure on that Pang Gang at the border, but there is no intention of sitting on the mountain and watching the tiger fight." ”

"Oh, really?"

Li Zicheng sneered, but he didn't hold on to it anymore, he was silent for a long time before continuing to ask: "I don't know how much equipment, grain and grass the Qing Dynasty can support my righteous army?" ”

Qiao Jiayong scolded in his heart: "Nima, Lao Tzu just said that he wanted to support your equipment, when did he say that he would support your food and grass, you would beat the snake and stick it." ”

Qiao Jiayong shook his head and said: "Well, I don't have extra grain and grass to support you in the Qing Dynasty for the time being, but the equipment can support you with five thousand spears, three thousand long knives and five hundred strong bows." ”

At this time, Li Yan, who had been silent on the sidelines, spoke, and Li Yan shook his head and said: "Your side is too insincere, what use can you do with only five thousand spears, three thousand long knives and five hundred strong bows, this is just a drop in the bucket for us." ”

"Then how much does Li Gongzi want?" Qiao Jiayong was also annoyed, it would be good to have something for you, and you were still chirping and picking and choosing.

Li Yan sneered: "Although we are poor, we have a spear, and we can't build a long knife ourselves, not to mention the strong bow, that thing can be made by everyone, and you don't need to give it away from the Qing Dynasty." ”

"You" Qiao Jiayong almost didn't catch his breath, "Nima's, you said that you are not rare with these things, that's good, just assume that Lao Tzu didn't say it, you have made it yourself if you lack something." ”

But without waiting for Qiao Jiayong to get angry, Li Yan then said: "If the Great Qing Dynasty has the heart to help my rebel army seize the world, then fund my rebel army with 3,000 bird guns and 30,000 gunpowder lead bullets!" ”

"No way!"

Almost as Li Yan's voice fell, Qiao Jiayong immediately jumped up and said loudly: "Li Gongzi, don't go too far, I don't think that bird gun even has much in my Daqing, where can I get three thousand to give you, I Daqing respects you as a righteous army, but don't take our Daqing as a fool." ”

Speaking of this, Qiao Jiayong sneered: "King Chuang, if you are still Li Gongzi or such a lion with his mouth open, then let's end this meeting, I need you to contain that Pang Gang, but I will never accept your harsh conditions and leave!" ”

After speaking, Qiao Jiayong stood up and was about to leave, but was stopped by Niu Jinxing who got up with a smile, "Why should Boss Qiao be angry, Gongzi Li is just joking with you." ”

Qiao Jiayong sneered: "I don't dare to take this kind of thing as a joke, Qiao advises you to be down-to-earth in words and deeds." ”

After speaking, the Qiao family sat on the stool with the courage to gasp.

(To be continued)