Ming Dynasty: Summoning game players at the beginning

Chapter 356 Creating a New Document
As the main force of officers and soldiers set off, Zhao Erhu was ordered to follow the captain to the countryside to purchase grain.

The generals liked to disperse their troops to the countryside, firstly to requisition grain and fodder, and secondly to win over the rural farmers. Each squad would always be assigned two or three officers with eccentric behavior.

One of them, riding in a bamboo sedan chair, seemed to have caught a cold and was unable to exert himself. He often kept his eyes closed as if he were fast asleep, but occasionally opened them and whispered a few words to the officer beside him.

A knowledgeable veteran, who had been with the general for a long time, speculated that this was some kind of "secret technique" employed by the general.

By reciting "Auntie's Kara keeps us clean," one can communicate with the spirits of heaven and earth and the heroic spirits of those who died in battle, exchanging information in a short moment, and this information is often incredibly accurate.

For example, half an hour earlier, the "sorcerer" on the bamboo palanquin received news that the main force of the government troops was retreating westward.

Zhao Erhu didn't know if it was true or not, he only knew that he silently recited the incantation once, but he couldn't communicate with the dead Instructor Li.

Perhaps it's because I lack cultivation that I find it difficult to cast spells.

Soldiers passing through the area always cause chaos in the countryside. Their small team, consisting of only about thirty people, might be attacked by the main force of the soldiers if they rashly returned to their unit.

The soldiers were not afraid of death, but the officers took pity on their lives and ordered them to lie low in the countryside and wait for the situation to develop before meeting at a designated location.

Seeing the team retreating towards their hometown, Zhao Erhu boldly invited them to join him.

Firstly, he missed his hometown dearly after being away for so long, and secondly, he was familiar with the local customs and could ensure the safety of his comrades.

The officers remained noncommittal, discussed the matter briefly around the person on the bamboo palanquin, and finally agreed to his proposal.

This is how the Red Turban Army officers operated; even the lowest-ranking soldiers, if their proposals were reasonable, would be adopted. Only in this way could the lower-ranking soldiers dare to think and offer suggestions.

Unlike the suffocating atmosphere of the government troops, where even the thought of offering suggestions or receiving full pay was a pipe dream.

When he returned to his familiar village, memories of his childhood flooded back—

Two years ago, the Tartars invaded and slaughtered their way from the capital region all the way to northern Shandong. The whole family was separated during the escape.

He was lucky enough to escape to Dengzhou and eventually became an auxiliary soldier in the Beiwei Army. He struggled his way up to where he is today, and couldn't help but sigh at how unpredictable life's circumstances can be.

When he pushed open his own door, the fenced courtyard was deserted and quiet.

That's true. He's been away from home for over two years. Even if his family members are still alive, they're probably scattered all over the place...

The moment the thought of sorrow arose, the wooden door of the house creaked open.

"Erhu?"

A familiar greeting came from in front of me. A gratified smile appeared on his face, his features were sharp and distinct, his simple clothes were neat and clean, and he exuded a more capable and confident aura than a soldier, as if he had been reborn.

The elder brother glanced outside and took in all the Red Turban Army soldiers.

"Big Brother!" Zhao Erhu blurted out without thinking. His older brother, Zhao Dalong, whom he hadn't seen for two years, had already returned home!
The brothers were overjoyed to be reunited after so long, and Zhao Erhu immediately inquired about the whereabouts of the other relatives as soon as he entered the door.

“The day before yesterday, everyone around was saying that the army was passing through, and my parents and third brother took the food and went to the mountains to avoid the disaster.”

As soon as the eldest brother finished speaking, Zhao Erhu exclaimed in surprise, "Father, Mother, and Third Brother are all alive?!"

"Yes, these past few years I fled to Henan, and my third brother went to southern Shandong... I was only able to survive until today thanks to the help of a benefactor. You also survived by joining the government army, didn't you?"

The eldest brother was busy fiddling with things at the kitchen counter when he came over with a bowl of cornbread and millet porridge. On the way, he glanced out the window, as if he thought the people outside were soldiers.

"No! Everyone's already calling for the government troops to be killed, how could I risk my life for them?" Erhu pointed to the half-open door. "I've joined the Red Turban Rebellion. They're all heroes acting on behalf of Heaven!"

Seeing that his family was safe and sound, Zhao Erhu's worries subsided. As he was eating the cornbread his family had made, he suddenly remembered the incident of "the army passing through".

The main force of the officers and soldiers has been stationed in the Gaowan area. How could a large number of troops be passing through the Zhangqiu area?
Could they be government troops transferred from elsewhere as reinforcements?

If tens of thousands more government troops were to arrive as reinforcements, the Red Turban Army would be in danger.

He quickly pressed for details about who the soldiers who had crossed the border the day before were.

"I'm not sure about that, I only know there's a flag with an Iron Fist on it..."

"That must be the Red Turban Army!" Zhao Erhu slapped his thigh and shouted excitedly.

Those that can be described as a large army passing through must be the main force.

Zhao Erhu thought to himself that although he was just a lowly soldier, the generals and commanders often communicated their military strategies to the lowest-ranking soldiers.

The fact that even he and his mid-level officers were unaware of this indicates that it was a top-secret strategic operation.

Although he wasn't very familiar with the map's outline, he knew that the Zhangqiu area was a necessary passage connecting to Jinan.

If the main force of the Red Turban Army were to block this way, it would be like moving a wardrobe into an alley to block the road; the officers and soldiers would have no choice but to fight.

The villagers had heard rumors that the army had passed through the area the day before yesterday, while the government troops had only set off from Gaowan today, giving the Red Turban Army ample time to set up the battlefield.

"My parents will be home soon, and I think these government troops will be defeated soon." Zhao Erhu proudly raised his head, feeling proud of his identity as a volunteer soldier.

The elder brother took in the changes in his expression and asked with a puzzled look, "When the government troops set off from Jinan, it was known to everyone within dozens of miles. How could they have been defeated?"

"This..." Zhao Erhu was about to express his guess when he remembered the confidentiality regulations instructed by the general. Other matters could be disclosed, but military deployments must not be revealed in the slightest. So he casually said a few clichés about upholding justice and the will of the people.

"Look at your outfit, you don't look like someone who always has a string of snot bubbles hanging from their nose. The Red Turban Rebellion has trained you well."

"Hehe, the Red Turban Army is great! They kill corrupt officials in front of everyone, and even the common people say they're more motivated to work. They're never stingy with food and pay. Hey brother, you're getting more and more impressive these days, why don't you join the Red Turban Army? The Red Turban Army never cares about social status, only talent. You'll definitely be highly valued, brother..."

The elder brother stared blankly at the cornbread in his bowl, his eyes wandering. After a moment of silence, he said, "I've already joined the Beggars' Army in Henan."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Erhu froze, and the cornbread in his hand rolled onto the table, with a few crumbs flying to his elder brother's side.

Both the Beggars' Army and the Red Turban Army were anti-Ming rebel forces, but they were also warlords vying for supremacy. Zhu Yuanzhang and Chen Youliang were both anti-Yuan rebels, but in the end, they fought a decisive battle. Although there is no conflict between the Beggars' Army and the Red Turban Army at present, it's possible that they might clash someday.

With the double burden of being both family and potential enemies, the two brothers were at a loss for words. The room fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The two lowered their eyes to look at the steamed buns in the bowl, their silent yet burning gazes almost setting the earthenware bowl ablaze.

They faced each other in silence for a moment before the elder brother spoke first, “I know your temperament. If I politely decline, you’ll think I’m too proud to refuse and end up enlisting in the Red Turban Army for me. But the officers of the Beggars’ Army have treated me well. You should understand the principle that a loyal minister does not serve two masters, right?”

“I understand.” Zhao Erhu emphasized the three words, pressing them firmly into his mouth.

"You must have heard that the Qihuo Army infantry has already reached western Shandong, right? The Qihuo Army sent me back to my hometown to win over the villagers. The commanders are certain that the puppet Ming Dynasty is no match for the Beiwei Army and will collapse sooner or later. At that time, all the prefectures, counties, and villages will become 'no man's land'..."

The elder brother paused, then pointed to the large grain bag in the corner and said, “I recently brought back a bag of grain seeds. They are high-quality seeds carefully cultivated by the commanders. Originally, one mu of wheat could only yield one shi and two dou, but with these superior grain seeds, the wheat yield at home can reach two and a half shi per mu.”

In addition, there is also the "miracle wheat" that yields four or even six shi per mu. If it weren't for the fact that the "spiritual power" of wheat would gradually deplete and that it was too precious, I would really like to promote this miracle wheat throughout my hometown.

If all wheat in the world could yield six shi per mu, how many people could be saved! When I was an auxiliary soldier under the command of the government troops, a clerk told me that the historical records from ancient times to the present only contained the four words "striving to become emperor".

But the Beggars' Army said that, throughout thousands of years of history, it can be summarized in four other words—

There isn't enough food to eat.

What they need to do is to ensure that everyone in the world has enough to eat! If everyone can have enough to eat and have a warm home with their wives and children, who would have the mind to cause trouble?

How could I possibly abandon such a great cause and follow you to join the Red Turban Army?

Upon hearing this, Zhao Erhu felt a surge of competitive spirit. "My Red Turban Army are also upright and honorable men! They say that all the chaos in the world is due to corruption. If we don't cleanse the bureaucracy, no matter how much grain we produce, corrupt officials and gentry will swallow it all up. How can even a single grain end up in the hands of the people?"
To kill all the corrupt officials in the world is like smashing a dilapidated house and rebuilding it; only then will the people no longer be bullied. The Red Turban Army did something truly earth-shattering!

“Since we each have our own ambitions, there’s no need to say more. Let’s see who ends up with this world, whether the Beggars’ Army sits on the throne or the Red Turban Army unifies the world…” The elder brother picked up a cornbread and brought it to his mouth.

"Brother, aren't you afraid I'll report you to the authorities and have you sent to Qingzhou?" Zhao Erhu frowned, a cold glint in his eyes.

"Hehe." The eldest brother ate his cornbread without any hesitation. "If brothers can't even be honest with each other, then we might as well give up fame, fortune, and grand ambitions!"

"Hahaha..." Zhao Erhu laughed loudly upon hearing this, his previously stern face melting like ice and snow and becoming full of spring. "It's been two years since we last met, and you are still as open and honest as before. I am ashamed. I will use this rice porridge as a substitute for wine to apologize to you, brother."

"Hey, we're all brothers, nothing to brag about..." The two men clashed their bowls of porridge together, seemingly expressing their continued brotherhood, but the porridge also carried a hint of bitterness from their rivalry.

Just as they were catching up, the half-closed door was pushed open again, and it turned out that their third brother and parents had returned.

After years of hardship, the family is finally reunited today.

The third brother, Zhao Sanbao, was a straightforward man. As soon as he entered the door, he acted like a fanatical missionary, pulling his second brother aside to impart "knowledge."

While the third brother was showing concern for Zhao Erhu, he asked where the other man had been working in recent years. Before the second brother could even reveal his connections, the third brother eagerly inquired, "Second brother, would you be willing to join Lu Nankun's gang?"

The third brother claimed that the Kun Gang had developed rapidly and had become the second largest gang after the Cao Gang.

Despite being a gang, the Kun Gang is far more upright than local thugs. Wherever they go in a canal county, they fight against the strong and help the weak, and provide relief to the sick and disabled.

All the hundreds of leaders in the Kun Gang said that to save the world, we must first save the people.

We must use martial arts to improve the physical fitness of the people, and also study "science secrets" such as "physics, chemistry, biology and geography" to enrich our minds and understand the principles of how all things in the world work.

When both mind and body are tempered to the highest level, and everyone is self-reflective and self-disciplined, the world will be at peace and tranquil.

The third brother even performed a "Kunquan" (a style of Chinese martial arts) on the spot, which greatly shocked the eldest brother and Erhu.

Just as martial arts practitioners can tell from a single move which school or sect their opponent belongs to, these two immediately recognized that these moves resembled the "Kunshan Kao," "Cao Shang Fei," "Kun Shan," and "Lu Lu Ji Jiao" occasionally used by generals...

Could it be that the high-ranking members of both the Beggars' Army and the Red Turban Army hired Kun Gang masters to teach Kunquan (Kun Boxing)?

Seeing that the two brothers looked dazed, as if lost in thought, the third brother thought that his two older brothers were actually not interested in Kunquan, so it seemed that he would have no choice but to use his ultimate move.

So he unleashed the "ultimate skills" taught by the Kun Gang leader one after another. Although they were only a rudimentary understanding, they were enough to shock his family. Shaolin, Wudang, Emei, Huashan, Kunlun, Qingcheng, Kongtong... and even the Nine Yang Divine Skill and the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth.

A series of flashy moves left the family of four completely bewildered.

"How about it? Would you be willing to join my Kun Gang to cultivate your body and mind?"

His parents were thrilled that their son had learned the true essence of a martial arts master, and they clapped and cheered.

The two elder brothers, however, felt that their third brother's future might be even brighter than theirs. After all, they often heard about the names of various boxing styles and schools from the generals, and even the newspapers in their respective war zones had given it a lot of publicity.

Could it be that both rebel groups were infiltrated by the Kun Gang, and the Kun Gang is the most discreet of them all? Or perhaps the real mastermind hiding behind the scenes?
Shocked, the eldest and second eldest brothers both felt a growing sense of sorrow.

If the Kun Gang also intends to contend for the world, then it will be a three-way struggle. Not only will the north be in chaos, but the three brothers, belonging to different factions, will inevitably have to face each other and fight.

Sigh. Zhao Dalong and Hao Erhu laughed, silently suppressing the secret in their hearts—the family was currently enjoying the joy of reunion, and there was no need to disrupt this small happiness.

Picking up their bowls of porridge and looking out the window, Zhao Dalong and Zhao Erhu exchanged a glance, both seeing sadness and regret in each other's eyes.

How unfair is fate, forcing the three brothers into a situation of "fraternal strife".

However, all three of them were deeply indebted to the rebel army. Without the rebel army behind them, they would not be who they are today. They would never change their allegiance even if it meant death, and could only grit their teeth and continue on to the end.

When the day of battle truly arrives, I wonder how heartbroken my parents will be when they find out the truth.

Erhu picked up his bowl and drank the porridge in big gulps. He secretly made up his mind that if the Red Turban Army defeated the various warlords and his two brothers became prisoners of the Red Turban Army, he would definitely use his military merits to protect the lives of his family.

The eldest brother silently made the same vow in his heart, while the third brother remained cheerful as always, saying that one day when he became a master of the Kun Gang, he would definitely teach his two brothers and his future nephew martial arts to ensure their lifelong well-being.

Just as the family spent two and a half days with their own thoughts, they suddenly received a notification from the soldiers stationed in the village that the main force of the government troops had passed through!

(End of this chapter)