Late Ming Dynasty: Special Forces in 1645

Li Chengming, accompanied by a demolition expert, a commando, and a communications officer, went to the banquet hosted by Li Zicheng and Li Guo.

Although the conditions for the rebel army were harsh, the banquet was quite impressive, with wine and meat, and several high-ranking generals of the Shun army were also present.

After everyone took their seats according to rank, Li Zicheng raised his glass to Li Chengming and said, "First, I'd like to toast Mr. Li. I will never forget your life-saving grace!" He then drank the glass of wine in one gulp.

Li Chengming also raised his glass in return.

As if just remembering something, Li Zicheng asked in confusion, "Where are Mr. Li's comrades-in-arms? Why haven't they come over?"

Li Chengming also made up a random excuse: "Those few, because of their poor riding skills, had their inner thighs chafed raw after several days of bumpy travel. They collapsed as soon as they arrived at the camp and couldn't get up. It was really too embarrassing for them to come here!"

Li Chengming knew that Li Zicheng was a smart man, so he gave him a legitimate reason. He couldn't very well say that they were on guard against him, could he?

You know the real reason, and I know you know the real reason. The reason I gave was not to explain, but to make things look good on the surface so that no one has to delve into it.

As expected, Li Zicheng did not pursue the matter further.

At the banquet, everyone toasted and enjoyed themselves immensely.

Most important decisions in China were made over drinks, a long-standing cultural practice that continued into the late Ming Dynasty.

After a hearty meal and drinks, a brief silence fell.

Li Chengming knew it was time for him to start talking about serious matters.

So he said, "King Chuang is being too kind to treat us brothers like this. It was just a transaction between us, and we don't deserve such hospitality."

First, clarify the essence of the matter; set aside personal grudges and focus solely on the transaction!

It all depends on how much your life is worth.

Apart from Li Zicheng and Li Guo, the other senior generals looked at each other, seemingly unaware of what had happened.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.

Li Zicheng coughed a few times and said, "Of course, of course. If Mr. Li wants a thousand elite soldiers, we are ready for you to choose from at any time!"

Li Chengming sneered inwardly: You can choose anytime. Do you agree to let me pick your old soldiers in armor?

Sure enough, Li Guo then added, "Mr. Li, you know that King Chuang loves his soldiers like his own children. The veterans he brought from his hometown have developed a deep bond with the Chuang camp. Asking them to leave the camp would probably be more painful than killing them. What do you think..."

The meaning is clear: veteran soldiers from Shaanxi cannot be selected.

Li Chengming sighed inwardly. Although those veteran soldiers were brave and fierce, they were utterly loyal to Li Zicheng. If he hadn't had no other choice, he wouldn't have wanted to take them.

Li Chengming didn't press the issue, but instead asked, "The saying goes, 'Soldiers and horses are essential.' How many horses does the King of Chuang intend to give us?"

Li Zicheng seemed to have drunk too much; his eyes were glazed over, and he leaned back in his chair as if he hadn't heard Li Chengming's words, remaining silent.

Aside from Li Zicheng, the rebel army was led by Li Guo.

Li Guo replied, "Well... Mr. Li, you see, our cavalry here are severely lacking in horses. In some cases, two cavalrymen have to share one horse. We simply don't have any extra horses available."

Seeing that Li Chengming looked somewhat displeased, Li Guo added, "We still have mules there. If Mr. Li wants some, we can spare some for you. These animals are indispensable for transporting grain and supplies. Is that alright with you?"

Li Chengming didn't answer whether he wanted it or not, but instead changed the subject, saying, "I want able-bodied young men without families!"

Li Guo was somewhat taken aback. Who didn't know that soldiers without families or worries were the most useful? For the rebel army, which had no fixed territory, such soldiers were even more necessary.

The best source of soldiers is the good sons from poor areas. For both the imperial court and forces with fixed territories, good sons are the foundation and the source of the army's fighting power!

However, the rebel army never had a fixed territory. For them, the best soldiers were the veteran soldiers they brought from Shaanxi, and the second best were soldiers who were alone and had no worries about their families.

Therefore, Li Guo was somewhat dissatisfied with Li Chengming's proposal to select young men without families, and was just about to think of an excuse to brush it off.

At this point, Li Chengming continued, "I can do without the horses, but I absolutely need these able-bodied men. Even if I can't gather a thousand, I'll accept it!"

Seeing that Li Chengming did not intend to continue to compromise, Li Guo neither agreed nor disagreed.

If Li Zicheng hadn't repeatedly warned against offending Li Chengming and his group, Li Guo, with his fiery temper, would probably have kicked Li Chengming out directly.

An awkward silence fell over the room, and no one spoke.

Only then did Li Zicheng seem to sober up, raising his wine cup and saying, "You all drink! Why aren't you drinking anymore?"

Then, as if realizing something, he said boldly, "Didn't Mr. Li want to select elite soldiers? Nephew, didn't you agree to Mr. Li's request? Although many of these soldiers were trained by you, Mr. Li has done me a great favor. I'll make the decision for you and agree to Mr. Li's request first!"

After saying that, he raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp!

Li Guo then looked as if he had suffered a great loss, and said bitterly, "Since Uncle has agreed, how can I, as his nephew, refuse!"

After saying that, he raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp!

Seeing this, Li Chengming cursed inwardly: This uncle and nephew are really good actors, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop. They're making a fool of us!

But there's no other way; when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. This result, while not satisfactory, is still barely acceptable.

He immediately put on a fake smile and said, "I admire the magnanimity of King Chuang and General Li!"

Then he raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp!

The banquet thus concluded amicably and successfully.

Li Chengming returned to the camp with the food he had packed in advance and said to his comrades, "You guys finish eating quickly, and then we'll go select able-bodied men and register them as soon as possible. It's best if they're from good families and single able-bodied men. I can't wait a moment longer."

Commando Liang Zicheng also said, "That's right. Li Zicheng and his nephew are very cunning. If we wait until tomorrow to select them, they will probably hide all the able-bodied men who meet our requirements, and then we will have come for nothing."

Correspondent Zhou Lei: "We can't stay in this enemy camp any longer. Who knows if Li Zicheng will try to take advantage of us if we stay too long? I've seen his eyes light up when he looks at my rifle. We can't entrust our safety to others!"

As everyone knows, there's no such thing as being able to guard against thieves for a thousand days, only to be a thief for a thousand days.

Li Zicheng was a ruthless and ambitious figure; he cannot be judged by simple moral concepts, nor is he bound by traditional morality.

As long as the profits are large enough and the risks are controllable, he will inevitably take the risk; this is an inevitable law.

After the other four assault team members finished eating, Li Chengming immediately led everyone out to select able-bodied men.

When Li Zicheng learned of Li Chengming's hasty actions, he simply said to Li Guo, "Mr. Li is a man of great importance. I have a prediction that he will be even more terrifying than Zhang Xianzhong in the future!"

Li Guo asked, puzzled, "Since Uncle thinks so highly of him, why not take this opportunity to get rid of him?"

Li Zicheng shook his head: "Let's take a long-term view. Our biggest enemy right now is the Eastern Barbarians. Let's first establish good relations with you, Mr. Li. Once you've developed your power, you'll be a great asset to us!"

Li Guo nodded slightly, seemingly understanding but not quite.

What Li Zicheng didn't say was that he didn't know what other strange and terrifying methods the assault team had yet to reveal.

If the attack goes wrong, given the ferocity of the assault team, even if only one person escapes, they will have to constantly worry about losing their head.

Li Zicheng had personally witnessed those "unmanned chickens" that could fly several miles away, and firearms that could kill enemies with a single shot from hundreds of feet away.