Late Ming Dynasty: Special Forces in 1645

In ancient times, the salt and iron trade was strictly controlled by the government, and in most cases, it could only be operated by the government.

Not to mention copper and saltpeter. Copper can be used to make coins and guns, while saltpeter and sulfur can be used to make gunpowder. The combination of these two easily brings to mind military applications.

Therefore, when Manager Zhao heard that Li Chengming needed large quantities of copper, iron, saltpeter, sulfur, grain, and medicinal herbs, he immediately thought of military use. The only ones who could use these in Xinzhou City were the Xingfu Army.

Suppressing his shock, Manager Zhao tentatively asked, "How many goods does our esteemed guest wish to acquire?"

Li Chengming said, "I'll take as many as you have!"

Shopkeeper Zhao pondered for a moment, then said, "Although my shop is small, it has established connections. If you are sincere, I can write a letter to introduce you to someone!"

It means I can get the goods you want, but they're expensive, so it depends on whether you can afford them.

Li Chengming smiled, understanding Manager Zhao's meaning. He immediately took out a heavy ingot of silver and placed it on the counter, saying, "To be honest, I am a member of the Restoration Army. If Manager Zhao's connections can help me, I will reward you handsomely after the matter is settled!"

Manager Zhao looked at the silver, which weighed about ten taels, on the table and thought to himself: "They really are people from the Xingfu Army. If the transaction can be completed, it will probably be a big deal!"

Without making a sound, he pocketed the silver, then smiled and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Li Chengming, saying, "You are a generous guest. I will do my utmost to ensure this deal is done!"

Upon learning that it was a business deal involving the Restoration Army, Manager Zhao was thrilled: In this day and age, what business could be more profitable than dealing with military leaders? Military supplies and such would be no problem. Although the risks were high, the returns were also high. Judging from the Restoration Army's behavior after entering the city, they didn't seem like an unreasonable force. If he could close this deal, he would definitely benefit from it in the future.

Li Chengming was delighted to learn that Manager Zhao indeed had the necessary connections. It would save him a lot of trouble if a merchant could procure some supplies for him.

Merchants play a role in the development of a power far beyond imagination. For example, the Shanxi merchants were crucial to the Manchu Qing dynasty. Without the continuous smuggling of goods by Shanxi merchants, the Manchu Eight Banners might have starved to death from various natural disasters long ago.

The Mongol Ligdan Khanate suffered large-scale starvation deaths in the face of natural disasters. If it weren't for the grain smuggled by Shanxi merchants, why didn't the Manchu Qing dynasty suffer large-scale starvation deaths?

The restoration army needs to recruit soldiers, train them, and defend against enemies from all directions. At the same time, it also needs to survive and develop. Acquiring various supplies is easier done by spending money to buy them.

As Li Chengming left Manager Zhao's "Thousand Treasures Gathering Shop," he said, "If you have any news, come find me at the government office."

As Li Chengming was about to step out the door, Manager Zhao hurriedly asked, "What is your honorable name, esteemed guest?"

"Just tell them you're looking for Li Chengming!" Li Chengming left without looking back.

"Ah!" Manager Zhao was stunned: Li Chengming, is that the leader of the Restoration Army, Li Chengming?

He quickly walked to the gate and waved to Li Chengming's back, saying, "General Li, take care. I will definitely do my best to handle the matter you entrusted to me."

After seeing Li Chengming off, Manager Zhao called his servant and asked him to go out of the city to deliver a message.

......

The next day, Manager Zhao and a middle-aged man dressed as a merchant came to the government office to visit Li Chengming.

The government office was originally the place where the prefect of Xinzhou lived and worked. After the prefect was killed by the peasant army, the court did not appoint a new prefect, and the government office was occupied by the garrison commander of Xinzhou.

After Li Chengming entered the city, the government office naturally became the place where the commando team lived and worked.

When Manager Zhao entered with a middle-aged man, Li Chengming asked him to sit down.

At this time, apart from Li Chenghe and assault soldier Liang Zicheng, the rest of the assault team members had gone out to recruit and train new soldiers.

Manager Zhao was noticeably more reserved today than yesterday.

"General Li, this is Manager Huang Guizhong of the Jiangyou Merchants, the number one merchant group in Tiannan." After they sat down, Manager Zhao introduced him to Li Chengming.

Manager Zhao had been to the government office twice before. The first time he went to the prefectural magistrate to resolve a dispute, he knelt down and kowtowed to him. The magistrate didn't dare to move until he spoke. At that time, the government office was extremely authoritative.

The second time he entered the government office, he met Shi Fu, the general of Xinzhou. As soon as he entered, he knelt down and kowtowed. After kneeling, he had to respectfully present the "donation silver".

This was Manager Zhao's third time entering the government office. This time, the government office was not as imposing and solemn as before; there were only a few soldiers standing guard.

Upon seeing Li Chengming, Manager Zhao wanted to kneel down and kowtow first, but a soldier next to him pulled him up and reminded him that he did not need to kneel. Then Li Chengming invited him to sit down.

Li Chengming looked at Huang Guizhong, a middle-aged man beside him, and said, "Manager Huang, I've heard so much about you. This Jiangyou merchant group..."

The Jiangxi merchants were not as famous as the Huizhou and Shanxi merchants in history. Li Chengming only knew that the Jiangxi merchants were also called Gan merchants and that they were a merchant group in Jiangxi. He didn't know much more about them.

Huang Guizhong accepted the tea brewed by Chen Qiliang with both hands and said respectfully, "General Li, please don't believe Manager Zhao's joke. They are just some merchants trying to make a living. They can't be considered a merchant guild."

Li Chengming knew he was being modest, so he smiled and exchanged pleasantries for a while before saying directly, "Manager Huang, I need five thousand shi of refined grain, one thousand jin of copper, three thousand jin of pig iron, three thousand jin of saltpeter, and sulfur..."

Li Chengming listed out the supplies he wanted one by one.

After listening, Huang Guizhong remained silent for a while, then said with difficulty, "General Li, you're putting me in a difficult position. There's war everywhere right now, and it's not easy to procure the supplies you need..."

It's said that it's difficult to raise funds, but it's not impossible; it just depends on whether the price you offer is reasonable.

Li Chengming wasn't very good at negotiating prices, so he switched to Liang Zicheng to handle the negotiations.

To Li Chengming and Liang Zicheng's surprise, the price of fine grain had risen to five taels of silver per shi (a unit of dry measure), not to mention important resources such as copper and iron.

After the Restoration Army bought 5,000 shi of grain, they wouldn't have much left.

During this period, due to the war, grain production has decreased, and various forces are plundering grain, causing grain prices to soar in the market.

In Jiangxi, a grain-producing region, a shi (a unit of dry measure) of rice used to cost only one to two liang (another unit of dry measure) of silver, but now it has risen to five liang of silver per shi of rice.

No wonder when they were recruiting soldiers a few days ago, all those young men rushed to join the Restoration Army without even asking about their pay, as soon as they heard that they could eat their fill every day after joining.

Li Chengming secretly realized he had miscalculated. He had left half of the fine grains behind in Jiujiang. If he had known the price of fine grains would be so high, he would have definitely tried to move them.

I had previously inquired about the price of grain in the countryside, which was one to two taels of silver per shi (a unit of dry measure). I thought that although it was a bit expensive, the Xingfu Army could afford it. Now I know that it was the price of coarse grains, wheat bran, and various dried beans mixed together.

Li Chengming thought that the Fuxing Army had also transported 20,000 shi of grain, which would be enough to feed them for a year even without purchasing more grain. After doubling the size of the army, it would still be enough for half a year. So he decided not to buy any grain this time.

But then I thought that the Fuxing Army was bringing over high-quality grains, and eating only high-quality grains would be too extravagant. Mixing in some coarse grains would allow us to eat for longer.

So they changed the purchase of 5,000 shi of refined grain to 5,000 shi of coarse grain, at two taels of silver per shi!

Besides food, other supplies were also very expensive. After buying those supplies, the Restoration Army only had enough silver left to recruit soldiers and pay a month's wages.