Late Ming Dynasty: Special Forces in 1645

Zhang Xiyan, the magistrate of Yushan County, offended the Donglin Party in his early years and was sent to Yushan County as magistrate despite being a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

It's normal for a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) to start as a county magistrate. What's abnormal is that Zhang Xiyan served as a county magistrate for six years, undergoing two assessments without being promoted.

Zhang Xiyan knew that this was the consequence of offending the Donglin Party. He was resentful but helpless.

When he learned that Emperor Chongzhen had died for his country, Zhang Xiyan was not too saddened. When the Hongguang Emperor established his court in Nanjing, he knelt before him. When the Qing Dynasty surrendered in Jiangxi, he also surrendered to the Qing.

Later, Shi Fu from Fujian asked him to pledge allegiance to Longwu, and he did not refuse.

As if he had seen through the ways of the world, and like a reed in the wind, Zhang Xiyan would choose to side with whoever was powerful and influential in this chaotic world.

Of course, other forces only needed Zhang Xiyan to express his opinion; no one took the small Yushan County seriously.

Behind closed doors, Zhang Xiyan remains the local tyrant of Yushan County, the one whose word is law.

Although Zhang Xiyan didn't want to be this local tyrant forever.

Upon learning that the Restoration Army had sent troops to attack Yushan County, Zhang Xiyan naturally had no intention of resisting and surrendered immediately by opening the city gates.

Seeing that Yushan County surrendered directly, He Mingqiu and Chen Shaoping felt a little regretful, as if they had punched cotton and had no chance to use their skills.

He Mingqiu and Chen Shaoping were somewhat frustrated that the brilliant tactics they had rehearsed countless times in their minds were no longer applicable.

However, since the magistrate of Yushan County was so pragmatic, He Mingqiu and Chen Shaoping were outwardly pleased and accepted Magistrate Zhang Xiyan's surrender.

The Xingfu Army stationed troops in Yushan County, promising Zhang Xiyan that he could continue to serve as the magistrate of Yushan County.

With Zhang Xiyan's surrender, the battle was averted, and Yushan City went on as if nothing had happened, with its people continuing their daily lives.

Afterwards, Li Chengming received reports from He Mingqiu and Chen Shaoping.

Li Chengming was also surprised, not expecting Zhang Xiyan to surrender so easily, without even mentioning any surrender conditions.

Regardless of Zhang Xiyan's thoughts, talent is rare these days, so Li Chengming directly summoned Zhang Xiyan to Xinzhou City for a meeting.

Chen Shaoping was left in charge of Yushan County to recruit and train soldiers and develop its strength.

He Mingqiu led the cavalry company and Zhang Xiyan back to Xinzhou City.

Li Chengming personally went to the city gate to welcome He Mingqiu and Zhang Xiyan.

"Thank you for your hard work!" Li Chengming said to He Mingqiu.

He Mingqiu was a little embarrassed and said, "It wasn't too tiring. Just think of it as a trip." As he spoke, he looked at Zhang Xiyan to the side, implying that this Magistrate Zhang was the biggest contributor.

Li Chengming nodded to Zhang Xiyan, but didn't say anything more.

After returning to the city and arranging accommodations for Zhang Xiyan, Li Chengming personally went to Zhang Xiyan's lodgings.

Li Chengming cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Zhang!"

Zhang Xiyan was in his forties, slender, with bright eyes and a refined demeanor; he was clearly no ordinary person.

Zhang Xiyan also cupped his hands in return, saying, "I have long admired General Li!"

Zhang Xiyan also secretly sized up Li Chengming. He saw that Li Chengming was unexpectedly young, tall, handsome, and had a resolute look in his eyes. He had the appearance of a future hero!

Li Chengming asked directly, "Mr. Zhang, would you like to be a county magistrate, governing a county, or a prefect, governing a prefecture?"

Seeing Li Chengming's directness, Zhang Xiyan stood there speechless for a moment. He dreamed of leaving Yushan County and of getting promoted.

If given the chance to make Zhang Xiyan the prefect, he would even be willing to live twenty years less.

Zhang Xiyan quickly regained his senses. He had known about the existence of the Restoration Army and Li Chengming for a long time. Not long after the Restoration Army took control of Xinzhou City, he found out about the origins of the Restoration Army.

Zhang Xiyan knew that the Restoration Army came from Hubei, but judging from their actions, they did not seem to be bandits.

Others believed that the Restoration Army defeated Zheng's 5,000 elite troops with a force several times larger than the enemy, but Zhang Xiyan knew that only 3,000 of the Restoration Army actually went out of the city to fight.

Zhang Xiyan even learned about the many amazing aspects of that battle, but he did not readily believe them.

Zhang Xiyan also knew that the Restoration Army was implementing new policies, guessed the deeper meaning behind these policies, and deeply admired the people who designed them.

Zhang Xiyan feigned composure and smiled, "General, would you allow me to serve as the prefect?"

Li Chengming nodded: "I can let you govern a prefecture. What do you think of Xinzhou Prefecture?"

Zhang Xiyan replied, "Although it cannot compare to famous cities and grand prefectures, it is still a land of abundant resources and outstanding people!"

Li Chengming nodded: "Xinzhou is indeed a good place, with an extremely important geographical location. Many people covet it, but it is currently peaceful. Do you know why, sir?"

Zhang Xiyan tentatively asked, "About Nanchang...?"

Li Chengming nodded approvingly and said, "It's because of the internal strife in Nanchang. If the internal strife in Nanchang ends, then the forces in Nanchang will definitely set their sights on Xinzhou. How can we allow others to sleep soundly next to our bed? Only by dealing with the Xingfu Army entrenched in Xinzhou can Jin Shenghuan go to pacify southern Jiangxi with peace of mind."

Zhang Xiyan said, "So, General, you mean..."

Li Chengming nodded: "That's right. The Xingfu Army and Jin Shenghuan of Nanchang will have a battle sooner or later. Jin Shenghuan has more than 100,000 troops. If a large army attacks, our Xingfu Army will not be able to resist."

Therefore, we need to take control of Xinzhou Prefecture, recruit soldiers, and strengthen our forces in order to gain the upper hand in the final battle!

Zhang Xiyan understood: "So, General, you want me to..."

Li Chengming said, "I want you to help govern Xinzhou Prefecture and implement our new policies!"

Zhang Xiyan fell into deep thought.

Seeing this, Li Chengming assumed that Zhang Xiyan did not understand what the new policies of the Restoration Army were, so he organized his thoughts and said, "The Restoration Army is a force that prioritizes the people, so the new policies also prioritize the people. There are three new policies: First, scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants pay taxes together; second, land rent is restricted, and property rights and rental rights are separated; third, high mining taxes are levied..."

Zhang Xiyan suddenly said, "I have heard about your army's new policies."

Zhang Xiyan had been keeping an eye on the situation in Xinzhou City. Some information didn't need to be specifically sought out; he could simply ask someone.

When Yang Xuedong first learned about the new policy, he was extremely unwilling to join the Restoration Army.

Not knowing Zhang Xiyan's attitude, Li Chengming asked directly, "Mr. Zhang, what are your thoughts on the new policies of the Restoration Army?"

Zhang Xiyan slowly said, "The sage said: The people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important. General, your actions are truly for the benefit of the common people, and this is in accordance with the principles of Heaven and the hearts of the people!"

Uh... Li Chengming was quite surprised. Zhang Xiyan didn't seem like a normal scholar at all. How could he so easily approve of the new policies?

He hadn't even used the tactics he had prepared—first courtesy, then force, coercion and inducement, and then the same kind of deception he had used on Yang Xuedong—yet how could Zhang Xiyan, a scholar well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics and a Jinshi graduate, so easily accept the new policies?

Li Chengming was unaware that although scholars all read the Four Books and Five Classics, people are different from one another.

Zhang Xiyan was a follower of the philosophy of mind, emphasizing "investigating things, extending knowledge, rectifying the mind, and making the will sincere." Therefore, Zhang Xiyan was not only not pedantic, but also quite flexible.

Zhang Xiyan knew that he had no choice at the moment. If he wanted to show his talents, he had to gain Li Chengming's approval. If he wanted to gain Li Chengming's approval, he had to support the new policies!

Whether the new policy is right or wrong, good or bad, is not the most important thing.

Most importantly, you need a place to showcase your talents.

Zhang Xiyan felt that right and wrong were not the point now, but rather to be pragmatic!