Late Ming Dynasty: Special Forces in 1645

It was more than ten days later when Li Chengming led the original three thousand Xingfu Army soldiers and the one thousand Xingfu Army soldiers who had been reorganized from the surrendered soldiers back to Xinzhou Prefecture.

Xinzhou Prefecture was bustling with activity, with countless merchants and ordinary people coming and going every day. A large number of merchants even flocked to Xinzhou City to buy real estate, causing the city's housing prices to rise two or three times in a short period of time.

For merchants, having some money and being safe and stable were the most important things. Relying on the strength and strict discipline of the Xingfu Army, Xinzhou City had become the most stable and prosperous prefecture city in the entire Jiangxi province.

The great victory of the Xingfu Army in defeating Jin Shenghuan was widely talked about by the people. The people of Xinzhou City were also overjoyed and proud to hear that the Xingfu Army had won another victory.

After the Restoration Army arrived, the lives of the people in the city were much better than before. The local ruffians and hooligans were also swept away. People from the lower classes who came to the city to sell grain, vegetables, and firewood could also go to the government office to seek justice if they were bullied.

More merchants traveled to and from the north and south, and many even moved their entire families from Nanchang to Xinzhou Prefecture to avoid the war and the Manchu Qing dynasty's forced hair-shaving and clothing-changing policy.

In just a few months, Shinju Prefecture has been revitalized like never before.

Two days after Li Chengming returned to Xinzhou City, an unusual guest arrived in Xinzhou Prefecture: Huang Daozhou!

Anyone familiar with the history of the late Ming Dynasty has heard of Huang Daozhou's illustrious name.

Li Chengming admired Huang Daozhou's character, but regarding his behavior... he could only say he respected it.

He had integrity but no practical use; he wanted to accomplish something but lacked the ability. This was Li Chengming's impression of Huang Daozhou based on historical records.

Li Chengming was somewhat surprised that the Longwu court had sent such an important official as Huang Daozhou. What kind of important matter required such an important official to make such a trip in person?

The day after Huang Daozhou arrived in Xinzhou City, Li Chengming received him at the government office. Li Chengming attached great importance to Huang Daozhou's arrival and summoned Liang Zicheng, Huang Longkun, and Song Yourong to accompany him.

The main reason was that Liang Zicheng and the other two also wanted to come and see, since Huang Daozhou was a celebrity and they were all curious about what kind of person he was.

After Huang Daozhou arrived at the Xinzhou government office, he seemed to be doing it casually, but his sharp eyes had already swept over Li Chengming several times, and then looked at Liang Zicheng, Huang Longkun and Song Yourong standing to the side.

Li Chengming didn't mind, and then openly looked at this famous person from the late Ming Dynasty.

Aged, wiry, with sharp eyes, and an audacity that defies all odds.

Li Chengming secretly praised: No wonder he is someone who will be remembered in history.

Huang Daozhou stood ramrod straight and first bowed to Li Chengming, saying, "I have long admired General Li!"

Li Chengming returned the greeting with a cupped hand and said, "Greetings, Scholar Huang!" He then introduced Liang Zicheng and the other two to Huang Daozhou.

After exchanging pleasantries and compliments, the group took their seats according to their status as hosts and guests.

Huang Daozhou said, "General Li is much younger than I expected, as are the other generals. I wonder if the rumors about these generals are true or false?"

Li Chengming asked, puzzled, "What rumors?"

Huang Daozhou said, "I've also heard in Fujian that General Li and his companions had a miraculous encounter with immortals..."

Huang Daozhou was referring to the story of Li Chengming and others who encountered immortals overseas, returned to the Central Plains, and then raised an army to pacify the world.

Of course, what Huang Daozhou heard in Fujian was that Li Chengming and his companions were possessed by evil spirits from overseas. He only found out the "truth" after arriving in Xinzhou City.

This story was originally fabricated by Li Chengming to fool Yang Xuedong. Then, with Li Chengming's tacit approval, Yang Xuedong spread this "deed" of Li Chengming and others, giving them a mysterious aura.

The common people mostly believed this story, but merchants with a little knowledge didn't really believe it, let alone the upper-class scholars.

Li Chengming and others never admitted it themselves, so most people regard this as a "legend".

Li Chengming neither confirmed nor denied it, but chuckled and said, "The eight of us brothers did indeed have an experience of making a living overseas, and it was overseas that we met and got to know each other."

Li Chengming's answer was ambiguous, and Huang Daozhou would naturally assume that it was true that Li Chengming and others had overseas experiences, and that the encounter with immortals was not true.

This is exactly the effect Li Chengming wanted. The most important thing is to give the assault team members a background; whether they encountered immortals or not is not important.

Huang Daozhou continued, "If I may be so bold as to ask, General Li, from where are you from?"

Li Chengming said, "I am from Guangdong and Guangxi, specifically Jiaying Prefecture. I followed my parents overseas when I was young, but both of them later disappeared overseas." Then he sighed and said, "I have no old acquaintances left in my hometown."

Huang Daozhou nodded in satisfaction. It was good that he wasn't someone of unknown origin. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a joke if the Ming Dynasty appointed a prince of unknown origin?

Next, Huang Daozhou praised Li Chengming and the Xingfu Army before saying meaningfully, "General Li is a man of great talent, and the Xingfu Army is the most powerful in the world. But with the world collapsing, I'm afraid you alone will not be able to hold it up."

The first half of Huang Daozhou's statement praised Li Chengming and the Restoration Army, but the second half had a deeper meaning, seemingly implying that the Restoration Army, fighting alone, could not achieve lasting strength.

Li Chengming smiled and said, "The Restoration Army is for the restoration of China. Everyone will have clothes, food, and roads to walk on. People all over the world who are committed to this will support us. How can it be a lone battle?"

Huang Daozhou shook his head slightly and said, "General, you are mistaken. I admire your lofty aspirations, but the country is on the verge of collapse, and evil forces are rising up everywhere. Foreign barbarians are causing chaos in China, and treacherous villains are stealing our land. As a citizen of the Ming Dynasty, why don't you emulate the wise men of the past, support the crumbling edifice, and turn the tide?"

Huang Daozhou finally revealed the purpose of his trip: Why not consider serving the Longwu court?

Li Chengming remained silent, but Liang Zicheng couldn't help but say, "Scholar Huang, we admire your character, but we cannot agree with your views. The Ming Dynasty is already dead, it has been dead since Emperor Chongzhen died for his country!"

Huang Daozhou was taken aback by Liang Zicheng's words and angrily retorted, "After Emperor Sizong came Emperor Anzong, and now Emperor Longwu has inherited the throne. How can you say that the Ming Dynasty is dead!"

Liang Zicheng said, "Then tell me, how many people recognize this Emperor Longwu? The country has fallen, does Emperor Longwu have the ability to restore it? The people are being slaughtered, what has Emperor Longwu done? The people have no food to eat and no clothes to wear, what has Emperor Longwu done then? Go and ask the people of the world, ask them if they recognize this Emperor Longwu?"

After listening, Huang Daozhou looked dejected and did not refute Liang Zicheng's words. Instead, he directly admitted, "Your Majesty has only recently ascended the throne and lacks loyal ministers and capable generals. This is not Your Majesty's fault, but the fault of your subordinates. If General Li and others have the will to serve the country, Your Majesty will surely rely on General Li as a pillar of the state..."

Li Chengming waved his hand and said, "Scholar Huang is tired. Someone, go and arrange a good room for him."

Seeing Li Chengming's reaction, which seemed to indicate that he had no interest in Emperor Longwu's offer of amnesty, Huang Daozhou said, "General Li, please think this through carefully. The Restoration Army is strong and well-equipped. Doesn't General Li consider finding a way out for everyone?"

Li Chengming said, "I will take care of the soldiers of the Restoration Army. Scholar Huang, please. Although Xinzhou City cannot compare to Fuzhou City in its grandeur and prosperity, it has its own unique scenery. While you rest, you can also take a look at the local customs and culture."

Seeing that Li Chengming was unwilling to even discuss the terms and was about to kick people out, Huang Daozhou could only sigh inwardly.

Seeing that Li Chengming did not "politely escort" him out of the city, Huang Daozhou felt that there was still a chance to persuade the Xingfu Army to surrender, but it would take some effort.