The Ming Dynasty began in the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign.

After about half an incense stick's time, the group arrived at the grain store.

Hong Niangzi's personal guard, Ziwei, led a group to investigate first. Finding the situation to be true, she hurriedly returned to report:

"Sister, there is indeed a lot of silver and grain inside. There are only a few dozen people guarding it, so there is no safety hazard."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan and Hong Niangzi exchanged a glance, then dismounted and led a group of guards into the storeroom.

Like other rebel armies under Li Yan's command, they had been in arrears for more than three months. When there was no fighting, the ordinary soldiers below them were not getting enough to eat.

Seeing the piles of silver and grain, Li Yan and his wife both smiled...

Hong Niangzi had always been wary of Zhu Cilang and his group, but after seeing the silver and grain, her gaze towards Zhu Cilang softened considerably.

Li Yan asked with a smile:

"Young man, approximately how much silver and grain are here?"

Zhu Cilang reached out and took a slip of paper from Gao Wencai, glanced at it, and handed it to Li Yan:

"Three hundred thousand taels of silver and over seventy thousand shi of grain, all prepared by me for the general, are at your disposal!"

Li Yan glanced at the group behind Zhu Cilang, pondered for a moment, and said:

"It's not easy in this chaotic world; everyone needs to eat, drink, and plan. You take 50,000 taels of silver and 2,000 shi of grain, and I will hand over the rest to King Chuang. What do you think, young brother?"

Li Yan was indeed different from other rebel leaders. If it were Liu Zongmin and others, Zhu Cilang and his men might not have been able to get a single tael of silver.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang nodded secretly. Li Yan was indeed good; he not only left behind 50,000 taels of silver but also gave them 2,000 shi of grain.

He clasped his hands in greeting and said:

"Thank you. With the capital fallen, our brothers have nowhere to go. If you do not despise us, General, we are willing to follow you without taking a single penny."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan carefully examined Zhu Cilang and the others once more.

Seeing that the crowd didn't seem like a rabble, and that they might become a great asset in the future, he nodded and said:

"If you, young master, do not mind that we are considered bandits by the court, you may join us."

Li Yan's words were meaningful. The young man in front of him spoke with neither arrogance nor servility, and was no ordinary person. He wanted to hear how the young man would evaluate the righteous army.

If Zhu Cilang harbors any resentment towards the rebel army, Li Yan will not take them in, in order to prevent disharmony from arising within his own troops.

Unlike others in the rebel army, Li Yan and Hong Niangzi's troops did not charge into battle.

The more than 8,000 people are all their confidants, mainly used for self-protection. They don't usually recruit new people, so their numbers are not large.

Zhu Cilang, of course, understood the meaning behind Li Yan's words; it was a test. He smiled slightly, cupped his hands, and said:

"The so-called bandits are just a term used by officials and gentry in the court. I believe they are all subjects of the Ming Dynasty."

"Food is the first necessity of the people; if they cannot survive, they will naturally rise up in rebellion. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it; he who wins the hearts of the people wins the world!"

Zhu Cilang's words immediately shocked Li Yan and Hong Niangzi. They had never expected that the young man before them could utter such astonishing remarks.

The matchmaker smiled radiantly and said:

"My husband, please accept them!"

Li Yan stared at Zhu Cilang for a moment, then burst into laughter:

"Very good. Since you are willing to join, I welcome you. The 50,000 taels of silver still belong to you. Remember, you must not oppress the people at will."

"Thank you, General!"

At this moment, Hong Niangzi asked Li Yan:

"My lord, the Shun army has already entered the city, and all the military camps within the city have been occupied by the troops that entered first. Where should our troops be stationed?"

Li Yan was unfamiliar with the city. After pondering for a moment upon hearing this, he looked at Zhu Cilang and asked:

"We are newcomers and unfamiliar with Kyoto. What are your thoughts on this, young man?"

What a joke! Having just joined Li Yan's team, Li Yan actually asked him where his troops were stationed. Zhu Cilang wouldn't give orders before his identity was revealed.

He cupped his hands and smiled:

"Thank you for your trust, General. I am a new recruit and dare not speak presumptuously. Please forgive me!"

Li Yan was about to speak when Hong Niangzi smiled and said:

"It's alright, young man, please speak frankly without worry. My husband and I will consider it carefully."

Li Yan glanced at his wife but didn't speak. He simply nodded and smiled at Zhu Cilang, his eyes full of encouragement.

After the fall of the capital, Liu Zongmin led his troops into the city first, followed closely by other rebel generals such as Hao Yaoqi, Li Guo, Gao Yigong, and Yuan Zongdi.

They occupied the former Ming army's garrison in Beijing and other places. Li Yan's group was small and not the main fighting force, so they were basically the last to enter the city.

Under normal circumstances, Li Yan would follow Li Zicheng around.

Recently, Niu Jinxing and others have been trying to suppress and exclude him, which makes Li Yan somewhat unhappy. When there are no major matters to discuss, Li Yan spends all his time with Hong Niangzi.

As a time traveler, Zhu Cilang had some understanding of this, which was the main reason why he was confident in leaving Li Yan's place.

Seeing that Li Yan and his wife were asking questions, Zhu Cilang pondered for a moment and said:

"A plague broke out in Kyoto, leaving almost nine out of ten houses empty. The troops stationed in the city were easily infected with the plague."

"If you do not wish for your troops to be affected by the plague, I suggest that the army be stationed at the foot of the western mountains outside the city. Of course, this is only a suggestion, and you two should consider it carefully!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yan and his wife fell into deep thought...

When the army entered the city, it would be best to camp inside. However, Li Yan and his wife were somewhat bewildered when they heard that a plague had broken out in the city.

A plague broke out in the Da Shun army, killing many rebel soldiers and refugees every day. Li Zicheng had no way to deal with it and could only abandon or kill the infected.

After a moment of contemplation, Hong Niangzi said:

"My lord, listen to my brother. The capital region is now under the control of the Da Shun army, so there shouldn't be any security issues."

Li Yan nodded:

"The suggestion is good. With nearly ten thousand men under our command, it is indeed safer to be stationed outside the city to reduce the risk of plague infection."

"My lady, you lead your troops with silver and grain to camp outside the city. I will go to the capital to see the rebel leader."

Hong Niangzi nodded and immediately gave the order, commanding her men to pack up food and silver and prepare to leave the city...

Three hundred thousand taels of silver and tens of thousands of bushels of grain were a lot for Zhu Cilang and his men, and it would be very difficult to move them.

But things are different now. Li Yan has nearly 10,000 men under his command, and they can be moved away quickly.

While Hong Niangzi and her men were transporting money and provisions, Li Yan prepared to go see Li Zicheng, the rebel leader. Before leaving, he said to Zhu Cilang:

"Young man, I know you are no ordinary person. I'll go see the rebel leader first, and we'll talk in detail when I return tonight."

Upon hearing that Li Yan was going to see Li Zicheng, Zhu Cilang knew he could no longer conceal his identity.

My father is still hanging on Coal Hill; we must bury him as soon as possible.

"General, please wait. To be honest, I am Zhu Cilang, the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty. My father has already committed suicide on Coal Hill. I hope you can persuade the rebel leader to give the Ming Emperor some dignity. I would be extremely grateful..."

After Zhu Cilang finished speaking, he bowed deeply to Li Yan...

Li Yan was shocked to hear this. He had never imagined that the young man in front of him was the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, let alone that the Chongzhen Emperor had already committed suicide on Coal Hill.

After a moment of stunned silence, Li Yan hurriedly bowed and paid his respects to Zhu Cilang:

"So it's His Highness the Crown Prince. Please forgive Mr. and Mrs. Li Yan for their rudeness..."

Li Yan is different from Li Zicheng and Liu Zongmin. Regardless of his current status, he was once a scholar who passed the imperial examination in the Ming Dynasty.

Even after the Shun army captured the capital, he was still conflicted. He wanted the rebel leader to win, but he also didn't want to see the Ming Dynasty perish...