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

Li Yan knew that Zhu Cilang was talented, having already witnessed it before. He was inwardly shocked, but outwardly remained calm and composed.

Hong Niangzi, however, was different. This was her first time meeting the Crown Prince, and Zhu Cilang's words shocked her while also making her somewhat angry...

Shocking! I never expected the young crown prince to have such insight.

Enraged, he belittled Li Zicheng, the rebel leader, in front of her.

Realizing what was happening, Hong Niangzi said coldly:

"I disagree with Your Highness's statement. He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. King Li Zicheng has won the hearts of the people and will surely unify the world. The good days for the people have arrived."

She had very little formal education before, but under Li Yan's influence, she gradually began to read and write.

She didn't understand politics, let alone the intricacies of officialdom. She believed that Li Zicheng was a great hero who would save the country from suffering and would surely unify the world.

Once Li Zicheng, the rebel leader, unifies the country, the people will no longer go hungry, and everyone will be able to live a happy life.

Zhu Cilang understood Hong Niangzi's thoughts; he could only say she was being too presumptuous.

In the 1970s, China had not yet solved the problem of food and clothing for its people, let alone in ancient times.

If Li Zicheng had unified the country, those brothers who followed him through thick and thin would certainly have lived a good life, while ordinary people might have suffered even more.

After his resurgence, Li Zicheng had forgotten his original intention to rebel. In his eyes, the common people were like weeds, mere tools to be used.

Every time he attacked a city, tens of thousands of civilians were sent to the front as cannon fodder, while Li Zicheng's army hid far behind.

Roughly estimated, at least hundreds of thousands of civilians died beneath the walls of various fortified cities of the Ming Dynasty before the capital was captured.

Hong Niangzi was unconvinced, but Zhu Cilang didn't argue with her; he simply smiled.

"Whether the rebel leader has won the hearts of the people will be known within ten days!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yan couldn't help but ask:

"Your Highness, how do you know? Could you please explain?"

Zhu Cilang picked up his wine cup, took a small sip, and said calmly:

"As is customary when a new dynasty is established, the army is rewarded and a general amnesty is granted. Where does the money for these millions of taels of silver come from?"

Li Yan and Hong Niangzi exchanged a troubled glance. They both knew very well that the rebel king was really short of money and was extremely worried about it.

Zhu Cilang glanced at Li Yan and his wife, and continued:

"While we are drinking here, the rebel leader and his generals are probably discussing how to raise funds for the army."

"If I am not mistaken, they intend to force former officials, nobles, gentry and wealthy merchants to donate funds. In reality, it is robbery."

"Liu Zongmin was probably the ringleader. According to their official rank, they were forcibly tortured, and the gentry and wealthy merchants in the city directly sent troops to loot."

"It's enough to raise enough silver. If we forcibly raise less, the people in the city will also suffer, and we might have to require four households to support one soldier..."

"A new dynasty is about to be established. We should appease the people and win their hearts; stability is paramount. We shouldn't continue to act like bandits, causing panic in the capital!"

Before Zhu Cilang could finish speaking, Hong Niangzi immediately retorted;

"We know that the rebel leader has no money, and the torture might happen, but it will never affect ordinary people. The rebel leader is a great hero of the people; he would never harm them..."

Thinking about Li Zicheng's change in attitude towards him, and recalling what Zhu Cilang had said, Li Yan felt somewhat heavy-hearted.

He didn't press further, but instead comforted Hong Niangzi:

"Madam, please be patient and wait a few days, and you will know."

Having said that, he stood up and said to Zhu Cilang:

"Your Highness has been working hard for several days. I will escort you to rest. Your old subordinates will still stay with you."

Thank you!

Zhu Cilang smiled and nodded at Hong Niangzi, and returned to the camp accompanied by Li Yan.

Zhu Cilang and his men camped next to Li Yan's camp. They were worried that if the distance was too far, the Crown Prince might sneak away and they would be unable to communicate with Li Zicheng.

The Ming Dynasty originally had troops stationed in the Western Hills. After the Shun army entered the capital, Li Zicheng, for his own safety, transferred the surrendered Ming troops to Tongzhou.

At Zhu Cilang's suggestion, Li Yan decided to station troops here, and that simply tidying up the original camp would be much better than setting up a temporary one.

Gao Wencai, Fang Zhenghua, and others were tidying up the room when they saw the young master return. They hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.

"Greetings, young master."

"Greetings, Lord Li."

"No need for formalities!"

Zhu Cilang and Li Yan nodded and smiled at the two men, then looked around to observe the situation at the new camp.

Fang Zhenghua approached Zhu Cilang and bowed, saying:

"Young master, take a look at the resting place. If you're not satisfied, this old servant will renovate it."

The temporary camp was certainly not comparable to Zhongcui Palace, and Fang Zhenghua was worried that the young master would not be used to living there.

Before his transmigration, Zhu Cilang had endured all kinds of hardships on the Middle Eastern battlefield. For him, all he needed was a place to eat and sleep.

He patted Fang Zhenghua on the shoulder and nodded in satisfaction:

"Very good, thank you for your hard work, Otoko."

After looking around, Li Yan approached Zhu Cilang, cupped his hands in greeting, and said:

"The conditions outside the city are simple, Your Highness, please don't mind. We will enter the city to find a residence to move into after things have stabilized inside."

Zhu Cilang shook his head:

"It's alright, there's a plague in the city, but things are fine outside."

Li Yan smiled slightly:

"Your Highness, the capital has been rather chaotic lately. For safety's sake, it's best if the troops don't venture out unnecessarily. I'll take my leave now!"

Li Yan gave a few instructions and was about to leave when Zhu Cilang called him back:

"Please wait, sir."

"What is it, Your Highness?"

Li Yan stopped and turned to stand beside Zhu Cilang. Zhu Cilang whispered:

"These past few days, there must have been looting of wealthy merchants and officials in the city. Sir, you are a strict military leader and disdain to get involved. I have a few words to say, but I'm not sure if I should?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yan cupped his hands and said:

"Your Highness, please speak frankly; I am all ears!"

Li Yan is currently in a dilemma, unsure of how to address himself in front of Zhu Cilang, and can only refer to himself as "this humble one" for the time being.

Zhu Cilang also didn't know how to address Li Yan, but thought it best to call him "sir," a title that didn't involve the Ming Dynasty or the Shun Dynasty.

"Sir, you needn't be so polite. Niu Jinxing is a wolf in sheep's clothing; it's better to be prepared."

"I hope you can find an opportunity to bring those artisans from the Armory back to their camp, and ideally, transport their tools back as well."

After a moment of contemplation, Li Yan finally made up his mind:

"Very well, Your Highness understands. Others may seize silver, but we will seize talent."

Zhu Cilang smiled and patted Li Yan on the shoulder:

"That's right. In chaotic times, having a strong fighting force is a guarantee of safety for both yourself and those around you."

……

"Chuang Wang, the men have suffered so much following you in conquering the world. Now that you have overthrown the Ming Dynasty, you should be enjoying wealth and honor. We can't let you go without rewarding them. Right now, the most important thing is to find a way to make money..."

In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Liu Zongmin was complaining to Li Zicheng.

Among the Shun army, only Liu Zongmin was fearless; he dared to say anything.

"Jiexuan, it's not that I'm stingy, but who knew Emperor Chongzhen was a penniless man? I'm helpless now. What do you think we should do?"

Looking at his old brothers who had fought alongside him through thick and thin, Li Zicheng felt helpless. He wanted to reward them handsomely, but he had no money.

Liu Zongmin chuckled:

"Don't worry, King Chuang, I'll just use the old method: force them to donate!"

Li Zicheng nodded:

"I share this intention. In your opinion, how should it be implemented? I'm worried it might cause chaos!"

After Li Zicheng finished speaking, he looked at Gao Yigong, Hao Yaoqi, Li Guo, Li Shuangxi, and other generals of the Great Shun Dynasty.

Finally, their gaze settled on civil officials such as Niu Jinxing, Song Xianze, and Gu Jun'en.