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Text Chapter 599 Emerging Forces

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    The land of the Central Plains, which has been ravaged by war, is becoming more and more desolate. Although there is not a rooster crow for thousands of miles, it is still the same. There are deserted villages along the way. All those who can escape have left, and only some are left who cannot escape and are dead.  The old, weak, sick and disabled who cannot die are still supporting the poor life.  šI, From the road, more than twenty horse-drawn carriages suddenly appeared. They were all pulling heavy cargo and came slowly. Such a huge convoy was definitely a rarity.  The leader was a businessman in his thirties. He was riding on a green horse and looked around from time to time. His only eye flashed with vigilance.  This man¡¯s name was Wei Xueyan. His father and uncle were both slaves taken away by the Mongols. Later, Zhang Ke attacked the grassland several times and rescued their families.  Due to his old age, Wei Xueyan's father could not join the army, so he could only run a ranch on the grassland.  Relying on hard work and sweat, the income is increasing, and we have become a well-off family in a few years.  This period of time was also the time when Wei Xueyan changed from a scrawny boy to a young man.  He still remembers the first winter, when the family sat together and ate delicious barbecue. You must know that under the hands of the Mongols, they didn't even get to watch.  Since then, Wei Xueyan has had an almost worshipful devotion to the Yizhou soldiers. Finally, relying on his excellent riding skills, he became a cavalryman at the age of eighteen.  The cavalry of Yizhou soldiers is unusual. Each of them must be equipped with at least three war horses, at least two of which can be pulled out to participate in battle at any time.  And each cavalry is also equipped with plate armor, muskets, lances, sabers, bows and arrows, daggers From these equipment alone, you can clearly see that the cavalry has strict requirements.  After brutal training, Wei Xueyan participated in the battle for the first time and was able to catch up with the liberation of Liaodong and fought from Liaoyang to Shenyang.  In a short period of time, a rookie turned into a murderous warrior.  He beheaded at least five Jiannu heads and had great military exploits.  If things go by normal circumstances, he will become a low-level officer, and then continue to be promoted. If he is lucky, he may become deputy general and staff general.  If you have the opportunity to act alone, you may become the commander-in-chief and complete the counterattack of the small soldiers.  But God was not in favor, Wei Xueyan was in the final battle.  His left eye was shot by a bow and arrow, turning him into a one-eyed dragon.  He could only leave the army and return home.  Those days were simply a nightmare in Wei Xueyan's life. He suddenly felt that everything had turned black. He drank and acted violently, beat and scolded his wife, and even yelled at his father. His mother was so angry that she shed tears.  Nearly two months later, someone suddenly found his home.  It was said that the prince ordered everyone to return to the military camp.  From Ping Liaogong to King Andong, Zhang Ke became a very popular minister, but he became a one-eyed dragon.  One general's success and all his bones withered, this is the cruelest portrayal!  Wei Xueyan's heart was not balanced, but out of a soldier's instinct, he was full of questions.  Returned to the military camp.  What surprised him was that not only him, but also many veterans gathered together. It was said that King Anton gave the order.  Let everyone retire.  "It's so pitiful, how many people have been in military camps for most of their lives and don't know anything. It's better to kill them than to let them leave."  The resentment was so great that one could imagine that facing them, Wei Xueyan even felt that he was not too unlucky. At least he was still young and still had hope.  In the past dynasties, there was no good way to deal with the veterans of hundreds of battles. Either they would keep fighting and wear them out, or they would put them on the frontier to guard the border, or they could drink wine to release their military power. In short, there is no way to escape the good bows of flying birds.  Various rumors about Tibet's fate are also spreading among the veterans.  Everyone is speculating on how Zhang Ke will deal with everyone.  When everyone was worried, a group of literati wearing long robes and dark clothes walked into the military camp. In the past, veterans learned combat skills, but this time they had to learn survival skills.  Liaodong lacks a large number of low-level officials. These veterans already have a cultural foundation. As long as they are willing, after half a year of study, they can write official documents, calculate, make statistics, and pass the exam, they can enter the government offices at all levels and serve as minor officials. Since they are soldiers  Due to their birth status, they also enjoy preferential promotion rights.  Of course, not everyone can be an official, so there are skills training courses, and you can work as a worker in military and civilian workshops, and you can also make a living.  If you don¡¯t even want to be a worker, you can still get land in the undivided area and act as ranchers and farmers. As long as you cultivate it for ten years, the land will be owned by them.  After all the veterans figured out Zhang Ke's arrangement, almost all of them shed tears. This group of men who would not frown even if they were hit with swords and axes, all burst into tears.  They finally understood that the prince had the big guy in mind and thought about the big guy. As long as the prince was around, everyone would not suffer.  Soon the veterans decided according to their ownThey have different hobbies, chose different careers, and received different training.  Not only to let them master the skills, but also to help everyone adapt to the process of changing from soldiers to civilians to avoid being unable to withstand the strong gap.  After all, even in later generations, many retired soldiers will be a big problem.  As the saying goes, there are a hundred people of all kinds, even among veterans, there are some who are restless, and Wei Xueyan is one of them.  He was moved by Zhang Ke's arrangement, but there was a faint voice in his heart telling him that this was not the life he wanted.  After pondering for a period of time, Wei Xueyan and some veterans became more and more concerned about the so-called general courses.  In these courses, there are astronomy and calendars, overseas scenery, and folk customs in various places. They also explain the knowledge of great navigation and introduce the situation of Western countries. From time to time, missionaries come and tell about their experiences of crossing the ocean.  Wei Xueyan was fascinated in an instant. For the first time, he knew that the Ming Dynasty was just a corner of the world. For the first time, he knew that there were countless business opportunities in the vast ocean. Westerners were already ahead of the East, and they became the conquerors of the sea.  The At this moment, Wei Xueyan finally understood what he wanted to do.  Before the training was over, Wei Xueyan sold the land he had acquired through military industry, borrowed another two hundred taels of silver from his family, purchased a batch of swords in Yiju, boarded a merchant ship, and headed for North Korea.  Zhang Ke does not prohibit weapons such as ordinary swords, spears, bows and arrows. People can wear them at will. Some hunters and even residents close to the grassland can buy matchlock guns. This move is also to improve the people's martial spirit.  Wei Xueyan brought the first batch of weapons.  When he arrived in North Korea, beyond his expectation, North Korea highly praised these things.  A large number of civil and military officials and even scholars came to buy it.  The reason is very simple. They know that the Yizhou soldiers have eliminated the vicious Jiannu, and they have regarded the Yizhou soldiers as heavenly soldiers and generals. How can the magic weapons used by heavenly soldiers and generals not be respected?  It¡¯s good even if you wear it with you.  The first trade was an unexpected success. Wei Xueyan earned a total of three thousand taels of silver, which was even several times more than his father¡¯s hard-earned savings over the past few years!  He was greatly encouraged.  From then on, he shuttled between Korea and Japan, buying and selling weapons on a large scale. From the initial cold weapons, he developed to later, even selling matchlock guns and some artillery.  ¡°Isn¡¯t he worried that doing this will have the effect of endangering the enemy and will be invited to drink tea?  Wei Xueyan was not worried at all. In fact, the arms trade they carried out was supported by Yizhou soldiers.  If not.  They also couldn't get hold of that many firearms.  The large-scale arms trade was actually Zhang Ke's measure to learn from the experience of later generations.  Some people worry that if they sell weapons, others will steal their skills.  But Zhang Ke knows that as long as there is a will.  Even a lockdown has no effect.  On the contrary, selling some outdated weapons in exchange for huge profits can nourish the military-industrial system.  Produce more technologically advanced weapons.  ¡°Moreover, arms trade can also influence the situation of a country and control the growth and decline of power, which is definitely a good thing with huge profits.  The most important point.  Zhang Ke is confident. Even if he asks neighboring countries to learn from him, they will only get a little bit of information and will not pose a threat at all.  Within a few years, Wei Xueyan not only accumulated millions of taels of property, but also became the target of many high-ranking officials and dignitaries.  From Korea to Japan, as well as grassland tribes, he even brought business to Lin Danhan.  As the gangsters became more and more powerful, they also became Wei Xueyan's big customers.  After several rogue bandits robbed the city, they took out the money from the treasury and distributed half to their subordinates and half to Wei Xueyan.  Do you want weapons, do you want food, do you want information, as long as you have money, there is nothing you can't do.  Relying on advanced weapons, the rogues actually fought several victorious battles. The ambush on all sides and the dragnet that Yang Sichang had worked so hard to manage were beaten to pieces, with loopholes everywhere, making Chongzhen increasingly dissatisfied with him.  Gradually, the generals under Yang Sichang also noticed something strange. As officers and soldiers of the imperial court, their weapons were not as good as those of a ragtag group of people. It was simply unreasonable!  At this time, Wei Xueyan approached them again. It was very simple. Do you want weapons? As long as you pay for them, you are guaranteed to get better ones.  Many generals thought that although they could not equip all their subordinates with new equipment, it was enough to simply change the equipment of their servants.  Liaodong¡¯s armor, swords, fire guns, and even tall mixed-race horses were sold to these generals.  It's just that this kind of thing cannot be exposed publicly. Everyone can only tacitly agree with it and deceive the superiors without concealing it.  Wei Xueyan led the convoy through Kaifeng and headed towards Luoyang.    According to intelligence, the main force of rogue bandits arrived in Henan half a month ago, including Gao Yingxiang, Li Zicheng, Luo Rucai, etc., a total of more than a dozen groups.  At the same time, the main force of the Ming army was also rapidly concentrated. Yang Sichang not only mobilized his elite soldiers and generals, but also ordered Hong Chengchou to move south from Shaanxi and mobilized 15,000 Beijing soldiers from the capital to prepare for a single battle.  In this seemingly dangerous situation, Wei Xueyan rushed to Henan. Just when the convoy was still dozens of kilometers away from Luoyang, a group of people suddenly rushed out and surrounded them.  Most of the people who followed Wei Xueyan were veterans. They had experienced hundreds of battles and were extremely fierce. They killed countless thieves along the way. Even if the opponent was large in number, they would not be afraid.  "Don't be busy." Wei Xueyan waved his hand and said loudly to the soldiers opposite: "Brothers, if I recognize you correctly, you are Leader Li Zicheng's men. You are here to pay a visit to Leader Li. Please  It's just a convenience." When the leader looked at them, he couldn't help but smile contemptuously: "Who are you? You want to meet the leader, why don't you show your virtue by peeing in the urine?" He is talking nonsense here!  Yan was not angry, he also smiled and said: "As expected of a rogue, Li Zicheng's men changed so quickly that I don't even recognize him! Tell Li Zicheng whether he still wants weapons. If not, I will  Just sell the weapon to He Renlong." Hearing this.  The people on the opposite side couldn't help being surprised. Someone hurriedly went to report Li Zicheng. After a while, they saw Li Zicheng hurried over with his generals.  When he was far away, he laughed at Wei Xueyan and said: "Boss Wei, I have been waiting for you these days. I heard a magpie chirping outside this morning. I didn't expect you to come." "Maybe it was a crow.  ." Wei Xueyan jumped off his horse and held his hands in front of Li Zicheng.  "Chief Li, let's be honest. I heard that you are going to fight a big war again. I have five hundred muskets here, all of which are new, plus two trucks of ammunition. Come and take a look!" "Okay." Li Zicheng  Taking long strides, he reached the front of the motorcade, lifted up the tarpaulin, and glanced at the car, which was filled with a layer of straw.  The straw curtain was torn open, revealing a dark firecracker. Li Zicheng grabbed one and held it in his hand.  Caressing her lovingly is simply more caring than treating a woman.  "Hey, Boss Wei, why doesn't this fire gun have a fire door? Are you lying to me?" "Haha, in Li's hand, don't you know about a flintlock gun?" "Is this a flintlock gun?" Li Zicheng  His hands trembled with excitement.  He almost fell to the ground, but he had heard that Yizhou soldiers had long been equipped with guns that did not require matchlocks. In recent days, the imperial army also had equipment.  Unexpectedly, Wei Xueyan delivered it to him, what a timely gift!  "Boss Wei, you are indeed a good friend. Come here and bring the silver." After giving the order, a large group of strong men carried the wooden boxes over and opened them. There were two large boxes of fine silk official silver.  , there was only one other box, which actually contained a lot of silver dollars and some banknotes.  Wei Xueyan glanced at it and smiled slightly: "Chief Li, you are the most willing leader of the rebel army I have ever seen who is willing to buy weapons. For this reason, your army will prosper sooner or later." Li Zicheng smiled proudly and touched it with his hand.  Head, said: "Boss Wei, just point to these things to survive, even if you don't want to part with them. But I really envy Boss Wei, he knows both black and white, and his hands and eyes are really amazing!" "Haha, Leader Li is being polite, I'm just lucky to be with you.  I just wanted to kill someone. By the way, I want to tell the leader something. From now on, I will no longer deliver weapons personally, and I won¡¯t use money to buy or sell weapons.¡± Li Zicheng was suddenly shocked. His subordinates all relied on Wei Xueyan.  weapons!  "Boss Wei, why are you quitting? Don't you have enough money?" "Of course not." Wei Xueyan said with a smile: "To be honest, I will focus my energy overseas in the future. As for weapons sales, someone will continue to do it, but  We don¡¯t want cash, we want young labor.¡± Wei Xueyan didn¡¯t say much, but Li Zicheng also understood something. For him, as long as he can still buy weapons, as for young men, he has the least value.  It's people!  "Hahaha, Boss Wei, in that case, I would like to congratulate you in advance on your prosperity." Wei Xueyan cupped his hands and said with a smile: "With the good words of the leader, I just got the news that there are only more than 13,000 people in Kaifeng City.  "Man, the leader can get it quickly." "Thank you for telling me!"  "Look, it's out, it's out!" In the military hospital, countless doctors stretched their necks and looked inside.looking at.  In the middle of the crowd, there was an old man staring expressionlessly. Opposite him sat a young man. There was a needle inserted in his arm, and a long tube was connected to the needle, extending  into a clean glass bottle.  I saw bright red blood gushing out along the needle, along the long tube, and slowly flowed into the glass bottle.  After a while, the bottle was almost a third full.  The man sitting opposite his arms kept trembling, sweat broke out on his forehead, and he gritted his teeth to hold on.  At this time, the old man stood up, held down his arm, quickly pulled out the needle, and pressed the wound with a piece of alcohol cotton.  The young man asked stupidly: "Doctor Wu, when will I die?" "Death? In a few decades, who can say for sure!" The young man opened his mouth in an instant and asked in disbelief.  : "Miracle Doctor Wu, after so much blood was drawn from me, wouldn't I die?" "I can't die just this little, but it would be hard to say if a full bottle was drawn." Wu Youxing smiled and said, "Drink more brown sugar when I go back.  Water, eat some brown eggs, and replenish your body, it will be fine in three to five days. " "Oh, thank you, the miracle doctor, thank you, the miracle doctor!" The young man left with great gratitude. Wu Youxing faced him.  There was dark red blood in front of him, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.  Finally succeeded!  Over the years, Wu Youxing has established a perfect anatomy, and his understanding of the human body has reached its peak. Especially when dealing with a large number of wounded, he knows very well that many people die from excessive blood loss.  If blood from a healthy person can be injected into the body of the wounded, life can be saved.  Wu Youxing conducted a lot of research, and he found out that blood is generally divided into four types. Only the same blood type can save lives, otherwise it will only kill people.  But the issue before Wu Youxing is still serious, that is, how to transfuse blood quickly. If you want to do your job well, you must first sharpen your tools, but neither iron products nor glass products are convenient.  At this time, news came from Batavia that Ming Ruxin discovered a rubber tree in the Dutch No. 1 and brought back more than a dozen barrels of rubber.  This news reached Zhang Ke¡¯s ears, and he couldn¡¯t believe it.  Logically speaking, rubber should still be in South America. Historically, I haven¡¯t heard of the Dutch discovering rubber trees?  But after thinking about it, Zhang Ke also understood that the Dutch were doing business everywhere, and it was not surprising that the explorers got some rubber trees from America.  It¡¯s just that they didn¡¯t understand the true purpose of rubber, so they buried it.  It doesn¡¯t matter if they don¡¯t understand, but Zhang Ke understands!  With rubber as a material, it is definitely a huge leap forward. First of all, medical equipment can undergo earth-shaking changes, and more injured soldiers can receive treatment.  Secondly, he has already started to develop a steam engine. Although the principle of the steam engine is not complicated, Zhang Ke's skilled craftsmen have already built a prototype.  But it is a pity that the steam engine at this time can only be placed there. The reason is very simple. It is too bulky, has poor sealing, low power, and has no practical value.  "It's like a hungry person facing a table of banquets but unable to eat. The taste is unbearable.  But with rubber, everything changed. With rubber, steam engines can be made smaller and more powerful.  It won't be long before we can even build primitive trains and steam ironclads.  Even if it takes ten or twenty years, Zhang Ke can afford to wait. As long as we enter the industrial age, with China's talent, he will definitely dominate the world!  "Rubber, no matter what, we need to grow more rubber trees to get more rubber!" It's easy to say, but the growth conditions for rubber are strict, and I'm afraid it can only be grown in Nanyang, but who is willing to take on this burden!  Those wealthy businessmen who are pampered may have no problem letting him weave cloth and make porcelain, but they may not have the determination to suffer overseas.  He had to organize a plantation, and it was impossible for someone who didn't understand business. Zhang Ke searched hard, but couldn't find a suitable candidate.  "Your Majesty, the land auction in Taiwan is almost over. Wei Xueyan paid the most and auctioned one million acres in one go. It's really impressive." Zhang Ke's eyes suddenly lit up. The person he was looking for was here!  (To be continued)
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