A resurgence of the late Ming Dynasty, starting with a trillion-dollar clone.

In the first month of the fourteenth year of Chongzhen (1641), Ma Changsheng was twelve years old.

This New Year, Majiazhai had a more comfortable year than in previous years.

The granary was filled with 8,000 shi of grain—enough to feed the entire village for two years; the armory had added 50 improved firearms, and the Song craftsmen were still testing the first small cannon; the village walls had been raised to 25 zhang (approximately 6.6 meters), and artillery emplacements had been built at the four corners.

But Ma Changsheng couldn't be happy.

The news coming from various places was getting worse and worse:

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, a scout brought back news from Xiangyang: Zhang Xianzhong had captured Xiangyang, and Prince Zhu Yiming of Xiangyang had been killed.

This was the first time a member of the Ming Dynasty's imperial family had been killed by bandits, shocking the court and the public.

On the twentieth day of the first lunar month, a herbalist from Jiujiang sent a secret letter: Li Zicheng had captured Luoyang, and Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun, had been killed; his body was used to make a "Feast of Fortune and Prosperity." Luoyang was wealthy, and Li Zicheng had obtained a large amount of money and grain, causing his power to surge.

On the 25th day of the first month, Chen Jiru of Wuchang sent a messenger with a message: Zuo Liangyu's troops and Zhang Xianzhong's troops were fighting on the outskirts of Wuchang. The government troops were defeated and retreated, and Wuchang was in imminent danger.

"The world is in chaos, and it has officially begun." Ma Changsheng marked this information on the map of the Hall of Righteousness, his voice heavy.

The core members of the stronghold were seated in the hall: Ma Sanbao, Instructor Sun, Tiezhu, Chen Jiru, Li Wenbin, Craftsman Song, Aunt Chen, and several newly promoted hall masters.

"What should we do?" Ma Sanbao asked. "If Zhang Xianzhong takes Wuchang, our next target will be Qishui."

"Li Zicheng is in Henan and can't come over for the time being," Instructor Sun analyzed. "But Zhang Xianzhong... is indeed a problem."

Ma Changsheng pondered for a moment: "Zhang Xianzhong has just captured Xiangyang and needs time to digest the situation. Moreover, his next target will definitely be Wuchang—the capital of Huguang, which is more attractive than our poor mountain village. We still have time."

"How long?" Tie Zhu asked.

"At most three months," Ma Changsheng said. "Within three months, Zhang Xianzhong will either capture Wuchang or be repelled by Zuo Liangyu. Either way, he might turn on us afterwards."

He stood up and walked to the map: "So, we need to do three things."

"Previously, our intelligence network only covered the area around Qishui," Ma Changsheng said. "Now we need to expand it to the entire Huguang region, and even Henan and Southern Zhili."

He instructed Tie Zhu to select twenty clever young men to form a "spy team." These men were divided into three groups:

A group went to Wuchang, mingling with the refugees to gather intelligence on the movements of Zhang Xianzhong and Zuo Liangyu;

One group went to Xiangyang to understand the strength and deployment of Zhang Xianzhong's troops;

A group went to Jiujiang, which was an intelligence hub where they could hear news from all sides.

"Remember, you are not spies, but merchants, refugees, and itinerant doctors," Ma Changsheng instructed. "Survival comes first, intelligence second. On the fifteenth of each month, contact each other using a coded signal at a designated location."

"The stockade walls need to be raised higher, at least three zhang (approximately 10 meters)," Ma Changsheng said to the craftsman Song. "The gun emplacements need to be completed as soon as possible. When will the small cannons be finished?"

The craftsman scratched his head: "The cannon barrel is finished, but the gun carriage and the shells are still being made. The earliest... will be next month."

"It must be completed next month." Ma Changsheng turned to Instructor Sun. "The musket team needs to be expanded to one hundred men, and their training needs to be intensified. New tactics: three-volley fire—the first rank fires, the second rank prepares, and the third rank loads. They fire in rotation to maintain uninterrupted firepower."

Instructor Sun's eyes lit up: "This is a good method! I've seen it before when I was in the border army, but I've never practiced it systematically."

"We also have cavalry," Ma Changsheng said. "We currently have eighty horses. We'll form two cavalry squads, each with forty men. One squad will be used for reconnaissance and harassment, and the other will serve as a reserve force to charge the enemy lines at critical moments."

"If Zhang Xianzhong really attacks, we can't win a direct confrontation," Ma Changsheng said. "So we need to have a backup plan—the leverage to negotiate."

He asked Chen Jiru to draft several letters:

A letter was sent to Zhang Xianzhong, reiterating the willingness to "cooperate" and expressing the willingness to provide more intelligence and "sponsorship";

A letter was sent to Zuo Liangyu, expressing his loyalty to the emperor and his love for the country as a "successful candidate in the imperial examination" of the Ming Dynasty, and requesting protection from the officers and soldiers;

He sent a letter to other mountain strongholds and local militias in the surrounding area, proposing the establishment of an "anti-bandit alliance".

"Having multiple plans means having multiple options," Ma Changsheng said. "But remember, the contents of these letters must be kept secret. Especially the letter to Zhang Xianzhong—the court must never know about it."

The others obeyed and left. Ma Changsheng remained alone in the Hall of Gathering Righteousness, staring blankly at the map.

He knew that history had entered its most chaotic phase. The fourteenth year of Chongzhen's reign was a pivotal year in the collapse of the Ming Dynasty: Li Zicheng captured Luoyang, Zhang Xianzhong captured Xiangyang, and the Qing army entered the pass for the fifth time... In the following years, the siege of Kaifeng, the Battle of Songjin, and Chongzhen's suicide would all occur.

Could Majiazhai, this small mountain village, survive the torrent?

He didn't know. He could only do his best.

In early February, the first batch of undercover agents sent back intelligence.

The scouts sent to Wuchang reported that Zuo Liangyu had retreated to Wuchang, but his army was undisciplined, looting the people and losing their support. Zhang Xianzhong's troops were gathering outside the city, claiming to number 200,000, but their actual strength was only about 100,000.

The spies sent to Xiangyang reported that Zhang Xianzhong had plundered the city for three days, seizing millions of dollars in gold and silver, and countless provisions. He had established a regime, appointed officials, and even held imperial examinations—though rudimentary, they already showed signs of contending for the throne.

The undercover scouts in Jiujiang reported that the Jiangnan region was in turmoil, and wealthy families were fleeing south. Shi Kefa, the Minister of War in Nanjing, mobilized troops northward, but it was a drop in the ocean.

Ma Changsheng compiled this intelligence into a "Current Affairs Briefing" and circulated it among key personnel.

"Zhang Xianzhong has 100,000 soldiers..." Instructor Sun gasped, "Our entire force only has 1,000 men."

"One hundred thousand is a figure of thumb; the actual number capable of fighting is probably only twenty or thirty thousand," Ma Changsheng analyzed. "But even twenty or thirty thousand is still dozens of times our number."

He drew a line on the map: "If Zhang Xianzhong wants to attack Wuchang, he must take the Yangtze River waterway or the land route along the river. We are north of the river, not in the main direction of attack. But if he divides his forces to sweep through the prefectures and counties north of the river, he may be able to reach us."

"So, should we stay or leave?" Tie Zhu asked.

"We can't leave now," Ma Changsheng shook his head. "Spring planting is just around the corner. If we leave, this year's harvest will be gone. Besides, with so many elderly, weak, women, and children, where can we go?"

He paused for a moment: "We can only defend. But we need to defend skillfully."

He proposed a new tactic: flexible defense.

"Do not engage in a decisive battle at the foot of the stockade walls. Set up multiple layers of defense around the perimeter: the first layer, the trap zone—dig pits, set tripwires, and bury bamboo spikes; the second layer, the guerrilla zone—small detachments harass and then retreat; the third layer, the fortress zone—the core stockade walls, to be defended to the death."

"How long can this drag on?"

"It depends on how much Zhang Xianzhong is willing to pay," Ma Changsheng said. "If he feels that fighting us is not worth the effort, he may take a detour."

This was a gamble, betting that Zhang Xianzhong wouldn't have the patience to waste his troops on a small village.

On February 15th, a group of about fifty people arrived outside the village, carrying banners that read "official soldiers".

The leader claimed his surname was Yang and that he was a guerrilla general under Zuo Liangyu.

Ma Changsheng received them at the stockade wall. The guerrilla commander, Yang, was in his thirties, with a fierce face, and rode arrogantly on horseback.

"Ma Changsheng, listen to my command! General Zuo orders: Five hundred soldiers and one thousand shi of grain from Ma Family Village in Qishui are to be dispatched immediately to Wuchang to assist in the battle! Anyone who disobeys this order will be punished as a traitor!"

This is blatant extortion.

Ma Changsheng sneered inwardly, but remained respectful on the surface:

"General Yang, your student Ma Changsheng greets you. I will obey the orders of the Left General. However, I have a problem: there are many old and weak people in the camp, and I cannot spare five hundred soldiers; although there is some food, I really cannot afford a thousand shi to feed the whole camp."

Guerrilla Yang glared at him: "Enough nonsense! Will you give it to me or not?"

"Yes, of course we'll give it to you." Ma Changsheng changed the subject, "but please understand, General: one hundred soldiers and three hundred shi of grain is the limit. Any more and the stronghold will collapse, and then they won't be able to serve General Zuo."

"Three hundred bushels of grain? You think you can treat a beggar like that?!" Guerrilla Commander Yang roared. "Men! Prepare to attack the stronghold!"

His fifty men sparsely raised their weapons. But looking at the towering walls of Majia Village and the densely packed guards on top, they hesitated.

Ma Changsheng remained calm: "General Yang, are you really going to fight? Your fifty men are probably not enough to fill the trenches. Besides..."

He lowered his voice: "I've heard that Zhang Xianzhong's troops are only a hundred miles away. If we fight to the death here, and the bandits benefit, can you bear the blame if General Zuo finds out?"

That hit the nail on the head.

Yang Youji's expression changed—he had come out this time to falsely convey military orders in order to make a quick buck.

If a real fight breaks out, you'll be the one who suffers.

"Then... three hundred shi is too little! At least five hundred shi!"

"Three hundred and fifty shi (a unit of dry measure), plus one hundred taels of silver," Ma Changsheng conceded. "This is all the student has. Any more, and we'll have to fight to the death."

Final deal: 50 soldiers, 350 shi of grain, and 100 taels of silver.

Guerrilla Commander Yang left dejectedly with his "spoils of war." As soon as he was gone, Tie Zhu cursed, "These damned government soldiers! They're worse than bandits!"

Instructor Sun sighed, "The discipline of Zuo Liangyu's troops is so bad that they are no longer officers and soldiers, but bandits."

Ma Changsheng remained calm: "It's a good thing we can send them away with money and supplies. If we really fought, we might win, but there would be casualties and we'd waste ammunition. This way, we're just paying to avoid further trouble."

He paused, then said, "But this incident reminds us that we can't trust the government troops either. From now on, we'll keep them all outside the village."

At the end of February, strategist Wang came again.

This time, the force was even larger: a hundred cavalrymen, carrying the banner of "King of the Great Western Kingdom".

In the Hall of Righteousness, Strategist Wang, beaming, exclaimed, "Chief Ma, congratulations! My lord has captured Wuchang, and Zuo Liangyu has fled to Jiujiang! Now, half of Huguang is under the control of the Great Western Army!"

Ma Changsheng was startled—Wuchang had fallen? Several months earlier than historical records indicate. But he remained calm:

"Mr. Wang, have you come to convey King Zhang's new orders?"

"Indeed." Strategist Wang stroked his beard. "His Majesty has decreed: Ma Family Village in Qishui shall submit to the Great Western Army immediately. The chief of Ma Family Village shall be appointed 'General of Qishui,' governing the three counties of Qishui, Huangmei, and Guangji. However, he must provide 1,000 soldiers and 5,000 shi of grain to assist His Majesty in pacifying Huguang."

What a boastful tone.

Ma Changsheng laughed: "Mr. Wang, King Zhang thinks too highly of his student. My little mountain stronghold, where would I get a thousand soldiers? Five thousand bushels of grain? Even if you dismantled my stronghold and sold it, it wouldn't be worth anything."

"Chief Ma is too modest," strategist Wang chuckled. "My lord knows Chief Ma is a young prodigy, managing this stronghold like an ironclad fortress. A thousand soldiers and five thousand provisions might be difficult for others, but for Chief Ma… it's not difficult, is it?"

This is a coup d'état.

Ma Changsheng was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Mr. Wang, is King Zhang's next move to attack Jiujiang or Changsha?"

Wang, the strategist, was taken aback: "This... such important military secrets cannot be leaked!"

"Students, guess," Ma Changsheng said, walking to the map. "If we attack Jiujiang, we can sail down the river and threaten Nanjing; if we attack Changsha, we can control the entire Hubei and Hunan region and establish our own independent kingdom. Given Zhang Dawang's personality, I'm afraid... he'll want to attack both?"

Wang's expression changed slightly.

Ma Changsheng guessed correctly—Zhang Xianzhong was indeed planning a two-pronged attack simultaneously.

"Therefore, King Zhang urgently needs soldiers and provisions," Ma Changsheng continued. "But I believe that instead of forcibly conscripting them, it would be better to cooperate and achieve a win-win situation."

"How do we cooperate?"

"Students can nominally submit to King Zhang and fly the 'Great Western' banner, but they will not actually send troops or supplies," Ma Changsheng said. "In return, students guarantee: First, they will never be enemies of King Zhang within the three counties of Qishui; second, they will provide intelligence on Jiangbei, including the movements of officers and soldiers and the location of supply routes; third, if necessary, they can 'lend' King Zhang's troops passage."

It's an empty promise, but it sounds tempting.

Strategist Wang pondered.

Ma Changsheng added: "In addition, the students will 'pay tribute' to King Zhang with two hundred shi of grain and fifty taels of silver every month. Although it's not much, it's a steady stream."

Wang, the strategist, was tempted.

His purpose in coming here was not to actually send troops from Majiazhai—Zhang Xianzhong also knew that such local armed forces were unreliable.

The fact that I can get 200 shi of grain, 50 taels of silver, and intelligence support every month has exceeded my expectations.

"I must report this matter to the King."

"Go ahead," Ma Changsheng said. "But please tell King Zhang: if you force me, I will have no choice but to fight to the death. In the end, King Zhang will only find ruins and lose a lot of troops. Why bother?"

A combination of persuasion and pressure, using both carrots and sticks.

Wang's advisor left, promising to "do his best to mediate."

As soon as the man left, Chen Jiru said worriedly, "Chang Sheng, you've become traitors! What if the court finds out..."

"The imperial court?" Ma Changsheng sneered. "The imperial court is too busy to take care of itself right now. Besides, what we're doing is called 'feigned surrender,' understand? We'll talk about it again when the situation changes."

In March, Zhang Xianzhong officially conferred titles upon Ma Changsheng: he was appointed "Governor of Qishui" and given the title of "General Huaiyuan". Majiazhai was allowed to "govern itself", but was required to pay a monthly tribute of 200 shi of grain and 50 taels of silver.

Also sent was a "Da Xi" flag.

Ma Changsheng accepted the documents and the flag, but locked the flag in the storeroom and didn't hang it up.

To the outside world, they only said, "It's a temporary measure to lull the bandits into a false sense of security."

But the people in the village were restless.

Some people felt that surrendering to bandits was dishonorable, some worried that the imperial court would settle scores later, and some thought that following Zhang Xianzhong might be a way out.

Ma Changsheng knew that it was necessary to unify thinking.

On the third day of the third lunar month, he convened a meeting of all the leaders in the Hall of Gathering Righteousness.

"I know everyone has their own opinions," he said bluntly. "Some say I surrendered to the bandits, others say I'm two-faced. Today, I'm going to make things clear."

He stood up and looked around at the crowd:

"I did not surrender. That document was Zhang Xianzhong's wishful thinking; I did not raise that flag. The flag hanging at the entrance of our village still has the character 'Qi' on it."

"Why should I feign compliance with Zhang Xianzhong? Because we can't defeat him. A direct confrontation would result in the destruction of our stronghold and the death of our people. Temporarily yielding is to buy us time—time to train our troops, store up supplies, and grow stronger."

"Whom should we ultimately side with? Not Zhang Xianzhong, not Zuo Liangyu, and even... not the Ming Dynasty."

These words were like a thunderbolt. Everyone was stunned.

"Then with whom?" Tie Zhu asked.

"We must rely on ourselves." Ma Changsheng said, word by word, "In chaotic times, we can't trust anyone but ourselves and the brothers around us. We must build Ma Family Village into an independent stronghold, not dependent on any power, and survive on our own."

He walked to the map and pointed to the mountains and rivers surrounding Qishui:

"This area, spanning a hundred miles, has mountains, rivers, and fields. We will turn it into our territory: with the mountain stronghold at the center and the surrounding villages on the periphery, we will establish a self-governing system. We will grow our own grain, manufacture our own weapons, and set our own rules."

"That imperial court..."

"If the imperial court exists, we are still nominally citizens of the Ming Dynasty; if the imperial court falls, we will become local strongmen," Ma Changsheng said. "But no matter who rules the country, our principles will remain unchanged: we will not oppress the people, we will not rob merchants, and we will protect our territory and ensure the safety of our people."

Instructor Sun was the first to declare: "I, Old Sun, am sticking with the chieftain! In this world, you can't rely on the imperial court, and you can't rely on bandits either; you have to rely on yourself!"

Chen Jiru also stood up: "Chang Sheng is right. I've seen it in Wuchang: government troops robbed the people, and bandits robbed the people too. Only our Ma Family Village truly protects the people. I, Chen Jiru, am willing to follow such a leader!"

Everyone expressed their opinions. A temporary consensus was reached.

But Ma Changsheng knew that this was only on the surface.

There must be some discontent behind the scenes, some wavering, and even... there might be a mole within the organization.

He instructed Tie Zhu to conduct a secret investigation, especially among the newly arrived prisoners and refugees, to identify any suspicious individuals.

On March 15th, Tiezhu brought bad news: three traitors had been caught.

They were all prisoners captured last year, secretly colluding to prepare to open the gates and surrender when Zhang Xianzhong attacked.

"How did you find out?" Ma Changsheng asked.

"They secretly planted marks under the stockade wall, but the patrolling brothers saw them," Tiezhu said. "They were interrogated all night, and they all confessed. It was Zhang Xianzhong's men who had arranged for them to infiltrate the prisoner camp."

"Are there any accomplices?"

"It's possible, but these three people are stubborn and won't say."

Ma Changsheng paused for a moment, then asked, "According to the village rules, what is the punishment for those who colluded with the enemy?"

"Beheading and displaying the head to the public."

"Then execute them," Ma Changsheng said firmly, "but the trial must be public, so that the whole village knows why they are being killed."

That afternoon, in the square in front of the Hall of Righteousness.

The entire village gathered, and the three traitors were tied to wooden stakes.

Ma Changsheng publicly announced their crimes: "They colluded with bandits and plotted to surrender the stronghold. According to Article 3 of the stronghold's rules: those who collude with the enemy shall be executed!"

He personally oversaw the execution.

Three heads fell to the ground, their blood staining the yellow earth red.

The entire audience fell silent.

Ma Changsheng raised his voice: "Everyone has seen it! This is the consequence of colluding with the enemy! We, the Ma Family Village, don't cause trouble, but we're not afraid of trouble either! Anyone who betrays their brothers will suffer this fate!"

He paused, his tone softening, "But I also know that some people are forced into this situation. Those who come forward to confess now will be forgiven; those who are reported will be severely punished!"

That evening, five more people turned themselves in, all of whom had been coerced or lured into doing so.

After interrogating them, Ma Changsheng determined that the offenses were relatively minor and sentenced them to three months of mining as a way to atone for their crimes.

This combination of firmness and leniency deterred potential troublemakers and reassured the public.

But Ma Changsheng knew that this was only a temporary solution.

To address the root cause, we need to make everyone genuinely accept the concept of "Shanzhai" (a type of counterfeit goods) and consider it their home.

He increased investment in education.

The night school not only teaches literacy, but also "village history"—telling how Majiazhai developed from a small village to what it is today, emphasizing the spirit of "unity and self-help".

He also established a "Honors List" to record everyone's contributions: killing enemies, production, invention, saving lives... Monthly evaluations were conducted, and those who made contributions were rewarded with grain and cloth.

Gradually, the consciousness of "I am a Majiazhai person" took root in the hearts of the villagers.

April is the busy season for spring plowing.

Ma Changsheng ordered: Except for the necessary garrison troops, everyone must go to the ground.

He himself rolled up his trousers and went to the fields to plant rice seedlings.

This is for everyone to see: the chieftain is not a high and mighty lord, but a leader who works alongside the people.

Training continued as usual during the break from spring plowing. The newly built small cannon was successfully test-fired, capable of firing 300 paces. Although its accuracy was poor, its imposing presence was intimidating.

The Song craftsmen further improved the gunpowder formula, increasing its power by 30%.

The cavalry unit expanded to one hundred men, and most of the horses were captured. Although they were of mixed breeds, they were well-trained.

Ma Changsheng had Instructor Sun teach them the "wall charge"—forming a tight formation, like a wall pressing down. This tactic was very effective against scattered bandits.

The musket team was expanded to 150 men, all of whom were equipped with improved muskets.

Ma Changsheng devised a new training method: blindfolded disassembly and assembly of muskets, and loading and firing while moving.

By the end of April, Majiazhai possessed:

Troop strength: 800 regular troops (500 infantry, 150 musketeers, 100 cavalry, and 50 artillerymen).

Equipment: 150 muskets, 5 small cannons, 300 bows and arrows, and a full complement of swords and spears.

Grain: 10,000 shi (enough to feed people for two and a half years) in stock.

Population: There are 3,000 permanent residents in the village (1,000 of whom are elderly, weak, women and children), and about 20,000 residents in the surrounding 30 villages.

This is already a force to be reckoned with.

Within a radius of a hundred miles, no force dared to provoke them easily.

But Ma Changsheng dared not relax.

He knew that the real test was yet to come.

In May, intelligence indicated that Zhang Xianzhong's main force was resting in Wuchang, but he had sent out several detachments to sweep across the north bank of the Yangtze River.

One of the groups, about 5,000 people, led by his adopted son Sun Kewang, is moving towards Qishui.

"Sun Kewang..." Ma Changsheng looked at the intelligence report, "The most ruthless of Zhang Xianzhong's four adopted sons. He's not easy to deal with."

He immediately convened a pre-battle meeting.

"Sun Kewang has five thousand men, an elite force," said Instructor Sun. "We can't win by brute force; we can only outsmart them."

"How do we outsmart them?" Tie Zhu asked.

Ma Changsheng already had a plan. He drew several circles on the map:

"Sun Kewang will come from Wuchang and will definitely take the official road. Let's prepare some 'gifts' for him on the official road."

He made detailed plans: dig pits and set up tripwires in the narrow sections of the official road; ambush archers in the forests on both sides to shoot officers and horses; harass with small groups of cavalry, attacking and running away; if necessary, "surrender the village" to lure them into the village, and then... close the gate and beat them.

"But Sun Kewang isn't stupid; he might not fall for it," Chen Jiru worried.

"Then we'll force him to divide his forces," Ma Changsheng said. "We'll take the initiative, attack his logistics units, and burn his supplies. If he pursues us, we'll go into the mountains; if he doesn't, we'll continue to harass him. We'll annoy him so much that he'll either give up or underestimate us and advance recklessly."

This is the essence of guerrilla warfare: you fight your way, I fight mine; fight if you can win, run if you can't.

Once the plan is set, it will be implemented immediately.

Ma Changsheng personally led two hundred elite soldiers out of the camp to meet the enemy.

This was the first time he had taken the initiative.

We've always played defensively, but this time we're going to attack.

Before he left, Li held his hand, her eyes brimming with tears, and said, "Chang Sheng, be careful..."

"Mother, don't worry." Ma Changsheng patted his mother's hand, "I will come back."

He mounted the horse—a captured Mongolian horse, small in stature but with great stamina.

As the sun set, two hundred cavalrymen galloped out of the stockade gate, raising a cloud of dust.

Ma Changsheng turned around and glanced at his parents and the crowd on the village wall.

This battle was a matter of life and death for Majiazhai.

We can only win, we cannot lose.