Chief Armaments Master of the Ming Dynasty

That evening, Lin Fan was tidying up his tools in the blacksmith's shop, preparing to finish work.

Tian Ergou rushed over, his face looking rather strange.

"Master Lin, there's something... I don't know if I should say it."

"Speak," Lin Fan said without even looking up.

"This afternoon, I was chopping wood on the back hill when I overheard Chief Liu and a few of his personal guards talking," Tian Ergou said in a low voice, glancing around. "They seemed to be discussing something... about leading the troops away."

Lin Fan paused for a moment.

Should we lead the group away?

"What exactly did they say?" he asked, his tone still calm.

"I didn't dare get too close, afraid of being discovered." Tian Ergou scratched his head. "I only heard a few sentences—'Li Zicheng is too cowardly,' 'Let's do it ourselves,' 'There's a bigger business to be had in the north'...that's the gist of it."

Lin Fan remained silent for a moment.

Liu Zongmin.

This most valiant general under Li Zicheng was a pillar of Li Zicheng's army in history, but he also had conflicts with Li Zicheng at critical moments and even parted ways at one point.

Are conflicts arising earlier than recorded in history?

Or perhaps these contradictions existed throughout history but were downplayed in historical records?

"Does anyone else know about this?" Lin Fan asked.

"I didn't tell anyone, I came straight to you," Tian Ergou said, patting his chest.

"Then keep it to yourself." Lin Fan put down his tools, looked into Tian Ergou's eyes, and said, "Ergou, remember this: some things, if you hear them, just pretend you didn't. If they get out, people will die."

Tian Ergou's face turned pale, and he nodded repeatedly.

Lin Fan did not go to Li Zicheng, nor did he go to Gu Jun'en.

He knew that in this kind of situation, making a hasty complaint without solid evidence would only bring trouble upon himself.

But he couldn't completely pretend he didn't know.

If Liu Zongmin really did lead his troops away, it would be a fatal blow to the rebel camp—not only would it result in the loss of a large number of troops, but it would also shake the morale of the army.

We must find a way to make Li Zicheng discover the problem himself.

---

The opportunity came sooner than expected.

Three days later, Li Zicheng convened a meeting of his leaders to discuss their next move.

The pressure on the government troops was increasing. Scouts from several routes reported that Du Wenhuan's troops were tightening their encirclement towards Bao'an County, intending to wipe out the peasant army in the area.

"We must move as soon as possible." Gu Jun'en pointed to the map. "Huanglong Mountain to the north has already been occupied by government troops, and the west is not safe either. The only way out is to go east, cross the Yellow River, and enter Shanxi."

"Shanxi?" Liu Zongmin frowned. "That's someone else's territory. We don't know anyone there; going there would be suicide."

"Staying in northern Shaanxi is suicide," Gu Jun'en said. "Du Wenhuan is clearly trying to surround and kill us. If we don't run, we'll be sitting ducks."

The two argued back and forth, and the other leaders also held their own opinions, creating a chaotic scene in the tent.

---

That night, Lin Fan found Lao Geng.

Old Geng has been doing well in the scout team lately, bringing back valuable intelligence on several reconnaissance missions. Li Zicheng appreciates him greatly and has promoted him to a minor leader in the scout team, overseeing seven or eight men.

"Brother Geng, there's something I'd like to ask you for help with," Lin Fan said, getting straight to the point.

Old Geng was wiping a newly issued waist knife—the very one Lin Fan had made.

"Brother Lin, please speak."

"Have you noticed lately that Liu's men have been going out more frequently?"

Old Geng thought for a moment and said, "That's true. A few days ago, a few of Liu's men went north and didn't come back for two days. I thought they were scouting the movements of the government troops, so I didn't pay much attention."

"Could you keep an eye out for them and find out exactly where they went and who they met?" Lin Fan asked. "Don't be too obvious, and don't give yourself away."

Old Geng glanced at him, didn't ask why, and just nodded.

They had risked their lives together in Huanglong Mountain, and he trusted Lin Fan.

---

A few days later, Lao Geng brought news.

"Leader Liu's men went to a place called Zhangjiabao in the north," Old Geng said in a low voice. "It's a small village, about a hundred households, with an earthen wall and local militia. But they didn't go to rob anyone; they went to... discuss some business."

"What are you talking about?"

"I don't know. But I saw a familiar-looking person outside the village—Old Hu Wai."

Lin Fan's heart skipped a beat.

Hu Laowai?

That down-on-his-luck scholar who stirred up trouble in Wang Ziyong's department and almost caused a fire?

Wasn't he following Wang Ziyong? How did he end up in Zhangjiabao?

"Did you see clearly?" Lin Fan pressed.

"I saw it clearly." Old Geng nodded. "I would recognize that old man even if he were ashes. He was talking to someone at the entrance of the village, and then he went into the village. I waited for a long time but didn't see him come out, so I came back first."

Lin Fan fell silent.

Hu Laowai appeared in Zhangjiabao, and Liu Zongmin's men were also in Zhangjiabao.

Is there any connection between these two?

If so, what are they plotting?

Lin Fan dared not think too deeply about it, but he knew that Li Zicheng had to know about this.

---

This time, he did not hesitate.

That evening, he found Gu Jun'en and told him everything that Tian Ergou and Lao Geng had found out.

Gu Jun'en's face turned very ugly after hearing this.

He didn't ask Lin Fan why he was only speaking now, but remained silent for a long time before saying, "Master Lin, I understand. Go back first, and don't mention it to anyone."

Lin Fan nodded and turned to leave.

After walking a few steps, Gu Jun'en called him back.

"Master Lin, you did the right thing." Gu Jun'en's voice was low. "Some things are beyond our control. But the fact that you were able to pass on the message shows that you care about the enemy camp and the general. The general will remember this."

Lin Fan didn't turn around, but simply nodded slightly and quickly left.

---

The next day, Li Zicheng announced that his troops would move eastward, cross the Yellow River, and enter Shanxi.

Liu Zongmin did not object, but his expression was very unpleasant.

Gu Jun'en began to make intensive preparations for crossing the river—collecting boats, preparing dry rations, and planning the route.

Lin Fan was asked to work overtime to produce more weapons and gunpowder in preparation for the upcoming long-distance transfer.

The fire in the blacksmith's shop burned even brighter.

The hammering became more rapid.

Everyone knows that time is running out.

---

On the eve of his departure, Lin Fan sat alone on a rock at the edge of the camp, gazing at the starry sky.

Han Jinhu walked over and handed him a roasted sweet potato—a rare item he had obtained from a nearby village.

"Brother Lin, do you think we'll be safe once we go to Shanxi?"

Lin Fan took a bite of the sweet potato; it was sweet but scalding hot.

"Stability?" He gave a bitter smile. "In this world, where is there any stability? It's just a matter of fighting for your life in a different place."

Han Jinhu was silent for a moment, then said, "I've heard that there are several powerful groups in Shanxi, including 'Eight Great Kings' Zhang Xianzhong and 'Cao Cao' Luo Rucai, neither of them are easy to deal with. If we go there, should we join forces with them, or fight them for territory?"

"I don't know," Lin Fan said honestly. "That's something the general and Mr. Gu need to consider. What we can do is make the weapons well so that the brothers have something handy to use."

Han Jinhu nodded and asked no further questions.

The two sat in silence, gazing at the camp in the distance.

The campfire flickered, and shadowy figures moved about.

The flag bearing the word "闯" (Chuang, meaning "break through") fluttered in the night wind.