Chaos of Ming 1628

Even though the person in front of him was his capable apprentice, he dared not have the slightest objection and immediately did as he was told.

He knew perfectly well that his own disciple was the one who had done this. Even if this person was foolish, he wouldn't dare to let Wei Zhongxian go, especially since he hated Wei Zhongxian to the core.

It was precisely for this reason that Wang Chengen dared to send people there.

I never expected that I would still be outmaneuvered.

The sound of the court adjourning lingered.

All the ministers left one after another.

into the night.

When Wang Chengen was serving Emperor Chongzhen tea and saw that he finally had some free time, he dared to say, "Your Majesty, this Sun Qing is truly remarkable."

"I never imagined that Wei Zhongxian, who was so wise throughout his life, would still fall into his hands in the end."

"Hmm, he's a talented person," Chongzhen said calmly.

Wang Chengen hurriedly said, "This servant is a little curious. When Wei Zhongxian left the capital, he took his imperial guards with him. The dowry and the pomp of his granddaughter's wedding... it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Sun Qing was as rich as a country!"

Chongzhen's hand suddenly stopped.

He then slowly said, "So, this is his method of disaster relief. Fortunately, Hejian Prefecture is stable."

This was also what Emperor Chongzhen wanted.

Regardless of the methods Sun Qing uses for disaster relief, as long as his actions do not cause trouble for the imperial court, they are good.

But those imperial guards...

Emperor Chongzhen frowned slightly and slowly said, "Summon Sun Chengzong and Sun Qing to the palace. The border is in dire need of information, and I have important matters to discuss with them."

Hejian Mansion.

With the addition of two thousand elite cavalry, Sun Qing's military strength immediately increased.

Heavy snow fell continuously, and the ice was bitterly cold.

In ancient times, winter was deadly. Not to mention, the ice in Beizhili (northern Hebei) was three feet thick.

In modern times, winter is simply a bit colder. Snow is still snow, and ice three feet thick remains unchanged. Even temperatures below -10 degrees Celsius don't affect people's normal lives.

As long as you take adequate precautions to keep warm, work and study can continue as usual.

Driven by Sun Qing and a large sum of money, the people of Hejian Prefecture, though not yet able to reach the same level as those of Jiaohe County, were at least able to live normal lives.

As long as no external aid is provided, the productivity of the people in Hejian Prefecture is basically sufficient to achieve self-sufficiency.

Hejian Prefecture has a large population now, so training tens of thousands of soldiers would be a piece of cake.

The key point is that Chongzhen was still the emperor. If he secretly trained troops, it would be considered treason.

Training soldiers is out of the question, but opening a school is certainly an option. Since wielding weapons is prohibited, Sun Qing will teach physical exercises and self-defense techniques. He will establish a modern, militarized school.

The Imperial Guards will act as instructors, first training their physical attributes. With strong physiques and improved reflexes, they will be more courageous when they wield a sword.

Everything remains the same as planned.

After truly accepting Wei Zhongxian's people, Sun Qingcai finally understood why Wei Zhongxian was able to reach that position.

Wei Zhongxian was an illiterate man who couldn't read a single character, but he had no shortage of talented people around him. Countless outstanding individuals were selected from among them.

The abilities of this group were far inferior to those of Meng Zhaoxiang and others.

As usual, Sun Qing went for a stroll in the city and then returned to his residence.

As soon as they arrived at the backyard, they saw Li Qingshan waiting there with his mother.

Upon seeing Sun Qing enter, Li Qingshan hurriedly helped his mother to her feet.

"Why did you come here on such a cold day?" Sun Qing asked, looking puzzled.

Normally at this time, people should be warming themselves by the fire in a communal greenhouse while doing handicrafts.

Upon seeing Sun Qing, Li Qingshan and his mother knelt down before him without saying a word.

The old woman spoke up, "You saved my life. You also took care of that rascal Qingshan so he's still alive today. I'll remember these kindnesses and repay them even if I have to be your ox or horse in my next life."

Sun Qing supported her arm: "Auntie, you're too kind. Why did you suddenly think of saying these things?"

The old woman sighed, loosened her grip, and looked up at the northern sky: "I still can't let go of my fellow villagers in Shanxi. I heard that the drought there is even worse than in Hejian, and people who starved to death are buried in ditches, only to be revealed when the snow melts in the spring."

"I can live on my own, but I can't sleep at night when I think of my old friends back home."

Li Qingshan's voice was muffled: "Sir, I've learned my lesson this time. I've remembered everything you taught me these past few days: how to store grain, how to treat people, and how to handle affairs."

"We've managed to save up some grain and cotton-padded clothes this time. It's not much, but it should be enough for the villagers to get through this period."

"I want to take it back to Shanxi and share it with my fellow villagers. I can never repay your kindness in this lifetime, but I hope it can save a few people from starving to death in Shanxi."

Sun Qing looked down at their belongings, remained silent for a moment, and then sighed softly.

Li Qingshan is a rare talent; it would be good to keep him by our side.

"I can't keep you here, and I won't force you to stay," he said, patting Li Qingshan on the shoulder. "When you get there, don't be reckless. Shanxi is not like Hejian; people there are much more complicated."

Li Qingshan grinned and nodded solemnly.

"Li Qingshan, wait a moment, I have something to tell you," Sun Qing said.

The old woman immediately took her leave and slowly walked towards the carriage, leaning on her cane.

Sun Qing lowered her voice: "Where in Shanxi are you from?"

"Mizhi." Li Qingshan paused for a moment, then replied, "Why does Your Excellency ask this?"

The address matches.

Sun Qing was overjoyed and quickly had someone prepare one hundred taels of gold, which he then entrusted to Li Qingshan.

"Here is one hundred taels of gold." Sun Qing's voice was even lower. "When you get to Shanxi, find me someone named Li Zicheng."

"Let's go look for him at the post station first; he should be there."

Li Qingshan clutched the brocade pouch, layers of doubt surfacing on his face: "Li Zicheng?"

He had never heard of it.

Sun Qing looked at him, his gaze holding something Li Qingshan couldn't decipher—deep and profound. "Find him and give him this gold for me. Don't say anything more, just say that you are Sun Qing of Hejian Prefecture, and that you have long admired your name and wish to befriend me."

No matter how many questions Li Qingshan had, he stopped asking. He would always do what his superiors asked him to do.

He tucked the brocade pouch into his robes and nodded earnestly: "Rest assured, sir. I will deliver the goods to you by any means necessary."

My mother is already waiting in a dilapidated carriage.

The two insisted on leaving, and Sun Qing couldn't persuade them to stay. He gave them a lot of grain and cotton cloth, along with some silver, and sent them off.

Yang Qingqing followed closely behind, and seeing the two leaving, she couldn't help but whisper, "Husband, who exactly is this Li Zicheng?"

"Judging from your husband's expression, he seems very important to you?"

Sun Qing's cold gaze fell on Yang Qingqing.

She simply said, "Just focus on your pregnancy. Whether this person is important or not is none of your business!"

Such a cold attitude left Yang Qingqing speechless and her face turned pale.

But what can we do?

Isn't everything we're going through today our own doing?

With a bitter smile, Yang Qingqing silently turned around and walked towards her bedroom.

On their way back, Li Qingshan and his mother...

Li Qingshan sat at the front, driving the carriage, his smile unwavering despite the wind and snow.

She said excitedly, "Mother, Lord Sun is so kind. He gave us a lot of grain, cotton cloth, and silver."

"With these, after returning to my hometown, I will follow Lord Sun's example and do my best to help the people."

"Lord Sun also said that if I encounter any difficulties after returning home, I should write to him and he will do his best to help me."

I thought my mother would be happy to hear this, but to my surprise, her expression became more and more serious.

"Qingshan, stop the car!"

Li Qingshan was puzzled, but he still hurriedly stopped the carriage.

"Kneel down!"

Li Qingshan didn't dare to hesitate and immediately did as his mother said.

The old woman sat up, lifted the curtain, looked at the burly man kneeling on the ground, and sighed deeply: "Li Qingshan, you must remember, Lord Sun is our benefactor."

"We are poor people, and all we have to offer is our lives! So even if Lord Sun wants our lives, we will give them to him."

Listening to his mother's admonition, Li Qingshan showed no displeasure whatsoever. He immediately nodded and replied, "Son remembers."

"And also, Qingshan," the old woman's tone had become much more serious, "I know you admire Lord Sun greatly. But you must understand that you can't be short-sighted. You can admire Lord Sun, but you can't rely on him for everything."

"From now on, no matter what difficulties you encounter, you must solve them on your own, understand?"

"I know, son!" Li Qingshan nodded solemnly.

The old woman sighed again, her voice bitter: "Child, it's not that I don't believe in you, it's just that I hope you can live your true self."

"To show your determination, from now on, you will no longer be called Li Qingshan."

"What's it called?"

The old woman's gaze was deep, as if she had been thinking for a long time, before she solemnly said, "Let's name him Li Zicheng!"

What?

Li Zicheng suddenly looked up.

Thinking of the heavy hundred taels of gold in the carriage, and then of what Sun Qing had said, her voice trembled: Could it be that the person Lord Sun is looking for is me?

He shook his head hastily as he spoke. It must be a coincidence, a mere coincidence.

The snow continues to fall.