Zhu Yuanzhang first walked along the main road for a while, then turned into a remote path. After walking along the winding path for a while, he returned to the main road again.
After walking on the main road for a while, I turned onto the trail again...
After Zhu Yuanzhang inspected, he found that although there was still some chaos in the outer city, the discussions and posting of rebel slogans like Li Guozhen mentioned before had disappeared. He felt a little more relaxed and at the same time he appreciated Li Ruolian more.
Suddenly, he saw a red poster posted in front of the teahouse in front of him, and a group of people gathered around and had a lively discussion.
He was confused, so he found a slightly secluded corner and listened to everyone's discussion.
"This is impossible. As long as you choose, you will be given three taels of silver, and for every rebel you kill, you will be rewarded with another one tael of silver!"
"It's fake, it's fake. My cousin is in the military camp. I heard him say a few days ago that not only does he have no pay, he doesn't even have food to eat."
"You are wrong. I heard that His Majesty personally patrolled the city yesterday and killed and whipped some corrupt officials..."
"Yes, yes, I heard about it too. My old cousin sent me half a bag of rice last night..."
"Didn't you listen to what the old man in the teahouse said? I heard that His Majesty was inspired by Taizu in his dream, and his behavior is very different from before..."
...
After Zhu Yuanzhang listened for a while, he knew that the red list was the recruitment list posted by Liu Wenbing. The group of people doubted the authenticity of the list, so they had a dispute.
"Well, Liu Wenbing is an eclectic person. Not only did he post the recruitment list in the downtown area, he also came up with a way to attract people's attention by paying him in advance. He is indeed a talent."
"Just after repaying arrears and recruiting new troops, the Ministry of Household's money should have been exhausted. Next, it depends on how much food and wages Li Jing can raise."
Zhu Yuanzhang thought about the food and salary matter, and immediately remembered the incident of the emperor's relatives and officials coming to Qianqing Palace to cry and make trouble in the early morning, and he couldn't help but frown.
"Although these three taels of silver are good, I'm afraid I'll take them with my life, but I won't be able to spend my life with it!"
At this time, the words of a dark man in the crowd attracted Zhu Yuanzhang's attention.
He saw that although the man was dressed as a farmer, he stood upright and looked calm, like a veteran in the army.
"This elder brother's words are too pessimistic. Although the rebels are powerful now, can they be stronger than the Jurchens?"
"The Jurchens invaded several times, but in the end they all came back defeated. I think the rebels were just fooling around. In this case, how could we miss this opportunity to make money."
Just when Zhu Yuanzhang was sizing up the farmer, a strong man in the crowd retorted.
"Brother, you don't know something. Although the Jurchens are strong, they have no foundation in the pass. In addition, there were generals such as Lu Xiangsheng and Sun Chuanting at that time, so they had to leave in the end."
"But the rebels are different. They have occupied a large area of territory in the north and are encircling the capital."
"The capital now has no reinforcements from outside and no good generals within. Many people in the city are waiting for them to divide their fields. It will only be a matter of time before the city is broken. That's why I said not to wade into this muddy water, lest I lose my life in vain."
When the peasants heard this, they argued with reason.
"No, brother, what you said is wrong. The rebels conquered several provinces in three or four months and their foundation is weak. Moreover, I heard that they did not dare to attack the capital in the first place. They rushed south just because of a woman."
"A woman, who?"
As soon as the muscular man finished speaking, a wretched man next to him immediately asked.
"I heard it was for a concubine of Ningyuan Commander-in-Chief Wu Sangui, her name seems to be Yuanyuan."
After a look of contempt flashed in the eyes of the strong man, he pretended to be mysterious and said to the wretched man.
"No way, hundreds of thousands of people just for one woman?"
At this time, a middle-aged man with a simple face said in surprise.
The strong man smiled and said: "How is it impossible? You have never seen that woman. I heard that she is very beautiful. By the way, have you heard about what happened at Zhangyimen this morning?"
"No ah!"
"What happened at Changui Gate again?"
...
Seeing everyone approaching, the muscular man smiled proudly and said, "I heard from my cousin in the army that a surrendered eunuch came into the city from Changyi Gate this morning to get women for the rebels. "
"But he was unlucky and met His Majesty. Our Majesty was furious and skinned him alive on the spot."
Everyone looked horrified when they heard his words.
At this time, the farmer from before said again: "Impossible. I heard that the rebels have strict discipline, love the people very much, and abolish taxes wherever they go..."
"Brother, you were deceived. This is just a way to win people's hearts."
"If you think about it, even in the powerful and wealthy Han and Tang Dynasties, taxes were still required. How could there be a court that did not collect taxes?"
"You have to know that the imperial court's expenditures all depend on taxes. If there were no taxes, how would the imperial court have the money to pay salaries to those officials, and where would it have the money to raise troops and fight wars..."
The strong man didn't wait for the farmer to finish his words and rushed to retort.
As his words sounded, some people around him nodded.
The farmer waited for him to finish and said with a smile: "This brother is so well-informed. I think most officials can't see it clearly like you!"
The strong man smiled and said: "Brother, your words are too flattering to me. I just listened to Old Dingtou telling stories in the teahouse and heard it from some scholars..."
"Hey, Brother Wang, why haven't you gone yet? If you're late, the money will be gone!"
Suddenly, a high-pitched voice came from not far away.
Zhu Yuanzhang followed the sound and saw a ragged man about 20 years old, waving the silver in his hand and shouting at the strong man.
"Brother Li, did you really get the money?"
The muscular man asked with a smile on his face.
"I got it, I got it, because I left early, the person who recruited me rewarded me with a tael of silver!"
"I want to go home and give the money to my mother. You should go quickly. If it's too late, the money will be gone!"
After the man shouted, he hurried home again.
Seeing this, the muscular man said excitedly to the people around him: "Everyone, is there anyone who would like to be a companion with me?"
"I go!"
"I am coming too!"
...
As soon as the strong man finished speaking, several people started shouting.
"Let's go! Let's go together!"
The strong man glanced at the farmer as if unintentionally, and then walked towards the recruitment office with everyone else.
After everyone had gone away, the farmer looked inside the teahouse again, and then got into a remote path.
Upon seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was about to order people to track down the farmer, but he found a few strong men emerging from the teahouse and chasing the farmer in the direction where he disappeared.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction, and just as he was about to turn around and leave, he saw an old Taoist priest with a ruddy complexion, white hair and a childlike face standing not far away, constantly looking at him.
