Li Zicheng's invading army, all across Henan, relied on subsidies.
Li Yan proposed "equalizing land and eliminating taxes", Niu Jinxing proposed "stop killing and give preferential treatment to scholars", and Song Xiance made up a prophecy: "Eighteen sons are masters of magical weapons."
The three of them gave Chuangjun great support in terms of politics and public opinion.
It is precisely because of this that, in addition to resisting the massacre of the city, the reputation of the Chuang Army is very good among the people.
However, due to public opinion, it is naturally impossible to impose taxes within its sphere of influence.
The only source of money and food was the clan and big landowners, who confiscated their property to maintain expenses.
At that time, Henan was divided into eleven vassal kings and hundreds of county princes. It can be said that the clan's money alone was enough to sustain consumption.
However, as soon as he entered Shaanxi, the Prince of Qin's palace did not have much money and food, and the clan was even more destitute. Naturally, attention focused on the powerful landlords.
Therefore, the wealthy family on the list naturally became the first choice.
To put it bluntly, it means that it has not established its own tax system and can only live by attacking local tyrants.
Even Li Yan, Niu Jinxing, Song Xiance and other advisers were just candidates and scholars who had not entered the bureaucracy. They hated right-wing officials and had short-sightedness. They quite agreed with this move.
"The Ming Dynasty treats the people poorly, but I care about the people. How can I not rule the world?"
The entire Dashun people, all from civilian backgrounds, think like this.
So, within a few days, around the Xi'an Mansion, the Dashun court compiled a list of rich families, also known as a pig-killing list, and even established a salary department to take charge of this matter.
"Hahaha, it's finally done."
Liu Zongmin was overjoyed. He sneered and said: "These are all high-ranking officials, powerful and wealthy businessmen. Otherwise, how could we be displaced and lose all our relatives and friends?"
"Today, I want you all to spit it out."
As a result, tens of thousands of soldiers marched according to the map, and the entire city of Xi'an instantly became noisy.
"Fantai, King Shun has entered the city, why is there no news yet?"
At this time, many people gathered at the residence of the Chief Envoy Lu Zhiqi.
Everyone is a loyal minister who has abandoned the Ming Dynasty and eagerly awaits the reward.
Several days passed and there was still no movement. Everyone was a little panicked.
"No rush!" Lu Zhiqi was a little flustered in his heart, but he said calmly: "Thinking about it, it must be because he is busy with government affairs and has no time to make arrangements. After all, every carrot is a pit."
"Without us, how can we control such a huge Shaanxi?"
After hearing this, the bureaucrats nodded.
So, drinking and fighting was very lively.
It lasted for a while, and suddenly Song Qijiao, the former official doctor, came to the suburbs, and his servants hurriedly asked to see him.
"what happened?"
Song Qijiao asked in a deep voice, with a very ugly expression on his face.
"Sir, it's not good. King Dashun sent soldiers to surround our family."
"Why?"
Song Qijiao was shocked.
"They said they want us to help pay them."
"How much?"
"Ten thousand taels!"
Hearing this, Song Qijiao felt a little dizzy for a moment: "With so much money, do you want me to sell off my ancestral property?"
When the other officials heard this, they also panicked. Isn't it their turn to receive the salary assistance?
After a while, everyone ran away.
Lu Zhiqi also closed the door tightly, fearing that hot pot would come to the door.
…
"No, don't kill me——"
Wan Zongyi, a wealthy man from Chang'an, cocked his buttocks and raised his hands to beg for mercy: "Master, Master, don't kill me!"
"Bah, Wan Zongyi, congratulations on being on the list. I will give you one hundred thousand taels of silver to help pay Dashun, otherwise I will chop you alive."
The principal said coldly.
"One hundred thousand taels? Why does it sound so familiar?"
Wan Zongyi muttered something, then cried and said: "Master Jun, the horse bandits came here a while ago and have already ransacked most of my house. It's really not that much."
"Really? Then I'll search it myself."
"Don't bother me, Master. I'll do it myself. I'll do it myself-"
Wan Zongyi said with blood dripping from his heart as he thought about the female relatives at home.
…
There are hundreds of households on Chuangjun's list, almost all the wealthy households in Xi'an City, including officials and wealthy businessmen, are no exception.
The amount ranged from a hundred thousand to a few thousand, causing the gentry to suffer severe physical and mental injuries.
Liu Zongmin smiled happily and reported softly:
"Your Majesty, in just a few days, we have three million taels. This is much faster than collecting taxes."
Li Zicheng nodded and said with a smile: "Anyway, all the wealth and wealth of the people have gone into the pockets of these gentry. Let's take it back directly to save time and effort."
"However, the city of Xi'an is just a drop in the ocean. Shaanxi's eight prefectures, how many powerful right-wingers and gentry will be our help when the time comes."
The whole hall was full of joy for a while, everyone was immersed in money and couldn't extricate themselves.
After all, everyone in the Chuang Army believed that their foundation was the army. As long as they fed the army and offended the gentry, it was nothing.
Immediately, the Aid Department began to expand to include Shaanxi.
…
But he said that while Sun Chuanting was fighting Li Zicheng, the Daxi Army on the other side was also constantly expanding.
In August, Zhang Xianzhong led his troops south to Hunan and captured Yuezhou with 200,000 troops.
Then they attacked Changsha, and Ming generals Yin Xianmin and He Yide surrendered.
After Zhang Xianzhong occupied Changsha, he announced that he would be exempted from taxes and grain for three years. Then, they captured Hengzhou and its affiliated prefectures and counties. Wherever they went, the rebels maintained strict discipline.
Liu Xianting of the Qing Dynasty recorded: "I heard that Zhang Xianzhong came to Hengzhou and did not kill anyone to ask Lou Shenggong, and it turned out to be true."
In fact, as long as there is no resistance and quick surrender, neither the Chuang Army nor the Western Army will massacre the city.
In September, Yongzhou was occupied.
In October, he captured Wuling and then captured Yuanzhou.
Yuanzhou is the gateway to Jiangxi. After the Western Army captured it, the entire Jiangxi gateway was opened wide for them to run wild.
Seeing this, Zuo Liangyu had to lead his army to counterattack and regained Yuanzhou again.
However, what is funny is that due to the brutal military discipline of the Left Army, which was worse than that of the Western Army, the gentry unanimously requested that the Left Army be withdrawn, and the locals independently recruited troops to hold on.
Zhang Xianzhong took the opportunity to capture Ji'an, then turned around and recaptured Yuanzhou.
At this time, Jiangxi Governor Lu Daqi received news of Sun Chuanting's defeat.
"What can I do? What can I do?"
"Governor Sun was defeated. Governor, we still need to destroy the Western bandits as soon as possible."
Zuo Liangyu stood up hurriedly, his expression moved, and he lamented.
"Kunshan, what you said is true!"
Lu Daqi nodded and said, "Since it's hard to stop the intruders and it's hard to protect Shaanxi, how can we lose anything on the right side of the Yangtze River?"
"Follow me and we will fight against the thieves together."
"Yes!" Zuo Liangyu looked like he was loyal to the country. Finally, he asked with a smile: "It's just the supervisor, when can the military pay be allocated?"
"We will distribute 50,000 taels tomorrow. As long as Yuanzhou and Ji'an are recovered, we will allocate another 100,000 taels."
Lu Daqi said in a deep voice, quite satisfied with Zuo Liangyu's performance.
As long as you are loyal to your country, what does a little money mean?
Of course, he didn't know that Zuo Liangyu received Sun Chuanting's military order but did nothing.
Zuo Liangyu responded with a smile and sighed in his heart:
"Doctor Sun, don't blame me. We can't win in the first place, so why bother letting me accompany you to lose your troops?"
