Chapter 23 That Man, Li Zicheng

After food and drink had satisfied everyone, dusk gradually fell and the villagers each returned to their homes. Li Yi stood at the entrance of the village, seeing off the last group, while Lady Yun led the women of Li Family Village in cleaning up the aftermath.

The cold wind howled, sweeping away the noise, and Li Family Village returned to tranquility.

Li Zijing gazed at Li Yi and said gravely, “Yi, the peasant association may be a good thing, but all the money and grain and toil come from you. Today’s meal, plus five taels of silver, is no small sum.”

Li Zijing felt pained at the expenditure and couldn’t help but advise. After all, this food and silver could comfortably support a family of five for a whole year.

Li Yi smiled, “Brother, you only see me spending silver, but you don’t see what I’ve gained, something more valuable than money.”

“What is it? A field full of chicken bones?” Li Zijing retorted with annoyance.

Li Yi couldn’t help but laugh.

“Third Brother, what Yi has gained is the hearts of the people.”

A hearty laugh rang out nearby, and they saw a heroic young man dressed in the gray-blue uniform of a courier, a long sword hanging at his waist, smiling at them.

Li Zijing, seeing this man, hurried forward excitedly.

“Second Brother, why have you returned?”

The indomitable leader of the peasant army, founder of the Great Shun dynasty, destroyer of the Ming, the legendary Li Zicheng?

Li Yi hadn’t expected that this legendary figure would suddenly appear before him.

Li Zicheng was tall and straight-backed, with rugged features and a resonant voice, exuding the charisma of a leader.

He patted Li Zijing’s shoulder and laughed, “It’s a long story. On the road, I heard some idle gossip. Seems much has happened recently.”

He sized up Li Yi, frowning slightly, “I haven’t seen you for months, and you seem a different person.”

Li Yi’s heart tightened.

“Yi was badly injured by Ai Wanhua some time ago and nearly lost his life. After he recovered, he changed a lot. The villagers say it’s as if he’s become enlightened,” Li Zijing explained while taking Li Zicheng’s luggage.

“Second Brother, let’s go home first and talk.”

Li Zicheng didn’t have time to investigate further, as Li Zijing pulled him away.

Along the way, Li Zicheng explained why he had returned. In recent months, rebel bandits had caused turmoil in the court, and the number of official documents sent between regions had increased dramatically. As couriers, they had to deliver documents day and night. Due to harsh weather and rationing of horse feed, three courier horses died in succession.

The death of one horse was a crime, the death of three equally so. Li Zicheng decided to shoulder the blame himself and was ordered by the station chief to pay compensation. He returned this time to borrow money for the compensation.

“Some years ago, the capital was struck by lightning, and thousands died—so many that even the royal princes were frightened to death. Everyone said the Ming dynasty was finished. Two years have passed, and disasters keep coming, war rages north and south, and many heroes can no longer restrain themselves and have risen in rebellion.”

Li Yi listened to Li Zicheng’s tale and realized he must be referring to the Tianqi Explosion.

In the sixth year of the Tianqi reign, a mysterious explosion occurred in the capital, resulting in over twenty thousand casualties. The dead were blown miles away, stripped of all clothing—a bizarre event.

Li Yi hadn’t expected the explosion’s influence to be so far-reaching, interpreted by opportunists as an omen of the Ming’s doom, fueling rebellion.

“At present, bandit leader Wang Jiayin, together with Not-in-the-Mud and other chiefs, is fighting government troops around Fugu County. Just days ago, Gao Yingxiang led his army to support them. I only hope they kill more corrupt officials, so the authorities can see the strength of us poor commoners.”

Though Li Zicheng called Wang Jiayin, Not-in-the-Mud, and Gao Yingxiang bandits, his tone was full of respect.

“Wang Jiayin and his men seem powerful now, but I doubt they can defeat the government troops,” Li Yi suddenly said.

Li Zicheng turned in surprise.

“Yi, why do you say this?”

Li Yi replied calmly, “Wang Jiayin and the others rose because last year’s drought forced the government to demand grain, leaving the people desperate. The authorities were caught off guard, so they managed to storm the county. Now the court has mobilized troops from all over Shaanxi to hunt them down—they’ve lost their chance.”

“Moreover, Wang Jiayin appears to have many followers, but their core is mutinous soldiers, while the majority are starving refugees. The soldiers want loot, the refugees just want food. As the authorities increase pressure, the bandits will inevitably split. When their hearts diverge, how can they resist the government?”

Li Zicheng paused, thought carefully, and found Li Yi’s assessment convincing.

“Young as you are, you have insight. I fear Wang Jiayin and his men are doomed.”

Li Zicheng grew solemn, “Since you understand this, you shouldn’t make enemies of the Ai family and Yan Zibin. Though they’ve suffered losses, their power remains. Even if you try to emulate Wang Jiayin or Gao Yingxiang, it won’t end well.”

Li Yi’s heart tightened. Clearly, Li Zicheng had guessed his intentions and was advising him.

“Second Brother, Yi isn’t one to stir trouble, but Ai Wanhua went too far,” Li Zijing interjected.

Li Zicheng nodded, “I understand. Tomorrow I’ll visit the Ai family and make things clear.”

Li Yi shook his head gently, “Ai Yingjia will never let it go.”

Li Zicheng laughed, somewhat self-satisfied.

“In Mizhi County, I have some reputation. I trust the Ai family will honor that.”

He patted Li Yi’s shoulder, speaking earnestly.

“Yi, Grain Circuit Deputy Minister Hong Chengchou is coming to Mizhi. You have great martial skill. If you don’t wish to remain in the village, you could join Lord Hong’s elite troops as a guardsman.”

For military campaigns, court officials often formed direct units called ‘elite camps.’ Guardsmen were soldiers in these units.

Li Yi looked at Li Zicheng, who admired Hong Chengchou greatly.

A court official, a courier from Yinchuanzhen—who could have guessed they would one day become mortal enemies?

Li Zicheng, after becoming the greatest bandit in the land, would be crushed by Hong Chengchou, reduced to eighteen riders, hiding in Shangluo Mountain, unable to emerge—cast from glory to ruin.

The three returned to Li Zijing’s home.

Li Yi asked Lady Yun to heat the leftover food and shared another meal.

Li Zicheng, being a courier, was well-informed.

Li Yi learned much from his account, gaining a clearer understanding of the current situation.

Li Zicheng marveled at Li Yi’s sharp insight, his ability to pierce to the heart of matters and anticipate changes.

The two found great pleasure in their conversation and meal.

When night had fully fallen, Li Yi took his leave.

He entered his home, carried on a cold wind. Lady Yun was waiting, oil lamp lit. Seeing him return, she boiled water for him to wash his feet.

So much had happened that day; Li Yi was tired and retired early.

The next morning.

Li Yi rose and washed.

The villagers were poorly clothed and seldom cared for hygiene, so most had dark, yellowed teeth. Li Yi didn’t wish to be like them and paid special attention to cleaning his teeth.

Without the toothbrushes and powders of the wealthy, he used clean hemp cloth to rub his teeth, rinsing as best he could.

When he finished, Li Guo and a group of youths arrived.

As usual, he set them to horse stance first while he trained his strength with stone locks.

This time, no one complained; all were diligent.

Li Yi helped them adjust their postures. After half an hour, the youths were grimacing and swaying with exhaustion.

Lady Yun came out then to announce breakfast was ready.

“Go eat first, rest fifteen minutes, then I’ll teach you boxing.”

Li Yi’s words were like music from heaven, and the youths rejoiced.

No more horse stance at last.

They flocked to the kitchen and found some boiled eggs on the stove, exchanging glances.

Usually, eggs at home were saved to trade for oil, salt, sauces, and vinegar; they rarely ate them.

Last time it was meat porridge, this time eggs—mixed feelings filled their hearts.

“Don’t just stand there. Eat, and I’ll teach you boxing.”

Li Yi urged them, and the youths ate breakfast.

The sun was already high. Li Yi first demonstrated a set of Xingyi boxing, astonishing the youths.

In this era, training martial arts was not just for health. Xingyi’s fundamentals were simple, focusing on footwork, then straight punches, swings, and so forth—somewhat like modern boxing, emphasizing attack and defense, decisive strikes.

Following this principle, Li Yi taught them the key movements, especially the technique of generating force—the essence of the art’s power.