Chapter 317: Eighteen Children, Prophecy and Divination

"Eighteen Children Become the Main Artifact"

The middle-aged man who claimed to speculate on good fortune and bad luck was divining in Li Zicheng's tent. The shape of the hexagram scattered on the ground was naturally only this middle-aged man could interpret it.

After seeing the hexagram, this short middle-aged man muttered something, as if he was calculating something, and suddenly said the sentence in surprise.

There are almost thirty generals qualified to be in the tent of the commander. Everyone stared at the hexagram master with nervous expressions. The Confucianism in China has been dominated by thousands of years, and they emphasize not believing in ghosts and gods. However, from the emperor to the common people, everyone believes in the theory of fortune-telling.

If it weren't for luck, why did the Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty become the lord of the Nine Five? The King of Rebellion Li Zicheng was just a postman. However, since the uprising, he was defeated by the official army and forced into a desperate situation. I don't know how many times he has been defeated and defeated by the government army, but he can recover at a larger scale than the last time. Is there a destiny in this?

The sentence "Eighteen Children are the main artifact" was said, and Song Xiance showed a mysterious face, but Li Zicheng, who was on the head, was a little confused. He looked at the generals on both sides. There were very few people who knew the words among these people, but Niu Jinxing, the military advisor standing beside him, smiled and did not express his opinion.

The room was quiet for a while, and then someone said in a stern voice:

"'Kai'er' is the word "Zizi". Isn't Eighteen Zi the word "Li"? These Eighteen Childs are the main artifact, which is the Li family's main artifact. Could this artifact mean the world?"

This person was speaking slowly, but everyone understood the meaning. Li Zicheng felt ecstatic. Some people said that he had a distinction between the world and the current situation seemed to prove this more and more. Today's hexagram gave him strong confidence. Could it be that there is really God's will in the dark?

If Niu Jinxing comes forward to interpret the hexagram, Li Zicheng will be a little confused. After all, Song Xiance and Niu Jinxing are old acquaintances, and if the two sing together, they will inevitably collude.

But the person who interpreted it out loud was Gao Yigong. Gao Yigong was his wife's brother-in-law and was the most loyal to him. When he joined the Chuang Army, he understood the words and followed the Chuang Army to fight south and north. Gao Yigong was the only person who would read and read in his spare time. This was an anomaly in the camp. He was also laughed at by many people, but at least he knew some writing calculations, so he was responsible for the logistics and military supplies.

Li Zicheng would not have any doubts about what Gao Yigong said. After hearing this explanation, his face was already a little smile. Many generals in the camp had not understood it and were a little confused. However, those who reacted quickly had already understood and passed the judgment on each other.

The buzzing sound in the handsome tent became louder and louder. Liu Zongmin was the first to speak. He laughed there and almost shouted:

"The King of Chuang really wants to be the emperor. At that time, we are all generals, Mr. Niu is the prime minister. When we go to the capital, we will stew mutton with white rice and mushrooms every day!!"

It is relatively luxurious to eat noodles in Shaanxi, and eating rice is a relatively luxurious one. Even if the crusade army is powerful, the generals led by the leader do not have a good life. Liu Zongmin said that there are some meanings that the emperor had eaten white flour steamed buns every day, but these words are exactly what the generals present have.

Everyone in the camp in the tent had a happy look on their faces. Although Li Zicheng looked calm, his smile became stronger and stronger. Seeing this situation, Niu Jinxing left from his seat, bowed deeply to Li Zicheng, and said:

"The King of Chuang, this is the will of heaven. My camp should follow the heavens. Although my army now has hundreds of thousands of people, it has no basis for the expeditions and confrontations. This is the weakness of our army, and we should occupy a place next..."

Destiny is Li Zicheng, the king of rebellion. After the generals dispersed from the general's tent, everyone was excited and could be a minister of the dragon. Li Zicheng became the emperor and he was also a marquis and general. What a beautiful prospect. Before this, few people remembered the idea of ​​rebelling and becoming an emperor. Everyone just wanted to gather together to fight with those officials, so that they would not be starved to death and squeezed to death. There was a better way out now.

The man from Song Xiance who came to the divination site was named military advisor on the spot, under Niu Jinxing, and was regarded as the second-ranked civil servant in the rebel army.

Many people were so excited that they would not go to bed early. Niu Jinxing's tent was bright and bright, because Niu Jinxing's family joined the army and there were female relatives following him. In order to show his generous treatment, the camp specially set a special area for him, and the guards sent were all guarding the edge of this area, rather than sticking to the tent.

So when the Niu family’s father and son talk, they don’t have to worry about someone monitoring the outside.

However, even so, the voices of the father and son were extremely low. Be careful not to make a mistake. All the rebels were warriors. The literati identities of his father and son were extremely abrupt and alternative here. Although the superiors and subordinates respected and praised them, it would be better to be cautious.

"My father, today's hexagram..."

Niu Jinxing saw his son's expression and knew Niu Qi's thoughts in his heart, and said:

"My father has nothing to do with this matter. Song Xiance liked to take risks back then. Who knows whether this hexagram is really God's will or whether he did it intentionally."

Niu Qi was relieved and said in a low voice with a smile:

"Uncle Song's hexagram is right today, and it happened to be the itchy place of the King of Chuang. I'm afraid this hexagram has been thought about before coming!"

Niu Jinxing looked at Niu Fu's laughing look, and his face suddenly became stern, and he scolded him in a cold voice. Of course, his voice was still so low, and he scolded him:

"Don't you think the King of Breaking in the tent and the generals below know? Do you really think they are all warriors who don't know anything. I think you don't know anything. In this camp, you and I are always outsiders. Be careful step by step to ensure the safety of the whole family."

When Niu Jinxing heard what Niu Jinxing said, the expression on Niu Qi's face was quite wonderful. Everyone could see that this was a very shocked look. He couldn't believe it. Niu Jinxing sighed lightly and said again:

"Song Xiance came to the camp to make excuses. Think about it, if he wanted to find a background in this camp, how could he say anything bad? The king of the camp has a destiny and should be the emperor. You still listen to it less every day in this camp. Why are everyone so surprised today? It's just that he borrowed ghosts and gods to give him a name."

Niu Fu was young after all. He thought he had seen through these things, but he was shocked when he heard Niu Jinxing's analysis. Fang knew that he had always regarded his own mental strategies a little high. Perhaps few people in this army, who could read and read, and read, could compare to his father and son. Perhaps to this point, he was in command of tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands, who was a fool?

"You Uncle Song studied hard since childhood. But you have never made any progress in the imperial examinations. This is how you travel around the world and make a living by divination. He has great ambitions. I am afraid that it is a very early plan to come to this camp today."

Niu Jinxing was a little moved when he spoke. He was a juren who had been at home a few years ago. He watched Song Xiance traveling around the world with great difficulty. He also wanted to persuade the other party to calm down, study at home, and try his luck in the imperial examination again. He was always a good origin. Who would have thought that both sides had become members of the "rebels" today. The changes in the world are really unpredictable.

When he recalled the past, Niu Qi didn't dare to say anything there, and the camp tent also became quiet. Suddenly, Niu Qi patted his hands, which scared Niu Jinxing. He looked at Niu Qi, but saw that his son's cheeks were already red with excitement. He looked at Niu Jinxing mysteriously and said:

"My father, the eighteen-child is the main artifact. Since it means that the Li family must have a world. My benefactor is also surnamed Li, would he mean that he..."

After saying this, Niu Jinxing was shocked. However, Niu Jinxing was stunned for a short time and suddenly stood up, walked to the door of the camp with normal steps, lifted the curtain and walked out slowly. Niu Qi was still excited and was a little confused about his father's behavior.

It was like a sound outside that Niu Jinxing walked not far away and was convenient. It was said that scholars should not do this, but now it is obvious that there are not so many things to pay attention to.

Then Niu Jinxing seemed to have a lot of leisure and leisure to walk around the camp. This was Shi Shiran who walked in. If outsiders saw it, it would be nothing strange that Military Commander Niu came out for a walk in the middle of the night.

Niu Jinxing walked back to the camp, and the expression on his face was not visible to him. He sat there nervously and urgently whispered:

"I heard this today, you know, that's all, don't tell it to the third person again, do you know it!"

Niu Jin was originally very excited about his thoughts on this, but he found that Niu Jinxing spoke to him so sternly, but he didn't react for a while. He just stared blankly. Niu Jinxing looked at his son who didn't react and couldn't help but sigh. Niu Jin was very flexible, but he couldn't understand many tricks.

Niu Jinxing said slowly:

"Your inference is certainly nonsense. It is unknown whether your uncle Song's hexagram is destiny or man-made. You and my father and son are in this camp, but they think that the generals of the court will be known. If others know, our whole family will die without a burial place. If it is spread, where will the benefactor be placed..."

These words were quite clear and clear, and Niu Fu was frightened. Although Henan was quite warm at night at this time, Niu Fu couldn't help but shudder and looked around for fear that someone would hear his words.

At this time, Niu Qi also understood why Niu Jinxing suddenly walked to "conveniently", and he must have to see if there is any wall.

The night passed like this, and everyone thought differently, but everyone found what they wanted from Song Xiance's hexagram, which can be said to be a happy situation.

The so-called destiny of heaven and the so-called fortune are extremely illusory things, but the changes of dynasties in the past dynasties have paid special attention to these empty things. At the beginning of the founding of the country, scholars must gather to talk about the transformation and replacement of national fortunes, and prove that the dynasty of one's own country is in accordance with the destiny of heaven.

There is another saying that corresponds to these things, "A word comes true". Some words are acceptable if you don't say them, and you may become true if you say them. Although Niu Fu mentioned them casually, he had an idea among the Niu family and his son.

In June of the 14th year of Chongzhen, the hexagram "Eighteen Children Be the Main Artifact" was already spread in the provinces around Henan in time. The saying "Welcome the King of Chuang, wait for the King of Chuang, and the King of Chuang will not pay food when he comes." It was also spread. Perhaps the strength of the Chuang army has expanded and its momentum has been rapid. In the world, especially in the north of the Yangtze River, some people began to privately say that Li Zichengzhen had a destiny.

However, although some people heard this rumor on the ground in Shandong, they were still unreachable. At present, there were very few self-cultivated farmers and even small landlords in Shandong. More than a dozen large landlords controlled the arable land on the ground in Shandong. These large landlords were either rich or noble, and the largest Shandong general Li Meng. The second was the Confucius Mansion of Yanshenggong, and the third was the Zhu Yisect of King Lu. The tenants under these figures did not have to deal with the heavy taxes of the court.

However, they lived a place of food and clothing, that is, the stewards who were in the villages under Li Meng could barely maintain food and clothing. The tenant farmers in other places would not have any trouble if they wanted to cause trouble. The soldiers and armed salt stewards stationed in various places had enough advantages to extinguish any rebellion.

In June, the situation in Henan was half good and half chaotic. The good thing was that there was no major military affairs in the entire northern Henan. The chaos was that Li Chuang's army conquered the city in Nanyang Prefecture and Runing Prefecture. Some scattered officers and soldiers were either annihilated or hid in the city and did not dare to come out.

But the current treasury army is not the kind of treasury that cannot open the city. Many county and state cities cannot be defended and were broken by the treasury army.

The ground in Shandong is as quiet as usual, and there is a small matter in Jinan Prefecture. Shandong General Li Meng took a concubine. This concubine is said to be an orphan and was taken in by Li Meng for a long time.

This time, the concubines were not surprised by sending gifts from all parties. Jiaozhou camp even felt that this matter was natural. Is Mu Yunyao Li Meng's concubine? It's just a name, I have been together for so many years.

This time Li Meng went to Kaifeng to have a private banquet with King Zhou, and King Zhou also mentioned this matter. Since Lingshan Trading Company had a branch in Kaifeng, the father and daughter of Zhou often had letter contacts, and King Zhou also knew that his daughter had no name yet.

Since she is no longer in the palace, there is no need to be so obsessed with her reputation and status. She can only become a family member of Li Mengdi. From her daughter's letter, the King of Zhou can also see the joy and happiness expressed between the lines of Mu Yunyao. Needless to say, Li Meng is to her, the so-called eldest wife Yan Ruoran is like a sister to Mu Yunyao. She is also very kind.

In addition, Mu Yunyao also mentioned in the letter that in the inner house of Li Meng, there were two women, Gu Hengbo and Liu Rushi. Although their daughter said it very briefly, the King of Zhou and Princess Zhou understood the seriousness of this matter. They wrote to their daughter that they could not wait so boringly, but that they should determine their status in the inner house of the general as soon as possible.

If Gu Hengbo and Liu Rushi really became concubines first, then things would become embarrassing. Moreover, his daughter vaguely mentioned in her heart that she was also responsible for some official business with Shandong General Li Meng, so although she had no status, her status was very important.

If you really lose the opportunity, you may even lose the qualification to do these business tasks, so don’t talk about your status.

This time when Li Meng went to Kaifeng City, the reason why King Zhou risked being discovered by the local area was to expose the matter at a private banquet.

For Li Meng, it was indeed time to marry Mu Yunyao. The leaders in charge of the internal security and intelligence, Zhou Yang, Ning Gangui and others, and even his father-in-law Yan Tanzheng, all told him that the institution of the Inner Account has become a confidential place similar to the Jinyiwei and the Dongchang of the Ming Dynasty. If it were not for his own leadership, it would not be reassuring for people.

Besides, Mu Yunyao is already his own family, why not determine this position so that both parties can feel at ease and let Mu Yunyao distribute and dominate these institutions below to be more qualified.

On the contrary, the old eunuch Liu Fulai didn't pay much attention to whether to take a concubine. He vaguely felt that Mu Yunyao's identity was unusual and had a deep friendship with Li Meng, so he would not leave at all.

But Liu Fulai once said to Li Meng in private, "With your current status, no matter what you do, there is no difference between private affairs and official affairs." Li Meng highly recognized this sentence. This time, this time, it was actually like this, even though Mu Yunyao was extremely happy.

But in the eyes of his subordinates, this is the first step for Li Meng to integrate the Shandong civil and military system.

Before and after taking a concubine, everything in Li Meng's inner house was not changed, and he still operated according to the previous system, but the existence of the inner account was more qualified and the regulation of Lingshan Trading Company and Shandong Salt Gang was slightly stronger.

After the ceremony of taking concubines was completed, Li Meng made another adjustment to the dispatch of various military generals under him. Ma Gang was stationed in Dengzhou Prefecture and the southern part of Laizhou Prefecture, Zhao Neng was stationed in the northern part of Laizhou Prefecture and Qingzhou Prefecture, and Li Meng's headquarters directly managed Jinan Prefecture and Dongchang Prefecture and the northern part of Yanzhou Prefecture.

The Huaibei Army and the Huainan Army were changed to the Huaiyang Army, which was under the command of Chen Liu. The former Huaibei Army garrison Zhang Jiang was transferred back to Shandong and served as the Yanzhou Army Chief Commander and also in charge of the Guide Prefecture in Henan. The former Huaibei Army was temporarily led by Qianzong High-Tech. The deputy general of the Huaiyang Army, with the garrison head, was stationed in Haizhou.

Chen Liu was promoted from guerrilla to general, Wang Hai was promoted from garrison to guerrilla, and Tang Er also rose to Dusi. Although the official positions of Ma Gang and Zhao Neng were not promoted, their two subordinates wanted to expand their troops, and the Dengzhou Army and Qingzhou Army each expanded their troops by 5,000.

Lingshan Trading Company is now a number of luxury merchant groups. In Nanzhili, they have their own semicolons in Henan, making money every day. However, in addition to Hou Shan being the shopkeeper, Ning Gangui, the chief of the Salt Administration stationed in Jiaozhou Inspection Office, also participated in the Lingshan Trading Company.

This is actually because Lingshan Trading Company has joined forces with the Fang family in Yangzhou, Zheng family in Fujian, and Kong family in Qufu, and its scale and power have expanded. However, there are too few talent entrusted by the Jiaozhou camp. Hou Shan alone is not good at being the only one in Lingshan Trading Company. So he simply asked Ning Gangui and his financial team to participate in the operation of Lingshan Trading Company. There is a surveillance and personal support.

Yuan Wenhong, who was withdrew from the position of Tongzhi of a certain state, became the chief clerk of the army of Li Mengdi, who was a very low-level official in affairs. The Tongzhi was a seventh-rank official, and the civil servants and military officers of Jiaozhou camp who had received this news. Anyone who was familiar with Yuan Wenhong went to congratulate him.

Because Yuan Wenhong, who got this position, has become a member of the core circle around Li Meng, and has been officially accepted by this group. He is confidential with the general's counselor. In this system, his future prospects are limitless.

New artillery was made in the Weapon Manufacturing Bureau in Laiwu. After watching the test artillery on the school ground outside Jinan City, Li Meng returned to Jinan City.

Marrying a concubine is relatively simple than marrying a wife. Of course, it is much more complicated for officials of Li Meng to get married than ordinary people.

The army completed its war in Henan. It was re-divided its garrison, which was a little calmed down in the second half of May. Each army also needed time to rest and there would be no major actions for the time being.

For Li Meng, it seems that there is no difference after taking a concubine. Although Mu Yunyao is happy every day, Li Meng doesn't feel much difference. Now it seems that Mu Yunyao has long had the role of a wife in the identity he holds.

It’s just that the two sides are too close and spend too long together, so neither of them noticed each other.

While accompanying Yan Ruoran and his son and Mu Yunyao at home, while looking at the situation during the Civil Affairs period, it is a rare leisure time for Li Meng.

According to the number of places reported in various places, the two farms in Guide Prefecture, Henan are the second year, but the results are already very good. The grain harvest is not only self-sufficiency, but can be paid and traded.

Henan has had severe droughts in recent years, but after these two farms gathered a large number of refugees, they rely on the water source of the Yellow River to dig ditches on both sides of the river and build water conservancy, and obtained enough irrigation farmland. Of course, they will have good land income. But no one expected that there would be such a good effect.

In the first year, we relied on Yanzhou Tuntianzhuang and the grain purchased from Kong Sande to subsidize. In the second year, we not only had the first year of expenses, but also had a lot of surplus.

Think about what I saw and heard along the Yellow River when I sent troops to Henan. It was still the same old argument, not natural disasters but man-made disasters. There are really many large and small water systems in Henan, the Yellow River, Yishui, and Luoshui, which are indeed a bit dry, but relying on the remaining river water systems is enough to build an irrigation system better than Shandong.

The natural bad environment in Henan is much better than Shandong, but you can't be anxious. The land of Zhongzhou in Henan is well-connected. Even if the farmlands in the country are built, they are afraid they will not be able to maintain them. Instead, they are for others to make wedding clothes. The situation in Guide Mansion is different. It is backed by Shandong and Nanzhili. If there are police, the Huaiyang Army and Yanzhou Army can mobilize and support at any time, and rely on water and transportation is very convenient.

Other prefectures in Henan do not have such good conditions. And now Li Meng is just a general in Shandong after all, and things in Henan are not just right. So in principle, Jia Dashan (Li Zhenhai) should be a garrison in Shandong, and the two military farms in Guide Prefecture are just private industries and have no official background.
To be continued...