[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army":3,"chapter-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-52":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Little Soldier of the Late Ming Border Army",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1205341,1561,"Chapter 52: Conflict","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-52",52,"\u003Cp>The middle-aged man was in his forties, with a plump face and figure, dressed in a round-collared silk robe. As soon as he entered the shop, he anxiously scolded Mistress Zheng: \"Your uncle was only away for a few days, and you go and do something like this. Before, when you sold grain at fair prices, your uncle said nothing, but now this again — you've angered everyone. Be careful, or disaster will come knocking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mistress Zheng lowered her head and said nothing. Beside her, the young girl said defiantly, \"Sister did nothing wrong. The grain prices in the city right now are truly too low — buying at eight qian and selling at five taels, that's far too excessive. How are the common people supposed to live?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man stamped his foot and said, \"This was agreed upon by all the guild members in the city — grain prices are uniform. My niece, the guild has its rules. By doing this, you are defying the whole world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said worriedly, \"Besides, the guild master right now is a man from the Li family. And what kind of family is the Li family? Their ancestors passed the Provincial Graduate exam, and their family still has an examination honor archway over on East Street. Their influence in Baoan is that great. We're outsiders — how dare we fight them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he only sighed. The young girl said somewhat flustered, \"Uncle, then what should we do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man sighed, \"What else can we do? Quickly restore the grain prices, then your uncle will swallow his pride and go explain things to the guild colleagues, and finally pay some fines. But even that would be the lightest punishment. I'm just afraid...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of fear suddenly crossed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mistress Zheng's face was somewhat pale. She lowered her head and stared blankly without speaking. After a long while, she murmured softly, \"Can't we just do business properly? Must it be like this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou sat to the side listening. He finally understood what hoarding and profiteering — buying low and selling high — looked like in ancient times, and he also witnessed the strictness and powerful influence of guild rules in this era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled slightly and said, \"Mistress Zheng conducts business with integrity. Wang Mou admires that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did the middle-aged man notice Wang Dou and his companions. He asked doubtfully, \"And these gentlemen are?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mistress Zheng forced a smile and said, \"Uncle, I almost forgot. Let your niece introduce you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she was about to speak, suddenly there came a burst of angry shouting, followed by a clamor of voices as pedestrians scrambled to get out of the way. Bristling with aggression, several men who looked like merchants led a gang of stout fellows charging in. Each of them held clubs and staves, packing the shop entrance completely. The common folk who had been buying grain were all driven away by them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lead merchant bellowed, \"Zheng Laosi, your Wanshenghe has gone too far, openly raising prices! Do you even regard the guild at all?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another merchant said, \"That's right, Zheng Laosi. By doing this, your Wanshenghe is ruining the livelihood of our rice shops.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cutting off a man's wealth is like killing his parents...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the furious accusations, the middle-aged man, Zheng Laosi, could only flail his hands in confusion, waving them repeatedly as he said, \"A misunderstanding, this is all a misunderstanding. Gentlemen, please listen to my explanation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One merchant said, \"Don't waste words with him. Smash the rice shop for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That gang of stout fellows was about to surge forward aggressively, and the young girl let out a loud shriek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thunderous \"Boom!\", a table was kicked into splinters, wood chips flying everywhere!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Gao Shiyin who had leapt out, kicking the table before him flying with one foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out an angry roar, drew his waist saber in one motion, and bellowed, \"Who dares make a move? I'll cleave him in two with one stroke!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd instantly fell silent, and the gang of men who had been charging forward stood frozen in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin held his blade aloft, pointing at each of them as he said fiercely, \"You profiteering scoundrels, committing all kinds of evil, stopping at no wickedness! Whoever dares step forward, I'll carry out heaven's justice today!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was tall and burly, his face full of coarse flesh, and coupled with that trademark ferocious and cruel savage grin, he looked extraordinarily terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao glanced at Wang Dou. Wang Dou nodded. Han Chao and Han Zhong also leapt up. The two drew their waist sabers and stood behind Gao Shiyin, eyeing the crowd with menacing glares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battlefield killing aura emanating from the three men made everyone's heart pound with fear. The gang of stout fellows all shrank back, and the several merchants couldn't help but swallow. Blustering with outward boldness but inward cowardice, they said, \"So you've found a few soldiers to back you up. No wonder you're so fearless. But this isn't over, Zheng Laosi. Just you wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whole group slunk away dejectedly. The onlookers along the street burst into cheers and applause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man, Zheng Laosi, came over beaming to thank Wang Dou and his companions. The young girl was also gazing at Gao Shiyin with adoration, making him swell with pride. He seized the chance to ask her name, and the young girl shyly told him — it turned out she was Mistress Zheng's third younger sister, named Zheng Xiaoyun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Zheng Laosi's discerning eye, he naturally saw that Wang Dou was the leader among the group. He inquired after Wang Dou's name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This humble one is Zheng Jinglun. May I ask this military lord's honored surname and great name?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wang Dou?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pondered for a long moment, then said in surprise, \"So it is that Wang Dou, the Platoon Leader who killed the Tartars and exterminated the bandits of Siqingliang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou had not expected his reputation to have spread so far. He smiled slightly and said, \"The very same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Jinglun bowed with a face full of smiles and said, \"So it truly is Platoon Leader Wang. I have long heard of your lordship's name. To meet you today is truly a blessing of three lifetimes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He instructed Mistress Zheng, \"Niece, quickly prepare some wine and dishes. Your uncle must properly entertain Lord Wang and his men.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group sat down and drank heartily. Zheng Jinglun spoke of his rice shop. It turned out they were originally from Weizhou in Shanxi, a branch of the Shanxi merchants, though their capital was small and profits thin, so of course they could not compare with those great Shanxi merchant magnates. The eight great Shanxi merchant houses of the late Ming — the Wang, Jin, Fan, Liang, Tian, Zhai, and Huang families — all had trading posts at Zhangjiakou, maintaining close ties with the Mongols and Jurchens beyond the frontier. Their silver transactions routinely involved tens or hundreds of thousands of taels, and their goods and branch shops spanned several northern provinces of the Great Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou had never held a good impression of late Ming merchants — hoarding and profiteering, driving up prices, indulging in extreme luxury. The Shanxi merchants in particular played an inglorious role in late Ming history. Zheng Jinglun's family slightly altered his impression of late Ming merchants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing the history of Zheng Jinglun's business operations, which had indeed been extremely difficult, Wang Dou smiled slightly and said, \"That fortified village of mine currently has a Company Commander and a population of several hundred, requiring a large amount of grain. If Shopkeeper Zheng is willing, Wang Mou will henceforth buy and sell grain exclusively at Wanshenghe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Jinglun was overjoyed. Today, a blessing had come out of misfortune — he had suddenly gained an important source of customers, and moreover, Wang Dou and his men had considerable martial strength and influence, whom he could also rely upon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood up, made a deep bow, and said, \"In that case, I thank Lord Wang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou smiled and nodded. As the population of his territory expanded, the demand for various resources grew ever greater. Perhaps this Zheng Jinglun could help him find sources for those goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing how courteous Zheng Jinglun was toward his own lord, and how famous they themselves were, Gao Shiyin sat there looking immensely pleased with himself. He gulped down wine and devoured food in great mouthfuls, all the while casting glances at Zheng Xiaoyun, making her even more bashful. Similarly, Mistress Zheng, seated beside Zheng Xiaoyun, kept stealing glances at Han Chao. Han Zhong and Zhong Diaoyang noticed what was going on and both looked at Han Chao with teasing eyes, but Han Chao just kept his head down, eating and drinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of the earlier incident, Zheng Jinglun sighed, \"Now we have offended the guild. I fear the days ahead will be hard. In particular, the sons and nephews of the Li family all serve as Squad Leaders and Platoon Leaders in the city militia. I fear they will later find some pretext to come and stir up trouble from time to time. A small shop like ours... ah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou nodded. Within the city of Baoan Prefecture, besides the Defense Commander Xu Zucheng leading a thousand troops for defense, there were also over two hundred militia, normally under the direct command of the Department Magistrate and subject to the Defense Commander's authority in wartime. For a small shop like Wanshenghe, if people kept coming to cause trouble, it would indeed be difficult to continue operating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin shouted, \"If anyone dares come to stir up trouble, Shopkeeper Zheng need only come and tell us. We're not even afraid of the Tartars — would we fear a few paltry militiamen?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Jinglun said gratefully, \"We rely entirely on Lord Wang and all you gentlemen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a clamor was heard outside, followed by a sinister voice: \"It's that rice shop up ahead. Someone has reported them for disrupting the market and even attempting violence and assault. Brothers, follow me to arrest them and report to the authorities for a reward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then another violent voice rang out: \"I wonder which arrogant soldiers from some village, who've eaten the gall of a bear and a leopard, dare to come to the prefectural city to cause trouble. Brothers, let's teach these country soldiers a lesson!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of howling drew nearer and nearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the shop was startled. Gao Shiyin rushed forward to the shop entrance to look. A moment later he came back and shouted, \"Talk about a coincidence — there's a group of militiamen outside, looks like twenty or thirty of them, led by two Platoon Leaders, heading right this way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou barked, \"Grab your gear! Mount up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The matter had already blown up, and he wasn't afraid of making it bigger. Seeing several clubs and staves placed beside the table, each man grabbed one. The five mounted the horses at the shop entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men sat tall upon their horses, each gripping a long staff. Gao Shiyin rode at the very front, taking the lead. Though there were only five of them, their presence was like that of a thousand troops and ten thousand horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou looked over and saw a group of people approaching. At their head were two militia Platoon Leaders — one rather lean and wiry, the other tall and burly — both holding long blades in their hands. The rest of the militiamen all carried swords and spears. The group surged forward aggressively, and the common folk along the street all scrambled out of the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou and his men held their long staves, sitting on their horses with relaxed expressions. Only Zheng Jinglun, Mistress Zheng, and the others inside the shop stood watching worriedly from the doorway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group across from them caught sight of Wang Dou and his men and abruptly halted. Then the burly Platoon Leader bellowed, \"It's these soldiers! Brothers, let's go seize them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd was about to advance again. The lean Platoon Leader looked carefully, then suddenly shouted, \"Gao Manzi, how can it be you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin also looked, and he yelled, \"Li Tianxu, Li Tiancheng, so it's you two.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughed loudly: “You lot want to come and capture Old Gao me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thin man Li Tianxu and the burly giant Li Tiancheng looked grim, and the others over there also said one after another: “So it’s Gao Manzi — how could it be him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This scoundrel is a desperate outlaw, not easy to deal with.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re all brothers we usually drink and make merry with — hard to lay hands on them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to the commotion over there, Wang Dou and the others all glanced at Gao Shiyin — this fellow had wide connections, knowing so many people in the prefectural city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tianxu’s face darkened, and he shouted loudly: “Gao Manzi, this matter has nothing to do with you — don’t meddle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin yelled: “Who says it’s none of my business? From today on, the affairs of Wanshenghe are my, Gao Shiyin’s, affairs!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiancheng shouted: “Gao Manzi, don’t be so ungrateful. No matter how fierce you are, with so many of us, can we still not take you down?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin laughed loudly: “Old Gao here isn’t even afraid of the Tatars — you think I’d be afraid of you cowardly lot? Come on then, let loose your horses — my lord and I, along with these brothers, have long been itching for a fight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The militiamen over there turned even paler, and each said: “Could those over there be the ones who killed the Tatars? I heard nine of them killed ten Tatars!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That fierce man behind Gao Manzi — could that be Wang Dou? That’s a god of slaughter — one man killed five Tatars!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With those few here, even if we drove them off, we brothers would suffer heavy losses — not worth it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two leaders, better to plan this carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou sat quietly on his horse, watching the militiamen’s faces change drastically — he had not expected that he and his men were so famous in the prefectural city. By now the streetsides were already packed with onlookers keeping their distance; hearing that the mounted men before them were Wang Dou and the ones who had slain Tatars, they all turned their gazes over, each murmuring in discussion without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Diaoyang, reining his horse behind Wang Dou, also felt pride in his heart. Over there, Zheng Jinglun, Lady Zheng, and the others, seeing the intimidating presence of Wang Dou and his men, also breathed a sigh of relief and exchanged glances of mutual relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over there, Li Tianxu and Li Tiancheng were conferring in low voices. Li Tiancheng said urgently: “Elder brother, what do we do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of ferocity passed through Li Tianxu’s eyes: “If we don’t capture Gao Manzi and his lot today, what face will our Li family have left in the prefectural city? No matter — we have the numbers, so we’ll all go at once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two turned back and shouted a few words, setting a heavy reward, and the militiamen again steeled themselves and pressed forward this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou gave a cold laugh: “Fools who don’t know when to die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a single command, the few men brandished the long staves in their hands and were about to spur their horses to charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just at that moment, a great shout suddenly came from the street entrance: “What are you doing? Are you gathering a mob to cause trouble?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou and his men looked over and saw a troop of cavalry appear there, all dressed in the manner of Great Ming officers and soldiers, with a recognition banner bearing the character “Xu” at their head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several riders parted from the formation and came out; at their head was a stout armored officer, followed by several mounted retainers, likewise clad in iron armor, holding long spears, each man also carrying a bow and arrows on his back. These retainers were all elite troops, their skills second only to Han Chao and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stir ran through the militiamen, and people said: “It’s the troops of Garrison Commander Lord Xu — the one coming over is his retainer squad officer, Lord Yang Dongmin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Dongmin led several riders up to Li Tianxu and the others and, looking down from above, shouted: “Why are you causing trouble here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tianxu hurriedly said respectfully: “Lord Yang, how would this lowly one dare cause trouble? Someone reported that the Wanshenghe grain shop was disrupting the market and even called in several army thugs to commit violence and injure people. This lowly one came to investigate clearly. My lord, look — it’s those few up ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Dongmin gave a cold snort, cast a chilly glance at Li Tianxu, then rode over to Wang Dou and his men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou and the others dismounted. Yang Dongmin’s gaze was sharp as a blade as he scrutinized Wang Dou and his men, and he barked: “Which garrison fort soldiers are you? Why are you committing violence and injuring people in the prefectural city?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou stepped out from the group, clasped his fist in salute, and said: “In reply, my lord, this lowly one is Wang Dou, fort commander of Jingbian Fort. I came to the prefectural city today and have not committed violence or injured anyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clearly recounted the whole story from beginning to end, and said: “My lord, that is how the matter stands. I beg my lord to investigate clearly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Dongmin paid no heed to what Wang Dou was saying; he merely scrutinized Wang Dou carefully for a moment, then said: “Wang Dou? You are that Wang Dou from Dongjiazhuang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou clasped his fist: “In reply, my lord, this lowly one is indeed he.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He removed his waist token and handed it to Yang Dongmin for inspection. Yang Dongmin held the token in his hand and looked at it for a good while, then tossed it back to Wang Dou. A trace of a smile appeared on his face, and he said: “I have long heard that there is a Wang Dou at Dongjiazhuang, incomparably fierce and brave, who with just nine men slew ten Tatars — truly a fierce and brave fellow. Lord Xu often mentions you in my presence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out a hearty laugh. The several retainers behind him also looked at Wang Dou, exchanged glances, and all showed expressions that said his reputation was well-deserved. Seeing Yang Dongmin act this way, Han Chao and the others behind Wang Dou all showed delighted faces — with Lord Yang speaking like this, it seemed everyone was in the clear today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>。\u003C\u002Fp>",3166,"2026-06-03T14:05:19.908Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","595c2231a6b13193b39ab0d7452b97e2926347a6072056e5e3e73854df63a0ec","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-53","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-51",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]