[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-the-ming":3,"chapter-overthrowing-the-ming-overthrowing-the-ming-chapter-12":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Overthrowing the Ming",{"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},2289239,4476,"Chapter 12: Undercurrents","overthrowing-the-ming-chapter-12",12,"\u003Cp>\"My surname is Li... the Li of 'eighteen sons'... just call me Li You.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could that be? You are a scholar with a degree!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li You was truly unaccustomed to being addressed as \"Master\" or \"Scholar.\" At this moment, he sat on a broken stool to the side, having just washed up with water; finally rid of the bloodstains and sour stench, he felt quite refreshed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wa Qingyun had finished making the bed and saw Li You wearing a clean white undergarment, one hand resting on his forehead as he pondered something intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This scene made him feel somewhat inferior for a moment; every move Li You made, every word he spoke, was completely out of place in this Shanzhai, and even different from any scholar he had ever met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethereal, gentle, quiet, steady, kind...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just sitting there quietly, he looked like a person from a painting, as if he did not belong to this world... In short, this feeling was very strange, but it was also this indescribable temperament of Li You that made him unable to stop wanting to draw close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, truly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li You thanked Wa Qingyun, who had been busy running back and forth, from the bottom of his heart. This was the side room of Cao Er's small courtyard; naturally, there were no private rooms, so he had to squeeze onto the large communal bed with Wa Qingyun and the others, and he had insisted on bringing Wu Dading along by his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eye-stinging stench of feet at night left him no time to think, and coupled with the days of travel, he was indeed exhausted; seeing that Wu Dading was no longer running a fever, his consciousness blurred as soon as he lay down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the main room on the other side, Cao Er was sitting comfortably by the edge of the heated brick bed. A little girl of about eight or nine, named Song Man, was currently squatting and rubbing his feet. The soles of his feet had been rubbed bright red, yet the maddening itch remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting opposite him were his two confidants, Shi Jiuen and Xu Lifang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did a scholar suddenly show up?\" Shi Jiuen asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh, whether he is truly a scholar is not yet certain...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Er puffed on his dry pipe, using a bamboo stem fitted with a tobacco bowl and mouthpiece, filled with yellowish tobacco dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smoking had become common in the Great Ming. According to Zhang Jiebin’s *Jingyue Quanshu*, tobacco was first introduced from overseas during the Wanli era, flowing mostly into the southeastern coastal regions, and later brought into the border armies by the Qi Family Army. During the Tianqi and Chongzhen eras, even Huangtaiji had a massive addiction and used tobacco as a precious item to reward the various banner lords of the Manchus and Mongols.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for how the tobacco reached this bitter, cold place, only Heaven knows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be a fake?\" Xu Lifang suddenly perked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not necessarily, it's just that his student license has some issues. I have heard of his mentor, Li Qian, but I have never heard of any mentor named Song Xiance. Furthermore, the name is wrong; the spacing of the missing characters... no matter how you look at it, it should be a two-character name, not a single-character name like 'You'!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Jiuen was illiterate and didn't understand these things, so he asked with concern: \"Did the Great Chief send him? Why did he send him? Is he really to be the accountant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were somewhat wary; the salt wells and iron mines of Nanshan were a lucrative prize. Originally, these salt wells and mines belonged to the public during the Wanli era, but were bought by the An family during the Tianqi era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, the mining process was not much different from later generations. Whether it was merchants setting tax licenses or the government recruiting merchants to oversee operations, one had to first confirm the qualifications of the furnace head and chief, then establish a small group for every ten people, fill in personal information, and only after passing the audit would a license be issued to operate legally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, mining had quotas for wells and smelting furnaces, with scale restrictions that were not allowed to be exceeded. If caught by the patrol office, the furnace head and chief would be punished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, there were time limits on the licenses, and once expired, operations had to be shut down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, these were all stipulations of the *Great Ming Code*; in actual operation, things were vastly different. By the mid-Ming, almost no one followed them, otherwise, how could there be thousands, or even tens of thousands, of miners?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the chaotic Chongzhen era, the situation was dire. The mining industry was particularly brutal, and the mines were mostly populated by fierce and violent men, including many roving bandits and local outlaws who would frequently lead the miners to \"incite rebellion,\" causing fear among local officials and wealthy families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, the An family shared most of the profits from the salt and iron business with the gentry of Mianxian, among whom the Cao family profited the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cao family also felt the world was too chaotic and that normal production was impossible, so they had Cao Er come forward to select Wu Zhuge, who was then entrenched at Shidingyuan, and Zhang Zhuanggen, who was entrenched at Nulangshan. They colluded, occupied the mountains, and formed the current situation of officials and bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, based on their respective strengths, they determined their rankings. Cao Er brought some retainers and a group of local ruffians and scoundrels from the city to become the second-in-command of the Longmen bandits, in charge of salt well refining and iron ore mining and smelting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the salt and iron were refined, they would all be transported to the merchant guilds in Mianxian or the Fucheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a feudal age of chaos, salt and iron were undoubtedly military businesses. When salt prices were at their lowest—during the era of the muddled Emperor Wanli—the market price of salt in Jiangzhe was no more than three *li* of silver per catty, and four *li* in Liangguang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Refined salt in places like Fujian was the cheapest; a *dou* of salt, sixteen catties, cost at most four *li* of silver, and as low as two *li* when cheap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for now, the price of salt has long since soared to two *fen* and three *li* of silver, and it is very likely to be coarse rock salt or salt slag bricks. The profit margin at this price is at least thirty to fifty times higher—a massive windfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The price of steel is also absurd. Around the eleventh year of Chongzhen, a catty of Su steel in Nanzhili cost about five *taels* and three *mace*; currently, it is estimated to be at least six *taels* to start. One *tael* of silver, calculated in terms of grain, is equivalent to 700 RMB in later generations, so a catty of Su steel is nearly 4,200 yuan. Is that not completely off the charts? Of course, this conversion ignores social productivity and is not entirely accurate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But think about it: a catty of iron isn't even enough to make a knife. For the poor, even if they wanted to ask, \"Are kings and nobles born with more noble blood?\", they couldn't even start, because they lacked iron tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Er was thinking about the high demand for iron recently and figured he could make a good profit. Hearing Shi Jiuen's question, he roughly recounted Li You's performance today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm? Is this person a swindling fortune-teller?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Jiuen frowned and said: \"What if Wu Datou really believes this guy's slander and we actually go to attack... the county seat and rebel?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Jiuen originally wanted to say \"attack the Great Ming,\" but held his tongue. He was originally a runner for the Mianxian fast-response squad and had followed Cao Er up the mountain after committing a murder; deep down, he did not want the Great Ming to fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fart! Rebel against what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Er's face immediately turned cold. What a joke; he did not want the Ming Dynasty to collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cao family had enjoyed the grace of the state for generations. Although there were no high officials, there were students, post station masters, and jail wardens. He himself, as an illegitimate son, although he didn't carry the Cao surname, was only a vertical stroke away; he was still a member of the Cao family after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then keeping this scholar is a disaster! I'm afraid he's a mole sent by the Great Chief to our Nanzhai!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Lifang was full of murderous intent, startling the little girl washing Cao Er's feet so much that she couldn't help but tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Er shook his head and said: \"At noon, a letter suddenly came from Guanzi Mountain, saying they wanted to form an alliance to raid Pingli and Xing'an. Whether we win or lose, it's a losing business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our mighty Great Chief was afraid that if Zhang Sihu succeeded in the raid, the rebel forces would retaliate, so he got cold feet. Besides, the third and fourth in command were both tempted, and I was the only one left, unable to hold up the sky alone; so I deliberately gave this scholar a chance to speak...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of this, Cao Er couldn't help but be annoyed: \"This guy started off well enough, but who knew he was so good at spouting mystical nonsense? With a bunch of ghost talk about 'heavenly timing and geographical advantages,' he convinced Wu Datou that he was a Son of Heaven, and even more, that he was a talent meant to assist him. He bluffed Wu Datou until he was completely bewildered...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looking at Wu Datou's expression, I'm afraid he really thinks he's become a kingly figure. He actually has some intention of contending for the world, and immediately made the decision to make him some sort of 'dog-headed strategist.' It's absolutely preposterous!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Jiuen said urgently: \"Wu Datou, Zhang Zhuanggen, and that bunch are help we cannot do without. Among our men, apart from the four who have seen blood—Mu Qianjun, Chen Shu, Qi Jingkun, and Zhang Zhengxiong—the others are far from being able to fight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moreover, we can't do without them when it comes to abducting strong men to work as miners; if they leave the alliance, that bunch in the north will eat us up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Er naturally knew that the bunch in the north Shi Jiuen was talking about was Pig Boss of Qigan Mountain, whose original name was Chu Xinxia. He was a former salt peddler who claimed his ancestors followed Chen Youliang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was originally surnamed Zhu, but later, when the Zhu family gained the world, he changed it to Chu to avoid the taboo. No one remembered his real name; people called him Pig Boss. His subordinates were mostly soldier-bandits and salt smugglers, all desperate men, cruel and bloodthirsty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the eleventh year, he had followed Li Chuang to raid Mianxian, Chenggu, and other county seats, slaughtering many surrounding villages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mianxian magistrate, Zhao Yiru, had organized two campaigns to suppress them with local militia, but both ended in nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Strike first to gain the advantage, let's finish him! This kind of person is just like that demonic monk Yao Guangxiao. Even if Wu Datou wasn't bewitched into raising the banner today, in the long run, it's inevitable! By then, not only will we lose the iron mine, but we won't be able to answer to the Cao family, the An family, and other wealthy households!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Lifang was a complete conservative, very satisfied with the current iron mine business, and he didn't want anyone to ruin it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm just afraid of offending Wu Datou!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, what kind of person is Wu Datou? Does he really have that kind of backbone? He's like a wolf or a tiger when bullying the common people, but to fight a hard battle? If he really had that ability, he would have cleaned up Pig Boss right under his nose long ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Lifang spat and continued: \"Hmph, at worst, he could have fought the water bandits of Mao'er Dam, right? But he's afraid of the wolf in front and the tiger behind, hesitant and indecisive. This kind of person can't accomplish anything big! So, I reckon tomorrow he'll go back and have a good time with Dayun'er, and long since forget all about his grand ambition to contend for the world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Er looked up at Xu Lifang for a long time without speaking. Xu Lifang's words were contradictory, but that wasn't the point. The point was that they really didn't want any variables to break the stable business here, and this Li You was definitely not someone to be taken lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, he nodded and said: \"I saw that scholar was very concerned about that man with the sprained ankle. Regardless of whether that person is his page or not, start with him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood.\" Shi Jiuen bowed, and he and Xu Lifang prepared to withdraw to arrange the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they reached the threshold, Cao Er instructed again: \"Leave yourself a way out, try not to use our own people... Didn't Tian Si have his fun spoiled by him today...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Si was broad-shouldered and thick-waisted. He was from Long'an Prefecture, a butcher by trade, who loved fighting and was a gambling addict. Because of this, he sold his wife and daughter, and with nowhere left to turn, he began smuggling salt. After adding two more lives to his tally, he simply went up the mountain and raised a banner, later joining Zhang Zhuanggen's command and becoming a capable henchman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Lifang was the first to understand and flattered him: \"Second Master is worthy of being Second Master. That way, even if Wu Datou gets angry, it will have nothing to do with us...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li You woke up, the sun was already shining on the threshold, and there wasn't a single shadow in the side room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dading?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li You hurriedly jumped off the bed. Before he could even leave the courtyard, he bumped into a little girl. It was Song Man, who served Cao Er. Song Man was only nine years old; how could she withstand his impact? She fell onto the eaves gutter and began to cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah... I'm sorry, excuse me, excuse me... are you alright?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li You hurriedly picked Song Man up, but Song Man blinked her eyes, looked around, and then leaned her little mouth toward Li You's ear...\u003C\u002Fp>",2457,"2026-06-20T03:32:06.992Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","5c9c3295d5a72a2fc6636c70cd3366d40a0b31d9fe5a06bd8173775e12eedd82","overthrowing-the-ming-chapter-13","overthrowing-the-ming-chapter-11",71,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-the-ming-cover.jpg"]