Chapter 5, Going to the Demon City

Liu Kuai Zui is certainly not the cook in the regular army as mentioned by He Lao San; he is genuinely from a regular military background. However, he chose to leave the army for personal reasons. Given his insight and experience, it is quite normal for him to continue working as a mercenary alongside Zhang Cheng. After all, individuals of their background can only earn a living as mercenaries in the colonies.

The powerful Royal Navy of England was strictly limited in its strength, and the army was similarly suppressed to the level of a few divisions. The Parliament was forcibly dissolved, and cities were extensively plundered. Important tax revenues, such as customs duties, were forcibly seized as collateral for astronomical war reparations. In addition to the seizure of the Portsmouth naval base, the English, under immense pressure, were compelled to humiliatingly sign the London Treaty, ceding almost the entire south bank of the Thames to the Ming Empire. This led to the creation of the most prosperous economic capital in Europe.

The commercial anomalies here are highly developed, claiming to be the financial center of all Europe, the capital of fashion, and a place of extreme prosperity. Life here is intoxicating and extravagant, and the enjoyment is unparalleled in the world. Similarly, the slums here are also the most chaotic places in all of Europe. Among the most powerful underground forces in Europe, apart from the Mafia on Sicily, all are located in London

When mercenaries are motivated by money, Zhang Cheng believes that in this era, there are numerous ways to earn money, and there is no need to risk one's life for a meager two silver dollars a day.

"No, I am not interested in joining the regular army," Zhang Cheng said, shaking his head slightly, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

Zhang Cheng, realizing that this is an era where everything revolves around money, made an early decision to head to the Magic City. To rise, one must have wealth. And where in Europe can one find wealth that compares to the Magic City?

"What a pity." The captain was slightly taken aback, then sighed, "It is truly a shame for someone like you not to join the military. If you perform well and gain the appreciation of your superiors, you may have the chance to be recommended to attend the Army Academy. After graduating, you will have a lifetime of prospects ahead of you"

During the Second World War, England, having been the first to complete the First Industrial Revolution and possessing formidable strength, unreservedly became the commander of the European coalition. They were also the last country to fiercely resist in the war against the Ming Empire.

Indeed, the mercenary group has been disbanded. The steward of the governor of Milan has reached an agreement with the Sardinians and the estate tenants, declaring the end of hostilities. Although the details of the agreement are unknown, Zhang Cheng felt an intense anger in his heart as he looked at the broken corpses of the mercenaries being loaded onto the large carts.

The Royal Army University, the highest institution of the Royal Army of the Great Ming Empire, is not so easy to enter. Without mentioning connections, background, or abilities, let us consider the simplest factor: tuition fees

Without discussing matters of identity, what good would it do to continue performing excellently as the captain suggests? After enduring twenty years of hardship in the army under the oppression of countless aristocratic families, becoming a general? This is not what Zhang Cheng desires

On the third day, the battlefield was cleared, the mercenary group retreated, and was disbanded

London is a paradise for the wealthy and a hell for the poor

The battle has ended, and the mercenaries have also lost their utility. The personnel from the Milan Governor's Office settled the salaries for all the mercenaries and then announced their disbandment

We are preparing to head to North Africa to try our luck. I have heard that the governor of Morocco is also recruiting mercenaries to suppress the local nomadic tribes. Are you interested in going together?" Before Zhang Cheng could respond, Liu Kuai spoke up eagerly as he walked over. Who wouldn't want to partner with an outstanding soldier like Zhang Cheng? At the very least, the chances of surviving on the battlefield would be greater.

Apart from issues of identity, another reason Zhang Cheng was unwilling to go is that, after several hundred years of development, the ruling class within the Ming Empire has become deeply entrenched, leaving little possibility for ordinary people to rise to prominence.

Do not speak of those scholarship recipients, as such individuals generally come from affluent families, which allows them to possess a broader range of knowledge. Even if there are a few geniuses from humble backgrounds, they are merely a drop in the ocean, insignificant.

He submitted his personal equipment and weapons, and received his salary. After organizing a simple bundle and obtaining a letter of introduction from the captain, he bid farewell to his comrades, such as Guan Kuo, He Laosan, and Liu Kuaizui, with whom he had fought alongside. Zhang Cheng then arrived at the port of Genoa and boarded a cruise ship bound for London

Such matters are not confined to the military; they are prevalent across various industries. This is also the true reason why so many ordinary people travel thousands of miles to the colonies in search of gold. In this era, everything is aligned with silver dollars; as long as you have money, the doors of high society will immediately open for you

The battle lasted for three days

Although they have all received the most basic education and can at least recognize characters, the future of these mercenaries ends here. Without any fortuitous encounters, their lives will not see any prospects for advancement.

The treatment in the Royal Army is quite good, but Zhang Cheng has no intention of joining. The reason is simple: he is an undocumented individual

No, I don't want to continue being a mercenary for the time being," Zhang Cheng said with a smile, shaking his head, his expression somewhat complex

For those commoners from the lowest strata of the Ming Empire, what else could they do besides selling their lives? If they were to farm, they would not have traveled thousands of miles to venture into the colonies. If they were to work in factories, they could not endure that level of hardship. Factories in this era are truly sweatshops in the real sense. Not only is there no security, but working sixteen to seventeen hours a day is simply taken for granted. As for weekends and statutory holidays? Please, are you from Mars? Not only is there no security, but working sixteen to seventeen hours a day is simply taken for granted. As for weekends and statutory holidays? Please, are you from Mars?

From the official joining of the mercenary group in Milan to its dissolution, a total of thirty-seven days elapsed. Based on a daily wage of two silver dollars, Zhang Cheng should have received a total of seventy-four silver dollars. However, when the payment was finally received, it was only sixty dollars. The officials of the Milan Governor's Office, with their chins held high, informed all the angry mercenaries that the remaining money had been fully taxed

The penalties imposed on the royal family were not significant. With the deepening of cultural exchanges with Europe, the royal family of the Ming Empire quickly adopted the unwritten rule of European royalty that wars should not affect the royal family. The British royal family was merely fined a substantial amount and was let off lightly. However, their country suffered severe damage

Zhang Cheng demonstrated his value in this brutal battle, and naturally, he garnered the gratitude and respect of those around him. Humanity has inherited a genetic predisposition to admire the strong from the primitive era.

This damned war

Zhang Cheng smiled but did not say much. This enthusiastic captain would not understand what he was thinking in his heart

After Zhang Cheng joined the mercenary group, he earned quite a bit of silver dollars from those officers using his marksmanship, and with his own remuneration, he was close to 300 dollars. In this era, this was undoubtedly a considerable sum! At this time, in the most prosperous region of the Ming Empire, Jiangnan, the best arable land was only worth 16 silver dollars per acre!

The tuition fees for a student studying at Ludong University for one academic year require at least one hundred silver dollars or more! This does not include daily living expenses and other expenditures. Without substantial financial support, which student can bear such a high cost

Going to the Magic City?! Guan Kuo and the others were all astonished, their mouths agape.

However, joining the Royal Army is different; it requires registration! Zhang Cheng can guarantee that in his hometown, it is absolutely impossible to uncover his identity. Not wanting to be discovered and subsequently sent for experimental dissection, Zhang Cheng can only choose to refuse.

Just like in the Royal Army, being an ordinary soldier or a junior non-commissioned officer is not a problem. However, to become an officer, or even a general, one must have a background and must be a graduate of the Army Command College

"Indeed, I am going to London," Zhang Cheng reaffirmed his voice once more. He desired to grow strong and powerful quickly, and there was no place more suitable than London, which had reached the pinnacle of chaos and wealth. Although Songjiang Prefecture back home was equally prosperous and its level of affluence far exceeded that of London, it was unfortunately located thousands of miles away and under strict regulation, which could not be compared to the chaotic London.

Although the Ming Empire of this era is known as the empire on which the sun never sets, it also has a large number of citizens living below the poverty line. Many people, in order to survive and to have the opportunity to rise above their circumstances, choose to go to distant colonies to seek their fortunes. There are many who struggle at the bottom of society, and Zhang Cheng has naturally become one of them. No one would specifically investigate Zhang Cheng's background. There are many who struggle at the bottom of society, and Zhang Cheng has naturally become one of them. No one would specifically investigate Zhang Cheng's background

On the first day of entering the position, mutual reconnaissance and skirmishes took place

What is a mercenary? It is a high-risk profession that involves putting one's life on the line to seek wealth! Zhang Cheng is certainly much stronger than most people, but he is not invulnerable! Being hit by a bullet will still result in death, and being struck by a shell will still leave nothing but bones!

Zhang Cheng was able to smoothly join the mercenaries largely due to his typical Han Chinese physique and his fluent Mandarin. As for identification documents, I'm sorry, but no one would recognize the second-generation ID card in his wallet

This is still because the commanders of the mercenary corps are all officers from the Milan garrison. These officers are quite satisfied with this victory and spoke on behalf of the mercenaries; otherwise, the taxes collected would be even higher! As for the anger of the mercenaries, how could the people in the governor's office possibly care? In this era, there may not be many other things, but there is no shortage of people seeking a livelihood in the colonies

On the second day of intense fighting, the mercenaries ultimately succeeded in repelling the mob attack led primarily by the Sardinian regular army

Having inexplicably arrived in this era, which is completely different from his understanding, Zhang Cheng possesses no legal identity whatsoever

In the eyes of Guan Kuo and others, London is the magical city that attracts countless gazes and desires

After the Ming Empire completely defeated the European coalition with its unparalleled strength, England, as the last to surrender among the coalition and also the leader and initiator, faced severe punishment

"Have you decided where to go?" asked He Laosan, who had survived the battlefield, as he approached Zhang Cheng.

Cheng Ge, where are you planning to go? We, these people, know nothing; what else can we do besides being mercenaries?" The baby-faced Guan Kuo also survived, looking at Zhang Cheng with a puzzled expression while carrying his own bundle.

London, the capital of England, is the most important colony of the Ming Empire in Europe

I want to go to London. " Zhang Cheng chuckled softly, slightly raising his head to gaze at the vast blue sky in the north, where clouds rolled and drifted. His voice was soft, yet it resolutely conveyed his intention.

Since fate has chosen to bring Zhang Cheng to this era, he will absolutely not waste this rare opportunity to traverse time, one that is likely encountered only once among billions of people! Regardless of the circumstances, Zhang Cheng is determined to carve out his own sky in this era through his own strength

This empire is on the verge of collapse. Unlike those mercenaries who dare to be angry but cannot voice their grievances, only able to curse loudly behind closed doors, Zhang Cheng keenly perceives that the Ming Empire is currently in a state of extreme rigidity, facing tremendous threats to the nation