Chapter 01: I Refuse to Accept!

This counterattack had significant consequences. When it truly came to blows, those thugs hired by the developers were no match for him, a retired Marine Corps sergeant. In a fit of rage, he killed three, severely injured four, and lightly injured five, with not a single one escaping. All of them were thrown out the door by him. Witnessing all of this, the neighbors applauded in delight.

Suddenly, Zhang Zhun felt as if his body were being struck by countless immense forces, shattering in an instant. His consciousness swiftly plunged into darkness. However, he still stubbornly raised his head high.

Ultimately, Zhang Zhun was sentenced to death for the crimes of intentional homicide and intentional injury, with both offenses being punished concurrently

After tasting the sweetness of success, Hong Taiji became increasingly enthusiastic about invading. In the seventh year of the Chongzhen era, which is July of this year, the Manchus of Later Jin will invade once again, ravaging the areas of Xuanzhou and Datong, plundering a large number of people and resources, and swaggering away. The cowardly Chongzhen Emperor and the court dared not utter a word, watching helplessly as the Manchus departed with ease.

Zhang Jun answered in a daze, thinking to himself, "Does my home still exist?"

In his past life, no one dared to strike his head, not even in the detention center, where those in the same room were completely subdued by him, treating him with utmost respect as their leader, not daring to show the slightest defiance. But now, his own head still aches faintly, and there are blood scabs.

The rat repeatedly said, "No problem, no problem. If it weren't for you blocking that bastard's blow for me, I would have been the one knocked silly. Your wound has already been treated by the girl; she applied some herbal medicine, so it should be fine."

This should be the home of Er Leng Zi, right

However, in two completely different worlds, where can he find those culprits?

Birds of a feather flock together

Forced demolition, breaking into private homes at night, even resorting to violence against people, is there no justice left in this world

Looking down at the clothes I was wearing, I was surprised to find that they were a cotton-padded jacket and pants. Despite the outer layer being black and tattered, with the cotton stuffing spilling out, and equally worn and black on the inside, there was no doubt that this was indeed a cotton-padded jacket. It was strange; when I was taken to the execution ground, it was clearly August, a time of sweltering heat. Why would I need to wear cotton clothing?

Zhang Zhun believes that he is acting in legitimate self-defense and should not bear any responsibility. Therefore, when a large number of armed police arrived at the scene, he did not resist. He trusts that justice will prevail in the hearts of the people. However, the developer's background is too powerful, possessing sufficient influence to manipulate the outcome of the trial. In order to set an example, the developer is determined to eliminate Zhang Zhun.

This is Zhang Zhun's belief

Wang Shixin knew that Yang Kaide was the mastermind and was particularly ruthless towards Yang Kaide's family. Yang Kaide himself had his left hand and left leg broken, and his brother was also struck twice. Those brutal servants continued to chase after his brother, and if it weren't for Zhang Zhun blocking a blow for him, given his brother's condition, that strike could have easily resulted in a concussion, or even death on the spot.

The court's delay in paying the military households their rations has become a customary practice. The military households of the Ming Dynasty were originally self-sufficient and were required to pay a portion of their grain to the state. However, by the mid-Ming period, the lands of the military households had all been seized by the officers, leaving them without any land. Without land, there is no income. In desperation, the state had no choice but to allocate some funds and grain to support the military households

A real man does not shed tears even when he bleeds

I am not convinced

When Zhang Zhun returned home, he discovered that his once healthy father had become a cripple, needing a cane to walk. The house was in disarray. Upon inquiry, he learned that this was all a consequence of opposing the demolition. His father's leg had been brutally broken by unidentified individuals who had blocked his way. His father reported the incident to the police, but there had been no news since.

Zhang Zhun resolutely made up his mind

No wonder the mouse is so concerned about itself; it turns out that this stick is helping it fend off threats.

Zhang Jun slowly nodded his head

The name Zhang Zhun was given by his father, a rat, according to Yang Kaide. As for the courtesy name Yulin, it was bestowed by a wandering monk from Laoshan. At that time, the foolish Zhang Zhun was sitting at the entrance of a thatched cottage, lost in thought, with drool hanging down. As a result, the wandering monk passed by, astonished by his appearance, and insisted on giving Zhang Zhun a courtesy name, which was the auspicious "Yulin". This left many people puzzled. How could such a simpleton ever achieve great wealth and nobility? Subsequent events proved that the wandering monk had clearly misjudged.

It feels as if I am indoors. A faint light streams in from outside, casting a dim glow over the interior. Lying on my back, I open my eyes to see the beams of the ceiling above me, thick round logs, flanked by ribs of wood resembling ribs, without a speck of dust. The wood is clearly marked with numerous signs of insect damage, surrounded by white powder. Faintly, I can still hear the sound of the wood-boring insects gnawing at the timber. The wood is clearly marked with numerous signs of insect damage, surrounded by white powder. Faintly, I can still hear the sound of the wood-boring insects gnawing at the timber.

I want to change the course of history

However, it should not have been replaced by the Qing Dynasty under any circumstances

No wonder his eyes are so small; it turns out his nickname is Mouse

When the issue of unpaid wages is mentioned, the soldier is filled with resentment and complaints: "The court simply does not regard us military households as human beings! Each military household receives a mere one shi of monthly grain, which is pitifully insufficient for our families! Yet, even this meager amount, the court still delays in paying. What kind of world is this! Are military households not human?"

Take action

Zhang Zhun has some understanding of the history of the late Ming Dynasty. As a combat instructor at a martial arts school, Zhang Zhun's work is quite relaxed. When he has time, he also visits the school's library to read books and broaden his knowledge. For a period, after finishing Yao Xueyin's "Li Zicheng," he became quite interested and sought out some related materials to verify his understanding. Later, he also browsed some time-travel novels set in the late Ming period online, and naturally, he is familiar with the reign title Chongzhen. For a period, after finishing Yao Xueyin's "Li Zicheng," he became quite interested and sought out some related materials to verify his understanding. Later, he also browsed some time-travel novels set in the late Ming period online, and naturally, he is familiar with the reign title Chongzhen

Faced with the dark muzzle of the gun, Zhang Zhun chose to charge forward

Therefore, there is blood

Today is the sixteenth day of the first month in the seventh year of Chongzhen! Er Leng, you can't really be stunned, can you? The expression on Haozi's face was quite tense, and he instinctively reached out to touch his head, but immediately felt something and withdrew his hand.

Traversing into this chaotic world, there are many matters that require careful consideration

Regardless of what dynasty you belong to

The rat immediately agreed, stood up, and said: "Alright, you rest first. After you wake up, come to my house to find me"

Although he never worries about such suspicions

What is the difference between this and violent demolition

After the arduous appeal process concluded, the original verdict was ultimately upheld: death penalty

Blood splattered in all directions

If the Qing Dynasty had not entered the Pass...

I am not convinced

This is Zhang Zhun's final roar left in this world

In the seventh year of the Chongzhen reign

Er Lengzi had no name, as there was no time to name him. His mother experienced a difficult labor and severe hemorrhaging during his birth, ultimately saving only the child while the mother tragically passed away. Shortly thereafter, in the 46th year of the Wanli era, when Er Lengzi was just one month old, the forces of the Later Jin divided into eight routes to attack Liaodong. His father, Zhang Laosi, was dispatched to the front lines in Liaodong, and he never returned. Thus, Er Lengzi became an orphan.

"Underworld King’s subordinate!" the rat said with some concern, as if feeling that Zhang Zhun was somewhat abnormal.

In the original world, there is no longer a single inch of land that belongs to Zhang Zhun

Ah, this is indeed a rare opportunity that cannot be sought after

However, the delay in the payment of grain and taxes in the sixth year of Chongzhen has been particularly prolonged, lasting for about eight or nine months. With no provisions to sustain themselves, people are unable to eat enough or dress warmly, which naturally leads to unrest. Since September of last year, military households have been organizing protests for their wages, but to no avail; instead, many have been beaten, injured, or killed.

Er Lengzi's memory appears very hazy; he does not even know the name of the person beside him in the picture book, yet he feels an undeniable sense of familiarity. Within the fragmented memories, there are many lingering shadows of this person. However, when it comes to recalling the details, he finds himself unable to remember.

The fall of the Ming Dynasty was perhaps inevitable, as the ailing Ming truly should have met its end. However, fate played a cruel joke, allowing the Manchus to take control of the Central Plains. From that point on, the people of the Central Plains were forced to drag along a long tail of financial burdens, calling themselves servants, and living in abject misery. Every time I reflect on this, it evokes deep sighs.

For his father, for his wife, for his daughter, he is willing to do anything

Your home!

You hit my father

Zhang Zhun lay back down on the kang, his hands resting beneath the back of his head, slowly merging two different memories together. When in Rome, do as the Romans do; from now on, he would live under the identity of a simpleton.

... ...

Yang Kaide is the old partner of Zhang Laosi, sharing a close bond akin to being in the same trousers. Together with Zhang Laosi, he was sent to the front line in Liaodong and fortunately survived. The ashes of Zhang Laosi were brought back by him from the front. He promised Zhang Laosi to take care of his son. From then on, Zhang Yulin became a part of the Yang family, eating and working alongside them, only returning to his own doghouse at night.

Zhang Jun said helplessly

Thinking of his unfortunate old father, recalling his wife and daughter from a past life, and remembering the suffering they endured because of him, even a man of seven feet could not help but shed tears of sorrow. Yet, when he thought of those who sought to take his life, he was filled with uncontrollable rage. If he had been reborn into his original world, he would have used the most violent means to exact revenge. Unfortunately, he was already in another world.

Zhang Jun has gone berserk

The year 1634 (the seventh year of the Chongzhen era) was not a good year either, as famines occurred continuously across the country, and peasant uprisings surged one after another. Whether it was Gao Yingxiang, Zhang Xianzhong, or Li Zicheng and Luo Rucai, they all caused quite a stir, with the battlefield expanding from Shaanxi and Shanxi to Henan, Huguang, Sichuan, and other regions, affecting half of the Central Plains.

"I have blood on my forehead..." Zhang Zhun asked in surprise

Zhang Zhun felt that his actions were quite strange; why did his hand retract halfway? Could it be that there was something wrong with his head? He reached up to touch his forehead, and inadvertently felt a hardened blood scab on the top of his head. In the remnants of his memory, it seemed he could still see a person retracting the stick they had been holding. This person's stick had just struck his forehead.

How rare it is to traverse through and still survive

Zhang Zhun is a retired non-commissioned officer from a Marine Corps unit. After his retirement, he has been serving as a combat instructor at a renowned martial arts school. A few months ago, he received a call from his father, informing him that their old house was to be demolished to make way for high-end commercial housing. The old house is the hard-earned property of his father, who, after Zhang Zhun got married and moved out, was reluctant to leave and continued to stay in the old house. This time, the conditions offered by the developer for the demolition were outrageously low, and his father, along with all the neighbors, opposed the demolition.

Unlike the confusion experienced by other time travelers, Zhang Zhun felt a sense of excitement. After all, he had been given a second chance. The only regret was that he had not been reborn into his original world, leaving him unable to make amends for the guilt he felt towards his family. At the same time, his pent-up frustration and dissatisfaction could not find an effective outlet.

The ancient thatched cottage has walls where the plaster has already fallen off. The thatch on the roof shows clear dark stains caused by long-term leaks. There is no furniture to be seen, truly a bare abode. A constant wind blows through the gaps as wide as an arm, bringing a cool breeze that feels rather chilly

How dare you be so brazen about withholding wages?

Someone urgently called out in Zhang Zhun's ear

However, the financial resources of the state are limited, and the timely distribution of funds and grain is often hindered, leading to instances of arrears in payments. In fact, since the Zhengde period, the funds and grain for military households have not been disbursed on time, typically being delayed by two to three months. By the end of the Ming Dynasty, frequent disasters across various regions exacerbated the situation, causing the court's finances to fall short, resulting in even longer delays in payments, with three to five months being common and six to seven months not unusual.

The wife called the police for help, and the police visited several times, but there was no conclusion. Due to the need to raise money to hire a lawyer for Zhang's defense and to handle the funeral arrangements for her elderly father, the wife had no choice but to sell their house at a low price and find another place to rent. However, the situation did not end there. Under threats from unidentified individuals, the wife was forced to leave her original job, and her daughter was compelled to transfer schools. Ultimately, the mother and daughter left the province and sought refuge at the home of the wife's father in another province. If it were not for the strong support from her father, the mother and daughter might have ended up homeless on the streets. However, the situation did not end there. Under threats from unidentified individuals, the wife was forced to leave her original job, and her daughter was compelled to transfer schools. Ultimately, the mother and daughter left the province and sought refuge at the home of the wife's father in another province. If it were not for the strong support from her father, the mother and daughter might have ended up homeless on the streets

Mouse, I want to lie down for a while

Having owed us money and grain for over half a year, they still have the audacity to post a notice claiming they are recruiting soldiers to the west to suppress Gao Yingxiang, Zhang Xianzhong, and Luo Rucai! Bah! I believe that soon we will also see the emergence of Gao Yingxiang, Zhang Xianzhong, and Luo Rucai here! The followers of the Fragrant Teaching dare to rise up and attack the county town; are we, the military households, any less courageous than those charlatans of the Fragrant Teaching?

However, no matter how many people are killed, how can the life of the old father be restored? How can the situation of a broken family be salvaged?

Zhang Jun was filled with anger

Zhang nodded in agreement

Oh

Zhang Zhun silenced the rat's complaints and said slowly

Wang Shixin, the hereditary chief of Fushan Qiansuo, is notorious for his extreme cruelty, malicious heart, and cold-bloodedness. He maintains a retinue of fifty armed servants, who are fully equipped and display their might. In addition to his armed servants, he also gathers other thugs, among whom Yang Kun, mentioned earlier, is one.

Opening his eyes to look at the other person, he realized it was a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old. The boy appeared somewhat malnourished, thin and small in stature, with eyes that were narrow and squinty. It was hard to tell whether his eyes were naturally small or if he had developed the habit of squinting. It was indeed not easy to see his pupils clearly.

Zhang Zhun roared at the heavens

Without food to eat, without clothes to wear, without a house to live in, one must rise up and fight back

That night, there was lightning and thunder, accompanied by a torrential storm.

What is even more tragic is that during his detention, his elderly father, filled with anger and grief, suffered a heart attack and tragically passed away without being able to catch his breath. Poor Zhang Zhun, who was held in the detention center, did not even get to see his father for the last time. The house that the father and son had fiercely defended for several months was ultimately reduced to rubble by bulldozers. The developer achieved a complete victory

Er Lengzi's memory is very fragmented and chaotic, suggesting that his mind may not function very well; otherwise, he would not be called Er Lengzi. However, within Er Lengzi's memory, he still managed to extract some useful information

Bang bang bang

Zhang Jun quietly spoke to himself in his heart

Return everything that you owe me

In the boundless darkness, a glimmer of light suddenly appeared

His greatest wish is to seek an explanation for the unfair treatment he has endured

What is even more despicable is that someone also broke his head

Find death

At the end of the bright light, a sudden clarity emerges

If you do not provide me with an explanation, I will give you one in return

The developer resorted to cutting off water and electricity, blocking roads, creating noise, sending people to intimidate residents, shooting at windows with a shotgun in the middle of the night, and even deliberately releasing venomous snakes to force everyone to relocate. The old father could no longer endure this and had no choice but to call his son back for support. Zhang Zhun had lost his mother at a young age, and the two of them relied on each other for survival. Until adulthood, he was particularly concerned about his father and hurried back upon hearing the news.

His home has since vanished

Who knows, Zhang Zhun was stopped by his father from seeking trouble with the developer, yet the developer came knocking again. That very night when Zhang Zhun returned home, more than ten unidentified individuals broke in. These individuals were armed with steel pipes, triangular blades, machetes, and other controlled weapons, intimidating Zhang Zhun's father into signing the agreement immediately. Otherwise, he would not see the sun tomorrow. The other party threatened that a life was worth merely 200,000, and for their two lives, it would be 400,000, just a wet fragment!

Zhang Zhun slowly turned his head to look around

Where is this place

The crisp sound of gunfire rang out behind him

What should I do?

The gunfire sounds like popping beans

Zhang Jun woke up

Zhang Zhun has never considered Chongzhen to be a good emperor. Although there are many in later generations who have sought to rehabilitate his image, and despite the fact that he was indeed one of the rare diligent emperors of the Ming Dynasty, his efforts did not yield results. Under Chongzhen's rule, both inside and outside the Ming Dynasty were engulfed in flames of war. The external invasions could not be halted, and the relentless imposition of taxes, indifferent to the plight of the people, triggered unprecedented peasant uprisings, ultimately leading to the downfall of the Ming Dynasty.

Who is Yang Kun?" Zhang Zhun was perplexed

The old house has been forcibly demolished. Even the new home he built with his wife no longer exists. Since he entered the detention center, his wife and daughter have frequently been subjected to intimidation by unidentified individuals. There have even been instances where blood was splattered at their doorstep, or dead animals were thrown in the passageway in front of their home. At times, stones were deliberately thrown at their doors and windows in the middle of the night, leaving the safety of the family unguaranteed. His three-year-old daughter has been so frightened that she trembles uncontrollably, suffering immense psychological trauma.

Counterattack

He needs some time to sort out his chaotic thoughts

What is the date today? Zhang Zhun realized that something was amiss and slowly asked

Who are you

Kill

The rat bitterly said: "Isn't it just about the wages..."

He felt as if he had become a different person, with vague and unclear memories of another individual in his mind... Ao Mountain Guard... Floating Mountain... Military household... In the midst of this haziness, he sensed that he had occupied someone else's body. This person's name was also Zhang Zhun, with the courtesy name Yulin. However, everyone called him by the nickname Er Lengzi. This person's name was also Zhang Zhun, with the courtesy name Yulin. However, everyone called him by the nickname Er Lengzi

This is a preemptive measure to avoid unnecessary suspicion.

"It was Yang Kun who did it," the rat said fiercely

Go to hell!

In the remnants of memory, it seems like a group of workers demanding their wages is being pursued by a band of fierce soldiers, vaguely reminiscent of certain reports from a past life, yet not entirely similar. This is because the ones resorting to violence are the official armed forces of this country, dressed in uniforms

Indeed, we are men, and it is not appropriate to cry

Such a weak and incompetent court clearly deserves to be replaced

Ah, that's not right

... ...

Am I really in the Ming Dynasty?

I am calm, I am not impulsive

"Er Leng, do not cry, do not cry, we are men, it is not proper to cry, it is not proper to cry!" The mouse hurriedly comforted him.

Beyond the Pass, the Manchus of the Later Jin were eyeing the situation with great intensity. The Hong Taiji, who ascended the throne a year earlier than Chongzhen, demonstrated a political and military acumen that was clearly superior to that of Chongzhen. In the second year of Chongzhen's reign (1629 AD), Hong Taiji led his troops to invade, threatening the capital and plundering a significant number of people and resources. Chongzhen's response was one of panic and confusion. In the end, he executed a number of ministers, including Yuan Chonghuan.

In this world, it seems that I also have enemies

As long as it can change their fate, I would not hesitate to sacrifice my own life once again

He cannot disregard his father's words and has no choice but to endure

Zhang Jun had a vague feeling that this name was very familiar

Total annihilation

It is indeed Wang Shixin, the leader of a thousand households from Fushan Qian! Erleng, you can't really have forgotten everything, can you? The mouse is genuinely a bit anxious; his already poor complexion has worsened, and his eyes are struggling to open.

Er Leng, can you speak? Speak, I said speak

Zhang Zhun was pondering to himself in his heart

Suddenly, faint footsteps could be heard from outside

Chongzhen ... ...

At this moment, Zhang Zhun was momentarily taken aback, unable to contain his emotions

Turn around and leave abruptly

If another regime had replaced the Ming Dynasty ... ...

However, why do others want to catch rats

Although Er Lengzi is quite foolish, his physical condition is indeed excellent. This is probably due to the balance that heaven maintains; with a simple mind, it is only natural for the limbs to be well-developed. This made Zhang Zhun, who had possessed Er Lengzi, feel quite satisfied. If he had possessed a body like that of a rat, all the skills he had painstakingly practiced for over twenty years would have been in vain.

He is unwilling to accept it

Zhang Jun asked ambiguously

Bang bang bang

With your lives, accompany my father in burial

Regardless of the circumstances, the course of history will undoubtedly be altered. When the course of history is changed, the fate of every individual may also change. Perhaps there would be no violent demolitions in later generations. Without violent demolitions, there would be no death of the elderly father. There would be no suffering endured by the wife and daughter.

If I could change the course of history

I am a rat! I am a rat!

Zhang Zhun has always believed that the fall of the Ming Dynasty was inevitable, while the Manchu invasion was coincidental. If it were not for the numerous fortuitous factors, the people of the Central Plains would not have needed to bear the financial burdens for three hundred years, and China would not have transformed from a leading position in the world into a typical example of backwardness and subjugation.

Who is King Yanluo? Zhang Zhun was once again perplexed

Zhang Jun made every effort to maintain patience and restraint, going up with his elderly father to reason with the other party. To their surprise, the other party violently resorted to physical aggression. The poor elderly father, who already had a limp and was physically impaired, was brutally pushed to the ground. He accidentally hit his head on the floor and lost consciousness on the spot

However, at the very moment when the developers were celebrating their success with great pride, Zhang Jun escaped from prison

Thousand households

Some individuals are withholding the money and resources that rightfully belong to themselves; not only are they unwilling to pay, but they also resort to violence...

Calming his emotions slightly, Zhang Zhun said steadily: "Haozi, someone hit me on the head, and my previous memories have become somewhat hazy. I can't recall many people and events. If I behave oddly, you must keep an eye on me and ensure I don't embarrass myself."

After some thought, Zhang Zhun slowly said: "Mouse, tell me, why are we being beaten? Why do they treat us so brutally?"

He and his enemies are separated in two completely different worlds, and he has no opportunity to seek revenge or settle scores! If only those damned developers could cross over as well, he would no longer tolerate anything, and there would be no more "calmness"; he would ensure that they all disappear! Disappear physically! ... However, this possibility is quite slim ... Two worlds, indeed. If only those damned developers could cross over as well, he would no longer tolerate anything, and there would be no more "calmness"; he would ensure that they all disappear! Disappear physically! ... However, this possibility is quite slim ... Two worlds, indeed.

Almost simultaneously, another thought surged into Zhang Zhun's mind

He wants those who have put him in a position of peril to pay a bloody price

Fushan Qian

Zhang Zhun was seething with anger and was about to confront the developer, but he was firmly stopped by his elderly father. The developers were numerous and powerful, employing a large group of thugs and having strong connections. How could the father allow his only son to take such a risk? The father had no choice but to earnestly advise Zhang Zhun to remain calm, not to act impulsively, and to understand that violence was absolutely not a solution to the problem

Chongzhen, he was the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty

Every time the military households came to demand their pay, they were violently treated by Wang Shixin. Yesterday, on the Lantern Festival of the seventh year of Chongzhen, the father of Haozi, Yang Kaide, organized everyone to go and demand their pay again, but they were severely beaten out by Wang Shixin. More than ten people were injured, and three were killed. Among the injured military households, five were permanently paralyzed

Originally, Zhang Zhun and the entire family of the rat were all military households under the command of the Aoshanzhen of the Shandong Provincial Military Command of the Ming Dynasty. The location of Fushan is in the vicinity of present-day Qingdao City. The location of Aoshanzhen is in the vicinity of present-day Aoshanzhen in Jimo City.