Chapter 02: In times of chaos, heroes arise from all directions; those with swords are the kings of the grasslands

Yang Yinghan did not speak again; her fingers moved as she continued to tend to his wounds

Even if I regain my memory, you don't need to be so excited, do you

Suddenly, that familiar voice rang out once more

Are you the sister of the mouse?" Zhang Zhun asked again, probing.

Yang Yinghan! I told you, but you wouldn't remember! The young lady was clearly very familiar with him and casually mentioned her own name.

Upon hearing his words, the young girl turned her pitch-black, round eyes slightly, her gaze brightening a little. There was a hint of liveliness amidst her simplicity, as if she found something strange, yet she said nothing. She merely nodded gently and then said, "I will first take a look at your wound, and then I will prepare the medicine for you to drink."

The stinking ditch in front of the thatched cottage is as dark as if ink had been poured into it. Due to the cold weather, the water seems to be frozen. One can vaguely see the dead flies frozen within, though it is unclear how long they have been trapped there; it is likely at least a few months. The buzzing of the horseflies is particularly jarring, yet the insects themselves are nowhere to be seen. An unknown odor permeates the air, making one feel as if they are in a chaotic slum of a future era. Indeed, to be precise, the slums of the future are far better than this place. An unknown odor permeates the air, making one feel as if they are in a chaotic slum of a future era. Indeed, to be precise, the slums of the future are far better than this place

Yang Yinghan fell silent for a moment, unsure of what to think. Her fingers lingered on the wound, remaining still for quite some time before she spoke: "He is my second elder brother, named Yang Dahao. My elder brother is named Yang Ruifeng. I also have a younger brother and a younger sister, named Yang Gansheng and Yang Lingxue, respectively. Have you remembered all of them?"

"Are you... little girl?" Zhang Zhun said tentatively

Having said that, he walked over and reached out to probe Zhang Zhun's forehead

In chaotic times, human life is as insignificant as grass, and those with a sword are the kings of the grass.

A good name

He decided to get out of bed and take a walk outside

"Er Leng, where are you going?" The mouse hurriedly followed behind him.

"So... what is your name? I am sorry, I... I forgot your name," Zhang Zhun asked with some embarrassment. Forgetting someone else's name is indeed somewhat disrespectful, but there was no other way; he truly could not remember.

The young girl no longer speaks

According to Zhu Yuanzhang's original regulations, each Qianhu (thousand households) should have 1,120 military households, and each Wei (guard) should have 5,600 military households, which is the standard organization. In addition to military households, there are various ranks of officers including small flags, general flags, pacification officers, Baihu (hundred households), Qianhu, commanding assistants, commanding officials, commanding generals, and chief commanding generals. The Wei and Suo system is an important component of the Ming army; however, it has completely declined over time. Due to various reasons, military households have continuously fled, and now there are fewer than 450 military households registered in Fushan.

Having learned from the lessons of his past life, Zhang Jun now does not believe in any principles of justice

What good places are there to recommend in a bad area? The rat's face was full of reluctance

The two returned to the open space in the middle of Yangjiatun, just as Yang Yinghan's voice floated over.

Lifting the dark, grimy curtain, I stepped outside. Before me lay a chaotic open space, filled with weeds, litter, and dirty children playing. Surrounding the open area were dozens of thatched huts, all in a state of disrepair. To patch the holes in the walls, anything usable was employed: mud, straw hats, bamboo hats, banana leaves, spider webs

A waft of youthful fragrance comes rushing towards me, refreshing and heartwarming. This is the original scent devoid of any cosmetic odors, fresh, natural, light, and serene. Pure water brings forth the lotus, unadorned by embellishments. The voice of the young girl, not particularly crisp, yet articulate and pleasant to the ear.

Zhang Zhun sat up and turned to look at the position by the door

Zhang Jun's conditioned reflex response: "Yang Yinghan, your father calls you Xiao Han, your mother calls you Han Han, and your brother calls you Xiao Ya. However, I don't remember how I used to call you, so I can only follow your brother and call you Xiao Ya. You shouldn't mind, right?"

Zhang Zhun shook his head and stepped forward

The place where the two of them live is called Yangjiatun, one of the twenty-five villages under the jurisdiction of Fushan. There are approximately over sixty households, and the total population may be around six to seven hundred people. Due to its relatively remote location, the various internal conflicts in Shandong have rarely affected Fushan. Yangjiatun does not have a single decent building; all are thatched cottages. Looking back, it resembles a slum of later generations, even worse than a slum.

Zhang Zhun casually remarked: "You say that the rat is your second brother, whose full name is Yang Dahao. Your elder brother is named Yang Ruifeng. Your younger brother is named Yang Gansheng, and your younger sister is named Yang Lingxue"

Zhang Zhun said: "I still remember that your father is named Yang Kaide, and your mother is surnamed Huang. However, regarding your brother, I only remember his nickname is 'Mouse'; I do not recall his full name. Just now, when he was here, I forgot to ask."

On some thatched roofs, there are various sizes of stones placed on top, the purpose of which is unknown, yet there is no concern about them falling at midnight and hitting one on the forehead. On some thatched houses, dense cucumber vines are growing, but no cucumbers can be seen, perhaps due to the wrong season. It is unclear whose eaves are adorned with many dried gourds.

The term "Han Dan" refers to the lotus flower that has not yet bloomed

If he dies, he will be unable to alter the course of history, even in the smallest way. If the course of history cannot be changed, his father, his wife, and his daughter will be unable to escape a tragic fate. He must live; only by living can he make a difference

"After all, this is our hometown!" Zhang Zhun said to the book without showing any emotion.

Before her words had finished, Yang Yinghan suddenly trembled, as if having a spasm. Following that, she raised her hand, seemingly to wipe the corner of her eye, then lowered her head, lifted the curtain, and swiftly disappeared.

The household registration system of the Ming Dynasty was excessively rigid. Military households were hereditary; when a father died, his son would take over. If one person was a military household member, the entire family was considered as such, including daughters-in-law who married in. It was not easy for military households to be deregistered. Over time, the number of registered households did not increase at all, while the actual population grew significantly. The total population of Fushan might amount to several thousand people.

She lifted the bandage from Zhang Zhun's wound, cleaned out the herbs inside, and then applied some new herbs. Zhang Zhun felt each of her movements. She was not a professional doctor and did not have professional tools, so it was impossible for her to be completely formal. Among ordinary women, her actions could already be considered quite proficient.

He only believes in two sentences

She was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a slender figure and fair skin. Her eyes were as clear as autumn water, and her cheeks were as white as congealed fat, exuding a gentle and graceful demeanor, while also appearing fit and lively. She wore a simple, floral-patterned garment made of coarse cloth, clearly showing several patches. Her plain clothing could not conceal her beautiful face and slender figure, radiating the unique youthful charm of a young girl. She entered with light steps, her expression natural, as if she had returned to her own home. Her plain clothing could not conceal her beautiful face and slender figure, radiating the unique youthful charm of a young girl. She entered with light steps, her expression natural, as if she had returned to her own home

Zhang Zhun nodded and said, "I remember."

"My father calls me Xiao Han, my mother calls me Han Han, my brother calls me Xiao Ya, you can call me whatever you like," the young girl said nonchalantly.

Zhang Zhun hurriedly searched his mind, but found that he felt very familiar with her in his memories and enjoyed being with her. However, who exactly was she, and what was her name? He just couldn't recall. It was truly strange. The former fool seemed to indeed have a problem with his mind.

After a while, having finished treating the wounds of the books, Yang Yinghan bent down to pick up the bamboo basket and turned to leave. When she reached the door, she suddenly stopped, did not turn back, but asked, "Yulin, what did I just say to you?"

"Forget? You have never remembered my name," the young girl said indifferently, her fingers brushing over the wound on his head. However, Zhang Zhun still sensed a trace of warmth in her words

"I will just take a stroll. By the way, I have almost no impression of this place; could you please give me an introduction?" Zhang Zhun said

Destiny must be in one's own hands

The dark curtain was lifted, and a young girl entered, carrying a bamboo basket in her hand

He wants to observe the surrounding terrain

Zhang Zhun muttered to himself

Strange

"So what is your name, after all?" Zhang Zhun was completely unaware that in ancient times, directly asking a young lady for her name was actually quite impolite. He simply felt that he and the other person should be very familiar with each other, and it was essential to know each other's names, much like needing a phone number in later times.

The rat approached and said with familiarity, "The girl is preparing medicine for you; would you like to come and sit for a while?"

However, the majority of the population was not recorded in the Huangce (equivalent to the household registration book of the Ming Dynasty, with a yellow cover, commonly referred to as Huangce). In other words, these individuals were considered unregistered. The state was "unaware" of their existence, indifferent to their lives and deaths. The root cause of this situation can naturally be attributed to the various levels of military officers in the Wei and Suo who engaged in corrupt practices. No dynasty was more notorious for embezzlement and drawing salaries without service than the Ming Dynasty.

The rat had no choice but to ramble on with explanations

"I am sorry," Zhang Zhun said sincerely

Since being detained in the detention center, Zhang Zhun has not had close contact with women for three years. As the saying goes, after three years in the army, even a sow can rival Diao Chan, let alone being held in a detention center for three years. To put it bluntly, any female would appear as a flower. Fortunately, his self-control is relatively good, and he has not lost his composure. To put it bluntly, any female would appear as a flower. Fortunately, his self-control is relatively good, and he has not lost his composure

Yulin, the medicine is ready, please come quickly to drink it

I just heard the mouse say that the wound on his forehead was treated by "Little Girl." When the young lady came in, he had already seen some common herbs in her bamboo basket, which he thought should be related to his wound

Very gentle, very melodious, and very evocative

Without needing to look, one can tell it is a rat. Yes, his full name is Yang Dahao

Yang Yinghan's movements clearly paused for a moment, her fingers resting on his wound, as if in disbelief, she said: "You really remember?"

"You fool, my home is over here"

The sky connects with the endless blue of the day, reflecting the lotus flowers that bloom in a unique red under the sun

Indeed! the young girl replied casually

This is a soldier's habit; upon arriving in an unfamiliar environment, the first thing to familiarize oneself with is the surrounding terrain. Only by thoroughly understanding the terrain can one respond correctly in the event of an emergency. The late Ming Dynasty was indeed a chaotic era, where human life was as insignificant as grass, and it became even more so after the seventh year of Chongzhen's reign. He certainly did not wish to die regretfully at the hands of others again

Suddenly, she asked, "Do you still remember what my name is?"

"Yang Yinghan, I remember now," Zhang Zhun said slowly

During the Ming Dynasty, the number of households in Laizhou and Dengzhou Prefectures in Shandong was originally small, with the inhabitants primarily being military households. During the Jiajing period, the incessant invasions by Japanese pirates along the Shandong coast led to a significant internal migration of civilian households, further reducing their numbers. In the fourth year of the Chongzhen reign, Kong Youde and others occupied Dengzhou Prefecture and caused chaos, resorting to cannibalism, which resulted in a considerable loss of life and a significant decrease in the number of military households. Today, Laizhou and Dengzhou Prefectures can truly be described as vast and sparsely populated, with the only sounds heard at midnight being the howls of wild wolves.