[{"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-171":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},1205460,1561,"Chapter 171: Harvest, Perfecting the Team","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-171",171,"\u003Cp>From the third month, the fourth month, the intercalary fourth month, and into the fifth month, the troops under the various Company Commanders of Baoanzhou swept through Weizhou, Guangchang, and other areas, clearing out the local bandit scourge. Although the Garrison Commanders and Department Magistrates of those places did not understand why the bandits that had been as numerous as ox hairs within their borders had all vanished, now that their jurisdictions had suddenly become peaceful, they naturally listed this among their own administrative achievements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou was quite satisfied with the bandit-suppression harvest of these months. Wen Fangliang and Gao Shiyin swept through bandit strongholds, seizing over 6,300 taels of silver, more than 1,300 dan of grain, over 200 mules and horses, and more than 300 pigs and sheep. Han Chao, Han Zhong, and Sun Sanjie, operating outside for over two months, seized more than 34,500 taels of silver, over 3,500 dan of grain, more than 400 mules and horses, and over 600 pigs and sheep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou’s rule was to distribute thirty percent of the spoils as rewards. After the army returned, he immediately carried out the rewards distribution. In total, over ten thousand taels of silver were given out to the more than one thousand troops of the five companies. Nearly every man received a share, and the entire fortress, high and low, was overjoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The summer harvest was imminent. With the harvested grain and rice plus this reward silver, at least within Shunxiang Fortress, the soldiers and civilians could now support themselves, freeing them from a life dependent on Wang Dou’s relief. Wang Dou had also cast off a great burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou granted leave to the troops who had gone out to fight, while he himself summoned the various military officers and civil officials to discuss matters. The military and civil administration under his command had developed to its present state, and it was time to carry out some improvements and refinements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the fifteenth day of the fifth month of the tenth year of the Chongzhen reign, the main discussion hall of the Commandant’s residence was packed. Over a dozen of Wang Dou’s trusted officers and officials gathered together. The military officers talked and laughed loudly, while the civil officials were somewhat more reserved, their speech and bearing quite refined. Regardless of their manner, all wore expressions of smug satisfaction. Only Zhang Gui, the State City Agricultural Colony Official, who sat cautiously to one side, and Qi Tianliang, one of Wang Dou’s old brothers from the Fire Road Mound days, were rather ill at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first time Zhang Gui had entered Wang Dou’s inner circle, and his heart could not help but stir with excitement. Although he was the Agricultural Colony Official of the state city, he had always been excluded from Wang Dou’s circle of confidants. Ever since Wang Dou had entered the state city, both Zhang Gui and Company Commander Tian Changguo had done their utmost to draw close to Wang Dou. Heaven be praised, the Commandant had finally truly accepted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Gui looked around. Among the Commandant’s inner circle, those who had come from the state city included Han Chao, Han Zhong, Wen Fangliang, Chi Dacheng, Feng Dachang, Zhong Rong, and Zhong Zhengxian. Those who had come from Shunxiang Fortress included Lin Daofu, Sun Sanjie, Zhong Diaoyang, Gao Shiyin, Yang Tong, and others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These men had formerly been either his superiors or his subordinate officers. Now that they followed Wang Dou, their futures were all limitless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Gui also glanced for a moment at Han Chao, Han Zhong, Gao Shiyin, Yang Tong, and Qi Tianliang. Han Chao, Han Zhong, and Gao Shiyin had formerly been his subordinates at the Fire Road Mounds within the fortress. Yang Tong and Qi Tianliang in particular had once been tenant farmers of his household. Now these men shared a room with him, sitting as equals. Only Qi Tianliang remained a mere Squad Leader, having had no great official fortune over the years, which gave Zhang Gui some inner balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Qi Tianliang, he too felt a sour taste in his heart. He was one of the earliest old brothers who had shared a mound with the Commandant, yet over the years he had been marginalized. It was lamentable that back then he had not persevered during the training at Jingbian Fortress. Now, even that sycophant Yang Tong from the same mound had become a Company Commander, while he himself remained an unranked Squad Leader. His wife, née Tao, complained constantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the smug, satisfied smiles of those familiar faces from the old mound, though they were cordial to him, that faint, intangible sense of superiority still left a sour taste in his heart. Fortunately, the Commandant had not forgotten him and had actually summoned him today. Qi Tianliang was both surprised and delighted, and resolved to put on a good performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, footsteps sounded, followed by Xie Yike’s voice: “The Commandant has arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou, dressed in the bright red official robe of a Vice Guard Commander, strode in. His face was full of smiles, and he said, “Brothers, you are all here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The military officers in the hall clasped their fists, and the scholars bowed with cupped hands. A chorus of voices said, “Greetings, my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou smiled and said, “Dispense with formalities. We are all brothers from the same fortress; there is no need for excessive ceremony.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes swept over to Qi Tianliang. He walked to Qi Tianliang’s side and said with a smile, “Brother Qi, you have come. How have you been these days?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Tianliang could not help but choke up. He said, “This humble one is very well. I am grateful for my lord’s concern.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Wang Dou’s back, Qi Tianliang felt comforted. The lord did hold him in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhang Gui, then took his seat at the head of the room and bade everyone else be seated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou slowly swept his gaze over the assembly and began, “All of you are old brothers who have followed me since the Shunxiang Fortress days. We have toiled for several years, bitterly accumulating, and finally have a certain amount of troops, money, and grain. With the Great Ming in its present state, it is possible that military calamities will follow one after another. We must carefully consider what the future holds for our Baoanzhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall was silent, everyone merely listening to Wang Dou speak. Wang Dou continued, “To adapt to future developments, the arrangement of officers and officials in our state city requires some adjustment and refinement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked toward Sun Sanjie, Gao Shiyin, Zhong Diaoyang, and the others from Shunxiang Fortress, and said, “Squad Commander Sun, Squad Commander Gao, Squad Commander Zhong, I intend for the three of you to focus solely on managing the troops under your companies from now on, and no longer concern yourselves with mundane affairs and secular matters. What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin could not immediately grasp what “no longer concerning oneself with mundane affairs and secular matters” meant, but Sun Sanjie and Zhong Diaoyang had already risen to their feet. Sun Sanjie said respectfully, “My lord is thinking on behalf of your subordinate. To be frank, this subordinate is capable enough at leading troops into battle. Leading the men under my company, focusing only on suppressing bandits and killing the enemy, is also free and leisurely. As for this agricultural colony duty, this subordinate truly finds his abilities unequal to his wishes. For my lord to select another worthy talent, that would be best.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Diaoyang bowed deeply and said, “Whatever my lord arranges shall be.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Gao Shiyin react. He hastily stood up and said, “It is indeed as Old Sun says. We officers should only be responsible for leading troops and killing the enemy. Having this subordinate manage the training and drilling of the entire fortress’s troops, this subordinate indeed finds it vexing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou nodded and said, “I intend to entrust all the training and agricultural colony affairs of Shunxiang Fortress to Lord Lin Daofu from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Lin, your burden will be very heavy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Wang Dou’s plan, Lin Daofu would not lead specific troops, nor would he go out on campaign. However, from now on, all new recruits would be trained and cultivated by him. A specific instructor system would be established at Shunxiang Fortress, making the troop-training process systematic, concrete, detailed, and long-term, continuously producing new soldiers according to manuals and regulations. There would also be the regular training of officers, the training of artillerymen, and the selection of outstanding soldiers to enter the Guard Battalion and the Night Scout squads. From then on, the personal guards of all officers would be provided by this battalion, denying the various officers the opportunity to cultivate private soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same applied to agricultural colonies: select outstanding colony cadres, compile teaching materials and agricultural manuals, and form a specialized system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Daofu would also manage the many workshops, mines, and livestock farms of Shunxiang Fortress. The affairs were indeed numerous, but this diligent old ox was full of spirit. He stood up and declared loudly, “My lord, rest assured. As long as this subordinate is at Shunxiang Fortress for a single day, I will certainly train strong troops for my lord in an unending stream, and fill the fortress granaries to overflowing with grain and rice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou smiled faintly. “Lord Lin’s ability is something I trust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then said to Zhang Gui, “Lord Zhang, when you have time, visit Shunxiang Fortress often. Exchange ideas frequently with Lord Lin and cooperate closely. I intend to entrust the agricultural colony affairs of the state city and the remaining fortresses to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Gui was overjoyed. With this one sentence, Wang Dou had formally regarded him as a confidant. Although from Wang Dou’s meaning, Shunxiang Fortress stood independent of the state city’s agricultural colony affairs, simply being able to enter Wang Dou’s circle left Zhang Gui fully satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou mused, “Looking at the future situation, for each company of troops in Baoanzhou, we must still add a new supply team to each, establish warehouses, and take charge of military provisions, fodder, and the like within the company, with each team having a certain number of carts and horses. Even within Shunxiang Fortress, we must establish a supply headquarters specifically responsible for the military supplies, provisions, and fodder of each company. However, with troops currently insufficient, we can only make plans for this later…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said to Lin Daofu, “Lord Lin, this official intends to have Brother Qi Tianliang assist you in managing the fortress’s provisions, fodder, and military equipment. What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Daofu was startled, then hurriedly said, “Brother Qi is a prudent man. Having him assist me would be the best possible arrangement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silver vaults, grain stores, military workshops, livestock, and other storehouses within Shunxiang Fortress were all managed by personnel assigned by Lin Daofu under Wang Dou’s orders, with honest and sincere clerks selected to oversee them. The related documents and ledgers naturally differed between the internal and external versions submitted. Wang Dou having Qi Tianliang participate in the management was also to allow Qi Tianliang to accumulate some experience. Later, when Wang Dou needed to form supply battalions and teams for external campaigns, Qi Tianliang would be the perfect man to lead them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Wang Dou’s arrangement, Qi Tianliang’s eyes reddened. He had not expected the Commandant to give him such a heavy responsibility. He stood up and said, “My lord, rest assured. Even if it means a mountain of blades or a sea of flames, this humble one will handle the tasks my lord has entrusted to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these matters discussed, the greater part of Shunxiang Fortress’s affairs were concluded. Han Chao, Han Zhong, and Wen Fangliang, having been transferred to the state city, would naturally focus on managing the troops under their own companies. As for the clerical and documentary affairs of Baoanzhou, they would be handled by Clerk Feng Dachang and others. In truth, Wang Dou very much hoped that the Clerks’ Office would eventually become his own staff and advisory department. At present, the opportunity was not yet ripe; the Clerks’ Office consisted solely of pure scholars and minor clerks who were ignorant of military matters and could not fulfill this role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To fulfill the role of a staff, there needed to be a large number of military officers well-versed in both military affairs and literary skills, forming a concrete system, along with a great quantity of precise maps and documents available for consultation. Thinking of this, Wang Dou said, “From now on, Platoon Leader Xie Yike shall serve as my personal attendant, managing the guard standard-bearers around me. The two Night Scout squads he leads shall be handed over to Wen Daxing to command. The three Night Scout squads of Shunxiang Fortress shall be handed over to Li Youde to lead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yike grinned. In truth, he still very much enjoyed the life of scouting and probing outside, but since his brother-in-law had arranged it this way, he could only obey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, “Now that the roving bandits and barbarian invaders of the Great Ming run rampant, our Baoanzhou must vigorously develop the Night Scouts and gather intelligence from all sides. Each company of troops must have at least one Night Scout squad of ten men. The state city and Shunxiang Fortress must each have at least one Night Scout team of fifty men. As for the Night Scouts at the various Fire Road Mounds, there is no need to assign them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou pondered and said, “An Intelligence Office shall be established in the state city, with relevant personnel and one team of Night Scouts under it. This Intelligence Office shall temporarily be overseen by Brother Han Chao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao loudly acknowledged the order. He had been a Night Scout himself; he was returning to his old profession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou instructed him, “In wartime, your Intelligence Office shall scout battlefield enemy situations. In peacetime, it shall gather intelligence from all quarters, survey and map terrain, and also vigorously develop spies in all directions. Inns, teahouses, brothels, cart-and-horse inns, post stations, and even traveling merchants can all be cultivated. Whatever funds and provisions you need, report them to me to the fullest extent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Han Chao acknowledged the order, the final issue remained. Wang Dou said to the Garrison Provost Chi Dacheng, “Lord Chi, you shall oversee military discipline and military law throughout the entire prefecture. From now on, the provost officers within each fortress and each company of troops shall all be appointed by you, responsible for the troops’ military discipline and the verification of military merits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou looked at everyone: “Gentlemen, exert yourselves!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the sixth month of the tenth year of the Chongzhen reign, the summer grain in various parts of Baoanzhou began to be harvested.\u003C\u002Fp>",2513,"2026-06-03T14:05:19.908Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","690110ff20f54a87a0889ff71b8a4a94e2fef39afb9c4ad7de1571c64f71e3aa","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-172","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-170",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]