[{"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-195":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},1205484,1561,"Chapter 195: Establishing a Stronghold","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-195",195,"\u003Cp>In the third month of the eleventh year of Chongzhen. Niujiaowa Fire Beacon Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niujiaowa Fire Beacon Tower leaned against the mountain and faced the river. The tower body was thirteen meters high, with a rounded-square outer wall. Standing atop the tower and gazing into the distance, one could see the smoke and fire signals relayed from the Hebeiwa Fire Beacon Tower several li away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niujiaowa Fire Beacon Tower fell under the jurisdiction of Huiyao Fort. By geographical situation, this place belonged to what would later be Hedong Town in Zhuolu County, nearly a hundred li from Huiyao Fort. However, not far south along the ancient pass road lay several fire beacon towers of the Mashuikou pass wall under Zhenbao Garrison. The place where two garrisons met was quite important, so establishing a fire beacon tower here was understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In later times, Hedong Town was a large town with forty surrounding villages and a population of over ten thousand. The Zhaojia River flowed here, forming a gentle river plain, hence the dense population that made it a town seat. But for a long time, only a scattering of mountain folk and hunters lived here, farming and hunting for their daily bread, with a population of less than a hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commander of the beacon troops at Niujiaowa Fire Beacon Tower was a Squad Leader named Luo Defu, who oversaw four beacon soldiers under him, along with their wives and families. Originally, there had also been two Night Scouts in the tower. Later, they were all transferred by the Garrison Commander to the department city to enjoy a comfortable life, which made people think of them with no small envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking that life now was much better than before, the beacon soldiers of Niujiaowa Fire Beacon Tower were again filled with hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like the troops under Wang Dou's command, before the New Year, the several beacon soldiers of Niujiaowa Fire Beacon Tower had also been issued brand-new mandarin-duck battle coats. The material was warm and thick, and each man was also issued a sheepskin overcoat, a fur hat, fur boots, and the like. Wearing them was truly warm. They had heard that the Garrison Commander himself had risen from the beacon troops, and sure enough, he treated his beacon soldier brothers with genuine generosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they went out wearing these brand-new uniforms, the beacon soldiers of the nearby Mashuikou under Zhenbao Garrison saw them and every one of them was extremely envious, all sighing over why they themselves did not have a superior officer who showed such consideration for his subordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, in the tenth year of Chongzhen, everyone's tax grain was also exempted from collection. The Garrison Commander, who was then still a Defense Commander, encouraged everyone to open up wasteland, rented out plow oxen to them, and had irrigation waterwheels built for them. Each beacon soldier at Niujiaowa Fire Beacon Tower likewise reclaimed several dozen mu of wasteland, and with the autumn harvest in sight, they would have several dozen dan of grain in hand. This year, the garrison grain was likewise exempted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beacon soldiers of Niujiaowa Fire Beacon Tower could quickly eat their fill, which exerted a powerful attraction on the desperately poor mountain folk and hunters in the surrounding area. For Xu Kui, a beacon soldier in the tower who was nearly forty and still unmarried, several households around had already put out word that they were willing to betroth their daughters to him as his wife. There were even multiple households willing to give their daughters to the remaining beacon soldiers who already had wives, to be their concubines, just seeking a full meal for their half-starved daughters. After word of this spread, the several women in the tower immediately overturned the vinegar jars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garrison households from the Mashuikou area under Zhenbao Garrison kept fleeing into the vicinity of Niujiaowa, and on their own initiative also began opening up wasteland. During the spring plowing, they even borrowed oxen from the several beacon soldiers of Niujiaowa — their fire beacon tower had been allotted two plow oxen. At the same time, they asked Luo Defu and the others how to join the garrison households of Bao'an Department, which gave Luo Defu and his men a considerable sense of superiority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that the Zhenbao Garrison households who had fled to his area now numbered over forty households, forming a scattered village to the north of the tower, Luo Defu considered that this matter should be reported to Company Commander Chang Zhengwei at Huiyao Fort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, early that morning, Luo Defu dressed himself up afresh, put on his mandarin-duck battle coat properly, donned his red-tasseled military cap, draped his warm sheepskin overcoat well, adjusted his waist saber, took up his firelock, and thus went out. Accompanying him was a beacon soldier, Jiang Zhongmin. The remaining three beacon soldiers stayed behind in the tower to keep watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Defu swaggered out of the fire beacon tower. The mountain folk along the river and the fleeing Zhenbao Garrison households, seeing Squad Leader Luo emerge, all loudly greeted him, their faces full of ingratiating expressions, and they gazed enviously at the brand-new uniform on his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squad Leader Luo nodded slightly. Beacon soldier Jiang Zhongmin, following behind him, also felt quite honored. The two of them swaggered along but had not gone far when suddenly Luo Defu was dumbstruck. Not far ahead, on the ancient road along the river, a large army was advancing in a mighty torrent. Judging by the banners, it should be some unit under the Garrison Commander's command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beacon soldier Jiang Zhongmin behind him also exclaimed in astonishment, \"My mother, look at those men and horses, I fear there are over a thousand. Who knows where they came from, Shunxiang Fort or the department city? How come they've come to a poor, remote place like ours? Could it be they're going somewhere to fight a battle?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Defu said, \"Since the superior officers are passing by our Niujiaowa, it's hard to guarantee they won't enter the tower for a look. We must hurry back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Defu and his companion returned to Niujiaowa Fire Beacon Tower and urged the several beacon soldiers' wives inside in a flurry to tidy up the tower affairs. The several beacon soldiers who had stayed behind also saw the great army approaching ahead and likewise scrambled to tidy up the tower affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the ninth year of Chongzhen, Wang Dou had strictly rectified beacon tower affairs and formulated a series of regulations for beacon troops: the roster count in each tower, smoke and fire protocols, the mandatory equipment and military gear for the beacon tower, and so on. Every month, there were dedicated inspectors to check the towers. Later, cleanliness regulations were added: the interior of the tower must be swept daily, kept tidy and hygienic, with violators severely punished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The roster count in the tower was no problem, and the equipment and military gear kept in the tower were also no problem, but this cleanliness and hygiene was truly difficult to manage. Getting the beacon soldiers to sweep every day was no easy matter. Although during tower inspections, some squad leaders on tower duty often received military canings for this, aside from being spotless on the day of inspection, on all other days, garbage piled up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niujiaowa Fire Beacon Tower was the same. Inside, there were piles of garbage left and right. The several beacon soldiers, along with their families, were all accustomed to it and did not feel there was anything wrong. However, with the possible arrival of an official, the cleanliness inside the tower... Immediately, the several beacon soldiers swept at flying speed, then swiftly carted the garbage outside the tower. Seeing the interior clean and tidy, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, that unit of the great army was not far from the fire beacon tower. The mountain folk and garrison households around the fire beacon tower had already scattered in a rush, every household bolting their doors and locking their gates. Even these people who had never seen the world had heard of the \"great name\" of government troops. They did not understand the character of the Bao'an Department troops, so it was safer to shut their doors first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the suspended tower of the fire beacon tower, Luo Defu soon saw several dozen riders coming this way. Every one of them had an extremely fierce and powerful bearing. Not far from the drawbridge, they stopped. Luo Defu was astonished to see that Company Commander Chang Zhengwei of Huiyao Fort, whom he usually revered as a deity, was accompanying a young officer, constantly nodding and bowing as he introduced something to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Chang Zhengwei, Luo Defu hastily ordered the drawbridge lowered and, leading the several beacon soldiers, went out of the tower to greet them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leading officer was not yet thirty, his bearing steady and composed, and he wore a suit of iron armor. The guards accompanying him were all sturdily built, their faces full of fierce determination, and the iron armor on their bodies was all of excellent quality. As they looked around, they unconsciously carried a murderous aura, and no one dared meet their eyes. Seeing the imposing manner of these men, Luo Defu was secretly alarmed, guessing at their identities and origins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officer surveyed the fire beacon tower for a moment, then glanced at Luo Defu and said, \"I am Han Chao, Central Army Company Commander. Are you Luo Defu, the squad leader of Niujiaowa Fire Beacon Tower?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Defu was startled. The man before him was actually Han Chao. He had heard that Han Chao was one of the several old brothers who had come up together with the Garrison Commander from the fire beacon towers back then, and was the one most valued by the Garrison Commander. After following the Commander for a few years, he had risen meteorically from an ordinary Night Scout straight to the official rank of Battalion Commander, and now he even held the post of Company Commander. He hurriedly led the several beacon soldiers forward to pay their respects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao waved his hand and said, \"Lead me into the tower for a look.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Defu secretly rejoiced that he had made preparations early and hastily ushered Han Chao and the others inside. Including Chang Zhengwei, only five people entered; the rest of the guards remained on watch outside the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After making a round inside the tower, Han Chao nodded. From his discerning eye, he could of course tell that the sanitation inside had just been swept, but the tower affairs of this Niujiaowa Fire Beacon Tower were still fairly complete, and this Luo Defu could be considered dutiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group climbed to the top of the beacon platform. Han Chao gazed around in all directions. To the northeast of the fire beacon tower were high mountains; to the southwest was a river, winding its way from the north. Further west were likewise high mountains, and the same to the south. Only this Niujiaowa area had a stretch of river-plain land several li in circumference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the scenery before him, Han Chao's heart surged with emotion. He thought of how, just a few years ago, he himself had been merely a Night Scout at an ordinary fire beacon tower. It was all thanks to following the Commander that he had his current status and position. Now, he even commanded over a thousand officers and men. Remembering Wang Dou's recognition and favor, Han Chao felt boundless gratitude in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he gazed out, behind him followed his three Squad Commanders. One of them was Squad Commander Huang Yujin. He had originally been the officer of Squad B under Han Chao's picket. During the great battle against the Qing army in the ninth year of Chongzhen, Huang Yujin had suffered multiple wounds and was severely injured. Later, his wounds miraculously healed. After Han Chao was promoted to Company Commander, on Han Chao's recommendation, Wang Dou appointed him as Squad Commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Huang Yujin and the others gazed out with Han Chao. Huang Yujin said excitedly, \"My lord, this Niujiaowa can be called an excellent location. Building a fort here would be enough to garrison several thousand troops.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao nodded and asked Luo Defu, \"Squad Leader Luo, you have lived here a long time and know the area well. What is the local situation? Give a detailed account.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Defu was overjoyed. If his answer satisfied Company Commander Han, perhaps his own meteoric rise was just around the corner. He respectfully said, \"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, \"My lord, there is nothing much else to this Niujiaowa, except that the area has many mountains and deep forests. Around our fire beacon tower, there originally lived some thirty-odd households of mountain folk, all uncivilized wild people beyond the pale, not registered in the census, paying no grain tax. Usually, they hunt some game and take it to Mashuikou to trade for grain, rice, salt, and cloth to get by. They are extremely poor and hard-pressed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A dozen or so li from us is Mashui Pass under Zhenbao Garrison. Not far ahead, there are several smoke towers belonging to Mashuikou. The beacon soldiers over there, this humble one is fairly familiar with. Also...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued, \"The Garrison Commander is benevolent and righteous. Seeing that our lives as beacon soldiers have improved, some garrison households from the Mashuikou side have fled over and are opening up farmland nearby. This humble one has counted; there are roughly over forty households.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Company Commander Chang Zhengwei of Huiyao Fort cautiously said, \"My lord, these garrison households have fled here. Can they be registered as garrison households of our Bao'an Department?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao said, \"That is inevitable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then said to Luo Defu, \"Squad Leader Luo, you are familiar with the local people. Go and inform them that our Bao'an Department government troops will establish a fort at Niujiaowa. Those willing to come and work will certainly not be treated poorly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having received this important task from Han Chao, Luo Defu immediately spread the word in all directions. With the guarantee of Squad Leader Luo Defu, a local man of \"high prestige and respect,\" and hearing that the soldiers would not harass them and that helping with the work would earn them full meals, the local mountain folk and garrison households immediately came swarming over. Upon hearing the news, the government troops at nearby Mashuikou also hurried over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao led his subordinate officers and men in a vigorous, roaring campaign. Along the riverbank, they established the fort and barracks, dug drainage ditches, set up a logging camp, and directly made the felled trees into log walls. Very quickly, a fort was established near the fire beacon tower. There was no need even to set up a fort tower — what could be more suitable for observing the surrounding activity than the Niujiaowa Fire Beacon Tower, which stood over ten meters tall right beside it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days later, at the invitation of Chu Qinmeng, the Garrison Commander of Mashuikou, Wang Dou arrived at Mashuikou.\u003C\u002Fp>",2538,"2026-06-03T14:05:19.908Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","0e4c279535c305ad9f8560614f22a4b82d5e9d9a622e793122a152633a555eff","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-196","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-194",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]