[{"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-324":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},1205613,1561,"Chapter 324: Layout (Part 2)","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-324",324,"\u003Cp>Zhang Gui's strategy was quite feasible. Word had it that over the past two years he had taken in many destitute scholars under his patronage, and this series of proposals was likely compiled by them. After all, Zhang Gui came from a military background and could not read a single character; he could not possibly have worked out such a complete vision for civil administration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, in Wang Dou's view, while these land-reclamation strategies were rare among the officers of the Great Ming's various guard battalions, their perspective had not yet leaped beyond the single prefecture of Bao'an to consider the overall situation of the entire Xuanzhen Eastern Circuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This could not be blamed on Zhang Gui and his men; limited by their own vision and ability, they could not yet see that far. Taking the Huailong Circuit of Xuanfu Garrison as an example, a small portion of civil affairs talent was concentrated within Yongning City, while the majority was concentrated within Huailai City, under the direct control of the Huailong Military Defense Circuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, when Wang Dou took up his post at Yongning City in the future, as a local Defense Assistant Regional Commander, his duties would be merely drilling troops, organizing equipment, and repairing passes, forts, and watchtowers. Land reclamation and governance were only ancillary administrative tasks. The true military and civil authority within the circuit lay in the hands of the Huailong Military Defense Circuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That office concurrently managed military defense, land reclamation, and horse administration, and supervised the troop training of Assistant Regional Commanders and Mobile Corps Commanders, wielding great power. In the past, the Eastern Circuit Mobile Corps Commander Mao Bin and the Eastern Circuit Assistant Regional Commander Zhang Guowei, despite holding official ranks of Senior Third Rank and Junior Second Rank, were utterly deferential before the Military Defense Circuit Intendant Ji Shiwei, who was merely of the Senior Fourth Rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he himself was renowned throughout the realm and the situation of civil superiority over the military had somewhat changed, when it came to future civil and land-reclamation governance, there would certainly be a fierce struggle between him and the current Huailong Military Defense Circuit Intendant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One does not plan policies outside one's office, but once in office, one needs talent with greater ability and more far-reaching vision. Regrettably, he currently had no such talent under his command. Setting aside Zhang Gui and Lin Daofu, among the civil officials, the Clerk Feng Dachang, whom Wang Dou thought most highly of, was strong in practical matters but weak in strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou put down the document in his hand, stood up, and paced within the chamber: \"This general will carefully study the strategy drafted by Vice Commissioner Zhang. However, I must remind you all that what we govern now is not merely the territory of a single department or city; we must look down upon the overall situation from a commanding height.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We must tally the acreage, population, mines, pastures, and forests of the entire circuit, and in the future carry out large-scale land reclamation and establish factories, mines, and livestock farms.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When agriculture prospers, commerce flourishes. Our Eastern Circuit must in the future establish tax bureaus to collect commercial taxes and engage in trade with other regions. We must establish banks to regulate prices and prevent unscrupulous merchants from causing chaos.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We must establish schools throughout the circuit so that the common people understand propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame, and follow the teachings of the sages.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We must vigorously build bridges and pave roads within the circuit to facilitate the people's travel and livelihoods.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We must develop intelligence and espionage to guard against those with ill intent from outside the circuit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The military industry bureau must also be perfected to forge armor, firearms, and cannons, and to organize a strong army of tens of thousands to protect the territory and pacify the people, share His Sacred Majesty's burdens, resist the barbarians, and exterminate the bandits. ... All these matters require deep thought. This general intends that within three to five years, every person within our borders shall have food to eat, creating a land of paradise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou's speech left everyone present dumbstruck. Many felt their minds could not keep pace, yet at the same time, each person's blood boiled with fervor. The State-Founding General had laid out a series of governing strategies, providing clear goals for the future. Only with this did they, as subordinates, have a path and passion to follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clerk Feng Dachang stood up, bowed deeply, and said, \"The General's foresight and vision truly put this student to shame; I cannot compare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said gently, \"Mr. Feng overpraises me. You handle affairs capably; these years I have relied on you greatly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After gesturing for Feng Dachang to sit, Wang Dou continued: \"For future planning, this general has resolved to establish a Shogunate, under which shall be established the Staff Department, the Training Department, the Intelligence Department, the Pacification Department, the Logistics Department, the Finance Department, the Civil Affairs Department, and the Education Department. Each department shall be divided into several sections, subject to addition or abolition depending on future developments.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was another heavy bombshell. Everyone present marveled at the State-Founding General's ambition and boldness, which truly left them speechless. A shogunate was nothing unusual; many officials and generals of the Great Ming had them. However, such a detailed division and such clearly defined powers and responsibilities were something those present were hearing for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of those present were old hands who had followed Wang Dou since the beginning. Back then, Wang Dou was just an ordinary low-ranking soldier like them. Yet no one knew how his mind worked, always able to conceive so many novel things, and they always proved effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the name alone, the Staff Department presumably corresponded to the staff advisors beside the various generals of the Great Ming. But unlike those, the State-Founding General's intention, it seemed, was to use the Staff Department to direct battles, firmly grasping military authority to prevent any future sprouting of warlordism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on the current military regulations and laws of the Shunxiang Army, supplemented by intelligence and maps, the possibility of realizing this was extremely high, without the worry of it becoming mere armchair strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Staff Department would presumably wield immense power; it was just unknown who would be appointed as its chief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Training Department, Intelligence Department, and Pacification Department were not surprising. Lin Daofu, Wen Daxing, and Chi Dacheng had previously been responsible for these areas; now their duties were merely being defined more explicitly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Logistics Department and Civil Affairs Department were also easy to understand. As for the Education Department... recalling the Morale Officers established within the army, everyone also understood the State-Founding General's intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deeper they pondered, the more they gasped. The State-Founding General's move faintly carried the implication of a miniature imperial court. The Shogunate was like the Grand Secretariat; the Staff Department was equivalent to the Ministry of War; the Finance and Civil Affairs Departments were like a combination of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works. The Education Department was like the Ministry of Rites; the Pacification Department was equivalent to the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate, and even possessed some functions of the Ministry of Personnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The State-Founding General's ambitions were growing ever larger. Should they hesitate, or follow closely? This contingent was currently full of vigor, its prospects growing ever brighter. If they failed to make a decisive choice at this critical moment, they risked falling behind and being left out under the State-Founding General's command in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou paused for a moment, allowing everyone to digest the series of heavy bombshells he had just dropped. He returned to his seat and said, \"The appointment of the chief officers for each department is a matter of great importance. Let each official discuss it in detail before a decision is made.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As noon approached, the rain continued to drizzle steadily. After the meeting adjourned, Wang Dou kept the various officials and officers for lunch, after which each took their respectful leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the meeting had ended, the shock in everyone's hearts still lingered and could not dissipate. The State-Founding General's vision was grand, and they could not afford to fall behind. The morning's meeting had confirmed the candidates for the Shogunate's Chief of Civil Documents, and the Commissioners of the Intelligence Department and the Pacification Department: Feng Dachang, Wen Daxing, and Chi Dacheng, respectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The candidates for the remaining departments had not yet been determined, especially the Commissioner and Vice Commissioner of the Staff Department. Who they would be left those who had attended the meeting itching with curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group exited the main gate of the General's mansion, each preoccupied with their own thoughts. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they dispersed in twos and threes. Wen Fangliang gazed at the fine rain in the sky for a moment, saw Zhong Diaoyang, Han Chao, and the Clerk Zhong Zhengxian walking out beside him, and said with a smile, \"These days the General has granted us leave. Since the afternoon is idle, how about the three of you come to my residence for a drink?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao smiled slightly and said, \"I promised my wife I would keep her company this afternoon. In the evening, I shall certainly pay a visit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Fangliang pointed at Han Chao and burst out laughing: \"I never imagined Old Han was also henpecked. Very well, then, this evening it is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Diaoyang, however, was tugged by his father. He likewise apologized, saying he had matters in the afternoon, and would visit together with Company Commander Han in the evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They bid each other farewell. Wen Fangliang returned to his own residence, a courtyard house located in the Cheng'en Ward of the prefectural city, not far from the residence of the Land Reclamation Officer Zhang Gui. The Wen family was wealthy; as early as when Wen Fangliang was Vice Battalion Commander of Shunxiang Fort, they had purchased this property in the prefectural city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon returning to his residence, Wen Fangliang shooed away a crowd of wives, concubines, and children who came forward to fawn over him. He wanted to be alone in his study to find some quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Wen Fangliang did not read much. But ever since their time at Shunxiang Fort, upon hearing that the then Garrison Commander Wang Dou was never without a book in his hand, the officers around him, whether literate or not, had each pretentiously set up a study to affect a cultured air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Shunxiang Army's requirements for officer knowledge increased, no matter what, even rough and boorish men like Gao Shiyin and the others each recognized at least several hundred, if not over a thousand, characters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting down in his study, brewing a cup of fragrant tea, and quietly watching the fine rain outside the window, Wen Fangliang organized his thoughts. This was a habit he had cultivated over the years: sitting in his study every day, reflecting on the day's gains and losses, and he always reaped some benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He contemplated quietly; at this moment, where was the usual demeanor of a profligate son?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After an unknown length of time, Wen Fangliang was roused from his reverie. It was a servant reporting that his uncle, Wen Shiyan, had come to visit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Fangliang felt slightly puzzled. His uncle, as the Vice Guard Commander of Bao'an Guard, had always stayed within the guard city. What matter prompted him to pay a visit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he went out to greet him, Wen Shiyan had already entered. Dressed in casual clothes, his long three-part beard flowing, he was refined and handsome, resembling a civil official rather than a military officer. The Wen family in Bao'an Prefecture seemed to produce only handsome men. Not to mention Wen Fangliang, even Wen Shiyan, nearing fifty, was still strikingly dashing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To what do I owe the honor of Uncle's visit to my humble abode?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Fangliang ushered Wen Shiyan into his study, had a servant serve a cup of fragrant tea, and resumed his usual cheeky, grinning expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing in particular, I just came to see you all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On any other day, seeing Wen Fangliang with such an expression, Wen Shiyan would certainly have scolded him. But today, he was restless and distracted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seated in his place, Wen Shiyan slowly took a sip of tea, as if there was something difficult to broach. After a long while, he finally spoke: \"Liang'er, in the past, your uncle showed some disrespect toward the State-Founding General. Might he hold any grudge against your uncle?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Fangliang's smile faded, and he said flatly, \"The State-Founding General is magnanimous; how could he take past trifling slights to heart?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Shiyan let out a sigh of relief: \"That's good, that's good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet at the same time, he felt a secret disappointment. Perhaps in Wang Dou's mind, he was now an insignificant minor figure, no longer worth dealing with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of hesitation, he added: \"Still, it's not quite proper. If my nephew finds a convenient opportunity, do arrange an introduction for your uncle. I shall apologize to the General in person.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Fangliang shook his head. His uncle was fervently ambitious for official rank and fame. In the past, he had been at odds with the State-Founding General; now, seeing the General's power at its zenith, he was setting his sights on this angle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed: \"Your nephew will do his best. You must understand, the General is very busy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing a hint of evasion in Wen Fangliang's words, Wen Shiyan frowned: \"With my nephew's introduction, it will surely succeed. You are now valued by the General; I hear he intends to recommend you as the Garrison Commander of Bao'an Prefecture?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Fangliang rose and walked to the window, saying, \"In the past, I did have that intention. But after today, I no longer harbor such a thought.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Shiyan exclaimed in surprise, \"Liang'er, why is that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Fangliang sighed: \"This time accompanying the General into the guard city, I felt deeply moved by that single battle. Given the General's trajectory of development, in the future, for us to be enfeoffed as marquises and appointed as ministers is not out of the question. What does a mere Garrison Commander count for? The crucial thing is to stay by his side, temper one's experience and seniority, and increase closeness. That is the proper path.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2428,"2026-06-03T14:05:36.780Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","38920241ccaf3d263b9fbffad25e27a1695119e0c702289b002c11d20f48bf91","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-325","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-323",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]