[{"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-327":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},1205616,1561,"Chapter 327: The Final Settlement","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-327",327,"\u003Cp>Zhong Rong sat down, choking with emotion. His former comrades from the same Jingbian Fort — Han Chao, Gao Shiyin, Zhong Xiancai, Qi Tianliang, and others — all rejoiced for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Rong usually kept a low profile, steady and mild-mannered, and was well liked. Moreover, he was the first civil clerk to follow General Dingguo, so his receiving this important post was both unexpected and yet within reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, many were still secretly astonished that General Dingguo had not entrusted such a vital position to his own uncle, Zhong Zhengxian, but instead gave it to an \"outsider.\" This showed he was not one to appoint only his own kin; as long as one had virtue and talent, one could be given important responsibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was good news, and the move was like buying a horse with a thousand gold pieces. Once word of Zhong Rong's appointment spread, those coming to pledge allegiance would surely surge like the tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Zhong Zhengxian was deeply disappointed. As expected, his nephew did not hand the Finance Department over to him, so he could only hope that his son Zhong Diaoyang's appointment as Garrison Commander of the prefectural city would not fall through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou glanced at Zhong Zhengxian and said, \"Misters Feng Dachang and Zhong Rong will transfer to the Shogunate. The former Prefectural Civil Office will be placed under Zhong Zhengxian's charge, handling all clerical affairs for the prefecture. The selection of relevant clerks shall be decided by Mr. Zhong himself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Zhengxian was overjoyed. What he lost at the eastern corner he gained back at the mulberry grove. Clearly, though he did not get the post of Finance Commissioner, being in charge of the Prefectural Civil Office was not bad either. It seemed his nephew still held him close. He rose beaming with delight to accept the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, the civil clerk positions of men like Feng Dachang and Zhong Zhengxian were subject to promotion and appointment by the Great Ming Ministry of Personnel. But by now, which of the clerks in Baoan Prefecture still cared about court appointments? If a conflict arose, each of them would not hesitate to abandon that civil clerk status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially given Wang Dou's current prestige, with every official in the Grand Secretariat scrambling to win him over, a trifling minor clerk post was merely a word from him. No official in the Ministry of Personnel would dispute him over such a trivial matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Staff Department...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Wang Dou mentioned this, everyone in the hall grew tense. General Dingguo had risen through the military, and especially now, with the Great Ming engulfed in ceaseless war, whoever held the army held everything. The Staff Department could be said to be the most important of the eight departments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon whose head would the post of Staff Commissioner fall?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Wen Fangliang shall serve as Commissioner!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Fangliang let out a breath of relief and rose, his face brimming with satisfaction, to accept the order. Wang Dou also looked at him and smiled. Wen Fangliang had voluntarily withdrawn from the contest for Prefectural City Garrison Commander and recommended Zhong Diaoyang for the post, which made Wang Dou hold him in even higher regard. Looking over all the commanders under his command, Wen Fangliang was indeed the most suitable candidate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, \"The Staff Department shall have Wen Fangliang as Commissioner, with Han Chao, Zhong Xiancai, Zhong Diaoyang, Gao Shiyin, Sun Sanjie, Li Guangheng, and Zhao Zhuang as Deputy Commissioners.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Under this department are the Operations Section, Reserve Section, Surveying and Mapping Section, Military Research Section, and Military Education Section. A Military Academy shall be established to train officers. Talented and qualified men from each unit shall be selected to serve as staff advisors. In view of the Great Ming's internal and external troubles, the Operations Section shall be further divided into several divisions, separately studying strategies for fighting the Eastern Slaves, the Northern Barbarians, the roving bandits, and the mountain brigands.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once this department is established, all troop movements and operations shall be issued by this department as the standard. Any who violate this shall be dealt with as plotting rebellion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone present listened with surging emotion. The authority of the Staff Department was immense, and the detail of its structure was unprecedented among all the armies of the Great Ming. One could imagine that with the Shunxiang Army's outstanding combat power, the establishment of this department would make its future strength even more formidable, like adding wings to a tiger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, everyone faintly sensed that once this department was set up, with its precise and complex regulations and strategies directing battles, the future combat power of the Shunxiang Army might swell to unimaginable heights. What kind of monster would roar across the Great Ming in the future?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power of such a system was something none could fully describe in words, yet each could clearly feel it in their hearts. They all excitedly whispered among themselves, restless in their seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Training Department, with Lin Daofu as Commissioner, shall be divided into Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, and Guard Battalion sections. In the future, it shall oversee the training of all infantry, cavalry, and artillery new armies across the entire circuit. As for the establishment of the Guard Battalion, all officers' bodyguards shall be drawn from it. Private retainers are forbidden; violators shall be severely dealt with by the Pacification Department!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Daofu rose excitedly to accept the order. He had been in charge of training affairs for many years and expected this post would be his. But until the Training Commissioner was formally confirmed, Lin Daofu had never been fully at ease. Now he could rest easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his delight, Li Guangheng and Zhao Zhuang felt envious while also calculating in their hearts: the chief posts of the Cavalry and Artillery Sections under the Training Department should surely be theirs. Since Lin Daofu would be their superior from now on, it seemed they would need to build a good relationship with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, neither of the two was good at currying favor, which posed a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Civil Affairs Department, with Zhang Gui as Commissioner, shall be divided into various sections to be decided by Commissioner Zhang himself. All farming, animal husbandry, commerce, trade, factory, and mining affairs across the entire circuit shall be managed by this department.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Gui's heart surged with emotion, and he nearly leapt for joy. Steadying himself, he hurriedly rose to accept the order. Tian Changguo, seated below him, was also delighted. With Zhang Gui as Civil Affairs Commissioner, it seemed his own post as head of the Commerce Section was assured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he sat down, Zhang Gui glanced at Lin Daofu. The farming, agricultural, and pastoral affairs of Shunxiang Fort had always been independent of the prefectural city. Judging by General Dingguo's intent, this independence was about to change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Daofu sat impassively. From the moment Wang Dou was promoted to General Dingguo, he knew the state of his fort would have to change. But now he controlled the training of all new armies across the entire circuit. Compared to his destitute state before General Dingguo arrived at Shunxiang Fort, the power and trust he now held left this old general fully content.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou flipped through the documents in his hand and continued, \"The Logistics Department, with Qi Tianliang as Commissioner and Sun Sanjie as Deputy Commissioner. This department shall construct grain stations and storehouses everywhere and be responsible for the entire army's provisions and military industry supply. Establish a Logistics Academy and a Military Medical Academy to train relevant logistics personnel and medical staff. Brother Qi, the responsibility is heavy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Tianliang was stunned for a moment. Although General Dingguo had recently recommended him for several consecutive promotions, he was still only a Company Commander in rank. He never expected to be given such a heavy responsibility. As an old hand from the Fire Beacon Mound, Qi Tianliang felt at this moment as if he were in a dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes reddened, he stood up and loudly accepted the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his emotional state, some in the hall were both envious and jealous. The Logistics Department controlled the entire army's provisions, as well as military industry — it was a critical department. That it fell under Qi Tianliang was because he had been at the same Fire Beacon Mound as General Dingguo back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among those in the hall, only Han Chao shared that same seniority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the personnel for the remaining three of the new seven departments — the Intelligence Department, the Pacification Department — were to be decided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pacification Department was to be headed by Chi Dacheng as Commissioner, responsible for inspecting and upholding military discipline and law, handling military litigation, verifying merit records, and recommending outstanding personnel. All these thankless tasks that offended people could only be done with relish by an old stickler like Chi Dacheng. Having held this post since the ninth year of Chongzhen, he was the most suitable candidate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Intelligence Department was to be headed by Wen Daxing as Commissioner. As a Night Scout Battalion Commander, he had followed Wang Dou into battle in the eleventh year of Chongzhen and rendered distinguished service, so no one had anything to say against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Wen Daxing rose excitedly to accept the order, Wang Dou instructed him, \"Brother Wen, since our Shunxiang Army has become renowned across the realm, attention from all sides is unceasing. Your responsibility is heavy. In future battles against the Eastern Slaves or the roving bandits, the more intelligence we can grasp, the more certain our victories will be.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, \"It is my intent that the Intelligence Department be divided into several sections, separately spying on the enemy situations of the Eastern Slaves, the Northern Barbarians, and the roving bandits.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To guard against treacherous ministers stirring chaos, the ill-intentioned officials and commanders throughout the Great Ming must also be spied upon...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Relevant sections must also be established to guard against enemy agents and spies within our circuit, coordinating with the circuit's mutual security units to closely monitor all teahouses, wineshops, inns, and merchant guilds, as well as all critical military factories and mines, strictly preventing leaks of secrets and sabotage by spies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To this end, with the Night Scouts as the core, the Intelligence Department may develop up to ten thousand peripheral agents. I want them to be all-pervasive, so that every move under heaven, every action, is within my grasp.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the hall drew a sharp breath. With those words from General Dingguo, an intelligence apparatus even more ferocious than the Embroidered Uniform Guard was about to be born. It was said the Eastern Slaves were adept at espionage, but compared to General Dingguo's Intelligence Department...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only was Wen Daxing's blood boiling, but everyone present felt their hearts surge. A commander with ambition and boldness could inspire the greatest drive for advancement in his subordinates. It was certain that once the Shogunate was established, nothing could block the forward march of the group gathered around Wang Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, regarding the establishment of the Education Department Commissioner, Wang Dou did not name anyone, only saying that he would personally oversee the department for the time being. However, he revealed one piece of news: Fu Mingqi, the Director of Confucian Studies for Baoan Prefecture, had been invited to join the Education Department, to gather like-minded scholars, consult the classics, and study the moral education of the soldiers and civilians of the Eastern Circuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou set down his documents, rose, and paced the hall: \"Whenever I read history, I see that the chaos of the realm stems first from the decay of the human heart. In today's Great Ming, the simple integrity of the time of the Great Ancestor, the High Emperor, is long gone. The literati lack virtue, the military men lack character, the merchants lack righteousness, and the eunuchs lack shame. How can the common people not suffer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wang Dou is of no great talent and dares not speak presumptuously of governing the realm. Yet I wish to make our Eastern Circuit a land of peace, where every person has food to eat and clothes to wear, where lost items are not picked up on the road and doors are not bolted at night. At the very least, every person must understand propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said meaningfully, \"Especially the soldiers... I have heard that since returning from this campaign, some officers and men, content with modest wealth, have grown slack. I established the Education Department precisely to make the entire army understand what our Shunxiang Army fights for!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, the Yellow Turbans and such rebels — once they swept across the realm like a tide, yet in the blink of an eye they were scattered like smoke. Why? Look through every dynasty and era: how many mighty armies rose with explosive vigor, only to perish just as suddenly. I do not wish to see such a day befall the Shunxiang Army. Gentlemen, take heed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou's words were deafening and enlightening. Many in the hall were jolted into alertness, only then realizing they had not yet reached a time for complacency. This army had indeed been invincible so far, but if it grew slack, a day of defeat might well come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the hall was a core member of Wang Dou's group. If this group failed, the interests and lives of countless people would be buried along with it. No one wished to see such a day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps some in the hall were not deeply moved by Wang Dou's words, but men like Han Chao, Wen Fangliang, Feng Dachang, and Zhong Rong sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though General Dingguo came from humble origins, he was always far-sighted. Compared to the crude ignorance of the great commanders throughout the Great Ming, the mere establishment of this Education Department already bore the aura of a wise lord. He strode far ahead of everyone; one moment of carelessness, and they risked being unable to keep up. There was no room for slackness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou finally swept his gaze over everyone once more, then returned to his seat and sat down: \"The Shogunate is now established, and the heads of each department are confirmed. Within three months, all managing personnel must complete the structure of their departments and sections and roughly produce strategies to meet the crises and challenges ahead!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone rose and shouted in unison, \"We are willing to follow the General to the death!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they departed, the crowd broke into small groups, discussing animatedly. Every heart was filled with excitement and elation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the meeting dispersed, Wang Dou called out, \"Brother Han, Brother Zhong, you two stay behind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2476,"2026-06-03T14:05:36.780Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","6f754d5ccacd4e3c2b09088b009a27b15bbcffd7e66a15ea842ee66075d16f09","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-328","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-326",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]