Chapter 438: The New Camp System

Ever since Wang Dou began handling the affairs of the shogunate, the number of people seeking an audience with him had multiplied — who wouldn’t want to forge a connection with the renowned Loyal and Brave Count? The web updates fast, without pop-ups.

But at this moment, Wang Dou was busy establishing the new camp system, and ordinary people could not even get to see him.

In Wang Dou’s plan, the Jingbian Army, collectively called the Loyal and Brave Camp, would establish a Vanguard Vermilion Bird Camp, a Left Guard Azure Dragon Camp, a Right Guard White Tiger Camp, and a Rear Guard Black Tortoise Camp. There would also be a Central Army, under which would be the Guard Camp, the Artillery Camp, the Cavalry Camp, the Scout Camp, and the Logistics Camp.

Among these military camps, except for the Artillery Camp, the Scout Camp, and the Guard Camp, which might not have many men, the rest would all be full-strength camp units. The Logistics Camp in particular would be a large camp, organized into five Company Commanders, with one camp’s manpower exceeding four thousand men.

Calculated this way, once the camp system was set, his military strength would exceed twenty thousand men. Not only would many officers be promoted and appointed, but many new recruits would also need to be supplemented and trained.

Now, Wang Dou’s every move stirred the hearts of countless people on the Eastern Route. Especially after Wang Dou became Regional Commander, all sides paid even closer attention to those under his command. Therefore, as soon as the news leaked slightly, it drew intense attention from all quarters. The garrison households of the various forts on the Eastern Route were even more jubilant and excited — the Grand General was expanding the army, and everyone had a chance to enlist.

Even the original officers and soldiers of the Eastern Route were stirred. As Wang Dou’s fame spread far and wide and the Jingbian Army won every battle, all the officers were eager and fervent, wanting to join this group and share in the fruits of success.

The officers of the Jingbian Army, on the other hand, were concerned about what posts they themselves would get once the Grand General expanded the forces.

Because of the Shunxiang Army’s military law, all officers from Squad Commander and above had moved their families to Yongning, so Yongning City was a gathering place for officers. After several days of reuniting with their families, everyone gathered together. What they discussed and cared about was exactly what posts they would get in the army expansion.

The merits were still being verified and recorded by the Pacification Office and the Staff Office, to serve as the basis for future promotions and appointments. The Ministry of War’s rewards had also not yet come down. However, the officers did not take the Ministry of War’s decisions seriously; in the Jingbian Army, what post one could hold was what mattered most.

As for the candidates for the commanding officers of each camp, everyone speculated that the Artillery Camp’s commander would certainly be Zhao Xuan, the Cavalry Camp’s commander would certainly be Li Guangheng, the Scout Camp’s commander would certainly be Wen Daxing, and the Logistics Camp’s commander would certainly be Sun Sanjie. Who would command the remaining camps?

Based on the merits from this expedition, Wen Fangliang and Gao Shiyin were very likely to command a camp each. Xie Yike, the commander of the Central Army Guard, was clamoring to go to the front lines. But the Grand General was not one to appoint people based on personal connections; given Xie Yike’s merits, he could not possibly be one of the four great commanders of the front, rear, left, and right camps.

Counting through all the officers in the Jingbian Army, based on everyone’s seniority and merits — Han Chao, Zhong Xiancai, Zhong Diaoyang, Yang Guodong, and other Class-A officers were all strong candidates for camp commanders. Among them, Zhong Xiancai had merit in opening up Man Tao’er, and Han Chao had merit in defending Laishui. They were very likely to become camp commanders. But until the matter reached its final step, who could say for sure?

Amidst the fervent discussion and speculation from all sides, on the twenty-sixth day of the fourth month of the fourteenth year of Chongzhen, before the soldiers on leave had even returned, Wang Dou summoned all the major officials of the shogunate, as well as all the Class-A and Class-B commanders of the Jingbian Army, to a meeting at the General’s residence.

By the solar calendar, it was already May. The sunlight was fierce, and the weather was turning hot. Today, the main hall of the General’s residence was even more abuzz with voices, the atmosphere heated.

The shogunate officials and the army officers gathered together. Some conversed in low voices, others debated loudly, each voice louder than the next. Especially loud voices like those of Gao Shiyin and Shen Shiqi could be heard from far away.

The people in the hall were clearly divided into two groups: the shogunate group and the officer group, with some subtle distinctions among them. But what everyone discussed all revolved around the day’s topic, as they probed each other about what subject the Grand General had summoned them to discuss.

Han Chao and Zhong Diaoyang also came, and Zhong Xiancai gathered with them. The three spoke in low voices, occasionally arguing about something.

Yang Guodong, the former personal general under Lu Xiangsheng, clearly had more to talk about with Zhao Xuan, and the two gathered together whispering. As for the rest of the officers, they formed several clusters. Among them, Wen Fangliang moved around laughing and joking, clearly at ease in such a setting.

Chi Dacheng was still his old self, sitting alone in a daze. Suddenly he bellowed: "Silence!"

Everyone was startled. The Grand General had arrived. Immediately, each took their place, all sitting quietly and properly. Only after a good while did they hear footsteps coming from afar. Everyone looked at Chi Dacheng one after another: "That Chi the Skinner, what sharp ears he has."

Amidst the sound of boots, Wang Dou, dressed in a python robe and brimming with energy, emerged from behind the screen. Behind him followed Xie Yike and Feng Dachang. Xie Yike had wanted to let out a great shout, but seeing the hall so quiet, with everyone sitting obediently like schoolchildren, he was momentarily stunned.

Everyone saluted together and roared: "We pay our respects to the Grand General."

Wang Dou’s face was full of smiles as he waved his hand: "All rise. We are brothers here, no need for such formalities."

He gestured for everyone to sit, and took his own seat at the head, which was covered with a tiger skin. Then everyone settled in. Feng Dachang also sat to Wang Dou’s right, while Xie Yike stood beside Wang Dou.

Wang Dou looked at everyone in the hall and smiled: "It seems everyone has had enough tender time with their wives and children, and we can now get down to business."

The crowd burst into laughter, all saying the Grand General’s words were humorous.

Wang Dou then had attendants serve tea to everyone and announced the start of the agenda. However, he did not announce the candidates for the camp officers, but first discussed the Jingbian Army’s camp system, the banners of each camp, the battle uniforms of each unit, and other such matters.

These topics were also very important. Everyone focused their attention and listened as Feng Dachang took out a document and read it aloud.

The Jingbian Army shall establish a Vanguard Vermilion Bird Camp, a Left Guard Azure Dragon Camp, a Right Guard White Tiger Camp, and a Rear Guard Black Tortoise Camp. There shall also be a Central Army, under which shall be the Guard Camp, the Artillery Camp, the Cavalry Camp, the Scout Camp, and the Logistics Camp, collectively known by the designation Loyal and Brave Camp. Within the camp, they shall be abbreviated as the Front Camp, Left Camp, Right Camp, Rear Camp, and Central Camp.

The organization of each camp shall be: five squads form one platoon, with fifty combat soldiers.

Four platoons form one company, consisting of two pike platoons and two arquebus platoons. Not counting the Squad Commander’s command element, one company shall have a total of two hundred combat soldiers.

Four companies form one battalion. Not counting the Company Commander’s command element, one battalion shall have a total of eight hundred combat soldiers.

Four battalions form one camp. Not counting the camp headquarters, one camp shall have a total of 3,200 combat soldiers.

Camp affairs for each camp...

Each platoon shall have one Squad Commander serving as platoon deputy. Platoons shall not have flags. Identity shall be distinguished by waist badges and armor. The platoon officer shall have one guard.

Each company shall have a Squad Commander’s command element, consisting of one Squad Commander, one adjutant, one quartermaster, one clerk, one provost officer, one morale officer, one advisor, one flag bearer, and one gong and drum operator. Additionally: five guards for the Squad Commander who also serve as flag and drum escorts and orderlies. Five medics, five night scouts, and two provost soldiers.

Each battalion shall have a Company Commander’s command element, consisting of one Company Commander, one adjutant, one quartermaster, one clerk, one provost officer, one morale officer, two advisors, two flag bearers, and two gong and drum operators. Additionally: ten guards for the Company Commander who also serve as flag and drum escorts and orderlies, ten medics, ten night scouts, and ten provost soldiers.

Each camp shall have a camp headquarters, consisting of the camp commander, one adjutant, one quartermaster, one clerk, one provost officer, and one morale officer. Five advisors, five flag bearers, and five gong and drum operators. Additionally: twenty guards for the camp commander who also serve as flag and drum escorts and orderlies, twenty medics, fifty night scouts, and twenty provost soldiers.

Furthermore, each battalion shall have ten double-horse supply wagons and five cooking wagons, with assigned drivers and cooks. Each camp shall also have a transport platoon.

This is the fixed organization for all camps.

The officers in the hall buzzed with discussion. Gao Shiyin could not help but shout: "Good heavens! A camp like that must have thirty-four, thirty-five hundred men. We’ve really struck it rich."

Chi Dacheng barked at him: "Silence!"

Gao Shiyin jumped in fright. Chi the Skinner was cold-faced and merciless; if impeached by him, one might get a beating with the military rod right here in the hall. He quickly sat down obediently.

Wang Dou smiled and said: "If anyone has views on the camp system, everyone can speak up."

He stood up and paced in the hall, then put his hands behind his back and looked out the window at the large locust tree. The people in the hall exchanged their views in a hubbub. This camp system and its affairs were not much different from the previous organization of the Shunxiang Army.

If there was a difference, it was that external armies mostly had three battalions per camp, while the Jingbian Army now had four battalions per camp, with considerably more men. But for the officers, the more troops they led, the better; this was a good thing. A camp of over three thousand men was still within everyone’s ability to control. The only difficulty was that the number of night scouts had increased at the camp, battalion, and company levels.

At that, everyone said: "We have no objections."

Wang Dou turned around and said: "Good, the camp system is thus settled. A copy of this document will be kept and then handed over to the Staff Office for filing."

He returned to his seat and announced the next topic, which was the military banners for each camp.

Several guards from the residence entered and unfurled several banners, ranging from the Squad Commander’s banner to the general’s banner.

Everyone looked; these were all identification banners, and all bore the character "Wang."

The Squad Commander’s identification banner was three chi long, with angled edges, on a pole one zhang and one chi high, with a tasseled headband one strip, five chi long.

The Company Commander’s identification banner was four chi long, with angled edges, on a pole one zhang and three chi high, with a tasseled headband one strip, seven chi long.

The camp commander’s identification banner was six chi long, with angled edges, on a pole with a tasseled head and pheasant tail feathers, one zhang and five chi high. The headband was one strip, eight chi and five cun long.

Everyone pondered. Most Ming army banners were like this at the time, but everyone felt something was missing, something that could not highlight the imposing spirit and boldness of the Jingbian Army.

Wen Fangliang said: "Grand General, this humble general believes that since our army has camps like the Azure Dragon and White Tiger, should this be reflected on the military banners?"

Gao Shiyin shouted: "Indeed! For example, the Vanguard Camp should have a large Vermilion Bird on its banner."

Everyone in the hall smiled knowingly. Gao Shiyin was very likely to command a camp, and given his valor, the possibility of him commanding the Vanguard Vermilion Bird Camp was extremely high. That was why he was so impatient to fight for his camp’s banner.

Seeing that everyone in the hall had differing opinions, Wang Dou smiled and clapped his hands again. Several more guards entered from outside and unfurled many banners.

Everyone’s eyes lit up. They were likewise Squad Commander, Company Commander, and Battalion Commander banners, but these banners gave people a feeling of surging passion and boiling blood.

Every banner was a square flag, the flag color scarlet red. On each flag, there was a Green Dragon on the left, a White Tiger on the right, a Vermilion Bird in the front, and a Black Tortoise at the back. In the center, where each officer’s name should have been embroidered, golden waves, sun, and moon took their place. This was the same for Squad Commander, Company Commander, and Battalion Commander banners alike, differing only in the size of the flags.

For each flag, the Squad Commander banner also had a pole one zhang and one chi high, with a tassel head and no command streamer.

The Company Commander banner had a pole one zhang and three chi high, with a tassel head and no command streamer.

The Battalion Commander banner had a pole one zhang and five chi high, with a tassel head, pearl fringe, and pheasant-tail trim, and no command streamer.

Moreover, among each battalion’s banners, for the Vanguard Battalion, the corresponding Vermilion Bird pattern on the flag was slightly larger, and the silk border of the flag was blood-red, representing that this was the Vanguard Vermilion Bird Battalion. For the Left Battalion, the corresponding Green Dragon pattern on the flag was larger, and the silk border of the flag was deep cyan, representing that this was the Left Guard Green Dragon Battalion.

The Right Battalion had a white silk border, the Rear Battalion a black silk border, and the Center Battalion a golden-yellow silk border. One by one, the front, rear, left, right, and center battalions were distinguished.

Looking at the banners, everyone was overjoyed. In other armies, banners mostly used slanted-edge triangular flags. Their square flags were mostly used for transmitting orders to the five directions — east, south, west, north, and center — on the battlefield. They had never imagined that using them as identification banners would have such an imposing presence.

Gao Shiyin howled, “This is exactly what we need! This is exactly the presence our Jingbian Army should have!”

But then he called out, “Grand General, why not embroider the officers’ surnames on the flag faces? Why use that moon and sun instead?”

Wang Dou said, “The reason our Jingbian Army wins every battle is that we rely on the entire army’s officers and soldiers fighting with valor. Therefore, what we must highlight is a martial spirit, a unified whole. No matter who sees any banner in the army, the first thing they should think of is our army, not some individual!”

Everyone fell into thought. The Grand General’s approach was indeed novel — reducing individual prominence and highlighting the army’s unity and honor as a whole.

However, now that the Jingbian Army fought according to military law, officers’ roles were much reduced compared to other armies. This was just as well, forming a distinctive style. At a single glance, others would feel it stood out like a crane among chickens. It invisibly and greatly promoted this invincible army.

And the Grand General’s doing so seemed to carry another deeper meaning…

Thereupon everyone approved, and each battalion’s banner design was confirmed.

Finally, it was time for the officers’ and soldiers’ armor.

In truth, the current armor worn by the pikemen in the Jingbian Army resembled the Song dynasty infantry armor, and also resembled the armor of the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s Han Generals. It was not only heavy, but also completely out of place with the mainstream armor of the current Ming army. It was time for a change.

Wang Dou clapped his hands, and more residence guards came in carrying armor. Wang Dou said, “I had the Logistics Department forge some samples. Everyone, come evaluate whether they are suitable.”

He personally acted as a model, first donning the armor of an ordinary soldier — specifically, the uniform and armor of a Center Battalion soldier.

Wang Dou first put on boots, a type of long-shaft felt boot, then took the armor. This was a long-body overcoat armor, deep red in color, lined with small armor plates inside, with a soft inner edge, and densely covered with copper studs on the outside. Because the armor coat was one piece, it was very quick and convenient to put on, just like putting on an outer garment.

The overcoat armor had a front opening, fastened with copper buttons. Ordinary Ming armies used cloth knot buttons; fastening with copper buttons appeared more imposing and heroic.

Next were the arm guards, also called arm-bind style. This was a type of arm armor, different from the shoulder capes of earlier Ming, very much like the sleeves of later ages.

At this moment, Wang Dou’s arm guards were made of materials like blue cotton cloth and cotton wool, with armor leaves attached on the outside, thicker at the top and thinner at the bottom. The armor leaves at the elbow were thinner, allowing the entire arm to bend and extend flexibly. The upper part of the arm guard had a strap and buckle that could connect and tie to the overcoat armor on the shoulder. The inner side of the forearm had copper buttons; fastening them secured the arm guard in place.

With both arm guards properly fitted, Wang Dou then put on the folded kerchief, which served as an inner cap, and finally donned the cap helmet. He then fastened the belt around his waist, and the armor was fully donned.

A quick-moving soldier could absolutely finish donning the entire set within fifteen or twenty seconds. Only putting on the arm guards was slightly troublesome, but even at the slowest pace, completing it within one minute was no problem.

The full set of armor was not heavy either, about thirty jin or so. Its particularly rapid donning was an advance in Ming armor. At the time, the capital training battalions’ soldiers and the elite frontier cavalry were all attired this way, though with slight differences, as most armies wore cloud-wing helmets, while the Jingbian Army uniformly wore cap helmets — a distinctive feature of Wang Dou’s troops.

While Wang Dou was putting on the arm guards, the officers all lent a hand in a flurry. Now, as everyone observed, they clicked their tongues in praise.

Wang Dou’s overcoat armor had a square collar. The shoulders, collar, front opening, and hem were all trimmed with golden velvet edging. Because this was Class-A military uniform armor, along the collar to the shoulders there was also a row of red velvet. Near the shoulders, each side had a small velvet ball, adding a sense of thickness and three-dimensionality to the shoulders.

Everyone was excited. This armor was indeed convenient, offered decent protection, and was brimming with heroic spirit, looking very imposing. Shen Shiqi even flattered him: “Though it is merely a common soldier’s armor, when worn by the Grand General, it is simply handsome, simply imposing. Truly beyond words.”

Everyone roared with laughter, and Wang Dou pointed at Shen Shiqi, scolding him with a smile: “You little rascal, I’ve noticed you’re getting better and better at bootlicking.”

Wang Dou was currently wearing the uniform armor of a Center Battalion soldier, hence the outer golden trim. For the Rear Battalion, the collar, shoulders, front opening, hem, and other areas would be trimmed in black; the Right Battalion trimmed in white. By this analogy, just like the banners, it also highlighted each battalion’s distinguishing features.

Wang Dou felt it looked good, struck a pose, and asked everyone, “How is it?”

Everyone also felt it was good. This uniform armor was convenient, imposing, and offered good protective effect — it could be implemented in the army.

Thus it was decided. Class-B soldiers would also have deep-red long-body overcoat armor and arm guards, only with a round collar and no red velvet or velvet balls at the shoulders.

The night scouts of the Sharp Scout Battalion would wear short-body overcoat armor and no arm guards. The prominent feature was speed and lightness.

This was the uniform armor for Class-A and Class-B soldiers of each battalion. Wang Dou also demonstrated the armor for the officers of each battalion.

Squad Commanders and officers above wore short-body overcoat armor with leg skirts, all in the bright-armor style, with fine, exquisite scale armor on the outside. The arm guards used purple-flower cloth as material, and the exposed armor leaves on the outside were equally gleaming. When Wang Dou had fitted the arm guards and fastened the belt, the armor was donned — slightly more troublesome than the common soldiers’ uniform armor.

The main issue was wearing the leg skirt, which first required hanging it on both shoulders using front and rear shoulder straps. There were also several buttons at the back of the waist. The rest — overcoat armor and arm guards — was no different from the soldiers’ wear.

With this officer’s overcoat armor and leg skirt, a large section of bright red mandarin-duck battle jacket was exposed at the hem. When walking, paired with the gleaming armor leaves, it was quite spirited and dazzling.

Everyone’s eyes shone. Gao Shiyin grinned from ear to ear, ceaselessly praising: “Good, good. This is how it should be. In our Jingbian Army, officers should look like officers.”

Wen Fangliang, however, revealed a contemplative expression: “This way, the enemy will know at a glance where our officers are. I fear they will receive focused attention and attacks.”

Gao Shiyin thought nothing of it: “You win some, you lose some. Being an officer always comes with danger. Those who fear death simply shouldn’t seek promotion.”

Everyone debated, but overall they believed the advantages outweighed the disadvantages. Squad Commanders and officers above in the army could be attired this way.

……

Wang Dou removed his armor, looked around at everyone, and laughed loudly: “Our Jingbian Army, as the Great Ming’s number one strong army, naturally must possess the bearing and presence of the realm’s foremost army. Therefore, besides each unit’s battle dress, we also need ceremonial dress. Only thus can we match our status and position!”

He clapped his hands, and another group of residence guards walked in. Everyone was stunned, then dazzled. This was the officer ceremonial dress the Grand General had just mentioned?

It was not that the Great Ming lacked ceremonial dress. Among civil and military officials, everyone had court dress, sacrificial dress, official dress, regular dress, bestowed dress, and many other sets of attire. But this referred to military officers, civil officials, and the like. Ordinary soldiers — where would they get such things? Normally, they had one mandarin-duck battle jacket, with different colors inside and out.

What did “different colors inside and out” mean? It meant one color on the inside, another on the outside. When the outside got dirty, they turned the inner layer out and wore that. When the inside got dirty, they turned it back again. Dirty, certainly, but it absolutely saved water. Of course, in the Shunxiang Army it could not be like that, but apart from armor, the soldiers normally had no other attire.

At this moment, these guards were all wearing right-lapel tight-fitting robes and gowns, in the yesa style, with felt boots, three-peaked hats on their heads, sabers at their waists, and utility knives hanging behind them — somewhat resembling the attire of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Among them, one could clearly see the distinctions between Class-A soldiers, Class-B soldiers, and officers. The attire of Class-A and Class-B soldiers was all made of cotton and linen cloth, with Class-A having more cotton. Officers wore brocade garments, with different colored edging distinguishing each battalion.

Looking at these outfits, everyone seemed to see the style of ancient knights-errant — grand, splendid, capable, sharp, yet carrying a hint of cruel beauty. Paired with the saber as a ceremonial blade, it was brimming with heroic spirit. Everyone in the hall felt this way.

Qi Tianliang stepped forward, clicking his tongue: “Look at these clothes. Everyone’s dressed like an official. In our Eastern Circuit territory, soldiers are already esteemed. Put them in these clothes, and those young lads will be fighting tooth and nail to enlist.”

Wang Dou nodded and said, “Soldiers must look like soldiers. Without a fine set of attire, how can one display a soldier’s heroic and martial spirit? Our Jingbian Army is different from the rest, so naturally we must have a style that is different from the rest. We have battle dress, and we must also have ceremonial dress!”

The officers beamed with joy, none raising the slightest objection. The Grand General was willing to make the men under their command look more spirited — what did they have to complain about? As for the wealth, cloth, grain, and rice expended, that was not something they needed to worry about.

Zhao Xuan rarely muttered a complaint: “This outfit looks very much like the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Won’t people gossip?”

Immediately a large group of people refuted him. Although the Great Ming’s Embroidered Uniform Guard often wore yesa and three-peaked hats, nowadays many officials and commoners wore yesa, and three-peaked hats were everywhere in the streets and alleys. What did it matter if they dressed this way? Besides, who cared about gossip behind their backs? Were there few people gossiping about the Eastern Circuit? As long as they didn’t say it to their faces, it was fine.

Gao Shiyin shouted even louder: “Little Xuan, if you don’t want the officer ceremonial dress, then give me your battalion’s entire allotment. I’ll take it!”

Zhao Xuan said urgently, “Who said I don’t want it? I didn’t say that.”

This drew another round of loud laughter from everyone.

Finally, Wang Dou also set the uniforms and armor for the garrison guards at each fort. They wore red-brimmed military caps and long blue cotton-padded outer tunics; the outer tunics had no inner armor plates and no copper studs on the outside. They also had no arm guards, no leather belts — they tied cloth sashes at the waist, and wore shoulder scarves.

They also had no dress uniforms. As a reserve force, they naturally could not compare with the regular army. Still, having long outer tunics was a considerable improvement over the old mandarin-duck battle jackets they had before.

After the Jingbian Army's organization, banners, and uniforms were settled, everyone in the hall beamed with delight. Faces lit up with excitement, they buzzed in chaotic discussion, all feeling that their army was unique and immensely imposing — truly possessing the style of the strongest army under heaven.

Amid the crowd's discussion, Wang Dou looked toward Logistics Commissioner Qi Tianliang: "Old Qi, my Jingbian Army needs twenty thousand sets of new uniforms and armor. When can your Logistics Department get it done?"

Qi Tianliang hurriedly replied, "Grand General, the uniforms and armor are all available. If it's only modifications, it's easy — mobilize the clothing factories under our jurisdiction and all the merchant houses, and within two months we can have everything ready. However, if we are making dress uniforms, each man must be measured individually, so the time required will be longer."

Wang Dou said, "Good. Prepare the battle armor first."

He walked into the crowd, looking at each familiar face, at their reverent and admiring eyes. He reflected deeply, then spoke slowly: "Gentlemen, from this day forward, my Jingbian Army is formally established as a full army. I remember when we campaigned against the roving bandits last year, I swore an oath to restore peace to this realm, to make the land of China a paradise of peace and joy. I hold this ambition. Gentlemen, are you willing to follow me?"

Everyone in the hall knelt as one and roared in unison: "We are willing to die for the Grand General!"

"We are willing to die for the Grand General!"

"We are willing to die for the Grand General!"

Amid the crowd's roaring shouts, Wang Dou stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his bearing lofty and fierce.