[{"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-446":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},1205735,1561,"Chapter 446: Chen Jiugao","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-446",446,"\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao had a fine appearance — tall and straight, with handsome features, carrying a certain dashing, romantic air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had just passed thirty, a real handsome fellow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this moment his face was written all over with gloom; no matter who he looked at, it was as if they owed him tens of thousands of silver taels and weren't paying up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment you saw him, the words \"unrecognized talent\" sprang to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at Wang Dou's general's residence, Chen Jiugao was full of envy and sighed: \"The Loyal and Brave Count's life — now that's what you call comfortable, that's what you call living. My Liugou Fort, on the other hand…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head and heaved a long sigh: \"Better not speak of it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His manner carried the easy familiarity of someone from the capital, a bit casual and unrestrained; without any false politeness he took a seat, sipped his tea, and just sighed and groaned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him, Wang Dou actually found the man somewhat endearing, and said with a smile: \"This is also His Majesty's high regard for you. Liugou controls Changling to the south and guards Dushi to the north; it has always been the screen for Mount Tianshou. The burden on your shoulders is no small one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao sighed: \"Yes, His Majesty's high regard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression was a little odd — precisely because of His Majesty's high regard, he had been sent running to the Eastern Route.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally he too had been full of wild ambition, wanting to accomplish great things, but who would have thought that after coming to the Eastern Route, he would deeply understand what despair truly meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the territory of the Eastern Route, he had not the slightest sliver of a say; even people like the former Nanshan Assistant Regional Commander Yu Gui treated him with an indifferent, couldn't-care-less attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao was furious at first, then had no choice but to face reality; the ambitions filling his heart turned into castles in the air, and he couldn't help growing somewhat disheartened and discouraged. Ah, he hated that he had shown off too much in the capital, making His Majesty regard him too highly — that wasn't a good thing either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of himself, running off to this backwater gully of the Eastern Route, at first he had still put on airs, not wanting to come visit Wang Dou so soon, and had his trusted men sound out what everyone on the Eastern Route thought of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew there was no opinion at all — everyone seemed to have forgotten someone like him existed; even Wang Dou was busy with this and that all day, and simply couldn't recall there was a character like himself around. The final result was that he still had to steel himself and come pay a visit first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Wang Dou was an amiable man, quite different from the domineering reputation that preceded him; his courtesy was thorough, which made Chen Jiugao feel a bit better inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For someone like him, a descendant of a meritorious noble house, what he hated most was others looking down on him and slighting him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeming to feel that Wang Dou was a decent sort and having found an ideal person to pour his heart out to, Chen Jiugao emptied all the bitter grievances pent up in his belly onto Wang Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He talked at length about how outstanding he had been in the capital, how Sun Yingyuan, the Regional Commander of the Capital Training Divisions, had appreciated him, and how Fu Yingchong, the Vice General of the Shenji Battalion's Forward Camp who was about to set out on campaign to Liaodong, had once received his pointers and instruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao said: \"The Loyal and Brave Count has surely heard of the two men Zhou Yuji and Huang Degong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou took a sip of tea: \"When I was in Xiangyang, I had the occasion to meet those two generals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao made an assenting sound and said: \"Those two — I appreciate them as well. That Zhou Yuji — brave, certainly, but a bit simple-minded, and his words are often out of line. Back then he spoke without restraint, and a few of us childhood friends said a couple of things about him. What did he say? 'All of you gentlemen are silk-pants sons of good families; I fear you will hardly be able to campaign on the battlefield in the future. Why not diligently drill in peacetime to repay the nation, rather than shamefully accepting the court's salary?' — Look at that, what grandiose boasting, what self-aggrandizement?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But then again, we're all serving the nation, so I don't take it to heart. I often gave him pointers and instruction — and look, hasn't he now become a Vice General?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou sighed: \"General Chen's breadth of mind is vast indeed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao slapped his thigh: \"Exactly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Growing even more enthused, he continued: \"And then there's that Huang the Daredevil, Huang Degong. He loves drinking most of all, and he's fond of gambling too; often he doesn't have a single coin on him. Ah, that man — he spends money fiercely but has no idea how to get any. It was I who couldn't stand watching and often helped him out. Only that way could he slowly accumulate merit, and now he's become a Regional Commander too. Huang the Daredevil hasn't forgotten how I helped him back then either; in our private letters, he often brings it up.\"…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou smiled slightly: \"General Chen's circle of friends is broad — your pupils and protégés fill the realm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao's face also showed a hint of pride, and he said: \"The Loyal and Brave Count will soon set out on campaign to Liaodong. That Fu Yingchong, Vice General of the Shenji Battalion's Forward Camp, can also be counted a childhood friend of mine. This time he's going on campaign to Liaodong, and accompanying the army are large numbers of Great Divine Might General Cannons, plus many rocket carts. I hear the Loyal and Brave Count's cannon camp fires at most five-jin cannonballs? The firepower is a bit lacking. How about this — I'll write a letter and have Fu Yingchong cooperate well with you. This much face, Fu Yingchong will give me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou expressed his thanks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao, looking immensely pleased with himself, said: \"Social connections are only one facet of my ability. My most important talents still lie in strategy and troop training and such matters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou showed great interest: \"General Chen, please do tell.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao, however, looked around the great hall, glancing left and right and speaking of other things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou tapped his forehead: \"How thoughtless of me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ordered a banquet laid out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very soon, a sumptuous feast was arranged, much of it local delicacies and specialties from the Yongning and Yanqing areas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such as the local fried cakes and braised pig's face — all crispy-skinned and tender within, fragrant without being greasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was also steaming hot wonton soup, and an array of exquisite vessels were brought in; when uncovered, inside were several kinds of pastries, a few plates of cold dishes, and several large bowls of meat dishes — stewed pork, stewed chicken, stewed fish, and the like. There was fine wine as well, and after-meal fruits, all freshly picked — fresh grapes, apricots, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao stared wide-eyed; ever since arriving at Liugou Fort, he had never seen so many delicious things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he even took his seat, he was already gulping down saliva and sighing: \"The Loyal and Brave Count's life is truly better than the immortals'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my Liugou Fort, that godforsaken place where birds don't even shit, if I want something good to eat, I have to run all the way to Yongning or Yanqing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took his seat with deep feeling, and even expressed a bit of embarrassment: \"So much food and wine — just the two of us, I'm afraid we won't finish it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said: \"No matter; what we can't finish, we'll give to the officers, soldiers, and maidservants in the residence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men drank and talked cheerfully. Chen Jiugao started with a bout of furious eating; for a descendant of a noble house, his table manners were such — presumably after arriving at Liugou Fort, his days had been hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With some difficulty, Chen Jiugao recovered his composure, took a slow, measured sip of wine, and said: \"Just now I mentioned that social connections are only one facet of my ability. My most important talents lie in strategy and troop training.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: \"Take firearms, for instance. Firearms have always been our China's superior skill for resisting the barbarians. The Shenji Battalion's three-layer tactic — I find it far from sufficient. At least five layers need to be prepared. The first layer fires and immediately withdraws to reload powder. The second layer fires; when the second layer finishes firing, it immediately withdraws to reload powder. The third layer fires, and the fourth and fifth layers all do likewise. Cycling endlessly, the gunfire never ceases, and thus one can break the masses and crush the strong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: \"I have heard that in the Loyal and Brave Count's army, the firearms formations also prepare multiple layers?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said: \"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by Chen Jiugao's manner… well, at least he hadn't claimed that he too had once received his instruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And besides… Wang Dou thought to himself: \"What Chen Jiugao just said — isn't that from the memorial 'Itemized Discussion on Recovering the Loop' that Zeng Xian submitted to the court?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if sensing Wang Dou's thoughts, Chen Jiugao's expression did not change, and he said: \"Back then, before I had even seen Grand Coordinator Chen's memorial, I already had this idea. Sure enough, in the Loyal and Brave Count's army, this formation is often deployed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: \"A few years ago, the various generals of the capital battalions kept talking about using wagon camps and building more falconets. I, however, said that wagon camps are cumbersome and heavy, and their firearms are small with insufficient firepower. Once barbarian cavalry charges in from the open plains and broad wilderness, they are hard to withstand — even to the point where one wagon losing its defense brings calamity to ten thousand wagons. Moreover, if they encounter red-barbarian heavy cannons, what then? Just wait to be blasted apart?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao said the wagon camp's firepower was insufficient; Wang Dou inwardly disagreed — as long as the soldiers were steadfast, the wagon camp's power was not to be underestimated!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, when a wagon camp encountered red-barbarian great cannons, it was indeed at a considerable disadvantage.…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our China excels in firearms, and naturally we should bring this superior skill into full play — the red-barbarian cannon is one such. Back during the matter of Senior Guardian Xu, when all sides halted production of red-barbarian great cannons, I said it must not be done. Red-barbarian great cannons should be built, and built in large numbers. This is where China's advantage in resisting the barbarians lies — how can it be abandoned?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao heaved long sighs and short laments: \"Sure enough, now the eastern slaves also have heavy cannons, and a great many bird-beak firearms. Our wondrous skill — the slaves not only possess it, but possess it widely. Ah, all sides refused to listen to my words — they deserve this retribution!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked toward Wang Dou and said: \"Does the Loyal and Brave Count think what I say is correct?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou nodded: \"The times are different; the red-barbarian cannon is indeed important. If the enemy has great cannons and we have only wagon camps, our side is in peril.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao sighed: \"Heroes see things alike!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drank another cup of wine and said: \"That is my strategy. The events that followed have all proven my foresight. And then there is troop training…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: \"The capital battalions mostly use bird-beak arquebuses and Luzon arquebuses. However, I believe that bird-beak arquebuses and the like are complicated to fire; when soldiers encounter the barbarians they grow terrified, and before the fire can be used, blades are already at their necks. Therefore I hold that we should abandon bird-beak arquebuses and use rockets instead. When facing the enemy, array them in several layers, cycling endlessly, so that the rockets never cease.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said in surprise, \"Rocket arrows?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao explained that if he were to train troops, his camp would first use Hongyi cannons, then large rocket arrows, and finally coordinate with the carriage camp, using rocket-launching troughs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, \"In the early years against the eastern slaves, we also used fire lances. They would often feint with empty shots to lure us; after our side fired real shots, the bandit slaves would seize the moment to charge. Once our soldiers had fired their matchlocks, reloading inevitably led to fluster and confusion. Reloading the rocket-launching trough is simple. If three men fire in rotation, a matchlock fires one shot while the rocket trough can fire five arrows. Moreover, rocket arrows are fierce and powerful, free of the matchlock's drawbacks yet possessing its strengths — they can truly be called a sharp weapon of the army.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou pondered. He knew that the rocket-launching trough Chen Jiugao spoke of had been invented by Zhao Shizhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its outward appearance closely resembled a matchlock, and it also had a matchlock firing mechanism. Like the Xuanyuan matchlock, it had an automatic opening and closing flash-pan cover, using gunpowder to ignite the rocket arrow. The difference was that the stock's tail had a shield plate to prevent the rocket's jet flame from burning the soldiers' faces and eyes, with a rectangular hole left in it for aiming. It had no barrel, instead using a sliding groove to launch the rocket arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Shizhen's rocket-launching trough solved the problem of rocket arrows veering off course and also solved the problem of rocket launchers being unable to aim along a three-point line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the many steps of a matchlock, reloading the rocket-launching trough was indeed considerably faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, Wang Dou sighed, \"Rocket arrows are hard to manufacture!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou knew that at this time, a fine rocket arrow required about twenty thousand hammer strikes to make one. The arrowhead also needed to use pointed steel caltrop heads, and the feather fletching required lacquer. Beyond that, there were many other points requiring attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the rocket-launching trough was good, compared to the matchlocks in the Jingbian Army, Wang Dou could not possibly abandon a mature item to adopt an unfamiliar one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao agreed, \"Rocket arrows are indeed hard to manufacture and quite costly. However, for a sharp weapon vital to the army and state, even great expense is worthwhile.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou smiled slightly. \"General Chen possesses great talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Wang Dou's smile, Chen Jiugao could not help but feel a strong sense of having found a kindred spirit. He said with emotion, \"The Loyal and Brave Count truly understands me. Ah, a true friend is hard to find!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his wine cup. \"Come, to our acquaintance and friendship — bottoms up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guests all departed in high spirits. Wang Dou saw them out and also presented them with parting gifts and keepsakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he was alone, Chen Jiugao opened them to look. The various gifts were lavish, and inside one brocade box was a stack of grain tickets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao counted them — the various denominations added up to a full five hundred dan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao could not help but be overjoyed. Although he had not been in the Eastern Circuit long, he already knew the importance of grain tickets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Eastern Circuit, without grain tickets, the silver and copper coins he had brought with him could not be spent. If he wanted to exchange for grain tickets, the silver in hand had depreciated considerably, which had greatly vexed Chen Jiugao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now all was well — he had money to spend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiugao's goodwill toward Wang Dou surged. Some people said this and that about Wang Dou, but as far as he could see, he was perfectly fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before, he had thought of quickly transferring back to the capital. Now he discovered that life in the Eastern Circuit was not bad either.\u003C\u002Fp>",2739,"2026-06-03T14:05:53.320Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","814d64ffc3c30f9a77b14339e6dbe8c41daf67f95113cdb393d721a400f43dde","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-447","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-445",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]