Chapter 632: Uproar

"Huang Yujin, posthumously awarded the rank of Right Commandant… Sun Xuesheng, posthumously awarded the rank of Left Commandant…"

Within the White Tiger Battalion's formation, Zhao Rongcheng, Lai Dexiang, Luo Liangzuo, and others wore expressions both sorrowful and glad. The old Squad Commander had treated his squad like sons and nephews. In the Liaodong battle, he was torn in two by cannon fire and died in great agony.

He was originally a squad officer; to be posthumously awarded Left Commandant, a rank normally reserved for Squad Commanders, must surely bring him comfort in the netherworld. May his heroic spirit never fade.

On the review platform, Wen Fangliang, Director of the Staff Department, read out one by one the posthumous honors for the fallen soldiers of the Pacification Border Army over the years.

Among the families below, grief mingled with pride. In the Great Ming army, a soldier was fed as cannon fodder; to have a grave after death was already fortunate, let alone any pension. In the Pacification Border Army, to receive such glory after death or injury made everything worthwhile.

Amid faint sobbing, the atmosphere on the field was solemn and stirring. Wen Fangliang finished reading each name and finally saluted Wang Dou.

Wang Dou nodded, rose to his feet, and slowly addressed the crowd below: "To protect home and country is our duty. Upon taking the field, every man must embrace the resolve to sacrifice all, filled with the will to lay down his life. Yet our soldiers who fought valiantly, earned merit, and became spirits should also receive the honor and glory they deserve!"

He unfolded a document and declared loudly: "As verified by the Pacification and Suppression Office, after the Liaodong campaign, the honored soldiers of each Pacification Border Army battalion are as follows."

"Awarded to: Wen Fangliang, Han Chao, Gao Shiyin, Zhong Xiancai, Zhao Xuan, Li Guangheng, Wen Daxing, Sun Sanjie — the rank of Vice General, with the honor grade of Upper Commandant!"

"Awarded to: Zhong Diaoyang, Xie Yike, Shen Shiqi… the rank of Assistant Regional Commander, with the honor grade of Left Commandant!"

"Awarded to: Wu Zhengchun, Gao Xun, Lei Xianbin, Yin Yijin, Tian Zhijue, Yang Guodong, Xie Shangbiao, Tian Qiming, Gao Gui, Long Er, Long Aotian, Jie Yifeng, Lin Jugen… the rank of Mobile Corps Commander, with the honor grade of Right Commandant!"

"Awarded to: Huang Wei, Ceng Jiuyi, Yang Hu… the rank of Company Commander, with the honor grade of Commandant!"

"…Awarded to: Li Zhengjing, Sun Daguan, Zhao Rongcheng, Zhang Rengang, Wang Mingzun, Lei Size, Ye Biao, Yi Shunqu, Yi Youshen, Xie Chenpeng… the rank of Squad Commander, with the honor grade of Left Captain!"

"Awarded to: Deng Yibiao, Lai Dexiang, Luo Liangzuo, Han Kaihui, Mou Dachang, Chen Cheng, Ju Yiwu, Zhang Chunfang, Lai Kunyou, Lei Shiren, Wu Zhi, Zhang Zhu, Wu Xianbin, Lei Huan… the rank of Squad Officer, with the honor grade of Captain!"

"Awarded to: Wu Dingguo, Liu Lie…"

"Awarded to…"

"Awarded. Advisor Qin Yi, Advisor Wen Shiyan… honor grade of Left Captain…"

"Awarded to: Lin Daofu, Director of the Training Department; Qi Tianliang, Director of the Logistics Department; Chi Dacheng, Director of the Pacification and Suppression Office… honor grade of Right Commandant!"

…

"The award ceremony begins!"

Majestic military music struck up: "With myriad hearts as one, even mountains can be shaken. With loyalty and righteousness alone, our spirit surges to the Dipper and Ox. Our commander cherishes us more than our own parents. Should we violate martial law, our bodies lose all freedom. Commands are clear, rewards and punishments sure. Facing water or fire, dare we delay! Above, we answer the Son of Heaven; below, we rescue the common people. Slay every dwarf pirate and seek a marquisate."

It was none other than Marshal Qi's victory song.

On both sides of the review platform, dense banners of sun, moon, waves, and billows rolled in the wind. Warriors of the Guard Battalion stood with muskets and spears. Amid the music, under the gaze of ten thousand eyes, the honored soldiers strode onto the platform, all performing the spear salute.

Wang Dou personally bestowed upon each of them their insignia, waist token, and ceremonial sword…

Han Kaihui strode to the front of the platform. The three items placed in his hands were all weighty. The insignia was exquisite, made of silver and copper, bearing the design of an eagle and sun-moon waves, to be pinned on the chest to denote honor grade. The waist token was bronze, equally dignified and stately. The ceremonial sword was forged of fine steel, its scabbard likewise embossed with an eagle and sun-moon waves.

Many years later, Han Kaihui would still remember this award scene, clearly recalling the Grand General's words. In his mind surfaced the General's expectant gaze as he bestowed the sword: "Strengthen our China, fortify our great Han — this is the sole mission of our Pacification Border soldiers. Propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame are the soldier's sole spirit. Love, sincerity, and earnestness are the virtues a soldier must possess. Propriety and righteousness secure trust; integrity and shame secure courage; love secures benevolence; sincerity and earnestness secure wisdom. All our Pacification Border soldiers must forever uphold these four virtues of trust, courage, benevolence, and wisdom. Only thus can we forge a sacred armed force, protect the nation, and fully discharge our soldiers' heavenly duty!"

Facing the Grand General's words, Han Kaihui could only roar according to military regulation: "Sacrifice, dedication, loyalty!"

Chi Dacheng mounted the platform. His insignia, waist token, and sword prominently displayed the style of the Pacification and Suppression Office, all adorned with exquisite silver chain and sharp sword motifs.

Chi Dacheng's usual expression was cold and stern, yet as he received them, his hands trembled slightly, his expression deeply moved…

…

The tenth day.

Both rows of the great hall were filled with officers wearing three-peaked hats, all in embroidered riding robes, with bestowed swords at their waists. On each man's right chest was pinned the insignia representing his honor grade.

Wang Dou was dressed the same, though he wore no honor-grade insignia.

His calm gaze swept over everyone present as he slowly said: "Gentlemen."

With a sharp rustle, everyone on both sides rose to their feet in perfect unison.

"From this day forward, our Pacification Border Army begins expansion and reorganization, still following the old rule: Class-A soldiers will serve as officers at all levels; able-bodied youths from each fort will be recruited as Class-B soldiers, with garrison conscripts given priority. Right Commandant Lin, the Training Department must add more instructors and dispatch them to every fort. Each year during the agricultural off-season, all reserve troops must assemble for rotational training. To strengthen their cohesion, reserve soldiers participating in rotational training may be granted certain merit honors!"

Lin Daofu shouted: "Yes!"

Pacification Border Army merit honors were precious. A single merit point could be exchanged for one mu of fertile land beyond the frontier, or five mu of grassland or mountain land. Land had been the lifeblood of the Chinese people for millennia. Using this as an incentive was enough to make all reserve soldiers in rotational training cheer and leap with joy.

Wang Dou looked toward Qi Tianliang: "Right Commandant Qi!"

Qi Tianliang also stood ramrod straight and called: "Your subordinate is here!"

Wang Dou sighed inwardly. Qi Tianliang's military bearing was still somewhat lacking.

He said: "As each battalion expands, they must switch to the new-style self-igniting muskets. The military factory under your department must vigorously produce the Lai-style self-igniting musket and manufacture more cannons. Of course, production of the Li-style musket need not cease. Henceforth, our Pacification Border Army shall sweep away all foes with the mightiest firepower!"

Qi Tianliang called: "Yes!"

Wang Dou nodded: "Funds and provisions for weapons production in the various military factories are not an issue. Of course, there must be no waste — every expenditure must be carefully calculated!"

Looking at everyone, Wang Dou said: "The army's expansion is not a matter of a moment. Rather leave a post empty than fill it with the unworthy. The selection of soldiers must be handled with prudence!"

He continued: "Also, some officers and men have suggested that our Pacification Border Army banners need slight adjustment?"

Everyone looked at Gao Shiyin. Gao Shiyin cursed inwardly: "These bastards, never speaking up themselves, always making me the one to stick my neck out."

He said: "Yes, your subordinate has an opinion. Your subordinate believes that for our Vanguard Battalion, besides the sun, moon, and waves, a large Vermilion Bird on the banner would be just fine. No need for White Tiger, Black Tortoise, or such."

As soon as these words left his mouth, Gao Shiyin immediately received several furious glares, especially from Zhong Xiancai.

Wang Dou pondered and nodded. From a sensory perspective, simpler banner designs were more striking and left a deeper impression. In the Pacification Border Army camps, besides the sun, moon, and waves, the military banners also bore designs of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and so on, which indeed diluted one's attention.

Therefore…

Wang Dou made his decision: "Very well. Having gathered the opinions of the officers and men, this general will make slight adjustments to the military banners. For example, the Vanguard Army: henceforth, besides the sun, moon, and waves, the banner shall bear only the Vermilion Bird. For the Vanguard Left Battalion, the Vermilion Bird shall be on the left; for the Right Battalion, on the right; for the Center Battalion, below…"

"The embroidery of the Vermilion Bird and such shall be black, while the banner color remains red. The Central Army shall bear only the sun, moon, and waves…"

The Han armies through the ages all used red, and so did their banners. A red base could better stir human emotion, akin to a secretion of hormones. Without the border trim, the banner seemed to convey even more passion and a sense of sacrifice as it billowed.

Wang Dou said: "Not only that, but atop the flagpole of each great banner shall be set a silver or copper carved banner crown. The Vermilion Bird Army shall have a silver or copper carved Vermilion Bird; the White Tiger Army, a silver or copper carved White Tiger…"

"On the day the army is formed, this general shall personally bestow the banners. While the banner stands, the battalion establishment stands; if the banner is lost, the establishment is disbanded."

Gao Shiyin beamed with delight: "Silver and copper carvings, eh."

"Now, I shall announce the appointments."

"Upper Commandant Zhong Xiancai shall be the commanding general of the White Tiger Army, concurrently serving as the garrison commander of the Eastern Route. Upper Commandant Gao Shiyin shall be the commanding general of the Vermilion Bird Army. Upper Commandant Han Chao shall be the commanding general of the Black Tortoise Army. Upper Commandant Wen Fangliang shall be the commanding general of the Azure Dragon Army…"

…

After Wang Dou’s newly organized mufu was revealed, though the details were not fully known, once word spread to the outside world — especially beyond Xuanfu Garrison — it caused a great uproar among many. The people under his rule were divided into three grades, and without Han registry, one would henceforth be ineligible even to serve in the military or government, let alone share in the fruits of Wang Dou’s development. Was this not forcing people to pay taxes and, moreover, swear loyalty to Wang Dou?

In the various fortified villages and settlements of the Eastern Route, were there not old literati serving as clerks? If they did not pay taxes in the future, would their own positions as clerks be stripped away as well?

Furthermore, Wang Dou was going to establish the Xuanzhen Civil Affairs Academy — what was that for? To train his own officials? Would there be no path left to infiltrate his mufu in the future? Once Wang Dou’s territory grew even larger, would he no longer need their help in governance?

Many already had this feeling: after the Jingbian Army soldiers retired, because every one of them had received schooling, they were already no worse than those professional clerks in governing the various fortified villages and settlements. And now… was the last vestige of the literati’s reserve and sense of superiority also gone?

Truly a traitor!

As the news spread further, the uproar in court and among the public grew even greater, and a new wave of attacks unfolded. When the Chongzhen Emperor heard of it, his heart grew colder still.

Only the Xuanfu Provincial Governor, Zhu Zhifeng, pondered in silence for a long while before speaking out, saying that the Marquis of Yongning’s move had both advantages and disadvantages, but he had the confidence that the talents cultivated by the Civil Affairs Academy would all become pillars of the Great Ming!

Of course, Wang Dou’s direct line, the Han registrants of the Eastern Route, were all jubilant. Every year they paid taxes and grain to the mufu, while many registered households and gentry under his rule paid no grain yet enjoyed many of the same privileges. Many had been discontented in their hearts — now, at last, a clear distinction could be drawn.

Toward the Grand General’s resolution, they were staunch supporters. As the Grand General said, only with corresponding contributions could one receive corresponding treatment. If one contributed nothing yet still wanted to enjoy privileges — not a chance!

Beyond this, many observant people took considerable interest in the new composition of the mufu, analyzing it piece by piece. In succession, some even began to imitate it. For instance, Wang Pu later established a mufu in Datong as well, directly copying Wang Dou’s mufu, and the Datong Army likewise set up a system of merit ranks.

Although he strove to appear distinct from Wang Dou, whether out of laziness or something else, his merit ranks, apart from Junior Sergeant, Sergeant, and Senior Sergeant, were divided into three tiers: Warrant Officers, Field Officers, and General Officers — such as Junior Warrant Officer, Warrant Officer, Senior Warrant Officer; Junior Field Officer, Field Officer, Senior Field Officer; and Junior General, General, Senior General.

When Wang Dou heard of this, he had a rather peculiar feeling.

Moreover, within the Datong Army, only Wang Pu alone could now be called General — no one else was permitted.

In addition, many were asking: “Who is this newly appointed garrison commander of the Eastern Route, Zhong Xiancai?”

Regardless of the outside world, on the tenth day, the mufu’s Civil Affairs Department and Naturalization Department began verifying the household registrations of the Eastern Route, and thereafter the entire Xuanfu Garrison, dividing them into three types of household registers: Han registry in red, naturalized registry in green, and temporary residents in blue.

For only those with naturalized registry could reside long-term in the Eastern Route, and thereafter in Xuanfu Garrison; otherwise, once the designated time limit was exceeded, they would be considered illegal entrants and expelled!

Therefore, obtaining naturalized registry became the primary goal of many outsiders from then on, and because the household register was green, it came to be called the “Green Book.” (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)