Chapter 635: Farewell, and a New Industry

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The center of Xuanfu garrison city is Prince Gu’s residence. From north to south, there are the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and the South Gate Gongji Tower. The cross-shaped main streets all have decorated archways. Generally speaking, the south side is mostly inhabited by officials, powerful families, and wealthy landlords, and the streets are also filled with official inns and shops.

The north side of the garrison city is mostly occupied by various levels of government offices. The Drum Tower, named “Zhenshuo Tower,” marks the hours daily with the night watches. Inside the tower, a large drum over two meters high and over one meter in diameter is struck, its booming sound instantly spreading throughout the city. In wartime, it can also serve as an alarm.

In front of the Drum Tower runs an east-west main street. The east street is Anyuan Street, where the Circuit Inspector’s government office is located, along with numerous workshops and warehouses. The west street is Hubu Street, where the Ministry of Revenue’s branch office is located, housing the Grand Grain Commissioner Zhu Mintai, as well as the Revenue Vice Prefect, Assistant Prefect, and other personnel, who manage military and civilian supplies allocated by the imperial court and supervise local usage.

On this street, there is also the Ministry of Justice’s branch office and the main hall of the Provincial Governor’s government office, which is comparable in scale to the Regional Commander’s government office. To the west of the Provincial Governor’s government office is the garrison city’s archery drill ground, used for military reviews and training within the city.

Due to encroachment by officials and civilians, this archery drill ground has become smaller and smaller. Therefore, military drills for the garrison city are generally held at the large drill ground in the northeastern outskirts of the city. This training ground also enjoys the renowned reputation of “Xuanfu’s drill ground is famous under heaven.”

In Xuanfu Garrison, the Regional Commander’s government office is located on the East Main Street of the decorated archway. Because the imperial court was urging him urgently, the former Regional Commander Yang Guozhu had long since packed his luggage and was just waiting for Wang Dou to take over.

When Wang Dou arrived with his troops, Yang Guozhu went out of the city to welcome him. The various officials arrived in front of the Regional Commander’s government office. This residence, known as the “Marshal’s Mansion” or “Zhenshuo Mansion,” was extremely vast. In front of the mansion stood flagpoles, a tall spirit screen, and majestic stone lions guarding both sides of the ceremonial gate. The main gate was adorned with gilded animal-faced knockers with tin rings.

Inside, halls and chambers were layered one after another. It was estimated that the entire government office covered no less than thirty thousand square meters. To the east of the Regional Commander’s government office were the Confucian School and the Xinghe Guard Battalion Headquarters. To the west were the Martial Temple and the Fire God Temple, along with some affiliated institutions of the Marshal’s Mansion.

Looking at this Regional Commander’s government office, Wang Dou’s heart surged with emotion. After a long moment, he waved his hand: “Enter the mansion.”

……

Yang Guozhu’s several brothers, as well as his two sons, had all died in battle early on. Therefore, sometimes when Yang Guozhu went on campaign, aside from some personal guards, the vast mansion was inhabited only by his wife, Lady He, and some maidservants and older female servants.

The sudden increase in liveliness made Lady He very happy. Yang Guozhu had recognized Xu Yue’e as his adopted daughter, and she was equally delighted. Sometimes when letters were exchanged, Lady He would tell everyone she met how well-behaved her daughter was.

Wang Dou had not expected her to have quite a sense of humor. When he paid his respects to her, Lady He laughed and said: “The Marquis of Yongning and my husband are friends despite the age difference, like brothers. However, since Yue’e is your wife, and she is also my daughter, what should you call me? And what should you call my husband?”

At that time, many people snickered. Wang Dou could not help feeling somewhat awkward and could only say: “Well, whatever is convenient…”

In the rear courtyard of the Regional Commander’s mansion, there was a clear spring channeled from the mountains north of the city. East of the hall, there was a vegetable garden, along with the Dragon Spring Shrine and the Elegant Music Pavilion. The environment was quite good. Yang Guozhu planned to leave on the twenty-seventh, and many other officers and officials Wang Dou was familiar with would also be departing. Wang Dou intended to spend time with them properly.

Therefore, that day, he declined the welcoming banquets from various officials. As for the visits and requests for meetings from the garrison city’s officials, he only said to Zhong Diaoyang: “Accept the gifts, but I will not see the people.”

“Guoqin, great kindness needs no words of thanks. I only hope that when you reach Ji Garrison, you can recreate the iron wall of defense from Marshal Qi’s time and protect our national walls.”

These two days, his subordinates were busy with the handover of military affairs, while Wang Dou and Yang Guozhu walked around various places in the garrison city, with Yang Guozhu pointing out the lay of the land.

Having to leave a familiar place and go to an unfamiliar one to take up a new post, even Yang Guozhu was filled with a myriad of emotions.

At this moment, the two of them were standing atop the Zhenshuo Tower. The houses and buildings of the city were clearly visible before their eyes. Not far to the north was the Bell Tower, also called Qingyuan Tower. The bronze bell hung there, when struck, produced a sonorous sound that could reach forty to fifty li.

Wang Dou had already promised Yang Guozhu that upon his departure, he would gift him a large batch of Eastern Route arquebuses, along with powerful gunpowder. Although they were only matchlock guns, these weapons were exactly what Yang Guozhu needed.

At the same time, from the proceeds of property confiscations, Wang Dou and Wang Pu also gave Yang Guozhu a considerable amount of silver, for which Yang Guozhu was grateful.

His army was modeled entirely after Wang Dou’s army. All soldiers were able-bodied young men, and each, upon retirement, could receive a full fifty mu of farmland. However, unlike Wang Dou, his new army naturally required provisions and pay, plus various other expenses, so the cost of maintaining the troops was a major problem.

The silver and money gifted by Wang Dou could be described as timely assistance for him.

A cold wind blew, causing the clothes on the two men to flap noisily. Pointing into the distance, Yang Guozhu explained to Wang Dou: “The garrison city is sturdy. Below the north and west sides of the city wall flows the Liuchuan River, which has been modified over the years into a large moat. A portion of the river water is channeled into the city through the Yanggou Canal to supplement the water supply.”

“Not far to the east of the city is the Paosha River, and not far to the south is the Yanghe River. Around Xuanfu garrison city, there are also over fifty beacon towers, which have always served as the eyes and ears of the city’s defenses.”

Looking at the familiar landscape before him, he sighed: “However, although the garrison city is strong, the border walls stretch for nearly two thousand li. To defend them is no easy task.”

Wang Dou said: “Commander Yang, rest assured. With my Jingbian Army garrisoning the city, we will certainly ensure that not a single enemy horse can enter, safeguarding the peace of our homeland.”

Yang Guozhu nodded: “This, I believe.”

After pondering for a long while, Yang Guozhu said: “Guoqin, I am about to leave for Ji Garrison. Before I go, I have something to say, but I am not sure if I should say it.”

Wang Dou said: “Commander Yang, please speak.”

Yang Guozhu said: “Guoqin, your loyalty and devotion to the country, I know well. However, regarding some matters, have you overstepped your authority?”

Wang Dou was silent for a moment, then sighed: “I know that in the eyes of many, I, Wang Dou, am extremely domineering. But if not for this, how could the Jingbian Army become a strong army, and how could the Eastern Route become a paradise? Commander Yang, you know that sometimes when we do things, if we take just one step back, some people will press forward two steps, turning all your achievements to nothing.”

He continued: “Even with Commander Yang’s prestige, there are still many eyeing you covetously, scheming for the new army’s farmland. What should Commander Yang do then?”

Yang Guozhu remained silent for a long time, then sighed: “Indeed, many things are beyond our control.”

He murmured: “Generals die in a hundred battles, wrapped in horsehide on their return. These matters are headaches to discuss. I’d rather focus on fighting wars and guarding the frontier for the country!”

On the afternoon of the twenty-sixth day of the first lunar month, Wang Dou held a grand farewell banquet for Yang Guozhu at the Regional Commander’s mansion. All the officers of the Jingbian Army and the officers under Yang Guozhu’s command attended.

Everyone drank heavily from large cups and ate meat from large bowls. Both Wang Dou and Yang Guozhu let themselves go.

Xie Yike dragged Yang Guozhu’s central army personal general, Guo Yingxian, into a drinking contest. Seeing how straightforward Xie Yike was, Guo Yingxian was delighted. Pointing at Xie Yike, he laughed heartily and said: “You little lad, you suit my old Guo’s taste very well. I won’t bully you. You drink one bowl, and I, old Guo, will drink three!”

Xie Yike shouted: “Does little brother Guo look down on his older brother? You drink one bowl, and I, old Xie, will drink three!”

In the end, he got dead drunk, and Guo Yingxian also drank himself under the table.

At the banquet, everyone drank until they were completely intoxicated, shouting to each other: “We are all brothers in arms.”

The group embraced each other and wept bitterly.

On the twenty-seventh, early in the morning, Yang Guozhu led his main battalion and the various new army battalions, leaving Xuanfu garrison city. Wang Dou and the garrison city’s officers saw them off, along with many family members of the new army.

Because he only had an elderly wife at home, Yang Guozhu could not bear to leave her alone in the garrison city, so he took Lady He with him.

Watching their receding figures, Wang Dou silently said in his heart: “Commander Yang, may the wind be at your back.”

……

Although the various officials of the garrison city all harbored their own thoughts about Wang Dou’s arrival, they were all very concerned about his every move and action.

Sure enough, on the twenty-eighth day of the first lunar month, the shogunate issued its first decree: a city-wide sanitation and cleanup campaign. At the same time, garbage would be purchased. Payment would be given upon delivery of garbage, calculated by the shi, disbursed in silver cash or grain tickets.

Previously on the Eastern Route, Wang Dou had learned a lesson: garbage transported outside the city was stolen in the middle of the night, then brought back to be sold again, sometimes even multiple times.

To prevent this lesson from repeating, garbage sent outside the city was guarded by Jingbian Army soldiers and incinerated and deeply buried by the Medical and Health Department. Of course, some cow dung, human waste, and black mud could be used to fertilize the fields.

Once this notice was issued, as expected, crowds of people in the garrison city gathered like clouds. As long as it wasn’t unpaid labor service, and they were provided with food, shelter, and wages, the common people were always enthusiastic. Many secretly praised: the Marquis of Yongning is indeed the Marquis of Yongning, truly different from the rest.

Of course, many people inwardly scorned: as expected of a mere military man, only concerned with profit, not righteousness.

Regarding the current situation of the garrison city, although some main streets were paved with bluestone slabs, there were also many dirt roads. Over a long period, thick layers of dust had accumulated on the road surfaces. When the weather was clear, mud and sand buried one’s feet; when it rained, the roads were full of sludge, and the stench rose to the sky.

Moreover, because of the ox and horse dung and urine from passing animal-drawn carts, and the habit of many households of dumping chamber pots into the street gullies,

coupled with the widespread use of coal in the northern regions of the Great Ming, residents also dumped their stove ashes randomly. Therefore, like many cities in the Great Ming, Xuanfu garrison city was similarly covered in excrement and urine, dust everywhere, and a pervasive foul stench.

Such an environment was also a primary cause of plague outbreaks, and an important reason why epidemics repeatedly broke out and spread again in various places during the late Ming period.

Actually, street and city sanitation across the Great Ming was originally the responsibility of patrol inspectors and archers, but this had long become empty talk. Because nothing could be done without money and provisions. To get things done, money had to be provided. This was also the reason for the impotence of municipal administration in the late Ming.

Therefore, as soon as Wang Dou issued the notice stating that everyone participating in the work would eat their fill and receive generous wages, it could be said that the entire city was mobilized.

From Paifang Street to Bell Tower Street, from Rice Market Street to Vegetable Market Street, from Salt Shop Street to Oil Shop Street — on every main avenue and in every alley within the city, busy people could be seen everywhere.

They dug open the ditches, leveled the refuse, swept every speck of dust from the road surfaces, and one by one, officials from the Medical and Sanitation Department, wearing face masks, spread quicklime in an unending stream.

Under the toil of countless people, the garrison city seemed to brighten in the blink of an eye, and it also rapidly gave birth to a new trade: garbage collectors who, every day, went door to door buying coal ash and excrement. Because the garrison city had a huge population, garbage collecting yielded rich profits, and fights over territory even erupted into several bloody incidents.

For the people of the garrison city, these days before the spring plowing felt a bit sudden and novel. All of a sudden, every household, young and old, grew busy — not only because the garrison-wide sanitation campaign gave them work to do, but also because the construction of the Jingbian Army barracks beside the garrison drill ground required a great deal of manpower.

So not only the military and civilian households inside and outside the city, but even the camp soldiers from every battalion scrambled to go and work — because building the encampment not only paid wages, but also came with meat to eat. (To be continued)