[{"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-636":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},1205925,1561,"Chapter 636","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-636",636,"\u003Cp>The fifteenth year of Chongzhen, the first month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warhorses kicked up dust along the pitted post road. Early spring had come, but as far as the eye could see, all was desolate scrub and barren fields. Even on land that was clearly rich topsoil, the grass still stood several feet high, the soil cracked and the watercourses dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everywhere was the parched cracking of drought; grasses and trees were withered yellow. Any bark or blades of grass that still held a hint of green had all vanished — eaten clean by the starving refugees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the fields and along the roadsides, everywhere lay fallen corpses of famine victims. There were also bands of fleeing refugees in ragged cotton jackets, straw ropes cinched at their waists, carrying their blackened, tattered bedding on shoulder poles, atop which sat gaunt, shivering children of the household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the great armies of Cao Bianjiao and Wang Tingchen, some of these disaster victims were fearful, some were numb, and in the eyes of some faintly flickered hatred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching these people trudging past, dragging their families, struggling with all their might toward the seat of Zhangde Prefecture, whoever looked on could not help but feel a pang of sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Bianjiao sighed heavily and turned to look at the officers and men behind him. Every one of them looked haggard, their hair matted and faces caked with grime, like beggars — hardly better off than these refugees. Even Wang Tingchen had a grass root dangling from his mouth, chewing on it idly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since their two armies had marched south from Zanhuang, they had often gone one meal full and the next hungry, so the march grew slower and slower. It took over a month from their station just to enter the bounds of Zhangde Prefecture in the Henan Provincial Administration Commission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they passed through Cizhou, they purchased some grain and fodder from the local Garrison Commander, enduring the cold mockery and scornful taunts of the local officers and commanders. The hot-tempered Wang Tingchen was so furious he nearly drew his blade; it was Cao Bianjiao who persuaded him to hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the march grew harder by the day, desertions had already begun among the troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Wang, once we cross the Zhang River, we can reach the seat of Zhangde Prefecture tomorrow. Today, let the army pitch camp by the river.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well, Junior General Cao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The army pitched camp and began lighting fires to cook and feeding the horses. For lack of fodder, the warhorses in both men's armies were all listless and growing ever more gaunt. Many horses could no longer even carry a rider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the armies of Cao Bianjiao and Wang Tingchen, they had imitated Wang Dou and built some field kitchen carts. But even the cleverest wife cannot cook without rice — the mess soldiers could not produce any sumptuous meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, the aroma of food drew the attention of some disaster victims, though they dared not approach, only gazing from afar. Smelling that fragrance, their mouths watered with craving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting inside the tent, their personal guards brought two large bowls of gruel, so thin you could see a reflection in them, with a few grass roots and wild herbs floating on top. Taking one of the bowls, Cao Bianjiao said in surprise, \"Oh, today's meal is not bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Wang Tingchen and saw that he had merely set his bowl before him without eating or drinking. Cao Bianjiao asked, puzzled, \"Brother Wang, why don't you eat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Tingchen split his broad mouth in a grin and said, \"I already ate earlier. Even now, I'm still full...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled half a steamed bun from his bosom and waved it before Cao Bianjiao's eyes. \"See, I can't even finish this half bun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pushed his own bowl of gruel and the half bun in front of Cao Bianjiao. \"I'm truly too full — probably won't be hungry even by tomorrow. Junior General Cao, do me the favor of eating them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Bianjiao pointed at Wang Tingchen and laughed. \"Brother Wang, I never imagined you'd secretly stash food. Very well, I won't stand on ceremony.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ate the steamed bun and washed it down with the thin gruel, eating with relish. Wang Tingchen watched from the side, swallowing his saliva from time to time, only turning his gaze away nonchalantly whenever Cao Bianjiao looked his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Bianjiao finished both bowls of gruel, licking even the dregs inside clean. Then he lifted the bowl above his head, peering at it from every angle, and only when he saw not a single drop of liquid fall did he set it down, rubbed his belly, and said contentedly, \"It's been some days since I've eaten this full. Truly comfortable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood up. \"Brother Wang, let us go out for a walk and settle the meal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well, Junior General Cao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men left the tent, passing clumps of soldiers who were either carefully licking their bowls or huddling tight in their armor, sitting blankly around campfires, and slowly made their way to the banks of the Zhang River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of the great drought, the Zhang River, once abundant in water, was now reduced to scattered shallows; some stretches were even cracked dry. Waist-high withered yellow reeds rose and fell with the contours of the land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An increasingly nauseating stench of rotting corpses reached their nostrils. Through the reeds, past some earthen mounds, both men saw: in the thickets ahead, along the riverbank, and in the river itself, everywhere lay decomposing bodies, men and women, old and young alike, giving off wave after wave of thick, sickening putrid stench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These corpses had likely been dead for a long time. Although the weather was still cold, they had nonetheless become rotting cadavers. Every one of them wore nothing but strips of blackish-brown clothing; their hair was filthy, matted into clumps, and looked stiff and hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fat maggots kept burrowing out of their bodies. There were also wild dogs gnawing at them, dragging entrails and such all over the ground. Without exception, the eyes of these wild dogs glinted with a green, spectral light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Bianjiao's hands trembled. His throat choked up; he wanted to speak but could not force out a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Tingchen's mouth hung open. The men behind them likewise stared blankly, unable to bear the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who goes there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the personal guards suddenly shouted. From the thickets not far away, several wraith-like figures sprang up and quickly vanished into the wild grass. The glances they cast back likewise gleamed with a faint green light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where do you think you're going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A personal guard officer was about to lead men in pursuit. Could these figures be spies from some nearby bandit gang, come to scout the army?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let it be.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Bianjiao waved a hand. The army had camped by the river, attracting many disaster victims to linger nearby. These people had likely been drawn by the smell of food. But his own army was equally cold and hungry, with no surplus to give in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed and was about to turn back when his steps suddenly halted. Every hair on his body stood on end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stiffly, he parted some reeds and walked forward, then stood there staring blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Tingchen, puzzled, followed after him — then his body shuddered and he too froze rigid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the thicket ahead, several corpses lay sprawled in disorder. They had likely been dead for some time, and every body gave off a thick putrid stench. White, wriggling maggots crawled all over these corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One corpse appeared to be a woman. On her body sat an infant wrapped in a small cotton quilt. From its mouth came babbling baby noises as, from time to time, it gleefully seized the fat maggots emerging from its mother's body. Then its tiny hand would lift the still-squirming maggot and deliver it into its own little mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Cao Bianjiao and the others, it looked over at them curiously, its gaze innocent and pure, while at the same time lifting up a maggot that was writhing desperately. It stretched out its hand toward the men before it, babbling a few sounds, as if wanting to share its joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When there was no response from before it, its round eyes blinked in puzzlement, then it stuffed the maggot in its hand back into its little mouth and clapped its tiny hands in excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the white, wriggling maggot thrashing violently inside that little mouth, and the sticky fluids that kept dribbling down, Cao Bianjiao's mind went completely blank. Wang Tingchen's mouth still hung open. Behind them, many of the personal guards could no longer hold back their vomit; some had tears welling in their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This scene before them violently battered the hearts of Cao Bianjiao and the others. Though they were battle-hardened and had seen countless cruel sights, and had witnessed all manner of famine corpses along the way,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>still, this human tragedy before their eyes made Cao Bianjiao tremble all over, as if his liver and gall were splitting apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From his mouth suddenly burst a shrill, wretched cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dropped to his knees and, facing the sky, wailed, \"Why is it like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sobbed and howled, \"Great Ming... oh, my Great Ming...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wept like a child. Beside him, Wang Tingchen could not hold back his tears either, and in the end broke into loud, broken sobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officers and soldiers of the three armies who had come upon hearing the news, all in tattered clothes, every one of them shed tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuanfu Garrison City, the Regional Commander's residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commissioner-in-Chief Zhang, that you can hold impartiality in your heart and hand over the household registers and field acreage records within the Regional Military Commission — this Marquis is deeply gratified.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Zhang Guowei before him, Wang Dou spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Regional Military Commission government office of Wanquan was not far from the Regional Commander’s residence, just on Pailou West Street. It was also a very prestigious government office — its flagpole, spirit screen, and stone lions were roughly on par with the command mansion, only slightly inferior in decoration and grandeur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although by now the various Regional Military Commissioners within the commission had become subordinates of the Regional Commander, and officers at every level mostly filled posts as Vice Regional Commanders, Assistant Regional Commanders, Mobile Corps Commanders, and so on, the commission still managed the guard battalions, oversaw military farming, troop training, patrols and arrests, armaments, and defense preparations. With the land, population, and taxes under its jurisdiction all in its charge, its actual authority remained considerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To many guard battalion officers, managing a guard battalion meant delivering grain and paying taxes — in the present Great Ming, it was a thankless task. But the military farms and the registers were exactly what Wang Dou needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am willing to serve the Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Guowei sat on the chair with only half his bottom, his posture extremely deferential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou nodded. Back then he had carried out a massacre on the Eastern Route, even killing Zhang Guowei’s clan uncle. He had not expected Zhang Guowei could set aside that hatred — he was a figure of some note.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, “Good. Those who recognize the times are heroes. Since you sincerely follow me, this Marquis will certainly not treat you shabbily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Guowei cupped his hands: “I shall follow wherever the Marquis’s horse’s head turns.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Guowei took his leave and departed. Wang Dou leafed through the registers. After a long while, he sighed: “For many years the military households have been fleeing. Now the population is already insufficient. We need to recruit refugees.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Civil Affairs Commissioner Zhang Gui also carefully pored over the registers and likewise sighed: “When the Great Ancestor was alive, Xuanfu alone had over 126,000 troops on the books, with nineteen guards and seven independent defense battalions. Just the garrison city alone had over 50,000 troops. Yet now, not counting the Eastern Route, the entire garrison has fewer than 90,000 registered officers and soldiers, and the number of troops actually drilling is even smaller.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, “Apart from the military households that have fled, a great many people have been concealed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the early Ming, Xuanfu Garrison already had over 120,000 troops. Because the guard battalion system was in effect, each soldier represented a household behind him, so at that time the entire Xuanfu had over a hundred Battalion Commander. Yet after generations of reproduction, the population had decreased rather than increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apart from flight, a very large portion, of course, had been concealed by officers at every level, powerful families, and the like, becoming tenant farmers for their households.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All manner of encroachment, land annexation, and similar situations — the garrison city and the Eastern Route were much the same, just on a larger scale and more complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou pondered: “Still the same as the Eastern Route — the Civil Affairs Department’s relevant plan: establish garrison farms. The settlers can be recruited from the surplus population of the Eastern Route, or recruited from local military households, and further, absorb refugees, especially drawing them from Datong Garrison, Shanxi Garrison, and other places.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou recalled that the whole of Shanxi, in the twenty-sixth year of the Hongwu reign, had 590,000 registered households, with a population of over four million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although by the Wanli reign it was still 590,000 households, with a population of over five million, as just said, it was merely concealed in various ways, or the household registers were not thoroughly compiled. Over several hundred years, it was impossible for the population not to have multiplied several times over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shanxi had always had many people and little land — attracting refugees held great promise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond that, the Shogunate also had a series of plans, a grand scheme covering military, civilian, industry and commerce, oversight, and more, which would be comprehensively implemented across Xuanfu Garrison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several officials of the Shogunate’s Civil Affairs Department went out. A gust of cold wind blew in their faces, quite biting, and it also blew the beard of the approaching Xuanfu Provincial Governor Zhu Zhifeng into disarray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, Provincial Governor Zhu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Gui and the others saluted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhifeng wore a scarlet official robe. Behind him followed several officials and private secretaries. At the sight, his face darkened and he gave a cold snort, brushing past Zhang Gui and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The private secretaries and officials behind him likewise passed by with stiffened faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Gui and the others exchanged glances, let out a snicker, and each strode off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That laughter was exceptionally grating. Zhu Zhifeng’s steps faltered for a moment, and the private secretaries behind him were also indignant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One man said, “Lord Zhu, as soon as the Marquis of Yongning arrived in the garrison city, he immediately ordered the city cleaned. Although that is a good thing, he only controls military affairs. In civil matters, has he overstepped his authority?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another man, in his thick Jingji accent, said, “Look at those Shogunate officials — they pulled this routine on the Eastern Route, and now they’re doing the same in the garrison city. Is the Marquis of Yongning trying to hollow out Lord Zhu’s civil authority?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huailong Military Defense Circuit Ma Guoxi — his authority has already been stripped. Lord Zhu must take this as a warning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhifeng kept a stiff face. He entered the main hall, and the moment he saw Wang Dou, he said displeasedly: “By the ancestral system, the Garrison Regional Commander is only to drill the troops, repair the city walls, defend against bandits, and protect the residents. Has the Marquis of Yongning’s hand stretched too far?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The ancestral system?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou looked at the indignant Zhu Zhifeng. Although he respected him, that did not mean Wang Dou would accommodate or yield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the ancestral system, the Garrison Regional Commander is to rectify military preparedness, strictly enforce orders, train and care for the troops, and rouse military prestige. He must ensure that armor and uniforms are neat, and weapons are sharp. Forts, walls, and beacon towers that have collapsed must be repaired and made sturdy in due time. The horses ridden by officers and soldiers must be ordered fed to plump strength. He is also to supervise military farms, grain, and fodder, and none of the associated funds and provisions may be embezzled. When bandits appear, he is to assess the situation and engage in battle or defense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What I follow is the ancestral system of the Exalted Emperor and the Civil Emperor. May I ask Lord Zhu, which emperor’s system do you follow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the early Ming, the Regional Commander’s authority was immense — training, combat, provisions, and pay were all his sole responsibility. Although the later curtailment was related to the court’s suppression, it was also inseparable from the degeneration of the military men themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each took pride in coarseness. Many military officers in the army could not even read a few characters and required a clerk to write on their behalf — that was the origin of the military defense circuit. Later on, the collection and distribution of funds and provisions, the inspection of battle merits, the management of construction projects, military farming and horse breeding, and local civil affairs were all handed over to the military defense circuit, leading to the expansion and consolidation of its authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the various garrisons now, the Provincial Governor oversaw both military and civilian affairs, leaning mainly toward military matters. Of course, he would also inquire into military farms, grain, and fodder. The military defense circuit and the Ministry of Revenue secretary were in charge of military farming and the like. Zhu Mintai, the Xuan-Da Grain Supervisor Secretary, was a shrewd man. Whenever there was an issue, he would not show his face himself but would prod Zhu Zhifeng to be the one to stick his neck out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the huffing Provincial Governor Zhu before him, who resembled a fighting cock, Wang Dou softened his tone: “Dou will certainly not strip Lord Zhu of his authority. The affairs of Xuan Garrison still require Lord Zhu and Dou to work together with one heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He briefly touched on his grand plan. Establishing garrison farms was one part. In the future, Xuan Garrison would also open a large number of labor-intensive industries — textiles, flour milling, and so on — and build roads, rivers, and canals, enabling large numbers of locals as well as incoming refugees to make a living…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shanxi’s coal resources could support opening many coal mines and hiring hands. Near the frontier, or in many places beyond the frontier, the land was also suitable for growing cotton, wheat, and the like. In later ages, the Zhangbei County area had vast grasslands, where large numbers of horses, cattle, mules, and sheep could be raised, and livestock farms established.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Xuan Garrison and the Xuan-Da region, there were also many places with abundant iron ore, where numerous ironworks could be set up. A whole series of operations would not only benefit the common people — even Provincial Governor Zhu, by saving countless lives, could likewise be praised by tens of thousands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Wang Dou explained, Zhu Zhifeng was unwittingly drawn in by his topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>※※※\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These past two days, I accompanied my family on an outing. It started because my wife saw a news article and again objected to my writing, even suggesting it would be best if I stayed off the internet altogether.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, writing is ultimately just a personal hobby, and now it is not my means of livelihood. I cannot possibly devote so much of my life’s energy to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, after discussion, from now on I will spend less time in front of the computer, only writing drafts and uploading articles, no longer browsing forums, reading book reviews, or visiting various websites, to prevent addiction, maintain good rest habits, and devote more time to real life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I agreed. I have also realized that many times my irregular schedule and deteriorating health are caused by wandering aimlessly online and letting time slip away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Soldier will be completed; after all, it contains many of my dreams. As for whether I will write another book after this one is finished, we shall see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps I will spend a fair amount of time traveling across the country, to see the cities and fortresses I have written about. (To be continued.)\u003C\u002Fp>",3434,"2026-06-03T14:06:10.567Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","3c444da71e4ae8207d537fd690a6fa2ee94c86c78150de4edd1bf5e207d2f16a","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-637","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-635",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]