Chapter 736: Leading the World

Wang Dou studied the map, on which Shaanxi, Ningxia, and Shanxi were all clearly visible. Indeed, Wen Fangliang’s reasoning was sound — they had to leave sufficient buffer space on every front of the Anbei Protectorate, especially to the west and southwest.

After all, historically Li Zicheng had captured Shaanxi, then quickly seized Yansui Garrison (Yulin Garrison), Ningxia Garrison, and other places — enough to pose a grave threat to the lands south of the Gobi.

The battle for Yulin in particular was appallingly bloody. At the time, Yansui Regional Commander Wang Ding had followed Sun Chuanting out of the pass, returned in crushing defeat, and when he saw Li Zicheng’s army approaching, he took his troops and fled. The people made former Regional Commander You Shiwei their commander and fought the bandits bitterly for seven days and nights.

When the city fell, those who surrendered found that every woman in the city had taken her own life; every gentry household in the city had died with the city; the officers and officials refused to yield and perished. Such unyielding integrity and fierce chastity had never been heard of, past or present.

After Yulin fell, the Ningxia Garrison troops fought first, then surrendered. Li Zicheng swept his rear clean, and with no worries behind him, he divided his army into two routes. One attacked Shanxi, led by him personally. The other, led by Liu Fangliang, crossed the Yellow River and advanced north from Henan, attacking Shandong, Zhending Prefecture, and Baoding Prefecture separately.

Because all the Regional Commanders of the three Xuan-Da garrisons, except Zhou Yuji, offered up their cities and surrendered, Li Zicheng reached the capital region in just over ten days. The vanguard of the army he personally led struck the capital first, while Liu Fangliang was still besieging Baoding Prefecture city.

The situation had now changed. Wang Dou did not know whether Li Zicheng would still attack Shaanxi, but he had to guard against trouble before it happened. Ideally, the entire province of Shaanxi should serve as a buffer zone southwest of the Protectorate.

And Pingyang Prefecture in Shanxi Province could not be ignored either.

Here, the west and south were separated from Shaanxi and Henan by only a single river. To the south in particular, just across the Yellow River lay Henan Prefecture, where the Chuang bandits were drilling new troops and eyeing them covetously.

And the Shaanxi side to the west was no simpler.

Here, as with Shaanxi, only the Yellow River lay between them. At present there were no large bands of roving bandits inside Shaanxi, but small bands of local bandits were beyond counting. After all, the various roving bandit groups had first emerged from Shaanxi, and the old bandit cadres and core camps were also Qin bandits.

In recent years especially, Yulin Garrison, Yan’an, Xi’an, and other places had suffered drought after drought. It was common for tens of thousands of starving people to besiege department cities. Every year, large numbers of bandits crossed the Yellow River eastward into Pingyang Prefecture, making the pressure of bandit defense extremely heavy.

Wang Dou calculated that he should strengthen support for Shanxi Provincial Governor Cai Maode and Shanxi Regional Commander Zhou Yuji.

“Good in principle, but I fear the whip cannot reach that far. Our hands cannot stretch so long.”

Wen Fangliang’s words sparked heated discussion. Zhong Xiancai proposed going a step further — making all of Shanxi and Shaanxi the buffer zone south of the Protectorate. But after pondering, Han Chao shook his head and spoke.

Gao Shiyin said, “Word has come from the capital — hasn’t Sun Chuanting been reinstated? With him serving as Regional Commander of the Three Frontiers of Shaanxi, holding Shaanxi should be no problem, right?”

“Should… be no problem, right!”

The commanders could not be certain. The final result of their discussion, decided by Wang Dou, was to prepare several contingency plans depending on the situation.

The currently selected targets for support were: first, Shanxi Garrison Regional Commander Zhou Yuji; second, the loyal officers and men of Yansui Garrison and the Ningxia Garrison troops; and third, Sun Chuanting.

The Shanxi Garrison was placed first. The Jingbian Army had to guarantee the security of all Shanxi. Yansui Garrison and the other places came later, and then they would see how Sun Chuanting’s assumption of office went.

After all, good steel must be used on the blade’s edge, and money and grain must go to critical places. Just like the great defeat at Zhuxianzhen — the government troops had failed everywhere in their bandit suppression, disheartening many commanders. They had supported the government troops with ten thousand firelocks, and Cao, Wang, and the others had likewise given much support, yet this was the result.

The Jingbian Army’s silver was not blown in by the wind. Under the Shogunate’s jurisdiction, even Wang Dou now had to pay taxes. Precious grain was painstakingly saved up by the common people. One misstep — how much taxpayer money and grain, how much of the people’s blood and sweat, would be wasted?

…

Han Chao took over the Military Administration Department. His current focus of concern was weapons research and use in the army. The first proposal he submitted after assuming office was to request approval to fully adopt flintlock firelocks in the Jingbian Army’s first-class battalions.

This had also been the focus of discussion among everyone in the hall previously.

“…At present, the Thunderbolt Gun is already no worse than the matchlock in many respects. It is time to spread it throughout the entire army. The Military Administration Department’s next objective is to have the Military Science Division develop finer steel leaf springs, so that the striking force upon firing is stronger, reducing the misfire rate, and ultimately matching that of the matchlock.”

The Jingbian Army’s flintlock development had reached this stage and was growing ever more mature. Even Gao Shiyin, previously the staunchest opponent, no longer objected. He even said, “Your department has set up a Military Science Division — can’t you put in a bit more effort to reduce this misfire rate further, so that our soldiers fight with even greater might, like a tiger given wings?”

Gao Shiyin’s words were quite unreasonable. After all, improving the ignition rate of flintlocks was no simple matter. The contact shape of the touchhole, the burn rate of the powder, the friction between the flint and the frizzen — all required repeated study. In particular, the steel requirements for the linkage between the hammer and the trigger were extremely high.

Because a flintlock, unlike a matchlock, uses flint striking sparks to ignite the powder. For sparks to fly, considerable force is needed, which demands very fine spring steel for the linkage. Otherwise, the misfire rate would be maddening — worse than just using a matchlock.

In European countries, as early as the beginning of the seventeenth century, the French had already designed flintlocks. But due to cost, misfire rates, and many other problems, it was not until the mid-to-late seventeenth century that a marine corps unit was fully equipped with flintlocks. Large-scale re-equipment even had to wait until the early eighteenth century.

The English were the same. It was not until 1645, when Cromwell trained the New Model Army, that two companies were equipped with flintlocks. Sweden equipped flintlocks for a period, then promptly withdrew them and switched back to matchlocks — also because of these problems.

To Gao Shiyin’s unreasonable demand, Han Chao merely smiled slightly and said, “Han will do his best.”

During this expedition beyond the frontier, he had also noticed a problem with the troops’ firearms — namely, the bayonet.

The bayonet paired with the flintlock was indeed lethal — better in close combat, yet capable at range. But because of the socket mounting method, when the bayonet was fitted, it sat above the barrel and blocked the front sight, making aiming slightly inconvenient for the troops. It would be best to improve this.

Wang Dou made a sound of surprise. He had not thought of this problem. In later times, he had never noticed this detail either. He had only seen that on many flintlock muskets, the bayonet sat above the barrel after mounting, so he had casually mentioned it, and the craftsmen had forged them according to his instructions.

The current method of bayonet use in the Jingbian Army was that the socket had a groove and gap. The front sight served as the locking lug. After the bayonet was fitted, a twist locked the groove onto the front sight, so it would not fall off or loosen, allowing it to work well with the firearm.

But now that he thought about it, the front sight was indeed blocked. With only a rear sight notch and no front sight for aiming, it was indeed slightly inconvenient.

…

The commanders in the hall also grew interested. They all followed Wang Dou into a nearby shooting range, each taking a flintlock and bayonet to examine, and indeed it was so.

Han Chao pointed to the bayonet and explained: “My humble opinion is to mount the bayonet on the left side of the barrel, still using the front sight as the locking lug, but also restoring the front sight’s aiming capability… As for the current batch of bayonets in use, let it be. For future forging, the groove position on the socket can be slightly modified. For the craftsmen, this is merely a trivial matter.”

Wang Dou pondered. He thought carefully. In later times, the bayonets used by Westerners on their flintlocks — the socket mounting methods in the later period seemed to be varied as well. They were not only mounted above the barrel; some were mounted on the left side, some on the right side of the barrel.

Overall, they did not pay much attention to this issue, which also had to do with the differing approaches to firearms between East and West.

Western firearms emphasized power more but did not pursue precision. Gun-making craftsmanship also appeared rather crude. In particular, their early firearms not only lacked rear sights, but even lacked front sights. Therefore, when firing, they had to get very close.

They generally aimed only by the spine of the gun, getting a rough aim. Just like later air rifles and hunting shotguns, this was a continuation of that mindset.

Of course, as Western flintlocks developed into the later period, they also noticed this problem. Front sights generally became standard, and many even had rear sights — like the English. At the same time, many countries’ flintlocks still lacked rear sights — like the Americans.

They also liked to mount their bayonets above the barrel, blocking the front sight. So when the Americans conducted volley fire in ranks, they especially liked to get even closer — also because of aiming issues.

In the East, however, from the moment firelocks were introduced, both front and rear sights were fully present. Firelocks were called “bird guns,” and Qi Jiguang even said they could shoot flying birds. In terms of accuracy assurance, the East was superior.

He had unwittingly been influenced by the Americans. After all, in later times their film and television industry was the most developed — which also proved the importance of soft power.

Gao Shiyin, however, was unimpressed. Did it matter greatly whether the bayonet was mounted on top or on the left?

He said, “Once these firelocks go off, smoke swirls everywhere — what are you aiming at? Better to advance in formation, even to within fifty paces, thirty paces! Then a single volley, and all the Tartars and roving bandits will flee like wolves and run like boars! Is there any need to be so meticulous?”

He waved his arm: “With tight, dense ranks and fierce gunfire, crush all enemies before you, and display the valor of our Jingbian Army!”

Han Chao smiled slightly. “Old Gao, valor does not mean needless casualties. If we can shoot more accurately, is that not better?”

Wang Dou nodded slightly. Although with the current precision of firearms manufacturing, it was indeed very difficult to guarantee a proper sight picture on a firelock — especially since after the musketeers fired, a sheet of white smoke before their eyes hindered aiming — but even if only the first volley could be more accurate, was that not a good thing?

Looking at the flintlock and bayonet in his hand, he finally said, “Let it be as Brother Han requests. Henceforth, bayonets shall be mounted on the left side of the barrel.”

…

The commanders returned to the main hall. At present, they were satisfied with the Jingbian Army’s firearms; a few minor flaws just needed improvement. Wang Dou’s heart also swelled with pride. At present, the firearms under his command could be said to lead the world — flintlocks went without saying, and the same was true of the bayonet.

Wang Dou remembered very clearly that at this time, Europe did not even have the plug bayonet. It would be a few more years, in 1647 by the Western calendar, before the earliest bayonet appeared in the small French city of Bayonne — the English word “bayonet” itself came from the name of that city.

That type of bayonet was plugged into the muzzle, preventing the musket from being fired at the same time. It was not until 1687 that a bayonet similar to the Jingbian Army’s would appear in France. Two years later, the French army fully adopted it. A few years after that, England and Germany adopted it as well, and it spread throughout Europe.

And the silk cartridge bags, the goose-quill priming tubes, and the like — these too led the world. The goose-quill priming tube in particular would not be used in Europe until 1697, replacing loose powder in the touchhole and simplifying the aiming and loading process.

However, a subsequent report from Wen Daxing aroused Wang Dou’s vigilance. The missionaries in the capital and throughout the Great Ming had already taken notice of the Jingbian Army. The army’s advanced weapons in particular had stirred their intense interest, and they were openly or covertly inquiring into everything about the Jingbian Army.

Han Chao’s expression was grave, and he immediately said, “Those not of our kind are sure to have different hearts! The red-haired barbarians are cunning and treacherous — we must prevent them from probing our military secrets and leaking them abroad!”

Wang Dou also said coolly, “The missionaries in the capital and elsewhere, though they put on a sanctimonious front, must be remembered by all of you — do not be deceived by their outward appearance. They are enemies more vicious than the bandits or the slaves. Every man in the Protectorate must keep a heart on guard against the barbarians!”

The Jesuits had entered China around the middle of the Ming dynasty. Because spreading their faith was difficult, they changed their appearance one after another — learning Chinese, wearing Chinese clothes, taking Chinese names — and even resorted to stealthy substitution, replacing their Lord with the Chinese historical Haotian Shangdi. They also made the accommodation that converts could still worship their ancestors, which for a time misled quite a few people.

Of course, by the time China declined in the Qing period, without anyone noticing, these missionaries had changed the name of God from China’s Haotian Shangdi to the Western Jesus, an influence that persisted into later ages. By then, naturally, ancestor worship was also forbidden, prettily called a prohibition on idol worship.

As for the missionaries, the Ming court’s attitude had also gradually shifted from initial welcome to guarded prevention, and finally to the conviction that these men were aggressors.

Lu Zhaolong, Supervising Secretary of the Office of Rites, had once submitted a memorial stating: “I grew up in Xiangshan and know the Macao barbarians to be utterly wicked. Their nature is fierce, their hearts unfathomable. When they first came to trade, they merely anchored their ships off the outer seas of Langbai. Later they gradually entered Macao, at first only erecting mat sheds for shelter. Gradually they built houses, gradually they built up Qingzhou Hill, and gradually they constructed gun platforms and solid fortifications. … Moreover, the Macao barbarians exclusively practice the Catholic religion. Its doctrines are obscure and subtle, most apt to delude the world and deceive the people. Now they lecture openly in Chang’an, and in the capital nine out of ten households believe in this heterodox teaching. If it spreads and multiplies unchecked, the White Lotus rebellion is a warning to heed…”

Su Jiyu put it even more bluntly. Attacking the Jesuit missionary Giulio Aleni, he said: “This barbarian falsely claims a distance of ninety thousand li. Now, those who feign great distance make others believe their intentions are different, so that none suspect they are devouring us. Little do they know this scheme is deep and their design cunning — wherever they go, they ruin that country, always using that country to attack that country. They have swallowed over thirty already. The distant ones are hard to trace; the nearest are Luzon, the Misuoguo, the Sanbaoyan, and Jilong and Danshui — in every case they killed the ruler and seized the people. It takes only a few men to crush a whole nation. This is truly well-founded and verifiable.”

During the Wanli reign, the Wanli Emperor ordered the expulsion of the missionaries. Diego de Pantoja and Sabatino de Ursis in Beijing, and Alfonso Vagnoni and Manuel Dias in Nanjing, were all expelled to Macao. The remaining missionaries were either hidden by the convert official Sun Yuanhua or concealed in various parts of China.

The Chongzhen reign marked a period of revival for the missionaries, though they existed as military advisors in the Ming army for the purpose of resisting the Later Jin. On this point, the missionaries at first strongly objected, because previously they had gone to great lengths to conceal their relationship with Macao. Now, by participating in military affairs, were they not hinting that the missionaries were the same Franks who invaded everywhere?

It was Li Zhizao who earnestly persuaded them: “Fathers, do not worry, and do not use weapons as an excuse. To a tailor, the needle is a necessary tool, but the tailor threads the needle, and once the garment is finished, he pulls the needle out. Thus, once the Fathers, by the Emperor’s command, take part in war, the weapon becomes a pen.”

And so the missionaries returned to Beijing and resumed their proselytizing. The missionaries who had hidden in various places also restored their evangelical activities. Wang Dou’s forceful rise in the Great Ming could not fail to attract these men’s attention, and through various channels they expressed to Wang Dou their wish to preach in Xuanfu Garrison.

To this, Wang Dou made his attitude clear: “For the time being, have no contact with these red-haired barbarians.”

Wang Dou would forever be fully on guard against them, and would not change because of whatever face they chose to show.

Still, thinking that in the future, when operating in Mobei, he might come into contact with Russians, he recalled that during the Liaodong campaign the Jingbian Army had captured a fellow named Raul, a Spaniard, who was still locked up in the mines doing hard labor. He could send some men to learn Latin from him.

After all, at present the Spanish and Portuguese were dominant, and the language in circulation throughout the world was Latin.

French became the lingua franca in the nineteenth century, and the spread of English would have to wait until the twentieth. He hoped that his own arrival might one day make Chinese the world language.

After the military-political conference adjourned, Wang Dou went to the civil administration hall. Opening up Monan required all kinds of planning, as well as large quantities of farming tools and equipment, and preparations to guard against plague. Wang Dou was now so busy he was spinning in circles.