Chapter 759: To Xi'an

In the days around Zhong Susu's departure beyond the frontier, Gao Shiyin and Wen Fangliang also left the pass.

Wen Fangliang went from Xuanfu Garrison through Datong Garrison, then exited the pass at Piantou Pass in Shanxi Garrison, following the Yellow River toward Hetao. Gao Shiyin's route was easier — from the garrison city to Zhangjiakou, then out the pass to Xinghe Post, and from there turning northeast.

The headquarters of the Monan Eastern Garrison was set at the old site of the former Kaiping Guard. Kaiping was the Yuan dynasty's Upper Capital. In the second year of the Hongwu reign, Chang Yuchun led his army to capture the Upper Capital. In the third year, Li Wenzhong again entered Kaiping, and thereafter Kaiping became a contested ground between the Ming army and the remnant Yuan forces.

In the twenty-ninth year of the Hongwu reign, the Ming established a Guard Commander Office at Kaiping, managing it intensively and strengthening garrison farming. Emperor Yongle, on his many northern expeditions into Mobei, also stationed troops at Kaiping.

After the fifth year of the Xuande reign, the Ming lost Daning, abandoned Xinghe, and Kaiping was left isolated beyond the frontier. Following repeated petitions from Marquis of Yangwu and Kaiping Regional Commander Xue Lu, the Kaiping Guard headquarters was relocated to Dushi, subordinated to the Wanguan Regional Military Commission, abandoning over three hundred li of territory and thus losing the strategic defenses of the Luanhe and Longgang.

From Dushikou to Kaiping, there were originally four post stations: Aining, Ming'an, Weilu, and Hengzhou. Now, near the old Aining and Ming'an post stations, around Baihaizi and the Luanhe river valley, there were quite a few garrison-farmer settlements, opening land and grazing livestock here.

The terrain of Kaiping, near the Great Wall side, was mostly low hills and mounds. Going north and west from Mount Wolong and Hengzhou Post, it became mostly sandy ground and dunes, with patches of sparse forest and grassy meadows.

Arriving here, it seemed that even when snow fell, the crescent-like rolling dunes could not be fully covered by the snow. The sky was vast, and fierce, biting winds swept down from the north, howling across the land, whipping up snowflakes and sand. Sometimes one could barely open their eyes, and if not careful, they'd get a mouthful of sand.

Gao Shiyin spat, "Bah, damn it."

After passing Weilu Post, the scenery was increasingly bleak. The sky was distant, and the biting wind was especially fierce. Gao Shiyin had already swallowed several mouthfuls of sand, which made him curse and grumble.

The Garrison Commander beside him was also deeply worried: "Apart from the Luanhe river valley, the rest of this area is difficult to farm. A bitterly cold and harsh land."

Gao Shiyin said, "Even if it's a bitterly cold and harsh land, we must find ways to be self-sufficient and not burden Xuanfu Garrison with transporting provisions. If farming won't work, then let's graze livestock. There are plenty of pastures here."

A livestock officer said, "This land is full of sandy meadows. I fear it's the result of overgrazing by the northern barbarians in the past. If we graze more, the desertification may worsen."

Gao Shiyin disagreed, saying, "Then we'll raise chickens. No problem with that, right?"

The civil affairs officials all nodded. The pasture chicken-raising method contributed by Long Kun was indeed very useful in such meadowlands. Chickens eat insects, ants, and grass seeds without destroying the ecosystem, and their droppings actually make the grass grow more lushly.

The concern was that the grasslands had many eagles, venomous snakes, foxes, wolves, and such. They would need to raise more dogs, and large white geese were also good for dealing with venomous snakes.

A trade official said excitedly, "We can develop commerce and trade. Kaiping is a necessary stop for journeys north and south. Many merchant caravans are already preparing to go north to trade or hunt for furs. Like Yongning City, we can make Kaiping a major fur trading center. The northeastern ridges have many large trees, and many merchant caravans intend to go there for logging. This city can also become a timber trading hub."

Many of those accompanying Gao Shiyin were elite members of the Civil Affairs Ministry. In just a few words, they pointed out the future development advantages of Kaiping Guard.

Braving the wind, snow, and sand, the group finally arrived at the site of Kaiping City that day.

The old city site was located on the north bank of the Luanhe, beneath Mount Wolong. The Yuan dynasty had spent great effort building the Upper Capital here, with magnificent palaces. During the Red Turban uprising, Red Turban leaders Guan Mr., Potou Pan, and others breached the Upper Capital in the eighteenth year of the Zhizheng reign and burned the palaces.

When Emperor Shun of Yuan retreated from Dadu to the Upper Capital in the twenty-eighth year of the Zhizheng reign, this city was already ruined and dilapidated. When the Ming dynasty established the Kaiping Guard Commander Office, they only repaired the city walls and added barbicans to the original seven gates, ignoring the former palace area.

When Gao Shiyin and his party looked out from the Hadengtai Obo northwest of the city, they saw the city walls collapsed, the entire city seemingly about to be buried in wind, snow, and sand.

The rammed-earth platform they stood on was originally a watchtower defending the Yuan Upper Capital city. Because it was difficult to use, during the Yongle reign, the Ming army built eight new beacon towers at Liulin Xiaozhan, the small hill southwest of Shadui, Quhe Xiaozhan, Jiuzhuang Xiaozhan, southwest of Hui Tomb, and the eastern ridge of Pianling.

Seeing a long stone lamp-stand base on the mountaintop, one advisor believed this small hill was Mount Tiegan of the Yuan dynasty, and the small channel below it should be the Tiegan Canal of the Yuan dynasty. The embankment formed when digging the canal was what Yang Yunfu described in his "Miscellaneous Poems of the Luan Capital" as the "Green Willow Embankment."

In those days, the embankment was planted all over with willows. Now many of those willows were gone, but those that survived had grown thick enough to wrap one's arms around.

The group entered the city through the ruined walls and gates. Everywhere was debris and gravel. Even when they reached the site of the Yuan dynasty palace, it was nothing but desolate platforms and broken foundations, scattered amidst wild grass and weeds. One advisor sighed with emotion, "The rise and fall of dynasties can be glimpsed from this city alone."

Gao Shiyin said, "Let's not dwell on that for now. First, clear out a place to sleep."

While the people around him tidied up, Gao Shiyin led others up to the northern city wall to gaze out. As far as the eye could see, Longgang was in sight, the mountain very tall and broad, its peaks soaring and steep.

An advisor beside him said, "Kaiping, with the Luan River far to the south and Longgang anchoring the north, is truly a place of strategic terrain. Moreover, the four post stations of Hengzhou, Weilu, Ming'an, and Aining connect to Dushi and Xuanfu Garrison. This great garrison looms like a screen behind our mountains. If there is an alarm, each garrison can support the others from head to tail. Not a single barbarian horse can come south. With our garrison here, Xuanfu Garrison can rest easy."

Another advisor said, "We cannot only think of defending Kaiping City. Two hundred li to the north, by the lake, lies Yingchang Garrison. Further north are the ruined cities of Guangwu Garrison and Shahu City. To the northeast is also Jinglu Garrison. Not to mention the other garrisons for now, if Yingchang Garrison is in our hands, our Monan Eastern Garrison defense line advances northward by several hundred li."

Gao Shiyin said, "Exactly. With me, Old Gao, here, with our Vermilion Bird Army here, how can we only think of defense? We must keep pressing north, north! And north again! Use offense as defense!"

He took out cigarettes from his bosom and handed them out to those around him. The people nearby hurriedly took out their lighters to light his for him.

Gao Shiyin blew out a thick cloud of smoke and asked, "Yingchang Garrison is two hundred li to the north?"

An advisor said, "According to the Intelligence Division's Night Scouts' surveys, two hundred li north there is a lake the locals call Dalai Nur, with many small lakes and rivers around it. When Duke Li Wenzhong went on his northern expedition, he built Yingchang Garrison here as a grain storage site. Over a hundred li to the left of this lake is also Changshui Lake. It's quite large."

Gao Shiyin grunted in acknowledgment: "Needless to say, that fort must be in our hands. We must also build a stockade by Changshui Lake to form a mutual support with Yingchang Garrison."

The advisor continued, "About two to three hundred li north of Yingchang Garrison, near Jiesheng Ridge and Lingji Spring (today's Inner Mongolia border, northeast of Chagan Obo Sumu), there is Guangwu Garrison. Tradition says it was also built by Duke Li Wenzhong."

Gao Shiyin said, "A bit far. Set up a sentry post there. Merchants traveling north and south can replenish water and grain there, can't they?"

He clenched his fist: "If we consider Kaiping City as the rear, Yingchang Garrison is the waist. Guangwu Garrison is the head."

The advisor said, "When Emperor Chengzu went on his northern expeditions, he also built Shahu City by the Yima River (the Luqu River, today's Kherlen River in Mongolia), but it's quite far from Kaiping, over a thousand li. Duke Li Wenzhong also built Jinglu Garrison back then (southeast of today's Lake Buir). It's also quite far from here."

Gao Shiyin said, "...Indeed, a bit too far. We'll plan for that gradually."

He waved his fist: "Gentlemen, the Grand General established the Monan Eastern Garrison at the Protectorate. This shows his regard for our Vermilion Bird Army, and his regard for me, Old Gao. We must defend this area well... so that... we..."

A fierce gust of cold wind howled over, carrying snowflakes and even more sand and gravel. In the blink of an eye, it engulfed Gao Shiyin and the others.

After that blast of wind and snow passed, the cigarette in Gao Shiyin's mouth had been blown away. He cursed, somewhat disheveled, "Damn it..."

When Sun Chuanting left Xuanfu Garrison, he took his staff advisors and the hired three thousand Jingbian Army troops temporarily serving as his Viceroy's Personal Battalion. They traveled via Datong Garrison, Shanxi Garrison, and then through Mizhi, Yan'an, and other places, heading toward Xi'an Prefecture.

All along the way, their banners were strict and orderly, the great Sun-character flags flying high. The military bearing of these three thousand hired Jingbian Army troops was naturally superb. Every man in their First-Class troops had a horse, and even the Second-Class troops, because of the abundant gains from this expedition beyond the frontier, were all equipped with horses. The fodder and such, of course, had to be paid for by Sun Chuanting.

Their commanding officers were Wu Zhengchun and Gao Xun. Previously, one was the Garrison Commander of Bao'an Department and the other of Laishui County, stationed there with the rank of Mobile Corps Commander. But this time, both were given the rank of Assistant Regional Commander, with Wu Zhengchun as the senior and Gao Xun as the deputy. They only needed to return after the campaign to be formally promoted to Assistant Regional Commander, with the honorary rank of Light Chariot Commandant.

Wu Zhengchun had previously fought the roving bandits at Luoyang. With him as the senior commander, there was no dispute from any side. He was still as dark and thin as ever, but his face was full of resolute determination. Rising step by step, he was considered a proper Jingbian Army soldier.

Gao Xun was still tall and slender, handsome and dashing. He had no other hobbies, only a fervent desire for achievements and career. Previously, he had been stationed at Laishui all along with few opportunities for merit. Now, aiding Shaanxi, there would be many chances to fight the bandits, so naturally, he was pleased at heart.

However, in recent years he had become increasingly steady and calm, showing no trace of it on his face.

Because opportunities for merit in battle were what everyone longed for, during the previous campaign beyond the frontier, many Second-Class troops had merely toured outside the pass without ever getting a turn in battle. So for aiding Shaanxi and fighting the roving bandits, many people wanted to go.

The Staff Department, not wanting to show favoritism, drew personnel from each army. The Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise armies all had some men selected.

Zhao Rongcheng was originally a Squad Commander, but now he held the rank of Company Commander, leading a unit of Second-Class troops.

His old friends Luo Liangzuo and Lai Dexiang were also transferred into his unit, each leading a platoon of men.

Another Company Commander was called Li Zhengjing, and yet another was Yang Hu, who held the rank of Mobile Corps Commander. It was said that not long ago he had been the Grand General's guard captain, and earlier had been a member of the veteran Night Scouts, having once rescued Grand Secretary Sun.

Company Commander Huang Wei also held the rank of Mobile Corps Commander, leading the unit of First-Class feathered cavalry within the battalion.

Chen Sheng, having achieved merit in this expedition beyond the frontier, was promoted from Squad Commander to Squad Commander, transferred to serve under his old Squad Commander, Li Zhengjing.

Han Kaihui had long since married the niece of Fu Yingchong, an event that caused quite a stir at the time. Now he held the rank of Squad Commander, also serving in Li Zhengjing's unit.

These three thousand men could be said to include every type of unit. Of course, the Jingbian Army was not like other armies, and this did not diminish their combat effectiveness in the slightest. Moreover, the march itself was a good opportunity for the various units to coordinate and integrate.

Their uniforms were unified, regardless of their original army. All wore bright red long tunics, arm guards, helmet caps, and cloaks, carrying the great Sun-character flag.

Their weapons were also uniform: the musket soldiers all used identical flintlock muskets, fitted with bayonets. In their unit of four companies, three were already musket companies and one a spearman company, allowing them to better exploit the advantage of firearms. The First-Class Army’s feathered cavalry also carried thick-backed sabers.

Within this camp, the mounted raiders and mounted hunters that Han Chao had proposed back then were both present. The mounted raiders used sabers and pistols, while the mounted hunters used carbines. Based on the firearms submitted by Zhong Susu, the military workshop had already manufactured a batch and issued them to these soldiers. The two troop types were combined into one unit, placed under Master Hu’s command.

This camp’s Jingbian Army soldiers aiding Shaanxi was, in fact, also intended as a test of weapons and troop types.

Wen Shiyan had just returned from Henan and was again transferred into the camp, serving as one of the strategic advisors for the Shaanxi relief expedition.

The party braved the wind and snow, trudging along the entire way. By now, Sun Chuanting’s insignia of office had been unfurled, and officials along the route solemnly came out to greet him. However, Sun Chuanting did not stop, but sped swiftly onward.

The prefectures and counties along the route also had the obligation to supply provisions for the great army. Yet Sun Chuanting knew the accumulated abuses of the localities, and having borrowed a large sum of money from Wang Dou, he had ample funds and was flush with confidence. He simply purchased from the local populace, and along the way not a single hair was disturbed, much to the surprise of the prefectures and counties along the route.

One must know that since the late Ming, armies had no discipline; wherever they passed through towns and marketplaces, they let their soldiers plunder and loot, calling it “foraging grain,” leaving villages and hamlets in ruins. In the past, the discipline of the Qin Army under Sun Chuanting’s command was hardly praiseworthy — every man among them killed and set fires, murdering innocents to claim merit as a matter of routine.

But this army…

The officials and people of Datong Garrison, which bordered Xuanfu Garrison, might have guessed, or some knew full well in their hearts, that this army was likely the Jingbian Army in disguise. But once the troops reached Shanxi Garrison, and especially after entering the borders of Shaanxi, opinions became divided. Where had Viceroy Sun brought back such a powerful army? And one with such strict military discipline?

Those with sharp eyes and bright minds further reflected: the situation in Shaanxi might be about to change dramatically.

After marching the entire way, at last on this day, the party arrived outside Xi’an City. (To be continued..)

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