Chapter 82

Volume Three: Defender of Shunxiang Fort, Chapter Eighty-Two: Mining Expenses

The clerk Feng Dachang, accompanied by several tally officers, the garrison adjutant Chi Dacheng, Han Chao, Han Zhong, Xu Lu, Wen Fangliang, and others, all arrived in high spirits at Wang Dou's battalion commander office.

Feng Dachang, his face wreathed in smiles, cupped his hands toward Wang Dou and said, "My lord, I have not failed your trust. The Shunxiang Army military songs you ordered have been compiled by this student."

He produced a booklet containing several military songs, including the "Song of Triumph" and "Song of Wind and Waves" by Qi Jiguang, currently popular in the northern garrisons, as well as several songs created through the collective efforts of Shunxiang Fort.

The songbook included "The Exhortation Song," "The Shooting Discipline Song," "The Use of Terrain Song," "The Marching Song," "The Sentry Song," "The Eating Song," "The Sleeping Song," "The Rising Song," and others.

There was also the "Shunxiang Army Anthem," for which everyone unanimously agreed to use Yue Fei's "Man Jiang Hong."

Flipping through the songbook, Wang Dou was also very pleased. One must not underestimate the power of military songs; they can greatly boost army morale. In this way, his troops would more closely resemble a strong army.

Ranked first was "The Exhortation Song," which served as the disciplinary song of the Shunxiang Army. Wang Dou adopted the lyrics of the later-era Beiyang Army's "Exhortation Song," which better suited the background of this era, with slight modifications in a few places. The tune used local folk melodies from Baoanzhou:

"As a son, fulfill filial piety; as a subject, fulfill loyalty. The court and the common people all toil hard, placing great hopes on raising troops. Every day you idle, hands in sleeves, comfortably eating your monthly grain. If you still will not exert yourself for the country, heaven, earth, ghosts, and gods will surely not permit it. Since ancient times, generals and ministers have often come from the ranks; do not look lightly upon being a soldier."

"First, you must diligently learn to drill; master your skills so you may earn merit. Your weapon is what protects your body; frequently clean and wipe it spotless."

"Second, in battle you must be truly brave; if fate decrees you shall not die, you will naturally live. If you shrink back and violate military orders, one blade will cut you in two, leaving a foul name."

"Third, treat the common people with a good heart; your grain and pay depend entirely on their toil. So long as soldiers and civilians become one family, the people's aid will make your achievements complete."

"Fourth, do not ravish women; which of them was not born of parents? Your own family also has wives and daughters; how could you bear it if they suffered such disgrace?"

"Fifth, do not let the sight of wealth breed evil thoughts; bandits will eventually face retribution. No matter how much gold and silver you gain, once caught and executed, it all comes to nothing."

"Sixth, you must respect the officers in the army; overstepping your rank and disobeying orders is no light offense. Most importantly, do not tell lies; act honestly and you will surely succeed."

"Seventh, abstain from gambling, whoring, and visiting brothels; if officers discover it, severe punishment will follow. Be content with your lot and save your money; supporting your family brings great honor."

"If you always remember these words, you will surely be promoted to squad leader. If you pay them no heed at all, light offenses bring beatings, grave ones bring death, with no mercy shown."

These lyrics vividly integrated the military discipline regulations that soldiers needed to heed into the song. In the process of soldiers singing and passing it on, those disciplinary rules would be memorized without conscious effort. These lyrics were compiled by Wang Dou, with Feng Dachang finding some veteran opera performers to compose the music.

That Wang Dou, a military man, could also write lyrics struck Feng Dachang as very strange. Ever since Wang Dou arrived at Shunxiang Fort, Feng Dachang had discovered many ways in which Wang Dou differed from others.

The "Shunxiang Army Anthem" met with unanimous delight. Its lyrics were impassioned and indignant, its melody deep and solemnly powerful, fitting the atmosphere of the chaotic late Ming world. Coupled with Yue Fei's thunderous fame, its popularity was only to be expected.

Han Zhong even loudly sang the anthem: "My hair bristles with rage, I lean upon the railing, the pattering rain has ceased. I lift my gaze, toward heaven I roar, my heroic heart fiercely stirred. Thirty years of merit and fame, mere dust and earth; eight thousand li of road, beneath clouds and moon. Do not idle away, till a young man's head turns white, and grieve in vain."

Although he sang like wailing ghosts and howling wolves, completely tone-deaf, he did so with great force. Spurred on by him, the several officers present all sang together.

"The shame of Jingkang, not yet avenged. When will a subject's hatred be quenched? Driving a long chariot, I would trample through the Helan Mountain pass. With lofty zeal, I would hungrily feast on barbarian flesh; laughing and chatting, I would thirstily drink Xiongnu blood. Let me start anew, reclaim our old rivers and mountains, and pay homage before the Celestial Palace!"

As they sang, everyone grew stirred, gesticulating wildly. Wang Dou also sang along with them for a while. Finally, he instructed the clerk Feng Dachang to copy these songs into multiple copies, so that at least every squad in the army would have one songbook.

Feng Dachang agreed with a face full of smiles.

Soon it was New Year's Eve. The previous year, the three bachelors Han Chao, Han Zhong, and Gao Shiyin had come to the Wang household to celebrate the New Year together.

This year, Gao Shiyin was already married. Han Chao and Han Zhong were still bachelors, so Wang Dou invited the two of them to his home for the New Year. His maternal uncle Zhong Zhengxian, his cousin Zhong Diaoyang, and his young brother-in-law Xie Yike also spent the New Year at the Wang household.

At the banquet, everyone gathered around one table, quite lively.

This year, Wang Dou had been promoted to battalion commander and also appointed Defender, bringing glory to his ancestors, which made this New Year even more joyous.

At the table, his mother, Lady Zhong, was beaming with delight. She repeatedly urged everyone to drink and eat, and she also asked with concern about the marriage prospects of the Han brothers. That fellow Han Chao was already twenty-five years old this year, yet his marriage still had no resolution, inevitably drawing the attention of Wang Dou and the others.

Wang Dou also asked about the progress of Han Chao's relationship with Wan Shenghe and Mistress Zheng. Han Chao, completely losing his usual composure, merely blushed and fidgeted, refusing to answer.

That fellow—who knew what he was thinking? Mistress Zheng had cast aside a woman's reserve and, as a woman, actively pursued him. She often accompanied her uncle Zheng Jinglun to deliver rice to Shunxiang Fort just to see Han Chao and draw closer to him. Yet this fellow failed to appreciate her heartfelt intentions, remaining as dense as a block of wood, driving all the concerned parties to distraction.

In fact, Wang Dou had also heard some rumors. Han Chao seemed to have taken a liking to a certain woman in the prefectural city. That woman was described as alluringly beautiful, but her conduct was frivolous. Between Mistress Zheng and this woman, Han Chao could not make up his mind which to choose.

This fellow had lived twenty-four years and was probably still a virgin, having never experienced the battle of the sexes. Wang Dou naturally had the obligation to guide him.

Wang Dou looked at him and said, "In taking a wife, take a virtuous one. With a virtuous wife at home, a husband avoids unforeseen calamities. Brother Han, it is not for me to criticize you, but Mistress Zheng may be plain in appearance, yet she is virtuous, gentle, and proper. Such a woman is a good companion indeed!"

Wang Dou's uncle Zhong Zhengxian said, "Exactly. Brother Han, do not disdain her for being a widow. She owns a rice shop and has a substantial family fortune. It is only that she looks down on an old fellow like me, otherwise..."

Lady Zhong glared at him angrily, and Zhong Zhengxian promptly fell silent.

Han Chao still said nothing.

Wang Dou sighed, "From next year onward, in my Shunxiang Army, those without wives shall not be permitted to enlist, and those without wives shall not be promoted. As a superior officer, you should set an example."

Han Chao cupped his hands and said, "My lord, rest assured. This humble officer will certainly marry and establish a household next year, and will not make things difficult for my lord."

Wang Dou said, "That is good."

He turned to Han Zhong and said, "Brother Han the Second, what about you?"

This fellow would be twenty-two after the New Year, also no longer young.

Han Zhong stared wide-eyed and said, "My lord, my elder brother has not yet taken a wife. How can I, as the younger brother, establish a household first? Once my elder brother is married, this humble one will immediately marry as well."

Wang Dou heaved a long sigh.

After the New Year, time entered the ninth year of the Chongzhen reign.

Throughout the first month of Chongzhen's ninth year, the Ming army fought a series of great battles against the peasant army forces of Gao Yingxiang, Li Zicheng, and others. The fighting raged like wildfire.

On the first day of the first month, the Vice Minister of War and Regional Commander of military affairs for the seven provinces of Shanxi and Shaanxi, Lu Xiangsheng, assembled all his generals at Fengyang and proposed numerous strategies for encircling and annihilating the peasant army.

On the sixth day of the first month, Gao Yingxiang, Li Zicheng, and their forces attacked Lu for eight days. Regional Commander Lu Xiangsheng led Regional Commander Zu Kuan and other troops from various commands to relieve Chuzhou, and fought a great battle with the peasant army at Wuliqiao east of the city. The peasant army fared poorly in the battle; their linked camps all collapsed, and they retreated fifty li north, suffering over twelve hundred beheadings. From Zhulong Pass to Guanshan, corpses filled the ditches and choked the moats, so that the Chu River ceased to flow because of them.

After this defeat, the peasant army was forced to cross north to Sazhou and Xuzhou, then turned back into Henan, with the Ming army in close pursuit...

While great battles raged outside, Shunxiang Fort remained tranquil. From the first day of the first month, Wang Dou was busy paying New Year visits. He first went to the prefectural city to pay New Year respects to the Garrison Commander Xu Zucheng and the field administration officer Zhang Gui. From the third day of the first month onward, he was again busy receiving New Year visits from the various military officers of Shunxiang Fort, so occupied he could barely manage.

On the eighth day of the first month of Chongzhen's ninth year—which in later times would be Western Valentine's Day—Wang Dou summoned Lin Daofu and the head craftsman Li Maosen to discuss mining at Koujiagou in Huiyao Fort.

The fire lance made according to the method Wang Dou had proposed that day was indeed extremely powerful. At fifty paces, it could pierce two layers of cotton armor, and the barrel was easier to manufacture. One craftsman could produce a qualified barrel in about half a month, and it was sturdy and thick-walled, not prone to bursting.

As for cost and iron usage, they were about the same as the original bird gun. Factoring in the price of iron, charcoal, craftsmen's wages and grain, and other expenses, the cost of one fire lance was still around three taels of silver.

Still, it was far cheaper than bows and arrows, and the manufacturing time was much quicker. After all, according to traditional bow-making methods, one bow could not be expected to be completed without three years' time. Making arrows was likewise very complex.

Regarding this new type of fire lance, the officers marveled at its power, yet also harbored doubts. This fire lance was powerful indeed, but its range was too short. Compared to the original bird gun, which had lethal range at a hundred paces, the difference was truly vast, posing a severe test to the soldiers' psychological fortitude!

When the Later Jin cavalry came rolling forward, at such a short distance, could the soldiers fight calmly?

This doubt required verification in actual combat!

Wang Dou nonetheless instructed Li Maosen to first manufacture a batch of these fire lances.

Jingbian Fort originally had over twenty artisan households, plus that group of workers who made paper cartridge tubes. Wang Dou transferred all of them to Shunxiang Fort.

Shunxiang Fort originally had over seventy artisan households; from their able-bodied adult males, one was selected and enrolled into the Shunxiang army, but the remaining able-bodied men, the old, and the weak who stayed behind were all experienced craftsmen as well.

Under Li Maosen’s leadership, in nearly a month’s time they forged fifty-two new-style firelocks, over twenty helmets, and more than two hundred long spearheads. Under the new reward and punishment measures implemented at Shunxiang Fort, no artisan dared slack off, and virtually all the weapons produced were up to standard.

However, the stockpiled iron materials were already used up, and now the artisans idled all day; apart from making paper cartridge tubes, they were simply waiting for new iron supplies to arrive.

As for that red iron mine at Huiyao Fort, Li Maosen had long since gone to the site to inspect it personally. He said to Wang Dou, “My lord, the ore quality of that Mushí deposit there is outstanding. This humble one believes that once it is mined, the weapons made from it will certainly be top-grade. Only, the mountains are high and the roads far — I fear mining will be inconvenient!”

From Shunxiang Fort to Huiyao Fort is about seven li; from Huiyao Fort to Chadao Tunzhen is another ten li; and from Chadao Tunbao, turning west again into a river valley mountain road and traveling about five li more, one reaches the Koujiagou red iron mine site, where there are only a scattered few households.

From Shunxiang Fort to Koujiagou, the route is mostly mountain roads, so transport is indeed inconvenient.

Moreover,”

Coal is the foremost necessity for iron smelting; if pig iron is to be refined into wrought iron, limestone and other materials must also be added.

Wujiagou in Bao’an Department is rich in coal; from Wujiagou to Shunxiang Fort is nearly twenty li. From Shunxiang Fort to Koujiagou is another twenty-some li. Over these forty-plus li, the manpower and material resources for transporting coal alone are no small sum.

The Great Ming already knows how to smelt iron with coke; after high-temperature calcination, pig iron can be directly refined into wrought iron. Smelting one ton of pig iron generally requires about one ton of coke. At present in the Great Ming, coke costs over ten taels of silver per ton, and ordinary coal also costs several taels. Moreover, the coal used for iron smelting must be carefully selected. In the Great Ming, the price of pig iron is over twenty taels per ton, and wrought iron is even more expensive, but the cost of the required coke is even higher.

Besides the transport costs for these raw materials, there are other expenses: mining requires miners and technicians, as well as various equipment and so on.

If Wang Dou needs a fixed monthly output of forged firearms — for example, if he needs to forge one hundred firearms a month — calculating five jin of wrought iron to refine one jin of fine iron, and one firearm requiring seven jin of fine iron, then just to forge one hundred firearms, at least nearly four thousand jin of wrought iron is needed per month.

Forging one suit of iron armor requires at least over thirty jin of such fine iron; if twenty suits of iron armor are to be forged each month, at least over three thousand jin of wrought iron is needed per month.

That totals over three tons of wrought iron to be produced each month, and just the monthly purchase of coke would require over five tons, costing over seventy taels of silver.

This is a massive plan. No matter how difficult, Wang Dou must accomplish one hundred firearms and twenty suits of iron armor per month.

Wang Dou pondered in silence for a long while. The technicians needed for mining could perhaps be selected from among the artisan households of Shunxiang Fort; he believed that among these hereditary artisan households there would be relevant talent. If that did not work, some could be found from Wujiagou, where coal mines are numerous and relevant talent is also plentiful.

As for miners and transport hands, Shunxiang Fort has no manpower to spare, but hands could be selected from Huiyao Fort and the several nearby tun-bastions. With over two Company Commander across those forts, two hundred able-bodied men could still be found. If they are fed their fill every day, he believed these military households would eagerly participate.

As for transport, it is nothing more than using ox carts and mule carts, but Wang Dou would still use wheelbarrows as much as possible; the old, the weak, and women could all take part, saving some transport costs and also allowing more people to eat their fill.

He said to Li Maosen, “Craftsman Head Li, from this day forward, you will select some artisans to proceed to the site. I recall that within Shunxiang Fort there is an old artisan called Wu Shihuan; he is highly experienced and could perhaps serve as your deputy!”

Wu Shihuan was the very artisan who built the Lanzhou-style great waterwheel for Wang Dou that day. This old man was vastly experienced, having stayed in many places across the Great Ming, and Wang Dou believed he would also have his own unique insights in iron mine extraction.

Wang Dou said, “As for the high mountains and far roads making extraction inconvenient — that is not a problem. We must overcome difficulties. When conditions exist, we proceed; when conditions do not exist, we must create conditions and proceed.”

After Li Maosen received his orders, Wang Dou said to Lin Daofu, “Magistrate Lin, the matter of opening the mine at Koujiagou I entrust to you. This is a matter of life and death for our Shunxiang Fort; you must treat it with the utmost gravity!”

Lin Daofu had been a whirlwind of energy during this period; whether it was drilling troops or opening up farmland, this tall, middle-aged military officer seemed to possess inexhaustible vigor, and from afar one could hear his booming voice. Now he cupped his hands to Wang Dou and said, “My lord, rest assured, in the matter of opening the mine at Koujiagou, this subordinate will certainly treat it with the utmost gravity and will assuredly get the iron mine running!”

After saluting, he then asked Wang Dou for silver.

Wang Dou carefully calculated for a moment and said, “Very well, for the initial phase I will give you three hundred taels of silver. For subsequent expenses, we will calculate them gradually later!”

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Old White Ox:

Today two updates totaling eight thousand characters; there will be one more update tonight.

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