Chapter 859: Regency

The endless torrent was not just the single route Zheng Tianmin saw. The Eastern Desert-South Garrison, Western Desert-South Garrison, Central Desert-South Garrison, as well as the Northern Desert, the Western Desert, Shaanxi, Gansu, Yulin, and other places — all had roads leading to Xuanfu Garrison. And along these roads, an unending stream of troops and horses poured toward Xuanfu Garrison.

Hoofbeats like thunder — roughly five thousand cavalry, after obtaining consent from the Eastern Desert-South Garrison outposts and forts such as Guangwu and Yingchang, passed through the checkpoints and rushed urgently toward Kaiping City.

Their horsemanship was masterful, their horses numerous — some men had two or even three mounts. They raised all manner of sulde standards, from which hung wolf pelts of various shapes. Beneath their helmets, every face was the same high-plateau red, broad and flat, with small eyes — these were the combined troops of the various Northern Desert tribes, mustered under the orders of the Protectorate.

They numbered about five thousand, every man an armored soldier, and they were personally led by the Tüsheet Khan Wang Gunbu and others.

The Protectorate’s orders spread in all directions. Wherever the writ reached, troops were to be dispatched, and it was specifically pointed out that they did not want ordinary foot soldiers, but elite retainers, armored soldiers, and crack cavalry.

Gunbu and the others dared not resist the Protectorate’s order to send troops. Given their current understanding of Wang Dou and his people, if they truly failed to send troops, they would certainly suffer for it in the days to come. To say nothing else — merely barring them from coming to Guihua City would be something they could not bear, let alone trade sanctions or military attack.

Men like Gunbu, in particular, spent the greater part of the year living in Guihua City. Many of their family members had also moved into Guihua City, and every one of them had grown rich from the Han-Mongol trade. By every reason and logic, they had to send troops. Moreover, the future rewards from plunder held great appeal for them, especially the Mongol captives they might seize.

And so they not only sent troops, but sent them all armored soldiers — the fiercest warriors of every tribe — mustering a total of five thousand men.

Their standard equipment was one primary horse and one secondary horse, plus willow-leaf armor, hoop armor, crescent-moon blades, horn bows, great bows, and long weapons and armor such as hook-spears. Some men also carried short axes or heavy maces and other short heavy weapons on horseback. These were all the standard equipment of the Yuan army back then, and these Mongol tribes had preserved them to some degree.

Five thousand riders and over ten thousand horses — it was an awe-inspiring display of force.

They too took the Eastern Desert-South Garrison route. This route had many water sources, lush pastures, and was relatively easy to travel. In years past, the Ming army’s several northern expeditions had mostly taken this Eastern Desert-South Garrison route. Had they taken the Central Desert-South Garrison route, they would have had to cross over a thousand li of great desert — something that made even the Mongols’ hair stand on end.

Sharing the same mindset were the numerous Mongol tribes of the Hetao region, Qinghai, and other places. For all sorts of reasons, they too needed to send troops, to say nothing of the personal letter of persuasion from Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso. They too mustered five thousand armored soldiers, all led by the local chieftains and tribes, and hurried urgently toward Xuanfu Garrison.

Compared to the Mongol tribes of the Northern Desert, they had clearly been considerably assimilated by the local regions. Their clothing, armor, and weapons all bore distinct Tibetan stylistic features.

……

Furious horses like dragons — several hundred cavalry galloped across the grasslands, racing toward the Kaiping Guard sector. Their clothing, armor, and banner streamers differed little from those of the Northern Desert Mongols, but were of somewhat finer quality. Moreover, within the horse column flew a sun-moon-wave banner edged in gold — this was the Mongol cavalry company of the Central Army’s Newly Attached Battalion.

Riding at the very front were two short, stocky Mongols. What they wore, however, was exquisitely crafted fine iron scale armor, and on their heads were eight-petaled helmet caps — quite different from the Mongols behind them. These two were Galdan and Tabunang.

They looked radiant, the high-plateau red on their faces much faded. Clearly, these past two years had been rather pleasant for them.

Indeed, after that great battle beyond the frontier in the fifteenth year of Chongzhen, the two had earned tremendous military merit. Tabunang, in particular, had obtained one hundred merit points, and Galdan had likewise earned no small number of merit points. Then, without prior consultation, both had redeemed them for large estates and taken up the life of estate owners.

Moreover, because of their military merit, their entire families had directly skipped over Foreign Registry and gone from Temporary Residence Registry to Naturalized Registry. Galdan had also married Tabunang’s younger sister, Ulun Zhurige, bought a small courtyard in Xuanfu Garrison, and opened a small shop — living a comfortable, contented little life.

In their careers, they had also achieved considerable success, each becoming a Squad Commander, with two to three hundred men under their respective commands.

The Protectorate’s rules for surrendered Mongols were: those who surrendered and served could obtain Foreign Registry. Then they would be allocated land and pasture, live a settled life, and be permitted to trade and interact with the Protectorate. These surrendered tribes were forbidden from attacking one another, and strictly forbidden from crossing boundaries; otherwise, they would suffer the thunderous strike of Zeng Jiuyi, who oversaw the Newly Attached Battalion.

However, they could expand outward, attacking those tribes that did not surrender, capturing wild men in the deep mountains and old forests, and so on. Zeng Jiuyi would then adjudicate and divide the credit — how to divide the captives, pastureland, and so forth.

After military operations beyond the frontier ceased, these surrendered tribes mostly expanded outward. Galdan and Tabunang, having become unit officers through military merit, were also quite effective in opening up new territory. According to Zeng Jiuyi’s merit assessments, they had each acquired varying numbers of captives, with several hundred able-bodied men under their respective commands.

Based on their military merit and the number of men under them, they had recently been promoted to Squad Commander. Their pastureland was also near the Luoma River, within the former boundaries of the Kaiping Left Garrison.

Because of this as well, the Mongol troops of the Newly Attached Battalion had grown from the original three thousand riders to the current five thousand riders.

“Galdan, we’re about to enter the Protectorate’s actual territory. Tell the lads under our command to be careful. Some of the newly taken savages in the unit have never seen the world — be careful they don’t violate military discipline.”

Looking at a hillock ahead, Tabunang specifically instructed Galdan beside him.

Galdan said, “I know. Our Jingbian Army’s military discipline is strict — especially the prohibition on looting and harassing the people. Those savages losing their heads is a small matter, but ruining our two futures in the army — that would be a big matter.”

Both of them spoke in Chinese, though haltingly, yet they still struggled to speak it. Both were now of Naturalized Registry; one step further was Han Registry. And to become Han, they absolutely had to pass the language barrier — otherwise, they need not even think about future evaluations.

And only with Han Registry could they truly integrate into the Protectorate’s atmosphere and achieve greater advancement in the army in the future. So whenever the two of them were together and had nothing else to do, they practiced more.

……

Amid the advancing torrent, all manner of banners flew. Besides the regular battalion troops, there were in fact also many security firms and civilian groups, all under the Central Army’s command. Therefore, every unit bore a sun-moon-wave banner edged in gold.

Apart from this, they also had their own banners. One could see all sorts of terrifyingly grandiose banners gathered together. The security firms, in particular, were gathering places for knights-errant, blade masters, and sword masters, and the banners they raised were imbued with an intense romanticist flair.

After entering Xuanfu Garrison, they were also issued red uniform vests trimmed with gold. Identical uniforms always tended to strengthen cohesion. More importantly, compared to the easily recognizable clothing and armor of the regular army, their own clothing and armor were far too motley. Wearing the uniform vests helped distinguish friend from foe in battle, lest they inadvertently end up fighting their own men.

At a post station below Wild Fox Ridge, the vast stream of men and horses still flowed endlessly. The advancing torrent seemed boundless. From time to time, units would halt at the post station, then move on.

The post stations and relay stations, as key hubs of road transport, had been arranged for this campaign as important supply depots along the route. When the marching columns arrived here, they could rest a while, drink some hot water, and eat a few steaming buns or flatbreads to replenish their strength.

Depending on the marching distance and route, some post stations and relay stations also had large-scale mess halls beside them, stocked with ample quantities of fresh soup and meat, simply allowing the soldiers who had marched all day to eat and drink their fill. In terms of logistics support, the Logistics Division this time had left people with nothing to criticize.

Beside the Wild Fox Ridge post station, a long row of mat-sheds had been built. Steam rose in billows from within the sheds. Bucket after bucket of hot water was boiled, and tea leaves were added. And basket after basket of steamed buns and mantou were brought out, simply for the marching officers and soldiers to eat and drink. There were also row after row of horse troughs, into which clean, clear water was continuously poured for everyone’s horses to drink.

At this moment, a security firm was halted here for a brief rest. Besides the Central Army banner, there was also the firm’s banner. On one side of the banner was written “Zhenwu Security Firm”; on the other side was painted a crab with bared claws and brandished pincers. The various security masters drank tea, ate buns, and tended to their horses, all laughing and chatting merrily, their voices rough and full of bravado.

Just as they were talking and laughing, suddenly another security firm’s men and horses arrived. The banner above read “Zhenwei Security Firm,” and on one side of the banner was painted a large taotie. They halted by the mat-sheds, apparently also preparing to rest a while.

“Black Hair?”

“Old Bandit?”

At that moment, cries of delighted greeting suddenly rang out from the two security firms. Then, a rough-hewn security master with a few black hairs at the corner of his mouth and another with a knife scar across his face were seen embracing.

Black Hair said excitedly, “Since we parted in the Northern Desert, it’s been over a year, hasn’t it? Old Bandit, I heard you went to the west. How are things there?”

Old Bandit said, “Plenty of chances to get rich — just depends on whether you dare to go all out. How about you?”

Black Hair said, “Not bad. Just recently finished off a few dozen red-haired devils. I hear there are more by the sea. Damn it, I’ll go deal with them later.”

Old Bandit said, “Haha, in these times, the timid starve to death, the bold eat till they burst. As long as you dare to fight, chances to get rich are everywhere.”

Black Hair said, “Right, any news of Old Hu? Ever since we parted at Taixing Gate back then, there’s been no word from that fellow. Damn it, I’m still waiting to meet the sister-in-law.”

Old Bandit said, “No. Didn’t you give him your name card? Ah, who knows when we brothers can get together again…”

This Black Hair and Old Bandit were precisely the old acquaintances Old Hu had met at the garrison city’s Taixing Gate back then — brothers from the old Shanhai Army days. That year, when Old Hu went to carry out his mission, Black Hair and Old Bandit had gone north with the “Zhenwu Security Firm.” Not long after, Old Bandit jumped ship to the “Zhenwei Security Firm” and went to the Western Regions. Only now, over a year later, did he and Black Hair meet again.

Meeting as brothers again, their joy knew no bounds. The two talked as they each led their horses to drink, and Black Hair, quick of hand and foot, went to fetch a few buns.

The two bit into the buns with large mouthfuls, talking all the while, watching the metallic torrent on the road still roll on, the banners stretching all the way beyond the mountain.

Black Hair clicked his tongue and said, “I’ve watched it so many times, but I still feel this scene is just too grand.”

Old Bandit also sighed with emotion and said, “Yeah, a grand spectacle like this — you don’t get to see it more than a few times in a lifetime.”

……

The vast host of men and horses gathered, converging in an unending stream upon Xuanfu Garrison.

On the twelfth day of the fourth month, the Crown Prince formally declared his regency at Xuanfu Garrison and appointed the General Who Subdues the Caitiffs, Marquis of Yongning Wang Dou, as Duke of Jingguo, “Regional Commander of All Armed Forces,” with the additional title of “Grand Master of Splendid Happiness,” and invested him as Supreme Pillar of State, while still bearing the seal of General Who Subdues the Caitiffs. During wartime, all local officials, whether civil or military, were to be placed under the command of the General Who Subdues the Caitiffs.

On the same day, in the name of the Regent Crown Prince and the Grand Commander, an order was issued: “Circulate a call to arms to all routes, summon the loyal and righteous, and rise together to chastise the bandits.” Officials and commanders in territories not yet overrun were further required to muster troops and horses and vigorously advance to exterminate the enemy, in coordination with the capital campaign. Any who dared to sit on the fence and hesitate out of cowardice would, after the war, all be condemned as traitors.

And at this time, Wang Dou’s official titles also had several forms of address: Grand Commander, Marshal, Grand General.

Grand Commander was considered an official title. In the past, although Wang Dou was General Who Subdues the Caitiffs, he only commanded military officers during wartime and could not control them in peacetime. After Wang Dou became “Regional Commander of All Armed Forces,” the authority to manage military officers and commanders was henceforth transferred from the Ministry of War into Wang Dou’s hands.

Of course, within the formal system, military officers and generals would not address Wang Dou as Grand Viceroy, but would more intimately call him Marshal.

Only civil officials and ministers would call him Grand Viceroy.

As for the officers and generals within Wang Dou's own system, they still addressed him as Grand General — after all, Wang Dou was still the Grand General Who Subdues the Caitiffs, still bearing that seal, and they were long accustomed to calling him that; it also felt closer and more intimate.

In short, at present the Great Ming's Grand Viceroy, Marshal, and Grand General were all Wang Dou.

Also on this day, the twelfth, near noon, a party of men and horses, travel-worn and dusty, hurried into Xuanfu Garrison, within the borders of Huaian Guard, not far from the garrison city.

Every man and horse in this party wore old and faded armor; the horses were lean and weak. At their head was a group of helmeted and armored officers, likewise in worn iron armor; some even had holes and patches on their cloaks.

The leader was an old general of about sixty-odd years, his face covered with wind, frost, and dust, crisscrossed with deep furrows. He too wore a suit of old and heavy armor, his cloak mottled and faded — clearly full of years and stories. Yet his bearing was steady and solid, his eyes sharp and spirited; clearly he was a veteran commander seasoned by long military life.

He rode a date-red warhorse, and now, with a complex expression, he watched the rolling red tide moving along the official road, the seemingly endless troops and horses, and after a long while sighed with emotion: "Is this the power of the Marquis of Yongning, the troops of the Grand General Who Subdues the Caitiffs?"

After entering Datong, they had seen the rolling torrent marching along the road, and upon asking, learned they were all men of the Marquis of Yongning. Entering Xuanfu Garrison, how many troops were gathered here — even this old general's qi-observing art could not take it all in at a glance, and moreover…

The officers and soldiers beside him were also utterly shaken. This kind of power far exceeded their imagination; this strength, no longer concealed, was too terrifying. Especially as they gazed upon that sea of armor — those fine eight-petaled helmet caps, those fine stamped-steel breastplates, those fine firearms.

Then they looked at themselves, uniformly dusty and grimy, their armor old and faded, and full of holes at that…

One and all they stared blankly, their eyes showing grievance and envy. They had asked: the men marching below were only the Marquis of Yongning's third-class troops. That meant they had previously been mere garrison farm soldiers, yet look at the equipment of these garrison soldiers, and then look at their own.

Many itched to charge down and snatch those fine sets of armor from below to wear upon their own bodies.

After a long while, the old general sighed. An officer beside him said: "Marshal You, shall we press on? Shall we rest a while?"

Another officer also said: "Grand Commander, why not let the lads catch their breath? The garrison city is not far anyway; by midday today we can certainly reach Xuanfu Garrison City."

This old general was none other than You Shiwei, a man of Yulin Guard. During the Tianqi reign he rose through the ranks to become Assistant Regional Commander of Jianchang Battalion; in the second year of Chongzhen he was promoted to Regional Commander. Together with his elder brother You Shigong and younger brother You Shilu, he was renowned for bravery. In history, this old general was idle at home when the Chuang troops pressed toward Yulin; Regional Commander Wang Ding abandoned the city and fled, and the people, deliberating on the city's defense, publicly elected You Shiwei as their Regional Commander.

They defended for seven days and nights. In the end, the Chuang army dug tunnels to the city walls and bombarded them with heavy cannon; the city finally fell. You Shiwei led the people in street fighting, and in the end, he, his elder brother, younger brother, cousin, and others all died in battle.

At that time, the officers of Yulin who died for righteousness numbered in the hundreds. You Shiwei cast his entire household of a hundred souls into the raging flames, then, wielding his blade, charged forth and died in the middle of the street. All the women in the city took their own lives; not a single one surrendered — a scene of utter tragedy.

Now history had changed; Shaanxi was untroubled. Nevertheless, they had received the conscription order issued by Wang Dou in the name of the Grand General Who Subdues the Caitiffs. After deliberation, the officers great and small of Yulin City pooled together two thousand elite cavalry retainers and hurried to join the campaign. Among them were over a hundred officers — former Mobile Corps Commanders, current Mobile Corps Commanders, former Regional Commanders, current Regional Commanders, former Vice Regional Commanders, current Vice Regional Commanders, a dense throng.

But there was no helping it: although Yulin was a place of the empire's finest troops, years of unpaid salaries had left the soldiers in dire straits. Even those who were Mobile Corps Commanders often had only a few dozen retainers. That they could scrape together two thousand elite cavalry to come was already quite good.

They still elected You Shiwei as their Regional Commander, and after traveling day and night, they finally reached Xuanfu Garrison today, without missing the deadline.

Not only them — in fact, the conscription order Wang Dou issued in the name of the Grand General Who Subdues the Caitiffs was sent to many places: Shaanxi Regional Commander Gao Jie, Ningxia Regional Commander Fu Min, Yulin Regional Commander Wang Ding, Guxian Regional Commander Gao Ruli, Guyuan Regional Commander Niu Chenghu, Gansu Regional Commander Ma Kuang, as well as Henan Regional Commander Chen Yongfu, who was then in Shaanxi, and so on.

There were also Vice Regional Commanders, Assistant Regional Commanders, and Mobile Corps Commanders from various places; many also received conscription orders.

In all, roughly ten thousand or so elite cavalry retainers were mobilized from Shaanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, Yulin, and other places.