Chapter 860: Trembling

Seeing his men’s weary expressions, You Shiwei nodded approvingly. They had risen early this morning to march, and by his reckoning had covered over a hundred li; both men and horses were quite fatigued and truly ought to rest. In any case, they were not far from the Xuanfu garrison town, so there was no need to rush this moment.

He spotted a post station not far off, surrounded by densely packed mat-sheds spreading along both sides of the road. Looking more carefully, many small paths branched off beside the post station, stretching toward the garrison villages and hamlets on either side of the official road. At this moment the road was full of moving crowds, clearly heading to those various garrison villages to eat and drink.

After entering Datong Garrison, You Shiwei had already learned that the Jingbian Army had set up supply points and mess halls everywhere along the post stations and relay stops. Marching troops needed neither to light fires nor cook; they could simply eat and drink at these post stations, saving both trouble and effort.

While marveling at it, You Shiwei also felt a sense of inferiority — that the Jingbian Army’s logistics could reach this level was something they themselves fell far short of.

Even more, they could never have imagined that such methods of supply and support existed in this world.

After entering Xuanfu Garrison, this support seemed even tighter and more effective; even the surrounding garrison villages and hamlets had been mobilized. The density of villages here, the smoothness of the roads, the thickness of the population — all of it left them dumbstruck, as if they had suddenly stepped into another world, one found only in legends of a golden age of peace.

You Shiwei gave some instructions, and they headed toward the post station. From a distance, they could see clouds of steam rising from every mat-shed, seeming to carry wafts of meat buns and flatbread fragrance. Not only the officers and soldiers beside him, but even You Shiwei himself felt his stomach rumbling, a sense of mouthwatering craving rising.

Suddenly, You Shiwei and the others felt a chill in their hearts. They saw that on the willow trees nearby, human heads were hanging one after another, each baring teeth and gaping mouths.

Some of the heads above even gave him a feeling of familiarity.

As he was studying them, his cousin You Diwen quietly leaned over and said, “That is the former Lanzhou Regional Commander Yang Qi. The three heads beside him are his three sons. The heads hung nearby are all his personal attendants, personal officers, and personal guards.”

You Shiwei sent someone to inquire, and soon learned that Yang Qi had also received the summoning order from the Grand General Who Subdues the Caitiffs. He had brought two hundred retainers and his three sons to join the campaign. Unexpectedly, after entering Xuanfu Garrison, seeing the peace and prosperity before them and the dense population, they were seized by evil intentions.

In particular, his three sons even tried to take some personal soldiers and rush to a certain village to plunder.

Unexpectedly, before they could act, they were captured by patrolling Jingbian Army troops. Yang Qi attempted to shield his sons, and the Grand General Who Subdues the Caitiffs ordered them all executed together. Father and sons were all beheaded, their personal attendants and guards were slaughtered to the last man, and then their heads were hung here as a public warning.

This had all happened the day before yesterday. Marching alongside them that day had also been Gansu Regional Commander Ma Kuang, but his men and horses were more honest, so they remained safe and sound.

Moreover, after Yang Qi’s personal guards were killed to the last, the remaining hundred-odd men were all placed under Ma Kuang’s command.

A Regional Commander killed just like that — this style of conduct by the Grand General Who Subdues the Caitiffs, Wang Dou, made You Shiwei and the others’ hearts turn cold. You Shiwei raised his eyes and saw, not far down the road, some vigorous cavalrymen reining their horses, every one of them sitting ramrod straight in the saddle, their expressions cold and stern, tough and heroic. Especially that high-spirited confidence was something one could never forget after a single glance.

They all wore uniform iron arm-guards, uniform iron conical helmets, uniform fierce and sturdy horses, flintlock muskets slung across their backs, and thick-backed sabers at their waists. You Shiwei knew this kind of firearm — it could fire without a matchlock — something rarely seen in Yulin Fort, yet here every man had one, even the third-class troops walking on the road.

Looking at the trim of their armor and the red wool and small woolen balls at their shoulders, his younger brother You Shilu beside him said in a low voice, “They are first-class soldiers of the Xuanwu Army.”

Back during the campaign beyond the frontier, You Shilu had still been the Regional Commander of Ningxia, and he had naturally paid considerable attention to this fierce army that had seized Guihua City.

You Shiwei’s gaze roamed over them, looking at those pair after pair of sharp, authoritative eyes beneath their iron helmets. He sighed inwardly, wondering just how Marquis Yongning had trained such formidable troops.

He said, “Pass the order down: strictly maintain military discipline. Do not harass the residents or common people. Anyone who dares violate this order — behead!”

At that moment, a rider came galloping toward them, his form agile, his horsemanship practiced. You Shiwei saw that this rider wore a light waist-length armor, and on his iron conical helmet was a small banner with the character "Order" written on it — he was a courier rider.

When he rode up close, they saw this courier rider was very young, around twenty, his face full of earnestness. He first took something from the satchel on his person, unfolded it and looked it over, then studied You Shiwei for a moment before cupping his hands from horseback and saying, “Ahead, is it the old general You Shiwei?”

You Shiwei said, “This old man is he. And this officer is?”

The courier rider said, “My surname is Yang. The old general may simply call me Senior Soldier Yang. From today onward, the food, clothing, lodging, and travel of the old general’s party will all be arranged and coordinated by me.”

You Shiwei saw that pinned to this courier rider's chest was an exquisite bronze badge, bearing an emblem of sun, moon, waves, and billows, with the two characters "Senior Soldier" written in the middle.

He had heard that under the Jingbian Army’s rank system, anyone holding the rank of Senior Soldier, no matter what superior officer they faced, need only bow with clasped hands and need not kneel. Looking again at this courier rider, though young, his bearing was neither servile nor overbearing, his temperament outstanding. You Shiwei could not help sighing that Marquis Yongning had so many talents under his command — even a common soldier could present himself so well.

He said, “I must trouble Senior Soldier Yang. Our party happens to be hungry, weary, and exhausted. I hope Senior Soldier Yang will do us the convenience of arranging a good place for us.”

He turned his head back, and a personal guard behind him hurriedly pulled a silver ingot from a saddlebag, about ten taels. You Shiwei took it and said, “Also, I do not know how much eating and resting will cost, and whether silver taels can be used. I hope Senior Soldier Yang will inform me of all this as well.”

So saying, he extended the silver in his hand.

When Great Ming armies went on campaign, apart from a small amount of fodder supplied by the imperial court, the bulk was provided by local government offices. However, transporting fodder was inconvenient, so either departure silver was issued and the army purchased supplies along the way, or local authorities along the route provided supplies and then sought reimbursement from the army’s place of origin.

But seeking reimbursement afterward was extremely troublesome and difficult; many local officials were unwilling to supply grain, so it was best to issue departure silver before the march and let the officers and soldiers buy grain themselves. Yet the court was constantly in arrears with pay, and departure silver often could not be issued either, which created many problems.

Or, with successive famines, even with silver one could not buy grain and fodder — just like Lu Xiangsheng back then.

You Shiwei’s party had combined forces for the campaign, and before setting out each officer had pooled a sum of silver for expenses. They advanced east from Yulin Garrison. The past two years, life in Shanxi had become considerably better, so as long as they had silver, they had no worry about being unable to buy grain.

After entering Datong Garrison, they had entered the Jingbian Army’s marching supply line. At the post stations and relay stops along the way, their food and water cost nothing. The previous night they had even eaten a dinner unforgettable for a lifetime, and many had overeaten.

Only, after entering Xuanfu Garrison, they did not know whether the rules would be different. They had especially heard that silver dollars were used here, and did not know whether the silver they had brought could be used. Moreover, the silver their party carried was not much; if meals were expensive, they would have to eat less.

The courier rider pushed back the silver You Shiwei offered and said, “Oh, I cannot accept money; military discipline forbids it. The old general need not worry either. For this campaign, all grain and fodder for outside troops is supplied entirely by our Jingbian Army. Eating, resting, and drinking water all cost nothing.”

He added, “However, within Xuanfu Garrison, silver indeed cannot be used. If the old general wishes to purchase some commercial goods, I can contact a money house on your behalf to exchange some silver dollars.”

Looking at the silver being pushed back, You Shiwei was somewhat astonished and stunned. He gazed at that young, earnest face of the courier rider and suddenly understood, to some extent, why the Jingbian Army was ever-victorious.

Not only he, but the officers and retainers beside and behind him all revealed expressions of disbelief. Had it been them, they would have taken the silver long ago. This Jingbian Army truly had something — even a Senior Soldier in the army could resist such monetary temptation.

…

The courier rider, Senior Soldier Yang, led You Shiwei’s party toward a garrison village. Post stations and relay stops were fine as places for soldiers to rest along the way — to drink some water, eat some steaming hot buns and flatbread to replenish energy — but eating one’s fill there was impossible.

Indeed, no amount of buns and flatbread would be enough, so for meals one had to go to the dedicated mess halls.

The garrison village that Senior Soldier Yang led them to was called Xiajiagou Fort, about three or four li from that post station, and the mess hall was set up on the grain-drying ground there.

Along the way, they could hear cocks crowing and dogs barking; garrison villages and hamlets were dense and continuous — truly a land of peace and population.

You Shiwei noticed that even these country roads were flat and broad, able to accommodate two horse-drawn carts side by side.

He also noticed people coming and going on the road, utterly unafraid of the arrival of officers and soldiers. They all held aloft small sun-and-moon banners. As their party passed, the people smiled and waved their banners. Especially many children, clutching banners in their hands, cheered and bounced along, hopping and skipping after them.

Such harmony between soldiers and civilians made You Shiwei sigh with emotion. Anywhere else, as long as officers and soldiers passed through, the residents and commoners would retreat and take shelter at least ten li away.

Senior Soldier Yang the courier rider was clearly long accustomed to this. He merely reminded everyone to be careful not to tread on the wheat seedlings by the roadside.

This, in turn, made You Shiwei notice that the crops along the road were growing very well; clearly a bumper harvest was not far off. The reason for this seemed to be the comprehensive irrigation works everywhere. You Shiwei saw many irrigation wells and pools along the way — something unimaginable in places like Yulin, because they had neither the financial resources nor the organizational strength.

Soon, the party arrived at the grain-drying ground of Xiajiagou Fort. With a crackling burst of firecrackers, they saw the fort residents already there to welcome them, and then saw that the broad grain-drying ground was filled with tables, benches set beside them, spreading out row after row.

Every table and bench had been wiped perfectly clean, and atop the tables were set out bowls and chopsticks.

Amid the greetings of the fort residents, You Shiwei and the others sat down somewhat awkwardly, and then sumptuous dishes were brought up like flowing water: large buckets of noodles, large baskets of steamed buns, large platters of pork, large platters of mutton, large platters of greens, large platters of mixed stew.

Every table was like this — at least five dishes and one soup, portions large and ample, and glistening with oil; every dish had plenty of rich fat in it, enough to replenish strength and fortify the body.

Not only that, but the horses of the Yulin Army men were likewise led away by the fort residents to be tended; they themselves need only eat and drink their fill.

Looking at the tableful of food, You Shiwei and the others stared dumbfounded. They wanted to start eating, yet hesitated somewhat.

A plump woman carrying a dish over said cheerfully, “Eat up, children. Eat your fill, then you can properly kill the bandits for the country.”

She set a full platter of mixed mutton stew on You Shiwei’s table, glanced at him, and smiled. “Old general, I can see you’re famished too. Hurry and eat.”

You Shiwei hurriedly stood up. The officers sharing his table — his younger brother You Shilu, his cousin You Diwen, his elder brother You Shigong, the former Yansui Regional Commander Li Changling, the former Regional Commanders Wang Shiqin, Wang Shiguo, Hou Shilu, and the others — also rose together.

You Shiwei solemnly cupped his hands and said, “Many thanks to this lady, and many thanks to all the fellow villagers for your hospitality… You… I…”

His tiger-like eyes suddenly reddened. Never before had common folk welcomed them with such genuine warmth, and it made his throat tighten. He said, "Many thanks…"

The grain-drying yard was filled with the sound of chewing. Everyone ate until their heads were drenched in sweat, especially those soldiers. Even the retainers had long endured hunger and cold year-round; in past years, even during festivals, they had never tasted such fine food. Now every man ate with deep satisfaction.

Beside You Shiwei, there was also ravenous devouring. The various Regional Commanders, Vice Regional Commanders, and Assistant Regional Commanders had cast aside all decorum. The lavish lunch left them with almost no leisure for idle chat; every man simply ate like wolves and tigers.

You Shiwei grabbed a steamed bun in his hand and ladled a bowl of mixed stew. He took a sip and nodded with satisfaction. "Plenty of fat, and the flavor is good."

He ate and drank with relish, yet some worry lingered in his heart. He feared the fort's residents might not be able to bear such hospitality — could it sweep their stored grain and rice clean? He glanced at Adjutant Yang seated beside him, whose eating manner was comparatively refined, and voiced this concern.

Adjutant Yang said, "Old General You need not worry. For all the grain, meat, and vegetables supplied by the various forts, my Protectorate pays in cash silver. Even if the common folk of each fort donate money or goods, these are converted into bonds. The more they donate, the more they shall receive in days to come."

You Shiwei said, "Oh."

He half-understood, half-did not, but his heart was considerably eased. At the same time, he marveled at the financial might of Marquis Yongning.

……

After a sumptuous lunch beyond anything the Yulin army could have imagined, Adjutant Yang's next arrangement was to have them bathe and change clothes. A vast bathhouse converted from a building, its scalding pool filled to the brim, washed away the exhaustion and travel-worn dust of You Shiwei and his men, leaving every face radiant.

Then he led them to what seemed to be a storehouse. When the doors were pushed open, row upon row of exquisite armor dazzled the eye: eight-petaled helmet caps, stamped breastplates, the metallic sheen upon them blinding You Shiwei and his men.

You Shiwei said incredulously, "These… are for this old man and his men?"

The mounted courier Adjutant Yang said, "Yes. These two thousand sets of armor were specially arranged by the Grand General for Old General You and his men."

He added, "However, because armor for the Jia and Yi grade troops is insufficient, we could only prepare these Bing-grade military armors. I hope Old General You will not take offense."

You Shiwei stroked the armor and murmured, "I will not take offense, I will not take offense… This is already excellent. This gift… is too generous…"

Looking at the officers beside him, who were also gazing covetously at the armor, many stroking it with trembling hands, You Shiwei heard his younger brother You Shilu beside him say, "Tsk, tsk, look at these plates — nearly uniform in thickness, and all forged from fine iron… Look, the sun-and-moon patterns are carved exactly alike. The craftsmen here are too formidable."

His cousin You Diwen said, "Indeed. Who knows how this pattern is engraved? Look at the craftsmanship — truly exquisite. Back where we come from, forging a single suit of armor like this would take no less than a month. Here, two thousand sets at once… And what we saw along the road — could Xuanfu Garrison have several hundred thousand craftsmen?"

You Shiwei picked up a suit of armor and rapped it. It had a weighty, solid metallic feel, and the fine patterns on it were almost entirely uniform. He truly did not know how Xuanfu Garrison had produced them.

He felt that Xuanfu Garrison could not have several hundred thousand craftsmen. Even if it did, it would still be impossible for all these armors to be made virtually identical.

You Shiwei sighed inwardly. The more he understood this place, the more he felt it was filled with mysteries everywhere.

……

The thoroughly refreshed Yulin army set out again. In the afternoon, they drew near the garrison city, and then the sight before them left them stunned.

Countless sun-moon-and-wave banners danced in the air. The open ground on both sides of the road was packed with people, a dark mass stretching endlessly backward. Everywhere were raised arms and excited smiling faces. From the crowd, wave after wave of sky-covering shouts and cheers surged forth, and then seas of flags rippled in succession.

"This…"

You Shiwei and his men could not express their feelings with words, nor could they describe with words the scene before their eyes. They sat numbly on their horses, not knowing what to say.

The mounted courier Adjutant Yang's face revealed a satisfied and joyful smile. He turned his head and reminded You Shiwei to hurry to the encampment site, and then together with the officers, enter the city to pay respects to the Grand General.

It seemed the Grand General held Old General You and his men in considerable regard, and might also ask him about some strategies and tactics from this recent battle against the roving bandits.

You Shiwei and his men hurriedly assented. They led their troops along the official road, flanked on both sides by a dancing sea of flags and a dark mass of human tide, and ahead, the crowd was likewise seething. The wave after wave of heat rushing to meet them seemed to make every pore tremble and quiver. (~^~)