Chapter 177: Forms

At the first quarter of the mao hour the next day, at the camp gate of the Dajiaochang outside the Zongyang Gate of Anqing, a soldier raised a bronze tube and fired a shot into the sky with a bang.

Over thirty cavalrymen led their horses to the General Command Platform and formed three horizontal ranks. Most of the mounts were fairly calm, but a few twisted and struggled in formation, occasionally letting out restless, agitated neighs.

Pang Yu sat high upon the General Command Platform, waiting for Scout Cavalry Team leader Yang Xueshi to ascend the platform and kneel in obeisance, after which he produced the first red Order Arrow.

"Middle Army Scout Cavalry, depart at the first quarter of the mao hour. Proceed one li from the Dajiaochang and form up in waiting. When the Middle Army fires its cannon to march, the Scout Cavalry march simultaneously. Your tasks are as follows: reconnoiter the terrain along the route. Wherever you encounter bridges, valleys, or ditches, search them all in advance. Mark wells near the Official Road along the way. Before the main army arrives, determine a suitable encampment site at Liantan, and reconnoiter the area within a five-li radius of the camp, marking sources of drinking water, Forage, and firewood."

Yang Xueshi bowed to receive the Order Arrow, knelt in obeisance, then turned and returned to the formation, leading the way toward the camp gate. The riders led their horses behind him, forming three columns. As they moved, horses in the formation occasionally veered off course, causing other riders and horses to swerve aside, and some horses vied with each other for the Road Passage.

They managed to finish forming up at the camp gate. Yang Xueshi presented the Order Arrow for verification to the Fourth Bureau sentry on gate duty. The central gate of the camp then swung wide open, and the cavalry mounted their horses inside the gate, filing out of the camp in sequence.

Compared to the infantry standing in solemn silence below the platform, the cavalry unit was a bit chaotic, but Pang Yu did not lose his temper. To deal with the high-speed mobility of the Roving Bandits, the only way was to counter cavalry with cavalry. Despite financial difficulties, Pang Yu had still begun the initial establishment of a cavalry force.

Pang Yu had brought only five horses from Tongcheng, which could be considered a half-sale, half-gift from Yang Erming to let him take office with some dignity. The Anqing Garrison Battalion had over twenty horses, likely all leftovers picked over by Pan Keda. Only half were fit for riding; the rest could barely pull cargo.

The horses used by the remaining cavalrymen were purchased from the Toukoushi at the West Gate, selected by Yang Xueshi, a former Postal Runner.

When the Roving Bandits invaded, many Relay Couriers fled into Anqing. These men had horses and were far more capable of escaping than ordinary people. Places like Susong, Taihu, and Qianshan were all unable to restore their Relay Posts. These Relay Couriers could not find suitable work in Anqing, and when they encountered Pang Yu recruiting soldiers, some joined the Garrison Battalion with their men and horses, while others came to sell their horses. The price Pang Yu paid for horses ranged from thirty to fifty taels.

The Nanzhili region had no cavalry tradition. Yang Xueshi did not even know the standards for military horses and could only select them based on the standards for post horses. Although Pang Yu did not understand either, he had seen the Roving Bandits' large-scale cavalry. That day outside Tongcheng, the thousands upon thousands of cavalry had left a deep impression on Pang Yu, especially the elite troops around the bandit chieftains. Those horses were orderly and quiet when moving in groups, and when they sprinted across the wilderness outside the city, their speed far surpassed that of post horses.

Compared to the military horses used by the Roving Bandits' elite, what Pang Yu's cavalry used could only be considered riding horses. The difference was even greater during group movement. Perhaps some of these horses could be trained into military horses, but for now they were not. Excluding horses for administrative use, Pang Yu had ultimately scraped together these thirty-odd cavalrymen. Most had decent riding skills and knew how to care for horses, but they lacked mounted combat skills.

These men had basically all knocked about the marketplace. Their overall discipline was worse than the infantry's, and two had even run off in the interim. Judging from the current situation, neither the riders nor the horses were in the form of true cavalry, so the tasks Pang Yu assigned to the cavalry were basically non-combat in nature.

Pang Yu took out the second Order Arrow. Guo Fengyou ascended the platform and performed the customary kneeling obeisance.

"Middle Army Personal Guard Banner Team, depart at the first quarter of the mao hour. The First Squad shall march ahead of the War Soldiers. Wherever you encounter intersections, bridges, or Ferry Crossings, leave soldiers to prohibit the passage of pedestrians, livestock, and boats. They may only be allowed through after the main army has passed. The Second Squad shall march on both flanks of the column. Wherever Battalion Commanders have disputes or entanglements with local civilians, strictly forbid the Battalion Commanders from stopping or delaying. All such matters shall be reported by the Personal Soldiers to the Central Army for handling. The Third Squad shall march behind the main army, inspecting for soldiers who have fallen out of formation, abandoned equipment, and Wealth. Anyone who leaves the column without cause shall be arrested and sent to the Central Army for punishment after the camp is set. Abandoned equipment and Wealth shall be sent to the Central Army for inspection, to be claimed by the respective soldiers and handled according to regulations."

Guo Fengyou received the Order Arrow and led the Middle Army's Personal Guard Banner Team to form up at the camp gate.

Pang Yu nodded to Pang Ding. Pang Ding went down and loudly ordered the War Soldiers officers to ascend the platform.

The platform was soon filled with over twenty men — besides the six Centurions, there were also eighteen Banner Commanders.

Pang Yu was stern and unsmiling as he looked at the War Soldiers officers. "The Roving Bandits run rampant. The Anqing Garrison Battalion is the hope of the people of Anqing. In this exercise, the Roving Bandits invade Anqing again. Their main army enters through North Gorge Pass. Our army receives word that Tongcheng is besieged by the Roving Bandits and immediately dispatches troops to relieve Tongcheng. The entire march is one hundred and forty-four li. On the first day, march sixty li and set camp at Liantan. On the second day, march sixty li to Guache River and set camp twenty-four li from Tongcheng. During the march, rest briefly every ten li, eat dry rations at thirty li, and set camp for meals and rest at sixty li. Before noon on the third day, arrive at the Tongcheng South City Wilderness. Our War Soldiers shall form up and attack the enemy. After routing the enemy camp, pursue for ten li, then return to Tongcheng to set camp. Thereafter, return to Anqing according to the new military orders."

The officers all listened attentively. These men were basically all from the Tongcheng Zhuang Squad. Back in Tongcheng, although Pang Yu had been relatively strict, he was still just a strict squad leader. But after arriving at the Garrison Battalion, the feeling grew further and further from that of a government office. Punishments in the army were severe. Although officers were not beaten often, the slightest carelessness would see them implicated by their subordinates under the Mutual Responsibility System. Every day was filled with all kinds of evaluations, assessments, and eliminations, forcing each Bureau to increase its training load more and more. What followed was a rapid increase in the officers' fear of Pang Yu.

"As officers, during this march exercise, you must strictly observe Military Law and the Drill Manual. Control the Military Camp under your command. Constantly enforce discipline and check your ranks; not a single man may be lost. Soldiers are not permitted to interact with local civilians. All external matters shall be handled by the Personal Guard Unit. At the same time, diligently record every shortcoming during the exercise. When we return to camp, summarize them for review. At that time, each unit's Centurion shall read them aloud before the entire body of camp officers."

The expressions of the first five Centurions all changed subtly. Pang Yu knew without asking that, compared to training, these mud-legged roughnecks under his command were even less willing to use their heads.

Ignoring them for the moment, Pang Yu handed the Order Arrows to the five Centurions one by one. After they descended the platform, only Zhou Er remained. Standing alone on the platform, Zhou Er looked somewhat embarrassed, wearing an expression of wanting to speak but hesitating.

Seeing this, Pang Yu asked gently, "Centurion Zhou, are you somewhat puzzled at not being able to participate in this exercise?"

Zhou Er bowed and said, "Reporting to Your Excellency, I am indeed somewhat puzzled... The other five Bureaus all have a role; only my Fourth Bureau cannot go. I wonder if I have done something improper somewhere."

Pang Yu smiled and said, "The Fourth Bureau has always trained diligently. This official is satisfied with Centurion Zhou. The reason for keeping the Fourth Bureau behind this time is that the unrest at Wharf has just been quelled. A force must be left behind to overawe the various people in the city. After much thought, I concluded that you, Zhou Er, dare to Rush and dare to fight, and are the most suitable to stay. In the future, when we go out to battle, someone must also guard the camp. So it is exactly the opposite of what you think: it is precisely because your unit is well-trained that I am leaving you behind."

Zhou Er let out a slow breath, and his expression improved considerably. He said respectfully, "Do not worry, Your Excellency. Your subordinate will certainly manage the Military Camp well. Nothing will go wrong at Wharf."

Having placated the man staying behind, Pang Yu descended the General Command Platform. Following the guidance of the Middle Army Personal Soldiers, he mounted his horse at the mounting stone by the camp gate and presented his Order Arrow to the sentry for verification as usual.

Once all units had completed the verification of their Order Arrows, Pang Yu gave the order. The command flag was raised and then tilted forward. The entire army shouldered its Long Spears and filed out of camp in succession.

The whole army wore the Ming Army's Red Padded Coats. Looking forward and back from horseback, Pang Yu saw that the entire camp's formation was orderly and solemn. These months of training had been quite effective in terms of discipline.

Outside, there were quite a few civilians watching the excitement. This new Garrison Battalion was somewhat different from the old grunts. It was very strictly managed on normal days, drilling back and forth on the parade ground every day. Soldiers going out individually were rarely seen. Even the daily trip between the parade ground and the Barracks required going halfway around the city. The civilians had gradually stopped being afraid, and there were often people around watching the excitement.

This morning, with drums beating and cannons firing inside the parade ground, everyone felt there must be something novel to see, and the crowd was even larger than usual. Today, all the soldiers carried weapons. The column bristled with a forest of Long Spears, exuding an even greater air of martial might.

Although the parade ground was outside the Zongyang Gate, there were many naturally formed streets nearby. The Personal Guard Unit, following the usual routine for returning to camp, controlled the intersections, prohibiting pedestrians and livestock.

The column of nearly six hundred men passed through the street district and merged onto the Official Road from North of the City. The march became somewhat easier.

He Xianya stayed right beside Pang Yu, and Jiao Guozha was also with the Central Army. He Xianya had seen the Zhuang Squad before and had also seen the Community Soldiers on the City Wall during the city defense, but he had never seen an army on the march. Riding on horseback amidst the red stream of men, with undulating Long Spears bobbing before his eyes, a feeling he had never experienced before suddenly rose in his heart, one he could not articulate for the moment.

They had been on the Official Road for less than a quarter of an hour when some commotion arose in the column ahead, along with the sound of shouting and cursing. Several mounted Personal Soldiers rushed over in that direction. Pang Yu gave an order, and Jiao Guozha, somewhat reluctantly, hurried ahead. The entire column maintained its original speed.

After walking a moment longer, He Xianya saw the site of the incident. A mule cart lay overturned by the roadside. The mule was dead, its body covered in blood. An old man was arguing with a Banner Commander. Guo Fengyou, leading a few Personal Soldiers, had taken over from the Banner Commander and begun negotiating with the old man.

Jiao Guozha dismounted and suddenly delivered a slap. The old man shouted and cursed loudly, even trying to grapple with Jiao Guozha. Several Personal Soldiers hurriedly pulled them apart.

Guo Fengyou came over to report to Pang Yu, "That stupid mule was startled and charged the column. The soldiers killed it. The old man insists we startled it and wants us to pay compensation."

Pang Yu said mildly, "Let the Personal Soldiers and the clerks handle it. Do not delay the march."

As He Xianya passed by, Jiao Guozha was still by the roadside, loudly trading curses with the old man.

After a moment, He Xianya tilted his head to look at Pang Yu and asked, "Second Brother, why do you only let the Personal Guard Unit deal with the civilians outside? Wouldn't it be easier for the Central Army if you let each Bureau handle it themselves?"

Pang Yu shook his head. "The Battalion Commanders should have as little contact with the outside as possible. The less, the better."

He Xianya said in astonishment, "Our old Zhuang Squad often went out. Why has Second Brother changed this?"

"The Zhuang Squad were ultimately yamen runners. Now it's an army." Pang Yu glanced back at Jiao Guozha and replied offhandedly, "In a more closed-off state, people become more obedient to what they are taught, especially when they are within a group. How do you think the current Military Camp compares to before?"

"Second Brother's Garrison Battalion..." He Xianya thought for a moment and continued, "is definitely stronger than Pan Keda's."

Pang Yu laughed in spite of himself. "I don't want to compare with Pan Keda. On the battlefield, there is no second place, only the Zhuangyuan. Pan Keda can't even beat the Roving Bandits. Our enemy is the Roving Bandits, so we must compare ourselves to the strongest Roving Bandits. You've seen the troops of the Eight Bandits and the Sweeping King. Do you think we can match them?"

"Then Second Brother's are still stronger." He Xianya glanced at the column again and said ingratiatingly, "I heard Second Brother say we are to reach Liantan today. That's sixty li. Even the Roving Bandits on horseback can't do more than that in a day."

Pang Yu shook his head. "We must not underestimate the enemy. These past few days, I've been reading the records Ruan Jin brought back from his scouting. When the Mounted Bandits' Vanguard is on a raid, they can cover over a hundred li and launch a surprise attack on the city gates immediately upon arrival. They took Fengyang on the fifteenth of the first month, burned and looted for three days, then struck camp. On the eighteenth or nineteenth, they moved south from Red Heart Post and Dingyuan County, and by the twentieth they were already at Dianbu Town in Luzhou Prefecture. That's a distance of over two hundred and fifty li — far faster than the fifty or sixty li we previously calculated. Almost all of them were cavalry. But among the Roving Bandits who reached Tongcheng, there were large numbers of Refugees on foot. Their speed could never reach sixty li. The Roving Bandits we have to deal with actually have two forms. The first is light cavalry, whose strength lies in speed, ferocity, and being hard to pursue, but they can only launch sneak attacks and cannot assault strongholds. The second is light cavalry herding large numbers of light-infantry rabble on foot. Their strength lies in overwhelming numbers and a mix of infantry and cavalry, giving them stronger assault capability and combat power, but their speed is low. The Roving Bandits are constantly shifting between these two forms."

He Xianya frowned in thought for a moment and said, "Second Brother speaks of these two shifting forms. Do the Roving Bandits change at will, or is there a pattern to follow?"

"When the Roving Bandits broke into Nanzhili from Henan for a surprise attack, only the cavalry was in front. The herded Refugees all marched behind. The force that split off to attack Taihe was entirely mounted. The vanguards that attacked Shouzhou and Yingzhou were all Horse Soldiers. After the Mounted Bandits took Fengyang, they stayed in the area for three days, likely waiting for the mass of bandits on foot. Afterward, the cavalry broke away alone again, rapidly attacking Luzhou, Lujiang, and Chao County, then assembled at Tongcheng, at which point they became a mix of infantry and cavalry again. To summarize, during the intervals between assaulting cities, they can wait for the mass of bandits on foot in the rear, then split off again, repeating this cycle. This maintains the suddenness of short-term raids without straying far from the infantry bandits."

He Xianya looked at the Battalion Commanders ahead and behind. "Then how do we deal with them? Do we surpass their speed, or surpass their combat power?"