Chapter 570: Defense Zone

"When those eight bandits rebelled again before, Your Excellency already had a plan in place and the troops were prepared for a long time, yet in the end they still slipped away. In this subordinate's humble opinion, the main issue remains that we have too few cavalry."

Pang Yu raised his head and looked across at Wang Zenglu. Wang Zenglu had not been leaning back in his chair to begin with; seeing this, he straightened up even more and continued with a respectful manner. "At Gucheng, our battalion assembled the First Chiliarch Headquarters, the Second Chiliarch Headquarters, the Marine Chiliarch Headquarters, and a portion of the cavalry battalion, with the Huguang Standard Battalion coordinating. We could have encircled and annihilated the Western Camp. However, the eight bandits were cunning and treacherous. They anticipated that our battalion would first cut off the routes to the two counties of Fangzhu, so they sent out mounted troops leading servants to march westward during the night, and before dawn they set fires and raised smoke at the county seat, creating the appearance of a city massacre to draw our heavy troops into blocking and rescuing. They also deliberately chose to rebel when the Han River was dry. The entire camp mostly crossed the river along multiple routes; the old camp alone split into three columns, racing over a hundred li in a single day. At that time, north of Xiangyang, Western Camp men and horses were fleeing everywhere. We only had a few hundred cavalry left behind, and our scout cavalry was even more insufficient. It was several days before we confirmed the eight bandits' direction. By then, the eight bandits were already far away. Our cavalry pursued all the way, and although they inflicted some losses on the eight bandits, the bandits had completely escaped the encirclement. Because the Henan region had mobilized its troops to rally to the king, its forces were sparse and could no longer block the bandit spawn."

Pang Yu held in his hand the detailed report on the Gucheng operation. This detailed report was written by Wang Zenglu — it was only the detailed report from the Chiliarch Headquarters. On the desk also lay the detailed reports from Xie Zhaofa, the Pacification Commissioner, and the Clerk Officer.

The operational plan targeting the Western Camp at Gucheng had been long in the making, deploying the main force of the Anqing Battalion. The reason Pang Yu deployed so many troops was not because the Western Camp was powerful. If it came to a battlefield engagement, the Western Camp could not even defeat a single Chiliarch Headquarters. But they possessed high mobility, so Pang Yu had no choice but to rely on numbers to increase the chances of a successful interception.

The eight bandits remain the most influential roving bandits to this day. This influence can attract large numbers of local bandits and refugees to join them, and can also summon numerous roving bandit groups to form a combined camp, causing the greatest harm. They also have no small personal grudge against Pang Yu himself. From any angle, they needed to be eliminated first.

At the final critical moment of the attack, most of the old bandits escaped smoothly, even taking a considerable portion of servants and baggage with them. The subsequent combat process became a chase across the vast Central Plains after the fleeing Western Camp — precisely the aspect where the Anqing Battalion was least advantaged. To the west, several camp heads including Cao Cao in the two counties of Fangzhu fled westward. The Anqing Battalion's infantry caught up with their servants and seized most of the baggage, but the old bandits still escaped.

The Anqing Battalion held Gucheng County seat. The Western Camp and Cao Cao's various camps were busy fleeing and did not cause major damage to the Xiangyang periphery, but the objective of encircling and annihilating the eight bandits was not achieved. Relative to the enormous resources invested, it can be called a failed campaign.

This matter has remained unresolved. Whenever Pang Yu met with the officers returning from Huguang, he always first inquired about the circumstances of this battle.

"This subordinate's meaning is not that Your Excellency should not have taken the Cavalry Chief-of-a-Thousand Department away, but rather that our battalion's cavalry numbers are truly too few. Although we have captured many horses, losses over these two years have also been considerable. Training cavalry in the south is harder than in the north. If the military system is to be revised, each mixed battalion should be allocated a cavalry unit. Whether they are warhorses or not, as long as they can pursue, that will suffice. When the Western Barbarians came this time, two among them had previously led cavalry in battle in Europe. They said that in the past, Western Barbarian cavalry were not skilled in archery and often used fire lances to skirmish and engage, rarely clashing head-on. This subordinate read the rally-to-the-king summary issued by the Advisory Room, and it is similar to the Border Army's scout cavalry. Later, the cavalry of the kingdom of Sweden in northern Europe did not engage in skirmishing but directly charged the enemy, which proved even more effective."

Pang Yu smiled and said, "When the Border Army engages the Eastern Invaders' scout cavalry, they can fight like that for an entire day, with only a few casualties on each side. But there is a difference here. The warhorses of the Swedish army in Europe were not inferior to their opponents'. When using cavalry to charge directly, the enemy could not fight while moving. Our Anqing Battalion's warhorses are all captured spoils. Compared to the Eastern Invaders, our warhorses are of uneven quality and hold no advantage. The Eastern Invaders might be able to calmly handle fighting while moving, so we cannot necessarily copy that approach."

"This subordinate's consideration was inadequate."

"Any idea can be raised for discussion; do not worry about whether it is fully thought out." Pang Yu looked up at Wang Zenglu. "Apart from the cavalry, were there any errors or omissions in the Gucheng operation?"

"Another issue was poor coordination. The column that set out from Anqing was led by Chiliarch Yao. The original plan was for them to conceal themselves in Huguang, with Military Commander Fang arranging for local yamen to provide support. However, the local provision of rations and pay was ineffective. The deadline for the eight bandits' rebellion was pushed back again and again compared to estimates. That unit was stuck along the Han River, unable to advance or retreat, and their movements could no longer actually be concealed. The Governor-General's Office repeatedly sent mounted couriers to the camp to make inquiries, and the information had long since leaked. Instead, this left them with no fixed base, the men and horses exhausted and worn down, with heavy losses from injury and illness. In the end, when they made the forced march for the attack, only half reached Gucheng."

Wang Zenglu paused briefly and then continued, "Third, the Huguang Standard Battalion was undisciplined. Originally, Clerk Xie and Huguang Advisor Yuan Jixian had agreed that the Huguang Standard Battalion would coordinate to cut off the opposite bank at Baishazhou. But their battalion marched for an entire day and only reached Baishazhou by nightfall, by which time the Western Camp had already completely crossed the river."

Pang Ding glanced at Pang Yu. This Huguang Pacification Standard unit was Fang Kongzhao's personal troops. Their pay and armor and weapons were all supplied by Pang Yu's loans. The amount Pang Yu authorized was 200,000 taels, but in reality only seventy thousand were used. It was not that Fang Kongzhao did not want to use it, but that he had anticipated a longer campaign period and had not expected to be dismissed so quickly.

There were also over thirty instructors from Anqing inside that unit, and their tactics were modeled on the Anqing Battalion. Originally, Pang Yu had been full of hope for that unit.

"What exactly was the situation with the Huguang Pacification Standard?"

"That unit had an authorized strength of three thousand three hundred, with an actual strength of one thousand nine hundred. There were four hundred and ten mounted retainers. Infantry monthly pay was nine Mace, retainers' monthly pay was three taels, forage silver included. Before the Gucheng battle, pay was two months in arrears."

Pang Yu furrowed his brow. "That camp head still had pay arrears?"

"There were several instructors inside who were formerly from the Second Division. At Gucheng, this subordinate sought them out to ask about the situation. Military Commander Fang ran the army more rigorously than the average civil official. He frequently entered the camp to inspect and checked troop strength and military equipment. But fundamentally, he still controlled the general officers through rations and pay. The Pacification Standard's rations and pay were more ample than other units, but ultimately it still had to pass through the Grand Coordinator Yamen. The various ranks of general officers in the battalion each had their customary cuts. From Military Commander Fang down to the general officers, they were quite wary of the instructors we sent. They only let them drill the men and horses, rarely appointing them to lead troops. Only one person was appointed as a Centurion. After this defeat at Suizhou, the Huguang Pacification Standard has only a little over one thousand three hundred men left."

Wang Zenglu saw that Pang Yu had no further questions and immediately continued, "Finally, this subordinate's own scheduling was flawed. The scouts were improperly allocated, especially after crossing the Fenshui, failing to see through the eight bandits' feint troops..."

Pang Yu waved his hand, holding the detailed report and looking at it for a moment. "What is already in the detailed report need not be repeated. Is there anything else related to the military unit system?"

"Apart from the insufficient allocation of cavalry, within this subordinate's Chiliarch Headquarters, the number of men wearing heavy armor was large. During pursuit, they could only discard the heavy armor. In the end, all the heavy armor soldiers from each unit could only stay behind to guard Gucheng and were unable to join the pursuit. Once the weather turned hot, the cotton armor also became unusable. On the contrary, the leather armor of the Marine Corps proved useful. This subordinate believes that in this revision of the military system, troops dealing with roving bandits should mostly use light armor. Other than that, there is nothing."

Pang Yu waited a moment, then stood up. "In reality, there is one more point. Because of Xiong Wencan's Pacification Company, we were constantly waiting for the eight bandits to rebel again. If they did not rebel, we could not attack. This already placed us in a passive position. That is why the column led by Yao Dongshan was exhausted, men and horses alike, and in the end their movements could not be concealed. This official's own error was misjudging the timing of their rebellion. First, I misjudged that the Eastern Invaders' incursion would end within two months, and that the Western Camp would rebel while the government troops were rallying to the king. In the end, the Eastern Invaders raided the border for over half a year, and during this time the Western Camp took advantage of the weakness of government troops to plunder rations and pay from the surrounding countryside, holding out for several more months, which placed us in an extremely passive position."

Wang Zenglu said in a low voice, "It was the Eastern Invaders' savagery; the fault does not lie with Your Excellency."

"The enemy will change; we must improve in the future. Zenglu, you are a veteran of the Anqing Battalion. This official has always trusted you deeply. The Huguang campaign did not go smoothly. You commanding officers bear responsibility, and this official also bears responsibility. We each shoulder our own share, and we must also learn the lessons. The foremost thing is that we who lead troops must change our thinking. War is war; the first consideration is victory or defeat, not the preferences of civil officials."

A flicker passed through Wang Zenglu's eyes. He then cautiously looked at Pang Yu and said, "This subordinate will carefully remember Your Excellency's guidance. Henceforth, I shall consider only victory and defeat."

Pang Yu nodded. "You have trained in Huguang for these days and are now capable of handling matters on your own. After this revision of the military system, our Anqing troops must share more of the court's burdens. We will inevitably be divided to defend various areas, split into four or five defense zones. This official will propose that you assume the post of Anqing Defense Zone Commander, responsible for defending and eliminating roving bandits around Anqing and in the Yinghuo Mountain Area."

"The Personal Guard Chiliarch Headquarters is this official's personal troops. In every campaign, they have repeatedly achieved great merit, serving as a pillar of stability within the entire battalion. It is not only you, Chaozheng — this official also trusts the officers and soldiers of the Personal Guard Chiliarch Headquarters."

Sitting in the study was Zhuang Chaozheng, the last general officer Pang Yu was to meet in this revision of the military system.

Zhuang Chaozheng respectfully rose and made a gesture of humility. Pang Yu waited for him to sit down, then continued, "This official needs you to recommend several candidates from the Personal Guard Chiliarch Headquarters. Among them, there is one you must consider with particular care."

"Your Excellency, please instruct me."

"This official has agreed to Shi Kefa's request to send five hundred officers and soldiers into Chen Yuwang's battalion, to accompany him to Shandong to take up his post. After arriving in Shandong, they will be stationed in the Dongchang and Linqing area. The court appointment is Mobile Corps Commander."

Zhuang Chaozheng asked cautiously, "Has trouble broken out in Shandong?"

"The local bandits in southern Shandong are growing increasingly severe. Circuit Intendant Shi has no troops at his disposal; we must lend a hand." Pang Yu unfolded a small map. Zhuang Chaozheng glanced at it; he was very familiar with this map. It had actually been drawn by the Advisory Room during the rally to the king, and he could recite it from memory.

"When Circuit Intendant Shi first proposed this, this official had already refused. But recently we received word that after the Eastern Invaders withdrew, the people's livelihood is in ruins. The common folk have nowhere to seek a living, so naturally more will turn to banditry. Between Dongchang and Xuzhou, there are not only local bandits, but water bandits have also appeared in the great lakes. This area not only involves the Grand Canal trade but may also be the site of our decisive battle with the Jurchen Slaves two years from now. We cannot let these local bandits ruin our preparations. Therefore, this Mobile Corps Commander must have been to Shandong, be familiar with the surrounding terrain, and have fought the Eastern Invaders before — only then can he shoulder this heavy responsibility."

"This subordinate will certainly recommend a reliable candidate. As for the other several people..."

"Candidates for battalion commander and deputy battalion commander." Pang Yu paused briefly. "Heavy armor soldiers are not limited to promotion only within the Personal Guard Chiliarch Headquarters. Warfare shares common principles. After the military system is revised, everything will be new. Everyone must learn. Once they have learned the skills, they can naturally lead other military units."

A look mixing surprise and delight flashed across Zhuang Chaozheng's face. Previously, when the Shipai Martial Academy was established, Wu Dacai was appointed as Academy Director, and the Infantry Firearms Battalion was set up at the Martial Academy. Anyone attending the military councils could see Pang Yu's inclination. On the direction of the military system revision, Zhuang Chaozheng and Wu Dacai had argued fiercely. This direction involved the future of the heavy infantry officers and soldiers, so Zhuang Chaozheng was in fact worried.

Pang Yu's expression was also quite relaxed. It was in this small study that the decisions for this military system revision were truly made; the final military council would merely be the announcement. He needed to ensure that this military system change proceeded smoothly and did not affect the simultaneous military operations, and that no turmoil arose within Anqing.

Apart from Ren Dalang, he needed to balance the interests of every faction, soothe the worries in their hearts, and look after their interests — it was more like a series of transactions.

By the time it came to Zhuang Chaozheng, it was already relatively easy. Because the Personal Guard Division had participated in last year's rally-to-the-king campaign, there were already many people who needed promotion. As long as it was guaranteed that the Personal Guard Division could be promoted into other military units, Zhuang Chaozheng could basically accept it psychologically. Once these chiliarchs were settled, the people below would be easy to arrange.

"Our mixed land battalions are not designed to pursue mounted bandits and old camps. As we have analyzed before, all roving bandit camp heads require large numbers of servants to assist in combat. Otherwise, they can only flee short-term and cannot cause real harm. The mixed land battalions are designed to deal with roving bandits in a mixed state — that is, old bandits coercing large numbers of servants, with the servants carrying large quantities of carriages and livestock. The mixed battalions need to conduct large-scale operations across multiple provinces, so mobility is extremely important. This means they must be primarily light infantry. But at the same time, we have another enemy: the Eastern Invaders. The Eastern Invaders' army has a full complement of infantry, cavalry, light and heavy troops. In direct confrontation, their combat strength is fierce and formidable. Their troops are battle-hardened, and their mobility is especially formidable. Judging from the rally to the king, even when we brought heavy infantry, it was extremely strenuous. For our light infantry to attack and defend against them, we must improve our combat methods. What this official has chosen is to use firearms to increase the light infantry's offensive power."

Pang Yu put down the Shandong map. "But heavy infantry is still needed, only on the front facing the Eastern Invaders. The heavy armor from the previous three Chiliarch Headquarters will all be concentrated into the Heavy Infantry Battalion, stationed in Anqing. The battalion commander will be selected from the candidates you recommend, and it will likewise be augmented with cannons and fire lances. As for you yourself, Chaozheng, this official will propose to the Ministry of War the establishment of the post of Xuzhou Regional Commander, with you assuming that position, leading a mixed battalion unit to take up the post. Within the Anqing internal structure, you will be responsible for the Northern Defense Zone, preparing for the decisive battle with the Eastern Invaders."