Chapter 571: The Meeting Hall

The overtones of the copper horns echoed through the night. Lanterns within the Shipai Martial Academy Camp were extinguished one by one, leaving everything pitch-black except for a few main roads and the camp gate.

A few points of light drifted across the drill ground. Pang Yu walked slowly with his head down, only Pang Ding at his side. The guards carrying lanterns all kept at least ten paces away.

The wind blowing across the drill ground already carried a chill. Pang Yu tugged slightly at his collar and continued along the running track, then suddenly let out a low sigh.

"Young Master, the various General Officers have all been more or less assigned, the Infantry Firearms Battalion has begun drilling, and with the Banknotes issued, Young Master won't lack for silver. Everything from here on should be smooth. Why does Young Master still sigh?"

"When the mind is troubled, one unconsciously breathes short. Carbon dioxide builds up and causes physical discomfort. A sigh can regulate the balance of Qi and blood, and also suppress the excitability of the sympathetic nerves. It's good for relieving stress."

Pang Ding's voice came, "What Young Master says makes sense, but this humble one still doesn't understand."

Pang Yu couldn't help but laugh. After a long while, he turned to look at Pang Ding in the darkness and said, "The Anqing Battalion has more men now. Worries both external and internal are ten times what they were before, and the most critical matter is still battle. Battle depends on silver, but silver is not yet combat power. Actually, if you calculate it, this time last year the Tartars had already crossed the border. Unknowingly, a year has passed. If we take two years as the deadline, only one year remains. The Infantry Firearms Battalion has just begun its rough founding. The time limit alone is something I calculate every single day, so naturally I grow troubled."

"From the start of the Tartar Incursion to when they fight their way to the south side of Shandong, it will still take more than two months."

"You calculated well. Young Master here feels a bit more at ease." Pang Yu stopped walking and looked at the brightly lit camp gate ahead. "Next year, the Roving Bandits will most likely still be around. Huguang needs two Infantry Firearms Battalions, Anqing needs two Infantry Firearms Battalions, and Jiangbei needs one Infantry Firearms Battalion. In the direction of Shandong, I need to deploy at least thirty thousand combat soldiers between Xuzhou and Dongchang, including three thousand cavalry—four thousand would be best—along with the rations, pay, supplies, and civilian laborers to support thirty thousand combat soldiers fighting for over three months. Within half a year, I must obtain the post of Xuzhou Regional Commander to have enough time for preparations."

"Young Master has said that the Eastern Invaders launch a major campaign every two years and a medium campaign every year. By the timing, they should be coming now. After fighting for two or three months, the Tartars will rest and regroup for half a year, then begin preparing to cross the border again. The Tartars' timing and movements are all within Young Master's calculations. This time we are prepared; the Tartars won't get any advantage."

"The Tartars are our main enemy. Their army is long-hardened by battle, and fighting them in Liaodong will be extremely difficult. But as long as we grasp their timing and movements, this army will also be extremely vulnerable. This specific moment must not be missed, or we'll expend twice the effort for half the result. Therefore, in this one year, we must rapidly drill the Infantry Firearms Battalions into shape, and also mobilize them to fight in rotation to train the troops. No matter how I calculate, it's very hard to catch up. If we must use these new military units against the Tartars when the time comes, I still have no confidence in my heart."

"Young Master still has the original military units to use. Last time we only brought the Heavy Infantry and cavalry, and the Tartars didn't gain any advantage. Young Master need not worry too much; at worst, we'll just spend a bit more silver."

Pang Yu nodded, lifted his feet, and continued walking. As he walked, he said to Pang Ding, "The original Thousand-Leader Headquarters have already formed combat power. Whether against the Roving Bandits or the Jurchen Slaves, they have proven they can effectively cope. Personnel, equipment, and training are all complete. The most expensive phase has passed; now they only need maintenance, which won't cost much more silver. It's just that drilling the new military units takes time and money. We can only use the Infantry Firearms Battalions. Europe has been fighting wars back and forth for years; the fact that they formed such tactics after long practice must have its reasons. Wu Dacai's tests these days show that the skill training for one's own Firearms Soldiers is the simplest. The Anqing Battalion must definitely improve in the direction of strengthening firepower."

"Young Master has already planned which military units will engage the Tartars."

"The Heavy Infantry will be reorganized into the First Personal Guard Battalion. The original three mixed Thousand-Leader Headquarters will be reorganized into the Second Personal Guard Battalion. The Cavalry Battalion Commander Department will be expanded into a cavalry battalion. Together with the Marine Battalion and the Mountain Battalion Commander Department, these are the main forces I am preparing for engagement. This year we will drill large-scale engagements." Pang Yu's tone rose slightly. "The newly built military units are all Infantry Firearms Battalions. I don't yet know how effective they will be. Right now, Fire Lance production can't keep up—only over three hundred a month. The soldiers are all new recruits. To guarantee combat power, at the very least the officers must be veterans. Officers from Banner Commander up will all be promoted from the original military units. Regardless of whether they were formerly Artillery, infantry, cavalry, or Marine Corps, as long as they have studied Infantry Firearms Battalion tactics in the Martial Academy, they can go be promoted and take up posts. The original military units can preserve combat power, the soldiers and officers have a path for promotion, and the new military units can also accelerate their formation."

"Young Master, with so many new military units being built this time, the Personal Soldier Qianzong and the cavalry Thousand-Leader Headquarters all participated in rallying to the king. There are many to be promoted. The First Unit, Second Unit, and Marine Corps General are all in Huguang. They fought the Western Camp but let the Eighth Bandit run away, though they didn't suffer any losses themselves. Still, it counts as some merit. The Third Brigade remained garrisoned in Anqing and never fought a single battle. They have neither merit nor fault. If promotions are based entirely on battle record, then in the future, most officers in the Infantry Firearms Battalions will come from the Heavy Infantry and cavalry. That doesn't seem quite appropriate either. Moreover, Chen Rulie has already requested of Young Master that his cavalry is insufficient and he doesn't want to transfer out a single officer. We can't just promote all Heavy Infantry men."

The two men walked in the darkness toward the riverbank. Sparse chirping of insects surrounded them, occasionally mixed with a bird call, somewhat jarring in the quiet camp.

What Pang Ding brought up was the promotion of lower-ranking officers, which was previously handled by the Military Office. Pang Yu's administrative structure was the same framework as the county yamen, directly carried over after reaching the Garrison Headquarters. When the Zhuang Squad was first formed, there were few men, and Pang Yu personally appointed everyone from squad leader up. He basically knew all the squad leaders. After reaching the Defense Officer battalion, the scale gradually expanded. Pang Yu gradually only knew those from Banner Commander up, and later only the Centurions. It was impossible to manage all officer promotions.

The model for lower-ranking officer promotion was generally that the Battalion Commander recommended to the Military Office. The Military Office, Pacification Squad, and Document Team reviewed, then reported to the Central Army Secretariat. Pang Yu looked at the list and approved, and the Military Office issued the appointment. For those above Centurion, Pang Yu would meet and talk with them. Sometimes when the military unit was on campaign, or Pang Yu was not in Anqing, this step was often omitted.

General Officer promotions certainly needed to be based on battle record, otherwise they could not command respect. This time, the King's Duty War had many achievements, Huguang's achievements were poor, and Anqing had almost no battles. If cavalry were not transferred out, the Heavy Infantry would certainly have the most promotions.

"Although Huguang let the Roving Bandits run, before the Feigned Surrender, they had merit in pursuit and attack. This time they gained a foothold in Gucheng and kept the area around Xiangyang safe. To say they have merit is valid. The Third Brigade Headquarters garrisoned Anqing, repelled the Geli Yan and other battalions that tried to invade the Prefectural City, and protected Anqing, our fundamental base. The Mountain Battalion Commander Department several times expelled Roving Bandits from the county seats of Yingshan and Huoshan, and the Roving Bandits coming out of the mountains to harass Anqing grew fewer and fewer. It's not that they have no merit. Merit is not only calculated by beheading generals and capturing flags." Pang Yu paused for a moment, then smiled at Pang Ding. "What do you think can be done to make it more balanced among the different military units, while still convincing the officers and soldiers in their hearts?"

Pang Ding lowered his voice. "What Young Master means is to promote a little from each department, and also ensure the officers and soldiers don't resent Young Master."

Pang Yu looked around to see that the soldiers were all far away, then coughed once and said, "That's your own thought. Speak your mind."

"As it was done before, the Military Office managed it all. Yang Xueshi is a rigid thinker who only led cavalry before. He treats all infantry Camp Heads the same, and will certainly still report it the same way as before. Then in the end, apart from the Personal Soldier Qianzong, every unit will inevitably have grievances. By the time the promotion roster is finally submitted to you, Young Master, it will be hard to change. I think this matter cannot be left to the Military Office to take the lead. Military Councils have been set up in each battalion and unit. We could also set up a temporary Military Council in the Central Army. Since most promotions are in the Infantry Firearms Battalions, we can use the name of Military System Revision to preside over these promotions. All appointments would be drafted from here. Let this..." Pang Ding paused for a moment, then said, "Let someone who is not on good terms with the Heavy Infantry draft the promotion roster. Young Master won't need to advise him; he will naturally suppress the number of promotions."

Pang Yu let out an "Oh," and turned his head to look. In the darkness, he could actually see two points of light. "Then what if this person is also not on good terms with the other several Thousand-Leader Headquarters?"

"That was a long time ago. Recent grudges are more detestable."

"Then who exactly is this person?"

"This humble one cannot say for sure. Young Master knows people better. It would be best if it's someone drilling the new military units."

Pang Yu slapped him. "Young Master told you to speak."

The surrounding guards visibly paused for a moment, then immediately returned to normal.

Pang Ding clutched his head, looked around, and then said, "Young Master clearly knows."

Pang Yu grabbed him and pulled him close, lowering his voice. "You go notify Mr. Yu to draft a document forming a Military System Revision Group, to take charge of military system revision and General Officer promotions. One person each from the Military Office, Documents, Pacification, and Advisors, plus Mr. Yu, with that person you mentioned as group leader. Don't release it for now; announce it at the Military Council."

Pang Ding said quietly, "This humble one understands."

"Also, since you're so capable now." Pang Yu's voice continued, "You will also join this group. You lack the seniority to command respect; just sit in on behalf of this official and listen."

Outside the newly completed meeting hall beside the Martial Academy drill ground, a crowd surged. Officers from every military unit of the Anqing Battalion were mostly gathered here to attend the Anqing Battalion's most important Military Council.

Wu Dacai arrived outside the meeting hall leaning on his crutch, his head held high all the way until he stopped before the main door. The Clerk Officers from various departments flocked around him, cautiously greeting Wu Dacai.

Wu Dacai only nodded slightly to each, his gaze roaming around. The lower-ranking officers were mostly gathered by their military units, a buzz of conversation everywhere. Looking closer, the several old Battalion Commanders were all present. Wang Zenglu was talking with the blacksmith. Chen Rulie and Yang Xueshi stood together. Zhuang Chaozheng was with Xie Zhaofa and Tu Dianli in one spot, each chatting animatedly. Jiang Fan stood slightly to the outside, his body slightly bowed as he listened to Mr. Yu say something. Only Jiang Guoyong stood off to one side by himself, not speaking with anyone else.

Most people had not noticed Wu Dacai. Only Wang Zenglu saw him, but did not come over, merely nodding at Wu Dacai with a smile on his face. Wu Dacai wanted to smile back, but the corner of his mouth twitched once and then stopped. Wang Zenglu then turned his attention back to talking with the blacksmith.

Wu Dacai walked on his own toward the left side of the main door. As he passed the entrance, he glanced inside the meeting hall. Over a dozen soldiers were busy inside, and He County Yamen was also pacing back and forth.

Cao Shuban followed at his side. He glanced into the meeting hall, and after Wu Dacai stopped, said to him in a low voice, "My lord, I heard that He County Yamen wants to contend for the position of Chief Clerk Officer. No news has come out yet; I don't know what the outcome will be. But this humble one still feels that Lord Pang favors you, my lord."

Wu Dacai's face was gloomy. He snorted lowly. "Clerk Officer is a General Officer post in the army. Without ability, one cannot sit steadily in it. Not just anyone can do it."

"My lord is right."

Cao Shuban was about to say more when suddenly a drum roll sounded outside. The officers all stopped talking and formed ranks in front of the door according to their respective units, then were led into the meeting hall by the Pacification soldiers.

Those Battalion Commanders and Vice Battalion Commanders remained where they were. Wu Dacai also stood still. The lower-ranking officers soon all entered the meeting hall. The second drum roll sounded, and only then did the officers of Battalion Commander rank and above stop talking. Following the guidance of two Pacification soldiers, they began to form ranks in order, then sequentially entered the meeting hall.

Wu Dacai was of Vice Battalion Commander rank, but belonged to the Regional Commander's Office, so he was placed at the very front of the Vice Battalion Commander rank. Leaning on his crutch, he slowly walked to his position. By convention, it should have been in the first row below the platform, but that Pacification soldier actually led him up onto the platform, stopping beside Chen Rulie.

When he saw his own name, Wu Dacai still felt somewhat at a loss. He glanced down below; the room was full of officers. Wu Dacai couldn't help but lift his head high again.

At that moment, the third drum roll thudded out. Jiang Guoyong shouted loudly at the door, "Lord Pang arrives!"

Wu Dacai suddenly leaned hard on his crutch, puffing his chest out high. From the corner of his eye, he saw Pang Yu's figure appear outside the main door.