Chapter 542: The Campaign

At the port of Niangniang Temple in Fuzhou, masts crowded the sea like a forest. Sharp-bottomed Fujian junks of various types lay moored in the harbor, disgorging batches of soldiers and cargo. On the eastern side, a great number of flat-bottomed sand ships furled their sails and were hauled by civilian laborers along the Sha River northward.

Ever since Dengzhou Garrison seized and held Fuzhou, Fuzhou had become the logistics base for southern Liaodong, and Niangniang Temple was a key construction site. Niangniang Temple lies on the west bank of the Sha River estuary, sheltered to the south by Changsheng Island, making it an excellent typhoon haven. In the Ming dynasty, it was the place where Fuzhou connected to the sea.

After nearly two years, it had become a fairly well-developed port and a crucial strongpoint linking Fuzhou with Dengzhou. Vessels from Dengzhou sailed via the Miaodao Archipelago to Lushun, then followed the west coast of the Jinzhou isthmus northward. This route had sheltered harbors and landmarks all along the way, and with the Jinzhou isthmus as a windbreak, the navigational risks were far lower than those on the route to Dongjiang.

A group of Fujian junks entered the port of Niangniang Temple. Chen Xin and the others disembarked one after another. No senior officers came to greet them; only the port's chief supply officer and similar personnel received them.

At the port, Chen Xin looked southward. The outline of Changsheng Island was clearly visible against the sea and sky. Some port facilities had been built there as well, and its warehouses could serve as a transit station. Large Fujian junks could dock there and then return to Dengzhou, while sand ships suited for coastal navigation handled the transfer back and forth between Fuzhou and the island.

The port supply officer who greeted them was the deputy director of the Supply Department. He briefed Chen Xin: "My lord, for this autumn offensive, the Supply Department has prepared two main logistics lines. One runs from Niangniang Temple to Fuzhou, then overland via Bajiapu, Motapu, Yongningjian, Wushizhai Station, Xiongyue Station, and other forts along the way, moving supplies forward in sequence. The logistics point closest to Fuzhou is Guotoupu, fifteen li from Yulinpu and thirty li from Gaizhou. The other transport line goes north along the coast from here, with three coastal ports at Xiongyue Station, Xin'anpu, and Yongningjian. The overland distances from these to the three military forts are shorter, but they cannot be used after the Liaodong Sea freezes. In both lines, Niangniang Temple is the primary transit hub."

Chen Xin nodded. Between Fuzhou and Gaizhou there were eleven military forts in total, all reinforced by Dengzhou Garrison. They were garrisoned by the seven thousand reserve troops mobilized for this operation and some soldiers from the original Fuzhou garrison, supplemented by a large number of civilian laborers. The terrain along the western coast of southern Liaodong was narrow, with the Liaodong Sea to the west and the great mountains of southern Liaodong to the east. It resembled the Liaoxi Corridor. The core of the Ning-Jin defense line was Ningyuan and Jinzhou, with supporting forts like Tashan, Songshan, and Xingshan between them, and a large number of watchtowers along the official road.

The eleven military forts restored by Dengzhou were similar to the Ning-Jin defense line of the Guan-Ning forces, but this line adopted the Lushun model, with reserve troops on permanent garrison duty. There were also field armies moving to provide mutual support. With the powerful field combat capability of the Dengzhou field troops serving as a mobile force, the forts and field forces relied on each other, making the line far more stable than the Liaodong Garrison's static defense. Even though the Later Jin troops had cavalry superiority, a swift raid by light troops would be difficult to succeed and would instead risk being encircled by Dengzhou Garrison's heavy forces.

After inspecting the port, Chen Xin and Liu Minyou rode along the official road toward Fuzhou. The road followed the west bank of the Sha River. Columns of marching troops stretched for several li along the route, thousands of soldiers and horses moving northward. Flat-bottomed boats shuttled endlessly back and forth on the Sha River. Dengzhou Garrison demonstrated a formidable mobilization capacity.

Chen Xin was in rather high spirits. He spurred his horse swiftly along the way and soon reached Fuzhou, which had also turned into an enormous military encampment. Garrison patrols were inspecting everywhere, and even Chen Xin and his party had their identification tags checked twice.

Finally, they entered the forward command headquarters in Fuzhou. Zhu Guobin, temporarily serving as the frontline commander, was already waiting there. With the great battle imminent, no one exchanged pleasantries. After a brief rest, they entered the Fuzhou operations conference room. The staff officers from the Military Orders Department brought by Liu Pojun each set up their desks, preparing for the final confirmation of the plan.

In the center of the conference room was a vividly detailed sand table. The key points and roads of the southern Liaodong region were marked with complete clarity, far more intuitive than an abstract map.

Zhu Guobin picked up a long bamboo pointer and began his briefing from the northernmost area. "My lords Chen and Liu, this autumn offensive begins one month earlier than in previous years, launching in the first ten days of the eighth month. The first wave of attacks will commence in the mountainous region of southern Liaodong. The main routes are toward Hetu Ala and Lianshan Pass. Hetu Ala is the northern route; Lianshan Pass is the central route. If the Jianzhou bandits hold fast and refuse to come out, the central route will continue attacking Tianshuijing Station, threatening the Liaoyang direction. The northern route will cross beyond Hetu Ala and strike the Sarhu area, threatening the northern road into central Liaodong. This road has been raided many times by Dongjiang Garrison, so they are very familiar with the terrain and conditions. The main forces deployed are the units under Mao Chenglu, Shang Kexi, Shen Shikui, Jin Riguan, and Huang Long of Dongjiang Garrison. They have already entered their starting points at Xiuyan, Fenghuangcheng, Tieshan, and Zhenjiangbao."

"Our planned decisive battle area is the region from Fuzhou to Haizhou. The central route is the flank of the main effort. The units of Shang Kexi and Mao Chenglu on the central route have recently received a batch of aid from our garrison, making them the strongest in Dongjiang Garrison. The two units combined have 4,200 field soldiers and 7,000 support troops. Shen Shikui's unit has 1,500 field soldiers and 3,000 support troops. The northern route is far away and consists of Huang Long's unit. Our forces are committing only a small number of troops there, so the northern route is somewhat thin..."

Chen Xin interrupted: "Make a slight adjustment here. Have Shang Kexi add one thousand field soldiers and one thousand support troops to reinforce the northern route operations. There may be some changes on Zhangzi Island recently."

Liu Pojun and the staff officers immediately began recording. Adjustments would be made after the meeting based on the decisions reached. Liu Minyou heard this and knew that Chen Xin still intended to deal with Huang Long. He carefully glanced at the attendants behind him. Wu Jianzhong was expressionlessly watching the sand table.

Zhu Guobin continued: "Both routes are primarily diversionary, aimed at dispersing the Jianzhou bandits' forces. To increase striking power, we have specially reinforced them with the Dengzhou Garrison Eighth Battalion, the Mountain Infantry Company, the Jimo Independent Battalion, and two thousand reserve troops. The Eighth Battalion and one thousand reserve troops are stationed at Xiuyan, positioned centrally to support the central route. Xiuyan is a strategic location in southern Liaodong, capable of threatening the flanks of Gaizhou and Haizhou while also supporting the central route operations at Lianshan Pass. The Eighth Battalion's priority mission is to secure the main force's flank. Once the Jianzhou bandits' main force concentrates in the Haizhou direction, it will assist Dongjiang Garrison in attacking Lianshan Pass. The Lianshan Pass direction can threaten both Shenyang and Liaoyang, two critical points that the Jianzhou bandits must defend, thereby forcing them into a decisive battle. If necessary, the Eighth Battalion can also support the main-force engagement in the Gaizhou direction. The Jimo Independent Battalion and one thousand reserve troops are stationed at Fenghuangcheng, assisting Dongjiang Garrison's attack in the first wave of the central route and solidifying the central route's defense. The Mountain Infantry Company is deployed on the mountain paths from Xiuyan to Haizhou, with the mission of threatening Haizhou's flank. This force is designated the Southern Liaodong Mixed Brigade, under the command of Wang Mafu."

Chen Xin and the others raised no objections. Zhu Guobin pointed to the location of Gaizhou. "The Gaizhou direction is our main operational axis. All combat units are Dengzhou Garrison troops, including the First Guards Battalion, the Second Guards Battalion, and the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Sixth, and Seventh Field Battalions."

"Among them, the First Guards Battalion and Second Guards Battalion are combined into the Guards Brigade. Their initial deployment area is around Guo'erpu, forty-five li from Gaizhou. They serve as the campaign reserve for this operation, under the command of Wang Zhangfu. The First, Second, and Third Field Battalions are combined into the Southern Liaodong First Brigade. Their initial deployment area is Xiongyue Station, sixty li from Gaizhou, under the command of Zheng Sanhu. The Fourth, Sixth, and Seventh Field Battalions are combined into the Southern Liaodong Second Brigade. Their initial deployment area is Guotoupu, fifteen li from the Jianzhou bandits' forward strongpoint Yulinpu and thirty li from Gaizhou, under the command of Zhu Guobin."

Zhu Guobin's bamboo pointer indicated each strongpoint one by one. These were all military forts near Gaizhou, the starting points for Dengzhou Garrison's operations in this campaign.

"The cavalry company of the former Fourth Battalion, the Dragoon Battalion, and the Linxian Independent Dragoon Battalion have been separately drawn out. Combined with the newly formed Dengzhou cavalry and the Wuxue cavalry company, they are merged into the First Cavalry Battalion, totaling 4,600 cavalry and 2,200 dragoons. This battalion has been conducting combined training in Fuzhou. Its initial deployment area is Buzipu, seventy li from Gaizhou and one hundred and ten li from Fuzhou. Its commander is Tan Shen, the former cavalry company commander of the Fourth Battalion."

"The main-force operation is scheduled to begin on the fifteenth day of the eighth month. By then, all units will concentrate toward the first line according to the operational plan. The civilian laborers providing logistics support number thirty thousand. The garrison forces in the military forts along the route consist of 1,500 men from the Fuzhou Garrison and seven battalions of reserve troops. Additionally, there are the Combat Engineer Company, the Rocket Company, the Siege Red Barbarian Cannon Battery, and the Special Service Company, which are directly under your command, my lord. In the Gaizhou direction, there are a total of nine battalions, four specially established formations, seven thousand reserve troops, and thirty-five thousand civilian laborers."

"The Jianzhou bandits' current forces in Gaizhou are the Plain White Banner, the Bordered Blue Banner, and the Tianyou Army. The number of field soldiers is approximately five thousand. In Haizhou, there are elements of the Plain Red Banner, the Bordered Red Banner, and the Mongol Left Wing, numbering about four thousand. Five days ago, a group of Two Yellow Banner cavalry newly appeared, numbering around one thousand. The Special Service Company has also detected that the amount of grain being transported to Haizhou has suddenly begun to increase, doubling the usual amount. The Jianzhou bandits have likely begun mobilization."

Chen Xin nodded and said, "Tell us about the readiness status of our own forces."

"Currently in position are the entire Southern Liaodong Second Brigade and the Southern Liaodong First Brigade, minus its Second Battalion. The Second Battalion is scheduled to disembark at Niangniang Temple tomorrow. The First Battalion of the Guards Brigade just arrived in Fuzhou today. The Second Battalion is still in Jinzhou..."

North of Jinzhou city, at the encampment of the Second Guards Battalion, the Second Battalion had just returned from training. In recent days, Zhong Lao Si had increased the training load, and the soldiers were all quite exhausted. After the company commander announced dismissal, Yuan Guzi led his squad back to the barracks.

Once back at the barracks, the soldiers all went to fetch water. In the seventh month, one could still bathe in cold water. Dengzhou Garrison was relatively strict about internal order. Although blankets were not required to be folded into perfect squares as in later eras, they still had to be stacked neatly, and other equipment also had to be arranged in orderly rows.

Tang Wei listlessly picked up his wooden bucket and went to wait by the well outside to draw water. Right in front of him was Guan Dadi. Tang Wei quickly queued up behind him.

"Brother Dadi, I heard, I heard we're going to fight a big battle with the Tatars. The Grand Commander's war proclamation has already been issued."

Guan Dadi turned his head and saw it was Tang Wei. He immediately put on a smiling face. This fat soldier was not much good at training, but his mind was rather sharp. Recently, he had taught Guan Dadi quite a few characters. Guan Dadi had just passed the five-hundred-character exam and obtained the qualification as a reserve officer, so Guan Dadi's impression of the fat man had been excellent lately.

Guan Dadi said with a smile, "That's what I heard. The Grand Commander wants to recover Liaodong. A lot of troops have been transferred here recently. I don't know anything else."

Tang Wei sighed inwardly. Since Grand Commander Chen was going to fight a major battle with the Jianzhou bandits, the Second Guards Battalion could forget about being transferred back to Dengzhou. That meant Tang Wei would have to take part in at least one more major battle.

Guan Dadi went on, speaking to himself, "I heard that after Liaodong is recovered, if a soldier is willing to be discharged and settle in Liaodong, he can be allotted fifty mu of land."

"Fifty mu!" Tang Wei exclaimed. "Can it be sold?"

Guan Dadi shook his head. "That wasn't mentioned. But I've heard several officers from Liaodong say that the land in central Liaodong is very good. The land near water sources has been cultivated all these years, so it's already tilled land. If irrigation works are built like in Dengzhou, the yield per mu might be a bit over one dan. It's just that you can only harvest one crop a year. You'd only pay two dou of grain in tax each year, and for wasteland, one dou. This land is different from the Dengzhou forts — it's your own. The fort chief can't just take it back whenever he wants."

Tang Wei calculated in his mind. There would still be quite a bit of income each year. Although Tang Wei's family ran some shop businesses, they were not formal fort households and didn't have much land at home. In this era, land was still something the common people valued highly, because it always produced something. Tang Wei couldn't help feeling a bit excited.

Just at that moment, a bugle call rang out. Guan Dadi shouted, "Assembly call!"

The soldiers queuing for water instantly scattered like birds and beasts. Tang Wei sprinted back to his room, got fully dressed and equipped. The squad formed up outside the door, then merged into a banner company. The banner company commander then led them to the open ground in front of their company barracks.

The company commander was still the same one as before. He opened his booming voice and bellowed: "The unit moves out tomorrow for Fuzhou. Tonight's training is canceled. All units pack and organize your gear. Those who haven't written their final letters, hand them to your banner company commanders before the lights-out bugle tonight. The indoctrination officers will collect them..." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m. to read.)

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