Chapter 73: Military Rods and Enemies

By the time Liu Minyou led the logistics team back to the shanty area, it was already afternoon. A string of donkey carts and ox carts trailed behind him, creaking and rattling along the way. He had purchased a hundred shi of grain, three pigs, plus salt, iron pots, and a heap of other things. Strangely enough, Wang Yuanzheng had come along too.

Chen Xin had just appointed five squad leaders and ten corporals. The original three officers plus the five new squad leaders now formed his middle-level cadre. Hai Gouzi and Zhang Da would serve as assistant drill instructors. Together they were assigning each squad's troop roles — deciding who would be pikeman, swordsman, and so on. Each weapon had different requirements: rattan shield demanded nimble limbs, usually filled by the corporal; long saber required a killer's edge; pike required strength and a killer's edge. Chen Xin very much wanted to simplify the troop types, but with so few men he had to use this small-unit structure. The only model he could reference was Grandpa Qi's Mandarin Duck Formation.

Seeing that Wang Yuanzheng had also come, he hurriedly called Song Wenxian over to exchange courtesies. Wang Yuanzheng's manner was actually even better than a few days ago. Chen Xin had no parlor here, but Liu Minyou had just bought back some tables and chairs, so they temporarily set them up and the two sat down.

Wang Yuanzheng looked over the shanty area, which was beginning to take shape, and said with a smile, "Battalion Commander Chen truly lives up to being someone the Provincial Governor values. In just a few short days this place is already completely different. I hear you're even planning to build brick houses."

Chen Xin recalled that this man still owed him a pile of farming tools and military households. Smiling, he said, "My lord flatters me. If not for the shortage of hands, it would certainly be even faster."

Wang Yuanzheng looked slightly embarrassed and said with an apologetic smile, "Battalion Commander Chen, rest assured, those twenty households have all been arranged. They will arrive here in a few days."

Song Wenxian did not think much of this Vice Prefect. Standing to one side, he said flatly, "Lord Wang, also do not forget the farming tools for the military colony."

Wang Yuanzheng hurriedly said he would not dare and began explaining himself to Song Wenxian. Chen Xin noticed Liu Minyou signaling him with his eyes from behind. After excusing himself to Wang Yuanzheng, he went over to Liu Minyou's side.

"This Lord Wang has opened a rice shop, right on East Street. I happened to run into him when I was buying rice. He saw we were buying a lot of other things too and eagerly followed us back. I reckon he wants you to set up a fixed purchasing arrangement."

Chen Xin suddenly understood. So Lord Wang had his eye on the consumer market of these hundred-plus people, and he knew that Chen Xin would have no harvest from the land for a long time, so he followed along hoping to build up their relationship a bit more. Now that he had a clear picture, Chen Xin returned to Wang Yuanzheng's side and quickly reached a fixed purchasing agreement with him. From now on, all of Chen Xin's grain would be bought from him, and Wang Yuanzheng guaranteed one hundred and ten jin per shi. Wang Yuanzheng was in excellent spirits at the prospect of making a tidy profit, and the relationship between the few of them warmed slightly.

These guard battalion officers all more or less owned shops. According to Wang Yuanzheng, there were twenty official shops in Weihai Guard City, all owned by these officers. Commander Yang had three, selling cloth, tea, and salt. Because Weihai was surrounded by sea, ordinary military households would usually boil their own salt, which was fine for personal use, but Commander Yang never allowed them to sell salt in the guard city — precisely because he ran a salt shop himself. As for Weihai's rice shops, there were five. Besides Wang Yuanzheng's, there were four others, all run by relatives of officials and gentry from Wendeng County and Ninghai Department. Although Wang Yuanzheng was a Vice Prefect, he dared not offend them and could only come quietly to negotiate with Chen Xin. Chen Xin was spending the silver anyway, and since this Wang Yuanzheng managed the military colonies, he could at least wring some extra benefits out of him.

After seeing Wang Yuanzheng off, Liu Minyou complained to Chen Xin, "Silver flows away like water. Over a hundred taels gone today." Chen Xin had given Liu Minyou a thousand taels of silver for civil administration funds. Now Wang Daixi could also keep accounts, temporarily serving as a female bookkeeper.

"No matter. Did you ask about digging the well and building the houses?"

"I asked Wang Yuanzheng. He can help call people over. Digging a well here costs two or three taels of silver to hit water. Building brick-and-tile dormitory-style houses isn't expensive either — it depends on how big you want the barracks. If it's just for the hundred or so men we have now, six barracks buildings, one room for each family with dependents, plus some office space, about twenty or thirty rooms in total, a hundred seventy or eighty taels of silver would be enough. But they say the ground is too hard in winter, making it harder to dig the foundation trenches, so they want a bit more silver."

"To hell with them. Tell them one hundred seventy taels. If they won't do it, I'll have the soldiers do it themselves." Chen Xin estimated that an ordinary brick house cost about five taels per room. A few of the barracks rooms would be larger, so this price was about right. If not for the fact that none of his soldiers had ever built brick houses before, he wouldn't be hiring outsiders at all.

Liu Minyou nodded. "I'll go find them again tomorrow. For those with families, we've planned a single room each. Should we plan rooms for the bachelors too? They're all the same soldiers — some have them, some don't. It'll create resentment."

Chen Xin said, "Those single rooms will have rent."

"How much per month?" Liu Minyou furrowed his brow.

"One qian per month. Once the rent paid covers the construction cost, the room becomes theirs. Consider it installment payments."

Liu Minyou, who had suffered enough from high housing prices, set his mind at ease. He had thought Chen Xin was going to claw the soldiers' pay back through real estate.

"Minyou, we'll handle the grain we bought back the same way. Those women and children who can work get wages. Those who can't, we can't support for free either. Set up a small grain shop here too. Apart from the combat troops, everyone else will feed themselves from now on. We won't make a profit on the grain — sell it to them at cost. That's fair enough to them."

"Fine, that's only right. Oh, by the way, they said you held an election just now?"

"That's right."

"Mm. I'll hold one in my logistics team too."

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Day had just brightened when the five squads of combat troops arrived on the abandoned fields and formed ranks. Cook Zhou Shao'er stole a glance at Squad Leader Wang Zhangfu from the rear of the squad. He had been at Weihai Guard for over ten days now. When they held the election ten days ago, he had cast a vote for Wang Zhangfu too. He felt this man was very reliable — always willing to charge to the front no matter what. Later, when the voting results were announced, Wang Zhangfu had indeed become squad leader. Huang Yuan and Zheng Sanhu became corporals. Zhou Shao'er, as cook, was under the squad leader's direct command. The other combat troops had no authority to order him around.

Zhou Shao'er touched the iron-tipped carrying pole at his side. This was his main weapon — or more precisely, his tool, used for carrying loads. In an emergency, the iron tip could be used to jab someone. He also had a short skinning knife tucked into his belt. He had never had much confidence. Just making it into the combat troops was good enough — one tael and five qian of silver a month, corporals got two taels, squad leaders three. Food and clothing were all provided. But the battalion commander had said that if after three months of training anyone failed to meet the standards, they would be demoted to the logistics team and replaced by someone from logistics. The logistics team only got one tael a month, and every day was just odd jobs. These past few days they had been helping build houses, which was no easier than training. According to Huang Yuan, those people all envied the combat troops for having something to strive for, and their monthly pay was higher too. He had seen several men in the logistics team who were much sturdier than himself, so he felt a strong sense of crisis. He threw himself into every training session with everything he had, hoping he could pass the assessment in two months' time.

"All of you, stand at attention!"

Zhou Shao'er jolted. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Vice Squad Leader Lu Chuanzong, who commanded the first and second squads, striding over with a stick in hand. He hurriedly puffed out his chest and stood straight. Every squad stood in two rows, the squad leader on the left side, the two corporals' combat troops in the middle. The corporal, who also served as saber-and-shield man, stood first on the left of each file. Zhou Shao'er, the cook, stood at the far right.

"Begin loading weight!" Lu Lvzi bellowed.

Zhou Shao'er groaned inwardly, but he dared not show it in the slightest. Without a moment's delay, he strapped the iron bars he carried onto his calves and arms, then shouldered a ten-jin sandbag onto his back. This was also Qi Jiguang's training method. And Battalion Commander Chen seemed to place particular importance on running and formation. Every morning they ran drills, in the forenoon they practiced physical conditioning and formation, in the afternoon individual combat skills, and before dinner they had formation training again.

"Objective: Yaoyao Mound. Advance at a run. Wang Zhangfu, call cadence. Move out."

Wang Zhangfu shouted, "All troops, listen up. Run, march."

As the squad slowly began running, a uniform sound of footfalls emerged. Zhou Shao'er could now tell left from right, but a few of his squadmates still could not — for instance, the long-saber man in front of him, the Shanxi man Zhong Laosi. The moment he stepped forward, he led with his right foot, and now no matter how he tried he could not switch it back. Zhou Shao'er silently cursed that trouble was coming.

Sure enough, Hai Gouzi, patrolling nearby, immediately noticed this uniquely individualistic soldier. Gripping his stick, he ran over excitedly and began beating Zhong Laosi across the back. This Zhong Laosi had been beaten a lot lately and had gained some experience from it. No matter what, he did not cry out, because the moment he did, the beating would get even heavier.

As Zhong Laosi took the beating, his heart panicked and his footwork grew even more chaotic. Hai Gouzi struck him several more times with the stick. Having taken plenty of beatings from Chen Xin himself in the past, Hai Gouzi now had something of a pay-it-forward mentality toward society. Zhong Laosi was drenched in sweat. The short training uniform he wore provided some cushioning, but the stick blows still hurt badly.

"Alright, brother, stop hitting me. I've got it right now." Zhong Laosi finally adjusted his stride and pleaded with Hai Gouzi.

"Talking again! Making you talk! And you dare call me brother!" Hai Gouzi struck him twice more.

Zhong Laosi also had a fiery temper. Though he feared Chen Xin and Zhu Guobin and the others, he did not think much of this Hai Gouzi. He blocked one blow and raged, "Hit me again and I'll hit back!"

Hai Gouzi froze for a moment, then swung the stick in a full arc and struck. Up until now the blows had not been too heavy — Chen Xin's requirement was only to cause pain, not injury. But now that Zhong Laosi had talked back, Hai Gouzi's strike lost all restraint, hitting Zhong Laosi hard enough to make him bare his teeth.

"You dog!" Zhong Laosi's fury blazed. He grabbed the stick and began grappling with Hai Gouzi. Having worked as a boat tracker for years and been eating well lately, he was considerably stronger than Hai Gouzi. In moments, Hai Gouzi had taken several hits to the face and was on the losing end. When the training combat troops saw the fight break out, they all stopped. Some watched the excitement, some tried to mediate. In an instant, the whole unit was in chaos.

"Dahui, Erhui, get over here and help! Agh, fuck your mother." Hai Gouzi shouted as he took another punch. Lu Lvzi, Zhang Dahui, and the others were on the other side. Hearing the commotion, they came over to look. Seeing that someone actually dared to hit a drill instructor, they rushed in without a word and surrounded Zhong Laosi, beating him wildly. Alone, how could Zhong Laosi hold them off? He was knocked to the ground in a few moves. Hai Gouzi, having taken a beating and now furious, kicked wildly at Zhong Laosi on the ground.

"Stop!" Liu Minyou and Chen Xin both rushed over. They had not joined this weighted training march. The unit had just set out when trouble broke out, and the two hurried over as soon as they saw it.

Liu Minyou pulled away Hai Gouzi, who was still beating him furiously. "All of you, stop. How can you beat a man like this?"

Hai Gouzi, still unable to vent his anger, said, "He hit me."

Zhong Laosi was pulled up by Wang Zhangfu. Several lumps had already risen on his forehead. Hearing this, he defended himself, "He was hitting me viciously. I only hit back because I was pushed too far."

Chen Xin called over Lu Lvzi and Wang Zhangfu. After clarifying the situation, he asked Zhu Guobin, "What is the punishment for striking a drill instructor?"

Zhu Guobin thought for a moment and replied, "There isn't one yet."

Chen Xin pondered briefly, then said to Zhong Laosi, "Zhong Caisheng, for striking a drill instructor and leaving the formation without authorization: dock one tael of monthly pay. After completing today's training, add three hundred push-ups. Also, punishment of fifty military rods, and empty the nightsoil buckets for the five combat squads for one month."

Zhong Laosi said urgently, "My lord, he was the one hitting me recklessly first..."

"Four hundred push-ups. Sixty military rods."

Zhong Laosi's mouth hung open. He dared not speak further.

Chen Xin looked at the surrounding combat troops and said coldly, "On the training ground, the drill instructor is the supreme authority. No soldier may defy an instructor. If you believe an instructor has acted improperly, you may come directly to me to state your case, but violent resistance is absolutely forbidden." As Chen Xin's harsh gaze swept over them, everyone shivered.

Seeing that he had cowed them, Chen Xin turned to Wang Zhangfu and said, "Squad Leader Wang Zhangfu, for lax control of your squad: dock five qian of monthly pay, four hundred push-ups. After training each day, you are responsible for individually instructing and guiding Zhong Caisheng until he meets the standards. Corporal Huang Yuan, same punishment."

Wang Zhangfu answered crisply. Chen Xin nodded. A man who took responsibility.

Hai Gouzi was just feeling pleased when he heard this and grinned broadly. Chen Xin slowly turned around. Hai Gouzi was still grinning foolishly at Chen Xin.

"Drill Instructor Hai, for violating orders by using the military rod with force exceeding instructional requirements: dock five qian of monthly pay."

"Ah!" Hai Gouzi's mouth hung open, dumbstruck on the spot.

Zhong Laosi, on the other hand, grinned through bared teeth. Although his punishment was far heavier, at least Hai Gouzi hadn't gotten away either.

After finishing, Chen Xin loudly addressed the surrounding combat troops, "Those who left the formation during the brawl just now, regardless of reason, are all docked one qian of monthly pay, immediately punished with ten military rods, and assigned an additional one hundred push-ups. Their corporals and squad leaders are docked two qian of monthly pay and assigned an additional two hundred. Any entire file that did not leave formation gets an extra ladle of meat at dinner."

Just now during the fight, more than ten people in total had broken away from the ranks to come over. They all got to watch the excitement, but now every one of them hung their heads. As for the squad leaders and company commanders, needless to say, nearly every one of them was punished. Zhou Shifa and the others immediately came over and ordered them to get down, picked up the army canes, and began carrying out the punishment. Listening to the smacking sound of the canes hitting flesh, Zhou Shao'er secretly felt relieved that he himself had not broken ranks.

After Chen Xin finished speaking, he addressed the three unit commanders, Zhu Guobin and the others: "Do you three have any further opinions?"

Dai Zhenggang said, "I have been lax in managing my unit. I request that my lord punish me as well."

Chen Xin shook his head. By that logic, he himself should also be punished. Chen Xin's military code was not yet finished; right now he was relying on his authority to keep these men in line. It seemed the military code needed to be accelerated.

"That will not be necessary. The combat soldiers have their squad leaders to answer to. Guobin, the matter of the military code must be sped up. Tonight the four of us will refine it together. Add the clause about striking an officer, and handle it just as we did today. Now continue the training. Those who deserve a beating will still get one. Do not let this incident cause any hesitation."

"Yes, my lord." The three commanders saluted, then led their units out again. The sky-shaking slogans rang out once more.

Liu Minyou praised Chen Xin, "You truly are a leader. This matter was handled well; everyone is convinced. Only, the punishment for Zhong Caisheng was far heavier than for Hai Gouzi. That leaves very little restraint on the officers."

Chen Xin curled his lip. "You call this heavy? If it were up to Qi Shaobao, that fellow Zhong Laosi would have lost his head today. Take a look at the military code in the *Jixiao Xinshu* — it's far harsher than mine. Even speaking of homesickness could get you beheaded. I don't dare copy it outright, which is why the military code has taken so long to finalize."

Liu Minyou sighed, "The army is the most unreasonable of places. That brotherly love among soldiers you speak of — I fear it will be difficult to advance."

"The military code I've set already minimizes injurious and humiliating measures. Most punishments are beatings, physical discipline, and labor. Promoting brotherly love is merely to ease the antagonism between officers and soldiers. That's also why I arranged for Wang Changfu to accompany him in extra training. But on the training ground and the battlefield, the authority of the officers must be maintained. It's impossible for an army to have no beatings or scoldings. In the future, there will be even more. Not only will the instructors beat them, but after basic training is complete, the squad leaders will beat them too. Otherwise, how can the training achieve its effect?"

"What effect do you want to achieve?"

Chen Xin put his hands behind his back and watched the departing ranks. Calmly, he said, "I want the soldiers to fear the officers' canes more than they fear the enemy's bullets."