Chapter 90: Welcoming the Imperial Forces

The Boar-Rush Braves of the Fifth Battalion mostly hailed from Liewei Commandery in Guanzhong, accustomed to a thousand li of fertile plains, where every year at the turn of spring and summer, wild peach blossoms on the hills blazed in brilliant splendor, and willows along the Jing and Wei rivers swayed with graceful charm, their catkins drifting across the sky.

Ever since entering the northern territories, the familiar scenery had vanished, and they had thought those twenty-odd days marching through the heart of the Loess Plateau were monotonous enough — yet only when trudging through the northern part of Anding Commandery did everyone realize the worst hardships still lay far ahead.

At times it was yellow sand and wild grass, a desolate vast plain stretching endlessly to the horizon; at other times, towering mountains and great ravines blocked the way, taking days to circle around before they could pass. This land stretched all the way to the Gobi — a full two hundred li without inhabitants, without trees, with extremely scant water and grass. The terrain was so barren that the army could only rely on the grain they carried to stave off hunger, and even watering the horses was difficult.

"Sure enough, the Major and Registrar Xuan were deceiving us."

Someone muttered under their breath, winning agreement from many. What "rivaling Guanzhong in wealth"? They had been marching for two months, lanced over a dozen blisters on their feet — where was this promised land of plenty?

The soldiers, plagued by scorching heat and thirst, even began to hallucinate: they saw a clear great river wider than the Jing and Wei flowing northward, saw that where the gradually lowering bronze-hued mountains ended, both banks of the river brimmed with green — forests and grasslands spread everywhere, dotted with marshes, and flowers of every color swayed among them.

Only when they stepped onto a thick carpet of grass, saw fine horses, sturdy oxen, and fat sheep grazing nearby, and even bent down to scoop up a handful of stinking, warm cow dung and smeared it on a comrade did they believe it was real.

So at the end of this desolation, there truly was a land of extreme wealth!

A layer of fertile black soil covered the yellow earth, two parallel channels drew water from the Yellow River, countless mu of fine fields had been opened along the canals, and in the distance a walled town stood serene — it truly resembled their homeland.

The Boar-Rush Braves beamed with delight: "Sure enough, the Major didn't deceive us — this really is the 'Guanzhong Beyond the Frontier.'"

The only shortcoming was that the moment the local common folk saw an army passing through, they scattered in panic as if they had seen ghosts — was this any way to welcome the imperial forces?

The occasional farmer left behind after tripping and spraining an ankle in his haste to flee was terrified out of his wits. Zhang Yu went over to reassure one white-templed old farmer: "Elder, do not fear. We are no bandits, still less Xiongnu. We are government troops — the imperial forces have arrived!"

The simple, honest local farmer only trembled harder and muttered: "It's the imperial forces I'm afraid of!"

Diwu Lun asked him with a smile: "Why are you afraid?"

The old farmer said nothing, until the ferocious Seventh Squad scared him into stammering: "Bandits aside — the Xiongnu at worst raid once and then leave, like a gust of wind passing through."

"What I fear most are government troops. Once they garrison here, they don't leave. A few days ago, a large body of soldiers passed through, openly looting and plundering, killing anyone who didn't hand over coin and grain, and in the end they seized many able-bodied men."

He immediately lowered his head, not daring to look at Diwu Lun, terrified that this young officer would fly into a rage and cut him down.

"Another fine deed by the Vanguard Army, I take it."

Diwu Lun pressed a few more questions, confirmed that this was indeed the case, then had the deft-handed Xuan Biao set the old farmer's bone and let him go.

"The Vanguard Army Major, Dong Xi of Maoling — a clansman of the Grand Marshal, Dong Zhong."

"And the one who eagerly volunteered to advance alongside the Vanguard Army after I feigned a fall from my horse to decline — the Auxiliary Army Major, 'Ru Chen' of Huaili."

"Those two have left a trail of blood debts all along this road!"

Diwu Lun could not forget the bodies of able-bodied men discarded carelessly by the northern roadsides, nor the women violated and tormented by the Vanguard Army, their eyes staring wide open, questioning the heavens.

Yet the Boar-Rush Braves under his command were still elated. They had heard that the Auxiliary Troops were to be distributed among the counties to farm and gather provisions, and all hoped to stay in this place. This was Tewu County (present-day Wuzhong and Lingwu in Ningxia), which before Wang Mang renamed it had been called "Fuping County" — the name alone told you it was no ordinary place.

Xuan Biao also said: "Tewu County has fertile land and convenient canals, and with the Yellow River as a barrier keeping the Xiongnu far away, it's truly excellent ground. Major, if only we could stay here."

Diwu Lun nodded. He knew the history of this place: as early as the Qin dynasty, after Meng Tian drove the Xiongnu north, farming colonies had been established here and the "Qin Canal" was built.

At the end of the Qin, this place fell under the hooves of the Xiongnu, until Emperor Wu of Han dispatched Wei Qing and Huo Qubing to retake it, established a county and garrisoned troops, and relocated large numbers of people from Guanzhong to farm and build waterworks, constructing a "Han Canal."

Irrigated by these two canals, Fuping became the wealthiest county in the northern territories, its population flourishing day by day to reach forty thousand — a full fifth of the northern territories' population. For a time, official carriages passed in constant succession, its prosperity rivaling that of Guanzhong. Moreover, since most of its inhabitants spoke with Qin accents, it was called the "New Qin Heartland." The men from Liewei Commandery could even converse with the locals without hindrance.

As for the other three counties west of the Yellow River, they were somewhat inferior, and the Marquis Who Swallows the Hu, Han Wei, would be stationing the main army there — not so convenient for making moves.

And the most important reason was... according to what Ma Yuan had written in his letter, he and Wan Xiu had taken refuge as outlaws right here!

Diwu Lun said aloud: "The Auxiliary Troops also have five battalions — whether we get assigned here is far from certain."

But in his heart he had a clear picture, for no other reason than that Diwu Lun had long since spoken with Liangqiu Ci, showering this greedy officer with countless favors — such as supplying his household with free coal briquettes for the next five years, and helping plaster Liangqiu Ci's estate in Duling with cement.

By the time they reached the main camp of the General Who Swallows the Hu, within the Qin Canal area, the Vanguard Army and the main army had already arrived days earlier. Diwu Lun and Tumen Shao were only one day behind — they had not missed the deadline.

After they entered camp and reported in, General Who Swallows the Hu Han Wei began assigning the various units their tasks — which in truth meant dividing up territory.

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The main regular troops would all follow him across the Yellow River westward, to garrison at the Shanghe Agricultural Commandant post and several forts, in preparation for striking the Xiongnu after autumn.

The auxiliary and reserve troops, meanwhile, were to be stationed across the counties east and west of the Yellow River, tasked with hunting down small bands of bandits while also gathering grain and able-bodied men to resupply the main army.

Among these, Tewu County, with its largest population and greatest wealth, became the focus of everyone's attention.

Han Wei's gaze swept over the several Majors under Liangqiu Ci's command, even pausing briefly on Diwu Lun — but then he shook his head and thought to himself: "Though Liangqiu Ci strongly recommends Diwu Lun, saying he is skilled at managing troops and has the best military discipline... what use is good discipline? Can it requisition enough grain? This lad has a woman's soft heart, is far too sluggish in his methods — he cannot be entrusted with a heavy responsibility."

The General Who Swallows the Hu turned his gaze to the Major with the worst military discipline, but who had earlier volunteered and marched alongside the Vanguard Army — Major Ru Chen — and issued him a wooden tiger tally: "Major Ru, the four southern townships of Tewu County are yours to garrison!"

"Many thanks to Major Dong for putting in a good word — only thus could this humble man obtain such a plush post!"

After the military council ended, Ru Chen of Huaili was effusively grateful to Dong Xi, who had helped him immensely.

"It wasn't just my word on your behalf, Major Ru."

Dong Xi unceremoniously accepted the silver-gilt cup Ru Chen presented and said with a smile: "The General Who Swallows the Hu has his heart set on striking the Hu. He wants enterprising Colonels and Majors under his command to aid him."

At this, they both reflected that Diwu Lun was far too foolish. He clearly held a winning hand: the Emperor's notice, the rank of Inner Attached Marquis, a reputation for studying military texts, a name for filial piety and righteousness that had spread throughout the Six Liewei, and the favor and assistance of Liangqiu Ci.

And the result? Because Diwu Lun did not eagerly answer the General Who Swallows the Hu's call to lead, choosing to be an ox's tail rather than a chicken's head, he had already displeased Han Wei.

And when they encountered resistance from the populace in the northern territories, Diwu Lun had not cut through the knot with a sharp blade — he had not, like Tumen Shao, killed a few dozen people to shock the commandery and county into submission. Instead, he had passed the trouble upward, which made Han Wei disdain him even more.

"Though I cannot match Diwu Lun in family background, reputation, or rank, I am diligent."

Ru Chen thought of the hardships he had endured along this road and sighed with emotion. Two whole months — in order to make his useless Boar-Rush Braves carry grain and push carts, keeping pace with the Vanguard Army's fifty-li-a-day march, he had worked a full half of them to death.

It didn't matter if the Boar-Rush Braves went hungry — grain had to be set aside so that the regular soldiers under Dong Xi could eat their fill. Only by keeping Major Dong well served and comfortable would he lend his support.

When deaths were too numerous and hands grew short, they seized conscripts on the spot at their encampments, and in the end just barely managed to follow the Vanguard Army and reach Tewu.

Beyond that, he had to cooperate with Major Dong Xi's regular troops in seizing grain and torturing moderately well-off households for their money. Why else did everyone scramble to serve as the Vanguard Army? Was it not so that along the way they could be first to arrive and first to take, letting the officers make a tidy profit while the soldiers' morale soared from venting their urges?

Only thus could Ru Chen seize the chance and turn his fortunes around in one stroke, leaving Diwu Lun covered in dust and grime.

Now he had been given the wealthiest southern townships of Tewu County, ringed by the Qin Canal and the Han Canal. Of the county's forty thousand people, thirty thousand were concentrated here. In Ru Chen's eyes, they were like crops after autumn — with the General Who Swallows the Hu's command banner, he could stretch his limbs to the fullest, satisfying the main army's grain requisitions while also making up for the costs of this long expedition.

Dong Xi, however, warned Ru Chen: "But Major Ru, do not be too careless. You must still promptly replenish your conscripts and train them. I've heard that upstream on the Bitter Water River, south of the county, a band of several hundred outlaws is active."

On his way back to camp, Ru Chen encountered Diwu Lun on the road and merely saluted him with a chuckle and clasped hands.

Diwu Lun, his expression as composed as ever, returned the salute with a smile and even congratulated him: "Major Ru, from now on, you are stationed in the south of the county and I in the north — we shall be friendly forces. We must help one another."

"Of course, of course!" Ru Chen agreed profusely, but once Diwu Lun was far off, he sneered: "Help one another? Dream on! Hiding in the rear when there's dirty, grueling work, then scrambling to grab the fertile land — where in this world does such a good deal exist?"

"This time Diwu Lun miscalculated. He thought that by currying favor with Colonel Liangqiu, he could simply bend down and pick the fruit. He never imagined that I'd snatch that fruit by my own skill — and all that's left in his hands is a ball of sheep dung!"

……

"North of Tewu County?"

Back at camp, when Diba Biao learned where Diwu Lun was stationed, he was utterly dismayed.

"I've made inquiries. Tewu County is split in two by the Bitter River. The prosperous, populous towns and cities are all concentrated in the south of the county. The north, though vast in territory, presses close against mountains and gobi desert — mostly grassland, and with no benefit of irrigation canals."

"No matter."

So this is what happens when you only win over the minor leaders and ignore the major ones! Diwu Lun turned and asked Xuan Biao, "That matter I had you look into — any leads?"

Xuan Biao reported, "I discreetly asked a few people in the fields and at the edge of the village. They said that upstream in Tewu County, there is indeed a band of 'bandits' active. They come out of the mountains every few days, but they mostly rob the rich to aid the poor and commit no offense against the common folk."

Diwu Lun nodded, relieved. Seeing Diba Biao still muttering to himself, convinced that Diwu Lun should never have turned down the chance to perform alongside the Xing Army, he shook his head. "What's the hurry?"

"Let's just see how long that Major Ruchen can last in the south of the county!"

He dismissed the two of them, then immediately flipped through his little notebook. Along this journey, quite a few more people had been added to the long list.

Diwu Lun was growing ever clearer on what his objective for this campaign was.

He held a pessimistic view of striking against the Xiongnu and had no desire to become cannon fodder.

Nor was he interested in aiding tyranny by suppressing so-called "bandits." Weren't the Xin army's imperial troops the greatest bandits of all?

He flipped to the newest section of his little notebook, and there, two names marked with an × stood out prominently!

Boar-Rush Braves, First Battalion, Major Ruchen; under the command of the Swallow-the-Hu General, Xing Army Major Dong Xi!

"What I want to do most right now…"

Diwu Lun drew a great, slashing diagonal line across Ruchen's name!

"Is strike hard against friendly forces!"

……

PS: A new week — begging for recommendation votes!