Chapter 657: The Channel of Advancement for the Personal Army and the Imperial Guard

A fine book.......

Guanzhong, Jingzhao Chang'an Prefecture, Qian County, Zhaoling Village.

A great banner with a red field and white border still fluttered in the wind. Han Baisheng stood not far away, gazing at it quietly for a long while, then broke into a grin like a lovestruck fool.

This was the banner the government office had specially sent men down to carry when equalizing land allotments. It was beneath this very banner that Han Baisheng had been allotted eighty mu of prime farmland along the weir ditch, plus one hundred twenty mu of dry fields.

At the thought of it, he felt light-headed, and even his stride seemed more vigorous than usual.

The Sage levied only one part in twenty as land tax in Guanzhong. From the yield of those eighty mu of prime fields alone, his whole family could not eat it all even after paying taxes, and the one hundred twenty mu of slope land could be stored up in its entirety.

What gave Han Baisheng even more confidence in the future was that Guanzhong had finally shaken off the years of unrelenting flood, drought, and locust plagues.

The year before last and last year had both been bumper harvests with seasonable winds and rains. Everyone said it was beyond doubt that Sage Zhang was a god or Buddha descended to earth.

The more Han Baisheng thought, the happier he grew. He was just about to go have a look at his own fields when he saw his younger brother Han Juesheng, who served at the Zhaoling Ferry Patrol Office, sprinting over at full pelt.

Han Baisheng was about to ask what had happened when he saw Han Juesheng take up a small brass gong and strike it: clang, clang, clang.

"The patrol young lord has ordered: the Sage's carriage will arrive at Jingzhao Prefecture tomorrow. All patrol yabing guards, and the stalwarts of the spear-and-staff and archery associations, are to assemble and sweep for mountain bandits and river pirates. Martial academy students are to arm themselves at once and muster at the county office."

When Han Baisheng heard this, he leaped three feet into the air. He fell in behind his younger brother and bellowed too, and in no time the news that the Sage would arrive at Jingzhao Prefecture the next day had spread through the entire village.

Before long, an express-post rider on a gray-dappled horse arrived at the entrance of Zhaoling Village, holding aloft a great banner of silver-white ground embroidered with a golden lion.

The post rider first carefully put away the original red flag with silver border, then planted the silver-white banner with the golden lion, and then took a horn from his back and blew: wuuu, wuuu, wuuu.

Han Baisheng felt a tingle run through him. This was the horn call that summoned the imperial guard and garrison troops of Zhaoling Village.

Han Baisheng vaguely remembered that Zhaoling Village did have some imperial guards from the Huwei, Changguo, and Huguo garrisons, as well as garrison troops from the Three Guards of Chang'an.

Sure enough, before long, besides large numbers of archery-association and spear-and-staff-association stalwarts arriving with hunting bows on their backs, hengdao sabers at their waists, and long spears in hand.

Those imperial guard heroes wearing leather armor and carrying finer weapons also arrived, and there were even a few clad in iron lamellar armor or padded armor.

The imperial guard households and garrison military households of Guanzhong were somewhat different from those elsewhere. Here they were closer to the Hexi and Longyou model: more land was granted, taxes were lower, and the imperial guards, except when rotating up for palace duty, were not necessarily all in the cities.

The garrison troops, for their part, used a pattern of large concentrated settlements with small scattered ones, so apart from the garrison troop settlements, garrison military households were often found in certain key positions or in villages with especially fertile land.

The crowd very naturally lined up by rank. Those in padded armor or iron lamellar armor stood at the very front, sitting grandly on stools, and the post rider treated them with great courtesy.

The garrison troops with some leather armor, and the spear-and-staff and archery experts who had passed the patrol office selection and could enter the martial academy, were in the middle.

Behind them in order were the patrol office yabing guards currently on duty, and the spear-and-staff and archery association stalwarts who were to take part in patrol office drills. At the very back were large numbers of half-grown lads aged twelve to fifteen.

Of course, there were some exceptions: stalwarts whose families could afford to keep horses and whose riding skills were good.

Most of them held the status of sworn-follower light cavalry. Even if they had not been selected for the imperial guard or garrison troops, their standing was higher than that of ordinary men.

And this standing was not merely nominal; it carried real, tangible benefits.

First, when land was distributed, the quality of the plots was equalized from top to bottom, and the draught oxen rented out by the government office went first to imperial guard households.

When the spring and autumn taxes were collected, imperial guard stalwarts could assist the runners in levying them, and naturally could gain a small advantage from it.

If any household had a problem or a dispute arose, imperial guard stalwarts could take part in mediation together with the village elders.

Even at banquets, those who sat at the head table with the officials had to at least hold imperial guard status.

As for conflicts between two villages or two surnames in the countryside, that was even simpler: whichever village or surname produced more imperial guards and other stalwarts was usually the one in the right.

The reason Han Baisheng's family had been allotted the eighty mu of prime land along the weir ditch was because of his eldest son.

Han Huzi, just seventeen, could ride a spirited horse and shoot from the saddle left or right. He held the status of sworn-follower light cavalry, had already entered the county martial academy, and next year was to sit the military examination at Jingzhao Prefecture.

If he passed the military examination, he would receive the title of Qiji Captain.

That would be extraordinary. Falling back, he could serve as a deputy centurion in the garrison troops or as a Wuhou Captain in the county office; advancing, he could continue to sit examinations, and later could enter the personal guard or even the Hanshan Unit.

This was an extremely strict system, with a visible channel of advancement, and one not easily falsified.

At least for now it was hard to falsify. In a warrior's affairs, the truth had to be shown by one's own hands. If you could do it, you could do it; if not, then not.

Once he saw that everyone had arrived, the post rider immediately produced a document bearing the great seal of the Defense Commissioner of the Guanzhong Province and the great seal of the Chang'an Prefecture Troop Supervisor.

He announced that all imperial guards of the Huwei, Changguo, and Zhenguo garrisons of Guanzhong, and the garrison troops of the Three Guards of Chang'an, were to report to Jingzhao Prefecture at once.

The Han family's younger brother also announced from behind: with the approval of the Bureau of Military Affairs and the office of the Defense Commissioner of Guanzhong Province, the Jingzhao Prefecture Troop Supervisor's office had issued a directive.

The Zhaoling Ferry Patrol Office of Qian County had received orders to conscript eighty militia archers, thirty long-spear sworn followers, and ten sworn-follower light cavalry.

Of these, Zhaoling Village was to provide twenty militia archers, ten long-spear sworn followers, and three sworn-follower light cavalry.

The crowd at once erupted in cheers. In particular, the men who held the status of militia archer or long-spear sworn follower immediately formed up in good order under the brass whistles of the village elders.

The post rider directed the shouting, whooping half-grown lads as they began setting out stone locks of various weights for testing strength, wooden poles for measuring height, and a running track for testing endurance.

Zhaoling Village had some two hundred and more able-bodied men fit for the battlefield. Those present now numbered fewer than a hundred; the rest, who lived farther from the village entrance, were still hurrying over.

Once they had all arrived, the assessment would begin. Out of more than two hundred men, only thirty-three would be taken; the competition was still very fierce.

And even this auxiliary work, akin to that of common laborers, was a hotly sought prize.

Because it was equivalent to opening a channel of advancement from the common people to the official establishment. If one won military merit and was exceptionally selected into the imperial guard or even the personal guard, or even obtained an official military rank, that was rising to heaven in a single step.

Even if one did not win great military merit, winning some small merit and receiving the Sage's reward was still a windfall.

As for the question of defeat, no one gave it any thought at all. The general trend of the realm was so clear now that no matter whom they went to fight, everyone felt defeat was impossible.

Moreover, these stalwarts knew very well how the peace and stability of today had come about. Just as the patrol young lord had said: if they themselves did not put in the effort, then when the Great Zhou could no longer hold, could they still hold on to what they now had?

At the village entrance, as the assessment began, cheers erupted like thunderclaps. Those who passed were jubilant; those who were rejected hung their heads in dejection.

Han Baisheng did not take part in the selection, because he was somewhat too old. He could not lift those stone locks of several dozen jin at all, so there was no point going to make a fool of himself.

Returning home, Han Baisheng found his old wife wiping away tears as she packed their eldest son's gear.

Han Baisheng understood too. Never mind that Zhaoling Village had to conscript three sworn-follower light cavalry; even if only one were conscripted, that one could only be his eldest son, Han Huzi.

"When you're out at war, don't always think about throwing your life away. First you have to stay alive. If you..."

"What's the use of saying such things? If everyone only thinks of saving his own skin, how can the war be fought? Have you forgotten how you fled for your life from the rebel soldiers at Binzhou back then?

Without the Sage, without the Great Zhou, our whole family would have died who knows where."

Han Baisheng, beard bristling and eyes glaring, gave his old wife a scolding, then looked at his son and said.

"Eldest son, don't listen to your mother. On the battlefield, you must fight bravely and kill the enemy. I reckon this time it will be an attack on the Shu kingdom, so the danger is not great."

Although Han Baisheng never formally became a member of the imperial guard, he had been one of the Guanzhong sworn followers back in the day, and had even taken part in the great battle at Luoyang after marching out of Tong Pass to fight the Khitan.

Only he had never set foot on the battlefield, having merely done the work of a laborer. As soon as the battle ended, he was persuaded to retire and sent home because of his advanced age.

But Han Baisheng had always taken pride in this. Whenever he met anyone in the village or even in the county, he would put on the airs of an old soldier, going on and on about how he, Han Baisheng, had followed the dragon out of Tong Pass.

Although Han Huzi was only sixteen, he had already grown quite robust. What was more remarkable was that despite his somewhat short stature, his whole body was knotted with muscle, and his arms were as long as an ape's. With such a build, he was simply a born horse archer.

Han Huzi looked at his nagging parents and grinned. "Don't worry, Brother. If I listened to Mother, how would I ever make a name for myself in the army? My comrades would laugh me to death. The millet of Guanzhong doesn't breed cowards!"

"Right! Elder Brother, if you bring out the ruthlessness you use to beat me every day, you could kill a hundred Shu soldiers."

His younger brother Han Mengzi looked at the leather armor on his elder brother's body and the yellow horse by the hitching stone, his eyes full of envy.

Of course he hoped his elder brother would fight bravely and kill the enemy, because with military merit, he would likely be granted armor and a fine horse. Then his elder brother's current leather armor and yellow horse would become his, and he too could be selected as a sworn follower cavalryman, with a bright future stretching out before him.

Han Huzi knew at once that his younger brother was eyeing his armor and horse, and raised his hand to strike.

Han Mengzi, having been beaten many times, reacted even faster. Before Han Huzi's hand was even raised, he had darted more than ten feet away like a rabbit.

Han Baisheng glared fiercely at the two brothers, reached out and grabbed Han Huzi, who was about to chase after him, and his expression turned serious.

"Your third uncle's family went to the Kingdom of Shu before the new year. Do you know that?"

Han Huzi nodded. "I know. They say it was the grandmother of Brother Yinsheng who sent someone to find them."

At the mention of Brother Yinsheng, even a proud young expert like Han Huzi showed a face full of respect.

His third uncle by marriage, it turned out, was none other than Li Dalang, the elder half-brother of Li Hao, the Chancellor of Shu.

Li Yinsheng was the young man Zhang Xiaobao had met in Zhaoling Village, the one who could lead all the village youths in forming battle formations.

"I reckon the authorities will soon send someone to find you. If you can get in touch with your third uncle this time, it may well be a great merit."

Han Baisheng said this with great solemnity, and Han Huzi's face suddenly lit up with surprise and delight. "Father, are you saying that Third Uncle and Brother Yinsheng are our inside agents?"

Han Baisheng scratched the topknot on his head. "They should be, but I can't say for certain. Just obey the authorities in everything."

Zhang Xiaobao's entry into Shu was such an important matter that Han Baisheng naturally knew nothing of it. The little he could guess came from what his sister had revealed to him, because Zhang Xiaobao had gone into the heart of Shu under the identity of the younger brother of Lady Han.

The father and son had only exchanged a few words when footsteps sounded from outside. Han Baisheng's younger brother Han Juesheng, dressed in hemp clothes and carrying a spear and staff, came over leading several officials.

The officer at their head held a written order in his hand. "Han Huzi, I am a Jiangyuhou of the Left Jinwu Guard of the personal army. By order, I am transferring you to serve in the Left Jinwu Guard. Come with us now."

"The Left Jinwu Guard?" The Han family cried out in astonishment, and Han Huzi himself felt dizzy.

The Left Jinwu Guard was the finest of the finest among the personal armies. Even a common soldier in it was regarded by the public as lofty and supremely glorious, let alone having a Jiangyuhou come in person to recruit someone.

Han Baisheng looked at his younger brother Han Juesheng with dancing eyebrows. "Sanlang, you're going too?"

Han Juesheng nodded. "I'm going! I'm going! Losing my head is no more than a bowl-sized scar. If I earn merit, I'll save up two hundred mu of land and marry a plump, fair-skinned wife."

In the heart of Shu, in Jianzhou, at Muma Fort, there stood a military fort on a mountainside, positioned precisely to block a small path coming from Jianzhou.

Muma Fort leaned against the towering Great Sword Mountain, with a bottomless abyss on its left. Only this one small path could pass through. The trees in front of the fort were cut down at regular intervals, so if an enemy came, they would be spotted from a mile or two away.

One could say that with such a fort, as long as the garrison was even halfway competent, even if only three hundred men held the pass, an enemy force of ten thousand could not take it without a month or more, not until the defenders collapsed from exhaustion.

And Jianzhou had another name: Jianmen Pass. Jianmen Pass was the key barrier guarding entry into the plains of Shu.

From Jianmen Pass to Muma Fort a hundred li away, and then to Langzhou another hundred li beyond, there were no fewer than eight such military forts along the road.

In other words, even in the worst case, if Jianmen Pass fell, it would still be no easy matter for an enemy to enter the plains of Shu.

Zhang Xiaobao dragged a leg that limped slightly, yet his speed moving through the mountains was not slow at all. He could not be said to walk as if flying, but he was at least no worse than an ordinary able-bodied person.

The easy life and tranquil environment of Shu had soothed the self-destructive thoughts Zhang Xiaobao had harbored ever since his leg was crippled.

When he had first gone to Shu, he had in fact been somewhat prepared to stake his life on accomplishing some earth-shaking great deed.

But now, Zhang Xiaobao no longer wished to die. He had grown fond of this land. He wanted to spend his remaining years here after the Sage had completely unified all of Shu.

Zhang Xiaobao's current identity was that of a squad general under Zhang Qianzhao, the Military Governor of the Zhaowu Army of Lizhou in the Kingdom of Shu.

That a crippled man like him could win Zhang Qianzhao's favor was naturally because he had connections at court.

Zhang Xiaobao was no longer called Zhang Xiaobao, but Han Weisheng, the brother-in-law of the younger half-brother of Li Hao, the Joint Manager of Affairs with the Secretariat-Chancellery of Shu.

What Li Hao and his son lacked most in Shu was military influence. As soon as Zhang Xiaobao, Li Dalang, and Li Yinsheng arrived, Li Hao regarded them as treasures.

What a joke — if Zhang Xiaobao's leg had not been crippled, he would have been one of the finest young commanders of his generation even under Zhang Zhou.

Li Dalang had risen from a sworn follower to become a company commander in the imperial guard, with the rank of Chengxin Lang as well. He too had real ability.

Li Yinsheng had been a renowned leader of children from the age of twelve or thirteen, a seed of a military officer who had once caught the attention of Liu Zaisheng, the then Defense Commissioner of Chang'an.

When such men arrived in Shu, they immediately stood out like cranes among chickens. Even setting aside Li Hao's recommendation, Zhang Qianzhao was very fond of the three of them.

Because he, Zhang Qianzhao, and Sun Hanshao were in fact of Daibei military-aristocrat stock, and so they naturally felt a certain kinship with northern warriors like Zhang Xiaobao and Li Dalang.

After more than a year of lying low, Zhang Xiaobao had become one of the two deputy commanders of Muma Fort.

Li Dalang had also become the Cavalry and Infantry Commander of the Baoning Army of Langzhou, in command of an armed force of over a thousand men.

More crucially, they had firmly established themselves along this critical road from Jianmen Pass to Langzhong. When that day truly arrived, they would become the breach in the Meng Shu army's natural defenses.