Chapter 5, Taking Office

While wandering around the camp, Han Dong discovered a significant issue: the discipline within the army was rather lax. It felt as though something was missing compared to the training of military academy students. Upon being reminded by Zhang Rui, he suddenly realized that there was a lack of aspiration for the future and a proactive goal. Without motivation, the entire army resembled a state of complete ineffectiveness.

Xiao Liuzi nodded, stepped forward, and said softly, "Captain Liu, Captain Sima has sent me to bring Team Leader Han to collect the military uniforms and equipment."

Liu Ju glanced at Han Dong and did not inquire about his name or anything else, but directly asked, "Do you have any proof?"

Speaking, Han Dong instructed Xiao Liuzi to take the three individuals to the military supply office

At least. Xiao Liuzi took a look at the list in Han Dong's hand and said, Thirty taels is enough

Upon knocking and entering, one could see that Liu Ju and Sima Ping were distinctly different. At that time, Sima Ping was buried in paperwork behind his desk. In contrast, Liu Ju was not handling any documents; instead, he was resting with his eyes closed. Liu Ju, with his corpulent body, leaned back in his chair with his eyes shut, making him appear as if he were a solid mass.

Forget it. Han Dong looked at these items and said, "Xiao Liu Ge, please take us there."

"The Five Associations, being outside the city, carry significant responsibilities and dangers." Zhao Qingfeng said to Han Dong, "Do you understand the implications of this?"

"Little brother, you can come out now." Just as I turned a corner, I heard Sun Qian's voice, "How is it? My advice was spot on, right? Remember, the suggestions I gave you will ensure a smooth journey for you"

However, the other matters of the military department must be handled accordingly. As he spoke, Xiao Liuzai rubbed his fingers together and said, "Not to mention distant matters, just take the military supply office's Director Liu for example; he is someone who gets things done without exception. If you don't believe me, just try it later."

Han Dong looked at the items on the ground: about ten sets of hemp clothing, seven rusty knives, a bow covered in rust, and a pot full of rusty arrows. Han Dong remembered that it had stated twelve sets of cotton clothing, twelve sets of hemp clothing, seven battle knives, and seven sets of bows and arrows. Yet now, Han Dong smiled to himself.

As he spoke, Liu Ju shifted his corpulent body from the chair and led Han Dong towards the door

Stepping out of the tent and bidding farewell to Sun Qian, the young man, he then took Zhang Rui and others with him, following the person sent by Zhao Qingfeng to the Fifth Camp

Called for a carriage, loaded the military uniform and equipment onto it, and then went to the inn to summon the others, setting off together for their assignment

The Five Associations serve a pioneering role, primarily consisting of cavalry, and at times also function as scouts. When Han Dong first laid eyes on the commander of the Five Associations, Zhao Qingfeng, he saw a man with thick eyebrows and a high nose, a broad face, and a tall, robust build, likely around thirty years of age, sitting upright in his military uniform on the chair above, looking at the few individuals entering the tent, "Who is Han Dong?"

After instructing Zhang Rui to tidy up his office space, Han Dong sat behind the desk, propped his legs up on the table, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes in quiet contemplation

Han Dong glanced over, then turned his head to look at Xiao Liuzi, seemingly feeling puzzled

Zhao Qingfeng listened to the impassioned words of the young man below and could not help but sit up straight. "There is no need to be wrapped in horsehide after death. First and foremost, one must learn how to survive on the battlefield. As an officer, it is even more essential to win the war while preserving one's own strength; this is the true key to victory."

The Military Supply Office is located on the left side of the main gate of the military headquarters. Entering through a side door, one finds a courtyard with four or five rooms. Looking up, one can see a relatively larger room in the center, beside which hangs a sign with the three characters "Military Supply Office".

After leaving, Xiao Liuzai gave Han Dong a glance and stayed in the courtyard, not following him.

It is acceptable; I suppose Director Liu is in a good mood, as I have never seen him distribute so many items before said Xiao Liuzai while looking at these things

Han Dong watched as Xiao Liuzi extended three fingers with his not very long hand, "Thirty taels?"

Xiao Liuzi glanced around and whispered, "Sima Guanling has been the head of the Military Affairs Office for five years now. I heard he is about to be promoted, and perhaps there will no longer be such a capable head of the Military Affairs Office in the future. Alas."

On the left side of the main gate at the camp of the Fifth Battalion, after entering the camp, one could visit the commander Wang Hai of the Fifth Battalion before proceeding to their own team.

Saying this, Zhao Qingfeng nodded to indicate that Han Dong should go down first

Han Dong looked at the items that had been taken out again and realized that this was all there would be, no more would come. He expressed his gratitude for the hard work and began to tidy up the things on the ground by himself

On the right side of the small courtyard, there are two houses. Liu Ju walked to the door, took a key from his pocket, opened the warehouse door, and walked inside

"Is everything alright?" Zhang Rui and Sun Qian asked in unison.

By noon, Han Dong and others finally arrived at the garrison of the Fifth Battalion of the Fifth Brigade of the Seventh Town of the Border Army. The entire camp covers an area of about ten acres. According to Xiao Liuzi, this is the garrison of the Fifth Brigade. Han Dong stood outside the garrison and observed that the Fifth Brigade's camp is located in a depression, with four or five watchtowers on the earthen rampart to the north. According to the customs of the Zhao Song Dynasty, regular troops are stationed outside the city, but in times of war, they will move into the nearby city. Currently, due to the distance of Sangqi's forces from the Northern Barbarians and Rouran in Pingzhou, Liaodong Province, the troops have not yet moved into the city for defense. However, most of the personnel that could be relocated have already been moved, and only half of the supply battalion remains, which can still be transferred.

Thinking back on what just happened makes me angry. If it weren't for Sun Qian telling me to give a hint when meeting the officer, I wouldn't have been so embarrassed. Reflecting on it, my first experience with bribery ended in rejection, which is quite humiliating. Fortunately, there were no bystanders at the time

Han Dong entered the warehouse and surveyed his surroundings. In a moment, Liu Ju had already gathered some supplies and placed them at Han Dong's feet

Xiao Liuzi weighed the silver in his hand, smiled at Han Dong, and said, "This child is teachable, this child is teachable"

The matter that had just occurred was brought up again by an outsider, and immediately, Han Dong's face turned red once more

Han Dong listened to the deep yet not coarse voice, belonging to a general seasoned by the trials of battle, devoid of youthful recklessness. Han Dong stepped forward and said, "General, I am Han Dong, your subordinate, paying my respects to you." In the military system of the Zhao Song Dynasty, eighty men constituted a squad, five squads formed a company, five companies made a battalion, and five battalions comprised a brigade. A brigade consisted of two thousand men, and the brigade commander was also considered a general, which is why Han Dong addressed him in this manner.

Liu Guanling, whose name is Liu Ju, is nicknamed "The Wealth Gathering Basin." Little Liu tucked the silver into his bosom and patted it, saying, "Little one cannot do it; at the very least, you should carry a number with you."

Han Dong thought about the expenses he would incur again, but since this involved his military equipment and uniforms, he could not be careless. Hmm, wait a minute, has he ever seen anyone in the military department, apart from the commander, who is not greedy? ... Oh ...

I apologize for interrupting your meditation, Leader Liu. Leader Sima has asked me to bring Team Leader Han to collect the supplies

After finishing lunch, he instructed the guard to send out the letter and then called Zhang Rui to go with the guard to check on his soldiers.

Han Dong also thought that perhaps there would be no officials like this in later generations

Han Dong asked Zhang Rui and Sun Qian to help carry it up, and then called Xiao Liuzai to walk out of the military headquarters

On the road, after greeting each soldier one by one, he did not gather everyone for a briefing. Instead, he directly took Zhang Rui back to his room to discuss how to lead the troops.

Thinking that I have arrived here, it is time to write a letter to Liu Yuan to convey my well wishes, and I might as well inquire about how to resolve the issues in my heart. Thus, I took a piece of paper from the documents and began to write a letter to Liu Yuan.

Preserving strength on the battlefield and still achieving victory is indeed a key to success in future wars, and it is essential for securing the greatest victories. Wars are fought with manpower, resources, and financial power, so Han Dong listened without objection, naturally he did not dare to oppose. "What the general says is true; I will certainly keep the general's teachings in mind"

Han Dong instructed Zhang Rui and Sun Qian to wait outside, while Xiao Liuzai led him to the door

Liu Ju weighed the six ingots of silver in his hand, remained silent, then turned around and took out six sets of cotton clothing, seven steel knives, and three sets of bows and arrows, saying, "Take them all."

Liu Ju slowly opened his eyes and looked at the young Liuzi in front of him, "Liuzi, what brings you here? Is it that Commander Sima has something to discuss?"

After turning and stepping out, when he reached a deserted place, Xiao Liuzai quietly asked, "Did you just give the captain the silver?"

"What happened, sir?" Zhang Rui quickly asked upon seeing Han Dong's dejected expression, "Did they ignore you?"

"It's nothing, I've seen this many times. People who just arrive here don't know. After a while, everyone knows that Commander Sima is a high-ranking official." Xiao Liuzi pointed to the Military Affairs Office and whispered, "However, I haven't seen anyone in the military department like Commander Sima."

Han Dong handed the paper in his hand to Liu Ju. After looking at it for a while, Liu Ju said, "You may follow me."

After Xiao Liuzi and others brought Han Dong and the others into the camp, they walked to the outside of a large tent in the middle. After making an announcement, Xiao Liuzi led Han Dong and the others inside. This was the tent of the Five Associations' commander.

Han Dong called Zhang Rui and expressed the confusion in his heart, hoping that Zhang Rui could help him resolve his issues. Zhang Rui's response made him feel somewhat like a desperate patient seeking any remedy. Upon reflection, it was understandable; Zhang Rui was merely a student who had read some military texts but had little practical experience. He was in a similar position to Han Dong, and perhaps even less knowledgeable, as Han Dong had attended a military academy and was a prospective professional. After contemplating without arriving at a conclusion, he decided to let Zhang Rui leave.

Exiting the city through the North Gate, the rammed earth official road winds its way northward. Looking along the direction of the road, the sparse sunlight has begun to melt the entire ground, and the somewhat muddy path sees a few scattered pedestrians. Perhaps people are fearful of the harsh cold following the winter thaw, or they are concerned about a sudden invasion from the northern tribes. After a while, the horse-drawn carriage can no longer traverse this muddy road; the wheels are completely caked with mud and can move no further, as if the carriage itself is reluctant to head north for duty. Perhaps people are fearful of the harsh cold following the winter thaw, or they are concerned about a sudden invasion from the northern tribes. After a while, the horse-drawn carriage can no longer traverse this muddy road; the wheels are completely caked with mud and can move no further, as if the carriage itself is reluctant to head north for duty.

However, the carriage was unwilling, and Han Dong could not be unwilling either. After getting off the carriage, he instructed Zhang Rui and the others to take the belongings, settled the driver's fare, and then followed Xiao Liuzai as they headed north.

"Nonsense, would I still be standing in front of you if there were no issues?" Han Dong looked at Sun Qian in exasperation, sighed, and said, "Sigh, forget it. Let's go and collect the items for the new position."

Young people should learn more about practical experience on the battlefield in order to achieve victory in future campaigns. As a military academy graduate, one should especially combine what has been learned in school with practical application, so as not to engage in empty talk and to truly understand the meaning of 'war is like water.' Seeing Han Dong listening attentively to his words, he couldn't help but nod in approval, saying, 'You should first go and take a look at the First Team of the Fifth Battalion.'

Liu Ju watched as Han Dong was busy and assigned a soldier to help Han Dong carry the items outside

Han Dong listened to Xiao Liuzi's words, calculating in his mind. This money, like flowing water, sigh...

After a while, seeing Liu Ju still with his eyes closed in meditation, Xiao Liuzi glanced over and called out, "Captain Liu, Captain Liu, ... ..."

"It is precisely because of you that my first attempt at bribery failed, sigh." Han Dong said, poking Sun Qian with his hand, "I feel utterly ashamed."

Han Dong took out a silver ingot weighing five taels from his bosom and placed it in Xiao Liuzi's hand, saying, "I still need Brother Liu to give me some guidance."

"Where, where, I still need your guidance." Han Dong, seeing that his thoughts were correct, flattered with pride, "You say, how much should I bring to Manager Liu?"

Finally seated in the commanding position, Han Dong couldn't help but feel a sense of bewilderment. From this moment on, he would truly face the baptism of war. Having never really been on the battlefield, Han Dong felt a bit apprehensive, worried that he might not lead this team well, and also concerned about making mistakes in command. He had never thought so much before; now, sitting in this position suddenly left him feeling lost and confused, pondering how to move forward.

I understand, sir. Han Dong saluted Zhao Qingfeng and said, "As a soldier, one must serve the country, and to die on the battlefield, wrapped in a horse's hide, is the highest honor for us soldiers. I too shall dedicate myself wholeheartedly and vow to die for my country."

Han Dong glanced at Sun Qian with a lackluster expression and said, "Really? Just you? If I trust you, I might as well spend the whole year wrong."

He took out six silver ingots from his bosom and placed them in Liu Ju's hand, saying, "Just a small token, you see..."