Chapter 2: The Long Use of the Clock by Jia

As Wang Dou entered, everyone looked at him with smiles, as if they had found something amusing in their otherwise dull days. The person who had just shouted at Wang Dou was Han Zhong, who was twenty-one years old this year, making him the youngest in the group. He usually had a rough and bold temperament, displaying a certain penchant for bravery and fighting. Moreover, his brother Han Chao was also quite skilled, which granted both of them a high status within the group. Even the leader, Jia Zhang Zhong, treated them with courtesy on ordinary days.

When Yang Tongji came down from the suspended building, this sycophant never missed any opportunity to flatter Jia Changzhong.

Seeing him like this, everyone felt a strange sensation in their hearts. Zhong Dayong scolded, "Where have you been, you rascal? Have you gotten into trouble again?"

Along the inner side of the wall, there is a row of barracks on the left, and beside the barracks, there is a well, although the water in the well has long since dried up

Moreover, it is a relatively small space, including the number of soldiers stationed here, where the eating, drinking, and other activities of more than a dozen people take place. These soldiers are not particularly refined individuals, and naturally, they do not pay much attention to hygiene, resulting in a place filled with garbage and swarming with flies and mosquitoes, which is quite distressing. To be honest, Wang Dou has yet to adapt to the environment within this encampment.

Zhong Dayong smiled with an oily face and cast a approving glance at him. Zhong Dayong's wife, Wang, also praised Yang Tong, saying, "Brother Yang is indeed clever"

... The garrison at Jingbian consists of seven men, including two who did not report at night: Han Chao and Han Zhong. The five soldiers are: Zhong Dayong, wife Wang; Yang Tong, wife Liu; Qi Tianliang, wife Tao; Ma Ming, wife Shi; and Wang Dou. Equipment includes: seven pots, seven jars, fourteen dishes, and fourteen bowls. Firearms: one hook-headed cannon, one line gun, one large cannon, one three-eyed gun, and complete gunpowder and fuses. Weapons: each soldier has one bow, one sword or gun, and thirty arrows. ... Firearms: one hook-headed cannon, one line gun, one large cannon, one three-eyed gun, and complete gunpowder and fuses. Weapons: each soldier has one bow, one sword or gun, and thirty arrows. ... A military flag, two flagpoles, two sets of flag ropes, three lanterns, one set of clappers, one soft ladder, five wood piles, five smoke soap piles, twenty piles of grinding stones, and complete dung from cattle, horses, and wolves. ...

Compared to the sallow and emaciated faces of the others in the group, who had a pallid complexion, he was instead radiant and plump, with a pair of narrow eyes that occasionally emitted a greedy and vicious glare. He was the only one in the entire group who possessed armor, and his mandarin duck battle jacket had no patches whatsoever; the belt and the bookplate at his waist were also made of the finest hardwood.

Zhong Dayong, serving as the chief banner, inherited a hundred mu of land designated for military officers within his family. He is considered a minor official and possesses a certain degree of influence, ensuring that the land under his name remains unencroached upon by others. However, given the insignificance of his official position, he cannot seize much land from others. Nevertheless, he has his own methods, employing a few soldiers under his command to cultivate and work the land, which was a common practice among the military forces of the Ming Dynasty at that time

On the right side of the wall, there are buildings such as sheep and horse pens and warehouses, where some platform materials are piled up. In addition, next to the platform directly facing the entrance, there stands a stone tablet that records the names of the garrison soldiers at Jingbian and their wives. Furthermore, it provides detailed information about the firearms, equipment, and furniture within the platform.

Qi Tianliang scratched his head, feeling somewhat embarrassed. His wife, Tao Shi, tugged at him from the side, signaling him not to speak carelessly. It was no wonder that Qi Tianliang had such doubts; Zhong Dayong always claimed that he would ensure those working would be well-fed, yet Qi Tianliang had never actually been full after these meals. When it came to being stingy, Zhong Dayong was indeed unparalleled in this area.

Qitianliang's words made Zhong Da unhappy, and he wore a sullen expression without speaking. His wife, Wang, scolded from the side: "Of course, our head of the family wouldn't deceive you! However, Qi Hou'er, can you eat a little less? Your appetite is so large that no matter how much our family has, you'll end up eating us into poverty!"

Upon entering the enclosure, an indescribably unpleasant odor assailed the senses, whether it was the smell of cattle and horse manure or the sour stench of household waste, it was an altogether indescribable scent. The entire area could be described as filthy and foul.

Among this row of houses, the one with the best location and the most abundant sunlight is the room in front of me, occupied by Mr. Jia Changzhong and his wife, Ms. Wang. However, it only ensures that the doors, windows, and roof do not leak water or let in the wind; the wear and tear is unavoidable

Wang Dou has always been the main force he relies on, and now that it is time for the autumn sowing of his own fields, the participation of this strong man is certainly indispensable

When Wang Dou came in carrying water, Dun Jun, Qi Tianliang, Ma Ming, and several others, including Ye Buxiu, Han Chao, and Han Zhong, were either squatting or leaning against the stone tablet, chatting idly. Meanwhile, their wives, including Tao, Shi, and Liu, the wife of Yang Tong, were drying clothes nearby while conversing.

After listening to the words of Zhong Dayong, Qi Tianliang and the two others, Tu and Shu, showed expressions of distress. Together with Yang Tong, the three of them were tenants of Zhang Gui, the steward of Dongjiazhuang. Their daily farming work was arduous, and now they were expected to help Zhong Dayong for free. Life was indeed tough. However, after many years, they had long become numb to it. If Zhong Dayong wanted to do the work himself, then so be it; at least they would have a few meals to eat afterward. In this world, having something to eat was already a blessing.

The drawbacks of the Daming land reclamation system have caused the troops stationed in Jingbian to be similar to the other banner troops, as over the years, most of the farmland belonging to the stationed troops has been nearly occupied by various military officers from Shunxiang Fort and Dongjiazhuang. They have privately become tenants of these officers. In recent years, continuous natural disasters, coupled with the heavy rents they must pay annually, have made it extremely difficult for them to make ends meet. This is also the reason why they and their families appear to be like beggars. They have privately become tenants of these officers. In recent years, continuous natural disasters, coupled with the heavy rents they must pay annually, have made it extremely difficult for them to make ends meet. This is also the reason why they and their families appear to be like beggars.

This row of housing is divided into several small rooms, each equipped with a heated kang, and outside there are stoves, water tanks, bowls, and dishes for the use of the garrison and their families. Due to years of neglect, most of these houses are dilapidated and leaking, with damaged doors and windows, typical of hazardous buildings

Wang Dou carefully placed the water bucket and let out a sigh of relief, just as he was about to take a good rest. At that moment, a commotion arose from the direction of the stone tablet, and he heard everyone chattering, "Is the bell tower coming down? Is there any news?"

After enjoying a round of flattery from everyone, Zhong Dayu's sharp voice rang out: "It has been over ten days without any news; it seems the Tartars have truly gone elsewhere. However, without seeing the smoke signals of their departure, we cannot know where the Tartars are still plundering."

They were conversing over here. Han Chao and Han Zhong stood leisurely to the side, willing to assist Zhong Da with the work, as long as there was food provided at the time. Like Wang Dou, they were not from military families but had been recruited from civilian households in recent years. However, the Han brothers did not know where they had wandered from; due to their skills, they were enlisted as night watchmen and became scouts for the Ming Dynasty, while Wang Dou was from the nearby Xinzhang Village. Like Wang Dou, they were not from military families but had been recruited from civilian households in recent years. However, the Han brothers did not know where they had wandered from; due to their skills, they were enlisted as night watchmen and became scouts for the Ming Dynasty, while Wang Dou was from the nearby Xinzhang Village.

Upon hearing Yang Tong's words, Zhong Dayong's expression improved somewhat

Wang Dou turned his head coldly to look. Next to the stone tablet, there was a soft ladder that led directly to the platform several meters high. The lookout on the platform was equipped with signal cannons, wolf dung, and straw, among other items, to serve as a warning in case of enemy approach

As the crowd was bustling and gazing at the scene, at that moment, Wang Dou strode over, fully equipped. Not only was he holding a long spear in his hand, but he also had a dagger at his waist, and his quiver of arrows was complete as well.

It is currently the thirteenth day of the eighth month in the seventh year of the Chongzhen era. According to the Gregorian calendar of later generations, this corresponds to early September. Normally, the time for autumn sowing of wheat has not yet arrived. However, during the Ming Dynasty, due to the influence of the Little Ice Age, the weather turned cold earlier, causing the autumn sowing of wheat in Bao'an Prefecture to be advanced significantly. This is also the reason why Zhong Dayong is speaking.

... ...

Everyone was laughing, and beside them, Ma Ming's wife, Shi, was a kind-hearted person. While she hung the clothes on the line, she said with a smile: "Brother Han, you shouldn't make fun of Brother Wang. He works hard all day carrying water, which is not easy either"

Compared to the others in the platform, Zhong Dayong particularly enjoys the position on the platform, stating that it provides a feeling of looking far and wide, as well as the sensation of drinking in the breeze. He often gazes out for half a day at a time. When Wang Dou went to fetch water, Zhong Dayong was still looking out from the hall, not realizing when he had already come down from the soft ladder

Like Wang Dou, these individuals are also dressed in tattered clothing, covered in patches. Apart from the identity tags and the paired battle jackets they wear, they hardly resemble soldiers. Besides the Han brothers, Han Chao and Han Zhong, Qi Tianliang, Ma Ming, and several women appear particularly haggard, showing signs of malnutrition. In comparison, Wang Dou is somewhat better off; at least he does not look as emaciated, disheveled, and unkempt as they do.

The horse beside Qi Tianliang is two years younger than him, and he is most concerned about his own fields on ordinary days. After hesitating for a while, he asked: "Zhongtou, how many days will this work take? I am afraid of missing the farming season for my own fields."

As Wang Dou walked past him, carrying water and making a hissing sound, he couldn't be bothered to pay any attention to him. Han Zhong couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise and called out, "Hey, Wang the Fool, I was just talking to you, why didn't you respond?"

This type of stele was established at every platform during the Ming Dynasty, intended to prevent the soldiers stationed at the platforms from fleeing and to facilitate future inspections. The presence of the families of the stationed soldiers was to ensure that the soldiers could guard their posts with peace of mind.

He was already broad-shouldered and strong, and now fully armored, with a sharp gaze; his imposing presence as he strode forward was truly remarkable

At this moment, Zhong Da and *Tu* Shu's wife, Wang, whispered a few words in his ear. Zhong Da nodded slightly, cleared his throat, and said in a sharp voice: "There is something I need to discuss with everyone. The autumn sowing is approaching, and we will need everyone's help with the work in the fields. Rest assured, we are all colleagues in the same boat, and when the time comes to work, I will ensure that everyone is well-fed."

Then, the voice of Dun Jun Yang Tong flatteringly echoed: "Zhong Tou, you have worked hard, please sit down and take a good rest."

However, judging by his tone, everyone present fell silent for a moment. The atrocities committed by the Later Jin army were felt deeply by all in attendance. Recently, various places in Bao'an had suffered greatly, and even if the Later Jin army moved elsewhere to pillage and kill, such events could never bring any joy.

Qi Tianliang is around 30 years old, coming from an ordinary military family. Strangely, he can read a bit, and although he is small and thin, his appetite is surprisingly large. When he speaks, without asking anything else, he first inquires: "When the time comes to work, will we really be able to eat our fill?"

The people nearby were somewhat gleeful at the misfortune, and a glimmer of cold light flashed in Wang Dou's eyes

Like the stars surrounding the moon, at this moment, Zhong Dayong stood proudly among the crowd, with his wife, Wang, smiling brightly beside him. Zhong Dayong, aged forty, held the title of Chief Flag Officer and served as the Captain of Jingbian Dunjia. It is said that he had a good relationship with Zhang Gui, the officer in charge of the Dongjiazhuang team. Moreover, as the leader of the Dun army, he thus possessed absolute power and status within Jingbian Dunjia.

A few people laughed and said a few words, and Qi Tianliang remarked: "Don't pay attention to that turtle egg, let's continue with our discussion... By the way, where was I just now?"

Every time Wang Dou sees this row of houses, he is reminded of the makeshift shanties of some laborers on construction sites in later generations, which are simple, low, and have doors that hang askew, filled with the tattered clothes of the workers and their families, as well as various odd items.

Zhong Dayong spoke a few words to everyone, then turned to look: "By the way, where did that fool Wang Da go?"

It seemed that he realized he had misspoken, and Zhong Dayong's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. Only Yang Tong continued to ingratiate himself, saying: "It's good that the Tartars have left, thank heaven and earth. On another day, I will go to the Dongjiabao City God Temple to pay my respects and burn incense to make a wish"

After the mid-Ming period, the Ming court sought to change the practices of local officials and military officers who were corruptly seizing land from military households for farming. Accordingly, they allocated a certain amount of land for maintaining integrity to each military officer based on their rank. The Zhong family received fifty acres, which totaled one hundred and fifty acres of land. Aside from being cultivated by family members, most of the land of the Zhong family was farmed by the soldiers under their command, with Wang Dou being the main laborer in the past.

Wang Dou arrived in front of the military residence of the Duen family, pouring water into the water tank in front of the house of Jia Changzhong.

There is a subtle hint of gloating in the tone

Zhong Dayong said irritably: "Can't you just be a bit more nimble with your hands and feet when the time comes?"

Yang Tong was the first to speak: "Regarding the time you mentioned, it is our duty to assist you with some tasks. Even if you did not mention it, we would still take the initiative to help. Why bring up matters of food? Such remarks create a sense of distance."

At this moment, Han Zhong was half-reclining on the tamped earth of the platform, one foot resting on the stone tablet, idly making a series of restless movements. His brother, Han Zhao, had his arms crossed and was lazily leaning against the tamped platform, eyes closed in a state that seemed to be neither fully asleep nor fully awake. Upon seeing Wang Dou enter, he cast a faint glance in his direction before closing his eyes again.

Wang Dou is similarly affected. For the original Wang Dou, he joined the army to receive a salary to support his family, but unexpectedly, he found himself working for more than half of the year without pay, and he had to endure daily grievances while stationed at the post. He has increasingly lost his desire to continue in this job. However, for the current Wang Dou, he will not give up this military profession. In these chaotic times, having a position of armed identity provides him with an additional opportunity to protect himself and his family.

According to the Wei Su system of the Ming Dynasty, similar to the ordinary banner troops, the garrison soldiers stationed at various lookout posts were also allocated 40 to 50 mu of land, along with cattle, tools, and seeds, to enable them to cultivate and sustain themselves, allowing them to focus on their watch duties. The soldiers within the Jingbian lookout post were all hereditary military households, with their ancestors having lived there for generations, and they originally had land allocated to them as well. Although the land tax for military households was two dou per mu, which was double that of ordinary civilian households, during the early Ming period, they were still able to live reasonably well.

Originally, the three men joined the army merely for the rations, receiving a monthly supply of one shi of rice, and they were not required to pay rent for the military households' land. The prospects seemed promising. However, in recent years, the court frequently delayed the payment of rations, and for more than half of the year, they received no silver or rice. This made the Han brothers' lives extremely difficult, sometimes even worse than that of several common soldiers, as they rented and farmed land, which provided them with some income

Yang Tongnian, at the age of thirty, is indeed quite handsome; however, this obsequious demeanor undermines his image