Chapter 9 A Wealthy Event (Part 1)

What is referred to as a wave of momentum encountered a three-layer cake, and ultimately, it was blocked by the soldiers on the last layer. A dozen or so cavalrymen circled around to the back and charged, causing these bandits to scatter in disarray, crying out for their parents.

Hundreds of armed personnel launched an assault with loud shouts and cries. The front line, equipped with poles, scattered before even engaging the enemy, but managed to divert some of the opponent's attention. Subsequently, the rear team suffered significant casualties and also fell to their knees in various ways, yet at least they understood to run from both sides

On that day, we received several hundred shi of mixed grains from the government troops, most of which were aged corn and millet, along with some sorghum and soybeans. However, this did not hinder us from grinding them on the spot, steaming and baking a large pile of cakes, and enjoying a hearty meal, our first since the formation of the army.

Then there was a document signed by the local militia leader, serving as proof of assistance to the official army in battle. This left the general, who was wholeheartedly hoping for wealth and glory from this scheme, somewhat disappointed. He gathered his subordinates and berated them harshly.

After much discussion, we requested additional tools and handcarts, which can be considered a form of indirect compensation

I have long been appalled by the team's poor hygiene habits from top to bottom. This time, there are finally conditions and opportunities to make changes. At the very least, their taboos regarding these matters will not be much worse than those of others.

Ahead should be Pulou Town, after passing the West Jiajia Mountain along the official road, one will reach the territory of the imperial army

A leader handed me a tattered piece of parchment, a rather blurred line drawing of a map

I nodded, explored the markings above for a moment, and made a notation with a charcoal stick

A voice called me back, it was a warm and earnest face

On the vast field where human voices and horse neighs resonate, and dust swirls in the air, there stands a grander camp adorned with various fluttering flags, strict barriers, and patrolling cavalry. Towering above are the dark brown flags, prominently displaying a large character for "Qing," while a dozen or so slightly smaller vertical flags bear the surnames of the commanding generals.

Then there are some handy and lightweight weapons, such as small crossbows and short knives. Not to mention in times of chaos, even in peaceful years, traveling alone in the wilderness is still a risky endeavor

As for these straight roads, the greatest enemy is neither time nor the travelers, but rather the nearby villagers. After the basic order and regulatory maintenance have been lost, they will rush in, attempting to take these seemingly solid and durable roadbeds back to their homes to build houses or fortifications.

He responded and went back to report.

For instance, this straight path we have just embarked upon, although merely a branch constructed by the local authorities, has been excessively used for many years and has fallen into disrepair. However, beneath the severely worn surface of the road, the still sturdy foundation and the tightly compacted earth that resists water infiltration tell the story of the wealth and technology possessed by the dynasty during its prosperous years.

Just like a coincidental distortion of time and space, there is also a group of heroes who, under the banner of robbing the rich to help the poor, occupy the confluence of the rivers in Henan and Hebei, a place of chaotic control. They take advantage of the river's diversion to the sea, forming hundreds of miles of marshes, and engage in skirmishes with the local warlords and government troops. From their own stronghold, they plunder and raid, gathering in the mountains and forests, ultimately evolving into a formidable bandit force capable of seizing counties and prefectures at will.

Next, there should be a beast of burden, at least a mule. If one does not mind losing weight, it can sustain itself on grass for several days, which is sufficient to evade the pursuit of those with ill intentions

Then, in the rear peripheral camp, the dirty and laborious tasks such as cleanup were assigned to these irregular militia. However, compared to other irregular groups that were assigned to tasks like logging, quarrying, digging, and fortifying, our contingent was fortunate to have arrived early.

This battle has slightly changed my perception of the military competence of this warlord, who is full of a rustic flavor, only progressing from the largely poor evaluations of bandits to a level that is somewhat better than that of certain militias

However, in any era, those who possess knowledge and experience are always more likely to receive simple respect and courtesy. Even a newly emerged "righteous army" from the wilderness is met with respect, but it is merely respect alone

Ultimately, only 1,171 individuals arrived here. On the night of the recruitment, dozens fled, and after being captured one by one by the cavalry, they were executed at a ratio of one out of four. Additionally, half of the remaining individuals could not endure the flogging and were directly abandoned by the roadside to fend for themselves

The official troops in the camp would, to some extent, provide additional rations of grain to the auxiliary units responsible for burying their fallen comrades. They would also be more generous in supplying tools and materials. At the very least, as a member of the upper-middle class, it would not be a problem to enjoy special meals such as scallion pancakes cooked on a small stove.

However, there are also those who do not believe in evil.

It is said that the waterways connecting to the sea through the marshes can also provide certain external assistance, which has constrained a considerable portion of the official army's strength in guarding against these foreign marauders.

However, the majority of outcomes depend on the negotiating counterpart. If the counterpart is a fortified and robust village, considering the cost-effectiveness of casualties versus gains, one might resort to formal and verbal threats and negotiations to obtain supplies at a cost. Conversely, if the counterpart is a relatively weak and unprotected village, they may not mind playing the role of bandits, collecting fees for passage and military support.

They resemble ants moving their home, gradually devouring the spacious and even road into increasingly narrow paths or ditches of varying depths

This is one of the five major camps for the campaign against the Liangshan bandits, indeed, it is the Liangshan bandits.

Alright

Although it is a time of chaos, it is still the mainland. The material foundation accumulated over the more than four hundred years since the resurgence of the Tang Dynasty is still evident.

At the very least, one must obtain an officially issued identification certificate. Even in a chaotic era where the authority of the court and government is diminished, an indirect proof of a clean background can significantly reduce troubles when settling in a city

To this end, the "Order of Assistance and Merit" was also promulgated to mobilize the righteous and heroic individuals from all corners of the countryside

However, it does not hinder him from cutting a few more wooden poles to pull cloth and make flags, then claiming to have 1,400 men in the Third Battalion, requesting supplies and food from the government troops. However, the food from the government troops is not free; various duties are quickly assigned.

What, collecting the bodies...

With the brief life in this armed unit, some of my related memories have begun to recover and present themselves, such as basic knowledge of military affairs, matters of camp accounting, finding water sources, as well as knowledge of utilizing terrain, basic regulations for night restrictions and defense.

Master Xiafu

After all this fuss

Then, due to reasons such as drinking contaminated water, injuring oneself during training, various unexpected situations and injuries, or simply being unable to keep up due to exhaustion, there were those who never caught up again, or those who were sent to deliver supplies and were subsequently hunted down and killed. In total, there were approximately two to three hundred people.

The large camp we are in is merely on the outskirts; within the mountains surrounded by the waterlogged area, fierce battles are taking place. Almost every day, injured soldiers and corpses are being sent down in a continuous stream

After reaching the straight path, the speed has finally increased significantly

However, the subsequent pursuit was organized quite poorly, and the remaining bandits almost all scattered and fled, while these militia members were still fighting fiercely among themselves over what appeared to be valuable spoils.

On the fourth day, we encountered a band of highwaymen openly blocking the road. They roamed recklessly in the fields beside the main road, brandishing flags and spears, arrogantly pulling down those sent to negotiate and brutally killing them.

Therefore, for the time being, I still need the status and identity within this ragtag army to gradually achieve my goals. I touched the wooden token in my hand, which was a temporary pass I received for entering and exiting the official military camp to collect supplies; this is clearly a good start

They gathered together to vent their frustrations, yet they still had to bow their heads and accept reality; what has been consumed cannot be regurgitated.

It is said that in recent years, with the support of overseas chaotic factions, the situation has become increasingly severe, turning into a significant threat to the military garrisons in the surrounding areas. There was even an observing official stationed in Gaotang County who was openly exterminated in his residence within the city, ultimately prompting several garrison commanders to temporarily set aside their disputes and unite the local forces such as the military of the five provinces, the United Forces, and the local militia to conduct a joint suppression.

Then there are portable rations and other miscellaneous items, as not every place offers the opportunity to purchase food and other small necessities with money

However, for this group of rebels, they are merely consumables, with the only difference being the duration, such as taking turns to sleep in the leaders' tents at night

However, it is not always fruitful; encountering the heavily fortified aristocratic stronghold of Wubao, negotiations may fail, resulting in expulsion, returning empty-handed in a state of disarray while cursing, and it is also common to have to assist the wounded and dead while making an escape.

Things like postal services and logistics along the Grand Canal have continued to suffer from decades of warfare and destruction following the chaos of the Pang Xun rebellion, or have fallen into disrepair and neglect due to the increasingly crumbling authority and financial schemes of the court. Even now, they still exist in a few prosperous cities along the southeastern coast and in the self-contained systems of the Lingnan routes, maintaining the last remnants of the old order

There are rumors that the offensive of the five armies advancing along three routes is not going smoothly. The Liangshan bandits, relying on the hindrance posed by the continuous marshes to the cavalry and infantry, as well as their familiarity with the geography, have made it somewhat difficult for the imperial troops to advance. Their strategy of advancing cautiously has only allowed them to progress a very small distance, not even reaching the outskirts of Liangshan.

Due to prior arrangements made by someone to establish contact, it is considered optional; however, having an additional force is certainly better than having none. This is one of the local armed groups that took the initiative to engage relatively early.

Before all the supplies were exhausted under precise calculations, we finally arrived at the ultimate destination of this long march, following the traces marked by ruts and the footprints of horses and men

What, ... ...

It was only after the fact that I realized this was merely a group of former government troops staging a mutiny for pay. However, their equipment and gear were somewhat superior to that of the militia, and they also brought along an additional eighty to ninety captives. In summary, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.

Often, halfway through their journey, the leader would take a portion of the better-equipped weapons and supplies, leaving the main road to gather what is referred to as "military resources" or "sentinel provisions." Sometimes this involved a few mules and horses along with carts loaded with grains and vegetables; at other times, it included some able-bodied individuals who were bound and threatened with punches and kicks, making them unwillingly become part of this yet-to-be-officially-established righteous army's "glorious" ranks.

Thus, in the queue behind us, there were more than a dozen crying women added to the bottles and jars, serving as targets for the bandits' attacks and violence. They are generally left until the end, which allows them to escape harm.

It is not worth my emotional investment or taking any action, except for considering my own safety, I offered them a few suggestions regarding hygiene and personal prevention, and then I observed their every word and action with a low profile and a cold eye, waiting for a suitable opportunity to extricate myself

Because in addition to the scene being quite disgusting, with blood and flesh causing many to retch for several days and lose their appetite, and it being somewhat ominous, as body parts often fall or get smeared on people, there is also a slightly easier aspect, with some opportunities to profit from the deceased. Those who become bolder after getting used to the scene may find some small items on the corpses

Then, after searching for some relatively valuable items, I bowed and made my way to the main camp, finally becoming a traveling commander, a subordinate general's title. However, the seal I signed was still that of the local governor, rather than the official military fire token from the Ministry of War, which could only be considered as having the authority slightly above that of a regular official.

We have traveled a great distance and worked hard to assist the army, only to be tasked with collecting the dead...

Just like the prosperous governance during the Taiqing period, which accumulated numerous benevolent policies and scenes of prosperity, apart from those areas that have been divided into countless large and small regions, many are in the process of repair and utilization of the straight paths.

It is said that this large camp is merely one of the routes of the various official armies, specifically the one from Qingzhou, which is not the most important. The leader then announced to the majority the mission and origin of assisting the official army in suppressing the bandits.

Its scale and grandeur are simply incomparable to that previous small and shabby camp. Just a glance is enough to stir one's blood and evoke a sense of awe and trepidation.

I merely made two suggestions in a facilitative manner. One is that all individuals who have participated in the collection and transportation must scoop water from the river and rinse themselves from head to toe before returning to camp. The other is that it is preferable to exert a bit more effort to focus on deep burial, allowing the pole team to take turns participating in these transport activities, which can serve as a rehearsal before the battle.

The roar of the leader echoed through the small camp

Although I inevitably have to sit alongside the foul-smelling chickens, ducks, and livestock, I consider myself much luckier compared to those who walk barefoot until their soles are worn out, their feet caked with blood and mud.

Let me show you where we have arrived ... ...