Chapter 10: A Wealthy Encounter (Part 2)
It is important to understand that as a self-sufficient militia with provisions and weapons, there are no surplus medications available, and wasting them on the wounded is not an option. Crushed leaves and wood ash are the most common emergency measures, and beyond that, one can only leave it to fate
Donkey blood is continuously stirred in a large basin to prevent coagulation, then coarse salt, scallions, garlic, fermented black soybeans, and rendered lard residue are added. A funnel is used to fill the intestines to the brim, which are then tightly tied with fine string and bundled together to be smoked and dried over a wood pile. It is said that this is a grand dish enjoyed by wealthy local families only during the festive season
The overseas chaos has already landed
They sat on horseback, shouting loudly as if no one were around. It was only after the official in the blue robe coughed heavily that they finally quieted down
According to the headcount, after the morning exercises, we will have a meal, distribute supplies and tools, and then begin work. Those who need to leave the camp must be gathered together to facilitate convenience and avoid any delays. Completing these tasks within half an hour would be considered a significant improvement.
A new day has begun again, I sighed
Other components were also disassembled, divided into different sections along the texture. The bones were thrown into a large pot of boiling broth, producing layers of thick gray scum that floated to the surface. The heavy smell of blood mingled with the aroma of the soup, eliciting a certain expression of anticipation from the soldiers and onlookers. Aside from the insipid broth that could barely be called meat soup, they had not encountered the true essence of meat in a long time
During this period, the black dumplings made from chaff and wild vegetables have basically disappeared from the barracks. The large flatbread and vegetable porridge are filling, and those teams with vegetable-colored dough are no longer so weak when they kick and shout.
The weather has gradually turned cooler, and the offensive of the imperial troops has reached a critical juncture. The flames and smoke rising from the distant hills are visible both day and night, and even the various local militia and auxiliary troops dispatched to support the battle have begun to suffer casualties
After all, in a situation of widespread illiteracy and ignorance, and various communication barriers, it is difficult to rely solely on rhetoric to win over a group of potential supporters who hold favorable opinions. As an outsider who joined halfway, it is indeed insignificant and unreliable to rely solely on the armed forces centered around kinship and clan ties. Not to mention the level of trust and reliability needed to gain followers.
The exuberant Cao Duzi, who had personally skinned the animal and hung it high to dry, suddenly seemed to have swallowed a large egg, accidentally letting the massive donkey's head roll into the dust, mingling with splattered blood, creating a scene of utter filth
Who knows why they turned against us like this? Due to our early arrival, the location where our unit is camped is relatively far off, situated at a higher elevation, so fortunately, we have not yet been affected.
So to be honest, I really envy those protagonists in historical YY novels who can win the hearts and loyalty of others and even sacrifice their lives with just a few words after time-traveling. I, on the other hand, am just at the level of a low-ranking official or clerk, and I am merely a temporary worker for a shell company.
There is blood sausage to enjoy again
After forcefully slicing it open, the colorful and viscous internal organs, resembling something slimy, fell to the ground accompanied by a warm, suffocating heat and a fishy odor, revealing a blood-colored cavity and membranes.
In a certain sense, this leader of the insurgents, although appearing rough and uncultured, harbors great ambitions and maintains a firm grip on his troops
The task of collecting corpses is not something that just anyone can do; only those who are bold enough and unafraid of blood, filth, and stench will be selected. They are given priority in supply and allocation, working on a half-full stomach, and as a result, they will have one extra meal compared to others. Although this process is quite disgusting and exceedingly tedious
This included a cousin of the shore and dozens of soldiers, who were caught off guard and fled in defeat during a surprise attack by the Liangshan bandits from the marshes, leaving even the bodies behind, unable to retrieve them
Today, it is rare that the official army did not send anyone to support the labor service. The main camp of the Qingzhou army is also much sparser, with only a few large flags with the surnames of low-level military officers, weakly fluttering in the wind. The others have disappeared because it is said that the official army, which occupies the advantage of troops and equipment, has cleared the periphery at all costs, attacked Liangshan, and is now fighting for military merits and heads of enemies. They will definitely not let these peripheries and miscellaneous troops get in the way.
Those who followed closely, crying and wailing, were completely blocked outside the camp. After their futile yelling and cursing, they could only grumble and grumble as they bypassed the camp and fled far away.
No water, no electricity, no internet. No flush toilet or toilet paper. The habit formed by being a night owl makes me stare at the dark ceiling with melancholy. Feeling the emptiness in my stomach, the rumbling and protesting sounds. Every night, I always have random and late-night thoughts before I can fall asleep. And when I am awakened early in the morning, I have to face the chaotic reality all over again.
Okay, obviously it's another legacy of some predecessors, but I've become somewhat numb to it. What could be more amazing than the time traveler himself?
In the midst of the resounding sound of drums, I yawned and walked out of the shed, splashed water on my face, and finally woke up completely. I looked up at the military camp on the distant platform.
If you want to deliberately win people's hearts, I don't have the material resources for that; if I were to subtly use my authority to bestow favors, my position is not strong enough to have any significant effect, but rather it would easily offend the interests of those in power.
Until... A small group of official soldiers on horseback, escorting an official in a green robe, rushed into our camp in the midst of chaos, only then did we realize the need to close the gates.
Because following his dazed direction, we clearly saw that the main camp of the Qingzhou Army was on fire. The hastily rising hot air balloon was also ignited from the hanging rope from bottom to top. A fire line directly burned the hot air balloon, causing it to drift far away and gradually lose buoyancy, eventually crashing heavily onto the ground.
After all, I can teach them how to use fire for grilling and boiling to sterilize, and how to dress wounds to maintain hygiene. However, I cannot simply invent antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Throughout the entire process, my title and address have also changed from a somewhat skilled Xia Master to Mr. Xia, who is respected and to some extent can determine their treatment.
Downstream, all that can be seen are flags and floating corpses.
And in the vicinity of the official army camp, where the local militia and volunteer forces were stationed, it was already like boiling water, with chaotic cries and killings. From time to time, graceful figures would emerge from the flames, only to be chased and cut down by those behind them.
The officer leading the army loudly proclaimed, wearing a full-body mountain-patterned armor, he looked handsome, but his battered flesh made him appear somewhat disheveled.
It's a pity that I joined the group for too short a time and failed to establish any authority. Except for daily life and the needs of live poultry, any ideas and suggestions must be implemented through the veteran soldier Deng Fang in the camp.
I don't have the ability to turn them into fearless warriors overnight, but it is possible to turn these processes into conditioned reflexes that they instinctively perform every day through reward and punishment methods such as whips and food.
Amidst a deep and rumbling sound that seemed to tear through the sky, figures blowing horns and beating drums could be seen through the dim backlight of the dusty camp. People and spears were rushing around, various colorful flags gathered like a rainbow, and then surged out.
These past few days, due to the loss of a close companion, Jiang An, who had been wearing a gloomy expression, red eyes, and a constipated and irritable demeanor, finally smiled a little. He mentioned his intestines, which were streaked with blood, and licked his lips in admiration.
I'm afraid that the Dengzhou army will be in even greater danger of being overwhelmed...
It can be seen that this is the banner of a certain rebel group from before, and they suddenly turned against us, their heads wrapped in white cloth, launching attacks in all directions, setting fire to and plundering the camp. It is worth noting that, as designated collaborators, we had shared a drink with the opposing leader and exchanged some items and information.
Who is in charge here ... ... and come over to speak ... ...
It is a rare opportunity to have a few days of ample food, and with someone to command, one must certainly find ways to keep them occupied, channeling their energy and thoughts into other endeavors
Although I am merely an enthusiast of ancient warfare who primarily engages in theoretical discussions, lacking the financial means to create a scene recreation like those wealthy individuals in the country, I have at least engaged in model construction related to civil engineering projects online. I am still capable of planning and directing some simple operations.
A few butchers, who were temporarily reassigned from the ranks of soldiers wielding swords and axes, displayed a rather unprofessional technique, causing a large amount of blood to spurt from the struggling livestock, which carelessly spilled and mingled with the mud and dirt, provoking a chorus of curses.
Therefore, due to certain selfish considerations, under my suggestion that the personnel should not remain idle, approximately one hundred remaining individuals in the garrison have been temporarily assigned to my command
Every day, apart from the tedious and monotonous practice of maneuvering the control stick and marching in formation, there is either digging trenches or building earth mounds for no particular reason. Like a groundhog, various ditches are created to encircle the area, leaving a wide road, after which short bamboo stakes are inserted, and densely packed hoof traps are dug.
Well, could it be that my protagonist aura is beginning to take effect, and the opportunity to display my kingly demeanor has arrived
The shore and his little friends were all astonished, including myself
The Yinghai Navy and the Fubo Camp are both finished
As a valuable draft animal in this era, almost every part of it can be put to use, even seemingly useless hooves and hides, or the entrails have their purposes. For instance, the large bladder can be made into a water pouch, and even the foul digestive matter extracted from the intestines is said to be able to treat wounds and burns
Damn ... ...
However, for Jiang An, who is quite ambitious and nostalgic, this is not good news. The inability to directly participate in the war also means a lack of spoils and military achievements. Several times he has led people on missions, only to return drenched in sweat and disappointment. Thus, he can only vent his frustrations by intensifying the training of those pole teams.
Thus, for those who remained in the camp on standby, having nothing to do for the time being, their only amusement was to watch someone slaughter an injured donkey
But what pains Jiang An the most is that more than half of the more than ten mules and horses have been lost, which were the mounts and equipment that his family had saved up for with great difficulty.
However, at least my expectations regarding being treated as cheap cannon fodder and the concerns of inevitable large-scale casualties have not materialized. The ability to manage the convergence of casualties and injuries indicates that the official military has at least currently grasped the initiative and the rhythm of the battle, with minimal need for direct engagement and a low risk of injury
During this period, I have seen strange things more than once. Although they were painted in a colorful and grotesque manner, I still easily recognized that it was a briefly suspended hot air balloon