xymnovel Chapter 70 The Birth of the Unity Camp
Chapter 70 The Birth of the Unity Camp
Chapter 70 The Birth of the Unity Camp
The official's commendation and reward, like the warm winter sun, boosted the morale of the entire city of Shanzhou.
But Zhao Mingcheng did not bask in his joy for long.
The phrase "Xi She Luo Sa has fled and been captured, but the Xia people are cunning and will seize any opportunity to act" in Zhao Xu's imperial edict constantly reminded him of the urgency of time.
The next day, he summoned Wang Shan and Liu Zhongwu to his study. In addition to the map, there were several scrolls of manuscripts handwritten by Zhao Mingcheng on the desk.
"Generals,"
Zhao Mingcheng got straight to the point, pushing the manuscript towards the two men.
"The Emperor has ordered us to train our soldiers to secure the Hehuang region, but you both know the current situation."
Our elite troops in the Hehuang region number only a little over a thousand. They are adequate for defending the city, but if we were to actively clear out Xisheluosa or deal with a possible invasion by the Western Xia, we would be severely stretched thin. Deploying troops from the interior would be too slow and ineffective, and the imperial court also faces its own difficulties.
Wang Shan and Liu Zhongwu exchanged a glance and nodded; this was indeed the truth.
"My idea is that if we want to establish a firm foothold in the Hehuang region, we cannot rely solely on the imperial court's reinforcements. We must also utilize the local resources and pool the strength of the Hehuang region itself to our advantage."
Zhao Mingcheng's gaze swept over the two of them. "At the last Huangshui Alliance meeting, all thirty-one tribes were won over. This is our foundation in the Hehuang region."
Those tribes are not lacking in brave warriors, as well as skilled archers and horsemen who are familiar with the geography. If these people could be trained into an army and relied upon alongside the elite troops under General Wang and General Liu, then the fighting force of the Hehuang region could immediately increase several times over!
"Does Your Excellency mean—recruiting barbarian soldiers?" Liu Zhongwu pondered.
It was not unusual for the Song Dynasty's border armies to use non-Han troops as auxiliary forces, and he was not surprised.
"That's right, but they are not the old-style barbarian soldiers." Zhao Mingcheng emphasized.
"In the past, the use of barbarian soldiers was mostly done by recruiting sporadically or conscripting them by tribe, and they were temporarily deployed and commanded by their chieftains. They were clearly separate from our Han army and were like guest troops or employees."
They might be suitable for guarding the stronghold and patrolling, but their lack of unity and cohesion makes them unsuitable for important tasks, let alone a commitment to share life and death.
Zhao Mingcheng paused, then pointed to the three words "Unity Battalion" on the manuscript.
"Therefore, what I want to establish is this Unity Battalion, whose name is derived from the system of the local militia unity of this dynasty, but the connotation is different."
What I need are not foreign troops, not employees, but soldiers from the Hehuang region who can fight alongside the sons of Han people to defend this land beneath their feet and the homes and families behind them!
"The soldiers of the Hehuang region?" Wang Shan frowned.
Wang Shan had fought for many years and acknowledged the bravery of the barbarians, but deep down he believed that "those who are not of our race must have different hearts."
The vigilance has never subsided.
He always felt a little awkward about eating from the same pot as the barbarian soldiers, or even fighting alongside them in tough battles.
"My lord, the Tibetans are unruly, valuing profit over righteousness. I fear they will be difficult to control, and there is a real possibility they might change their ways in battle. In the past, the Tibetans..."
The Tanguts often recruited Han soldiers as vanguard, calling them "chasing lads," but in reality, they were just used to wear down the enemy; how could they be used as regular troops?
(The "Zhuanglinglang" was a military unit of the Western Xia dynasty. It consisted mostly of captured or recruited Han Chinese men, who were often placed at the forefront of battle to deplete the enemy's arrow and troop strength. They held a low status and were essentially cannon fodder.)
Zhao Mingcheng nodded.
"General Wang's concerns are precisely the key point, therefore the primary purpose of forming the Unity Battalion is to change their minds and make them know why they are fighting."
The soldiers should be told that they are not fighting for the Song court or for rewards, but to defend their homeland and share in peace.
If the Hehuang region is at peace, their tribes can peacefully graze and trade, and their families can be spared the ravages of war and displacement. What I want to instill in these barbarian soldiers is this concept of community—"protecting our homeland together and jointly resisting foreign aggression."
Liu Zhongwu and Wang Shan both seemed to be pondering this.
Zhao Mingcheng then gave a detailed explanation of the system design.
"Therefore, we need to carry out comprehensive reforms in recruitment, pay, staffing, and compensation."
"Recruitment is based primarily on voluntary participation, with selection based on merit. Each tribe recommends young men who are brave, loyal, and of good family background, according to their population ratio, and their families are required to act as guarantors."
Explain clearly to them that once they join the Unity Battalion, they will be soldiers under the direct command of the imperial court, required to obey orders and abide by military discipline, but will also enjoy the same treatment and honors as soldiers.
"The provisions and pay given to them were not called rewards," but were set as fixed pay.
The supplies, mainly consisting of cloth, salt, and tea, were distributed seasonally to ensure that their families' living standards were better than those of ordinary herders, in order to incentivize them to join.
Those who make meritorious contributions will be rewarded according to the Han army's regulations and will also receive a share of the spoils of war. If they are wounded or killed in battle, they will be treated the same as those who receive compensation in the Han army.
Furthermore, the families of the barbarian soldiers were granted priority in market transactions, eliminating their worries and thus completely binding their personal and family interests to the safety of the Hehuang region.
Upon hearing about such generous treatment and benefits, Liu Zhongwu's eyes showed a thoughtful expression, and Wang Shan's brows relaxed slightly.
This is indeed more effective in fostering cohesion and creating a stronger sense of discipline than simply giving money.
"The most crucial issue lies in the organization of the barbarian troops."
Zhao Mingcheng pointed to the core part of the manuscript, "The barbarian soldiers must not be organized into tribal units, as that would easily breed factionalism and become uncontrollable. They must be dispersed and mixed together!"
"I plan to organize them into units called 'du' (都), each with one hundred men. Fifty of them will be recruited from various surrendered tribes, and fifty will be veteran Han soldiers selected from under General Liu and General Wang, or loyal and reliable barbarian soldiers like the former troops of Longza. They will be mixed together in one 'du,' eating, living, and training together."
"The officers should be headmen, captains, and other key commanders who are proficient in both Tibetan and Chinese languages and are reliable and steady. They should be responsible for command, orders, and military discipline. General Liu and General Wang should have such talents under their command."
Zhao Mingcheng looked at the two of them, as if asking for their opinion.
His strategy can be said to have considered all aspects, the most important of which was that the command of the army was still given to Han generals.
Liu Zhongwu nodded.
"My lord, I do have several junior officers among my men who have been stationed on the frontier for a long time. They speak a foreign language and can be of use."
Wang Shan also cupped his hands in greeting, indicating that he had similar subordinates.
Seeing that neither of them had any major objections, Zhao Mingcheng continued.
"At the same time, the position of 'Banyong Chief' was set up in each squad. This position was filled by a respected and skilled individual among the Banyong. This person could assist the Han officers in conveying orders, pacifying soldiers, and mediating disputes. They had a certain degree of internal autonomy, but they had to obey the command of the Han officers."
In this way, tribal barriers were broken down, preventing them from forming cliques, while also giving the tribal soldiers a certain degree of dignity and a sense of participation, facilitating communication and management.
Zhao Mingcheng concluded.
The initial plan for this "Unity Camp" is to establish three cities, with approximately 300 people, as a pilot project.
If successful, the force can be gradually expanded. Its garrison can be located near Shanzhou City, where it can train alongside the Han army. Its daily duties include patrolling, protecting merchants, and assisting in the defense of agricultural settlements, allowing it to hone its skills through practical experience.
Once the Unity Battalion is fully formed, it can serve as a reliable force to suppress remaining bandits and even to deal with future major enemies.
After listening, Liu Zhongwu's eyes were filled with understanding and agreement.
"Your strategy is well thought out and is in line with the principles of military strategy: knowing yourself and your enemy, and adapting to local conditions."
By integrating them into the army to eliminate their selfishness, providing them with generous pay to secure their families, establishing clear discipline to regulate their behavior, and educating them on righteousness to solidify their resolve, if implemented correctly, a new and powerful army, distinct from the old barbarian troops, can indeed be trained. This humble general believes this is feasible.
The pressure was put on Wang Shan.
He stroked his short beard, his expression still somewhat troubled.
Zhao Mingcheng's plan did take into account many drawbacks and offered generous benefits, but he still felt that completely integrating Han and non-Han peoples was somewhat risky.
"General Wang,"
Zhao Mingcheng looked at him earnestly, "I know your concerns. But please think about it, General. Nowadays, the Hehuang region is inhabited by both Han and non-Han peoples, and we are already intertwined."
In the market, Han merchants and non-Han people traded incessantly; at the military settlements, Han migrants and non-Han people who were willing to cultivate the land lived side by side.
If, even within the military camp, a clear distinction is maintained and people are treated as outsiders, how can we speak of "jointly resisting foreign aggression"? Does "defending our homeland" refer only to Han Chinese families, or does it include all the thousands of tents in the Hehuang region?
In the past, the reason why the Tibetan soldiers were unwilling to fight was because they believed that they were protecting "someone else's home" rather than their own, which is why the Tibetan soldiers could not play a significant role.
Zhao Mingcheng stood up, turned his back to the two men, and looked at the map hanging on the wall.
"Xisheluosa and Xixia are our greatest enemies. What they want to reclaim is not just Shanzhou, but to turn the Hehuang region back into their pasture and plundering ground."
When war reignites, who among the Han and the Tibetans can remain unscathed? Only by uniting the strength of all those in the Hehuang region who wish for peace can we repel the enemy and preserve peace in this area.
This unity camp is the rope that's being twisted.
Wang Shan fell silent.
Zhao Mingcheng's words were all reasonable, especially the last sentence, "Treat them as your own people," which touched him.
He recalled how grateful the tribal chiefs were when Zhao Mingcheng distributed some of the spoils of war to the various tribes after the Battle of Wolf Howl Valley.
Perhaps, as Lord Zhao said, simply being on guard and making distinctions is not the best strategy.
After a long while, Wang Shan let out a heavy breath and clasped his hands in greeting.
"My lord, your wisdom and foresight are truly admirable. I will act in accordance with your plan! I will do my utmost, together with General Liu, to train this 'United Battalion' for you!"
A smile appeared on Zhao Mingcheng's face.
"Excellent! With the strong support of both generals, this matter will surely succeed! We still need to carefully draft the specific recruitment standards, salary details, and military regulations. After that, we will need to trouble you two to personally visit the various units to announce this policy and recruit warriors!"
Detailed regulations were quickly drafted.
Zhao Mingcheng personally drafted the recruitment proclamation, written in both Han and Tibetan languages, with earnest words.
It elucidates the profound meaning of "protecting our homeland in the Hehuang region and sharing a peaceful life."
It also clarified the generous pay, military merit rewards, and disability benefits, and emphasized the principle of "mixed organization and shared responsibility".
Wang Shan and Liu Zhongwu each led a team of elite men, carrying proclamations and sample supplies (cloth, salt, and tea).
They also received Zhao Mingcheng's handwritten letters to the tribal leaders and set off separately.
They went to thirty-one tribes that had submitted to them to preach and recruit.
The news spread like wildfire across the grasslands.
Initially, the different tribes reacted differently.
Zaxi Dorje of the Baicao tribe is the most enthusiastic. He now regards Zhao Mingcheng as a god, believing that this is a great thing for the tribal warriors to obtain official status, improve their position, and secure long-term security for their families.
Chief Zaxi immediately selected fifty of the most capable and loyal young men from the tribe and personally delivered them to Liu Zhongwu.
Tribes such as the Heishui and Quanyan tribes, which cooperated extensively with the Song army and benefited significantly, also responded enthusiastically.
Some more conservative or skeptical tribes, however, remained hesitant and observed the situation.
But when they saw the enthusiastic signing up of Baicaobu and others, and personally witnessed the actual samples of supplies brought by Wang Shan and Liu Zhongwu, and listened to the two men explain in detail the compensation and protection for the wounded and dead in battle.
The phrase "Entering the camp means becoming a soldier under the imperial court's regulations, and your family will enjoy priority trading rights in the market" particularly appealed to many chieftains and young people.
On the grasslands, being a soldier is an honor, but it is often a precarious existence.
Now, with a fixed salary, family security, and even the status of a "military officer under the imperial court," the temptation is too great.
More importantly, Zhao Mingcheng's prestige, along with the personal visits of Wang Shan and Liu Zhongwu, constituted a powerful endorsement and pressure.
The fate of Wolf Howling Valley is still fresh in our minds, and the vows of the Huangshui Alliance have not yet faded away.
At this point, it would be incredibly tactless to refuse to contribute to "defending our common home."
If they are truly refused, will they still be able to enjoy fair trade in the market and the protection of the Song army in the future?
Thus, from hesitation to tentative exploration, and from tentative exploration to enthusiastic participation, the recruitment work proceeded unexpectedly smoothly.
In some tribes, the number of applicants exceeded the initial quota, and the chieftains even personally approached Wang Shan or Liu Zhongwu, hoping to get a few more spots.
Wang Shan was initially hesitant, but when he saw that most of the Tibetan youths who came to apply were physically strong and had simple eyes filled with a desire to change their fate, he was impressed.
Many of the local tribesmen, riding fine horses and carrying ancestral bows, were indeed first-rate soldiers, and his initial reservations gradually dissipated.
Things went smoothly on Liu Zhongwu's side as well.
He was meticulous in his dealings with people. When communicating with the chiefs, he not only talked about the treatment but also emphasized the significance and discipline of the "Unity Camp," making the chiefs understand that this was not a simple conscription but a choice that concerned the long-term interests of the tribe and the future of the youth.
In less than seven days, the recruitment process was nearing its end.
Preliminary statistics show that more than 1,800 warriors have been recruited from 31 tribes!
This figure not only illustrates the degree to which the various tribes are loyal to Zhao Mingcheng, but also demonstrates the immense appeal of his new policies.
When the news reached Shanzhou City, Zhao Mingcheng was both happy and worried.
The good news is that people's hearts are at ease and there is an abundance of manpower.
The worry is that with nearly two thousand people arriving all at once, how to properly settle, organize, and train them will be a huge challenge.
The original pilot program was clearly insufficient.
He immediately summoned Wang Shan, Liu Zhongwu, Tong Guan, and Xia Zheng for an emergency meeting.
Liu Zhongwu was also somewhat excited, "My lord, this is a blessing from heaven for our Great Song! With these soldiers, given time to train them, the Hehuang region can be defended!"
Wang Shan grinned and said, "These young barbarians seem to have good potential; they're like good pieces of iron. It all depends on how we mold them!"
Tong Guan squinted and calculated: "The food and supplies for these people, along with their wages and pensions, will be a huge expense—but if they can be trained, the money will be well spent."
Xia Zheng looked at Zhao Mingcheng with a mixture of trepidation and pride. So many people responded, which proved that his initial choice was indeed correct.
Zhao Mingcheng made arrangements for these 1,800-plus people.
"Now that we have enough soldiers, the original system of three capitals is no longer applicable."
I intend to expand the organization into eighteen districts, each with one hundred men, and temporarily organize them into three battalions, each with six districts.
General Wang and General Liu, you two will each lead one battalion. The other battalion—General Liu will recommend a Han Chinese deputy to jointly command with Xia Zheng, as a model.
Officer selection, barracks construction, provisions, equipment, and training syllabus must begin immediately! Within three days, I need all 1,800 men to be stationed at the newly established camp outside Qing Tang City and begin training!
"yes!"
Everyone responded in unison, their eyes burning with enthusiasm.
A new army, blending Han and non-Han bloodlines, is about to be born.
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