xymnovel Chapter 71 New Power on the Grasslands
Chapter 71 New Power on the Grasslands
Chapter 71 New Power on the Grasslands
More than 1,800 newly recruited Tibetan warriors.
Along with the veteran soldiers of the Han army carefully selected from under Wang Shan and Liu Zhongwu, as well as some of the old troops of the Xiazheng army who were willing to join the camp.
They successively entered the newly established "Unity Camp" in the north of Shanzhou City, nestled against the mountains and beside the water.
Brand new barracks, orderly drill ground, and fluttering flags bearing the characters "Song" and "Unity".
All of this made the young Tibetans, who were entering a regular military camp for the first time, feel both curious and somewhat reserved and uneasy.
Following Zhao Mingcheng's principle of "dispersing and mixing, with experienced recruits mentoring new recruits," the new soldiers were quickly assigned to various "du" (units/townships).
Each unit has 100 men, half of whom are Han Chinese and half are non-Han Chinese. The unit leaders and captains are mostly Han Chinese military officers or reliable veterans who are fluent in the non-Han language.
The organization broke down tribal boundaries, with soldiers from different tribes sharing a tent and eating together.
However, while ideals are a crucible, reality inevitably has its sparks.
The language barrier is the first hurdle.
Despite the officers' and superiors' efforts to communicate, misunderstandings frequently arose in daily life and training orders.
The Han soldiers were accustomed to a strict schedule and domestic discipline, while the barbarian soldiers were more undisciplined and were not well-suited to the early morning drum-beating wake-up training.
The Fan soldiers were skilled in riding and archery, but they were unfamiliar with and even impatient with the Han army's infantry formations, flags, drums, and commands.
The Han soldiers were skilled in infantry combat, but most of them were mediocre horsemen. Seeing the agile figures of the barbarian warriors on horseback, they couldn't help but feel a little competitive.
Dietary habits also differ.
The camp meals were already being prepared in an attempt to be adequate, with occasional noodles, as well as barley fried noodles, dried meat, milk tea, and so on, but the flavors were never quite satisfactory.
Sometimes, minor conflicts can arise quietly over a piece of fatty meat, a spoonful of hot soup, or a joke that is not understood.
Although no major fight broke out, a subtle distinction emerged within the camp between the "Han Chinese side" and the "Native Chinese side," and occasional eye contact during training carried a hint of competition.
When Wang Shan inspected the camp, he found several seasoned Han soldiers muttering among themselves, "Barbarians are hard to manage" and "It's a waste of food." Meanwhile, some barbarian warriors gathered together and complained in their native language, "Han officials have too many rules" and "We're not getting enough to eat."
He frowned and reported the situation to Zhao Mingcheng.
"My lord, it's only been a few days, and there have been constant minor skirmishes. Although there's no major chaos, this could not go well in the long run. Should we enforce strict military discipline and punish a few troublemakers as a warning to others?" Wang Shan was more convinced that handling the matter with military law would be effective.
Zhao Mingcheng shook his head, seemingly lost in thought.
"It's better to guide than to block, and better to integrate than to suppress. Military discipline must be strict, but to unite them, we must first make them know and get close to each other. Relying solely on drills and prohibitions will not create true comrades."
A few days later, Zhao Mingcheng summoned the entire battalion and addressed them at the command platform in the drill ground.
He wasn't wearing official robes, but rather a neat and tidy outfit indistinguishable from that of an ordinary military officer, with a short dagger bestowed upon him by Emperor Huizong at his waist, making him look imposing and capable.
His gaze swept over the more than two thousand young, somewhat distant faces below the stage.
"Brothers!"
Zhao Mingcheng's voice, transmitted clearly through a makeshift megaphone, echoed across the drill ground: "Once you join my Unity Battalion, there is no distinction between Han and non-Han; we are all comrades, all sons and daughters of the People's Liberation Army guarding this homeland of the Hehuang region! I know that you all come from different places, speak different languages, eat different food, and have different ways of life. When you meet together, occasional clashes are inevitable!"
The audience quieted down, and many of the Tibetan warriors, through the interpreter's explanation, understood the meaning and looked up at the highly respected "Gyachagabu" on the stage.
"But it is precisely these differences that make our Unity Camp unique!"
Zhao Mingcheng changed the subject and said loudly, "The Han brothers are as solid as a mountain in infantry battle formation! The barbarian brothers are unparalleled in horsemanship and archery, as swift as the wind!"
If we can learn from each other's strengths and compensate for each other's weaknesses, and integrate into one, our united battalion will be an invincible force, as steadfast as a rock, capable of defending the city, and as swift as fire, pursuing the fleeing enemy! This is the meaning of our gathering here—not to distinguish ourselves, but to become each other's most reliable arms!
Zhao Mingcheng paused for a moment, then his voice became even more impassioned.
"From today onwards, a language class will be added to the camp. One hour will be set aside each day for Han Chinese to learn the Tibetan language and Tibetans to learn the Chinese language. They do not need to be proficient; they only need to understand daily commands and battlefield commands!"
Those who learn quickly will be rewarded! There will be assessments every ten days between each region; the winners will receive an extra meal and a reward of wine and meat!
These words caused a small commotion in the audience.
"Practice without talking is just empty talk! Talk without doing is just empty words!"
Zhao Mingcheng laughed and said, "We soldiers will eventually prove ourselves in action! Starting tomorrow, in addition to daily drills, the camp will hold a major military skills competition every month!"
There are three events: foot sumo wrestling, mounted archery competition, and weighted cross-country running! The competition will be held in units of "Tokyo" (都).
Those who win will also be rewarded, and the individual with the best performance will be credited!
These words immediately caused an uproar in the audience!
Sumo wrestling? Mounted archery? Cross-country?
Isn't this exactly what they're good at?
Moreover, it was based on the "capital" as a unit. For the sake of collective honor, the Han and Tibetan brothers in the same capital would naturally unite as one and compete with other capitals!
Many young people's eyes lit up with eager anticipation, and the slight barriers of the past few days were largely washed away by this competitive enthusiasm.
"besides!"
Zhao Mingcheng raised his hand to quell the commotion, smiled mysteriously, and said, "Every ten days off, the camp will hold a celebration! If you have any skills, show them off! Those who can sing, sing your hearts out! Those who can wrestle or wrestle, set up the arena and compete! Those who can acrobatics or tell jokes, entertain everyone! I, along with the generals, will also join in the fun! Those who perform well will be rewarded!"
Even the most reserved soldiers broke into smiles.
Military life is monotonous; who wouldn't yearn for such pleasures?
"Now, take them all back, and the officers will announce the details!"
Zhao Mingcheng concluded solemnly, "Remember, in our Unity Battalion, unity is paramount! Within the battalion, it's about competition, exchange, and brotherhood! Outside the battalion, it's about life and death, honor and disgrace, and comrades-in-arms! Anyone who privately provokes conflict, neglects public duty for personal reasons, or undermines unity will face the ruthlessness of military law! Disperse!"
After the lecture, everyone was taken back.
The officers immediately began to convey the specific rules of the "Military Grand Competition" and the "Festival Party," and the soldiers discussed it excitedly.
The resistance to learning the other's language seemed to have been diluted by the upcoming "martial arts tournament" and "party". To win, one must be able to understand the reminders of one's comrades and the orders of the officers, right?
Life in the Unity Camp changed dramatically from that moment on.
Every morning, in addition to the unwavering formation of ranks and housekeeping (Zhao Mingcheng had forcibly required all soldiers to fold their blankets properly), a new language class was added.
At first, the clumsy and laughable pronunciation of the Han and Tibetan soldiers often led to good-natured laughter among them.
But for the collective honor of the "military grand competition" and for the tempting extra meals and rewards, the Han soldiers began to stumble and learn battlefield barbarian words such as "advance," "retreat," "cover," and "attack," while the barbarian soldiers also tried hard to learn the Han commands and everyday conversational phrases.
Amid laughter and playful competition, the language barrier began to melt away little by little.
The first "Fun Party" during the ten-day break was an exceptionally lively event.
Several large bonfires were lit on the open ground of the drill ground.
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A Tibetan man sang a high-pitched and far-reaching pastoral song, drawing cheers from the crowd; a veteran Han soldier performed a set of powerful and vigorous martial arts moves, winning thunderous applause; and a Han soldier learned a simple acrobatic routine, which, though immature, amused everyone so much that they doubled over with laughter.
Zhao Mingcheng, Wang Shan, Liu Zhongwu, Tong Guan, Xia Zheng and others also sat among the soldiers, drinking and eating meat together, shouting praises loudly, showing no airs of superiors.
Zhao Mingcheng was even encouraged by the crowd to sing a poem by Su Shi. Although his tune was off, his carefree and approachable manner made the soldiers feel very close to him.
The real "icebreaker" was the large-scale military skills competition.
The sumo ring became the liveliest place.
The Song people originally admired sumo wrestling, and it was also a common form of competition in the army. The Han Chinese from the non-Han ethnic groups also loved wrestling, and both sides had their own strengths.
Sumo's rules are simple: falling to the ground or going out of the ring results in a loss.
Each side selected their best players, who took turns performing.
For a moment, cheers and shouts of encouragement filled the training ground.
The Han soldiers were skilled and adept at using clever techniques; the barbarian warriors were strong and imposing, and the battles were exciting and varied, with victories and defeats on both sides.
Most surprisingly, Zhao Mingcheng himself also got involved!
Amidst the gasps and even louder cheers of the soldiers, Zhao Mingcheng removed his outer robe, warmed up, and stepped into the sumo ring.
Zhao Mingcheng was indeed a civil official, but his health was not weak at all.
When I was studying in the capital, I already had a good physical foundation from playing football. After coming to Hehuang, I didn't stop training. I learned everything from horseback riding and archery to strengthening my body.
Game start.
The soldiers initially dared not go all out because their opponent was a pacification envoy.
But he soon discovered that Zhao Fuyu was not only strong and had a very stable lower body, but also had quite ingenious sumo skills. He dodged and weaved, using the opponent's force against them, and was not at a disadvantage at all! The two fought back and forth.
Finally, after a thrilling struggle, Zhao Mingcheng skillfully threw his opponent to the ground with a beautiful "flicking hand" combined with a leg trip.
Although he was exhausted and out of breath, he still managed to win the game.
"Whoosh—!"
Both Han soldiers and barbarian warriors were so excited that their faces turned red, and they clapped, stomped their feet, and cheered wildly.
They saw not just a victor, but someone willing to shed his official robes and compete alongside them.
A young master who earned respect through genuine ability!
This sense of awe and intimacy far surpasses any reward or preaching.
"The pacification envoy is truly mighty!"
"You're very skilled, sir!"
"Gyaltsabha! Jechon (Hero)!"
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Zhao Mingcheng helped the fallen soldier up, patted the dirt off his body, and this scene was deeply imprinted in the hearts of all the soldiers.
The horse archery field and cross-country with weights were also stages where both Han and non-Han peoples could showcase their talents.
In the archery competition, the barbarian warriors shone brightly, but there were also outstanding soldiers among the Han soldiers, who were even better at teamwork and formation changes.
The cross-country race tested both physical fitness and willpower. The sight of the mixed Han and non-Han teams supporting each other and vying for first place on the rugged mountain road made the officers watching nod with satisfaction.
After each grand competition, the winning team would receive extra food and wine as a reward, and would share the joy of victory around the campfire.
Those who failed were not discouraged; they patted each other on the shoulder and agreed to try again next time.
The intense and fulfilling training days flew by.
The soldiers of the Unity Battalion grew darker from the sun and wind, and their muscles and bones became stronger through hard work. But the most important changes occurred among them.
They stirred the same pot, sweated on the same training ground, cheered each other on in the same competition, and even learned each other's languages and shared stories from their hometowns.
Unbeknownst to many, the distinction between "Han" and "Fan" gradually blurred, replaced by the term "comrades-in-arms."
"brother".
The officers were delighted to find that during training, Han soldiers would take the initiative to instruct the barbarian soldiers on infantry combat techniques, and the barbarian soldiers would also be happy to teach the Han soldiers horsemanship tips.
During breaks, the Han soldiers would gather around the campfire, talking about life in their hometowns, while the Tibetan soldiers would describe the vastness of the grasslands. Although their languages were not yet fully fluent, their laughter and gestures conveyed their affection for each other.
In addition to training, the Unity Battalion also began to take turns taking on patrol and guard duties around Qing Tang City, the main trade routes, and the settlements.
A team of three must include both Han and non-Han members, so that they can support each other and further hone their skills in a real combat environment.
On this day, Ciren, a warrior from the Baicao tribe, and Chen Laosan, a veteran of the Han army, were patrolling near a valley far from the main road.
Tsering, with his sharp eyes, spotted several furtive figures on the opposite mountain ridge, seemingly spying on a newly developed farming settlement below.
"Brother Chen, something's up!"
Dorjee lowered his voice and spoke in Mandarin, while gesturing.
Chen Laosan immediately became alert and signaled the team to take cover and observe carefully.
"Judging by their attire, they don't look like ordinary herdsmen, but rather—bandits? Or spies from Xisheluosa?"
"Should we send a signal to call for reinforcements?" another Han soldier asked.
Chen Laosan glanced at the number of the other side, which was not many, only five or six people, and then looked at the three brothers, Han and Tibetan, beside him, including Ciren, and gritted his teeth.
"They're outnumbered and spying, they must have something up their sleeve. Let's sneak up and grab one alive! Tsering, you have good eyesight, go around to the side and block their escape! Shuanzi, come with me and sneak up from the front! Be quiet!"
A few simple words were exchanged, and the division of labor was clear.
Tsering was familiar with the terrain and disappeared silently behind the rocks like a nimble cat.
Chen Laosan, accompanied by another person, slowly approached.
The men on the ridge were spies sent by Xi Sheluo Sa, who intended to find out the guard situation of this new settlement and sabotage it when the opportunity arose.
They were focused on looking down the mountain, completely unaware that danger was coming from their sides and behind.
"Attack!" Old Chen shouted, and he and his companions leaped out!
Almost simultaneously, Tsering blocked their path from the side, drawing his bow and nocking an arrow!
"Song dog!" The spy chief exclaimed in shock and anger, drawing his sword to fight.
However, his men were startled by the sudden attack. They also saw that although there were only four of them, they were well-coordinated, with one Han soldier and one Tibetan soldier attacking from both sides, and another Han soldier had already blown the warning bamboo whistle!
A sharp whistle echoed through the valley.
The spy chief knew something was wrong, so he made a feint with his knife and tried to escape.
Tsering had already aimed carefully and shot an arrow, hitting him squarely in the calf!
The spy chief screamed and fell to the ground.
Chen Laosan and his men rushed forward and subdued the remaining panicked spies.
By the time another patrol squad from the Unity Battalion arrived from nearby, the battle was already over.
Five were captured, one was wounded, and only Chen Laosan on our side suffered a shallow cut on his arm.
When the news reached the main camp, Zhao Mingcheng personally interrogated the prisoners.
As expected, it was sent by Xisheluosa. His mission was to scout out and seize the opportunity to burn down the granaries and farm tools of the settlement.
Xisheluosa is very cunning. He will change his camp at any time. There is no fixed camp. It is impossible to find out how many troops they have, but it is certain that they have a large number of troops.
Zhao Mingcheng did not intend to launch a rash attack at this time. The enemy was still in the shadows, and he wanted to press forward step by step until he forced them into the open.
This marks the third time in nearly a month that the Unity Battalion patrol has thwarted similar harassment attempts.
While bestowing rewards, Zhao Mingcheng patted Chen Laosan and Dorje heavily on the shoulders, "You did a great job, with excellent teamwork and decisive action! These are the fine sons of my Unity Battalion! Issue the order that Chen Laosan, Ciren, and their entire squad be awarded a commendation! They will be rewarded with wine, meat, and cloth! Chen Laosan, who was injured, will receive double the compensation!"
The order to reward merit spread throughout the entire camp.
The Han soldiers in Chen Laosan's capital and the Tibetan soldiers in Ciren's capital were all proud and cheered with joy.
This small-scale practical exercise not only tested the training results but also proved the value of the Unity Camp with irrefutable facts.
The cooperation between Han and non-Han peoples can indeed achieve a result greater than the sum of its parts.
Zhao Mingcheng's fair and timely reward made all the soldiers understand this.
In the Unity Battalion, as long as you dare to fight, are capable of fighting, and are united and good at fighting, you will definitely not suffer losses!
This incident boosted the morale of the Unity Battalion even further, and the trust and understanding between the Han and non-Han soldiers were also strengthened.
Meanwhile, the small harassing forces sent out by Xisheluosa were either discovered and dispersed by the vigilant militia, or captured or repelled by the elusive Unity Battalion patrols.
He gradually realized that the defenses of the Hehuang region were no longer as loose as they used to be.
That newly established "Unity Camp," which was said to be a mix of Han and non-Han peoples, acted like an invisible wall, firmly protecting the vital areas of Qinghai and its surrounding regions.
It has become much more difficult to plunder caravans and attack settlements as easily as before.
Outside Shanzhou City, at the Tuanjie Camp, smoke curled from the chimneys, and the sounds of drills, horses' hooves, and bowstrings vibrated, mingling with occasional bursts of laughter and cheers from all sides.
They have become a new force to be reckoned with on the grasslands.
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