The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 277 Arrangement
Hu Liyong returned to Tiancheng City, full of dissatisfaction.

The predecessor of Tiancheng City was the former Tiancheng Guard.

The neighboring town of Xuanfu was a major town, so although Tiancheng City belonged to Datong, it was also independent of the Datong military town. In reality, it was also a tool used by the imperial court to block the two major towns of Datong and Xuanfu.

Feng Yong's decision to exclude and eliminate the other armies, while retaining only the Tiancheng Army, was not due to Hu Liyong's actions, but rather because Feng Yong knew the court's bottom line.

The Datong army had a roster of 120,000 soldiers, with the Tiancheng army having a roster of 30,000, including 10,000 garrison soldiers and 20,000 militia.

"General."

"Summon Zhao Tao to see me."

Hu Liyong gave the instructions.

The men quickly went to invite them.

Zhao Tao was originally a confidant of Feng Yong and had contact with Wang Xin. He was sent by Feng Yong to deal with Wang Xin. Later, when Feng Yong failed, Zhao Tao joined Zhang Wenjin. However, he was not valued by Zhang Wenjin and then switched allegiance to Hu Liyong.

Zhang Wenjin looked down on Zhao Tao, but Hu Liyong did.

Zhao Tao had served by Feng Yong's side for many years and was well aware of the situation in Datong. He had a lot of connections and was very important to Hu Liyong. Moreover, Zhao Tao had been in contact with Wang Xin.

Hu Liyong returned to his main hall and sat down behind the desk.

Thinking about his experience in Datong City, he couldn't help but squint his eyes. Wang Xin was becoming more and more of a force to be reckoned with.

"General Commander".

Zhao Tao jogged over, observing Hu Liyong's expression as he went.

Hu Liyong said in a deep voice, "Wang Xin received 150,000 taels of military funds."

Zhao Tao looked up, speechless.

The news that Wang Xin was going to be promoted had already spread, and local people speculated that the Datong Western Army would be established.

Thinking about the current situation in Datong, Zhao Tao was speechless.

When Marshal Feng was in power, although Hu Liyong was in charge of Tiancheng Army, Hu Liyong dared not disobey Marshal Feng, so Datong Military Town was still considered a unified entity.

Datong is now divided into three parts.

Zhang Wenjin controlled Yongxing Army and most of Datong Army Town, Hu Liyong completely controlled Tiancheng Army, and now there is Wang Xin, who will also split off a portion to form Datong West Army.

"Fifty hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver is quite a sum," Zhao Tao remarked.

Hu Liyong's face turned even uglier.

Last year, Datong only received 500,000 taels of military funds from the imperial court, a full half less.

Despite Zhang Wenjin's polite words, he's no less ruthless than Fatty Feng.

He kept 400,000 taels for himself, and only after much persuasion did he agree to give up the remaining 100,000 taels.

What can you do with 100,000 taels of silver?

The annual military pay for his 4,000 personal guards is over 70,000 taels of silver, while the annual food and military pay for the remaining 10,000 militia is 80,000 to 90,000 taels of silver. In previous years, he could barely make ends meet by earning 150,000 to 200,000 taels of silver each year.

Last year, Feng Yong was dismissed from his post, and everyone tightened their belts and endured a year of hardship.

Originally, they hoped that Zhang Wenjin could ask the court for 500,000 taels of silver to build a military fortress. Whether the fortress was built or not was a matter for later. The most important thing was to feed the men below.

With 500,000 taels of silver, I could easily get 100,000 taels myself.

The results of it.

Disappointed.

"Wang Xin took 150,000 taels, and Zhang Wenjin's request for 500,000 taels from the court has also come to nothing. Wang Xin is truly a troublemaker." Hu Liyong said with some regret.

Zhao Tao knew what Hu Liyong was thinking.

Zhao Tao understood the situation in Datong and the way the court operated, even with just a few words, and knew why Hu Liyong was dissatisfied.

Zhao Tao analyzed, "With 150,000 taels of military funds, Wang Xin dared to claim he was pacifying the barbarians, which makes it seem like the General and the Governor are incompetent, just taking money without doing anything. I suppose Grand Secretary Zhang had the same thought in mind, which is why he agreed to let Wang Xin give it a try."

Last year, Zhang Wenjin and Hu Liyong received 500,000 taels of silver. Although it was only half of the usual amount, it was still far less than what Wang Xin received.

Hu Liyong said bitterly, "150,000 taels of silver is barely enough to feed the soldiers below. It's not even enough to repair their weapons and equipment. What kind of war can we send them out to fight? Wouldn't that discourage the soldiers?"

“Wang Xin is indeed skilled in business. Merchants say he can turn stones into gold. With 150,000 taels of silver for military expenses, plus 100,000 taels of silver he receives from merchants every year, and with fewer troops than the general, he can barely manage.”

Zhao Tao speculated.

Two hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver.

Hu Liyong grew increasingly disgusted with Wang Xin.

What business is it of the imperial court to use 100,000 taels of silver for business? Using one's own private money for official business—is there anyone in the world like this? It's utterly despicable.

Everyone gets promoted in order to make money.

Wang Xin is doing well.

"He alone is a loyal and capable general," Hu Liyong cursed.

Zhao Tao's face showed helplessness.

This man is capable and good at fighting; even if he incurs public wrath, no one can do anything about him.

The governor gradually became dissatisfied with this person.

The governor's office was also dissatisfied because this man did not send gifts to Datong, while all the other places did. Wang Xin was the only one who did not send gifts, and all the officials, both high and low, relied on the annual allowances from outside to make a living.

With a fixed salary, who can live a good life?

The whole family enjoys delicious food and spicy drinks.

The household servants, housekeepers, maids, coachmen, oxen, and horses.

With dozens of people to feed, drink, and relieve themselves, plus maintaining relationships with officials, the annual cost couldn't be less than several thousand taels of silver.

“Even his clan chief can’t tolerate this person, but he can’t do anything about him. He needs to join forces with the general to deal with him, which shows how troublesome this person is. It’s best to be careful,” Zhao Tao warned.

Wang Ziteng wanted to join forces with Hu Liyong to deal with Wang Xin.

Wang Ziteng's idea is not bad.

But Hu Liyong will do the work.

Is Wang Xin so easy to deal with?
I heard that although many of the guards around this man are young men, they are all loyal men whom Wang Xin raised from orphans. They have been trained since childhood. Who would be willing to take on such a costless training?
On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes; even the most elite soldiers will die.

Investing too much is not worthwhile.

But.

To deal with Wang Xin, hoping to use conspiracy or assassination is simply wishful thinking.

He was always accompanied by a dozen or so bodyguards, and even more when he was outside the Great Wall, sometimes numbering in the dozens. To ambush and kill him, it would take at least several hundred men to be safe.

Can you call it an assassination if there are hundreds of people?

When Feng Yong initially planned to kill Wang Ziteng, the plan to ambush him on the way involved only a dozen or so people, which was enough to deal with the disgraced Wang Ziteng. However, there was no need to risk his life for the already disgraced Wang Ziteng, so the plan was canceled.

Hu Liyong also thought of this.

If you take action, you must succeed; failure is not an option.

The commotion involving hundreds of people could not be kept secret.

Feng Yong dared to do this, sending armored cavalry to deal with Wang Xin, by choosing the area outside the Great Wall and using the Hu people. Feng Yong had been in Datong for decades and this was the only thing he dared to do. Hu Liyong was not stupid.

It's just a bit regretful.

Wang Xin passed through his own territory, but he didn't want to follow Wang Ziteng's plan, so he went to Datong in advance. He didn't want to refuse Wang Ziteng, but he also didn't want to take risks for Wang Ziteng.

However, according to what he learned in Datong, Hu Liyong was really unhappy with Wang Xin.

"I want to see if he can win with the same soldiers." After Zhao Tao's subtle persuasion, Hu Liyong stopped thinking about it.

What about 250,000 taels of military expenditure?

Twelve thousand soldiers.

Wang Xin provided high military pay.

For many years, the Nine Garrisons had their own tacit understanding. Although the military pay varied from place to place, it was generally the same. The pay for household servants ranged from fifteen to twenty taels of silver per year, but Wang Xin paid the highest, at twenty-four taels per year.

Three thousand servants would amount to seventy-two thousand taels.

As for the militia, their military rations plus subsidies amounted to about seven qian of silver per month, and in some places even less than five qian, which was only enough for the militia's food expenses. Wang Xin provided a generous amount, nine qian of silver per month.

Nine thousand militiamen means nearly one hundred thousand taels of silver.

The military expenses alone amounted to 170,000 taels of silver, and there were also military provisions, fodder, equipment, weapons, and other supplies, which were even higher than the military expenses, with a minimum of 300,000 to 400,000 taels of silver.

Otherwise, why has Datong suffered so much from the Hu people for so many years? It's all because of money.

It’s hard to move without money.

With 10,000 household soldiers and 100,000 laborers, pacifying the Hetao region shouldn't be a problem, although there are risks involved.

But Wang Xin actually expected that three thousand household soldiers and nine thousand laborers would be enough to wipe out the Hetao region.

Military spending is far from sufficient.

Hu Liyong sneered.

We'll see if this so-called Datong Western Army is really made of iron.

The militia were really just laborers.

What kind of fighting power could they possibly have? Expecting the militia to fight the barbarians with knives and spears? They'd probably collapse on the ground before the barbarians even got close.

As for drawing a bow and shooting arrows?

If militia members can draw a bow and shoot arrows, then they are no longer considered militia members.

It was meant for the household servants, so how did it end up in the hands of the militia?

Bows and arrows are expensive.

Making a bow takes at least a year, and a good bow takes three years. It also requires maintenance; if not properly maintained, the bow can easily become unusable.

Therefore, even with his three thousand retainers running themselves ragged, Wang Xin could not quell the barbarian threat.

Hu Liyong felt much calmer.

It seems Wang Xin is just another guy who speaks without restraint to achieve his goals. Could it be that he's actually after money? He used to be a guerrilla fighter who couldn't make much money, but now that he's in charge of a town, things are different.

With 250,000 taels of silver, one could easily rake in over 100,000 taels a year.

If he could earn over 100,000 taels of silver a year, he could buy Datong and replace Feng Yong. Hu Liyong thought of Wang Ziteng.

It's not that we can't cooperate with him.

However, Wang Xin's things should belong to him.

"Go to the capital."

Hu Liyong couldn't contain himself and looked at Zhao Tao.

It's different from farming.

The arable land of the Great Zhou Dynasty has been developed to its limit.

Many places are impossible to cultivate with current productivity.

Therefore, no matter how much manpower and resources are invested, it is difficult to achieve a qualitative change in grain production, but industry is different.

Even with the current level of technology, the production capacity of arquebuses is limited. However, by investing more money and recruiting more workers, more arquebuses can be produced, only limited by the availability of raw materials.

The raw material problem can also be solved.

Invest more money, recruit more miners, and mine more iron and coal.

In a word.

Problems that money can solve.

So how do you get the money?

The future can be used as collateral.

For example, the future benefits of the Hetao region, the future benefits of the military factory, etc.

As long as it develops well.

Each stage can be used as collateral to obtain a continuous stream of money. Of course, if development encounters obstacles, it will turn into a financial disaster.

Debt must be mitigated at a certain stage of prosperity, otherwise a crisis is inevitable.

However, the financial scandals were also caused by businessmen.

Where there are benefits, there are risks.

The greater the profit, the greater the risk. For businessmen who have amassed great wealth, the process of wealth flowing back into society through financial crises is not a major issue.

On the contrary, the process of development has increased people's income.

The premise is not to involve ordinary people.

If ordinary people's money is also involved, then it will be a completely different situation.

The people of the Great Zhou Dynasty are currently penniless.

Wang Xin was then relieved of his psychological burden.

Juzhongchang raised funds in advance by mortgaging the future of the Hetao region to meet development needs and maintain the military.

"Within six months, we must produce 10,000 muskets and 100 breech-loading cannons."

Wang Xin gave the order.

Whether or not the Datong Western Army headquarters is built, even if he does not return to Zuoyun, will not prevent him from forming the Datong Western Army.

Making the most of your time is the most important thing.

Upon arriving at Niuxin Mountain and visiting the firearms factory, Wang Xin summoned his subordinates.

Everyone was overjoyed.

Not only did the establishment of the Datong Western Army finally obtain the court's permission, but personal promotions were also resolved all at once.

"Ten thousand muskets?"

Zhao Yong looked surprised.

Although he joined Wang Xin halfway through his career, Zhao Yong, as the highest-ranking person after Wang Xin, was not suspected by Wang Xin as outsiders might think. In fact, even when faced with Tang Ping's doubts, Zhao Yong still wielded considerable power in Wang Xin's hands, ranking second only to Wang Xin.

Wang Xin nodded.

Using traditional development methods and processes, it would certainly be difficult to produce 10,000 bird guns.

But the Great Zhou Dynasty has no shortage of people.

It's just that we can't make full use of human resources.

A tremendous waste.

"All militia members must be guaranteed one musket each, and they must strengthen their training to ensure that they can use it properly."

Even cavalry.

Three guns must be fired before the cavalry charge arrives.

One thousand people equals three thousand lead balls.

After suffering three rounds of attacks, the remaining cavalrymen were too weak to continue their charge.

The militia must play a role.

However, the militia indeed lacked combat capability and was unable to engage in close combat, so long-range combat was the only way to eliminate the enemy from a distance.

Traditional bows and arrows are too expensive.

The bows produced also require regular maintenance, and the maintenance costs are high.

The bows and arrows used by the military are different from those used by civilians.

Some folk bows are made of bamboo.

As long as it can shoot arrows, that's fine.

The army's bows and arrows need to have range, penetrating power, etc., and they need to be taut. The greater the penetrating power and range, the higher the requirements for materials, the shorter the lifespan, and the more maintenance is required.

The role of firearms became apparent.

Horizontal shot.

Cheap.

It is easier to maintain than a bow and arrow.

It can still be used by several generations.

As long as there is enough gunpowder and lead, soldiers can fire for a long time.

There are so many poor people in the nine border regions.

There are plenty of people who are willing to risk their lives for a bite to eat.

Moreover, they not only provide food but also money, and if they win a battle, they can be allocated land, even if it's just pasture.

It all comes down to money.

Once the money issue is resolved, other problems are not so significant.

"I'm leaving the militia training to you," Wang Xin said to Zhao Yong.

Zhao Yong hesitated for a moment, but in the end did not refuse.

Militia members from various places should naturally gather together for drills, and after the drills, they should be redistributed to maintain the combat effectiveness of each unit.

Is war about to break out?

Tang Ping couldn't help but ask.

The general's demeanor was quite imposing, and Tang Ping, familiar with the general's style of doing things, had already guessed it.

"Next spring."

Wang Xin nodded, glanced at his trusted confidants, and ordered, "Sweep away the Xiongnu chieftain."

"Here."

Everyone stood up and clasped their hands in greeting.

I also felt a toothache.

The general is going to break his promise to outsiders again. Even they can't stand it anymore. He's treating the barbarians like Japanese pirates.

(End of this chapter)