The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 281 It's not that I don't have faith in you

"Boom, boom, boom"

The militiamen, dressed in their uniforms, marched forward in step to the beat of the drums.

I can't remember things that are too complicated.

The officer standing nearby had a hoarse voice.

"With just one drumbeat, they will advance twenty steps."

"The relentless drumbeats, each beat representing a step forward."

"The sounding of the drums is the final preparation before the battle. It means that we are very close to the enemy and need to advance with extreme caution, step by step, ready to charge at any time."

"As soon as you hear the drums beating, it means the higher-ups have given the order to begin the battle."

"At this moment, I don't care who you are, you all have to charge forward and fight the enemy. Anyone who retreats or dares not move forward will be killed by me."

The recruits were terrified.

If there wasn't a real lack of food, who would be willing to risk their life for it?

The officer saw this and knew that they were still far from achieving combat capability. There was no use in being anxious, so he could only frown inwardly.

They wanted nothing more than to rip open the militiamen's heads and shove all their orders inside.

Upon returning from the Shanyu region, Wang Xin did not rest but began inspecting the militia's drills in various places.

Not only were there thousands of militiamen brought back from beyond the Great Wall, but most of these militiamen had been in the army for more than a year, and two or three thousand of them had fought alongside him last year.

The main ones are new recruits from various regions.

The two thousand new recruits trained at Tuanshan Pass, the three thousand new recruits trained at Weiyuan Pass, plus the more than one thousand soldiers from Zuoyun and other places, totaled more than six thousand militia. Adding the two or three thousand he had on hand, he made a total of nine thousand.

"The militia is still mainly composed of vehicle battalions."

"The strategy of offense over defense, combined with chariots, and primarily using firearms, meant less direct combat with the enemy and more elimination of them from a distance. Therefore, more breech-loading cannons were needed."

A breech-loading cannon is a small cannon.

It has a high rate of fire, short range, and is not as powerful as the Hongyi Cannon, but it is easier to transport. Even outside the grasslands, the Hongyi Cannon is not easy to carry. The speed of the wagon camp is already slow, while the transport speed of the Hongyi Cannon is even more impressive.

With a weight of several thousand or even tens of thousands of kilograms, the transportation speed cannot be solved by manpower alone.

A more efficient mode of transportation is needed.

Wang Xin didn't think it was possible to do it now. He didn't have the strength to do so unless he pooled the resources of the entire Zhou Dynasty and disregarded costs, he could build a simple railway for four-wheeled freight cars.

"Three months."

Wang Xin provided the timeframe.

Three months is enough to train them in firearms and make them combat-ready.

Cheap, fast, and efficient.

It's all about time and cost.

Zhang Can, Tang Ping, Fang Hua, Zhao Yong, and Liu Tong all had serious expressions.

With the general's return and the formation of the Datong Western Army, everyone gradually became clear about their future positions.

With Yanmen Pass as its rear base and safety net, three thousand militiamen will be permanently stationed there.

It was led by Zhao Yong, the second person below the general.

Then there are Weiyuan Pass and Tuanshan Pass, two strategic passes guarding the western border of Datong, forming a triangular alliance with Yanmen Pass. Each pass is commanded by five hundred cavalry and one thousand militia, respectively led by Commander Tang Ping and Thousand-man Fang Hua.

Then there's the outstretched fist of the Western Army of Datong, Zhenlu City in the desert, and Yunchuan City under construction.

Zhenlu City had a full five hundred iron-armored cavalry and five hundred cotton-armored cavalry, as well as two thousand militia, equipped with a large number of arquebuses and breech-loading cannons.

Led by Commander Zhang Can.

Zhang Can still had 800 Hu cavalrymen and 2,000 mercenary cavalrymen that could be recruited from the herdsmen. This was an agreement between the merchant guild and the herdsmen, and the herdsmen would not refuse. However, they would only be obligated to join if they were invaded.

In other words, Zhang Can is the strongest.

Then comes Yunchuan City.

After Yunchuan City was built, the entire Shanyu region was divided among the herdsmen, with five hundred iron-armored cavalry and five hundred cotton-armored cavalry, as well as two thousand militia.

However, given the vastness and wealth of the Shanyu region, even without the Hu cavalry, the number of cavalry that could be hired was far greater than that of Zhenlu City.

With elite troops at the core, militia as branches and leaves, scattered herders in various places as flesh and blood, and merchants as veins, when needed, under the general's leadership, a combat force of 20,000 to 30,000 can be concentrated when the situation is most dangerous.

The most demanding task now falls to Liu Tong. Not only does he have to adapt to his new identity, but he also has to protect the construction of Yunchuan City, reorganize the army, and train the militia.

"Next."

Wang Xin said solemnly.

"The new recruits who are training at Tuanshankou and Weiyuanguan will be assigned to various units after a month of training. I believe in you all, and I believe you will all work hard. But we will see the process, and we will see the result even more."

"Three months from now, I want to see a militia force that is combat-ready and can cooperate with the battalion in combat."

"Is there a problem?"

"no!"

Everyone said in unison.

outside.

It's time for lunch.

Regardless of local customs in Datong, the army maintains a three-meal-a-day schedule.

Lunch was dumpling soup with steamed buns.

The portion of dumpling soup was generous; chopsticks could be inserted vertically without falling over.

With two large steamed buns per person, even those with large appetites can eat their fill.

The entire battalion troops transitioned to cavalry.

Aside from a small number of veterans who stayed behind to become squad leaders, captains, or even sentry officers in charge of leading the militia.

The benefit was that he got a promotion.

Although a squad leader or captain isn't considered an official, a sentry officer might be somewhat related, but even a sentry officer is still an official, no longer an ordinary soldier.

The disadvantages.

The militia is definitely not as good as the battalion soldiers.

From first-tier to second-tier cities.

Officers not only had to train soldiers, but also had to tell them the rules of the military and convey what they needed to know.

"Kill one enemy, and you can get two thousand acres of pasture."

"Killing two enemies will yield four thousand acres of pasture."

"Hissing and snoring."

Like pigs rooting in a trough, the militiamen, who were happily munching away, looked at the officers beside them as if they were idiots when they heard the numbers 2,000 mu and 4,000 mu.

Kill one enemy, and you'll receive two thousand acres of land.

They're trying to fool people like they're barbarians.

Nobody believes it.

Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, the officer grew anxious.

Although he was unaware of the details, the business had already calculated the accounts, so he quickly relayed them word for word.

“You don’t understand, the land on the grassland is different from the land in the interior.”

Two thousand acres in the mainland would make someone a large landowner.

While not the most powerful local entity, it's certainly not small either.

However, the officer was not as shocked as he had been when he first heard about the two thousand acres of grassland. He explained, "On grasslands like the lush meadows of the Hetao region, it takes about ten acres of pasture to feed one and a half sheep. In the most typical dry grasslands, it takes ten acres of pasture to feed one sheep. In more desert areas, it takes ten acres to feed half a sheep."

After hearing the officer's words, everyone suddenly understood.

This feels more real.

Some people perked up and began to ask detailed questions, which pleased the officer.

An average family of five, six, or seven would have to work for a merchant firm for twenty years to earn enough to buy eighty sheep, twenty cows, three to five horses, and three thousand to ten thousand acres of pasture. One cow eats the equivalent of five sheep.

"Why is there such a big difference?" someone asked curiously.

The officer patiently explained.

The atmosphere inherited from the Yangzhou camp was such that, although they were meticulous in training, the officers were quite responsible in private, rather than domineering.

The militiamen had only been there for less than half a month, but they were already marching in a very disciplined manner. In addition to the good food, the atmosphere in the barracks was also good. Many of them were unwilling to take advantage of others and were also very dedicated during training.

"Two or three thousand acres of pasture, although enough for cattle and sheep to eat, without rotation, will soon become barren with less and less grass in a few years. So it is best to have five or six thousand acres, or even one or two thousand acres more, so that you can easily survive snow disasters and the like."

"As long as you kill one enemy, you can get two thousand acres of pasture. As long as you participate in the battle, serve in the army for two years, and have no bad record, you can also get two thousand acres of pasture."

The officer laughed and said, "Now you know how good the general is to you."

If war breaks out.

Those who perform meritorious service will receive two thousand acres of pasture, not including their daily military pay. Although the militia's pay is not much, there are many disaster victims in the Great Zhou Dynasty at present, and many people are willing to come as long as they are given food.

Even if you don't make any meritorious contributions, as long as you have participated in battles and served in the army for two years, you can still get two thousand acres of pasture.

In other words, those who have made contributions can receive at least 4,000 mu.

Even without meritorious service, but having participated in the war and without any misconduct, one can still receive 2,000 mu.

Two thousand acres of pasture certainly can't support eighty sheep, twenty cattle, or three to five horses, unless it's the most fertile grassland. But reducing the number of cattle and sheep by half would be enough to support a family.

With 4,000 mu of land, a family would have no worries about food and clothing and could live a very good life.

After hearing the officer's introduction, more and more militiamen gathered around, their eyes filled with excitement.

"Boss, you're not lying to me?"

"What did I lie to you for?"

"I'm not afraid of death. As long as I'm allocated land, I'll definitely be at the forefront. If I die, will my achievements be left to my family?"

"can."

"That goose must have beaten the barbarian to death."

The young man's mouth was practically stretched to his ears in a wide grin.

“Four thousand mu of land in my hometown could support over a thousand people. No wonder the Hu people are so fierce; four thousand mu of land can only support a few people.” Someone thought deeply and couldn’t help but click their tongue in amazement.

The man said worriedly, "If the Hu people live such a difficult life, I'm afraid we wouldn't have an easy time either."

"how come."

The officer shook his head. “In the past, the Hu people were disobedient and often raided the pass. Of course, the court was on guard against them, and the trade between the merchants and them was strictly suspended. Now that it’s our own people and with the support of the merchants, how could life be difficult? If you need anything, just trade directly with the merchants.”

"What if the merchant guild bullies its customers because it's a big business?"

The officer was stumped by the question.

However, most people don't think that far ahead; they only think about the four thousand acres of land.

Kill one person, and you'll serve in the army for two years.

If you're willing to work hard, there's a good chance of success.

Many people couldn't help but start making plans.

Day two.

Wang Xin left.

The militiamen in the camp were training even harder than yesterday.

February is not yet over.

After Wang Xin left, he led his troops westward.

The news that construction of Yunchuan City had begun smoothly quickly spread throughout the region, reassuring many people.

Juzhongchang has become increasingly popular.

Expansion requires more funds, but where will these funds come from? Ordinary people don't have them; only wealthy people do. How can we get money from these wealthy people?

"Doing business with knife-like methods will not lead to a solid foundation and will not grow tall."

"Only by doing business with the methods of business can a business last."

"Each has their own job and their own expertise, just like having a craftsman forge weapons and a farmer cultivate the land."

"If you let craftsmen farm, soldiers forge weapons, and farmers fight, then there will be complete chaos."

Wang Xin told Xue Yan.

Xue Yan did not return to the southeast, but focused on managing the business at the border. He had already stayed there for half a year, planning to spend a year laying the foundation for the Xue family's business outside the pass before returning to the interior.

I'm very familiar with doing business in mainland China, so I can rest assured that I can entrust it to the old manager.

Xue Yan took the initiative to increase his investment. Long before Xue Yan, Zhou Shiming and others had already started investing money. This new round of investment determined their respective shareholding percentages.

Even though they've already made money, no one would complain about not having enough.

Everyone wants to earn more money in the future.

Xue Yan wasn't worried about Wang Xin's business acumen, but he did remind him, "Won't General Hu and Prefect Zhang's joint efforts to learn your methods outside Tiancheng Pass pose a threat to you?"

Wang Xin shook his head.

Xue Yan really couldn't understand where Wang Xin's confidence came from.

Wang Xin didn't hide it, saying, "My approach is completely different from theirs."

Xue Yan didn't understand and stared blankly at Wang Xin.

I don't understand the difference.

Wang Xin disagreed, analyzing, "Prefect Zhang is after money, and so is Hu Zongbing. Their goal isn't business; they're using their power to push things along, and they're bound to fail."

He completely relinquished power. Although his goal was to win the war, the army was indeed serving the interests of the merchant guild. Even when demanding that the merchant guild share land, it was for the long-term benefit of the merchant guild.

"The longer they persist, the more devastating their failure will be."

Wang Xin said calmly.

Xue Yan had no doubts and laughed, "It would be better if it happened before the general defeats the Hu people, so as not to cause trouble for the general."

"Is Mr. Xue so lacking in confidence?"

"How could I not have confidence in the general?" Xue Yan thought Wang Xin was referring to Wang Xin.

Wang Xin shook his head.

Market demand came first, then the Industrial Revolution.

Market demand was the fundamental driving force behind the Industrial Revolution and the direct cause of its emergence.

Hindering commerce and trade is hindering social development and progress.

They look down on businessmen.

They viewed doing business as a scourge.

It's been two thousand years.

Being a businessman is a profession, but being a good person and being a bad person are two different things.

The blame for the Southern Ming dynasty cannot be placed on the merchants.

The Industrial Revolution was absolutely inseparable from commerce; any attempt to disregard commercial means was destined to fail.

When a model like Juzhongchang is launched and gains an advantage, the Hu people will have no chance, at least not at present, even if Ou Yanhu is strong.

Those who learn from me will live; those who imitate me will die.

I'm not afraid of others copying me, I'm afraid of them just imitating me, because that would bring even greater destruction.

Wang Xin was disgusted by Zhang Wenjin and Hu Liyong's actions, but felt helpless about them.

It's unknown when these two will cause major problems for Datong. In the end, it will either be completely destroyed or slowly recover through market demand, and many years later, the scars will be quietly erased.

I'm not saying that Xue Yan lacks confidence in himself.

Rather, Xue Yan lacked confidence in his own businessmen.

(End of this chapter)