The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 316 Inevitable Defeat
In fact, every military town has a hidden population.

The area with the largest number of hidden people should be Liaodong. Although Wang Xin did not know how much Liaodong had changed in this time and space, Liaodong was only connected to the interior by the narrow Liaoxi Corridor, and its geographical environment destined it to be more isolated.

However, since there is no government office to govern the border areas, the surplus population will inevitably be brought under the rule of other forces.

The fall of Liaodong was more likely a choice made by powerful local families in Liaodong.

After Nurhaci captured Shenliao, the entire Liaodong region surrendered without resistance.

However, Nurhaci betrayed them. None of them expected that Nurhaci would first kill the poor and destroy their foundations before finally eliminating them.

Just like the wealthy mainlanders who were unwilling to suffer losses, they easily chose the Qing army at the beginning.

Lessons learned from past mistakes are not necessarily learned.

They also didn't expect that the Mongols, having learned from their mistakes, would use the same tactics as in Liaodong: first eliminate the resistance forces at the grassroots level, and then eliminate the powerful families.

So where are the hidden people in Datong?
Inside and outside the pass.

This also explains why smuggling was rampant in the two towns of Xuanfu and Datong during the Ming Dynasty in the original timeline, and why Shanxi merchants rose to prominence.

By establishing Juzhongchang and monopolizing trade outside the Great Wall, Juzhongchang not only obtained a portion of military funds for itself, but also served as a means to divide and weaken local powerful families.

We can't just openly tell the big players that we're coming to wipe you out.

Just like when Nurhaci first occupied Liaodong, he was extremely friendly to the local powerful families. Otherwise, if the local powerful families had known Nurhaci's true intentions, Nurhaci would not have been able to take over Liaodong so easily.

"Which family are you from?"

The two prisoners sent by Zhang Can were clearly locals from Datong.

Wang Xin asked in a friendly manner.

The two lived in constant fear and anxiety, refusing to divulge their origins, and were indeed tortured along the way.

"General, I have more intelligence."

The tall, thin man was clearly terrified, but in order to survive, he revealed all sorts of information except for his own origins.

Wang Xin remained noncommittal.

The man spoke up, saying, "Regarding the news about the Hu barbarians, Ou Yanhu has already headed south."

"Oh?"

Unexpectedly, they knew quite a lot. Wang Xin laughed and said, "Tell me everything you know, and I won't ask about your background. I'll spare your lives."

The two were overjoyed.

Wang Xin finally learned that Ou Yanhu had at least 60,000 to 70,000 able-bodied men under his command.

Fortunately, he took the initiative, otherwise, with the population increase from Dabansheng, Ou Yanhu's 100,000 cavalry would not have been a mere figurehead, and he would have had a stable rear.

Not only are their numbers nearly halved, but Ou Yanhu has also driven the northern barbarians to such a desperate situation. Any surviving barbarian tribal leaders who aren't fools should know that now is the time to fight to the death.

Once you get through this most difficult time, things will get easier as time goes on.

It even got to the point where Ou Yanhu collapsed without a fight.

Even the Hu people are still human.

They also need to eat.

"Take it down."

Wang Xin waved his hand.

Xue Ke asked unhappily, "Are you really going to spare them?"

“I said I wouldn’t ask about their backgrounds, not that I wouldn’t let others recognize them. When they’re displayed in Datong, I don’t believe no one will recognize them.” Wang Xin raised his eyebrows, a wicked smile on his face. “But now is not the time.”

Xue Ke then suppressed his displeasure and smiled.

Just one click.

To avoid some wealthy individuals resorting to desperate measures, which could ruin important matters and result in more losses than gains.

"What about Zhang Can?"

Yan Zhongzheng pondered for a moment, especially after gaining a preliminary understanding of the Hu people. Although he couldn't be sure if the news was true, at least having news was better than having no news at all.

Wang Xin turned to look at Yan Zhongzheng, knowing he had something to say. "What do you think?"

Yan Zhongzheng hesitated, looked around, and finally made up his mind. He stopped looking at others and stared at the general. "The former general should go and support the Tiancheng Army."

"Why?"

"Hu Liyong is not a good person."

Seeing the commotion, Zhao Yong coughed and waited for everyone to quiet down before saying, "This is not a good idea. Suddenly ordering Zhang Can to lead the army to turn around will not only be hard on the soldiers, but it will also be detrimental to morale."

Everyone became even happier, and even Zhao Yong no longer supported Yan Zhongzheng.

With the establishment of the Western Army of Datong, the army, which used to be concentrated in the Yanmen Pass area, is now scattered in western Datong, including the vast area outside Datong Pass. The Western Army of Datong has begun to disperse.

Zhao Yong was the second-highest-ranking officer in the Western Army of Datong. Even though he was not recognized by many former Yangzhou soldiers and even faced some unseen exclusion, with the support of the general and his many years of merit in guarding the rear, no one could deny Zhao Yong's prestige.

The team has become too big, making it difficult to manage.

Even with the convenience of the system, various states can still visibly decline.

We need all kinds of talented people to join us.

Zhao Yong's military talent, Yan Zhongzheng's strategic vision, and so on.

The constant influx of new talent is the fundamental reason for the continuous growth of the strength of the Datong Western Army.

"Yan Zhongzheng is right."

What Wang Xin needs to do is to be fair, just, and transparent, so that everyone is convinced.

As long as you do this, humanity will not crumble.

Everyone fell silent, even Zhao Yong pricked up his ears, wondering what different opinions the general might have.

"Our goal is to eliminate Uen and weaken Ou Yanhu's strength by all means before he arrives. This is the most important goal, not your messy little schemes."

Some people suddenly realized, some understood, and some were unwilling to accept it.

"The general is right."

Zhao Yong understood and changed his mind to support the general.

In fact, everyone will obey the general's orders, but unless absolutely necessary, the general will always explain the reasons clearly first.

Even if they cannot understand or agree with it, they will consider that it is their own fault because of the general's past victories.

Wang Xin believed this was the source of his prestige.

One achievement after another built his prestige.

"I'm afraid Zhang Can won't listen," Zhao Yong said with a wry smile.

Zhang Can is a cunning old fox.

There are plenty of ways.

Xue Ke couldn't help but glance at Zhao Yong, suspecting that Zhao Yong was trying to sow discord between Zhang Can and the general.

Before the Datong Western Army was established, Zhang Can repeatedly questioned Zhao Yong in public because of Zhang Wenjin's matter, which caused great unhappiness. Fortunately, the general returned later and suppressed the discord between the two.

"Go and relay the order."

Wang Xin instructed, "Tell Zhang Can what I said: if he dares to stand by and watch the Tiancheng army be attacked without offering any assistance, he will not be spared and will be dealt with according to military law."

"Here."

Two messengers quickly went out to deliver the message.

Everyone felt it was a pity upon hearing this.

Datong currently has three main military forces, and everyone wants to take over Datong for themselves. So, it would be a good thing if friendly forces died at the hands of the enemy.

Wang Xin knew what everyone was thinking; it was only natural.

Environment shapes people.

Whether it's the Yongxing Army, the Tiancheng Army, or anyone else, who doesn't want a better life?

Who cares what a good life is built on?

There aren't many people with a broad perspective, so Wang Xin had a high opinion of Yan Zhongzheng.

Yan Zhongzheng remained.

Wang Xin and Yan Zhongzheng talked as they walked.

"Although there are bound to be some flaws, I dare say that the atmosphere in our Datong Western Army is still good. I wouldn't say it's the best in the entire Great Zhou, but it's at least among the top."

"The general is being a bit modest."

Yan Zhongzheng lived up to his name.

He walked upright, acted uprightly, and spoke uprightly. However, these changes mainly occurred after he joined the Western Army in Datong. Before that, when he was in the Beijing Garrison, Yan Zhongzheng was a man of few words.

As a smart man, Yan Zhongzheng knew the reason for his change and was very firm: "I believe that our Datong Western Army is one of the best in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty."

Wang Xin was not careless.

He understood the principle of low human rights advantages.

Why do elite troops emerge from impoverished and harsh environments? This is the advantage of low human rights.

It's not that having a good life, advanced thinking, and everyone having access to education guarantees a powerful army. On the contrary, it's more likely that high human rights could lead to a decline in the army's combat effectiveness.

As for building an army of ideas.

Wang Xin did not believe he had such ability; it was not something one person could accomplish.

The current Datong Western Army is just an army that doesn't bully the people and has strict military discipline; it doesn't have any lofty ideals, even though it has said many things about them.

Profound truths are not something that can be spoken.

Just like how companies in later generations create so-called corporate visions, but nobody really cares.

If there is, there is, if there is not, there is not.

"Every family has its own problems, and so do I. Everyone has their own difficulties. If you have a sense of the big picture, at least you won't go astray. Many people can't understand this, and it's useless to say more."

A gifted child will remain a top student no matter what.

If someone isn't cut out for studying, even if they work their way up to the next level, they'll still be a poor student. Pushing them too hard will only backfire.

Therefore, talented people are hard to find.

It is extremely rare for someone like Jia Zheng to have such an upright attitude and poor work ability.

Moreover, there are talented people who have the right attitude and strong work ability.

As for those who are highly capable but have a bad attitude, such people will only bring disaster to society and will never do any good. Their success will only encourage more people to learn from their attitude.

And skills cannot be acquired through learning.

It's simply a matter of proficiency in the business.

"Do your job well, and you'll definitely have a place in the Datong Western Army."

Wang Xin patted Yan Zhongzheng on the shoulder.

Yan Zhongzheng nodded.

I have no doubt.

Once Ou Yanhu is defeated, the biggest obstacle for the Datong Western Army in Datong will be removed. As long as there are no internal problems, it will definitely become a force that surpasses the Yongxing Army, rising like the sun. If we get there early, we will rise as well.

******
On the grassland in the morning, the sun hanging in the sky looks exceptionally round.

A gentle breeze stirred, carrying the fragrance of earth. The soldiers lay lazily on the ground, too lazy to move, occasionally exchanging a few words.

"I wonder how things are at home."

"My roof needs to be re-thatched. Damn it, there's a war going on now. I'm afraid if it rains, the roof will get wet."

"It would be nice if it rained."

"What a load of rubbish! It's too late for the rain now; the crops in the fields have all died long ago."

Everyone is complaining.

"It still depends on fate. If you're lucky, you'll go to the Western Army; if you're unlucky, you'll come to the Eastern Army."

The Datong Western Army was the Western Army, the Tiancheng Army was naturally the Eastern Army, and the Yongxing Army was the Central Army. This was easier to remember, and many militiamen started calling it that in private.

Militia members serve a term of service ranging from one or two years to three or five years.

Everyone wants to go home as soon as possible.

In fact, the same was true for military households in the Ming Dynasty.

Some members of the military households served in the army, while others stayed behind to farm. In other words, the military service that should have been borne by all the people was restricted to a small group, so compensation should be given.

Now there's no compensation, not even subsidies.

The money for food rations is always in arrears.

"The higher-ups said that we won this battle, and not only will we receive a reward, but all the previous arrears will also be paid out at once. Is that true?"

Some people care a lot.

"Hahaha."

His words elicited a burst of laughter.

The army set out.

They need to be fed and given money.

Because nobody believes what those in power say; the real priority is getting the money out first.

Each person received one or two taels of silver, ate only one meal of dry food, and reluctantly set off.

Hu Liyong led his officers and soldiers on an inspection tour of the military camp.

Hearing a burst of laughter, he frowned.

Soon, officers and soldiers arrived and hung the soldiers up to beat them.

Hu Liyong did not say much.

Instead, his general advised, "The soldiers are very resentful. It would be better not to cause any trouble. It would be worse if it incited a mutiny."

Hu Liyong nodded.

Military discipline is as firm as a mountain.

But it depends on the situation.

"It's all Wang Xin's fault," someone said with a reproachful expression.

"No one has it easy. Our commander-in-chief went through so much trouble to raise the 27,000 taels of silver for this expedition. There are also military rations and weapons. It's hard to imagine how many of these things are not enough to keep us busy."

"Wang Xin is quite something; he disregards the lives of his allies in order to gain merit for himself."

Everyone is complaining.

As for the imperial court.

People are too lazy to say anything more.

If the imperial court hadn't been in arrears for so many years, they wouldn't be in such dire straits.

"Hmph, that Wang Xin is greedy for credit, someone will deal with him."

Upon hearing this, Hu Liyong frowned and glared at the man, who dared not say another word.

Everyone knew the truth and remained silent.

Anyway, the Tiancheng Army did set off, but the court had accumulated so much debt over the years, and the amount of money and grain allocated this time was not enough, so they couldn't be blamed.

The barbarian hated Wang Xin so much he wanted to grind his teeth.

Wang Xin and his western army were at the forefront again.

Hu Liyong shook his head. He was still young and too reckless, losing patience for the sake of credit.

War is not child's play.

Yeah.

Zhang Wenjin was a civil official who was all talk and no action, but in reality, he knew nothing about civil affairs.

Thinking of the absence of Wang Xin, Hu Liyong perked up, and the officers around him were also excited, secretly hoping for good news. They believed that as long as Wang Xin was attacked, they would definitely retreat.

"General Wang Xin has never lost a battle."

At this moment, one of the officers, who was nearly thirty years old, hesitated and said, "If he were not confident, General Wang Xin would not have acted rashly. The Hu people may not be able to defeat General Wang."

"Zhao He, you overestimate him."

Some people shook their heads, "Even if the Western Army is made of iron, can they really fight ten against one? This is the frontier, not a city."

According to their information, the Hu people numbered approximately 70,000 to 80,000 cavalry.

The Western Army of Datong, including the militia, only numbered 12,000, and that number was after deducting the troops left to guard the city.

In the area outside the Great Wall, no matter what, Wang Xin could not defeat Ou Yanhu. If the two sides clashed head-on, the only outcome would be Wang Xin's defeat.

If he's lucky, Wang Xin might be able to escape back with a small number of elite troops.

No one doubted it.

Hu Liyong's lips curled up slightly, as if he had anticipated something happy.

(End of this chapter)