Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Seven days after the "Order of Merit" was issued, Xinghuobao welcomed its first light rain.

A fine drizzle silently moistened the newly turned soil on the north slope. The reclamation was progressing faster than expected. Under Zhao Tiezhu's careful coordination, the fifty new iron hoes, using a method of "three people working in shifts, with each section assigned to a specific person," cleared over thirty acres of overgrown weeds and thorns within five days, revealing the dark soil beneath. According to the "Merit Order," the twenty able-bodied young refugees and those who performed exceptionally well in the labor camp participating in the reclamation had already accumulated a considerable number of merit points. On Li Shu's wooden plaque, vermilion marks showed each day adding more points.

All the houses within the fortress have been allocated. The Wei soldiers are concentrated in rows of houses near the east and west sides of the fortress wall for easy assembly in case of emergency. The displaced families have been allocated houses in the central area, which, although crowded, at least provide them with a fixed place to shelter from the wind and rain. The conscripted laborers still live together in the communal sleeping quarters converted from the former stables on the north side; the conditions are the simplest, but still much better than sleeping in the open.

The drizzle did not dampen the busy activity inside the fortress. The repair work on the fortress wall was nearing completion; the newly rammed earth at the southeast gap was secured with wooden planks and needed to dry completely. Wang Jian was leading the laborers in moving stones to reinforce the wall foundation. Women and children were spinning hemp, mending clothes, or looking after toddlers under the sheltered eaves. Wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys in the drizzle, carrying the aroma of millet porridge.

However, Chen Xing knew that beneath the surface of tranquility, undercurrents were still surging.

Three days ago, a Wei Wu soldier platoon leader on night patrol discovered two former prisoners of war secretly rummaging through some remaining debris, seemingly searching for hidden valuables. Although they didn't succeed, they had already violated the initial rule of "no looting." The platoon leader apprehended them and reported the incident to Chen Wei.

Two days ago, two women among the refugees got into an argument by the well over who got to use an iron pot first, which escalated into a physical fight, attracting a crowd of onlookers. Zhao Tiezhu had to exert a great deal of effort to separate them.

Yesterday afternoon, a minor altercation nearly erupted between Wei soldiers and displaced youths. It began when the displaced youths, returning to their fortress after work, accidentally bumped into a Wei soldier who was wiping his halberd with their mud-covered farm tools, splashing mud onto his armor. The Wei soldier reprimanded him, and the displaced youths retorted, leading to a shoving match. Fortunately, Chen Wei and Zhao Tiezhu arrived in time, restraining their respective men and preventing a major disturbance.

These incidents, though minor, served as subtle reminders to Chen Xing: the people within the fortress came from diverse backgrounds and harbored various motives. The incentives provided by the "Meritorious Service Order" and expectations for the future alone were insufficient to unite the people and maintain long-term order. In particular, once armed, without strict discipline, internal friction could easily escalate into a major crisis.

Military regulations must be clearly defined and thoroughly understood as soon as possible.

On a quiet afternoon after the drizzle had stopped, Chen Xing summoned Chen Wei, Zhao Tiezhu, Wang Jian, and Li Shu to the largest stone house in the fortress—which had now been simply furnished as a council hall and Chen Xing's residence.

The room was simply furnished, with a long, rough wooden table in the center and several wooden stools around it. On the wall hung a rough map of the terrain around Xinghuo Fortress, drawn by Li Shu based on his memory and Chen Xing's instructions. On the table, besides a ceramic lamp, were several scrolls of bamboo slips.

Once the four men were seated, Chen Xing gestured for them to sit down and got straight to the point: "You are all aware of the recent turmoil within the fortress. Land reclamation and wall construction are just beginning, and with people's hearts unsettled, friction is inevitable. However, if this continues, internal strife will surely arise. The 'Meritorious Service Order' can motivate labor, but it's difficult to regulate behavior, especially the actions of those wielding weapons. Therefore, I have summoned you all today to discuss and finalize the details of the 'Military Regulations,' making it another pillar of our Starfire Fortress."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wei was the first to clasp his hands in a fist salute and say, "What you say is absolutely right, my lord. Although my men are brave and obedient, they inevitably become arrogant after living among the villagers for a while. The incident of mud splashing on their armor the other day is a case in point. If there are no clear rules to restrain them, I fear that even greater rifts will arise in the future. I believe that military regulations should prioritize 'restraining behavior and clearly distinguishing between insiders and outsiders.'"

Zhao Tiezhu nodded in agreement: "Commander Chen is right. Some of our young men among the refugees have received farm tools, been allocated houses, and had a few days of plenty. Their minds have become more active, and they sometimes forget their limits in their words and actions. It's certainly wrong for them to clash with the soldiers, but even quarrels among their own wives affect harmony. If military regulations are in place, shouldn't those of us who aren't directly involved in combat also have some rules to follow?"

Wang Jian said cautiously, "Those people in the labor camp seem obedient on the surface, but their eyes are far from well-behaved. If there aren't strict rules to keep them in check, I'm afraid..."

Li Shu then took out a small wooden tablet and a charcoal pencil from his pocket: "I will write down each of the terms to be discussed."

Chen Xing nodded: "What we are discussing today is not just a set of rules for those who are armed in combat. All those within Xinghuo Fortress who have duties, participate in the fortress's defense, or may be armed in the future must abide by these rules. This can be called the 'Xinghuo Fortress Garrison Regulations,' the core of which was stated the day before yesterday: no looting, no rape, and no mistreatment of prisoners. Today, we will use these three principles as the framework and refine them into enforceable clauses."

He paused, then continued, "Chen Wei, you have extensive military experience and are well aware of the problems within the army and the essentials of military governance. You should speak first: how should this 'no looting' rule be refined to prevent theft and plunder within the fortress and to also regulate the behavior of civilians outside the fortress during campaigns?"

Chen Wei pondered for a moment and said, "My lord, in my humble opinion, 'no looting' can be divided into internal and external matters. Internally, no one may take even a needle or thread of public or private property within the fort, or property from other people's houses or fields, without the permission of the owner or the allocation by the steward. Violators will be punished according to the value of the items, ranging from whipping, forfeiture of merit points, and additional hard labor to cutting off fingers, expulsion, or even beheading. In times of war or emergency, the fort lord or steward has the right to requisition supplies, but this must be registered and compensation will be made afterward."

"Regarding external affairs," Chen Wei's expression grew even more solemn, "all those belonging to Starfire Fortress, when traveling outside the fortress—whether for scouting, military expeditions, or trade—are strictly prohibited from plundering villages, merchants, or civilians along the way. All spoils must be turned over to the public treasury and distributed according to the 'Merit Order.' Anyone found to have privately harbored or plundered innocent civilians will be executed without mercy, their heads displayed publicly!"

Chen Xing nodded: "Alright. It must be made clear that all property within the fort, including items found in unclaimed ruins, belongs to the fort's public property and cannot be privately excavated or taken. The actions of those two prisoners the other day fall into this category. Li Shu writes down: First, anyone who takes public or private property within the fort without authorization will be whipped ten to fifty times, have their merit points confiscated, or be forced into hard labor, depending on the severity of the offense; those whose property is of great value or who commit repeated offenses will be beheaded. Second, anyone who robs innocent civilians, regardless of whether they are the ringleader or a follower, will be beheaded on the spot and their head will be displayed at the fort's gate."

Li Shu wielded his pen with lightning speed, the charcoal pencil scratching softly on the wooden tablet.

"Tiezhu," Chen Xing turned to Zhao Tiezhu, "the rule of 'no adultery' concerns the safety of women and children, and is also key to the stability of the fortress. You are in charge of civil affairs, what do you think is the best way to formulate this rule to protect women and children without causing conflict between the military and the people?"

Zhao Tiezhu frowned, thought hard for a moment, and said, "My lord, there are quite a few women in our fort, some were originally refugees, and some were... prisoners. Some soldiers, and those bachelors in the labor camps, do have their eyes wandering around. In my opinion, we must establish a strict rule: anyone who forces intimacy on a woman without her own consent, her parents' consent, or her husband's consent, regardless of whether it succeeds or not, is committing a serious crime! If it succeeds, he will definitely be beheaded! If it doesn't succeed, he will still be severely beaten, and castration wouldn't be too much!" He spoke bluntly, his face filled with the hatred brought about by the memory of the tragedy in Zhao Family Village.

Chen Wei added, "What Steward Zhao said is reasonable. In addition, pedophilia, mutual incest, and other obscene acts must be strictly prohibited in the military camp, and violators shall be punished equally. It should also be stipulated that when on guard duty or on patrol, soldiers shall not leave their posts without permission to disturb civilians. Even when there is nothing to do, soldiers shall not arbitrarily enter civilian homes, especially homes with female members."

Chen Xing said, "Good. Li Shuji: Article 3, anyone who forcibly rapes a woman within the fortress, regardless of status, shall be executed on the spot. Article 4, anyone who harasses, molests, or trespasses into private residences and causes disturbance shall be whipped, imprisoned, or have their merit points confiscated, depending on the severity of the offense; serious offenders may also be executed. Article 5, lewdness is strictly prohibited within the military camp; violators will be severely punished. This article shall be overseen by Chen Weizhi's enforcement team."

"As for 'not mistreating prisoners,'" Chen Xing looked at Wang Jian, "the labor camps are now essentially converted prisoners of war. How do you think the regulations should be set to ensure they are disciplined enough to work, without resorting to cruelty or inappropriate treatment that could incite unrest?"

Wang Jian hurriedly replied, "My lord, you are wise. I also believe that managing the laborers cannot rely solely on beatings and scoldings. As you instructed the other day, they also have merit points for their work, and the diligent ones can hope to be released from the labor camp, which gives them hope. In terms of regulations, I think it is appropriate to stipulate that: guards must not beat the laborers without cause, and although their food should be simple, it must not be so drastic as to cause them to starve to death. If a laborer is sick, they should be allowed to rest and given basic medical treatment. However, if a laborer is lazy, damages tools, attempts to escape, or resists, they must be severely punished, including whipping, additional punishment, or even execution, depending on the circumstances."

Chen Wei agreed: "Manager Wang is right. Prisoners should be treated strictly, not cruelly. Enemy captured on the battlefield should also be dealt with according to this principle. A special place for guarding prisoners can be set up, separate from the labor camps."

Chen Xing concluded: "Okay. Li Shu's Record: Article Six, those guarding prisoners and laborers shall not kill, seriously injure, or starve their subordinates without cause; violators shall be treated as murderers. Article Seven, prisoners and laborers who fall ill shall be given basic medical treatment. Article Eight, if prisoners or laborers attempt to escape, resist, or cause damage, the guards may, depending on the circumstances, kill them on the spot or capture them and punish them severely."

The three basic rules were refined into eight, but Chen Xing felt it wasn't enough. He looked around at everyone and said, "These eight are the bottom line. However, for a fighting army and a defensible fortress, simply adhering to the bottom line is far from sufficient. There are also many detailed rules, such as daily conduct, camp management, and combat discipline. Chen Wei, tell me, what other rules in ordinary troops need to be constantly emphasized?"

Chen Wei, clearly having considered this beforehand, immediately said, "My lord, in my humble opinion, at least the following should be added: armor and weapon maintenance, barracks cleanliness, patrol procedures, obedience to orders, battlefield coordination, care for the wounded and sick, and strict confidentiality. For example, weapons and armor must be wiped and maintained daily to ensure combat readiness; barracks must be kept clean and tidy, not cluttered or dirty; patrols must be conducted on time and along the designated routes, without slackening or leaving early; upon hearing the drums and horns, immediate response is required, without delay; in battle, orders must be obeyed, without unauthorized advances or retreats; seriously wounded comrades must be treated with utmost care and not abandoned; information regarding the fortress's defenses, food supplies, and troop strength must not be disclosed to outsiders..."

He rattled off more than ten points, all of which were crucial to military administration.

Zhao Tiezhu added, "In our civil affairs department, there are actually some similar rules that need to be established. For example, arriving and leaving work on time, taking care of farm tools, not damaging public property, not wasting food, and reporting neighborhood disputes to the person in charge for mediation before engaging in private fights... Wouldn't these be considered part of the regulations?"

Chen Xing nodded: "Of course we should calculate it. We can divide the 'Regulations' into two parts. The first part is the 'Garrison Military Regulations,' which mainly governs the combat and garrison personnel under Chen Wei's jurisdiction, including the able-bodied men of the fortress who may be incorporated in the future. The second part is the 'Fortress Citizens' Covenant,' which regulates the daily conduct of all fortress citizens. The two overlap, but their focuses are different. Today, we will first discuss the main body of the 'Garrison Military Regulations,' and Tie Zhu, you can draft a draft later for further discussion."

For the next hour or so, the four of them discussed and refined each of Chen Wei's points, clarifying the penalties. Li Shu filled three wooden tablets with notes.

The final agreed-upon "Regulations for the Garrison of Xinghuobao" consisted of twenty articles. In addition to the aforementioned eight bottom lines, it added specific provisions on many aspects such as armor and weapons, barracks, patrols, commands, battle formations, first aid, secrecy, and merits and demerits. The punishments were clear, ranging from whipping, forfeiture of merit points, hard labor, demotion, and imprisonment to beheading and collective punishment, each level progressively higher.

The rain had stopped, and the setting sun streamed in through the window, casting dappled light and shadow on the rough wooden table.

Looking at the clauses that Li Shu had prepared, Chen Xing said in a deep voice, "The military regulations are taking shape. However, the effectiveness of the regulations lies not in the complexity of the text, but in the strictness and fairness of their implementation. Chen Wei."

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Starting tomorrow, the enforcement team will be increased to thirty men, and you will lead it directly. Your primary task is to explain this law to every soldier, every person who might be armed and guarding the fort! Make sure everyone knows it, and understands every single clause! I will personally inspect them three days later!"

"promise!"

"Tiezhu, draft the 'Fortress Citizens' Covenant' within three days. You can gather a few sensible elderly women to discuss it, ensuring it is relevant to people's lives and practically feasible."

"Rest assured, my lord!"

"Wang Jian, the management of the hard labor camp, shall, from this day forward, also strictly adhere to the relevant provisions of military regulations, with slight adjustments. Make him aware that only by obeying the rules and working diligently can he find a way out."

"yes!"

"Li Shu, make several copies of the twenty military regulations discussed today, overnight. Hang one copy at the gate of the stronghold, one copy at the military camp, and one copy with me. Make sure the copying is neat and error-free."

"I'll take care of it right away!"

The group obeyed and left in haste. Chen Xing sat alone at his desk, his fingers lightly tapping the rough wood grain.

He knew that issuing military regulations was far more complex and more likely to provoke resistance than issuing merit orders. Merit orders brought benefits and everyone was happy; military regulations, on the other hand, bound people with rules and discipline, and there would inevitably be growing pains. But an undisciplined army and a group of unruly people could hardly last long in this chaotic world.

Tomorrow, these twenty ironclad rules will be made public. Whether they stand the test and whether they are feasible will be a test of his, and the determination and wisdom of Chen Wei and other implementers.

As the sun sets and dusk settles, smoke rises again from the chimneys within the fortress, mingling with the scent of freshly turned earth. In the distance, on the hillside, workers returning from their day's work carry their tools, their steps weary yet resolute.

The second foundation of Starfire Fortress is about to be laid.