Usurpation of Mongolia: My father-in-law is Genghis Khan

Chapter 104 The Eight Banners of the Han Army, with many brave generals!
The next day, Zhang Rou was appointed as the magistrate of Dingxing County of the Mongol Empire, and Qiao Weizhong was appointed as the county lieutenant to guard Dingxing City.

Although the Mongols would not leave troops in any city, the necessary political order must remain.

Otherwise, these cities would become a power vacuum, and the lower limits of those rural tycoons would be lower than the most evil and corrupt imperial court, and countless human tragedies would occur.

The good reputation established by the Mongols will also be greatly reduced.

In addition, another important reason was to pay tribute to Mongolia.

If the Mongols did not leave troops there, these places would definitely be recaptured by the Jin Dynasty.

There were too many people serving the Mongols. As long as the Jin emperor didn't have a brain attack and wanted to force all of them to rebel and destroy the country immediately, there would be no large-scale retaliation. However, it is entirely feasible for the Jin court to "only punish the main culprits and ignore the accomplices."

For people like Zhang Rou and Qiao Weizhong who were granted official positions by the Mongols, there is now no turning back.

In fact, Zhao Shuo had specifically instructed his generals that when attacking cities, they must tie useful talents to the Mongolian chariots.

Zhang Rou also understood this logic.

He had no complaints about the appointment.

After all, killing officials and rebelling was his own choice; no one forced him. He was chivalrous and righteous, and was willing to serve as the magistrate of Dingxing County to maintain peace in the area.

Besides, is it possible that he could defect to the Jin or Song Kingdom again?
Follow Lu Bu and become a slave of three surnames?
Since you have already surrendered to Mongolia, you should serve Mongolia wholeheartedly.

Immediately, Zhang Rou devoted all his efforts to doing his job as the magistrate of Dingxing County.

Within a month, Zhang Rou, leveraging his title as county magistrate and his own prestige, consolidated all forces within Dingxing County. His army reached over 12,000 men, and as long as the Mongol army remained within Hebei, Dingxing County would remain as secure as Mount Tai.

Half a month later, Zhang Rou was recruited to Zhending Prefecture, Zhao Shuo's headquarters.

"Zhang Rou, the Magistrate of Dingxing County, pays homage to the Prince Consort!"

Zhang Rou, 28 years old, is a sturdy man with broad shoulders, a thick back, and sturdy limbs. His skin is bronzed, and a few faint scars can be seen on his cheeks, perhaps from fighting to uphold justice. His eyes are piercing, and he exudes an air of heroism and determination.

"No need to be polite, take a seat!"

"Yes."

Zhao Shuo said, "According to Genghis Khan's decree, whoever gathers the surrendered people will be his subordinate. So, now you are my direct subordinate, do you understand?"

"I understand, and I am willing to die for you, my Lord!" Zhang Rou said without hesitation.

Zhao Shuo continued, "You know, we Mongols never leave soldiers in cities. We must leave. How many soldiers can you take with us?"

Zhang Rou asked, "May I ask, Prince Consort, if these soldiers follow you, will they be considered civilians or slaves? Will they be herding sheep on the grasslands or farming on the plains? Can they bring their families with them?"

Zhao Shuo nodded approvingly at Zhang Rou and said, "You asked three questions without hesitation. It seems you've been preparing for a rainy day. This Prince Consort can now clearly tell you: you are of course my subjects, not my slaves. You may bring your families with you, and I will not ask you to herd sheep on the grasslands."

After a pause, Zhao Shuo smiled coldly and said, "Although we Mongols will definitely withdraw, the war has come to this point. How can the Jin Kingdom not shed some blood?"

Zhang Rou's face lit up with joy. "Then I can take three thousand men and their families with you."

"So many?" Zhao Shuo was slightly stunned.

The Han people are the most attached to their land, even more so in ancient times. He had also questioned some newly appointed county magistrates, and found that some could only lead 300 to 400 men, some 500 to 600, and the largest was no more than 1,000. He had never expected that Zhang Rou would have such a skill.

Zhang Rou, however, somewhat misunderstood Zhao Shuo's intention and said, "After capturing Dingxing City, those militiamen were given enough food to feed their families for several years. Honestly, these people have probably never had enough to eat in their entire lives. When the Jin court returns, they will surely collect food from them."

They will soon be eaten by your mouth, how can they bear to leave? Naturally they are willing to go with you."

Zhao Shuo said, "The most important thing is that you have a very high prestige in Dingxing. The people trust you and are willing to follow you."

"Not only believe in me, but also believe in you, my Prince Consort, and believe in the Mongolian court."

Fearing that Zhao Shuo might not want to recruit so many men, Zhang Rou quickly added, "These men are determined to join the Mongols, and their loyalty is unquestionable. Although their fighting ability is not strong, please trust me, Your Majesty. Within a year, I will be able to train them into an elite force for your command."

"That's great," Zhao Shuo said. "Go back and ask Gerile for some horses, mules, oxen, and other things, to get 10,000 of them. Then ask him for 3,000 carts. When you get back, have these people prepare to move."

"Thank you, Prince Consort!"

In theory, Zhao Shuo agreed to accept these 3,000 people, and Zhang Rou was very satisfied as he had given an explanation to his neighbors.

Unexpectedly, there was a surprise.

Zhao Shuo said, "In addition, I will transfer 7,000 soldiers from various directions to join your army. Your original 3,000 men will be considered your main force, and I will never split them unless it is an emergency. I have the right to mobilize these other 7,000 men at any time. Do you understand?"

"clear."

"very good."

Zhao Shuo stood up and said sternly, "From today on, you, Zhang Rou, will be one of the Wan Hu under my command."

"I am willing to die for your majesty!"

Zhang Rou knelt on the ground and paid homage.

If the first "I am willing to die for the prince consort" he said today was a normal response between superiors and subordinates, then this "I am willing to die for the prince consort" was sincere and came from the heart.

There's nothing I can do. I got promoted too quickly.

Less than two months ago, Zhang Rou was a mere "commander" in charge of 500 men in the Jin Kingdom. Not only was this "commander" position worthless, but it was also a temporary appointment by the Dingxing County Magistrate, who was lazy and lazy. Whether the Jin court recognized it or not was unclear.

Now he surrendered to Mongolia and first served as the magistrate of Dingxing County. Later, he was directly appointed by Zhao Shuo as the commander of the Han army, with an army of 10,000 under his command.

The Jin Kingdom wouldn’t even exchange this power for a prefect!

"I never thought that Mongolia would be so generous not only in giving out money but also in giving out official positions! I was right to join the Mongols!"

Zhang Rou's blood is boiling right now.

Although he had a vague feeling in his heart that not all Mongolian nobles were so generous, perhaps only this prince consort Zhao Shuo, who had Han ancestry, was so generous.

But, what is the difference?

His current master is Zhao Shuo!
The words "I am willing to die for your majesty" were so passionate and powerful.

Time passed slowly, and in the blink of an eye, it was three months later. Zhao Shuo's army had swept through all the cities in Hebei.

A total of more than 107,000 taels of gold, 1.23 million taels of silver, and 6.57 million strings of cash were obtained.

Thirty-five thousand six hundred pieces of various precious silks and satins.

860,000 pieces of ordinary new silk cloth.

There are more than 400,000 livestock including horses, mules, donkeys, sheep, etc.

Two hundred and seventy thousand shi of grain.

That’s right, it’s a full 270,000 shi of grain.

Although the Mongols didn't prioritize food collection, the disparity between the rich and poor was enormous. The wealthy had enough food to last them nearly ten years, while the poor had to sell their children and daughters, leaving them with nothing to eat or wear. Zhao Shuo simply had someone collect some food, and it resulted in such a terrifying figure.

Of course, Zhao Shuo’s biggest gain was that he had an army mainly composed of Han people under his command.

On this day, outside the city of Zhending.

A high platform was erected for commanding generals.

Zhao Shuo, the son-in-law of the Mongol Empire, the hereditary head of five thousand households and the head of ten thousand households, climbed up to the bottom of the high platform under the escort of a hundred black cavalrymen.

Beneath the high platform, flags fluttered, banners flown, and 80,000 soldiers stood in awe.

Among them, Zhao Shuo's original subordinates numbered 36,000, and the newly recruited Han troops numbered 45,000.

Including the 20,000 soldiers of the Baru Camp outside Zhongdu City, the total number of troops under Zhao Shuo's command exceeded 100,000.

If it were in other dynasties, this would have been enough power to conquer the world.

Today is the day when Zhao Shuo presents the flag to the Han army under his command.

"Guo Baoyu!"

"exist!"

With the sound of heavy footsteps, Guo Baoyu, dressed neatly, stepped onto the platform.

Zhao Shuo said, "Guo Baoyu, you were instrumental in seizing the gate at Huihe Fort, and you also made significant contributions during our army's conquest of Hebei. Today, I grant you the rank of Commander-in-Chief of the Zhenghong Banner of the Han Army!"

After he finished speaking, he took a bright red flag from behind and handed it to Guo Baoyu.

"Thank you, Prince Consort! I, Guo Baoyu, a commander of the Han army's Red Banner, am willing to die for you, Prince Consort!"

Guo Baoyu knelt on one knee and took the red flag.

Then he stood up, raised the red flag, waved it towards the people below the platform, and said: "The Han army's red flag, everlasting victory!"

"Han army's red flag, everlasting victory!"

"Han army's red flag, everlasting victory!"

……

Ten thousand soldiers of the Zhenghong Banner shouted in unison, their voices shaking the sky!
Then, Zhang Rou came on stage and took down a Zhenglan flag.

Zhang Rou was granted the position of commander of the Zhenglan Banner of the Han Army under Zhao Shuo.

The next person to come on stage was Shi Tianni.

Unlike Guo Baoyu and Zhang Rou who still needed Zhao Shuo to replenish their troops, Shi Tianni brought an army of 10,000 when he came to Zhao Shuo.

Indeed, Shi Bingzhi had only 800 private soldiers under his command, and they had already surrendered to Zhao Shuo.

However, the influence of historians in Yongqing is too deeply rooted.

Shi Bingzhi's grandfather was named Shi Lun, and his family was very wealthy.

When Yongqing suffered a severe disaster, Shi Lun directly took out 80,000 shi of grain to provide disaster relief and rescue the people.

Eighty thousand stones!

According to the weight in later generations, it would be at least 10 million kilograms.

Even in later generations, it is still a dizzying number.

In this way, although the entire Yongqing suffered a great disaster, no one starved to death.

After Shi Lun passed away, the people, grateful for his merits, spontaneously organized more than 40 "Qingle Societies", each with a thousand households.

By the time of Shi Bingzhi's father, Shi Chenggui, he naturally became the leader of these 40,000 households. He was kind and generous, and when a disaster struck, he, like Shi Lun, took out the grain from his home to help the poor people.

After decades of operation, historians have truly become a popular force in Yongqing.

Now, Zhao Shuo swept through Hebei, and Shi Bingzhi surrendered to Mongolia. Shi Tianni made a call, and the members of the "Qingle Society" responded in unison. They easily gathered 10,000 strong men, killed the county magistrate, and joined Zhao Shuo's army.

Zhao Shuo simply appointed Shi Tianni as the commander of the Zhenghuang Banner of the Han army under his command.

The fourth person to come on stage was named Yan Shi.

Yan Shi was from Changqing County, which belonged to Shandong in later administrative divisions, but in this era, it belonged to Hebei.

This person also belongs to the second type of local tyrants. Although his family does not have much money, he is kind and generous, and likes to fight for justice. Because Yan Shi fought for justice too much, he offended too many wealthy people and was imprisoned many times.

This time when the Mongols attacked, Yan Shi made a call from a high place, and immediately three thousand people responded and surrendered to Zhao Shuo.

Yan Shi also made great contributions to Zhao Shuo's attack on Hebei this time.

According to historical records, Yan Shi was one of the most important hereditary marquises of the Han army in the north. He was granted the command of 10,000 soldiers in Dongping Road and had 54 cities under his command.

Zhao Shuo appointed him as the commander of the Black Banner of the Han Army.

According to the Eight Banners system of the Qing Dynasty, he should have been a member of the Plain White Banner. However, Zhao Shuo thought the white banner was too unlucky, so he changed it to the Plain Black Banner.

There were still 5,000 Han troops left, and Zhao Shuo incorporated them into the Han Army's Red Banner.

The flag of the Zhenghongqi is pure red without any borders, while the flag of the Xianghongqi has a red background but is bordered with black.

Because the five thousand households of the Bordered Red Banner had not made enough contributions, Zhao Shuo did not appoint a ten-thousand household, but instead sent two thousand households as representatives to lead the banner.

The first captain was named Dong Jun.

The second captain was named Di Shun.

These two people are also northern Han marquises recorded in historical records, and both were granted the title of Wanhu in history.

Although Dong Jun was not well-known in later generations, his son Dong Wenbing was very famous.

Dong Wenbing was not only a skilled warrior, but also a talented warrior. He served as prime minister of the Yuan Dynasty and was affectionately called "Brother Dong" by Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty.

How could someone who could be called "Big Brother" by the emperor be simple?

"The Han army's Zhenghong Banner (Zhenglan Banner, Zhenghei Banner, Zhenghuang Banner, and Xianghong Banner) are willing to die for the prince consort!"

After the flag-raising ceremony, 45,000 Han army officers and soldiers paid homage together and made oaths as heavy as the mountains and the sea.

They brought their families, left their homes and joined Zhao Shuo's army. They had cut off all their retreat routes and could only offer their complete loyalty to Zhao Shuo!

Zhao Shuo was very excited when he saw it.

Now these Han army soldiers all ride two horses, wear iron armor, and are equipped with heavy iron spears, iron axes, giant shields, divine arm bows and other equipment. With a little training, they will become an elite army.

These Han troops had voluntarily left their homeland with Zhao Shuo; in other words, they were the most adventurous and adventurous people in Hebei. In a sense, Zhao Shuo had already fully commanded the elite troops of Hebei.

These Han army commanders, who were Wanhu and Qianhu, were actually hereditary marquises of the Hebei Han army collected by Zhao Shuo based on historical memories. It can be said that all the famous generals of Hebei were also in Zhao Shuo's hands.

Zhao Shuo gained a lot from this attack on Hebei.

In fact, it was not only Zhao Shuo who was excited.

Moshi Ming'an thought to himself: Prince Consort Zhao Shuo promoted Guo Baoyu to the rank of commander of the Han army's Zhenghong Banner, so what about me? It's just that there aren't many Khitans in Hebei, and my contributions are not enough.

In the future, when the prince consort has more Khitans under his command, and I make great achievements, I might also be able to gain a Khitan household.

Dong Jun and Di Shun looked at each other and saw the competitive look in each other's eyes.

Zhao Shuo asked the two of them to take the Red Banner, which meant that the Red Banner Wanhu would most likely emerge from among them. It all depended on who made the greatest contribution first and got there first.

Moreover, when the prince consort bestowed titles upon the various banners under his command just now, he was referring to the captain of a certain banner, not the leader of a certain banner.

It is very likely that Wanhu and Qizhu are not the same.

Come to think of it, how many colors can a flag have? With such a large Han population, how could there only be tens of thousands of troops?
As long as you make great achievements in the future, you will be successful!

(End of this chapter)