The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 224 The Spread of Fear

The Hexi Camp needs 60,000 taels of silver for military pay each year, and another 10,000 to 20,000 taels of silver for food and fodder. In addition, the cost of gunpowder and lead equipment adds up to nearly 100,000 taels of silver per year.

If the imperial court can distribute military pay and food rations on time, then there is certainly no major problem.

But what if the imperial court can't distribute them on time?

Overall, the imperial court distributed less than 20,000 taels of silver each year.

Ten or twenty thousand taels of silver, eight or nine thousand taels to support three or four hundred servants, and another two or three thousand taels for daily maintenance. A general might only have a few thousand taels left, which might not even be enough for daily social obligations and tributes to his superiors.

A general who has completely laid down his arms doesn't even need to support three or four hundred servants; he only keeps half of them. This not only makes things easier for himself but also allows him to offer more tribute to his superiors and gain their favor.

What if war breaks out?
Recruiting militia to make up the numbers is not enough for field battles, but it is sufficient for defending cities. This is the situation in most places, especially in the southeast, where there are no enemies. Maintaining order is enough with the yamen runners and local big families. The local big families are an extension of the imperial court that helps stabilize the region.

While other generals only had a few thousand men, I, a guerrilla general, supported 2,500 men, all of whom were trained as elite soldiers. There were as many as 300 cavalrymen alone, each equipped with two horses, plus a huge wagon corps of horses and livestock.

Therefore, I have always been loyal to the imperial court and sincerely hope that the court can take over.

With an annual stipend of 100,000 taels of silver, one is guaranteed to go wherever the court directs. If the court is ever displeased, a single transfer order can effectively demote one from a position of power.

But who is the imperial court? Who is the imperial court?

Wang Xin really wished someone would come out and say that they were the imperial court, but unfortunately the imperial court is the imperial court, and the imperial court is not anyone else.

The annual revenue of the Hexi market reaches nine thousand taels of silver. With the rent from the Hexi camp, it can accumulate nearly ten thousand taels of silver a year. The grain and fodder that Daizhou can supply each year is worth more than one thousand taels of silver.

As the combat system of the Hexi Battalion became more and more sophisticated, its expenses also increased.

The Hexi Camp wasn't short of money; rather, all its money had been converted into assets.

For example, there are several hundred horses and several hundred head of livestock, which are worth twenty to thirty thousand taels of silver. There are also several hundred sets of iron armor and two thousand sets of cotton armor, which are worth another twenty thousand taels of silver. In total, the fixed assets of the Hexi Camp are no less than one hundred thousand taels of silver.

The current deficit is as high as 60,000 to 70,000 taels of silver per year, while the public treasury of the Hexi Camp has less than 30,000 taels of silver. In addition, the military pay and food allowance from the imperial court are only enough to barely sustain the camp for one year. If there is no improvement next year, the Hexi Camp will go bankrupt.

In the past, Datong belonged to the imperial court, and the Shanyu tribe and Dabansheng region also belonged to the imperial court. Even if Wang Xin saw an opportunity, he could not take action.

Regarding trade, Wang Xin believed in his own judgment; even if it wasn't top-tier in this era, it was certainly among the best.

Wang Xin considered the trade in Southeast Asian specialty products such as rhinoceros horn, agate, coral, jewelry, and gemstones to be negative, while the trade in Southeast Asian spice specialty products was considered positive.

Wang Xin considered the trade in special products such as horses, cattle, sheep, animal hides, and ox horns along the northern border to be positive.

Horses can increase the society's transportation capacity and the speed of information dissemination, cattle and sheep can provide food for humans, animal hides can provide warmth for humans, and cattle horns can be used to make weapons. These resources are very important to society.

Compared to the current national conditions, geographical features, and commodity characteristics of the Great Zhou, the North is the region where the Great Zhou truly needs to deepen trade, rather than overseas trade.

Because trade in the north and the Great Zhou Dynasty were truly complementary, they could achieve a virtuous cycle of development.

The North has what the Great Zhou needs, and the Great Zhou also has what the North needs; both are local specialties of both sides, ensuring a sustainable supply.

Wang Xin would never have disrupted a stable and harmonious society, even if he had his own ideas. However, the Shanyu tribe and Daban Sheng were about to cause trouble, so Wang Xin had no choice but to take action. They struck first, so he was simply retaliating, which was perfectly justified and his right.

The combined strength of Dabansheng and the Shanyu tribe was indeed formidable, but who says war is about numbers?

Although you have fewer troops, you have your own advantages. The game is about using your advantages to counter the opponent's weaknesses, while avoiding having your weaknesses attacked. The first step is to disrupt the opponent's plans.

soon.

The garrison commanders and assistant commanders of the five prefectures and counties of Shuozhou, Mayi, Shanyin, Yingzhou, and Zuoyun all arrived at Yanmen Pass, except for the garrison commander of Weiyuan Pass.

No one knew what Wang Xin was planning, but no one dared to offend him. He had even overthrown Feng Yong and been promoted, and now led a circuit. Although the official document from the court had not yet been issued, no one suspected that Wang Xin was lying.

Many people, on the contrary, knew that this matter was true. For example, Zhang Wenjin knew that not only Wang Xin had people in the court, but many others did as well.

With this understanding, Wang Xin's request was relatively simple: he only wanted to lead the Hexi Camp to Tuanshankou. The generals at Tuanshankou dared not object, and the generals along the route would certainly not object either.

Even if they objected, it was useless; Feng Yong's Ironclad Warriors had all failed.

The local garrison commanders lead local militias who are usually lazy in guarding the city. It seems like a pointless task, but it is actually very important. Even if Zhang Wenjin is dissatisfied, they can argue with him.

When Wang Xin led his army away from Yanmen Pass and headed towards Tuanshankou, many people were watching, wondering what he was going to do.

"Is he going on a distant expedition?"

Zhang Wenjin frowned and guessed.

Zhai Wen couldn't figure it out either. After thinking hard for a long time, he shook his head and said, "This person is not reckless and won't act recklessly."

Zhang Wenjin did not want Wang Xin to go on the expedition. Compared to Hu Liyong's increasingly arrogant and domineering behavior, Wang Xin was actually much more "sensible" and at least acted within the rules, which was reassuring.

Thinking of this, Zhang Wenjin couldn't help but instruct, "Go to Tuanshankou and see him."

Zhai Wen and Wang Xin had a good relationship, and Zhang Wenjin believed that sending Zhai Wen to Tuanshankou had already demonstrated his sincerity. He understood the court's intentions.

According to Li Chengxian, Zhang Jifu believed that he could not handle the current situation in Datong, so he should prioritize stability and appease Ouyanhu and the Shanyu tribe. When he saw the letter, Zhang Wenjin admitted that he was indeed relieved.

But the ensuing shame made Zhang Wenjin feel insulted.

On what basis did Zhang Jifu believe he couldn't handle it? With his final conclusion, although not explicitly stated, the court had no secrets. Bearing such a reputation would ruin his future.

For several days, Zhang Wenjin was torn between two options. He wanted to take the plunge, but he couldn't help but worry. He also found it hard to swallow his pride to follow Zhang Jifu's advice.

Wang Xin's actions gave Zhang Wenjin a glimmer of hope. What if this man really succeeded? Even if he didn't completely resolve the issue, a heavy blow to the Hu people would be beneficial for his subsequent efforts to appease them.

What he was most worried about was that this person would act recklessly and fail to strike at the Hu people, while suffering heavy losses himself. This would be detrimental to him, so Zhang Wenjin had to be cautious.

Zhai Wen did not hesitate and set off for Tuanshan that afternoon.

When they arrived at Tuanshan, they found nothing; the Hexi Camp had already left the pass.

"So fast?"

Zhai Wen was incredulous and muttered, "Wang Xin, what exactly do you want to do?"
-
The grasslands have no boundaries, and each tribe tacitly divides its territory. If there is no tacit understanding, then fighting will follow, just like fighting for water in the inland areas. The difference is that there is more fighting on the grasslands, which is full of disorder.

The area between Shanyu City and Tuanshan Pass, and the area closer to Tuanshan Pass, is called Tu Mao Chuan.

Places without people are nameless, places with people are famous. Since they are famous, it means there are people there. People there means the land is fertile, and the land can support people.

"The Chanyu said that the Great Zhou is currently out of power and does not have the strength to launch a distant expedition to the Hetao region. Trade this year will not be affected, and after an agreement is reached in Hetao, the events of last month will not happen again."

A junior Taiji explained this to his subordinate leaders to reassure them.

"really?"

Upon hearing Taiji's words, everyone inquired.

The market is open twice a year, once in the first half and once in the second half. They suffered huge losses in the first half of the year. The Zhou people are so hateful. Everyone is angry and wants to see the Zhou people suffer.

“Our cattle, sheep, horses, animal hides, and horns are all needed by the Zhou people. As long as we don’t sell them to them privately, they will have to pay a high price. The Khan said that from now on, all border trade at Tuanshan will be handed over to our Chanyu.”

That Taiji said happily, "Other tribes that need to trade at Tuanshan Pass also need to go through our Shanyu tribe."

"The Khan is so generous."

People sighed.

“With the Khan’s leadership, our good days are coming,” the Taiji agreed. The Khan was planning a northern expedition and was recruiting men. The Taiji couldn’t help but consider whether he should join, but unfortunately, the Chanyu didn’t seem very enthusiastic.

Taiji didn't quite understand.

The Khan offered the Chanyu such great benefits, so why wasn't the Chanyu more enthusiastic?

Once the Khan conquers the Hu people, there will be no need for arduous trade anymore. Under the Khan's leadership, just as he said, they are born warriors, born to bully others, and enslaving others is what they are meant to do.

Taiji kept in mind the words he had heard in Osaka.

When Taiji saw the Zhou girls during the trade at Tuanshan Pass, he was struck by their fair and delicate appearance. He only saw them once, but he could never forget them. This was the kind of woman he thought he was talking about.

As everyone was happily fantasizing and imagining a bright future...

"Bahhhhh."

On a distant hillside, several hundred heavy cavalrymen slowly advanced toward the tribe.

Once they could clearly see the tribe, the knights began to speed up. The closer they got to the tribe, the faster they moved. By the time they were almost there, the cavalry had reached their peak speed.

The earth-shaking tremors brought by heavily armored cavalry were unmatched in their power.

The tribe had already discovered the enemy and there was no time to evacuate. The able-bodied men of the tribe hurriedly mounted their horses to meet the enemy, while the women led the elderly and weak to pack up their tents, hoping to seize the opportunity to escape.

"Enemy attack!"

Taiji, who had been indulging in fantasies not long ago, had already rushed over with his men.

More than a hundred Hu cavalrymen assembled in an instant, their movements were indeed swift. Carrying their own weapons, the Hu cavalrymen were not afraid to protect their families, even though they did not know where the enemy came from.

Before long, more and more Hu people saw the enemy clearly, and some began to shout in terror: "Ironclad Warriors!"

Fear quickly spread.

(End of this chapter)