The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 246 Times have changed
The desert.

The north wind howls.

An endless expanse of cattle and sheep, and a continuous line of oxcarts.

The surrounding cavalrymen stared at everyone.

Like migrating animals.

"Khan."

"People brought it."

Several Hu people dressed in animal skins rode horses, followed by Hu people also dressed in animal skins, whose hands were tied together and who were being led by them.

In the distance was a convoy of vehicles carrying the herders' possessions. After more than half a year of migration and conquest, everyone's face was numb, and even Ou Yanhu looked like a savage.

In the harsh environment of nature, amidst fierce and protracted warfare, military operations involving tens of thousands of people and hundreds of thousands of cattle and sheep took place.

Ou Yanhu knew that many people opposed him.

Even those who used to support him have begun to secretly become dissatisfied with him.

Ou Yanhu slowly asked, "Zakhataiji, why did you betray me?"

"Khan, I have not betrayed you."

The man begged for mercy and defended himself.

Ou Yanhu frowned.

Like a tiger.

Ou Yanhu used to have a touch of nobility about him. After living in the Dabansheng area for many years, many Taijis had become complacent and sought stability. Now, Ou Yanhu was weathered and his every move exuded a chilling aura.

"Zhakhataiji".

“Die like an eagle, not a coward. I will despise you, and your people will be ashamed of you.”

Sitting in the chair, Ou Yanhu only looked at the cattle and sheep moving slowly in the distance. Many herdsmen rode horses to keep the cattle and sheep moving in the right direction, without even glancing at the people in front of them.

Hearing Ou Yanhu's tone, he knew he was doomed.

The man became resentful and stopped hiding his true feelings.

"You are a devil!"

"You're inhumanly wealthy and torment everyone."

Zakha felt regretful.

No one had imagined that the northern expedition would be so arduous. It was nothing like the grandeur and passion described by the Khan; it was only a long, endless period of stagnation and torment. People died every day, and people were being killed every day.

From the initial passionate massacre of the Hu people, to the increasing weariness of many.

However, Ou Yanhu's reputation had reached an unprecedented level.

His forces grew stronger and stronger, to the point that they were impossible to resist.

Ou Yanhu looked regretful.

The Great Zhou Dynasty is too powerful.

However, the Great Zhou was also very weak.

To deal with an enemy like the Great Zhou, one must be strong enough to make the Great Zhou despair.

All those who greedily indulge in pleasure can only become nourishment for the tribe's strength.

This northern expedition was not only about conquering the Hu people, but also about purging the internal forces. When the king returned, Ou Yanhu was convinced that he would lead 100,000 iron cavalrymen, who were numb to life, to completely crush Datong and conquer the Great Zhou.

It doesn't matter how many more people die.

"kill him."

As soon as Ou Yanhu finished speaking...

Several warriors then pulled the struggling Zakhar away.

Ou Yanhu glanced at the people around him, and finally looked at a dark-skinned man, revealing a smile.

"Sukh".

Upon hearing the Khan call his name, the dark-skinned man stepped out from the crowd.

He knelt on one knee in front of Ou Yanhu.

"Khan!"

"Go and wipe out Zakhar's tribe."

"Yes!"

The dark-skinned man named Suhe was originally a warrior from the Shenghu tribe. Later, he became loyal to Ouyanhu and gained his favor.

Upon hearing the Khan's order, Sukh carried it out without hesitation.

No one can betray the Khan.

Those who betray will pay the price of having their entire clan wiped out.

Shortly after.

A cavalry force stormed into the camp, killing indiscriminately, regardless of age or gender. Soon, the place became a living hell, and blood stained the desert red. The people around were used to it and remained numb.

Sukh quickly returned to report.

Ou Yanhu remained silent, gazing at the snow-capped mountains on the horizon.

A journey that lasted more than half a year.

He incorporated the various tribes of the Dabansheng region and gathered countless clans. While driving cattle and sheep, he marched north to conquer. He had waited for this for twenty years and was now over forty years old.

Do I have another twenty years?

"Sukh".

"exist."

"Go kill people."

"To conquer all whom you see, to kill all the men, to take their cattle, sheep and horses, and to ride their horses and rape their wives and daughters—that is the greatest undertaking in the world."

Sukh was filled with excitement and couldn't help but shout, "I will definitely become the Khan's most loyal hound and serve him the fattest prey!"

Ou Yanhu smiled with satisfaction.

Although many people opposed him, he also gained more.

Those who oppose me are cowards; their existence is a waste of goat's milk. They should become nourishment for the powerful Hu people instead.

"Sukh, many people oppose my continued northern expedition. They think it's too arduous. Do you think I should continue the campaign?"

"The Khan is not wrong. If the Khan believes in the northern expedition, then we should go on the northern expedition."

Sukh didn't find it hard.

Wasn't it always this hard?

Ou Yanhu patted Su He on the shoulder happily.

When I was in Osaka, September had already started to get cold, and the nights were bitterly cold, but it was still far from what I was experiencing here. Not only had it started to snow, but the north wind was also so strong that it stung my face.

More and more cattle and sheep are dying from disease and freezing.

Many people are worried that next year, the tribe will lack cattle and sheep, and many will go hungry.

Ou Yanhu couldn't help but shake his head.

Work.

That's something Zhou Rencai did.

They, the Hu people, are born to rob.

He never intended for the tribe to continue working; everyone would be a warrior.

They went to rob people of food.

They went to rob it.

You can grab whatever you need.

Once he gets through this phase and washes away the Zhou aura that the tribe has been tainted with, Ou Yanhu reveals a confident smile.

I know Datong too well.

The Hetao region is of no concern; it's just a temporary concession to others.

Those tribes helped him graze the livestock, and when he returned, they became his food.

I was reminded of Mo Bisheng.

This person was, after all, a Zhou man, and his heart yearned for work. He turned the once beautiful Hetao region into a place where people only thought about working and herding, and were greedy for a comfortable life.

Congratulations, Khan!

Sudden.

Several leaders rushed over from a distance.

The guards around them recognized them, and the Khan did not order them to stop them, so he let them pass.

They dismounted some distance away and trotted along.

"Khan, we encountered a large tribe by a great river. We wiped them out, captured several hundred of them, and obtained a lot of supplies, which we brought back to present to you, Khan."

"Yes, you did a great job."

Ou Yanhu praised.

Half of all the spoils of plunder went to the Khan, and the other half went to himself.

This is a rule set by Ou Yanhu.

It is loved by many people.

"Zakha is dead."

A tent.

The Taijis looked ashen-faced.

Ou Yanhu poisoned Mo Bisheng, annexed Mo Bisheng's tribe, and proclaimed himself Khan.

Relying on their control of the Dabansheng area, they eventually led tens of thousands of people, along with the area's savings accumulated over many years and hundreds of thousands of cattle and sheep, in a desperate gamble, without considering the future supply of materials.

"If we had known that Ou Yanhu was so ruthless, we shouldn't have supported him in the first place."

The Taiji was annoyed. He must have been out of his mind at the time.

When Mo Bi Sheng Taiji was alive, life in the Daban Sheng area was quite stable. Although there were many threats, it was still a relatively normal life.

"late."

"We should avoid provoking the Khan in the future, or we will end up like Zakhar."

A Taiji gave a wry smile.

The various tribes of the Hu people in the desert.

The largest tribes we encountered had only two or three thousand people; most tribes had only a few dozen or a few hundred people.

Faced with an enemy like Ou Yanhu, the various tribes of the Shenghu were no match.

Although it has been less than a year.

Not only has the desert changed, but the tens of thousands of Hu people from Daban have also changed. Many of their Taiji have been eliminated, but many others have been promoted.

If the Shenghu tribe is successfully eliminated, not only will slaves be obtained, but also resources and the Khan's approval will be gained.

These individual gains, though a drop in the ocean compared to the overall expenditure, are something to be overjoyed for those who have risen from the bottom.

More and more madmen gathered around Ou Yanhu.

These people don't care about other people's lives, nor do they care about their own.

They regarded Ou Yanhu's words as gospel truth.

Now that things have come to this, no one can restrain Ou Yanhu, so no matter how unwilling they are, no one dares to go against Ou Yanhu's wishes.

"According to news from the rear, the general named Wang Xin has returned to Datong."

"What good will it do if he comes back?"

Everyone knew Wang Xin, and many people had seen him before.

Although this person brought down Fatty Feng, his strength was no match for Fatty Feng's.

Given the current rate at which Ou Yanhu's strength is expanding, let alone Wang Xin, even at his strongest, Feng Pangzi wouldn't be a match for him now.

Previously, the Osaka Shobu tribe claimed to have 100,000 archers, but in reality, most of them were just filling a quota.

Moreover, since everyone is fighting their own battles, no one will fight to the death; at most, they'll just put on a show of strength.

It's different now.

Even with all the resentment towards Ou Yanhu, one has to admit that Ou Yanhu's control is far beyond what others can match.

A Taiji remarked, "It seems that Ouyanhu really might be able to do it."

Everyone was silent.

Yes.

In any case, Ou Yanhu is much better than them.

This is also why no one dared to resist, because there were indeed many people supporting Ou Yanhu.

He wasn't the only one who advocated for the theory of plunder.

"Let's wait and see. In any case, we can't go against the Khan's wishes."

Everyone nodded.

No one wants to die.
-
It's a sin to sell perfectly good cattle and sheep to merchants at such a low price.

The construction of Zhenlu City no longer required so many people. After several months of hard work, one or two thousand selected disaster victims built a simple earthen city from the ground.

Although it is not completely finished, there are only some repairs and maintenance left.

The time began when contracts were signed, pastures were divided, and cattle and sheep were distributed.

These cattle and sheep belong to the trading company and were lent to disaster victims.

Chiershan is changing every day, full of opportunities, and attracts many people.

"Those who don't want to serve in the military anymore."

"Brothers who want a peaceful life."

There's no need for anyone to feel embarrassed.

“We are comrades-in-arms, brothers who entrust their lives to each other, brothers closer than blood brothers, so there is no need to hide anything you want.”

The officers gathered their men and relayed the latest news.

Soldiers who have participated in more than a year of war can apply to leave the army. After leaving the army, they will be assigned to pastureland in the area outside Weiyuan Pass, specifically the Tu Mao Chuan area closest to Weiyuan Pass.

Not only that, cattle and sheep were also distributed to the soldiers for free.

Hearing the officer's introduction, many soldiers were moved, while others were worried.

"If we all leave, what will happen to the general?"

"Yes, General, this is the time when you need men. If we leave now, we will be letting you down."

“I’m not leaving. Over the years, only the general has treated us like human beings. Anyone who leaves now is betraying the general,” someone cursed.

Qi Shannian stopped the soldier who was swearing.

"This is the general's suggestion, taking full consideration of the brothers. Not everyone is willing to be a soldier."

Upon hearing Qi Shan's words, everyone fell silent, and the atmosphere gradually became quiet.

The general never talked about grand principles; instead, he constantly talked about interests, and in his actions, he truly cared for them meticulously.

For these poor people.

There are quite a few people willing to join the army and risk their lives as long as they are paid.

However, no one was truly willing to risk their lives.

Everyone was willing to risk their lives for the general. As for some of the things the general said, although everyone agreed with them, which of those wealthy families, including the so-called scholars, actually did it?

Why do they not care about anything?

But the consequences are borne by the poor themselves?

Having traveled far and wide, eliminating Japanese pirates and pacifying barbarians, the soldiers were well-informed and saw through the ways of the world; none of them were willing to risk their lives for it.

Where did the Hu people get their iron tools?
It was given to them by wealthy individuals through smuggling.

How did the Hu people come to enjoy such good times?

It was given to them by wealthy individuals through smuggling.

Why did the Hu people grow so powerful?
Opportunities created by big players.

Although the general's reasoning was correct, no one was interested; everyone was only grateful for the general's kindness.

If the general asked them to fight for him, they would absolutely not hesitate.

But no one was interested in asking them to fight for the sake of the powerful families of the so-called Great Zhou.

As for the troubles caused by the Hu?

Screw Hu Huan.

never mind.

Now that the general has given them other options, many of them are unwilling to serve in the army anymore, but they are too embarrassed to say so and feel sorry for the general.

"Ugh."

"What a damn world."

Someone stomped their foot.

The crowd started cursing again.

In the end, four or five hundred people were willing to leave the army.

Many people are unhappy.

Wang Xin did hold a farewell banquet for them.

"Out with the old, in with the new; besides, we can't forget our brothers when we get benefits." Wang Xin didn't seem to care.

Efficiency and cost.

The biggest advantage of the Hu cavalry and the Japanese pirates was that they had no cost.

Because being so poor that you have nothing is essentially gambling with your life, dying would not cause any loss; on the contrary, it would lessen your burden.

However, the Hu cavalry were different from the Japanese pirates.

The Japanese pirates were engaged in counterinsurgency operations.

The Hu cavalry employed guerrilla warfare tactics.

The former can be dealt with by militia, while the latter requires a real army, and soldiers who can ride horses.

In the context of the Great Zhou's lifestyle, those who could ride horses were considered elite.

Costs were crushed by Hu Qi.

This is the greatest advantage of the Hu cavalry.

A good opponent can bring about positive changes; a bad opponent can only helplessly follow along and become worse.

Faced with an opponent like the Hu cavalry, Wang Xin had no other choice but to reduce costs in order to defeat them. Therefore, military reform was urgently needed.

A large number of low-cost soldiers are needed to deal with the Hu cavalry.

Therefore, Wang Xin understood the Ming Dynasty's garrison system.

With a single command, hundreds of thousands of cheap soldiers could march north.

It's important to understand that at that time, the Mongols had only been overthrown by Zhu Yuanzhang; in other regions, the Mongols still ruled, and their territory and population far exceeded those of the Ming Dynasty.

Tang Ping's use of the militia was also tacitly approved by Wang Xin.

Militia members should also go to the battlefield and serve as soldiers.

In the era of cold weapons, this approach would certainly not have worked, but the advent of the matchlock gun reversed the disadvantages of the militia.

After just three months of training, the militia will possess considerable combat capability.

Agricultural societies acquired cheap, combat-ready soldiers, negating the advantage of the nomadic cavalry. On the contrary, agricultural societies had a continuous advantage in manpower, enabling them to easily defeat the nomadic cavalry.

"Times have changed."

Wang Xin sighed with emotion.

(End of this chapter)