Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 377 Military Rations (Part 3)

"time to eat!"

The ordinary soldiers in Bohai City were also eating dinner.

They had no idea that the Pei family army, twenty miles away, was eating hot, fragrant rice with cured meat and vegetables. Dinner was brought from the kitchen by a junior leader, and dozens of men rushed over, only to find cold, dry flatbread, and they all complained and grumbled.

"They make us risk our lives on the city walls all day long! But they don't even let us eat our fill or have a proper meal. How can we have the strength to fight like this!"

"Alright, stop complaining! At least these mixed grain pancakes don't smell bad, and each person can get two. If it weren't for the war, we'd only get one pancake per meal."

"Eat these if you're really desperate. I heard that the General eats eighteen dishes at every meal, and every plate is full of meat."

"I've heard that the Pei family army eats three full meals a day, and often has meat. General Pei eats with his soldiers!"

"What did you two say! If you dare to utter another word and disrupt morale, I'll chop you both down with one stroke!"

The squad leader, his face dark, berated the complaining soldier, spewing out profanities and even threateningly drawing his knife.

The two ordinary soldiers dared not utter another sound. They took the dry bread to the brazier, softened it slightly, tore it open, and stuffed it into their mouths.

Both of them were originally ordinary farmers who were forcibly "conscripted" into the Bohai Navy a few years ago while working in the fields. General Zhang was relatively generous to his trusted subordinates and beloved generals, but he was extremely harsh on ordinary soldiers. It was common for them to go hungry and cold.

They had no desire to fight, nor did they want to risk their lives against the fierce and powerful Pei family army. Their greatest dream was to escape the army and return home.

Unfortunately, Bohai County has sealed off the city, and it's unknown how long this battle will last. Most likely, they will be killed by an arrow from Pei's army at some unknown time, or have their heads chopped off, falling silently and forever atop the city walls.

Such a pessimistic and depressed mood quietly spread.

The junior officers' dinners were different. Besides flatbread, they had a bowl of stewed meat and a bowl of hot soup. They could eat until their mouths were greasy. It could be said that they were the people General Zhang truly relied on. During battles, the junior officers were responsible for supervising the fighting, and if any soldier dared to retreat, the junior officers would immediately cut him down with a sword.

The Bohai Army barely managed to defend the city gates thanks to their strict supervision.

Inside the Zhang residence, the dining hall, with seven or eight charcoal braziers burning, was warm and cozy. Several beautiful and graceful maids served General Zhang, offering him hot towels and hot water to wash his hands.

Looking at the dining table again, it was indeed piled high with food; counting the plates, there were at least fourteen or fifteen dishes. This was just an ordinary dinner for General Zhang.

What kind of general wouldn't drink the blood of his soldiers and indulge in greedy pleasures?
General Zhang was in a bad mood. After eating a few bites, he threw down his chopsticks and called over a shrewd-looking middle-aged scholar: "How much grain is left in the city? How long will it last?"

This middle-aged scholar, surnamed Zhou, had passed the imperial examination and become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations). Ten years ago, he became a staff member of General Zhang, specifically in charge of military provisions for General Zhang.

Zhou's advisor responded cautiously: "Reporting to the General, the camp originally had about half a year's worth of military rations. Now, with daily battles and the soldiers having to exert themselves, the food is better than usual, and the rations are being consumed quickly. Half of the stockpiled rations have already been eaten. Even if we eat sparingly, the remaining half will only last for about two months."

Even with rationing, the daily rations for 80,000 Bohai Navy soldiers would still be enormous. The so-called "half a year's worth of rations" was just a figure that meant they would be given two dry biscuits a day in peacetime.

During wartime, at least four supplies a day would be issued! The rate at which food was consumed was truly alarming.

General Zhang grew increasingly agitated: "The Pei family army has adopted a siege-like posture, and they've been holding out in this stalemate, refusing to retreat. Their military rations are probably running low. We need to send people to procure more rations as soon as possible."

Zhou's advisor immediately accepted the order and withdrew to make arrangements.

The Bohai Army's food supplies came from three sources. First, the grain delivered annually by the counties under its jurisdiction; second, the grain "offered" by wealthy households; and third, if that wasn't enough, they would have to "seek" from the homes of ordinary people.

Zhou's advisor summoned several low-ranking military officers and assigned them the task of procuring military provisions. The officers immediately beamed with joy.

Gathering military provisions would allow them to openly leave the camp, loot everywhere, and even indulge in some unrestrained pleasure. All the looted grain would be handed over, and the gold and silver would be theirs. This was a top-notch job. They each selected two hundred men and left the city through two different gates.

……

"General, the Bohai Navy has left the city in several waves."

Sun Cheng strode into Pei Qinghe's military tent and reported with bright eyes, "There are three groups of people in total, each group consisting of about two or three hundred men. They should be going to procure military provisions."

The Pei family army was not strong enough to besiege Bohai County; its main force was outside the south gate. Outside the other two gates, there were people secretly watching them.

Pei Qinghe received the news as soon as the Bohai Navy made its move.

Sun Cheng was eager to try and whispered, "Please send me some men, General, and I will take them to wipe them out right away."

"Don't make a move yet, wait a bit." Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed: "Wait until they return with the military rations before we act. Then we can kill people and rob the rations."

"This task is entrusted to you. Make sure not a single grain of rice enters Bohai City."

Sun Cheng is a veteran general who has been through many battles. In terms of experience, skills and ability to lead troops, he is an outstanding person and has always been highly valued and trusted by Pei Qinghe.

Sun Cheng immediately bowed and accepted the order.

Pei Qinghe then said, "Go and count two thousand people."

Sun Cheng's spirits lifted, and he once again bowed and accepted.

The Pei family army grew stronger day by day, with an ever-increasing number of soldiers. The army was still organized into battalions of one hundred men each, and corps of ten battalions. Only a handful of men in the Pei family army could command two thousand soldiers; besides Pei Yun and Pei Yan, there was also Sun Cheng.

Sun Cheng mustered two thousand soldiers, each carrying about ten days' worth of military rations, and they set out quietly under the cover of night.

In the following days, Pei Qinghe continued to send people to wage war of words and attack the city every day.

On the sixth day, Sun Cheng and his men returned with a large quantity of captured military rations.

The crowd was both excited and relieved. On the way to the main army, the Bohai Navy had burned their supplies. Now, the tables had turned, and it was their turn to steal the Bohai Navy's provisions.

Sun Cheng did not exaggerate, but told everyone the truth: "The Bohai Navy's combat strength is mediocre. We charged back and forth a few times, and they were scattered. I killed a few of the leaders, and the rest knelt down and begged for mercy or fled."

They won the battle in such a simple, unpretentious way.

They brought back a large amount of military rations, as well as more than a hundred prisoners.

All the military rations were moved to the warehouse.

Pei Yan eagerly volunteered: "Hand over the prisoners to me, and I will find out the details of the Bohai Navy."

Pei Qinghe glanced at Pei Yan: "I'll spare their lives; I still have a use for them."

Pei Yan grinned and nodded.

(End of this chapter)