Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 124 The Armored Battalion! (Please read 4k words)

Recruiting soldiers outside is in full swing.

While they were worrying about the situation, Han Ji and Xi Zhong were also building new camps on a large scale.

The training ground could accommodate 7,000 soldiers, but if all 7,000 soldiers were crammed together on the training ground, they would be unable to move at all, and daily training would be out of the question.

Therefore, Zhang Xian ordered the construction of a new military camp north of the edge of Luqi County, near the main stream of the Hutuo River, which also conveniently included the forging workshop for military crafts.

North of Luqi City, on the banks of the Hutuo River

The cold wind swirled the remaining snow across the empty plains, making a mournful sound. The Hutuo River had not yet fully thawed, and undercurrents surged beneath the ice, producing a dull cracking sound.

On this open land, backed by the foothills of Wufeng Mountain and facing a great river, a huge military camp is rising from the ground at an astonishing speed.

This is the garrison that Zhang Xian chose for his newly recruited soldiers, the "Jiaqi Camp".

The character "虒" is derived from the name of a one-horned black tiger, and "甲" means superior and also implies armor. Therefore, the name "甲虒营" means a top-notch army of armored tigers!
The location of the camp was carefully chosen. Backed by mountains, it could prevent surprise attacks from the northern nomadic cavalry, while facing a large river provided convenient access to water and served as a natural barrier.

The vast riverbanks provided ample space for drills, and the county seat of Lüchi was only about 12 or 13 miles to the southwest, making logistical support convenient.

This place is a strategic military stronghold, allowing for direct advances into various prefectures and retreats to protect Luqi. It was determined by Zhang Xian, Han Ji, Xi Zhong, and others after repeated deliberations.

The camp was now taking shape, like a lurking beast crouching on the banks of a frozen river, exhaling a scorching heat of people and a cacophony of sounds.

The camp walls are the foundation of the camp, and thousands of conscripted laborers are working enthusiastically under the personal command of Han Ji and a group of veteran soldiers and officials.

They divided into several teams, each with its own duties.

The trench-digging team, on the outermost edge, consisted of laborers digging deep trenches. The cold ground was as hard as iron, but the heavy iron picks pounded down with shouts, sending up chunks of frozen soil.

The trench was about three meters deep and six meters wide, with sharpened wooden stakes and deer antlers buried at the bottom. The excavated soil was used by the wall-building team to construct the camp wall.

The wall-building team was located right next to the inside of the trench. They were strong laborers who built the earthen wall. They used large round logs to cut out "boards" and filled them with wet, cold soil. Then, the strong men shouted work chants and repeatedly pounded the soil with huge stone and iron rams.

Each layer of soil is only about a foot long, and they are stacked one on top of the other until the predetermined height of about two and a half meters is reached.

The top of the earthen wall was reserved for a parapet, while the inner side was built with a footpath and a horse path for soldiers to patrol.

The palisades would be erected by experienced veterans at key points where the earthen walls were not yet fully closed, and on both sides of the camp gate.

These logs were all taken from Wufeng Mountain. They were about the size of a bowl in diameter. The bottom end was sharpened and buried deep in the soil. The top end was reinforced by crisscrossing tough vines or leather ropes to form a sturdy wooden barrier. The top of the fence was also sharpened to prevent climbing.

The wind was biting cold, but the laborers were drenched in sweat. The supervising officers, whips in hand and sharp-eyed, ensured the progress and quality of the project. The earthen walls and wooden fences stretched inch by inch to the east and west, outlining the silhouette of this behemoth, amidst the laborers' shouts and the muffled thuds of ramming the earth.

The camp was planned with four main gates, corresponding to the four directions, with the north and south gates serving as the main entrances and passageways.

The door was made of huge, thick wooden planks, covered with sheet metal, and covered with rivets. It was incredibly heavy. There was a large horizontal wooden bolt at the back of the door, which required several strong soldiers to lift and lower.

Above the gate, a simple watchtower was built with rough timber, which could be used by sentries for observation and command.

On both sides of the watchtower, the earthen walls are thickened to form a prominent "gate tower", on which a platform was reserved for the installation of crossbows.

Outside the camp gate, a retractable drawbridge was laid across the moat. At this moment, the drawbridge was lowered, becoming the only passage in and out.

On both sides of the bridgehead, barricades stood in imposing rows, their gleaming spear tips pointing diagonally forward.

Stepping through the camp gate, the interior becomes even more magnificent. The entire camp is divided into different functional areas by crisscrossing roads, resembling a giant chessboard.

The central command post is located in the very center of the camp, on slightly higher ground.

This is the core and brain of the entire camp, where a central command tent, several times larger than the other tents, is under construction.

The tent base was raised more than a foot high with rammed earth and covered with wooden planks for moisture protection. The main tent frame was made of pine wood about the size of a bowl and covered with multiple layers of thick felt and waterproof tarpaulin, which was enough to withstand the severe cold of the north.

A tall flagpole has been erected in front of the tent, with a huge "Zhang" character banner at the top fluttering in the wind. Around the banner, there are reserved spaces to place the "talisman".

The outer perimeter of the central military area was reserved for the camps of messengers, the personal guard battalion, the military law department, and the staff regiment, and was initially demarcated with low wooden fences or ropes.

To the east of the central command gate is the Duliao barracks.

Occupying the largest area of ​​the camp, it was planned according to the "Wind, Forest, Mountain and Fire" four-camp plan.

Neat and uniform camp areas were cleared out, the ground was leveled, and drainage ditches were being dug.

Each "group" (eleven people) will share a large tent, with the group leader's tent located at the front.

The boundaries of each "team" and "garrison" were clearly defined, with passages of sufficient width reserved to facilitate assembly and mobilization.

The Wind Battalion (spearmen) and the Forest Battalion (swords and shields) are positioned at the front, the Mountain Battalion (heavy armor) is in the middle and rear, and the Fire Battalion (archers) is in the last position to facilitate the spread of their shooting range.

On the open ground, some newly arrived infantrymen could already be seen undergoing basic drills and physical training under the guidance of veterans, with shouts rising and falling.

North of the central command gate was the cavalry camp, located on the northwest side of the camp, near the Hutuo River.

The area is open and spacious, with a large racecourse and training grounds reserved for horses. Unlike the infantry area, the cavalry camp places more emphasis on the needs of horses.

Rows of sturdy stables are under construction, with wooden stakes buried deep, thick roofs, and the ground covered with hay and non-slip wood chips.

The facility is fully equipped with hay storage, water troughs, horseshoeing sheds, and other amenities.

Luci's warhorses had been moved into the temporary enclosure and were leisurely chewing hay, while the veterans were busy instructing the new auxiliary soldiers on how to care for the horses and clean the stables.

The air was filled with the distinctive mixed smell of hay, horse manure, and leather.

To the northeast of the central command gate lies the artisan camp, located in the northeast corner of the camp, which is one of the "hearts" of the camp.

The huge waterwheel forging area was ablaze with fire, and the Tong brothers led the craftsmen of Tieguan Town to work day and night.

The heavy forging hammer, struck alternately by water and manpower, produced a deafening roar and sparks flew everywhere.

Newly made ring-pommel swords, spearheads, and arrowheads emitted white smoke in the cooling pool. Next to them was a woodworking workshop, where the sounds of sawing and planing wood filled the air as craftsmen busily made shields, repaired equipment, and assembled watchtower components.

Inside the tanner's shed, the smell of tanning was strong. Craftsmen processed raw hides, making armor linings, horse tack, and quivers. The tannery worked day and night, ensuring the continuous supply of manpower for this military camp. The supply depot was located next to the tannery, occupying a large area. The huge granary (a temporary warehouse built with adobe and wood) was already taking shape. Han Ji personally supervised the work, demanding that the floor of the granary be raised, lined with moisture-proof wooden planks, and that the walls be thick.

Truckloads of grain (millet, wheat, beans) and fodder transported from Luqi County and surrounding counties are being continuously delivered to the warehouse, where they are registered and recorded by specialized clerks.

The armory was even more heavily guarded, with newly made weapons, armor, bows, crossbows and arrows stored here in categories and heavily guarded. There were also warehouses storing various supplies such as clothing, medicine, tents, and tools.

The auxiliary troops and logistics areas were scattered throughout the camp, but relatively concentrated between the central army and the infantry camps.

Here is the area for the cooks, where huge cooking stoves are lined up and firewood is piled up like mountains. The auxiliary soldiers responsible for feeding thousands of people are busy carrying water and chopping wood.

The medical camp has been set up. Although it is simple, the tents built with thick felt are filled with the smell of herbs. The physicians recruited from Luqi are organizing medicinal materials and simple medical instruments.

In addition, auxiliary military camps responsible for cleaning, repair, and transportation are also being planned.

The entire Jiazi Camp was a huge, noisy combination of a construction site and a military camp.

Tens of thousands of people (including laborers, new recruits, veterans, craftsmen, and auxiliary soldiers) would work, train, and live there.

The chants of "Heave-ho! Heave-ho!" mingled with the clanging of hammers.

The neighing of warhorses and the commands of officers rose and fell.

The rumble of wheels crushing the frozen earth mingled with the roar of the workshop.

The air was filled with the smells of sweat, soil, sawdust, rust, horse manure, freshly cooked millet, and a faint burnt smell wafting from the distant artisan camp.

Despite the noise, everything proceeded in an orderly manner amidst the chaos, thanks to the coordination of the veteran officials and military judges sent by Han Ji.

Roads were strictly planned, the flow of people in different areas was guided, and supplies were stored in designated locations.

The enforcement team, armed with batons and led by military judges selected by Xi Zhong, patrolled the camp to maintain basic order, showing no mercy to any behavior that might cause chaos or delay the construction schedule.

More than twenty days later, the recruitment of new soldiers for the Duliao Camp was nearing its end, and batches of new recruits were brought back here.

The recruitment of new cavalry soldiers is still ongoing, but Zhang Liao has also brought back a batch of new cavalry soldiers.

Zhang Xian, who had been handling official duties alone in Lüqi County for more than twenty days, also took a short break from the new recruits' return to camp and came to inspect the camp.

He really couldn't take it anymore. What kind of lord was so diligent? For more than twenty days, he hadn't rested for a single day. He was responsible for all the trivial matters in the entire Lüqi County, including the main force of the Lüqi County officials and the Jiaqi Battalion. Even if he were an iron man, he was starting to feel the strain!
He had made up his mind that once Jiaqi Camp was stable, the literacy campaign must be rolled out on a large scale, and the foundation for education must be laid in Luqi County as soon as possible, as this is the foundation for the future!

Surrounded by Huang Zhong, Han Ji, Xi Zhong, and more than ten guards, Zhang Xian rode slowly through the nascent camp. He wore a black cloak over fine armor, his gaze calmly sweeping over every bustling scene.

"You've worked hard, sir." Zhang Xian said to Han Ji beside him, "It's no wonder that this barren land has been transformed into such a magnificent sight in such a short time."

Han Ji looked tired, but his eyes were bright: "My lord is too kind. It is all thanks to the hard work of the people of Luqi, the dedication of the craftsmen, and the effective suppression by the military judge Xi Sima."

Food, timber, and ironware were all allocated according to plan, and there were no major problems, except…

He paused, then pointed to the laborers digging a deep trench in the distance: "It's freezing cold, digging is difficult, and the number of laborers suffering from frostbite is increasing daily. Although we are trying our best to ensure they have hot ginger soup, losses are still inevitable, and the construction period is very tight. I'm afraid we will need to recruit another batch of laborers for rotation."

Zhang Xian frowned slightly: "The people's strength cannot be exhausted. Pass down the order to increase the rations of the laborers, provide meat soup once more each day, properly treat those who are frostbitten, and pay their wages as usual."

Regarding the rotation arrangement, you should discuss it with Shi Lin. Select convicts and those convicted of minor offenses from the county, offering them reduced sentences or wages to supplement the manpower, ensuring minimal impact on ordinary farmers' spring planting.

He deeply understood that the people were the foundation of the nation, especially during the upcoming spring planting season.

"Yes, sir!" Han Ji bowed and accepted the order.

As the group arrived at the Duliao camp, the newly arrived thousands of infantrymen, led by some veterans, were divided into square formations of about a hundred men each, conducting the most basic "attention" and "alignment" training.

Their movements were clumsy and stiff, and their formation was crooked, which occasionally drew reprimands from the veterans, but most of the new recruits' faces showed hope and nervousness for their new life.

"Are these all good men recruited from Jinyang?" Zhang Xian asked Huang Zhong.

"Yes, my lord." Huang Zhong pointed to a group of sturdy new recruits practicing their stance: "The leader is Hao Tong, a native of the Taihang Mountains. He is strong and steady and has been incorporated into the Mountain Battalion. There are also many hunters and farmers' sons. They are clean-cut and hardworking, but... most of them are unfamiliar with martial arts and need to be trained hard."

Zhang Xian nodded: "The foundation must be solid. Military discipline comes first, skills second. Tell the instructors to be strict but not harsh, and to teach but not to abuse. Soldiers must understand why they are fighting and for whom they are fighting." He turned his gaze to Xi Zhong: "Zhi Cai, the Seventeen Articles and the Detailed Rules must be explained to the people as soon as possible and deeply rooted in their hearts."

"Rest assured, my lord, military judges have been stationed in each recruit unit. They will discuss military discipline after each day's drills, and examples of rewards and punishments will be read aloud to serve as a warning to others," Xi Zhong said solemnly.

Zhang Xian nodded and patted Xi Zhong on the shoulder to show his satisfaction.

The group then headed to the cavalry camp, where the scene was quite different once again.

Zhao Yun was still recruiting soldiers and had not yet returned, so Zhang Liao was temporarily put in charge of the affairs here.

On the racetrack, dozens of newly recruited cavalrymen were practicing saddleless horsemanship and bending down to pick up objects. Occasionally, someone would fall off awkwardly, drawing good-natured laughter from their companions and reprimands from their instructors.

Beside the stables, other recruits were brushing and feeding their horses, trying to bond with them.

"How's it going with Brother Yun?" Zhang Xian asked.

Zhang Liao stepped forward and reported: "Reporting to the lord, Commandant Zhao sent a fast horse to report that more than 400 elite cavalry have been recruited in Yunzhong. Most of them are skilled riders from the border regions and are familiar with the Hu people."

They are currently en route to Wuyuan County, and it is expected that the cavalry will be fully staffed within ten days.

Zhang Xian looked intently at the vast grasslands to the north: "Send a letter to Brother Yun, saying that it is better to have fewer but better quality cavalry than many of them."

Zhang Liao clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Yes! This has always been the principle Zhao Wei has followed since he began recruiting soldiers. All those who join the cavalry are men of clear identity, courage, and bravery!"

"Yes, you two did a good job."

Zhang Xian smiled with satisfaction.

The cavalry camp is somewhat special. Captain Zhao Yun is sixteen years old and Zhang Liao is fifteen. At their age, if they want to secure the position of captain, my brother Yun will have to put in much more effort than Han Sheng.

However, it is also a good way to temper one's character; pressure naturally creates motivation.

　Requesting votes

　　
　
(End of this chapter)