inspire-indiana Chapter 322 Confirms the Rumors, Military Training at Four Mountains
Chapter 322 Confirms the Rumors, Military Training at Four Mountains
The next morning, as soon as the city gates of Mobei opened, a soldier carrying an imperial decree, travel-worn and riding a horse, quickly entered the city and headed straight for the government office.
The imperial decree reached Lord Hu, leaving him completely bewildered.
Lord Hu has been serving in the northern desert for seven or eight years. The northern desert has never received such an order before. It is said that this place is so far away from the capital. The emperor is far away and busy with countless affairs of state. How could he have the leisure to think about this city far to the north? It is not surprising that there would be no imperial order for a year, or even three or five years.
However, today I have witnessed a rare imperial decree.
The imperial decree stipulates that all criminals convicted in the northern deserts shall be sent to the army. They shall be organized to train as needed on the battlefield, and those who distinguish themselves in battle shall be rewarded. Furthermore, the government shall provide full support.
Along with the imperial decree came a letter, the cover of which read "To Lord Hu of the Northern Desert".
This is a letter from Lord Hu's mentor, who somehow managed to connect with the Zhou family.
The letter contained only a few words, just a handful of sentences.
Lord Hu read it several times before he finally understood his mentor's meaning.
The mentor's meaning can be interpreted as: diligently supervise the criminals' training, try to brainwash them, tell them that meritorious service on the battlefield can clear their names, encourage them to fight bravely against the enemy, and even if they sacrifice themselves, their whole family will be happy. Finally, he also suggested that the government should provide more support and not engage in any underhanded tactics. He should support them as much as possible and not lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of small gains.
The ending also subtly mentions that, in coordination with the training, support should be provided where necessary, including supplies and food. Supporting the front lines and winning the battle is the responsibility of every citizen of China.
Lord Hu held the imperial decree and discussed it with Master Qian for a long time before finally issuing the edict.
The following day, the decree was posted on the bulletin board in Mobei City.
As for the new residents of Mobei City, the criminals who had sought refuge with the Tang, Meng, and Xie families were also among those being exiled. However, the leaders of these three families were very capable; after receiving the news, they went to the yamen and had a cordial meeting with Lord Hu.
The final agreement was that the three organizations would provide manpower and funding to train the criminals, striving to give them a better chance of survival on the battlefield.
As for the group of scattered criminals in Beishan, there was no other way but for Master Qian to personally go to the camp to inform them.
......
For the past two days, Wang Datie has had people guarding the vicinity of the government office. Not long after the announcement was posted, the man returned to the camp to inform everyone.
At this moment, the village chiefs and representatives of the Wang, Zuo, and He families had gathered at the camp. Of course, Wen Qilin and his family, representing the Wen family, were also among them.
It wasn't until late afternoon that everyone saw Master Qian get off the carriage.
Seeing that everyone was there, Master Qian got straight to the point.
"Everyone knows about the announcement, right? If you have any thoughts, please feel free to share them. The government will try its best to help you. After all, you are all citizens of Zhongzhao Kingdom, and going to the front lines is also contributing to the country."
Since Master Qian agreed so readily...
Village Chief Wang first asked, "Master, we don't have any weapons. Does the imperial court provide us with weapons?"
The clerk was a straightforward man. "Here you go. Once you've tallied the headcount, go to the yamen's treasury to collect it."
"Master, the drills are strenuous. Do you have any food?"
"Yes, coarse grains are distributed according to the number of people, but the number of people cannot be lied about."
The village chief of Hejia Village was a shrewd man. "Master," he said, "if the weapons don't work well, get dented, or chipped, and we want to repair them ourselves, will the government provide the tools for mining and blacksmithing?"
Actually, these issues were all discussed and resolved by everyone over the past few days.
This question made the clerk hesitate. Before coming here, Lord Hu had not mentioned this issue, only telling him to accomplish great things with little money. This blacksmithing tool was a small amount of money for the yamen.
After thinking for a moment, Master Qian readily agreed: "We'll provide one set, but each of you will only need to provide one set."
The villagers felt reassured knowing that the supplies were provided.
If you're guarding a mine, how can you not forge iron and make weapons? Wouldn't that make you a laughing stock?
Previously, it was forbidden because the government had issued a ban. Now that it's open for a few months, it will make a group of young villagers who love weapons happy.
Master Qian looked at everyone and asked, "Anything else?"
Wen Qilin asked, "Master Qian, do we still need to pay our ore payment on time this month? When is the next payment?"
Master Qian's heart skipped a beat. "...Well, on time this month, but the next time will be three months from now."
"Any more questions? If not, let's disperse. Everyone, remember this: if you encounter any difficulties, go to the yamen to find the magistrate. The magistrate is everyone's parent official, and he will step in to solve any problems you may have. That's all, disperse."
The advisor's steps were a little hurried as he left.
Wen Qilin understood that this was his last question, which made the advisor feel guilty.
In fact, the imperial court has always required everyone to deliver ore every three months, and the amount is not as much as the advisor said. So why does Lord Hu require everyone to deliver it every month, and in such large quantities?
That's because the government sold all the extra ore to the Xie family. Without a doubt, Lord Hu and Master Qian also got a share of the money, but the lion's share went to the Luo family.
The interests involved here are not limited to the Luo family; the Xie family is also involved, as they are secretly selling minerals to other countries.
If the Xie family continues to act this way for the next month, it will be an opportunity to catch them red-handed, which is why Wen Qilin asked this question.
"drive."
Everyone watched as Master Qian's carriage slowly left the camp, until the carriage's shadow became a tiny dot, before they came to their senses.
"Let's go, the road wasn't cleared yesterday, we're almost at the top of the mountain."
"Yes, yes, let's go, give it our all, and get it all sorted out today."
"Come on, come on, stop dawdling..."
The road everyone is talking about is the road leading to the mountain stream.
These past two days, Wen Qilin took Wang Datie and some representatives to a mountain stream. After returning, everyone agreed that the place was good and very suitable for training. They named it Sihe Mountain, which means the mountain where four villages merged. From then on, the camp was called Sihe Mountain Camp.
So, thanks to everyone's efforts over the past two days, a narrow path has gradually taken shape from Wangjiashan to Siheshan.
Taking advantage of everyone's high spirits, Wen Qilin said, "Wang Datie and Wang Dali, you two will lead men to collect weapons tomorrow. Village Chief Zuo, you will lead men to collect grain tomorrow. Village Chief He, you will collect blacksmithing tools. The rest of you will follow my instructions tomorrow. Any objections?"
Just kidding. It's not easy for someone to be willing to lead a disorganized bunch like this. Anyone who doesn't listen is just ungrateful.
"no!"
"Then let's set off and build the road."
"Let's go—let's set off!"
The resounding reply echoed through the sky, and the passionate voice carried far and wide.
Everyone's smiles were as bright as the sun shining over the mountains.
Just before sunset, a winding path was finally completed. When everyone stepped onto the path, they were filled with excitement. This was not just a mountain road; it was a road leading home. The road that everyone had worked together to build had a special meaning.
As the sun set, everyone finally appeared in front of the shack.
The elderly and children in each household waited anxiously at their doorsteps, and came to greet the returning family.
Before everyone could get close, Wen Qilin looked at the elderly and children who had come to greet his family and said something to the village chiefs beside him.