Chapter 167: Foundation Established, Military System Reform
“Squad Leader?”
“That land is really going to be given to us?”
Wang Da Niu and the others all became excited, their trembling gazes turning toward Zhou Dasheng.
Seeing their posture, Zhou Dasheng’s face revealed a light smile.
Not to mention these common people not believing it, even he himself still felt it somewhat unreal.
He was originally just an ordinary commoner in the Great Desert, spending his days farming fields and herding sheep for others’ families, barely maintaining a livelihood.
But unexpectedly, after following the Great Governor into one battle, he directly turned over and became the master.
The Uyghur People’s land was actually going to be entirely divided among them.
Zhou Dasheng was also extremely excited.
According to Li Xiao’s order, ordinary military households would each receive one hundred mu of farmland, squad leaders one hundred fifty mu, captains three hundred mu, and centurions one thousand mu.
The higher the position, the more they would receive.
With one hundred fifty mu of farmland in hand, Zhou Dasheng was still worrying that his family didn’t have enough people to farm it.
He needed to go to the Governor’s Mansion to buy a few slaves.
“Indeed, it’s all ours, one hundred mu per household, but taxation must be paid on time.”
“Ploughing oxen and seeds can be borrowed from the Great Governor’s Mansion!”
“During this period, if any household’s grain is not enough to eat, it can be purchased from the Hexi Grain Store. If there’s no money, it can be put on account temporarily, with two percent interest, to be repaid at autumn harvest.”
Two percent interest was not high, mainly to set a threshold to prevent some people who clearly had money from deliberately buying on credit.
“However, each household must provide one male laborer to enlist. During this period, if there is desertion in the face of the enemy, surrender to the enemy army, disobedience to military orders, or other serious violations of military law, all the household’s land will be confiscated by the Great Governor’s Mansion.”
“Additionally, military land cannot be privately bought or sold; it can only be redeemed by the Great Governor.”
Zhou Dasheng explained some matters regarding military land, which were things the centurion had explained to them squad leaders and captains not long ago.
Wang Da Niu and the others nodded repeatedly, the smiles on their faces growing even hotter.
It was only natural for each household to provide one male laborer to enlist; otherwise, why would the Great Governor’s Mansion give them fields for no reason?
And matters like deserters and defecting to the enemy under military law were no problem at all.
The only novel thing was the rule that military land could not be privately bought or sold.
Whether serving as Fu Bing in the Tang Dynasty or as worldly soldiers in even earlier times, the fields given were yours to handle as you wished.
However, the military land under the Great Governor’s Mansion, though not privately buyable or sellable, could be sold at flat price to the Great Governor’s Mansion, which was acceptable.
“The Great Governor is truly a good man!”
“The land divided to us is all good land, still planted with crops.”
“Yes, one hundred mu per household. As long as we’re diligent, we can eat our fill every day.”
“Our future days will be much better.”
……
The common people excitedly discussed, their gazes toward the land before them growing even hotter.
They had originally thought that being plundered by the Jin Prefecture Army to Jin Prefecture meant coming to be oxen and horses.
Unexpectedly, land was directly distributed, allowing them to live like landlords.
Of course they knew where all this came from, so they all kept Li Xiao’s kindness in mind.
“The Great Governor is a good man, unlike those dog officials we’ve seen before.”
“Heaven must bless the Great Governor with a long life of a hundred years!”
“Er Wa Zi, you’re the biggest male laborer in our family. From now on, you must loyally serve the Great Governor well and not bring shame to our family.”
If one died in battle, the Great Governor’s Mansion would provide compensation and improve the family’s treatment.
But if one became a deserter or was captured by the enemy, then everything would be over: the family disgraced, the land confiscated, and almost impossible to survive in Jin Prefecture.
And this was precisely Li Xiao’s purpose: to motivate soldiers through material incentives and honor, establishing a belief that dying in battle is glorious and surrendering is shameful.
Why were the early Qing Dynasty’s Eight Banners soldiers fearless of death? It was forced out this way.
……
On a hill, the golden sun and moon battle flag fluttered loudly in the wind.
Surrounded by numerous White Armored Army soldiers on strict guard, Li Xiao rode his war horse, overlooking the common people in the distance who were receiving land.
Seeing their excited and thrilled appearance, Li Xiao felt a slight comfort in his heart.
With land obtained and interests tied, these common people could take root in the Northern Frontier and not regret coming to the Northern Frontier.
At the same time, they would not want Li Xiao to have an accident, which would lead to the land being seized.
They would exert every effort to maintain their current good life.
Therefore, these common people would become Li Xiao’s most steadfast supporters.
With these one hundred thousand common people, plus the original power of Jin Prefecture, Li Xiao finally had a solid foundation in this world.
“Does the Great Governor want to emulate Yuwen Tai and establish Fu Bing?”
Beside Li Xiao, Gu Zizhong, dressed in a single thin garment like a scholar, asked with a puzzled expression.
“What the Great Governor said is just idle talk from those below; Governor Gu need not take it seriously.”
“You and I are both governors of a prefecture, equal in status. You can address me by name.” Li Xiao shook his head lightly with a smile.
Gu Zizhong was that Han civil official by Xiao Simo’s side, who had performed an undercover role, helping Xiao Simo seize Jin Prefecture.
Now he had finally flown up the branch to become a phoenix.
Not long ago, he was appointed Great Desert Governor by Xiao Simo, while Xiao Tula Duo’s eldest son Xiao Chilü was appointed Deputy Great Desert Governor.
These two, one Han and one Khitan, could be considered mutual checks.
But now the Great Desert had Li Xiao’s presence as well.
No matter who the governor or deputy governor was, ultimately Li Xiao called the shots.
Gu Zizhong was very clear on this, so he didn’t dare truly act like a governor in front of Li Xiao.
“Where, where. Without Marquis Wu Cheng, the Great Desert would still be controlled by the Uyghur People to this day. How could it be my turn to be this governor?”
“Moreover, Marquis Wu Cheng successively led the army to defeat the Gaochang Army, broke through Gaochang City, and forced Gaochang to submit to our Northern Frontier.”
“Your merit is unparalleled; I, Gu, cannot compare in the slightest.”
Gu Zizhong smiled slightly and said.
Between his words, he praised Li Xiao profusely, even revealing a hint of intent to submit.
“We’re all colleagues, and old acquaintances at that.”
“No need for polite words.”
“Distributing fields to these common people is mainly because I don’t want so much good farmland to lie fallow, and I pity my Han common people, wanting them to have full bellies.” Li Xiao said in a faint voice.
“As for the Fu Bing you mentioned, forgive my shallow learning; I haven’t thought that far.”
But in fact, military households and Fu Bing were no different, just different names.
They were all original shares distributed by dynasty rulers to the brothers who followed them to conquer the world.
Tang Dynasty Fu Bing, Ming Dynasty Wei Suo Soldiers, Qing Dynasty Eight Banners soldiers—essentially the same, all callable military households.
Li Xiao was also forging this interest group as his foundation.
“Marquis Wu Cheng cares for the common people; your merit is unparalleled.” Gu Zizhong praised.
“These common people are all pitiable; bullied by Hu People in Dunhuang and Guazhou, they abandoned homes and families to follow this governor to the Northern Frontier.”
“This governor naturally cannot disappoint them.” Li Xiao shook his head lightly.
Then he looked at Gu Zizhong and said: “These common people will stay in the Great Desert from now on. I hope Governor Gu will pay more attention.”
“Naturally.” Gu Zizhong nodded hurriedly.
“Though Gu was born in the Western Regions, he has never forgotten his Han identity and will naturally help his compatriots when he can.”
Li Xiao nodded slightly with a faint smile.
Soon after, Gu Zizhong took his leave.
Li Xiao stood in place, his calm gaze looking toward the wilderness, a light smile rising at the corner of his mouth.
“Gu Zizhong? Interesting.”
“Just don’t know if you’re man or ghost?”
He had naturally heard Gu Zizhong’s intent to submit, but he harbored reservations.
Only because Gu Zizhong had a criminal record.
Xiao Simo had once arranged for him to infiltrate the previous Great Desert Governor’s command as a spy, helping Xiao Simo bring the Great Desert under his control.
Therefore, Li Xiao couldn’t help suspecting if Xiao Simo was up to his old tricks, planting a nail by his side?
To have Gu Zizhong ascertain if Li Xiao had rebellious intentions, if he planned to establish a state within a state in the Northern Frontier?
If Gu Zizhong really uncovered his background, Li Xiao didn’t believe Xiao Simo would show mercy.
“Let him hang for now.” Li Xiao murmured.
As long as Gu Zizhong didn’t cause him trouble, Li Xiao could tolerate him for the time being.
At the same time, after descending the hill, Gu Zizhong let out a heavy sigh.
“Sigh~”
“Marquis Wu Cheng is truly overly cautious.”
Although he was the Great Desert Governor, in reality he was just a puppet; the Great Desert was completely Li Xiao’s one-man show.
If it were any other time, Gu Zizhong would definitely contend with Li Xiao, even report to Xiao Simo that Li Xiao was usurping power, forming private cliques, and plotting rebellion.
But the current reality didn’t allow him to do so at all.
Because he had received news that Xiao Simo’s condition was worsening, even starting to cough blood.
From Gu Zizhong’s experience, once someone coughed blood, they probably wouldn’t last much longer.
Once Xiao Simo died, the situation in the Northern Frontier would dramatically change.
Xiao Simo’s legitimate son was still young, and his other sons were incompetent for great tasks.
As for the Xiao Family’s other collateral branches, their relations with Xiao Simo were very poor; they had been suppressed by him for years.
With no soldiers or power in hand, they couldn’t contend even if they wanted to.
Therefore, after eliminating all impossibilities, Gu Zizhong’s gaze fell on Li Xiao.
As Xiao Simo’s brother-in-law, though he couldn’t legally inherit the Northern Frontier, that didn’t stop him from being Cao Cao.
Holding the young emperor to command the vassal lords, then slowly plotting further.
Now, Li Xiao’s various methods in the Great Desert and Gaochang all proved this man had ambitions and was no mere pond fish.
Rather than contending with Li Xiao and eventually being settled by him, better to show intent to submit now.
It could be considered placing a bet early.
But unfortunately, Li Xiao kept not engaging him, always keeping a respectful distance, leaving Gu Zizhong quite conflicted.
……
“Great Governor~”
In the large tent, numerous generals shouted in unison, right hands on chests, saluting Li Xiao.
At this time, it was already the tenth day after Li Xiao’s army returned to the Great Desert.
In these ten days, Li Xiao had overseen the military households’ land distribution, which was now basically complete.
Every household had determined the specific scope of their fields and understood the responsibilities they needed to bear.
At this point, Li Xiao had no need to stay in the Great Desert and prepared to return to Jin Prefecture to continue overseeing the military households’ land distribution there.
Before leaving, he held a final meeting with the various chiliarchs, these people in the tent.
“After this governor returns to Jin Prefecture, you will temporarily follow Li Chiliarch’s orders, lead your subordinate military households to farm the land and train in martial arts, and must not slack off.”
Li Xiao sat on the folding stool at the head, saying in a deep voice.
“Understood!”
The thirteen chiliarchs shouted in unison.
On this Western Xia campaign, Li Xiao had brought back one hundred thousand common people, about twenty-two thousand households.
Li Xiao left half in the Great Desert for camp reclamation, also leaving Li Dashan, Da Hu, and Er Hu in the Great Desert for management.
He then drew backbone elements from the army to serve as squad leaders, captains, centurions, and so on.
Plus the original Zhang Da Wa and Su Da Qiang’s two Great Desert chiliarch armies, the total military households in the Great Desert reached thirteen thousand.
Forming thirteen chiliarch armies.
With these people rooted here, the Great Desert wouldn’t flip the sky; it would still be Li Xiao’s Great Desert.
“Sixth Uncle, you must also pay close attention to the over ten thousand Uyghur prisoners of war in the Camp Cultivation Department.”
“Though Chen Chong is the Camp Cultivation Department chief, he is after all a civil official.”
“If anyone rebels, in emergency, no need to request instructions—suppress immediately.” Li Xiao said in a deep voice.
“Understood!”
Li Dashan nodded heavily.
The thirteen thousand military households had just arrived in the Great Desert; the grain they produced probably couldn’t even satisfy themselves, so the grain from those over ten thousand Uyghur prisoners of war farming was especially important.
Jin Prefecture had suddenly gained tens of thousands more mouths, requiring massive grain supplies.
After speaking with these thirteen chiliarchs, Li Xiao left the large tent and met all the centurions, captains, and squad leaders in the camp.
These were the junior officers of the Jin Prefecture Army, the backbone of the Jin Prefecture Army.
Li Xiao valued these people even more than those chiliarchs.
In front of everyone, Li Xiao announced: “Soon, the Hexi Military School will enroll the second batch of students.”
“This governor will draw up a list based on your past performance in wars.”
“Those who receive the order can go to Hexi Fort for learning.”
“This governor will personally teach.”
Hearing Li Xiao’s words, these officers immediately felt stirred.
They had all heard of the Hexi Military School, a military academy Li Xiao had established in Jin Prefecture.
With Li Xiao personally as principal.
Though many of them were rough men who couldn’t even write their names, much less willing to study.
But going to the Hexi Military School was different.
It counted as advanced training, and it would create a mentor-student bond with Li Xiao.
In the future, those from the Hexi Military School would surely be prioritized for promotion.
Understanding this, even those completely illiterate wanted to go to Jin Prefecture to study.
Afterward, Li Xiao spoke one-on-one with these centurions, captains, and squad leaders.
Memorizing every one of their names.
……
With the establishment of these thirteen chiliarch armies, Li Xiao also made slight adjustments to their army organization.
The original Jin Prefecture Army had ten men per squad, ten squads per centurion, ten centurions per chiliarch, one thousand per chiliarch.
Though this model was simple, commanding such large units tested the commander’s personal ability greatly.
Not everyone could command ten teams clearly.
Moreover, this flat management would leave lower officers without enough promotion channels.
Ten people competing for one spot—the difficulty was imaginable.
Long-term lack of promotion would definitely affect lower officers’ enthusiasm.
Thus, Li Xiao reformed the military system, adding a layer of management.
Captains.
Ten men per squad, five squads per company, with one captain, who would also concurrently serve as a squad leader.
Four companies per centurion, two hundred per centurion.
Five centurions per chiliarch, still one thousand per chiliarch.
Currently, Li Xiao was only experimenting with this in these thirteen chiliarch armies in the Great Desert.
If no problems, he planned to reform the entire Jin Prefecture Army.
After all, with over twenty thousand households of common people, Jin Prefecture’s system had become quite large.
Multi-level management was necessary.
……
The next day, Li Xiao led five hundred White Armored Army soldiers away from the Great Desert, returning to Jin Prefecture.
As for the main force, they had set off ten days earlier.
Because the column included large numbers of common people, the journey was long and the pace slow, so by the time Li Xiao whipped his horse to hurry to Jin Prefecture, they had only just arrived not long before.
Xiao Yanyan, who had learned the news in advance, had already brought people to welcome Li Xiao on the Longcheng Wasteland.
Every so often, she dispatched a scout to gather intelligence.
Finally, a scout reported: “The Great Governor is back.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yanyan’s face lit up with excitement, stretching her snow-white neck and looking toward the distant land.
Soon, a small black dot appeared in view, accompanied by the faint rumbling of war horses.
“It’s the White Armored Army!”
Someone behind shouted loudly; they were all families of the campaigning officers and soldiers.
They too had been eagerly awaiting, and seeing the familiar White Armored Army figures, their moods instantly surged with excitement.
According to the news, the army’s casualties this campaign were small, they had seized many things, and captured many people back.
Their relatives would surely receive ample rewards.
“Boom boom boom boom~”
Iron cavalry charged, weapons clanged; in the short distance of less than ten li, the White Armored Army arrived almost in a flash.
Back in this place, the soldiers’ moods relaxed, faces full of excited smiles as they spurred horses to reunite with families.
“Da Qiang Zi, let’s go home; Mom’s waiting for you!”
“The child’s father, I’m here!”
“Old Two, where’s your elder brother? Why hasn’t he come back?” an old man’s trembling voice asked.
Fearing the worst news.
Fortunately, the younger son didn’t hesitate, chuckling: “Dad, rest assured. My brother is in the White Armored Army—formidable stuff, definitely fine.”
“He’s just stayed in the Great Desert and will return in a while.”
“And my brother even became a centurion!”
Among the Great Desert’s thirteen chiliarch armies, the grassroots squad leaders were meritorious soldiers from Su Da Qiang and Zhang Da Wa’s two chiliarch armies.
But at captain and centurion levels, Li Xiao mostly appointed old Jin Prefecture Army men.
All were direct-line generals who had campaigned south and north with Li Xiao.
As for the thirteen chiliarchs, aside from Zhang Da Wa and Su Da Qiang, all were old Jin Prefecture people.
So, hearing his son not only safe but promoted to centurion, the old man’s face instantly bloomed with smiles.
Nodding repeatedly: “Good, good, good!”
“You two brothers must both make something of yourselves from now on.”
Jin Prefecture Army officers and soldiers were reuniting with families.
And Xiao Yanyan quickly rushed toward that long-daydreamed figure.
“Husband.”
Li Xiao removed his helmet, dismounted, spread his arms, and caught the rushing Xiao Yanyan, spinning her twice in place.
Then setting her down, he laughed: “A Man, long time no see—did you miss me?”
Xiao Yanyan’s arms tightly hugged Li Xiao’s waist, looking up at his face, tears welling in her eyes.
“I did, I missed you.”
“You’ve gotten darker~”
At this time, Li Xiao’s skin was dry, face tanned black by the sun, looking travel-worn, which tugged at Xiao Yanyan’s heart.
But the grueling march had also tempered Li Xiao’s physique.
Now he had become even stronger.
His height had shot up again, fully over 1.8 meters.
Li Xiao chuckled: “A man being a bit dark is nothing. The important thing is to be strong, hard, and fierce.”
With that, Li Xiao directly scooped Xiao Yanyan up horizontally and placed her on the horse.
He then mounted, bringing Xiao Yanyan to a barren hill.
Sky as blanket, earth as bed.
The long-separated pair once again relished the pleasure of union.
