Chapter 229: Six Garrisons Military Spirit
After the appointments of the eight advisers in the Governor’s Mansion were completed, the most important appointments for the commanders of the six garrisons followed.
“Let them come in.”
With Li Xiao waving his hand and shouting, two personal guards carried a long table into the great hall, with dozens of exquisite cavalry sabers placed on it.
Then six more personal guards strode in.
Each carried a sun and moon battle flag.
In addition to the original battle flags of Jin Prefecture’s three towns, there were three new styles.
Yellow base with white border, red base with white border, and white base with red border.
Moreover, below the sun and moon emblem on each battle flag, there was an additional line of text.
From Northern Frontier First Garrison to Northern Frontier Sixth Garrison.
“Today, I take Jin Prefecture’s three towns as the foundation to establish the Northern Frontier Six Garrisons.”
“These six battle flags are the military souls of the six garrisons: where the flag stands, the men stand; where the flag falls, the men perish.” Li Xiao stood in the great hall, gazing intently at the battle flags, his deep voice resounding.
In the Northern Frontier Army, the basic combat unit entitled to a battle flag is the centurion.
Every centurion has its own unique flag, written from the garrison down to the centurion, with the organization clearly specified.
And once the battle flag is captured by the enemy, it means that unit has been completely annihilated.
Because if any soldiers escape back but the battle flag is lost, there is only one outcome.
Military law is merciless: all escaped soldiers are executed!
The purpose is to maximally ignite the soldiers’ desperate resolve to fight to the death.
Deserters are shameful, captives even more so, and it implicates their family members.
Either victory or death in battle—no other choice.
As Li Xiao’s words fell, all the generals stood up, the sound of armor clashing echoing simultaneously in the great hall.
They placed their right hands over their chests, faces resolute, eyes fixed on the six sun and moon battle flags in the great hall and the golden sun and moon battle flag behind Li Xiao.
They shouted loudly: “Where the flag stands, the men stand; where the flag falls, the men perish!”
Then Li Xiao began announcing the appointments of the six garrisons’ commanders: “First Garrison, commanding ten chiliarchs, I shall serve as commander.”
“Second Garrison, commanding ten chiliarchs, Li Dongjiang as commander.”
“Third Garrison, commanding ten chiliarchs, Li Dongshan as commander.”
As the words fell, Li Erjiang and Li Dashan stepped forward, right hands over chests, shouting loudly: “This general obeys the command.”
Their positions unchanged, but the military power in their hands was slightly reduced.
Because Li Xiao could not allow one or two commanders to hold too much military power; it must be divided for balance.
“Fourth Garrison, with white-bordered yellow flag and yellow armor, commanding ten chiliarchs, I shall concurrently serve as commander,” Li Xiao said.
The Fourth Garrison was actually troops split from the First Garrison, reorganized into a new military town.
As Li Xiao’s direct lineage, it was inappropriate to promote anyone else as commander, so after much thought, Li Xiao personally took the role.
Thus, of the six garrisons, two directly under Li Xiao’s command, accounting for one-third of the Northern Frontier’s total troops.
Moreover, the combat strength of the First and Fourth Garrisons was even more elite than the other four.
The commanders for the first four garrisons were as expected; the remaining two were the key.
Under everyone’s gaze, Li Xiao took a finely crafted cavalry saber from behind him, its blade forged from hard Hexi steel, hilt inlaid with pure gold, ending in a lifelike tiger head.
This was precisely the cavalry saber configured for Northern Frontier commander level.
Myriad commanders have gold-inlaid lion heads, chiliarchs gold-inlaid eagle heads, centurions gold-inlaid wolf heads.
As for Li Xiao the Great Protector, naturally a gold-inlaid dragon head.
Holding the commander cavalry saber, Li Xiao merely glanced at Er Hu, instantly stirring Er Hu’s excitement, his heart racing.
Sure enough, Li Xiao shouted: “Li Ao, come forward!”
“This general is here!”
Filled with excitement, Er Hu stepped forward quickly, face beaming, grin from ear to ear.
“I appoint you Northern Frontier Fifth Garrison commander, with white-bordered red flag and red armor, commanding ten chiliarchs.”
As the words fell, Er Hu excitedly received the cavalry saber symbolizing commander status, shouting loudly: “This general obeys the command.”
Then he retreated, off to boast to Da Hu, San Bao, and the others.
“Li Donghe, come forward!”
“This general is here.” Li Sanhe stepped out, shouting loudly.
He breathed a heavy sigh of relief; it seemed the commander position still included him.
“I appoint you Northern Frontier Sixth Garrison commander, with red-bordered white flag and white armor, commanding ten chiliarchs.”
Li Sanhe solemnly received the cavalry saber, saying firmly: “This general obeys the command.”
Previously, as a myriad commander, he had led eight chiliarchs commanding troops at Western Sea.
Now elevated to commander level, with two more chiliarchs added, it was even more legitimate.
Next came the myriad commander appointments.
The First Garrison’s ten chiliarchs gathered the Northern Frontier’s elites, Li Xiao’s direct lineage, and the strongest military town in the Northern Frontier.
The ten chiliarchs would be divided into three myriad households.
The First Myriad Household was precisely the Wuwei Army, currently Jin Prefecture’s only standing army.
Other troops could return home to rest in peacetime, but the Wuwei Army must hold their posts, garrisoned in Dragon City and other key places.
Besides war spoils, the Wuwei Army received substantial military pay monthly from the Governor’s Mansion.
They had transitioned from fu bing to recruited soldiers.
Thus, these four thousand Wuwei Army troops would certainly be personally commanded by Li Xiao, concurrently leading the Second Myriad Household Office.
“Qin Chunsheng.”
“This general is here.”
“I appoint you First Garrison deputy commander, leading Third Myriad Household Office as myriad commander, commanding three thousand troops.” Li Xiao said solemnly, voice resounding.
Qin Chunsheng was Li Xiao’s second uncle-in-law, a sturdy, lean-faced, tall middle-aged man in his thirties.
Originally the Third Myriad Household Office myriad commander of the First Garrison, now additionally deputy commander.
“This general obeys the command.”
Qin Chunsheng responded deeply, receiving his deputy commander saber from Li Xiao’s hands.
The hilt featured a silver-inlaid tiger head.
This was a new rule of the Northern Frontier Governor’s Mansion: dragon, tiger, lion, eagle, wolf for ranks; gold and silver for primary and deputy.
Silver tiger was deputy commander.
“Lin Dazhuang!”
“This general is here!” Lin Dazhuang limped forward.
“I appoint you First Garrison Third Myriad Household Office myriad commander, commanding three thousand troops.”
Receiving a gold-inlaid lion head cavalry saber from Li Xiao, Lin Dazhuang shouted loudly: “This general obeys the command.”
Originally the Wuwei Army’s third chiliarch.
With Luo Meng transferred to be Fourth Garrison deputy commander, leaving a First Garrison myriad household vacancy, Li Xiao promoted Lin Dazhuang.
After First Garrison myriad commander appointments, it was the Second Garrison’s turn.
Li Erjiang the commander still concurrently held one myriad household, leading four thousand troops.
The deputy commander was originally Jin Prefecture Deputy Governor Bali’ala, also concurrently Fifth Myriad Household, leading three thousand troops.
As for the Sixth Myriad Household, it was led by Li Xiao’s cousin, Li Erguzi’s older brother, Li Donggen.
The Third Garrison’s three myriad households were respectively led by Li Dongshan, Zhao Dadao, and Chen Erqiang.
Zhao Dadao was Li Xiao’s maternal uncle, Tazhai’s Zhao Tiezhu’s eldest son, originally a myriad commander, now also deputy commander of the Third Garrison.
As for Chen Erqiang, from Hexi Fort, he had followed Li Xiao in campaigns, promoted purely by merit to this position.
The Fourth Garrison’s commander was Li Xiao, not concurrently holding a myriad household.
The three myriad households were Luo Meng, Wang Tietou, and Mo Jun.
Luo Meng concurrently deputy commander; when Li Xiao was absent, he nearly held full Fourth Garrison commander authority.
Wang Tietou, like Lin Dazhuang, was originally a Wuwei Army chiliarch, appointed by Li Xiao as Fourth Garrison myriad commander.
After all, First and Fourth Garrisons were Li Xiao’s direct lineage, naturally led by absolutely trusted men as myriad commanders.
As for the last myriad commander Mo Jun, not a Han Chinese, but a Hu person.
Original name Amo; when Xiao Simo established Jin Prefecture Governor’s Mansion, his father was one of the eight chiliarchs.
Later schemed to death by Xiao Lintta, Amo inherited the chiliarch position and surrendered to Li Xiao.
When Li Xiao commanded only six thousand, he already managed one thousand troops.
Amo could be called one of Jin Prefecture’s original shareholders.
Later, with Jin Prefecture’s full Sinicization, Hu people changed to Han surnames and spoke Chinese; Amo became Mo Jun.
Over the years, though his battle merits did not match other commanders, he was steady, honest, and loyal to Li Xiao.
Thus appointed Fourth Garrison myriad commander, directly under Li Xiao.
Fifth Garrison’s myriad households were Er Hu, Xiao Chilü, and Jiang Youtian.
Xiao Chilü concurrently deputy commander; Jiang Youtian was originally under Er Hu as chiliarch, promoted to myriad commander by accumulated merits.
Because Fifth Garrison’s future main target was the royal court, and Xiao Chilü had a blood feud with the royal court.
Thus Li Xiao placed him in Fifth Garrison as deputy commander, leading three thousand elite soldiers.
“Seventeenth Myriad Household, Li Xiang!”
“Leading three thousand elite soldiers, concurrently Sixth Garrison deputy commander.” Li Xiao said deeply.
Da Hu, clad in white armor, stepped forward, receiving with both hands the silver tiger cavalry saber of deputy commander status, shouting loudly.
“This general obeys the command.”
Transferred from Third Garrison to Sixth Garrison as deputy commander, still with his troops, but position upgraded half a level.
His armor changed from original grayish-white to red-bordered white armor.
“Eighteenth Myriad Household, Wei Xuan.”
As Li Xiao called this name, all eyes turned to a young man standing at the back.
Expressions slightly astonished and puzzled.
Wei Xuan!!
Originally just acting chiliarch, no one expected the last myriad household to be him?
This was a two-level leap!
Some chiliarchs felt slightly uncomfortable.
But recalling Wei Xuan’s past merits, they could only swallow their sour envy.
Wei Xuan lacked only seniority compared to them, but his merits surpassed anyone, even stronger.
Moreover, Li Xiao held absolute authority in the Northern Frontier; no one dared openly challenge his decisions.
Wei Xuan ignored the surrounding generals’ gazes, stepping forward resolutely.
Receiving the gold-inlaid lion cavalry saber with both hands, he said firmly: “This general obeys the command.”
“I will not fail the Great Governor’s trust.”
With that, looking up at Li Xiao’s faintly smiling face, Wei Xuan felt something off.
He recalled that drinking session; upon waking, Er Ya questioned him about marrying her to Li Xiao?
Wei Xuan was dumbfounded.
He vaguely remembered Li Xiao asking if he wanted a wife, but not saying he’d marry his sister to Li Xiao as wife.
When he later verified, Li Xiao, Er Hu, Li Dashan—all three insisted he’d said it.
Just drunk and forgotten.
This left Wei Xuan even more baffled, full of resentment with nowhere to vent, forced to eat the mute loss.
Besides, he understood Er Ya’s feelings: she liked Li Xiao.
So as brother, no need to block; now just wait for Li Family matchmakers.
But the key was, this incident made Wei Xuan uneasy.
He worried people would say his myriad commander post came via women’s connections.
Plus Li Xiao intending to marry Er Feng to him, leaving him utterly unable to refute.
He’d not only become Li Family son-in-law but imperial relative; how would other generals see him?
Even if not to his face, surely gossip behind his back.
This made the proud Wei Xuan depressed just thinking about it.
Li Xiao didn’t let Wei Xuan retreat immediately, but patted his shoulder heavily: “I appoint you Wei Xuan as this myriad commander because I value your abilities.”
“Perform well from now on, show your true skills, earn more merits to convince all.”
“Let them know you, Wei Xuan, are no flower vase.”
Hearing Li Xiao, Wei Xuan gritted his teeth lightly, nodding heavily: “This general understands.”
He would shut those mouths.
So what about connections?
Every era relies on relations; marriage alliances are normal.
What truly irked other generals were the incompetent riding relations to high posts.
So ultimately, Wei Xuan must prove himself.
After myriad commander appointments, next were deputy myriad commanders and chiliarchs.
Total sixty chiliarchs, eighteen also concurrently deputy myriad commanders.
Moreover, Li Xiao’s younger brother San Bao and cousin Er Bao also became chiliarchs.
Most were in the great hall; Li Xiao personally awarded them silver lion cavalry sabers and gold eagle cavalry sabers.
As for the few absent, and the subsequent sixty deputy chiliarchs and three hundred centurions.
Later they would come to Dragon City in batches; Li Xiao would personally award their sabers.
As Great Protector, Li Xiao absolutely could not stay aloof from grassroots commanders.
He must frequently connect with grassroots commanders, letting them feel his attention and care.
……
Thus, all commanders above chiliarch in the six garrisons were appointed.
The Northern Frontier Six Garrisons were preliminarily established, each with ten chiliarchs.
Among them, First and Fourth Garrisons personally led by Li Xiao, garrisoned in Jin Prefecture and parts of Western Sea region, the absolute main force of the Northern Frontier Army.
Next, Second Garrison commanded by Li Dongjiang, relocated to Great Desert, replacing Li Dongshan; main tasks to deter Kingdom of Qocho, monitor Western Xia movements, ensure Northern Frontier grain supply.
Third Garrison commanded by Li Dongshan, garrisoned in Yin Mountains and North Sea, guarding against northwest nomadic peoples, ready to head south to Seven Rivers supporting Er Hu’s Fifth Garrison.
Fifth Garrison garrisoned in Yili and Seven Rivers, main force against royal court and Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate.
Sixth Garrison commanded by Li Donghe, garrisoned in eastern and southern Western Sea regions.
Mainly to deter eastern grassland nomadic peoples, and ready to head south looting Western Xia.
After the generals departed, it was already mid-afternoon.
Leaving the mess for servants to clean, Li Xiao returned to the back courtyard.
The Northern Frontier Governor’s Mansion covered only about fifty mu, smaller than Central Plains royal mansions, comparable to Ming-Qing frontier royal mansions.
Emphasizing military functions, unnecessary gardens, rockeries etc. removed, retaining only work, living, and training areas.
Back in the back courtyard, Li Xiao first went to Xiao Yanyan’s room.
She was holding the child, directing maidservants placing items.
After all, the inner city’s functions were basically complete.
This winter, Li Xiao’s family would spend in the Great Protector’s Mansion.
Nothing else, but definitely warmer in the city than on the grassland.
As Li Xiao entered the room, a wave of heat hit; two coke fire basins in the corners radiated warmth.
After all, Golden Saber was still small; Xiao Yanyan couldn’t bear letting him suffer.
“What’s wrong?”
“So many brothers together, shouldn’t you be happy?” Xiao Yanyan asked puzzled.
Li Xiao was teasing Golden Saber in his arms, face flushed from drink.
But as bedside person, Xiao Yanyan still noticed Li Xiao’s low spirits.
“Great Protector’s Mansion established, six garrisons established; you should be happy,” Xiao Yanyan said leisurely beside Li Xiao.
“Am I not happy?”
“I’m pretty happy, right?” Li Xiao turned to her, unconvinced.
Xiao Yanyan smiled: “We’ve known each other years; can you hide your thoughts from me?”
Li Xiao shook his head helplessly with a smile: “Heh heh heh~”
“Actually not unhappy, just pensive; Northern Frontier’s foundation is too thin.”
“Why say that?”
“Isn’t our Northern Frontier pretty strong?” Xiao Yanyan blinked her alluring big eyes, puzzled.
Northern Frontier’s strength was well-known.
Annihilated Naiman, deterred eastern grassland, routed royal court, annihilated Kangli Allied Army, directly destroyed Kingdom of Qocho.
One feat after another, all Northern Frontier’s glorious military merits.
Where was the thin foundation?
Li Xiao shook his head helplessly: “This strength is all surface.”
“In truth, our Northern Frontier lacks deep foundation.”
He knew well: Northern Frontier’s strength built on successive absolute victories.
Once a major defeat hit, problems would truly expose.
First, ethnic issues: Han Chinese without absolute dominance, prone to division.
Second, institutional issues.
He seemed to have unleashed a monster himself.
Six Garrisons!
No matter how Li Xiao changed, Northern Frontier couldn’t escape nomadic regime essence.
Current Northern Frontier much like original Turkic Khaganate, Uyghur Khaganate.
Essentially tribal alliance regimes.
No true feudal rule system established.
Currently six garrisons united in purpose, invincible; seemingly very strong.
But all built on Li Xiao’s personal prestige.
With Li Xiao there, he could control the six garrisons; but future Golden Saber?
Without Li Xiao’s prestige, hard to fully integrate six garrisons.
Six garrisons’ military and administrative power concentrated in commanders; huge hidden danger.
Yet precisely this military-civil unity, soldier-civil integration enabled Northern Frontier Army’s powerful combat strength.
So Li Xiao was troubled!
He wanted to emulate Great Tang’s fu bing system, constraining garrison commanders’ direct control over garrison soldiers.
But far from the time.
First, population a major issue; not even basic military-civil separation achieved—how to build complex feudal dynasty system?
No one would think Li Xiao, who built the six garrisons, pondered how to dismantle their institutional framework later.
Xiao Yanyan didn’t grasp Li Xiao’s worries over six garrisons’ hidden dangers, simply thinking he meant population issues.
She chuckled: “Beating around the bush, you just want to hit Xia Kingdom!”
Li Xiao gathered his thoughts, laughing heartily.
“Western Xia must be hit; after next spring planting.”
“One winter should suffice for six garrisons’ soldiers to adapt mutually.”
With that, he casually suppressed the wriggling Golden Saber in his arms, making the boy wail loudly.
“Wah wah wah~”
Xiao Yanyan snatched him back heartbroken, cradling and soothing, glaring at Li Xiao.
Then thought of something: “When to send matchmakers to Wei Family miss?”
“Heard you promoted Wei Xuan to myriad commander; taking her now, won’t there be gossip?”
Li Xiao shook his head lightly: “No matter; arrange matchmakers these two days!”
“If Wei Xuan can’t handle this gossip, he shouldn’t lead troops against Xia.”
“Go home hold kids instead!”
Among young generation commanders, Li Xiao valued three most.
Da Hu, Er Hu, and Wei Xuan.
Er Hu most murderous; Li Xiao placed him west against royal court.
Da Hu and Wei Xuan placed in Sixth Garrison.
This was main force against grassland and Western Xia, future vanguard into Central Plains.
In Li Xiao’s mind, Da Hu and Wei Xuan were Muqali, Subutai-like talents.
As excellent commander, must have strong heart basically.
Endure pressures ordinary men cannot.
Convert to motivation.
Li Xiao did this deliberately, stimulating Wei Xuan to prove himself in next year’s war.
“Alright, since you two don’t care, I’ll arrange to Wei Family!”
“I checked; three days from now is an auspicious day for betrothal.”
Hearing Xiao Yanyan, Li Xiao nodded lightly.
Feudal era truly nice.
Husband taking concubine, wife handles the entire process, no complaints.
Just looking at back courtyard, women increasing.
Meanwhile, in a courtyard near Great Protector’s Mansion, Er Ya was also busy tidying the room.
Dragon City courtyards not yet for public sale, but some rewarded to generals.
This ‘Wei Mansion’ was Wei Xuan’s merit reward.
Er Ya loved this courtyard, tidying past two days.
Seeing Wei Xuan return, she eagerly approached.
“Brother, brother, did Great Protector appoint you myriad commander?” Er Ya’s hazy eyes blinking expectantly.
During prior drinking, Li Xiao had hinted to Wei Xuan, so Er Ya eagerly awaited brother’s advancement.
But Wei Xuan’s mood wasn’t that excited, mind full of how to earn merits, show all he relied on real skill, not women’s skirts.
Distracted, he casually handed the gold lion cavalry saber to Er Ya.
“See for yourself!”
“Ah, really myriad commander!” Er Ya said happily.
She knew Jin Prefecture Army cavalry saber grades well; golden lion head meant myriad commander.
Watching her curiously examine the saber, Wei Xuan shook his head helplessly: “These two days, tidy up well.”
“Li Family likely sending matchmakers.”
Er Ya froze: “Matchmakers?”
Then face flushed slightly, saber unappealing, mind full of Li Xiao.
Though marrying as noble concubine, Li Xiao still used formal betrothal rites.
This filled Er Ya with excitement; meant high status in Li Xiao’s heart.
Then asked: “Brother, what about Er Feng sister?”
“When marrying her back?”
Wei Xuan several years older, long overdue for marriage; no elders to arrange, constant wars delayed.
But actually, Er Ya clearly saw Er Feng’s feelings for Wei Xuan.
“Er Feng?”
Hearing the name, Wei Xuan dazed momentarily.
Though Er Feng not top beauty, skilled homemaker; marrying her would make virtuous wife and mother.
Men marry for that!
Since she signaled interest, Wei Xuan couldn’t neglect.
Finally decided: “Together!”
“We siblings: one marries in, one marries out.”
“Li Family has us pinned.”
With that, shook head, chuckled.
Er Ya had no objection; marriage alliance good.
“Just pity, our wedding big day, big sister probably can’t come.”
“Wonder if she’s well in Xia Kingdom,” Er Ya said softly, tinged with sadness.
Hearing this, Wei Xuan’s mood turned depressed, mind recalling big sister’s image.
Childhood, big sister cared for him and Er Ya, truly elder like mother.
Later she married to Xia Kingdom, distant, contact lessened; heard she bore a son, life fairly content.
“Next year if chance, visit big sister,” Wei Xuan said deeply.
