Chapter 232: Conferring Medals, Appointments, And Ranks
Just as the Jin Prefecture Military Academy began taking shape, the grassroots people’s livelihood in various places in the Northern Frontier was also quietly changing.
Seven Rivers, a Centurion’s Residence under the Fifth Garrison, welcomed a group of guests this day.
It was a caravan with more than twenty large horse carriages, with flags hanging on the carriages bearing the words ‘Hexi’.
Undoubtedly, this was the Hexi Merchant Guild caravan under Li Xiao.
Only the Hexi Merchant Guild’s caravan could pass through the entire Northern Frontier without hindrance.
Who didn’t know this was the Great Protector’s property?
“Old Liu, where the hell have you died off to?”
“I’ve brought you good stuff, come out and greet us quick.”
The caravan had just arrived outside the Centurion camp when a brazen shout rang out.
A chubby middle-aged man dismounted from his horse; he was delivering supplies to an old friend.
However, the one who came out to greet him was not Centurion Old Liu, but the Deputy Centurion.
“Shopkeeper Deng, Old Liu went to Jin Prefecture for some learning thing? Anyway, it’s about getting promoted. Who knows, he might be hiding in some woman’s bed having a good time right now.”
The Deputy Centurion came forward with a sleazy grin and said that the Centurion’s Residence was currently under his proxy.
But in reality, both the Centurion and Deputy Centurion were still on probation and had not been formally appointed.
“What? He went to Jin Prefecture? This Old Liu didn’t even say a word.”
“The orders came down very urgently; Old Liu set off the next day. But before leaving, he instructed that after Shopkeeper Deng delivers the supplies, we just do the normal transaction.”
Shopkeeper Deng finally felt relieved and nodded slightly: “Alright then.”
Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a wasted trip? These goods weren’t hard to sell, but the road costs were still a loss!
“As for the prices, just follow what was agreed with Old Liu~”
“This time we brought a total of two hundred cotton clothes, two thousand catties of coke, fifty jars of strong liquor, one hundred shi of grain…”
Hearing the amount of supplies reported by Shopkeeper Deng, the Deputy Centurion’s face lit up with joy.
“Great! We’re short on these exact things!”
“With these clothes and grain, everyone in our Centurion’s Residence can safely get through this winter.”
The current Hexi Merchant Guild was the only large commercial organization in the Northern Frontier, responsible for economic regulation and the flow of supplies.
Goods like cotton cloth, cotton clothes, alcoholic beverages, salt, etc., produced in Jin Prefecture were all handed over to the Hexi Merchant Guild for sale.
The Hexi Merchant Guild planned to establish a supplies distribution point, that is, a shop, in every prefecture.
But Seven Rivers was remote and they hadn’t had time to build one yet; these goods were all pulled from the Eastern Capital warehouse.
According to the previously negotiated prices, the Centurion’s Residence quickly completed the supplies handover with the Hexi Merchant Guild.
Because of war plundering, the garrison soldiers were all quite well-off, with plenty of money in hand.
So, they were eager to buy supplies needed for themselves and their family members.
And Li Xiao could also use this commercial method to circulate the money in the garrison soldiers’ hands, promoting the development of commerce in the Northern Frontier.
This day, the entire Centurion’s Residence was as joyful as if it were New Year’s.
In the evening, Bolduo’s family sat in a warm tent, gathered around a pile of burning coke.
Though called a family, it was actually just him and two women besides.
Bolduo was originally a Naiman; after being captured, he became a garrison soldier through military merit and was assigned to Seven Rivers, under this Centurion’s Residence of the Fifth Garrison.
Moreover, he was rewarded with a Turkic woman and bought a Uyghur woman with money.
So now, he had a warm home, two beautiful wives, and an unborn child.
Bolduo was fairly satisfied with his current life; after all, in the past, as a servant-born man, he didn’t deserve such beautiful wives, not even a separate tent.
Now, he had a house, wives too—and two of them— the child was about to be born, he had cattle and sheep, money; his life was nearly complete.
“This black stuff is really warm!”
The Turkic wife sat in front of the coke and exclaimed.
Before, they only burned wood, filling the tent with smoke so they couldn’t sleep.
Coke was better—not only warmer, but it could burn all night.
The Uyghur wife on the other side liked the new clothes Bolduo bought her even more.
A thick cotton clothes worn on the body felt like crawling into a cow’s belly, and no need to worry about freezing the child in her belly.
Today’s Bolduo had also done some big shopping.
Bought coke, bought grain, bought salt, bought two jars of liquor, and even bought a set of new clothes for each wife.
All essential daily supplies, piling up the entire tent, leaving only space for the three to sleep.
But Bolduo was very satisfied; this had the breath of life.
“But these things are so expensive.”
“It cost our family so much money!”
The Uyghur wife gently stroked her belly, looking heartbroken as she gestured with her hands.
With a child, her mind had settled; she was truly considering this family.
Though Bolduo and his Uyghur wife couldn’t communicate verbally, after this time together, he could coordinate simple exchanges with body language.
He quickly understood his wife’s meaning.
Grinning with a haha laugh, without explaining, he just showed a domineering expression, thumped his chest with his fist, then gave a thumbs up.
Telling the Uyghur wife: “Your man, reliable!”
Late at night, after both wives fell asleep, Bolduo grinned but felt the pinch.
Though he fought bravely, was rewarded with plenty of money, and robbed quite a bit, it really didn’t last long.
Especially cotton clothes—low production meant high prices; ordinary garrison folk couldn’t bear to buy them.
Bolduo had put on a fat face in front of his two wives, acting tough once.
But the heartache was real.
His little savings had shrunk by nearly half at once, making Bolduo secretly worry about future life.
It really wasn’t easy!
Looking at the child in his wife’s belly nearby, Bolduo resolved inwardly: “Next battle, must kill more people.”
Otherwise, really couldn’t support this family!
Sigh, being a man.
Having a family meant worries; even if teeth shattered, back bent, had to grit and work hard, to hold up a sky for wife and child.
At the same time, many like Bolduo were generous when buying things.
But once in hand, they’d find their little savings really couldn’t hold up.
Thus, these grassroots garrison soldiers couldn’t help but start anticipating the next war.
No windfall, no wealth.
Without war spoils, how could they let their family members live well?
……
A month passed quickly; with less than half a month left before New Year, the New Year atmosphere grew thicker, and the third cohort of Hexi Military School completed their courses.
Martial arts assessments were one more impressive than the last; battlefield strategy, troop deployment, logistics mobilization, and other military subjects were equally outstanding.
But cultural studies scores were utter garbage.
Looking at these exam papers, Li Xiao was speechless and cursed loudly: “Having this bunch of blockheads write stuff is a total waste of this commander’s good grass paper.”
The writing on them was crooked and messy, like dog crawls.
But at least they could all write their own names now; even the worst could recognize dozens of simple characters.
“These few are decent.”
At the end, Li Xiao could at least pick out some top students.
Among them were the Yang Shouzheng brothers.
They came from a military general noble family in Western Xia, trained from childhood, so their learning ability was indeed much stronger than the grassroots Northern Frontier generals.
Current Jin Prefecture didn’t lack fierce generals good at combat, but lacked all-rounded talents skilled in both civil and martial affairs.
The Yang Shouzheng brothers thus truly entered Li Xiao’s sight.
However, cultural studies scores were just a bonus; the real judgment standard was still tests of martial arts and strategy.
The next day, Li Xiao personally oversaw riding and archery, charges, and other subjects for the military school students.
The third day, he personally hosted ‘thesis defenses’—actually interviews, giving topics for the generals to analyze.
For example, our side has a full thousand cavalry, while the enemy has merely ten thousand.
But if the enemy refuses to surrender and dares to launch an offensive against us, as the commander, how would you handle it?
These topics tested the generals’ troop command ability, adaptability, attack and capture fortifications, army camping, logistics support, coordination with brother units, and more.
These topics were also the results of what they’d learned this period.
Finally, Li Xiao scored them, combined with cultural scores and past military merits, to determine promotions.
This day, just as dawn broke, urgent bronze bell sounds rang in the military school dorms.
After about a month here, Yang Shouzheng and the others were already used to it.
They all got up from bed, quickly donning clothes.
The dorm was a ten-man bunk room, housing officers from the same garrison.
Even if originally strangers, after a month’s interaction, they knew each other inside out.
The room was full of the clattering sound of armor plates colliding.
Everyone skillfully put on their cotton armor.
But their faces all showed some novelty and smug satisfaction.
“I tell you, this new cotton armor is way better than the old; comfortable, warm.”
A Centurion named Zheng Laopi said with a chuckling smile, touching his brand-new armor, grinning ear to ear.
“Ain’t that right? The old cotton armor got soaked in blood, couldn’t wash it out; one rain and it was bloodman again~ hahaha~”
“I say, the old armor was fine; I killed dozens with it wearing it, saved my life at least three times. Handing it over like this, kinda reluctant!”
“I think you just don’t know how to enjoy; got new ones to wear, still attached to the old!”
“This is sentimentality~”
Yang Shouzheng donned his cotton armor while listening to the others banter, adding some fun to the dull training and study.
But after fully suiting up, he felt a bit unaccustomed too.
Too new!
The bloodstains symbolizing military merit and honor were all gone.
Just yesterday, the military school collected all their original armor and issued new sets.
No big difference: same two layers of dense cotton cloth sandwiching a layer of Hexi steel armor plates.
Just some style changes.
Yang Shouzheng was originally a Captain of the Third Garrison; after army expansion, transferred to Sixth Garrison as temporary Centurion.
So his armor was still the original White Armor.
But this set he was wearing now had red edges wrapped all around the borders.
Red-edge White Armor.
Exactly the Sixth Garrison’s mark.
And Yang Shouzheng had already seen the Sixth Garrison’s garrison flag: also red-edge white flag with a red sun and moon emblem.
So Yang Shouzheng quickly got over his fascination with the armor.
Then, as usual, morning training began.
Running, push-ups, pull-ups, etc.; these modern exercise methods were all introduced by Li Xiao.
Though Northern Frontier was all cavalry, long marches were very taxing on stamina; endurance training was a must.
Plus prolonged wielding spears, drawing bows—these demanded high arm strength.
So building arm muscle power was also a daily military school exercise.
Li Xiao also required these generals, upon return, to train soldiers the same way.
After morning training came breakfast.
Naan bread plenty, pickles plenty, millet porridge plenty.
Lunch and dinner would add meat and oil.
After breakfast, instead of usual study, all were led to the training ground, lined up neatly.
In the center stood officers from First Division and Fourth Garrison, wearing Yellow Armor and white-edge Yellow Armor respectively.
At the very front of First Division sequence stood some officers in red-edge Yellow Armor, from Wuwei Army.
The other four garrisons were arrayed left and right, extending to the sides.
Soon, Li Xiao arrived at the training ground with a crowd of Myriad Commanders and officers.
He wore dark golden cotton armor, embroidered with black thread dragon patterns and sun moon mountains rivers designs, exuding dignity and dominance.
Behind him, Tie Tou, Thin Monkey, and other Myriad Commanders staying in Jin Prefecture strode forward with overwhelming aura.
The golden sun and moon battle flag fluttered in the wind; Li Xiao stood under it, hand on war saber, sharp gaze sweeping over the three hundred officers in the field.
He said loudly: “A month’s time is up. Some of you will soon leave Jin Prefecture for various places in the Northern Frontier, to guard the borders and resist invaders.”
……
Li Xiao first gave a simple speech, then began the commissioning ceremony.
Due to the Six Garrisons’ expansion, many officers were temporarily promoted to acting Centurions; now training ended and assessments passed, most qualified and would be formally appointed today.
Even some exceptional ones would be promoted to Deputy Chiliarch.
Then, Thin Monkey took out a roster nearby and read aloud: “First Division~”
“Wang Dagui, Sun Dachuan, Li Tie Niu, Yang Shoujing…”
Then, a group of ten stepped under the sun and moon battle flag, lined up, all in red-edge Yellow Armor, emanating a feral savage aura.
These were all Centurions from Wuwei Army.
Li Xiao walked to the first, Wang Dagui, towering half a head taller, looking down slightly at that weathered face with two scars, fierce and rugged.
He lightly patted his shoulder and said: “Dagui, well done.”
Though Wang Dagui wasn’t from Hexi Fort, he was an old Han man of Jin Prefecture, always following Li Xiao, with illustrious military merits and unwavering loyalty.
Originally a Centurion, this time Li Xiao planned to promote him to Deputy Chiliarch.
Meanwhile, Thin Monkey read aloud from the booklet Wang Dagui’s battle records and merits.
“Wang Dagui, in the Eastern Capital battle personally slew five, led troops to slay one hundred thirty-two, captured Royal Court general Wen Chihedu…”
“Today, award Wang Dagui medium sun and moon medal, lower warrior medal.”
“Appoint Wang Dagui as First Division First Chiliarch, Deputy Chiliarch position, concurrently Centurion.”
During the reading, Li Xiao took a golden medal from his personal guard’s hand.
Pure gold forged, engraved with sun and moon emblem and three wavy horizontal lines.
Currently, Northern Frontier medals were two kinds, six grades.
The most basic called ‘Warrior Medal’, pure silver, specially for ordinary soldiers.
As long as slaying over three enemies, awarded ‘lower warrior medal’.
Representing this soldier as a warrior in the Northern Frontier Army.
Cumulative slaying over ten enemies, awarded ‘medium warrior medal’.
Cumulative slaying over thirty enemies, awarded ‘upper warrior medal.’
Gaining medium warrior medal already made one a tough guy.
Gaining upper warrior medal was soldier king, butcher; on battlefield, if meeting such, could only pray to escape.
Upper warrior medal’s value and difficulty far exceeded the second kind, sun and moon medal.
This was specially for generals, pure gold, also divided into upper medium lower three grades.
Not based on kill count, but overall war contribution on battlefield.
Wang Dagui led troops to slay over a hundred enemies, captured enemy general, qualified for medium sun and moon medal.
After pinning the two medals on Wang Dagui’s right chest, Li Xiao picked up a finger-length copper nail.
But the nail head was dragon-eye sized, front showing a sun pattern.
Li Xiao handed it to Wang Dagui and said gravely: “Nail this copper nail on your left chest armor plate.”
“This is your Deputy Chiliarch mark.”
The cotton armor’s central armor plates were fixed in place by copper nails.
This mark too: pierce through chest cotton armor, lock from inside, expose nail head outside for all to see the pattern.
What Li Xiao created was essentially the precursor to a rank system.
Ordinary soldiers’ cotton armor had empty left chest.
Lowest deputy squad leader had a moon pattern on left chest.
Squad leader mark added a horizontal line below the moon.
Deputy Captain two moons, Captain two moons one horizontal line.
Deputy Centurion three moons, Centurion three moons one horizontal line.
Three moons maxed; Deputy Chiliarch became one sun.
Thereafter Chiliarch, Deputy Myriad Commander etc., by analogy.
So Wang Dagui’s Deputy Chiliarch was one sun pattern.
Squad leader, Captain, Centurion, Chiliarch, Myriad Commander, Commander.
Total six levels twelve grades.
Then Li Xiao awarded Wang Dagui the other item signifying Deputy Chiliarch status: silver eagle cavalry saber.
Left hand cavalry saber, right holding copper nail, Wang Dagui saluted Li Xiao with hand to chest: “This subordinate Wang Dagui swears loyalty to the Great Protector unto death.”
Li Xiao nodded lightly, helped him up, then commissioned the second man.
Sun Dachuan similarly Wuwei Army Deputy Chiliarch, one sun on chest, awarded silver eagle cavalry saber.
But merits slightly less than Wang Dagui, got only ‘lower sun and moon medal’.
But personal prowess stronger, awarded ‘medium warrior medal’.
Next, commissioning ceremony proceeded orderly.
Yang Shoujing formally awarded Wuwei Army Centurion, three moons plus one horizontal line on chest.
Soon, all First Division Deputy Chiliarchs and Centurions were filled.
Then Second Garrison, Third Garrison.
After nearly an hour, Yang Shouzheng finally heard his name.
Stood under sun and moon battle flag with other nine.
This was his first time so close to Li Xiao.
Looking at this man a few years younger than himself, Yang Shouzheng unusually felt nervous.
He had a feeling Li Xiao’s robust body contained immense power; once unleashed, enough to tear him apart.
Face with faint smile, like spring breeze, seemed very approachable, yet always felt an overpowering force.
Deep gaze seemed to pierce the heart; no thought could hide from Li Xiao’s eyes.
“General Yang is an excellent general, and an excellent father, raising you two dragon brothers tiger brothers.”
Li Xiao stood before Yang Shouzheng and said gravely.
True, many noble family sons were playboys, but many talents too.
Raised with elite education from childhood, their insight and ability far surpassed others; Li Xiao saw it in the Yang brothers.
“Thanks, Great Protector!” Yang Shouzheng said excitedly.
Li Xiao lightly patted his shoulder, said gravely: “You brothers are now Northern Frontier men.”
“Your father’s enmity is Northern Frontier’s enmity.”
“Sooner or later, will give you chance to personally slay the enemy.”
Yang Shouzheng’s heart surged at the words.
Thinking of slaughtered family members, brothers’ hardships for revenge, his eyes reddened slightly.
He said firmly: “Though we brothers born in Xia Kingdom, Northern Frontier gave us second life.”
“Born Northern Frontier man, dead Northern Frontier ghost.”
“We two brothers swear loyalty to Great Protector unto death.”
Yang Shouzheng saluted with hand to chest and said lowly.
Li Xiao nodded pleased: “Good!”
True heart for true heart; his sincerity to Yang brothers naturally won their loyalty.
Of course, also because Li Xiao’s pep talks this period worked.
Not just Yang brothers; other Centurions’ worship and support for Li Xiao soared too.
At this time, nearby Thin Monkey read Yang Shouzheng’s merits.
“Yang Shouzheng, in Eastern Capital battle personally slew ten, led troops to slay one hundred two, captured rebel general Xiao Hetu…”
“Today, award Yang Shouzheng medium sun and moon medal, medium warrior medal.”
“Appoint Yang Shouzheng Sixth Garrison, Deputy Chiliarch position, concurrently Centurion.”
Hearing Thin Monkey, Yang Shouzheng was stunned, incredulous.
Himself, Deputy Chiliarch?
Remember, in Eastern Capital battle he was just Captain; thought formal Centurion would be good, didn’t expect another promotion.
“Great Protector, I~”
Seeing his shock, Li Xiao pinned the two medals on his chest, smiled faintly: “What? No confidence to be a good Deputy Chiliarch?”
“No~ I just~”
Yang Shouzheng looked uneasy, then said solemnly: “This subordinate will not fail Great Protector’s expectations.”
Then Li Xiao awarded him silver eagle cavalry saber and a sun rank.
……
With commissioning ceremony ended, three hundred Northern Frontier officers completed this training successfully.
Li Xiao ordered kitchen to make a big feast that night: roast whole lamb, boiled beef plenty, Western Wind Fierce free-flow.
That night, many generals got drunk.
Next morning early, they dispersed.
First Division and Fourth Garrison officers stayed in Jin Prefecture; other four garrisons returned to bases.
Outside Dragon City East Gate, Yang brothers were parting.
“Second brother, stay in Wuwei Army, must protect Great Protector well.” Yang Shouzheng in brand-new red-edge White Armor on tall war horse, said solemnly.
“Rest assured, big brother.”
“Whoever dares harm Great Protector steps over my corpse first.” Yang Shoujing face fierce, said firmly.
After brothers talked, time was about up.
“Second brother, Western Sea next year, we brothers meet again.”
These Centurion generals heard rumors: next year if no change, Northern Frontier would muster army to attack Xia Kingdom.
For Yang brothers, best news.
Finally could avenge family.
Especially big brother Yang Shouzheng, his Sixth Garrison garrisoned Western Sea, facing Western Xia directly; would be vanguard for attacking Western Xia.
Then, two brothers parted.
Yang Shouzheng turned back to Western Sea, but this time with them was also a Hexi Merchant Guild caravan.
They hauled full loads of goods: all weapons replenishing Sixth Garrison, and part of new cotton armor distributed to Sixth Garrison.
