Chapter 279: Reclamation Corps, Distributing Grain, Land, And Women
Niu Fu was a farmhand from the suburbs of Xingqing Prefecture City, born big and burly, with shoulders as wide as a millstone and pitch-black skin, yet his muscles were lean and solid.
His home was dirt poor, with three adobe rooms leaking wind; his old mother passed early, and his old father barely raised him by doing hard labor for the landlord.
At twenty years old, he still hadn’t taken a wife, so he simply went all in and enlisted as a regular soldier at the Supervisor’s Office.
This regular soldier was different from the civilian laborers conscripted under “three households one campaign”; civilian laborers carried hoes and transported provisions, but regular soldiers had to don armor and go to the battlefield, fighting for real with swords and spears.
But Niu Fu wasn’t afraid; what he wanted was the five hundred copper coins in monthly military pay for regular soldiers, plus the two mu of compensation land for his family if he died in battle.
After two years, following the troops on border patrols, he had really saved up five taels of silver fragments in his pouch.
Then he went to the most famous Wang Matchmaker in South City, ready to find himself a wife.
“Don’t worry, Fu boy, leave it to Godmother Wang.”
“Remember Widow Liu from the back street? Young age, just a bit unlucky—her husband died, and she’s raising two kids alone.”
“Pretty face, sturdy build, absolutely a good wife who can bear children.”
Niu Fu listened, and his eyes lit up immediately.
“Her husband died?”
Heaven has eyes!
Back when Widow Liu was still a young wife, he had seen her twice—she was really beautiful.
But thinking of her husband getting to be with such a pretty young wife and have kids twisted his heart like a knife!
Now it was good; that guy had the fortune but no chance to enjoy it.
In the end, it would still benefit him.
So what if she was a widow?
She was in high demand.
“Good, her it is!” Niu Fu slapped the silver on the table and agreed gruffly.
Wang Matchmaker smiled and tucked the silver into her sleeve, patting his arm: “Relax, in three days, Godmother will bring Widow Liu to meet you.”
Hearing this, Niu Fu felt delighted inside.
He didn’t sleep well that night.
But unexpectedly, the next day just as dawn broke, the watchman’s clappers in the camp exploded like thunder, an hour earlier than usual.
“Northern Frontier barbarians invading south, Hexi Corridor in crisis; Supervisor’s Office orders: army marches out in half a shichen!”
“March out?”
Niu Fu’s face turned bitter gourd-like; war was coming—what about Widow Liu?
But no choice, he could only pray that when he returned, Widow Liu hadn’t married yet.
But unexpectedly, before he could wait for Widow Liu, he himself became a captive of the Northern Frontier Army.
In the battle at Yanzhi Mountain, Xia Kingdom’s over eighty thousand elite army was like wheat stubble swept by a gale, defeated in a mess, with over fifty thousand becoming captives.
He, an infantryman without even decent armor, was dazedly strung into a long line with ropes, reorganized with other common people, becoming the first batch of military civilians escorted to the Northern Frontier.
On the way, they walked and stopped; when hungry, Northern Frontier Army distributed thin porridge, when thirsty they drank roadside puddles, at night curling up under the open Gobi Desert, with people constantly dying around them.
After three months of trekking, the number in the group had decreased by a tenth, and they had arrived at a place called Yanqi.
The further west they went, the more bones littered the road; some bones still embedded with rusty arrowheads, some gnawed down to half.
The squad leader escorting them spat and casually kicked away a bone fragment: “This place used to be called Kashgar, under Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate control; now it’s called Yanqi.”
“Heard our Han Dynasty ancestors called this place Yanqi.”
“The Myriad Household Commander said this is ‘reclaiming our homeland.'” The squad leader grinned.
He was called Wei Niuduzi, not truly Northern Frontier Army; originally a soldier from Ganzhou City.
After the battle of Ganzhou, captured by Northern Frontier Army, after some coercion and inducement transformation, he became an honorable Kuli Army infantryman.
In the Military Horse Farm battle, they blocked the Western Xia Army’s offensive and gained Li Xiao’s recognition.
Thus, those infantrymen with military merit smoothly became true Northern Frontier Army soldiers; those who killed three enemies even became military households.
While soldiers like Wei Niuduzi with no great merit but hard labor, good transformation attitude, and loyalty to the Northern Frontier were promoted to squad leaders.
There was also a comrade who became deputy squad leader.
And the other eight households weren’t all from the same place.
Prisoners of war, civilian laborers, plundered Hexi common people, plus Gansu common people—a real big mix, hard to form cliques, convenient for Northern Frontier management.
And Niu Fu, because he was also a Western Xia regular soldier, had the best relationship with Wei Niuduzi.
They were enemies on the Military Horse Farm battlefield, but now good brothers.
Niu Fu was even a bit unconvinced about Wei Niuduzi.
Thinking this guy just surrendered to Northern Frontier Army one step earlier, with slightly deeper seniority; otherwise, who would be squad leader wasn’t certain.
“Old Wei, how do you know so much? Been to the Western Regions before?” Niu Fu asked curiously.
Wei Niuduzi chuckled: “I’ve never been either; heard it from the captain last night.”
Unlike squad leaders, most captains were Northern Frontier Army transfers, and centurions were purely Northern Frontier Army.
“Captain said, at year’s end last year, our Northern Frontier Fifth Garrison army came south from Yili, took the city with little effort, killed so refreshingly, blood flowing like rivers, even blocking the moat.”
“Killed all the men clean, took the women back to Northern Frontier for brothers to take as wives.”
“That taste, tsk tsk tsk~”
Originally thought Northern Frontier Army was fierce enough in Hexi Corridor.
Didn’t expect even more ruthless against Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate—straight up massacre the city!
Entire Kashgar was killed empty; simply too brutal.
Of course, Er Hu only massacred Kashgar to kill the chicken to warn the monkey; for later towns, mainly looting.
But Niu Fu and others didn’t know that!
Hearing Northern Frontier Army’s feats in Southern Xinjiang, they were thoroughly shocked.
“No worries, we’ll be Northern Frontier Army too soon.”
“Follow the army south to loot, grab women, hehehe~” Wei Niuduzi smirked lewdly.
Western Xia Army’s strength was average; enough to defend against surrounding forces, but powerless to expand.
So these soldiers couldn’t get much extra income.
It was different in the Northern Frontier.
The Six Garrisons soldiers’ treatment was really good!
Wei Niuduzi had seen them eating meat in big bites, handing out money by the handful, dividing women, making him drool with envy.
If not for luckily becoming this squad leader, he would’ve wanted to join Northern Frontier Army as a small soldier to loot and get rich.
As they got closer to Yanqi, white bones grew denser in roadside haystacks and under sand and gravel.
Some skulls cracked with ferocious gashes, some ribs broken raw, some finger bones curled as if clutching something desperately at death.
Wind swirling sand grains blew past, wailing like countless aggrieved spirits crying.
Until dusk, when the sunset dyed the Gobi a reddish brown, this group finally spotted Yanqi City’s silhouette from afar.
The city wall low and dilapidated like gnawed bones, several crimson battle flags with white edges at the gate, the sun and moon emblem on them flapping in the wind, exuding killing intent.
Niu Fu squinted at the flag, heart thudding.
Captured so long, he had figured out Northern Frontier Army’s organization pretty well.
Pure crimson battle flag was Second Town, led by the Great Protector’s own uncle.
While this white-edged one was Fifth Garrison’s banner, commanded by the Great Protector’s own younger brother Li Ao.
Last year, he led Fifth Garrison army to slaughter all the foreign race in entire Kashgar City—a real butcher.
Thinking of this, Niu Fu’s neck prickled with chill.
He considered himself bold; back at Xingqing Prefecture City outskirts, he fought horse bandits without flinching, but now gazing at that crimson white-edged battle flag, his heart still felt hairy.
He sidled to Wei Niuduzi, lowering voice: “Old Wei, we won’t… be under Fifth Garrison from now on, right?”
Wei Niuduzi raised a brow, dry laughed twice: “You guessed right.”
“The place we’re going is called Seven Rivers, under Fifth Garrison’s territory.”
Wei Niuduzi paused, seeing Niu Fu’s nervous look, added: “But don’t worry too much; he can’t control us reclamation groups.”
“We just need to obey the Myriad Household Commander; he obeys the Governor, though Seven Rivers doesn’t have a Governor yet.”
“But none of that matters to us small fries.”
Wei Niuduzi clapped Niu Fu’s shoulder hard: “In Seven Rivers, work the land honestly, and you’ll eat your fill, live good days.”
“If you really want to get rich, join Six Garrisons as soldier, chop heads for military merit…”
Words unfinished, Wei Niuduzi shut his mouth, eyes glancing afar.
Niu Fu followed his gaze, seeing several cavalry in crimson white-edged armor charging toward the reclamation group.
Those cavalry rode straight and tall, clearly elites.
The reclamation group Myriad Household Commander was former Fourth Garrison chiliarch transfer, named Zhou Dali, patriarch of Feiying Fort Zhou Family, one of the first to follow Li Xiao.
Just because of age, he transferred to become Myriad Household Commander.
After exchanging with Fifth Garrison scouts, he immediately arranged the reclamation group to camp openly outside Northern Frontier Army Camp.
As night just spread over Gobi, Fifth Garrison chiliarch Zhao Shunzi responsible for Yanqi affairs brought a team of personal guards into the reclamation group camp.
“Uncle Zhou.”
Zhao Shunzi dismounted from afar, cupping hands to the approaching Zhou Dali, voice carrying young man’s cheerfulness and respect for elder.
“It’s Bohai Fort Zhao Family’s Third Master!”
Zhou Dali squinted at him a moment, then suddenly laughed heartily, slapping Zhao Shunzi’s arm.
Calluses rubbing armor plates rustling, “Years since we met, already a chiliarch? Good, good, young talent!”
Both were Han people from Nine Forts and Eighteen Villages; Zhou Dali even knew Zhao Shunzi’s father.
Zhou Dali led him under his slightly larger tent, personal guards sensibly guarding outside.
“Uncle Zhou, how many people this time?”
Zhao Shunzi sat cross-legged, pulled out a sheepskin pouch from his bosom, handed it over: “This is Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate grape wine; try it.”
“Three Myriad Household Commanders, nearly a hundred thousand people.”
Zhou Dali took it and gulped a big mouthful, smacked lips: “I led vanguard; other two Myriad Household Commanders you should know—Qianhe Village’s Wu the Blind, Black Mountain Village’s Old Ge Flatnose.”
Normally, three Myriad Household Commanders’ common people would exceed a hundred thousand.
But because Seven Rivers and Yili were on the frontline confronting the Royal Court, Fifth Garrison needed troop supplements anytime.
So, proportion of Western Xia surrendered soldiers and civilian laborers in these three Myriad Household Commanders was higher.
Many surrendered soldiers’ and civilian laborers’ families were still in Hedong; lone arrivals counted as one household each, total far less than five- or six-person families.
Plus, from Gansu departure roster, en route lost some elderly, weak, sick, disabled; arriving here, just over a hundred thousand.
Numbers not many, but once rooted in Northern Frontier, given land, water, women, in a few years these hundred thousand could double.
Zhao Shunzi nodded slightly: “That’s great; we in Yili and Seven Rivers are short on people, especially Han people.”
“Great Protector said long ago: to plant Han people’s feet in this Western Regions, rely on you reclamation brothers.”
“Those foreign races can’t be relied on.”
Zhou Dali chuckled; Northern Frontier Army had many foreign races, including Turkic People, Uyghur People, Naiman People, Khitan People, etc.
But except Khitan People, other tribes never integrated into Northern Frontier Army’s core power circle.
More like war consumables.
Northern Frontier this edifice needed massive Han people to fill to solidify foundation.
“By Great Protector’s Mansion orders, I this Myriad Household Commander will go to Seven Rivers for reclamation.” Zhou Dali changed topic.
He had joined Western Expeditions against Royal Court more than once, fairly knew Seven Rivers area.
Endless grassland Gobi, rich water and grass, but adjacent to frontline confronting Royal Court, occasionally small cavalry raids—really dangerous.
So needed sufficient support to ensure reclamation group rooted there.
Zhao Shunzi saw his concern, said gravely: “Uncle Zhou, rest assured; Commander has it figured.”
“Though Commander still in Kerpin pressing Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate for grain, already conscripted plenty from Kuxian, Luntai, etc., enough to hold for a while.”
“Commander’s meaning…”
Zhao Shunzi paused, looking into Zhou Dali’s eyes: “Can give you three Myriad Household Commanders each fifty thousand shi provisions.”
“But considering Uncle Zhou your group alone in Seven Rivers, can add twenty thousand shi.”
“Seventy thousand shi?”
Zhou Dali jerked upright, weary face instantly brightening, hand unconsciously gripping sheepskin pouch tight: “That’s great, really solves urgent need!”
Their reclamation group had enough remaining grain to reach Seven Rivers.
With this seventy thousand shi, at five jin rations per person daily, enough for this ten thousand households to eat over a year.
By then new reclaimed land could grow crops, cattle and sheep calve, days could snowball on their own.
Zhao Shunzi seeing his ecstatic look, mouth corners hooked up, tossed another bit: “Besides fifty thousand shi grain, Commander also prepared women for you.”
“Women?” Zhou Dali was stunned.
“Not many, just two thousand.”
Zhao Shunzi explained: “All reorganized from Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate side.”
Zhou Dali was truly delighted now, slapped thigh hard: “Great, I was just worrying about this!”
Reclamation group had many single men, all captured soldiers from Western Xia battlefield or lone refugee civilian laborers.
In this foreign Gobi, no emotional tie, long days breed thoughts, bound to have some risking beheading to sneak back.
But if divide them women, form families, bear kids, have ties, hearts settle; Seven Rivers’ roots truly planted.
“Commander considers thoroughly.” Zhou Dali sighed.
Zhao Shunzi stood, patted dust off: “Grain and women in city; tomorrow morning, Uncle Zhou you can send people to receive.”
“Though Seven Rivers harsh, with these, days can make it through.”
Next day just dawn, reclamation group men, pockets full of pent-up vigor from the road, followed Zhou Dali into Yanqi City.
Grain matter temporarily cast aside, all eyes glued to the open field at city gate.
There, the women they longed for all the way would arrive.
Now reclamation group not short on grain; Fifth Garrison’s seventy thousand shi enough to next year end, but no warm body beside, nights in shelters hearing wind wail over Gobi, heart felt empty.
Especially Niu Fu this twenty-plus old bachelor, never tasted woman.
Last night heard dividing wives, tossed and turned sleepless, mind full of hazy fantasies.
Just reaching field edge, Niu Fu’s soul was hooked by the sight.
Those Uyghur women herded in temporary rope pens; some wrapped in ragged turbans, those without had theirs forcibly torn off by Northern Frontier Army.
Though clothes filthy and torn, faces tear-streaked, high noses, deep eye sockets glowed exotic charm in morning light.
“Pretty, too pretty…”
Niu Fu swallowed saliva, eyes straight.
Whole reclamation group like pot boiling over; men whispering, coarse laughs and whistles rising falling, even dullest oafs grinning, air thick with restless spring scent.
“All quiet down!”
Zhou Dali’s roar like muffled thunder, quelling the noise.
“These wives aren’t free!”
“Normally buying cattle or sheep costs silver; let alone bed-warming, child-bearing wives?”
Zhou Dali scanned crowd, gaze turning over those hungry eyes: “Each wife, five strings copper coins.”
Words out, field quieted moment; some smacked lips—five strings no small sum, nearly buys a sturdy ox.
“No money? No problem.”
Zhou Dali anticipated, mouth corners curved smile: “Can owe first, record on account; later earn grain, change to money, repay.”
“Want wife, come register here.”
He paused, eyes stern, sweeping family men: “Those with wives, don’t join in.”
“Want concubine, either rob on battlefield yourself, or wait autumn sell grain cattle sheep, buy at market yourself.”
“Now, no-wife men, come here!”
Niu Fu’s heart pounded; five strings like stone on chest.
Money saved soldiering Western Xia long spent; now not a coin left.
But looking up at that foreign woman in rope pen hugging shoulders, timid eyes, he gritted teeth hard.
One ox for child-bearing, foot-warming-in-cold-nights wife—worth it!
“I want one!”
Niu Fu bellowed, charging front like wild ox, few steps to Zhou Dali.
“Myriad Household Commander, I want a wife!”
Him starting, rear men like floodgate burst, surging forward.
“Myriad Household Commander, I want!”
“Give me one too!”
Crowd squeezed airtight; some yelling hoarse, some rubbing hands anxious, even thirty-forty civilian laborers red-eyed pushing forward.
In this foreign Gobi, having a home beats all.
Uyghur women in rope pen more frightened by commotion, shrinking to corners; some even covering faces crying, but cries drowned by men’s frantic shouts.
Niu Fu stared fixed at that big-butted woman; her chest huge, trembling surging when crying, Niu Fu couldn’t look away.
Farewell, Widow Liu.
I, Niu Fu, will have a wife.
Soon after, Niu Fu finally got his own wife.
Not the one he eyed first, but a plump-figured foreign miss, big chest big hips, eyes brows with innocent simplicity, clearly good for bearing.
Niu Fu treasured her immensely, carefully shielding when walking, afraid others touch.
The miss initially shrank shoulders trembling; stuffed with fresh-baked naan bread, her eyes gradually livened, timidly following him.
Reclamation group single men mostly got wives; with these women joining, group atmosphere changed.
But Zhou Dali issued death order: not reach Seven Rivers, no bedding.
Daytime could stay with wife, nights must separate.
Zhou Dali cursed plenty for this rule, but effect obvious.
Thinking after Seven Rivers could hug soft wife to sleep, even carrying several dozen jin grain sacks felt like fire in belly hurrying.
Arrived Seven Rivers, already November.
Sky sprinkled fine snowflakes, landing on withered yellow grass, soon thin layer; land desolate.
Road-march enthusiasm instantly frozen; men staring vast white wasteland, dumbfounded.
Passion faded, reality’s chill crept up pant legs.
Someone rubbed frozen-red hands, voice trembling: “This damn weather, winter in shelters? Fear freeze to icicles!”
Zhou Dali calm: “Panic what?”
“Won’t freeze you dead.”
Then pointing ground, ordered loudly: “Use spearheads dig pits on ground; many people dig big, few dig small, enough for family to sleep in.”
“Then find wood, wasteland grass cover top as roof—that’s your winter home!”
“Next spring, I’ll lead you reclaim wasteland.”
“New reclaimed land, ten years rent-free tax-free, all income ours.”
“Future days, guaranteed better and better!”
His method was pit dwellings.
Dig half-person deep underground, smooth four walls, cover top with grass wood; though simple, blocks wind keeps warm—good item for wintering in Western Regions Gobi.
Niu Fu heart warmed, pulled his wife to wind-sheltered slope.
He swung spearhead digging down; frozen soil hard as stone, jarring palms numb, but thinking pit dwelling done could winter warmly with wife, hands gained strength.
His foreign wife not idle, gathered dry branches piled aside, occasionally glancing up, eyes less timid.
Worked through night, Niu Fu’s pit dwelling finally done.
He crawled in to test—indeed much warmer than outside, no wind or snow entering.
This was his first home in Seven Rivers.
That night pit dwelling built and occupied, Seven Rivers wasteland echoed many women’s muffled voices.
Amid these sounds, he Niu Fu finally transformed into a true man.
