Chapter 476: Keeping This Unit Stationed
Chapter 471 of "The Great Ming in the Box" begins revealing exciting developments: Shi Jian and Wang Er led two hundred firearm soldiers into Pingyang Prefecture.The embroidered Deity... Donât stop now!
Shi Jian and Wang Er led two hundred firearm soldiers into Pingyang Prefecture.The embroidered Deity followed Wang Er into Pingyang.
This place, later known as Linfen, was one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization with a profound history. Li Daoxuan grew excited upon entering the cityâit was a genuine historic city during his travels this time, surely not another fake attraction?
âPfft!â
Fortunately, he was merely an embroidered figure without blood; otherwise, he might have spat blood right then.
Pingyang Prefecture showed no trace of historical sitesâonly endless dilapidated houses and swarms of refugees crowded the streets. Nearly all shops along the roads stood shuttered.
The governor of Pingyang guarded the city alongside numerous yamen officers, helpers, and civilian militias, his face etched with fear and worry. Spotting Li Huaiâs return, he scurried over anxiously: âGeneral Li! How goes the batââ
Before finishing his sentence, he noticed Li Huaiâs disheveled appearance, the helmet gone. Most soldiers behind him had also discarded armor and weapons, standing bare and disordered.
The governorâs face darkened. Itâs over⌠Pingyang is finished. Iâll perish with this city.
Just then, Li Huai gestured to Shi Jian beside him: âThis is the fierce commander under Shaanxiâs General Wang ChengâenâCaptain Shi Jian. We have him to thank for repelling the bandit army with his fearless combat.â
Governor: âHuh? Captain?â
To a governor, a captain ranked lower than a sesame seed. He thought: A single captain defeated ten thousand labor offenders? Impossible! Is Li Huai deceiving me?
No!
The governor quickly realized Li Huai wouldnât lie. Given these martial ruffiansâ nature, high-ranking officers always stole credit from juniors. Li Huai should have boasted about himself. Yet here he credited the captain⌠meaning this captain must be formidable enough to intimidate Li Huai.
The governorâs estimation of Shi Jian rose. Clasping his hands respectfully, he said: âI am Dou Wenda. We owe our thanks to General Shi for your timely aid. The bandits might have retreated for now, but theyâll return promptly. We must continue relying on you.â
Shi Jian replied: âIâm merely an insignificant captain transporting troops for my comrade. Weâre simply passing throuââ
Li Huai whispered into Dou Wendaâs ear: âCaptain Shi commands two hundred firearm soldiers, though they technically belong to another lieutenant. Heâs just transporting them through our territory. Judging by his tone, he plans to depart soon.â
Dou Wenda stiffened. Two hundred firearm soldiers? What lieutenant funds such luxurious hired guards? Thatâs a powerful connection! Leaving? Impossible! Pingyang has no defenses besides that useless Deputy General Li Huaiâwho loses every battle. We must keep these men here!
But since these werenât official troops but a lieutenantâs hired guards⌠he needed proper justification for detaining them.
Dou Wendaâs mind raced. Keeping guards is unfeasible⌠but summoning the lieutenant who owns them? That could work.
He whispered urgently: âName and position of this lieutenant?â
Li Huai: âWang Xiaohua, lieutenant under Shaanxiâs General Wang Chengâen.â
Dou Wenda: âKnowing this simplifies things.â
He turned to an attendant: âFetch paper and pen. Now!â
The tools appeared instantly. Dou Wenda began writing with tearful distress: Pingyang was endangered by bandits; his life threatened daily. Only Captain Shi and Lieutenant Wangâs aid barely saved the city. Bandits remained nearby, ready to strike. We dare not demand troops due to the courtâs shortages, but beg Deputy Minister Yang He to dispatch Lieutenant Wang to help defend Pingyang. This small request would bring immense relief.
He handed the letter to the attendant: âRush this with utmost urgency to Deputy Minister Yang.â
Once the messenger departed, Dou Wenda smiled at Shi Jian: âGeneral Shi must be exhausted from traveling. Since youâre here, stay a few days before continuing.â
Shi Jian: âMilitary affairs demand haste. I must transport these troops to Lieutenant Wang.â
Dou Wenda countered: âLieutenant Wang sits safely among a large army. These two hundred soldiers mean little to him. A short delay changes nothing.â
As they debated, the embroidered Deityâhidden on Wang Erâs chestâwatched amused. A thought occurred: Stationing these two hundred here aids our cause. Pingyang connects north and south as a vital hub. Keeping men here might prove useful later. Historically, the campaign against Wang Jiayin will end soon anywayâWhite Cat wonât earn further merits under Wang Chengâen.
After murmuring instructions to Wang Er, Wang Er whispered them to Shi Jian: âThe Deity ordersâŚâ
Instantly changing his attitude, Shi Jian told Dou Wenda: âVery well. Weâll impose on your hospitality then.â
The two hundred soldiers temporarily settled into Pingyang. Dou Wenda hosted elaborate feasts to ensure they wouldnât leave.
Meanwhile, the messenger raced to Three Boundary Governor Yang He.
Reading the report of Pingyangâs peril shocked Yang He. Yet Pingyang sought only one lieutenant and four hundred soldiersâa reasonable plea. He immediately ordered Lieutenant Wang Xiaohua dispatched to Pingyang.
Days later, White Cat arrived with two hundred and forty guards, reuniting with Shi Jian. Shi Jian âreturnedâ the two hundred firearm soldiers to White Cat. In reality, command transferred to Wang Er, though White Cat nominally held the rank of Captain.
They stationed themselves in Pingyang.
Soon, Dou Wenda noticed something extraordinary: unlike other bullying officers, this unit remained disciplined. The two hundred hired guards followed rules strictlyânever oppressing civilians, even assisting them occasionally.
The two hundred forty guards sometimes slipped upâlike skipping payment for goods. But Captain Wang corrected such behavior immediately: offenders were beaten, forced to shoulder thorns like penitents⌠and compensated the victims.
Witnessing such discipline, Dou Wenda thought: Who knows when Shanxiâs banditry will end? Keeping this disciplined unit here permanently would be ideal. Iâll devise a method slowlyâŚ