“Lord Dongyin issued an order to launch another attack on Lishi after the arrival of spring. Shangdang will provide support and provision supplies for the army.” More than ten days later, the message finally arrived. However, what lay behind the official documents was truly frustrating.
Listening to Liang Feng’s words, the faces of those around him changed slightly. Who couldn’t understand this kind of wordplay? It was nothing more than an attempt to stop the Lord from achieving further success, and to shift the burden of supplying provisions to this side. In the two previous major battles, there had been rewards. However, promotions and titles still required approval from the court, and there was no sign of money, goods, or provisions. After fighting a battle, the benefits were meager, but the burdens were heavy, enough to make people feel resentful.
Cui Ji’s expression didn’t look good: “Shangdang is accommodating so many refugees. How can it support the army with provisions? It might be better to write to Lord Dongyin, explaining that the battle was a costly victory with heavy casualties and we are unable to support the army in the campaign against the rebels.”
On the side, Duan Qin frowned and shook his head: “If we disobey orders at this moment, it could give Lord Dongyin an excuse. It might be better to consult with the army in Jinyang. If we capture Yangyi and with General Linghu’s presence, we might be able to negotiate better terms.”
Liang Feng lowered his gaze to the documents on the table. After a long pause, he suddenly said, “Did Jinyang have plenty of grain after a year of war last year?”
This question left everyone puzzled. Cui Ji said, “It’s a bit tight, I’m afraid. Just a delay in farming could lead to famine in half of the counties in Bingzhou.”
“In that case, are the three generals sent out this time truly capable warriors?” Liang Feng continued to inquire.
“If they were capable warriors, why would we be in this situation today?” Duan Qin said with a bitter smile.
With a shortage of food, low morale, and the impending attack on Lishi, it seemed like a death sentence. After a moment of contemplation, Liang Feng made a decision, “In addition to the spring farming and refugee accommodation plans, we need to allocate some provisions for the army’s use. We must also establish contact with Jinyang, express our difficulties, and make sure these provisions are used where they are needed the most.”
Upon hearing this, Duan Qin raised an eyebrow, “Is the Lord planning to win over the soldiers?”
The current situation in Jinyang was dire. They had to defend the city and preserve their remaining territory. Their military forces were stretched thin, and Sima Teng was making erratic decisions from the outside. The city’s defenders might not be without complaints. If Liang Feng stepped in now, providing them with food and support, it would be like an ally or even a lifeline for those generals who were still holding out in Bing County. If he decided to make Shangdang a strong rear support area, the effort put into it would certainly be different.
Sima Teng was known for his miserly nature. He wouldn’t even release provisions, even if they rotted away in the storage, for the soldiers who fought for him. On one side, he was the Governor of Bing County, who made them stay and sacrifice themselves but wouldn’t give them money or provisions. On the other side, there was the Taihou of Shangdang who worried about them and provided support. This subtle psychological warfare must have been quite effective. Spending some surplus provisions was a small price to pay.
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“Morale is secondary. There might not be many fighting soldiers left in Bing County. If one dies, that’s one less, and they can’t all be squandered by those lounging around outside,” Liang Feng sighed softly.
It was an unavoidable solution. The entire Bing County was under the enemy’s blade, and having one more ally was better than having one more enemy. With limited military strength in Shangdang, coupled with the busy farming season, the troops had been sent to work the fields. Ultimately, it was about using others’ troops to secure some peace. Expending some resources was not a loss.
Upon hearing this, Duan Qin and Cui Ji felt relieved. They could use their tactics to try and evade this task and protect the interests of Shangdang. However, the Lord’s thoughts extended beyond just Shangdang; it encompassed all of Bing County. His vision and compassion far exceeded that of the ruler of Bing County.
Since they were already being manipulated, they might as well turn the situation to their advantage. Being forthright in such matters was what a true leader did.
Duan Qin tidied his robe, “I will take care of it.”
After dealing with the trouble Sima Teng had thrown their way and attending to official matters, once everyone left the main hall, Liang Feng didn’t immediately depart. Instead, after a moment of contemplation, he gave an order, “Prepare my horse.”
A spirited black steed was led out. For the past two months, Liang Feng rarely used a carriage for travel; he preferred to ride. This horse had Wusun lineage, with remarkable vigor. It was getting on in years, and being a mare, it had a very gentle temperament. It had been selected by Yiyan to be his mount.
Liang Feng didn’t mind much. Being unable to go to the battlefield, having a well-prepared horse was a bit of a waste. But having a means of transportation was sufficient. He mounted the horse and, accompanied by a few personal guards, rode towards the outskirts of the city.
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As his health gradually improved and his back gained strength, riding a horse was no longer a chore for Liang Feng. They traveled quickly, and in less than two-quarters of an hour, they arrived at the cavalry camp located outside the city.
The cavalry had grown in size, from a few hundred initially to nearly two thousand now. During the recent battle in Shangdang, they had captured a batch of horses, leading to further expansion of the cavalry. This camp was unlike other garrisons; all of its soldiers were regular troops, and their training was even more rigorous than other units. While most auxiliary and garrison troops had started farming, their training had never ceased.
As they reached the entrance of the camp, a dapple-gray horse approached. Yiyan dismounted and asked, “My Lord, are you here to inspect the camp?”
If there was something urgent, they could have summoned him back to the city. Riding here alone was likely for inspection.
Liang Feng smiled and replied, “Just here for a look around. Mount up, accompany me on a tour.”
This request caused Yiyan’s brows to furrow slightly, but he didn’t object. The two of them casually rode into the camp. The cavalry camp was much more spacious than other camps. On the vast training ground, many soldiers were on horseback practicing. New recruits always had to pass the horsemanship test, and the camp’s training methods were quite brutal. When they fell off their horses and when they passed the test was determined by their ability.
Watching the new recruits, their bodies stiff, tightly gripping the reins, and receiving continuous reprimands, Liang Feng couldn’t help but chuckle, “Are these new recruits even usable?”
“Give them three months of training, and we’ll see,” Yi Yan answered succinctly.
“If these new recruits become seasoned soldiers, would that be enough for the Tiger Wolf Battalion?” Liang Feng asked.
“New recruits need some time to become regular soldiers, but with two thousand troops, it’s considered full,” Yiyan replied.
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And so, the cavalry camp was divided into two main forces. One was composed of the elite troops from the Liang household, known as the “Tiger Cavalry,” while the other consisted of former Xiongnu soldiers, known as the “Wolf Cavalry.” These two cavalry forces constituted the most formidable military strength under Liang Feng’s command. With just two thousand cavalry, they were enough to support several times their number in infantry. When factoring in the expenses for armor, crossbows, and other equipment, it was likely to become a formidable financial burden, almost like an abyss with no bottom.
However, what needed to be maintained had to be maintained. Xiongnu cavalry was numerous, and the Xianbei were said to have control over thirty thousand archers. If they were afraid of spending money on cavalry training, it would be even more troublesome in future battles.
“After their training is complete, we’ll probably need to deal with some bandits.” Liang Feng nodded.
He wasn’t willing to send these valuable troops directly into combat against the Xiongnu. The customary practice of the Liang household was to deal with bandits first before engaging in open warfare.
“Shangdang’s territory is now secure, my Lord. Are you planning to lead the troops on a campaign?” Yiyan quickly grasped the meaning behind Liang Feng’s words.
“In Bing County, there are six provinces. Aside from Shangdang, Xihelou and New Xing are in Xiongnu’s hands. Yanmen is the homeland of the Xianbei. The heartland, Taiyuan, is in a fierce battle. Only Leping remains uninvolved in the conflict,” Liang Feng explained.
In terms of geography, Taiyuan and Shangdang were located between Xihelou and Leping, which meant that the Xiongnu would have to cross these two provinces, especially along the line of Yangyi and Wuxiang, if they wanted to attack Leping. Having taken Yangyi and established their dominance, the Xiongnu wouldn’t be able to swiftly shift their forces northward and launch an assault on Leping in the short term.
The enemy might not occupy it, but Liang Feng couldn’t leave such a vast territory unattended. “Maintaining Shangdang as one county supporting one province is simply too difficult. Lord Dongyin has also ordered Shangdang to provide rear support for the front-line provisions. This is something we can’t afford to repeat. It’s time to expand our territory and strengthen our power.”
Although Liang Feng accepted the order, the simmering frustration in his heart had never dissipated. With Sima Teng absent from Bing County and Liu Yuan not likely to invade Shangdang anytime soon, Liang Feng wanted to take this opportunity to increase his own strength.
Unexpectedly, Sima Teng issued such a chaotic order, and Yiyan’s face darkened. “Your subordinate is determined to help you take Leping!”
“It’s not about taking it, it’s about assisting in bandit suppression,” Liang Feng chuckled and corrected, “It’s said that there’s a gang of Qiang bandits causing trouble in that area. It’s a good opportunity for the new recruits to practice. Besides the cavalry, the new army under your command should also undergo training. By the way, the military achievements reported earlier have been approved, and you should be promoted to Commandant, overseeing the troops of a county.”
This was one of Sima Teng’s tricks. Although the rank of Commandant was also a fifth-grade position and equivalent to the miscellaneous generals, command of the county troops was quite sensitive. While nowadays, regional officials have started to regain control of the troops in their respective regions, it was still not an official appointment. A Commandant’s authority over the troops was not clearly defined.
However, Yiyan didn’t care about his official position and said, “In that case, garrisoned troops can also be included in the county troops.”
“That’s correct,” Liang Feng had thought of this as well. Besides Yiyan’s thousand-man unit, the newly established garrison system could be openly incorporated into the county troops as auxiliary forces.
This military reform was crucial, and the garrison troops were the key. Many of the Liang household’s regular soldiers had already been embedded among the garrison troops. After several major battles, exempting the garrison troops from conscription was no longer sufficient to win their loyalty. Therefore, there had been some changes in the garrison’s grain collection system. From the grain produced on garrisoned land, only four parts of the tax were collected, with three parts directly converted into military provisions. While this was different from the system in the early Tang dynasty, where garrison troops paid no taxes and were completely self-sufficient with their own provisions and equipment, it was a lot more lenient than the garrison system of the late Cao Wei period. It could barely achieve self-sufficiency.
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The soldiers who were assigned garrison land also had access to the official’s supply of cattle, horses, and farming tools, making their conditions much better than those of other resettled refugees. It wasn’t too different from the military land assigned to Liang Feng’s household. This way, the soldiers’ combat effectiveness shifted towards protecting their own farmlands. This also significantly increased their motivation.
When the garrisoned troops were incorporated into the county troops, the officers among them could also receive salaries. From the minor officials receiving two hundred bushels to the camp officers earning six hundred bushels, they were gradually integrated into the imperial office system. Spending money on maintaining troops was always necessary, but in this world, there was no good thing that made people work hard without being paid. If you wanted to consolidate military morale, providing food and clothing was the foundation.
So when training the troops, you had to at least make some profit. Was there anything more profitable than suppressing bandits?
From a distance, cheers could be heard. Liang Feng looked up and saw a dozen horses taking turns shooting in front of a grass target. This was advanced equestrian archery training, and it seemed that one of the veterans had demonstrated their skills, eliciting cheers from the onlookers.
A smile appeared on Liang Feng’s lips. “Cao Cao had his Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, and now, under my command, I have the Tiger-Wolf Battalion as well. Along with the Valiant and Thunderbolt units, it’s safe to say we have a fully formed army. Boyuan, you shall be my Tiger-Might General.”
Zhao Yun, a prominent general under Liu Bei, once held the title of Tiger-Might General. This comment sounded like a jest, but it also revealed Liang Feng’s genuine sentiments. These three battalions didn’t belong to the imperial court but were under the Liang household’s authority. Together with the county troops, they constituted the backbone of Shangdang’s strength, and only trusted individuals could lead them.
Riding on his horse, Yiyan’s figure stiffened for a moment, then he clenched his lips. “I will not disappoint your trust, my Lord!”
These words were frequently spoken by Yiyan, and Liang Feng had often heard them. He waved his hand with a smile and said, “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you hunt. Care to join me for a hunt?”
This was unlike Liang Feng’s usual behavior, and it didn’t quite fit Yiyan’s habits either. But without a second thought, he ordered a small escort team to accompany them. Riding on horseback, Yiyan followed behind, with elite riders surrounding them. The feeling of stifling anger in Liang Feng’s chest seemed to dissipate in the wind. With a light tap of the horse’s flank, the black steed sped up, the strong wind billowing his cloak as he galloped ahead.
“Lord Dongyin issued an order to launch another attack on Lishi after the arrival of spring. Shangdang will provide support and provision supplies for the army.” More than ten days later, the message finally arrived. However, what lay behind the official documents was truly frustrating.
Listening to Liang Feng’s words, the faces of those around him changed slightly. Who couldn’t understand this kind of wordplay? It was nothing more than an attempt to stop the Lord from achieving further success, and to shift the burden of supplying provisions to this side. In the two previous major battles, there had been rewards. However, promotions and titles still required approval from the court, and there was no sign of money, goods, or provisions. After fighting a battle, the benefits were meager, but the burdens were heavy, enough to make people feel resentful.
Cui Ji’s expression didn’t look good: “Shangdang is accommodating so many refugees. How can it support the army with provisions? It might be better to write to Lord Dongyin, explaining that the battle was a costly victory with heavy casualties and we are unable to support the army in the campaign against the rebels.”
On the side, Duan Qin frowned and shook his head: “If we disobey orders at this moment, it could give Lord Dongyin an excuse. It might be better to consult with the army in Jinyang. If we capture Yangyi and with General Linghu’s presence, we might be able to negotiate better terms.”
Liang Feng lowered his gaze to the documents on the table. After a long pause, he suddenly said, “Did Jinyang have plenty of grain after a year of war last year?”
This question left everyone puzzled. Cui Ji said, “It’s a bit tight, I’m afraid. Just a delay in farming could lead to famine in half of the counties in Bingzhou.”
“In that case, are the three generals sent out this time truly capable warriors?” Liang Feng continued to inquire.
“If they were capable warriors, why would we be in this situation today?” Duan Qin said with a bitter smile.
With a shortage of food, low morale, and the impending attack on Lishi, it seemed like a death sentence. After a moment of contemplation, Liang Feng made a decision, “In addition to the spring farming and refugee accommodation plans, we need to allocate some provisions for the army’s use. We must also establish contact with Jinyang, express our difficulties, and make sure these provisions are used where they are needed the most.”
Upon hearing this, Duan Qin raised an eyebrow, “Is the Lord planning to win over the soldiers?”
The current situation in Jinyang was dire. They had to defend the city and preserve their remaining territory. Their military forces were stretched thin, and Sima Teng was making erratic decisions from the outside. The city’s defenders might not be without complaints. If Liang Feng stepped in now, providing them with food and support, it would be like an ally or even a lifeline for those generals who were still holding out in Bing County. If he decided to make Shangdang a strong rear support area, the effort put into it would certainly be different.
Sima Teng was known for his miserly nature. He wouldn’t even release provisions, even if they rotted away in the storage, for the soldiers who fought for him. On one side, he was the Governor of Bing County, who made them stay and sacrifice themselves but wouldn’t give them money or provisions. On the other side, there was the Taihou of Shangdang who worried about them and provided support. This subtle psychological warfare must have been quite effective. Spending some surplus provisions was a small price to pay.
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“Morale is secondary. There might not be many fighting soldiers left in Bing County. If one dies, that’s one less, and they can’t all be squandered by those lounging around outside,” Liang Feng sighed softly.
It was an unavoidable solution. The entire Bing County was under the enemy’s blade, and having one more ally was better than having one more enemy. With limited military strength in Shangdang, coupled with the busy farming season, the troops had been sent to work the fields. Ultimately, it was about using others’ troops to secure some peace. Expending some resources was not a loss.
Upon hearing this, Duan Qin and Cui Ji felt relieved. They could use their tactics to try and evade this task and protect the interests of Shangdang. However, the Lord’s thoughts extended beyond just Shangdang; it encompassed all of Bing County. His vision and compassion far exceeded that of the ruler of Bing County.
Since they were already being manipulated, they might as well turn the situation to their advantage. Being forthright in such matters was what a true leader did.
Duan Qin tidied his robe, “I will take care of it.”
After dealing with the trouble Sima Teng had thrown their way and attending to official matters, once everyone left the main hall, Liang Feng didn’t immediately depart. Instead, after a moment of contemplation, he gave an order, “Prepare my horse.”
A spirited black steed was led out. For the past two months, Liang Feng rarely used a carriage for travel; he preferred to ride. This horse had Wusun lineage, with remarkable vigor. It was getting on in years, and being a mare, it had a very gentle temperament. It had been selected by Yiyan to be his mount.
Liang Feng didn’t mind much. Being unable to go to the battlefield, having a well-prepared horse was a bit of a waste. But having a means of transportation was sufficient. He mounted the horse and, accompanied by a few personal guards, rode towards the outskirts of the city.
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As his health gradually improved and his back gained strength, riding a horse was no longer a chore for Liang Feng. They traveled quickly, and in less than two-quarters of an hour, they arrived at the cavalry camp located outside the city.
The cavalry had grown in size, from a few hundred initially to nearly two thousand now. During the recent battle in Shangdang, they had captured a batch of horses, leading to further expansion of the cavalry. This camp was unlike other garrisons; all of its soldiers were regular troops, and their training was even more rigorous than other units. While most auxiliary and garrison troops had started farming, their training had never ceased.
As they reached the entrance of the camp, a dapple-gray horse approached. Yiyan dismounted and asked, “My Lord, are you here to inspect the camp?”
If there was something urgent, they could have summoned him back to the city. Riding here alone was likely for inspection.
Liang Feng smiled and replied, “Just here for a look around. Mount up, accompany me on a tour.”
This request caused Yiyan’s brows to furrow slightly, but he didn’t object. The two of them casually rode into the camp. The cavalry camp was much more spacious than other camps. On the vast training ground, many soldiers were on horseback practicing. New recruits always had to pass the horsemanship test, and the camp’s training methods were quite brutal. When they fell off their horses and when they passed the test was determined by their ability.
Watching the new recruits, their bodies stiff, tightly gripping the reins, and receiving continuous reprimands, Liang Feng couldn’t help but chuckle, “Are these new recruits even usable?”
“Give them three months of training, and we’ll see,” Yi Yan answered succinctly.
“If these new recruits become seasoned soldiers, would that be enough for the Tiger Wolf Battalion?” Liang Feng asked.
“New recruits need some time to become regular soldiers, but with two thousand troops, it’s considered full,” Yiyan replied.
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And so, the cavalry camp was divided into two main forces. One was composed of the elite troops from the Liang household, known as the “Tiger Cavalry,” while the other consisted of former Xiongnu soldiers, known as the “Wolf Cavalry.” These two cavalry forces constituted the most formidable military strength under Liang Feng’s command. With just two thousand cavalry, they were enough to support several times their number in infantry. When factoring in the expenses for armor, crossbows, and other equipment, it was likely to become a formidable financial burden, almost like an abyss with no bottom.
However, what needed to be maintained had to be maintained. Xiongnu cavalry was numerous, and the Xianbei were said to have control over thirty thousand archers. If they were afraid of spending money on cavalry training, it would be even more troublesome in future battles.
“After their training is complete, we’ll probably need to deal with some bandits.” Liang Feng nodded.
He wasn’t willing to send these valuable troops directly into combat against the Xiongnu. The customary practice of the Liang household was to deal with bandits first before engaging in open warfare.
“Shangdang’s territory is now secure, my Lord. Are you planning to lead the troops on a campaign?” Yiyan quickly grasped the meaning behind Liang Feng’s words.
“In Bing County, there are six provinces. Aside from Shangdang, Xihelou and New Xing are in Xiongnu’s hands. Yanmen is the homeland of the Xianbei. The heartland, Taiyuan, is in a fierce battle. Only Leping remains uninvolved in the conflict,” Liang Feng explained.
In terms of geography, Taiyuan and Shangdang were located between Xihelou and Leping, which meant that the Xiongnu would have to cross these two provinces, especially along the line of Yangyi and Wuxiang, if they wanted to attack Leping. Having taken Yangyi and established their dominance, the Xiongnu wouldn’t be able to swiftly shift their forces northward and launch an assault on Leping in the short term.
The enemy might not occupy it, but Liang Feng couldn’t leave such a vast territory unattended. “Maintaining Shangdang as one county supporting one province is simply too difficult. Lord Dongyin has also ordered Shangdang to provide rear support for the front-line provisions. This is something we can’t afford to repeat. It’s time to expand our territory and strengthen our power.”
Although Liang Feng accepted the order, the simmering frustration in his heart had never dissipated. With Sima Teng absent from Bing County and Liu Yuan not likely to invade Shangdang anytime soon, Liang Feng wanted to take this opportunity to increase his own strength.
Unexpectedly, Sima Teng issued such a chaotic order, and Yiyan’s face darkened. “Your subordinate is determined to help you take Leping!”
“It’s not about taking it, it’s about assisting in bandit suppression,” Liang Feng chuckled and corrected, “It’s said that there’s a gang of Qiang bandits causing trouble in that area. It’s a good opportunity for the new recruits to practice. Besides the cavalry, the new army under your command should also undergo training. By the way, the military achievements reported earlier have been approved, and you should be promoted to Commandant, overseeing the troops of a county.”
This was one of Sima Teng’s tricks. Although the rank of Commandant was also a fifth-grade position and equivalent to the miscellaneous generals, command of the county troops was quite sensitive. While nowadays, regional officials have started to regain control of the troops in their respective regions, it was still not an official appointment. A Commandant’s authority over the troops was not clearly defined.
However, Yiyan didn’t care about his official position and said, “In that case, garrisoned troops can also be included in the county troops.”
“That’s correct,” Liang Feng had thought of this as well. Besides Yiyan’s thousand-man unit, the newly established garrison system could be openly incorporated into the county troops as auxiliary forces.
This military reform was crucial, and the garrison troops were the key. Many of the Liang household’s regular soldiers had already been embedded among the garrison troops. After several major battles, exempting the garrison troops from conscription was no longer sufficient to win their loyalty. Therefore, there had been some changes in the garrison’s grain collection system. From the grain produced on garrisoned land, only four parts of the tax were collected, with three parts directly converted into military provisions. While this was different from the system in the early Tang dynasty, where garrison troops paid no taxes and were completely self-sufficient with their own provisions and equipment, it was a lot more lenient than the garrison system of the late Cao Wei period. It could barely achieve self-sufficiency.
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The soldiers who were assigned garrison land also had access to the official’s supply of cattle, horses, and farming tools, making their conditions much better than those of other resettled refugees. It wasn’t too different from the military land assigned to Liang Feng’s household. This way, the soldiers’ combat effectiveness shifted towards protecting their own farmlands. This also significantly increased their motivation.
When the garrisoned troops were incorporated into the county troops, the officers among them could also receive salaries. From the minor officials receiving two hundred bushels to the camp officers earning six hundred bushels, they were gradually integrated into the imperial office system. Spending money on maintaining troops was always necessary, but in this world, there was no good thing that made people work hard without being paid. If you wanted to consolidate military morale, providing food and clothing was the foundation.
So when training the troops, you had to at least make some profit. Was there anything more profitable than suppressing bandits?
From a distance, cheers could be heard. Liang Feng looked up and saw a dozen horses taking turns shooting in front of a grass target. This was advanced equestrian archery training, and it seemed that one of the veterans had demonstrated their skills, eliciting cheers from the onlookers.
A smile appeared on Liang Feng’s lips. “Cao Cao had his Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, and now, under my command, I have the Tiger-Wolf Battalion as well. Along with the Valiant and Thunderbolt units, it’s safe to say we have a fully formed army. Boyuan, you shall be my Tiger-Might General.”
Zhao Yun, a prominent general under Liu Bei, once held the title of Tiger-Might General. This comment sounded like a jest, but it also revealed Liang Feng’s genuine sentiments. These three battalions didn’t belong to the imperial court but were under the Liang household’s authority. Together with the county troops, they constituted the backbone of Shangdang’s strength, and only trusted individuals could lead them.
Riding on his horse, Yiyan’s figure stiffened for a moment, then he clenched his lips. “I will not disappoint your trust, my Lord!”
These words were frequently spoken by Yiyan, and Liang Feng had often heard them. He waved his hand with a smile and said, “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you hunt. Care to join me for a hunt?”
This was unlike Liang Feng’s usual behavior, and it didn’t quite fit Yiyan’s habits either. But without a second thought, he ordered a small escort team to accompany them. Riding on horseback, Yiyan followed behind, with elite riders surrounding them. The feeling of stifling anger in Liang Feng’s chest seemed to dissipate in the wind. With a light tap of the horse’s flank, the black steed sped up, the strong wind billowing his cloak as he galloped ahead.
