Late Tang Dynasty Floating Life

Chapter 61 The Internal and External Armies
In the early morning, Shao Shude was shaken awake by the people around him.

Well, it seems like I haven't slept in a bed for a long time.Marching and fighting is hard work.Even the head of the army had to sleep in a large camp. In addition to the tall and mighty personal soldiers, there were only fierce warriors.After a year and a half, I feel beautiful when I look at the sows, and I feel comfortable when I sleep in a broken bed. Is this how people live?
"General, I'm going to Xiazhou today, so please go early. When I go to see the commander, a gift is a must. The concubine heard that Zhuge's background is very small, and I'm afraid that I don't like calligraphy and painting, so I might as well send some war horses, Gold and silver utensils. The generals around the commander can also make friends with one or two..." Zhao Yu gently removed the rough big hand that was pressing on her chest, and said softly: "The general is the prefect, and the town general still needs the seal of honor. At this time, it is advisable to wear official robes for the audience. Lu and Li have been following the general for a long time, and they are all looking forward to the official body.

"Well, Yu Niang is really a good helper." Shao Shude got up and dressed under Zhao's service.To be honest, he was really not used to seeing Jiezai in the robe of a provincial governor.Considering that it will take more than two days on the road, what if the official robe gets dirty or torn?Even if you encounter an enemy, it will be very troublesome.

"There are several pieces of gold and silver utensils in the prefecture, the gold capricorn cup, the concubine looks good, it should be produced in the middle of Shu. Zhuge Shuang is not young, he should like the food utensils made of gold very much, and it has longevity. A gilt and silver cage is also good, and rich people use it to hold tea cakes. When Zhuge Shuang became a commander, he was naturally taught these things by the generals, and it was suitable for the general to send it. The value of this jar is neither light nor heavy, it is just right." Zhao Yu said while helping Shao Shude tidy up his official robes.

Shao Shude had seen those gold and silver utensils vaguely yesterday, but he didn't pay much attention to them and asked casually, "How does Niang Yu understand these utensils?"

Zhao Yu pursed his lips and smiled without saying a word, and then carefully peeked at Shao Shude again. Seeing that he was not angry, he continued: "War horse bow and knife, concubine does not understand, the general can choose."

"Okay." After dressing, Shao Shude felt weak and sighed, "This clothes is really difficult to wear."

"The concubine is already looking for someone to make the robe, but unfortunately I haven't found the craftsman who makes the ceremonial knife."

"Forget it, you don't have to be so particular." Shao Shude waved his hand and said, ready to go to the kitchen for breakfast. Before going out, he seemed to think of something, turned around and embraced Zhao Yu in his arms, and said, "What should I say in front of someone in the future? How to say, a certain background is very small, but he is not narrow-minded."

After breakfast, Zhu Shuzong had been waiting in the courtyard for a long time.

"Let's go." Shao Shude greeted the soldiers.Now go to Xiazhou, first pay homage to Zhuge Shuang, and then see Qiu Weidao again.Begging for money and food is the first priority, and getting to know the generals of Xiazhou is second.If possible, observe Tuoba Sigong again, just don't know if he will come.

On August [-]th, the group hurriedly rushed, and finally arrived at Shuofang County, which is Xiazhou City, in the mid-autumn day.

Xiazhou is the Tongwan City built by Helian Bobo.It is said that more than 100,000 people were mobilized to build the city, "build the city with steamed earth, tap into an inch, and kill the author", so it is very strong.During the later Tang Dynasty, An Congjin led a large army to besiege Xiazhou. Because the city was high and the pool was deep, using ladders and siege vehicles was almost useless, so they dug tunnels instead.Song Bai, a native of the Song Dynasty, also said, "Its city is white and firm, with nine towers, steep...it cannot be attacked by human power."

In the fifth year of Song Chunhua, he fell into Xiazhou City (Zhao Er was addicted to demolishing the city), but in later generations, the Xiazhou Bell Tower is still ten feet high, the city wall is three floors, and the foundation site still exists. It can be seen that the construction quality of this strong city is very high. Gao is unparalleled in the northwest region, and it is almost a matter of course for Xia Sui township.

It was also the first time that Shao Shude saw the legendary Tongwancheng.Before entering the city, I quickly circled around the city, and estimated that the circumference of the city was about ten miles, which was much larger than the city of Suizhou, which was only four miles away.The city faces the Wuding River in the south and the Wushui River (a tributary of the Wuding River) in the north. A lot of farmland has been opened nearby, which is conducive to irrigation. Many cattle, sheep and horses are herded, and there are even pieces of orchards. The agricultural products are relatively abundant.

During the Kaiyuan period of this dynasty, the tributes of Xiazhou were mainly horn bows, felts, crisps, and mustards, and the taxes collected were linen and cloth. It can be seen that it is indeed a place where farming and animal husbandry meet, and it is suitable for farming and animal husbandry.

Shao Shude could hardly hide his desire for this city. With Xiazhou, only heroes can be useful!
******
In the Jiedushi Ya, Zhuge Shuang personally took Shao Shude's arm, pulled him to sit beside him, and said to the generals in the hall, "This is Shao Shude, the prefect of Suizhou. The army beheaded Li Keyong's general Cheng Huaixin. There are thousands of tigers in the iron forest under the tent, and all of them can recruit the elite who are used to fighting. With Shude there, the four states of Xia Sui have no worries."

"Congratulations to the handsome man for being a tiger general." Everyone said in a loud voice.

Taking advantage of the situation, Shao Shude glanced at the hall, but saw that there were more than ten generals, and the same number of civilian assistants, which should be the inner circle of Xia Sui Town.Zhuge Shuang introduced him one by one, who were the old people who followed him from Ruzhou and Luoyang, who were the generals of the Xia Suiya (ya) army, and which were the officials of the shogunate.

Shao Shude tried his best to keep it in his mind, and he had a rough idea.Pei Shang from Yinzhou didn't come, Tuoba Sigong from Youzhou didn't come, and the military envoy Jinglue he most wanted to get acquainted with didn't come because of the distance. A very special army, with a staff of more than [-] people, about [-] cavalrymen, is a large-scale field cavalry group that cannot be ignored in the northwest region. It is stationed in Yuduole City in the northern border of Youzhou, not far from Fengzhou.

Shao Shude was a little disappointed that the two did not come, but he cheered up and got to know many confidants who came from Henan with Zhuge Shuang.Everyone is outsiders. You are from Dongdu, and I am from Fengzhou. If you want to gain a firm foothold in the four states of Xia and Sui, watching and helping each other is what it should be.

Zhuge Shuang, but brought a total of three thousand Luoyang sergeants left behind!In Shao Shude's wooing priority, this group of people is the highest, followed by the generals of the Ya army.

"The generals gathered today, and I am very happy. When I was young in the past, did you ever think that there would be today?" Zhuge Shuang raised his glass and smiled: "As I get older, I don't want to think about many things anymore, I only wish to be rich for the rest of my life. The generals drink this cup full!"

The crowd raised their glasses to drink.

"It's a short time since the commander arrived at the town, and some things have not been done in time. This is the mistake of the commander." After drinking for three times, Zhuge Shuang put down the golden bottle, glanced at the generals, and said: "Guochao Fangzhen, Yajun , the foreign army, the Zhizhou town soldiers, and the county town soldiers have their own styles. In order to make the generals excited, this commander intends to make some adjustments."

Hearing Zhuge Shuang calling himself the "master", Shao Shude was instantly refreshed. Is he going to take action against the existing military system in Xia Sui Town?To better place their own people?
"Xiasui four prefectures, in addition to the Dangxiang Fan Department, there are more than 3000 strong soldiers." Zhuge Shuang said: "This commander is determined to put [-] people in the Ya army, Zhong Fang, you are in charge of this army, and the capital Yaya, don't let someone down."

"Last General Xie Dashuai cultivated." Zhuge Zhongfang got up and replied, looking excited.

Shao Shude already knew that Zhuge Zhongfang was the son of Zhuge Shuang, so what he was talking about was military affairs, so he called himself "the last general", and most of the 3000 people he led were also sergeants brought by his father and son from Luoyang.

"There are separate left and right compartments, each with an army volume of three thousand. Hou Hui, you are the military envoy of the left and right compartments, and you are also the marquis of the capital of horses; Zhou Rong, you are the military envoy of the left compartment and the marquis of the left compartment. Hu Jing, you are the military envoy of the right wing and the marquis of Yu of the right wing; Li Shoucheng, you are the coach of the capital, and you are the wardens."

Hou Hui, Zhou Rong, Linghu Jing, and Li Shoucheng got up and took orders one after another.Hou Hui and Li Shoucheng are Henan accents and should be Zhuge Shuang's old subordinates.Zhuge Shuang adjusted in this way, and did not move the most sensitive military power. To be honest, he is still relatively conservative, and there may be factors that are afraid of chaos.

Although the Yamen army of 9000 people is not as large as the tens of thousands in Hedong, it is still quite powerful. It is not a problem to guard Xiazhou and deter the Quartet.

"Foreign Army Town..." Zhuge Shuang rubbed the wine bottle in his hand and said: "The Jinglue Army is still in charge of Yang Yue, and he is also the deputy envoy of Jiedu. ."

Yang Yue didn't come in Yuduole City, but Zhuge Shuang obviously didn't intend to move him, nor did he dare to move him, for fear of an accident.The title of Deputy Jiedu is the standard for the chief officials of foreign military towns.

"Let's set up another Tielin army." Having said that, Zhuge Shuang glanced at Shao Shude, regardless of the surprised eyes of others, and said, "Shao Shude is the envoy of the Tielin army and the deputy envoy of Jiedu, with an army of [-], and the army has a built-in army. One member of the envoy, one member of the deputy envoy, one member of the Du Yuhou, one member of You Yi, eight members of the scattered generals, one member of the Kongmu official, one member of the judge, and a number of key officials, side officials, yamen officials, and general managers. The meeting will be reported to the list, and the commander will use it to print and send it to the body."

"Thank you for the cultivation!" Shao Shude got up, knelt on one knee, and said loudly.

Of the 9000 people's yamen army, Zhuge Shuang can really control the 9000 pro-army. After all, the days of the town are short and prestige has not yet been established.There are now [-] people in the foreign army. Yang Yue of the Economic Strategy Army is very old, and most of them are not very handsome. The Iron Forest Army should also have checks and balances.

There are a total of 8000 people, which are the legendary "internal and external armies" and the core armed force of a feudal town.Like the previous Hedong Township, the Kelan army was the foreign army, and the Jinyang army was the Yamen army. In addition, there were Zhizhou town soldiers, county town soldiers, etc. There were so many soldiers, and the people were miserable.

"Zhizhou Soldiers..." Zhuge Shuang continued to appoint: "Xiazhou Town has an army of [-], and the commander is also in charge; Yinzhou's army is [-], and it is led by Pei Shang, the general of Yinzhou Pass and Yuhebao Town; The army of Suizhou is [-], and Shao Shude leads it, and he is also the envoy of the town of Suizhou.

Zhizhou soldiers are the own troops of the states in the vassal towns. They are generally led by the governor, and they are also supported by the local finances themselves. The shogunate will not pay for food.The full name of the governor of the state is "the governor of a certain state and the military of a certain state", and he is the highest commander of the state army.In some states, in addition to the regular state soldiers, there will also be militia groups, which are led by regimental envoys.Sometimes the prefect will also serve as a group training envoy, defense history, suppressing envoy, guarding envoy and other miscellaneous titles, there is no custom, it all depends on the local way.

Shao Shude was the governor of Suizhou, and the [-] town soldiers of Suizhou were under his command and supported by the state finance.The [-] Tielin army is the outer town army, and it is impossible to support it by relying on Suizhou. It must be supported by the shogunate. As for the specific proportion, it depends entirely on the actual situation, and there is no fixed rule.For example, the Jinglue Army was stationed near the desolate Yuduole City. Almost [-]% of the expenses were provided by the shogunate, and the other [-]% were paid by the Dangxiang tribe under their control to fill the gap.

By the way, there are many different systems in Youzhou, because this is a place with party members as the main body.The governor of Youzhou is Tuoba Sigong. Although he is self-appointed, the court has acquiesced. At the same time, he also serves as the military envoy of the Youzhou party.The shogunate doesn't care how many troops he raises, and he won't give him a dime anyway.Sometimes when you are short of money, you need to pay a little tribute. When you have to fight, you have to send troops. After all, you are a court official.

After the appointment, Shao Shude calculated that there were 3000 Yamen troops, [-] foreign troops, and [-] state soldiers, a total of [-] people, which was thousands more than when Zhuge Shuang took office. This cost must be very tight.Well, the armies are vying for limited resources, so I have to hurry up, or I will really have to donate to the Dangxiang tribe in Suizhou.

(End of this chapter)