Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 1019 Vanguard
After Shi Nai ordered, more than a hundred people stayed here under the command of Qian Ming to build a simple camp, and then continue to go north.

As a vanguard officer, he needs to leave camps every thirty miles to prepare for the advance of the army in the future.

Qian Ming hesitated for a while, then said: "Pioneer, it's already October, and the north has been frozen for thousands of miles. If you go any further, you will be dead..."

Shi Nai couldn't help being moved when he heard the words.

But he immediately gritted his teeth and said: "There are still two hundred miles, as long as we need six camps, we must not stop."

"However, the closer you get to Lake Baikal, the more you can meet those Buryat Mongolians..."

Hearing this, Shi Nai completely stopped in his tracks. He looked up and saw that the confluence of two rivers was covered with ice and snow, making it safe to walk here. It can be seen that it is only a mile or two away.

It is said that the farther north you go, the closer you are to Lake Baikal, the warmer the land is, and it is more suitable for human habitation.

"Okay!" Shi Nai put down the telescope in his hand, rubbed his fingers wrapped in wool gloves, and sighed:
"After traveling for two thousand miles, the task is finally completed."

Kulun is [-] miles away from Lake Baikal. When he went home, he had nearly [-] troops, but he spread camps along the way, setting up camps every [-] miles, leaving the necessary food.

This is equivalent to a station.

These camps not only serve as temporary military camps, they can quickly let the army rest, but also allow the army not to get lost and know the direction.

As for the storage of materials and so on, they can have it.

"Return—"

When Shi Nai gave the order, the army was overjoyed and impatiently packed up their camp bags, drove the sled horses, and returned along the way they had come.

It was extremely difficult for the army to go north, but the return journey was extremely easy.

Although the camps are not big, they can point out the direction in time and deliver hot water and hot food so that the army can sleep peacefully.

And if they are in a hurry, they can even take one camp as a footstep and cross two or three camps a day without losing their way.

In this regard, Shi Nai finally realized the importance of the camp.

Since the time for the march is next year, each camp is allocated [-] people, and at the same time, food and fuel for these people are stored for the winter.

However, there is nothing wrong with the food, only the fuel is not enough.

The farther north one goes, the colder the weather is, and the more fuel is needed. In such a deserted place, wood is hard to come by, so it is full of coal.

Surface coal dug from near Kulun.

According to the previous plan, [-] catties per person, and [-] catties of coal will be arranged in each camp to help them survive the winter.

But the weather was too cold, and the little wood that was obtained was used to build the camp, which made the fuel insufficient to support the winter.

Therefore, only 50 people were left in each camp, and the remaining 50 people followed his team and continued to return south.

In just ten or so days, Shi Nai returned to Kulun in one-third of the elapsed time.

Although the Kulun City built of bricks is only three feet high, it is a first-class city in Mobei, enough to accommodate 5 people.

Bayanjiruhe, Bogdahan, Qinggeletai and other mountains surround Kulun on all sides, plus the Tula River in the south, Kulun is not only impenetrable, but it is also easy to defend and difficult to attack.

In the vicinity of the entire Kulun City, several military camps were built along the Tula River, not only the frontier army and the Beijing camp, but also a large number of craftsmen and military supplies.

From last year to now, after a year, Cullen has gathered [-] cavalry, nearly a million stones, grain and grass, and enough weapons and equipment to support an army of [-].

What supports all of this is the camp system he practiced when he went north, which can also be called a post station.

From Suiyuan to Kulun, two thousand miles away, there is a camp every thirty miles, responsible for transporting materials and supplying the army.

Its camp is not a hundred people, but has reached 500 people, and a large amount of grain and grass are stored in its place.

Although there is no official way, the flat grassland is barely feasible.

I heard that every post station has dug three wells, for fear of being drunk dry by the passing animals and troops.

Relay-style transportation of materials, each camp only needs to be transported [-] miles back and forth, which greatly saves manpower, material resources and time.

Now it only takes ten days for the army to reach Kulun before the snow falls, and it only takes 20 days to transport supplies and food.

In order to prevent spies, the herdsmen are not allowed to come and go freely within a radius of [-] li in Kulun.

Even Shi Nai had to hand over his token and password to get in.

"Cullum has changed a lot."

After Shi Nai sent the army back to Juncheng, he rode to the inventory city.

The gathering of troops has promoted the development of the entire Kulun, the consumption power has surged, and the pedestrians on the streets have become increasingly dense.

Only imperial merchants are allowed to enter the city, but they are also allowed in and not allowed out, and there are no restrictions on supplies and livestock.

When he arrived at the governor's mansion, Shi Nai rearranged his clothes, reported his name, and entered in a hurry.

The governor of Mobei, Dongchang Hou Zengying personally met him.

Zeng Ying, the leader of a group of generals who founded the country, was quite young, only in his forties at this time, his face was blown by the wind and sand, making him no longer young, and his slender beard was eye-catching.

"I report to the Governor, I am fortunate that my humble position does not disgrace my life."

"Yuhou, you have worked hard."

Zeng Ying stroked his long beard, praised him, turned his eyes on him, and said: "I've been here for several months, you are a pioneer officer worthy of recognition."

After saying that, under Shi Nai's expectant eyes, Zeng Ying smiled and said, "I will allow you a place in next year's battle!"

"Thank you for the promotion, Governor." Shi Nai was overjoyed.

As early as a few years ago, the two brothers came to Mobei to make contributions.

This is the hard work of many years. I have conquered countless tribes before I can get a baron. If I want to go further, it is extremely difficult.

But they were not wrong in their calculations. The imperial court really wanted to make a northern expedition, and their chance came.

The governor of Mobei, Zeng Yingde, was awarded the post of supervising the supply, food and grass, responsible for the logistics support of the entire army, and had a great say in the army.

Therefore, if he, a Mobei military officer, wants to participate in the Northern Expedition, he must accept Zeng Ying's permission.

"Both of you brothers are rare titans, go too and fight for the title of Earl."

Zeng Ying sighed: "This is another battle to destroy the country. I am afraid that a duke of the country will be born. You are very hopeful."

Shi Nai was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed down.

Seeing him leave, Zeng Ying sighed.

As the governor of Mobei, young and strong, it is proper and appropriate to serve as the general of the Northern Expedition at this time, but who gave him a prince's son-in-law?

The prince's father-in-law's prestige in the army is too high, I'm afraid his Zeng family will be suppressed before that day.

This is to let him supervise the food and grass, and it can be regarded as a meritorious service. It should not be a problem to be named a Duke.

"If that's the case, I'm afraid that my Duke is the most hypocritical."

Zeng Ying shook her head and smiled wryly: "Everyone would think that the duke who came to him by relying on his status as the prince..."

But there was no way, his arms couldn't twist his thighs, so how could he influence the emperor's actions.

When Shi Nai returned to the house, his elder brother Shi Ding also returned, and the two brothers were very happy.

"This trip is considered right." Shi Ding said excitedly: "You and my brother participated in the Northern Expedition to Manchu Qing Dynasty, and we will definitely earn a Spyker back."

"This is probably the last hope."

Shi Nai was also happy: "One school and two earls, our historians are truly developed."

Shi Ding nodded in agreement.

In the past in Beijing, the Wang family, the Jia family, the Xue family, and the Shi family all joined forces to form a caravan to operate in Chahar and gained great benefits.

Every year, historians can get at least ten thousand silver coins from it.

This has always made the two brothers feel uneasy.

Wang Chunqing is an earl, the deputy general of Chahar, Jia Daihua is an earl, and guards the Liao Kingdom;

Only their historian, who was only a viscount, was reluctant at the beginning, but now he is completely outdated, and he feels a little unworthy of earning so much money.

Although they joined Mobei and brought a new route to the caravan, they were not worth mentioning and could not be of much help.

So in the past two years, I can't help feeling panic, for fear of being kicked out.

If they really belong to the same family, such benefits will last long, which is quite beneficial to historians.

"Jia Daihua is now the Prime Minister of the Liao Kingdom. If he stays in the Liao Kingdom in the future, he may be granted a high title."

For some reason, Shi Nai thought of Jia Daihua, the best-developed of the four families, and inevitably felt sour in his heart.

Not only the power is astonishing, but more importantly, the younger sister married the king of Liao, and she will enjoy endless prosperity and wealth in the future.

"Even if both of us have titles, it's hard to compare with the Jia family."

Shi Ding immediately calmed down: "Don't think about it, this kind of thing is impossible."

"However, Dai Hua, as the eldest uncle of the King of Liao, if he really stays in the Liao Kingdom, the princes of the districts may not be a problem."

"Is he a fool?" Shi Nai twitched his lips: "No matter how good the Liao Kingdom is, it's not as good as Beijing. Although the Earl's status is low, he is still a world lord, rich and powerful. Why go to the Liao Kingdom to eat soil?"

"They're all a group of Tartars. I've been in Mobei for several years, and I'm going crazy. I'm going to die if I stay forever?"

Shi Ding smiled, this is true.

When the two brothers were reunited, someone suddenly came to talk, saying that it was Xue's family who asked to see him.

"Let him in."

Shi Nai said softly.

Immediately, a refined businessman walked in.

"Master Xue, why are you here?"

The Shijia brothers were taken aback, and then they all smiled.

Appearing in front of the two of them was Xue Chongwen, the master of the Xue family.

As an imperial merchant, the most conspicuous feature of him is that he holds the official title of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the head of affairs.

Although this kind of official position cannot be inherited and cannot receive a salary, it is only equivalent to a name with no power or power, but it makes it all the way in business.

"Cullum is a vortex here."

"It's okay." Xue Chongwen said with a smile: "Seeing you two brothers, I feel confident. With you as my backing, who would dare to bully me?"

Shi Ding and the two laughed loudly.

As expected of a businessman, he speaks so nicely.

However, Xue Chongwen explained the reason. It turned out that someone in Mobei had discovered gold and copper mines, and these two items had been mined by the imperial court.

But Mobei is different. The imperial court lacks control, so many merchants are invited to mine some small mines, as long as they buy out and pay the annual fee.

"The small gold mine in Mobei is not worth it."

Shi Ding said truthfully: "Those Mongols are not good at mining, and it would be too much trouble for the Han people, who would travel thousands of miles away."

"No, my heart is not in Mobei."

Xue Chongwen said to himself: "Lake Baikal is my goal."

The Shijia brothers were at a loss.

Only then did Xue Chongwen say: "Mobei has already let go of some parts, so it can be expected that in Lake Baikal, the pace must be huge."

"The day of full liberalization is not far away."

"Is there a gold mine there?" Shi Nai couldn't help asking.

"I don't know." Xue Chongwen shook his head and said truthfully, "But I guess there are."

"If there were no gold mines, how would the Fengjing Mansion survive in the Manchu Qing Dynasty? Just relying on food is not enough."

"It must have mines, and there are plenty of them."

Speaking of this, Xue Chongwen looked quite fanatical: "The mineral deposits north of the Great Wall have almost been explored, but Mobei and other places are sparsely populated and have a lot of mineral deposits. This is the real place to make a fortune."

Brother Shi Ding was silent.

As expected of an imperial merchant, he is really courageous.

But if you think about it carefully, it is very possible. No wonder he put himself in danger, so he wanted to eat the soup immediately.

……

As the time for the Northern Expedition approached, all the nobles in the capital were shaken, and they all wanted to seek the position of general.

The Duke's Mansion wants a double title, and seeks another title for his family: Bo and Hou naturally hope to be stronger.

However, despite the surging undercurrent, everyone has reached a consensus:
The person leading the army must be the Marquis.

The duke has little hope, and the emperor may not want to see the icing on the cake; the earl is too low, and there are a lot of earls and even marquises under him, which will definitely be difficult to convince the public.

In Duke Jing's mansion, Gao Yigong leisurely ate barbecue, and several cooks were grilling in the snow to serve the Duke.

At this time, a tall young man came over, wearing a white fox fur jacket, making his appearance even more handsome.

He twitched his nose, took three steps at a time, and sat on the chair beside him: "Give me a rib."

"Okay, master."

The cook was in a hurry to respond.

Gao Yigong glanced at his son: "Why do you have the time to accompany me, an old man?"

Gao Yun said casually: "Idle is idle, so I will accompany you, old man."

"Hahaha, you are filial."

Gao Yigong was quite doting on this nephew and adopted son, and patted his head: "This year you won the martial arts exam, you can go to the martial arts hall in a few days!"

"No more martial arts exams?" Gao Yun exclaimed, "If you are me, you have the confidence to be both civil and military!"

"If you go late, you won't be able to catch up with the good time."

Gao Yigong said casually: "The Northern Expedition is coming soon, you will train in the Martial Arts Hall for a few months, then go to Mobei and follow Zeng Ying."

"Ah?" Gao Yun lost interest: "What's the point of logistics?"

"Logistics is the foundation. To master the army, you must have logistics. After learning this, you will not be far behind leading the army."

Gao Yigong couldn't see his tired and lazy look, and hated that iron could not become steel: "And who said that there is no merit in logistics?"

"In a few months, you can still get a baron back."

Gao He was not very interested.

At this time, suddenly the servant said, Huangzhou Hou Huideng asked to see him.

Gao Yigong raised his brows and deliberately refused, but he still said: "Let him in!"

(End of this chapter)