Chapter Nineteen: The New Recruits' Training March

Upon entering the main military camp, each group was assigned to different areas according to their place of origin. Long rows of tables were arranged in each area, with literate guards stationed behind them. In front of each table, loud-voiced soldiers shouted, “All men of Liaodong, please find three acquaintances to accompany you to the table for registration of your name and original residence. Please line up properly. Thank you for your cooperation.”

This was the best identification method Zhu Youxiao could devise. Villagers came together with neighbors to the tables, registering their names and original addresses one by one. After registration, a guard officer would lead them to another area to undergo physical fitness assessments.

Cao Wenzhao oversaw these evaluations, which comprised three parts: running, weightlifting, and javelin throwing. These tests measured speed, strength, and explosive power. Those who met the standards in all three were led to another location for a cultural test. Regardless of the cultural test results, they qualified as regular soldiers. Those who passed two tests were assigned directly to the logistics battalion. If only one or none was met, they were questioned about their educational background; if not literate, they were disappointedly dismissed from the camp. Outside the camp, personnel awaited them to gather these men into labor units within the Liaomin garrison east of the capital.

However, if someone excelled exceptionally in any one category, regardless of how many standards were met, they were immediately taken to a special room and inducted into the Elite Battalion.

Xu Xianchun and the Embroidered Uniform Guards dispersed throughout the grounds, eyeing the Liaomin closely. Those who could not find three acquaintances were their primary focus. Gripping their sword hilts, they approached and interrogated them. Any sign of nervousness during questioning would prompt the drawing of embroidered daggers and the readying of shackles. If explanations were clear, names were recorded, and the men were sent to the Liaomin garrison. If not, their fingers were shackled and they were taken away for interrogation. By day’s end, over ten spies from the Later Jin had been caught.

Over thirty thousand able-bodied men were registered by more than a thousand guards, keeping them busy all day until the process was mostly complete. In the end, twenty-eight thousand were selected as regular soldiers, leaving Cao Wenzhao in awe of the Liaomin’s physical fitness. Yang San lamented beside him, “Those with weaker bodies mostly died already; naturally, the survivors are strong.”

The logistics battalion consisted of seven thousand men, but only a little over eight hundred were sent back to the garrison. Surprisingly, among them were a dozen scholars of the imperial examination and one successful candidate, all specially noted and personally led by Lu Xiangsheng.

After resting a night at Shanhaiguan Pass, the twenty-eight thousand regulars were simply grouped by origin into units of a thousand men each. Each unit was assigned an Embroidered Uniform Guard flag, with each guard leading over thirty men to begin basic training.

Lu Xiangsheng, leading the cavalry with the logistics troops, set off first, covering over thirty li on the first day. Each cavalryman was responsible for ten logistics soldiers as they made camp. The Liaomin obeyed well, following the cavalry’s instructions methodically, pitching tents and preparing meals.

The next morning, after breakfast, Lu left behind a cavalry flag, a scholar, and five hundred logistics soldiers to buy rice, vegetables, and supplies locally, awaiting the arrival of the regular troops.

Three days later, after breakfast, Cao Wenzhao led ten units of regulars on a formal march to engage in field training. Each man carried one meal; dinner would be at a camp over thirty li away. Aside from food and weapons, they wore no armor, allowing them to cover the distance easily. Upon arrival, the logistics troops had prepared food and hot water. After dinner, the regulars made camp and rested. The next morning, after breakfast and packing midday rations, they resumed marching.

On the fifth day, Zhao Shuaijiao led nine units of regulars, and on the seventh, Li Chengxian and Lu Zhijia led nine more units in the exercise. Each day, the regulars marched thirty to forty li. After nine days of rigorous training, they finally reached the new guard camp outside the capital. Throughout the journey, the dropout rate remained below one percent, pleasing both Lu Xiangsheng and Cao Wenzhao immensely.

The new guard camp was located east of Lugou Bridge at Gongji City, historically known later as Wanping County. At present, Wanping’s administrative seat had shifted, and it functioned as a suburb of the capital, governing areas from the city’s central axis westward to the western outskirts. Gongji City itself was established as a military garrison only in the eleventh year of Emperor Chongzhen’s reign. Now, with funds available to expand the army, Zhu Youxiao chose this site for the new guard camp.

Though Gongji City was still unbuilt, existing only in rudimentary form, its construction would begin after the completion of Wang Gongchang’s project. The site was vast; Zhu Youxiao insisted the parade ground must accommodate at least 150,000 troops.

While the city itself was unfinished, some barracks and facilities had been constructed. The guard forces were small to begin with, and with Lu Qin and Zhou Yuji’s unit still stationed in the southwest, even with the addition of Liaobing, the barracks were more than sufficient. Construction on more barracks was ongoing, as the southwestern guards were soon to return to the capital.

Since the Ordnance Bureau began using mechanical drilling for muskets, production had increased significantly, supplying all the required firearms. Aside from the southwestern troops, over 8,000 veteran guards remained. These soldiers were reorganized into twenty infantry battalions, eight cavalry battalions, and four artillery battalions. All officers were initially drawn from the original guards. This was a preliminary organization for training; a full reorganization would take place once the southwestern troops returned.

Monk instructors from Shaolin had long been waiting here. The guard forces had not expanded, and following the last reform, their numbers had even decreased. This disheartened the monks, who found it meaningless to instruct soldiers with no room for discipline beyond scolding, while they themselves were bound to vegetarianism and chanting sutras—a lifestyle some monks struggled to accept.

Thus, these monks, as if tasting dog meat (Amitabha, forgive me for the sin), began training soldiers in assassination techniques.

With the introduction of pocket watches in the army, Zhu Youxiao and the officers realized flaws in the previous method for awarding the secondary assassination medal. It had been granted based on sparring results, which were influenced by many variables, even luck—if one’s opponent was off form, victory was easier. After discussion, they reformed the criteria, no longer emphasizing sparring outcomes but rather focusing on speed and power. Now, with pocket watches, speed could be accurately measured, making the standards more objective and results more credible.

Many thanks for your support!