Traveling through the late Ming Dynasty to promote Chinese civilization

Chapter 27: The First Real-World Battle Begins

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Just as the guards were training, news arrived from the government that bandits had broken out in Chengmai County, gathering a thousand troops to attack. Chengmai County hastily organized local militia to defend the city, but outnumbered, the county seat was in imminent danger. The Chengmai County magistrate had already sent a request for reinforcements from the prefectural capital, requesting the mobilization of garrison troops to suppress the bandits. However, this was too late; even after the prefectural capital mobilized its troops, it was uncertain whether the county seat could hold out.

The news came from the county magistrate. Upon hearing this, Liu Ye secretly cheered; the bandit army was losing strength attacking the county town, which presented him with a good opportunity.

Take this opportunity to train your guards; a good soldier needs to see blood on the battlefield.

Moreover, the bandit army is currently attacking Chengmai County and has suffered huge losses, so dealing with them is not too difficult.

After much thought, Liu Ye realized that simply waiting wouldn't work; he needed to find a way to take advantage of the situation and launch a pincer attack on the bandits in Chengmai County, thus hastening their demise. But how could he openly attack the bandits in the neighboring county without provoking the Chengmai County government?

At present, Liu Ye does not want to have a direct conflict with the government. Making money quietly and improving his skills is the best way. Even the ancients knew the principle of accumulating grain and delaying the quest for kingship.

For technical problems, go to Liang Xiaoming; for official matters, go to the county magistrate—that's Liu Ye's method.

Having found the county magistrate with practiced ease, Liu Ye didn't stand on ceremony and asked directly, "Magistrate, I know that bandits are currently wreaking havoc in Chengmai County. Why not take advantage of their weakened state while they are attacking the county seat, and launch a pincer attack from both inside and outside to eliminate future troubles? Is there any way I can go to Chengmai County openly and legitimately?"

The county magistrate and Liu Ye had several pleasant collaborations. This time, the other party suddenly came and threw out such a question out of the blue. He didn't mind the other party's abruptness and said while drinking tea, "Don't rush, don't rush. It's just a bandit army that's rebelling. We can think of a solution slowly. It's just that the other party is currently very powerful. According to the letter from Chengmai County requesting help, there are as many as a thousand people. You only have a few servants. Isn't it like throwing an egg against a rock if you go there like this?"

Liu Ye chuckled: "To be honest, Your Excellency, in order to protect the steel mill and shipyard, I now have three hundred able-bodied men, which I call the Guard Team, and we have been training for quite some time."

This wasn't the first time the county magistrate had been shocked by Liu Ye; his composure had improved considerably, but this time he was still stunned. He stammered, repeating, "Three...three hundred able-bodied men?"

This Liu Ye actually trained so many young men without anyone noticing. It's terrifying to think about. The county magistrate tried to remain calm, his mind racing.

The bandits in this riot were fierce and brave, and they had also gathered a large number of rioters. It would probably take the garrison troops a long time to suppress them, and it would be common for the fighting to last for several months.

Thinking this through, the county magistrate couldn't help but re-examine this businessman with whom he had cooperated multiple times—he claimed to be a businessman, but what was his true nature? Gathering so many young men, were they planning a rebellion?

The magistrate felt a chill run down his spine at the thought that the other party might rebel. If that were to happen, he would be unable to escape the charge of colluding with rebels, given that he had offered advice and provided assistance to the other party on several occasions.

He couldn't help but ask, "What do you intend to do by gathering three hundred able-bodied men? If you have treacherous intentions, I advise you to turn back before it's too late. Once the imperial army arrives, you will all be reduced to dust!"

It seems the county magistrate was frightened; he actually thought I was about to rebel! Strictly speaking, rebellion was inevitable, but not now.

Liu Ye said with a grin, "Your Excellency, please rest assured. I'm only in it for the money; I'll do anything that makes money. I wouldn't do something as risky as rebellion. If I really wanted to rebel, would I tell you the truth?"

That makes sense. Historically, rebellions have always involved secretly accumulating strength and then suddenly rising up when the time is right. Why would someone reveal their hand to the government?

The county magistrate was slightly relieved and picked up the interrupted topic: "That's excellent. Now that the Holy Emperor is on the throne, he has eliminated the eunuch faction and rectified officialdom. The restoration of the dynasty is just around the corner. It would be unwise to be an enemy of the court. As for your suggestion to go to Chengmai to fight those bandits, it's actually quite simple. Just organize the able-bodied men under your name into the local village militia. They will work in the fields and do manual labor in peacetime, and only gather to obey orders when the county government summons them. Right now, they can go to support Chengmai County in the name of the village militia. The county magistrate can issue the necessary documents."

Liu Ye wanted a name, and the local militia should be similar to the militia of later generations. He was quite satisfied with this name, so he urged, "Since we have this method, let's quickly ask the county magistrate to issue a document, and we will set off as local militia of Lingao County."

The county magistrate hesitated and said, "Lingao is not rich in resources, and even a skilled cook cannot cook without rice... What about the relocation funds and resettlement allowance?"

“I understand the county magistrate’s difficulties. A few bushels of grain will suffice. As for the mobilization allowance and resettlement expenses, just give me whatever you can think of. A few hundred taels is not too much, and a few dozen taels is not too little. I will cover the rest.”

The county magistrate readily agreed: "Brother Liu is a man of great understanding and righteousness. I agree. Come tomorrow to hear the news."

Liu Ye agreed and went back to persuade them.

As soon as he stepped out, the county magistrate's smile vanished. Although Liu Ye repeatedly claimed he wouldn't rebel, the existence of such a military force under his jurisdiction made anyone uneasy.

Upon returning to the training ground, Liu Ye immediately issued orders to reorganize the troops. The next morning, once the official documents arrived, they would set off for Chengmai County to attack the bandit army.

The next day at dawn, the county magistrate personally led a group to deliver the official document and the gong and drum banners. In truth, the document was dispensable, but it was better than nothing to verify the identity of the "local militia" and avoid being mistaken for rioters. Besides, he could have simply sent a document to dismiss a yamen runner; his personal visit was to ascertain the truth of the matter.

By this time, the guards had already assembled, and the three hundred men stood in neat rows on the training ground, motionless as mountains. Upon seeing the three hundred men in such orderly formation, the county magistrate gasped. He had never seen the so-called elite border troops before, only the garrison soldiers. Just the fact that a few hundred men were in such orderly formation and without making a sound was enough to make them far superior to the garrison soldiers. Perhaps three hundred men could defeat a thousand.

Liu Ye asked the county magistrate to give him a speech, since from today onwards these people would be the "local militia" of Lingao County.

These hundreds of men possessed a formidable presence. Standing before them, and seeing their resolute gazes, the county magistrate felt an inexplicable pressure. He hastily uttered a few words, encouraging the "village militia" to be loyal to the emperor and the country, to maintain peace in the village, and to share the burdens of the county, before hurrying away.

He needed to report the situation to the prefect. If these "local militia" had not been wiped out by the rioting bandits, then how to deal with Liu Ye and the "local militia" in the future would require careful consideration.

After finishing these official formalities, Liu Ye composed himself and gave a mobilization speech to the guards: "You have trained for a long time, preparing for this moment. They are currently attacking Chengmai County. If they succeed, their strength will greatly increase, and sooner or later they will turn around and attack us. Our lives are getting better every day, and when all the other factories are completed, our lives will be even better. If those barbarians come to destroy our factories, seize our property, and abduct our women, will you agree to it?"

Without a second thought, the three hundred people shouted in unison, "No!"

"So what should we do?"

"Defeat them!"

Liu Ye raised his voice: "Louder! I didn't hear you!"

Three hundred men roared from the depths of their chests: "Defeat them!"

Liu Ye waved his hand, "Let's go!"