Chapter 51: Private Armed Forces

This truly feels like a life fit for a human being...

In the morning, Zhao Ji woke up, sprawling across the heated brick kang in a large 'X' shape.

The heated kang had been invented long ago, though its current structure was not yet very scientific. In this season between spring and summer, the Hou-family kang was still kept burning. It warded off dampness and insects, and sleeping cozily warm through the night was a comfort.

He rolled over and sprang up, pressing both hands against the edge of the kang and leaping down without a trace of reluctance. The world outside remained perilous; indulging in this momentary comfort could truly cost him his head.

Putting on his deerskin boots and double-layered armor, fastening his belt, and hanging his sword, he walked out of the bedchamber to find Han Shu sleeping heavily in his armor on a relatively simple kang outside.

He did not disturb him. The Tiger Warriors were all exhausted right now, especially those in his direct command who had charged at the front alongside him.

Stepping out of the quarters, he saw a single Tiger Warrior on duty in the corridor, flipping through a scroll of bamboo slips. Seeing Zhao Ji emerge, the warrior stood up. "Tunzhang."

"What are you reading?"

"It is the *Spring and Autumn Annals of Master Gongyang*. This subordinate will put it away right now."

"Keep reading. I am going to see the granary officer."

Zhao Ji waved a hand, adjusted his helmet, and walked toward the storage area without even washing his face.

Emerging from the small courtyard, he saw several maidservants and a dozen robust women cooking breakfast, guarded by two Tiger Warriors and a few auxiliary soldiers recruited from the county militia.

One of the auxiliaries was the scarred-faced local with whom Zhao Ji had conversed late into the night. Seeing Zhao Ji approach, the man instinctively lowered his head.

As he passed, Zhao Ji asked, "May I ask your name?"

"I dare not. This subordinate is Gou Sheng."

"From the northern township?"

"Yes, a native of Qiping Village in the northern township."

Nodding, Zhao Ji asked, "Did you make any kills?"

"During the manhunt the night before last, I captured one man."

Zhao Ji asked again, "Do you have a family?"

Seeing Zhao Ji smile, Gou Sheng smiled back. "I once did, but then I lost them."

"Then would you mind having a few more children?"

"As a broken and shattered man, I dare not harbor extravagant hopes. I will obey the Tunzhang's arrangements."

"Very well. Since you have merit and are an auxiliary soldier, you won't be allotted a horse when rewards are distributed, but you will be assigned a widow for a household. As you know, their fathers and brothers were killed or captured as rebels, so we will screen them carefully. They will either be widows with children or women whose fathers and brothers were taken prisoner. However, for the latter, single Tiger Warriors will have first pick, so I am afraid it may not fall to you."

"I dare not be picky. To have a family at all is already enough to satisfy me."

Gou Sheng hurriedly expressed his assent. At thirty-two years old, being assigned a widow with children meant his life could immediately get back on track.

Seeing this, Zhao Ji nodded and turned toward the warehouse district where Jia Kui was stationed.

Inside, Tiger Warriors, auxiliary soldiers, and captured able-bodied men were busy hauling equipment and bolts of cloth. Jia Kui stood under the golden sunlight, supervising the work.

Zhao Ji strode forward. Jia Kui had dark circles under his eyes. "Aji, why didn't you sleep a little longer?"

"I dare not indulge in leisure."

Looking at the wagons already loaded, Zhao Ji said, "Brother Liangdao, we must not only build boats, but carriages as well."

Jia Kui nodded. "I share that intention. I only hope Aji returns triumphant from suppressing the bandits. Without Aji, it would be difficult for us to accomplish anything."

Knowing what worried him, Zhao Ji said, "I can persuade Lord Zhao on this matter. After defeating the bandits, I will definitely escort the surrendered troops back to Beijiang. But Lord Zhao also lacks capable officials, so I wish to request that Lord Zhao recommend Brother Liangdao to the Imperial Secretariat. That way, should any issues arise, Brother Liangdao can navigate and protect us."

"The Imperial Secretariat?"

Jia Kui was startled by the words and shook his head directly. "It is not that I am putting on airs or feigning modesty; truly, I dare not leave this place. If possible, you might recommend my brother-in-law instead."

Given Jia Kui's lineage and the diminished influence of recent years, starting his career as a Gentleman of the Secretariat would already be an extraordinary favor.

"Understood. I am not sure if it will work either, so Brother Liangdao should discuss it with Elder Brother Liu as circumstances allow. As for the treatment of the wounded Tiger Warriors, Brother Liangdao must also find reliable people to take charge. Do not fear wasting provisions; human lives matter more than anything else."

Seeing two Tiger Warriors bring over breakfast, Zhao Ji pointed to a nearby stone step. "Let us eat right here."

Jia Kui raised no objections. He sat on the steps alongside Zhao Ji, each holding a food tray. Jia Kui took a sip from his bowl of broth and laughed. "I heard Aji was unwilling to be adopted into another branch; why are you now willing to ask Lord Zhao for a favor?"

There was nothing embarrassing about it. Zhao Ji smiled frankly. "If I simply groveled and bowed, wouldn't Lord Zhao look down on me? Besides, time is pressing. Affectation and false modesty will only delay the opportune moment. We do not have a second chance."

"Very well, I will do my best to persuade my elder brother."

Jia Kui accepted the task, then asked, "Aji has the most enemy decapitations, so distributing rewards will be difficult. Do you want bolts of cloth, horses, or household slaves?"

If he took state-owned slaves turned over from prisoners and settled them at home, he would no longer be able to draw from the current collective food supply.

Zhao Ji thought for a moment. "Give me some coarse cloth; convert the rest into horses and cavalry bondsmen. Brother Liangdao, you can distribute them according to merit—one horse more or less makes no difference."

"No women?"

"That would cause distraction and hinder work. If the bondsmen assigned to me have families, do not split them up and give them to others. Once these bondsmen perform meritorious service in the future, I will use my own merits to redeem their families."

"That is not difficult. I can probably give Aji fifteen cavalry bondsmen and horses, plus three extra horses, two carriages, and thirty bolts of cloth."

These constituted Zhao Ji's personal wealth and armed force, and Jia Kui did not mind being a bit generous.

Zhao Ji's merits truly could not be measured simply by decapitations, enemy routs, or command; his role in boosting morale had to be factored in as well, and no one would raise objections if his rewards were calculated on the higher side.

As for the merits of others, the process was straightforward, falling into seven or eight tiers. They would be rewarded strictly according to tier.

Zhao Ji occupied a tier of his own; once his share was settled, the rest would be truly easy to handle.

What Jia Kui feared most was Zhao Ji demanding more, or even demanding the confiscated gold.

That portion of gold had to be presented to the Son of Heaven; only with gold would the Emperor retain his dignity.

Even if this gold were presented to the Emperor and then bestowed back down as a reward, it would still serve its purpose.

Since Zhao Ji took the lead in abiding by the rules of distribution, Jia Kui was more than willing to uphold those rules.

After finishing their meal, Wei Xing drove a herd of horses toward them. Accompanying him were mounted retainers screened from surrendered nomadic tribes, herdsmen with basic veterinary skills, two blacksmiths, and several apprentices.

These people would be responsible for trimming and maintaining the horses' hooves, forging and fitting horseshoes, and assisting with the repair of military equipment.

Single-sided leather stirrups and horseshoes had accelerated the rise of the Xianbi, and before horseshoes were introduced, warhorses in combat wore 'shoes' made of leather, rattan, and hemp, known as leather shoes or *gedi*.

Techniques such as horseshoes only began to spread through the Hedong region after the various northern tribes and the Xiongnu migrated south. Previously, cavalrymen going into battle fastened straw sandals or leather shoes onto their horses just before the fight.

Though iron was precious, to the Tiger Warriors, horses were by far the most valuable asset. Using iron—which could be gathered and smelted—to protect a dwindling population of horses was undoubtedly a bargain.

After handing over the horses, cavalry bondsmen, and artisans to Jia Kui, Wei Xing asked, "Granary Officer, can my merits be exchanged for Hou Mo's concubine?"

He was one of the few who had recorded more than three decapitations. Jia Kui glanced at Zhao Ji's back as the latter examined a horseshoe, and said to Wei Xing, "You may. I will also give you three bolts of cloth—one fine silk, one coarse fabric, and one thin silk."

"Splendid."

Wei Xing pursed his lips, his eyes gleaming. "I'll take them now, and then return to camp with the Tunzhang, if that is all right?"

Seeing him so impatient, Jia Kui was not surprised. That these men had held out this much longer was already a great show of respect to headquarters.

After a moment's thought, he said, "Come with me. Once you've chosen, I will arrange for her to work in the garment-making shop. However, think clearly on one matter: I expect you to wait two months before sharing a bed."

"What kind of talk is that, Granary Officer?"

Wei Xing stared wide-eyed. "Heading south to suppress the bandits this time, I've already prepared to die. Would I care about such things? Let's enjoy ourselves first, and talk of the rest later."

Anyway, a woman obtained through wartime rewards would be a concubine in the future; what influence could a eldest son by a concubine have?

If he died fighting the bandits down south, everything would come to nothing, leaving truly nothing to care about.

If he returned in triumph, would he lack a principal wife in the future?

Seeing that Wei Xing had already figured out the math, Jia Kui could not be bothered to advise him further. Should friction arise later, it would be none of his business.

In such turbulent times, though Jia Kui was married, he did not dare to hastily father children.

Seeing that Jia Kui was about to lead him to pick a woman, Wei Xing added, "Trouble the Granary Officer to give me the bolts of cloth first. It wouldn't do to meet her empty-handed."