Chapter 20: Down-to-Earth Power (Happy New Year)

  It was late at night, the barracks of the 10th Brigade had long been extinguished, and the entire camp was pitch black. Only a few places still had some lights on, like the stars in the night sky.

  The environment in Changdu is relatively poor, and they use kerosene lamps or horse lamps. For the majority of poor people, when night falls, they go to bed early, after all, kerosene also costs money. The fuel they use is mostly cow dung. The lives of these herdsmen have improved a lot compared to before. After Wang Xiao occupied the highlands and Xikang, he abolished all the local chieftains and the system of agricultural slavery, so that the ordinary people of the Tibetan tribe no longer had to suffer from exploitation by the local chieftains. This made these simple and honest people very respectful of Wang Xiao, and in the spread of Hinayana Buddhism on the highlands, Wang Xiao even became a protector of Buddhism.

  Although Wang Xiao himself was disdainful of such claims, the herdsmen were deeply convinced and had completely deified him as their god.

  Inside the office of the Tenth Brigade Commander, the lights were still on. Two lanterns illuminated the office brightly. At this time, the commander of the Tenth Brigade, Zhao Bowei, and his deputy, Zhasi Duoji, were drinking around a small table. Although it was only September, the highland nights had already become very cold, and both men wore their coats. The liquor was high-proof spirits, and the dish was braised beef. Simple as they were, the two men drank with great relish.

  Soon, Chief of Staff Li Zhuo also pushed open the door and came in. Zhao Bowei hastily took out a wine cup and poured some wine.

  "Old Li, come have a drink. Have those little rascals all settled in?" Zhao Bowei handed the wine to Li Zhuo and asked.

  "Gulp" went the sound, Li Zhuo downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, then said: "They've all been taken care of. Those little rascals, each and every one of them got drunk to the point of intoxication. Tomorrow they'll be suffering!"

  "Heh heh, no big deal. As the tenth brigade's soldiers, we naturally have to know how to drink!" Deputy Brigade Commander Zhasi Duoji said with a smile. His dark face was full of smiles, revealing a row of white teeth.

  "What about him? Nothing's wrong, is it?" Zhao Bowei asked.

  "It's okay! However, Old Zhao, do we really have to send him to the 2nd battalion 3rd company? Wouldn't it be better if he stayed at the brigade department? That way there won't be any problems. It's going to snow soon and the 3rd company's garrison is not very safe!" Li Zhuo said with some concern.

  Zhao Bowei, Zhasi Duoji and Li Zhuo, as the main officials of the 10th Brigade, were also very clear about Wang Yuzhe's identity. When they learned that the young marshal was going to serve in their troops, it made them both surprised and delighted. After all, the young marshal serving in the 10th Brigade represented that the great marshal valued and respected the 10th Brigade. Otherwise, he wouldn't have let the young marshal come here. However, the conditions of the 10th Brigade were too poor, what if something happened to the young marshal while he was in the 10th Brigade? How would they explain it to the great marshal, how would they explain it to the millions of people in Sichuan and Xikang provinces?!

  "That's right, the second battalion third company is stationed in Gasangka. The conditions there are ten times worse than Changdu. Moreover, that place is already at the northernmost tip of our controlled area, and bandits often appear. The Ma family army across from us seems to be getting restless lately too. If something happens, we might not be able to rescue them in time!" Zhasi Duoji was also worried. He was a member of the Tibetan ethnic group, and in his heart, Wang Xiao was a god who gave them a good life, so naturally Wang Yuze was the son of God. He didn't want Wang Yuze to go to a dangerous place either.

  "But what can we do? The commander-in-chief has personally given the order, specifying that Young Marshal must go to the 3rd Company of the 2nd Battalion. Can we still disobey orders? However, we cannot be careless either. Since Young Marshal has come to the 10th Brigade, we must make thorough preparations. Once a crisis arises, we must rush to rescue immediately. Moreover, I think the commander-in-chief has already thought of this point, hasn't the battalion commander been replaced? The new battalion commander Zhang Shusen is actually from the Imperial Guard of the Commander-in-Chief's mansion. He must also have come with the task of protecting Young Marshal." said Brigade Commander Zhao Bowen.

  "Hmm! But we can't be careless either. All the troops in the Travel Department must be prepared, and once something happens, they must be able to set off immediately. I heard from colleagues in the Military Department that the commander-in-chief has already issued an order to start preparing for war. It's possible that it won't be long before our war with the Qing court will break out again. At that time, even if our 10th Brigade is not deployed to the east to participate in the war, we will definitely have to attack northward." said Chief of Staff Li Zhuo with a smile.

  "That's great! Those bandits in the north haven't stopped bullying our herders. If it weren't for the military department's strict orders not to launch a preemptive attack on Qinghai, I would have led my men to kill them long ago!" Deputy Commander Zhasi Duoji shouted.

  For war, these generals are all filled with expectations. Although there will inevitably be deaths in war. But war also means military merit, which will be their capital for promotion! A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier. Whether it's Zhao Bowen, who is already a lieutenant general, or Zhasi Duoji and Li Zhuo, who are only colonels, they all hope to make progress in their careers.

  The next day, Wang Yuze got out of bed with a splitting headache. He estimated that he hadn't drunk less the night before, at least two catties of white wine! This had completely exceeded his capacity for liquor, no wonder he was so drunk. In comparison, Wang Wei was much better off. Although also drunk, it wasn't as severe.

  After Wang Yuezhe and his group stayed in Changdu for two days, they set off to rush to their respective destinations. These dozen or so young military officers who had just arrived at the 10th Brigade also went their separate ways.

  The garrison of the 2nd Battalion, 10th Brigade was located in Leiwuqi, a small town with thousands of people gathered north of Changdu. Here, Wang Yuezhe and Wang Wei met the battalion commander Zhang Shusen and deputy battalion commander Gong Zhiqiang. Zhang Shusen was not very old, less than thirty years old, tall and strong. Deputy Battalion Commander Gong Zhiqiang was also about the same age, but looked a bit dark and thin, but he was very enthusiastic. Moreover, Gong Zhiqiang also expressed that he would personally send Wang Yuezhe and Wang Wei to the 3rd Company.

  After resting for a night in the camp, Wang Yuezhe and Wang Wei followed Deputy Regimental Commander Gong Zhiqiang to rush to the garrison of the Third Battalion in Gasangka. Gasangka is still over 100 kilometers away from Liuzi, and it takes three or four hours by horseback. By the time Wang Yuezhe and Wang Wei arrived, it was already past noon.

  Kasanka, it's just a small village. Apart from the third battalion's barracks, there are only dozens of herdsman households gathered here. Moreover, these herdsmen all come to spend the winter here in autumn and will go to places with lush water grass for grazing once spring arrives. Wang Yuzhe had never been to such a desolate place before. Thinking that he would have to stay here for a long time, although he was already prepared, his heart still felt somewhat uneasy.

  When Wang Yuezhe and his men arrived at the gate of the barracks, they found that except for two sentries, not a single officer from the third battalion was in sight. Gong Zhiqiang's face didn't look too good at this moment. He had clearly sent someone to inform them yesterday, but now it was still like this - wasn't this making things difficult for him? Although he knew that this wasn't aimed at him, it still made him very displeased.

  Gong Zhiqiang rode his horse towards the barracks, but was blocked by the sentry.

  "Who is it you're looking for, sir?" the sentry asked.

  "I am Gong Zhiqiang. I've brought your new company commander and deputy company commander to take office. Where is your platoon leader?" Gong Zhiqiang asked with a stern face.

  "Report to Deputy Battalion Commander. The first platoon has gone on patrol, the second platoon is pursuing a group of horse bandits. Only the third platoon is left!" The sentry replied.

  "Let him come see me!" Gong Zhiqiang roared with a fierce face.

  "Yes, Vice Captain, please wait!" The sentry hastily ran off to report.

  "Wang Lianchang, I'm afraid you're being laughed at. These soldiers are all big and rough, they don't understand what manners are." Gong Zhiqiang said with a smile.

  "Deputy commander, you're being too serious! These soldiers are all kind and simple!" Wang Yuze smiled. However, he had already realized that the people here didn't seem to welcome him very much! And now, on his first day here, they wanted to give him a warning shot across the bow!

  PS: Little fish wishes all book friends a happy new year! Wishing everyone a great snake year, may all your wishes come true!