After reorganizing the troops marching with the army, the five thousand Xuzhou soldiers began to advance slowly toward the Yingchuan region the next day.
Although he had prepared himself from the beginning, Tao Shang still had not expected that life in the military would be so grueling.
After riding on horseback for two days, Tao Shang felt soreness in his waist and back, and his whole body was uncomfortable.
Riding a horse is different from riding in a carriage; one must maintain balance at all times, keep the body upright, and keep the back straight.
The saddle also seemed to rub the inner thighs raw.
Sometimes after a full day of riding, the inner sides of both thighs would develop blood blisters, and when walking on the ground, his legs could not even be brought close together.
(There is a claim that the Han Dynasty did not yet have saddles and stirrups, but this is an inaccurate view.
Logically, the Qin Dynasty did not have saddles and stirrups, but they existed in the Western Han.
This is because the Warring States period mainly relied on war chariots, but during the Han Dynasty’s conflicts with the Xiongnu, the scale of cavalry had become quite large, replacing infantry as the main force.
Many mounted archery tactics and deep grassland raids would have been unrealistic without saddles and stirrups.
The achievements of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing would have been nearly impossible across the grasslands without stirrups and saddles.
By the end of the Eastern Han, saddles and stirrups were certainly complete and widespread, though whether the stirrups were single or double has not yet been proven.) Tao Shang’s physique was not very strong.
After a few days, his bones felt as if they had turned to mush.
He had truly suffered greatly, and the food along the way was very poor.
Although Xuzhou was also considered prosperous, there had been another Yellow Turban Rebellion a couple of years earlier, so it was still recovering.
Tao Qian had ordered that the army rations only supply rice and not allow meat for the main generals.
Thus, the three meals a day were basically thin porridge, with side dishes consisting only of some unnamed wild vegetables.
After enduring a long journey, Tao Shang felt he had lost seventeen or eighteen catties.
In contrast, Mi Fang, that fellow, was not much better.
After all, he came from a wealthy family.
Even though he had dabbled in military matters, it was only superficial.
How could he have endured such hardship?
After a few days, he was also groaning and complaining, cursing his father and mother.
Sometimes Tao Shang thought that Tao Qian letting him and this idiot Mi Fang lead the troops together was really a bit suicidal.
Tao Shang himself did not know how to lead troops, and Mi Fang was even worse.
It felt like he didn’t know anything at all… With commanders like this, the future of the Xuzhou army looked rather worrying.
Five days later, the troops arrived at Qiao County.
According to Tao Shang’s judgment, this place should belong to the territory of later Anhui Province… Yingchuan should be in the southern part of the later Henan Province.
According to later calculations, after crossing one more province, they would reach their first destination.
In the evening, they set up camp.
The personal guards brought dry rations and vegetable soup for Tao Shang and Mi Fang.
The dry rations were a black lump, impossible to tell what grain it was.
The vegetable soup was thin and watery with a few scattered vegetable leaves floating in it.
There was not a single drop of oil, and the salt was pathetically scarce.
Drinking it felt no different from drinking plain water, in fact, Tao Shang felt this vegetable soup might not even taste as good as plain water.
“This general… can’t take it anymore!!!” After drinking a few sips of vegetable soup, Mi Fang’s accumulated frustration from days of hardship finally erupted.
He slammed the bowl and chopsticks heavily onto the table and gnashed his teeth, roaring, “Not even a speck of oil is one thing!
But there’s pathetically little salt too, it’s completely tasteless… It’s worse than horse piss!
This general is at least the Western Expedition General personally appointed by the Inspector.
How can I eat this kind of livestock fodder every day?” Tao Shang calmly glanced at Mi Fang and said, “Military life is inherently like this.
Having sufficient rations is already not bad.
As for whether the food is good or not, Mi Brother, you shouldn’t be so picky.” Mi Fang looked at the untouched dry rations and vegetable soup in front of Tao Shang and secretly curled his lip.
It was easy to say, but if you don’t mind it, why don’t you eat it yourself?
The two sat facing each other in silence, falling into an awkward atmosphere, until after a good while… “Young Master…” Mi Fang hesitantly spoke.
“Hmm?” “How about we lead troops out to get some tooth sacrifice?” Mi Fang probed.
Tao Shang looked at Mi Fang in confusion: “What do you mean?” “Um…” Mi Fang seemed a bit hesitant, not knowing how to explain.
“It means leading troops out to improve the brothers’ meals.” Tao Shang raised an eyebrow: “I understand improving the meals, but why lead troops out?” Mi Fang gave a dry laugh: “Without leading troops, who’s going to rob…?” Seeing Mi Fang’s unnatural expression, Tao Shang suddenly understood.
Mi Fang wanted to lead troops to plunder the civilians’ wealth!
Actually, this was normal.
From ancient times to the present, in chaotic eras, when armies marched out, whether feudal lords, commandery governors, or even local strongmen with troops, how many did not allow their soldiers to plunder?
How many did not indulge their subordinates in looting homes and robbing?
In severe cases, figures like Bai Qi, Xiang Yu, Cao Cao, and Genghis Khan even massacred cities.
The so-called strict military discipline was merely gilding added by victors in the history books.
In reality, most generals, when supplies were short and they could not meet the soldiers’ normal needs, had no choice but to use this method to reward meritorious officers and boost morale.
After capturing a city, most commanders would let their troops plunder for several days.
During this period, the generals turned a blind eye to soldiers’ acts of rape, pillage, and looting.
In the Three Kingdoms period, while war caused some population loss, sixty to seventy percent of the population decline was due to such behavior.
No matter the starting point, the consequences of armies doing this were borne by ordinary people.
As the saying goes: When the state prospers, the people suffer.
When the state perishes, the people suffer… The lowest-level commoners always bear the suffering brought by every word and action of those above.
Tao Shang said seriously: “General Mi, my father Tao Qian is known as a benevolent gentleman.
Our Xuzhou army is also a righteous force.
Acts of letting soldiers burn, kill, and plunder are not something our Xuzhou army should do…” Upon hearing this, Mi Fang’s face immediately turned bright red: “I was just thinking of rewarding our soldiers a bit?” “We are not short of military rations, and the battle hasn’t even started yet.
Why reward the soldiers for no reason?
This will spoil them… General Mi, as the Supervisor, I must manage this kind of thing.
Tomorrow you must immediately issue a military order: On this western expedition, anyone who plunders civilian property along the way shall be executed on the spot!” “Understood…” Mi Fang was left embarrassed and dejectedly lowered his head to drink the vegetable soup again.
But the taste of the soup was truly unpalatable.
Mi Fang came from a wealthy family; even if not clothed in brocade and fed jade, he certainly never lacked meat at every meal.
He had long since grown unable to endure this kind of treatment… After forcing down two more sips, Mi Fang suddenly threw the wooden spoon to the ground and wailed, “I can’t take it anymore!
It’s too awful!
There’s not even a hint of meat flavor… It’s so bland it’s driving me crazy!” At this point, Mi Fang suddenly turned his head again and stared at Tao Shang, his eyes bloodshot: “Young Master, let’s just rob once!
Not much!
Just steal some livestock to improve the meals!
I guarantee I won’t harm anyone… This humble general is willing to issue a military pledge!” Tao Shang’s attitude was very firm: “No!
Our Xuzhou army is a gentleman’s army!
How can we act like bandits?
Plundering is absolutely not allowed!” “A gentleman’s army is still made of people!
People have mouths and tongues… Everyone craves meat!” Mi Fang argued with reason.
Tao Shang said leisurely, “There are plenty of ways to eat meat.
Why must it be through robbing?” “If we don’t rob, where does the meat come from?!
Young Master, can you stop teasing this humble general?
I’m discussing serious business…” Mi Fang was starting to feel a bit crazy from this kid.
Tao Shang sighed and said, “Fine.
Seeing how sincere you are, let this young master teach you something.
Mi Brother, do you know a wonderful saying?” Mi Fang asked stupidly: “What wonderful saying?” “It is said: A wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a prostitute, and a prostitute is not as good as stealing.” “What does that mean?” Mi Fang did not understand such a profound sentence for a moment.
Tao Shang showed a look of disdain: “Idiot.
Wife is not as good as concubine, concubine is not as good as prostitute, prostitute is not as good as stealing!
Such simple words and you don’t understand?
Our Xuzhou army is a gentleman’s army.
How can we casually plunder and lose the people’s hearts and reputation?
That would be the path to chaos!
So robbing is absolutely out of the question.” Mi Fang murmured: “Then what should we do?” “If that’s the case, then the only thing left is stealing.” Tao Shang explained with a smile.
Mi Fang stared blankly at Tao Shang, not knowing where he had learned such crooked logic.
“A gentleman’s army doesn’t rob… but steals?” Tao Shang shook his finger: “It’s not the gentleman’s army stealing.
It’s you stealing.” Mi Fang was instantly dumbfounded.
“Me?
I steal?…
I, a dignified Western Expedition General personally appointed by the Xuzhou Inspector, commanding over five thousand soldiers and officers…
going out myself to steal livestock?” Tao Shang raised an eyebrow, both annoyed and amused: “Of course!
The one who wants to improve the meals is you, not anyone else.
One must rely on oneself for food and clothing… Besides, if all five thousand troops went out to steal, do you think the people being stolen from are fools?” Mi Fang stroked his chin and asked blankly: “Then how many people should go?” “From company commanders and above: three colonels, three commandants, you, me, plus a dozen or so guards… That’s enough to steal chickens!” Mi Fang’s eyes were filled with puzzled confusion: “The highest commanders of an army, together with the Supervisor, all going out to steal chickens.
Young Master, you call this a gentleman’s army?” “You don’t understand?
This is an art!” “Good art, good art!
Young Master is truly talented.
This humble general admires you greatly!” In recent days, a major event had occurred throughout the Huai and Ru regions.
Starting from the eastern side of Qiao County and heading west toward the Yingchuan border, there were frequent incidents of weasel spirits causing trouble.
Along the way, villages and hamlets began losing large numbers of chickens and ducks for no apparent reason.
Today, five chickens disappeared from Wang Family Village south of Qiao.
Tomorrow, six ducks went missing from Li Family Stockade in Huaiyin.
A few days later, several big geese vanished from Zhang Village in the Ru area.
It was all done without a trace.
The route was clear, moving straight from east to west across the entire Ru region without any turns!
Moreover, at every scene of the thefts, a few unclear yellow hairs would be left behind.
Ordinary people could not recognize them and did not know which great immortal had descended to cause mischief.
Everywhere, it began to spread that such large-scale poultry disappearances could not be the work of humans.
It must be the doing of weasel spirits.
As the saying goes: When a state is about to fall, monsters and demons will arise!
With the world in turmoil today, even demons and ghosts have come out to stir up trouble.
For a time, the Chen and Ru regions were filled with panic.
Everywhere, notices were posted inviting great exorcists and sorcerers with profound powers to eliminate the evil spirits.
Families that had been visited by the spirits all burned incense and prayed to heaven and earth, hoping the Great Weasel Immortal would show mercy and not repeatedly visit their poultry, but occasionally go bother someone else’s family instead.
As time passed, the Xuzhou army had advanced to the Yingchuan border.
In less than three days, they would link up with Kong Zhou’s troops.
Inside the commander’s tent, Tao Shang and Mi Fang were handling a roasted chicken.
The two tore and pulled at it, eating until they were completely full.
What is happiness?
Happiness is being able to eat whatever you want, whenever you want, without lacking anything.
“Young Master is truly a divine person!” Mi Fang, having eaten his fill, wiped his mouth and immediately began flattering: “Young Master’s chicken-stealing technique is truly masterful!
It has greatly opened this Mi’s eyes… Not only can you catch the poultry without letting them cry out, but your technique is also clean, decisive, and completely smooth, without the slightest hesitation or awkwardness!
Afterward, you even remember to deliberately leave behind some long yellow strands to create a false trail and deceive the eyes and ears of the world.
This is something only a veteran of hundreds of battles could achieve… Hehe, the people of the world still think it’s the work of ghosts and monsters!” Tao Shang sucked the oil off his finger and modestly waved his hand: “Mi Brother overpraises.
Mi Brother’s criminal technique is also becoming more and more proficient, and in recent times you have taken the lead every time, charging ahead… In the past few days, you have slain seven roosters, three geese, and captured thirteen ducks alive!
Truly possessing the courage of ten thousand men, living up to the fine name of Western Expedition General bestowed by my father.
In my opinion, it won’t be long before Mi Brother surpasses his teacher!” Mi Fang chuckled: “Young Master, our great army is about to enter Kong Zhou’s territory.
Doing this in an ally’s land may be somewhat against morality and human relations… Why not take advantage of the fact that we have not yet crossed the border and do two more big jobs tonight, so we can have a proper beginning and end!” Tao Shang reached out and tore off a chicken wing, asking in confusion: “I didn’t expect General Mi to be so enthusiastic about this… Do you have a new target?” Mi Fang chuckled: “Scouts reported that twenty li from here, there is a large manor.
I heard it was recently established by a clan that migrated from the Qiao area.
The leader is surnamed Xu.
Inside the manor, they have gathered several hundred strong men and clansmen, and they raise a considerable number of pigs and oxen… It’s not that this humble general is boasting, but after stealing chickens and catching ducks for days, this humble general has grown quite bored with it… I request permission to capture two fat pigs alive tonight to sacrifice to the banner!
I hope Young Master will approve!” Tao Shang couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation.
This Mi Fang didn’t focus on properly training the army, but was so dedicated and scheming about this kind of thing… After thinking for a moment, Tao Shang nodded: “Very well!
Since General Mi is so enthusiastic about taking on such a challenging task, it is truly admirable.
Even the famous generals of antiquity could not surpass this!
But let me say this first: tonight is the last time!” Mi Fang reached out and tore off a chicken leg, stuffed it into his mouth, and while nodding heavily said in a muffled voice: “Of course!”