After Shi Nai gave the order, more than a hundred people were left here, commanded by Qian Ming, to build a simple camp and then continue to the north.
As a pioneer officer, he needs to leave camps every thirty miles to prepare for the future advance of the army.
Qian Ming hesitated for a while and then said: "Pioneer, it's October now, and the north has been frozen for thousands of miles. If you go further, you will be dead..."
When Shi Nai heard this, he couldn't help but be moved.
But he immediately gritted his teeth and said: "There are still two hundred miles. As long as we have six camps, we must not stop."
"However, the closer you get to Lake Baikal, the more you will encounter those Buryat Mongols..."
Hearing this, Shi Nai stopped completely. He looked up and saw that the intersection of the two rivers was covered with ice and snow, making it safe to walk here. It was only a mile or two away.
I heard that the further north you go, closer to Lake Baikal, the warmer the land becomes and more suitable for human habitation. This may really give away traces.
"Okay!" Shi Nai put down the telescope in his hand, rubbed his fingers wrapped in wool gloves, and sighed:
"After traveling two thousand miles, the mission is finally completed."
Kulun is two thousand miles away from Lake Baikal. When he went back home, he had nearly ten thousand troops, but he spread camps along the way, setting up camps every thirty miles and leaving behind the necessary food.
This is equivalent to a post station.
These camps not only serve as temporary military camps, allowing the army to quickly rest, but also allow the army to avoid getting lost and know its direction clearly.
As for storage supplies and so on, they are all available.
"Return trip——"
Shi Nai gave the order, and the army was overjoyed. They couldn't wait to pack up their tents, drive the horses pulling the sled, and go back along the way they came.
It was extremely difficult for the army to go north, but the return journey was extremely easy.
Although each camp is not large, it can point out the direction in time and provide hot water and food so that the army can sleep peacefully.
And if they are in a hurry, they can even use one camp as a footstep and cross two or three camps in a day without losing their way.
In this regard, Shi Nai finally realized the importance of the camp.
Since the march will take place next year, each camp will be assigned a hundred people, and food and fuel for these people for the winter will be stored.
However, the food was fine, only the fuel was insufficient.
The further north you go, the colder the weather, the more fuel is needed. In such a desert land, wood is hard to come by, so coal is the only option.
Open pit coal dug from near Cullen.
According to the previous plan, each person is fifty kilograms, and each camp is provided with five thousand kilograms of coal to help them survive the winter.
But the weather was too cold, and the little wood that was harvested was used to build camps, which meant that there was not enough fuel to survive the winter.
Therefore, only fifty people were left in each camp, and the remaining fifty followed his team back south.
In just ten days or one-third of the time it took to go there, Shi Nai returned to Kulun.
Although the Kulun City built of bricks and stones is only more than three feet high, it is a first-class majestic city in Mobei, able to accommodate 50,000 people.
Bayanjiruhe, Bogdahan, Qinggeltai and other mountains surround Kulun, and coupled with the Tula River in the south, Kulun is not said to be impregnable, but it is easy to defend and difficult to attack.
Around the entire city of Kulun, several military camps were built along the Tula River, not only for border troops and Beijing camps, but also for a large number of craftsmen and military supplies.
From last year to now, after a year, Cullen has gathered 30,000 cavalry, nearly one million stones, food and grass, and enough weapons and equipment to support an army of 100,000 people.
What supports all of this is the camp system he implemented when he went north, which can also be said to be a post station.
From Suiyuan to Kulun, on the 2,000-mile journey, there was a camp every thirty miles, responsible for transporting materials and supplying the army.
The camp has not a hundred people, but five hundred people, and a large amount of food and grass is stored in the area.
Although there is no official road, it is barely feasible on the flat grassland.
I heard that three-hole wells were dug at each inn for fear of being drunk dry by the passing animals and troops.
Relay-style transportation of materials requires only thirty miles of transportation back and forth to each camp, which greatly saves manpower, material resources, and time.
Now it only takes ten days for the army to reach Kulun before it snows, and it only takes twenty days to transport supplies and food.
In order to prevent spies, herdsmen are not allowed to come and go freely within the three hundred-mile radius of Kulun. They are allowed in but not allowed out.
Even Shi Nai had to hand over the token and password before he could enter.
"Cullen's Big Change."
After Shi Nai sent his army back to the military city, he rode to Kuchu City.
The gathering of troops has promoted the development of the entire Kulun, consumption power has surged, and pedestrians on the streets have become increasingly dense.
Only imperial merchants were allowed to enter the city, but they were also allowed in but not allowed out. There were no restrictions on supplies or livestock.
Arriving at the Governor's Mansion, Shi Nai rearranged his clothes, gave his name, and entered in a hurry.
Zeng Ying, the governor of Mobei and the Marquis of Dongchang, personally received him.
Zeng Ying, the leader of a group of military generals who founded the country, was quite young. He was only in his forties at this time. His face was blown by the wind and sand, making him no longer young. His long beard caught people's attention.
"To the Governor, I'm lucky enough to live up to my humble duty."
"Yu Hou, thank you for your hard work."
Zeng Ying stroked his long beard and praised him. He turned his eyes around him and said, "I've been here for a few months. You deserve recognition as a pioneer."
After saying that, under Shi Nai's expectant eyes, Zeng Ying smiled and said: "I will allow you a place in the battle next year!"
"Thank you Governor for the promotion." Shi Nai was overjoyed.
As early as a few years ago, the two brothers came to Mobei to make contributions.
It was years of hard work, and I had to conquer countless tribes before I could get a baron. It was extremely difficult to go further.
But their calculation was not wrong. The imperial court was indeed planning to conduct the Northern Expedition, and their opportunity came.
Zeng Yingde, the governor of Mobei, was given the post of supervising the supply and supply of food and supplies. He was responsible for the logistics support of the entire army and had a great say in the army.
Therefore, if a Mobei officer like him wanted to participate in the Northern Expedition, he must accept Zeng Ying's permission.
"You two brothers are both rare warriors, so go ahead and strive for the title of earl."
Zeng Ying sighed: "This is another war to destroy the country. I am afraid that a prince of the country will be born. You are very hopeful."
Shi Nai was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed down.
Seeing him leaving, Zeng Ying sighed.
As the governor of Mobei, he was young and strong, so it was appropriate for him to serve as the general of the Northern Expedition at this time, but who allowed him to have a prince's son-in-law?
The prince's father-in-law's prestige in the military is too high. I'm afraid that the Zeng family will be suppressed before that day comes.
This allows him to supervise the management of food and grass, which can be regarded as a meritorious service. It should be no longer a problem to be granted the title of Duke.
"If this is the case, I, as a prince, may be the most vain."
Zeng Ying shook his head and smiled bitterly: "People would think that the Duke got involved by virtue of his status as the prince..."
But there was no way, his arm couldn't twist his thigh, how could he influence the emperor's actions.
When Shi Nai returned to the house, his eldest brother Shi Ding also came back. The two brothers were quite happy.
"This trip is a good one." Shi Ding said excitedly: "You and I, two brothers, participating in the Northern Expedition to the Manchu Qing Dynasty, will definitely earn a fortune."
"I'm afraid this is the last hope."
Shi Nai was also happy: "With one discipline and two counts, our historian family is truly developed."
Shi Ding nodded in agreement.
In the past, in Beijing, the Wang family, the Jia family, the Xue family, and the Shi family had interlocked interests and jointly formed a caravan to go to Chahar to operate, and gained great benefits.
Every year, historians can get at least 10,000 silver coins from it.
This has always made the two brothers uneasy.
Wang Chunqing was an earl and the deputy commander-in-chief of Chahar, Jia Daihua was an earl and guarded the Liao Kingdom; the Xue family was an imperial merchant with amazing connections.
Only their historian, who was just a viscount, was barely able to do so at the beginning, but now he is completely out of date and feels a little unworthy of earning so much money.
Although they joined Mobei and brought new routes to the caravan, they were not worth mentioning and could not help much.
So in the past two years, I have been feeling anxious and fearful of being kicked out.
If there is really a double master, such benefits will be long-lasting and will be quite beneficial to historians.
"Jia Daihua is now the Prime Minister of the Liao Kingdom. If he stays in the Liao Kingdom in the future, he will probably be granted a high title."
Shi Nai didn't know why, but when he thought of Jia Daihua, the most developed among the four families, he couldn't help but feel sour in his heart.
Not only is the power astonishing, but more importantly, his sister is married to the King of Liao, and will enjoy endless prosperity and wealth in the future.
"Even if we both have titles, I'm afraid it will be difficult to compare with the Jia family."
Shi Ding immediately calmed down: "Don't think about it, you can't ask for this kind of thing."
"However, as Daihua is the eldest brother-in-law of the King of Liao, if he really stays in the Liao Kingdom, I'm afraid it won't be a problem for him as a mere prince."
"Is he a fool?" Shi Nai curled his lips: "No matter how good the Liao Kingdom is, it is still not as good as Beijing. Although the earl has a low position, he is still a world king and has continuous wealth. Why go to the Liao Kingdom to eat dirt?"
"They are all a group of Tatars. I have been in Mobei for several years and they are going crazy. Do you think I will die if I stay there for the rest of my life?"
Shi Ding smiled, that was true.
When the two brothers were reunited, someone suddenly came to speak and said that it was the Xue family who wanted to see them.
"Let him in."
Shi Nai said softly.
Immediately, an elegant businessman walked in.
"Mr. Xue, why are you here?"
The Shi brothers were shocked, and then they all smiled.
Appearing in front of them was the owner of the Xue family, Xue Chongwen.
As an imperial businessman, his most conspicuous feature is that he holds the title of Chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Although this kind of official position cannot be inherited and does not receive salary, it is just a nominal position with no power or influence, but it makes it unfavorable in business.
"It's a whirlpool here in Cullen."
"It's okay." Xue Chongwen said with a smile: "Seeing you two brothers, I feel confident. With you as my backer, who dares to bully me?"
Shi Ding and the two laughed heartily.
As expected of a businessman, he speaks so nicely.
However, Xue Chongwen told the origin. It turned out that someone discovered gold and copper mines in Mobei, and these two items had been mined by the imperial court.
But Mobei was different. The imperial court had insufficient control, so it invited many businessmen to mine some small mines. All they had to do was buy them out and pay annual fees.
"The small gold mine in Mobei is not worth it."
Shi Ding said truthfully: "Those Mongols are not good at mining, and it would be too troublesome for the Han people to do it. They would be thousands of miles away."
"No, my heart is not in Mobei."
Xue Chongwen said confidently: "Lake Baikal is my goal."
The Shi brothers were at a loss.
Xue Chongwen then said: "We have already relaxed some measures here in Mobei, so we can expect that in Lake Baikal, the pace will definitely be huge."
"The day of full liberalization is not far away."
"Is there a gold mine there?" Shi Nai couldn't help but ask.
"I don't know." Xue Chongwen shook his head and said truthfully: "But I guess there is."
"If there were no gold mines, how could the Fengjing Prefecture of the Qing Dynasty survive? Just relying on food would not be enough."
"It must have mines, and there are many."
Speaking of this, Xue Chongwen looked a little fanatical: "The mineral deposits north of the Great Wall have almost been completely explored. Only places such as Mobei are sparsely populated and have extremely rich mineral deposits. These are the real places to make a fortune."
Brother Shi Ding was silent.
As expected of an imperial merchant, he is indeed brave.
But if you think about it carefully, it's very possible. No wonder he put himself in danger because he wanted to eat the soup as soon as possible.
…
As the time for the Northern Expedition approaches, the great nobles in the capital are shaken in their hearts, and they all want to seek the position of general.
The Duke's Palace wanted to have a double title and find another title for his family: Count, and the Marquis naturally wanted to be stronger.
However, despite the undercurrent, everyone has reached a consensus:
The person leading the army must be a marquis.
The duke has little hope, and the emperor may not want to see his family be the icing on the cake; the count is too low, and he will have a bunch of earls and even marquis under his command, and it will definitely be difficult to convince the public.
In Duke Jing's Mansion, Gao Yigong was eating barbecue leisurely, while several cooks were grilling meat in the snow, serving the Duke.
At this time, a tall young man walked over, wearing a white fox fur coat, which made his face even more handsome.
His nose twitched, he took three steps and two steps, and sat on a chair nearby: "Give me a piece of ribs."
"Okay, Master."
The cook was in a hurry to respond.
Gao Yigong glanced at his son: "Why do you have time to spend time with an old man like me?"
Gao He said casually: "I have nothing to do when I'm free, so I'll just spend time with you, old man."
"Hahaha, you are filial."
Gao Yigong doted on his nephew and adopted son, and touched his head: "If you win the martial arts examination this year, you can go to the martial arts hall in a few days!"
"Aren't you going to take the martial arts examination?" Gao He exclaimed, "If you were me, would you have confidence that you would be both civil and military?"
"If you go late, you won't be able to catch the good time."
Gao Yigong said casually: "The Northern Expedition is coming soon. You will train in the martial arts hall for a few months, and then go to Mobei and follow Zeng Ying."
"Ah?" Gao He lost interest: "What's the point of logistics?"
"Logistics is the foundation. To control the army, you must have logistics. If you learn this, you will not be far behind in leading troops to fight."
Gao Yigong couldn't see how lazy he looked, and said, "Besides, who said there is no merit in logistics?"
"In a few months, you can still bring back a baron."
Gao He was in very little interest.
At this time, suddenly the servant spoke, and Huangzhou Hou Hui came to ask for an audience.
Gao Yigong raised his eyebrows, intending to refuse, but still said: "Let him come in!"