Only the royal city is the most secluded, with thousands of people hiding in it like a sea.
——Excerpt from "I heard that Zi You had to tell me not to go to Shangzhou" by Su Shi
…
The biggest benefit of the "Eight Laws of Loyalty" is that the tasks of lower-level soldiers are always consistent with the goals of high-level generals. The purpose is clear and the tasks are clear. From planning to execution to assessment, all matters are clear at a glance and open and transparent.
Bai Fu took advantage of Taifu Xu's influence and hired a group of young and learned men from the Hongwen Hall to serve as army commanders and military counselors.
Let the marching Sima camp work with senior generals to refine the "Eight Laws of Loyalty and Succession" and break it down into more specific measures. Then let the middle and lower-level generals implement them one by one and implement them.
…
Many Jiedu envoys and military envoys in the Tang army focused all their energy on leading soldiers to practice martial arts and formations.
Unlike them, Bai Fu's first concern when leading his troops was food and logistical supplies.
The siege of Suiyang left a deep impression on Bai Fu. More than ten thousand soldiers died of starvation on the city tower rather than being killed by the rebel swords.
With the analysis of battle reports, the Marching Sima Battalion can estimate the daily losses of the three armies several months in advance and purchase the corresponding food and military supplies in advance.
Bai Fu also paid special attention to setting up camp. Whether it was the road planning inside the camp or the fortifications outside the camp, once the habit of carelessness was developed, it would be a disaster at the critical moment.
From the siege of Suiyang to the fierce battle in Heyang, Bai Fu led the vanguard army to break through the siege and attack the camp several times. He was well aware of the pros and cons. Therefore, every time he arrived at a military camp, he took the lead in inspecting the level of the camp.
The Marching Sima summarized past experience, compiled operational details, and assigned the task of setting up camp to each battalion, breaking it down layer by layer, and finally implementing it on each individual soldier.
If any loopholes are discovered during the inspection, the punishment may be punishment with military sticks and sticks at the least, or execution by military law at the most serious level. At this point, there are no more careless and careless soldiers in the army.
Food safety, camp hygiene, and the cleanliness and sanitation of soldiers' washing and latrines are not easy to underestimate. Tens of thousands of soldiers gather together for food and accommodation. Once a plague breaks out and the military camp turns into a ghost, it will be a disaster.
The death of soldiers due to the plague not only reduces the number of soldiers in non-combat operations, but also shakes the morale and morale of the army. This matter must not go wrong.
The Marching Sima Camp compiled operational details and formulated strict implementation standards to ensure the health and safety of the military camp.
Not only that, Bai Fu, together with the military doctors, also formulated a series of emergency measures to ensure that sick soldiers were isolated and treated individually as soon as the epidemic occurred to avoid infection.
In the inspection form for the health and safety of the military camp, Bai Fu personally wrote in cinnabar: "Those who disobey the order will be killed without mercy!"
The scarlet color of cinnabar is shocking!
…
A few days later, under the leadership of Tang Kui, five hundred elite Sichuan gang members from Lihentian's "Yanwu Hall" arrived in Shaanzhou.
On this day, Bai Fu was reading military reports in the big tent when he heard an urgent report from the messenger: "General, General Huyan intercepted a group of unnumbered troops at the gate of the military camp.
The local armed forces on this road have your order, but there is no troop transfer document from the Ministry of War or the local county guard, so General Huyan does not allow them to enter the military camp.
Their leader said that they have come to seek refuge with you. He also asked the general to come out of the camp to check."
Bai Fu thought: "Tang Kui and the others marched fast enough, three days earlier than I expected. It seems that their riding skills have improved."
Bai Fu took his own soldiers and went out to check.
A hundred steps away from the camp gate, I saw hundreds of majestic and well-dressed warriors, riding on strong horses, waiting in place. They were the elite of the Sichuan gang who were specially trained in the "Martial Arts Hall".
Hundreds of crossbows were poked out from the tower walls of Anbei's camp in Beiting, aiming at the team.
Huyan Tieyi was on high alert, commanding his soldiers to monitor every move of these hundreds of people. If a Sichuan disciple’s horse moved slightly forward, he would shout loudly: "If you dare to approach this important military area again, you will be shot without mercy!"
Dian Meng became angry when he saw Hu Yan Tieyi and shouted: "We are here to defect to the Anxi Army. If you are so rude, won't you chill the hearts of the brave men in the world?"
Huyan Tieyi sneered: "Without military orders, even if the emperor comes to the throne, he still has to wait at the gate of the camp!"
Dian Meng was about to retort, but Tang Kui quickly stopped him and said: "Mengzi, don't be Qing Lang, don't embarrass Brother Fu."
Dian Meng then retreated angrily and thought to himself: "Don't say I didn't tell you that your immediate boss is our good brother. If you neglect us like this, wait until your general comes out, or he will punish you severely."
When the two sides were in a stalemate, Bai Fu led his soldiers to the camp gate.
Huyan Tieyi saluted with a military salute and said: "General, it is said that this local armed force has come to defect to you. But they do not have troop transfer documents from the Ministry of War or the local county guard. According to military regulations, I cannot let them into the camp. If there is any offense,
Please forgive me, General!"
Bai Fu patted Hu Yan Tieyi's shoulder and said with a smile: "General Hu Yan acted according to the rules and acted cautiously. How can I blame the general?! Don't worry too much!"
Huyan Tieyi nodded and didn't say anything else. He had heard words like "sir" many times. General Hengmu said the same thing last time, and then he found an excuse and demoted himself to the rank of battalion deputy...
The hundreds of Jianghu warriors at the gate of the camp are said to be General Bai's fellow villagers, and they may have to suffer a meal for today's incident at some point in the future.
Others advised me not to be so rigid and to be more diplomatic. After all, the era of General Li Siye had passed. But I just had such a stubborn temper and couldn't change it.
Huyan Tieyi was thinking wildly when Bai Fu turned around and said: "Without the troop transfer documents, it is indeed impossible to enter the camp.
General Huyan, can we follow the procedures for recruiting soldiers and let them enter the camp?"
Huyan Tieyi said: "This method is feasible. However, according to military regulations, when recruiting soldiers, all newcomers must remove their armor, hand over their weapons and horses, and be searched before they can enter the camp.
After entering the camp, you must fill out relevant forms and write down your name, place of origin, age, etc. After verification and registration, you can receive military badges and allocate camp accounts.
The weapons and equipment they carry must be strictly inspected before they can be returned and given to the person for use."
Bai Fu nodded and said: "Since there are military regulations, no one is allowed to be lenient and must go through the formalities for joining the army in accordance with the regulations."
Bai Fu climbed up to the watchtower and waved to Tang Kui and others. Seeing Bai Fu appear, everyone in the Sichuan Gang felt relieved and no longer had any suspicion.
When the soldiers are ordered to leave the camp, the general will inform them of the regulations one by one.
Although Bai Fu showed up, the verification was still strict. Tang Kui knew that there must be a reason. Tang Kui immediately reassured everyone and asked everyone to act according to the order and not to complain.
Hundreds of Sichuan Gang disciples dismounted, disarmed and disarmed, and completed verification matters one by one in accordance with military requirements.
An hour later, all verification procedures were completed, and the battalion lieutenant colonel led everyone to the camping area.
Inside the camp, there is a post every three steps and a sentry every five steps. It is heavily guarded, with war flags and swords and halberds standing everywhere. Thousands of soldiers in the camp are shuttled back and forth, busy making preparations, but the huge military camp is silent, and no one dares to make a noise in the army.
The tents in the camp are neatly arranged and spaced; the roads in the camp are crisscrossed, and people and horses are diverted; the camp is neat and clean, and the sewage facilities are complete. There is no sewage flowing across the camp and muddy roads that are common in Tang Army camps...
Everyone had also learned how to set up camp in the "Martial Arts Hall", and when they saw him, they were in awe.
After settling in, the cook will bring dinner.
There are three dishes and one soup, one meat and two vegetarian. Although the dishes are not rich, they are also salty, delicious, and full of flavor.
Rice, biscuits and other staple foods are enough, as well as fruits and vegetables to quench your thirst.
Bai Fu specially told the master who holds the spoon that Bashu people prefer spicy food.
For this reason, in addition to adding "five pungents" such as "garlic, green onions, Xingqu, leeks, and scallions" to the dishes, chefs also pounded Zhuyu into juice and used it as seasoning to add "spiciness".
After working hard on their horses and working hard all afternoon, everyone was already feeling thirsty and hungry. Seeing the food, they couldn't help but work up their appetites and wolfed it down. The food was very sweet.
At a glance, just the food and lodging are enough to show that An Beiting's camp and army are rigorous and relaxed, and he is worthy of being a famous army of the Tang Dynasty.
Everyone's previous complaints immediately disappeared, replaced by the urge to blend in here.
…
Just as the Sichuan disciples were enjoying their meal, there was a commotion among the crowd, and Bai Fu came to the camp in person.
Everyone quickly stood up and saluted, and Bai Fu waved his hand, indicating that everyone should sit down.
The chief cook brought a meal to Bai Fu. Bai Fu sat on the floor and chatted with everyone while eating.
Bai Fu smiled and said: "Brothers, does the food still taste good? I asked the chefs to adjust the taste specially according to the flavor of Bashu."
Everyone said that the food was good.
Bai Fu said: "The army is no better than the Sichuan gang. It has more rules, stricter requirements, and more emphasis on discipline and execution. You must adapt as soon as possible."
Dou You hesitated and said: "Brother Fu, I don't know if what I said is right. I feel that the army is even more unhuman."
Bai Fu nodded and said, "Is the process of entering the camp making everyone uncomfortable?"
Everyone looked at each other and refused to speak.
Seeing this, Bai Fu knew his answer. He said: "General Huyan did not deliberately make things difficult for everyone, nor did he deliberately target anyone.
In the army, military rules and discipline are as strong as heaven. Here, there are no fathers, sons, brothers, only superior and subordinate officers and soldiers, and only comrades-in-arms.
In the past, General Pugu Huai'en's son disobeyed the general's orders and returned defeated. Pugu Huai'en, without saying a word, bound his son and pushed him to the camp gate to be executed."
Everyone was shocked and couldn't believe it.
Bai Fu said: "The core concept of the army is obedience. Military orders are like a mountain, and there is no room for bargaining.
However, the human relationship in the army is not thin, on the contrary, it is stronger. Because we have lived and died together, the friendship between comrades is better than that of brothers, and is far better than the friendship between colleagues in the officialdom.
Why do veterans look down on new recruits?!
Because veterans are not only well-trained and have rich battlefield experience, but also because veterans respect military rules and disciplines. This is the quality of professional soldiers!"
Having said this, Bai Fu stood up, handed the lunch box to the soldiers, patted the dirt on his robes, looked around at everyone, and said loudly: "Starting from tomorrow, you will officially change your clothes.
From now on, you will no longer be a knight-errant, but a real soldier.
As a soldier, you must learn to obey and be patient.
If one day, one of you unfortunately loses his life, I hope that he will die on the battlefield and sacrifice his life for the country, rather than die under the guillotine of a military disciplinary officer.
You were once the pride of the Bashu people and the hope of the Sichuan gang.
From tomorrow on, I hope you will be the pride of the Anbeiting Army and the glory of the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty!