Chapter 145: Inspecting the Military Fortress

The common people of Jianmen County were not particularly wealthy in terms of grain, but the surrounding mountains were abundant with all kinds of medicinal herbs. Therefore, paying taxes in the form of herbs was warmly welcomed—or rather, greatly rejoiced—by the locals, as the grain they saved was more than enough for their annual needs.

Furthermore, the folk customs in the borderlands were fierce and robust. While practicing martial arts was not necessarily ubiquitous, many hunter families had passed down traditional skills over generations, all out of the necessity for body-strengthening and hunting. Thus, there was no shortage of able-bodied and vigorous young men.

Moreover, having a family member enlist in the army exempted the household from taxes, with military pay to boot. Consequently, over the next few days, as the news spread, young hunters successively came to the military camp to sign up.

Fang Xian did not stay indefinitely in Jianmen County. The day after handing over military affairs, he led Zhao Yueqian and five thousand troops to inspect the various military outposts, gaining insight into local defense conditions and, at the same time, understanding the basic situation of the one town and six stockades.

Jianmen Mountain actually belonged to the Daba Mountain range. Its surrounding area was dotted with perilous ridges such as Micang Mountain, Motian Ridge, Dalan Mountain, Longmen Mountain, Jiaozi Peak, and Guantou Mountain, alongside river systems like the Jialing River, Bailong River, East River, Qingjiang River, and Mumeng River. The terrain was exceptionally complex, which made it imperative for Fang Xian to personally ride out and grasp the complete layout of Jiange Pass and its surrounding regions.

"Lord Military Governor, about ten-odd miles ahead is Baimian Stockade. Baimian Stockade is built upon Baimian Ridge, with precipitous cliffs on three sides and only a single perilous path leading up to the stockade on the ridge. Our military outpost is situated just ahead of Baimian Stockade."

Thirty miles after leaving Jianmen County, at the mouth of a valley, Zhao Yueqian pointed toward a dark, ink-colored mountain range shrouded in mist in the distance and explained. The clouds and mist among the peaks lingered throughout the day, and viewed from afar, only the upper portions of the ridges were visible, resembling tiny islands floating in a boundless sea.

"Are there any major powers within Baimian Stockade? The kind of influence that can sway the local populace?" Fang Xian asked, knowing that various factions invariably formed in any environment, and the harsher the conditions, the more likely a ruling-class power would emerge.

"There is indeed a Bai family in Baimian Stockade. They are populous, enjoy considerable prestige within the stockade, and the majority of the villagers are either related to the Bai family by blood or marriage, or depend upon them. However, the Bai family does not throw its weight around to bully others; instead, they unite the villagers to organize hunting parties, leading everyone deep into the mountains to hunt fierce beasts." Zhao Yueqian nodded and said, inwardly surprised that Fang Xian had been able to anticipate this in advance.

"In that case, after we pay a visit to boost the morale of our brothers at the military outpost, let us go and call upon the Bai family," Fang Xian pondered and said. If he wanted to integrate all factions around Jiange Pass within the next few months and unite everyone in resisting the Xia State and the Man Tribes, he had to secure—or even win over—the influences of the various stockades.

The group continued forward, arriving beneath Baimian Stockade close to midday. Indeed, there was only a mountain path barely wide enough for a single horse to pass, flanked by gigantic boulders and steep precipices. Some soldiers were even forced to dismount and lead their horses by the reins.

Baimian Stockade was not located at the absolute highest peak of the mountain range, but rather on a flat expanse about halfway up the ridge, spanning an area of roughly several square kilometers, which allowed it to accommodate thousands of residents.

As for the thousand garrison troops of the Baimian Military Outpost, they were stationed three miles in front of the civilian stockade, perfectly guarding the most perilous entry and exit point of the entire ridge. Furthermore, more than ten guard posts had been established all the way up from the foot of the mountain, every single one located at strategically vital and perilous terrain.

Less than two miles up the mountain stood a checkpoint garrisoned by a dozen soldiers. The road was blocked on both sides by massive boulders, leaving a central gate that could be barred, right next to where the guards were stationed. However, the squad leader happened to recognize Zhao Yueqian. Upon seeing him, he immediately led the soldiers in a salute.

"This is His Excellency the Imperial Son-in-Law, newly appointed by His Majesty as the Military Governor of Jiange Pass, Lord Fang Xian. Hurry and pay respects to the Military Governor!" Zhao Yueqian hurriedly introduced Fang Xian.

"This subordinate pays respects to the Military Governor." Startled upon hearing this, the squad leader immediately led his squad of soldiers to bow before Fang Xian.

"Greetings to you all, brothers. Do you eat and sleep here on a daily basis?" Fang Xian nodded, then looked around and noticed a stone hut nearby equipped with cooking stoves, prompting his inquiry.

"Indeed. We rotate shifts every half-month, and during our tour of duty, we eat and sleep right here at the checkpoint." The squad leader replied.

Fang Xian then inspected the food they had prepared, finding it mainly consisted of coarse grains, supplemented by yams, sweet potatoes, and potatoes, along with some dried meat. Additionally, they could forage for wild vegetables in the surrounding area, which allowed them to fill their stomachs.

"Do you engage in regular military drills during normal times?" Fang Xian asked.

"We conduct routine training every morning and practice independently in the afternoons. The grand captain and the thousand-man commander occasionally come to inspect us. When we are not on duty, we drill together with everyone else at the camp on the mountain," the squad leader answered.

"Do you take the drills seriously? You must know that shedding more sweat in times of peace means shedding fewer tears during a major battle," Fang Xian continued.

"What the Military Governor says is true, but we who guard these mountain outposts rarely encounter major battles. Only when guarding Jiange Pass do we occasionally have troops from the Xia State or barbarians from the Man Tribes come to provoke us, sparking small-scale skirmishes from time to time."

Zhao Yueqian hurriedly chimed in. He knew the situation of the soldiers guarding these military posts; they generally used the opportunity to recuperate, and daily drills were often mere formalities.

"Have the Xia State and the Man Tribes made any provocations recently?" Fang Xian asked.

"For the past two or three months, neither the forces of the Xia State nor the Man Tribes have come to provoke us. However, it is now winter. At this time every year, it is the coldest season for both the Xia State and the Man Tribes, with ice and snow everywhere, so their troops generally do not leave their main camps."

Zhao Yueqian spent most of his time stationed at Jiange Pass, but once every month, he would return to Jianmen County for about half a month to handle garrison military affairs and urge the delivery of grain and supplies.

Fang Xian nodded, and the group continued up the mountain. Zhao Yueqian had already sent a runner ahead to the mountain camp to report to the thousand-man commander, instructing him to come down and welcome the Military Governor.

Consequently, having climbed only halfway and passed seven small checkpoints, they encountered a party of seven or eight military officers hurrying down the mountain. At their lead was a middle-aged commander whose aura indicated he was merely a third-rate martial artist, but whose build was broad-shouldered and immensely sturdy.

"This subordinate, Hong Dahu, pays respects to the Military Governor." The middle-aged commander spotted Fang Xian in the crowd at a glance, recognized that his bright silver armor was restricted to high-ranking officers, and immediately stepped forward to salute.

"General Hong, please rise. Did you receive the news so quickly?" Fang Xian raised a hand in a gesture of support and asked with a smile.

"Military Governor, I was the one who sent someone ahead to inform Dahu and have him come down. Dahu, the Military Governor's name is Fang Xian. He is the newly crowned dual top scholar in both literary and martial arts, as well as the Princess Consort and the newly appointed Military Governor of Jiange Pass." Zhao Yueqian spoke quickly while introducing Fang Xian to Hong Dahu.

Although Zhao Yueqian had previously commanded the Jiange Pass garrison, the imperial court had never appointed him as the Military Governor of Jiange Pass; he was merely a garrison commander, ranking at least three grades lower than Fang Xian.

"The Military Governor is actually a dual top scholar in both literary and martial arts?" Although Hong Dahu was a rough man, he was not reckless. Hearing Zhao Yueqian's introduction, he could not help but feel inwardly shocked.

One had to know that whether it was the top literary scholar or the top martial scholar, both were revered geniuses destined to become pillars of the nation and high-ranking officials of the court. To think that the new Military Governor was a dual top scholar in both fields, and furthermore the Princess Consort, was simply astounding.