The Mass-produced Dao Xuan Tianzhun Unit 3 stood a step behind Cheng Xu, observing Sun Chuanting's gestures over the map. In short order, Sun Chuanting meticulously analyzed the terrain around Xuanfu and Datong, the distribution of Ming forces, and the routes of the four Manchu armies.
He added crucial passes and strongholds, pinpointed passable and impassable routes, and indicated where civilians needed rescue versus areas where they were sparse and could be left alone.
A torrent of information cascaded from him.
Li Daoxuan couldn't help but muse,
"This man truly is a walking encyclopedia of border affairs. Getting this information from him is far quicker than observing from my own divine vantage point."
After a long discourse, Sun Chuanting finally reached into his robes and pulled out a thick stack of papers, handing them to Cheng Xu.
"Instructor He," he said, "this is my 'Memorial on the Inherent Weaknesses of the Enemy.' It details the Manchus' vulnerabilities. If you have a moment, I encourage you to read it."
Cheng Xu took the papers and, with a brief glance, was utterly awestruck.
He turned to look at the Mass-produced Dao Xuan Tianzhun Unit 3, and the Dao Xuan Tianzhun nodded.
Cheng Xu then turned to a logistics soldier.
"Arrange for some men to transcribe several copies of Master Sun's 'Memorial on the Inherent Weaknesses of the Enemy.' Distribute them to all officers above the rank of centurion in the Gao Family Village Militia. Everyone must know this document by heart—even backwards."
Gao Chuwu, standing nearby, gasped in surprise.
"Backwards? I can't even recite it forwards! How could I possibly do it backwards?"
Cheng Xu shook his head, a mixture of exasperation and amusement on his face.
"It's just an idiom, Gao Chuwu! I don't actually expect you to recite it in reverse."
Gao Chuwu grinned.
"Speaking, backwards, this like!"
Cheng Xu stared.
Gao Chuwu clarified,
"I'm trying to say what I usually say, but in reverse! Haha, it's really not that hard!"
Cheng Xu burst out laughing.
It had been a while since he'd seen Gao Chuwu, and now, the memory of being terrorized by the 'Gao Family Village Three Idiots' returned, making him shiver. Fortunately, Zheng Daniu, the second "idiot," was currently stationed at Wangjia Fork, "infiltrating" the Northern Yuan alongside Chen Qianhu and Zao Ying.
As for Flat Rabbit, the third "idiot," he was apparently managing the labor reform camp on Tianzhu Mountain in Shanyang County.
Only one of the three idiots was present—a tolerable number for Cheng Xu.
If all three were assembled, Cheng Xu would surely spend his days on the brink of a nervous breakdown.
"To the north lies the garrison for the government troops of Xuanfu and Datong," Cheng Xu explained to Sun Chuanting. "Our unconventional militia isn't suited to share a main camp with the regulars. Instead, let's establish Daizhou as our primary base of operations and then deploy our forces from there."
Sun Chuanting nodded.
"Daizhou, guarding Yanmen Pass, is indeed an excellent location for a main camp. However… I am merely a member of the gentry, currently holding no official position, so I cannot make such a decision."
"Who holds authority here?" Cheng Xu inquired.
"The Prefect of Daizhou," Sun Chuanting replied.
As they finished speaking, both men turned their heads in unison. Outside the city walls, a contingent of government soldiers was digging a grave, preparing to bury the Prefect's coffin.
"What about the other officials?" Cheng Xu pressed.
Sun Chuanting replied, a hint of awkwardness in his tone,
"All perished in battle."
"Well then, if they're all gone," Cheng Xu declared, "this area should naturally fall under local self-governance by the defense system and the militia. Master Sun, you must be the most prominent local defense chief here, wouldn't you agree?"
Sun Chuanting was indeed the local defense chief of Daizhou; in the absence of other officials, his word was law. With that settled, the Gao Family Village Militia established Daizhou as their frontline command post and settled in.
The small city of Daizhou, measuring two li long and two li wide, already housed a considerable population. When the Manchus attacked, it had been further inundated with refugees from surrounding counties. Now, with an additional ten thousand militiamen crammed inside, the tiny city was bursting at the seams, unable to accommodate another soul.
Sun Chuanting offered his own manor in the county town for the militia to occupy, but that limited space was far from sufficient. He then reached out to the city's wealthy merchants and prominent families, asking them to open their homes for use as barracks.
These prominent families were quite reluctant, fearing that once the army moved in, they would plunder their wealth or molest their womenfolk.
However, they soon discovered that the militia soldiers were exceptionally disciplined and courteous. Those quartered in the guest rooms of these grand homes were impeccably well-behaved, not disturbing a single item.
And the soldiers who couldn't fit into the guest rooms pitched their own tents in the gardens. They stayed quietly and orderly within their tents, rarely emerging unless necessary, showing no signs of disturbing the local populace whatsoever.
The city's wealthy families couldn't help but marvel to themselves:
This militia is truly something else.
That very night, Sun Chuanting convened all the prominent families and wealthy merchants of Daizhou for a meeting.
"Gentlemen!" Sun Chuanting announced, making a deep, formal bow. "Daizhou was nearly breached by the Manchus, and we almost all met our maker. Fortunately, Tie Niaofei mobilized a large number of Jin merchants to fund and recruit this militia, which arrived as reinforcements and finally stabilized our Daizhou. Each of your lives and fortunes were saved by these militiamen."
The prominent families had no objection to his words. Clasping their fists in agreement, they chorused,
"Indeed! We owe them a debt of gratitude; otherwise, our entire families would have been wiped out."
"These militia soldiers have traveled a great distance to garrison Daizhou, and in doing so, they protect us," Sun Chuanting continued. "It is only right that we, the local gentry, show our appreciation. I propose that each family contribute some silver, money, and grain to support the militia's operations…"
No one opposed this suggestion. The wealthy merchants all clasped their fists in unison, declaring,
"It is only proper."
They were just about to discuss how much each family would contribute when—
At that very moment, a Sun family retainer rushed in.
"Master! A transport convoy has arrived on the official road south of Daizhou! So many carts and horses, and an immense amount of supplies! My goodness, it's incredible—there's just too much!"
Sun Chuanting looked baffled.
The wealthy merchants exchanged bewildered glances.
Everyone quickly exited the meeting room and hurried to the south city wall to witness the sight. On the official road, carts and horses stretched for several li, each vehicle laden to the brim, winding their way toward the city, and soon reached Daizhou's gates.
Cheng Xu was already waiting there. Seeing Sun Chuanting and the others arrive, he clasped his hands and offered a slight bow, a smile on his face.
"Master Sun, esteemed residents of Daizhou, forgive our minor commotion. Our transport convoy has arrived."
Sun Chuanting was taken aback.
"You have your own logistics team? I was just organizing donations of money and supplies from everyone."
Cheng Xu laughed heartily.
"We appreciate your kind intentions, gentlemen. However, we are different from the government troops and local volunteers you may have encountered before. We have our own robust logistics system, so there's no need for you to trouble yourselves."
As he spoke, the first vehicle of the transport convoy reached the city gate.
Sun Chuanting quickly ordered the gates opened. A man, whose demeanor was entirely unlike that of a common soldier—more akin to a meticulous clerk—strode into the city. He snapped to attention, saluted Cheng Xu crisply, and, with both hands, presented a single sheet of paper.
"Logistics Captain Zhuge Wangchan, reporting for duty," he declared.
"I have successfully delivered the hundred carts of supplies I was tasked with escorting. Here is the manifest; please review and sign it, Instructor He."