The usual tranquility of the mountain forest was suddenly shattered as dozens of knights galloped past, leaving a long trail of hoofprints. Passersby resting on both sides of the road quickly retreated to the side, fearing they would be dragged to the ground.
"Master, we're almost at the Jiangbei camp!" Suddenly, a guard dressed in black rode up to Xie Ming and reported loudly.
"Whoa~" Xie Ming pulled on the reins and slowly slowed the horse down.
As the horses slowed, those at the back of the column quickly followed, skillfully adjusting their pace and keeping their horses steady. Despite the sudden deceleration, no one was knocked down.
Jiangbei Camp was an important military stronghold in the central part of the Great Sheng Dynasty. It was located in the center of the east, west, north, and south waterways, and the imperial court's reports and military supplies were all transferred here.
In addition, the Jiangbei camp was also responsible for training the Great Sheng Dynasty's navy.
"My lord, the imperial edict arrived at the Jiangbei camp 10 days ago. General Cheng should have already replied." The man in black reported again.
"Yes, let's go further ahead and find a village or town to stay in. Send someone to invite General Cheng over."
He stopped frequently due to illness along the way, but by then the Jiangbei camp should have been properly arranged.
"Your subordinate obeys." The black-clad guard acknowledged the order and withdrew.
After he told the old emperor about the plan, the two of them discussed it for several days before choosing this place.
Many of the soldiers in the Jiangbei camp were recruited from the surrounding areas. These soldiers included not only those planted by the aristocratic families, but also those they had wronged.
In total, there are more people, since ordinary civilians are always the main force of rank-and-file soldiers.
These people suffered just as much bullying in the army as ordinary farmers outside. Having their military merits stolen and their resources taken away were common occurrences.
The aristocratic families not only possessed the means of production, but they also had retainers and thugs. Unless they committed heinous crimes, the imperial soldiers could not stand up to the aristocratic families.
Xie Ming wanted to reorganize this group of people and train them to become the "number one bandit" in the Great Sheng Dynasty. In the future, the disaster of "exterminating the aristocratic families" would be dealt with by these people.
If the open methods don't work, then let's try the covert ones.
But Xie Ming didn't intend to treat those people as cannon fodder to be used once and then discarded.
The desolation of the southwest during the Great Sheng Dynasty wasn't just about abandoned land; it also meant that military defense relied heavily on support from the central region. While this method was barely adequate during its peak, it wasn't a sustainable solution.
Previous emperors had considered adding troops to the southwestern border defense forces, but unfortunately, the population at the time did not allow it, and the mountainous terrain between this region and other areas made the transportation of supplies and people a difficult task.
When the conditions were right, the aristocratic families were unwilling to let go of the guards at their doorsteps, so the matter was delayed again and again.
The southwest is now like a vacuum zone, with the defense line consisting of generals and soldiers squeezed out of the central region, and the only supplies available are exiled people.
Therefore, it has become much easier for Xie Ming to use his methods.
Therefore, the group he transferred there were not only future bandit leaders and pioneers of the Southwest region, but also the core of the future Southwest Army.
General Cheng arrived quickly, and Xie Ming had just found a clean courtyard to settle in when the over-60-year-old man, accompanied by his trusted confidants, rode through the path to meet with the men Xie Ming had sent out.
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