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The number of troops set to depart has been confirmed, with a regular combat force of fifty thousand. Combined with General Bai Qi's forces stationed in the Gao Ping region, totaling one hundred thousand, the overall strength has reached one hundred fifty thousand.
Counting the total number of people for this expedition, it should be between four hundred thousand and four hundred fifty thousand. While that sounds like a significant number, some individuals are no longer part of the combat sequence. Excluding the one hundred fifty thousand regular troops, the remaining two hundred fifty thousand are responsible for transportation and logistical support. This highlights that the saying "war is fought with logistics" was already recognized during the Warring States period.
According to the combat ratio of one soldier to three logistics personnel at that time, it translates to needing three support staff for each soldier. This means that the fifteen thousand regular troops heading to the front lines should be supported by forty-five thousand logistics personnel. However, the actual total number of logistics personnel heading to Gao Ping is only three hundred thousand, so based on this one-to-three ratio, it is not excessive.
Mobilizing several hundred thousand people is not something that can be accomplished overnight; it requires a significant amount of time from notification to preparation. For Luzi himself, he may have just received news of the expedition. However, for the entire army, preparations began as soon as they learned that Korea had sent envoys for peace talks.
As various troops gathered at a camp thirty miles from Capital Xianyang, the atmosphere of war grew increasingly heavy. The army was approaching, and it felt like both sides would suffer.
Shangdang County! Is it a trap or a piece of fat meat?
Upon learning that the army would set out early tomorrow morning, Luzi was quite anxious at home. He had yet to fulfill his promise to General Bai Qi. The proposal regarding compensation for Qin Army soldiers had not been mentioned to King Zhao of Qin due to various reasons. He thought he should at least meet with King Qin before departure to discuss this matter, as it concerned the future of Qin Army soldiers.
After finishing lunch, Luzi instructed Sun Thirteen to stay at home and wait for news from Wang Jian and Li Xin. While speaking, he felt something was off and noticed that Sun Thirteen was still in military attire while eating. Such a situation typically occurs at the front lines; how could one dress like this in the rear?
Sun Thirteen naturally had no objections and stated firmly that he wouldn’t change even when sleeping; what could anyone do about it?
With his mind filled with concerns, Luzi didn’t bother arguing further with Thirteen. He planned to head straight to the palace to discuss matters. Just as he was about to leave, he encountered an aide from Wang He who came to summon him. The message indicated that he needed to go to the Main Tent immediately.
Luzi thought there might be an important military situation requiring urgent notification and quickly mounted his horse to rush over. Along the way, he heard that reports from the front lines had returned, and the last batch of wounded soldiers had all come back. Throughout the campaign, they had claimed a total of fifty thousand enemy heads!
Hearing this news made him ponder deeply. From capturing the first city to the ninth city, he had followed along every step of the way. He remembered there were only about twenty thousand at most; when did it become fifty thousand!? Even if the tenth city was not peacefully liberated and was slaughtered instead, its total population would not exceed five thousand. So where did those remaining twenty thousand heads come from?
Luzi felt a surge of anger when he realized the numbers didn't add up. This lunatic had indeed relapsed into his old habits, once again indiscriminately killing the innocent! He resolved to immediately rush to the palace after listening to Wang He’s orders to report this matter. No matter what, this person could not be allowed to remain a general; he was nothing short of a major pervert! A complete pervert!
Left Chancellor Wang He had a good habit before every expedition: he would visit the military dependents in the village near the capital. He would also bring money and supplies approved by King Qin to give to those military families living in poverty. After all, the New Year was approaching, and it was only right to show some concern. Without their bravery and sacrifice, there would be no glory for the generals.
By the time Luzi, still gritting his teeth, arrived, the consolation Army composed of officer-level soldiers had already set out. The military families who received news of the visit were happier than during the New Year because they could finally have rice, noodles, and meat to eat this year. They spontaneously welcomed them for several miles just to express their admiration for this great general.
Speaking of Wang He, the Old General, it was likely that no one in the current Qin State did not know him. By the time of King Zhao of Qin, he had served three generations of King Qin. His military achievements were remarkable, making him a renowned general.
Among the fallen soldiers of the Qin Army were many who had once been his subordinates, known for their bravery in battle and held in high regard. Unfortunately, some of these fallen soldiers' families had not seen any fundamental change in their lives even now. Decades ago, they lived in thatched huts, and decades later, they still lived in thatched huts. This is what it means for decades to remain unchanged.
When an elderly woman who had lost five sons on the front lines staggered out from her thatched hut with tears blurring her vision, those accompanying Wang He felt a lump in their throats. The inexplicable oppression made everyone present tear up.
Such situations were not uncommon; many families had lost their strong laborers on the front lines, leaving behind only lonely elderly people. Even worse were those young men who returned but were disabled and needed care from their elders. For families already struggling, this was undoubtedly adding insult to injury.
It is said that military achievements can earn one a piece of land, provided there are still laborers at home to cultivate it. If all the young men at home have perished in battle, who will farm the land left behind!?
Following General Wang He, Luzi quietly asked, “Left Minister, why has this situation not changed until now?”
Wang He turned to look at Luzi and sighed lightly. “Since our Great Qin implemented reforms under Shang Yang, it has always been like this. We recognize only military achievements and not individuals; this is meant to inspire the people's fighting spirit. It’s not easy to change this; after all, several generations of King Qin have operated this way. Even if we wanted to change it, it cannot be done overnight. The current Zhao Xiang Wang is well aware of this issue but feels helpless.”
“They are all subjects of our Great Qin; they are heroes! How can such results not chill the hearts of our generals?”
Hearing Luzi's words, Wang He stopped walking. He signaled for the consolation Army to continue moving forward and then said, “The rules established many years ago are recognized by the people as well. Due to Qin State's long-term warfare, our treasury is currently empty. Once we implement changes, it will affect hundreds of thousands of military families. Just think about how much that would require! Where would we get so much food and supplies for them?” After speaking, he sighed deeply. “Young man! When I was your age, I also thought about how to solve these issues. But as I grew older, I finally realized that this is fate! It is destined! How can it be changed by human effort!? For generals like us who are high above others, we can only do our best.”
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