Chapter 1068 - Border Defense Legion Corps
Chapter 1068: Border Defense Legion Corps
After settling the Dali matter, next was Korea, Nanzhang, and Zhenla.
First up was Korea.
“Split Korea into two prefectures and merge them into the Beijiang Province. The governing area will shift from Stone City to Seoul.”
The original Beijiang Province only had Zhangwu and Fengtian Prefectures, so it did not live up to the name of being a province. Along with the addition of Korea, the province became huge and became a super province of Great Xia’s in the north.
As for moving the governing area, it was naturally to weaken Wufu’s influence in Stone City. Ouyang Shuo did not need to say it outright and everyone present understood.
Next would be the army arrangements of Beijiang Province.
Not long after the Battle of Korea ended, Li Jing led the Bear Legion Corps back to the Shu Lands. The Huo Qubing led Guards Legion Corps also returned to the Capital City a few days ago.
Only the Beijiang formation was defending Beijiang.
“Beijiang is not stable and needs large amounts of troops stationed there!” Ouyang Shuo said as a result.
North of Beijiang Province was the Jin Country that entered the wilderness not long ago. The south side was not only connected to Handan City, but also largely with Jingdu Prefecture.
If nothing went wrong, the Great Qing emperor would be the one moving into Jingdu.
Ouyang Shuo did not forget that the Qing Dynasty Manchu race was actually the same bloodline as the Jin Country Nuzhen Race. Once the Great Qing emperor moved into Jingdu, them joining hands with Jin Country was natural.
When that happened, Beijiang Province that was stuck between both of them would be in big trouble. Furthermore, with Handan City stirring waves, even if Nanjiang Province had two teleportation formations, it would still be difficult.
He could not just teleport armies over once things happen, right?
Hence, Ouyang Shuo decided, “We need to take down Jin Country before the Great Qing emperor moves in to remove this cancer in case we are surrounded by enemies.”
To wipe out Jin Country, they needed an army.
During the Battle of Korea, especially in the Battle of Seoul, both sides had a really intense battle and suffered heavy casualties. Post battle calculations showed that there were 300 thousand war prisoners left after making up for the losses.
Choosing the best of them, they could form four War Fighting Legions.
Ouyang Shuo looked toward Du Ruhui and said, “Move three-quarters of them into the Beijiang formation.”
“Then wouldn’t the Beijiang formation have five legions, similar to a legion corps? Wouldn’t it be not fitting of a formation and should be promoted to a legion corps?” Du Ruhui questioned.
The military had its own rules and what to call a unit was often set in stone and was extremely important.
Since the Beijiang Formation was a formation, it was lower than a legion corps. If one gave it five legions of troops and not the corresponding status, the soldiers and generals would be unhappy about it.
When Ouyang Shuo heard that, he was put on the spot.
Based on Ouyang Shuo’s plan, there was a limited number of titles for the Great Xia legion corps. The direct legion corps included the Guards Legion Corps, the Household Legion Corps, the Palace Guards that had not be formed as well as the City Protection Legion Corps.
The War Fighting Legion corps would include the dragon, tiger, leopard, eagle, and bear for a total of nine.
Nine was a really balanced number.
This helped to balance the powers of the direct legion corps and War Fighting Legion corps.
Furthermore, based on the Great Xia system, the legion corps marshal had to enter the Grand Council. Once there were too many legion corps, there would be many more Grand Council ministers, which would affect the power structure.
However, Du Ruhui’s words made sense.
Just as Ouyang Shuo was contemplating, Zhang Liang, who had not opened his mouth yet, suddenly spoke up, “My king, regarding this matter, I have an idea.”
“Have a go!” Ouyang Shuo was instantly interested.
Zhang Liang stepping up, he was like two men.
“I suggest we follow Mister Du’s plan, raising Beijiang formation to a legion crops and calling it the Beijiang Legion Corps. The difference would be that it would be listed as a border defense system, split off from the Dragon Legion Corps and the other War Fighting Legions.”
“Border Defense Legion Corps?” This was a new concept.
Zhang Liang replied, “The Border Defense Legion Corps is relative to the War Fighting Legion Corps. Hence, they are only in-charge of a certain border, and this defense region would not be easily moved. Unless it affects their own zone, they would not participate in wars and are sort of a half-fixed army group.”
When Ouyang Shuo heard that, he nodded.
Just as Zhang Liang said, along with Great Xia expanding, whilst its land grew larger, its border also grew longer. There was in fact a need to set up a Border Defense Legion Corps to focus on border defense.
Although the current War Fighting Legions held that responsibility, every time the dynasty went to war, they had to participate in it.
During the country war month, they were protected by Gaia, so there was naturally nothing to worry about.
If Great Xia did not start a war during the country war month, what if they needed to use the War Fighting Legion Corps? Then the border would become really empty, and the enemies would have a chance to enter.
With a professional border defense army, the situation would be largely different. With that, Great Xia would become more flexible when fighting wars, having a lot less worry about.
Now, the problem was the status of the Border Defense Legion Corps.
Zhang Liang had his thoughts, “The direct legion corps and War Fighting Legion corps are the 1st rate, the Border Defense Corps are 2nd, whilst the Garrison Divisions and forces are 3rd. The reserve troops are 4th. Since they are considered 2nd rate, for them to not be under the Grand Council would thus make sense.”
Ouyang Shuo looked at Zhang Liang with praise.
This solved both the title problem whilst also not causing problems for the Grand Council. It even included the Garrison forces from before in it, achieving three results.
As expected from the Strategist Saint, he had made a great analysis of the problem.
“I agree with what you said.” Ouyang Shuo immediately settled on a decision, “Beijiang formation expands to five legions and is promoted to the Beijiang Legion Corps. Yue Fei will become the marshal, awarded Grade 2 north protecting general title. Original Beijiang Lieutenant General Chen Yucheng will become the deputy marshal.”
This was the reason why the king arranged for Yue Fei to be the deputy of Li Jing during the country war month when the troops headed to Korea. He had planned it from the start.
Yue Fei was a famous general that went against the Jin Country. Now, he jumped into a hugely important presence of Great Xia. What was more important was that the army he led went up against the Jin Country in the north.
Out of all the Great Xia generals, apart from Yue Fei, who could else take up this role?
During the country war month, another general that went up against the Jin Country – Han Shizhong, also came to join Great Xia. He was appointed as the 3rd legion Legion General.
With both Yue Fei and Han Shizhong working together, Jin Country would have a huge headache.