Chương 140: The Army Changed

號令一統 (Unified Command): Orders are unified as one. → Even if language and origin differ, the command followed must be one for the army to move. 部伍混編 (Mixed Formation): Units are organized in a mixed manner. → Do not divide by tribe or origin; mix them to prevent factions and create mutual dependence. 賞共分 (Shared Merit): Rewards are shared. → Achievements in battle are distributed by unit, not by individual, to foster cooperation. 罰共受 (Shared Punishment): Punishment is shared.

→ The entire unit bears responsibility for one person's fault, creating internal discipline. 人差分任 (Role by Difference): Differences among people are assigned as roles. → Differences in temperament, skill, and combat style are not erased but assigned as roles. 以號使動 (Signal Command): Movement is directed by signals. → Instead of language, unified signals such as flags, drums, and horns command the army. 將當公正 (Commander's Fairness): Commanders must be fair.

→ By avoiding bias and clearly distinguishing reward and punishment, trust is established. These were written down. He had them copied neatly and made into several copies, but was not satisfied. 號令一統: Orders are unified as one. 部伍混編: Units are mixed. This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. 賞共分: Rewards are shared. 罰共受: Punishments are shared. 人差分任: Differences are assigned as roles. 以號使動: The army moves by signals. 將當公正: Commanders must be fair.

He brought them to Kim Yungyeong for review, and they were rewritten. The overall structure did not change, but certain characters were refined. The character 必 (must) was added. It reflected the degree of importance as he saw it. 號令不可二: Orders cannot be divided into two. 部伍當混編: Units must be mixed. 賞不可私 罰不可偏: Rewards must not be given privately, punishment must not be biased. 人各有差 分以為任: Each person has differences; assign roles accordingly. 動必以號: The army must move by signals. 將必公正: Commanders must be fair.

Yeongu took the finest version, fixed it onto a wooden board, carved it, and printed it. Using these seven principles, he trained the commanders with detailed explanations. They seemed like ordinary maxims, but those who understood why they were written engraved every phrase into their hearts. After several days, Ahalli came and apologized for his narrow-mindedness.

"I am sorry. I was petty. I failed to understand differences. I mistook difference for discrimination. I heard that even harsher words are spoken in the Goryeo army."

"Ha ha, that should not be so. I am ashamed. I am sorry as well. I apologized to the supply unit too. That is our lifeline, yet I spoke of it as if it were unnecessary. Without it, we cannot fight the next day."

"If ordered, I will even serve in supply."

"Ha ha." Yeongu pointed to the revised text from Kim Yungyeong and explained each point again.

"This is how we will proceed now."

"I respect you."

"No, it's not… well…" The integration of the tribal forces proceeded rapidly. Wanyan Eunga distributed those who had gathered into various units. Some wished to remain with their own tribe, but seeing that everyone had already been dispersed, they gave up easily. If one alone were separated, it would be difficult—but if all were dispersed, no one stood out. Kim Yungyeong organized them into the systems of Meng'an and Moke.

This was the military-administrative system used by Jin (the Jurchens), reorganizing bloodline and tribal units into a military structure. 謀克 (Moke): Units of about 300 households (basic unit, both combat and living community) 猛安 (Meng'an): A higher unit combining several Moke (about 1, 000 households) It functioned as both a military and administrative system. In peacetime, it was a living community; in wartime, it became an immediately mobilized army.

While preserving tribal structures, the command system was unified. This was the key system that transformed the Jurchen tribes from a loose alliance into an organized state army. Divided into Meng'an and Moke, they were no longer tribes—they were already a single army. At the same time as integration, training intensified. They fully believed Kim Yungyeong's words about shared experience. As training accumulated, the identity of the enemy and the nature of future battles became increasingly clear.