_More of the men of war which are in al these fifteene prouinces,
and how many there be in euery one of them, as well horsemen as
footemen._
In the chapter past you do vnderstande what care these Chinos haue in
the time of peace as well as in warre for to defend their citties, and
what preparations they haue generrally throughout al the countrie. Now
lacketh to let you know particularly the number that euery prouince hath
in it selfe, the better to vnderstand the mightinesse therof. They haue
in euerie prouince in their chiefe or metropolitan citie, a counsell of
warre, with a president and foure counsailers; all the which are such as
haue bin brought vp from their youth in the wars, with experience of the
vse of armour and weapon: so that vnto them is giuen the charge for the
defence of their prouince.
These counsellors doo ordaine captaines, and prouide other officers and
all necessaries for the warres, and send them vnto such cities and
townes whereas they see it is needfull. And for that in the
accomplishing thereof there shalbe no lacke, the treasurer is commanded
to deliuer vnto them whatsoeuer they do aske without any delay.
[Sidenote: The number of souldiers in all China.]
The number of the souldiers that euery prouince had in the yeare 1577,
at such time as frier Martin de Herrada and his companie entered into
China (hauing no wars, but great peace and quietnesse), is as followeth.
The prouince of Paguia, whereas ordinarily the king is resident, hath
two millions and one hundred and fiftie thousand footemen, and foure
hundred thousand horsemen.
The prouince of Santon hath one hundred and twenty thousand footemen,
and fortie thousand horsemen.
The prouince of Foquien hath eight and fiftie thousande and nine hundred
footemen, and twentie two thousand foure hundred horsemen.
The prouince of Olam hath three score and sixteene thousand footemen,
and twentie fiue thousande fiue hundred horsemen.
The prouince of Cinsay hath eightie thousand three hundred footemen, but
of horsemen verie few or none; for that this prouince and the other that
followe, are all mountaines, and ful of rockes and stones.
The prouince of Oquiam hath twentie thousand and sixe hundred footemen,
and no horsemen, for the reason aforesaide.
The prouince of Susuan foure score and sixe thousande footemen, and
foure and thirtie thousande and fiue hundred horsemen.
The prouince of Tolanchia, which is that which doth border vpon the
Tartarians, with whom the kings of China haue had wars (as aforesaid),
hath two millions and eight hundred thousand footemen, and two hundred
and ninety thousand horsemen, and are the most famous and best in all
the whole kingdome: for that they are brought vp in the use of armour
from their youth, and many times exercised the same in times past, when
they had their ordinary war with their borderers the Tartarians.
The prouince of Cansey hath fiftie thousand footemen, and twentie
thousand two hundred and fiftie horsemen.
The prouince of Ancheo (there whereas the friers were) hath foure score
and sixe thousand footemen, and fortie eight thousand horsemen.
The prouince of Gonan, fortie foure thousand footemen, and fourteene
thousand fiue hundred horsemen.
The prouince of Xanton hath fiftie two thousand footemen, and eighteene
thousand nine hundred horsemen.
The prouince of Quincheu, hath fortie eight thousand and seuen hundred
footemen, and fifteene thousande three hundred horsemen.
The prouince of Chequeam, thirty foure thousand footmen, and thirteene
thousand horsemen.
The prouince of Sancii, which is least of them all, hath forty thousand
footemen, and sixe thousand horsemen.
[Sidenote: The souldier is royall paid.]
[Sidenote: The number of footemen and horsemen.]
All these people aforesaid, euery prouince is bound (by an order set
downe in parlement) to haue in a redinesse, the which is an easie thing
to be done; the one is for that the king doth pay them roiallie, the
other for that they do dwel in their owne natural countries and houses,
wheras they do injoy their patrimonies and goods: leauing it vnto their
sonnes. In the time of wars, they are bound to assist the place that
hath most necessitie. By this account it plainely appeareth that all
these prouinces (which may better be called kingdomes, considering their
greatnes) haue fiue millions and eight hundred fourtie sixe thousand and
fiue hundred footemen, and nine hundred fortie eight thousand three
hundred and fiftie horsemen. All the which, if in valor and valientnes
might be equalled vnto our nations in Europe, they were sufficient to
conquer ye whole world. And although they are more in number and equal
in policies, yet in their valientnesse and courage they are far behind.
Their horse for the most part are little, but great traueilers: yet they
say, within the countrie there are verie great and excellent good horse.
I do not here declare the industrie that might (with the fauour of God)
be vsed to win and ouercome this people, for that the place serueth not
for it; and I haue giuen large notice thereof, vnto whom I am bound. And
againe, my profession is more to bee a meanes vnto peace, then to
procure any warres; and if that which is my desire might be doone, it
is, that with the word of God, which is the sworde that cutteth the
hearts of men, wherewith I hope in the Lorde to see it.