Han Shizu

Chapter 1219 More like war
In late autumn, the grass and trees are withered and yellow, but in the northern part of the Great Wall, the sky and the earth are even more open and open.A high-pitched eagle's cry pierced the sky, and the goshawk soared a few times in the sky, with sharp and keen eyes, penetrating the vast wilderness.

Maybe it was because they were tired from swimming, or because they found a target, they fluttered their wings down, like an arrow leaving the string, and headed straight for the mighty army by the Luo River of Baishui.Approaching the front of the army, he suddenly slowed down, and then landed firmly on Yingnu's thick and strong arm, and then restrained all his sharp edges.

By the banks of Baishuiluo, tens of thousands of Liao troops have already set up their formations, in the state of defending against the enemy. There are many cavalry, flags fluttering, and a silence, releasing a palpitating aura, fully displaying the Liao army's powerful demeanor.

As the center, Emperor Yelvjing of the Liao Dynasty was also dressed in military uniform and sat on a tall horse, showing his best mental outlook in recent years.Looking far away, he stretched out his hand and ordered: "Send someone over there!"

Soon, under the protection of several knights, Xiao Husi ran towards the opposite side. In this wilderness, five or six knights seemed so insignificant.

And a few miles away, in response, more than [-] Han troops also set up a formation, with swords and guns like a forest, and the army was majestic.Combining infantry and cavalry, there are Han cavalry on each side of the wings cruising and wandering, and the sound of kicking and trampling is endless.

In terms of the tightness of the army formation, it is far from the peak of the Han army. After all, this army is a temporary patchwork, and it has not been trained for too long.But that is the basic quality of the current Han army here, and the temporarily prepared army still shows a powerful and incomparable posture.

From top to bottom, all the officers and soldiers mustered their spirits. Previously, the two generals Luo Yanguan and Liu Tinghan had already issued strict orders. This trip was not only to protect the emperor, but also to show the Khitan people the majesty of a great man.

Baishuiluo is located in the middle of the basin, with mountains in the east, west and south, and a wide view. The choice of such a place is acceptable to both parties.The north and the south looked at each other across the sky, and the tribes, Han people, and merchants living in the surrounding area were all trembling under the battle of the two armies.If it hadn't been for the previous edict, I'm afraid people would have gone away long ago.

Emperor Liu was still riding in the Luanjia, standing on the car, with the same attitude of looking out. Although the distance was far away and his vision was limited, he could feel the momentum of the Liao army.

"It seems that in the past ten years, the Liao Kingdom has not slackened in its army building!" Emperor Liu said with emotion, his tone slightly heavy.

"Zhao Qing, in your opinion, how many soldiers and horses are needed to destroy the Liao army on the opposite side?"

Among the accompanying ministers, Zhao Kuangyin basically had the highest status, and he was also able to accompany him.Hearing the question, he thought about it carefully, and replied conservatively: "Our army and the Liao army have not fought a battle for ten years, and the past battle examples can no longer be used for reference. From my humble opinion, facing the enemy head-on, [-] elite cavalry may be able to defeat the enemy. In short, if you want to annihilate, you need to double it!"

"Is what Qing said too conservative?" Emperor Liu seemed a little dissatisfied when he heard it, and said, "With the heroes of the great Han cavalry, the strength of the armor, and the strength of the equipment, do you still need to invest so many troops?"

Zhao Kuangyin said calmly: "Although our cavalry has been trained for many years and its equipment is getting better and better, it has not been in battle for a long time and has little experience in cavalry battles. After all, the Khitan are a nation on horseback. It cannot be underestimated!"

If Emperor Liu had any dissatisfaction with Zhao Kuangyin, apart from the suspicion of "forming cliques", it was the matter of knowledge and strategy. The older he got, the more conservative he became.

Emperor Liu tried his best not to show this kind of emotion, but he still said with emotion: "As you said, one hundred thousand cavalry, even if I gather all the cavalry from the whole country, it will not be enough! If this is the case, how can we destroy Liao?" , Why are you talking about driving the desert?"

In the past ten years, the Han army's emphasis on cavalry is visible to the naked eye. In terms of finance, investment in horse administration has also continued.Up to now, among the officials and the people, the number of all kinds of horses is already considerable, and the military training of forbidden riding and side riding has never stopped.

Even so, the total number of all the cavalry in the entire army of the Han Dynasty is far less than 60,000. After removing some moisture, there are even fewer who can be mobilized and put into the northern battlefield.When Li Chuyun was in office before, he made a report that if he wanted to organize an army composed entirely of cavalry for the Northern Expedition, he could only guarantee [-] people, and he would have to draw from various places.

The cost of training a cavalryman is too high. It is not a combination of one man and one horse. The selection conditions for knights and horses are not comparable to that of ordinary troops, let alone equipment, training, food, etc. of consumed.

Due to the huge expenditure on this item, it has already caused a huge burden on the court's finances, and it is inevitable that the court will criticize it. However, no one dares to write a letter against the investment in the construction of the cavalry, but the reality cannot be changed. .

Therefore, when listening to Zhao Kuangyin's meaning, one hundred thousand cavalry can annihilate the thirty or forty thousand troops on the opposite side, how could Emperor Liu have no objection.According to his expectation, even if it is not possible to have one Han as five Hus, the standard of one as three and one as two must always be met.

Facing Emperor Liu's rhetorical question, Zhao Kuangyin couldn't help being silent for a while, and finally said: "The strengths and advantages of the Han army against the Liao lie in the sharp army formation and the combination of infantry and cavalry!"

"However, if you are limited to this way, can you achieve the goal of destroying Liao across the Great Wall?" Emperor Liu said.

Zhao Kuangyin replied: "As discussed before, if you want to go out of the fortress, except for the cavalry, you should equip all the infantry with donkeys and horses to make up for the lack of mobility!"

"That's all!" Emperor Liu finally showed some approval on his face.

In fact, this was also the result of discussions between Emperor Liu and the privy officials and generals. It may be difficult to train a qualified cavalry, but it is relatively simple and less costly to train an infantry who can ride a horse.

In the past so many years, feeling the heavy financial pressure, Emperor Liu has long given up the idea of ​​training hundreds of thousands of cavalry, and then going out to sweep the grasslands.There's no way, it's too expensive. With the size of the big man now, it's not that he can't hold it, but there's no need to hold it.In the battle against the Khitan, the combination of infantry and cavalry is the way to be invincible, and it is also the construction policy of the Han army.In these aspects, Zhao Kuangyin actually has a deep understanding.

While the monarchs and ministers were talking, they also stood beside him, Zhao Guogong Liu Fang, who was wearing a steed and armored body, looked straight at the direction of the Liao army.There was a throbbing in his heart, and at the same time, the image of a falcon soaring just now appeared in his mind. He moved his mind, and he also wanted to raise such an eagle.
"Your Majesty, the Liao Army is here!" Yang Yanzhao came to report.

He, Li Jilong, Guo Yi and other young talents also came with them. In addition to guarding, they also did some trivial things such as ordering and coordinating.

Soon, Xiao Husi was brought in front of Luanjia, bowed reservedly, and said: "Foreign minister Xiao Husi, see Your Majesty!"

"Private Xiao! We are old friends, there is no need to be formal!" Emperor Liu smiled.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xiao Husi didn't seem to have the intention of exchanging nonsense with Emperor Liu, and pointed to the Han army waiting in full formation, he said solemnly: "I, Emperor Daliao, have come here at the invitation, and we will meet as scheduled. This is His Majesty's hospitality. Do you know?"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu simply sat by the shaft of the chariot, and said calmly: "Strong soldiers and fierce generals, just as guards! On the contrary, the Lord of Liao is very aggressive. When Privy Priest Xiao came, I thought he was here to declare war!"

Emperor Liu spoke lightly, but Xiao Husi's face was tense, and he said seriously: "The Han army has hard crossbows, and the Liao army has strong bows, that's all!"

Seeing him so tough, Emperor Liu couldn't help being happy.However, Xiao Husi sent Han many times, and several peace talks were signed under his auspices. Regarding "old friends", Emperor Liu still had a lenient attitude.

With a narrowed smile, he said seriously: "Please answer Liao Lord, I am very happy that he can go to the appointment. It's just that such a big battle between the two sides is too chilling. Beautiful surroundings.

I sincerely invite you, and I have no other intentions. It's just that the northern tour is here, and I am happy.Discuss by the way, for the friendship between the two countries, for the common people of the world, and for the peace of millions of people.

You and I, there is no need to be so tense.I ordered people to set up a feast by this Luo, each with his entourage and guards, drink and have fun, talk about the world, how about it? "

Emperor Liu had a sincere expression on his face, Xiao Husi silently remembered what Emperor Liu meant, and cupped his hands and said: "What Your Majesty said, the ministers will definitely bring it to you!"

Soon, Yelvjing gave feedback and agreed.Therefore, under the efficient work of the craftsmen in the camp, a venue for banquets was set up between the two armies, on the banks of the Baishui River.

Emperor Liu and Yelvjing each led people to their seats, of course, under the strict surveillance of the two military camps.With the entry of the two emperors, the Han and Liao armies in the north and south became more condensed. Instead of relaxing, they were ready to attack at any time.
(End of this chapter)