Late Tang Dynasty Floating Life

Chapter 651 Patrol

Leaving Wangwu, the brigade went straight to Zhiguan, and arrived in Jiyuan County on August [-]th.

It has been very popular since the Northern Dynasties to take queens, concubines, princes and princesses, and civil and military officials together, under the protection of the army, to go out to patrol and fight.

The most ruthless one was Yang Guang, who went directly to Qinghai and Hexi.When passing through Dadou to pull the valley, it was snowing in summer and the climate was extremely cold. Most of the soldiers froze to death, and nine out of ten of the horses and donkeys died.Many concubines and princesses in the harem were separated, Yang Guang's sister also died of illness, and he himself was in a terrible embarrassment.

Naturally, King Xia didn't need to be in such a mess.From Wangwu County to Heyang via Zhiguan, the road is really difficult, but the weather is not harsh.

Shao Shude likes to be active but not to be quiet. He still likes this kind of large-scale tour.

He didn't know when this trend was formed, maybe it had already existed.

Qin Shihuang toured the country five times, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty toured the country six times, and Emperor Guangwu, Emperor Ming, Emperor Zhang, Emperor He, and Emperor An of the Later Han Dynasty also toured the country frequently.

In the Northern Dynasties, patrols became more frequent, because it was more in line with grassland customs.In the various regimes at this time, the emperor took hundreds of officials, concubines, children, and hundreds of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of troops to go out to fight against people, wondering if he was worried about being taken over by others.

The emperor was confined in the palace and could not leave the capital for the rest of his life.To be honest, it was too aggrieved.

The [-] infantry in the right wing of the Iron Forest Army were newly equipped with [-] cavalry. Zhu Shuzong selected and sent well-trained recruits, and the Yinchuan Ranch drew horses.

Now the entire army has [-] cavalry, and it is strong, and it is a well-deserved number one army.

"Accompanying him" were two thousand guards.

The number of guards under the account of the pro-army has expanded to more than 2000 people, 2000 people went to Heyang with Shao Shude, [-] people were in Wangwushan, and more than [-] people were in Anyi.

Heyang itself has more than 4 troops, including Guide Army, Wuwei Army, Yinshan Fanbing, and Yumen Army who came all the way from Suzhou. After Shao Shude arrived, there were more than [-] troops in Heyang.

If Zhu Quanzhong heard about it, he probably thought that Shao Shude was about to launch an offensive in Heyang again.

In Jiyuan County Yamen, Shao Shude and Zhe Fangai sat side by side, receiving the generals' visit.

Lu Huaizhong, envoy of the Huaizhou battalion, Lu Huaizhong of the Wuwei army, Cai Songyang, the vanguard of the camp, and the envoy of the Tiande army, are about to leave with their troops and return to Jinjiang to rest.The soldiers haven't seen their families for a long time, and a big battle has just ended, and there are a lot of things to deal with.

"Bao Guanghe Town, old Lu, you played very well." Shao Shude personally poured a glass of wine for his old buddy, and said, "Quanzhong's idea of ​​leaving two strongholds in Hebei is very good. Now it seems that it is purely a delivering food."

The two cities of Banzhu and Guanghe are the strongholds of Liang Jun on the north bank.Since the beginning of this year, apart from sending the Flying Dragon Army southward to harass the Huaizhou camp, the biggest military operation has been to besiege these two cities.

It was a feint attack on Banzhu City, but it was the main attack on Guanghe Town.All the ministries took turns to fight, and even the Tutuan villagers in Heyang were conscripted to fight, so that they could go through the baptism of war.

Most of the people in Heyang, except for a few Helongfans, more than two-thirds have not experienced any wars, and they mainly focus on farming. .

It is also good to mobilize them.

The Henan people were not very capable of fighting in the early days of the Kingdom. At that time, the army of Anlu Mountain drove straight in, and Henan's military equipment was weak, and it would collapse at the first touch.But after hardships, many war mobilizations and frequent wars have suddenly become the most capable place in the country today.

Shao Shude had already noticed that the people in Guanzhong lived relatively comfortably, and their combat effectiveness was a bit stretched. He was unwilling to recruit soldiers from Guanzhong.The people in Huazhou are poorly organized, not ruthless enough, and the style of folk martial arts is not strong enough.Heyao Dangxiang is better, but the Yinshan area has been peaceful for a long time, everyone is human, and those who are used to living a peaceful life, how can they maintain their combat effectiveness?Even the Qiang Hu will also degenerate.

Therefore, it is beneficial to let them mobilize regularly, even if they do not go into battle.Not to mention that Gao Renhou would really let them attack the city. In short, the training has achieved great results.

After the rounds of battles among the ministries, it was the Tiande Army and the Wuwei Army that played the decisive role.Especially the latter, after paying the price of 700 casualties, he broke through Guanghe Town and beheaded the enemy generals.

The Wuwei army, in the Shuofang army system, is famous for its siege.Both Heqing and Guanghe have their presence, and they are fighting tough battles, which is convincing.

"The thieves in Guanghe Town have good morale, and it took a little effort to beat them." Lu Huaizhong picked up the wine bowl and drank it down, and then his face became very exciting: "My lord, this wine..."

"Grape shochu from Xiazhou is very popular on the grassland." Shao Shude smiled and said, "It's bitter cold in the north of Guan, horses are addicted to alfalfa and people are addicted to alcohol. For this thing, I don't know how many heroes bow down."

After finishing speaking, he poured another bowl for Cai Songyang, and said: "When attacking Guanghe Town, the Liang people took advantage of the night to cross the north and came for reinforcements. The envoy of Cai Jun led his troops to line up and smash the bandit army. Drink this cup to the full."

"Thank you, Commander-in-Chief." Cai Songyang picked up the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp without changing his face.

This gentleman is also an old man, he once served as the commander of Shao Shude's personal army, and he is as trustworthy as Lu Huaizhong.

He has a violent temper and likes to charge and kill himself. In his hands, the Tiande Army has also been trained into a team with a very strong "pig rush" style.

"After going back this time, take a good rest. Stay with me in the winter." Shao Shude picked up the wine glass and drank it down.

The family members of Wuwei Army moved to Jinjiang last year.After the first month of this year, the family members of the Feng'an and Tiande armies also moved here in batches. This was a long-established plan, and the cost was still Hezhong's salt profit.

However, in order to speed up the progress, Shao Shude made an impromptu decision last year that the families of the Shunyi and Tianxiong armies also moved here, and Lingxia paid for it. Now it is August, and they are arriving one after another.

As a result, there are already Tielin (located in Zhengping County, Jiangzhou), Wuwei (Linfen), Chishui (Shenshan), Wuxing (Yicheng), Guzhen (Quwo), Guide (Jiangxian), Feilong (Hongxian) Dong), Tiande (Taiping), Feng'an (Wenxi), Shunyi (Zhaocheng), Tianxiong (Anyi), a total of the families of the eleventh army were taken to Jinjiang.

Therefore, the Wuwei Army and the Tiande Army also returned to Jinjiang to rest, not too far from Heyang, and they can be easily transferred if needed. In war, there is still a big difference.

After the Chinese New Year next year, the relocation will continue, mainly the Zhenwu Army and the Iron Cavalry Army.

The Zhenwu Army has just finished its two-year garrison in Zendan, and they will be stationed in Lingxia, and they will be replaced by Zhen Guojun, a ten thousand person.

Zhen Guojun has a total of 3 people, which belong to the second-line troops with relatively poor training and equipment, and the envoy is Zhen Xu.

Last year, a group of 1 people went to Qingtang for defense. This time, the [-] people who went to Zendan were drawn from the three cities of Pujinguan and Fenglingdu, and they were replaced by state soldiers from the three states of Tong, Hua, and Guo.

There are still 1 people guarding Tongguan.Of course it is not enough!Fortunately, Kansai is very stable now, there are no enemies, and Tongguan can be defended or not, so it is not a big problem.

The two armies of Heyuan and Jishi have also completed their two-year garrison in Xingfengliang.At present, Li Yixian, Jishi Army, has gone south to Longjian, and the Shence Army led by Liu Chongwang has just arrived here, and is hoarding food and grass, ready to interfere in the situation in Central Shu at any time.

In order to make up for the vacancy, the Qian Shousu Department of the Feng'an Army has been dispatched to defend Bailaoguan in Xingyuan Mansion for a period of two years.

The troops under Li Tangbin will also be rotated. After all, the three armies of Chishui, Wuxing, and Guzhen have been fighting for a long time and need to rest urgently.

The three armies of Dingyuan, Jinglue and Tianzhu will replace them. They have already set off and have already arrived in Tongguan.

Yi Congjun returned to Lingxia, and together with the Zhenwu Army, Iron Cavalry Army, and Leopard Cavalry, he guarded his old nest, while the Silver Spears continued to defend Shuozhou.

The campaign, replenishment, rest, defense, and mobilization of each army is really a complicated project.

Shao Shude urgently needs an army that can fight outside all year round, even if he doesn't miss home for ten or eight years, and can maintain morale and combat effectiveness without retreating to rest. It's a pity that this only exists in novels, which is a pity.

"Your Majesty wants to go south this winter?" Lu Huaizhong asked.

"Hoard food, grass, ordnance first." Shao Shude didn't give an affirmative answer, but said: "On the other hand, we still need to do a lot of coordination."

This combination of vertical and horizontal obviously refers to Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin.

Thousands of Feilong troops marched south, Zhu Quanzhong tried his best to drive them away.The 5000 members of Xueli's troops did not go far, and after some harassment, they retreated to the north bank.But Qi Bizhang couldn't come back, and now he ran to Zhu Jin's territory, waiting for an opportunity.

Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin basically stood still in the past year.This is a great news for the local people, and the vitality of the local area has been restored, but it is not good news for Shao Shude.

Judging from the current situation, Zhu Xuan probably doesn't want to fight anymore, while Zhu Jin still has a little thought.We still need to work harder to see if we can work together, with the focus on Zhu Jin from Yanzhou.

"Commander, while the old guys are still able to fight, let's wipe out Zhu Quanzhong as soon as possible." Lu Huaizhong said: "After the fight is over, attack Li..."

Having said that, Lu Huaizhong realized something and kept silent.

"Hehe, it's really important to kill Zhu Quanzhong. I've been keeping an eye on him." Shao Shude took over the topic and covered it up casually: "Depart early, the soldiers haven't seen their wives and children for a long time, and I have to go to Huaizhou."

……

Shao Shude stayed in Jiyuan County for five full days.

There are quite a few Heyong Dangxiang from Feng and Sheng here, as well as people from the Hexi tribe.

Although the barbarians and chieftains have lost their power, they are still famous figures in the local area. Shao Shude meets them and deepens their relationship.

Wherever he went, shepherds and common people shouted, and titles such as "sage", "Khan", "Wuzu" and "Zanpu" popped up one after another.Those who see this kind of scene for the first time often drop their jaws in shock. Is this still Tang Tu?

The concubine Zheshi, the Ruren Zhao family, the Feng family, and seven concubines surrounded Shao Shude, surrounded by large armies, banners and banners, accompanied by civil and military generals, who were almost genuine saints.

Shao Shude spent the last day at Wangwushan Ranch in the northwest of Jiyuan County.

Above the open field, tents stretched into the distance like white clouds.

Shao Shude rode a wild black horse, circling in a distance.

This is the "new product" sent by Yinchuan Ranch, the latest achievement of Ma Zheng.

The shoulder height is estimated to be about 140 centimeters, which already meets the requirements of the horses used by the light cavalry in Shao Shude's mind.

He remembered that in Napoleon’s French army in the 19th century, those with a shoulder height of 150-155 cm were equipped for cuirassiers, those with a shoulder height of 143 to 150 were equipped for light cavalry, and those under 143 cm were disliked by the military and would not be wanted.

By the time of World War I, the shoulder height standard for war horses of the great powers had been raised to 160 cm. Even the mixed-breed "Oriental Horse" bred by the Japanese required a shoulder height of 155-168 cm to be suitable as a war horse. Anything less than this standard is considered unqualified.

After so many years of horse administration, the bloodline was purified and stabilized at about 140 centimeters, and the number is not large, which is really not easy.

The selected horse breeds are mainly Qinghai Cong. This kind of horse actually has Central Asian blood, but the irresponsible crossbreeding over the years has ruined the blood of this horse.The horse administration that has lasted for more than ten years is nothing more than an attempt to restore it.

"What a horse!" Shao Shude flew across the tent like lightning, stretched out his hand to scoop it up, took the princess's fragrance into his arms, and said with a big laugh: "One person will be captured, and he will be tortured later."

Zhe Fangai looked at her husband with a funny face, and hugged her hands tightly.

"Madam, do you want to try this horse?" Shao Shude asked.

Zhefang Ai's eyes flashed eagerly.

Before Shao Shude could react, he turned around lightly, clamped the horse's belly with his slender and straight legs, grabbed the rein from Shao Shude's hand, and began to steer it.

"Husband's horse administration is getting better and better." Zhe Fangai seemed to have regained the feeling of being a girl, and the expression on her face was full of memories.

"In fact, in the Spring and Autumn Period, the war horses in the Central Plains had fourteen palms (140 centimeters) high, but in the Qin Dynasty, there were only thirteen palms (130 centimeters), which may have been harmed by grassland horses." Shao Shude said.
The shoulder height of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shihuang is only 129 cm, which is pitifully short.

"In the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu introduced BMWs from the Western Regions and bred new breeds, and the horses grew half a palm to one palm taller. The war horses of the Tang Dynasty were almost as tall as this." Shao Shude continued: "The batch of war horses bred by the Yinchuan Ranch have The height of 14 palms is probably the limit, or it can be slightly higher, but it will not be too high. However, it is still a good horse with 14 palms. It must be optimistic in the future, and it must not be harmed by grassland horses again. .”

In fact, there should have been native horse breeds in the Han area of ​​the Central Plains, which were taller than Mongolian horses in the grasslands. The shoulder height of Central Plains horses in the Spring and Autumn Period was between 135 and 140 cm, which exceeded the shoulder height of Mongolian horses in their early 130s.

But for unknown reasons, in the Qin Dynasty, the shoulder height of war horses dropped significantly.It may be related to the long-term war and the abandonment of the horse administration, or it may be caused by the introduction of too many grassland horses and too many mixed blood.

In the Han Dynasty, the Wusun BMW and the sweat-blooded Tianma were introduced to improve the bloodline, and the shoulder height returned to about 135, surpassing the grassland horse again.In the Tang Dynasty, Kangju BMW was introduced to continue to improve the bloodline.

Long-term warfare and uncontrolled mating will degenerate the horse breed.From the end of the Qing Dynasty to the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of my country, in just a few decades, the average shoulder height of horses in our country can actually drop by about 5 centimeters.

"Husband, what's the point of being harmed by grassland horses?" Zhe Fangai asked after she had had enough of her addiction.

"Madam is tall and has long legs, and her husband is not short, so our child will not be too short. Madam, do you know what it means?" Shao Shude said.

Zhe Fangai turned her head and glanced at Shao Shude, seemingly in disbelief.

"If madam doesn't believe it, let's have a few more children to see if they are taller." Shao Shude teased.

"Okay." Zhe Fangai replied as lightly as a gnat.

……

After leaving Jiyuan County, the large-scale team continued to move forward and arrived in Hanoi County, Huaizhou on August 24.

Gao Renhou, the commander of the Huaizhou camp, led his civil and military generals out of the city to meet him.

"Greetings to King Xia." Seeing the sergeants queuing out of the camp, Shao Shude galloped out on a gallant horse with great pride, and said with a big smile, "Today's big drink has wine and meat."

All the troops shouted.

Shao Shude got excited and rode his horse forward. Everywhere he went, he waved his whip and was always greeted with warm cheers.

The atmosphere group is awesome!Marshal Shao was very satisfied, and the military spirit was still on his side.

Why did emperors like to go on tour in ancient times?The most important thing is to declare authority, that is, "to show strength and conquer the country".

I think back then, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty inspected Shuofang, "reinforced 18 cavalry, and the banner was more than a thousand miles away, which shocked the Xiongnu."

He also sent an envoy to tell Shanyu, "If Shanyu can fight, the emperor will stand by himself; if he can't, he will surrender urgently."

What kind of pride is this?
Shao Shude is a warrior, and his aesthetics are also like that of a warrior, so he likes this style.

The emperor on horseback should look like the emperor on horseback. It's not a problem to stay in the palace all day long.

Since the Northern Dynasties, the common people in the Central Plains have been a little bit tricky, and overall they were not as obedient as they were after the Song Dynasty.The imperial power is not very sacred. In the prosperous age, many people rebelled. A weak lord is actually very dangerous and may not be able to control the situation.

In addition to declaring military prestige during the tour, another purpose is to strengthen the control and influence of local officials.

The prefect system of the Qin and Han Dynasties, the governor system of the state, the power of local officials is very large, the distinction between civil and military fields is not clear, the degree of centralization is not high enough, and the folk customs are more martial and aggressive. These special national conditions doomed the necessity of patrolling.

The emperors of the Han Dynasty went on tour, often killing the prefects and dealing with local officials, which is a manifestation of this national condition.

After galloping back, Shao Shude walked up to the generals and glanced around.

"Wang Shijun, Meng and Huai prefectures, Huai prefecture has more people, have you finished harvesting the millet and wheat in the fields?" Shao Shude asked.

Wang Ban was a little nervous, the tall horse Shao Shude rode gave him a lot of pressure.

"Returning to Your Majesty, the summer grain has been harvested in mid-May, and the autumn grain has been put into the warehouse ten days ago. There are two grains in summer and autumn, totaling no less than 40 dendrobium." Wang Ban replied.

"Judge Su, you will be in charge of labor and labor. Qinshuihe laborers have served [-] people. Has anyone escaped?" Shao Shude rode his horse up to Su Junqing and asked again.

"Going back to the king, I made a deal with the people in advance. After the Pichi ditches are repaired, the new land will be distributed according to the construction period of the last service. Song Situ also allocated a full amount of money and food, and there was no shortage. Therefore, the people were happy and did not flee." Su Junqing replied.

"General Xie, sent your troops to fight in Heyang, do the soldiers have any complaints?" Shao Shude asked Xie Bin in front of him.

"Returning to Your Majesty, when our troops attacked Guanghe Town, everyone fought bravely and fought to the death. When we attack Banzhu next month, please ask Your Majesty to order my troops to go into battle. We will definitely kill all Liang people." Xie Bin replied. .

He originally had [-] infantry and [-] cavalry. After he dismembered the Baoyi Army a while ago, he also distributed some troops. At present, he has a total of [-] cavalry. The soldiers and horses made Wang Jian and restraint.

"Wei Sima, you were transferred to Huaizhou, do you know why?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, the kilns, charcoal yards, and craftsmen in Xiuwu County are all complete. After a while, the output will be even more." The speaker was born in the Weicai family. , Mining, currently serving as Sima of Huaizhou, actually responsible for a whole lot of things in Xiuwu County.

"It's so good!" Shao Shude got off his horse and said with a smile.

He will go to inspect the important matters asked just now, and then he can confirm whether anyone is lying.

He Yang, the advance base, is very important to him.

　Ask for the next monthly ticket, thank you.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)