Daming Yuanfu

Chapter 2316 Fengshan (Thirteen) Greedy

Although Tokugawa Hidetada and Shimazu Tadatsune had always found it difficult to reach agreement on certain issues, they were equally concerned about the Ming cavalry. As they walked for dozens of miles, their eyes were almost always fixed on the Ming cavalry.

They had never seen such sophisticated cavalry equipment, and each piece of armor shone with a cold light, as if it could withstand any attack. And those war horses were even more majestic, with clear muscle lines and strong hooves. It was obvious at a glance that they were carefully selected and trained for a long time.

When the holy chariot team had passed Xianghe County and almost entered Wuqing County, that is, they had walked dozens of miles and were about to arrive in Wuqing to spend the night, both of them felt that after a day of observation, they had obtained the answers they wanted.

Shimazu Tadatsune said softly to Tokugawa Hidetada: "Sir Hidetada, how do the equipment of those cavalrymen compare to our Japanese cavalry?"

Tokugawa Hidetada pondered for a moment and slowly replied: "Sir Tadashi, the Ming cavalry is well-equipped, far beyond the reach of our Japanese cavalry. Their armor is not only strong, but also well-designed, providing adequate protection without affecting the cavalry's flexibility. Although our cavalry is brave and competitive, their equipment is indeed far behind that of the Ming cavalry."

Shimazu Tadatsune nodded in agreement, and his eyes turned to the weapons in the cavalry's hands. The cavalry held new sabers, had flintlock short-barreled muskets hung on their waists, and carried spare bows and arrows on their backs. This combination of equipment obviously took into account the needs of both close combat and long-range attacks.

Tokugawa Hidetada noticed Shimazu Tadatsune's gaze and continued, "Moreover, the Ming cavalry has a wide variety of weapons, which can be used for both close combat and long-range attacks. This all-round fighting method is something that our Japanese cavalry will definitely find difficult to deal with."

Shimazu Tadatsune took a deep breath, knowing that what Tokugawa Hidetada said was true. The Japanese cavalry might only have a certain advantage in close combat courage, but they were really powerless against such a versatile Ming cavalry. Even the so-called "close combat courage" was probably just his own conjecture. After all, the Ming cavalry was in full armor and looked indestructible. Anyone would be more courageous if they fought in such armor.

At this time, Shimazu Tadatsune suddenly thought of the Korean battlefield. He remembered that the Ming cavalry at that time did not seem to be equipped with so many short iron cannons (flintlock short-barreled cavalry muskets). He pondered and asked, "Sir Hidetada, what do you think are the advantages and limitations of the Ming cavalry's sabers and iron cannons... uh, muskets in actual combat?"

Tokugawa Hidetada pondered for a while and said slowly: "The sabers of the Ming cavalry are light and flexible. Judging from their shape, they should have strong cutting power and are easy to control, suitable for use on horseback. However, I think their ability to fight against heavy armor may be limited and they are very dependent on the speed of the horse. In this way, in a melee, they may not be as effective as long-handled weapons such as spears or sickles."

Shimazu Tadatsune nodded in agreement and continued, "As for the musket, we saw it a few days ago when we were allowed to observe the training of the Imperial Guards. It has strong firepower, fast loading, and high portability, and has a strong deterrent effect.

However, muskets are muskets after all, and they are short-barreled ones, which means that their range is limited and they are greatly affected by the weather. Although they are much faster to load than ordinary cannons, overall, the loading process is still much more complicated than shooting a bow, and they need to be reloaded after a single shot.

So, Mr. Hidetada, please see that their war horses all have a row of leather sheaths with three rings on them. Judging from their size, they are used to insert muskets... In other words, they should have been equipped with three muskets per horse, but for some reason, they only brought one this time."

"I have also noticed this." Tokugawa Hidetada nodded and said, "Perhaps it is because there is no need for combat during this trip southwards, and it is more of a ceremonial ceremony for the emperor, so there is no need to equip all the muskets?"

Shimazu Tadatsune could not think of any other reason, so he nodded and said, "Your Excellency Hidetada is right. I agree with you."

Well, this is a real misunderstanding. The reason why this cavalry of the Imperial Guards only has one lance out of three holsters is simply because Gao Youshi proposed the plan not long ago, and the production of the new lance has not been in time. Now this new lance is because the Imperial Guards have a "look" requirement for this mission, so all production capacity is concentrated here, otherwise only the old lance can be produced. Let's put it this way, almost all the production of the new lance is here in this cavalry of the Imperial Guards.

Tokugawa Hidetada, who was completely clueless about this, concluded: "From this point of view, the Ming cavalry should have used a combination of sabers and muskets to exert diverse combat capabilities on the battlefield to defeat the enemy. The saber provides flexibility and cutting power in close combat, while the musket provides long-range firepower support.

It can be imagined that when the two armies were fighting, the Ming cavalry could first attack from a distance with muskets, and then engage in close combat after firing three rounds of musket fire. At this time, the enemy army had been severely damaged, and even if the battle formation had not yet collapsed, it must have been shaken. The Ming cavalry could then take advantage of the chaos to engage in battle, use the power of the galloping horses to use sabers to cut the opponent, and quickly establish victory. "

Shimazu Tadatsune sighed and said, "Yes, yes, this is to be expected. Admittedly, both weapons have their limitations, but as long as they are rigorously trained and the cavalry are equipped with superb skills and tactics, they can achieve the greatest effect in actual combat. And such tactics are simply beyond the reach of our Japanese cavalry."

Tokugawa Hidetada frowned and said, "Sir Tadatsune, after seeing you today, I know how big the gap is between our Japanese cavalry and the Ming cavalry. After we go back, we must strengthen the training of the cavalry and improve the level of equipment, otherwise..." Perhaps realizing that there was something wrong with what he said, he quickly shut up.

Shimazu Tadatsune didn't dare to say anything more, he just coughed lightly and pretended not to hear anything. Tokugawa Hidetada quickly changed the subject and continued the discussion with Shimazu Tadatsune, but the topic was turned to the difference in war horses.

"Sir Zhongheng, I think that in addition to weapons and equipment, the gap between Japanese and Ming war horses is probably even greater."

Shimazu Tadatsune nodded and said, "Your Excellency Hidetada is right. It seems that you have also noticed the war horses of the Ming cavalry. Compared with our Japanese war horses, they are indeed much better. Both the Mutsu horses and the Kiso horses are far inferior to the Ming army's war horses."

Tokugawa Hidetada nodded and responded, "Indeed, Lord Tadatsune. The Ming army's war horses are taller and have clear muscle lines. Their strength and endurance seem to be far superior to ours."

Shimazu Tadatsune nodded and said, “In Japan, our war horses are too small. Although this can adapt to the mountainous and narrow terrain in the country, if two cavalry units fight head-on, our disadvantage will be too great.

For example, our war horses are about 13 hands (about 132 cm) tall on average and weigh about kg. Although they are small in size, they are very flexible in complex terrain. The Ming army's war horses are obviously much taller.

They are probably a mix of Mongolian and Western horses, with all kinds of legendary qualities. Mr. Hidetada, you can see that these horses are probably close to 15 hands (about 152 cm) tall, and weigh about kg. Not only can they carry such tall and well-armored cavalry, but they also show amazing endurance during the long march all day long. Such a large team never stopped even once because the horses needed to rest. "

Tokugawa Hidetada nodded in agreement, adding: “It is true that Japanese horses are known for their agility, but they are far from being able to carry loads and have endurance. Our horses can usually only carry lighter equipment and need to rest more frequently during long marches.”

Shimazu Tadatsune pondered and said, "According to the rumors in the capital during this period, the Ming army has completely recovered the Western Regions. Considering that they have already conquered the Mongols in the south and north of the desert, their war horses are likely to be a hybrid of Mongolian horses and Western Region horses, combining the excellent characteristics of both good horses. There is no doubt that these Ming army horses are not only fast, but also have strong endurance, which is very suitable for long-distance raids and fierce battles."

Tokugawa Hidetada added: "These characteristics of the Ming army's war horses undoubtedly provided great advantages on the battlefield. Not only could they carry heavily armored cavalry for rapid charges, but they could also maintain stable performance during long marches and pursuits."

Shimazu Tadatsune agreed: "That's right. Although our war horses are adapted to the mountains and forests of Japan, they are far inferior to the Ming army's war horses in charging and protracted battles on the plains.

Back in Korea, after our defeat in Seoul, our army quickly moved south, hoping to escape the pursuit of the Ming army. As a result, it was the dense forests and mountains of Korea that helped us avoid being caught up and surrounded by the Ming cavalry. Now that I think about it, I was lucky to have survived. If the terrain was flat, I, Tadashi, might have died on the battlefield..."

Tokugawa Hidetada did not fight in the Korean War, and did not want to show weakness in front of Shimazu Tadatsune, so he changed the subject and said, "In addition, the taming and training methods of the Ming army's war horses are also worth learning. Lord Tadatsune, have you noticed that their war horses seem to be more obedient to commands and can merge with the cavalry on their backs? I think this is also an area where our Japanese cavalry needs to improve."

Shimazu Tadatsune nodded, and then asked a key question: "So, Lord Hidetada, how do you think we should improve? Should we try to introduce war horses like the Ming army, or learn their taming techniques?"

Tokugawa Hidetada pondered for a moment and replied, "We need both, Lord Tadatsune. We can import stallions from the Ming army and breed them with our war horses in the hope of producing better offspring. At the same time, we also need to send personnel to learn the domestication and training methods of the Ming army to improve the combat capabilities of our war horses."

Shimazu Tadatsune agreed: "Indeed, this is the key to improving the strength of our cavalry. War horses are not only the mounts of the cavalry, they are also important fighters on the battlefield. Only when the war horses are strong can the cavalry really exert their due combat effectiveness."

Tokugawa Hidetada looked at the Imperial Guards cavalry from afar, and suddenly frowned slightly, saying, "Sir Tadashi, judging from the height and weight of the Ming army's war horses, their feed consumption must be much greater than that of the Japanese horses..."

"Considering their combat effectiveness, these extra investments are obviously worth it," Shimazu Tadatsune replied, then he frowned unconsciously and added, "But this also means that with Japan's national strength, if it uses such war horses, the number that can be maintained will be very limited."

Tokugawa Hidetada agreed: "Yes, Japan's national strength is too weak compared to the Ming Dynasty... But I have heard a rumor that the main concentrated feed for the Ming army's war horses is something called corn, which is said to have been obtained by the Imperial Pavilion from the Nanman merchants a few years ago."

Shimazu Tadatsune's face twitched, and he smiled bitterly, "Now no Nanman merchant can trade freely with Japan. Without the nod from the Imperial Court, the Nanman fleet can't even enter the Japanese port."

Tokugawa Hidetada pondered and said, "This means that if we want to obtain this 'corn', we can only ask for it from the Imperial Court... Lord Tadatsune, the Shimazu family has a close relationship with the Imperial Court. I wonder if they can play a positive role in this matter?"

Shimazu Tadatsune smiled bitterly and said, "Your Excellency Hidetada may have overestimated our family's position in front of the Imperial Court. To be honest, I think that instead of asking the Shimazu family to do something about this matter, it would be better for the left horse to think of a solution."

"Samato" is an official position in Japan. Apart from the long history, in most periods of the Muromachi shogunate, the position of Samato was the first position of the Shogun. In other words, the successor to the Shogun often took up the position of Samato as his first position, and even before he inherited the position of Shogun, his position had always been Samato.

  And now the "left horse head" in Japan is none other than the "Tokugawa Jiro Saburo Minamoto Asaoichi Iken" - uh, that is, Gao Yan!

In this name, "Tokugawa" is the surname, "Jiro Saburo" is the common name for the head and heir of his family, "Manabu" is the clan name, "Asanobu" is the surname, "Jie" is the common name for the Tokugawa family, and "Yen" is the given name.

Speaking of this, there is actually something a little funny. After Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Edo Shogunate, in order to show his submission to Gao Yousi, he once asked the "Imperial Pavilion" Gao Yousi to grant him taboos according to Japanese custom. As a result, Gao Yousi politely declined, on the grounds that he, Gao Yousi, was not Tokugawa Ieyasu's lord, at least in name.

  [Note: The so-called partial taboo means that if Gao Youshi agrees, then Tokugawa Ieyasu should change his name to "Tokugawa Ieyama". Because Gao Youshi's "Wu" is his family name, that is, the generation name, and several brothers are "Wu + a certain person", so it can be randomly compared to the common character in Japan, and the specific "name" can only be "Shi", which is the "partial taboo" in Japan. Of course, this is a forced comparison, and readers don't have to be serious. ]

After Shimazu Tadatsune said this, Tokugawa Hidetada was in a difficult situation.

Logically speaking, if Gao Yan is willing to ask Gao Fusi to give corn to Japan, it is indeed the most successful approach, considering that Gao Fusi is Gao Yan's biological father. But the problem is that although Tokugawa Ieyasu is nominally Gao Yan's adoptive father, it is actually difficult to meet Gao Yan now, because after the Battle of Azuchi, Gao Yan and his biological mother Kaihime lived in Osaka, and on weekdays he was with Toyotomi Hideyori - they were close in age, so Narita Kai, the "reidai", simply took care of them together. As a result, it became increasingly inconvenient for the Tokugawa family to do something through Gao Yan.

However, Shimazu Tadatsune's words still made sense. Tokugawa Hidetada could not refute it, so he could only ponder and say, "At this time... let me write a letter to the Kofangdian to explain the situation. Whether it will succeed or not depends on the Kofangdian's methods."

Shimazu Tadatsune heaved a sigh of relief, but nodded sincerely and said, "With the Kofudono in charge, I'm sure everything will be safe."

  The muscles on Tokugawa Hidetada's face twitched twice, and he forced out a stiff smile.
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(End of this chapter)