big song poppi

Chapter 493 0490 [Before the decisive battle]

The first day of April.

The Qi army stationed on the south bank of the Sanggan River finally began to move.

More than 80,000 troops crossed the Sanggan River and rushed towards Datong, Xijing.

"Report, the Qi army's front troops have crossed the Sanggan River and are fifty miles away from Datong Prefecture!"

"Report, the Qi army's front army is approaching Baishan Mountain, thirty miles away from Datong Mansion!"

"Report..."

One battle report after another was sent back to Datong Mansion from the front line.

"Probe again and report again!"

In the military camp outside the city, Wanyan Zonghan waved his hand and gave instructions before continuing to discuss with his generals how to deal with artillery and firearms.

Among the generals, Wanyan Loushi had the most say. He had already experienced the power of firearms in Nanjing Road last year. This time during the siege of Shenwu Town, he experienced it again personally, which can be said to be rich in experience.

He said solemnly: "After last year and the war some time ago, I have roughly understood artillery and firearms. The power is indeed sharp, but it is not necessarily true that it can break mountains and crack rocks. Firearms and artillery mainly rely on iron sheets. The shot can hurt people and can penetrate three layers of heavy armor, but it will be blocked by cotton armor."

"really?"

Wanyan Zonghan looked happy.

Wanyan Loushi nodded solemnly: "That's true. During the siege of Shenwu Town last month, my daughter climbed onto the tower and was bombarded by field artillery. She was hit by three bullets at that time. Take off your armor and show it to the marshal." "

Hearing this, Wanyan Huonu took off her armor and clothes without saying a word, revealing her strong bronze body.

He has long arms and legs. When dressed, he looks lean, but when he takes off his clothes, he immediately reveals his muscular body.

I saw that Wanyanhuo Nu's chest was covered with scars of all sizes, including three scars the size of copper coins that had not yet completely healed, exposing her tender pink flesh.

Pointing to the three scars, Wanyan Loushi explained: "Marshal, please look at these three wounds. I compared the wounds of other soldiers who were bombarded by field artillery, and found that the wounds on my sons and daughters are the shallowest, precisely because Underneath the iron armor, he wore an extra layer of cotton armor. Although he was still penetrated by the iron piece, it was only a superficial injury and did not penetrate deep into his heart."

Hearing this, Wanyan Xiyin frowned and said: "Although cotton wool is not a valuable thing, it is not linen and cannot supply an army of 120,000 people. Even if it were available, it would be too late to make it in such a short time."

At this time, cotton was still a rare ornamental flower. Han Zhen commissioned the Agricultural College to research it only the year before last.

However, although there is no cotton, there are kapok trees, and the cotton wadding produced can also be used to keep out the cold. Of course, poor people cannot afford to buy one, but families with a wealthy family can still buy one.

Wanyan Zonghan waved his hand: "We don't need to supply the entire army. We just need to step up the production of more than a thousand cotton armors to ensure that the elite front troops wear them. Together with the large shields, they can withstand all the weapons of the army."

"can."

Wanyan Xiyin thought about it and felt that it was very feasible.

At this time, Wanyan Yinshuke, who had been silent until now, said: "The damage caused by firearms and artillery is secondary. On the contrary, the loud thunder-like noise when activated has a huge impact on the war horses. The general suggested that before fighting, plug the ears of the war horses." "

"good."

Wanyan Loushi echoed.

When he was on the Nanjing Road, he witnessed with his own eyes the scene of 20,000 war horses being frightened and going crazy.

Wanyan Yinshuke continued his analysis: "When the general and the Qi army were fighting in the field at Dangwu Valley, I witnessed the Qi army's military formation. Often where the artillery was placed, the formation was relatively loose and weak. After all, it was too tight, which was not conducive to the performance of the artillery. . I think this may be an opportunity for us.”

He and Wanyan Loushi were both famous generals and were extremely sensitive to the battle situation. They only had to fight against the Qi army once before they keenly discovered the flaws.

This is talent. If you don’t envy it, it will be difficult to make up for it by the day after tomorrow.

After the discussion, Wanyan Zonghan immediately ordered his men to collect cotton wool throughout the city and surrounding areas, summoned tailors and women, and rushed to make cotton armor overnight.

Don't look at the fact that the Qi army is only thirty miles away from Datong Mansion, it is just the front army.

It will take at least three to five days until all the food, grass and baggage of the central army and the rear army arrive at Datong Mansion.

When the army travels, it cannot move quickly.

One soldier and three husbands are the standard configuration. One soldier needs at least three civilian men to transport food, grass and baggage. If they were to fight thousands of miles away, the ratio of soldiers to civilians would even reach one to five.

Why is it said that Alexander's expedition was fake at first glance?

How many people were there in the whole of Europe at that time?

How much food is there?

An expedition spanning thousands of miles requires an astronomical number of logistical personnel and provisions.

Counting all the cattle, sheep, and grain in Europe at that time, there was not enough for the soldiers to eat.

The three western expeditions of Genghis Khan and Ogedei were different. First of all, Mongolia were nomadic people. Secondly, they also brought hundreds of thousands of cattle, sheep, horses and other livestock, grazing while hunting, and relied on horse milk and milk to satisfy their hunger.

With the addition of war to support war, the food and grass problem was barely solved.

Therefore, in the eyes of people with a little bit of historical knowledge, Alexander's Eastern Expeditions are simply full of loopholes.

……

While Wanyan Zonghan was preparing for the battle in full swing, Yelu Dashi in the north was borrowing food from everywhere.

Although several border counties and towns were captured and food was obtained, it was not enough to eat.

The men on the grassland are very simple, but they are also very realistic. I help you beat the gold man because I want to drive away the gold man and live a good life. But in the end, I can't even eat enough, so what's the point of beating me?
Might as well go back and continue grazing.

Therefore, in order to stabilize the soldiers under his command, Yelu Dashi tried his best and even called Ma Kuo, promising that if Qi State could support grain and grass, the Zhongjing Road could be ceded to Qi State.

Ma Kuo couldn't laugh or cry and said: "King of Liao, you and I will form an alliance and we will advance and retreat together. If possible, without the King of Liao mentioning it, I will report to His Majesty to allocate grain and grass to help the King of Liao tide over the difficulties. But the current problem is , Food and grass can’t be transported!”

"Ugh!"

Yelu Dashi couldn't help but sigh.

Ma Kuo asked: "King Liao, what do Xixia say?"

"Li Qianshun is willing to borrow food, but the journey is long and it will take three to five months to transport it. When the food arrives, all the soldiers under my command will also be gone." Yelu Dashi said with a bitter smile.

Ma Kuo thought for a moment and suggested: "For the current plan, we can only borrow food from Jian Nige."

It's not that Yelu Dashi has never thought of looking for Jiannige, but the rations for an army of 30,000 to 40,000 men would have to be completely emptied of Moge's lost troops.

He also plans to try to win over Jianni Ge. After all, Mo Ge's tribe is the strongest on this grassland.

But if you forcefully borrow food, the other party will succumb to the military power and can only hold their noses and admit it, but they will definitely be resentful in their hearts, and it will be almost impossible to win over them in the future.

Ma Kuo’s proposal also has this consideration.

As a minister of Qi State, he naturally has to consider Qi State.

How can you not know His Majesty's thoughts?
We want to use the Yelv Big Stone, but we don’t want the other party to become bigger, otherwise we will drive away the Jin Kingdom and another Liao Kingdom will come.

Yelu Dashi's expression changed for a while, and finally he gritted his teeth and said: "Okay, I'll ask Jiannige to borrow some food. I'll trouble Ma Shangshu and follow this king to visit Moge's lost tribe."

"Don't dare to ask for what you want."

Ma Kuo smiled slightly, feeling very happy.

Yelu Dashi was indeed a great man of his generation, and he admired him very much, but as a minister of Qi, he should be loyal to the country.

Politics has no emotions at all.

Moreover, His Majesty has great talents and great plans, and wants to recreate the prosperity of the Han and Tang Dynasties. This is also his lifelong wish, and he will definitely devote himself to it until his death.

After the decision was made, Yelu Dashi immediately led five thousand cavalry and ran towards Moge's lost tribe together with Ma Kuo.

(End of this chapter)