Back to Tang Dynasty to be Emperor

The next day, morning.

Li Ke finished washing up under Lan Er's service, finished his breakfast in a hurry, put his fist on his temples, shook his head and sighed, "Although the alcohol content is not high, but after drinking two jars, I can't get drunk. It seems that in the future Still drink less."

Li Ke was muttering beside him, and saw Chen Qi walking in with a brand new military uniform, "His Royal Highness, the frame is ready, when will we set off?"

"Well, is it time?" Li Ke asked.

"There is still an hour before the congratulatory ceremony will begin." Chen Qi replied.

Because, although the Tang Dynasty stipulated that various institutions should be held on the first day of the new year, there is still a ceremony of greetings for Li Shimin, and the scene is very grand, so all officials in the court must participate.Therefore, Li Ke, as the son of Li Shimin, is no exception.

"Then let's go!" Li Ke sighed, what he hated most was this kind of court meeting, except for flattering words to the emperor, no one had any practical meaning.However, he had to go, had to face those faces he didn't want to face.

Ma Zhou drank surprisingly much, so last night he drank the most, but also woke up the fastest.At this time, he had already dressed up and came to Juyi Hall. When he saw Li Ke and Chen Qi talking about congratulations, and heard the helplessness in Li Ke's words, he said with a smile, "Your Highness, as a prince, your lord, There are some things that you should not do by yourself, and some things that you have to do. Therefore, His Highness will have to strictly demand himself in the future, and cannot follow his own heart."

Li Ke knew that Ma Zhou was admonishing his attitude towards Chaohe from the side, and knew that he was doing it for his own good, so he smiled slightly, "Prince Bin, what you said makes sense, it's my lord who is slack, fortunately you reminded me , this king will not degenerate too much." After speaking, he said to Chen Qidao, "Let's go!"

Li Ke and Chen Qi walked out of the Hall of Juyi and disappeared from Ma Zhou's sight. Ma Zhou was still watching, "Great and tolerant, accept advice with an open mind, know mistakes and correct them, and be a virtuous corporal." Then he looked away and sighed. , "I, Ma Zhou, can meet such a wise master. I am lucky in this life, and I have no regrets in this life!"

"Prince Bin, what emotion are you expressing?" Su Dingfang also came to Juyi Hall at this time, looked at Ma Zhou with a deep expression, and said with a smile.Because, he was originally a veteran general in the army, and he was the envy of generals like them who were away in war the most.Therefore, when he is not on the expedition, he is also obsessed with alcohol, and gradually he has developed a capacity for alcohol.Although, I don't want to express my opinion like Ma Zhouban, but among the people in Han Palace, they are also enough to be proud of them.Therefore, it doesn't take much for him to drink too much, and he doesn't wake up too late.

"Regular, ask what you know, ask what you know." Ma Zhouzhou looked skeptical, "Can you not hear what I say?"

"Haha, haha" Su Dingfang laughed, "Of course Dingfang could hear it, but if King Bin said that Dingfang didn't hear it, it would be convenient for him not to hear it." Su Dingfang also had his reasons for saying so.As far as what Ma Zhou said just now, "I, Ma Zhou, can meet such a wise master", if anyone who cares hears it, he can cut off ten heads, and Li Ke will not be much better.

"Regularly, we are not outsiders, so it's okay for you to know." Ma Zhou said, "Today, the emperor will change the reign name to 'Zhenguan', and will vigorously develop the economy in the future, and the formation of a new army is just around the corner. Your Highness recommends it." The personnel you will form the new army is also a matter of certainty, I don’t know what you think and think about the formation of the new army, so let’s talk about it first.” Ma Zhou wanted to know whether Su Dingfang could take on the task Li Ke gave him.

"Alright," Su Dingfang said, "Since His Royal Highness decided to recommend the last general, the last general has an idea for the formation of the new army. I will tell King Bin today, and I will ask you to give me your opinion."

Ma Zhou said with a smile, "You're being polite. I'm just planning for a rainy day. It's what we courtiers should do to help His Highness."

Su Ding contemplated for a while, and said his thoughts, "The biggest characteristic of the Turkic cavalry is mobility and the ferocity of the soldiers. They come and go like the wind, brave and good at fighting. Therefore, although they are not as good as the Tang army in terms of numbers, But often we are outnumbered, leaving us helpless."

"Actually, I have also learned about the composition of the Turkic cavalry. The Turkic cavalry is composed of three parts, namely the guards, the string control men, and Zhe Jie. Among them, the guards are also called "attachment", in Turkic It means wolves. This part of the cavalry is rare, with nearly 1000 people. They are Xieli’s personal troops and the most elite cavalry among the Turkic cavalry. The bow and arrow are the main part of the Turkic cavalry."

Speaking of this, Su Dingfang breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Although the Turkic economy is weak, it is impossible to compare with Datang. Therefore, they cannot fight protracted wars of attrition, but they can fight in a series of raids and encounters. However, they can always gain the upper hand. This is mainly because the Turkic cavalry is not weaker than the Tang army in terms of equipment level and tactical quality. As far as I know, Turkic horses are not particularly tall, and their height is basically about six feet. Lean and well-proportioned, it is most suitable for long-distance raids. This is the biggest problem that the cavalry of the Tang Dynasty cannot surpass."

When Su Dingfang said this, he only sighed.Ma Zhou knew why he was sighing, because Datang lacked horses, and what was lacking was such horses that were good at long-distance raids.Therefore, he understands the aspirations of a general like Su Dingfang on his horse.

"The harnesses of the Turkic war horses are also very advanced. The stirrups are generally 8-shaped stirrups with wide stirrup plates and small leather holes. Using such stirrups will give the Turkic cavalry a greater focus on their feet. It can turn simple hacking into cutting, which greatly improves the combat effectiveness."

"Thus, through these, the tactics of the Turkic cavalry are reflected, and the high-speed movement is realized with the unique tactical qualities of the grassland people who are good at riding and shooting and have been formed for a long time on horses."

After Su Dingfang said this, he looked at Ma Zhou to see what he had to say.

After listening to Su Dingfang's analysis of the Turkic cavalry, Ma Zhou was shocked.He usually saw that Su Dingfang's wolf cavalry was well-trained, so he felt that he was really good at training soldiers.Coupled with Su Dingfang's previous reputation, he also respects his talent.But even so, there is still some formality in the respect.However, after listening to Su Dingfang's long speech today, I realized that Su Dingfang is indeed a general.At this time, he not only admired Su Dingfang's talent, but even more admired Li Ke's ability to know people.

"Ding Fang's analysis coincides with mine, even more detailed and thorough than mine." Ma Zhou admired him sincerely, "I don't know how Ding Fang can defeat the assault cavalry?"

Su Dingfang pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "I think that forming a cavalry unit can't defeat the Turkic cavalry simply by relying on its bravery and skill in fighting and bowing horses. At best, it can only win without defeat."

"When the new army was formed, it was necessary not only to cultivate the discipline and tactical skills of the cavalry, but also to have a certain formation to defeat the Turkic cavalry. My idea is to form a light cavalry and a heavy cavalry When setting up the formation, the cavalry troops are divided into five divisions, two in front and three in back. The front row is heavy cavalry, and the rear row is light cavalry. When attacking, the light cavalry in the back row crosses the front row to attack first. When charging, thousands of cavalry As a unit, the troops rushed to the enemy's position one by one to shoot bows and arrows, and then turned back. This cycle continued, covering the enemy army under the rain of arrows from the Mongols. Retreat to the sides to make room for the heavy cavalry to finish the killing blow, while weaving around the enemy's flanks."

After listening to Su Dingfang finish speaking, Ma Zhou came back to his senses after a while, and immediately saluted Su Dingfang, "Dingfang is a great talent, and I am not as good as him. Having Dingfang is a blessing to His Highness, and also a blessing to the Tang Dynasty." Ma Zhou was completely taken by Su Dingfang Impressed by his military command ability, he said happily.

But Su Dingfang declined, "The king of Bin has over-rewarded, how can Ding Fang be honored by the king of Bin?"

"You deserve it, how can you not deserve it," at this time, Li Ke returned to the Juyi Hall after the court congratulations, and heard Su Dingfang's modest words, he couldn't help retorting loudly.

Ma Zhou and Su Dingfang were startled, they didn't expect Li Ke to come back so early, "Why did Your Highness return home at such a time?"

Li Ke sighed, "After the congratulatory ceremony, the ministers should also take a good rest and enjoy their New Year's Day. The emperor knows this truth, so the congratulatory time is not long, and it will end soon. However, what you two discussed Also too concentrated, will feel that time is short."

After Li Ke finished speaking, Su Dingfang and Ma Zhouyi looked a little embarrassed. They forgot the time themselves, and they blamed Li Ke for coming back too early.

Li Ke said with a smile, "Ding Fang, write your analysis and ideas into a report. After the new year is over and the ministers are on vacation, this king will hand over the report to my father for his review." Then, suddenly said , "By the way, after you finish writing, let King Bin help you polish it."

Ma Zhou and Su Dingfang knew the significance of Li Ke's arrangement, "obeyed" and then looked at each other, smiling without saying a word.

Then, Li Ke, Su Dingfang and Ma Zhou discussed some matters about government affairs, and then they gave up!