Chapter 1006

They didn't bother with Dai Ji, letting him make his noise. The parade was about to begin in the camp. Quite a few people had been invited to watch. Among those sitting on the reviewing stand were several influential figures from the Dongping military, including General Xu Jingtian himself. Such reviews were largely about showcasing military strength, so the invited guests naturally included those they wanted to impress. Tao Ze, the envoy from Chunnan, sat quietly in a corner, while on the other side were several elders from the Dai family of Yunzhou. These old fellows had either served in the military or managed government affairs in Yunzhou since they were young, and only retired when they could no longer fight. Their eyes were sharp, and although they weren't core members of the Dai family, they all had impressive battle records or political achievements. Inviting the Dai family of Yunzhou to participate in the review was partly to show closeness, and partly to respond to the Dai family's probing of Dongping, regarding whether they could send troops into Yunzhou.

With these elders present, Ye Tao smiled and ordered Dai Ji to be brought over and placed among them. Sure enough, in front of the elders, Dai Ji didn't dare make a sound, instead worrying about them asking why he was there. However, once the parade began, Dai Ji couldn't take his eyes off it. This was the elite of the Xueqi Army, and the recruits in the new recruit camp hadn't even been issued complete equipment yet.

What attracted Dai Ji the most were the cavalry and heavy infantry units of the Xueqi Army. As they slowly marched past the reviewing stand in their gleaming armor, Dai Ji compared the unit he saw to the Iron Cloud Riders he knew so well, and a hint of jealousy rose in his heart. Too extravagant, it was simply too extravagant. The Iron Cloud Riders could be considered a strong army built by Yunzhou with all its might, but their equipment was far too shabby compared to the Xueqi Army before him. The cavalrymen of the Xueqi Army not only wore armor that provided excellent protection and weight, but even their mounts had carefully designed armor plates installed on key parts. The cavalrymen raised their gleaming cavalry swords in front of them, and the dazzling reflections fully demonstrated the sharpness of the blades. The cavalrymen's saddles and saddlebags were designed to fit the curves of the horses' backs, objectively acting as leather armor for the horses' bodies after installation. The saddlebags had bows and quivers, fully illustrating that this was a cavalry unit that, like the Iron Cloud Riders, required everyone to be able to draw a bow and shoot arrows. At this moment, Zou Shuangwen, who had been reluctantly assigned to explain to the Dai family, explained: "The other side of the saddlebag contains a leather bag for folding hand crossbows. Our Xueqi Army cavalrymen can all draw bows and shoot arrows, so using hand crossbows is naturally no problem. By the way, all the bows used by our Xueqi Army cavalry are composite bows. As for the arrows, the arrowheads are specially made. Please take a look, everyone..."

Zou Shuangwen took out a specially made bloodletting arrowhead from his pocket and respectfully handed it to one of the Dai family elders. The elder's name was Dai Ye, and he had been one of the commanders of the Iron Cloud Riders. Because he had no other skills besides fighting, he didn't continue to hold office in Yunzhou after retiring. He was somewhat unwilling to be sent to Danyang this time, and it was precisely because he was here that Dai Ji dared not act presumptuously. Dai Ye took the arrowhead, weighed it in his hand, carefully examined the bloodletting holes on the arrowhead, and said with a chuckle, "This thing is dangerous, you're in trouble if you get hit by one. However, this thing probably isn't cheap, and it'll be a heavy expense in battle."

Zou Shuangwen smiled and said, "Actually, it's not too bad. These arrows can be recycled after use. The steel used to make the arrowheads is of very good quality, and they won't bend or break even after being used several times."

"What if they fall into the hands of the enemy? It's troublesome to use them to shoot ourselves," Dai Ye asked.

"Those who are alive to clean up the battlefield must be our Xueqi Army," Zou Shuangwen said confidently, "Besides, ordinary arrows can't penetrate the cavalry armor and heavy infantry armor. Other units don't have many opportunities to expose themselves to enemy arrows. … Also, the cavalry swords the cavalrymen are holding today are ceremonial swords, polished to make them look good. Later, the old general can go to the camp with Dai Ji to see our cavalry armor and other weapons. The new cavalry swords are more handy, but they haven't all been replaced yet. The parts that have been replaced are used by the soldiers in our new recruit camp for training. Moreover, most of the cavalrymen of our Xueqi Army are also good at using lances, in addition to cavalry swords. When marching, there will also be other equipment hanging on the saddlebags, tents, dry food, water bags, medicine bags, and emergency ropes. These things are unsightly and won't be taken out today."

While Zou Shuangwen was explaining, the heavy infantry formation came over. Because he hadn't been in the Xueqi Army for a long time, Qiu Haohui was a little excited and personally led the parade today. His extremely luxurious cloisonné enamel armor was amazing. Dai Ji's eyes were fixed on the spears held by the heavy infantry, which were two and a half people tall. Compared to the cold light of the spear tips, the claw-shaped device at the end of the spear attracted his interest even more. He tugged on Dai Ye, and the two looked at each other, both understanding that this was specially designed to allow the heavy infantry formation to deal with cavalry charges. They were both weighing in their minds whether even their Iron Cloud Riders could break through such an infantry formation.

Zou Shuangwen said with a smile, "The heavy infantrymen are even more tired. They can only carry long spears for the parade. If they take the tower shields and two-handed long-handled sabers, they won't have the strength to compete later."

"What?" Dai Ye and Dai Ji were shocked. Wearing this kind of armor and walking around the parade ground, they would still have to participate in the competition later? What kind of monster stamina was this?

"Half of all the heavy infantry's training subjects are to improve their physical strength. It's not surprising that they are particularly strong in this area. Moreover, they don't need to master too many other weapons besides the two-handed long-handled saber. They just need to hold these long spears and tower shields steady and stand there," Zou Shuangwen explained. Although his very non-technical explanation would cause some opinions if Qiu Haohui, who had a lot of feelings for the heavy infantry, heard it, it was the most reasonable and convenient explanation for the two members of the Dai family.

By the time the logistics unit, which was arranged at the end of the parade and had not even participated in any type of combat training, passed in front of the reviewing stand, Dai Ji's expression had completely changed. The look he gave Zou Shuangwen was not disbelief, but some...some indignation. "So the Xueqi Army is like this, then why are you still practicing those useless things in the camp?" Dai Ji blurted out.

"New recruit camp! You're only in the new recruit camp!" Zou Shuangwen said confidently, "My task is to get everyone to pass the twenty-five basic indicator assessments, and then assign them to different arms based on their different characteristics. If it weren't for Governor-General allowing our Xueqi Army, the Forbidden Army, and the City Guard to compete at the same time, many subjects shouldn't have been arranged in the camp. Although this batch of recruits has learned a little more this year because of such a competition, if the basic items are not up to standard, the chief officers of the different arms will come to me to settle the score. I can't wait to throw you into the cavalry camp now, but if you don't pass twenty items in the twenty-five item test, then I'm derelict in my duty. Even one dereliction record is not good in the Xueqi Army."

"You can't let everyone get on a horse to stab with a spear and get off a horse to draw a bow and shoot arrows, and even be able to build bridges, and use trebuchets and divine arm crossbows... Where do you train soldiers like this?" Dai Ji persisted.

"However, almost everyone in the Xueqi Army can do it. There's no need to make the heavy infantrymen shoot arrows accurately, and there's no need to make the cavalrymen use trebuchets accurately, just be able to use them. Rather than temporarily studying how to play when encountering a chaotic situation on the battlefield, it's better for everyone to prepare now while they have the time and energy. The standards in the new recruit camp are not high, and the days of suffering will only begin when you are assigned to different arms. Don't think that you are very good at riding and shooting. In the cavalry camp, even if you can't become a battalion commander or higher, even if you are not as good as people like you who have been hunting on the grasslands since childhood, you won't be much worse. Here, as long as you don't enter a state of combat readiness, any position is watched by a group of people. Do you think anyone is qualified to lead the new recruit camp? Many people who are stronger than you are obediently serving as sentry lieutenants and sergeant majors here."

Dai Ji said unconvinced, "Who believes you! There are indeed people stronger than me, but definitely not as many as you say."

Zou Shuangwen sneered and said, "Let's bet. You go to participate in the Xueqi Army's hundred-item assessment according to the standard. If you can pass seventy items, I will guarantee you can choose any arm you want, any battalion you want. Cavalry, heavy infantry, archers, siege weapon battalion, logistics battalion, you can choose whatever you want. As for whether you can rise up in the camp, that's not up to me to say. If you can't pass sixty items, then you obediently listen to me in the new recruit camp."

Dai Ji said almost without any hesitation, "Okay, you said it." He looked at the Xueqi Army cavalry wearing beautiful and mighty armor with great envy.

At this time, Zou Shuangwen patted Dai Ji on the shoulder and said, "Don't say I'm making things difficult for you, you should know that Governor-General Dai only passed seventy-three items. The best score in the Xueqi Army is only eighty-six items."

Dai Ji wanted to say something wildly again, but he was forced back into his stomach by Zou Shuangwen's sharp eyes. Zou Shuangwen said coldly, "Talking big is useless. Go ask the officers in your team for the regulations and test manual later."

Zou Shuangwen was no longer very interested in teasing Dai Ji's childish temper. After apologizing to Dai Ye, he went to join the officers who were beginning to gather around Tan Weiming and Ye Tao.

"Your Highness, is the Xueqi Army really going to Yunzhou?" an officer asked. Compared to other armies, the Xueqi Army, which had many children of aristocratic families serving in the army, had faster access to information than any other army, even the Forbidden Army. The news that the Dai family of Yunzhou sent a group of women and children to settle in Danyang, and that an old member of the Dai family subtly hinted when meeting with the lord that they hoped Dongping would help Yunzhou to a greater extent, even providing military support, reached the ears of some members of the Xueqi Army almost the next day after it happened. Especially Chi Lei, whose father was Grand Commandant Chi Xianping, and whose brother was the deputy commander of the Forbidden Army. When the lord wanted to solicit various opinions on whether to send troops to Yunzhou, these two participated in the imperial conference as representatives of the military. After the news spread to the Xueqi Army, the Xueqi Army was looking forward to being able to send troops to Yunzhou. The Xueqi Army was strong, and the Xueqi Army wanted to test how strong the Xueqi Army was through actual combat. Compared to the previous battles in the Xunshan Mountain range, the Xueqi Army had grown in the amazing defensive battle in Baishi City. If the Xueqi Army's re-attack could bring more victories, results and honors to everyone among them, that would be the most ideal thing.

Tan Weiming did not avoid the question. He already knew clearly what the tense situation in Yunzhou was all about, and from the current situation, pure diplomacy and intelligence games were no longer enough to make Yunzhou return to calm. Yunzhou would inevitably not be able to continue to be independent, and the ownership of Yunzhou would ultimately depend on the military game between Dongping, Xiling, Beiliao and even the barbarian tribes on the northern grasslands. Tan Weiming nodded and said, "There is indeed this statement, but it has not been finally decided yet. After all, Yunzhou is not our Dongping territory. Many ministers in the court have various concerns about the matter of fighting abroad. Moreover, although the Xueqi Army has expanded several times, it is only 30,000 people now. Judging from the current situation in Yunzhou, 30,000 people in the Xueqi Army alone may be a bit overwhelmed. But apart from the Xueqi Army, which nominally does not belong to the Dongping Ministry of War, sending other troops may risk a full-scale war with Xiling and Beiliao."

Han Hanlin said extremely confidently: "Although our Xueqi Army only has 30,000 people, where can other armies compare? You can use us as 100,000 people." Han Hanlin was a senior officer who joined the Xueqi Army from the beginning of its establishment, and is now the commander of two battalions with a total of 6,000 archers. He has a deep affection for the Xueqi Army, so much so that he refused to go to the Forbidden Army or serve as a garrison general in an important border town when his family tried to get him to do so. His evaluation of the Xueqi Army is actually the idea of many people in the Xueqi Army.

Ye Tao smiled and said, "You have a big tone. I ask you, do you know the specific military situation? Relying only on the bits and pieces that everyone knows now, what's the use in a battle? Where's the map? Only one-third of the content of Yunzhou's detailed terrain map is available now. Are you going to draw it on site during the battle? What about the supply? Fighting abroad, and on the grasslands that everyone is unfamiliar with, what's your supply plan? At least, you must have a list of needed materials and weapons, right? ... Also, I'm curious, Han Hanlin, you're not a combat readiness officer. It seems like you're going to stay behind when you go out to fight, right? Why don't you go transfer to a combat readiness officer with this effort?"

Han Hanlin was a little embarrassed. Although he commands two battalions of archers, the archers cannot act alone on the scale of two battalions during combat, but must be divided into different combat directions. Although Han Hanlin has high authority in peacetime training and exercises, he is not a general who can lead troops after entering a state of combat readiness. Although only a few procedures are required for the conversion between the two, just the procedures for these children of aristocratic families require the elders of the family to sign documents agreeing to enter the battle sequence, which is not an easy task.

Han Hanlin was not angry. Everyone in the Xueqi Army has always regarded "intelligence, maps, and supplies" as the most basic issues during exercises, and they attach great importance to them. Without these basic guarantees, any tactics have no foundation. Now that there is a real opportunity to fight, everyone will only treat these life-and-death issues more seriously. Although Ye Tao is not a member of the Xueqi Army now, and even has no position in the two armies other than a weapons technology consultant, everyone still regards Ye Tao as an important member of the Xueqi Army. Han Hanlin replied firmly: "Don't worry, sir, the documents for the combat readiness officer will be down tomorrow. I will be working on it as soon as I hear the news, no problem. As for the military situation, everyone is actively mobilizing various forces to collect it. ... As for supplies, logistics ... we are also starting to prepare. However, sir, can you return General Suo to the Xueqi Army? Governor-General Lu has elite troops, but your workshop there doesn't have Governor-General Lu to coordinate for us. At least assign someone to help us coordinate military equipment production?"

The problem that Han Hanlin said is really very critical. In the past, if the Xueqi Army needed machine parts, or various strange small products, they could ask Suo Zheng or Lu Dan, and they would naturally arrange the workshop to produce them according to the requirements in as short a time as possible. When Suo Zheng was there, their daily supplies were naturally beyond doubt. During exercises, every item was arranged extremely properly. When Suo Zheng was in charge of all the logistics supplies for the canal project and showed his skills, the Xueqi Army felt the serious problem of lacking an experienced, courageous and talented logistics director. What's even more deadly is that Suo Zheng was indeed training a group of logistics officers for the Xueqi Army, but Suo Zheng's training adhered to the consistent style of Ye's workshop: grabbing people to work under his own hands. Now there is really no logistics director type of person in the Xueqi Army who can arrange the preparations for the expedition properly.

Ye Tao pondered for a while and said: "I can let Suo Zheng return to the Xueqi Army, after all, the affairs here are more important than the canal. But ..." Ye Tao turned to Tan Weiming and said, "Your Highness, can you help transfer someone over to temporarily take over Suo Zheng's current job?"

Tan Weiming frowned and asked, "Who do you want?"

"Vice Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, Lin Chengzhi," Ye Tao said. Lin Chengzhi is a young official who is being vigorously cultivated by the Ministry of Household Affairs, and is also the first batch of students in Tan Weixin's economics lectures in his mansion. Although the logistics work on the canal is more like military affairs, it is not the same as Lin Chengzhi's original work of dealing with paperwork. However, it seems to give Lin Chengzhi some management experience other than paperwork. Whether it is for Lin Chengzhi's future prospects, for the current progress of the canal governor's office project, or just for the Xueqi Army's realistic need to let Suo Zheng come back to preside over logistics, it is a good choice.

It was precisely because he thought of these things that Tan Weiming considered the probability of his suggestion being approved, and nodded generously.

---------

Today's update, is the quantity enough?