Trading with the Western Regions cannot be carried out in a short period of time. We must prepare envoys, goods to bring, people and horses, etc. The most important thing is that the journey is long and requires a reliable cavalry escort. Therefore, the time for trade is temporarily set at the beginning of February.
At present, other matters include preparations by Li Si, Ge Yue and the Ba and Wuzhi tribes. I focus on the preparations of the cavalry.
Just after the Tianchao meeting ended, Zhang Han came to the Sihai Palace to ask for an audience.
After the salute, Zhang Han sat down and reported to me about the supervisory army and cavalry.
"Your Majesty, in the past two months, I have selected more than fifty people in accordance with Your Majesty's requirements. Now Yuchi is training them. I think they will be sent to each battalion to serve as military supervisors in half a year."
"In addition, regarding the cavalry, I have selected elite cavalry from each battalion and officers in the army who are good at cavalry warfare. Currently, two of them have performed well. One is Wu Jian, who was born in Daijun and fought against Beihu and Xiongnu on cavalry. I know him quite well; one is Feng Ta, who led the frontier cavalry in Shangjun and became a captain. He fought bravely and knew how to fight the Huns."
I nodded with satisfaction: "How many cavalry are there now?"
Zhang Han responded: "There are about 30,000 people. I have almost gathered all the cavalry from Guanzhong and Bashu in the Chaoyi camp."
"How old are Wu Jian and Feng Ta? I told you that cavalry generals should not be too old." The cavalry relies on the indomitable spirit. Veteran generals are used to being conservative and following the rules. Fighting with the Huns on the grassland requires a lot of food. Big loss.
"Your Majesty, Wu Jian is younger, twenty-three years old. Feng Ta is twenty-five years old, but has more experience in fighting against the Xiongnu. I have organized many trainings in the Chaoyi Camp. The two men's cavalry fighting abilities are very good. He is equally good at commanding large-scale cavalry battles, and he can always surprise me with unexpected ways."
I looked at Zhang Han, and the more I looked at him, the more satisfied I became.
He is worthy of being an invincible general with an army of hundreds of thousands of prisoners. It had only been nearly a year, and his scholarly temperament was still somewhat reserved, but his face became more resolute and formidable. When I glanced at his chin, I suddenly discovered that there was a scar half a finger long on his chin, which looked extremely deep.
I frowned: "What happened to the scar on your face?"
Zhang Han was stunned, then chuckled: "It doesn't matter. When I was training the cavalry, I asked them to use sharpened sticks instead of swords. When I watched Wu Jian and Feng Ta fight against each other two days ago, I felt itchy, so I started fighting with them. We were training together and accidentally got stabbed by a wooden stick. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
I sighed helplessly and said: "You are now the captain of the guard army, there is no need to train with the soldiers. I think the scar is very deep, wouldn't it be fatal if it is seriously injured? You are only twenty-nine years old this year, right?" I don’t want you to die young!”
Zhang Han was so moved that he stood up and cupped his hands and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I believe that in order for the soldiers to fight bravely, the general must lead the way. If the general shrinks behind him, how can the soldiers have the confidence to charge into battle. I and Yuchi also I often tell those supervisors that in the camp, we must share the joys and sorrows with the soldiers, only in this way can we win the support of the soldiers!"
I nodded happily: "I am deeply pleased that you have such an idea. I just need to pay attention to protection in the future."
Zhang Han bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will keep this in mind."
I also stood up and said: "These 30,000 cavalry will be of great use to me when spring comes. Winter will soon come. Tell the soldiers not to be afraid of the severe cold. It is better to be frozen now than to lose your life in the battle. Next month I will go to Chaoyi in person. Camp, let’s see the results of your training.”
Zhang Han cupped his hands and said, "I obey your Majesty's order."
I looked at the leather armor on Zhang Han's body again and asked, "Aren't you cold in such thin clothing?"
Zhang Han chuckled softly: "I have been in the army for a long time. Except for sleeping at night, I never stop for a moment. I can't feel the cold on my body!"
I turned to Qiwan and said, "Take Zhang Han to get the velvet robe I made newly and give it to Zhang Han."
He turned around and said: "You can't feel the cold when you are young, but when you get old you will suffer from hidden diseases."
Zhang Han quickly saluted and said: "How dare I accept such a great favor from your majesty? I absolutely must not do it."
I waved my hand: "Training the cavalry and supervisory troops for me will be the greatest reward for me. Go ahead."
"I will live up to your majesty's expectations. I retire." Zhang Han bowed deeply and followed Qiwan out of the Sihai Palace.
Half a month later, I took Feng Jie to the Chaoyi camp.
As soon as the group arrived near Chaoyi Camp, they heard the rumble of horse hooves mixed with countless shouts of killing.
Zhang Han and Yuchi were waiting at the camp gate early in the morning.
Entering the school grounds, they saw 30,000 cavalry charging at each other under the leadership of two young generals. However, the two sides did not directly confront each other like in a real confrontation, but divided into dozens of columns and passed each other.
I nodded. This would not only allow the cavalry to experience the pressure of charging with the opponent's cavalry, but also avoid large-scale injuries during training.
After boarding the general commanding platform, Zhang Han cupped his hands and said, "Originally, 30,000 cavalry lined up to greet Your Majesty at the school grounds, but I didn't expect Your Majesty to arrive so quickly. Their training mission has not been completed today, so they were unable to line up. Your Majesty, please forgive me." "
I waved my hand: "What I want to see is your training scene. Now it seems that these 30,000 cavalry can be of great use!"
"It's just that I noticed that there are still some horses that are not equipped with saddles and pedals. Why is this?"
Zhang Han cupped his hands and said, "The general's office is stepping up production. It will be ready around the winter solstice."
I looked at Feng Jie and said, "Prime Minister Feng is supervising this matter. It's winter, so farm tools can be put on hold, and the cavalry needs to be supplied first."
Feng Jie bowed and said yes.
Half an hour later, the two teams of cavalry completed their charge and quickly lined up neatly under the stage under the leadership of their generals.
After the cavalry formation was completed, Zhang Han took a step forward and shouted: "Your Majesty, come to the camp to inspect the troops!"
Thirty thousand people roared in unison: "Your Majesty, ten thousand years! Ten thousand years of the Great Qin!" The sound echoed in the clear winter sky with majestic momentum.
The cavalryman on the left galloped forward, clasped his whip and lowered his head, saying: "I have seen your Majesty, Captain Wu Jian, and your Majesty has been here for ten thousand years!"
The cavalry general on the right followed closely behind him, lowering his head and saying: "Your Majesty, Captain Feng Ta, has seen you, Your Majesty for ten thousand years!"
I said, "No courtesy."
Then he raised his voice and said loudly: "Fellow soldiers, you are the best soldiers and generals I selected from thousands of battalions!"
"The Xiongnu repeatedly invaded the borders of our Daqin, and the Qiang people plundered the capital of our Daqin from time to time. I have tolerated them for more than 600 years since the founding of the Qin Dynasty! Among those who died in their hands were countless loyal and brave soldiers of our Daqin, as well as your unarmed parents. wife!"
"The reason why I want to train an invincible Qin cavalry is to let the Xiongnu and Qiang people know, and let the heads of Guizhou and Jiuzhou know that the offensive and defensive positions have changed!"
Seeing all the sharp eyes in the audience looking at me, I yelled out those powerful words with all my strength.
"The enemy can go, so can I!"
When everyone in the audience heard these words, their eyes suddenly shone with brilliance. They raised the wooden weapons in their hands and shouted in unison: "If the invaders can go, I can go too! Ten thousand years for your Majesty! Ten thousand years for the Great Qin!"
