Seeing the soldiers chatting and laughing, with dreams of making achievements, Yang Fan no longer had the same enthusiasm and passion as before.
The days of playing music and playing music every night are about to turn into eight or nine months of sleepless nights. The sharp contrast makes Yang Fan go straight to waxing!
But he still asked reluctantly: "Why don't the soldiers ride on horses? Wouldn't it be faster?"
Everyone couldn't bear to look at him. This young admiral seemed to know nothing about military matters!
But after all, Yang Fan was the leader of the governor, so he couldn't answer. Zhai Changsun explained: "The general doesn't know something. The army of the Tang Dynasty is mainly infantry, with only a small part of the cavalry. This time, a total of three thousand troops were dispatched to fight against Tibet. The cavalry already accounts for one-fifth of the cavalry in the Tang Dynasty; besides, not every soldier knows how to ride, and more importantly, there is a shortage of horses in the Tang Dynasty."
This made Yang Fan even more strange. Although war horses were scarce in the Tang Dynasty, horses used for transportation should be able to be collected.
Although the Tang Dynasty claimed to have 100,000 troops this time, the actual number of soldiers was only about 60,000. The remaining 40,000 were civilians, craftsmen, and various auxiliary personnel.
If it is just for transportation, about 10,000 to 20,000 horses will be enough.
It is impossible that the entire Guanzhong land cannot even raise 10,000 horses. These are not war horses used for charging into battle.
Yang Fan was a little surprised and asked doubtfully: "It's not like we need war horses, why don't we have 10,000 horses?"
Gao Xingcheng smiled bitterly and said: "It's not just a problem with the horses. This expedition to Tibet has high mountains and long roads, and the roads are difficult and full of gravel. Not only is it difficult for people to walk, but the horses will be injured if they are not careful. The gains will outweigh the losses. It would be very expensive to put leather sheaths on the horses' hooves, so..."
Yang Fan was confused: "Why do you need to put leather covers on the horse's hooves?"
Zhai Changsun, Gao Xingyi and others were dumbfounded. Chai Lingwu even covered his face with his hands.
It's so shameful that the general who oversees operations has never even heard of horses being kept on hand.
Changsun Chong laughed without any scruples and said teasingly: "Don't Marquis Zhongyi claim to be omniscient and unparalleled in talent? Isn't he too ignorant if he doesn't even know about the leather sheaths used to protect horses' hoofs from wear and tear?"
Changsun Chong teased Yang Fan like this, and Chai Lingwu quit. After all, Yang Fan was not only his immediate boss, but also his master. How could he allow others to insult him like this?
What's more, with Chai Lingwu's identity, he was not afraid of Changsun Chong at all, and directly ran against him: "Chang Shi has been defeated by the general several times, isn't he even more ignorant?"
These words made Changsun Chong blush and turn white. Before Changsun Chong could reply, Chai Lingwu turned to Yang Fan and explained: "General, horses have soft hooves and are most afraid of gravel roads. Once the wear and tear is serious, the horse will be considered useless." , so it is necessary to wear leather sheaths to protect the horses' hooves, but leather hoof sheaths are expensive and easy to wear, and are generally not used easily. Therefore, it is not appropriate to use too many horses on this expedition."
Chai Lingwu came from a martial arts family. Although this was his first time to go on an expedition, his knowledge was certainly broader.
Yang Fan's mind was a little hard to turn around...
Isn't this the hoof cover that protects the horse's hooves?
The three treasures of cavalry are saddles, saddles and horseshoes. Aren't saddles and stirrups already equipped?
There are horses that he has ridden. As for horseshoes, Yang Fan really hasn't paid attention to them!
Could it be that the people of the Tang Dynasty still didn’t know how to shoe horses?
Yang Fan couldn't remember when horseshoes appeared, but he knew that horseshoes were not a high-tech product at all.
Nowadays, these ancient people don't even know how to make such simple things, and they still use expensive leather. No wonder they can't afford cavalry.
But it was better to be cautious and asked again: "Have you ever heard of horseshoes?"
Everyone looked confused and shook their heads. Zhai Changsun's eyes lit up and he asked, "What is a horseshoe?"
He vaguely felt that this thing should be related to war horses.
As one of the former leaders of the Heavy Cavalry Black Armor Army, it was an eternal pain for him to be forced to withdraw from the cavalry.
If Yang Fan could get horses, wouldn't these cavalry be able to turn the tide again?
Seeing the confused looks on everyone's faces, Yang Fan burst out laughing.
The reason why there were so few cavalry in ancient times was because the damage rate of war horses was too high.
If you have horseshoes, raising a cavalry is a piece of cake.
Imagining the scene of his men holding Suifa pistols, riding horses and charging into battle across the Eurasian continent, immediately made Yang Fan feel high-spirited.
Even the loss of being alone and unable to sleep just now was diluted a little.
Grain
Looking at Yang Fan who was enjoying himself alone, everyone seemed a little baffled as to what kind of horseshoe it was that could actually make the admiral lose his composure.
Little did they know that it was precisely because of Yang Fan's ignorant words that horseshoes appeared in the Tang Dynasty nearly a hundred years earlier.
This is something of epoch-making significance. Nailing horseshoes can reduce the wear and tear of horseshoes, and can also bring a lot of convenience to people's production and life.
From the fields to long-distance transportation, the hoofs of livestock are nailed with shoes, which can greatly reduce the damage to the livestock's hoofs and extend the service life of the livestock.
Horses and other livestock were an important labor force in ancient times, not much worse than luxury cars in later generations.
More importantly, if enough horses can be found, this inspection can be made much simpler.
Thinking of this, Yang Fan couldn't stand it any longer and asked: "Do you know where I can buy a large number of horses? They will be of great use!"
As a transportation supervisor, Gao Qiyi obviously had some knowledge and immediately said: "General Yang wants to use horses to transport baggage? But the horses on the market are scattered and sold in pieces. Even if we have to collect them from various places, it is too late now."
"That's it!" Gao Jishi's words directly handed over a basin of cold water, which made Yang Fan a little disappointed.
Make bricks without straw!
If there are no horses, there is no use in making horseshoes.
However, Zhai Changsun obviously knew something. He hesitated for a while and said: "General, can I use the damaged war horse? If so, does General know where I can buy it?"
"Oh? Tell me." Yang Fan's eyes lit up.
As long as the horse's hoof is not seriously damaged, it can still walk quickly with horseshoes on.
Gao Xingyi rolled his eyes and asked: "Is General Zhai talking about the horse farm next to Zhongnan Mountain?"
"Exactly!" Zhai Changsun smiled slightly and nodded.
Gao Jixiu said with concern: "The racecourse next to Zhongnan Mountain is where the war horses have been injured and retreated. They are mainly used for breeding foals. If they are used for transporting baggage, if the problem of the horseshoes is not solved, they will be nothing more than useless horses! More Besides, if you want to use these horses, you need His Majesty's approval. I'm afraid..."
Yang Fan was immediately overjoyed, clapped his hands and said, "Great, as long as there are horses, the rest will be taken care of by myself."
Seeing what Yang Fan had come up with, Changsun Chong said angrily: "The horse farm next to Zhongnan Mountain is full of useless horses. Does Zhongyi Marquis want to buy them to eat horse meat? Do you think that a horseshoe can solve the problem of war horse damage?" Do you think you are a god?"
"Although Marquis Zhongyi has no shortage of money and can squander it as he pleases, or even do whatever he wants, he should not use these heretical methods to delay the supply of food and fodder for the army. Once His Majesty is blamed, this history will not bear the responsibility."
Yang Fan couldn't bear it any longer and retorted directly: "I am the superintendent and operational admiral. Even if something happens, I will be the one to bear it. Whose turn is it for you, a little long history? Whose turn is it for you to make irresponsible remarks?"
Changsun Chong has been looking for trouble again and again. It's really disgusting. If the tiger doesn't show its power, does it really think that we are sick cats?
However, what Yang Fan said was also true. If something happened, of course he, the admiral, would be the first to take the responsibility, and who would be the first to take charge of it, Changsun Chong.
Changsun Chong was suddenly shocked and blushed: "Humph, since Marquis Zhongyi acted arbitrarily, I will definitely report it to the commander-in-chief..."
With that said, he threw up his sleeves angrily and left.
Yang Fan held his breath and complained to the leader if he couldn't help it. This guy was too classless.
But Yang Fan didn't care at all and Hou Junji's words didn't work if he offended me.
Turning back to the camp, Yang Fan picked up a brush and wrote a letter, clearly describing the method of making horseshoes and the steps of nailing horseshoes.
He was handed over to a personal guard and quickly went to the city to give it to Wu Meiniang, asking her to nail five thousand horseshoes and horseshoes within three days. The war horses could be brought directly to Li Er.
That guy Li Er has received so many benefits, it's time for him to contribute!
If we hurry up, we should be able to get thousands of war horses over within three days.
At the current marching speed of the soldiers, they could only cover one or two hundred kilometers in three days at most. Wu Meiniang could easily send her horses over from such a distance, so she should be able to make it in time.
Yang Fan couldn't help but laugh like a pig at the thought of mastering a cavalry force that came and went without a trace!
Yang Fan didn't know that because he unintentionally produced so many war horses, he directly created the most classic long-distance attack battle in the history of the Tang Dynasty.
