"Sir, there are several prisoners who want to see you."
Watching the medical soldiers put the groaning Shi Dajun on a stretcher and carry him away, Li Dan gave some other instructions to Gao Hanzi and Lei Jisheng, and then was about to get on his horse and leave. Suddenly Liao Cunguang ran back and saluted him with a military salute. Report.
Li Dan was stunned. He looked up and behind him and saw three or four prisoners standing in the distance.
The corner of his mouth moved slightly: "Let them come over." After saying that, he asked Lu Jiu and Mao Xiulu to find an old tree nearby. He sat on the exposed tree roots with his cloak hem, waiting for those few Bring the captives over.
Gao Can saw that he was free at this time and came over quickly. "Well, are you okay?" Li Dan asked.
"Your Majesty taught Shi Dajun a lesson. Gao Can reflected on himself and felt ashamed. He came here to express his gratitude!" As he said this, Gao Can took a step back and sang a deep song.
"You are a noble gentleman! Li Dan is not a saint. If I make mistakes, I hope you can also admonish me and encourage and support each other!" Li Dan returned the courtesy and said.
"Can, don't you dare refuse to accept your order!" After Gao Can finished speaking, he saw Liao Er and others approaching, so he resigned and left.
"You want to see me?" Li Dan greeted the prisoners with a smile. Seeing that they were about to kneel down, he waved his hand quickly. Liao Cunguang, who was standing next to them, explained to them that the Qing Shirt team did not want to kneel down and salute, so they only had to give a military salute.
After several people hurriedly learned to salute, Li Dan invited them to sit on the floor. Then he asked: "Didn't I ask you to go back? Why haven't you left yet?"
"I-we want to change our minds." One who looked older said.
"Oh, what's your name?"
The man immediately knelt down and was about to kowtow on the ground, but Liao Cunguang pulled him up angrily: "Didn't I tell you to stop kneeling? Just stand at attention like me and say loudly, 'Report, my name is so-and-so'."
"Isn't this rude?" the man asked worriedly.
"Men kneel to heaven and earth, ghosts and gods, and your majesty, and kneel to parents and elders. In the army, men should greet each other with military salutes. If you kneel back and forth like this, won't you waste the opportunity to fight?
Besides, the chief and you only have different positions and levels, but there is no difference in personality. We are all colleagues and eat from the same pot! "
Li Dan smiled and waved to Liao Cunguang: "Forget it, he is not one of us, let him be." Then he turned to the man: "Go on."
Unexpectedly, the man still stood and gave a military salute. Although his legs were a little bent, he was still standing. Li Dan returned the greeting and listened to what he said: "Report...sir, the villain Li Chengye is a scout flag in the army."
"Huh?" Li Dan looked up and down, and suddenly asked in a language that neither Liao Cunguang nor Mao Xiulu could understand: "Are you a stranger?"
"Oh," he shouted, his eyes widened, and he couldn't help but reply in Korean: "How can you speak that language? The villain's father is from Gangwon Province, but his mother is a fisherman from Fujian."
"No, this kid is a Japanese pirate!" Mao Xiulu shouted, and immediately there was a "swipe" of weapons all around. Some of Liao Cunguang and other soldiers jumped in front of Li Dan to block him, and some put weapons on Li Chengye's neck.
"Slow down, slow down!" Li Dan laughed loudly. He understood that to the ears of most people at that time, Korean pronunciation was no different from Japanese.
Mao Xiulu was born in Fujian. When he was a child, he heard Japanese pirates talking, so he mistakenly regarded Li Chengye as a Japanese. "He is a Korean, not a Japanese pirate!"
He pointed with his chin: "Besides, he was born in China, so he is not a pure Xian." After the guards returned to their positions and all kinds of weapons were taken back, Li Dan's interest in Li Chengye did not diminish at all:
"Your surname is also Li. Let me give you a face and tell you what you have changed your mind and what your requirements are. But I don't have much time, so you have to be brief."
"Well, it's actually very simple, we want to stay!"
"Ah?" Li Dan looked at these people carefully and asked, "Why?"
"Your department has strict disciplines and your judgment is fair, which is much better than ours. So I have the courage to ask you to take me under your command!" After saying this, the guy knelt down and prostrated himself on the ground. The others also quickly got down.
"My place is very disciplined and has many rules." Li Dan said seriously: "If you want to join, you have to prove on the battlefield that you are worthy of this green shirt. Do you understand?"
"As you command!"
"You guys get up first. I have a question that I would like you to answer for me."
"What do you want to know, sir? As long as we know everything we know, we can tell you everything!"
"Okay!" Li Dan pointed to the east with his hand: "I retreated from the mountain this morning. I originally calculated that Long Hui should not chase me so quickly, but he arrived so quickly.
I want to know why? The road for several miles was full of mud and water. I checked the time when we pulled out, but you arrived almost a quarter of an hour earlier than I thought! "
Only then did Mao Xiulu realize there was such a difference. He looked at Li Dan in surprise and then at the captives, expecting their answer.
Unexpectedly, this answer was completely beyond Li Dan's expectation. "Sir, I am a scout so I can see clearly. I dare to say that most of the animals used by your department should not be shod, right?"
"Hiss!" Li Dan took a breath and immediately looked at Mao Xiulu: "Go quickly and call Gao Can back immediately!" After saying that, he asked Li Chengye about the popularity and training of cavalry shoes in the Lou army.
In his previous life, after Li Dan returned to the local area from the army, he took an undergraduate degree in ancient history while working at the Ministry of Human Resources and Armed Forces. After being reminded by Li Chengye, he suddenly remembered that there was a lot of controversy about the time when horseshoes became popular in China.
The first is that horseshoes appeared in China very early. There are pictures and objects of these things unearthed in the Sui Dynasty murals in Dunhuang and even the Goguryeo ruins in the Southern and Northern Dynasties, so China should have them very early.
The other thinks that the existence of barbarians does not mean that it exists in China. Horseshoes only entered the Central Plains in the previous dynasties. So what's going on? Why is it that in this era, which is equivalent to the early to mid-Ming Dynasty, horseshoes are still not used in Jiangxi?
Gao Can arrived quickly and after listening to Li Dan's question, he immediately replied that there were indeed many unshod livestock in the team. Not to mention donkeys and mules, most horses were also like this, and only a few were shoed. .
"However, all the horses we captured in this battle are shoed!" Gao Can looked at the prisoners and told Li Dan excitedly. He was a person who was particularly obsessed with weapons and horses, so he had gone to check it out a long time ago.
"Yes. I heard them say that it was suggested by the surrendered army officers, so Lou Zi ordered the horses to be equipped with iron shoes." Li Dan said: "This was my mistake. I didn't expect that there was a problem with the shoes. .
Xiulu, please remind me of this after we go back. We must also learn to be smarter and put shoes on all livestock as much as possible, so as to ensure higher mobility and better protection of the horses. This incident is definitely a lesson! "
Although he discovered the mistake, Li Dan was very happy. He felt that it was worth it for this big vulnerability to be discovered in time! He immediately asked someone to reward Li Chengye. m.
"You stay with me as a guard. One of my guards was injured today and cannot ride. You can temporarily fill his vacancy." Li Dan instructed Li Chengye.
Gao Can loves weapons and horses. According to him, horseshoes are rarely used among the people. Ordinary people think that they can just cut the horseshoes casually, and there is no need to spend money to put shoes on the horses.
Therefore, only horses from the military and wealthy families would be equipped with this thing. Ordinary people would not bother with this.
Many of the livestock of the Qingshan team were collected and purchased from the private sector. Even if some of them were produced by horseback herding, people would not buy them with shoes when selling them. How high the cost would be!
Therefore, it can be basically concluded that the horseshoes were either captured or donated by wealthy families.
It seems that shoeing has not become popular among the people in this period when productivity needs to be improved. This also confirms the view that the use of barbarians does not necessarily apply to China.
The idea that as long as there are unearthed objects within the territorial area, it means that they have become popular throughout China is wrong.
Now Li Dan understands that although leather wrappings existed in the Zhou Dynasty, horseshoes in the true sense should have come from the west and were brought to the east by nomadic peoples. Then the fishing and hunting peoples in the Northeast also accepted them, and therefore gave them to the farming peoples in the Central Plains. Many serious injuries.
After the previous dynasty occupied China, they brought this thing to the entire Han cultural area. However, due to the resistance to the grassland peoples, the horseshoe was also regarded as a symbol of aliens and was rejected.
This is the main reason why currently only the military, wealthy households, and businessmen would think of using horseshoes. Secondary reasons are steel production capacity and considerations of reducing the cost of raising livestock.
Li Dan had seen that all the animals in his family were shoed since he was a child, so he didn't take this matter to heart. He thought that all animals should be equipped with horseshoes, but he made a subjective mistake!
"Don't hesitate. You helped me discover and correct a mistake. Letting you come to me is my reward."
Li Dan comforted the uneasy Li Chengye, and then told him that there were surrendered soldiers everywhere around him, and Mao Xiulu was standing guard at the bridge for Yin Tuo half a month ago! This was a big surprise to Li Chengye.
These were not the only ones who changed their minds. In fact, they were representatives of more than 40 surrendered soldiers. In the end, eight of these experienced cavalry were happily selected by Gao Can, and the rest were temporarily incorporated into the first company.
Since it was still daylight, Li Dan decided to continue advancing. A small number of people stayed to clean the battlefield and assist the locals in burying the bodies, while the main force headed west.
That night, we camped on the hills southeast of Xiagaoxuan. We sent an engineering platoon to Xiagao Bridge to check, and at the same time we sent people along both sides of the Cengang River to look for signs of the convoy.
Suddenly a team of thousands of people came, which frightened the villagers in Shanggao and several surrounding villages. They didn't know who was coming. Finally, after negotiation, a local scholar came to ask for an audience with Li Dan.
I heard that Li Dan was a scholar, so he didn't refuse. He was a tall and thin young man, wearing a moon-white dark-patterned gown that swayed a bit, obviously not matching his body shape.
When he entered the door, he opened his fan and said loudly: "Your Majesty, when you come here, do you want to benefit the people or harm the people?"
The room was so silent that you could hear a pin drop. The scholar was embarrassed. He looked around and saw that everyone in the big tent was staring at him as if he were a monster. At this time, a tall young man broke the atmosphere with a smile and said:
"Brother, we are not strong men. Why do we say that we are the king of the mountain?"
"Yeah, just because the team is camping on the mountain, you can't say that they are the king of the mountain, right?" A big dark man next to him said with a smile, and everyone burst into laughter.
"Then, then, you are not officers and soldiers, and you are not strong men, then who are you?" Xiucai blushed and asked stammeringly.
"Brother, when you came all the way in, didn't you see the words on the flags in front of the tent?" Li Dan asked strangely.
"There are many trees on this mountain, maybe even if you don't see them." Reggie came out to smooth things over.
"That's right, that's right. In addition, Xiaosheng only looked down at the road. Even when he walked in, he didn't notice the flags in front of the door. Please forgive me!" The scholar bowed solemnly.
The few people without official status in the tent moved away and refused to accept his courtesy. Li Danxu raised his hand and said, "It's not strange for those who don't know. Brother, why do you do this?"
"Hey, the etiquette cannot be abolished." After the scholar finished speaking, he suddenly raised his hands seriously: "A gentleman should correct his mistakes. Please wait a moment!"
Before anyone could react, he turned around and went out. He stood under the flag and looked at it with his mouth wide open. He swallowed and vomited, lowered his head and came in. However, he came to the tall man and bowed deeply: "Scholar Wang Pei, I would like to pay tribute to you, Mr. Experience!"
The tall man was stunned for a moment, and everyone laughed again. The black man suppressed his laughter and touched Wang Pei's sleeve and whispered: "Master Xiucai, that's wrong. There, there."
Wang Xiucai looked at it in shock for a long time, then looked at everyone's expressions, and then came to Li Dan: "May I ask, but in person with Li Xianjun?"
"Exactly. I am Li Dan, the commander of the Xuanfu Division of Jiangnan West Road and the training envoy of Raozhou Regiment."
"I'm so blind that I can't see the mountain. Forgive me, forgive me!" Wang Xiucai bowed repeatedly. After appeasing Li Dan, he asked him to sit down and ordered everyone to sit down as well. Then he asked, "Why is the scholar here here?"
Wang Pei then hurriedly told the story of how each village had not slept well last night and had discussed entrusting him to come here for the whole night. He also brought ten sheep, ten jars of wine, and five baskets of fish and bacon to reward the army.
Li Dan nodded: "Thank you for your kindness, father. However, there were floods at the beginning of spring this year, and then there were continuous rains. I guess your harvest will not be as good as in previous years, right?"
The scholar sighed and said that it was indeed the case. This year's harvest would probably be only 60% or at most 70% of previous years. The village was already in a state of panic, so the sudden sight of the soldiers made them even more distraught.
Li Dan expressed his understanding: "I was ordered to lead a regiment to transport grain, grass, and military supplies to Shangrao before returning. Yesterday, we defeated the pursuers in Huangnixuan. The rebels were almost completely wiped out, and the general only escaped with his life."
The army is stationed here today to wait for the rear troops to follow, and then the whole army will cross the river to the west, so we are just passing through your place. Please forgive me for any inconvenience. "
When Wang Pei heard the word "Feng Zhi", he jumped up and stood with his hands raised. Hearing what he said, he quickly said: "It turns out that my experience is to act according to the order, but to go deep into the enemy's rear as a lone army. It's respectable, respectable!"
Li Dan asked him to sit down with a smile, and then said: "Your Majesty asked me to go because our headquarters once visited Shangrao earlier this summer and I am more familiar with it than others.
However, this was a hornet's nest, and our team had many injured people. I wonder if your country could help me with one or two? "
"Sir, if you have any needs, please tell me. Although this place is barren and remote, we will do our best to serve you!"
"First of all, I plan to recruit three or five doctors and nurses to take care of the wounded, apply medicine and change bandages for them. This person is not limited to male or female, but he must have the heart of a Bodhisattva and be willing to learn the way of military medicine.
According to our rules for non-commissioned officers, the monthly salary is one or two or four coins, and all meals, food and accommodation are included. "After speaking, he pointed his finger and realized:
"Be an apprentice to little master Xingwu. After three years, those who are willing to stay can be promoted to captains of the medical team. Those who are unwilling to stay in the team can get a sum of money to return to their hometown to practice medicine.
I asked Mr. Lei to write a notice and ask the scholar to take it back and post it in every village. If anyone is willing to apply, please just post this notice and come to Master Xingwu of the Qingshirt Team. "
"That's easy to say!" Xiucai immediately agreed: "But... Sir, just now you said that there is no restriction on men and women?"
"Well, in fact, taking care of the wounded, assisting doctors in battlefield rescue, or bandaging bleeding, women's hands are gentle and gentle, and it is easier to comfort the wounded, calm them and eliminate fear." After Li Dan finished speaking, he understood what he was worried about and said with a smile:
"Don't worry, if women come, I will let them form an independent team, take care of their own daily life, and arrange their own security. And they will be non-commissioned officers, and their rank is higher than that of ordinary soldiers. There are also laws on the team not to harass or harm women. If you violate it, Kill him immediately!"
"understood."
"The other thing is, is there a blacksmith in your area? I have many war horses here that need to be shoed."
"You can ask about this. Recently, there is indeed a traveling blacksmith with two children who specializes in making agricultural tools such as shovels, shovels, rakes, picks, and axes, as well as knives, scissors, iron needles, and shoeing.
He was the one who shod our mule. I don’t know which village he has gone to now. The students sent people to look for him everywhere. "
"Okay!" Li Dan was very happy: "If he is willing to join the army, I will give him one or two taels of silver per month as a junior non-commissioned officer, including food and accommodation!" As he said this, Li Dan suddenly felt strange: "Xiucai Gong seems to be right. Do you know a lot about farming?"
Wang Pei was embarrassed, blushed and said, "To be honest with you, students are actually better at farming, such as seed selection, composting, seedling cultivation, etc.
After becoming a scholar a few years ago, he was keen to travel around and seek advice from farmers in the countryside. However, he neglected the sage's writings, so he did not participate in the provincial examination of Jinke. The adults are laughing! "
"It's strange that Mr. Xiucai walks with his head down. I think he is used to seeing rice in the paddy fields." Shi Dajun teased, and everyone laughed.
Seeing that he didn't seem to care, Li Dan laughed to himself, feeling a little fond of it, and said: "We will rest here for three days at most, and we will get back on the road after we have detected the enemy's defense situation in Xing'an County."
"Why are you worried about Xing'an, sir?"
"If there is a large group of bandits there, it may be a threat." Gao Hanzi explained.
Wang Xiucai stroked the short beard on his chin, looked up and thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I don't think you need to worry about Xing'an."
"Oh? Why?"
"The students just came back from there. There aren't many rioters in the city."
This sentence attracted everyone's attention, and Shi Dajun immediately asked: "What is the scholar doing there?"
"Oh, the student ordered a batch of clay pots for seeds and rain-proof tarpaulins from shopkeeper Sun of the grocery store. He was surprised when he didn't deliver them for a long time, so he ran to him to inquire, so he went to the county seat. Knowing that the city has been occupied by bandits.
However, according to him, the bandits first came with about 2,000 men. For some reason, 500 men were left behind two days later, and the rest retreated. The student was not interested in this and just wanted to transport things home on a mule cart before the rain, so he hurried back. "
"Sir, there are not many thieves. Why don't you give us three hundred soldiers and Shitou can take back the city for you?" Shi Dajun's eyes were so excited that he immediately jumped forward and shouted.
Just when Gao Hanzi was about to scold him, Li Dan waved his hand and said with a smile, "Shitou is eager to make meritorious service so that he can offset the military stick he remembered, right?" Seeing that he was pointed out, Shi Dajun laughed awkwardly. Li Dan went on to say:
"But our mission is not to seize the city. We always put the mission first, and you forgot again?" Shi Dajun stuck out his tongue and quickly sat back with his neck shrinking.
Wang Pei looked at Shi Dajun and said to Li Dan: "Sir, do you want to go to Geyang through Xing'an? The student has a plan. The guards will make the defenders in the county huddle inside and dare not come out. Your army can pass through safely. No. Fei Yibing!"
"Oh? Please tell me, Mr. Xiu Cai!" Li Dan immediately became interested.
Some people died, but not completely...
