Before the vanguard army set off, Yang Duanhe had already sent a scout battalion to go ahead. Therefore, the vanguard army advanced very quickly along the way.
According to common sense, during the march, the distance between the vanguard army and the main force should not exceed two hundred miles. Therefore, Li Ji ordered that the army must advance a hundred miles on the first day.
It is not difficult for the Qin cavalry to advance a hundred miles, but there are too many new soldiers in this army.
Perhaps Xin Sheng made this choice because he wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to quickly integrate the new recruits.
However, this order was simply torture for the new recruits. After all, even people like Zhao Shu, who had practiced riding for a long time before, were beginning to be unable to hold on, let alone others.
When the army marched fifty miles, some knights fell off their horses. As a last resort, Li Ji ordered the march to slow down.
Even so, when the army advanced seventy miles, more than half of them could not keep up. In desperation, Li Ji ordered to set up camp on the spot.
When the military order was issued, there was a burst of cheers among the vanguard troops and they dismounted one after another. Many people could hardly stand.
Seeing this scene, Li Ji frowned. He knew in his heart that in this state, once he encountered Zhao Bianqi, it would be a charge, and all the three thousand vanguard troops would be here.
"Commander of thousands, lead the veterans of the army to set up camp, and at the same time send rangers to be responsible for reconnaissance." Li Ji issued a military order.
"promise."
The captain led the veteran soldiers in the army to set up camp. At the same time, Li Ji continued to order: "Military doctors, please pick some pain-relieving herbs, the kind that are easy to scab."
"promise."
Zhao Shu, who was on the side, endured the pain and couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the military order issued by General Su.
Now he didn't have to reach out to touch it, he knew clearly that the skin on both sides of his thighs and under his buttocks was abraded, and there was bleeding under his crotch.
After unscrewing the water bag and taking a sip, Zhao Shu ate a few mouthfuls of dry food, then lay down on one side to rest, waiting for the military doctor to bring herbal medicine.
Although this herbal medicine has no effect, it can relieve the pain for a while, which is good.
After a day of forced march, Zhao Shu also understood why cavalry did not become the mainstream in this era.
In an era when there were no three treasures of cavalry, becoming a qualified knight required time to train, especially the cooperation between man and horse.
Only when thick calluses form on the sides of the buttocks and thighs can one adapt to long-distance marches without feeling pain.
Similarly, only by improving your riding skills can you shoot the bow left and right on horseback, and can you charge with the long sword on horseback.
Half an hour later, the military doctor sent herbal medicine, and then the veteran soldiers were responsible for guarding, while the other soldiers gave themselves medicine.
The injured part is difficult to talk about, and almost no one will ask others to help. The most important thing is that you can reach it by yourself.
A night of silence.
The next day, just after dawn, General Li Ji shouted: "All soldiers listen to the order: "Eat immediately, and set off in half an hour!" "
"promise."
Zhao Shu put on his leather armor, took out dry food, ate some, and drank some water. After half an hour, he endured the pain and discomfort and got on his horse.
"drive……"
Compared with the last time, this time it was obviously more painful. The wounds were cracked. This kind of pain caused countless people to ride on their horses and sway from side to side.
But they all know that the military orders are like mountains, and if they don't continue on their way, there is only a dead end.
For three consecutive days, the vanguard army ran wildly for 150 miles. Due to the three days of training, the cavalry's riding skills improved greatly. The wounds on the buttocks and sides of the thighs had already scabbed off and formed thick calluses.
Now, although they are still inferior to the elite cavalry, they are able to control the horses and no longer have the risk of leaving the team.
After the army ran wildly, the vanguard army was now less than two hundred miles away from Xindu.
The bonfire was rising, and Li Ji's eyes were deep. He knew in his heart that in addition to training these new recruits, the vanguard army was also to clear out the enemy troops that the scouts had discovered but could not clear out.
However, along the way, the scouts did not encounter Zhao Jun except for the news. This made Li Ji feel relieved but also felt vaguely uneasy.
"Commander of Thousands, please order more than five hundred generals in the army to come." After a moment of silence, Li Ji said to Commander Zhangqiu.
"promise."
Nodding in agreement, Zhang Qiu turned around and shouted: "The general has an order. All generals above five hundred should come over."
In less than a quarter of an hour, everyone gathered around, and Li Ji's sharp gaze passed over everyone: "Everyone, our vanguard army ran for 150 miles in three days. Now the main army should be advancing according to the marching speed. Sixty miles away."
"This means that our army is ninety miles away from the main force. According to the rules, our vanguard army should be no more than two hundred miles away from the main force."
"The reason why the vanguard army advances so slowly is to take care of some new recruits. Now that the new recruits are forming, our marching speed will be further increased."
Having said this, Li Ji drew three circles on the ground and said: "This is Wu'an, this is Handan, and the top here is Xindu."
"And we are here, one hundred and fifty miles away from Wu'an and about two hundred miles away from Xindu. According to the news from the scouts, there is a 30,000-strong army led by Zhao State's veteran general Yan Ju stationed in Xindu City."
"This army belongs to the army in the hinterland of the Zhao Kingdom. It lacks combat experience and contains many old, weak, sick and disabled people. According to Yan Ju's ability, the other party should already know about our army's actions."
"However, according to the news from the scouts, there is no movement from Xindu. What do you think is the reason?"
Speaking of this, Li Ji said in a solemn tone: "We are all the vanguard army. It can be said that we will suffer both losses and prosperity."
"So, you can speak freely if you have any thoughts in your mind, regardless of military rank or title."
"promise."
Nodding in agreement, Captain Zhangqiu was the first to speak: "General, Yan Ju is a veteran general of the Zhao Kingdom. He is by no means a person who has gained a reputation in vain. The general thinks that it is better for our army to be more cautious."
"I think the general knows exactly how powerful the vanguard army is."
Hearing this, Li Ji nodded, but did not express his position. Zhang Qiu was right, but everyone knew about the situation. Zhang Qiu's words meant he did not say anything.
"General, I think our army should speed up. We are the vanguard army after all. It is a good thing that the official roads are smooth along the way and there is no obstruction from the Zhao army."
At this time, another captain Wu Ming also spoke and said.
"Um."
Li Ji nodded, but did not respond. For a moment, the atmosphere became cold: "Don't you have any ideas?"
After about a quarter of an hour, when no one spoke, Zhao Shu said in a deep voice: "General, I think our army should be careful next..."
