novelraw Chapter 154
Chapter 154
After more than two months, the 15,000 cavalrymen of the Wei State were equipped with stirrups and saddles, and the combat effectiveness of the Wei cavalry increased significantly. Before, they could only chop others with swords on horseback, but now they can also shoot on horseback and charge into the enemy's formation.
Wei Shen also ordered: recruit 20,000 people who are good at riding horses to expand the Wei cavalry! And named this cavalry Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, led by Shi Bei.
The expansion of the Wei army's cavalry also alarmed the court.
After reading the county report, Wei Ling asked, "Everyone, my son is going to establish a new army called Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. Who should lead this army?"
Wu Tong stood up and said, "The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry is a cavalry. At present, the only general in my great Wei who is good at training cavalry is Shi Bei, so I think it is better to let Shi Bei lead it."
Hui Shi stood up and said, "Your Majesty, the expansion of the cavalry may increase fiscal expenditure. The food used by one cavalryman in a day is equivalent to the food used by seven infantrymen in a day. Now the cavalry unit is expanding. The army has nearly 40,000 people. A cavalryman needs an average of 2 kilograms of food a day. In addition, horses can eat grass when they are not fighting, but they also need food during war. This horse needs 12 kilograms of food a day. If a war breaks out, these 40,000 troops will consume 560,000 kilograms of food a day. If the cavalry fights continuously for a month, it will consume 1.68 million kilograms of food. Therefore, I think it is better to ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to keep the original number of cavalry troops. If the army is expanded to more than 40,000 people, I am afraid..."
Pang Juan stood up He said, "Your Majesty, our State of Wei can afford to expand the cavalry to more than 40,000 people. First, the land tax of Xihe County in our State of Wei is 3 million shi a year. If there is a bumper harvest, the land tax will be tripled. What's more, the land in Henei County in our State of Wei is fertile, and the annual yield of one mu of land is as high as three shi. Second, our State of Wei also has a large number of garrison soldiers. These soldiers can solve the food supply of 200,000 troops while training and farming. Third, our State of Wei does need cavalry now. There are ten advantages to using cavalry: one is to meet the enemy when they arrive; two is to take advantage of the enemy's weakness; three is to chase and disperse them; four is to meet the enemy After the enemy attacks; the fifth is to block their food and cut off their military roads; the sixth is to defeat their passes and destroy their bridges; the seventh is to catch them off guard and attack them before they have mobilized their troops; the eighth is to attack them when they are slack and take them by surprise; the ninth is to burn their reserves and empty their markets; the tenth is to plunder their fields and imprison their children. These ten are the advantages of cavalry warfare. ”
After listening to Pang Juan’s words, Wei Lang agreed with them. After all, Wei State can now afford the food supply and demand of hundreds of thousands of troops at the same time, and then said: "Good! I have decided to let the prince expand the cavalry army and let the city be responsible for it. ”
"Your Majesty is wise!" The ministers shouted.
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County Magistrate’s Mansion
Wei Shen’s eyes were fixed on the world map on the wall, and his finger immediately slid to the Zhao Kingdom in the north. Just now, Ziyou walked in and said, “Mr. County Magistrate, there is an urgent report!”
When Wei Shen heard the urgent report, he turned around and saw that it was Ziyou and asked, “Mr. Ziyou, what is the urgent report?”
Ziyou said, “General Gongsun Xi has come to report,There were Yiqu cavalrymen attacking our village, Gongsun Xi led his troops to fight them, beheaded 15 people and captured 7 people, but because the enemy was cavalry, it was difficult to annihilate them all, and our army suffered hundreds of casualties in this battle, so we requested to send cavalry to Zhangke County. "
After hearing this, Wei Shen immediately said: "Send 1,000 cavalrymen to Zhangke County immediately!"
Ziyou bowed and said: "Yes, sir!"
As soon as Ziyou left, Wang Yu came in and said to Wei Shen: "Sir, according to your instructions, we have found the largest merchant who goes to Yiqu to do business. This person is from Zhao and his name is Lian Neng. Sir, this Zhao merchant is very shrewd and will never lose any profit. Please think carefully. "
Wei Shen smiled and said: "Don't worry, Mr. Wang Yu, I also started my business. I will neither lose nor let others lose. I emphasize win-win. Please invite this person in quickly. ”
After a while, a dark-skinned man wearing a short-sleeved Rongdi uniform and a curved sword on his waist came in and saluted Wei Shen, saying, "I am Lian Neng, a humble man, and I am honored to meet the county governor."
Wei Shen smiled and said, "Mr. Lian Neng, please sit down!"
After Lian Neng sat down, he asked directly, "Mr. County Governor, what business do you want to do with me? Is it big?"
Wei Shen smiled and said, "Mr. Lian Neng is really bold. He talked about business as soon as he came in."
Lian Neng smiled and responded, "I often go to Yiqiu and other Rongdi to do business. When doing business with them, I am bold and straightforward! I will never bargain!"
Wei Shen stretched out his hand and said, "This business is very simple and profitable. I heard that Yiqiu is rich in kerosene and horses, so I hope you can buy a lot of kerosene and horses. I am willing to pay a high price! ”
Lian Neng thought for a while and said, "Okay, but I want a specific price."
Wei Shen thought for a while and asked, "I heard that the price of kerosene in Yiqiu is two cloth coins per pound, so I will pay six cloth coins per pound. The price will be determined in person."
Wei Shen said again, "Do you want to buy fine salt?"
Lian Neng became excited when he heard about fine salt. You know, fine salt is the rarest thing in Handan, Zhao State. Only Wei State can produce it. Moreover, due to the price difference made by middlemen many times, the price is getting higher and higher. Lian Neng is just a big businessman who does business in Rongdi. He can't compare with those big businessmen in Handan, Daliang, and Linzi. Without those people's extensive connections, he can't buy it even if he goes to Wei State. He can only buy those high-priced fine salts that have been transferred many times. Even if the price is so high, he can make a lot of money by selling it to Yiqiu.
He hurriedly asked, "Sir, can you sell such goods? Only Tianbaofang in Wei State has such goods."
Wei Shen smiled and said, "I am the boss of Tianbaofang, how can I not provide it?"
Lian Neng's eyes lit up and said, "How much fine salt can you give me?"
Wei Shen said, "I will give you my exclusive brand, and you can buy 500 kilograms from Tianbaofang every year, and the price is half cheaper than others, but I wantYou must give me 200 good horses and 1,000 slaves every year, young and strong!"
Lian Neng answered directly: "Okay! I am willing!"
Wei Shen smiled and said: "Okay, but I have one more thing I would like you to help me with. I hope you can provide a detailed map of Yiqu!"
Lian Neng thought for a while and said: "Okay! ”
…………
In Zhangke County, Gongsun Zao led hundreds of soldiers to a village for rescue. Just now, a villager beat a drum in the county government and said that another Yiqu cavalry attacked the village and looted food, and now they are rushing to the place.
Gongsun Xi started learning to ride a horse at the age of eight, so his riding skills are also very superb. The infantry behind him were also running out of breath, after all, Gongsun Xi was riding a horse in front of him and running wildly…
As a result, when they arrived, the village had been looted, corpses were scattered all over the fields, and houses were burned. Seeing this scene, Gongsun Xi couldn't help but feel sad. As the defender of this county, he couldn't even protect the people, so how could he defend the country in the future.
The lieutenant came over and asked breathlessly: "General, are you going to chase them?"
A tear flowed from Gongsun Xi's eyes, and he wiped it away and said firmly: "Chase! I want them to pay with blood! ”
Just as he was about to lead the soldiers to chase, a fast horse came and shouted loudly: "General Gongsun, the county governor has sent 1,000 cavalry to garrison!"
Gongsun Xi was overjoyed when he heard that the cavalry was coming, but then he saw that the infantry were already exhausted. After all, asking the infantry to chase the cavalry was a bit embarrassing for others. He thought for a while and said: "Retreat!"
………