Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 52 Discussing Tactics
  Because Zhang Xiao had the task of writing a book and was busy with hot-air balloon experiments, the emperor gave Zhang Xiao permission to work freely, but he also required Zhang Xiao to show results. Therefore, Zhang Xiao often works from home, and Wang Xijue also acquiesced to Zhang Xiao's permission to work from home.

Although he was at home, he was busy writing a manuscript, so Zhang Xiao ordered his servants to politely refuse the usual invitations. But early in the morning, Zhang Xiao was still writing the story of Shaharul, so the old servant sent him a greeting card.

"Is this a greeting card from Uncle Ning Yuan himself? I didn't expect that Uncle Ning Yuan would return to Beijing so soon and come to visit me, a scholar. It's such a rare visitor. The greeting card says that he will come this afternoon? There was a stir in the house. Get ready to welcome guests." Zhang Xiao ordered.

In the afternoon, the guests arrived as scheduled.

"Uncle Ning Yuan came to visit. It's an honor. Brother Zimao is here too? Welcome both of you." Zhang Xiao welcomed Li Chengliang and Li Rusong in.

"The house is small, so we invite distinguished guests to entertain us. I wonder why Uncle Ning Yuan is visiting today, why do you want to do so?" Zhang Xiao and Li Chengliang exchanged greetings in the main hall.

"There is nothing special. When I was in Liaodong, I heard about Zhang Shidu's literary names and strategies. My sons, Rusong, Rubai and Rumei, also followed Zhang Shidu on a trip to Ningxia and wanted to meet Zhang Shidu. Attend to read." Li Chengliang said.

"After all, I, Zhang, have learned a lot on paper. Ning Yuanbo has been powerful in Liaodong for 20 years. He has repeatedly defeated the strongholds and promoted the prestige of the Ming Dynasty. Zhang admires me very much." Zhang Xiao was also a little unsure about Li Chengliang coming here. What's the matter? But he is a well-known coach no matter what, so there is nothing wrong with praising him.

"Hey, a good man is not only brave in the past, but now I am also guilty. I have been forgiven by His Majesty, and I can take care of myself at home. Zhang Shidu is still in an important position at such a young age, and he has great talent. He will have a lot of potential in the future." Li Chengliang sighed with emotion. road.

The three of them exchanged pleasantries for a while before slowly getting down to business and talking about the war.

"Zhang Shidu, when you were traveling to and from Ningxia, you said that the cavalry basically has no potential for development. Does that mean that if the development of firecrackers and artillery continues in the future, the cavalry may be reduced in the future?" Li Rusong asked.

"The cavalry will eventually be replaced, but if the cavalry wants to be replaced, it must have something to replace the role of the cavalry. The development of firecrackers and artillery has only suppressed the performance of the cavalry. But the role of the cavalry cannot be replaced at present. Yes, at least for one or two hundred years, the cavalry will still be the main force of the army. It just means that the tactics of the cavalry must be constantly adjusted. When encountering enemy soldiers equipped with muskets, they cannot rush into the formation casually. In the past, the cavalry used cold weapons. Later, the cavalry will need to be equipped with hot weapons such as blunderbuss and even artillery. However, the peak period of the cavalry has passed. Looking at Chinese history, the period when the cavalry began to shine as the main force on the battlefield was the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, and the Sui and Tang Dynasties. This period The cavalry had stirrups, saddles, and horse armor, and could serve as the main force in the battle. By the Song Dynasty, the Jin people's cavalry horses and iron pagodas were also rampant in the Central Plains. By the Mongolian and Yuan Dynasties, although the Mongols had many cavalry, they also attacked cities with more With the help of artillery, trebuchets and other siege equipment, cavalry alone cannot wipe out so many countries. With the rise of firearms, even if Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty and Emperor Zhuangzong of the Later Tang Dynasty are resurrected, they cannot rely only on heavy armored cavalry to attack. After all, bows and arrows cannot easily penetrate armor, but firecrackers and artillery can penetrate it." Zhang Xiao explained.

"It is true that Tuman Khan invaded the army many times, and many times he lost his troops under the attack of my Ming Dynasty's firecrackers and artillery. If it were a cavalry duel, I, the Liaodong sergeant, would not be afraid of them. Tuman Khan did not have any decent siege equipment, so It is also very difficult to attack the city, and the main purpose of Liaodong is to plunder, and the purpose is to use rewards and open trade." Li Chengliang analyzed. "According to Zhang Shidu's opinion, cavalry must be versatile nowadays. They must be able to charge with swords and guns, bend bows and shoot arrows. They must also be able to use firecrackers and even artillery. But our Liaodong Iron Cavalry is probably the same." Li Rusong analyzed.

"That's true, but it's difficult to completely defeat the Mongols just by relying on the cavalry. After all, the grassland is vast, and there are still too few generals like Wei Qing and Huo Qubing who can directly attack the Dragon City. But the enemies they deal with are different. For the cavalry, The requirements are also different. For example, the Japanese do not have any decent cavalry, so to deal with the Japanese, the cavalry uses swords and guns, and the Japanese do not have much chance of winning in field battles." Zhang Xiao explained.

"Zhang Shidu said before that our Ming cavalry could completely defeat the Japanese, and he also said that we should not bring too many cavalry in case the supplies could not keep up after entering the court. Then Huo Qubing went thousands of miles into the Huns' territory, and he also returned from a great victory. If so. Zhang Shidu dispatches troops and horses, how should he dispatch them?" Li Rusong asked again about the strategy for entering the court. It seems that he is a staunch cavalryman.

"If the Japanese gather their army and engage in a field battle with our army from the beginning, then it will be no problem for the main force of our army to bring the cavalry. But the Japanese will definitely not be so stupid. They find that they are not sure about the field battle, and they will definitely have to defend the city. Or it can induce our army to go deep alone and then try to encircle and annihilate it. If our cavalry goes too much, it will be difficult to keep up with supplies, and it will be difficult to capture the enemy's main force. If we go less, we can harass the enemy, but it is also easier. Falling into siege. Once the cavalry is trapped, no matter how they can fight, if there is no rescue or the rescue is not timely, they will be eaten alive. Therefore, when entering the court, all troops and horses must cooperate together. The cavalry must be sufficient and the number of cavalry must be sufficient. We need elites who can attack cities and strongholds, soldiers who are good at mountain warfare, and enough artillery and firepower. If our army suppresses the enemy troops back to the shore, we will also need the assistance of the navy, which will Cut off the enemy's maritime supplies, launch attacks from land and sea, and remove the enemy's strongholds on the coast. Then re-arm the Korean royal court and the Korean rebels to make the Japanese unprofitable in Korea, and the Japanese can only retreat in defeat. " Zhang Xiao explained.

"This style of play is quite satisfactory, but it consumes a lot of time and silver." Li Chengliang said.

"There is no way. We must fight steadily against the Japanese. The Japanese have been attacking each other for hundreds of years during the so-called Warring States Period. It is hard to say how much their battle skills have improved, but they have developed the ability to build and defend cities. Moreover, the Japanese warriors are ferocious and murderous. We will not surrender easily, and it is not that easy for our army to win quickly." Zhang Xiao analyzed.

"If we cannot win quickly and cannot get enough supplies in North Korea, then our army's expenditure in North Korea will be too great, whether it is land transportation or sea transportation," Li Rusong said.

"That's true. That's why in my previous memorials on the war against the Japanese, I mentioned many times that we need to accumulate more armaments and food, and we also need to find enough civilians and ships. Of course, the Japanese will have to wait until next spring and summer before marching. I, the Ming Dynasty, still have Plenty of time." Zhang Xiao said.

"Actually, my Li family used to live in North Korea. I fled to North Korea to avoid the chaos in the late Tang Dynasty, and later returned to settle in China. I originally thought that I could go back to the place where my ancestors lived, but now I'm afraid I don't. I hope Rusong can go out and make great achievements and return home with honor." Li Chengliang said with emotion.

(End of this chapter)