Chapter 167 War Measures (Central)

"Your Majesty, I will leave." Chen Bi and Huang Yongshan knew that Li Jun and the others would discuss military and national affairs next, which were not what they and technical staff should know, so they took the leave with tactfulness.

Li Jun knew their thoughts, and of course the fewer people knew, the better, so he agreed and said, "Okay, you guys retreat first." Chen Bi and Huang Yongshan bowed and retreated.

"The next battle will be a strategic decisive battle. The court must mobilize all manpower, material resources and financial resources to invest in this war. From now on, everything is mainly war, everything must obey the war, and the economy must also be transferred to the wartime system." Li Jun classified the Northern Expedition as a strategic decisive battle. Such an important battle must be highly valued by all parties in order to be fully prepared.

Li Jun's words can be summarized as one sentence: Everything obeys war! The facts prove that Li Jun's characterization is correct. If Li Jun had not been confused for a series of victories and had made very sufficient preparations, when the "Semu Legion" led by Hulagu appeared in the Central Plains, success or failure would be really hard to say.

"The emperor is wise!" Liao Shenggong deeply agreed with Li Jun's characterization and said: "The Tartars have been in the Central Plains for more than 40 years, and their power is very powerful and cannot be taken lightly. The Central Plains have been the fundamental land of China since ancient times, and are extremely important to the court. Similarly, it is also a matter of life and death for the Tatars. The Northern Expedition must be a life and death war that concerns the destiny of the country and the fate of China! The court's preparations must be sufficient. The more sufficient the victory, the greater the grasp."

Du Dayong expressed his opinion: "What General Liao said is very true, and I think so too. In my opinion, the Central Plains is flat and is particularly suitable for cavalry combat. It can give full play to the maneuverability of cavalry, conduct long-distance raids, large-scale deep interludes, and large-circumvention. It can be believed that in the Northern Expedition, whoever has more mobile troops, whoever has more cavalry troops, who can better use these mobile troops will win. Therefore, I request the emperor that the court should form more cavalry troops. This matter is urgent, so please ask the emperor to carry out the matter immediately."

"The musketeers and special infantry in the court were all mobile units, but their number was not large, and their impact was extremely limited. They could only be used as surprise soldiers, and they invested in key battles in key places to attack the key Tartars. The cavalry was still the ones that occupied the majority of cavalry units. The court should try every means to form the largest number of cavalry units as much as possible." Li Tingzhi pondered: "To build cavalry, you must first implement a new horse government. During the Western Han Dynasty, horse government was prevalent, and the Western Han Dynasty had a large number of horses, laying a good foundation for the formation of huge cavalry later, and the Chinese feat of "Shanyu Escape at Night" and Fenglangjuxu Mountain.

"The court began to implement a new horse policy the year before yesterday to encourage the people to raise horses. It has already shown results. The number of horses has increased significantly. However, due to the short time, the foals have not grown up and cannot be used. However, I can assert that in another year or two, these foals will grow, and by then, the cavalry troops of the court will increase greatly. Therefore, I ask the emperor to prepare early."

The most famous horse politics in Chinese history, of course, was the first to recommend the horse politics in the Western Han Dynasty. It was precisely because the Western Han Dynasty implemented the effective horse politics that the people raised a large number of horses, and the war horses raised by the court laid a good foundation for Emperor Wu of Han to carry out military reforms and form a large number of cavalry.

In the "Decisive Battle of Mobei", the Western Han Dynasty dispatched 100,000 elite cavalry. Wei Qing and Huo Qubing each led 50,000. The two armies seemed to have two sharp knives, inserted into the Huns' chests together, giving the Huns a fatal blow, and never recovered.

It can be said that the military reforms carried out by Emperor Wu of Han were the largest cavalry in Chinese history and the best cavalry used, and the glorious cavalry achieved by cavalry remained in history.

Wen Tianxiang continued: "In addition to imitating the horse politics of the Western Han Dynasty, the court should also have its own characteristics. I think the court should immediately order banning the people from slaughtering horses and banning horse meat. If there are special circumstances, horses must be slaughtered, and they must be approved by the court before they can be implemented. Otherwise, they will be sent to the border. For those horses that die of old age and illness, public horse gardens should be built for burial. The owner of the horse can obtain appropriate subsidies from the court. The more horses are raised, the more subsidies there will be. If the horses die, the court will also provide compensation. In this way, I believe that the number of horses among the people will increase sharply in no time."

Lu Xiufu thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, I think what the adults said is reasonable, but far away water cannot quench near thirst. From the perspective of long eyes, the adults' views are correct. The court should implement them, but the Northern Expedition is about to go on, and time will not wait for anyone. The court should think of another way to obtain horses."

His words were approved by Liao Shenggong and others, and he nodded and said, "What Lord Lu said is reasonable. May I ask what Master Lu has to do to solve the current urgent problem."

"During the Jiangnan War, the court seized a lot of war horses, some of which were used to form cavalry units, and some were used to raise horse foals on the horse farm. I believe that an extraordinary method must be implemented in extraordinary times. The war is coming, and the court cannot wait for the foals to grow, but should reorganize these useful horses into the army for use by the cavalry." Lu Xiufu continued to express his opinion.

He was right. Now the Southern Song Dynasty needs a large number of cavalry troops, and the captured war horses cannot be used to raise horses and foals as normal. These war horses are excellent Mongolian war horses. If all of them are included in active service, the Southern Song Dynasty can add a large number of cavalry troops.

"A clever plan!" Li Tingzhi and the others stroking their hands and said it was wonderful.

Li Tingzhi did not wait for Li Jun to ask questions and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Lu agrees very much. During the Jiangnan War, the court seized 140,000 war horses, of which 80,000 were formed to form cavalry. In addition to death, more than 40,000 were still to be incorporated into active service and form a new cavalry unit."

Li Jun pondered and said, "In addition to these, the court has about 140,000 cavalry, which is still too few."

Although the Mongols lost a large number of troops, they still had very strong strength. Although the number of 140,000 cavalry was quite large, they were far inferior to the cavalry that the Mongols could mobilize.

Lu Xiufu said: "Emperor, I have a plan: the court can buy horses from abroad. Overseas countries like our court sugar, silk, porcelain, tea, and the court can exchange these things for excellent horses."

"This idea is good." Li Jun added: "There is no need to charge tariffs for the import of horses. Not only can the tariffs be collected, but merchants who import excellent horses also need to encourage them. Of course, the export of horses from the court is prohibited."

The Western Han Dynasty also adopted a similar border trade policy and achieved great success. Li Tingzhi and others were familiar with history, so they naturally understood the benefits and agreed very much.

Li Jun smiled and said, "The Mongols are well aware of the importance of horses and prohibit the trade of horses with our dynasty. It is indeed not easy to obtain a good Mongolian horse. However, it is not impossible. The court can import Mongolian horses through smuggling. The best place for smuggling is here." Walking to the map, pressing his right hand on the North Korean position.

North Korea was called Goryeo at that time. Although the Mongols were powerful, they did not conquer North Korea. North Korea's terrain was complex and mountainous, which was not conducive to the large-scale use of cavalry. The Mongols were much less wary of this place. If they smuggled horses through North Korea, they could get a lot of benefits. Li Tingzhi and the others clapped their hands and said, "Emperor, I will arrange it immediately and send envoys."

Li Jun smiled and rejected, "The envoy is not needed. If you want to send a businessman, send a businessman."

If the envoys were sent, North Korea would know that it was difficult to guarantee that they would not surrender under the high pressure of the Mongols. If they informed the Mongolians of the situation, it would be different to send merchants. It would be done secretly. Li Tingzhi had a very quick experience, and understood the benefits at first thought, and praised: "The emperor is very good at seeing him, but the minister is not as good as that."

"Xiangfu doesn't have to blame himself." Li Jun said to Liao Shenggong: "Immediately send orders to Junyu and Huang Han to prepare horses nearby and buy them from countries such as Vietnam and Myanmar. It's winter now, and they can't be idle, wait for spring to arrive, and ask them to form new cavalry as much as possible and train."

Zhang Jue and the others also think so, even if Li Jun doesn't say it, they will also execute it. This can only be attributed to the hero's views.

"I obey the order." Liao Shenggong received the order.

"Emperor, I think that in this way, the court will have almost 200,000 cavalry troops. Such a cavalry is not only the first time in the history of our dynasty, but also the first time in the history of China. It was not as large as the heyday of the Western Han Dynasty. It was a great joy." Du Dayong changed his tone and said, "However, there are many problems. Emperor, I think how to use these cavalry will be an urgent task, not only from a tactical point of view, but also from a military theory to prepare, and formulate a complete set of rules for the use of cavalry, and officers must be familiar with the tricks. This is one of them.

"Secondly, whether the command and use of cavalry units is to use cavalry in a dispersed manner or concentrate on the use of cavalry as a powerful assault force, this should also be solved first.

"Third, we must also establish an effective and practical cavalry command system to facilitate more convenient and quick command of cavalry, so that cavalry can play a greater role."

Li Jun stroking his hands and said, "It's good to say it, it's really good to say it. It's really commendable that General Du has such vision and knowledge at a young age. It's really rare for General Du to say this. It can be imagined that General Du must be confident and General Du said what you haven't finished."

"I respect the order." Du Dayong conferred the order and said, "The military strategy says, 'If you want to manage the army, choose the general first', but I think it's not enough to choose the general. The general is the soul of the army. The army of the light soul is not a complete army, but there should also be officers. Therefore, I think a group of cavalry officers should be selected to study in the military academy. Now that time is tight, it can be used assault training."

Li Jun looked at Liao Shenggong and asked, "General Liao, what do you think?"

Liao Shenggong said in an admirable tone: "Your Majesty, what General Du said is exactly what I think. I think it is not only necessary to train cavalry commanders in large quantities, but also to train other officers, such as musketeers and special infantry officers."

The problem is very obvious. The Southern Song Dynasty must use large-scale mobile troops in the upcoming decisive battle in the Central Plains. The use of musketeers and special infantry will be a very important issue. Without a group of officers with decisive command and good at grasping changes in the battlefield situation, these two armies will find it difficult to achieve the expected results. Liao Shenggong's words are foresight!

Li Tingzhi and the others kept nodding, expressing their agreement.

"This matter is under the responsibility of General Liao and General Du. A group of young officers with rich combat experience, flexible minds, brave and good at fighting, and good at grasping new things will be selected for an assault training, which will improve their military command level by a higher level." Li Jun looked at Du Dayong and asked, "General Du thought that the cavalry should be used in a concentrated manner or in a scattered manner?"

Du Da used a very vivid metaphor, spreading his right hand five and saying, "Prince, please see. I am stretching my right hand five fingers, it is difficult to give a powerful blow to the opponent. If I clenched it into a fist, it would be different. It can give the enemy a powerful blow. Why is this? This is that the force is weak, and the force is strong. The way to use troops is the same. I think it is more beneficial to use cavalry concentratedly than to use it scatteredly. The emperor, I am a foolish opinion, and I am not worthy of relying on it, so I would like to ask the Holy ruling."

"Concentrating the use of the army in order to form a powerful assault force is the core of Guderry's theory of installing A War. These ancients are really amazing. Compared with the British who only know how to brag about inventing tanks but not using them well, they are many times more skillful. If they were given tanks, they would definitely make equipment warfare theory that is not inferior to Guderry." Li Jun exclaimed in his heart and asked: "What do you think?"

Wen Tianxiang said with admiration: "Your Majesty, General Du's words are very vivid. I only have an admiration, but I really object to it."

"What Master Wen said is actually what I am saying in my heart." Lu Xiufu expressed his opinion and said, "Although I am not familiar with military affairs, with General Du's metaphor, I am also as clear as a mirror."

Li Jun smiled happily and said, "I remember when testing artillery, General Liao expressed his high opinion. I praised General Liao for his 'Who can discuss military affairs with Wu Sun, who is the one who can discuss military affairs with General Liao?' Now, I want to say again that those who can discuss military affairs with Sun Wu are also General Du. General Du's words are no longer just a tactical issue, not just a military theory issue, but also a strategic issue. These issues are enough to write books, but they can explain them in a few words. It is really amazing."

It took Guderian a bubble armored warfare theory more than ten or twenty years to compile his lecture notes together to create the book "Forward! Tank", which rewritten the model of modern warfare. Du Dayong used only one fist to explain the benefits of concentrating power, which was not inferior to Guderian's greatness.

"The emperor is too rewarded, but I am really ashamed of me." Du Dayong was respectful and modest.

Li Jun thought for a while and said, "In order to better organize, train and command these cavalry, I decided to formally establish a cavalry command center, and General Du will be responsible for it. What do you think?"

Du Dayong is young, but his knowledge is not proportional to his age. He has excellent strategic vision. He always thinks of everything, always looks at the front, grasps the overall situation, and coordinates all aspects well. What's more rare is that his ability to grasp new things is surprising, and his ability to grasp new things is not much inferior to Liao Shenggong, who is known for his good at grasping new things. If he was in charge of the work of the cavalry, it would definitely be a good situation.

Li Jun's appointment was really what everyone thought, and everyone nodded in agreement.

Du Dayong did not dare to accept it, and said humbly: "Your Majesty, Du Dayong is young and knowledgeable, and there are still many things to do. I will never dare to take this important task. I would like to ask the emperor to entrust other talents."

"Then who do you think is more suitable?" Li Jun asked with a smile.

Du Dayong didn't think about it: "Your Majesty, General Liao is more suitable than ministers."

Compared with Du Dayong, Liao Shenggong also has excellent strategic vision, good at grasping new things, superb coordination art, able to coordinate all aspects of work well, and has rich combat experience that Du Dayong does not have. He is particularly good at preparing practical new military theories. If he was the one who presided over the work of the cavalry, there would definitely be no problem. Du Dayong's approach is indeed no longer correct.

"There will be no problem for General Liao to be responsible. However, General Liao has a lot of things at hand. If he comes to take responsibility again, if he doesn't say anything else, he will exhaust General Liao. You don't have to be humble and make it difficult for you." Li Jun patted Du Dayong's shoulder and said, "There is a saying that goes: behave yourself and don't let him go! Now it is the time when the court employs people, you must have this sense of mission."

Speaking of this, Du Dayong could no longer say anything, so he could only respond: "I obey the order."

Li Jun continued: "General Du, I think that during the decisive battle in the Central Plains, cavalry will be the protagonist, so building a cavalry unit that can conquer and fight will be the top priority. You must integrate your current resources. You are responsible for the rise and fall of the court and the future of the Chinese people. Please work harder."

"Prince, please rest assured. I will do my best to die!" Du Dayong said with confidence.

Li Jun said to Liao Shenggong: "General Liao, integrating the cavalry unit must involve all aspects. How much trouble is your army's steward, and work together with General Du to build a cavalry of several hundred thousand."

"Prince, please rest assured! I dare not say anything else. There is one thing I can guarantee. General Du will give you whatever he needs!" Liao Shenggong certainly understood the important role of the cavalry during the Northern Expedition, and it was the responsibility of building an iron cavalry.
Chapter completed!