On the morning of the next day, Yang Qing came to Xitan Mountain outside the city. He first reported to Zhuge Liang the political affairs of Yongzhou, and then asked Zhuge Liang to retreat and presented a pair of high-quality stirrups, a pair of high-bridge saddles, and a pair of horseshoes that he had brought with him.

come out.

"Mingzhi, what are these things? Why do they look like horse gear?" Zhuge Liang asked curiously.

Yang Qing flattered him without leaving any trace: "The Prime Minister has good eyesight, these things are exactly horse gear." Pointing to the table, he introduced one by one: "This is the stirrup, which is made of iron. This is the Gaoqiao saddle.

, which can better fix the knight's body. This is a horseshoe. Nailed on the horse's soles, it can protect the horse's hoof and allow the horse to walk longer distances with load."

Zhuge Liang was very wise. He only listened to Yang Qing's rough introduction and already understood that with these three types of horse equipment, the combat effectiveness of the cavalry would be greatly improved. In the future, the Han cavalry would have a great advantage in fighting with the Wei cavalry, which would be a great influence on future wars.

Form can also have a profound impact.

"Ming Zhi, who made these three weapons for riding and fighting? This is a great achievement. I will report to the emperor to reward this person heavily." Zhuge Liang said with joy as he picked up the stirrup and looked at it carefully.

At this time, Yang Qing was already familiar with creating things for later generations in his own name, and he had no psychological burden at all. He replied without changing his face: "It was Qing who suddenly thought of it and ordered the craftsmen to make it."

.”

"Haha, I knew it was your kid's idea. It used to be a curved shaft plow and a new type of cart, but now there are new stirrups, saddles and these horseshoes. You have a lot of things in your stomach. You are worthy of being a hidden mountain gate.

The talents he teaches really combine the strengths of hundreds of schools of thought." Zhuge Liang laughed.

Even though Yang Qing was very thick-skinned, he felt a little embarrassed after hearing Zhuge Liang's compliments. He said humbly, "The Prime Minister is overly complimentary. I just got lucky and happened to think of these three things."

"Yes." Zhuge Liang nodded slightly, and then said: "How can these three pieces of horse equipment be used in riding combat? Please tell me in detail."

Yang Qing raised his hand and said yes, and explained in detail the characteristics, functions and advantages of iron stirrups, high bridge saddles and horseshoes one by one. Zhuge Liang couldn't help but nod.

This horseshoe is actually no weaker than iron stirrups and high-bridge saddles in improving the cavalry's combat effectiveness, because the horse's soles have a ring of cuticle wrapping the hoof bones, just like human fingernails. If they are rubbed on the ground for a long time, they will

There is wear and tear.

For wild horses, this wear and tear is not a big problem, because horses are not stupid and will control their own running distance to protect their hooves, and even if the cuticle is really worn out, it will grow back like human nails.

.

But for domestic horses and war horses that have been domesticated and driven by people, the situation is very different, because the daily load of these two types of horses is much heavier than that of unrestrained wild horses. Once running for too long, the growth rate of the cuticle will naturally increase.

Not as fast as the wear rate.

Moreover, given the current road conditions, the wear and tear on the cuticles of domestic horses and war horses is even greater. In severe cases, the hoofs may even be split, and the horses can easily become useless.

Therefore, nailing horseshoes to the soles of the horse's feet can protect the horse's four hooves very well, and the cuticle on the horseshoe is very thick, so the horse will not feel pain when the horseshoes are nailed on it.

At first, Yang Qing only thought of making iron stirrups and high-bridge saddles, ignoring the lower body of the horse. Until more than ten days ago, when he secretly inspected the cavalry to try out new stirrups and saddles, he overheard a sergeant complaining about the wear and tear of the horses' hooves.

Seriously, I remembered that horseshoes, a weapon for riding and fighting, had not yet come out, so I quickly drew a pattern and ordered craftsmen to develop it.

This horseshoe is actually a very simple thing, but the predecessors have not thought of it yet. With Yang Qing's explanation and drawings, the craftsmen quickly cast it. Yang Qing then made the horseshoe and iron stirrups, and the high bridge saddle.

The samples were brought to Hanzhong together.

After listening to Yang Qing's explanation, Zhuge Liang already knew the functions of iron stirrups, high bridge saddles and horseshoes. He pondered for a moment and said slowly: "It is clear that these three pieces of horse equipment will greatly enhance the combat effectiveness of the cavalry. Let's

They must be displayed in key battles and cannot be used hastily. In my opinion, although these three pieces of harness are ingenious, they are not difficult to make. Once they are displayed too early, they will be copied by the Wei army. In this way, our army's advantage will not be obvious.

"

"The Prime Minister clearly saw that the Qing Dynasty also thought so. At present, these three pieces of harness are still top secrets in the army. Except for a few people, no one else knows about it. The Qing Dynasty suggested that they be tried out on a small scale in the army first, and then wait until the eve of the war to finally

It's good that when it comes time to decide the outcome, we can show off this trump card."

Zhuge Liang nodded and said, "Well, I'll do as you say." He walked to the door, opened the door, and told a military official standing guard outside: "Go and call Wei Zhonglang."

Soon, Wei Min rushed to the public house. Zhuge Liang briefly explained the importance of iron stirrups, high-bridge saddles and horseshoes, ordered him to secretly take away the samples and drawings, and arranged for manpower to guard them according to the highest secret standards in the military.

After Wei Min left, Zhuge Liang smiled and asked Yang Qing: "Ming Zhi, what do you think about the army strategy for the next Northern Expedition?"

"The primary purpose of our army in the next Northern Expedition is to regain the entire Guanzhong. As for the specific strategy, I have not yet fully thought about it. I plan to listen to other people's opinions before reporting it to the Prime Minister."

Zhuge Liang cursed secretly, nodded and said, "That's fine, I'll listen to your opinion again in three days."

The reason why the military meeting will be held three days later is because the two generals of the Han army, Wei Yan and Guan Xing, have not yet arrived in Hanzhong. This military meeting is related to the general strategy of the next Northern Expedition, and everyone related to the war must gather together to discuss it.

discuss.

One day later, Guan Xing, who had arranged martial arts defense, arrived in Hanzhong, and another day later, Wei Yan also rushed over at night and night. After a hilarious reception banquet, Ji Han's military discussions on the military strategy for the third Northern Expedition were quietly held in the west.

It was held in the mansion camp on Tanshan Mountain.

"Everyone, although the imperial court has decided on the strategy of not using weapons within this year, I intend to launch the third Northern Expedition next year. After all, there is a saying in the art of war: one rush will weaken, and three will be exhausted. Our army's morale is

When things are going strong, don’t delay for too long and let out the momentum of consecutive battles and victories.

Moreover, Cao Wei will not ignore the fall of Yongliang. If it is delayed for a long time, there is no guarantee that Cao Wei will not increase its defense of Chang'an. Because the good situation of defense has changed, Wang's division will have to go north again next year to regain Chang'an and other areas in one fell swoop.

The whole Guanzhong.

Therefore, although there is still a long time, we must prepare in advance. Today I have gathered you all together just to hear your opinions on the strategy for the next Northern Expedition.

We are all our own people, so there is no need to stick to etiquette. You can speak freely." Seeing that everyone had arrived, Zhuge Liang said clearly.

Ma Su had been waiting for this day for a long time. When no one spoke for a moment, he stood up and was the first to speak: "Prime Minister, I have some foolish opinions."

"I just said that there is no need to be polite. You should sit down and talk."
Chapter completed!