Mythical Qin: I, Gao Yao, will never be a eunuch!

Chapter 1088 The Transformation of Strength, Preparing to Launch an Attack

Next came the cavalry drill. Black-armored heavy cavalry charged first, their iron hooves thundering and the earth trembling. These heavy cavalry were true "iron cavalry," both rider and horse clad in heavy armor, their impact force astonishing. They demonstrated a breaching tactic: charging in a wedge formation, instantly shattering the straw doll squares simulating the enemy.

"The Black Armor Cavalry currently numbers five thousand, all selected from brave warriors in the army, tall and strong, with superb horsemanship," Wei Qing added. "Each man is equipped with a lance, a broadsword, and a short crossbow. When charging, they first harass the enemy with crossbow bolts, then thrust with their lances at close range, and finally slash with their broadswords. The only drawback is the enormous cost: each man has three horses, one for combat and two for rotation; the maintenance cost of their armor and weapons is five times that of ordinary cavalry."

Gao Yao nodded: "It's worth the price."

The light cavalry displayed a completely different style. They did not wear heavy armor and relied on mobility and agility to win. They demonstrated tactics such as mounted archery, flanking maneuvers, harassment, and pursuit, and were particularly adept at the "kiting" tactic: always maintaining distance from the imaginary enemy, wearing them down with arrows, retreating when the enemy advances, and pursuing when the enemy retreats.

"The light cavalry mainly come from the Qiang people and the northern border peoples; they are natural riders." Xue Rengui's eyes gleamed. "I have divided them into two types: archer cavalry and lancer cavalry. The archer cavalry are equipped with composite bows and are accurate archers; the lancer cavalry are equipped with long spears and are good at assaults. They are trained separately in peacetime and used together in wartime."

Finally, there was a joint combat exercise. Infantry, cavalry, crossbowmen, and engineers worked together to simulate a siege. The engineer battalion showcased new siege equipment: detachable ladders, improved catapults, wheeled battering rams... The most eye-catching was the "gunpowder application": when the city gate was blown open, specially made firecrackers made a loud bang and billowed white smoke. Although not real gunpowder, the sound was terrifying.

"The real gunpowder is far more powerful than this," Han Xin said to Gao Yao in a low voice. "But I believe that we should not reveal our full strength until the critical moment."

Gao Yao agreed. Gunpowder was his trump card, and it had to be used wisely.

After the inspection, Gao Yao summoned the generals to the central command tent to hear detailed reports.

Han Xin unfolded a map of troop deployment: "Currently, our army has a total strength of 570,000, divided into four major army groups, the Imperial Guard, and independent cavalry units."

"The First Army Group is stationed in the northern border, comprising ten corps with a total strength of 120,000. Among them, there are 80,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry, and 10,000 engineers. It is equipped with 5,000 thunderbolts and 800 crossbows for city defense."

"The Second Army Group is stationed in the western border region, comprising eight corps with a total strength of 90,000 men. This includes 50,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry, and 10,000 engineers. It is equipped with 5,000 thunderbolts."

"The Third Army Group is stationed in the southern border, comprising eight corps with a total strength of 90,000 men. This includes 60,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry, and 10,000 engineers. It is equipped with 5,000 thunderbolts."

"The Fourth Army Group is stationed on the eastern border, comprising twelve corps with a total strength of 140,000 men. This includes 90,000 infantry, 40,000 cavalry, and 10,000 engineers. It is equipped with 10,000 thunderbolts."

"The Imperial Guards numbered 50,000 and were stationed in the capital and surrounding key locations, with Lü Bu as their commander."

"The independent cavalry force consists of 100,000 heavy cavalry in black armor and 50,000 light cavalry, which are assigned to various army groups during wartime."

Han Xin paused for a moment, then continued, "In addition, there are about 150,000 garrison troops in various prefectures and counties, who are not included in the field operations. All troops are subject to a 'three-level training system': recruits undergo three months of training in the basic training camp, and those who pass the assessment are admitted to the regular army; the regular army conducts drills for twenty days every month; and elite troops receive additional training. As for food and pay, soldiers receive one shi of rice and five hundred coins per month, while officers receive increases according to their rank, and there is never any delay in payment."

"How's the equipment?" Gao Yao asked.

Minister of Works Shen Kuo replied: "There are 47 weapon workshops, producing 100,000 broadswords, 200,000 spears, 30,000 bows, 20,000 crossbows, and 50,000 sets of armor annually. Quality is ensured by 'marking the craftsman's name on the item,' and those who fail to meet the standards are held accountable. Last year, we began to promote the 'forged steel method' provided by Your Majesty, which has improved the quality of weapons by 30%."

Where are the horses?

"We currently have 250,000 military horses, including 120,000 warhorses and 130,000 pack horses," the official in charge of horse administration reported. "We have established six horse farms in the three northern prefectures and three horse farms in the Qiang region, which can produce 50,000 foals annually. In accordance with the requirements of the Xiongnu, we have introduced Xiongnu breeding horses and crossbred them with local horses to create a new breed that combines endurance and speed, making it suitable for warfare in the Central Plains."

Gao Yao listened to the report with satisfaction. In three years, he had built a modern army that was well-equipped, well-trained, and well-supported by logistics. More importantly, through the generals summoned by the system, he integrated modern military concepts into ancient warfare, forming a unique tactical system for the Vietnamese army.

"With such a mighty army, what need is there to worry about the world not being at peace?" Gao Yao finally spoke, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "But war is not just a contest between armies, but a comprehensive competition of national strength, popular support, and strategy. What you are about to hear is how we can subdue the enemy without fighting."

On the fourth day of the Grand Assembly, the topic shifted to foreign strategy, with a focus on Wei Bao in the Central Plains.

In a side hall of Chengtian Hall, a small meeting was being held. Attendees included only Gao Yao, Xiao He, Zhang Liang, Han Xin, Zhuge Liang, Di Renjie, Cao Can, Huo Guang, and others. The meeting's contents were top secret.

Zhuge Liang first reported: "According to the statistics of the Merchants' Office, our merchant caravans have controlled more than 70% of the grain circulation in nine of the fifteen counties under Wei Bao's jurisdiction, and we have shares in the money shops in twelve counties, accounting for nearly 50% of the total. We also control 70% of the salt, iron, and cloth markets in Wei Bao's capital."

"Didn't Wei Bao notice?" Fan Zeng asked.

“We noticed, but there was nothing we could do.” Chen Ping gave a meaningful smile. “We adopted a slow and steady approach. When we first formed the alliance, we supplied high-quality goods at low prices under the guise of ‘aiding our allies,’ squeezing out local industries. Once they became dependent on us, we gradually raised prices and controlled the distribution channels.”

He unfolded an account book: "Take grain, for example. Wei Bao's territory suffered a drought last year, resulting in a poor harvest. We sold 500,000 shi of grain at a friendly price on the condition that we obtain the mining rights to three copper mines. Now these three mines produce 300,000 jin of copper annually, of which 150,000 jin are secretly transported back to our country. However, Wei Bao's weapons workshop has seen its production capacity drop by 30% due to a copper shortage."

Zhang Liang added, "What's even more ingenious is that we've tied many businesses to the interests of Wei Bao's key officials through multi-level agency and cross-shareholding. According to our investigation, Wei Bao's prime minister, Tian Rong, has a secret stake in the money shops we control, receiving more than 10,000 strings of cash in dividends annually; General Zhou Yin's family runs a cloth business, with 80% of their goods coming from us; even Wei Bao's younger brother, Wei Jiu, has invested in our caravan."

“If Wei Bao wants to eliminate his own regime, he must first offend his own ruling group,” Xiao He concluded. “This is the beauty of economic control: it does not involve weapons, yet it is everywhere; it does not shed blood, yet it can sever lives.”