At nine o'clock on the second day, at the camp gate of the campus outside Songyang Gate in Anqing, a soldier raised a copper pipe and banged it into the sky.
More than thirty cavalrymen led their horses to the general platform and formed three horizontal lines. Most of the mounts were relatively quiet, but some were twisting and struggling in the line, making a few anxious neighs from time to time.
Pang Yu stood high on the stage, waiting for Yang Xueshi, the captain of the Sentinel Cavalry, to kneel on the stage and then take out the first red ticket.
"The Chinese army's sentinels and horses set off at the first quarter of the twelfth hour and lined up one mile away from the main campus. When the Chinese army fired their cannons and set out, the sentries and horses set off at the same time.
The mission is as follows: scout out the terrain along the way, conduct a search in advance when encountering bridges, valleys, and ditches, mark water wells near official roads along the way, determine a suitable place for camping in Liantan before the army arrives, and scout out a five-mile radius around the camp.
, mark the locations of drinking water, fodder, and firewood.”
Yang Xueshi bowed to receive the order, knelt down and returned to the queue, leading the way to the camp gate. The riders led the horses behind him, forming three columns. As he walked, horses in the queue deviated from the direction from time to time, causing
Other riders and horses gave way, and horses fought with each other for the road.
After finishing lining up at the camp gate, Yang Xueshi verified the order with the sentinel of the Fourth Bureau on duty at the camp gate. Then the middle gate of the camp gate opened wide, and the cavalry lined up inside the gate, mounted their horses, and left the camp one by one.
Although the cavalry was a little confused compared to the infantry who stood in silence, Pang Yu did not get angry.
To deal with high-speed mobile bandits, cavalry can only be defeated by cavalry. Despite financial difficulties, Pang Yu still started the creation of cavalry.
Pang Yu only brought five horses from Tongcheng, so Yang Erming half sold and half gave them away so that he could take up the post with dignity.
There are more than twenty horses in the garrison, probably all left over from Pan Keda's selection. Only half can be ridden, and the others can barely pull goods.
The horses used by the rest of the cavalry were purchased from Toukou City in Ximen, and Yang Xueshi, a former postman, selected the horses.
When the rogues invaded, many Tifus fled into Anqing. These people had horses and were much better able to escape than ordinary people.
Susong, Taihu, Qianshan and other places were unable to restore delivery shops. These deliverymen could not find suitable jobs in Anqing. When Pang Yu recruited troops, some entered the garrison with men and horses, and some came to sell horses.
Pang Yu's price for buying a horse ranges from thirty to fifty taels.
There is no tradition of cavalry in the southern Zhili area. Yang Xueshi didn't even know what the standards were for military horses, so he could only choose based on the standards for post horses.
Although Pang Yu didn't understand, he had seen the large-scale cavalry of the rogue bandits. The thousands of cavalry outside Tongcheng that day gave Pang Yu a deep impression, especially the elites around the bandit leader. Those horses were very effective in group actions.
Sequential and quiet, his speed far exceeds that of a passing horse when sprinting in the wilderness outside the city.
Compared with the military horses used by the elite rogue bandits, the horses used by Pang Yu's cavalry can only be regarded as riding horses, especially when moving in groups. The difference is even greater. Some of these horses may be able to be trained into military horses, but not yet.
Excluding the administrative horses, Pang Yu finally gathered more than thirty cavalry. Most of them had good riding skills and could take care of horses, but they lacked the skills to fight on horseback.
Basically, these people have been in the market, and their overall discipline is worse than that of infantry. Two of them ran away.
Judging from the current situation, neither the riders nor the horses are in the form of cavalry, so the tasks assigned by Pang Yu to the cavalry are basically non-combat types.
Pang Yu took out the second lottery ticket, and Guo Fengyou came up to the stage and knelt down as usual.
"The Chinese army's personal flag team will set out at the first moment of Mao hour, with the first small team marching in front of the soldiers. Whenever they encounter intersections, bridges, and ferries, soldiers will be left behind to prohibit the passage of pedestrians, livestock, and ships. They will not be allowed to pass until the main army has passed.
The second team marched on both sides of the queue. If there were any disputes or disputes between the camp soldiers and the local people, the camp soldiers were strictly prohibited from staying or delaying, and the soldiers would report them to the Chinese army for disposal.
The third team marched behind the main army and inspected the soldiers who had left the team and left behind equipment and property.
Anyone who leaves the formation without any reason will be arrested and sent to the Chinese Army for punishment after setting up camp. Any equipment and property left behind will be sent to the Chinese Army for inspection and will be handled according to law after being claimed by the soldiers."
Guo Fengyou received the order and led the Chinese army's personal flag team to line up at the camp gate.
Pang Yu nodded to Pang Ding, who went down and loudly ordered the soldiers and officers to come on stage.
Soon there were more than 20 people standing on the stage. In addition to the six hundred generals, there were also eighteen flag generals.
Pang Yu smiled solemnly and looked at the soldiers and officers, "The bandits are raging, and the Anqing garrison is the hope of the people of Anqing.
During this exercise, rogue bandits invaded Anqing again, and their army entered from Beixia Pass. Our army received the news that Tongcheng was besieged by rogue bandits, and immediately sent troops to rescue Tongcheng, marching a total of 144 miles.
On the first day, we marched sixty miles to Liantan and set up camp. On the second day, we marched sixty miles to the trailer river and set up camp twenty-four miles away from Tongcheng.
During the march, there will be a short rest for ten miles, dry food for thirty miles, and camp for food and accommodation for sixty miles.
Arriving at the wilderness in the south of Tongcheng before noon on the third day, our soldiers formed an array to attack the enemy. After defeating the enemy's camp, we pursued for ten miles and returned to Tongcheng to camp.
Then return to Anqing in accordance with the new military order."
All the officers listened attentively. Most of these people came from the strong squad in Tongcheng. When he was in Tongcheng, although Pang Yu was stricter, he was still just a strict squad leader. But after arriving at the garrison camp, he felt different from the yamen.
Getting further and further away, the punishments in the military are severe. Although there are not many beatings for officers, if you are not careful, you will be beaten by your subordinates. Every day is full of various evaluations, assessments, and eliminations, forcing each bureau to increase the amount of training.
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What followed was that the officers' fear of Pang Yu rapidly increased.
"As officers, during marching exercises, you should strictly abide by military laws and regulations, supervise your battalions, and restrain clean troops at all times. No one should be lost, and sergeants are not allowed to interact with local people. All external matters are the responsibility of the personal troops.
At the same time, we will carefully record all deficiencies in the drill and summarize them for future reference when we return to the camp, which will be read out in public by the chief executive of each team at the all-battalion officer meeting."
The expressions of the five bosses in front of them all changed slightly. Pang Yu knew without asking that, compared to training, his group of weak-legged bosses were more reluctant to use their heads.
Ignoring them at the moment, Pang Yu handed over the order to the five presidents one by one. After they stepped down, there was only one Tuesday left. On Tuesday, it was a bit embarrassing to stand alone on the stage, looking like he was hesitant to speak.
Seeing this, Pang Yu asked gently, "Mr. Zhou is not able to participate in the drill this time. Are you a little confused?"
Tuesday bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I know that I'm really a little confused... There are other five games, but I can't go to the fourth game. I don't know if I did something wrong."
Pang Yu smiled and said, "The fourth round has always been diligent in training, and I am always satisfied with Zhou Bai. This time I left the fourth round because of the turmoil at the dock and Fang Ping, so I had to leave a force to intimidate everyone in the city.
After much thought, I have decided that if you dare to charge and fight on Tuesday, it would be most appropriate for you to stay.
When we go to war in the future, someone will have to guard the camp, so contrary to what you think, your troops are kept here because they are well-trained."
Tuesday breathed a sigh of relief and his face looked much better. He said respectfully, "Don't worry, sir. I will take good care of the camp and nothing will happen to the dock."
After appeasing the people left behind, Pang Yu got off the general platform, followed the instructions of the Chinese army soldiers and mounted his horse at the horse stone above the camp gate, and handed over the order signature to the sentry as usual.
After all the ministries handed over and signed orders, Pang Yu gave the order, raised the flag and then tilted it forward, and the whole army marched out of the camp one after another with their spears on their shoulders.
The whole army was wearing the Ming army's red fat coats. Pang Yu was looking forward and backward on the horse, and the whole battalion was in order. The training in the past few months was quite effective in terms of discipline.
There are a lot of people watching the excitement outside. This new garrison camp is a little different from the previous Qiu Ba. It is very strictly controlled on weekdays. There are beatings on the school grounds every day. It is rare to see soldiers going out sporadically. They just come and go every day.
When going to the school grounds and barracks, they had to go half a circle around the city. Gradually, the people were no longer afraid, and there were often people around to watch the excitement.
This morning there was drumming and cannon firing in the school grounds. Everyone felt that there must be something strange to see, and there were more people than usual.
Today, all soldiers have weapons, and there are many spears in the queue, giving them a more powerful look.
Although the school ground is outside Songyang Gate, there are also many naturally formed streets nearby. The soldiers control the intersections as usual when returning to camp, and no pedestrians or livestock are allowed.
The queue of nearly 600 people passed through the streets and merged into the official road from the north of the city, making the march easier.
He Xianya was beside Pang Yu, and Jiao Guozhao was also with the Chinese army.
He Xianya had seen Zhuangban before, and had seen soldiers on the city wall when he was guarding the city, but he had never seen an army marching. He was riding a horse in the red crowd, and all he saw were swaying spears, and he suddenly felt something in his heart.
It's a feeling I've never experienced before, and I can't explain it at the moment.
After walking on the official road for less than a quarter of an hour, there was some commotion in the queue in front, and there were some shouts and curses. Several soldiers on horseback rushed over there. Pang Yu gave an order, and Jiao Guozha reluctantly rushed forward.
The entire queue maintains its original speed.
After walking for a while, He Xianya saw the place where the accident happened. A mule cart fell on the roadside. The mule was dead and covered with blood. An old man was arguing with the flag general. Guo Fengyou took over with several soldiers.
Mr. Qi, start negotiating with the old man.
Jiao Guozha dismounted and suddenly slapped him in the face. The old man yelled and cursed loudly and even wanted to fight with Jiao Guozha. Several soldiers quickly pulled away.
Guo Fengyou came over and reported to Pang Yuhui, "The stupid mule jumped into the queue and was killed by the sergeant. The old man told us to pay compensation if he said it was us who frightened him."
Pang Yu said gently, "Let the soldiers and the secretary handle it. Don't delay the march."
When He Xianya passed by, Jiao Guozhao was still yelling at the old man on the roadside.
After a while, He Xianya turned his head and looked at Pang Yu and asked, "Second brother, why do you only let the soldiers deal with the people outside and let each bureau handle it on their own? Wouldn't it be easier for the Chinese army?"
Pang Yu shook his head and said, "The soldiers in the camp should have less contact with the outside world. The less, the better."
He Xianya said in astonishment, "We used to go out a lot in the Zhuang class, why did the second brother change it?"
"After all, Zhuangban is a government official, now it's the army."
Pang Yu looked back at Jiao Guozha and replied casually, "The more closed the state, the more obedient people will be to what is taught to them, especially if they are in a group.
How do you think the current camp compares to before?"
"Second brother, this garrison camp..." He Xianya thought for a moment and then continued, "It must be bigger and stronger than Pan Ke."
Pang Yu laughed and said, "I don't want to compete with Pan Ke. There is no second place on the battlefield, only one number one.
Pan Keda can't even defeat the rogue bandits.
Our enemies are rogues, so we have to compete with the strongest rogues. Have you seen the Eight Thieves and the King of Sweepers, do you think we can compare with them?"
"That's also the strength of my second brother."
He Xianya glanced at the queue again and said flatteringly, "I heard from my second brother that we will walk to Liantan today. It's sixty miles away, and a bandit riding on horseback can only do that in one day."
Pang Yu shook his head and said, "Don't underestimate the enemy. I have been reading the records returned by Ruan Jin in the past few days. When the vanguard of the rogue cavalry soldiers attacked, they could reach more than a hundred miles, and they could raid the city gates when they reached it.
They captured Fengyang on the 15th day of the first lunar month, burned and plundered it for three days, then broke out of camp. On the 18th or 19th, they headed south from Hongxinyi and Dingyuan County. On the 20th, they arrived at Fudianbu Town, Luzhou, a distance of more than 250 miles.
The speed far exceeds the fifty or sixty miles we calculated before, and almost all of them are cavalry.
But among the bandits who came to Tongcheng, there were a large number of refugees on foot, and their speed could never reach sixty miles.
There are actually two forms of rogues we have to deal with. One is the light cavalry, which is better because it is fast and tough and difficult to pursue, but it can only sneak attacks but cannot attack the enemy; the second is the light cavalry, which carries a large number of light-armored foot soldiers and is better because of its strength in numbers.
It is a mixture of mass, foot and cavalry, and has stronger attack ability and combat power, but its speed is low, and the rogues always change between the two forms."
He Xianya frowned and thought for a moment and said, "Second brother said that these two changes in form were done by bandits at will, or there are traces to follow."
"When the rogues entered Zhili from Henan to make a surprise attack, only the cavalry was in front, and the refugees marched behind with their bundles. The rogues who attacked Taihe were divided into groups, and they all mounted horses to attack Shouzhou. The vanguard of Yingzhou were all horsemen.
After the rogue horse soldiers defeated Fengyang, they stayed nearby for three days, probably waiting for the foot soldiers.
After that, the cavalry separated again, quickly attacked Luzhou, Lujiang, and Chaoxian, and then reunited in Tongcheng. At this time, it became a mixture of infantry and cavalry.
To sum up, during the break in the siege, they can wait for the rear group to disperse on foot, and then separate again, repeating this process to maintain the suddenness of the short-term attack without being far away from the infantry."
He Xianya looked at the soldiers back and forth, "Then how should we deal with them? Should we beat their speed or their combat power?"