Although it has been difficult for Tokugawa Hidetada and Shimazu Tadahashi to reach an agreement on certain issues, they were equally concerned about the Ming cavalry. Along the way for dozens of miles, the two men's eyes were almost always locked on those Ming cavalry.
On the cavalry.
They have never seen such sophisticated cavalry equipment. Every piece of armor shines with a cold light, as if it can resist any attack. And those war horses are extremely majestic, with clear muscle lines, and four powerful hooves. You can tell at a glance
It is a war horse that has been carefully selected and trained for a long time.
When Shengjia's team had passed through Xianghe County and had almost entered Wuqing County, which meant that they had walked dozens of miles and were about to spend the night in Wuqing not far away, both of them felt that after a day of observation,
I already got the answer I wanted.
Shimazu Tadahashi said softly to Tokugawa Hidetada: "Your Excellency Hidetada, do you think the equipment of those cavalry compares with our Japanese cavalry?"
Tokugawa Hidetada pondered for a moment and replied slowly: "Your Excellency Zhongheng, the Ming army's cavalry is far better equipped than our Japanese cavalry. Their armor is not only strong, but also well designed, which can not only provide sufficient protection, but also
It will not affect the flexibility of the cavalry. Although our cavalry is brave and competitive, its equipment is indeed far from that of the Ming army's cavalry."
Shimazu Tadahashi nodded in agreement, and then turned his attention to the weapons in the hands of the cavalry. He saw that the cavalry were holding new sabers, with cavalry-specific flintlock short-barreled muskets hanging on their waists, and spare bows and arrows on their backs. This
This equipment combination obviously takes into account the needs of melee combat and long-range attack.
Tokugawa Hidetada noticed Shimazu Tadashi's gaze and continued: "Moreover, the Ming army's cavalry has a wide variety of weapons, which can carry out both close combat and long-range attacks. This all-round fighting method will definitely be difficult for our Japanese cavalry to cope with.
of."
Shimazu Tadahashi took a deep breath, and he knew that what Tokugawa Hidetada said was true. The Japanese cavalry may only have a certain advantage in terms of courage in close combat, but when faced with such an all-powerful Ming cavalry, it was indeed powerless. Even the so-called
"Courage in close combat" is probably just my own conjecture. After all, the Ming army cavalry are uniformed and look indestructible. Fighting in such uniforms will make anyone who wears such uniforms more courageous.
At this time, Shimazu Tadahashi suddenly thought of the Korean battlefield. He remembered that the Ming cavalry at that time did not seem to be equipped with so many short iron cannons (flint-haired short-barreled cavalry muskets). He not only pondered, but asked: "Your Excellency Hidetada, what do you think?
What are the advantages and limitations of the Ming cavalry's sabers and iron cannons...er, muskets in actual combat?"
Tokugawa Hidetada pondered for a while and said slowly: "The Ming cavalry's sabers are light and flexible. Judging from the shape, they should have strong cutting power and are easy to control, suitable for use on horses. However, I believe that its ability to resist heavy armor is
Perhaps it is limited and relies heavily on horse speed. In this way, it may not be as effective as long-handled weapons such as spears or sickles in melee combat."
Shimazu Tadahashi nodded in agreement and continued: "As for the muskets, we saw them a few days ago when we were allowed to observe the training of the Imperial Guards. They have powerful firepower, fast reloading, high portability, and have a strong deterrent effect.
However, muskets are muskets after all, and they are also short-barreled, which means that their range is limited and greatly affected by the weather. Although they are much faster to load than ordinary iron cannons, overall, the loading process is still longer than shooting a bow.
It's quite complicated, and it needs to be reloaded after a single shot.
So, Your Excellency Xiuzhong, please see that their war horses all have a row of leather holsters with three rings on them. Judging from the size, they are used to insert muskets... In other words, they were supposed to have one for each person.
The cavalry is equipped with three muskets, but for some unknown reason, I only brought one this time."
"I have also noticed this." Tokugawa Hidetada nodded and said: "Perhaps it is because there is no need for combat when going south to Fengchan. It is more of a guard of honor for the emperor, so there is no need to be equipped with muskets?"
Shimazu Tadahashi could not imagine any other reason, so he nodded and said: "What Hidetada said is reasonable, and I also think so."
Well, this is really a misunderstanding. The reason why the Guards cavalry only has one lance in three holsters is simply because not long after Gao Pragmatic proposed the plan, it was too late to produce a new lance. Now this new model
The lances were all supplied here because the Guards had "observation" requirements for this mission. Otherwise, the old lances would have to be used. Let's put it this way, the entire output of the new lances is almost
They are all here with this Guards cavalry.
Tokugawa Hidetada, who was ignorant of this, concluded: "From this point of view, the Ming cavalry should use a combination of sabers and muskets to exert diversified combat capabilities on the battlefield to defeat the enemy. The saber provided a close combat capability
Flexibility and cutting power, while the musket provides long-range fire support.
It is conceivable that when the two armies are fighting, the Ming cavalry can first attack with muskets from a distance, and then engage the enemy in close combat after firing three rounds of muskets. At this time, the enemy has been severely damaged, and the battle formation must have been shaken even if it has not collapsed.
And the Ming cavalry took advantage of the chaos to engage in battle, using the power of their galloping horses to use their sabers to cut their opponents, and the victory was soon established."
Shimazu Tadahashi sighed: "Yes, yes, this is conceivable. It is true that these two weapons have their limitations, but as long as they are trained strictly and the cavalry are equipped with superb skills and tactics, they can
It will produce the greatest effect in actual combat. However, our Japanese cavalry cannot cope with such tactics."
Tokugawa Hidetada frowned deeply and said: "Your Excellency Zhongheng, when we meet today, we will know how big the gap is between our Japanese cavalry and the Ming Dynasty cavalry. After we return, we must strengthen the training of the cavalry and improve the equipment level, otherwise..."
Perhaps realizing that there was something wrong with what he said, he quickly shut up.
Shimazu Tadashi didn't dare to say anything further. He just coughed lightly and everyone pretended not to hear. Tokugawa Hidetada quickly changed the topic and continued the discussion with Shimazu Tadashi, but the topic was turned to the gap between the horses.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Your Excellency Zhongheng, I think that in addition to weapons and equipment, the gap between the war horses between Japan and Ming is probably even greater."
Shimazu Tadahashi nodded and said: "What Mr. Hidetada said is very true. It seems that you have also noticed the horses of the Ming army cavalry. Compared with our Japanese war horses, they are indeed much better. Whether they are Mutsu horses or Kiso horses, they are far superior."
Not as good as the horses of the Ming army."
Tokugawa Hidetada nodded in response: "Indeed, Your Excellency Zhongheng, the war horses of the Ming army are taller, with clear muscle lines, and their strength and endurance seem to far exceed our horses."
Shimazu Tadahashi nodded and said: "In Japan, our war horses are too small. Although they can adapt to the mountainous and narrow terrain in the country, if these two cavalry are to fight head-on, our disadvantage will be too great.
For example, the average height of our war horses is about 13 hands (about 132 centimeters) and their weight is about 700 kilograms. Although they are not large, they are very flexible in complex terrain. The war horses of the Ming army are obviously much taller.
.
They are probably a mixture of Mongolian horses and Western horses, and have various legendary qualities. Your Excellency Xiuzhong, you have also seen that the height of these war horses may be close to 15 hands (about 152 cm), and the weight should reach 900 kilograms according to visual estimates.
.
Not only were they able to carry such tall and well-equipped cavalry, but they also showed amazing endurance during this whole day's long march. Such a large team never stopped even once because the horses needed a rest."
Tokugawa Hidetada nodded in agreement and added: "It is true that Japanese war horses are famous for their flexibility, but they are very deficient in terms of load-bearing and endurance. Our war horses can usually only carry lighter equipment, and during long-distance marches
Need more frequent breaks.”
Shimazu Tadahashi pondered: "According to the rumors in the capital during this period, the Ming army has completely recovered the Western Regions. Considering that they have already surrendered Monnan and Mobei Mongolia, these their war horses are likely to be Mongolian horses and Western Regions
It is a hybrid of horses and combines the excellent characteristics of two kinds of good horses. There is no doubt that these war horses of the Ming army are not only fast, but also have strong endurance, which is very suitable for long-distance raids and fierce battles."
Tokugawa Hidetada added: "These characteristics of the Ming army's war horses undoubtedly provided huge advantages on the battlefield. Not only could they carry heavy armored cavalry for fast charges, but they could also maintain stable performance during long marches and pursuits.
.”
Shimazu Tadahashi deeply agreed: "That's exactly the case. Although our war horses have adapted to the mountains and forests of Japan, they are far inferior to the Ming army's war horses in charge and protracted battles on the plains.
Back in North Korea, our army quickly moved south after its defeat in Seoul, hoping to escape the Ming army's pursuit. However, it was the dense mountains and forests of North Korea that prevented it from being overtaken and encircled by the Ming army's cavalry. Now that I think about it, it was really a disaster.
If the terrain had been completely flat at that time, I, Zhongheng, might have died on the battlefield..."
Tokugawa Hidetada did not fight in the Korean War and did not want to show weakness in front of Shimazu Tadashi, so he changed the subject and said: "In addition, the domestication and training methods of the Ming army's war horses are also worth learning. Your Excellency Tadashi, have you noticed that their horses seem to be more obedient?
The command can be integrated with the cavalry on the back. I think this is also an area where our Japanese cavalry needs to improve."
Shimazu Tadahashi nodded, and then asked a key question: "So, Hidetada-dono, how do you think we should improve? Should we try to introduce war horses like the Ming army, or learn their domestication techniques?"
Tokugawa Hidetada pondered and replied: "Both are needed, Your Excellency Zhongheng. We can introduce stallions from the Ming army and mate with our war horses in order to breed better offspring. At the same time, we also need to send personnel to learn from the Ming army.
Army taming and training methods to improve the combat capabilities of our war horses."
Shimazu Tadahashi agreed: "Indeed, this is the key to improving the strength of our country's cavalry. War horses are not only cavalry mounts, they are also important warriors on the battlefield. Only when the war horses are strong can the cavalry truly exert its due combat effectiveness."
Tokugawa Hidetada looked at the surrounding Imperial Guard cavalry from afar, and suddenly frowned slightly, saying: "Your Excellency Zhongheng, judging from the height and weight of the Ming army's war horses, the feed consumption of their war horses must be greater than that of Japanese horses.
Much more..."
"Considering their combat effectiveness, these additional investments are obviously worth it." Shimazu replied, and then frowned unconsciously and added: "But this also means that if Japan's national power is
With such war horses, the number that can be maintained is very limited."
Tokugawa Hidetada deeply agreed: "Yes, Japan's national power is too weak compared to the Ming Dynasty... But I heard a rumor that the main feed for the Ming army's war horses was something called corn.
It is said that Yu Ge obtained it from a Nanman merchant a few years ago."
Shimazu Tadahashi twitched his face and said with a wry smile: "Now there are no Nanman merchants who can still trade freely with Japan. Without Yuge's nod, the Nanman fleet cannot even enter Japan's ports at all."
Tokugawa Hidetada pondered: "This means that if we want to obtain this kind of 'corn', we can only ask for it from the Imperial Palace... Your Excellency Tadashi, the Shimazu family has a close relationship with the Imperial Palace. I don't know what happened in this matter."
Can it play a positive role?"
Shimazu Tadahashi said with a wry smile: "Your Excellency Hidetada may have overestimated the status of our family in front of the royal pavilion. To be honest, I think that instead of letting the Shimazu family use their own strength in this matter, it is better to find a solution from Zuomatou.
.”
"Zaimatou" is an official position in Japan. Regardless of the long history, during most of the Muromachi shogunate, the position of "Zaimatou" was the initial position of the general who conquered barbarians. In other words, he was the successor of the shogun.
Often the first position is that of Zuo Ma Tou. Even before inheriting the post of general, his position has always been Zuo Ma Tou.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! And the "left horse head" in Japan now is none other than the "Tokugawa Jiro Saburo Gento Atakatomi Kaden" who sells dog meat at the expense of sheep - uh
, that is, Gao Yan!
In this title, "Tokugawa" is the Miao character, "Jiro Saburo" is the common name of the head and heir of his family, "Source" is the surname, "Courtmaster" is the surname, "家" is the common character of the Tokugawa family, and "
"acting" is the name.
Speaking of this, there is actually another slightly funny thing, that is, after Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Edo shogunate, in order to show his surrender to Gao Mingji, he once asked the "Royal Pavilion" Gao Mingji to grant partial taboos according to Japanese custom.
He was declined by Gao Pragmatic on the grounds that Gao Pragmatic was not, at least in name, Tokugawa Ieyasu's master.
[Note: The so-called biased taboo means that if Gao Jingshi agrees, then Tokugawa Ieyasu should change his name to "Tokugawa Ieyasu". Because Gao Jingshi's "Mr." is the name of his family, which is the name of his generation.
Several brothers are all "Mu", so they can be randomly compared to Japanese common characters, but the specific "name" can only be "真", which is the Japanese "partial taboo". Of course, this is a forced counterpoint.
, readers do not need to take it seriously.]
When Shimazu Tadashi said this, Tokugawa Hidetada became a little confused.
It stands to reason that from the perspective of Gao Yanji being Gao Yan's biological father, if Gao Yan is willing to ask Gao Jingji to give corn to Japan, that is indeed the approach with the highest success rate. But the problem is that although Tokugawa Ieyasu is nominally Gao Yan
Adoptive father, but in fact it is difficult to meet Gao Yan now, because after the Azuchi War Gao Yan went to live with his biological mother Kaibihime in Osaka. On weekdays, he is with Toyotomi Hideyori - they are two years old
They were similar, so Narita Kai, the "royal representative", simply took custody of them together. As a result, it became increasingly inconvenient for the Tokugawa family to do anything through high acting.
However, Shimazu Tadahashi's words still made sense. Tokugawa Hidetada could not refute it, so he could only mutter: "At this time... I will write a letter to Kōhoden to explain the situation. Whether it succeeds or not depends on Kōfōden's methods."
.”
Shimazu Tadahashi breathed a sigh of relief, but nodded sincerely on his face and said: "With Gongfangdian stepping in, everything will be safe."
The muscles on Tokugawa Hidetada's face twitched twice and he forced a stiff smile.
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