Han Wantao has been staying in Zhang Guodong's office for the past few days, forcing Zhang Guodong to sign the proposal he submitted to the Military Commission. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 ｉｎfo

"Wan Tao, how many times have I told you, it's useless for me to sign." Zhang Guodong put Han Wantao's proposal on the table, "Now Jiang Beiming, Lin Zhaolong, and Wang Zhaoxing are all in Vietnam, and there are only 4 members of the Military Commission at home, and even if the Military Commission passes it, there will be a committee and a crossing conference behind it, this matter is not so simple." ”

"Chairman Zhang, don't think so far ahead, you sign first. It's been almost 2 years since we landed in Yulin Bay, and the army has been formed for more than a year. ”

Han Wantao came to Zhang Guodong for the original matter and formed the Yulin Bay Cavalry. Now that the infantry and artillery were on the right track, Han Wantao began to think about the cavalry again.

"Wan Tao, this cavalry unit is not so simple, I'm afraid it's not easy for Sun Dalei to talk about money alone." Zhang Guodong said, "We now have a maximum of 10 taels of silver for an infantry soldier, but what about the cavalry, Zhong Kai asked in Qiongzhou Mansion before, and now a war horse alone costs fifty or sixty taels of silver." The cavalry must have armor, and the cavalry must have a cavalry gun, and you must also keep the horse, so serve it well. Have you calculated, all of this adds up, the cost of a cavalry is at least 100 taels of silver, and this is not counting the subsequent costs. ”

"What are you afraid of, aren't we rich now?"

"You really don't know the difficulties of being in charge." Zhang Guodong said to Han Wantao in a low voice, "Now I think that we are really rich if we grab a gold ship." At the end of last year, the arrears were paid, and this year another 100,000 taels of silver were given to Vietnam, and now nearly 200,000 taels of loans have been released from all walks of life. In addition, Qiu Peng and the others are ready to launch two 500-ton warships, which are tens of thousands of taels this time. Sun Dalei and I have revealed that there are less than 200,000 reserves in the bank now, and if you want to engage in cavalry now, I don't think Sun Dalei will agree. ”

"Why do they give money if the navy asks for it, but don't give it if I want it, so Zeng Guangxian has more heads than me?" Han Wantao was a little indignant.

"Why are you so angry?" Zhang Guodong said with relief, "These two warships were decided by the crossing conference, and no one can change this matter." Now that we have gone to Vietnam, the next step may be to develop in the South Seas. ”

"What about fighting the Manchus, how can you fight the Manchus without cavalry?"

"The Manchu Qing Dynasty will be three years later at the earliest. Besides, even if you really want to fight the Manchus, have you thought about how many cavalry you need. A few hundred people is definitely not enough, at least one cavalry regiment, a few thousand people, we dare to say that we have the capital to fight the Manchus to the death. ”

Han Wantao was a little speechless by what Zhang Guodong said, so he had to defend: "Even if we don't form a cavalry unit now, then at least we have to get a few horses for us officers to ride." Look at other people, even Zhou Chongde is high-headed, let's rely on 2 legs one by one, which is a bit too shabby. ”

"Huh. Wan Tao, it turns out that you are afraid of the cold. Zhang Guodong said with a smile, "What you said is not unreasonable, we can't wait until we get on the sedan chair." Although the defeat of the Manchus was three years later, the formation of cavalry units should now be started. I think so, you go back and change this proposal first, don't make such a big deal, you scare Sun Dalei out of a bad way. Just form a cavalry platoon, with a scale of about 30 people, experimentally, we have to find out the experience of cavalry from the cavalry platoon. ”

"Okay, Chairman Zhang, it's better for you." Han Wantao's spirit suddenly lifted up, "I'll change it." ”

"Alright, don't put a top hat on me." Zhang Guodong said with a smile, "Let's spare a few thousand taels of silver, and try this cavalry platoon." ”

Han Wantao came out of Zhang Guodong and did not go back to his regimental headquarters, but went directly to Shen Daxing's ordnance group.

Shen Daxing was discussing something with Ye Sunquan in the office, and when he saw Han Wantao coming in, Shen Daxing hurriedly stood up: "Head Han is here, Lao Ye, you greet Head Han, I'll go out for something." ”

Han Wantao grabbed Shen Daxing: "Don't run, don't run away, don't avoid me, I have something to do with you." ”

Shen Daxing smiled with a smile on his face: "I really didn't hide from you, I was in a hurry to urinate and had to go to the toilet quickly." ”

"Hold on." Han Wantao pressed Shen Daxing back, "I'm really looking for you." The Military Commission has basically agreed to form a cavalry platoon, and we have to discuss the equipment of the cavalry platoon. ”

"Then tell me how you want to equip the cavalry." Shen Daxing saw that he couldn't hide, so he had to listen to Han Wantao's thoughts first.

"Two masters." Ye Sunquan stood up beside him, "You guys have something, I'll go out first." ”

"Don't, old leaf." Shen Daxing stopped Ye Sunquan, "Let's listen together, you can also give an idea." ”

"Yes, Master Shen." Ye Sunquan agreed, and said in his heart, "What do you want me to come up with, in the end, it will definitely be my business again." ”

"That's what I thought." Han Wantao began to describe his grand blueprint, "We now have muskets and artillery, so we don't need to rely on cavalry charges in the front. The role of cavalry is to guerrilla, harass, pursue the enemy's rout, outflank to support the frontal troops, and disrupt the enemy's logistical transport. So our cavalry should be positioned on the light cavalry, and I think the basic equipment of a cavalry should be cuirass, sabers, and rifles. ”

"The saber is easy to say." Shen Daxing replied, "Just use the current command knife, at most improve it." As for the cuirass, you can take a look at a few samples that we have recently made based on the design of the Industrial Bureau, and see which one is suitable for cavalry. ”

Shen Daxing led Han Wantao to the sample showroom, since receiving the task of developing the French cavalry cuirass, the Industrial Bureau designed several styles according to the characteristics of the current Ming Dynasty, and Shen Daxing created samples one by one according to the drawings.

"This section numbered 001 is a half-body armor made of the entire iron plate, weighing 12 catties." Ye Sunquan pointed to a row of armor by the wall and began to introduce, "No. 002 over there is a chain mail modeled after the armor of our Ming Dynasty, the protection is relatively good, but it is very heavy, 20 catties, and the cost is very high." There is also No. 003 over there, which is a piece of armor modeled after the cotton armor of the Manchurian Tartars. Master Han, take your time. ”

"This 001 is a bust modeled after the cuirass of the French dragoons." Shen Daxing pointed to No. 001 and continued, "We have tried to reduce the weight as much as possible, but it still weighs 12 pounds. You know, it's been tested by the infantry, and it's not very practical. Besides, now that you've done away with the spearmen and changed them to musketeers, you don't need this armor anymore. But if you're going to build a cavalry unit now, I think this one is more suitable for cavalry. ”

Han Wantao didn't express his opinion, but asked: "What about the helmet, what kind of helmet does the cavalry use?" ”

"The helmet is over there." Shen Daxing pointed to a row of helmets next to him and said, "After the Battle of Annan, Xu Lang made a battle summary, which specifically mentioned the problem of helmets. The protection of the current wicker helmet against the bow and arrow can be basically ignored, especially if we have to face the Manchurians in the future, the wicker helmet cannot prevent the heavy arrows of the Manchurians at all, so the Industrial Bureau has designed several helmets, you take a look at it first. ”

Han Wantao glanced at it, took out one from the middle and put it in front of him to ponder.

"What, do you like this?" Shen Daxing asked, "This is based on the helmet of a knight in the European Middle Ages, with a face armor, the protection is not bad, but it is too heavy." By the way, you have been a soldier, and you think it is more appropriate to have a heavy helmet. ”

"It's really hard to say." Han Wantao replied in Mandarin while looking at the helmet in his hand, "Ancient helmets generally weighed 4 or 5 catties, because they were close combat, and the focus was on protection. Today's helmets are much lighter because of the use of new materials. For example, the German M35 steel helmet in World War II was less than 3 catties, and the M1 steel helmet in the United States was 2 catties and 7 taels. If it's an infantry, I don't think it can exceed three catties, and if it's a cavalry, it can be 4 catties, which should be the limit, and if it's heavy, it will affect people's staying power. ”

"Anyway, our samples are all here, which one to choose, your military committee has an idea." Shen Daxing saw that Han Wantao was not sure which kind of helmet he wanted, so he changed the topic again, "What kind of rifle are you going to want?" ”

"Of course it's lightweight, easy to use, and has a long range."

"Then I'll get you a water bead, do you want it?" Shen Daxing smiled, "It's useless to talk about it. ”

"It's really not useless." Han Wantao also smiled, "The current flintlock pistol is too heavy and too long, and the cavalry can't be used." Although the hand system is light, the range is too close, and the range of the hand system you are engaged in is only more than 20 meters, and the cavalry cannot use it. It's best to be able to make a 5 or 6 pound one, and the range is more than the range of a bow and arrow. ”

"You're going to give me a problem." Shen Daxing said to Ye Sunquan again, "Old Ye, this task of Head Han will be handed over to you, and you will find out the fire system that Team Leader Han is satisfied with as soon as possible." ”

"Yes, Master Shen." Ye Sunquan complained in his heart, "Say it, I know it's my life again." ”

Han Wantao came out of Shen Daxing, his interest was undiminished, and he went directly to Dr. Ouyang's hospital to find Zong Kai. Yulinwan Hospital has been established for more than half a year, and Dr. Ouyang's main task in the past six months is to develop various drugs and train medical soldiers. But in the past six months, the novel treatment methods in the hospital have slowly attracted a lot of people in the Ming Dynasty, just the stethoscope hanging around Dr. Ouyang's neck, who wants to touch it.

Since Zong Kai was transferred back, he has been in charge of drug development in the hospital, although he is a veterinarian, he is still pharmacologically compatible. This job also suits Zong Kai's personality, he only needs to deal with all kinds of flowers and plants, and he doesn't need to deal with people.

"If you want to talk about war horses, you can be regarded as asking the right person." Zong Kai put down the work in his hand and began to chat with Han Wantao about the Book of Horses, "Let's talk about Chinese horses first, and the war horses that are generally used to charge the battle are the Dawan horses. For long-distance running, Mongolian horses are better. Of course, there are many other horses, each with its own characteristics, such as the Sichuan horse, which is known for being good at walking mountain roads. Speaking of foreign horses, the famous cavalry horses of later generations are mainly Anglo-Arab horses, Wille horses, Morgan horses, Don hippos, etc., among which the Don hippopotamus is a Cossack cavalry mount, which inherits the hard-working Mongolian horse, the amazing endurance of the Akha-Tak horse, the strong muscles and bones of the British pureblood, the flexibility and agility of the Kabakin horse, and the tall and handsome appearance. The better horse breeds of later generations in China, such as the Three Hippos and the Ili Horse, were mixed with a large number of Don Hippo bloodlines. ”

Han Wantao finally waited for Zong Kai to finish speaking, and hurriedly asked, "Doctor Zong, just tell me, what kind of horse should our cavalry use?" ”

"It depends on what kind of enemy our cavalry is mainly dealing with."

"Manchu, Manchu." Han Wantao was afraid that Zong Kai would talk endlessly, so he hurriedly replied, "Let's form a cavalry just to fight the Manchu Qing." ”

"If you fight the Manchus, then I advocate the use of Mongolian horses." Han Wantao didn't pay attention, but he still didn't hold Zong Kai's tirade, "Captain Han, you must first understand a problem, the higher the war horse, the better." It must be a riding horse with endurance to be an authentic cavalry horse, such as the British purebred and other European horses, although tall and beautiful, but can only be used for racing and breeding. And according to the size of our Chinese, even in our later life, the standard height of war horses is only 1 second 33 to 1.4 meters. This is because Martha, the bigger the target, the easier it is to be hit. Warhorses in the range of 1.33 to 1.4 meters not only narrow down the target, but also do not affect the speed and ability to cross obstacles too much. Also, the color of the horse's coat is also an important aspect, and in general, unless you are fighting in the snow, light-colored horses are more likely to expose the target. ”

"Mongolian horses?" Han Wantao was a little embarrassed, "Doctor Zong, do you have to go to the Mongolian steppe if you want to get a Mongolian horse?" ”

"If Mongolian horses are not good, in fact, Sichuan horses and Yunnan horses are also good."

"Then I understand, thank you Doctor Zong." Han Wantao got up to leave.

"Don't worry, I'm not done yet." Zong Kai stopped Han Wantao again, "Do you know how many horses are the standard configuration of a cavalry?" ”

"I know, I know, you get busy first, I'm leaving." Han Wantao didn't wait for Zong Kai to say anything more, got up and left the hospital quickly, "This Zong Kai, just tell me to buy a Dian horse, don't you just tell me to buy a Dian horse, so much rambling." ”