After Li Yan dealt with Long Huamin and others, he also asked some craftsmen to come over from Zichuan, Shandong. Although the glaze manufacturing there has been a lot of depression due to the war, there are still some skills that have been passed down, and these people are mobilized to brainstorm together, and maybe there will be a new breakthrough.

Then he took time out and went to Luoyang in person. Zhao Datong, the head of Luoyang, was punished and has now been demoted to a general, but he is still in charge of the defense of western Henan.

"How's the troop doing?" Li Yan asked Zhao Datong directly.

Zhao Datong immediately replied: "Fortunately, there are no major fluctuations, after those soldiers involved in smuggling are punished, the slackness of the troops will disappear immediately." ”

"What a disappointment for me!" Li Yan said with a tense face: "It's only been two years, and some people have begun to seek personal gain. And you, I handed over the entire army of western Henan to you, this is the forefront of the confrontation with Li Chuang, but you let this kind of thing happen to the troops! ”

"If you are negligent in your duties, please punish the commander." Zhao Datong lowered his head and said.

Li Yan waved his hand: "It's already been punished." The main purpose of this visit is to see how the troops are doing, and if the morale of the army is fluctuating, then you will not need it. ”

"Are you going to fight?" Zhao Datong immediately asked with some excitement. It's been two years since they've been here, and they haven't had a big fight. He was the deputy general who was promoted with Huang Desheng, Qian Er and others, and he was also the first to defend one side. But now, Huang Desheng, Qian Er, Wang Renfu and others have all become chief military officers, with more than 10,000 soldiers and horses, guarding the border passes and Shandong, which really makes him very envious. Now that it was finally his turn to fight a big battle here, he was naturally a little excited.

Li Yan nodded and said, "Well, it's going to be a war." If you're okay, I'll let you fight. Otherwise, I will send you to a garrison. ”

"We have no problem, I'll let the troops gather and ask the commander to review it." Zhao Datong said immediately.

Li Yan immediately ordered: "Okay, give you two quarters of an hour, and assemble Luoyang City in the school field, including artillery, except for the garrison patrol troops." ”

"Yes!" Zhao Datong immediately agreed, and immediately asked his own soldiers to gather the troops.

A quarter of an hour later, Li Yan and Zhao Datong went to the school ground, and at this time, all the troops in the barracks had been assembled, and only the troops outside the city had not yet come.

In less than two quarters of an hour, all the troops were in order. Li Yan looked at the fully dressed and neatly lined troops, and nodded with satisfaction: "Well, it looks neat, let's rehearse." ”

"Yes!" Zhao Datong agreed. Immediately ordered: "Line up!" ”

After receiving the order, the soldiers moved to the beat of the drums, and after a while they formed two lines on the school grounds, and the artillerymen pushed the guns towards the remaining gun emplacements. There is not enough space in the school field, so it can only be lined up in two fronts. The limited cavalry of more than 200 cavalry lined up on the flanks and rear, and they were meticulous.

After Zhao Datong saw that Li Yan was satisfied, he immediately ordered: "Hollow phalanx!" ”

The troops changed formations to the beat of drums again, forming a large hollow phalanx. Not only did the cavalry enter the center of the phalanx, but even the baggage troops in the corners pulled the empty baggage carts into the phalanx.

Li Yan looked at the performance of the troops and was also very satisfied. smiled and said, "Well, it's not bad. But it's not enough to just have a look, you also have to be able to fight. ”

"What the marshal said is reasonable."

Li Yan didn't have any orders, so he let the troops stand like this. As time passed, the white gas coming out of the soldiers' mouths made the top of the phalanx's head always shroud in a faint white gas. Although there was no snow and there was sun, the weather was not warm at all, and standing like this made people feel cold in their bones.

After waiting for three quarters of an hour, Li Yan saw that the soldiers were almost nailed to the spot and did not move, and felt that it was almost over. It shows that the soldiers have a good sense of obedience and are strong-willed. It also shows that his logistical support is effective, and the quality of the cotton clothes and shoes issued to the troops is good, otherwise it would be impossible for all of them to hold out.

After that, Li Yan waved his hand, and his fifty personal soldiers and three hundred guards also finished the formation and walked towards the edge of the school field.

"For defensive drills, I use crossbow arrows without arrows here, so that the troops can hold on to the spot and not return fire." Li Yan instructed Zhao Datong.

Zhao Datong immediately asked his own soldiers to pass the order. His troops were unprepared, they were all real swords and arrows, and if they didn't make it clear, they would be in trouble if they were injured by mistake.

Li Yan's own soldiers were also prepared, standing on the edge of the school field, and even then, the distance was less than thirty steps. At the same time, they held up their crossbow arrows, and wrapped a thick white cloth around the shafts of the arrows so that the brethren in the phalanx could see them clearly.

The soldiers in the phalanx received the order, and when they saw the thick arrows that were more than the trained crossbow arrows, they also had a bottom in their hearts. They all wore thick cotton jackets and chain mail, so as long as they protected their heads and faces, there was no problem.

Soon, the crossbow bolts flew densely. The soldiers stood straight with their heads bowed, and if they were shot three times in the body, they could lie down. The white cloth that wrapped the shaft of the arrow was stained with lime, so it could not be faked, and if there were less than three white spots on the body, it would be a whip.

Li Yan's own soldiers led the guards around the periphery of the phalanx, and fired crossbow arrows towards the phalanx one by one. There was no one in the square who stood unsteadily, there was no one who flinched back, and even those who were shot in the head and face tried to endure and did not dare to make a loud noise.

"Well, it seems that the usual training is still good, and there is no timidity and cowering." Li Yan looked at his tenacious subordinates and said with satisfaction: "Okay, stop." After the infantry finished reading, pulled the artillery out and saw if they were lazy. ”

Zhao Datong hurriedly ordered to pass the order, let the artillery load the front car, and go to the shooting range to stand by.

Li Yan ordered loudly: "The infantry is doing well, add dinner tonight, there is wine and meat." ”

"Xie Dashuai." There was still gratitude in the hearts of the soldiers. Even if they don't have wine and meat, they usually have to train like this, and it's even harder than that. Now that they can eat meat and drink wine, it can be regarded as a reward for them. After all, they used to be homeless people with a house, and they could make their families live a safe and stable life, and they had houses and land, all by virtue of their military status. It's their duty to train hard.

After that, the firing of the artillery also made Li Yan feel satisfied. Each gun crew can aim at the target quickly and reload quickly enough. The artillerymen were likewise rewarded with extra meals.

Back in the city, Li Yan instructed Zhao Datong: "The troops are well trained, and you have to check other places in person." Lazy people must not be allowed, neither officers nor soldiers! I will let Sun Sifu accompany you, you don't have to wipe your face, if you want to be soft-hearted, just go back to farming for me! ”

"Obedience!" Zhao Datong hurriedly agreed.

Li Yan continued: "In the next time, the recruits will give you here to replenish first, you have to be prepared and hurry up training." In two or three months, it will start. ”

"Don't worry, the commander will definitely integrate the troops well, and he will definitely not let the commander down." Zhao Datong immediately assured.

"Okay, I'll see how you behave!"

...