When they met for the first time, he did not kneel during the march, which showed that in Wang Xingming's heart, he had doubts about the purpose of Xiao Tingsheng's visit.

Xiao Tingsheng understood it, only to see him put his hands together, replied with a slight half-salute, and said in a deep voice:

"General Wang, this official only arrived in Youzhou yesterday afternoon, and exchanged views with Lord Thorn Shi in the evening, and the first stop on his journey today is Panyun Town."

"This is the heavy base of the Youzhou Army, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also attaches great importance to this, of course, as a special envoy, I will go to Panyun Town first, personally take a look at the actual situation of this base, understand what difficulties and needs everyone has, and when the time comes, please also ask General Wang to speak freely!"

After Xiao Tingsheng said this, he personally mentioned that the prince also attached importance to Panyun Town, and Wang Xingming suddenly came to his senses.

"I didn't expect that my small Panyun Town could also enter the sight of the prince, the last general is deeply honored, Wang is willing to contribute to the court, and he will not hesitate to break his bones!"

Speaking of this, Wang Xingming couldn't help but be excited.

This was a clear sign of allegiance to the imperial court.

But where did you put Lord Thorn?

Of course, Zhao Hui was very unhappy when he heard this, and he was afraid that Wang Xingming would take advantage of the topic and make a lot of nonsense, which was not conducive to the fundamental interests of the Zhao family in Youzhou, so he hurriedly said:

"Commander Wang, the envoy can inspect Panlong first, mainly because of the recommendation and permission of Lord Assassin Shi, and it also gives you a lot of face."

"You should thank Master Zhao first, right, besides, why don't you invite Lord Xiao to inspect your barracks?"

"That's that, rightfully so!"

Although Wang Xingming had a smile on his face, it was difficult to hide his embarrassed expression, and said:

"Everyone knows that Lord Assassin Shi is loyal to the northern frontier for the imperial court, loyal and courageous, and the last general is deeply encouraged, so he confesses to the envoy on behalf of Lord Assassin Shi."

"Corporal Xiao Lixian, personally came to Panlong Town to inspect, the last general is ashamed, there are still flaws in many places, please give me more advice after entering the barracks, Lord Xiao, please."

Obviously, he was making amends for his careless words just now.

Zhao Hui's anger disappeared most of the time when he heard this, but this matter would definitely be reported to his uncle Zhao Shijun afterwards.

These dilapidated barracks really didn't arouse Xiao Tingsheng's interest.

Since it is an inspection to understand, of course, you have to enter the barracks to see it up close.

The key is Wang Xingming, the commander of the heavy cavalry, he is more interested.

At that moment, Xiao Tingsheng took the lead, and the group immediately followed.

Behind him, Zhao Hui pulled Wang Xingming aside and muttered a few words close to his ear.

Wang Xingming's face suddenly became extremely ugly.

Presumably Zhao Hui told Wang Xingming about the bad deeds of those low-ranking lieutenants in the cavalry camp near the horse ranch just now.

"Don't worry, General Zhao, I will definitely let Lord Xiao see my tiger warriors of the Youzhou Army."

Wang Xingming said in a low voice.

Immediately, he added to Zhao Hui indignantly, "Please General Zhao go back and tell Lord Assassin Shi that the heavy cavalry of our Youzhou Army can't look like this, it's really embarrassing." ”

Hearing Wang Xingming say this, Zhao Hui immediately closed his mouth.

It's hard to answer.

Heavy cavalry is majestic in wartime, but it is useless in peacetime.

And the maintenance cost is surprisingly high.

In general, you can't afford to raise it.

Spear:

This was one of the most important pieces of equipment for hoplites, usually about one foot eight feet long, and was mainly used to assassinate enemies.

In addition to spears, there are also sabers, which are standard for all cavalry.

Riding a crossbow:

The main ranged weapon of the hoplites, which can be used to attack enemies from a distance.

It is faster and more accurate than a normal bow, and can be operated with one hand.

High Back Armoured Saddle:

The saddle is an important piece of equipment for cavalry, it is able to provide a stable sitting posture for cavalry,

At the same time to protect the waist and back of the cavalry.

Heavy Armor:

Armor is the protective equipment of soldiers in battle, which can be divided into two types: light armor and heavy armor.

The heavy armor mainly refers to the soldiers from head to toe, wrapped in a double layer of bright light armor, and only needs two eyes.

The double-layered bright light armor weighed more than 100 catties.

Heavy armor can withstand bows and arrows in addition to crossbows, as well as swords and guns of soldiers, and is used to protect the body of cavalry from attacks.

Heavy Vest:

Heavy cavalry, in addition to knights need protection, war horses also need protection.

The entire body of the horse is covered with armor, including the legs and head, which are shrouded in armor.

The whole heavy armor together with spears, knives and arrows totaled more than 300 catties, plus the weight of a knight, a total of about 500 catties.

Therefore, the war horses of the heavy cavalry are all the horses of Liangzhou in the Western Regions or Mobei sweat and blood, tall and strong, with good leg strength.

Horses in ordinary customs can't bear the weight of 500 catties, and they have to be able to run long distances.

It is conceivable that this kind of war horse, which can become a heavy cavalry, needs to have fine food, and its food cost is three to five times that of light cavalry war horses.

Therefore, the combined cost of a heavy cavalry is three to five times that of an ordinary light cavalry.

Normally, it's a very money-burning thing.

Only on the battlefield, the sound of the hooves of the iron cavalry was like the roar of thunder, shaking the whole earth.

It was as if the sun was obscured and dark clouds rolled in the sky, as if the world was mourning the coming battle.

The hoplites, clad in shining armor and armed with sharp spears, resembled rolling steel fortresses.

Their eyes were as cold as ice, fearless.

The galloping collision was like a mountain crushing, invincible.

The hoplite cavalry cooperated tacitly, they were like one, surging like a tide when attacking, and as solid as a city wall when defending.

They charged in dense formations, forcing the enemy into a corner with no way out.

They cut through the enemy's lines with their knives and guns, like reapers in a wheat field, taking away one piece of life after another.

Such is the advantage and charm of the hoplites.

It is also the reason why many military strategists praise and tighten their belts to prepare.

When Xiao Tingsheng walked into the barracks, he entered the neat and clean barracks he saw, including stables, armory, horse stockyards, etc.

It's just that all the bright armor is old and needs to be scrubbed and corroded frequently, so it is seriously worn.

Many of the pieces of leather connected to the iron pieces of the armor have long since aged and broken.

And these fractures are precisely the weak points of the soldier's arrows and guns.

Thousands of war horses, most of them were too thin, and once the war began, the horsepower was greatly reduced, and the combat effectiveness of the heavy cavalry could be imagined.

Xiao Tingsheng is not a military expert, but Wang Sheng and Luo Tong around him are both experienced generals.

Wang Sheng and Luo Tong are picking faults.

After they explained one by one on the side, Xiao Tingsheng immediately realized the shortcomings of the heavy cavalry of the Youzhou Army.

They questioned Wang Xingming mercilessly, especially the malnutrition of the war horses.

Wang Xingming did not shy away from it, and he pointed out the serious lack of funds.

To go to war, many of the heavy armor needs to be eliminated or repaired.

The main thing is the war horse.

Many war horses have been malnourished for a long time, belong to the old, weak, sick and disabled, and they are not equipped with different heavy armor at all, and need a lot of supplements.

The existing ones also need to be strengthened in nutrition, and they need to be recuperated for more than half a month before they can barely go to the battlefield.