Northern Song Dynasty: Starting from the son of Song Renzong

Chapter 154 Preparations
The preparation work is long.

Destination, route, supply point, and deployment of troops and horses.

These all have to be discussed.

It is obvious that Ouyang Xiu and others would not agree to let Zhao Xin go too far away.

Then it’s okay for him to go to Daming Prefecture.

The straight-line distance from Kaifeng is about four hundred miles.

The road is almost entirely flat.

The only thing that can be called terrain is probably some rivers.

For example, this Yellow River seems to be a little different from the Yellow River in later generations.

Why does this feel so far north?
The good news is that the Yellow River flows right next to Daming Prefecture.

The bad news is that this trip does not plan to use the Yellow River.

However, we can use the Yellow River to transport military supplies to the front line first.

Or you can simply buy food directly locally.

On the map, Zhao Xin can also see a Liangshan Luo.

This must be the Liangshanpo in the Water Margin.

The distance from Kaifeng Prefecture seems to be the same as Daming Prefecture, which is about four hundred miles.

and so……

Should I find Song Jiang in advance and kill him, imitating Wang Mang?

Song Jiang, Yan Qing, and Li Shishi, oh no, I forgot who uprooted the weeping willow tree.

When everyone saw Zhao Xin closing his eyes and looking very distressed, they thought that it was too early for His Royal Highness the Prince of Yu to deal with these military matters.

After all, it is not easy to be a good head coach.

Do you think everyone can be like Han Xin, leading a hundred thousand soldiers and horses easily? The more the better.

Just the food and drink for a hundred thousand soldiers is enough to give you a headache.

Zhao Xin remembered, it was Lin Daiyu!
"Do you think it's better to buy it and have it shipped over, or buy it directly locally?"

Zhao Xin suddenly asked.

Ouyang Xiu also answered first: "I think it's better to go and buy it directly."

Zhao Xin put his hands behind his back and said, "What I'm thinking is that Hebei has suffered many disasters. Maybe there is not enough food. If we bring 3,000 people to eat other people, how can the people spare so much food? Even if the transportation takes more time, more energy, and even wastes more food! But at least, the lives of the people in Hebei will not be affected in any way."

Wang Su also flattered him immediately, saying, "Your Highness Prince Yu is kind and virtuous!"

Ouyang Xiu: "After all, there are only 3,000 people."

Wang Su: "Three thousand people are afraid of being disturbed. This just proves that His Royal Highness Prince Yu is kind-hearted! He can't bear to see the people suffer!"

Ouyang Xiu: "If we buy food from Dongjing City, won't the people in Dongjing City be the same?"

Wang Su: "How can they be the same? Three thousand people are nothing compared to Tokyo City. Tokyo City can already support a population of one million, so it doesn't need three thousand."

Ouyang Xiu said, "But since ancient times, when soldiers went to the front line to fight, it took at least three people to carry the rations for one soldier."

Wang Su: "So we can use the Yellow River to transport it."

Ouyang Xiu: "What I mean is that it's the same no matter where the food comes from."

Zhao Xin: "Okay, stop arguing."

This is why we must study the steam engine.

The good news is…

There has been great progress in the research of steam engines.

after all……

You say that it is impossible to develop a steam engine with dozens or hundreds of horsepower, but it is not difficult to develop one with only a few horsepower.

At worst, the energy consumption is a little higher, and the safety and reliability are a little worse. A minor repair is needed every three days and a major repair is needed every five days. The boiler may even explode inexplicably. But at least it can be made step by step.

Zhao Xin has already told the craftsmen the principle of the centrifugal speed governor.

The water level indicator of the water tank. I’ll see if I can use a crystal drill to drill one when the time comes.

But it feels a bit overwhelming.

Then it can only be based on feeling.

You must know when the water will boil away.

It is expected that by the end of this year, a small, experimental steam locomotive will be ready.

As for what you said about making a large one, it should be as big as the trains of later generations.

It is definitely impossible to run a car at a speed of dozens or hundreds of kilometers per hour and still be comfortable to sit in with good shock absorption.

But Zhao Xin felt that making a machine with a speed of less than five kilometers per hour, which was about less than a person's height, should not be a big problem.

However, once it is built, it can probably only be placed outside the city of Xuchang to facilitate the transportation of goods and food to the dock.

You said that construction should be started immediately throughout the Song Dynasty, and a road of several hundred kilometers should be built, even to transport troops and food. This is actually very difficult.

……

At the meeting.

Zhao Xin made the decision immediately and the grain was purchased in Kaifeng Prefecture and then transported to various places along the way via the Yellow River.

In addition to the food transported by river, the soldiers themselves must also carry at least a few days or even a dozen days' worth of rations.

To prevent unexpected situations.

This artillery...

Zhao Xin has not yet trained them how to use it, so they didn't bring the artillery.

Speaking of which, this year we should recruit some soldiers from the southeast region to train the artillery.

At least judging from past experimental data, the possibility of a barrel explosion is currently very small, and it can be said to be very safe.

In Xuchang, a hydraulic mill was specially built to mass-produce black gunpowder in the future.

After discussing the matter with everyone, Zhao Xin asked everyone to get to work.

It will take half a month to a month to prepare food and fodder.

after that……

The army set out.

at the same time……

We must establish good military discipline in advance.

At least when you go outside, you can't be sloppy.

Especially when a large army passes by, if you meet your former fellow villagers, you have to cheer up so as not to lose face.

As for singing, just don't sing.

It would be bad if the Liao Kingdom knew about my singing.

Just maintain the most basic queue, walk in alignment, and shout one, two, one, two, three, four.

In addition...

We also need to prepare a plan for what to do with the remaining people in case of an attack.

Zhao Xin felt that it would be best to prepare a plan to lure the snake out of its hole in advance.

They deliberately reveal their flaws so that thieves can easily find opportunities to take advantage of them.

At last……

Then surround the thieves.

Things like strategy and tactics must be communicated well with the team leaders.

As long as the team leader is not in chaos, the whole team will not be in chaos.

But it is also true.

Each of these soldiers was wearing armor and weapons. Even though they might not wear them all the time while marching, it was estimated that it would be difficult for anyone to have the courage to attack them.

unless……

They really don't want to live anymore.

When everything was ready, Zhao Xin still had to carry out some mobilization before the expedition. The purpose of this trip was to try his luck and see if he could fight a battle.

There may be a fight, or there may not be a fight. In short... everyone must remain on high alert.

The most important thing is, don’t panic when something happens!

As long as we form an army and unite to face the enemy, others might become even more afraid.

If they are really scared, the team leader will let everyone shout "kill" to boost morale.

Although it was just a drill, anyone who ran away when something happened would still be beheaded.

(End of this chapter)