Three Kingdoms: The Kingdom Cannot Be Partial

Chapter 286 The Great Han Wolf Cavalry, Chang'an Horse Administration

"Your Majesty is here!"

As the players on the field were shouting and arguing about the betting results, the Emperor's carriage and the Grand Governor Chen's deputy carriage emerged one after the other.

The noise came to an abrupt halt.

The football field was completely silent.

Regardless of rank, all the soldiers stood at attention and remained silent.

Although Liu Shan did not witness Mi Wei's comical appearance as a gatekeeper, Mi Wei's disheveled appearance still made him laugh out loud.

“Awei,” Liu Chan said, laughing loudly, “these guys didn’t treat you like a cripple, but they didn’t treat you like a human being either!”

Upon hearing this, many soldiers in the arena joined the emperor in bursting into laughter.

Upon hearing the sound, Mi Wei quickly stepped forward to offer his respects, but due to exhaustion and the inconvenience of his iron legs, he swayed slightly.

"Your subject... Mi Wei greets Your Majesty!" Mi Wei knelt on one knee and gave a military salute.

Liu Shan helped him up, then pulled Mi Wei towards the imperial carriage. He lifted his skirt, got into the carriage, and beckoned to Mi Wei.

The deer's might was momentarily halted.

"What are you standing there for? Come up here!" The emperor feigned anger.

"Yes!" Mi Wei dared not disobey, and limped toward the emperor's carriage to board it.

"What's wrong? Does your leg still hurt?" Liu Chan asked.

Sitting beside the emperor, Mi Wei wiped the dust from his face and replied with a smile:

"Puskin and Ma Sigong adjusted the prosthetic leg more than ten times and added a leather lining to the inner wall. It's usually fine, but after running for half a game of football just now, it was indeed a bit tight. It will be fine after a short rest!"

Liu Shan frowned and said, "Then you should not try to be brave and go on the field again in the future."

Mi Wei hurriedly patted his chest and said:

"Your Majesty... although this is my first time playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football), to be honest, I think I'm quite suited to be a goalkeeper!"

Liu Shan laughed heartily, bending over backward with laughter. Before he could stop laughing, he said to Mi Wei, "Come here, bring me your foot."

Although Mi Wei did not understand why, he still unhesitatingly unzipped his trousers, removed the iron feet, and then handed them to the emperor with both hands.

Liu Shan took the carriage and gave it a look. Long Xianglang, who was in charge of driving, immediately started the carriage. The green canopy moved with it and slowly circled the stadium, ensuring that everyone inside and outside the stadium could see the emperor in the carriage and the object he was holding.

The car finally stopped in the middle of the field.

Liu Shan ordered his men to remove the umbrella, then stood upright on the carriage, and finally raised the iron foot in his hand high, displaying it fully to everyone in the afterglow of the setting sun.

"Gentlemen!" The stadium fell silent, but the Emperor's voice was clear and resonant. "What is this?"

The soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment. Some knew the inside story and were filled with respect, while others were confused and looked bewildered.

"These are the feet of a tiger rider!" Liu Shan's voice suddenly became impassioned.

"Last year, on the banks of the Wei River, we fought the battle to slay Cao Zhen! Our Han army feigned defeat to lure the enemy, while Cao Wei's elite cavalry sailed south by boat, coming in a fierce swarm. Our feigned defeat almost turned into a real defeat, and our strategy of luring the enemy deep into our territory nearly became a complete fabrication!"

"At that moment!" He suddenly raised his iron foot even higher, "It was Mi Wei, the Tiger Cavalryman, who took the lead and personally led several hundred Tiger Cavalrymen to fight to the death on the banks of the Wei River to prevent Cao Wei's Tiger and Leopard Cavalry from landing!"

"The tiger rider was hit by dozens of arrows, and Wei Ni cut off one of his legs!"
"In this battle, Cao Zhen was beheaded, allowing our Great Han to turn the tide and recapture Guanzhong! We returned the capital to Chang'an!" Liu Shan's voice grew increasingly impassioned. "The death of Cao Zhen and the rise of the Great Han, the might of the Deer and Tiger Cavalry, their contributions are immeasurable and will be immortalized for generations to come!"

Just as everyone was either solemn or surprised, the emperor changed the subject: "Everyone says that I bestowed these iron feet upon the deer and tiger riders to demonstrate their merit and prestige, but that is not true at all!"

"This foot is not a gift from me! Rather, it was forged by a physician using several pounds of arrowheads taken from the back of the Deer Tiger Riders, along with fragments of the iron armor worn by the Deer Tiger Riders! Its material is neither gold nor iron, but rather the loyalty, bravery, and passion of the Deer Tiger Riders. This is the national foot!"

Liu Shan emphasized the words "national football team" very much.

After a brief silence, Liu Shan suddenly raised his arms and shouted, once again raising his iron foot high:
"May the Deer and Tiger Cavalry be victorious!"

This shout was like a stone thrown into a still lake, instantly creating a thousand waves.

Generals Chen Dao, Guan Xing, Zhao Guang, and Chen Hu were the first to react, responding in unison: "May the Deer and Tiger Cavalry be victorious!"

Immediately afterwards, the surrounding dragon-riding warriors and tiger-riding warriors also shouted in unison.

"May the Deer and Tiger Cavalry be victorious!"

The sound spread rapidly like ripples, affecting the vast majority of soldiers present. Whether they had just won or lost money, whether they were supporters of the army or fans of the beastly army, they were all shaken by the emperor's words and the iron hilt in his hand that symbolized loyalty, bravery, and merit.

"May the Deer and Tiger Cavalry be victorious!!!" The cheers from the Cuju stadium were deafening, shaking the entire field.

On the emperor's carriage, Mi Wei struggled to support himself on one leg, while the other... half of his leg dangled in the air, looking rather comical.

"May the Great Han be victorious!" Mi Wei roared with all his might, his voice trembling and hoarse. If it weren't for the crimes of his Mi family, the Great Han would not have lost Jingzhou, would not have suffered the hatred of Yiling, and therefore would not have had this Eastern Expedition. Facing the soldiers of the Eastern Expedition, he was somewhat uneasy and dared not raise his head.

Liu Shan turned his head and saw that Mi Wei was covered in sweat, but his eyes and nose were red.

"May the Han Dynasty be victorious!" Liu Shan shouted, raising his arms.

"Victory for the Great Han!!" The soldiers' emotions were completely ignited, and cheers echoed for a long time over the riverbank. Fish in the riverbed leaped, and birds in the forest were startled.

"Return to camp," Liu Shan ordered his charioteer, his voice regaining its calm.

The canopy was put back on, the carriage started, and under the protection of the dragon-riding guard, the emperor's carriage slowly drove away from the still bustling football field.

The scene of Liu Shan traveling in the same carriage with the meritorious officials of the Han Dynasty under the green silk umbrella was deeply imprinted in the hearts of the soldiers present.

Along the way, Liu Shan did not inquire about Mi Wei's military and political affairs in Chang'an. Instead, he looked at Mi Wei's still somewhat flushed face and his empty trouser legs, and chatted with him about everyday matters. He asked about his legs, his life in Chang'an, his wives, concubines, and children, and inquired about interesting stories in Chang'an. He also asked about the recent situation of old friends. It was just ordinary family concern and care.

At first, Mi Wei seemed a little reserved, but he finally let go completely. After not seeing him for half a year, the emperor before him, whose power and authority were growing day by day, was still the same old friend and playmate he had shared with in his youth, riding horses, shooting arrows, reading books, and fishing in the Eastern Palace.

The car drove on into the twilight, the atmosphere inside was harmonious and warm, as if two friends were returning from a trip together.

When the imperial carriage arrived at the central command tent, Liu Xingzu, the cook whom Liu Shan had obtained from Zhao Yun, had already become the imperial chef and had prepared food and wine for the emperor.

Liu Shan dismissed his attendants, leaving only Ji Bazhi and his cavalry to guard outside the tent.

The two sat facing each other at the table, with a few side dishes and a pot of warm wine. After a few drinks, their faces were flushed, and Liu Shan finally steered the conversation toward serious matters.

"Awei, how is the horse administration in Chang'an doing now? I've been away from the capital for half a year. Although I received a letter from the Prime Minister, I never saw him mention it in his letters. I've also been very busy and forgot about it."

The saying goes, "Those in positions of power should fulfill their duties." Matters such as horse administration were not the most important matters that the emperor should be concerned with. Liu Shan indeed did not pay attention to them after leaving Chang'an, as he had too many other things to deal with every day.

Mi Wei put down his wine glass, his expression turned serious, and his eyes became much clearer:
"Your Majesty, the horse administration in Chang'an, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, has achieved remarkable results!"

He gathered his thoughts and then began to give a detailed report.

"The primary credit should go to Marquis Guiyi!"

Mi Wei's tone was filled with admiration for the leader of the Guiyi Qiang people.

"Shortly after His Majesty left the capital, Marquis Guiyi took the initiative to persuade the chieftains of the various Qiang tribes in Anding to present more than two thousand fine warhorses and more than three thousand fodder horses to our Great Han in one go. This is truly a timely help!"

Liu Shan nodded slightly.

He never doubted Yang Tiao's loyalty and understanding of the bigger picture.

"The Prime Minister then followed His Majesty's wishes and selected three thousand brave and skilled cavalrymen from among Yang Tiao's troops and the various Qiang followers, and trained them separately."

"The aim is to create a truly elite cavalry force belonging to the nation for our great Han Dynasty."

Mi Wei continued, his tone somewhat wistful:
"However, Your Majesty knows that while the Qiang people are brave, they are by nature unruly, disorganized, and difficult to control. When they first entered the army, many of them did not obey the Han military law and were not familiar with the ranks and commands."

"Drunkenness, brawls, theft, and even unauthorized departures from the camp to return home are frequent occurrences. The Han instructors sent by the Prime Minister to teach these Qiang people have clashed with them many times. If the Prime Minister hadn't strictly forbade discrimination and the arbitrary use of punishment, things would likely have descended into chaos long ago."

Liu Shan listened silently, able to imagine the initial chaotic situation: "And then what happened? How were the Prime Minister and the Marquis of Guiyi dealt with?"

“The Prime Minister’s methods can be described as combining kindness and severity, and balancing firmness and gentleness,” Mi Wei replied.

"On the one hand, the Prime Minister re-examined the 48 military regulations for these 3,000 Qiang cavalry."

"The regulations are clear, and the rewards and punishments are distinct. Anyone who violates military discipline, regardless of whether they are Qiang or Han, will be treated equally. Those who should be punished will be punished with caning, and those who should be confined will be confined. There will be no leniency."

"On one occasion, a battalion of Qiang soldiers got drunk and caused trouble, injuring their Han comrades. The Prime Minister ordered that military law be enforced in public, with the ringleader being whipped twenty times and the rest being severely punished."

“Yang Tiao personally supervised the event, and afterwards summoned the Qiang soldiers, repeatedly explaining in both Chinese and Qiang languages ​​that military law is as strict as a mountain. This was not directed at them, but rather to ensure that everyone could become true warriors, for the sake of the Han Dynasty, for the sake of the stability of the Qiang, and for the sake of their own tribes and families to live a good life.”

He took a sip of wine to moisten his throat:
"On the other hand, the prime minister also placed great importance on appeasement."

"All Qiang cavalry received the same food and clothing as the Han army, and in some aspects, they were even favored."

“Monthly rations and pay will be paid in full without any deductions. Families who move from Anding to Guanzhong to settle down will also receive subsidies in terms of grain and silk from the court.”

"The compensation for the dead and wounded is also generous and generous. Although the Marquis of Guiyi handed over these three thousand Qiang warriors to the Han, he still went deep into the camp, ate and lived with the Qiang soldiers, and explained to them repeatedly in a way that the Qiang people could understand why they should abide by discipline and why they should obey orders."

Miwei's face showed admiration:
"After persisting in this way for several months, the results were remarkable. The Qiang soldiers discovered that abiding by military discipline not only did not diminish their bravery, but also greatly increased their effectiveness in coordinated operations."

"The rigorous training, though arduous, enables them to better protect themselves and kill the enemy on the battlefield."

"The generous treatment from the imperial court and the guidance of the Marquis of Guiyi further fostered a sense of identity and belonging among these Qiang soldiers. They began to take pride in being part of the Han cavalry, developed a sense of collective honor, and understood the principle of 'Qiang and Han as one.'"

"As for the fundamentals of riding and archery," Mi Wei said with a smile.

"There is no need to worry. The Qiang soldiers are men of horseback, galloping on horseback as if walking on flat ground, and drawing their bows and shooting arrows is as instinctive as if it were second nature."

"As long as the issues of organization and discipline are resolved, this group of Qiang people can immediately become the best cavalry in the world. This cavalry force of three thousand men has now been named the Wolf Cavalry by the Prime Minister."

"Although we are still lacking in horse armor, we have already taken shape. Our orders are strict and our movements are well-organized. Given time, we will surely become a formidable force for our Han Dynasty!"

Liu Shan listened with a broad smile, nodding repeatedly:
"Excellent! I've always said that the Prime Minister's military leadership is unparalleled, and the Marquis of Guiyi truly deserves to be called a pillar of the state who is trusted by me wholeheartedly!"

“Not only that,” Miwei continued, his tone enthusiastic.

"Your Majesty, since the trade and even tribute exchanges between the Western Regions and Cao Wei have not been interrupted, Xu Miao and Guo Huai, who are living in Liangzhou, are helpless against the merchants from the Western Regions."

"These merchants from the Western Regions who wanted to go to Luoyang would pass through Guanzhong."

"The Prime Minister then used the Shu brocade produced in my Shu region, as well as the Jing brocade produced in the Chang'an weaving workshops, to conduct trade with various ethnic groups from the Western Regions, including the Kushan, Persians, and Sogdians."

"These exotic treasures from the East, which were seen as rare treasures by people from the Western Regions, were actually exchanged for six genuine Ferghana horses!"

"Two of them were uncastrated stallions!"
"Now, it has been bred with carefully selected fine horses from Hexi at Chang'an Horse Garden, and has successfully produced more than a dozen foals."

"I have seen them. Those dozen or so ponies have well-proportioned frames, strong hooves, and are full of energy. They will surely become fine steeds in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Shan couldn't help but clapp his hands and chuckle.
"Excellent! This is truly a long-term plan."

“And there’s more!” Mi Wei said, listing them off as if they were his own treasures.

"The Prime Minister used Shu brocade, Beijing brocade, Ba salt... as well as pepper, grape wine and other items exchanged with people from the Western Regions."

"We exchanged nearly a thousand high-quality warhorses and foals with the Qiang and Hu tribes of Longyou, such as Yang Qianwan and Fu Jian. As for the dwarf horses available for use, there were more than two thousand."

"Most of these warhorses, foals, and bridles were distributed by the Prime Minister to the Yingyang Inner Palace soldiers for raising and use."

"To this end, the Prime Minister personally drafted and promulgated a series of horse administration regulations, ordering the soldiers to strictly abide by them."

"Oh? What are the regulations?" Liu Shan showed great interest in this, as horse administration was of paramount importance to the fate of the Han Dynasty.

As the commander of the Tiger Cavalry of the Han Dynasty, Mi Wei was clearly very familiar with this matter and immediately replied:

"The regulations are quite detailed."

"For example, all stallions selected for breeding, except for the exceptionally outstanding ones, must be gelded by the government at a certain age to prevent the spread of inferior horses and ensure the superior bloodline of warhorses."

"For example, it is strictly forbidden to slaughter healthy horses without authorization. Sick or injured horses must be reported to the authorities for inspection before they can be disposed of. Violators will be severely punished."

"For example, all the soldiers who adopted government horses had to pay for horse urine and manure on time, which were collected by the government and used for iron smelting or dried and used as fuel..."

He explained in detail everything from branding and registering horses, disease prevention and control, to hay storage, pasture management, and assessment and rewards and punishments, covering almost every aspect of horse breeding and management.

Liu Shan was dumbfounded.

The Prime Minister is truly a prime minister! Such a comprehensive horse administration system is not just suitable for the local militia; it's designed for the entire country and could probably be used for one or two thousand years!

"...The most important thing is the assessment," Mi Wei said. "The Prime Minister has established a rule that every autumn, each prefecture and county will inspect the official horses raised by the soldiers."

According to the "Edict on Examining Horses" issued by the Prime Minister:
"If a horse is fat and strong and exceeds the standard, the soldiers who raise it can be rewarded and even have their taxes reduced or exempted."
"If a horse is thin or injured, it will be fined or whipped depending on the circumstances; if a horse dies due to inadequate care, compensation will be required, and the soldier's qualification may even be revoked."

"In Mei County, there was a soldier named Wang Lin. Because he took good care of his adopted horse, the old horse gave birth to an extremely fine foal last year. He was directly promoted to captain (a leader of fifty men) and was also rewarded with five bolts of Shu brocade."

"Nowadays, the soldiers of Guanzhong Prefecture take pride in raising fine horses."

Liu Shan listened intently, his admiration for the prime minister reaching its peak. These regulations, though seemingly cumbersome, were undoubtedly the foundation for strengthening the Han cavalry.

After a long while, when Mi Wei was speechless, he finally asked a question:
"Handle with a high saddle, stirrups, and Awei—have you personally tested both of these?"

Mentioning these two items instantly sobered Mi Wei, his expression becoming extremely serious, even stern. He took a deep breath and nodded heavily:

"Your Majesty, I have tried it! More than once!" His voice carried a hint of suppressed excitement. "These two things are indeed simple in construction and not particularly expensive, but their power... is truly astonishing!"

"I once donned full heavy armor, mounted a warhorse equipped with a high saddle and double stirrups, and charged forward with a long spear in hand."

"With the help of the stirrups and the support of the saddle, I was able to stand steadily on the horse's back, channeling all my strength into the tip of the spear, thrusting straight at the target without fear of being thrown off by the recoil!"
"The impact and stability are on a completely different level than before!"

He gazed intently at the emperor:

"Your Majesty, these two items will greatly shorten the training time for elite cavalry!"
"It can also double the combat power of the existing elite cavalry!"

"Whether it's the stability of mounted archery or the power to break through enemy lines, it will be a qualitative leap!"

Then, his tone turned to deep worry:
"However, precisely because of their simplicity and great effectiveness, I believe that these two items must never be allowed to leave the country!"
"It must be regarded as a vital national asset of our great Han Dynasty and kept strictly guarded!"

"Otherwise, if Cao Wei discovers and imitates it, its cavalry strength will increase terrifyingly, given its abundant horses and cavalry base in the north."

"At that time, even if our Great Han has the Tiger Cavalry, it will probably be difficult to gain the upper hand in the decisive battle in the Central Plains in the future."

"We must wait until our Han cavalry is strong enough to fight the Wei bandits at the crucial moment before we suddenly unleash this attack to achieve the best results!"

Liu Shan slowly nodded, his expression solemn.

Mi Wei's view coincided with his.

The high-bridge saddle and the double stirrups, two seemingly minor technological innovations, directly changed the form of warfare in the era of cold weapons.

In the original historical timeline, heavy cavalry dominated the battlefield for two or three hundred years. The widespread use of double stirrups and high saddles was also an important factor that enabled the northern nomadic tribes to wreak havoc in the Central Plains after the War of the Eight Princes of the Sima family.

This kind of device, which is simple in construction and inexpensive, yet can greatly enhance the capabilities of cavalry, is simply too overpowered.

"I understand," Liu Shan replied in a deep voice.

"This matter is classified as top secret. All those who know about it must be strictly controlled, and the craftsmen responsible for its creation must also be centrally managed."

(End of this chapter)