My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 27 The Rouran Undergo Changes, and They Set Off for the Expedition!
"This this……"

Gao Huan was utterly astonished, and after a long while, he exclaimed in amazement, "It can actually penetrate two layers of armor?"

Gao Huan and his men were seasoned soldiers, and they had never seen or heard of anyone being able to pierce through two layers of armor with a bow!

To achieve this level of efficiency, a crossbow is necessary, but cocking a crossbow is so laborious that it's not nearly as efficient as simply drawing a bow and firing. Moreover, archers can move around freely on horseback, while crossbowmen can only be effective by hiding behind heavy infantry and waiting for the enemy to charge head-on.

It is important to understand that throughout history, the reason why dynasties have explicitly stipulated that "possessing armor privately" is equivalent to treason is simply because wearing armor, especially heavy armor, is practically invincible on the battlefield. Ordinary swords, spears, and arrows are simply ineffective against them, and can only be used to wait until they are exhausted.

How did Dong Zhuo die?
Li Su and his men, wielding long halberds, failed to injure any vital organs. In the end, it was only by avoiding the torso protected by the armor and directly stabbing Dong Zhuo in the neck that they finally killed him.

Being able to penetrate armor is equivalent to being able to shoot down these people who are going on a rampage on the battlefield.

It's a good weapon.

Gao Huan was filled with admiration.

The two of them could also tell that the bow was quite powerful.

Gao Yu looked at the Qing bow in his hand, completely captivated by it. Suddenly, he understood the feelings of characters in martial arts novels after obtaining a peerless divine weapon!

It truly lives up to its reputation as a product of the pinnacle of feudal dynasties in every aspect; even this weapon is the pinnacle of the era of cold weapons.

Gao Yu dismounted, feeling extremely pleased with himself.

"Wan Jing, what do you think of my bow now?"

"........."

What else could Hou Jing say?

His first reaction was to grab it and try it out for himself.

Gao Yu dodged the attack, and shouted urgently, "Mo Hedu, quickly let me test the power of this bow!!"

Gao Huan stopped him, saying, "This bow is very powerful; we'll show its power when the time is right."

With just a rough test, Gao Yu had the craftsmen improve and create a bow and arrow with such power.

If they improve even further in the future, what would that be like?
Gao Huan knew that replicating the bow and arrow was not difficult, but that would have to wait until later, after they had made great contributions on the battlefield with this bow.

The situation in Huai Shuo's army can be seen as that of a grassland tribe. Most of the team leaders and banner leaders, although nominally under the control of their superiors, have their own private troops and retinues. Only by strengthening their own power can they increase their share and have more say in the distribution of spoils of war, thus taking a larger slice of the pie.

They only ever think about themselves; what do they care about the life or death of others?
"Wan Jing, you don't need to worry. I will definitely have the Lou family craftsmen make more of this divine bow in the future. It's only a matter of time."

Hou Jing had no choice but to give up. He understood Gao Huan's concerns and knew that the matter couldn't be discovered by anyone else in the army.

However, this "future" may be a long time coming.

Bows and arrows are typically manufactured over a year; they simply cannot be made in a short period of time.

However, once you master the method, it's only a matter of time before you can mass-produce them.

Gao Yu, however, felt there was no need to be so cautious.

The process of making bows and arrows is fixed, and there are only a few materials. When the Qing bows are used to demonstrate their power on the battlefield, others will try to imitate them.

There aren't many technological barriers to this.

Moreover, to achieve the effect of penetrating two or even three layers of armor, one would need specially made four-ounce arrows. Shooting such arrows is not like firing a machine gun; there isn't enough power, and it's impossible to carry too many of these arrows in a quiver.

Only a skilled archer can draw the bow and shoot the arrow.

Therefore, it is unlikely that they shot ordinary soldiers; why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut?

Historically, the Qing army's "five-step shooting" was specifically designed to target and hunt down frontline generals, such as squad leaders, battalion commanders, and lower-ranking officers. Higher-ranking generals were unlikely to appear at the front, as not all high-ranking generals liked to emulate Yan Liang and Wen Chou, who did not stay in the central command but instead went to the front to act as a backdrop for others.

But the ability to mass kill junior officers is quite impressive.

Without these junior officers conveying and executing military orders, ordinary soldiers would find it difficult to exert their full combat effectiveness, or even suffer a complete collapse in morale, leading to a large-scale rout.

Gao Yu did not linger there, but ran back to supervise his soldiers' archery and horseback riding.

Gao Huan also left. A military officer came to deliver an order that all squad leaders and above needed to go to the main military tent for a meeting. It seemed that something important was about to happen.
at night.

After Gao Huan returned to his tent, he summoned Gao Yu and then dismissed everyone else, leaving only Gao Yu behind.

Seeing that there were no outsiders present, Gao Yu changed his way of addressing her.

"Brother? Is something the matter?"

Gao Huan nodded. "Do you know why I was so eager to have you enlist in the army?"

Gao Yu shook his head. Gao Huan then made no attempt to hide anything, “A few days ago, my father-in-law sent a servant to tell me that there had been internal strife within Rouran, and that I should prepare as soon as possible. If I am able to go on the expedition, I must fight bravely and make meritorious contributions.”

Lou Neigan's attitude towards Gao Huan was quite obvious.

They acknowledged Gao Huan's capabilities and believed he could provide all the assistance beyond personal support.

The powerful clans had internal intelligence channels, and they could get information even faster than the border troops.

Informing Gao Huan in advance meant telling him that there was an opportunity to make a contribution and be promoted, and that the opportunity was right in front of him, so he should seize it.

"Just now, Vice General Yang Jun officially issued an order, instructing all of us to prepare for the expedition. We will even be required to recruit more military households into the army. Once the high-ranking official sent by the imperial court arrives, all six garrisons will set off north to prevent the Rouran from advancing south."

"Is all this ostentatious display really just to guard against the worms?"

Gao Yu quickly realized that something was wrong with what he said.

Gao Huan was very satisfied, but he spoke with great righteousness, "The Rouran and our Great Wei are sworn enemies! Now that the Great Wei has been blessed by Heaven, the Rouran have caused internal strife, and we should march north to conquer them and avenge this unparalleled feud!"

Gao Yu rolled her eyes.

I admire this about the ancients; they could take advantage of someone's illness to rob them, yet they could still speak of it with such a sense of justice.

There must be a legitimate reason for the action.

When will we set out?

"Once the high-ranking officials of the imperial court arrive, we will immediately set out on the expedition."

Gao Yu nodded, but Gao Huan still had something to say.

"Just now, Vice General Yang Jun promoted me to battalion commander. The military order will arrive tomorrow, at which time... you will be promoted to squad leader."

Gao Yu didn't ask any further questions.

Gao Huan was promoted without having accomplished anything, which could only mean that the Lou family was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

A mere team leader can't possibly gain much credit.

Moreover, a squad of soldiers consists of fifty men, but Gao Huan's squad already has over a hundred men under his command. Before, it was nominal but in reality, but now it is truly so.

Not a few days passed.

Then another group of military households were recruited into the military camp.

Border military towns like Huai Shuo still retain many of the customs of grassland tribes. Everyone has received military training since childhood, and everyone is a soldier!
There are no 'new recruits' who are completely ignorant of military skills.

The only difference is that military personnel who serve year-round are stationed on rotation, have fought in battles, killed people, and seen blood.

The new recruits, despite possessing military skills, have never killed anyone, and have not yet overcome the most crucial psychological hurdle.

After Gao Yu officially became the team leader.

Mulan was immediately promoted to deputy team leader and head of the restaurant.

Mulan was clearly well-off, so she immediately brought nine servants from her home to accompany her. Mulan provided her own armor, weapons, and horses for the service, making her a true 'armored cavalry'.

Armored cavalry needs many attendants to help maintain weapons and equipment and take care of horses during the day.

Even when they went to the battlefield, they had to follow along and help transport equipment.

Armored cavalry would only don their armor when they were close to the battlefield; otherwise, they would be traveling with such heavy armor before even reaching the battlefield.

With both men and horses exhausted, how could they possibly have any fighting strength left?

Mulan is a resource-rich actress who got the role through investment, and she is also extremely capable and talented.

How could Gao Yu not value him and give him important responsibilities?

Another half month passed.

On the post road outside Huaishuo Town.

A large number of cavalrymen led the way, followed by squads of infantrymen holding military flags that fluttered in the wind and bore the character 'Li'!

The generals sent by the imperial court to oversee the military affairs of the northern expedition.

He was Li Chong, a general who served three dynasties and came from the Li clan of Longxi.

(End of this chapter)