There is no doubt that cavalry originated from grasslands with a large number of high-quality horses. In the early days, the Central Plains were mainly chariot warfare. Although there were cavalry, they were all used as auxiliary troops. The impact ability of the chariots was very strong, but they had high requirements for the terrain and required a large number of infantry cooperation. When facing the cavalry on the grassland, the chariots were almost useless. Unless they were deceived and surrounded and annihilated, it would be difficult to achieve substantial significance.

The turning point occurred during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han. In order to deal with the Xiongnu who came and went like the wind, Emperor Wu of Han changed his previous tactics and basically gave up fighting chariots and used cavalry to fight cavalry for a while. For a while, he even gave up infantry and attacked with pure cavalry. In order to overcome the reality that the cavalry of the Central Plains was generally inferior to the Huns, the Han army simply gave up cavalry and shooting, and adopted the tactic of forcibly assaulting and close-range hand-to-hand combat.

Compared with cavalry and shooting, close-range melee combat requires less demands on the knights and stronger lethality. You can understand it even if you think about it. It is easier to rush to the front and stabbing with a spear and halberd than shooting a target dozens of steps on the back of a undulating horse. If you are pierced by a spear and halberd, it is definitely more serious than being shot by an arrow. As long as it is not a vital point, you will usually not die. For ordinary Han knights equipped with iron armor, being shot does not even affect the battle, but being stabbed by a spear and halberd will cause serious injuries even if you don't die, and you may lose your combat power at that time.

With these two advantages, the Han army's combat effectiveness has made a qualitative leap.

Since this tactic is not difficult and has good killing effect, why don’t Hu people use it? The reason is very simple. Close combat is more dangerous than riding and shooting. When stabbing the opponent off the horse, the knights are also easily dismounted. In the close-range close combat, close-range close-range close-range tests the warrior’s courage and skills, which are conditions that Hu people do not have. They are more accustomed to shooting from a long distance and are not used to fighting in close combat.

But the tactics change due to the situation. The Han army can change, why can't the Hu people change? Under the attack of the Han army, they were almost dead, why do they still stick to the tactics of cavalry and shooting? Taishi Ci was puzzled before, but this time he went to Liaodong and contacted the Hu people, and then he knew the reason.

The Han army went to war on orders, and had military laws to control them. If they violated the orders, they would be killed. Therefore, no matter whether they were profitable or not, they had to move forward and sacrifice their lives. The Hu people were tribal, and the tribal leaders had limited control over their subordinates and could not force their subordinates to take risks and charge like the Central Plains generals. The Hu people fought for the sake of profit. If they were defeated, they could get trophy. If they were defeated, they had nothing. If they were killed in battle, they would even have their wives, children and property. Therefore, they would try their best to avoid casualties and escape if the situation was unfavorable.

After changing the tactics, the Han army took the initiative and needed enough horses to support them. As long as the commanding generals were not stupid, they could almost win. The only difference was whether they were big or small. If they were genius generals like Huo Qubing, they could run rampant on the grasslands by leading 30,000 to 50,000 cavalry. Gongsun Du was not as good as Huo Qubing, but Wuhuan people, Goguryeo people now have no heroes like Maodun and Yi Zhixie, so Gongsun Du saw who destroyed whom he dominated Liaodong in just a few years.

So it was not that Gongsun Du was strong, but that of Wuhuan people, and Goguryeo people were very weak.

They were also from Wuhuan people. They fought under the command of the Central Plains generals and had military orders to suppress them. They were the unyielding cavalry. Yuyang Tuqi was the famous cavalry that Emperor Guangwu relied on to seize the world. However, once they returned to the grassland and fought with the Han army, they were profit-seekers, mobs, and their combat effectiveness was greatly reduced.

"General should be careful of Yuan Shao. I heard that Yuan Shao had a very good relationship with the Huns and Wuhuans. Since Yuan An, the Yuan family has advocated being friendly to the Hu people, and the Hu people have a very good impression of the Yuan family. However, Gongsun Zan insisted on using strength. The Huns and Wuhuans hated him, and they rebelled and obeyed, and had deep hatred. These Hu cavalry were difficult to exert their true power in Gongsun Zan's hands. Once they were in Yuan Shao's hands, more than 10,000 elite cavalry galloped across the Central Plains, and no one could stand his edge."

Sun Ce suddenly realized. This was because he met a person who understood. It turned out that the difference between the Central Plains cavalry and the Hu cavalry was here. It was indeed politics that determined military affairs. Ma Chao's martial arts were comparable to Taishi Ci, but the difference in his knowledge was too far. People still had to read. Not only did they know a few sentences, but they were more important to broaden their horizons and develop the habit of thinking. As a general, it was not enough to have courage alone. They also had a view of the overall situation and a strategic sense, otherwise they would be the courage of ordinary men and fight against generals.

The more Sun Ce listened, the more interested he became, the more interested he was in Taishi Ci, and he took the initiative to talk about topics related to the current situation. "Ziyi was in Tongguan Mountain for several months, so he could make Zulang helpless. He must have his own opinions on mountain combat. Can he explain it to me?"

Taishi Ci bowed and bowed. "Dare not to obey orders. Ci was in Liaodong, and had no reserves. In order to make a living, he often went to the mountains to hunt and had some understanding of mountain combat. The biggest difference between mountain combat and flat ground lies in the terrain, which is close but far, and is within reach but difficult to reach. Therefore, short soldiers are useless, and crossbows are the hero. The majority of flat wars are only 30% of crossbows, and mountain wars should increase to 60% or 70%, and there should be more powerful crossbows that can shoot far. Even for short soldiers, you should also have heavy swords, shields, and spears, and halberds. Why? The trees are high and deep, and spears are not as flexible as swords and shields. Both mountains are different from the north and south. The forests in the north and south can be sprouted, and you can ride horses, and the forests in the south can be dense, so you can walk. The north is dry and cold, and you can wear robes and armors, and the south is humid and hot, so you should be light..."

Taishi Ci talked happily. Sun Ce was fascinated by the hearing and nodded repeatedly. Taishi Ci spent a few years in Liaodong. It was understandable that he understood the situation of mountain warfare in the north, but he had such insights in just a few months in Yangzhou. Being able to tie Zulang, a thief, was inseparable from his good thinking. From this, it can be seen that this adventure is worth it. Give him some more time to truly integrate into the perspective of the thief. It is not impossible to have Zulang train him and realize the essence of guerrilla warfare. At that point, his troubles will be great.

Taishici was a synonym of Liu Yao and Shi Xie in history books, similar to Lu Bu and Gongsun Zan, and was considered a Tingxiong who was separating the country. But he was actually different from those people. After he surrendered to Sun Ce, he made great contributions to the Sun family's possession of Jiangdong. However, his contributions were made in the Sun Ce era. When Sun Quan succeeded to the throne, Taishici was silent. It was said that it was a matter of entrusting the southern part, but it was actually idle. He had no chance to participate in the several wars after Sun Quan ascended the throne, or he was just a soybean. Seeing Lu Meng, Dong Xi and others making contributions, the death of their prime may be related to this.

Is it because Sun Quan is not optimistic about Taishi Ci or because Taishi Ci has no support from the village party, it is hard to say. Now that he has become Sun Ce, of course, he cannot let Taishi Ci, the star, bury it.

"Ziyi, you are capable of the north and south. You should be a Ma Fubo in the south and the north and Weihuo in the north. You are a rare versatile talent. However, Qingzhou is close to the north, so you may not be able to adapt to the climate in the south. It is better to work hard on the north. If you have the opportunity in the future, you will lead tens of thousands of cavalry to raid the grassland, expel the barbarians, and seal the wolf Juxu." Sun Ce raised his wine glass and greeted Taishi Ci.
Chapter completed!