Qin Official

At the end of May in the twenty-seventh year of Qin Shihuang, accompanied by the endless chirping of cicadas, the gate of the Great Wall of Despair slowly opened, and more than a thousand Qin troops slowly marched out of the fortress.

Riding at the front was Li Xin, the captain of Longxi County. Not far behind him was Heifu, who was appointed by Qin Shihuang as the envoy to pray for the river. This was also the main purpose of their trip: to "expand to the west". At the opening ceremony, the "white horse and black dog" went to the upper reaches of the river to pray and sacrifice for the emperor.

Their destination was probably the area around Lanzhou in later generations. It was neither far nor close, and the traffic conditions were not optimistic.

Chariots that can only show off their power on the plains are of no use, so this team is purely composed of infantry and cavalry. It is difficult to supply outside the border fortress. The nearest outpost is also a hundred miles away, so there are not many people with it.

Hei Fu originally wanted to get on the tall horse given by the emperor, but he gave up the idea after being persuaded by Li Xin: "Believe me, when we go out to patrol the fortress, there are mountains and ravines, and there is no way to go in many places. Sometimes we have to explore the way in the bushes. When encountering rain, the horse's hooves will slip easily, making it the most unsuitable for riding a war horse."

War horses are impatient and always like to gallop wildly. They are not as reliable as old pack horses when used for walking on mountain roads. When encountering a police battle on the way, they will switch to war horses, so a cavalryman must prepare at least two horses.

"During the southern expedition to Yuzhang, the army was short of horses. I was walking with the soldiers in the dense forest, so I didn't know."

Heifu thanked Li Xin for the reminder, and Li Xin's subordinates also subconsciously felt that this black guy from Nanjun probably knew nothing about cavalry operations outside the Great Wall.

"I guess he can't even ride a horse?"

Before setting off, his subordinate Qiang Huang, who commanded two hundred horses, whispered with several officials and subordinates. In the eyes of them, who were born and raised in Longxi and the North, southerners were only good at swimming and rowing. When they got on the horse, Don't talk about shooting with a bow, as long as it doesn't fall down, it's good.

"When we got to the bumpy spot, I wanted to see if he would hug the horse's neck tightly."

While talking, Qianghuang also put his saddle on the horse's back.

The Qin Dynasty already had saddles, which were rectangular in shape, made of leather on the surface, stuffed with wool and a thick saddle pad in the middle, and sewn with very thin leather threads around the edges, and shaped like two pillows. Three straps are used to tie the horse's abdomen, chest, and buttocks to fix it on the horse's back.

It is said that this thing was used by the Rongdi people in the north. They rode horses all year round and found that it would be more comfortable to put something on the horse's back. Later, King Wuling of Zhao's "Hufu Cavalry and Shooting" improved it and spread it to Qin. With this thing, thousands of large-scale cavalry appeared in Qin, Zhao, and Yan. The military law of the Qin State also states: "Generals who ride on chariots and horses without equipped horses or saddles will be punished."

Therefore, preparing the saddle and saddle is a must for cavalry before marching.

But in Heifu's opinion, this thing is not so much a saddle as it is a saddle pad for riding, or a "low saddle". The low saddle can be folded up when not in use, which is lightweight, but still not advanced enough.

In the past, Heifu mainly fought in the south, traveling in chariots and not much on horseback. But this time he accompanied the emperor on his western tour. Since he had proposed a strategy to open up the northwest, during the time he stayed in Shanggui County, he had someone make something new in advance, hoping that it would be useful when he left the fortress...

So, while preparing their horses, the cavalry commander Qiang Huang and others, who were waiting to see Hei Fu's joke, suddenly discovered that Hei Fu asked his charioteer Sang Mu to add an object to the backs of their horses. It seems to be made of wood and covered with leather, with high bulges at the front and back and a low center. It presses on the horse's bridle and is also firmly fixed on the horse's back through three straps: chest strap, belly strap, and qiu strap.

And on both sides of this object, there are two flat-bottomed iron rings hanging with leather straps...

But he saw Hei Fu supporting the horse, stepping on the iron ring, easily getting on the horse's back, and sitting firmly on the object.

During the subsequent rides, Heifu was as steady as a mountain on horseback. When encountering obstacles, the Longxi horseman had to clamp the horse's body with his legs and hold the horse's mane tightly with his hands to prevent him from falling off the horse. .

But Heifu behaved with ease and ease, as if he were walking on flat ground. He still had time to look around and see the scenery outside the wall. His riding skills looked as good as Rong Di, who was born and raised in Longxi...

"It must be because of that object on the horse."

The cavalrymen whispered, but out of dignity, no one went to ask Heifu. It was not until after crossing the Tao River in the morning and resting by the water that Li Xin took the initiative to ask Heifu.

"This is also a saddle, let's call it a high saddle! This will help you sit more firmly." Hei Fu did not hide his secrets and told Li Xin generously.

"And these things are called stirrups. They give your feet a place to step on when riding, and you don't have to clamp the horse's belly tightly, which will make your legs sore when you dismount."

After all, Heifu also had many years of experience in the military. He had a foundation in the past, and with a saddle under his butt, stirrups, and a bottom under his feet, it was certainly easier to ride a horse.

"My riding skills are not as good as those of the second and third sons. I am afraid of falling off the horse and making a fool of myself."

He glanced at the Longxi cavalry officers and generals who were following Li Xin and looked around, and said with a smile: "So I can only fake it."

The cavalry commander Qiang Huang was only eighteen or nineteen years old, and was the grandson of Qiang Yu (lěi), the commander of the Great Shang. He was a little unconvinced and shouted: "We thought you had great riding skills, but it turned out that it was because of external things." .”

Before Heifu could speak, Li Xin had already glared at Qiang Huang: "Soldiers are cunning. On the battlefield, victory is when you can knock the enemy off his horse. Whether it is with a bow and arrow or a tripping horse rope, it also depends on whether you rely on your own strength." Skills? If that's the case, why do we have to pay attention to thick armor and sharp blades, strong bows and powerful crossbows? Can't we just go naked and fight the enemy with fists? Why don't we apologize to You Shuchang!"

Qianghuang was scolded and could only apologize to Hei Fu. Hei Na did not dare to say anything more. Hei Fu felt that he was really going to look at Li Xin in a new light.

Li Xin, who only knew how to be reckless and reckless, has died in the land of Jingchu. The man in front of him is General Li who is not only brave but also a little calm and wise...

Heifu knew the character of these Longxi men, so he didn't feel dissatisfied and said with a smile: "General Li is right. Those who fake horses are not good at running a thousand miles; those who fake boats are not good at water, but they can cut off rivers." , A gentleman is born without exception, and he is good at pretending to things. With the high saddle and stirrups, I, a southerner, can control a horse as well as the northerners and Rongdi who have been with horses since childhood!"

He looked at Li Xin: "And if you are already a skilled rider, with these two things, you will be even more powerful!"

"You are indeed the Shaofu Cheng who made hemp paper. No wonder His Majesty said you often come up with fantastic ideas."

As a cavalry general who has fought at the border for many years, Li Xin has realized the benefits of high saddles and stirrups. Now he is no longer the arrogant and arrogant young man. He heard what Hei Fu said and humbly asked Hei Fu to give way. He tries.

Li Xin asked someone to bring his beloved white horse, fixed the high saddle firmly on the horse's back, and ran his fingers through the horse's mane. The silver mane matched his silver hair, giving it a sad beauty.

I saw him stepping on the stirrups and jumping up! Without even exerting force on his feet, and without even shaking the reins in his hands, the white horse responded immediately, following his master's wishes, neighing and trotting.

On both sides of the Taoshui River, there is a large open pasture, which is very convenient for horses to gallop. It was May, and green grass was everywhere, spreading to the high hills in the distance. On the hills were blooming small yellow flowers, swaying desperately when the dry wind blew. There were quite a few foxes and rabbits among the dense grass and stones.

The silver horse carried the white-haired general across the grass and onto the high hill. The horse is strong and fast, the general has an extraordinary appearance and temperament, and the high saddle and stirrups completely free his hands.

Li Xin picked up the bow on his back, drew out the arrow, and rode on horseback to shoot. Almost every time he drew the bow, a fox and rabbit died under the arrow, which attracted more than a thousand people to cheer and cheer.

Still not satisfied, he drew out his sword and began to perform difficult horse movements, back and forth, left and right, and circling forward and backward. He was extremely flexible and dazzling.

When the speed reaches the fastest, the man and the horse are as one, and the reality can no longer be seen clearly. The silver saddle shines on the white horse, rustling like a shooting star!

Only the scarlet cloak raised high behind Li Xin looked like a pair of burning wings! Take one man and one horse and spread your wings and fly!

"Sure enough, it's even more powerful than a tiger..." Qiang Huang looked at it with fascination.

This is the charm of a cavalry commander. Even Heifu couldn't help but admire him. A word popped up in his mind and he blurted it out!

"What a flying general!"

"Ran Ye! Flying General!"

Qiang Huang and other cavalry officers who respected Li Xin also echoed loudly, confirming the title. Heifu thought carefully, Li Xin was the ancestor of Li Xin in Longxi, and Li Guang was his descendant. What's wrong?

Some of Li Xin's former officials and friends have tears in their eyes. They have not seen Li Xin galloping like this for a long time...

At this moment, the young general who chased Prince Dan with light cavalry, crossed ravines, climbed hills, risked obstacles, conquered large swamps, and killed powerful enemies, seemed to be back again!

After a long while, Li Xin galloped back from the high hill, accompanied by several horsemen who were ordered to watch on the hill. They all had a lot of prey. This was Li Xin's harvest in just a short moment.

Just as Heifu was about to pass with the other cavalrymen and listen to Li Xin's praise of the high saddle and stirrups, he had a serious face and shouted:

"The entire army is on alert, mount your horses! Load your crossbows! Protect the right concubine and the baggage behind!"

Li Xin passed by the army and loudly warned: "There are Qiang Rong approaching us! They are already ten miles away!"