Chapter 40

Li Jiancheng, after all, is Li Jiancheng, the second most important figure in the Li Tang Dynasty, and his words carry enough weight.

The problem that had been troubling Luo Shixin for a long time was resolved with just one word from Li Jiancheng. Comparing people can really make one angry!

Two hundred warhorses and a thousand陌刀 (mòdāo, a type of long-handled Chinese saber) were delivered from the Ministry of War one after another.

The delivery of two hundred warhorses was not unexpected by Luo Shixin; the Li Tang Dynasty, no matter how tight its finances were, could still afford two hundred horses. The thousand陌刀 surprised Luo Shixin, however. Forging weapons is not a task that can be completed in a day or two, especially the complex and expensive process of casting陌刀. Even with the full effort of the forge, it would be difficult to succeed in a short time. This is why陌刀 disappeared from history after the Tang Dynasty. It was not because the陌刀 was impractical, but because its high cost and complex forging process discouraged people.

Therefore, even if Li Jiancheng promised to provide a thousand陌刀, Luo Shixin thought it would take at least two to three months. He was pleasantly surprised when they were delivered so quickly and went to inspect the goods with great enthusiasm.

Upon seeing the goods, Luo Shixin finally understood: the quality of the陌刀 varied, some were even rusty, and they were all old. It seemed that even with Li Jiancheng's order, the Ministry of War did not plan to spend the manpower and resources to forge new陌刀 for Luo Shixin.

There are policies at the top and countermeasures at the bottom. Li Jiancheng ordered them to equip the Right骁卫 (Xiāo Wèi, a military unit) with a thousand陌刀, but did not specify that they had to be newly forged. Although the陌刀 is not very practical, it is not completely unused. Some soldiers and generals still like to use it. After each major battle, the spoils of war are usually transported back to the Ministry of War. Usable weapons are re-polished and reforged, while unusable ones are melted down to make new weapons. The陌刀, unlike ordinary swords, is not easily damaged, and over time, the Ministry of War has accumulated a stock of old-style陌刀. However, due to its low practicality, no one has claimed or repaired them.

Upon receiving Li Jiancheng's order, the Ministry of War simply selected the better ones and spent half a day polishing them before sending them to Luo Shixin.

Luo Shixin didn't know whether to cry or laugh. Although the陌刀 were old in style, their blades had been newly polished, and they would work just as well. They were just not very aesthetically pleasing and could be considered second-rate, but not unusable. The key was that these second-rate陌刀 could be used directly in training, without wasting two to three months of waiting time.

Luo Shixin remembered that after the Li Tang Dynasty was about to unify the country, the Turks began to fear the strength of the Li Tang and almost every year launched military actions against them. At this critical moment, an additional two to three months of training time was almost a blessing from heaven.

The Ministry of War's compliance in name but defiance in practice, using second-rate goods to敷衍 (fū yǎn,应付应付, perfunctory) him, inadvertently gave Luo Shixin more than two months of time.

Luo Shixin thought to himself, "I'll keep this in mind, and once my陌刀 team makes a name for itself, I'll settle accounts with you."

With the warhorses and陌刀, Luo Shixin began to reorganize the Right骁卫.

Previous training had only focused on physical fitness and did not specifically train for different military roles. Now that the conditions were ripe, it was time for a change.

These days, Luo Shixin did not blindly train. Each person's physical fitness, like the cultural qualities Confucius spoke of, has its strengths and weaknesses. Some excel in riding, some in endurance, some in explosive power, some in arm strength, and some in keen eyesight.

Luo Shixin had already asked Mo Huer to categorize them: those with excellent riding skills would naturally be chosen for the cavalry; those with great strength would be suitable for the陌刀 team; those with explosive power would be suitable for the shock troops; and those with keen eyesight would naturally be archers.

It is not without reason that Li Jiancheng and the people at the Ministry of War did not see the value in the陌刀. The陌刀 team indeed has a destructive power, but it also has a congenital disadvantage: poor mobility. The陌刀 soldiers must carry a fifty-pound陌刀 and wear heavy armor, which greatly limits their mobility.

The Turks are not a bunch of fools; they would not charge headlong into a formation of such fierce sabers. The Turks are not only skilled in riding but also in archery. They can easily disable the陌刀 soldiers with their arrows. Without solving this problem, using the陌刀 against the Turkish cavalry would be an empty promise.

This is indeed the case, so the陌刀 team is not a uniform formation of陌刀. Its true strength lies in the perfect combination of crossbowmen, archers, spearmen, swordsmen, cavalry, and陌刀 soldiers, with the陌刀 as the main force and the others as auxiliary. With knowledge from the future and Luo Shixin's extensive battle experience, as well as his recent intensive study of military theory, he is highly confident in his ability to restore this battle formation.

The only regret is that Li Jing is far away in Jingzhou, serving as the acting governor. If he could discuss it with him and get guidance from the military god Li Jing, it would be even better.

Regarding this change, Luo Shixin held a small meeting, which was more like issuing orders.

Luo Shixin was determined to train his 2,500 soldiers into a陌刀 team, without giving Xue Yong, Mo Huer, and the other officers any chance to discuss it.

Fortunately, Xue Yong and Mo Huer were already convinced of Luo Shixin's abilities, and the latter was even more obedient. As for the others, even if they had some objections, they were of little influence and not a concern.

"Xue Yong, your task is the most important. The thousand陌刀 soldiers will be the main force in our future victories, and there must be no slack," Luo Shixin first appointed Xue Yong. After many days of interaction, Luo Shixin had a clear understanding of Xue Yong's strengths. He has great strength, a stable lower body, solid basic skills, and strong explosive power, making him a natural fit for leading the陌刀 team.

"I will not let you down!" Xue Yong accepted the order with composure and sat down.

"Mo Huer, the shock troops will be under your command. Believe in yourself; you have the ability!" Compared to Xue Yong, Luo Shixin placed even more trust in Mo Huer. He is about the same age, lively and active, warm and outgoing, and easily gets along with the soldiers, making them willing to serve him. His martial arts skills are also excellent, making him a valuable talent and the leader of the shock troops.

Mo Huer was visibly excited and jumped up, saying, "General, rest assured, Mo Huer will do his best. Just wait and see my results."

The leaders of the spearmen, crossbowmen, and archers were also assigned, with instructions to focus on the strengths of their respective units, without worrying about their weaknesses.

As for the cavalry, Luo Shixin would personally train them. A silent transformation that would influence the war situation of the Tang Dynasty was quietly unfolding here.