Chapter 36 Chapter 36, Heavenly Soldiers from the Upper Kingdom, Express Delivery Today's era is the peak age of heavy armor in East Asia. The Iron Pagodas of the Jin Dynasty, the Heavy Infantry of the Song Dynasty, and the Iron Harriers of the Western Xia Dynasty were all heavily armored cavalry that left their names in history. So much so that in this era, the armies of the Three Kingdoms were equipped with a large number of armor-piercing blunt weapons such as iron bones, iron hammers, and iron maces. But as for heavy armor, it's something that not ordinary forces can afford. For example, the regional hegemon Xixia, whose entire force was equipped with armored cavalry known as "wart armor," had only 3,000 cavalry at its peak. The wart armor is forged using the "cold forging" technology, which has extremely high requirements on steel materials. The forging process is also extremely complex and time-consuming. The forged armor plates are all distinctive blue-black in color, shiny enough to reflect a person's reflection, and extremely strong. Even at a close distance of fifty steps, a powerful crossbow cannot damage the armor plates. Such good armor is naturally extremely precious. Only the sons of the Dangxiang Qiang nobles and their trusted attendants could become Iron Harriers and be equipped with such heavy armor. Ouyang Feng spared no expense this year, and only with the help of Li did he manage to get six sets of wart armor. Even for this, it is thanks to the current Western Xia ruler Li Renxiao who valued culture over military affairs, established the Confucius Temple, promoted culture and education, set up imperial examinations, built the Imperial Academy, vigorously advocated civil governance, and maintained friendly relations with the Jin and Song countries. There had been no major wars for many years, and the military gradually became disused. Only then could these six sets of wart armor be obtained through special channels at a huge cost.
After conquering the Gaochang Royal City today, we only found a dozen or so sets of ordinary armor. In short, Ouyang Feng now has less than twenty sets of armor among the five hundred wolf riders under his command. As for leather armor, everyone had a set of leather breastplate, but compared with the iron armor, it seemed too thin. Fortunately, Xiao Ba Tower is about to arrive. The iron horse armor of the one hundred armored cavalry and the chain mail of the two hundred light cavalry will soon be renamed Ouyang. …… Xiao Bata, the legitimate son of Xiao Wuwei, who took over his dead father's position as the Junior Supervisor of Gaochang, rode a horse with pale golden fur that gleamed like gold in the sun, with long hooves and an extraordinary majesty. He led three hundred cavalrymen from the Xiao clan and galloped towards the royal city of Gaochang in high spirits. It was still several miles away from Gaochang Royal City. Xiao Bata ordered the team to stop and all the armored cavalry put on their armor. Armored cavalry would only wear armor in times of war. When marching, one person had three horses: one riding horse for traveling, one packhorse for carrying equipment, and one war horse for charging in times of war. At this moment, Xiao Batata gave an order, and one hundred armored cavalry, assisted by two hundred light cavalry, put on full body heavy armor, put on horse armor on their war horses, and then rode on the tall and majestic armored war horses. Looking at the one hundred armored cavalrymen lined up in two columns, like iron towers, and then looking at the two hundred light cavalrymen who were all equipped with chain mail and were fierce and agile, Xiao Bata could not help but feel proud. The power of the Liao Dynasty has indeed been declining in recent years, so much so that some people have begun to forget the majesty of the Liao Dynasty. Today, Xiao Batata will let the people of Gaochang see what the military might of a superior country is. As for the White Camel Mountain rebels who broke into the Shaojian Mansion, beheaded his father, and hung their heads on display for a month, Xiao Bata would certainly not let them go. After arriving at the Gaochang Royal City and resting for a few days, he would recruit at least 3,000 Gaochang vassal troops to conquer Baituo Mountain. At that time, he might not even need to mobilize his 300 soldiers and horses. Just using his vassal troops, he might be able to flatten White Camel Mountain. No matter how outrageous the White Camel Villa is, it is nothing more than a local tycoon. It is possible to take advantage of the lax defense of Gaochang Royal City to launch a surprise attack and massacre the Shaojian Mansion, but how can we compete with a real army?
Moreover, having learned from his father's lesson and having received a reminder from the letter of King Gaochang, Xiao Batata also brought three martial arts experts with him this time. Among them were two masters of the sect’s bouncing leg kung fu, and another was the famous “Assassin” assassin. Although the "Old Man in the Mountain" Huoshan has been dead for sixty years, the "Assassin" sect he founded still exists in the "Eagle's Nest" he established, using the assassin martial arts created by the Old Man in the Mountain to train assassins. Xiao Bata also hired an assassin from the Eagle's Nest by chance and paid a large sum of money. Now, two masters of spring kicking were dressed as attendants, following Xiao Bata. The Assassin assassin had separated from the team three days ago and followed the guide to White Camel Villa for reconnaissance. If the timing is right, the Assassin assassin will launch an assassination. Who knows, in two days, before he could send out his troops, the heads of several members of the Ouyang family in Baituo Mountain would have been brought back by the assassin. Of course, even if the assassination fails, it’s no big deal. It would be the same if the army pushed forward. I heard from the envoy sent by the King of Gaochang to the Liao that the White Camel Villa occupies a large oasis that can be cultivated and grazed, and also controls a trade route. After 20 to 30 years of operation and accumulation, it can be said that it is very rich. This battle may make a fortune... Xiao Bata was daydreaming all the way, and he led the team to the east gate of Gaochang Royal City. His attendant came forward and shouted: "The Liao Dynasty has sent Xiao Bata, the Junior Supervisor of Gaochang, to lead the army to take up his post. Why don't you open the city gates to welcome him?" Soon, a middle-aged man wearing a scholar's robe and with a long elegant beard came out of the city with a few young servants. He smiled and bowed from afar: "I, your humble servant Li Zhaoxian, am the Minister of Finance of Gaochang. I have been ordered by the King to come and welcome Xiao Shaojian! The King has heard that Xiao Shaojian will be arriving tonight, and has prepared a welcoming banquet. Please invite Xiao Shaojian to follow me into the city!" As he spoke, he looked at the one hundred armored knights with a look of horror on his face: "Is this the armored cavalry of the Liao Dynasty? The army of the superior country is so powerful, just like the soldiers from heaven sent down to earth!" Seeing his surprised expression and the faces of his young attendants showing envy and awe, Xiao Bata couldn't help laughing triumphantly and pointed his whip at Li Zhaoxian, "You old man, you are making a fuss! These are just the armored cavalry of my Xiao clan. If you saw the armored cavalry of the Pishi Army directly under His Majesty, wouldn't you be scared to the ground?" His behavior was frivolous and his words were rude, but Li Zhaoxian was not surprised. He smiled and walked to Xiao Bata's horse, raised his hand to hold the reins, and complimented him: "I am a humble official of the state. I have a narrow vision and I am sorry to make you laugh. Please allow me to lead your horse for you." Xiao Bata saw that Li Zhaoxian and several of his attendants were all dressed in cloth and unarmed. There were only a few lazy soldiers carrying broken guns and wearing tattered leather armor at the city gate and on the top of the city wall. He did not suspect anything and did not send anyone to control the city gate. He let Li Zhaoxian hold his horse and lead him to the city gate. The young attendants also followed on foot. The two sect's kicking masters noticed something was going on, rode up to Xiao Bata and whispered: "Young Master, these few attendants of Li Zhaoxian are all strong in their legs, powerful in their arms, and have steady breathing. They are all good martial artists." Xiao Bata asked: "How does it compare to you?" "Looking at their age, they are still too young." The two masters of the sect's kicking technique, both in their early thirties, looked proud and said, "If you practice for another ten years, you may be able to be on par with us two." Xiao Bata smiled and said: "Then there is no need to worry too much. Li Zhaoxian is the Minister of Finance of Gaochang State. His family must be very wealthy. It is only natural that he has several good servants around him." As he spoke, Li Zhaoxian had already led Xiao Bata's warhorse into the city gate. Although Gaochang Royal City was only a small city with a circumference of less than eleven miles, it had everything including an outer city, a jar city, an inner city, and a palace city. Behind the east gate is the city wall. Due to its small size, every aspect of it seems confusing. Xiao Bata and several of his attendants have already stepped into the gate of the city wall. The one hundred armored cavalry and two hundred light soldiers have just entered the city wall.
at this time. Suddenly, an iron grille fell from the east city gate with a loud bang. The same thing happened at the city gate. A thousand-pound iron grille fell from the city gate, separating Xiao Bata from the three hundred cavalrymen and trapping the three hundred cavalrymen inside the city gate. Suddenly, only two spring-kick masters and a few lightly-armored attendants were left by Xiao Bata's side. (End of this chapter)