The weather in June was indeed a great test for the training of the musket team. June in Ningxia Town is still relatively hot, especially during the day. Xu Xingxia estimated that the maximum temperature must be above 30 degrees. When training in the queue, the soldiers of the white-clothed army will stand under the sun, and after a few moments, the military uniforms will be soaked with sweat.

Xu Xingxia basically trained the white-clothed army according to the training methods of the army of later generations, standing in a military posture, walking in a positive step, and so on, a lot. Obviously, in this hot weather, these trainings are the most fatal. In the scorching heat, there is no need for any movement at all, just sweat all over the body, let alone strenuous action training. In the beginning, almost every day, someone collapsed and suffered from heat stroke. If it weren't for Dong Langzhong with heat-relieving herbs waiting by him at any time, maybe he would have caused a lot of trouble.

However, Xu Xingxia insisted on such training. What he fancied was not the military posture, not the positive step, not the queue. What he valued was the endurance of the troops. Training under the sun is in itself a desperate struggle. If they can't even endure this little hardship and go to the battlefield, what can they expect to do? The main reason why those troops of the Ming army were repeatedly defeated and could not endure hardships was also the main reason. A scattered mass of troops is absolutely incapable of fighting power.

Every day, the soldiers of the Xiongqu Army Musket Team are trained like wood. For every simple action, they have to repeat it thousands of times a day. The monotonous repetition is the only test of their conditioned reflexes. Due to the intensity of the training, most of the soldiers, while sleeping, can't help but make reload gestures.

However, Xu Xingxia felt that it was not enough. He felt that when he did it, the explosive bag exploded around him, and the musketeer's body did not react at all, and it was estimated that it would be about the same. Of course, this is just talk. After all, people are not machines, they are always responsive. More often than not, it needs to be tested in actual combat.

The growth of any army is inseparable from the test of blood and fire. The White Coats grew up in battle. A considerable number of white-clothed soldiers have killed Tartars with their own hands. This is very important. In the training ground, the most elite troops can never be trained. Actual combat is the best way to train.

"My lord, Minghao is looking for you." On this day, Xu Xingxia was at the training ground, supervising the musketeers of the Xiong Qu Army to conduct queue training, when someone suddenly came to report.

"Oh? Invite him in. Xu Xingxia nodded. He estimated the time, Ming Hao should have come to find him in the past two days.

Soon, Ming Hao appeared in front of Xu Xingxia. He stayed in the barracks of the white-clothed army for several days, analyzed all the interests of the white-clothed army, and finally strengthened his determination to join the white-clothed army. Now, he finally mustered up the courage to come to Xu Xingxia to express his heart directly.

Xu Xingxia asked knowingly: "Ming Baihu, please." ”

Ming Hao said a little crampedly: "Xu Baihu, I have some things, can I talk to you alone?" Just need to delay you for a while......"

Xu Xingxia said calmly: "Of course you can, come here." ”

With that, he walked to the side of the training ground. There is a resting room here, with only four pillars supporting the roof. It was empty all around. The breeze blew in, taking away a lot of heat, and it was cool. Dong Langzhong is sitting here, treating soldiers who have collapsed from heat stroke at any time. There is also plenty of herbal tea, so when you're thirsty, you can just grab a scoop of water and drink it.

Under the sun, after two hours of sunbathing, Xu Xingxia was also sweating profusely, and his military uniform was already soaked. Sweat was dripping down his crotch. At this time, of course, no one is stupid enough to wear armor. Otherwise, armor alone can suffocate people to death. He picked up the water ladle and poured a few large sips of herbal tea before he breathed a long sigh of relief, turned his head to Minghao and said, "What's the matter?" You say! ”

Ming Hao's face turned a little red and said, "Xu Baihu, I want to join the White Army." ”

Xu Xingxia looked at him with a smile and said meaningfully: "Why? Because the food of the white army is good? Are you reluctant to leave? ”

Minghao said honestly: "This is indeed a reason. However, the most important thing is that there is hope for joining the White Army. Xu Baihu, don't get me wrong, I, Minghao, am actually not a bad seed. I also want to kill the Tartars. It's just that I don't have that ability. I can promise that after joining the White Army, I will not be a misseeder. ”

Xu Xingxia said with a smile: "I'm not very liked by the above. If you join the White Army, you may not even like you. Your family is in Ningxia City. If you want to join the White Army, it is best to move your family to Fort Weizhen. ”

Ming Hao said bitterly: "I don't really like it from above, otherwise, I wouldn't have been assigned to the Beacon Pier of Karon Mountain." You know, it's not a place for people. As for my family, there is no problem with moving to Fort Willytown. There are only five people in my family, and I can settle down in any place. ”

Xu Xingxia laughed. Minghao's situation, he knows a little. The people who were assigned to the Beacon Pier of Karon Mountain were indeed not welcomed by the superiors. Minghao, like himself, is dissatisfied with the status quo and dissatisfied with his superiors. This is the basic guarantee of loyalty. He also welcomes Minghao's initiative to join. If the white-clothed army wants to develop and grow, it is of course not possible to rely only on such a few people in Weizhenbao. We must find ways to expand the source of troops. He nodded and said calmly: "If you join the White Army, what are the requirements?" ”

Ming Hao plucked up his courage and said, "Xu Baihu, if you trust me, I am willing to serve as the scout captain." When I was young, I traveled to many places in Ningxia Town, and I was very familiar with the surrounding situation. I am also proficient in the language of the Tatars. ”

Xu Xingxia said happily: "Okay! That's it! You serve as the Scout Captain! ”

Ming Hao was immediately overjoyed, he didn't expect Xu Xingxia to agree to his request so quickly. He was sincerely happy to be a member of the White Army. It's a completely different collective. In this collective, he can feel a strong self-motivation, strong combat effectiveness, and a strong cohesion. That's exactly what he wants to be a part of.

He then remembered something else, and said with a little embarrassment: "Those of my subordinates ...... They also want to join the White Army. I know that adults don't have a very good impression of them. In fact, those people are not exactly waste, the key is that before, everyone was desperate...... If the adults can give them a little hope, I'm sure they won't be a bad breed either......"

Xu Xingxia thought for a moment and said calmly: "In this way, after three days, I will preside over the assessment and see their basic situation." As long as they are physically fit and can meet the requirements, they can participate in the White Army. However, if you can't pass the exam, then I'm sorry. The white-clothed army is going to fight hard with the Tartars, and we can't accept those who are too poor. For specific assessment standards, you can find Yu Lijun to understand. ”

Minghao was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked him and left. Soon, his subordinates learned the news that they were going to be assessed. Some people are more optimistic and feel that they should not be too bad, and there is no big problem in passing the assessment. Some people are more pessimistic, feeling that they are unlikely to pass the assessment. However, no matter who they were, they began to come to the training ground spontaneously to participate in basic physical training. They must fight hard to become part of the White Army.

"Your Excellency!" Minghao had just left, and Xu Xingxia heard someone calling him again. When he looked back, it turned out that Liu Guangliang came in a hurry. Liu Guangliang is the person in charge of the craftsman's workshop, and he often has problems with the process and wants to come to Xu Xingxia to discuss and solve them. The distance between the craftsman's workshop and the barracks was not far, and it was convenient for him to come from the craftsman's workshop.

Xu Xingxia asked with a smile: "Uncle, is there something wrong with me?" ”

(Liu Guangliang's wife, and the protagonist's mother, are sisters, and the protagonist should call Liu Guangliang his uncle.) I was brain-dead earlier, and I wrote it as my uncle. When I found out, the number of chapters was already too large to correct. Let's start correcting it now. Liu Guangliang said a little excitedly: "It's a little something." ”

Xu Xingxia said with a smile: "Uncle, if you have something, just say it!" Is it a business or a private matter? ”

Liu Guangliang hurriedly said: "Of course it's business, it's business. How did I find myself in the barracks for private matters? I don't know, have you ever heard of a partial van? ”

Xu Xingxia nodded and said casually: "I know a little." ”

The so-called partial van usually refers to a large wheeled vehicle, which has four wheels and one side is equipped with a very high and thick baffle. When necessary, it can be used to block enemy bow shots. Several side vans, connected to each other, can form a relatively strong barrier. Ordinary bows and arrows are definitely impenetrable. On the wooden baffle, there are shooting holes, and the musketeers, standing behind the shutters, can shoot outside.

The other kind of partial van in the narrow sense is very tall, with three floors, like a small mobile fortress. There are more than a dozen large and small wheels underneath. Each floor is equipped with cannons and firearms, and the firepower is very fierce. One such van can garrison fifty soldiers. This kind of partial van was called the tank of the Ming Dynasty in later generations. This kind of tank is said to have been invented by Qi Jiguang himself when the Qi family army was stationed in Jizhen.

In the narrow sense, the cost of the partial van is too high, and the requirements for the process are also high, only when Zhang Juzheng is still in office, he will give strong support to Qi Jiguang, and Qi Jiguang will have manpower, material and financial resources to build. If you change to someone else, there is no such possibility. In fact, after Zhang Juzheng's death, Qi Jiguang was also dismissed, and this tank-like partial van was scrapped.

The partial van car mentioned by Liu Guangliang is actually a modification of an ordinary car. The cost is low, the price is low, and the production process is relatively simple. Most carpenters know the whole process of manufacturing a partial van. In fact, the technical point of the partial van is on the wheels. As long as the wheels are done well, there are no problems with the rest of the van.

In plain areas like Ningxia Town, the application range of partial vans is quite broad. The northern wilderness of the Ming Empire, with drought and little rain, and relatively hard soil, is just right for the driving of large vehicles. The van only needs to be pulled by animal power. War horses or cattle are fine. Even, a mule or a donkey. If you don't even have animal power, you can pull it with manpower.

The most important thing is that the partial van really has the function of a car, which can pull a large number of materials. A common partial van car, transporting 500 catties of materials, is no problem at all. One hundred such vans can transport 500 catties of materials. The partial van that can transport and fight wars is a bit like an armored personnel carrier in later generations purely in terms of function.

However, except for Qi Jiguang, the number of partial vans used by other Ming troops was relatively small. The main reason is not because of the high cost of partial vans, but because there are certain defects in some aspects. Among them, the main flaw was that the range of the smoothbore gun was too close, and it could not effectively prevent the enemy's cavalry from destroying the side van.

The enemy's cavalry, if they rushed violently, could rush directly to the side van. The high-speed galloping war horse still has a strong impact force. The average partial van will definitely not be able to withstand such an impact. Even if there is no major damage to the body structure, the baffle is definitely gone. If there is a large number of enemy cavalry, rushing over without their lives, and insisting on dying with the side van, the side van will be powerless.

However, if the defenders were using the Moon Gun, it would be very different. The range of the moon gun can be fired at a distance of 200 meters. In this way, it will not be so easy for the enemy's cavalry to rush to the front of the side van. The distance of two hundred meters was enough for many enemy cavalry to fall. With the cooperation of artillery, it would be difficult for the enemy cavalry, no matter how large their number, to get close to the side vans.

Of course, there are many restrictions on the use of partial vans. The speed of the partial van is too slow, and it will definitely not work if it is used as a mobile force. Its biggest benefit is that it can be used as a mobile battle fortress. When you arrive at a place where there is no danger to defend, as long as you surround the side vans with each other, it is a simple castle.

Liu Guangliang finally said: "The construction of the Black Mountain camp, I don't know if the van can be used?" If you can use it, I don't know how much you need? ”

This sentence is just to the point. The current Black Mountain Battalion has no barriers. If the white-clothed army is stationed in the Black Mountain camp, it is indeed impossible to defend. In the event of a major attack by the Tatar cavalry, the situation of the white-clothed army will be very dangerous. The craftsmen who built the Montenegrin camp were also in danger. However, as long as hundreds of vans were connected to each other, they formed a simple fortress, equipped with a sufficient number of moon guns. It is almost impossible for the Tartars to rush up. Similarly, it can also be used in the future when repairing Zhenyuan Pass.

From this, it was popularized, and in the future, as long as it was a large army marching, as long as it was in a flat area, the partial van had a heroic use. The combination of this fortress and rifled guns was simply the natural enemy of the nomadic cavalry. In the face of the firepower of the Yue Yue Gong, it was quite difficult for anyone to attack the fortress formed by the partial van.

"Okay! Let's make fifty cars first! Xu Xingxia said briskly.

He pondered that there were fifty side vans, which should be almost enough. There are five shooting holes in one car, and fifty side vans, that is, two hundred and fifty shooting holes, which can accommodate two hundred and fifty musketeers, and the firepower is quite good.

(To be continued)