Chapter 1185 - 863: Men Like Tigers, Horses Like Dragons!
The wind grew more biting, accompanied by the reverberating roars of dragons and tigers.
Feeling the ground beneath begin to tremble so much that even small stones started to bounce and roll, Shang Ruyi widened her eyes, watching the dark cloud approach until it stopped a bowshot away. The neighing of robust horses resounded across the plain!
It was, in fact, a troop of cavalry dressed in deep black armor!
Upon closer inspection, these soldiers appeared tall and stout, clad in heavy black armor, each riding on horseback like an iron tower; and those horses were evidently chosen for their sturdiness, well-fed and robust, their roars like dragons. The horses were also clad in iron armor, melding with the soldier atop them into a formidable whole, appearing impregnable and invincible!
Once the troop halted, it was as if they became statues, not a person or horse moved forward a single step, clearly a well-trained force. However, even while motionless, they seemed to emit a palpable aura of menace that rushed at them with the wind!
Men like tigers, horses like dragons!
At this moment, the child behind Shang Ruyi, Yuanyuan, widened his eyes and suddenly began to cry loudly.
Hearing the child’s wails, Shang Ruyi’s thoughts broke from the earlier awe, she quickly turned back to see the child with pursed lips, tears rolling down his cheeks, his face red with distress. Tushere hurriedly held the child, turning away from the troop and shielding his face from the harsh wind.
Yu Wenye glanced at the child, faintly smiling, "Still so young after all."
Indeed, for such a young one, being amidst such commotion was already a challenge. Faced with such an intimidating force, even adults would be fearful.
With a heart both aching and excited, Shang Ruyi directed Tushere to retreat a few steps with the child. Tushere, with gentle words, quickly calmed Yuanyuan’s cries.
Turning back to the front, a familiar sensation rose within her.
Shang Ruyi recalled, not long after marrying Yu Wenye and following the Yuwen Family back to Luoyang from Taiyuan, they encountered Right Guard General Wang Shaoji and his Black Armor Army blocking their path, displaying a similar fierce demeanor.
Yet, there seemed to be a difference.
This well-disciplined troop seemed to exceed what Wang Shaoji’s company could achieve, their armor resembling but not quite like the heavy cavalry led by Ashina Zhuxie seen previously on the grassland.
As Shang Ruyi watched, Yu Wenye waved his hand at the troop, prompting the foremost soldier to dismount and walk towards them.
It was Mu Xian.
He did not hurry, not out of disrespect, but due to the cumbersome armor making movement difficult. Only as he approached did Shang Ruyi notice his black armor was entirely made of iron!
Mu Xian advanced, about to bow, but Yu Wenye raised his hand, "No need to salute while in armor."
Mu Xian clasped his fists, "Greetings, Prince Qin, Princess. Greetings, Young Master."
Shang Ruyi sized up Mu Xian with a smile, "Mu Xian, you look impressive!"
Mu Xian’s eyes crinkled in laughter but immediately said, "The Princess jests."
"What jest?" Shang Ruyi hastily replied, "Today, I came to witness your prowess. Quick, bring your horse for me to see!"
Mu Xian waved back, and someone led his horse over. Shang Ruyi circled the horse, towering over her, snorting and solid as a wall, then glanced back at Mu Xian, clicking her tongue, "Impressive, truly impressive."
Yu Wenye stood beside her, with a modest smile, his eyes betraying a trace of unhidden pride.
He undoubtedly understood that Shang Ruyi knew her stuff.
Although Wang Shaoji’s Black Armor Army was fully armored, most of it was leather, lacking the heavy iron. Ashina Zhuxie’s cavalry did have iron armor, but their horses were not as thoroughly clad, lacking this total unity of man and steed into a single iron chariot. Such cavalry, once on the battlefield, if well-trained and formed into arrays, would be nearly invincible.
However, all advantages have downsides.
Wang Shaoji did not neglect equipping his cavalry with iron armor, nor did Ashina Zhuxie resist fully arming his horses. The reason boils down to one word—money.
Cavalry requires several times the expenditure of infantry. Mu Xian’s armor clearly cost a fortune. The feed for these horses alone is a hefty expense, requiring premium grain once clad in heavy armor, demanding more strength, costing five to ten times that of an ordinary cavalry troop.
Shang Ruyi couldn’t resist asking, "How much did you spend?"
At this, Yu Wenye’s face slightly clouded, but before he spoke, Mu Xian chuckled, "In the Prince Qin’s house, the Princess indeed manages the finances, asking about the cost first."
Yu Wenye said, "Rest assured, I haven’t touched your money."
Shang Ruyi was wealthy, her dowry was substantial, and after marrying, especially after giving birth to Yuanyuan, Yu Wenquan’s rewards had amassed to a fortune. Even as she established a school in the city, assisting students, it was merely a drop in the bucket compared to her wealth.
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi laughed, "Good, I feared I would have to join Yuanyuan in eating porridge and pickles."
Yu Wenye shot her a glance.
Shang Ruyi laughed and stepped forward, eyeing the motionless yet imposing cavalry, asking, "So, you’ve been rushing to the barracks these days to train this cavalry?"
"Yes."
"Where did the men and horses come from?"
"The men were recruited and had to possess some skills before enlisting; the horses were bought from Western Regions traders, all Dayuan breeds, fed with top-quality feed."
While speaking, Yu Wenye himself walked to the horse, smoothing its mane with a hand, "Once this troop reaches full strength, it will be unbeatable!"
Hearing this, Shang Ruyi raised an eyebrow, glancing at the troop ahead, "How many men are there now?"
"Just twelve hundred."
"How many do you need?"
"At least three thousand."
"..."
At this moment, Shang Ruyi realized why Yu Wenye had been so eager to bring her to the camp this time.