It was a quiet night, but Guo Shao knew that the enemy soldiers were approaching and were expected to appear nearby tomorrow morning.
The soldiers who were not on duty had all rested early, and even the guards on guard in the central army were either standing or sitting. Guo Shao looked out from the open tent and saw a guard sitting next to the fire, concentrating on sewing clothes with his head down and sewing. The soldier was very strong, but very young, and looked to be only in his teens.
Guo Shao rubbed his neck with his hand and continued to write and calculate on the paper on the simple chopping board.
Shortly after the copper cannon for horizontal firing was invented, there was a table for cannons. The so-called table is to specify the size of the cannon, the amount of powder, the weight of the iron shot, and then use the parabola formula to calculate and test to make a table to compare the range of each elevation angle.
However, this artillery table is based on a table on flat ground. Now Guo Shao is temporarily calculating the artillery table for a slope of more than ten degrees. Because time is tight and they just set up camp today, he has not calculated it yet when it gets dark.
The original flat-ground artillery table was made at the Tokyo School.
First, calculate the acceleration of gravity. The data in the original formula cannot be used because there is no comparison conversion value between the unit meter-second and the actual measurement. The method is to conduct a new experiment. The measurement of time is a graduated hourglass, with the unit of one finger snap equal to one second; the unit of length is one foot, one foot, one centimeter, and one millimeter. Of course, the so-called precision unit at the end can be ignored. With the current artillery technology and measurement tools, too small a unit is meaningless. Use the time and height measurement of the iron ball dropped from the pagoda, and take the average value repeatedly to calculate the acceleration of gravity.
Next is the calculation of the initial velocity vector generated at the elevation angle, which is also very simple. The elevation angle is calculated using a wooden protractor, and the trigonometric function value is to draw a triangle according to the angle and multiply and divide the lengths of the sides.
The gun table made in this way not only has a simple comparison table, but also can set formulas; if an angle is found that is not on the gun table, the formula can be quickly applied for calculation on the spot.
When the actual battlefield has a slope, the basic kinematic formulas can also be used to calculate and form a new artillery table.
As for measuring the range of a battlefield, Guo Shao roughly remembered that in modern times, gun scopes were used; but now, obviously, there is no such thing and it cannot be made. His method is relatively stupid.
There are two ways. One is to select people with a strong sense of distance to estimate with their eyes, such as the people who used to observe the distance for the catapults on the city walls when defending the city. The other is to use ropes to measure integer distances on the battlefield, then nail wooden stakes, and use those wooden stakes as reference points when fighting.
There are many wooden stakes on the slope ahead, which were nailed there during the day. The enemy probably doesn't know what they are for, because they have no defensive effect at all.
At this moment, a person approached. Guo Shao was instinctively alert in unfamiliar places, so he looked up and saw that it was a clerk in a round-necked green robe who brought him hot tea.
He ignored it, then suddenly remembered something, looked up and asked: "Can you read and do arithmetic?"
The clerk bowed hurriedly and said: Your Majesty, I understand.
Guo Shao immediately waved over and said: Come and help me calculate.
The clerk walked forward cautiously, took a look at the scribbles on the table that contained various symbols and Arabic numerals, and looked like he was about to cry.
Guo Shao raised his eyes and glanced. Don't worry, I will teach you the calculation process, you just need to do the calculation according to the process.
Guo Shao talked with him for a while, and the clerk gradually understood that it was enough to add, subtract, multiply and divide specific numbers. The clerk said goodbye and left the tent, and took out an abacus.
Soon, the sound of skillful and swift clacking could be heard in the central army tent. The clerk calculated very quickly using the abacus, which was like an ancient calculator. Its efficiency was much higher than that of pen and paper arithmetic. Guo Shao was very impressed.
The night passed without incident. At daybreak, Guo Shao woke up to the familiar rhythm of drums and trumpets outside the military camp. He got up, dressed and put on his armor. A group of personal soldiers and eunuchs took care of him.
Guo Shaowen: The enemy has arrived
The clerk who helped him with math last night said: Your Majesty, their vanguard arrived as expected and occupied the high mountain slope in the west.
Guo Shao stretched out his arms, and the eunuchs and male servants hurriedly put on the clean lining with a fresh scent of green salt. Guo Shao looked calm and composed, his eyes were calm but sharp, and his spirit was adjusted to the best state.
He seemed very calm and asked the clerk: By the way, I forgot to ask you last night, what is your name
Even when the enemy soldiers were approaching right under his nose, the emperor still had the mood to care about a minor official. His calmness infected everyone.
The clerk hurriedly replied: In reply to Your Majesty, my name is Zhang Yin, and I am from Western Shu.
Guo Shaodao: You speak Mandarin very well.
With the help of everyone, Guo Shao quickly put on the refined plate armor and tied on the dark purple cloak. He was not yellow in the battle formation, because it was too bright and could easily attract the attention of enemy soldiers under special circumstances.
He tied the belt with a golden buckle around his waist, picked up the sword and put it on. Then he washed up and ate half full.
He walked out of the tent neatly and stood on the slope to observe for a while. It was now brighter. In the early spring morning, the ravines were still covered with a milky white mist. Guo Shao looked up at the sky and saw that the weather was very good today.
There was no flag on the top of the western mountain. Guo Shao looked over and saw flags and human figures standing on it.
Before the war, most of the people standing on the high ground were the commanders of the coalition forces. Guo Shao had been there yesterday, and perhaps the footprints were still there. Obviously, he guessed that Li Yiyin might be there too. Guo Shao felt very close.
Different people standing on the same piece of land will have different positions. What is Li Yiyin thinking now
Guo Shao looked out for a while, and the generals came to the central army one after another. The imperial army still retained many of their battle formation habits from the past years, first coming to the main general, and then deploying the battle formation.
Nearly a hundred people came, and almost all the generals above the rank of commander had arrived. Everyone watched the battle formation on the opposite side while waiting for Guo Shao's order.
We had a meeting in front of the army last night, and everything is arranged as planned. Guo Shao said.
At this time, the generals gradually quieted down.
Guo Shaodao: The truth will be revealed before the battle, and the generals can make reasonable decisions on the spot. However, without permission, copper cannons and matchlock guns cannot be used. Please remember that the signal for using firearms is an ambush from all sides; the signal for counterattack is the general's order.
The generals responded with a shout.
Guo Shao paused. He thought, a decisive battle like this can only happen if both sides are willing. If the Tangut-Khitan coalition is unwilling, they can gather their troops here. This is an opportunity. Guo Shao is targeting the coalition cavalry, especially the Liao cavalry, because in his eyes, only the Liao cavalry can be regarded as a qualified and organized cavalry army.
The war can only truly begin if we lure the Liao army's elite cavalry up.
Guo Shao's expression became solemn, and he added: "The Imperial Guards are composed of the most elite men in Jiuzhou. They have the best equipment, food and clothing. They are the blood and sweat of countless Han people."
This was very serious, and the generals stood up straight in awe. Putting people first was an idea that had existed since the Tang Dynasty, and Guo Shao's words were still very down-to-earth.
Guo Shao said in a clear voice: "My sons and daughters have come here over mountains and across rivers, not to make a fool of themselves, but to save the face of the Han family. Don't let me and the people down. For dignity, to protect the country and the people, and for every inch of land left by our ancestors, I hope you will work hard to kill the enemy."
People responded one after another.
Guo Shao didn't say much after hearing this, and ordered: Prepare for battle!
The generals shouted: "Serve the Emperor, God bless the Emperor, and may he live forever."
The whole mountain was filled with troops lined up in rows. Yang Gun looked at the momentum ahead and saw the neat appearance of the troops, and said: The enemy's number is only one-third of ours, but this is a fierce battle.
The total number of Xu's infantry and cavalry deployed here was only more than 40,000, while the coalition army had about 120,000.
Li Yiyin said: "Xu Jun came here first, why didn't he choose the mountain we occupied, but the area opposite?"
Yang Gun didn't understand it at all, and just said: But the other side is open, so we can have a good fight.
The allied infantry and cavalry arrived at the battlefield in a mighty force, with greater momentum and more men and horses deployed horizontally more widely. Gradually, the situation became like a semi-arc, forming a semi-encirclement of Xu's army's flank.
More than 160,000 troops gathered in this place. The ravines were extremely noisy, and flags were like clouds. The scene was grand and spectacular.
The cavalry of both sides had already clashed in the ravine between the two mountains, and from time to time the figures of knights with bows could be seen passing by in the distance.
The allied forces had an absolute advantage in numbers, so Yang Gun and Li Yiyin decided to take the initiative to attack. Yang Gun suggested that the front slope was the gentlest, so the front infantry could get close to form a formation, and then attack from the infantry. The cavalry would protect the flanks and rear and remain stationary.
Although they had been prepared and trained, the Tangut army's horses might not be able to withstand the explosions of firearms, so it would be most appropriate to use the infantry to fight the enemy's infantry phalanx first.
Although Li Yiyin was the supreme commander of the main force, he also believed in the experience of the veteran generals of the Liao army and adopted their suggestions.
Yang Gun added: Xu’s army has fewer people, but their military discipline is in good order. If we cannot take the city in one attack, we can change troops and horses to attack in turns.
After some preparation, the Dangxiang infantry moved forward from the hillside. They were also formed into square formations with different clothes and armors. Many of them carried bows and arrows, and weapons were varied, but each of them was very brute.
Hengshan produces iron, and the Tangut infantry had a high rate of wearing armor, but they were obviously unable to organize a blacksmith workshop to process the armor. The armor worn by the soldiers was of varying types and were all homemade at home.
Li Yiyin was still very confident. It was true that fighting on the battlefield was not just about being well-dressed, but also about one's bravery.
A large number of infantrymen spread down the mountain, like a dark mountain torrent. Li Yiyin looked at this spectacular scene, feeling excited and nervous. Everyone came to the war to win.
Between the valleys, drums and shouts roared, shaking the mountains and rivers. Li Yiyin tightly gripped the hilt of the sword, and his knuckles turned white from excessive force.