Chapter Sixty-Nine: Heavy Cavalry (First Update of the Day)

The first cuju match in the Shanggu military camp ultimately unfolded between the new cavalry camp, led by Ji Zhu, and the veteran cavalry camp, led by Ma Dashan. Since it was the inaugural game, both sides put forth their utmost effort. Ma Dashan, in particular, shouted himself hoarse, his booming voice sometimes so startling it scared the ball away from opposing players. In contrast, Ji Zhu remained composed, directing his team with calm authority, only raising his voice when necessary—and when he did, it was no less imposing than Ma Dashan’s.

It was the first time these men had represented their respective camps, and every player was brimming with vigor. While they began somewhat stiff and cautious, they soon loosened up and threw themselves wholeheartedly into the game. Especially after the veteran cavalry scored the first goal, the entire training ground erupted in raucous excitement.

Qin Cheng, witnessing the soldiers’ enthusiasm, was gratified and felt he had made yet another wise decision.

By the end of the match, Ma Dashan was red-faced and hoarse, his voice cracking and off-key, yet he continued shouting with all his might. In the end, the new cavalry camp clinched a narrow victory by a single goal. Qin Cheng kept his promise, producing the prizes he had prepared in advance and rewarding the new camp’s soldiers. Their joy was unrestrained, and Ji Zhu, unabashed, shot Ma Dashan a sidelong glance.

Ma Dashan, never one to admit defeat, was further provoked by Ji Zhu’s look and immediately demanded a rematch. “That last goal was pure luck! Ji Zhu, do you dare face me again? This time, the veteran camp will surely defeat your new camp. Well? Do you dare?”

“A loss is a loss. If you have no skill, at least admit it. You’re hardly magnanimous, and I can’t be bothered to argue,” Ji Zhu replied loftily. “But if you really want another match, I don’t mind giving you another lesson in cuju.”

“Teaching me cuju? Ha! You’ve got some nerve. Come on, let’s see who teaches whom!”

“We’re not afraid in the least,” Ji Zhu retorted.

The soldiers, sensing another spectacle, cheered them on, even more excited than if they were playing themselves.

Qin Cheng laughed and intervened, “Enough, General Ji, General Ma. The troops are all eager to play—how can you two monopolize all the fun? If you wish to compete, do so after training. For now, I’ll have other soldiers take the field.”

With Qin Cheng’s words, Ji Zhu and Ma Dashan had no choice but to stand down, though the looks they exchanged spoke volumes of their unresolved rivalry.

All day long, except for mealtimes, the soldiers either played cuju or watched the matches. Since it was a new activity, Qin Cheng allowed them some indulgence, determined to stoke their interest to the fullest.

Once the new cavalry camp’s training was on track, Qin Cheng had to shift his focus to the veteran camp. In his grand scheme, the veteran cavalry was to be trained as heavy cavalry—a crucial, irreplaceable force. Unlike light cavalry, heavy cavalry would be his ultimate weapon, a force that would shock the world upon its debut. This required not only immense effort but also a shroud of secrecy; anything that could be kept secret must remain so.

Moreover, training the veteran camp was far more complex than training the new one. The current era’s cavalry were, in essence, light cavalry; the techniques and tactics required for heavy cavalry were entirely new. This uncharted territory meant Qin Cheng could not afford a single misstep, lest his efforts produce a force that was neither here nor there—a disastrous outcome.

Lacking a systematic understanding of heavy cavalry, Qin Cheng could only engage in deep discussions and studies with Li Guang and the camp’s senior officers. Fortunately, he was not entirely ignorant; by combining his own theories with the practical experience of these commanders, he found that, though difficult, training a true heavy cavalry was within reach.

In a sense, Qin Cheng and these senior officers were the fathers of heavy cavalry.

When it came to weaponry, the heavy cavalry could not rely primarily on sabers. Though sabers would still be issued, they would not be the main killing tool. In recent days, Qin Cheng and Li Guang had summoned the camp’s craftsmen to develop a weapon worthy of heavy cavalry. The main strength of heavy cavalry lay in the power of their charge, breaking into enemy ranks with overwhelming force. This demanded a weapon of great killing power; the saber was simply too short and insufficiently lethal. It could only serve as an auxiliary weapon.

Days passed in the workshop without a suitable weapon being found.

“If we truly can’t come up with anything, why not use long halberds instead?” Qin Cheng suggested, one arm crossed over his chest, the other supporting his chin.

“The halberd heads are cast from pig iron,” Li Guang replied thoughtfully, “but I fear they lack toughness and may break during a heavy cavalry charge. That is a real concern.”

“True, but what if we improve the toughness of the pig iron?” Qin Cheng proposed.

“That would be ideal. Craftsman, can you make such improvements?” Li Guang turned to the craftsman who had been assisting them.

“In the past, we could not, but since the ring-handled sabers are forged from wrought iron, we might, by comparison, be able to enhance the toughness of the halberd heads as well,” the craftsman replied, bowing.

“In that case, let’s get started at once.”

“At your command,” the craftsman replied, departing to begin work.

“Wait.” Qin Cheng stopped him. “If you can improve the toughness, can you also widen the blade of the halberd head?”

“It’s worth a try,” the craftsman answered.

“Very well, get to it!”

“Yes, sir!”

After the craftsman left, Qin Cheng and Li Guang found a place to sit, continuing their discussion about the halberd. Suddenly, Li Guang asked, “Qin Lang, you’re not young anymore, and you’ve already made a name for yourself. Have you considered starting a family?”

The abruptness of the question caught Qin Cheng off guard, but he smiled. “What brings this up, General?”

Li Guang grinned slyly. “Just answer the question. I don’t want to see you so caught up in military affairs that you neglect life’s important matters. The two can go hand in hand.”

“To be honest, General, I haven’t thought about it lately,” Qin Cheng replied. “There’s so much to do in camp, and cavalry development is at a critical stage. I simply don’t have the energy for such matters.”

“As I said, establishing a career and a family can go together.”

“But right now, they’re in conflict.”

“So, is there no young lady who has caught your eye?”

“…”

“Ah, so there is! Whose daughter is she? Just tell me, and I’ll make the arrangements. As the commander of Shanggu’s cavalry, I’ll personally see to it that you have a grand wedding!” Li Guang laughed heartily. “I know your parents are gone and you have only an elder sister. Rest assured, I’ll see you’re not slighted.”

Qin Cheng couldn’t help but laugh. He’d never realized Li Guang had such interests. Smiling wryly, he replied, “General, let me handle this myself. Besides, now really isn’t the time.”

“Are you embarrassed?” Li Guang burst out laughing. “You’re always so bold and decisive—who would have thought you’d react this way? Very well, I won’t force you. But when you’ve made up your mind, just let me know, and I’ll see to everything!”

“My thanks, General,” Qin Cheng said with a bow.

Bai Xinxin… It had indeed been a long time since he’d seen her. He really should make time for a visit, he thought.

Just then, the craftsman returned with the finished halberd head, presenting it proudly to Li Guang and Qin Cheng.

Li Guang took it, inspecting it from every angle and nodding with satisfaction. The blade was noticeably wider than usual, and, per Qin Cheng’s request, the projecting short edge was shaped like a scythe—imbuing the weapon with a certain brutal beauty.

After Li Guang examined it, he handed it to Qin Cheng, who scrutinized it, then placed it on the forge and drew his ring-handled saber, bringing it down upon the halberd head with a mighty blow.

With a loud clang, the short blade snapped cleanly off.

The craftsman’s face fell, embarrassment written all over it.

“The toughness still isn’t sufficient. It needs further improvement,” Qin Cheng said.

“Yes, sir, I’ll get right on it.” The craftsman snatched up the broken halberd head and dashed back to the workshop.

Again and again, the craftsman emerged with a new halberd head, beaming with hope, only to return crestfallen after Qin Cheng’s saber sliced through it. Once, after a single strike failed to break it, the craftsman and Li Guang smiled with relief—until Qin Cheng struck again and, with a crisp crack, broke it. Their smiles crumpled into dismay.

In the end, Qin Cheng and Li Guang spent the night in the workshop with the craftsmen, who toiled tirelessly under the flickering light. At dawn, as the rooster crowed, the craftsman emerged one last time, this time steady and unsmiling, carrying the latest halberd head.

Qin Cheng and Li Guang’s eyes lit up. Without a word, Qin Cheng drew his saber and struck once—nothing. Twice—still nothing. Three times, and still the halberd head was unscathed.

At last, smiles broke simultaneously on all three faces.

“It’s done!” Qin Cheng exclaimed.

“Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!” The craftsman wrung his hands in excitement. “At last, it’s done!”

“You’ve earned great merit today!” Li Guang declared, clapping the craftsman on the shoulder so hard he knocked him to the ground.

Startled by his own strength, Li Guang reached to help him up—only to hear the man snoring. Soon, the workshop was filled with the sound of snores.

Qin Cheng and Li Guang exchanged glances and laughed aloud. “They’ve certainly earned their rest today.”

Heavy cavalry required not only a formidable weapon but also solid armor. If the weapon determined whether they could devastate enemy ranks, the armor determined whether they could reach those ranks at all. After all, during the charge, heavy cavalry could not shoot arrows; meanwhile, the enemy could unleash several volleys. Their only defense against these arrows was stout armor.

Compared to developing the new halberd, forging armor was a simpler task. Though horse armor had no precedent, it was merely a matter of design and not a major concern.

With equipment settled, it was time to train the heavy cavalry.

On the way back to camp, Li Guang asked, “This improved halberd needs a new name. It can’t just be called a halberd anymore. Do you have any suggestions, Qin Lang?”

Qin Cheng smiled. “Why not let you, General, name it?”

“Hmm…” Li Guang pondered. “Why not call it the Qin Halberd?”

Qin Cheng’s heart stirred, but he kept his composure. “As you wish, General.”

Returning to camp, where the soldiers were already at morning drills, Qin Cheng left no time for rest and went straight to the heavy cavalry’s training ground.

That day, he formally named the veteran cavalry the Heavy Cavalry Battalion, and the new camp the Light Cavalry Battalion. To prepare for the influx of new recruits in late spring, he divided the heavy cavalry into three subunits for specialized training in new tactics. In truth, both battalions now comprised fresh cavalry, as their tactics and skills differed entirely from before.

Heavy cavalry focused on close-quarters charges. After days of discussion with Li Guang and the senior officers, Qin Cheng devised a comprehensive training plan. He required the soldiers to master both individual combat and coordinated assaults, whether as small squads or as part of a larger formation. Only with relentless training could they develop the adaptability and strength needed for the battlefield.

For example, in squad-based maneuvers, some would wield the long halberd, others the ring-handled saber, and their coordination had to be honed to perfection. Such training was entirely new to them; rarely, if ever, had they experienced anything like it. That was why Qin Cheng had introduced cuju to their drills—to foster teamwork and cooperation.

Though he lacked firsthand experience, Qin Cheng’s belief in universal principles guided him as he oversaw their training.

On the training ground, the heavy cavalry drilled tirelessly.

“Where are you swinging that halberd? Can’t you see the enemy is right at your horse’s legs? Protect your mount’s legs—they aren’t armored! Lose your horse’s legs, and you lose your life! Remember, your horse’s legs are your life!”

Qin Cheng, mounted on his steed, bellowed across the field.

“You there! Yes, you! The enemy’s right in front of you and you’re still retracting your halberd? You’ll lose your head before you finish! What’s that saber at your waist for—decoration? Drop the halberd and draw your saber—stab your enemy in the chest! Remember, drop the halberd decisively and draw your saber quickly!”

“And you, what are you gawking at? Don’t you see your comrade is surrounded? Don’t just stand there—go help! Even a pig is smarter than you! Remember, if your comrade dies, you’re next. Don’t just think of yourself—your comrade’s life is your life! Teamwork—remember that word! As long as your comrades are alive, never fight alone!”

“Damn it, you’re heavy cavalry—what are you doing with that bow? Bows are no longer your weapon! With the time you waste nocking an arrow, you could’ve taken down several enemies! Remember, heavy cavalry never stop in a charge—you must keep moving, or you’re finished! Remember, you are heavy cavalry!”

Qin Cheng rode up and down the field, berating the troops until sweat poured from him despite the cold. Parched and hoarse, he was suddenly handed a water skin. Without looking, he grabbed it, drained it in one long gulp, and immediately resumed shouting, “What are you staring at? Want a drink? On the battlefield, can you ask your enemy for a drink? Kill them all, and I’ll see you have all the water you want. For now, endure it!”

He replaced the stopper and handed the water skin back without looking at the person beside him.

“I never realized General Qin had such a talent for cursing,” a languid voice remarked.

Qin Cheng, recognizing the tone, turned to see Liu Mu and laughed. “Before battle, soldiers need a tongue-lashing; after battle, they need praise. Half of good soldiers are made by scolding, the other half by encouragement!”

Liu Mu said nothing, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.