The training of infantry was overseen by Zhang Han, with Wang Wu and others assisting.
Cavalry training, however, was personally managed by Lin Tian.
The cavalry's first training was horsemanship, followed by swordsmanship, and then archery.
While each of these was not particularly difficult when trained individually, their combination presented an entirely different challenge.
To control a horse while simultaneously killing enemies required exceptionally skilled horsemanship.
To control a horse while drawing and shooting arrows demanded an even higher level of horsemanship, a fusion of man and steed.
For this, Lin Tian spent two full months training the cavalry.
However, after two months of training, Lin Tian realized that although the cavalry had improved, they were still a considerable distance from being top-tier cavalry.
This was not what Lin Tian desired.
"It seems we truly need the cavalry's 'three essential pieces' to assist," he mused.
The 'three essential pieces' for cavalry were the horseshoe, the stirrup, and the saddle. With these three items, cavalrymen could stabilize their posture on horseback, enabling them to perform many difficult maneuvers.
For instance, dodging arrows by leaning to the side; rapidly drawing and shooting arrows with both hands; or, while mounted, wielding a short shield in one hand and a sword in the other.
These actions could only be performed by masters of top-tier horsemanship; ordinary cavalrymen would be intimidated.
Therefore, for new recruits, the 'three essential pieces' for cavalry were crucial.
However, before that, Lin Tian wanted to develop something else: iron.
"Fortunately, refining iron is not difficult, and with a blast furnace, it will be even more effective!"
"There are still four months left, which should be enough time!"
With this thought, Lin Tian recorded the iron refining techniques overnight and requested Ying Zheng to implement them.
Simultaneously, Lin Tian also documented the remarkable utility of the 'cavalry's three essential pieces.' He was confident that with Ying Zheng's strategic vision, he would grasp their importance.
Following this, Lin Tian, responding to the soldiers' requests, began teaching them swordsmanship.
Although it was only the most basic form of swordsmanship, it was sufficient for the battlefield.
After all, soldiers on the battlefield only needed to focus on killing enemies, not on becoming master swordsmen.
Consequently, the soldiers were very pleased with Lin Tian's sword instruction, and their enthusiasm for training rekindled.
Meanwhile, Ying Zheng was also astonished by the materials Lin Tian had sent.
"This is... iron?"
Iron existed during the Qin Dynasty, but in limited quantities, and the refining techniques were very primitive.
The iron produced was suitable for agricultural tools but completely inadequate for weapons.
Therefore, the weapons of all nations were predominantly made of bronze, which also served as currency.
This meant that the national strength and weaponry of each state were closely linked, with copper mines controlled by the royal families and nobles.
If Lin Tian could truly make iron replace bronze, the Great Qin would save an immense amount of money in weapon production.
Then, it would be effortless for the Great Qin to overpower other states in terms of military might and financial resources.
Upon realizing this, Ying Zheng became incredibly excited.
If Lin Tian had not given him more to read, he might have immediately summoned people to begin researching iron refining.
However, when Ying Zheng picked up the second piece of silk written by Lin Tian, he stood up in shock.
"This... this, how is this possible?"
"How can such ingenious ideas exist in the world?"
The principle behind the 'cavalry's three essential pieces' was not difficult; even a master craftsman could grasp their basic structure at a glance.
The horseshoe, for example, looked like shoes for a horse – simple in structure and easy to manufacture.
The saddle was essentially a seat mounted on the horse's back; a suitable structure was all that was needed.
The stirrup was even simpler, with two footrests attached to the saddle.
Replication would present no difficulty.
However, before these existed, conceiving of such things was extraordinarily challenging.
Therefore, Ying Zheng marveled at the ingenious ideas.
"With these 'three essential pieces' for cavalry, our Great Qin cavalry will undoubtedly become the foremost cavalry in the world, invincible!"
"My son, you are truly a divine general for our Great Qin!"
"With these treasures, why should our Great Qin not prosper!"
In Ying Zheng's eyes, Lin Tian was like a heavenly emissary, bringing immense gifts to the Great Qin.
And he was his own son.
This made him wish to proclaim to the entire world how outstanding his son was.
However, he ultimately restrained himself.
"Summon the disciples of the Mohist school!"
The Mohist disciples Ying Zheng referred to were, in fact, Qin craftsmen.
They were exceptionally skilled artisans, deeply loyal to the Great Qin, and, most importantly, completely under Ying Zheng's control.
Therefore, he felt completely assured entrusting them with refining iron and manufacturing the 'cavalry's three essential pieces.'
Upon seeing the iron refining methods and the blueprints for the 'cavalry's three essential pieces,' the Mohist disciples were also astonished.
"This... can iron be refined in this way? Will the iron produced through this method be able to replace bronze?"
"If iron replaces bronze, will our Great Qin no longer lack weapons and armor?"
"Not only that, but our Great Qin can save a vast amount of wealth, which can be used for many purposes. Our Great Qin has a boundless future!"
The emergence of iron refining technology instantly thrilled the Mohist disciples.
They seemed to glimpse the dawn of a new golden age.
And when they saw the horseshoes, they were ecstatic.
Although the manufacturing of the 'cavalry's three essential pieces' was simple, the existence of each item represented a stroke of genius.
Such ingenious ideas seemed to open new avenues of thought for the Mohist disciples.
They gathered to study, their discussions often escalating into arguments.
Ying Zheng did not intervene, and only after their arguments subsided did he speak:
"I give you three months to produce ten thousand sets of the 'cavalry's three essential pieces' using qualified iron!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Producing qualified iron and ten thousand sets of the 'cavalry's three essential pieces' within three months was a monumental task.
But the Mohist disciples were not afraid; on the contrary, they found it highly challenging.
These were innovations that would usher in a new world.
They eagerly anticipated their refined iron replacing bronze armor.
They were even more eager to refine a substance called steel, mentioned in the iron refining records.
It was said that steel was incredibly hard, and swords forged from it would all be treasures, further piquing the interest of the Mohist disciples.
Therefore, the Mohist disciples poured their utmost effort into this endeavor.
Time flew by amidst their dedicated work, and in the blink of an eye, four months had passed.
Lin Tian's new recruit training at the Lantian Camp concluded, and they were to be deployed to the battlefield.
During these four months, Lin Tian had maintained excellent secrecy; no one knew what the army had been training for.
Similarly, no one knew what kind of weapons and equipment they possessed.
All that was known was that they marched towards the battlefield with an imposing momentum.
...