After the formation of the artillery unit, they went through even more rigorous training. This was to allow the soldiers to master the operation of the artillery and make their shots more accurate.
In addition to the rigorous training, every month or so, Ang Lee would have the two artillery units cooperate with the Dragon Martial Army and the Imperial Royal Guards to organize a joint infantry and artillery exercise. This was to test whether the artillery could still shoot accurately in a complicated environment and how to deal with unexpected situations.
There were many types of exercises, but among all of them, the live artillery exercise was always the most exciting and exciting. Of course, it was also the best way to simulate a real battlefield and was the best way to train the soldiers.
After the soldiers became more and more familiar with operating the cannons, Li An discussed with the senior generals of the four armies of North Gate and decided to have the four armies and the two brigades of the North Gate conduct a practice of using infantry cannons against real soldiers. Various rewards were also set up to motivate all the soldiers to work hard to achieve victory.
For this exercise, Ang Lee invited Chen Xuanli and a large number of other senior generals to observe. Of course, there were also some civil officials who were interested in the artillery unit. The emperor even sent his trusted eunuchs to observe the exercise.
"Ever since His Majesty put a lieutenant in charge of the gunpowder workshop, General, you must have had a lot of free time! When you're free, you can go to the R&D center and give me some suggestions on the new weapons I've developed. "
Li An looked at Longwu General Chen Xuanli, who was sitting beside him, and asked casually.
"Yes! I have had a lot of free time. Ever since Assistant Minister Li invented the artillery, His Majesty felt that there was no need for me to personally guard the gunpowder workshop. However, he still told me to go and take a look when I'm free. No accidents can happen to the gunpowder workshop, especially now that there's a workshop that makes explosive shells. "
Chen Xuanli said solemnly.
Ang Lee nodded. "Of course. The gunpowder workshop is the most basic industry of the Tang dynasty. Once something happens to the workshop, the mining of minerals will be affected. As a result, there won't be enough pig iron. There won't be enough raw materials for the railways, machinery, and cannons. All of the R&D work will be forced to stop. The consequences will be unimaginable!"
Chen Xuanli nodded and asked, "Assistant Minister Li, is there a prize for today's exercise?"
"Of course there is. A new batch of cannons has been completed. Soon, the 3rd and 4th Artillery Brigades will be formed. The artillery brigades with the best results this time will be the brigadier of these two brigades. This is a good prize, isn't it?"
Li An immediately gave out the prize and looked at everyone with a smile.
"The artillery brigade commander's salary is even higher than that of a general. This is a good prize. I wonder if the general's son will be able to get the first prize?"
One of the officials looked at Chen Xuanli and smiled.
"Haha! The general's son is the artillery brigade's first artillery brigade's first artillery brigade's first artillery brigade. In terms of strength, he is the strongest among all the artillery brigades. This time, he will definitely be able to take the first prize and become the artillery brigade's brigadier. "
Another official quickly complimented Chen Xuanli.
"Whether or not I can take the first prize will depend on today's performance. The army is ready, so the exercise can begin."
Chen Xuanli suppressed the excitement in his heart and said happily.
"Pass down the order. The exercise will officially begin."
Ang Lee immediately gave the order to begin the exercise with the infantry and artillery.
"Boom boom boom …"
Ten artillery brigades began a fierce confrontation on the vast battlefield. They quickly moved their positions, set up their cannons, and destroyed the enemy's main force. The infantry and cavalry cooperated with the artillery brigades to provide cover and surprise attacks to protect their own artillery and destroy the enemy's cannons.
Of course, the destruction here was not really destroying the cannons. It was just a mock destruction. For example, when the artillery brigades were moving quickly, the enemy cavalry would suddenly launch a surprise attack and charge in front of the artillery brigades before they could set up their cannons. This way, the artillery brigades would be destroyed, and they would have to immediately withdraw from the exercise.
The infantry and cavalry brigades would be killed when they suddenly entered the enemy's cannons while moving, causing them to be surrounded by cannons. This meant that the infantry and cavalry brigades would be heavily injured and would have to immediately withdraw from the exercise.
While the two sides were fighting fiercely, Li An and the other generals and officials sitting on the high platform could see most of the corners of the battlefield with their telescopes. They could also evaluate the tactical level of the commanders of the various troops. Some of them even quarreled because of different opinions.
"Assistant Minister Li, the artillery brigades have a prize, but this time, the infantry and cavalry brigades of the Dragon Martial Army and the Feathered Royal Guards are also participating in the exercise. If they win, what will they get?"
An official suddenly asked.
Ang Lee did not even think and immediately replied, "That's simple. If the infantry and cavalry brigades perform well, they will be accepted into the artillery academy and become an artillery brigadier."
"Haha! Assistant Minister Li, this prize is really cunning! Unknowingly, the artillery brigades will receive the best talents. If there are a few more exercises like this, the talents of the Dragon Martial Army will all go to the artillery brigades! "
Chen Xuanli said with a smile.
"If the talents of the Dragon Martial Army can enter the artillery academy, it means that there are many talents in the Dragon Martial Army. This is also the result of the Great General's teachings! His Majesty will be very happy! "
Ang Lee said with a sly smile.
At this time, although the artillery unit was formed by Li An, the artillery unit was not under Li An's command. Instead, it was under the direct command of the emperor. Therefore, the Dragon Martial Army's offering of talents to the artillery unit was the same as handing over talents to the emperor. It was a display of loyalty. Moreover, anyone could see that the artillery unit was extremely powerful. It was a special unit that needed special attention. It was natural for a large number of talents to be added to the artillery unit.
"Good, good, good. Assistant Minister Li can choose any of the talents of the Dragon Martial Army. Even if you want me, Chen Xuanli, to become an artillery brigadier, I will do."
Chen Xuanli joked with a smile.
"If the Great General wants to join the artillery brigades, that is also possible. When the number of people in the artillery brigades increases, we can form an artillery brigade and let the Great General be the commander. What do you think?"
Ang Lee said with a smile.
"Haha! Great! I have been waiting for this day. "
Chen Xuanli knew that Ang Lee was joking. He was already in his fifties and had never received any artillery training. How could he be the commander of the artillery brigade?
"Hahahaha!"
Many of the generals around him laughed along.
The exercise was very exciting. The cavalry brigades were constantly 'eliminated' and left the exercise area. Of course, the artillery brigades also left the exercise area very quickly. The first artillery brigade to leave the exercise area was Erniu's seventh artillery brigade.
As the exercise went on, more and more artillery brigades left the exercise area. The exercise area became quieter and quieter. Of course, it also became more and more exciting.
Behind a small hill in the exercise area, Ma Lin's Fourth Artillery Unit was quietly hiding here. All ten cannons had been loaded and aimed at an open space outside the hill.
In order to grasp the enemy's situation, Ma Lin sent five soldiers to observe the surroundings. The rest of the men hid well and were ready to wait for the enemy to come.
Before entering this small hill, Ma Lin's artillery squad had already annihilated six enemy infantry and cavalry squads, as well as one artillery squad, achieving a huge victory. After the victory, they immediately moved and hid behind this small hill.
Because the exercise area was a large area of hills, it was difficult for the troops on the battlefield to discover the enemy. Therefore, it was easier to be ambushed.
On the other hand, Li An and the others on the high platform in the distance could clearly see most of the situation on the battlefield. Although they couldn't see very clearly, the group of fifty people could still see. They could naturally see the situation of Ma Lin's artillery team hiding in the small hill, but they couldn't see the situation after they entered the small hill.
The platform was built on top of a high ground, so they could see the general situation of the exercise area. As for the part that was blocked by the hill, they could not see it.
"Haha! One of the artillery brigades has entered the ambush. They are going to be wiped out. "
A general used binoculars to see the horse-drawn artillery brigade in the distance enter the vicinity of the hill. He revealed a gloating smile.
"Which artillery brigade is it?"
The general beside him looked for a long time but could not confirm which brigade had entered the ambush by mistake.
"It's too far. I can't see clearly with binoculars."
Of course, Ang Lee heard the general's words. He immediately adjusted the fixed binoculars beside him and looked at the exercise area in the distance.
"It's the first artillery brigade. General, I'm afraid your son is going to be defeated."
Ang Lee saw very clearly that it was Chen Dabiao's first artillery brigade that had entered the ambush area. Chen Dabiao did not know that he had entered the ambush area and was swaggering forward quickly.
"Sigh! This kid is too careless. "
Chen Xuanli sighed. He was very dissatisfied with his son's carelessness. Even if it was only a small hill in front, he should have sent a few soldiers to check it out. How could he swagger forward? Moreover, he had a troop of infantry and cavalry escorts by his side. They could have been in charge of scouting!
"Boom, boom, boom …"
Sure enough, after the first artillery brigade entered the ambush area, the fourth artillery brigade immediately opened fire. The first artillery brigade and their escorts were all surrounded by artillery fire and had to withdraw from the exercise.
At this point, only the fourth artillery brigade was left on the battlefield. The rest of the brigades had all been killed. The final winner was naturally the fourth artillery brigade.
"Clang, clang, clang …"
After the violent beating of the gongs, the troops and horses that participated in the exercise all moved closer to the platform. The ordinary soldiers stood in the distance according to the organization, while the captains of the brigades all moved forward. They were only a dozen steps away from Ang Lee and the others.
"Assistant Minister Li, the results of the exercise have been tabulated."
A junior colonel in charge of battlefield statistics reported loudly.
"Good, immediately announce the results of the exercise."
Ang Lee nodded.
"The results of the exercise are as follows. The fourth artillery brigade annihilated seven infantry brigades and two artillery brigades. The overall result is first. The first artillery brigade annihilated five infantry brigades and was annihilated by the fourth artillery brigade. The overall result is second. The second infantry brigade …"
The junior colonel received the order and announced the results of the exercise.
From the announced results, Ma Lin, the captain of the fourth artillery brigade, and Chen Dabiao, the captain of the first artillery brigade, had won the prize of this exercise. They would become the brigadiers of the third and fourth artillery brigades.
Ang Lee and Chen Xuanli looked at each other and said loudly, "Ma Lin, Chen Dabiao, step forward."
Hearing the order, the two stepped forward and saluted Li An.
"I officially announce that Ma Lin will be the brigadier of the third artillery brigade and Chen Dabiao will be the brigadier of the fourth artillery brigade. In addition, each of you can choose up to ten artillerymen from your subordinates to join the newly established artillery brigade. The missing artillerymen will be made up by the artillery academy."
Ang Lee solemnly announced.
"Yes, we understand."
Ma Lin and Chen Dabiao responded and nodded in military salute.
The two brigadiers of the artillery brigade were promoted to brigadiers of the artillery brigade. Therefore, the two vacant brigadier positions would naturally be chosen from the first and fourth artillery brigades. The ten people that Ma Lin and Chen Dabiao took away would mostly become the brigadier and deputy brigadier of the new artillery brigade. Of course, this included the position of deputy brigadier.
This was just like the old saying, "When a man achieves the Dao, even his chickens and dogs will ascend to heaven." When a brigadier was promoted, all the soldiers under him would have the opportunity to be promoted.
Of course, where there was promotion, there was punishment. In this exercise, the soldiers with the worst performance were all demoted. Erniu's seventh artillery brigade was eliminated by the fourth artillery brigade not long after they entered the field. For this reason, Zhang Erniu was demoted to deputy brigadier. If he performed poorly again, he would be removed from his position as brigadier and become a small soldier.
Although Zhang Erniu had been with Li An for a long time and had feelings for him, he would be demoted if he didn't perform well. The drill was a simulation of a real battlefield, so there couldn't be a trace of luck. If a brainless person was in charge of the artillery unit, the entire artillery unit would be destroyed.
Other than the rewards and punishments for the artillery brigade, the soldiers of the Dragon Martial Army and the Feathered Royal Guards who performed well this time would have the opportunity to enter the artillery academy. This was what Ang Lee had said in advance, so he kept his word.
As the various brigades returned to their barracks, the exercise field became quiet again. The officials and generals who came to observe all returned.
"Today's battle maneuver was a great success. Your beloved son also won the second place and will soon be promoted to the colonel of the 4th Artillery Brigade. General, you must be very happy!"
Ang Lee was the last to leave, walking side by side with Chen Xuanli.
"My son was too careless. I thought he would get first place. I'm so disappointed. "
Chen Xuanli seemed to be very dissatisfied with Chen Dabiao's performance and felt that he had lost face.
After all, Chen Dabiao's father was the famous Dragon Martial General Chen Xuanli. Where did Ma Lin come from? How could she defeat his son? Wasn't this a slap to his old face?
"Oh, the general has high expectations for his son. Second place is already not bad."
Ang Lee rolled his eyes at Chen Xuanli. He felt that this old man was too greedy.
"Assistant Minister Li, what is the background of that Ma Lin?"
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