Generals of the Great Song Dynasty.

Summary

The chapter discusses the flaws of heavy cavalry during a battle, where thousands of warhorses succumbed to exhaustion and knights were trampled to death. It suggests that if the Liao cavalry had been braver and more tenacious, they could have regrouped and engaged in a relentless battle with Wang's army, potentially wearing them down. However, Wang's army emerged victorious, and their iron cavalry became renowned throughout the land. The chapter then describes Wang Ning An's efforts to expand the army and address its shortcomings. He gathered everyone together and devised a plan to strike a balance between speed and protection, using various types of cavalry in coordination. The plan included waiting for the arrival of sturdy Mawari horses to unleash the full power of their heavy cavalry, as well as lightening the knights' load by reducing or eliminating certain armor pieces. The chapter also includes a personal story about Di Qing, a soldier who had been gifted a bronze mask by his friend Jiao Yong. Years later, Di Qing returned home and reminisced about Jiao Yong, who had passed away, and how the world now recognized him as a good man, no longer a thief in the army.

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