The grassland bandits and cavalry have indeed become smarter.

The army of fifty to sixty thousand men lingered on the grasslands for several days, not rushing to attack the border defenses, but repeatedly spying on the border and probing the strength and weakness of the border defenses.

This tactic left Li Xin somewhat helpless.

"well!"

Li Xin couldn't help but sigh and said, "Without a strong cavalry, it's really too difficult. These steppe bandit cavalry are trying to use their high mobility to catch us off guard!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Bingzhang nodded and said, "The grassland bandits have been wandering around for so long with a simple purpose: to find a weak point in our border defenses and launch a surprise attack. Their strategy is obvious, but we don't have a good way to counter it!"

After all, the border defense line is too long. Even if you can defend one place, you can't defend every single one! Along such a long border, there are bound to be some areas with very weak defenses!

This is a problem for us!

Zhao Bingzhang's words made Li Xin fall into deep thought.

Actually, anyone with eyes can see this problem.

Rulers throughout history have attached great importance to the issue of border defenses. Ultimately, border defenses were not intended as a defensive line against enemy forces on the northern grasslands, but rather as a warning line.

When enemy forces from the northern grasslands launch a large-scale attack, they can issue early warning signals, allowing the inland military towns to mobilize earlier.

This is the crucial role of border defenses!

After all, no one would be foolish enough to distribute a million troops evenly across countless passes along the border defense line.

Wouldn't this allow the enemy bandits on the grasslands to defeat them one by one?

Furthermore, the border defense line is extremely long, with countless passes and passages of all sizes.

If you can defend one place, how can you defend everywhere?

it's out of the question!

Only after realizing this did Li Xin come to his senses.

He looked at Zhao Bingzhang and said decisively, "We cannot divide our troops!"

This is a matter of principle!

Dividing forces is a major taboo!

"As for which pass the grassland bandits came from to break into the territory, we have no idea."

Li Xin continued, "However, we can increase our reconnaissance efforts and keep a close eye on the movements of the main force of the grassland bandits in order to make a judgment."

In addition, we must raise the alert level at the border. Once the main force of the grassland bandits is discovered, we must immediately issue a warning to neighboring troops.

This is the second point!

Thirdly, it is necessary to mobilize the militia forces of various villages and communities within the pass.

The militia will be our third line of defense. If the grassland bandits and cavalry manage to breach our defenses and invade, the militia scattered throughout the villages and communities should employ guerrilla tactics to slow down their movements, thus buying time for the main force to engage them!

Furthermore, the main forces of each military garrison must be on high alert and obey orders at all times!

After outlining three measures, Li Xin looked at Zhao Bingzhang and said helplessly, "These are just temporary measures. After all, our cavalry force is not strong enough to truly stop the grassland bandits from invading our borders."

Only by building a powerful cavalry can we pursue the fleeing enemy to the ends of the earth, inscribe our names on the Yanran Mountains, and seal the wolf's lair!

"well!"

Zhao Bingzhang sighed helplessly.

He knew that what His Majesty said was already very good.

However, this would put their troops at a disadvantage, as they would be led by the nose by the grassland bandits and cavalry.

However, for now, this is the only option.

After all, the new recruits in each army have only been recruited recently and have not yet experienced the baptism of a major battle. If they were to launch an attack rashly and encounter a dangerous enemy situation, it would be very dangerous.

Only by letting the new recruits grow up quickly after being tempered by the great battle will they have a real chance to pursue the fleeing enemy and launch a counterattack against the grassland bandits!

Moreover, they are also waiting for the new equipment from the Beijing Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau!

On the 28th day of the third month of the first year of Yanning.

A portion of the grassland bandits' cavalry raided the pass at Qiangziling.

Qiangziling has a narrow terrain, and there are not many soldiers stationed there, all of whom are local militia.

Faced with the attacks of the grassland bandit cavalry, they were quickly defeated.

Qiangziling was captured by grassland bandit cavalry. The militia retreated to the nearby mountains and forests. Tens of thousands of grassland bandit cavalry invaded the pass and their military strength was at its peak!

When the news reached Gubeikou, Li Xin narrowed his eyes and stared intently at the map in front of him.

"Qiangzi Ridge?"

Zhao Bingzhang pointed to the location of Qiangzi Ridge, frowned and said, "It is hundreds of miles away from Gubeikou. The nearest garrison is the Shenji Army of Jizhou City and the Shence Army of Qian'an and Yuguan."

However, the Shenji Army was an artillery unit with particularly poor mobility.

The Shence Army was much the same.

Relying on these two forces, it will be extremely difficult to intercept the steppe bandits' cavalry breaking through the pass and heading south!

"It's very difficult!"

Li Xin nodded slightly and said, "One Tiger Legion is at Gubeikou, and the other is in the capital. They are quite far apart."

However, sending troops to provide support is still an option.

"Providing support is possible."

Zhao Bingzhang looked at Li Xin and expressed his concern, "But what if the grassland bandits and cavalry retreat after learning of this news?"

They simply broke through the pass, looted inside, scouted the area, and then retreated. What could we possibly do against the steppe bandits and cavalry?

"Um?"

Zhao Bingzhang's words struck Li Xin like a bolt from the blue.

He sighed helplessly, knowing in his heart that this possibility was very likely to occur.

After all, in Dongning and Liaodong, the grassland bandit cavalry had been defeated by them several times.

The strengths of both sides are naturally very clear.

The grassland bandits and cavalry were not fools; they would never willingly give up their high mobility to engage in mobile warfare with Li Xin and his men.

Therefore, after looting and retreating, Li Xin and his men could only watch helplessly, with no good options available.

However, if no support is provided, the grassland bandits and cavalry will break through the pass and invade the interior, which is a situation that Li Xin is unwilling to face!

Mr. Zhao,

Looking up at Zhao Bingzhang, Li Xin asked, "What good idea do you have?"

"His Majesty,"

Zhao Bingzhang said, "The three lines of defense you set up earlier are still effective. Qiangzi Ridge is also defended by militia. Although their forces are weak, the area around Qiangzi Ridge is mountainous. We can mobilize the nearby militia to harass the grassland bandits and cavalry, slowing down their movements."

Secondly, he ordered the Shenji Army and the Shence Army to move towards the edge of the mountainous area.

Third, order the Tiger Legion troops around the capital to move towards Jizhou!

These three strategies are the key to dealing with the grassland bandit cavalry in the Qiangziling mountain area!

Besides that, there's one more killer move!