In the Ming Dynasty, iron masks were also quite common. In the Ming Dynasty military manual "Wu Bei Yao Lue", there is a record of iron masks used to protect the face, and a throat guard was also installed under the mask to protect the throat.

Later, not only did armor and weapons become worse and worse, but the iron mask was no longer standard equipment for soldiers and almost completely disappeared from the Ming army.

Jin Guofeng smiled at He Kegang's suggestion and said, "General He's suggestion is absolutely correct, but I'm afraid it won't be realized in a short period of time."

As he spoke, he counted on his fingers, "Our army's armor should be fully equipped, but the officers and soldiers of Dongjiang Town, Deng Town, Jin Town, and other military towns still need it, right?"

"Add to that the cost of building muskets, cannons, ships, and weapons, providing military supplies and salaries, and suppressing the rebellion in the southwest. Your Majesty has almost spent all of this year's gold and silver."

"Your Majesty also exempted Shaanxi, Henan, Shanxi and other places from paying taxes, and allocated customs fees to strengthen coastal defense. Just the construction of ships and the purchase of red-haired cannons alone is a huge expense, and it will take several years to see results."

Jin Guofeng let out a long breath and said with a wry smile, "Do the math, can the court still afford to forge the Iron Mask this year?"

He Kegang was silent for a while, then sighed softly and said, "One doesn't know how expensive firewood and rice are until he manages the household. I really didn't know the court's expenses were so huge, and I didn't know His Majesty had taken out all the gold and silver."

"Brother Jin has just been transferred from the capital, so he's naturally more informed than us." Zu Dashou said, "It doesn't matter if Iron Face isn't here. We still fought against the Jiannu before."

Jin Guofeng raised his glass in a toast, took a long sip, exhaled lightly, and said slowly, "We still need to make the necessary suggestions. Let His Majesty know about this matter. Sooner or later, there will be arrangements."

With a somewhat intriguing smile, Jin Guofeng said, "As for the court's financial difficulties, we don't have to worry too much. Your Majesty is wise and intelligent, and he will definitely find a way to solve it."

He Kegang and Zu Dashou looked at each other and looked at Jin Guofeng in confusion, wondering where his confidence came from.

"Imperial edict!" Jin Guofeng said with a smile, "Think carefully about what His Majesty's edict says."

He Kegang lowered his eyes, Zu Dashou frowned and touched his chin, and they both began to think seriously.

After a while, Zu Dashou's eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh and said, "Your Majesty did not urge us to fight, but instead warned us not to underestimate the enemy and advance rashly because of a victory."

He Kegang also figured it out and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, if you are not in a hurry, it means there is a way to ease the financial burden and continue to fight against the Jiannu."

Jin Guofeng laughed heartily and said, "That's exactly the point. When I and many other officers were transferred out of the capital from the military academy, the Emperor summoned us and gave us a banquet as per custom. He mentioned at the table that winning through stability is an unwavering strategy."

Holding up a finger, Jin Guofeng asked with a chuckle, "Do you know what the Emperor also calls this strategy of strategic retreat and exhausting the Jiannu?"

"Defense as offense."

"Block consumption."

Jin Guofeng repeatedly shook his head at Zu Dashou and He Kegang's answers, then finally hooked his fingers twice and said with an uncontrollable smile, "Your Majesty said: Strategic contraction is telling the Jiannu: If you have the ability, come over here!"

Come here, bring enough food and supplies, cross the river, walk through nearly a hundred miles of desolate area, and come to fight me!

This is really a vivid image! Zu Dashou and He Kegang looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.

The Jiannu will definitely come!

At this time, Xiong Tingbi, the governor of Liaodong, was outside the city, watching the training of the newly established cavalry.

The sharpness of firearms and the solidity of cities or fortifications will definitely cause heavy losses to the attacking Jiannu.

But to truly defeat the Jiannu, defense alone is definitely not enough.

In order to win a field battle, or at least to have the ability to compete, one must first not be easily defeated in close combat, and secondly, one must have a relatively strong cavalry.

Zhu Youxiao had already explained this to Xiong Tingbi long ago and had tentatively set a three-year period.

Of course, Zhu Youxiao was also clear-headed. He knew that no matter how much he trained in riding, he would probably not be able to catch up with the Manchus who had been riding horses and hunting since childhood, not to mention the Mongolians, a nation on horseback.

But riding skills are only one aspect. There are other factors that determine strength and victory or defeat. We can definitely find another way!

Therefore, Xiong Tingbi trained the cavalry according to his own ideas and plans, and at the same time formed another force called dragoons according to the emperor's wishes.