Sword of Light: Humanoid Self-Propelled Artillery

Chapter 65 Learning to Ski
In fact, skiing has existed in the north of Huaguo for a long time and is not unique to foreign countries. In fact, the earliest place where skiing appeared was the Altay region of Huaguo.

The reason for this certainty is that in 2005, rock paintings depicting skiing and hunting were discovered in Dundebulak Cave in Altay. After investigation, it was found that the paintings date back to about 10,000 to 30,000 years ago, making them the earliest known records of skiing activities in the world.

This discovery has been internationally recognized. In 2006, the "Altay Declaration" was first issued. Experts from 18 countries reached a consensus through field investigations and confirmed that Altay is the origin of human skiing.

The reason why this is the earliest origin of skiing is naturally its geographical advantage. Altay is located on the southern foot of the Altai Mountains and is a golden belt for skiing. The snow season lasts for 180 days, or six months, and the snow thickness exceeds two meters. The snow is low-density powder snow, so it is suitable for skiing activities. After all, for beginners, they don’t have to worry about falling in such deep snow.

You have to know that in ancient times when medical technology was not well developed, a broken bone was equivalent to death, so only a layer of soft snow one or two meters thick could guarantee safety. Otherwise, how could you learn skiing in the south where the snow was only a few centimeters thick, or even melted as soon as you touched the ground?

This discovery contrasts with other theories of origin, such as Northern Europe and Russia. Previously, academics believed that skiing originated in Norwegian skiing 4,500 years ago, or in Russia 7,000 years ago, but the Altai rock paintings pushed the origin time significantly back to 12,000 years ago.

Relying on the brand of "the origin of human skiing", Altay has built three major ski areas, including the Jikepulin International Ski Resort, integrating competitions, folk experiences and ice and snow tourism, becoming a destination for ski enthusiasts around the world.

As for why Wang Gensheng knew so much about it, it was naturally because he had been to this place skiing before traveling through time, so he also knew where skiing originated.

Wang Gensheng smiled and said to Kong Jie:
"It's very useful. I skied all the way back from Liujia Town and it only took me an hour!"

"What! Eighty miles, and you slid back in just one hour!"

Wang Gensheng was naturally prepared for Kong Jie's surprise. After all, even sled dogs pulling a sled couldn't go that fast. Ten kilometers per hour at most was already very impressive.

After all, like humans, sled dogs' paws cannot walk on the snow without sinking, so they cannot go fast in soft snow.

Wang Gensheng nodded and said:
"We're sliding on snow, so naturally it's faster. Of course, that's also because the way back was all downhill, but no matter what, skiing is much faster than riding or walking! So if the commander can get every cavalry company to learn how to ski, then we can take the initiative in winter and launch night raids on towns where the Japanese are stationed!"

As expected, as soon as Kong Jie heard that it was to fight the Japanese or the second Japanese, he immediately became alert and said:
"Right! Even in winter, we can't let the Japs and the traitors have an easy time. Your idea is good, I support it!"

When Wang Gensheng learned that Kong Jie supported his behavior, he immediately smiled and said:
"Captain, you can't just give me verbal support! This time I ordered two hundred pairs of these skis from the carpenter's shop in Liujia Town! So you see..."

As Wang Gensheng spoke, he made a gesture to ask for money. After all, although Wang Gensheng was a battalion commander and received a monthly salary of three silver dollars, this time two hundred pairs of skis would cost twenty silver dollars. Therefore, where would Wang Gensheng get so many silver dollars!
If Wang Gensheng really took out so many silver dollars, that would be terrible. Wouldn't it seem that Wang Gensheng was corrupt? And corruption in the Eighth Route Army would cost you your head.

"Okay, of course I can't let you pay for this. I'll take it from the regiment's activity funds. Tell me! How much do these two hundred pairs of skis cost?" When Kong Jie heard that it only cost twenty silver dollars, Kong Jie naturally took out the twenty silver dollars from the regiment's activity funds very readily.

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So on the fourth day, Wang Gensheng, who had retrieved some skis, couldn't wait to start teaching skiing to everyone in the cavalry company.

However, Wang Gensheng did not find a slope for the soldiers to learn skiing, but found a very flat place. Although skiing, skiing naturally requires a slope.

However, as a novice, the most important thing is of course to master the most basic skiing skills, such as how to brake, how to turn, etc. Otherwise, if you go skiing directly on the slope, you may break your bones if you are not careful.

Wang Gensheng looked at the soldiers in the cavalry company who were looking at him with curiosity, and he was not at all nervous. To be honest, sometimes the environment and position can really change a person.

Thinking back to the time before he traveled through time, whenever Wang Gensheng stood in a crowded place and was stared at by more than ten people, his face would immediately turn red, and he would stutter and stumble, with cold sweat pouring down his face.

But now, under the eager gazes of more than a hundred soldiers, Wang Gensheng was able to speak calmly and confidently:
"Skiing is very simple. You only need to pay attention to three points: first, how to ski with the correct posture, second, how to brake, and third, how to turn. As long as you master these three points, you won't have to be afraid of the snow, no matter how thick it is! Next, watch me show you how to ski, brake, and turn correctly!"

After that, Wang Gensheng began to demonstrate on the flat snow. First, the skis on both feet should be parallel. Then he bent his knees and moved his center of gravity slightly forward, using the gravity of the slope or the ski poles in his hands to power himself forward.

And slowing down is also very simple. Just push the tail of the skis under your feet outward to form an inward-facing eight, then keep your center of gravity in the middle, open your knees, and slow down by increasing the angle of the inward-facing eight.

As for turning, you need to use the shift of the body's center of gravity. For example, to turn left, you need to move the center of gravity to the left, and then increase the inward angle of the left foot. This will slow down the left ski, and then you will be able to turn naturally. The same is true for turning right, just in the opposite direction.

Wang Gensheng was demonstrating the movements as he spoke, and it looked very easy. However, after Wang Gensheng demonstrated this seemingly easy move, the soldiers of the cavalry company made many mistakes when they tried to do it.

For example, Baili Xiu, the platoon leader of the first row of Wang Gensheng's cavalry company, fell down right after he started. Fortunately, the thickness of the snow was close to 30 centimeters due to several days of snowfall, so Baili Xiu got up and tried again without any problem.

As the platoon leader of a cavalry company, I naturally have to set an example for my subordinates, otherwise it will be difficult to lead them. They will feel that the platoon leader is not as good as me, and the prestige of Baili Xiu as the platoon leader will be reduced.

Of course, it’s not just Baili Xiu, there’s also squad leader Li Xiu who is doing the same, trying hard to set an example!
You know, since the cavalry company was established not long ago, except for this platoon leader who is Baili Xiu, the platoon leaders of the remaining two platoons have not yet been selected!

(End of this chapter)