Jin Cavalry Tactics (1160s)

Timeline

1. 1161–1163Kaifeng · Henan ProvinceJin forces used Iron Pagoda heavy armored cavalry as the assault mainstay, each rider with three horses rotated to maintain mobility; Guazima light cavalry handled flanking and pursuit. The three-horse rotation let Jin cavalry cover two hundred li a day, far exceeding Song infantry mobility.
2. 1161Huai River basin · ChinaDuring Wanyan Liang's southern invasion, Jin cavalry advanced on multiple routes to quickly capture Shouchun, Luzhou, and other key Huainan towns. Iron Pagodas struck the Song battle line head-on while Guazima wheeled to cut off retreat; Song northern infantry could not withstand the cavalry assaults and retreated to the north bank of the Yangtze.
3. 1162–1170Zhongdu of the Jin dynasty · Beijing MunicipalityThe disastrous naval defeat at Caishi exposed the weakness of Jin cavalry constrained by riverine warfare. After Emperor Shizong of Jin ascended, strategy shifted: cavalry was mainly used for northern border defense and deterrence of Song; the Iron Pagoda system retained strong assault capability in defense, but large-scale southern invasion cavalry tactics became more conservative.