knife

Chapter 106 Full Mobilization
A large, fat pig weighing at least 300 pounds broke free from the two workers and ran wildly out of the pigpen, smashing countless pots and pans along the way. Amidst the gasps of the crowd, Hu Kan took a step forward, grabbed the pig's ear with lightning speed, and swung it around. The large, fat pig was lifted into the air, spun around in mid-air, and then crashed heavily to the ground with a thud.

Before the fat pig could react, Hu Kan had already stepped on it, firmly stomping on its head. Then he bent down, grabbed the pig's two feet with his iron-like hands, pressed them down, and grabbed the other two feet as well. He released his foot, straightened his back, and exerted force, lifting the pig upside down.

It was a scream like a pig being slaughtered.

With a thud, it slammed onto the cutting board. One hand held down the pig's head, while the other hand pulled a knife from under the cutting board and, with a swift, clean stab, plunged it into the pig's throat.

The howl subsided, and the four hooves thrashed desperately, but under Hu Kan's suppression, it had little effect. Blood gushed into a wooden basin under the chopping board.

Some salt water was placed in the wooden basin beforehand to promote the coagulation of pig's blood. Then it was boiled in a pot to make blood flowers, which are similar to tofu. The rich and powerful do not know about it, but for the poor, it is a good meat dish.

Hu Kan did not live in Tai'an City, but rather in a large house with three courtyards and several acres of land, which was about a few miles away. He could be considered a well-off family.

He runs a meat business, but he doesn't sell fresh meat. His main products are long-lasting cured meat and dried meat. His home is essentially a small workshop.

Hu Kan's cured pork and sausages are extremely famous in Tai'an City. It is said that even the city lord who has tasted their dried meat has praised it highly.

Don't underestimate the seemingly small business of selling cured meat; it's not something just anyone can do.

Salt was a precious commodity in the areas outside the Great Wall, and in many places it could be used as money. Salt was the most commonly used ingredient in making preserved meats.

As long as the salt is used properly, there shouldn't be any major problems with the preserved meat.

As for the selection of ingredients for the smoked meat, that's a matter of taste.

The pig fell silent. Several workers carried it to a large basin and poured boiling water over it to scald it. Then they began to remove the hair. The workers were quick and efficient. In no time, the bald, fat pig was hung on a hook and hoisted onto the beam. Hu Kan held a knife in each hand and rubbed it a few times. Sparks flew from the clattering sounds.

The movements—opening the abdomen, removing the bones, and decapitating—were fluid and effortless.

Just as we were getting into the swing of things, a series of loud horn blares suddenly came from afar, approaching and then receding into the distance. The horn's tone was urgent and loud, sounding as if it were urging something on.

Upon hearing the horn, Hu Kan was startled at first, then his face lit up with joy. He turned around and walked to a large cabinet on the side, opened the cabinet, and revealed the armor inside.

Hu Kan's iron armor, the two men's leather armor, and some other odds and ends.

As they were packing these things up, Hu Kan's wife and her entourage came out with several horses. The horses were carrying several large bundles.

This wasn't something that was just packed up; it had always been there, ready to be set off immediately upon being summoned.

Hu Kan is a captain under the Hou Tu branch of the Renzi Camp. He is a fourth-rank Qi Master and has just crossed the threshold of martial arts cultivation.

Pressing the reins of his horse, Hu Kan shouted, "I'm leaving now. When I come back, we'll expand this estate, build more incense rooms, stock up on more fragrant wood, and produce more high-end goods so we can make more money!"

"Be careful!" The woman's mind wasn't on whether she could make more money; she was always very worried every time she went out.

Hu Kan laughed heartily, turned around, and strode away with his two men.

In the eyes of his neighbors, Cai Ming is a wealthy and comfortable person.

This guy owns a house in the city and lives alone. His biggest hobby is smoking hookah, which is rarely seen outside the Great Wall. Smoking it is quite interesting. In recent years, quite a few people have been influenced by Cai Ming and have started smoking it.

No one knew what Cai Ming did, nor did they ask; this was an unwritten rule in Tai'an City.

Who living in this city doesn't have a few scandals?
It wasn't that no one wanted to arrange a marriage for Cai Ming, but they all turned them down.

In Cai Ming's words, he would never give up the whole forest for the sake of one tree.

Yingchunlou was his second home.

Grandpa Cai is generous and has a house in Tai'an City. Even when Grandpa Cai is short of money, people are happy to lend him money because they are not afraid that he will not be able to pay it back. At worst, he still has a house.

A house in Tai'an city is worth a lot of money!

Today, Cai Ming, surrounded by beautiful women, stood on the upper floor of Yingchun Tower, gazing at the scenery outside. Brothels, after all, are naturally located in popular, high-traffic areas. Although the sun was out, the wind made it quite cold.

Those passing by could only feel envy at the scene, perhaps muttering a few curses under their breath. Even those familiar with Cai Ming's background could hardly be as carefree as him.

They all have wives and children to support, so they can't afford to be as extravagant as Grandpa Cai, spending as much as they earn!
People with families and households can't feel at ease without some savings.

As the horn sounded, Grandpa Cai, who was smoking a hookah in one hand and groping around inappropriately with the other, suddenly flew out of the window. Before the two women could react, two silver ingots flew back with another whoosh, landing squarely inside their clothes.

"Clear the accounts!" Cai Ming's voice came from beside me.

The two women took out some silver, but Cai Ming was nowhere to be seen on the street.

"We're going out again!" a woman said.

Because Cai Ming was afraid he wouldn't be able to come back. He was an upright man, and every time he went out to fight, there was a possibility that he wouldn't come back. Naturally, he couldn't have any debts left unpaid.

Cai Ming is a captain of the Wind Banner under the Human Battalion, holding the rank of Fifth Grade Qi Control.

Similar incidents were constantly occurring throughout the city of Tai'an.

Some were eating and drinking, some were bragging and joking, some were washing and cleaning, and some were having sex with women.
Without exception, as the fast horses galloped through the streets and alleys, and the horns blared incessantly, these people, no matter what they were doing, would leap up and come out carrying large and small bags. Some led the horses, some walked, and a few others followed behind them, all heading towards a certain destination.

Assembly call!
When the rallying cry sounds, all official citizens of Tai'an City must respond to the call to arms, along with their own servants, as quickly as possible. Those under the age of sixteen and over the age of sixty are automatically exempt from this obligation unless the City Lord's Mansion confirms that you are capable of continuing to serve Tai'an City.

All prospective citizens of Tai'an City must report to the City Lord's Mansion immediately upon receiving the conscription order, carrying the weapons and supplies specified on the conscription order. Those who fail to report by the deadline will have their prospective citizen status revoked.

Inside the vast underground building of Chi Qiu Yuan, everything was bustling with activity.

After receiving their missions from Zhou Yi, the intelligence agents quickly left the building. They were about to join the army, where they would be responsible for intelligence coordination. Of course, when needed, they would also take up arms and go to the battlefield.

Therefore, the intelligence personnel that Zhang Qingyun saw were all well-equipped.

Training a qualified intelligence officer is not easy, so Dean Qian Jia has always been willing to invest in this area.

Zhou Yi didn't look through any files. He just stood there. When the leaders of each team came to him, he immediately told them where to report, who to contact, and what their tasks were.

It was impossible to tell what Zhou Yi was so capable of before, but now Zhang Qingyun truly experienced it firsthand.

With over a hundred people leaving Zhi Qiu Courtyard, everyone inside became even busier.

Because from now on, they will have more responsibilities.

Everyone was in a hurry, and when they saw Zhang Qingyun, they only nodded and then quickly went back to their work, which made Zhang Qingyun seem quite disappointed.

This made her feel insignificant.

She really didn't like this feeling.

But there is no way.

Her battlefield is not here.

She stood there for a moment, then turned and quickly walked back to her room.

She has her own field.

Now she needs to work diligently, sow carefully, nurture tenderly, and patiently wait for the seeds to take root, sprout, blossom, and bear fruit.

Her day will come eventually.

The area outside the Great Wall is about to undergo a major transformation!
(End of this chapter)