The First Killer God of the Tang Dynasty

In his tent, Zhang Yang spread out a map, his gaze fixed on Xiangji Temple.

The Battle of Xiangji Temple can be considered one of the bloodiest battles in the history of ancient cold weapons. A total of 150,000 soldiers from both the Tang army and the rebel army clashed, with more than half of them killed or wounded.

Calling it a meat grinder is no exaggeration.

Zhang Yang picked up one of the weapons that the Longwu Army already possessed. It was a Tang sword, the standard issue weapon for the Tang army. Originally, it was the standard weapon for the Qin King's army when Emperor Taizong was conquering the world.

However, since the pacification of the country, the advancement of these weapons has stagnated. Now, many of the rebels' armors are designed specifically to exploit the weaknesses of Tang swords, such as their fragility and tendency to break.

"If we could use more suitable weapons, we would definitely gain an advantage in the field battle at Xiangji Temple."

Zhang Yang picked up a pen and began drawing blueprints based on his memory.

This is the Qi Family Knife, invented by Qi Jiguang, a hero of the Ming Dynasty, when he fought against Japanese pirates. It has a slightly curved body, a long blade, a thick back, and is lightweight. It can be used for both slashing and thrusting, making it suitable for dense formations and chaotic battles.

Furthermore, this knife is lightweight and easy to carry, so it will not be a burden even during intense marches in large-scale battles in the field.

With the battle of Xiangji Temple imminent, it's clearly impossible to equip the Tang army with the Qi Family Swords in such a short time. Furthermore, the Tang army is currently composed of diverse individuals, making Zhang Yang's objective quite simple.

At least the entire Zhengyang Army should be equipped with this type of sword, which will be named "Zhang Family Sword". This is why Zhang Yang asked the Prince of Guangping for iron ore today.

Having made up his mind, Zhang Yang immediately called Wang Lie to his side: "Wang Lie, prepare a few fast horses; I have something important to tell you!"

Wang Lie immediately stepped forward, his expression turning serious: "Brother, whatever you command, I, Wang Lie, will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Zhang Yang realized his attitude was too serious and waved his hand: "It's not that serious. I just want you to take the gold, ride a fast horse back to Guodu Town, and find the blacksmiths in town for me, especially the one surnamed Sun. He made bows and arrows for us before. You can find out by asking around."

"Remember, you must explain the pros and cons, invite them over politely, and treat them with courtesy. You must never use any coercive means. You are the most reliable among us brothers, and you know how to act with discretion. I feel at ease entrusting this matter to you."

Wang Lie accepted the order: "Brother, rest assured! Even if I, Wang Lie, have to kneel and kowtow to them, I will definitely invite them into your tent!"

Before Wang Lie rode away on a fast horse, he seemed to have thought of something and went to find Guo Huzi.

During this time, the latter was busy making new battle flags for the Zhengyang Army. When Wang Lie arrived, one flag had just been completed. Without saying a word, Wang Lie forcibly borrowed the flag from Guo Huzi, saying that he would have great use for it.

The next day, in Guodu Town, Sun the blacksmith was making farm tools for an old farmer.

While working, Sun the blacksmith boasted to the old farmer.

"You can rest assured about my skills! Do you know Zhang Yang, the village head? He's now a guerrilla general, fighting the rebels under Commander Guo!"

The old farmer laughed and said, "Old Sun, you're joking! In our Guodu Town, is there anyone who doesn't know Chief Zhang? Even my three-year-old grandson knows that Chief Zhang is a great hero of Guodu Town!"

While operating the bellows, Sun the blacksmith said, "Hey! Good to know! Let me tell you, when Zhang Baozhang was starting out, I made his recurve bow and his triangular arrows! Back then, Zhang Baozhang didn't have as much wealth as he does now, and I was taking a risk!"

The old farmer sneered, "Yes, yes, you said you forged weapons for Zhang Baozhang, and I even said Zhang Baozhang ate rice I grew myself!"

Sun the blacksmith grew anxious: "Why don't you all believe me? When Chief Zhang comes back someday, I'll definitely..."

Just then, Sun the blacksmith heard the sound of horses' hooves outside the blacksmith's shop.

When Sun the blacksmith went outside, he saw a group of strong men standing in a row.

"What are you doing?"

Wang Lie glanced at the blacksmith shop's sign and asked politely, "May I ask, are you Blacksmith Sun?"

The blacksmith asked warily, "What do you want with him?"

Wang Lie took a tray from a guard, opened it, and Sun the blacksmith's eyes turned cold.

On the tray were several heavy ingots of gold.

"I am Wang Lie, the commander of the Zhengyang Army's archer battalion under General Zhang Yang. My elder brother specifically sent me with gold to invite you to come out of seclusion and forge weapons for our Great Tang to eliminate the rebels!"

The surrounding neighbors all watched the group of soldiers with curiosity.

Sun the blacksmith looked up at the flag held high by Wang Lie's team, which bore the character "Yang," and a sense of honor instantly filled his heart.

For a moment, the blacksmith Sun was overcome with emotion and tears streamed down his face.

"None of you believe me! Now, Chief Zhang has personally sent men, carrying gold and a military flag, to invite me here! Do you believe it or not! Do you believe it or not!"

The blacksmith in Guodu Town, upon seeing the Zhengyang Banner, almost without hesitation, settled his family, packed his belongings, and set off with Wang Lie that very day.

The villagers of Guodu Town watched the blacksmiths leave carrying their tools and came to see them off.

These blacksmiths were treated with the utmost respect, like soldiers going into battle.

The following evening, Wang Lie led more than twenty blacksmiths from Guodu Town back to the Uyghur army camp.

Zhang Yang came out to greet him personally, and when he saw the Zhengyang flag that Wang Lie was hanging high, he couldn't help but secretly give Wang Lie a thumbs up.

It has to be said that Zhang Yang felt very reassured entrusting this matter to Wang Lie.

Upon meeting Zhang Yang, the blacksmith Sun didn't inquire about treatment or lodging, but immediately asked, "General, what do you need us to forge? Whatever you need, we'll make it for you!"

Zhang Yang smiled and shook the blacksmith Sun's hand: "No rush, I've arranged food and tents for you. You should rest well first, and then we'll talk about forging!"

The group of blacksmiths then gave up and settled down under Wang Lie's guidance.

Unfortunately, these blacksmiths couldn't live without forging, and they kept bringing up the topic of forging during their meals.

Left with no other choice, Zhang Yang had to produce the blueprints ahead of time.

When Sun the blacksmith saw the rough design of the Qi family knife, he couldn't help but marvel.

"A fine blade, a fine blade indeed! This adjustment allows the blade to be thinner and lighter without compromising its lethality on the battlefield. The long hilt design also reduces the difficulty of using this blade, allowing it to be used effectively whether wielded with one or two hands!"

As the saying goes, a true expert's skill is immediately apparent.

Sun the blacksmith recognized the exquisite nature of the knife with just a glance at the design drawings.

"General, what is this sword called? Which skilled craftsman designed it?"

Zhang Yang said, "I guess you could call this a random sketch. Let's call this knife the Zhang Family Knife!"

"That's how it should be!"

Sun the blacksmith nodded. In his opinion, it was not surprising that Zhang Yang could create such amazing things as recurve bows and triangular arrows, let alone Zhang family knives.

"Fellow blacksmiths, I need to forge approximately eight hundred of these Zhang family knives within a short period of time. Is that possible?"

The blacksmith, who had been working enthusiastically just moments before, suddenly fell silent.