Do You Know?: Rule the World

Chapter 76 Yuzhou Zhao Zongquan

The next day, at dawn, Zhao Han had already arrived at the gate of the Military Arsenal.

The Great Zhou's Military Equipment Bureau was divided into four parts: the Crossbow Department, the Armor Department, the Sword Department, and the Gunpowder Department. There were approximately 5,000 people in the entire Military Equipment Bureau.

After passing through three checkpoints and arriving at Jiazuoyuan, a hot iron smell hit me in the face.

More than thirty forges were lined up in a row, the charcoal fire in the furnace was burning red, and several blacksmiths were swinging hammers with their bare upper bodies.

As the hammer rose and fell, sparks flew like raindrops and the clanging sound continued.

"Master Zhao!" Master Wang, the supervisor of Jiazuoyuan, came forward with small steps and a flattering smile on his face.

He had also heard about what happened in the court yesterday. After bowing, he asked tentatively, "I wonder what instructions you have for me, Your Excellency?"

Zhao Han glanced around and asked gently, "Who is the best blacksmith here?"

Upon hearing this, Lord Wang immediately raised his hand and pointed at an old man who was inspecting an iron furnace not far away.

"In reply to Lord Zhao, it's that old man Deng. Three generations of his ancestors have been craftsmen in the Jiazuoyuan."

"I'm afraid there's no one in the entire Great Zhou who's more proficient in the art of steelmaking than him."

Zhao Han nodded slightly and strode up to Old Deng.

Lord Wang quickly followed and introduced with a smile, "Old Deng, this is Lord Zhao, a favorite of the Emperor."

A favorite of the emperor?

Zhao Han frowned. This sounded a bit strange...

Old Deng stopped, looked at Zhao Han, and bowed respectfully.

"I'd like to greet Mr. Zhao. I wonder what you want from me."

Zhao Han handed the silk scroll to him. Old Deng wiped his hands quickly and took a look at it with a puzzled look on his face.

Gradually, his eyes became clearer and there was a hint of surprise on his face.

Seeing this, Lord Wang couldn't help but stretch his neck to take a peek, "Lord Zhao, what is this good thing?"

Zhao Han replied, "It's just a slightly improved steel forging method."

"Oh? Lord Zhao actually knows all this. Let me take a look."

After saying that, Lord Wang came over and started looking at it with Old Deng.

About half an incense stick of time later, Old Deng's frown gradually relaxed. He looked up at Zhao Han and said with a cupped hand, "I'm willing to give it my all, but... success or failure is still uncertain."

Zhao Han smiled softly, "Lord Wang just told me that Elder Deng's steelmaking skills are unmatched in the Great Zhou."

"If even Elder Deng is helpless, we can only let this matter go."

"Your Excellency's words are too kind. With your words, I will do my best to fulfill them."

After explaining the matter in detail, Zhao Han handed over the production drawings of the Shenbi bow that he had drawn overnight to the supervisor of the Crossbow Academy.

The range of the Shenbi bow far exceeds that of ordinary bows and crossbows. It can penetrate heavy armor within a hundred steps and is a powerful weapon against cavalry.

However, it is necessary to cooperate with the three-stage shooting tactics to form continuous firepower.

Famous generals such as Han Shizhong and Yue Fei used the Shenbi bow to inflict heavy damage on the enemy and achieved great military exploits.

As for the opportunity to obtain this blueprint, it was naturally the guidance of the wandering Taoist priest.

-

Half a month passed quickly.

Zhao Han has gradually become familiar with the many regulations of the Palace Front Department and the Cavalry Department during his morning and evening self-reflection.

Waiting to get Zhao Zhen's handwritten document.

He prepared to set off for Yuzhou, Jizhou and other places, and select elite troops from the wing army to fill the cavalry camp.

In addition to Pei Hu, there were also dozens of elite soldiers from the Palace Front Department traveling with him.

These soldiers are all excellent fighters picked from hundreds of miles away. Each of them wears a sword on his waist and carries a strong bow on his back.

Outside the Zhao residence, Hua Lan looked at Zhao Han reluctantly and said softly, "Master, please go and come back soon."

"Do not worry."

His gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then Zhao Han turned and walked towards the horse that had been prepared.

It was not until Zhao Han's figure completely disappeared at the end of the long street that Hua Lan slowly withdrew her gaze and returned to the backyard room with the hairpin.

At the same time, in Yuzhou, on the outskirts of the city.

Zhao Zongquan, the Yuzhou militia commander, who was handsome and in his early forties, was standing on the ridge of the field.

He reached out and picked up an ear of full wheat grains, rubbing them between his fingertips, and the husks made a slight crisp sound.

"What a good year." Zhao Zongquan smiled and sighed from the bottom of his heart.

Just as he was about to walk deeper into the wheat field, he saw Zhao Ceying and his brother-in-law Shen Congxing walking quickly towards him.

"father!"

"Brother-in-law!"

When Zhao Zongquan heard the voice, he immediately turned his head to look.

The two men looked solemn, with beads of sweat on their foreheads, obviously caused by the long journey.

He couldn't help but frowned, "What are you doing here?"

Zhao Ceying took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Dad, something big has happened."

Zhao Zongquan, who was always timid, felt a pang of anxiety when he heard this. "What...what happened?"

"Is the emperor ill? Is there trouble in Bianjing?"

Zhao Ceying shook his head, then clenched his fist and said, "That's not the case. The emperor has assigned Zhao Han, the chief military officer of the Palace Guard, to select the best troops from the various garrison troops in the capital and surrounding areas and fill them into the Xiaoqi Battalion. They will arrive in Yuzhou soon."

Although he and Zhao Zongquan are father and son, they have completely opposite personalities. This man is brave, resourceful, and ambitious.

If Zhao Zongquan had not insisted on keeping a low profile in this small Yuzhou.

He had long wanted to go to Bian Jing to realize his ambitions and compete with Prince Yan and Prince Yong.

"This... since it's the emperor's will, when he arrives, we'll treat him well and let him make the selection."

Zhao Zongquan waved his hands repeatedly. He didn't dare to have any other thoughts about such matters. He just followed the order.

However, Zhao Ceying frowned and said in a deep voice, "Father, don't you think this move is weakening our Xuanyi Army?"

Shen Congxing's eyes moved and he spoke immediately.

"Brother-in-law, in my opinion, when this man arrives, we should remove all the elite troops from our army and leave only the old, weak, and sick on the training grounds. Let's see who he chooses."

When Zhao Zongquan heard this, he looked around repeatedly, fearing that others might have heard him.

Seeing his father so panicked, Zhao Ceying felt anxious and angry.

"Dad, what my uncle said makes sense. If he really takes away all the elite soldiers of the Xuanyi Army, we will..."

"Shut up!" Zhao Zongquan suddenly interrupted him.

"If any clues of this action are revealed, do you know what consequences await our family?"

"The word 'military power' cannot even be mentioned. In the current situation, the only correct thing to do is to obey orders and protect yourself."

Zhao Ceying looked disappointed.

"The fear is that even if we play it safe, there are still people in Bianjing who won't let us go!"

Zhao Zongquan turned a deaf ear to his words and just stared at the golden wheat waves in front of him.

Please read, please read~

Chapter 77 The Blood of the Han People

Yuzhou parade ground, this is the last stop for Zhao Han to select elite troops.

Thousands of soldiers were lined up like a forest, their spears and halberds flashing coldly in the sunlight, making it impossible to open one's eyes.

Zhao Han stood on the platform for reviewing the generals, his eyes like blades, slowly sweeping over the soldiers.

Zhao Zongquan standing aside always maintained a humble smile, showing no sign of dissatisfaction.

"I have been ordered to select elite soldiers to serve in the Cavalry Battalion. Those who can draw a three-stone bow, please step forward!"

The Great Zhou’s military selections were always based on archery and horsemanship.

One stone weighs about 120 jin. Most ordinary soldiers use a one-stone bow, and those who can use two-stone bow can be called elite.

As for the three-stone strong bow, it can only be controlled by someone with immense arm strength, which has always been an iron rule for selecting warriors.

Pei Hu stepped forward, his sonorous voice echoing across the training grounds, "The monthly salary of the Cavalry Battalion is five strings of cash, and double it in wartime!"

"Those selected will immediately receive ten strings of silver for military service, and their entire family will be exempted from corvée service. If they achieve military merit, they will even be granted official land!"

"Five strings of cash?!" Zhao Ceying, who was standing on the side, frowned and his fingers unconsciously clenched the sword at his waist.

You know, the monthly salary of the imperial guards of the Great Zhou Dynasty was only two strings of cash, but this salary was more than doubled.

There was a sudden commotion on the training ground, with soldiers whispering and talking among themselves.

Soon, more than thirty people came out sparsely.

These men are all strong and muscular with thick arms. Although they are not many in number, they have an air of toughness.

Pei Hu raised his hand and pointed at a soldier on the far right, "You, come forward and try your bow!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he strode forward and picked up a three-stone bow that was as black as ink, with a bow body wrapped in cowhide and a bowstring as thick as a thumb.

"Squeak--" the bowstring slowly stretched until the full moon.

Zhao Han nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. Yuzhou is indeed a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers are everywhere.

"Okay! Register the Cavalry Battalion!" Pei Hu announced loudly.

Immediately afterwards, the rest of the soldiers came forward one by one to try their bows, and eventually twenty-three people passed the test.