Qixian County Ya.

At this time, the county commander Su Jing was in a struggle, and he had just received an official letter from the governor Li Xianfeng, asking all localities to send some township soldiers to enlist. Enrich the army and go with him to sit in Dengzhou.

It stands to reason that since the governor wants village soldiers, then he can just send Li Yan's people out. However, Yang Shoubei's strength and character are really not good, he doesn't dare to put his safety in any case, no, it should be the safety of the county town to this Yang Shoubei.

Yang Shoubei didn't even go to the rescue of his own grange, and he still didn't go to the rescue when he knew that there were only four or five hundred thieves, could Su Jing still expect Yang Shoubei to protect the county seat at a critical moment?

Even now, after knowing that the thieves were heading west, Yang Garrison did not dare to send troops to pursue, and attacked Li Yan in the west of the city on both sides, and defeated the thieves in the future in one fell swoop.

This made Su Jing very disappointed, and although Li Yan can fight, Li Yan now only has more than two hundred people, which seems to be a little less for guarding a county town. So he hesitated, who to let go and who to stay? Although Su Jing was a literati, he also knew that leaving two armies that were not numerous and did not belong to each other would greatly weaken the combat effectiveness of the army, so he would not do such a stupid thing as asking Yang Shoubei and Li Yan to send a little people to enlist.

"Report~" A servant came in and reported with his fists in his fists: "Yu County Zun, the township soldiers sent people to report the victory, saying that they repelled the thieves who came to attack, and beheaded the thieves twenty-one, and captured 16 people alive. ”

"What about people? Bring it in, I'm going to ask for it personally. Su Jing immediately said happily.

The official replied: "It is still outside the west gate, and Yang Shoubei said that the thieves have not gone far yet, and there is a danger that the thieves will enter the city, so he will not let the city gate be opened." The gates of the city can only be opened after the thieves are gone. ”

Su Jing thought about it for a while, and felt that Yang Shoubei's words also made some sense. So he asked, "What about Yang Shoubei?" Can you send someone out of the city to sentry? ”

The official shook his head and said, "The villain has never heard of it. ”

Su Jing was angry all of a sudden, even if it was to put a hanging basket and let a few soldiers take a look. When will we know the true whereabouts of the thieves when they are locked up in the city? So at this time, the balance in his heart has fallen to Li Yan's side, at least Li Yan can fight, dare to fight, and the general soldier Yang Garrison is stronger.

"Go and send a message to Yang Shoubei, let him figure out the movements of the thieves as soon as possible, and don't speculate in the city!" Su Jing commanded.

At this time, Li Yan didn't know that Su Jing had already considered leaving his people behind to guard the safety of the county seat. His victory this time was completely routine, and the result this time was nothing compared to the last time when he beheaded more than two hundred, but it was this small victory that made Su Jing finally make such an important decision.

Li Yan was in the blacksmith workshop and was discussing with Blacksmith Zhou.

"The plate you were talking about." Blacksmith Zhou said: "You can make a mold, just like making an iron pot." But if you don't forge it, the strength won't be too high, and I don't know if you can block the arrows of a strong bow. If it is forged into steel, the cost of this set of armor will be large, and the output will be very low. ”

Li Yan thought for a moment and asked, "What about the chain mail?" ”

"It's not easy to chain mail," explained Blacksmith Zhou, "and it's a lot of trouble to get that little hoop." If the hoop is made larger, there is almost no defense against arrows. Childe, let's get the armor pierced, that's easy. Even the cotton armor is not bad, it can not only keep warm, but also have protection, which is very cost-effective. ”

Li Yan now wants to determine a suitable armor for his troops, and if he wants to use a helmet, he will use an eight-petal iron helmet, although it is not as strong as the overall casting, but it is simple to make and the protection is also good. And the armor is a little different, and the protective ability of the armor is really not very good; Although chain mail is lightweight, it is difficult to manufacture, let alone plate mail; Cotton armor is better, but how do you wear it in summer? Will it dehydrate the soldiers, and if such a situation occurs, how much combat effectiveness will the troops have?

In fact, it is better to have chain mail, lightweight, and the defense ability is OK, in addition to the stabbing can not be prevented, it has a good protection ability against slashing and arrows. The key is that there is no metal wire drawing yet, and only small iron rings can be built one by one, and the workload can be imagined.

Li Yan thought for a moment and said, "Then you make a drawing mold, which is big on the top and small on the bottom, like a funnel." The small opening should be less than one minute (about three millimeters per minute), and it should be airtight. Add a lid on top that can be pressed down, and it must also be tightly fitted and not leak. Pour the molten iron into it, and then press down the lid to get the wire out of the mouth of the funnel. Then make a ring with wire, and it will be easy. ”

"It's not easy." Blacksmith Zhou was embarrassed and said, "How can you do it so strictly?" Besides, if there is no air leakage, can the lid still be pressed? Also, after the remaining molten iron is cold, the mouth is sealed, and the mold can't be used only once, right? ”

Li Yan said: "The mold is made in half, and the two sides are concave and convex, and they can not leak out if they are buckled together." As for the lid, it can be wrapped in leather or cloth. Make the mold higher so that the lid does not have to come into direct contact with the molten iron, and the same goes for the compressed air. ”

"Air? What's that? Blacksmith Zhou asked puzzled.

Li Yan thought about it for a while, he didn't know how to explain it, and he didn't know how to say the word, but he could understand the meaning of the word. He found the right word and said, "The air is the gas around us, although we can't see it, but it's all around us." ”

Blacksmith Zhou stretched out his hand and grabbed it twice, spread his hand, and there was nothing. Said: "No, what is it?" ”

As for several of his apprentices, some of them looked around nervously and carefully, and said in a trembling voice: "It can't be a ghost, right?" ”

Li Yan frowned and scolded: "What nonsense?!" Just work hard, and when I have time, I'll explain to you what air is. ”

The craftsmen were still a little flustered and looked around, not taking Li Yan's words seriously.

Blacksmith Zhou didn't see it as a problem, and if they were allowed to think so crankily again, they wouldn't be able to accomplish anything. So he scolded: "If anyone says anything more about ghosts, they won't be fed!" Starve to death and pull down! ”

At this time, the craftsmen all quieted down one by one and began to do what they were doing. No matter what they thought in their hearts, but they didn't dare to say anything about the gods and ghosts, there was nothing more terrible than starving to death.

Blacksmith Zhou said with a smile: "These guys are very stupid, which makes Gongzi laugh." Then he asked in a low voice, "You can't really be talking about ghosts, are you?" ”

Li Yan said helplessly: "If you have the opportunity, I will tell you about this physical matter." You guys get this drawing mold first, remember, it has to be tight. With that, he left the blacksmith's workshop, and he had no way to explain anything to them now.