In the golden autumn of September, in the western suburbs of CD, the left camp of the Hubu Army, on the lookouts, there are three people standing in the shape of a character, looking into the distance.

One of them was Liu Bei, the king of Hanzhong.

Liu Bei is fifty and nine this year, and his hair has been dyed with a layer of wind and frost for many years, and his beard is quite sparse. However, he was heroic, resolute, and his eyes were clear, and if you only looked at his face, he looked more like a middle-aged man.

Behind him stood two men.

The man on the left is about forty years old, with a clear appearance, slightly raised cheekbones, a mustache, a little pale, and a dark cloud pattern blue straight jacket on his body, which is his mastermind, Shang Shuling, and the general of the army.

The one on the right is about thirty years old, eight feet tall, wearing a scarf on his head, holding a white feather fan, delicate and elegant, fluttering with the posture of a fairy, but it is his humerus, Zhuge Liang, who is a military general and a general of the army, and the affairs of the Great Sima Mansion.

In July this year, Liu Bei ascended to the throne of Hanzhong, returned the general Zuo, the Marquis of Yicheng Pavilion, and worshiped the Great Sima. With Hanzhong, Ba, Shu, Guanghan, and Qianwei as the country, it was signed according to the ancient classics of the princes and kings of the early Han Dynasty.

Therefore, the current Liu Bei has two identities.

In the Han court, he served as the Great Sima; In terms of fiefdoms, he was the king of Hanzhong.

Zhuge Liang acted as the affairs of the Great Sima Mansion and exercised Liu Bei's functions and powers in the Han Dynasty, representing the authority of the imperial court.

However, Fazheng's position of Shangshuling is a title that belongs to the king of Hanzhong, and manages the internal affairs of Liu Bei.

A few years later, Zhuge Liang went to the "Teacher Table", and said: The palace and the house are all one.

"Palace" refers to the imperial palace (currently the Hanzhong Palace), and "house" refers to the imperial court.

At present, the officials in the palace are headed by Xu Jing and Fazheng, and the subordinates in the palace are respected by Zhuge Liang and Dong He.

In the late autumn season, the five grains are fragrant, and it is the harvest season of the year.

Liu Bei's trip was to inspect the increase in production in Tuntian after the rebuilding of Dujiangyan. He only brought two henchmen and advisers, traveled lightly, and walked a few places before and after, and the left camp of the Hubu Army was the last stop today.

Standing on the high platform, I looked around, and saw a scene of abundant harvest on the endless fields. The yellow and clear rice, full of grains, swayed with the wind heavily, wafting out an intoxicating aroma, a gust of wind blowing, it set off bursts of golden waves.

Looking around, smelling the intoxicating fragrance of rice, Liu Bei had bursts of smiles on his face from time to time.

After watching for a long time, he sighed with satisfaction, turned sideways to face Zhuge Liang, and said with emotion: "If it weren't for Kong Ming presiding over the rebuilding of Dujiangyan, the Minjiang River is still dangerous, how could I have thought that there would be such a bumper harvest today?" Today, along the way, Yingche Jiasui, the people are all smiling. The military and civilians of Yizhou can finally have a good year. ”

He said this from the bottom of his heart. Since he entered Yizhou, he has often fought abroad, especially the battle of Hanzhong, which lasted for two years. Therefore, he did not spend much time in charge of the CD, and the internal affairs of the rear were basically taken over by Zhuge Liang.

After Zhuge Liang heard this, he shook the feather fan lightly and said with a smile: "The lord is in charge of the overall situation, and the minister is just a good ear to do his own thing." ”

Fa Zheng on the side also praised: "Kong Mingxiu should be humble. Shangshutai received a report from Mianzhu the day before yesterday, saying that the yield per mu of paddy fields in his land could reach 30 hundreds, which was unprecedented in the past. All because of this year's irrigation in Dujiangyan, the water and drought are caused by people. Nowadays, the CD plain can be described as millet oil and oil, and japonica rice is no more. This is all your work in building water conservancy and persuading agriculture and mulberry farming. ”

He and Zhuge Liang are the two of them, one is the Shangshu Order, and the other is the affairs of the Great Sima Mansion, although there is overlap in terms of powers and responsibilities, in fact, they have their own emphasis. Compared with Zhuge Liang's overall planning and dispatch in the rear, Fa Zheng is more concerned about the supply of military funds, because this is directly related to the Northern Expedition.

Therefore, after a pause, he asked: "In the battle of Hanzhong, although our army won a complete victory, but in private, several Yizhou treasury were emptied, and the grain and grass alone used a full 2 million stones. At present, the military food is scarce, and the follow-up is weak, according to Kong Ming's opinion, how many years can make up for the warehouse? ”

is related to the great cause of the Northern Expedition, Liu Bei is naturally very concerned in his heart, and he also listens to it.

Zhuge Liang said with a smile: "This year's wind and rain are smooth, according to the number reported by the counties, Yizhou can collect millions of stone of military rations. If the current policy is not changed and the Dujiangyan is continued to be rebuilt, the minister is willing to raise 2.5 million stone of military rations for the Lord within two years to fund the Northern Expedition. ”

Two years to make up for the shortage of military rations, this sounds to others is tantamount to fantasy.

But Liu Bei knew that Zhuge Liang had always been the same, and he was overjoyed when he heard the words, enforcing the law with one hand and holding Zhuge Liang's hand with the other, and said with a smile: "Filial piety is good at planning, and he offers plans to win Hanzhong." Kong Ming is in charge and eats for the lonely-footed soldiers. You are all lonely humeral ministers, lonely and deep in it. In the past two years, we have been fighting horses, and when the soldiers are sufficient, we will send troops to the Northern Expedition to welcome the Han Emperor! ”

The Northern Expedition to the Central Plains was the long-cherished wish of Fa Zheng and Zhuge Liang, and this time they suddenly heard that the lord had inherited it, and their hearts were stirred, and they all bowed down and responded.

An autumn wind blew, making the hunting sound of everyone's robes and robes.

Liu Bei said: "The building here is high and windy, filial piety is not good for you, and go down with the lonely to avoid the wind." With that, he led the two Aiqing down the lookout tower.

Downstairs, there are two generals, one long and one young, standing and waiting.

That middle-aged military general is Chen Zhi Chen Shuzhi, who followed Liu Bei to fight in the north and south, and it has been twenty-five years. Because of his loyalty, courage and calmness, he won Liu Bei's trust, and is now the commander of the Hubu Army. Today, Liu Bei inspected the left camp of the Hubu Army, and he, as the chief general of the First Army, accompanied him.

The young military general was strong, with a short beard like steel needles, a very powerful face, and a snake spear, but it was Zhang Bao, the eldest son of the right general Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei took office in Brazil, but he was concerned about his brother An's danger, so he left Zhang Bao, who had been known for martial arts since childhood, to wait in front of his brother.

First, because of Zhang Bao's strong martial arts, there is almost no resistance among the younger generation; Second, because of Zhang Fei, Liu Bei also regarded him as a nephew and treated him very kindly. He was appointed as the general of the Tiger Ben Zhonglang, and together with the son of the Anhan general Lu Zhu and the then general of the Yulin Zhonglang, he was responsible for the Su guards and guarding the palace. Because of today's duty, he also came to escort Liu Bei.

Seeing the lord, Shang Shuling, and the military advisor going downstairs together, Chen Zhi hugged his fists and said: "Qi Qi lord, Pu Yuan, the master of the Si Jin Supervisor, came to report, saying that the five thousand long knives have been completed, and today I heard that the lord is here, and I have come to offer the knife." He is now waiting outside the camp tent. ”

Shu Han in one of the nine Qing Shaofu under the establishment of the Department of Jinjian Department, responsible for the manufacture of agricultural tools, weapons, its casting camp is located in the western suburbs of the CD on the edge of the Min River, only a few miles away from the left camp of the Hubu Army.

Although Liu Bei's trip was light and simple, it was not confidential. Therefore, the master craftsman Pu Yuan heard that Liu Bei's guard of honor was after that, so he temporarily came to offer a knife.

"Oh?" Liu Bei looked around at everyone with a smile and said: "In addition to this bumper harvest, there is also a treasure knife casting, this is a double happiness!" At that moment, he smiled and led a group of people, mighty, and walked quickly to the big tent of the Chinese army.

Pu Yuan with three subordinates has been waiting for a long time.

He is a famous forger in Shuzhong, perhaps because he has been crawling around the furnace for many years, and his skin has long been smoked and dark. Seeing Liu Bei and his party coming, he knelt down and saluted from afar, and said, "Weichen Puyuan, I have seen the king." ”

Liu Bei helped him up with his empty hand and said, "Pu Qing, I haven't seen you for a long time, but I've lost weight." ”

Pu Yuan heard the concern of the lord, his heart was moved, and he was about to speak, but he saw Liu Bei waving his hand and said: "It's windy outside, go in and talk." The soldiers on the side hurriedly opened the tent door to greet them.

After Liu Bei entered the account, Fa Zheng stopped and asked Zhuge Liang to go first. Zhuge Liang said: "Shangshu Ling is brighter and older, so he should go first." Seeing this, Fa Zheng no longer retreated, and strode in, and then Zhuge Liang, Chen Zhi, Zhang Bao, Pu Yuan and all the relatives and soldiers rushed in and stood still in turn.

Pu Yuan adjusted his mood, bowed down and said: "Weichen was ordered by the king to cast 5,000 long knives, and now all of them have been cast, and they will be inspected and stored in the warehouse. Today, there are six outstanding handles, specially dedicated to the king! ”

After saying that, with a wave of his hand, the three subordinates behind him each held two long knives, and took a few steps forward in unison to show everyone.

Liu Bei looked at it, and the six knives were all ring-headed styles, all of which were cast in iron, and were about three feet six inches long.

He picked one up casually, only to feel that this knife was cold in his hand, and it was much heavier than an ordinary sword. The appearance of the blade looks dark and not very eye-catching, and when the knife is pulled out of the box, a cold light suddenly appears, and the room is full of coolness.

This knife has a straight and oblique edge, and the knife body is covered with a texture formed by forging, and the texture is curved and extended in one direction, which is very simple and generous. The handle of the knife is engraved with the words "Seventy-two Chains". These seventy-two refining refers to the seventy-two forging techniques, which are a kind of hundred forging techniques.

Liu Bei only made a slight wave, and a "whoosh" sound broke through the air.

He was an expert at making swords, and knew that when a sword was slashed, there would be two sounds: "whine" and "whoosh". However, those who make the sound of "whining" are not because of the improper tendons of the knife, and those who can make the sound of "whooshing" are the signs of the straight and impartial body of the knife.

Liu Bei put the knife in front of his chest and sighed: "What a good knife!" ”

Pu Yuan said: "This knife is both rigid and soft, sharp and incomparable, and I am willing to give it a try for the king." ”

Liu Bei said: "Pu Qing, please try it." ”

Pu Yuan immediately ordered his subordinates to take out a piece of bamboo tube, which was filled with iron beads, and stood in the tent. He took another long knife, held the blade in both hands, sank into the dantian, and slashed hard towards the bamboo tube.

I only heard a "cluck", and the first half of the bamboo tube fell in response, and it fell to the ground with the iron beads at the top half of the "ping pong".

Liu Bei hurriedly led everyone forward to check, only to see the lower half of the bamboo tube standing safely on the ground, not moving at all, and the iron beads in the barrel were all waist-high and broken, revealing a smooth and flat facet. Looking back at the long knife in Pu Yuan's hand, it was safe and sound, not to mention the gap, even the slightest scratch was not left.

When everyone saw this, they couldn't help but be amazed.

Liu Bei praised from the bottom of his heart: "Sharpening iron is like clay, not only a good knife, but also a magic knife!" Pu Qing, how to forge such a magic sword, please solve your doubts. ”

Pu Yuan bowed down and replied: "Your lord, Weichen will repeatedly heat and forge the fine iron, remove the inclusions in the iron, the iron is pure, one forging, one weighing and one light, until the catties are not reduced, that is, seventy-two refined steel." The sword made of this stainless steel is unrivaled in sharpness. The minister heard that Wu Hou had a famous sword, which was incomparably sharp, known as a hundred refinements, and was cast in this way. However, the sword of the hundred refining is sharp, and the sword body is brittle and hard, and it is easy to break. ”

Liu Bei bowed his head and said, "Not bad." In the past, Lone and Wu Hou would meet in the Ganlu Temple of Beigu Mountain, and Wu Hou was newly obtained a hundred refining swords at that time, and he hit the stone to try. As a result, the stone cracked and the sword opened, which shows that what Pu Qing said is true. As he spoke, he turned around and glanced at Zhuge Liang.

He talked about the old events that happened after the Battle of Chibi that year, in order to strengthen the alliance with Sun Quan, and ventured to Eastern Wu to marry Sun Quan's little sister, Mrs. Sun.

At that time, Zhou Yu, who was the general of Eastern Wu and the Taishou of Nanjun, offered a plan to put Liu Bei under house arrest, but with the efforts of Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun and others, as well as pro-Liu people in Jiangdong, he finally failed. It's just that this is dangerous, except for Zhuge Liang, who is the person concerned, how can he be an outsider.

Pu Yuan didn't know the details of this, and said to himself: "King Mingjian." So Weichen thought hard day and night, looking for a solution, and after several twists and turns, he finally thought of the quenching technique. Weichen put the seventy-two refined steel on the furnace, burned until the whole body was red, and then put it in water to cool it, so that the blade of the knife has the essence of water and fire, and the rigidity and softness are good. After many tests by Weichen, it was found that different water quality was obtained, and the quenching results were not the same. Some water is blunt and weak, not quenched, only the Shujiang River is refreshing, it is said to be the essence of Dajin, and the talent is wild. This time, after being quenched by the water of the Shu River, 5,000 long knives were cast, all of which were blown-haired and broken-haired, and the iron was sharpened like mud. ”

When everyone heard this, they were all amazed, and bursts of admiration suddenly sounded in the account, only Zhuge Liang shook the feather fan lightly, laughing and not saying a word.

Liu Bei praised: "The resurrection of Ou Yezi is nothing more than that!" An edict was immediately issued: "Pu Qing is loyal to his duties and has meritorious work in forging knives." Twenty pounds of silver and fifty horses of brocade were immediately rewarded. Yin Yizi entered the Shaofu to work. ”

Pu Yuan was overjoyed when he heard this.

When he worked under Liu Zhang, he was not very ambitious, and he thought that he would end his life doing nothing. Who knew that after Uncle Liu Huang moved into Yizhou, the craftsmen and craftsmen finally won the attention of the imperial court.

In the past few years, not to mention that he can show his skills, the money and cloth he is rewarded on weekdays are even more inexhaustible. However, in his opinion, money is a trivial matter, and merit can be overshadowed by his children and grandchildren, which is the most concerned thing in his heart.

The eldest son in his family is sixteen years old, and he has not yet made a good living, and this time he heard that Liu Bei personally promised a good job, and he was very grateful, but he couldn't help but bow down and thank him.