I chuckled: "Because it is easier to forge a knife than a sword, and it also has its own unique advantages when used."
"Why are all the bronze weapons used by the Qin Army now swords? That's because bronze swords are cast with molds. As long as the mold is made, molten copper liquid is poured into it and polished. But iron swords are forged. It takes a craftsman to hammer it out. A sword has four sides, but a knife only has two sides. Which one do you think is easier?"
Tiewu responded: "What about the advantages of using the knife?"
"First of all, one side of the knife is edged, and the other side is a finger-long reverse edge near the tip. The other side is unedged or has a thick ax edge. In this way, the back of the knife can be used to break armor, and the blade can be used to kill. , the reverse blade can also function as part of a sword;”
"Secondly, swords have advantages over knives in stabbing, but for the Qin army, spears are needed for stabbing, and chopping is the main attack method in close combat. Due to structural reasons, knives are inherently heavier than swords and are more suitable. It’s chopping, so it’s more appropriate to use a knife.”
Tiewu suddenly realized it and bowed and praised: "Your Majesty is really a god!"
I waved my hand and said with a smile: "Don't rush to praise me. Go back and think about how to forge so many knives as soon as possible. On the basis of the 10,000 people in Nanyang Iron and Steel Mansion, I will give you an additional 2,000 people." Food and wages. There is no rush for the ring head sword. By the beginning of February, we must make 30,000 sabers and daggers."
Then he said solemnly: "I have clear distinctions between rewards and punishments. You forged the iron sword, and I want to reward you. But I can't produce so many swords in early February, so I will engage in military law!"
Tewu's heart suddenly tightened. At the current speed, it would take about twenty days for even an expert forging an iron sword. He was under considerable pressure.
"I obey your Majesty's order. Today I will set off for Nanyang Iron Mansion to supervise it personally!"
I nodded with satisfaction: "Just keep this iron sword in the palace, it will be useful to me."
Time flies, and in the middle of winter, Shi Han took the lead in arriving in Xianyang. Soon after, Meng Tian, Zhao Tuo, Sun Wuhe, and Ying Chen also gathered in Xianyang.
After the court meeting, I took several people, Li Si, Feng Jie, and Zhang Han to Pingzhang Palace.
Seeing everyone sitting down, I chuckled.
"The princes are fighting for the Qin Dynasty and are tired all the way. I have specially arranged a palace banquet to reward you. Please come."
Everyone said in unison: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Except for Li Si and Feng Jie, everyone picked up their chopsticks to taste the delicious food. Li Si and Li Si looked a little worried.
Even if I don't tell them, they can guess why these generals of Great Qin are gathered together, not to mention what happened at the Winter Solstice Palace Banquet last year is right in front of them.
These are generals with heavy troops, and they are much more dangerous than the guards like Bai Tu who have no actual control over the army.
I didn't mention anything during the dinner, I just chatted with everyone and observed Zhao Tuo, whom I had never seen in detail.
The most conspicuous thing about Zhao Tuo is his beard and strong figure. Even Meng Tian, who had been in Qin for a long time, was not as tall as Zhao Tuo. He was originally from Hengshan County and was better able to adapt to the climate of Baiyue than those who went to Guanzhong.
Historical records record that Zhao Tuo lived until the fourth year of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. After Liu Bang's death, Zhao Tuo proclaimed himself emperor due to the feud between Zhao Tuo and Lu Fei, and renamed King Wu of Nanyue as Emperor Wu of Nanyue. By the time of Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, he regained good relations with the Han Dynasty. Although he still claimed the title of emperor internally, he paid tribute to the Han Dynasty twice a year and regarded himself as a prince. By the fourth year of Jianyuan, Zhao Tuo had lived for more than a hundred years, which can be said to be a long life.
"How is General Zhao doing in the Land of Baiyue?"
When Zhao Tuo heard me asking him, he stood up quickly and said: "Your Majesty, everything is in compliance with the emperor's edict. Now the northern part of Baiyue has been pacified, and I was planning to march south when I came!"
I waved my hand: "Sit down and talk. I have been busy with matters in the northwest and have not paid much attention to Baiyue. Thanks to General Zhao who is stationed in Baiyue for Great Qin."
After Zhao Tuo sat down, he heard the words and responded: "This is where my duties lie. 400,000 Qin troops and 400,000 prisoners and civilians are in my hands. How dare I not do my best!"
I nodded and looked at Nei Shi Han again. This man was Nei Shi Teng's son. He was quite handsome, with a long beard that was about shoulder level, comparable to those with beautiful beards in novels.
"General Neishi, how is the Bashu camp?"
Neishiteng also stood up quickly and bowed and said: "Your Majesty, Bashu and Guizhou leaders have always been content with their work. Except for the occasional presence of rangers, there has been no war. However, the Bashu camp practices every day and never dares to slack off to serve your majesty's kindness. "
Afterwards, everyone exchanged pleasantries for a while, and the palace banquet came to an end.
After the palace banquet was over, I ordered people to remove the food and wine.
It's time to get down to business.
"Meng He, take out the sword and pass it on to several generals to watch."
Meng He responded and handed the iron sword to Meng Tian who was in charge.
Meng Tian was a little strange, how could he look at the sword so well?
When he slowly pulled out the iron sword, his eyes widened suddenly, and he couldn't help but exclaimed: "A peerless sword, a peerless sword. I have been in the army for more than ten years, and I have never seen such a magic weapon."
After watching carefully for a long time, Meng Tian came to his senses and returned the sword to Meng He, who then gave it to Sun Wuhe who was behind.
"Your Majesty, this sword is really a peerless weapon, and judging from the material, it doesn't seem to be bronze. Where did your Majesty get it? And why are there wounds on the sword?"
I smiled and said, "I will tell you all after everyone else has finished reading."
After Sun Wuhe and Ying Chen received the sword, they praised it repeatedly and handed it back to Meng He lovingly.
Zhao Tuo was far away, and the candlelight was dim, so he had not yet seen the appearance of the sword. He couldn't help but scorned in his heart: "What sword is worthy of being so arrogant? Think about me traveling in the land of Wuyue and commanding soldiers in the land of Baiyue. What kind of god is this?" I have never seen any sharp weapons, and the level of sword making in Guanzhong is still not as good as that of Wu and Chu!"
When he took the iron sword from Meng He's hand, he was still a little disdainful and pulled out the iron sword with a 'clop' sound. Meng He beside me frowned and glanced at me imperceptibly. Seeing that I didn't speak, Meng He turned back and stared at Zhao Tuo.
Li Si secretly thought in his heart: "Zhao Tuo has been in Baiyue for a long time and has not returned to the court. Has he even forgotten the rules in the palace? How dare he draw his sword so recklessly in front of His Majesty!"
Others naturally noticed it, but I didn't speak, and no one made a sound to remind me.
The moment the sword was unsheathed, Zhao Tuo had already thrown his disdain back to Lingnan, replaced by a look of shock.
He murmured in his mouth: "What a sword! What a sword! Those magic weapons are just paper and bamboo in front of it!"
After looking at it for a long time, he suddenly came to his senses, quickly sheathed the sword and gave it back to Meng He.
He bowed and said: "Your Majesty, this sword is a magic weapon! It is the best weapon I have ever seen!"
I smiled and nodded: "Meng He, tell them."
Then Meng He told everyone about sword making, sword testing, etc. one by one.
After Meng He finished speaking, Meng Tian stood up excitedly and said: "As your Majesty said, the Qin army will be even sharper after assembling these magical weapons. By then, it will be far superior to the barbarians in terms of weapons, and it will increase its chance of winning against the barbarians! Congratulations. His Majesty!"
Everyone stood up and said in unison: "I congratulate Your Majesty!"
Then I told everyone about cavalry, alcohol, allicin, etc., and everyone was amazed.
Among them, Meng Tian was undoubtedly the most excited. Once the new cavalry army was trained, it would naturally be used on the northwest grasslands. This was great news for him.
The one who was slightly worried was Zhao Tuo. He didn't expect that he would undergo such earth-shaking changes after being away from Xianyang for three years. At this time, he just hoped that Ren Xiao would not do anything stupid. Although he had a backup plan, once His Majesty knew about it, he would inevitably be suspicious of himself as a commander...
