Preparations for departure were being made everywhere in the army, and the calls from the entire Taiyuan Prefecture to persuade Liu Zhiyuan to proclaim himself emperor never stopped.
On the second day of the gathering at the school field to declare the mission, a group of civil and military officials from Taiyuan, led by Hedong Marching Sima Zhang Yanwei, came together to persuade Liu Zhiyuan to ascend the throne of God on the grounds that the Central Plains had no master, and Liu Zhiyuan's prestige was growing, and the public's support was overwhelming. But there was no response either.
After that, Zhang Yanwei led his officials to submit letters three times, and the military generals, noble ministers and elders made sincere petitions one after another. Finally, after Yang Bin and Guo Wei repeatedly came in to persuade Liu Zhiyuan to come in, Liu Zhiyuan "reluctantly" issued a proclamation to the military government and accepted the offer. Bit.
The day of his ascension to the throne was chosen on February 15th. On this day, Liu Zhiyuan entered the Jinyang Palace, wearing a sky crown and a crimson gauze robe. He formally ascended the throne in front of the main hall of the palace and accepted the congratulations from Taiyuan's civil and military officials...
At the same time, Guo Xin was making final preparations before the expedition in the army.
Grain and grass baggage have been gradually transported to the army. Although the Taiyuan Festival Commander's Office has dispatched civilian men to Simian Prefecture and County to accompany the army to transport food, the rations for the first few days on the road have to be brought by each army.
Only then did Guo Xin realize that fighting was not an easy task. The Fengguo army he belonged to was an infantry army, and it was one of the armies with excellent armor and strong combat power. But because of this, it is very troublesome just to find a way to bring everyone's belongings. In addition to armor and long and short weapons weighing dozens of kilograms per person, there are also rations, tents, and hatchets for siege equipment. , various eating and drinking utensils...
Fortunately, the carts and mules used for loading were cleared by the superiors. Even so, everyone could not travel lightly. As the capital general, Guo Xin had a horse to carry his equipment, mainly the fish scale armor. In addition, he also had his bow and arrows and a spare iron sword. He also carried another waist knife with him.
Guo Xin was sitting in front of the tent, polishing his sword. He looked up and saw Guo Pu packing up all his belongings in a decent manner. He seemed to be familiar with the affairs of the private soldiers. The blade of the waist knife shone coldly in the sun. Guo Xin felt that it was almost done. He was about to put the knife into its sheath when he suddenly heard someone calling him.
"General Guo!" The person calling him was Wang Yuanmao, accompanied by Zhang Chenghua. The two of them came closer and saluted him with clasped fists. Guo Xin also put away his knife and stood up.
"The grain and fodder ordered by Guo Dutou have been loaded on the truck, and the brothers have also prepared the supplies." Wang Yuanmao counted on his fingers and said with a smile: "There are still three days before the date set by the superiors, but we can do it now Walk."
Guo Xin nodded: "Someone just sent an order. We are commanding the rear army, and the returning battalion and infantry are commanded by Liu Chong. You two will go back and inform the news."
Wang Yuanmao was about to clasp his fists to accept the order when Zhang Chenghua, who had been silent all the time next to him, suddenly said: "General Guo is sharpening his sword?"
Guo Xin nodded: "Keep sharpening your sword...go into battle to kill the enemy."
Zhang Chenghua ignored Wang Yuanmao who was winking at him, cupped his fists and said, "Can I show you the sword of General Guo?"
Guo Xin didn't understand what he meant, so he hesitated and handed the knife to him.
Zhang Chenghua took the scabbard and pulled out the waist knife with a clang. Guo Pu, who was behind Guo Xin, put his hand on the handle of the knife and stared at Zhang Chenghua warily.
However, Zhang Chenghua just moved his right thumb slowly on the blade, then held the knife flat for a closer look, nodded, and asked Guo Xin: "General Guo sharpens his knife very sharply."
Guo Xin clapped his hands: "It's not bad."
Zhang Chenghua raised his knife and walked to the fence a few steps away. He raised the hand holding the knife slightly and cut off a section of the fence with a "bang".
Then Zhang Chenghua came back with the sword and handed it to Guo Xin: "General Guo, please take a look at the blade."
Guo Xin looked at it and saw that there was already a small chip on the blade.
When Wang Yuanmao saw this, he said: "Are you confused? How can any weapon not damage its blade?"
Zhang Chenghua shook his head, straightened his rough palm, and made a chopping motion: "If you cut it straight, the blade will not be missing. General Guo Du's knife was very brittle by the steel fire, and it will become crooked if it is used too hard." It has a missing blade and is very useless in battle."
Guo Xin felt a little uncomfortable after hearing this: "What insights will Captain Zhang have?"
"General Guo will forgive you for being rude," Zhang Chenghua smiled, and asked for a waist knife from Guo Xin's hand. He sat down where Guo Xin had just sharpened the knife, spat on the whetstone, and sharpened it for about ten minutes. Next, he picked up the knife and walked to the fence. This time the knife rose and fell, cutting a total of three wrist-thick railings. He came back and handed the knife back to Guo Xin's hand: "Guo Du will take a look."
At this time, Wang Yuanmao and Guo Pu, who were nearby, also looked up curiously. Guo Xin raised the knife in front of his eyes. The blade was intact, except that the side of the blade was ground to a small area.
Guo Xin woke up a little and nodded.
Zhang Chenghua explained: "Guo Du will sharpen the knife thinly. Of course, the edge of the knife will be very fast, but the damage will also be removed quickly." Then he gestured his hands into the shape of a spire: "But if you sharpen the knife like this, it will cost you a dime." When you chop it in, you can cut off the bones and flesh in one go, even if it is squeezed by the horn. Even if the knife shakes a little, the blade will not be damaged, and it is very useful for cutting in battle."
Guo Xin couldn't help but praise after hearing this: "Captain Zhang deserves to be in the army for a long time and is very experienced in these things. I have learned."
"I was born as a hunter in the mountains, and these have been taught by my ancestors for generations." Zhang Chenghua smiled and scratched his head, showing a look of embarrassment.
Seeing the happy look on Guo Xin's face, Wang Yuanmao also praised: "Zhang Shitou, I didn't realize that you still have the ability to sharpen a knife!"
Guo Xin smiled and mocked himself: "It seems that the knife I sharpened is suitable for cutting vegetables."
Zhang Chenghua said nothing, lowered his head and thought for a moment, then reached out and pulled out a short blade from behind his waist: "General Guo Du, look at this blade."
Guo Xin took the short blade and took a look at it. He found that the short blade was not an ordinary rib, but had edges on both sides. The edge on one side was very thin, and the other side looked like Zhang Chenghua had just polished it. The entire blade is wide, flat, and flawless. Even the reflection of your own face is not out of shape. It can be used as a mirror.
Guo Xin couldn't help but move his thumb slightly on the blade. He felt that the fingerprints were a bit astringent. Knowing that the blade had eaten into the skin, he couldn't help but admired: "It's really a treasured sword!"
Zhang Chenghua licked his generous lips and said slowly: "This knife is for General Guo."
Guo Xin was stunned: "Is Captain Zhang serious?"
Zhang Chenghua nodded solemnly: "I have offended General Guo a while ago. This knife can be regarded as my apology to General Guo."
Guo Xin inserted the short blade back into the cowhide sheath, stretched out the knife to Zhang Chenghua, and shook his head: "A gentleman does not take away people's love, Captain Zhang should keep it for himself."
Unexpectedly, Zhang Chenghua took a step back, cupped his fist towards Guo Xin and said, "If General Guo doesn't accept it, I will break this sword in my humble state."
Wang Yuanmao, who was next to him, also smiled and persuaded: "It took eight hundred years for this chapter of stone to become enlightened, so General Guo should accept it."
Guo Xin saw Zhang Chenghua's determined eyes, and after thinking about it, he inserted the short blade into the back of his waist: "In this case, I would rather obey your orders respectfully." Suddenly he thought of something again, and asked Zhang Chenghua: "Captain Zhang will Archery?"
Zhang Chenghua nodded in confusion, and Guo Xin ordered Guo Pu to bring his Mabei bow, put on the string and pulled it, then handed it to Zhang Chenghua: "This bow team will try to see if it can be drawn."
Zhang Chenghua took the bow and saw that Guo Xin could easily pull it open just now, so he also wanted to pull it easily, but unexpectedly he only pulled it halfway and lost his strength. Zhang Chenghua immediately glanced at Guo Xin in surprise: "General Guo is so powerful!"
Guo Xin smiled and said nothing.
Guo Pu next to him said proudly: "My brother Jiayi usually draws a strong two-stone bow."
Zhang Chenghua took another deep breath and then tried hard to bend the bow like the moon.
Guo Xin: "General Zhang is very strong, so I will give you this bow."
Zhang Chenghua hurriedly clasped his fists: "This bow is precious, I dare not bear it."
"Captain Zhang will work hard for me, why can't he bear a mere bow?" Guo Xin smiled and waved his hand after hearing this: "Besides, Commander Zhang thinks my family can lack these things?"
When Zhang Chenghua heard this, he also grinned: "In that case, I humbly accept it."
