"Oh? Let me try!"
Inside the workshop office building.
Li Zexuan took a sword made of vanadium steel, looked at it carefully for a moment, and couldn't help but exclaimed: "The sword has a slender body, a blade like autumn frost, and a cold light. It feels very textured in the hand. Just by virtue of its appearance, It is already better than 95% of the swords on the market! Not bad! The craftsman who forged the sword has very good skills and deserves a reward!"
Li Zexuan nodded with satisfaction. At this time, he took an iron rod from the corner behind the door. This iron rod was made purely of iron. There was no charcoal added in it, and it was not even steel. In fact, although steel-making technology existed in ancient times, it was only available in some steel-making workshops and general supervisors controlled by the imperial court. Most of the iron tools used in folk daily life were pure iron, and steel was very few!
Li Zexuan picked up the vanadium steel sword and swung it lightly, without using any internal force, and just casually slashed it on the iron rod. He only heard the sound of the sword and left a sword about three millimeters deep on the iron rod. mark!
This is already quite remarkable. After all, he just waved it lightly and casually. If he really used all his strength, or even used his internal strength, then he would be sure to use this vanadium steel sword to cut off the iron rod in his hand!
Although this level of sharpness is not as sharp as his Wind Chasing Sword, it far exceeds the swords and weapons of this era!
Li Zexuan turned around and looked at the armor made of vanadium steel that Wang Ji was holding. This was a Mingguang armor. The origin of the word "Mingguang armor" is said to be related to the round protection on the chest and back. Because most of these round guards are made of copper, iron and other metals, and the polished aurora looks like a mirror. Wearing Mingguang Armor on the battlefield will emit a dazzling "bright light" due to the irradiation of the sun, hence the name Mingguang Armor.
Mingguang armor originated very early, and existed in the Three Kingdoms period. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the most commonly used Mingguang armor and two crotch armors were generally made of small armor pieces in the shape of fish scales, and the length extended to the abdomen. Replaced the leather armor skirt before the Sui Dynasty. The hem of the body armor is crescent-shaped and lotus-leaf shaped, used to protect the lower abdomen. These improvements greatly enhance defense below the waist.
In addition to these two types of armor, many new types of armor were also developed in the Tang Dynasty. According to the "Liu Dian of the Tang Dynasty", there are also Guangyao, Xilin, Shanwen, Bird Hammer, White Cloth, Zaojuan, Cloth Back, Infantry, Leather Armor, Twelve other types including wooden armor, chainmail, and vest. Among them, Guangyao, Suozi, Shanwen, Bird Hammer, and Fine Scale Armor are iron armors, and the last three are named after the styles of armor plates. Leather armor, wood armor, white cloth, soap armor, and cloth back are named after the materials used to make them.
"The style of this Mingguang Armor is very good. Could it be that the craftsman who made it worked in the General Supervisor or the Ministry of Works before?"
Li Zexuan touched the smooth surface of the armor and asked softly.
Wang Ji smiled and replied: "Master Shan has a good eye! The name of the craftsman who built this Mingguang Armor is Zhang Hongsheng. His father is Zhang Yajiu. He was a famous master craftsman who was a general supervisor before. His skills are not inferior to those of Yan Shangshu. , but now that he is older and retired from prison, his son inherited his father's business. Zhang Hongsheng inherited Zhang Yajiu's sword and armor casting skills. Although he only inherited 50 to 60% of the skill, he was the master of the workshop. The master craftsman of swords and armors with the most exquisite skills!"
"Zhang Yajiu~?"
When Li Zexuan heard this name for the first time, he thought it was somewhat familiar. After muttering it twice, he suddenly turned pale and said in shock: "Zhang Yajiu? Mr. Wang, are you saying that Zhang Hongsheng's father is Zhang Yajiu? Zhang Yajiu used to be Have you ever been a prisoner of a general? Have you ever been a colleague of Shangshu Yan?"
Zhang Yajiu was the most famous swordsmith in the Tang Dynasty. The Yajiu Sword he forged ranked fourteenth in the list of ancient and modern Chinese weapons. Bai Juyi, the famous poet of the Tang Dynasty, once wrote specifically for the Yajiu Sword. I wrote a poem called "Crow Nine Swords", which says: "A thousand years after the death of Ou Zhizi, the elves secretly taught Zhang Yajiu, who forged the sword in Wu Mountain, and the gods of heaven and sun borrowed his credit."
In the poem, Bai Juyi believed that Zhang Yajiu's sword-making skills were taught by the elf secretly sent by Ou Yezi thousands of years ago.
As for who Ou Yezi is, everyone who has some historical knowledge must know that Ou Yezi is the originator of ancient Chinese swords and the founder of Longquan Sword. When Ou Yezi was born, there was a conflict among the countries in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. First, Wu State conquered Chu State, and then Wu Yue successively annexed the Yangtze River. Forty-five countries to the south. As a boy, he learned metallurgical technology from his maternal uncle and began to forge bronze swords, iron hoes, iron axes and other production tools. He discovered the difference in properties between copper and iron and smelted the first iron sword "Seven Stars Long Yuan", referred to as Long Yuan Sword. In the Tang Dynasty, in order to avoid the taboo of the great ancestor Li Yuan, the word "Yuan" was changed to the word "Quan", and it was called "Seven Star Longquan", or Longquan Sword for short, which was the first cold weapon in China.
Bai Juyi believed that Zhang Yajiu's sword-making skills were taught by Ou Yezi through the secret form of elves. This shows that Zhang Yajiu's sword-making skills are superb!
However, there are almost no records of the life and deeds of Zhang Ya in the history books. We can only speculate from some ancient poems. Regarding his birth date and resume, there is no trace of his life and deeds. Li Zexuan did not expect that in the early years of the Tang Dynasty, How could he not be shocked that he could actually hear about Zhang Yajiu's deeds, and that this old man had once served as a prisoner and an imperial emissary?
"The mountain chief also knows Zhang Yajiu? Haha! Zhang Yajiu is very famous in the sword-making profession. It is normal for the Marquis to know him! This man did serve as a prisoner for a period of time. When the current emperor was still the King of Qin, he He loved swords. He heard that Zhang Yajiu was extremely skilled in making swords, so he sent someone to invite Zhang Yajiu to come out to make swords. However, at that time, Zhang Yajiu had an arrogant temper and directly rejected his majesty's request.
However, His Majesty was broad-minded and did not worry. Instead, he paid a visit in person. After three visits to the thatched cottage, Zhang Yajiu finally agreed to leave the mountain and serve as a general in prison. Your Majesty's current sword was made by Zhang Yajiu! "
Wang Ji explained with a smile.
Li Zexuan nodded in realization. He didn't expect that there was such a past in this. Suddenly, he felt something was wrong, so he asked: "Since Zhang Yajiu is a famous swordsmith and was highly regarded by the current saint, then even if he is old now , he resigned from his post as a prisoner and went into seclusion, but at least he can have enough food and clothing? Why would he let his son come to work in our workshop? "
Wang Ji frowned and couldn't help but said: "Master Shan, what do you mean by this? Are all the craftsmen coming to our workshop just for money? Aren't we allowed to have people come here because of their own hobbies and to realize their own ideals? ?”
Lao Wang's self-esteem was obviously hurt by Li Zexuan's words. He thought that as the team leader of the Chemistry Department of Yanhuang Academy, his monthly salary was quite large. He was not short of money, and wasn't he busy in the workshop every day? He is doing this for his ideal!
Li Zexuan knew that he had said the wrong thing, and looked embarrassed. He quickly said: "Ahem! Mr. Wang, I didn't mean that. I meant that since Zhang Hongsheng's father was a general supervisor before, why didn't he recommend Zhang Hongsheng? If he goes to be the supervisor on duty, will he allow his son to work in our workshop?"
Hearing this, Lao Wang relaxed his brows and said: "The mountain leader has to ask Manager Fu. This Hongsheng was recruited by Manager Fu. I don't know the specific situation!"
"Haha! This Zhang Hongsheng was personally invited by me. At that time, I told him that there are countless good sword-making materials in our workshop. As long as he can come, all the materials can be used by him. Zhang Hongsheng is like his father, he loves Forging swords, after hearing this condition proposed by me, I happily agreed!"
At this moment, Fu Bo walked in from outside and said as he walked.
Apparently, he had just been listening to the "corner" outside the house for a while!
After hearing this, Li Zexuan felt a little funny. He said, "Uncle Fu only used some materials and recruited a master of weapon training for the workshop! Amazing! Amazing!"
These words come from the bottom of my heart. Li Zexuan, who has an engineering background, values technology and talents the most. As long as you have skills, money is not an issue, and materials are even less of a problem!
If all the technical talents in the world could be recruited like Zhang Hongsheng with just a few materials, Li Zexuan felt that if there were too many, let’s recruit 3,000 people first!
Uncle Fu gave a bitter smile and said helplessly: "Master, you don't know how much materials this Hongsheng requires. Every time the workshop gets good sword-making materials, he rushes to get them. If you don't give them, you will break your trust. Give it, it will affect the task assigned by you, young master. Just now, he ran over and asked me if there was a new type of steel called vanadium steel in the workshop. He asked me to give him two hundred pounds first. He wanted to practice. sword!
I know that this vanadium steel was refined by the young master using the vanadium ore he finally got, so how can I give it to him? Isn't that right? He started making trouble at my place, saying that I didn't keep my word! I have no choice but to come here and ask you, Master, for help! "
Li Zexuan couldn't help laughing and said: "Haha! Give it to him! Give him two hundred catties! Doesn't this Hongsheng like to refine weapons? I happen to have a new set of armor here, and I need his help to make it~! Song Xiaosi, you go Uncle Fu invites Zhang Hongsheng over~!"
"Yes! Master~!"
Song Xiaosi responded and ran out quickly.
After a while, under the leadership of Song Xiaosi, a shirtless man in his mid-twenties walked in from outside.
"Zhang Hongsheng meets the Marquis!"
Entering the office, Song Xiaosi tugged on Zhang Hongsheng's sleeve, then pointed at Li Zexuan secretly, and then Zhang Hongsheng saluted Li Zexuan.
"No need to be polite!"
Li Zexuan smiled slightly, stepped forward to help Zhang Hongsheng up, and then asked: "I heard that you asked Uncle Fu for two hundred kilograms of vanadium steel?"
Zhang Hongsheng's heart tightened. Only then did he see Uncle Fu standing in the room. In an instant, he figured out the key in his mind and thought that Uncle Fu was accusing him of evil, so he said angrily: "Master Hou, when Mr. Zhang entered this workshop, Manager Fu promised me that as long as I wanted the rare sword-making materials, he would satisfy me as much as possible. Now that I have only been in the workshop for three months, could it be that, Master Hou? Do you want Guanshi Fu to break his promise?"
Seeing this guy scratching his neck, staring, looking like he was looking for a fight, Uncle Fu quickly frowned and reprimanded: "Zhang Hongsheng, don't be rude in front of the Marquis! Besides, no one wants to blame you!"
"Haha! Uncle Fu, it doesn't matter! It doesn't matter!"
Li Zexuan waved his hand, not angry at all. Since ancient times, people with great skills often have bad tempers. For such people, Li Zexuan is very patient.
Zhang Hongsheng was stunned when he heard the second half of Uncle Fu's words. Don't you want to default on your debt? That means Li Zexuan called him here to give him vanadium steel?
Thinking of this, Zhang Hongsheng immediately changed his expression, cupped his hands towards Li Zexuan and said: "Master Hou, please forgive me. Zhang was in a hurry and contradicted Master Hou. I hope Master Hou can forgive me!"
Li Zexuan said with a smile: "It doesn't matter! I have approved the two hundred kilograms of vanadium steel you asked for from Manager Fu earlier. You can go to the steelmaking factory to collect it soon!"
"Thank you, Mr. Hou~!"
Zhang Hongsheng was overjoyed and quickly cupped his hands.
At the same time, he thought to himself that this young Marquis was quite easy to talk to!
Zhang Hongsheng was "seduced" by Uncle Fu to the workshop more than two months ago. He has been studying the art of making swords in the blacksmith workshop of the workshop. He has never seen Li Zexuan normally, and even if he did, no one would give him any advice. He didn't recognize the introduction, and today was his first meeting with Li Zexuan.
In the morning, Wang Ji handed him a batch of new steel materials and asked him to make three swords and three pairs of armor. He was a little dissatisfied at the time and felt that there was no use in killing chickens with a sledgehammer, so he planned to let his apprentice make them.
But inadvertently, he discovered that the texture of this kind of steel was so hard that he had never seen it before. So out of curiosity, he personally made the swords and armor that are now in Li Zexuan's office.
Of course, he was quite satisfied with the sharpness of the sword that was finally made. When Wang Ji went to his place to "pick up the goods" in the afternoon, he couldn't help but ask Wang Ji what kind of steel it was, and learned that it was After making vanadium steel, he ran to Uncle Fu to get materials!
Hence, this farce happened.
"I have admired your father's name for a long time. I heard that you, Hongsheng, are making a sword, which is passed down by your father. I have a sword here. How about you come and help me take a look?"
Li Zexuan saw the happy look on Zhang Hongsheng's face and thought that this technical talent was not that difficult to deal with. In order to pursue the victory, he took off the sword from his waist and said to Zhang Hongsheng.
Zhang Hongsheng was a little disapproving and thought to himself, how could you, a wealthy prince, have any good swords?
However, in order to get the vanadium steel as soon as possible, he still cooperated: "I obey! Please also ask the Marquis to borrow the sword for a look!"
"Here! Here you go!"
A wicked smile appeared on Li Zexuan's lips, and he threw the scabbard to Zhang Hongsheng so "lightly".
Seeing how casually Li Zexuan threw it, Zhang Hongsheng guessed that the sword was very light, so he casually caught the sword with one hand.
As a result, he became tragic in the blink of an eye!
"Ouch~!"
Zhang Hongsheng realized something was wrong when the Wind Chasing Sword had just reached Zhang Hongsheng's hand. But at this time, even if he wanted to catch the sword with both hands, it was too late. He could only watch his body being "taken" by the Wind Chasing Sword. Falling down, seeing that he was about to fall to the ground, he suddenly felt a gust of wind blowing in front of him, and then a hand pinched his shoulder, preventing him from falling further!
But it was Li Zexuan who stepped in front of him and supported him!
"Oops! Brother Zhang, I'm sorry! I forgot to tell you that this sword is very heavy and frightened you!"
Li Zexuan apologized quickly.
This apology immediately made Zhang Hongsheng blush with embarrassment. He waved his hands in shame and said: "Zhang is so ignorant that he didn't know that there is such a small sword in this world, but it is so heavy! No wonder Lord Marquis!" Zhang will make a sword for the Marquis now!"
Having said that, Zhang Hongsheng was also full of surprise, secretly wondering what kind of strange sword this sword was? In terms of size and body shape, it is no different from an ordinary sword, but why is it so heavy? At least this sword is three to four times heavier than an ordinary sword!
It was precisely because of this that he was caught off guard and almost fell to the ground by this sword!
After all, Zhang Hongsheng couldn't suppress the curiosity in his heart. He stood up straight and slowly pulled out the Wind Chasing Sword from its scabbard. Suddenly, he was shocked!
.............................
