Muyunzhou, Yucheng Pass.
Xu Mu was sitting in the weapons library with Dongfang Jing, looking through the cotton armor that Wei Chun had recently sent. There were not many cotton fields cultivated on a small scale last year. Xu Mu did not dare to abuse it, so he only asked Wei Chun to make five hundred armors according to his own wishes.
It is lined with iron sheets and fixed with copper nails on the outside. Cotton armor is a real battlefield, suitable for the firearms period, and has strong protective power. To be honest, before I knew it, the discovery of cotton and the use of cotton armor were already a little early.
Of course, in the era of cold weapons, if it is fully armed with iron armor, the protection will be stronger. But now, where can Xishu get so many resources? At least cotton armor is much better than some ordinary wooden armor and sheet armor. If it is used to block arrows, its effect is inferior to that of iron armor.
Based on the size of the cotton fields being planted, with a surplus of cotton, there will be at least 10,000 cotton armors next year. Thick and warm, and more protective than ordinary light armor.
"I have read so much poetry in vain, but I have never seen armor like this." Dongfang admired a piece of cotton armor and couldn't put it down.
Due to the inner strength, Wei Chun also specially painted the five hundred armors with Hu Kui and painted them white. This sick young man from Xishu finally gave full play to his talent.
"It's a pity that there are too few."
There are only five hundred pairs, which is indeed a small number.
But Xu Mu is already very satisfied. As long as there are no problems in the cotton fields, after next year, cotton armor will be put into large-scale armament.
"Bolie, how about you and I try the power of this armor?"
"My lord, that's very good."
A guard was called, and he was first wrapped in an iron armor, and then put on the cotton armor.
"Er Gouzi, don't blame me!" The old pawn who pulled the bow spoke in pain.
In fact, there were two layers of protection, including iron armor and cotton armor. Unless it was Si Hu's strength, it would be impossible to shoot him.
"Er Gouzi, when I was in my hometown, I touched your wife's calf while she was sleeping. I can't forgive you, brother."
Xu Mu and Dongfang Jing were speechless. It's just a formality, one is pulling the bow and the other is holding the bow, it's like parting between life and death.
The guard who blocked the arrow seemed to have heard something from his heart, and his expression suddenly became exciting.
The old soldier let go of his hand and fired the arrow forward.
Not long after, Ergouzi, who had been hit by an arrow, howled and fell backwards.
Xu Mu was shocked. When he wanted to take a look, he found that the guard Er Gouzi had stood up again. There was no blood on his body, and he cried with joy.
Xu Mu breathed a sigh of relief. It seems that Cotton's concept is quite good.
"Bo Lie, what do you think?"
"The protection against flying arrows should be pretty good. But have you ever thought about it, my lord, that armor of this kind can easily burn if the enemy fires it?"
"Don't worry Bo Lie, I have my own solution." Xu Mu said with a smile. This kind of consideration has been put into action by some people in later generations. Just add something fire-insulating to the mezzanine and there will be no problem.
"If this problem can be solved, we, the six states of Western Shu, will have another sharp weapon."
"As it should be."
Both of their expressions showed a hint of anticipation, looking forward to the day when cotton armor would be used on a large scale.
Behind them, the guard Er Gouzi was already fighting with the archery veteran over his wife's calf.
…
The New Year is over, and the time to leave spring is getting closer and closer. On the riverbank in Muyunzhou, the howling north wind finally calmed down a bit.
The previously dead trees no longer looked lifeless, but began to have a trace of vitality and spring.
Yucheng, outside the west gate.
Xu Mu and Dongfang Jing are about to rush to the river bank. The garrison of Yucheng will still be fully delegated to Yu Wen in the future.
"Yu Wen, be careful. Ning Wu at Xinyue Pass is not easy to deal with. If there is a military order, I will send someone over in time. In addition, regarding the matter of burying troops, someone will come into the city to contact you when the time comes."
"Don't worry, my lord, the city is here and the people are here."
Xu Mu frowned, "Don't say that. If the city is broken, you can retreat. You, Yu Wen, are our number one general in Western Shu. If you die in battle or die in the city, wouldn't it be a blow to morale."
These words put an end to Yu Wenhui's thoughts of dying in the city. Of course, if Xu Mu's layout is followed, there is a high probability that there will be no problems in Yucheng.
"understand?"
"I understand." Yu Wen's face was moved and he bowed deeply to Xu Mu.
"Back in Changyang, you followed me away and fought many life-and-death battles, but you survived. One day, when the world is at peace, you and I can go to Changyang again and go to Liuxiang to have a flower wine."
Yu Wen laughed instantly.
Xu Mu also laughed, stretched out his hand and patted Yu Wen's shoulder, then turned around and took steps, and together with Dongfang Jing, they got into the carriage.
Spring is approaching, and there are many things that need to be rearranged in the attack on Cangzhou. In addition, on the Kezhou side, next, there will be a real alliance between the armies. By then, allied armies from all directions will gather in Kezhou.
It is said that in order to prevent further assassinations, Huang Daochong had already deployed tight defenses in the Kezhou area early on.
"Xishu, Dongling, Nanhai League, and Inner City, these four forces are the pillars of the world's great alliance." Dongfang Jingning said.
In fact, there are many forces, even in states and regions.
For example, Gaotang Prefecture, which had recently taken refuge with Chang Silang, also divided 3,000 people and sent a general to follow Chang Wei to join the alliance.
"Bo Lie, there was a letter from Zuo Shiren earlier. He said that after the spring begins, the Yandao Army will be wiped out immediately."
The Yandao Army, like Qingzhou, was originally an anti-alliance demon queen. However, after the rebellion, if Xu Mu guessed correctly, the Yandao Army had stayed in Cangzhou.
Zuo Shiren's move was tantamount to sacrificing the flag, first boosting the morale of Dongling soldiers.
The war is imminent, and such means are very necessary.
"I, Xi Shu, cannot afford to lose this battle." Dongfang Jing said in a solemn voice.
If they lose, once the Demon Queen gains power, Xi Shu will fall into a passive position. As for Zuo Shiren, it is very likely that he will fall into siege.
"Don't be anxious. After we meet to make an alliance, we can discuss it again."
Uncle Chang is fighting in Hebei and cannot come to Kezhou. Xu Mu did not want to take up the post of alliance leader, so the position of alliance leader would fall to Zuo Shiren.
But no matter what, Xu Mu and Dongfang Jing still need to make the real decision. Zuo Shiren also understood this.
"Cangzhou is not the only battlefield. My lord, do you think that the Demon Queen has even buried a big secret in Hebei?"
"A big secret?" Xu Mu was shocked.
"In the original battle in Hebei, the King of Yuzhou won step by step, but now, the two are somewhat evenly matched."
"Bolie wants to say, is it because of Tai Shuwang?"
"It's also possible. The division of the battlefield will cause the alliance army to disperse. For the Demon Queen, this is extremely beneficial."
Listening, Xu Mu fell into deep thought.
"Yuan Song sent an old letter from the young Marquis. I even suspected that the person mentioned in that letter was really the Demon Queen. If not, how could a woman have such appeal?" Dongfang Jing continued. .
"This matter needs to be thoroughly investigated."
Raising his head, Xu Mu stared at the river bank in the distance. It won't be long before the fateful battle is coming.
