Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 371 News
When Zhao Zhen finished his breakfast, Wu Song and Guang Hui were already waiting in the hall. After greeting each other, Zhao Zhen did not say much and took them to the Military Equipment Bureau.

After entering the Military Equipment Bureau, the three men found Tang Long and exchanged greetings. Wu Song handed the sword in his hand to Tang Long and said, "Brother, I have learned a set of rolling dragon sword techniques. I want to transform these two swords into ring swords, like Brother Guanghui's snowflake iron double swords. Do you think it is feasible?"

Tang Long took out the pair of swords and said, "Wu Dutou, this pair of Water Dragon Swords was made in the Sui Dynasty. It's a pity to destroy them. Your Excellency has a lot of good iron here. How about I pick some good iron and make another pair of swords in the style of the snowflake iron double swords?"

"I will listen to you, brother. Since you are going to use the good iron to make a sword, this pair of swords will be of no use to me. Moreover, they are old items from the previous dynasty, so please keep them, sir." Wu Song said.

Zhao Zhen said, "Thank you, Captain. I learned Tai Chi double swords from Brother Pei Xuan. I usually only practice with the fine iron sword. Now I have this pair of water dragon swords, which is just right for replacement."

At that moment, Tang Long took out a few short iron sticks and asked Wu Song to test their weight. Then he took out a piece of Guanghan iron and half a fist's worth of Xueyan iron, recorded them, and then started to mold and cast the knife.

Seeing Tang Long start to forge weapons, Zhao Zhen took Wu Song to the Military Equipment Bureau. Afterwards, Guanghui volunteered to accompany Wu Song to various places to meet the heroes of Liangshan County.

Hou Jian found Zhao Zhen and said, "Sir, the water python armor was remade according to the suggestions of the Ruan brothers. A total of 340 sets of armor were made. 860 sets of low-grade python skin double-layer cowhide armor. 10 sets of second-grade fine-scale python armor."

Zhao Zhen was overjoyed when he heard this, and he carefully examined the three types of armor one by one. As expected, each piece was well-made. 340 pieces of first-level water python armor, what a huge fortune.

It was a pity that besides its lightness, the water python armor only had one point more protection than ordinary leather armor. In addition, Zhao Zhen also gave the armor made of the green water python skin, which was not of high rank, a name, called water snake armor.

Water snake armor (made of green anaconda skin wrapped around cowhide.)
Features: Lightweight, watertight, protection +2.

Fine-scaled python armor (second-level, made by master craftsmen using multiple layers of second-level green water python skin.)
Features: Lightweight and close fitting, waterproof, protection +4.

Zhao Zhen said, "Send the fine-scaled python armor and the water python armor to the Baishizhuang armory and have Zhao Yuanli, who is in charge of the warehouse, carefully store them. The water snake armor will be temporarily placed in the warehouse here. I will discuss it with the military advisor and then deal with it."

Hou Jian responded, and Zhao Zhen continued, "The monthly salary of the armor craftsmen will be doubled this month to reward their hard work. The ten best performers will be rewarded with a cool bamboo mat, and the top three will be rewarded with a piece of water cotton cloth. As for you, you can't not be rewarded either. These days, the county has caught a lot of [Liangshan Silverfish]. I'll ask Li Xiaoer to take out a pound of it from the ice storage, cook it, and then take a [Three-section Nine-hole White Jade Lotus Root] and send it to you, so that you can enter the third level soon."

After hearing this, Hou Jian hurriedly thanked Zhao Zhen.

After Zhao Zhen left the Armory, he sent for Wu Yong, Zhu Wu and Liu Huiniang, told them about the water snake armor and water python armor, and sought their opinions.

Zhu Wu said: "My lord, Brother Ruan Xiaoqi's [Hu Ying] is the best at boarding and fighting. Now all the lieutenants in the army are wearing [Blood Vine Armor]. If the remaining soldiers can wear [Water Python Armor], they will definitely be unmatched in boarding and fighting."

Wu Yong frowned, thought for a while, and said, "Sir, this [Water Python Armor] is a precious armor after all. It is not appropriate for ordinary soldiers to wear it. It is better to keep it as the navy leader and flag leader armor. Ordinary soldiers, veterans who have made contributions, and leaders of squads wear water snake armor, and the rest of the people still wear cowhide armor, all painted blue, with a unified style. In this way, there will be no conflicts among the five naval camps. The blood vine armor sent to Ruan Xiaoqi's camp will also be taken back."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen asked Liu Huiniang, "What do you think, madam?"

Liu Hui Niang said, "I think what Military Advisor Wu said is the best. Just as Military Advisor Zhu Wu said, equipping the army with [Water Python Armor] will improve the soldiers' protection and make them stronger. However, the army values ​​military merit and experience the most, and the superiors and subordinates are united. I am afraid that the officers will lose their dignity, feel resentful, and be unwilling to fight. It is better to distinguish the differences, and the soldiers will naturally work hard." Zhao Zhen said, "That's right. Brother Zhu Wu should handle this matter. The Water Python Armor has been sent to the armory, and the Water Snake Armor is still in the Weaponry Bureau. Brother, follow my orders."

Zhu Wu nodded in agreement.

Zhao Zhen asked again: "Now the county is peaceful, and the brave men in the army are training and teaching martial arts. Where does the military advisor think we should place the new Wu Song?"

Zhu Wu said: "Sir, Wudutou's reputation of beating tigers with bare hands has spread throughout Shandong and Hebei. I see that he and Guanghui are on good terms. Why don't you go to Baozhu Temple and become a military commander?"

Zhao Zhen thought it made sense and nodded in agreement. He immediately wrote the appointment document and asked Jin Dajian to carve the seal and token.

After Zhao Zhen finished his work, Wu Yong said, "Sir, I received news today that Song Gongming of Qingzhou broke through Maying Town a few days ago and surrounded Qingzhou City."

Zhao Zhen was surprised when he heard this and asked quickly, "How many troops does Song Gongming have now?"

"According to the report from the spies who stayed in Li Zhong's camp, the mountain stronghold is very prosperous, and farmers who can't make a living come to surrender every day. Song Gongming used the long-time bandits in the mountains as the backbone, reorganized the captured soldiers, and together with the farmers who came to surrender, Song Gongming now has nearly 20,000 troops." Wu Yong replied.

Zhu Wu said: "It seems that as long as Song Gongming survives another round of encirclement and suppression, he will become a famous bandit known throughout the world."

Zhao Zhen also said: "Now I heard that there is unrest everywhere, there is Wang Qing in Huaixi, Tian Hu in Hebei, Fang La in Jiangnan, and there will be a Song Jiang in Shandong too."

After expressing his feelings, Zhao Zhen then asked, "Do you have any news about Yun Tianbiao?"

Wu Yong said: "This fellow saw the opportunity early and abandoned Maying Town and went to Qingzhou Prefecture. The prefect Murong Yanda relies on him a lot."

"Today, I heard from Li Zhong that Song Gongming has sent Yong'er as a messenger to recruit people from Yuanbi Village and Qingyun Mountain. I'm afraid he has more plans to make."

Liu Hui Niang suddenly said, "Yuanbi Village? The leaders of this village, Gou Huan and Gou Ying, are old acquaintances of my father. Their father, Gou Bangda, was once the Du Yuhou of the Palace Guards. Because he was not afraid of power, he hated Tong Guan. Framed by Tong Guan, these two fled back to Shandong, and together with a man named Zhen Xianglin and a man named Fan Chenglong, the four of them killed Pingdi Lei and became very powerful. Now they have gathered three to five thousand people and occupied Yuanbi Village."

Zhao Zhen heard this and asked, "My lady, could your grandfather persuade Yuanbi Village to surrender?"

"I'm afraid it won't work. I once heard from my father that the two brothers Gou Huan and Gou Ying hated the court for killing their father unjustly and vowed to kill Tong Guan. After all, you are the county magistrate of the court. I'm afraid they are unwilling to join you and would rather form an alliance with Song Gongming."

(End of this chapter)