Since returning to Kuaiji, Xiang Zhuang has been busy until late at night every day. Although Xiang Zhuang has already given up the logistics work in Kuaiji to Hua Yu, after all, Hua Yu is from Xiang Zhuang and has been following Xiang Zhuang for some years. Therefore, Xiang Zhuang

After having a deep talk with Xiang Liang that night, when he returned to the government office, he saw that Hua Yu had been waiting in Xiangzhuang's living room for a long time.

It just so happened that Xiang Zhuang also had questions about the craftsmanship and wanted to ask Hua Yu, so they took advantage of that night to talk by candlelight and had an in-depth conversation about the issue of ironware making.

Horseshoes have become extremely popular in Jiangdong, but after all, Jiangdong is not rich in horses, and Jiangdong is full of lakes. Therefore, the large-scale application of horseshoes must wait until Jiangdong controls Shandong before it can be widely deployed.

However, in order to prevent the horseshoes from being exposed and provide funds to the enemy, so as to make the country with a large number of cavalry strong and increase mobility, Xiang Zhuang asked Huayu to block all information about the horseshoes and only use them among some cavalrymen of the Chu army in Jiangdong.

At this time, Xiang Zhuang already understood that Xuanzi did not have the formula to make ironware. In fact, Xiangzhuang had known for a long time that Xuanzi must know the formula, but why did he always refuse to leak it?

With questions in mind, Xiang Zhuang thought over and over again while guarding Baht County, conducted secret investigations, and thought of all the possibilities. The only most reliable and realistic answer was that Ou Yezi must have stayed behind for some reason.

His last words allowed Ou Yezi's descendants to keep the ultimate secret of smelting from generation to generation.

It was precisely after understanding this that Xiang Zhuang started with Ou Yezi's apprentice, used and induced him. Finally, Xiang Zhuang got the secret recipe for smelting. Moreover, this secret recipe was extremely simple. In the process of iron smelting, as long as certain substances are extracted from sea water,

Adding it to the furnace can increase the toughness and hardness of the sword, and the melting point of the iron ore will also decrease, allowing large-scale modeling and production.

The most important point is that once this kind of sword is smelted, it cannot be repaired or resmelted, and becomes a waste material, because after it breaks, the required melting point will be higher, which is impossible at least in this era.

.

With Ou Yezi's formula in hand, Xiang Zhuang ordered people to keep Ou Yezi's apprentices and send them back to Ou Yezi. After all, how to develop the smelting technology better in the future was no longer something Ou Yezi could help.

In the past few days, Xiangzhuang has been busy with these things, which makes him feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Now, Xiutu has been officially taken under Xiangzhuang's command, and will be in charge of all the craftsmen in Hengshan County and maintain the logistics work of Xiangzhuang's command.

.

Today, as soon as Xiang Zhuang had free time, he rushed to Kong's house non-stop. He had not seen Kong Xiuyun for a long time, and he felt a sense of longing in his heart.

When they arrived at the Confucius Mansion, they were greeted by a steward. These stewards and servants of the Confucius Mansion were all personally selected by Xiang Zhuang. They also knew very well that Xiang Zhuang was their real master.

"General, you are here." The housekeeper came to Xiang Zhuang with a smile on his face. At this time, Xiang Zhuang asked with a smile: "Is Miss Kong at home?"

"Here, general, please follow me." The steward pointed to the house and led Xiang Zhuang towards the house first.

When Xiang Zhuang came to the living room, the housekeeper went to inform him. Xiang Zhuang walked around the living room of Confucius Mansion several times. The decoration in the hall was completely different from when he bought the house. When Xiang Zhuang was looking at the living room, a man

The maid brought tea and said with a smile: "Uncle, please have some tea."

"Sister-in-law?" Xiang Zhuang couldn't help but laugh when he heard the people from the Kong family calling him this. He looked at the maid again. It turned out that she was the personal maid Kong Xiuyun brought from Suiyang. At this time, she called herself this, which made Xiang Zhuang and

The relationship between the Kong family has become closer. At this time, Xiang Zhuang has already smiled and said: "This is a very good title. From now on, you can call me like this."

The maid sang a promise, and Xiang Zhuang asked with a smile: "What's your name?"

"Xiao Lian" a blush appeared on the face of the maid, and at this moment, Kong Xiuyun's coquettish voice sounded outside the door: "I haven't agreed yet, can you just call him uncle?"

Kong Xiuyun smiled lightly, looked at Xiang Zhuang, walked up to him, and asked in surprise: "Brother didn't come back with you?"

Seeing that Kong Xiuyun asked his brother first and ignored him, Xiang Zhuang's heart dropped. He pretended to be unhappy and said, "Don't you want to care about me?"

When Kong Xiuyun was asked by Xiang Zhuang, she couldn't help but smile mischievously and said, "I don't care."

On the side, Xiao Lian added: "That's not true. Miss misses my uncle every day."

"I want you to talk more." Kong Xiuyun pretended to be angry, but Xiang Zhuang laughed and hugged Kong Xiuyun into his arms. He looked at Xiaolian and said: "From now on, you will take special care of your young lady. If she misses me, you will

Take a note, think about it once, calculate it once, and come back, I will reward you heavily."

As soon as Xiang Zhuang finished speaking, Kong Xiuyun sighed again: "I'm afraid you won't be able to read this letter. Xiaolian can't read, how can she write it?"

Hearing what Kong Xiuyun said, Xiang Zhuang couldn't help laughing at himself, "Yes, yes, how could I forget this matter."

However, Xiao Lian's face was flushed. She looked at Xiang Zhuang closely and said anxiously: "As long as my uncle tells me, Xiao Lian will learn to read and write from today on, and she will definitely complete the things that my uncle told me."

After saying that, Xiaolian realized that she was a little redundant, and she bowed again and said, "My uncle is back after a long time. You two can chat while I prepare lunch for my uncle."

Xiaolian unconsciously looked at Kong Xiuyun, then at Xiang Zhuang, and then left in a hurry. Xiang Zhuang looked at her leaving back and couldn't help but smile: "This girl is good. With her by your side,

I feel relieved."

But Kong Xiuyun's eyes were a little more confused. She always felt that Xiaolian seemed a little abnormal today.

But Xiang Zhuang had changed the subject at this time, put his arms around Kong Xiuyun, and whispered in her ear: "Over there in Zhu County, fortifications are being built, so Kong Ji is supervising the work there. He won't be able to come back this time, but I promise,

I will definitely bring him back to see you next time."

"As long as my brother is well, I'll be relieved." Kong Xiuyun smiled lightly, and she happily nestled in Xiang Zhuang's arms. At this time, Xiang Zhuang sighed: "It's a pity, I have to go back in a few days."

After saying that, Xiang Zhuang could feel the disappointment in Kong Xiuyun's heart, but she concealed it very well, fearing that Xiang Zhuang would see it. At this time, the housekeeper hurriedly walked in from outside the house and saw the two of them cuddling together. The housekeeper hurriedly turned around

, turned his back to the two of them and said: "General, the county government has sent word that you should go there."

After a brief reunion, they were about to separate again. Xiang Zhuang let out a long sigh, and Kong Xiuyun looked at Xiang Zhuang reluctantly, but she was helpless. Just when the two were reluctant to leave, Xiaolian walked in excitedly and said with a smile: "Uncle,

Miss, lunch is ready and it’s time to have dinner.”

At this time, Xiang Zhuang had gently stroked Kong Xiuyun's hair, sighed softly, and strode away. Kong Xiuyun was left alone to watch Xiang Zhuang leave, and could only let out a long sigh, and two lines of tears ran across his face, dripping on his face.

On clothes.

Not far away, Xiaolian also stared blankly in the direction Xiang Zhuang was leaving, her heart filled with disappointment that could not be calmed down for a long time.

...

Wu Rui was going to leave Kuaiji and return to Poyang the next day, so today he came to the county governor's house to say goodbye to Xiang Liang. At this time, Xiang Liang and Wu Rui were sitting opposite each other in the county governor's house, each enjoying a cup of hot water.

Tea.

Not long after, Xiang Liang smiled and said: "A few days ago, Zhuang'er mentioned to me that he wanted to launch an attack north of the Dabie Mountains. I don't know much about it, so I asked General Wu for advice."

This was Xiang Liang's excuse. Wu Rui said with a smile: "Only controlling Zhu County is not enough to stabilize Hengshan County. If Xiang Zhuang's nephew intends to send troops to the north, I am willing to send troops to help. What does Liang Gong think?"

Seeing Wu Rui's generosity, Xiang Liang was overjoyed and laughed, "If General Wu is willing to take action, great things will happen."

"Once the Chu Kingdom is revived, you and I will both serve the Chu Kingdom. Why should Mr. Liang be so polite?" Wu Rui smiled back. At this time, Wu Rui's eyes fell on Xiang Liang's bodyguard not far away, intentionally or unintentionally.

He smiled and said: "I have noticed in the past few days that the swords of Liang Gong's personal guards seem to be different from those of ordinary Chu troops. I wonder if you can lend them to me."

"What's so difficult about this?" Xiang Liang waved to a personal guard and ordered: "Bring your sword and show it to General Wu."

The guard made a promise, took off his sword and placed it in front of Wu Rui. Wu Rui picked up the sword and picked up the scabbard with his left hand. With a "clang" sound, the sword was pulled out, cold light splashed everywhere, Wu Rui

He reached out and tried the sword's edge again. It was so sharp that Wu Rui couldn't help but shout three times.

But soon, Wu Rui discovered that this was not a bronze sword. According to his experience analysis, it was an iron sword. Moreover, the good swords he had seen in the past all had a layer of iron on the edge of the bronze sword.

This drawn sword is made entirely of iron, which really makes people admire it.

After a long time, Wu Rui sheathed the sword and said with a smile: "If I'm not mistaken, this should be an iron sword, right?"

"General Wu has good eyesight. This is indeed an iron sword." Xiang Liang said with a smile. At this time, what he saw in Wu Rui's eyes was not only surprise, but also a trace of greed and desire.

After a brief silence, Wu Rui reluctantly sent the iron sword back to Xiang Liang. Xiang Liang took the iron sword and handed it back to the guard. He smiled and said: "Iron swords are not as brittle as copper swords, and they have excellent toughness.

It is also very lethal on the battlefield, so we are considering gradually introducing iron swords into the army in the future."

After a pause, Xiang Liang stared at Wu Rui and said after a while: "If General Wu is interested, I would like to give General Wu seventy iron swords. What do you think?"

Wu Rui was very interested in the iron sword. He couldn't help but put his hands in his hands and said with a smile: "Since it is Mr. Liang's kindness, I would rather obey his orders than respect him."

Both of them raised their heads and laughed. At this time, Xiang Zhuang walked in quickly, came to Xiang Liang, and saluted: "Uncle, are you looking for me?"

When Xiang Liang saw Xiang Zhuang coming, he couldn't help but smile and said: "Your Uncle Wu is going back to Poyang tomorrow. I'm going to ask you to go back early and see General Wu off for me."

Xiang Liang gave the order, but Xiang Zhuang did not dare to neglect. He cupped his hands and said, "My nephew has the order."

On the side, Wu Rui stood up and said with a smile: "As for the farewell, it is fine as long as it is casual. Don't distance the relationship between the two families. However... I have an unkind request, and I would like to ask Mr. Liang to fulfill it."

"General Wu, feel free to say whatever you want, no need to be polite." Xiang Liang looked a little surprised, but Wu Rui smiled and said: "I want to visit the logistics center of Kuaiji and see how your iron swords are made. Please don't say anything, Mr. Liang."

reject."

Wu Rui's request was clearly for the iron sword, but Xiang Liang knew that in the future, once the Chu army crossed the river and moved north, the iron sword would no longer be a secret. At this time, why not let Wu Rui have a look. Thinking of this,
Chapter completed!