What Zhu Sui'an didn't expect was that a shop he casually entered to get rid of unnecessary entanglements underground would actually display a variety of swords and weapons. In this day and age, there are no longer shops that specialize in this kind of business.
If it weren't for the strong spirit of Japanese warriors, I'm afraid no one would patronize such a shop.
When the shop owner saw a customer coming, he immediately put down what he was doing and came over. Seeing that Zhu Suian actually spoke Chinese, the boss seemed a little happy.
"Are you Chinese?!"
Zhu Sui'an was a little surprised that the owner of a small shop could speak such standard Chinese. After asking, he found out that the owner was also Chinese, with a surname of Zhu. He immigrated to Japan with his father when he was young. It has been almost 40 years now.
Boss Zhu's ancestors were a famous sword forging family, but later due to some special reasons, he could not survive in the country. With the help of a friend from the Japanese country who was also very knowledgeable about sword culture, he came to settle in the Japanese country. Because martial arts is prevalent here.
, they picked up the skills of their ancestors again and began to try to make some Japanese swords for sale.
After years of exploration and combining the advantages of the two countries' sword-making techniques, the quality of their swords is getting better and better, so they are also very popular among Japanese warriors. The boss loves swords so much that he has studied them for dozens of years.
Years of manufacturing craftsmanship has led to people jokingly calling it "Knife Frenzy".
Seeing that the boss turned out to be of Chinese descent and had the same last name as himself, Zhu Sui'an immediately felt at ease with him.
After looking at a series of Japanese knives, Zhu Sui'an saw a row of strange weapons on the east side of the shop that were completely different from Japanese knives. He walked forward and picked up a long-handled sharp knife about two meters long. He felt
This sword is extremely heavy. After a closer look, I found that the handle and the blade are almost the same length. The shape of the blade is similar to that of a Japanese samurai. The sword is somewhat similar, but the blade is wider and thicker, and has a cold glow. I touched the blade lightly and felt
Biting cold and unusually sharp.
"What do you think of this knife?" the boss asked.
Zhu Sui'an: "The weight is handy. It can increase the lethality a lot when fighting the enemy without feeling too heavy. The length is also very moderate. It is easy to use whether it is on open terrain or on a narrow road. It has more advantages than ordinary short weapons. This
Is there anything special about a knife?”
Boss Zhu smiled slightly and pointed at the long knife and said: "This is the Mo Dao that I have researched and improved."
"Mo Dao?" Zhu Sui'an was stunned, and then asked: "Are you talking about the kind of broad sword from the Tang Dynasty?"
The boss nodded and said: "Although the current Japanese sword is famous, in fact it originated from the Tang sword. Through the improvement and evolution of the Tang sword from generation to generation, the world-famous Japanese sword is now available."
Ying Long next to him became interested when he heard this and immediately asked the boss to tell him about the Tang Dao.
Seeing that someone was interested, the boss started chatting and told everyone that the forging of Chinese swords reached its peak during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. The Tang sword at that time could be said to be the most exquisite and powerful weapon in the world.
Generally speaking, Tang knives can be divided into four categories. One is the ceremonial knives, which are decorated with gold and silver and have a dragon and phoenix-shaped ring on the handle. Their appearance is closer to the "ring-headed knives" of the Han Dynasty and were held by the imperial guards of honor.
This kind of sword is similar to the Banjian, and it is painted with pictures and texts, so it is called Banjian.
The second type is the horizontal sword. This kind of sword has no decoration. It is a one-handed straight sword with a slight angle between the handle and the blade. It is a combat knife worn by ordinary soldiers. The current Japanese sword is also derived from this horizontal sword.
It evolved from the sword. It is said that there is a horizontal sword in the Shosangyuan of Japan. The horizontal sword may also be a one-handed straight sword with a slight angle between the handle and the blade.
The third type is the Zhang Dao, which is used to protect oneself against enemies. The mainstream view is that it is a short horizontal knife used for self-defense.
The fourth type is the Mo Dao. In the Tang Dynasty, the Mo Dao was basically a heavy weapon specially used by infantry to deal with cavalry. The style Zhu Sui'an saw now was an improved style by his boss. Its weight and length were slightly reduced. After all, now
There are fewer and fewer times to deal with cavalry. If it is used as an infantry battle to kill the enemy, the improved Mo Dao will naturally be even more powerful.
Hearing the boss, Zhu Sui'an and others praising the Tang Dao, Jingxiao on the other side was unhappy and wanted to stand up and compete with the boss. "Baga, our Japanese Dao is the best in the world, and you, the boss, don't even know that.
Shiwu, why are you bragging about the benefits of the Tang Dao?"
Only then did Boss Zhu realize that this man was not in the same group as Zhu Sui'an and others, but should be an authentic Japanese. He immediately explained: "Hey, sir, my guests like Tang Dao, so I naturally want to introduce it more."
Yes, I’m just a businessman, and I just want to make one more business. Is there anything wrong with that?”
"It's nonsense to say that our Japanese swords originated from China. I want to ask, can your country of China produce such good swords now? Does the Tang sword technique that you are so proud of still exist?" Jingxia
Press the boss relentlessly.
When Boss Zhu saw Jingxia being so unreasonable and questioning his own words, he suddenly became angry: "I have been studying swords for more than 40 years, do I know less than you? If this customer doesn't like my stuff, he can go elsewhere.
Turn around.”
Ishita Yakuza gave his boss a sharp look: "Humph! How dare you talk to me like this? Do you know what will happen if you offend our Yamaguchi group?"
When he heard that the person under the mine was from the Yamaguchi Group, Boss Zhu did not dare to say anything more.
At this time, Zhu Sui'an stood up and said: "Isaka-kun, can the Yamaguchi-gumi now only show off its power in front of the small merchants? The Japanese swords you like are over there. You can watch them slowly, but please don't disturb us and the boss."
Let’s talk business, okay?”
Although Jingxia was very unhappy, he had been told by his superiors when he came that he only needed to monitor the actions of Zhu Sui'an and others, but it was best not to have a head-on conflict. Therefore, Jingxia had no choice but to swallow his breath and cursed as he went to play with his favorite Japanese.
knife.
Touched by Jingxia's words, Yinglong asked the boss: "The Japanese people just said that our Tang Dao skills have been lost. Is it true?"
The boss nodded: "Not only have many of the skills of the Tang Dao been lost, but there is also a lot of controversy over their true appearance. Most of the Tang Dao imitated by people today are only made based on sporadic records, but it is difficult to reproduce the style of the past.
.And what I made is just based on the traditional skills, absorbing the craftsmanship of Japanese knives, and combining it with modern metallurgical technology. The craftsmanship of Japanese knives originated from Tang knives, which can be regarded as the largest kind.
Recover."
Zhu Sui'an said: "It should be said that the current technology in metallurgy and forging is far superior to that in ancient times. The quality of things made by combining modern methods should not be as different as that of real Tang knives, right?"
The boss stared at these swords and thought deeply for a while, and murmured to himself: "Maybe, but I haven't compared it, so who knows? If I can see the power of authentic Tang swords in my lifetime, I will really die.
No regrets."
"Why was this good technique lost?" Ying Long asked again.
The boss replied and began to say: "There are many reasons for the loss. In addition to the fact that Tang Dao was relatively expensive at the time and was not paid much attention to by subsequent dynasties, one of the most important reasons is to talk about another thing.
."
Then, as if he had met a confidant, the boss warmly invited Zhu Sui'an and others to another room. There was an incense burner placed in the middle of this room, and various exquisite workmanship items were displayed against the wall.
Brightly colored ancient armor.
"The answer is right here."
"This is...armor?" Yinglong was surprised.
"Well!" The boss started chatting again, and started to popularize the knowledge like a treasure trove.
Therefore, everything is mutually reinforcing. While the improvement of technology has brought sword forging skills to its peak, the armor specifically designed to restrain swords has also been upgraded.
In the past, most armies used leather armor. Leather armor could only protect against bows and arrows at long distances. It was not very effective at close range. Ordinary spears and sharp blades could easily penetrate the leather armor.
However, with the development of science and technology, iron armor began to be popularized in the Song Dynasty, and a large number of iron armors appeared. For example, the Jinbing Tiefutu was a heavily armored cavalry. Not only people, but even horses were equipped with iron armor. Faced with heavy armor
In the army, even traditional weapons such as horse-killing knives and maces, which are specifically designed to target heavy armor, have no obvious effect, let alone ordinary sharp weapons. After that, China's cold weapons basically began to turn into blunt weapons.
During this era, more and more people used weapons such as maces, sledgehammers, and giant axes, so the importance of swords gradually lost their importance, and later they were gradually reduced to a ceremonial status.
"I see, I really learned a lot today." Zhu Sui'an stroked the armor in front of him, but it didn't feel as heavy as the boss said. Instead, it was very light and soft. Could it be that this is just for collection and viewing?
So you intentionally saved materials?
Seemingly sensing Zhu Sui'an's thoughts, the boss explained with some pride: "I have also improved these armors. With the blessing of modern technology, I can make the armors lighter and tougher. There is no need to make them as before."
Being so thick can have a very good defensive effect. These armors are convenient and flexible to wear and will not affect normal actions at all."
Zhu Sui'an sighed: "If in ancient times, the army could be equipped with these armors, it would really be the king of the cold weapon era."
Unexpectedly, Yinglong laughed and said: "Your boss is not only obsessed with these things, but also has some ideas. Unfortunately, no matter how good you improve it, it is just a handicraft and decoration in the end. Who can do it now?"
Wear it to fight. As you said, it can't protect against heavy blunt weapons. How can it protect against bullets and cannonballs?"
The boss was stunned and argued: "Although it can't protect against heavy weapons and bullets, if you use an ordinary sword, it will be difficult to break through the armor."
Ying Long still shook his head: "Okay, but who would fight with a sword nowadays? In modern warfare, even close combat such as gunfights are rarely seen. Both sides are often thousands of miles apart.
The winner has already been decided."
Boss Zhu was a little anxious: "But...but..."
Zhu Sui'an saw that the boss loved knives as much as his life and was a knife fanatic, and Ying Long was also a person who was very obsessed with modern warfare technology. If the two of them continued to discuss like this, it might hurt their friendship, so he immediately stopped it.
Yinglong continued to argue with his boss.
"The passing of the cold weapon era is an inevitable result of technological progress and historical process. However, traditional culture and skills still need to be passed on. Boss, your ability to devote yourself to this and persist for decades is your perseverance and perseverance.
It deserves our respect."
Zhu Sui'an suddenly thought of the project about exploring cultural heritage that Chen Bing and Nie Dong were working on. Maybe there would be a chance to recommend this boss to them and explore the value. So he said to the boss: "Hard work pays off.
Boss, your hard work will definitely not be in vain. I have friends who invest in, protect, and discover these ancient skills and inheritance. If I have the opportunity, I can introduce you to them. I believe that one day these things will reflect their existence.
Meaning and exerting its due value.”
The boss was very happy to see Zhu Sui'an agreeing with him. He felt like an old friend at first sight, and immediately talked to him about his experience in sword forging.
After looking around, Zhu Sui'an didn't buy anything. But when everyone was about to leave, Boss Zhu insisted on giving Zhu Sui'an a Tang Dao and a piece of armor as a meeting gift.
Zhu Sui'an was a little embarrassed. This thing was really inconvenient to carry. Otherwise, he would have spent money to buy one or two pieces and take them home for collection.
He immediately declined and said: "Boss, these things are exquisitely made and unique. I like them very much. But we will leave here to return to China in two days, and we were forced to drive them away. By then, these things will also be gone."
It’s inconvenient to carry.”
Hearing what Zhu Sui'an said, the boss was stunned for a moment, and after figuring out the whole story, he stopped insisting.
After leaving the store, Zhu Sui'an felt very good because of the exchange he had just had with the boss. He saw someone who could still stick to the inheritance of Chinese culture in the Japanese country. But soon Jingxia caught up with him again, following Zhu Sui'an and his party from a distance.
, Zhu Sui'an's mood suddenly became depressed again.
After walking around for a while, we came to a relatively large shopping mall.
Zhu Sui'an turned around and walked up to Jingxia Yasan and asked: "Jingxia-kun, you have had a hard time on this journey. We are going to go to this shopping mall to buy some toilet seats and so on. I wonder if you are also good at it."
Is this the way? Do you want to help me with my advice?"
Jingxia didn't expect that Zhu Sui'an would come directly to greet him. He felt a little embarrassed and rolled his eyes twice, thinking that there were cameras everywhere in this shopping mall, so there wouldn't be any tricks on you guys.
"Haha, Mr. Zhu, I'm not interested in the toilet seat. It's getting late and I should go back. If you please, please..."