Chapter 031: The Death of Yiyang Wu (Part 1) 1/3 Seeking Recommendations

  That's awesome, brothers and sisters are too powerful!

  I've never had a recommendation ticket so powerful today, thank you, I'm grateful. Also, I beg for a new day's recommendation ticket.

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  Cao Peng chose a dagger with a wrapped handle.

  Five feet long and weighing about eight catties, it looks like a standard issue beheading knife.

  The blade is slender and straight, with a small inner arc, which can enhance the force when chopping. The handle of this knife is slightly longer than usual, allowing for a two-handed grip. In the Eastern Han period, most knives had single-handed handles, requiring great wrist strength and physical fitness from the user. This design seems to take into account the user's relatively small strength, so the length of the handle was intentionally extended, making it more convenient for two-handed chopping.

  The reason why I chose this hairstyle is precisely because of my understanding of myself.

  Cao Peng's body had not yet reached the level of being able to wield a single-handed grip on the knife. The eight-jin-heavy wrapped-handled knife, given his current state, would also be unable to support him for much longer. Moreover, he chose this wrapped-handled knife for another reason. Han ring knives can be roughly divided into five types: the first type is where the wrapped-handle is separately forged and then welded onto the blade; the second type leaves a gap at the end of the handle that is as wide as the tip of the blade, which is then welded on both ends; the third type also has a separately forged wrapped-handle, but it is clamped between the folded-over end of the blade; the fourth type has the blade and wrapped-handle integrated into one piece, which is then embedded with the knife body in one go, and secured with rivets; the last type is where the entire knife is forged as a single entity, with dragon and phoenix designs inside the wrapped-handle, known as the "Dragon Phoenix Large Ring".

  Cao Quan had previously given Wang Mai a Long Que Da Dao, which was the last one.

  Cao Peng chose the third one, with his head wrapped in the folded end of the knife handle.

  The traditional hairstyle is mostly of the first and second kinds. The one chosen by Cao Peng belongs to a relatively rare type.

  Follow Cao Qu to learn forging, some basic knowledge is still okay.

  Cao Peng knew that similar to this interlocking neck, the quality of the knife body was generally outstanding. Although it seemed to be a standard model, in fact, it was specially made.

  Due to the immaturity of the tang technology in the late Eastern Han period, the ring pommel sabers did not have a wooden guard.

  Cao Peng grasped the knife in his hand, swung it with force a couple of times, and nodded his head in satisfaction. The weight was just right! It was a bit strenuous to use one-handed, but two-handed was just suitable.

  Then he found a mirror among a pile of miscellaneous items.

  It's just a small iron shield with a sharp spike protruding from the center, which can be used to push and kill opponents. There are iron hooks extending from the top and bottom that can hook and lock onto the opponent's weapon. This is also one of the most commonly used auxiliary weapons for the Han Ring Knife. However, for Cao Peng, who wields a knife with both hands, this hook seems somewhat redundant. But the quality is not bad, and it should be useful if Wang Mai or Deng Ji wears it on their person.

  After selecting his weapons, Cao Peng returned under the wooden shed.

  Deng Jizheng helped pull the windbox, saw Cao Peng come over, just smiled and didn't say a word.

  Deng Jie usually looks dull and stupid, but in fact, he is as clear-headed as a mirror, not a muddle-headed person at all.

  Just now his seemingly casual question made Cao Peng understand that this brother-in-law was a straightforward person. However, Cao Peng didn't know how to answer this question. Some things are better left unspoken, and there's no need to put them into words. So he nodded slightly and smiled faintly.

  "Huh?" Cao Qi took the knife and glanced at it, immediately revealing a look of surprise. "This knife is not bad... Peng'er, good eyesight."

  Cao Peng smiled and didn't say a word.

  In his past life, he had seen many good swords, and he himself was also a person with stories to tell, so there was no need for him to reveal his surprise.

  "Alright, let's send this knife back for some more tempering, it's actually a pretty good knife."

  "I'll put it here, I'll help your brother-in-law fix the sword and then I'll repair this knife for you. By the way, go get some horse urine, I want to temper the blade."

  Cao Peng hastily agreed and picked up a wooden bucket, heading towards the stable.

  Wang Mai is in the stable washing and brushing the horse's body...

  Nowadays, Cao's stable has three horses. If they were in a county town like Jinyang, it would be considered an upper-middle-class family.

  "Ah Fu, which one do you want?"

  "Whatever... you ride the big black one, and let my brother-in-law ride the big flower. Give me that mediocre horse instead, anyway my riding skills aren't great, it's a waste to ride a good horse."

  "Ah Fu, you said it was Huang Shaogan's fault?"

  Cao Peng smiled and nodded silently.

  "What does it mean that he summoned his brother-in-law over?"

  "It's still unclear what he's thinking, only after it's all over will it be possible to understand. I'll go with my brother-in-law, that's the reason."

  "What shall we do now?"

  Wang said he was not afraid with his mouth, but it could be seen that he was still a little nervous.

  After all, a fourteen-year-old boy who had never experienced any major setbacks in his life was suddenly faced with this unexpected change, which was enough to make him feel anxious and bewildered.

  Cao Peng glanced at him and picked up a bucket full of horse urine.

  "Steady your guns and grip your steel blades tightly. When the enemy comes, we'll block them; when the flood comes, we'll fill it with earth. Let's see what tricks that yellow-shirted one can play!"

  After finishing speaking, he carried the bucket and left.

  Wang stood there stupidly for a while, then suddenly burst out laughing loudly.

  "Soldiers come to block, water comes to fill... Are barefooted people still afraid of those wearing shoes?"

  His spirits lifted, and he even had more energy to groom the war horse. Cao Peng smiled silently outside the stable, not making a sound. He was very at ease with this brother Wang Mai. This guy had guts, but hadn't been out in the world yet. Once he grew up and gained experience, he would definitely be able to accomplish something... At the same time, Cao Peng was also thinking about another very important matter. He had already discovered that this year's war horses didn't have stirrups, and naturally didn't have horseshoes either. They were going to the barracks soon, should he add these two items for himself? With stirrups, he would have to equip a high saddle, wouldn't it be too eye-catching?

  This thing can't be hidden for much longer.

  If equipped with it, it can't deceive the eyes of a connoisseur at all.

  Forget it, let's put it aside for now... These things seem simple, but they are undoubtedly a huge progress for this era.

  Make the most of these things and get the greatest benefit.

  Although this time going to Jiuniu City may be more harmful than beneficial, it's not worth taking out these powerful weapons. It doesn't conform to one's own interests!

  "Ah Fu!"

  "In."

  Cao Peng had just returned to the wooden shed when Wang Meng called him out.

  "Uncle, is there something?"

  Wang Meng said in a low voice: "Ah Fu, this time Uncle Sun was summoned, do you know what's going on?"

  "Roughly understand some."

  In front of Wang Meng, Cao Peng didn't need to hide either.

  "Is it troublesome?"

  Cao Peng thought for a moment and nodded his head, saying: "It might be a bit of trouble."

  "Have you thought of a solution?"

  "Let's take it one step at a time. I think this summons is aimed at me, not my brother-in-law... He's just an innocent bystander."

  Wang Meng didn't ask any further, but hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth and said in a low voice: "Ah Fu, you should know about my past."

  "Uh, I know some."

  I later withdrew and settled in Zhongyang Town because of the birth of a tiger head.

  However, I have some old brothers who have always kept in touch. They are now making a living in the mountains of Fuyang, and it's said that they're doing quite well. There are sixty or seventy of them, plus twenty horses. When I left Zhongyang Town, I was thinking of bringing Hu Tou to find them... If necessary, I can take a trip to think of a solution with them. If nothing else works, killing people is easy."

  Is this really happening?

  Wang Meng used to be a general of the Taiping Taoist sect. Then his old brother, isn't he also a remnant of the Taiping Taoist sect, that is, a Yellow Turban bandit?

  What is called "making a living" is just a more euphemistic way of putting it. Cao Peng knew that those people should be bandits who occupy the mountain and gather crowds to commit robbery.

  His eyes rolled quickly and Cao Peng made a swift decision.

  "Uncle, try to get in touch with them, it's not that we need to use them immediately, just in case, make some preparations in advance."

  "Alright, I'll go to Fuyang early tomorrow morning."

  Fuyang, also known as Tongbai County in later times, is about five or six days' journey from Jiyang. If riding a horse, it may be faster.

  "Alright, I'll leave it to Uncle then." Cao Peng thought for a moment and added: "Also, after we leave, let my dad dismantle the bellows and hide them somewhere. These things are our future treasures. If outsiders see them, who knows what kind of trouble might arise."

  "I'm frugal."

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  Just like this, one day's time passed unknowingly in busyness.

  After dark, the family gathered together for a simple meal. Deng Jia, Cao Peng and Wang Mai then set off.

  Deng Jie took off his long gown and changed into a black suit of armor, with a layer of leather armor on the outside.

  The so-called "札甲" is a type of armor made from woven iron plates, similar to a vest that is worn on the body. One set of 札甲 weighs about twenty catties and can provide effective protection. However, for Cao Peng, the weight of the 札甲 was too heavy, so Zhang Shi disassembled the iron plates and turned them into a small piece of cowhide, sewing it onto the outside to create a leather armor. The weight was reduced by more than half, and when Cao Peng put it on, it fit perfectly.

  Wang bought a snake spear and put on a hook sleeve that had been modified to fit his wrist, turning it into a hand shield.

  Wang Meng led the horse out of the stable and stopped it at the gate of the courtyard.

  Cao Peng and three others were in high spirits, and they turned over and mounted their horses outside the gate.

  Deng Jie wore an iron sword, while Cao Peng straddled the horse's head, holding a halberd, sitting upright on the horseback.

  "Dad, mom, I'm leaving."

  "When you arrive at Jiunü City, be careful with everything and don't get into conflicts with others..."

  A loving mother's hands hold the needle, her traveling son wears the clothes.

  Even if Cao Peng were two people, he couldn't help but be moved by this.

  "Don't worry, mom."

  He turned around on horseback and said to Cao Jiu: "Dad, after we go to Jiunü City, don't rush anymore. Anyway, Kuai Zheng didn't set a time limit, you take a rest first, and let's talk about it when we get back. If there's anything, discuss it with Uncle Wang more. Sister is pregnant now, and needs your and mother's care even more... Uncle Wang, everything is entrusted to you!"

  Wang Meng smiled slightly and nodded in response.

  "Brother-in-law, let's set off."

  Deng Ji reached out his hand and gently stroked Cao Nan's cheek, "Ah Nan, be careful, we'll be back soon."

  "Dad, take care!"

  Wang bought a crossbow on horseback, cupped his hands and bowed.

  After bidding farewell to each other, they whipped their horses and left.

  In the night, the sound of horseshoes echoes, gradually fading away...

  "Old Cao, let's go inside."

  The night wind is cold, and Anun is still pregnant, so she needs to be more careful. Younger sister, you go back to the house with Anun first, I just happen to have something to discuss with Old Cao."

  "Alright, let's go back home!"

  Zhang supported Cao Nan and carefully returned to the hall.

  Wang Meng and Cao Qu stood at the gate, spitting out a mouthful of turbid air.

  "Old Cao, help me find a knife and spear."

  "What do you want to do?"

  "Ah Fu wants me to do something, I have to leave tomorrow. At most fifteen days, I will definitely be able to hurry back. Before I return, don't start work again... Take down the bellows and find a place to hide them. I reckon this matter is not so simple, there must be more trouble."

  Cao Qu's face turned solemn.

  "What did Ah Fu say to you?"

  He wasn't quite clear about it either, but felt something was a bit off, so he suggested going with his uncle.

  With Ah Fu around, Uncle Sun won't have any trouble. What's urgent now is that we must take good care of this household, or else when the children come back, something unexpected might happen.

  Two people have known each other for many years, and many things are understood without being said.

  "I understand, here's your combat equipment."

  Cao Qu turned around and walked towards the warehouse, while Wang Meng stood on the doorstep, looking back at the direction where Deng Ji and the other two had disappeared into the night.

  Take care and come back safely, kids...

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