Chapter Twenty Preparations

  What can be loaded with a weight of 200 kilograms?

  Still with a gun!

  This is the fastest way to equip large-scale troops with fine weapons.

  During the Three Kingdoms period, vegetation was lush and resources were abundant everywhere. As long as there were enough refined gun heads, mass-producing elite long-gun soldiers was the most cost-effective and fastest way to arm them.

  However, the gun heads brought by Li Zhe now are different from those in the early days of distress. Each one is made of fine steel, with a blade length of over 30 cm and a longer scabbard. When placed on a wooden handle, it's similar to a long knife, weighing about 1 jin 2 liang (approximately 0.6 kg). If taken back to the Three Kingdoms era, it would be considered a fairly exquisite weapon.

  It's just Zhao Yun, who is also eager for such a gun head. His legendary bright silver dragon gallbladder gun may not even have better steel quality than this gun head. How to say that after more than 1,800 years of evolution, the shape and quality of the big gun are also becoming more refined, always better than in the past. Now Li Zhe's 800-strong guard team has already used such a gun head, and under Zhao Yun's training, they have become somewhat elite.

  Su Wu, that fool, exceeded Li Zhe's expectations and turned out to be a born martial general. Under Zhao Yun's guidance, not only did his personal martial arts skills increase rapidly, but his ability to lead troops also showed significant improvement. Slowly but surely, he was able to lead the guard team in a decent manner, even making Li Zhe look on with envy.

  Actually, Li Zhe also wanted to try the feeling of leading troops in a charge, but there was no time and energy for that. The various flags, passwords and whatnot were dizzying, so he could only play his role as the steady commander sitting in the central tent.

  All sorts of things are going smoothly, and Li Zhe is steadily coming and going, not only bringing back a large number of gun heads from the three countries, but also solving the housing problem for the surplus refugees, bringing back a large number of wild survival tents, inflatable cushions, sleeping bags and other things. Needless to say, these items are also exquisitely crafted, military-grade goods. This left the refugees in awe and gratitude once again. Li Zhe's personal charm has taken another big leap forward.

  Nothing big happened in between, and before I knew it, another half month had passed.

  On this day, Li Zhe was in the Three Kingdoms era, and was joking with a young maid named Su Cui. Suddenly someone passed on an order saying that Mei Zhu had come to visit again. As soon as Li Zhe heard it, he knew that something serious had arrived. He hastily went out to greet him.

  "Li Gongzi! Are you well?" Zou Shizi, with an elegant and refined demeanor, walked up with his large sleeves fluttering. He stood there, and just by his appearance, he had already gained a lot of advantage. In this era, it was popular to have a good appearance and demeanor, people would dress themselves up nicely, and in all aspects, they would gain extra points. This trend continued for hundreds of years later, even in the Jin Dynasty, there was a system that determined a person's social class based on their appearance. No wonder the Jin Dynasty was so short-lived. If people put all their energy into dressing up, how could they have any energy left to do real work?

  Li Zhe bowed back with a wry smile.

  "My master, having heard your suggestion, exclaimed in great admiration! The Emperor's edict is indeed a wise and just decree, which should be made known to the whole world, to rectify the views of all people! You, sir, are willing to assist my master in this grand undertaking, and Lord Guan is deeply grateful!"

  Last time Li Zhe and Mi Zizhong discussed, they suggested that Liu Dae also learn from the year when the heroes of the group discussed Dong, gathered the heroes of Runan County, publicly demonstrated the edict to reverse the rebellion, made a blood oath to go north, and would definitely receive the support of the heroes of the world, greatly increasing Liu Dae's prestige value. This time Mi Zizhong came back, it was just to inform Li Zhe about this matter.

  "It's all very well, very well indeed! But when is Lord Guan planning to take action?" asked Li Zhe.

  "Of course, the faster the better. The northern army of 100,000 men is currently facing off against Cao Cao at Guandu, and the interior of the traitor's territory is empty. We must not miss this great opportunity." Zouzi Zhong looked anxious.

  He was anxious, of course. The incident with Liu Dai'er has already been delayed for too long. Regardless of who wins or loses the Battle of Guandu, neither outcome will benefit him. He can only take advantage of the situation while both sides are still undecided and attack Xudu, in order to reap the benefits as a fisherman. If not, then all his efforts over these past few days would have been for nothing.

  Of course, they still don't know that the northern battlefield is at its most critical moment. Yuan Shao, who was overly ambitious but lacked ability, hesitated several times and missed the best opportunity to eliminate Cao Cao. And Cao Cao, indeed a hero of the ages, in October, at the most critical moment of the food crisis, resolutely staked everything on one throw, launched a surprise attack on Wuchao, causing Yuan Shao's army of over 100,000 to lose their grain supplies and collapse completely, now nothing but ashes. Even several of his top generals were taken advantage of by Cao Cao, leaving only a few hundred cavalry to hastily retreat back to Ye City. The Battle of Guandu, which shocked the ages, has now entered its final stage.

  Li Zhe was also anxious, his long-prepared plan could finally be implemented.

  "In that case, I will make preparations as soon as possible. Tomorrow, I will personally go to Ancheng to meet Lord Xuan De and discuss the great undertaking together."

  A loud and busy succession of responses.

  Having said that, Li Zhe made a sound of apology and left the main hall. After giving some instructions to his subordinates, he hastily returned to his study and traveled back to the 21st century.

  Pick up the phone and call in a group of cultural relic forgery experts summoned by Li Dong according to Li Zhe's requirements, and start arranging urgently.

  "Listen up, everyone! I won't say much about the rules, you're all seniors and must be more familiar with this than me. In short, one word: strict! Not only hands but also mouths and ears must be sealed off. Whatever happens here, once we leave, it's as if nothing happened. Otherwise, if word gets out, don't blame me for being ruthless later."

  Everyone nodded in unison, apparently all old hands.

  Li Zhe continued: "This time, there is only one task for everyone to complete, which is the imperial edict of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Everyone is an expert and should understand what I mean. Please prepare the necessary materials as soon as possible. Tomorrow, I will bring the items over, and you all have only a few minutes to examine them. Then, within five hours, please produce the counterfeit goods for me. As long as I am satisfied, everyone's second half of life will be worry-free."

  As soon as Li Zhe's voice fell, the crowd began to make frequent eye contact, with excitement and enthusiasm that couldn't be concealed in their eyes. The imperial edict of the Eastern Han Dynasty! That is a rare treasure among ancient artifacts, strictly prohibited from being bought and sold by the state! Looking at how cautious the employer is about this matter, this imperial edict is likely to be one that is closely related to historical events, enough to stir up a storm in the antique world. Such a good thing, being able to do something like this in this lifetime, it's not a waste of entering this line of work.

  These people, after all, are also some skilled craftsmen who eat by their skills. Each of them has a unique skill that belongs to themselves and is obsessed with their profession in a inexplicable way.

  A man in his fifties or sixties who looked like one of the more respected people among them spoke up:

  "Don't worry, boss. We've been doing this for a lifetime and have experienced many things like this before. If we can accept such a high price, then there must be a reason for it. Our craftsmanship will definitely not disappoint you."

  Li Zhe nodded in satisfaction, looking at these people, each with a calm expression, not surprised or upset. It seems that all of them have something up their sleeves. It appears that among the 360 professions under heaven, every profession can produce a top scholar!