Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 93 Juancheng New Workshop

Most soldiers in the Han Dynasty wore armor with plates that were generally rectangular and connected by ropes. There were gaps between the plates, and the method of weaving them together was relatively simple.

The process is relatively simple, suitable for large-scale production, and can meet the military's demand for large amounts of equipment.

Fish scale armor is made up of small oval plates that overlap each other, and it gets its name from its resemblance to fish scales.

The weaving method is relatively complicated, and the armor plates need to be strung together one by one in a certain order with ropes. The production process is relatively cumbersome and the cost is relatively high. It is usually worn by generals.

The plates of lamellar armor are large. Although they can provide a certain protection area, their flexibility at the joints is relatively poor, and the gaps between the plates are also large, making them easy to be penetrated by weapons.

The scales of fish scale armor are round and small, with many overlapping parts, making it difficult for a knife to penetrate, and its protective performance is better than lamellar armor.

Moreover, the fish scale armor is light and fits closely to the body, facilitating the movement of the limbs and better adapting to various actions in battle. It is very suitable for light troops such as the Flying Dragon Cavalry and the Mandarin Duck Army.

Equipped with double stirrups and wearing fish-scale armor, the combat effectiveness of the Flying Dragon Cavalry will undoubtedly be taken to a new level.

After talking about the equipment upgrade of the Flying Dragon Cavalry, Cao Yan turned to Cao Ang who was looking at him eagerly.

"The Yuanyang Army's wooden shields were replaced with iron shields as tall as a person, and the spear tips were doubled in length.

Thirty percent of the eight thousand men were selected to form a crossbow formation to provide long-range support.

When cooperating with a large force, they would gather together and fight as a whole;
When fighting alone in a small area, they will break up into smaller groups and fight together as a team."

Cao Ang cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, uncle!"

The two armies were arranged, but Cao Yan still looked thoughtful.

No one knew what Cao Yan was thinking about, so they could only wait quietly for him to wake up from his thoughts.

What Cao Yan is thinking about now is how to make gunpowder!
As a time traveler, he naturally knew how exaggerated and outrageous war could be.

Only thermal weapons will dominate future battlefields.

The main raw materials of gunpowder are saltpeter, sulfur and charcoal.

Charcoal is extremely easy to obtain, so let’s not talk about it for now.

As for saltpeter, "Biographies of Fangshu" in the Book of the Later Han Dynasty records that alchemists in the Central Plains had used similar technology to make "xiaoshi" (i.e. saltpeter) for use as medicine.

In the Central Plains where agriculture is developed and the population is dense, nitrates are naturally produced in a humid environment by piling up human and animal feces, wood ash, and rotten organic matter (i.e., "nitrate soil"), and then saltpeter is produced by "watering the soil and refining it."

This is what is called artificial saltpeter.

Sulfur is more difficult to obtain. There is almost none in the Central Plains and it cannot be cultivated artificially.

However, sulfur is produced in the hot spring areas of Nanyang County and Lujiang County, and also in the volcanic areas of Liangzhou and Yizhou.

However, these places are not under Cao Cao's control, and currently they can probably only be obtained through commercial trade, which also highlights another role of the Chamber of Commerce.

Thinking of this, Cao Yan couldn't help but shake his head and sighed softly: "It's still because the territory is not big enough!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Ang thought Cao Yan was planning to expand his territory again, so he quickly advised, "Uncle, we have just taken control of Yanzhou, and our foundation is not yet stable. We still need time to cultivate. Don't rush things!"

"I know." Cao Yan raised his head, waved his hand and said, "Go recruit soldiers first. I'll let the workshop take care of the weapons and armor."

"Yes!" Everyone took the order and left.

……

Cao Yan needs to monitor the entire process of establishing the Chamber of Commerce.

He was constantly concerned about the reclamation of new fields.
The formation of the three secret spies also required his advice.
He also had to make the final decision on the replenishment of troops and the allocation of military supplies...

During this period, Cao Yan was busy like a top, which made Cao Ang and others respect him. They all said that if all officials in the world were like Cao Yan, the return of prosperity would be just around the corner!

Today, Cao Yan is going to inspect the newly built workshop in Juancheng.

The Juancheng Workshop was built in the hilly area of ​​the old Yellow River course northwest of Juancheng, covering an area of ​​more than 200 acres.

The area is located approximately fifteen or sixteen miles northwest of Juancheng, bordered by the Yellow River to the north, the Jishan River to the west, and the remnants of Mount Lishan to the south. This enclosed terrain is surrounded by water on three sides and backed by mountains on one side. The hills are approximately twenty meters high, and the vegetation is primarily pine, cypress, and oak, effectively shading the workshop complex.

The curved section of the old Yellow River course forms a natural moat, about 500 meters wide, which can serve as a safe isolation zone between the gunpowder area and the outside world.

At the same time, watchtowers can be built on the commanding heights of the hills, and combined with the guard posts at the Yellow River ferry to form a defense system.

Building the new workshop at this location will not only make it convenient to obtain water locally, but also facilitate transportation. It is also far away from the crowd, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Outside the workshop, there is only an official road about ten feet long.

There are also two military camps stationed near the official road, namely the Flying Dragon Cavalry and the Mandarin Duck Army!

Cao Yan's protection and confidentiality measures for the workshop can be said to be extremely thorough.

The person in charge of the construction and operation of the workshop now is Wei Zhen from the Wei family of Chenliu.

Upon learning that Cao Yan was coming to inspect the workshop, Wei Zhen took several leading craftsmen and waited on the official road outside the workshop early in the morning.

Seeing Cao Yan and Dian Wei arrive, Wei Zhen hurried forward, bowed and said, "Greetings, Cao Zhonglang."

"Gong Zhen, why are you so formal? Take me in to have a look." Cao Yan said with a smile.

"Mr. Cao, please follow me." Wei Zhen stood up and made a gesture of invitation.

When Cao Yan entered the workshop, the first thing he checked was the production of new paper.

In the workshop, craftsmen on the new paper production line are busy shuttling back and forth, crushing and steaming the soaked hemp, bamboo fiber and other raw materials, and then going through processes such as papermaking and drying, and new sheets of paper are gradually taking shape.

After walking around, Cao Yan said to Wei Zhen beside him, "We need to speed up the production of new paper. Once the Chamber of Commerce is completed, the shipment volume of new paper will definitely be huge!"

"Yes, I will immediately assign more people to work in three shifts to produce new paper without stopping for a moment!"

"Tell everyone, once the new paper starts making money, everyone's salary will be doubled!"

As soon as these words were spoken, a burst of warm cheers broke out in the workshop.

The chief craftsman was also surprised and saluted repeatedly: "Thank you, Cao Zhonglang! Thank you, Cao Zhonglang!!"

After all, for them whose status is only higher than that of businessmen, they do not expect much compensation. They are already satisfied as long as they can support their families.

But since entering Cao Yan's workshop, although his personal freedom has been restricted, the money he earns is far more than before.

Today, their monthly salary is equivalent to three years of hard work in the past, and it will soon be tripled!
Such a good job is something I could never have imagined in my dreams.

The foundation of the Juancheng workshop was brought by Cao Yan from Dongwuyang.

However, the newly expanded manpower, as well as the construction of workshops and houses, relied more on the manpower and material resources borrowed by Wei Zhen from his family.

Wei Zhen's father Wei Zi invested in Cao Cao to build an army, and Wei Zhen invested in Cao Yan to expand the workshop. It can be said that their Wei family helped the Cao family with all their heart and soul.

Such a good brother deserves to be promoted to the third rank in the future...

After looking at the new paper, Cao Yan, led by Wei Zhen, visited the areas under construction for manufacturing glass, perfume, soap, etc.

After the tour, Wei Zhen couldn't help but exclaim in admiration: "It's hard to believe that you, Cao Zhonglang, have so many brilliant ideas... If all these devices can be successfully developed, the lord will no longer have to worry about military funds, and the people will soon be able to live a life of plenty!"

Cao Yan smiled and said, "We are brothers, no need to say such polite words."

Then he asked, "Have you made up your mind? How much do you plan to invest in the Chamber of Commerce?"

"Of course, the more the better!" Although Wei Zhen is young, he seems unusually mature and steady as the head of a young family. "There are still some people in my clan who are familiar with business affairs and have partners. If Cao Zhonglang needs them, feel free to borrow them!"

Cao Yan couldn't help but bow and said, "The Wei family has done their best for our Cao family. We, the Cao family, will never let the Wei family down!"

Wei Zhen bowed deeply and said, "I, Wei Zhen, am absolutely not a two-faced person like Zhang Miao. I will serve Cao Gong and Cao Zhonglang with all my heart and soul until my death!"

(End of this chapter)