Rise From the Humble

After Zhu Ping'an got the approval document for recruiting soldiers from Zhang Jing, he returned to the Yamen of the Sentencing Envoy Office and said goodbye to Zhang Zhengtai and others. Then he rushed to Taohuaji School without stopping, and along the way, he sent Baozi's maid Hua'er and the demon girl Ruonan to Taohua. Market town residence.

Hua'er and Yaonv Ruonan wanted to follow them to recruit soldiers, but Zhu Pingan refused without hesitation.

"Uncle, the lady asked me to take care of your daily life."

Baozi's little maid Hua'er was pitiful and aggrieved, but her offensive failed to change Zhu Pingan's mind.

"Huh, you didn't take us with you because you were afraid that we would disturb someone's pursuit of flowers and willows, eating and drinking the wealth of the people.

The witch Ruonan's offensive and sarcastic attacks also failed to change Zhu Pingan's mind.

This is recruiting soldiers, not an outing. Why are you following? Zhu Pingan firmly rejected them.

Zhu Ping'an had not returned to the military camp for several days. He had to go back to the Zhejiang Army Barracks to arrange work before going to Yiwu to recruit troops.

First of all, the first thing is to wear cotton armor. We are about to enter the period of war to suppress Japanese invaders. Cotton armor is an important part of Zhu Ping'an's plan. Qi Jiguang once said that good armor can save lives and defeat the enemy. The reason why the Eight Banners soldiers of the Qing Dynasty were invincible in fighting all over East Asia was not only the high combat power of the Eight Banners' children, but also the Manchu cotton armor of the Qing Dynasty.

Zhu Pingan called Liu Dadao and others, and briefly explained the situation of going to Yingtian to receive the order. When they learned that Zhu Pingan had been promoted to deputy envoy of Jiangsu and Zhejiang Province, everyone was very excited and asked Zhu Pingan repeatedly. congratulate. A rising tide lifts all boats, Zhu Ping'an has risen high, and there are many advantages to their invisibility.

Zhu Ping'an smiled and waved his hand, and then asked Liu Dadao about the cotton acquisition situation.

"Sir, I bought all the one hundred taels of silver you gave me into cotton. Now for the winter, the price of cotton has gone up a bit. It's 50 cents per catty of cotton. I bought a total of two thousand catties of cotton." Liu Daohui reported.

"Big Sword, you did a good job." Zhu Pingan nodded with satisfaction and praised.

The unit price of cotton is more expensive than expected. Of course, Zhu Pingan also made an empiricist error.

Zhu Ping'an subconsciously compared prices with modern cotton. Modern cotton has a high yield, a large planting area, and a high degree of mechanization, so the price is cheaper. The price of modern cotton is about five or six yuan per pound.

Forgot that it is Ming Dynasty now.

The cotton planting area, cotton output, etc. in the Ming Dynasty cannot be compared with modern times at all, and it is reasonable for the price to be high.

Speaking of which, I have to thank Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang was the first person to popularize cotton in my country. Cotton was probably first introduced in China during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. Before the Ming Dynasty, cotton was mostly used as an ornamental plant - a flower. In the early Ming Dynasty, the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang had a keen eye for cotton and discovered the huge economic value of cotton as an ornamental plant. He ordered it to be forcibly Promoted nationwide, cotton was planted on a large scale across the country. Of course, due to historical limitations, it cannot be compared with modern times.

In short, the output of cotton during this period was not low (although it cannot be compared with modern times), and the price was not expensive. Ordinary people could afford it, and most families could have a cotton coat to keep out the cold in the winter.

"Take these seven hundred taels of silver and continue to buy cotton. If there is not enough nearby, you can go to a farther village to buy cotton."

Zhu Pingan took out another seven hundred taels of silver from his arms, handed it to Liu Dadao, and ordered him to continue purchasing cotton.

"I still want to buy cotton." Liu Dadao was stunned for a moment.

"That's right, keep buying, the more the merrier." Zhu Ping'an patted Liu Dadao's shoulder, said with a smile, and then told him, "Dadao, while purchasing cotton, ask people to go to the town to find craftsmen who can play cotton. Bounce all the cotton."

"Young master, I will complete the mission as ordered." Liu Dadao promised, patting his chest.

Zhu Ping'an asked Liu Mu about the situation of blacksmiths and iron sheet production. Liu Mu replied that he had invited ten blacksmiths from nearby villages and towns and had begun to smelt broken armor to make armor-piercing iron sheets. He also took some of the produced iron. Show the film to Zhu Pingan.

Zhu Ping'an looked at the iron pieces in his hand and nodded with satisfaction. These iron pieces were all made according to his instructions. The iron pieces were about seven centimeters, with holes reserved for fixing them with copper nails later.

"Okay, that's it, make as many as you can. Oh, by the way, let them make a batch of molds first, namely the body armor mold, the front gear mold, the arm sleeve mold, the shoulder mold, the left gear mold, etc. These molds I have made sketches, and the specific dimensions are also marked on them. Please note that these sketches are top secret and must not be disclosed. When the blacksmiths make molds, they must also pay attention. Each blacksmith can only make one kind of mold. At the same time, let them Sign a confidentiality agreement. All molds are military secrets and must not be disclosed. Violators will be severely punished for leaking military secrets. Let’s make fifty of each mold for the time being."

Zhu Pingan took out the sketch from his arms, handed it to Liu Mu, and explained to him.

"Don't worry, sir." Liu Mu took the sketch, put it in his arms as if it were a treasure, and nodded vigorously.

"After the mold is made, people will absorb enough water from the elastic cotton and put it inside the mold. Repeatedly beat it into thin cotton pieces, take them out to dry, and after drying, soak the multiple pieces of cotton again. Put it into the mold, beat it into thin sheets repeatedly, dry it again, beat it again, repeat this four times, take it out and dry it, and it will be a shaped cotton sheet. You can make as many pieces as you can." Zhu Ping'an then explained to Liu Mu.

Repeated beating and drying can make the cotton fiber tissue dense and thick, thereby resisting the attack of hot and cold weapons, and can also be waterproof.

Zhu Ping'an estimated the time it would take to dry and beat repeatedly, and estimated that when he returned from recruiting soldiers, the cotton pieces would be almost ready to take shape.

So, Zhu Ping'an said to Liu Mu and Liu Dadao, "You do these for now, and I will do the rest after I come back."

"Waiting for the young master to come back? Young Master, are you going out on business?" Liu Dadao's eyes lit up and he asked hurriedly.

"Yes, I am going to Yiwu to recruit troops." Zhu Ping'an nodded and simply explained to them, "Governor Zhang Jing gave us the approval for 1,200 troops from the Zhejiang Army, allowing us to recruit troops on our own."

"Recruiting soldiers? Young master, I will go with you. The Japanese pirates have been incessant recently. I will accompany you to protect you. I will ensure that not a hair of your head is missing." Liu Dadao volunteered.

"You still have to purchase cotton." Zhu Pingan shook his head slightly, "Cotton is the focus of making cotton armor, and the task is important."

"Sir, I took our battalion to purchase cotton a few days ago, and they were all competent. Hey, just take me there."

Liu Dadao said with a flattering smile.

"Young master, just bring a big sword with you. He has strong limbs and a simple mind, and he can't even do calculations. The cotton purchase in the past few days was mainly done by people from their camp. Compared with purchasing cotton, he is more suitable to accompany the young master. "

Liu Mu also helped to speak.

Zhu Ping'an went to Yiwu to recruit troops. Without Liu Dadao and others accompanying him, Liu Mu was not at ease.

"Okay then." Zhu Pingan nodded and said to Liu Dadao, "Go back and explain to the people in your camp."

"Don't worry, young master." Liu Dadao smiled and nodded repeatedly.

Zhu Ping'an gave instructions to the commanders of each battalion and ordered them to practice rigorously. After he came back, he would take a test. Which battalion had a crotch problem, he would ask their battalion commander.