Three Kingdoms

The wind howled.

Blowing from the north to the south, it swept across the land of China with its cold breath. Just like Fei Qian's every move, he changed many aspects of China.

The Han Dynasty lasted for three to four hundred years, but in fact, the research on armor in the Han Dynasty did not make much progress, at least compared to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. It was like the models of fruit machines with S and without S in later generations. No details. You can't see any significant changes at all.

Because from the Spring and Autumn Period to the Warring States, and all the way to the Han Dynasty, China was actually technologically ahead of the surrounding nomadic peoples, as well as the surrounding foreign states. Therefore, even though the Han Dynasty fought several rounds with the Xiongnu, Xianbei, Xiqiang, and Baiyue, there was no improvement in armor. The demand is not big.

Technical suppression has been formed, and naturally there is a lack of some driving force. It's like when a monopoly reaches the end, it will refuse to update new technologies and try to fool them by changing their shells.

The person who blew a fresh and biting cold wind into the development of Han Dynasty technology, especially weapons and armor technology, was the "prodigal son" Fei Qian.

The Han Dynasty was the first dynasty to prove complete iron armor. Note that it is a complete iron armor, and it has the real thing. Although later generations also discovered iron helmets from the Warring States Period, or iron pockets, the complete matching iron body armor was not discovered at the same time. Of course, this does not mean that there were no body armors excavated during the Warring States Period, but those were either made of leather or copper. In terms of complete sets of armor, the earliest ones were from the Han Dynasty.

Thanks to the tradition of a large number of burials in the Han Dynasty, there are many armors that have been handed down. Later generations have probably unearthed seven or eight complete pieces, such as Liu Sheng's set...

Is seven or eight pieces considered too much?

Sorry, this number is really a lot. After all, the Chinese dynasties changed, but except for the braided dynasty that left some at the end, there are really not many other dynasties that can find seven or eight finished products.

The original armors of the Han Dynasty were actually very similar. Structurally speaking, these armors included body armor and shoulder armor. The covering part of the body armor included the chest, abdomen and crotch. Some of the body armor was also equipped with a basin collar to protect the neck. The covering part of the shoulder armor is the entire upper arm. The shoulder armor is divided into two types: one is the shoulder type and the other is the half-sleeve type.

Whether it's body armor or shoulder armor, they are all made of forged iron armor pieces connected together. One is a small oval nail plate? The other is a rectangular large nail plate? Whether it is a small nail plate or a large nail plate, they are all connected with ropes to form a nail.

Then here is the final version of the Han Dynasty armor.

At most, in order to distinguish one's identity, the armor will be inlaid with gold or silver, or some patterns will be struck to create a gap between it and diaosi products...

Then, suddenly there was a person who was extremely afraid of death, uh, focused on technology, Fei Qian, who began to make a huge push for the armor of the Han Dynasty from the inside out? So much so that the armor technology made a sudden leap forward, almost approaching that of the Tang Dynasty. generation.

Of course, there is still a certain gap between the large-scale popularization of Mingguang armor in the Tang Dynasty.

Because Fei Qian is so generous with armor, some problems inevitably arise.

Such as fraud.

On the whole, Fei Qian's attitude towards craftsmen is relatively generous. He can even allocate certain resources for tilting. For example, if Ma Jun needs to make a wheel ship, Fei Qian will satisfy the required materials and manpower to the greatest extent possible. , however, such treatment made a small number of people start to have some bad thoughts.

After all, it is difficult to truly innovate, but it seems that it is not so difficult to fake...

Fei Qian never thought that in the Han Dynasty, we would encounter something similar to that of later generations, where "technology is based on changing shells."

At this stage, the most troublesome problem for Fei Qian's large number of equipped Zhajia is the problem of rust prevention.

Yes, it’s not about defense, it’s about rust prevention.

In terms of defensive power, Fei Qian has gone through many studies. In terms of Chinese armor style, due to the mixture of complex terrain and various wars, the Western European model of full-body plate armor looks powerful and has poor defensive power. Powerful, but not suitable for Chinese Legion operations.

When it comes to the top equipment to defend against arrows, it is naturally chain armor. To defend against being stabbed by swords and spears, it is naturally plate armor. As for heavy weapons that contain powerful power, to be honest, in the face of pure power, it is difficult to rely on armor for everything. Defensive.

Zha armor is almost the most perfect armor at the moment. It has a certain degree of defense against bows, arrows, swords and guns. The cost is relatively cheap, and the production process is mature. The most important thing is that it is relatively simple for soldiers to maintain, and they don’t even need to arrange special craftsmen. , the soldiers themselves can handle it.

However, rust removal is still a very tedious task, especially at the turn of spring and summer, during the rainy season, what soldiers often do is to remove the armor pieces, then polish them, paint them, dry them in the shade, put them back, and then rub them off easily in two days. The areas where the paint comes into contact with the outside air begin to rust again...

It is precisely because of this that Fei Qian issued a long-term task to the iron-making craftsmen, which is to study alloys, especially stainless steel series alloys. Of course, Fei Qian also knew that he wanted to make stainless steel or something similar to stainless steel in the Han Dynasty. The material is impossible, but just because it is impossible in the Han Dynasty, it does not mean that we should not study it. At least, the various experiences and formulas left during the research process can provide more metallurgical experience for later dynasties.

Perhaps China in later generations has taken several steps forward and taken the lead in the world because of Fei Qian's advanced alloy research? So in fact, Fei Qian didn't hold much hope that someone could complete this task in the Han Dynasty, but it contained some of the bad taste of time-travelers...

So, when someone among his craftsmen reported that he had discovered and successfully made a metal that would not rust, Fei Qian felt that something was wrong.

"Is this stainless gold?" ” Fei Qian looked at the bright piece of armor that had been connected with leather ropes, then looked at the craftsman in front of him, and asked with a half-smile.

This is very interesting.

The armor has a bright color, and the surface is very smooth and bright. It sparkles under the sun, and indeed there is no trace of rust at all.

The craftsman fell to the ground and replied: "Yes, exactly..."

Fei Qian looked at it carefully for a moment, then smiled and said, "Where did this thing come from?" 』

The craftsman replied: "Little man, little man... melt the silver into the molten iron and get this thing... It looks like silver but is actually like iron. Even if you don't use paint, it won't rust easily..."

As we all know, oxidation of silver is common, and blackening is also common, but its resistance to corrosion is still very strong, so if it is really a silver-iron alloy, it does have a certain degree of corrosion resistance, although the strength is not as good as that of silver. Stainless steel, but also a very good alloy material.

But the problem is...

Fei Qian laughed twice, and then said in a deep voice: "Is it really obtained by melting silver?" Is it not forging but overturning? 』

Beads of sweat gradually formed on the craftsman's head and dripped on the ground. "Small, small...it's really like that..."

Fei Qian hummed, and then gestured to Huang Xu, "Tear out a few pieces of this armor and cut it off!" 』

Huang Xu immediately stepped forward, drew out his knife, and then cut off the leather cords connecting the armor plates. He took out a few shiny pieces of armor, placed them on the stone, and chopped them off with a sharp knife!

Silver itself is soft, so this so-called "silver-iron alloy" can be easily cut.

Fei Qian took the piece of armor that was broken into two pieces, then took a look at it, sneered, and threw it directly in front of the craftsman. "Is this a fusion of silver and iron?" 』

The half piece of armor clinked on the ground, bounced slightly and then lay on the ground. The difference between the outer layer and the inner tube could be clearly seen at the break...

The craftsman collapsed to the ground and could not speak a word.

"Drag him out!" Fei Qian waved his hand and said, "Relevant persons will be dealt with according to the law!" 』

Several soldiers rushed up and dragged the craftsman out like a dead dog.

Liquid silver and iron will not mix with each other at all! Therefore, whether it is so-called pouring silver into molten iron or adding molten iron to molten silver, they will not combine with each other to form an alloy. Silver-iron alloy can only be produced under specific conditions, and the Han Dynasty did not have such conditions at all.

Fei Qian didn't even need to ask about the motive. It was probably the craftsmen who used this name to spend a lot of silver, and then made such a so-called "silver-iron alloy" that would not rust to make up for the so-called "loss", and then his officials I don’t know the secret, and I report it as performance without even checking it in detail...

Fei Qian frowned slightly. This is a problem of mismatched majors. Nowadays, most officials come from classic families and do not know anything about industrial processes. If the grassroots are deliberately deceived and then make a mistake, this can easily happen. The problem is, if Fei Qian didn't have some knowledge of later generations, he wouldn't have believed that this was a real "silver-iron alloy".

so……

Just take the exam.

Business exam.

However, this will have to wait a little longer, at least until the issue of "amnesty" is finalized...

……┐(?～?)┌……

On Cao Cao's side, the soldiers naturally also need to wear armor, so there is also the issue of armor.

After being bullied by Fei Qian several times, Cao Cao also felt that he could no longer endure such inhuman pain, nor could he go to Fei Qian's caravan all day long to obtain armor that was obviously inferior. So the word "autonomy" awakened in Cao Cao's mind.

It’s not that we don’t have blacksmiths, we also have iron mines, so what’s the problem?

Start independent research and development!

When Cao Cao was financially strapped and even had to tighten his belt sometimes, he allocated nearly three million yuan to Xu County Workshop to develop or imitate Qiusi Feiqian's armor series.

From soldiers to generals, from sleeve armor to Mingguang armor, especially the set worn by Fei Qian and those senior generals, it is said that it looks heavy but feels light when worn...

Now, in Xu County's workshop, the official in charge of armor research was covered in sweat, his eyes almost bulging out, gritting his teeth, and the flesh on his face was beating constantly, staring at the other people who were kneeling in front of him. A small boss of the workshop said, "What did you say?" It's... broken again? ah? ! 』

It’s great when you get research funds, and it’s great when you spend research funds, but when it comes to producing research results...

If you want to be happy all the time, you have to get some things out, especially the high-end armors from the Hussars. From the Cao family to the Xiahou family, the school has been thinking about it more or less. Now if it means that the research will not produce any results, then the result is certain It won't be any fun anymore.

The official in charge of armor research even began to feel a chill on the back of his neck, as if a beheading knife was being held behind his head. He couldn't help but reach out and touch the back of his neck, feeling the cold sweat on his hand.

"do you know? If you can't make the armor, you and I will both be punished by death! ” The official grabbed the little leader and pulled him in front of him, “I’m not going to give you a small amount of money. How did you get that yard in the east of Xu County?” ah? Now you tell me that the support is broken again? ! How do you want me to explain it? ! 』

Most of the weight of Han Dynasty armor is on the shoulders. It can be imagined as an iron sack with an exposed head. In other words, almost everyone wearing armor is equivalent to carrying a burden to fight with others. For shoulders The pressure is very high, so in the Han Dynasty, generals were often described as having "extraordinary arm strength", "both arms have the strength of a thousand catties" and so on. After all, this is the requirement. Those with smaller arm strength, let alone brandishing weapons, wear armor. You may not even be able to straighten your back.

However, the armor of Fei Qian's senior generals has a layer of steel support structure added inside the armor. It can be roughly regarded as the reinforced concrete frame of a building. The weight of those armor pieces, brick walls, etc. added later. It can be shared by this structure, and then the burden on the shoulders can be released, and most of the pressure can be transferred to the waist.

Obviously, after such changes, the flexibility of the shoulders is greatly improved. At the same time, due to the lowered center of gravity, although the overall weight is heavier than the original armor without internal structure, after wearing it, it will feel It is more relaxed and calmer on horseback.

This is also an auxiliary reason why many of Fei Qian's cavalry generals are so brave. After all, the pressure point of the armor was originally on the shoulders. A slight shake on the horse's back would cause the balance to change, but now the main stress point is on the waist. The impact on balance caused by the shaking of the upper body is naturally much smaller.

This internal structure is simple to say, but not easy to do.

Just like building a house, many people know that steel and concrete are needed to build the frame, but they are completely confused about how thick the steel bars should be, what grade of cement should be used, and how to build the frame...

Even if you get the finished product, it is not easy to copy it.

It's like the current Xuxian Gongfang.

Of course, before imitation, most people from the high-level Cao family and Xiahou family to the middle-level workshop stewards thought it was nothing. They were just copying the gourd...

Now this scoop is crooked.

It is obviously an imitation of Fei Qian's armor, but soon after wearing it, the inner support will crack and break, just like a certain tiger in later generations who will be lame on the road...

The little boss cried sadly, "How about we try again?" 』

"Again! try! try! ” The manager of the workshop angrily pushed the little boss to the ground, then kicked him, yelled a word and kicked him. After kicking him three or four times, he said breathlessly, “I have promised General Cao, and I will submit it tomorrow.” ! How else to try? ah? Do you want to try it on your own head? 』

The little boss didn't dare to cry out in pain, so he quickly crawled back and knelt down under the workshop manager's legs, crying sadly, "How about... we delay it for a few more days..."

The manager of the workshop was also mentally and physically exhausted. He frowned and shook his head, sighing, "I can't wait any longer. I have to give... At the end of this year, my lord will give rewards to all the generals. This armor... is one of the rewards. It is indispensable!" How to drag? Tell me, how to delay? 』

When the little boss heard this, his whole body became limp and like mud.

The workshop steward's eyes moved from side to side, and finally he gritted his teeth and said, "For the present, the only solution is..." His voice became lower and lower, and then became almost silent.

……(*–-)?o_O||……

Cao Hong laughed.

"good! good! Well done! Well done! Someone come! Get a certain weapon! 』

While smiling, Cao Hong walked into the courtyard wearing armor and moved his shoulders, "It's indeed a lot lighter!" good! good! Who said that a certain Cao family has no one? Didn't they also develop it? ! Hahaha, good! 』

The manager of the workshop lowered his head humbly and smiled along with him.

Cao Hong took the weapon, then waved it in the courtyard, dancing and laughing, obviously very happy. After a while, he stopped his posture, threw the weapon to the guard, walked to the workshop steward, and patted Afraid of the manager's shoulders, "Thanks for being a good horse from the Cao family, thank you for your hard work!" 』

"This is a matter within the lower official's duties..." the workshop steward replied with his head lowered.

"Hmm..." Cao Hong twisted left and right, touched up and looked down, and suddenly said, "Can you add a waist ring hook here?" 』

"Waist ring hook?" Is the general going to hang up his weapon? ” asked the workshop manager.

Cao Hong waved his hand and said, "You can also hang a weapon. When you don't have a weapon, you can also hang other things...for example, a wine gourd or something..."

The workshop manager swallowed.

"how? Can't do it? ” asked Cao Hong.

The workshop steward bent down repeatedly and replied: "No!" Yes, it can be done! Not to mention hanging a wine gourd, even if you have to find a place on the armor, put a sea of ​​tea, and put a teapot on your head!

It must work! Even if it doesn’t work, you have to do it!

Cao Hong was obviously very satisfied. After all, after adding such a hanging ring, this piece of armor seemed to have some of his creativity, as if it also added some more participation to the armor, and it was no longer completely empty. association.

Cao Hong called the guards and prepared to take off the armor and let the workshop manager take it back. After all, this armor was a "trial product" and strictly speaking it did not belong to Cao Hong.

"General, this..." the workshop steward said with a low eyebrow, "If the general likes it, just keep it. There is no need to give it back..."

Cao Hong paused and said, "Isn't this bad?" 』

The manager of the workshop kept saying: "It's just right, just right!" General, you can try out this armor. If there is anything wrong, it can be corrected..."

"oh? That's it..." Cao Hong looked at the workshop manager with a smile, "That's it, I will take on this important responsibility! good! Work hard, and when you are rewarded at the end of the year, the benefits will be yours! 』

The manager of the workshop responded repeatedly and then said he was resigning.

Cao Hong looked at the armor that was hung on the weapon rack again. He looked left and right. It was obvious that his mind was no longer on the workshop manager. He waved his hand casually...

The workshop steward bent down to salute, his head almost touching the ground. He held his buttocks out respectfully and took a few steps back. After reaching the door, he turned around and left. After walking out of Cao Hong's mansion, the smile on the workshop steward's face gradually faded away. subsided, and then lowered his head worriedly again, wiping the sweat on his forehead with his sleeves...