After Zhang Chen finished giving instructions, he left the "Heavenly Crafting Hall", returned to his residence, and immediately summoned Tian Feng, ordering him to issue a recruitment order to enlist embroiderers.
As expected, after Tian Feng heard this, his face sank, and he immediately brought up the argument that women from inner chambers should not show themselves in public.
Zhang Chen came from modern times, so he naturally scoffed at such outdated notions, but he also understood the principle of doing as the locals do. The ancient people's thoughts and concepts were conservative, and the idea of male superiority and female inferiority was deeply rooted and could not be changed in a short time.
Thus, Zhang Chen could only reason with him and appeal to his emotions, but this fellow's old habit of 【being stubborn and insubordinate】 flared up again, and it took a great deal of effort and persuasion before he was finally convinced.
Zhang Chen sometimes really wanted to just remove this trait. But on second thought, the reason Tian Feng was Tian Feng was because he was outspoken and dared to offer remonstrance. If he lost this resolute character, wouldn't he become a blindly obedient person in the future? Zhang Chen still hoped to have such a loyal official by his side.
Fortunately, the outcome of the matter was good. Tian Feng was just like that; if he believed something was right, he would argue fiercely with you, but as long as you could convince him, his work efficiency was quite high.
Early the next morning, the recruitment order for embroiderers was posted all over the streets and alleys of Ye City.
Since the "Forging Hall" and "Luban Hall" people had already moved into the Heavenly Crafting Hall, and these two halls were entirely composed of men, Zhang Chen felt it would be inconvenient to set up the "Weaving Brocade Hall" in the same location. Therefore, he ordered someone to find another residence in the East Market specifically for the Weaving Brocade Hall.
In total, it only took three to five days. The location and personnel were all ready, and Su Wan Niang also wrote a letter inviting her sisters from the "Brocade Embroidery Workshop" to come together and move into the Weaving Brocade Hall.
At the same time, Zhang Chen also taught the "assembly line" production method to the Li father and son, and both of them were extremely surprised after hearing it.
With this, Zhang Chen was absolutely confident that he could equip the Trapped Camp with new gear before the second day of the second month!
He was already starting to look forward to how formidable the Trapped Camp would become after being equipped with the new gear.
...
Nanhua Mountain, Taiping Village.
A magnificent house in the village was precisely Zhang Ning's residence.
At this moment, everyone was discussing matters in the front hall. Zhang Ning sat in the main seat, attended by two maids, while six men stood below.
Among the six, the leader was Zhang Yan.
After Guan Hai's death, his forces had completely collapsed. Now, within the Yellow Heaven Holy Sect, Zhang Yan, this Upper Divine Envoy, was second only to one person and above ten thousand.
Zhang Ning slightly raised her eyes and looked at the six people below.
As her gaze swept to Zhang Yan, their eyes met.
A trace of suspicion flashed in Zhang Yan's eyes. He seemed to feel that today's Zhang Ning was somewhat different from usual. The makeup around her eyes and brows was heavier; she didn't look as pure as before, but rather more enchanting.
Zhang Ning's gaze did not linger on him for long.
After a moment, Zhang Yan was the first to speak. Pointing to the three people on his right, he said to Zhang Ning, "Holy Maiden, these three righteous men are all heroes whom this subordinate has befriended these past few days. They are all willing to serve the Holy Maiden, so this subordinate has brought them today for the Holy Maiden to meet."
After Zhang Yan finished speaking, the three people on his right immediately bowed and said, "Greetings to the Holy Maiden."
"You three may dispense with the formalities," Zhang Ning said indifferently. "A'Yan, since they are heroes you have befriended, you should introduce them."
Zhang Yan acknowledged and then walked to the first person on his right.
That person was seen wearing a Yellow Turban on his head, a green robe, and had a fierce and malevolent appearance.
Zhang Yan said, "Holy Maiden, this is General He Man. General He's nickname is 'Sky-Cutting Yaksha', he is born with Immense Strength, and his iron rod skills are superb, possessing the bravery to face ten thousand men!"
Zhang Ning looked and nodded slightly.
Zhang Yan then walked to the second person.
That person was seen wearing a coarse linen shirt, had a sinister face, a rugged physique, and carried a pair of double blades on his back, giving him somewhat of a vagabond air.
Zhang Yan said, "This is my fellow sect brother, Xiahou Bo. His double blade skills are superb, having reached the peak realm, not weaker than mine. I have known him for a long time, and this time I specifically invited him to join our cause."
Xiahou Bo bowed and saluted, saying, "For the Holy Maiden's great cause, and for brotherhood, Bo is willing to serve like a dog or horse!"
Zhang Ning said nothing and nodded again.
Zhang Yan then pointed to the person behind Xiahou Bo and said, "This is Xiahou Bo's younger brother, Xiahou Lan. He and I are from the same hometown, and he studied under the 'Divine Spear Hermit' Tong Yuan, receiving his true Biography. His spear skills are exquisite and unparalleled, rarely seen in the world."
Xiahou Lan lightly raised his eyes and looked at Zhang Ning, but a trace of hesitation couldn't help but appear in his eyes.
After a moment, Xiahou Lan cupped his hands and said, "Wherever Boss and A'Yan are, I will be there."
Zhang Ning frowned slightly, but also nodded.
Zhang Ning smiled slightly and said, "A'Yan, you bringing back these three righteous men is like adding wings to a tiger for our army; you should be credited with a merit."
"This subordinate's duty; I dare not claim credit."
"A'Yan, how is the preparation for the uprising going?"
Zhang Yan said, "Reporting to the Holy Maiden, this subordinate has already contacted the various bandit strongholds within Ji Province, and we are set to launch the uprising simultaneously at the first hour of the Si hour on the second day of the second month. At that time, beacon fires will rise throughout Ji Province, surely making Zhang Chen exhausted from rushing around, unable to attend to both ends!"
"How is the situation in Yingtao County?"
"Holy Maiden, rest assured, our people have already infiltrated the city." Zhang Yan said, "This subordinate has secretly mobilized ten thousand elite troops, breaking them into smaller groups and disguising them as refugees to infiltrate the various counties of Great Deer. We only need to wait for the moment of the uprising to cause chaos within the city. Within Julu Commandery, only Yingtao County is garrisoned with twenty thousand soldiers, which are the troops newly recruited by Dong Zhao after we attacked Yingtao County last time. Once Zhang Chen learns the news, he will surely dispatch the Yingtao County troops to suppress the rebellion, and we can seize the opportunity to capture Yingtao County!"
"Ji Province has no less than a hundred thousand troops. With only these forces, I fear we cannot withstand Zhang Chen's counterattack."
"Holy Maiden, do not worry. This subordinate has long since hidden a large force in Nanhua Mountain. In this Nanhua Mountain, we have a hundred thousand strong army!"
"A hundred thousand?" Zhang Ning couldn't help but show a trace of astonishment.
"Since this subordinate found Taiping Village, I began secretly moving troops, and by now, over a hundred thousand have been moved. In addition, there are fifty thousand troops hidden in Eastern Commandery, which can also serve as reinforcements if the situation changes."
"Good! A'Yan, your ability is indeed outstanding; my trust in you was not misplaced." Zhang Ning said, "You all see it, right? A'Yan's ability far surpasses Guan Hai's; he is the future hope of my Yellow Turbans, and the one whom I truly rely on!"
Zhang Yan immediately bowed and said, "Holy Maiden, you overpraise me; this subordinate is ashamed and dares not accept it. For my Yellow Heaven Great Cause, this subordinate will certainly do my utmost and will not hesitate even unto death!"
"Good, Zhang Yan, heed my order! I hereby appoint you as General for Pacifying Ji, and order you to lead the army to capture Yingtao County on the second day of the second month!"
"Understood!"
"Yingtao County concerns the 'Yellow Heaven Treasure Trove', the matter is of great importance and cannot afford any failure. I will also assign the Yellow Turban Warriors to you. This time, only success is permitted, not failure!"
"This subordinate will certainly not fail the Holy Maiden's expectations!"
"Good!" Zhang Ning stood up and said, "Pei Yuanshao, Zhou Cang, He Man, Xiahou Bo, Xiahou Lan, for this uprising, you are all under Zhang Yan's command. You must work together with one heart to restore the Yellow Heaven Great Cause!"
"This subordinate obeys the order!"
The crowd bowed in unison.