After Zhang Chen finished speaking, he looked at Qu Yi and said, "The Yuan Crossbow has been completed. This time, I have brought a full five thousand of them. They will be distributed to the soldiers of the First to Ascend Camp and the Crossbowmen Camp later."
"Understood!"
Qu Yi was overjoyed and said, "That's great! With this divine crossbow, the combat power of the crossbowmen will increase by more than tenfold!"
Zhang Chen smiled, then turned to Zhao Yun, who was standing nearby, and said, "Zilong, bring the items in."
Zhao Yun understood, nodded, and immediately walked out of the tent. A moment later, he brought in a Modao and a set of Willow Leaf Armor.
"Gao Shun!"
"Zhang He!"
"Try on this set of saber and armor."
Gao Shun walked forward in confusion, picked up the armor, and was surprised by how heavy it felt in his hands.
"This... this armor?"
"This is the 'Willow Leaf Armor', also called 'Footman's Armor'. It is woven together from a thousand meticulously forged armor plates made of refined steel. The plates overlap perfectly without any gaps. It cannot be pierced by spears or cut by sabers; its defense is excellent!"
As he spoke, Gao Shun had already put on the Willow Leaf Armor.
He was completely encased in the armor from head to toe, leaving hardly any weak points.
The lower edge of the helmet extended down to his neck and could be fastened in the front. Even if the enemy tried to slash at his neck, they would be unable to.
Qu Yi, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but praise it repeatedly, saying he had never seen such exquisite armor.
Wearing the Willow Leaf Armor, Gao Shun then picked up the Modao.
This saber was also quite heavy, with a very long handle, a wide and thick blade, and was double-edged.
Gao Shun swung it a few times and found it very handy; wielding it created a strong wind.
Zhang Chen added, "This saber is called the 'Modao'. Its blade is three chi long, double-edged, and its strike is heavy. When engaging the enemy, one swing can cut both man and horse in two!"
Gao Shun was an expert and naturally saw its advantages and disadvantages at a glance. He immediately said, "The blade is sharp, and the strike is heavy. It is indeed a good saber!"
Qu Yi also took the saber, weighed it, and couldn't help but frown, saying, "This saber weighs no less than twenty jin. Ordinary soldiers would likely find it difficult to use."
"Haha, Brother Qu," Gao Shun laughed, "Ordinary soldiers certainly cannot use it, but the 'Trapped Camp' under my command are not ordinary soldiers."
Upon hearing this, Qu Yi was suddenly startled and said, "What! This... this is for the 'Trapped Camp'?"
"What, you are allowed to have divine weapons like the Yuan Crossbow, but I cannot have a better set of saber and armor?"
"If the Halberdiers are equipped with this set of saber and armor, they can truly be called invincible!"
"Hahaha!" Zhang Chen laughed, "Treasures for the brave warriors! This time, I have brought three thousand sets of saber and armor. I will have the soldiers put them all on later. This time, let those bandits see just how formidable our Ji Province warriors are!"
"Your subordinate thanks Lord!"
That night, nothing happened.
Early the next morning, at Wuji County in Zhongshan, the gates of the Zhen Residence were bustling like a marketplace.
Today was the day Miss Zhen Jiang of the Zhen Residence was to be married.
Everyone in Ji Province knew that Miss Zhen's ideal husband was none other than the newly appointed Governor of Ji Province, Zhang Chen.
The Zhen were a prominent aristocratic family. Several of their ancestors had served as Two-Thousand-Bushel officials, giving them deep roots in the imperial court and extremely high influence in the Hebei region.
Although Zhen Yi's highest office was only the Magistrate of Shangcai, all officials in Ji Province, big or small, gave him face.
The Zhen marrying off their daughter was a matter of utmost importance in Ji Province. Moreover, the person Zhen Jiang was marrying was the Prefect Lord!
Early in the morning, the Prefect of Zhongshan Commandery, Zhang Chun, led dozens of officials, both high and low, each with congratulatory gifts, to the Zhen Residence to offer their felicitations.
By the Chen hour, a servant came to report that the Prefect of Wei Commandery, Dong Zhao, had arrived to offer his congratulations.
Speaking of which, Dong Zhao was also considered the matchmaker for this marriage. Zhen Yi naturally did not dare to be negligent and quickly went out to welcome him personally, together with Zhen Yan.
As soon as the two met, Zhen Yi was about to invite him to the front hall for tea, but Dong Zhao grabbed him and whispered, "Brother Zhen, could we step aside and talk?"
Zhen Yi was surprised, but seeing Dong Zhao's slightly furrowed brow, he figured there was something he wanted to say, so he said, "Dong Zhao, please come to the study for a chat."
The three came to the study. After dismissing the attendants, Zhen Yi quickly asked, "Dong Zhao, do you have any instructions?"
Dong Zhao came to Zhen Yi's side and said to the two of them, "There's been a change of plans. Lord cannot come today!"
"What did you say! Bastard!" Upon hearing this, Zhen Yi was instantly furious and shouted, "What does he take my daughter for? What does he take my Zhen for? Can he just make a fool of us like this?"
"Lord Dong, what exactly happened?" Zhen Yan also asked with a deep frown.
"Brother Zhen, you've misunderstood. Things are not as you think."
"Dong Zhao, don't try to excuse him!" Zhen Yi shouted, "For the sake of you being the matchmaker for Jiang'er, I won't make things difficult for you today. You tell that man surnamed Zhang that since he has broken off the engagement and played tricks on the Zhen, he shouldn't blame the Zhen for not giving him face. I will definitely let him see what the foundation of an aristocratic family is!"
"Oh, Brother Zhen! When will you ever change this temper of yours! When did Lord ever say he was breaking off the engagement?"
Zhen Yan was also somewhat displeased, "If he's not breaking off the engagement, then why isn't he here today?"
Dong Zhao looked helpless and said, "Lord received news that the Black Mountain Bandits plan to rebel and cause chaos today, during his grand wedding with Miss Zhen. Lord went to Yingtao County yesterday to take charge of the situation, which is why he cannot come today."
Upon hearing this, the anger on Zhen Yi's face eased slightly, but he still said with some suspicion, "Black Mountain Bandits causing chaos? How am I to know if that's true or false? Perhaps, it's just his excuse!"
Dong Zhao said anxiously, "Brother Zhen, how much importance Lord places on this marriage! Have you seen the betrothal gifts presented a few days ago? Among them is a pair of Dragon and Phoenix Suet Jade Pendants, personally bestowed by the Empress. This marriage has already been reported to the Emperor. How could Lord possibly joke about it? That would be the crime of deceiving the Emperor!"
Upon hearing Dong Zhao say this, Zhen Yi couldn't help but believe him a little and immediately asked, "Then... how will today's matter be properly resolved?"
As the two were talking, they did not notice a figure quickly flash past the window outside.
Inside the boudoir, Zhen Jiang was wearing a magnificent wedding dress, seated gracefully before a carved dressing table.
Her makeup today was very beautiful.
Her beautiful reflection in the mirror showed eyes full of affection, skin whiter than snow, and a pair of radiant autumn eyes that shone with a captivating luster.
Behind her stood a young girl in the prime of her youth, beautiful and dignified, gentle and quiet. In her hand, she held a sandalwood comb, gently combing through Zhen Jiang's hair.
"Elder Sister, you are as beautiful as a person in a painting today. Your husband will surely be delighted when he sees you!"
"You are just sweet-mouthed," Zhen Jiang said with a charming laugh, a blush appearing on her face.
"Tuo'er, after I leave, you will be the eldest sister in the family. You must take good care of your other sisters and must not be naughty anymore, understand?"
It turned out that this girl was none other than the second daughter of the Zhen, Zhen Tuo, who had just turned fourteen.
All five daughters of the Zhen were peerless beauties. However, at present, only the eldest daughter Zhen Jiang and the second daughter Zhen Tuo had grown up, blossoming into graceful young women. The other three daughters were still young children, especially the youngest, Zhen Mi, who was only two years old this year.
"Alright, alright, your younger sister obeys your command," Zhen Tuo said, picking up a jade and gold silk hairpin from the dressing table and gently inserting it into Zhen Jiang's hair bun.
Just then, the tightly shut door was suddenly slammed open with a bang, and Jinxiu came running in in a panic.
"Miss... Miss, something terrible has happened! Young Master... he broke off the engagement!"
These words were like a bolt from the blue, exploding in Zhen Jiang's ears.
Upon hearing this, Zhen Tuo's hands instantly froze in mid-air, and the sandalwood comb in her hand fell to the ground with a clatter.
Zhen Jiang was startled and asked in astonishment, "Jinxiu, you... what nonsense are you talking?"
"Miss, your servant is not talking nonsense. Just now, your servant passed by Master's study and heard Master talking to someone, saying that Young Master... is not coming today..."
"That's impossible! Zhang Gongzi is not that kind of person!" Zhen Jiang stood up and said with a solemn expression, "I don't believe it. I'm going to find Father and ask for clarification!"