Two sharp long sabers, a pointed long spear, and two pieces of bright white armor.
Yue Qingtian picked up his own long saber from the side and compared it, finding it to be of similar specifications to these two sabers.
The armor was massive, yet countless silken threads passed through and connected all the plates, allowing it to be adjusted for size according to the wearer's physique.
Beside the weapons, a cartload of golden wood was also placed.
Liang Xiao’s gaze shifted to the pile of wood, and he understood in his heart.
This must be some special material he was unfamiliar with.
“These few weapons have been passed down through our families for six hundred years, and now they are needed to serve the country,” Pu Yuan said with pride.
“After six hundred years, there is no rust at all. It’s incredible…” Zuo Wuji and others below the stage stared intently.
“But I have an impertinent request!” Pu Yuan said with a smile, “My family and the other family heads have also read ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ and deeply admire the name of the ever-victorious General Zhao Zilong. I heard that our Great Gan also has an ever-victorious general named Nie Yuan who uses a spear? Could you first bestow this family heirloom spear upon this general? I hope to see Zilong reborn in my lifetime!”
Liang Xiao readily agreed.
This way, three weapon materials were saved, and Zuo Wuji could also take a spear.
Because the master craftsman families of Xichuan contributed weapons, Liang Xiao ultimately decided to change the originally planned two sabers into spears, a simple and direct approach.
Even if there were no other fierce generals in the army who could afford to use them, his sons might learn spear techniques from him in the future.
Zhuo Xun’s son, Zuo Longcheng, Jian Qinwan’s children, Liang Hongxue and Jian Canglang, Yue Lian’s sons, Qiu Hanhai and Liang Cangsheng, Zuo Jing’s sons, Zuo Hucheng and Liang Tiancheng, all possessed a much greater grip strength than children of their age, possibly inheriting their parents’ “innate divine strength.”
“An Guohou may not know, but to smelt Silver Dragon Gold and White Dragon Gold, a type of wood called ‘Molten God Incense’ is needed. We have brought the last portions of Molten God Incense from Xichuan. As the saying goes, one thing conquers another. After burning, this wood’s temperature can be compared to the ‘charcoal’ promoted by An Guohou, and the volatile substances produced during its combustion can perfectly dissolve Silver Dragon Gold and White Dragon Gold, enough to forge ten Silver Dragon Gold or White Dragon Gold weapons…”
After Pu Yuan’s detailed explanation, Liang Xiao finally understood the origin of Silver Dragon Gold and White Dragon Gold weapons.
Molten God Incense was a rare wood, akin to the Scarlet Gold Divine Wood used to forge the Setting Sun Bow. It matured in a century and burned at extremely high temperatures. However, its most crucial function was to melt these two special materials. Because Silver Dragon Gold and White Dragon Gold were scarce, blacksmiths in this land used Molten God Incense to forge ordinary fine iron weapons, which was a waste of a heavenly treasure.
Pu Yuan accepted Liang Xiao’s appointment and would serve as the “Deputy Director” of the Yanzhou Steel Factory, assisting him as the nominal director.
The two sets of armor were presented by Liang Xiao to Nan Jiyun of Yizhou and Lu Changhe of Liaodong, respectively. The sabers were given to Shi Liuyun and Zhuo Ying, while the spear would be personally delivered by Liang Xiao to the Great Desert, to Nie Yuan.
Deep in the Great Desert, north of Yinshan, after intensive mobilization, all lightweight treasures and ancient calligraphy and paintings were sent to Yanzhou. The first batch of gold was finally ready to be transported, amounting to a full million catties.
It was already the turn of summer and autumn. North of Yinshan, the days were scorching hot, and the nights were cold, a condition that ordinary people could not endure.
Fortunately, the soldiers and laborers of Great Gan were equipped with ample clothing, medicine, food, livestock, and a large quantity of saltpeter for emergency ice-making to combat the heat.
Just as the Shadow Guard personally supervised the departure of the first gold transport convoy, a cavalry force finally appeared on the eastern grasslands.
“Commander! It’s Xianbei cavalry!”
Ding Wuyi received the news and immediately dispatched Great Gan’s iron cavalry to drive them away, while also arranging for cavalry escorts along the route.
The army gathered in Great Gan had already exceeded two hundred and fifty thousand, with seven thousand cavalry alone, along with numerous longbowmen and Divine Arm Crossbow units, and twenty thousand Great Gan Guards. Their formation was no less elite than that of the Helan Mountain battle of that year.
However, due to the excessive length of the gold transportation route, if Great Gan wished to avoid concentrated Xianbei surprise attacks on its rear, it would require a hundred thousand troops to engage the main Xianbei force and one hundred and fifty thousand troops for perimeter security.
On the eastern grasslands, the Xianbei King’s face was ashen, followed by Valentine, the envoy from the Tianri tribe.
“After the news of the gold was released, these Great Gan people did not fall into internal strife? Unbelievable!” The Xianbei King was full of unwillingness.
Human nature was greedy. He had originally thought he could disrupt the Great Gan gold transport convoy, but unexpectedly, when they arrived at the Great Desert, they were met with an orderly convoy throughout the journey and vigilant cavalry escorts along the route.
The Xianbei had acquired a considerable amount of military equipment from the Tianri tribe, but they were still inferior to the Great Gan cavalry.
Furthermore, Duo She had only just rendezvoused with the main force, and his soldiers were exhausted.
“We must launch a general assault!” Valentine suggested.
“Your Majesty, the enemy is numerous, and our intelligence is insufficient. A rash attack might lead us into their encirclement,” Duo She reminded him.
The Xianbei King immediately ordered, “Dispatch scouts immediately to ascertain where their gold is being transported and concentrate our attack!”
“Report! The enemy has reached twenty li ahead of our army and may launch a general assault at any moment, numbering approximately one hundred thousand!”
“One hundred thousand? The twenty thousand Xianbei you dispatched are enough to counter them!” Valentine urged.
“Barbarians lost to Great Gan because of insufficient intelligence. We must not repeat their mistake.” The Xianbei King ignored Valentine’s instigation and steadfastly dispatched scouts.
“Report! A spy has sent word that enemy reinforcements have departed from Yanzhou and have already reached south of Yinshan, claiming to be personally led by Great Gan’s An Guohou!”
Another message arrived by flying horse, startling the Xianbei King so much that he nearly fell off his horse.
“He is the驸马 of a nation, holding the highest position, possessing fame, wealth, and status. Why would he still venture into the Great Desert to risk his life? Isn’t he afraid of dying of illness in the desert?”
The Xianbei King’s face was filled with resentment, and he gritted his teeth.
He truly did not wish to encounter Liang Xiao, and much preferred Liang Xiao to go to the western borders and pressure the Kushan Empire.
If Liang Xiao truly came to the Great Desert, it would mean that even if the Xianbei could achieve their objectives, they would inevitably pay a heavy price, and there would be no possibility of bringing back the gold!
Even if Great Gan collapsed due to the battle in the Great Desert, it would be their allies who would reap the final rewards!
General Duo She reminded him, “Your Majesty, when I was in the capital, I received an urgent report from Yanzhou. Liang Xiao has been in the capital all along and could not possibly be in the Great Desert at this time!”
“Really?” The Xianbei King’s eyes lit up.
“Absolutely true, there is no mistake!” Duo She nodded repeatedly, and even produced a secret letter, “This is a spy arranged by Your Majesty personally…”
“Undoubtedly, Liang Xiao is employing his usual tactics again. He must be heading towards the western borders to attack our Kushan Empire!” Valentine said with a cold laugh.
The Xianbei King remained uneasy and ordered the scouts, “Scout again! If Liang Xiao is in the Great Desert, our army will maintain a stalemate and contain them. There is no need to fight them!”
North of Yinshan, the reinforcements brought by Mu Hong also met up with Ding Wuyi.
“An Guohou is not with the army?” Ding Wuyi was somewhat disappointed.
Commanding such a large army with just him and Nie Yuan would be quite challenging.
After Mu Hong whispered into his ear, Ding Wuyi smiled and nodded.
“Your Majesty! Liang Xiao is indeed not in the Great Desert; he is in Yanzhou!”