Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 451 Unparalleled in both the north and south of the Great Wall, Unmatched at the ends of the earth

When news of Liu Bei's defeat at Yiling and his death in Baidi City spread, rebellions broke out in various parts of Yizhou.

It took Zhuge Liang several years to quell these rebellions one by one.

Wei Yan guarded Hanzhong for many years, and the Hanzhong army was under his command.

If they harbor disloyal intentions, it will surely bring a devastating blow to the Shu Kingdom.

For this reason, as soon as Zhuge Liang arrived, he used a combination of overt and covert tactics—a promotion in name only—to seize control of the Hanzhong army and the Hanzhong Basin in front of everyone.

This has nothing to do with a person's character; it's just that this is how things have to be done to get things done.

Unless it's Liu Da Erduo jumping out of his coffin to come here in person.

The founding emperor's power was enough to intimidate all the military generals.

After taking control of Hanzhong, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang quickly began to plan the Northern Expedition.

"Prime Minister."

Wei Yan, who was nominally the second-in-command of the Prime Minister's office, put forward his long-planned strategy at the military council.

"Xiahou Mao, the general guarding Guanzhong under Cao Cao, is cowardly and lacks strategy."

"This humble general is willing to lead five thousand elite troops eastward from Baozhong along the Qinling Mountains, and then launch a surprise attack on Guanzhong north of Ziwu."

"Just like Han Xin in the past, he seized Guanzhong and joined forces with the Prime Minister at Tongguan via a different route."

Historically, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang was cautious and believed that such an advance was too dangerous, so he did not adopt Wei Yan's plan.

However, after a moment's thought, he nodded.

"can."

Wei Yan was overjoyed and was about to speak.

But Prime Minister Zhuge said directly, "However, we must wait until the right time comes."

Wei Yan was puzzled: "When is the right time?"

"Only after the Wei army's troops in Guanzhong and the field army stationed in Wancheng have been mobilized can Wen Changcheng leave Ziwu Valley."

"I have already made a plan for this matter."

Prime Minister Zhuge stood up and glanced at the generals. "All generals, listen to my command!"

The group of people stepped forward to wait.

"Zhao Yun, Deng Zhi."

"The general is here!"

“You shall lead your troops to occupy Jigu Valley as a feint.”

"Leader!"

"Wei Yan, Ma Dai, Wu Yi."

"The general is here!"

"You shall lead 5,000 elite troops to garrison Hanzhong and await my order to march out of the Ziwu Valley and take Chang'an!"

"Leader!"

"Zhang Bao, Guan Xing, Wu Ban, Wang Ping, Ma Su, Zhang Xiu, Li Sheng, and all other generals, follow me out of Qishan!"

"Leader!"

Including Wei Yan's Hanzhong army and the recruited Nanman troops, the total strength of the Shu army was close to 80,000.

Wei Yan and others led 5,000 elite troops and part of the Hanzhong garrison to remain in Hanzhong to await orders to march out of the Ziwu Valley.

Zhao Yun and others led more than 5,000 men out of Jigu Valley to draw away Cao Cao's main force.

As for Prime Minister Zhuge, he personally led an army of about 60,000 to Qishan.

The first to lead troops in this battle were Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi.

They need to create a great stir in Jigu Valley to attract Cao Wei's main army in Guanzhong.

Before setting off, Lin Dao took the initiative to seek out Zhao Yun.

"General Zilong."

"Zihou~"

"The general's skills are still sharp; even at over seventy years old, he still dons armor and goes into battle." Lin Daozhen exclaimed in admiration, "He is truly admirable."

Zhao Yun stroked his beard and smiled, "Zihou, you flatter me. As a military general, this is my duty."

"General Zilong." Lin Dao nodded, gesturing for him to look at the large cart beside him. "This is a small token of my appreciation; please accept it, General."

"Oh?"

Zhao Yun stepped forward out of curiosity and unveiled the three-colored striped waterproof cloth.

What came into view was a set of armor that gleamed in the sunlight, a long spear, and a longsword.

Three major preferences of military generals.

First, divine weapons; second, sturdy armor; and third, a prized horse.

These are the foundations for a military general to secure his livelihood.

Of course, those who pretend to be military generals don't count.

"This spear." Lin Dao reached out and first picked up a slightly light spear. "It is nine feet and three-tenths feet long, weighs nineteen catties and six taels and seven qian, and is made of celestial black iron, sharpened by immortal techniques."

During the Qin Dynasty, cavalry used spears that were up to four meters long.

However, the length of the document was continuously shortened afterward.

By the end of the Han Dynasty, the length was usually around two meters.

As for weight, the spears and lances used by cavalry in the Eastern Han Dynasty were basically less than ten catties (approximately 5 kg), because the shafts were made of wood.

If it is made entirely of iron, it can weigh up to fifty or sixty pounds.

This kind of iron spear wasn't meant for use on the battlefield; it was meant for showing off.

No cavalryman would carry a weapon weighing dozens of kilograms when going into battle.

You can't keep going for more than one or two tries before you run out of energy.

Nineteen catties is indeed a bit heavy, but Zhao Yun should be able to control it.

As for why it's so light, it's because it's made of a special alloy.

It's a special alloy; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it an ethereal, otherworldly iron.

As for the magic blade, it is cut and polished by industrial machines, making it sturdy and sharp enough to pierce iron armor.

Zhao Yun, his eyes gleaming, took the spear, weighed it in his hand, and then immediately began to use a set of spear techniques.

Despite his age, he still draws his gun with the speed and agility of a dragon.

Moreover, the moves are very refined.

There are no fancy moves, just the simplest stabbing, picking, flicking, sweeping, smashing, and bumping.

It is fast and powerful.

Every strike was aimed at killing.

Zhao Zilong turned his horse around and thrust the spearhead deep into a nearby wooden stake before stopping.

After the set of spear techniques was completed, many military officers who had seen the commotion came to watch.

Lin Dao raised his hand and clapped, praising, "General, you are incredibly brave!"

Many people around also joined in and applauded.

Clapping is not a foreign import; it has been practiced by the Chinese people since ancient times.

In the chapter on merit and fame in Han Feizi, there is a record of "clapping with one hand, though fast, without making a sound".

There was already applause back then.

Not everything is imported; in fact, many things and cultures were stolen from China and claimed as foreign possessions. "This gun."

Zhao Yun drew his spear, held it in his hand, and shook it. "It's made of fine steel, but why is it so light?"

As we all know, iron is heavy.

If it were made entirely of high-quality steel, it would weigh at least fifty or seventy pounds.

That thing is only good for holding and looking nice; it's something to play with when practicing martial arts, but it's not suitable for the battlefield.

But what Lin Dao sent out was extremely lightweight.

"Forged from celestial black iron."

Lin Dao didn't explain anything about alloys or anything like that; in short, he attributed everything to the mysterious iron from outer space.

Zhao Yun naturally didn't press the matter further; instead, he happily inquired about another matter.

"What's the name of this gun?"

Such a lightweight, sturdy, easy-to-use, and sharp spear must be the work of a master craftsman, the kind that takes years of effort to make and even requires sacrificing oneself to the furnace.

It definitely has a name.

A famous gun is a famous gun, but what kind of famous gun is it if it doesn't have a name?

Lin Daoxian was taken aback.

It's just something machined, why does it need to be famous?

He immediately realized what was happening and nodded with a smile.

This gun is called...

"Cliff Edge Spear!"

"Unparalleled in both the north and south of the Great Wall, unmatched at the ends of the earth."

"Unique, there is only one of its kind in the world."

"Excellent!" Zhao Yun exclaimed with delight. "Cliff Edge Spear!"

"it is good!"

"Although I am old, I still want to ride my horse to the north and drive out the barbarians."

"To gallop across Jiangnan, to destroy Wu, and to avenge our former lord!"

"From this day forward, the world is united, and the people return to a peaceful and prosperous era!"

"Unparalleled in both the north and south of the Great Wall, unmatched at the ends of the earth!"

"Okay, great!"

Lin Dao smiled.

He was just saying it casually for the sake of parallelism.

Unexpectedly, it aligned with Zhao Yun's ideal pursuit.

All the generals around were filled with envy.

Not only are the products excellent, but the names and meanings are even better—it's truly enviable!
"I have a granddaughter, who is sixteen years old," Zhao Yun said with a smile, immediately trying to recruit a son-in-law for his granddaughter.

"General." Lin Dao was both amused and exasperated.

“I am a cultivator of the Tao, and I have no interest in worldly affairs. Once this matter is settled, I will devote myself to the pursuit of the Tao. I should not delay your granddaughter.”

He had no intention of managing this timeline.

Once it's done, this place will be used as a trading hub.

Various industrial products are used to exchange for precious metals, minerals, and other resources in this time and space.

With such plans in mind, he naturally wouldn't seek out a girl, leaving the man to live alone for a long time afterward.

Zhao Yun clearly showed a look of regret.

Without a doubt, Lin Dao is absolutely outstanding among young people.

He was robust and handsome.

In addition, she possesses outstanding temperament and extraordinary abilities.

Young people like this are truly hard to find even with a lantern.

"You have gifted me a divine weapon, so I should repay you in kind." Zhao Yun replied solemnly, "Otherwise, I would feel unworthy to receive it."

For an upright person like Zhao Yun, receiving such a generous gift naturally warrants some form of reciprocation.

Otherwise, he wouldn't accept it.

Lin Dao pondered for a moment, then said, "In that case, I won't hide anything from you."

"I am fond of martial arts, especially spear fighting."

"I would be overjoyed if I could be taught martial arts and spear techniques by General Zilong."

In ancient times, taking a master as an apprentice was a very important matter.

As the saying goes, Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher, teaching martial arts is of utmost importance.

"There's something else."

Before Zhao Yun could respond, Lin Dao reached out and picked up a long sword from the cart.

"This sword is the most powerful weapon in the world. Its blade is three feet and seven inches long, and it weighs seven catties and thirteen ounces. It is forged from mysterious iron from outer space."

Clang!

With a crisp sound, Lin Dao drew his longsword.

The moment the sword was drawn, everyone around gasped in astonishment.

The cloud patterns are laser-engraved and coated with a special optical coating.

It can emit a unique halo under different lighting conditions.

The sword's blade, as pure as a lake, the halo it shone under the sunlight, and its metallic sheen were breathtaking.

Lin Dao invested a lot of money in this sword.

Strong and resilient special alloy steel, with the best CNC machine tool-polished blade.

Carving cloud patterns, applying expensive optical materials, and so on.

Even the hilt of the sword is inlaid with exquisite gemstones.

Lin Dao lowered his sword and handed it to Zhao Yun.

Clearly moved, Zhao Yun solemnly accepted the longsword.

He weighed the sword in his hand, then practiced swordplay, trying to get a feel for it.

Finally, they began practicing sword dancing.

Zhao Yun's swordsmanship was also based on simplicity and practicality, with each strike aimed at killing.

He truly deserves to be called a military general.

The final strike was a diagonal slash at a wooden stake as thick as a big arm.

With a flash of sword light, half of the wooden stake fell to the ground.

Zhao Yun held his sword upright and flicked it with his finger.

Its voice was like a dragon's roar.
"Does this sword have a name?"

"Have."

This sword is called...

"Qingguang Sword!"

(End of this chapter)