Do You Know?: Rule the World

"It is said that his ability to reform is due to Your Highness's efforts. Marquis Gu spoke up for him today, most likely because of this matter."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen couldn't help but smile.

"Even such a troublemaker can be led onto the right path by Han'er, and yet the Queen still thinks I haven't considered Han'er?"

Empress Cao personally poured a cup of tea for Zhao Zhen and said with a smile, "I am the concubine who has troubled myself. Han'er will definitely live up to your expectations."

-

At noon, a carriage slowly stopped outside the Duke of England's mansion.

Seeing this, the gatekeeper came forward swiftly and bowed, "Is this Master Zhao?"

"Exactly."

Upon hearing this, the servant looked even more respectful.

"My humble servant greets Lord Zhao. Lord Zhao, please follow me. The Duke has been waiting in the hall for a long time."

The Duke of Ying held the military power in the capital. In the city of Bianliang, his family was among the top three in terms of respectability, except for the royal family.

The Duke of Qi's Mansion and the Duke of Ling's Mansion, all have to stand aside.

This Duke of England's mansion was a gift from the emperor. It has red gates and black tiles, five entrances and three corridors, and a pair of majestic and solemn stone lions in front of the gate.

The six large gilded characters "敕造英公府" (The Mansion of the Duke of Yingguo) written in a flamboyant style by the emperor himself on the plaque at the main gate were shining brightly.

Passing through the screen wall, you can see flying eaves, brackets, corridors and waterside pavilions. Everywhere you look, you can see the grandeur.

In a hall facing south of Zhongxiao Hall.

Zhao Han looked at the Duke of England, whose thick eyebrows were like swords and whose eyes were piercing, and bowed in accordance with etiquette, saying, "Your humble servant greets the Duke of England."

The Duke of England stroked his beard and smiled, then personally got up from his seat and helped him up.

Please read, please read~

Chapter 75 Zhang Guifen, the daughter of a general

"Master Zhao, there's no need to be so polite. Please sit down and have a cup of tea."

As soon as he finished speaking, a maid who was dressed very neatly came over respectfully holding a mahogany tray.

Zhang Fu narrowed his eyes and looked Zhao Han up and down, saying quietly, "This is the Green Phoenix Marrow that the emperor gave me some time ago."

"I am just a military commander, like a cow chewing a peony."

"Lord Zhao, why don't you give me some advice? Then I can put on some pretense and show off my elegance before the emperor."

Zhao Han smiled slightly upon hearing this. He picked up the teacup and savored it carefully before saying, "The tea soup is as green as jade, and the fragrance is clear but not gaudy."

"It's a little bitter at first, but after three breaths, saliva forms on the tongue, and the sweetness lingers in the throat. It's truly worthy of being a tribute from the Northern Garden."

"Well said. I'll write it down right away." Zhang Fu laughed loudly, his words seeming both intimate and majestic.

The two began to chat about interesting stories in the court until dusk fell.

Zhang Fu gently put down the teacup, and his eagle-like eyes flickered slightly.

The name for Zhao Han was also changed from Lord Zhao to his courtesy name.

"Chengyuan, how confident are you in building the Cavalry Battalion?"

Zhao Han immediately restrained his expression and said in a serious tone, "To be honest with you, my Lord, I am 80% to 90% sure."

"Eighty or ninety percent?"

Zhang Fu raised his eyebrows and leaned forward slightly. This answer was obviously a little beyond his expectations.

Zhao Han took out a silk book that had been prepared long ago from his sleeve and slowly unfolded it in front of Zhang Fu.

"Currently, a set of armor from the Great Zhou Dynasty weighs 50 to 60 kilograms. However, the cold forging method used in the Xixia wart armor reduces the thickness of the armor plates by nearly 60%, making it more convenient for movement and capable of withstanding powerful crossbow fire within 50 steps."

"If a worker wants to do a good job, he must first sharpen his tools."

"When I was in Yangzhou, I received guidance from a wandering Taoist priest who taught me a good method for refining steel."

"Charcoal powder, bone meal, salt, and oil are mixed into a paste in appropriate proportions. This is then applied to the forged steel billet, sealed in a clay pot, and then placed in a furnace for refining. This is the carburizing method."

"After carburizing, the red-hot iron is quickly quenched and then forged. Its defensive capabilities surpass the wart armor of the Xixia Harrier Army, and its weight is the same as that of the wart armor."

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhang Fu took a deep breath.

The Western Xia's Harrier Army was like a nightmare to the border troops of the Great Zhou.

He had led his troops in battles with the Harrier Army several times, with crossbow arrows hitting their armor, splashing tiny sparks before falling to the ground in dismay.

Countless soldiers were trampled into pulp by the Iron Harriers' phalanx, and not even their complete bodies could be recovered.

Zhang Fu suddenly clenched his fists, his throat rolling violently: "If this method can really work..."

"One month!"

Zhao Han interrupted him, his eyes gleaming with determination, but he was secretly thinking: I wonder if the wandering Taoist's suggestion of this reason will arouse suspicion...

"I will go to the Military Equipment Bureau tomorrow and order the best blacksmith to forge a sample within a month."

"Then, the Duke can go to the parade grounds and see it for himself."

Zhang Fu clenched his fists and nodded repeatedly, unable to hide his excitement. He picked up the green phoenix marrow in the cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Then he put the cups on the table with a bang.

"I asked you to come here today because I have something to tell you about the selection of elite soldiers."

"Please speak, Your Majesty." Zhao Han looked respectful.

Zhang Fu paused and continued, "Among the various armies in the capital, the most skilled are those stationed in the outer cities and guarding the gates of Bianjing. About 30% of them are skilled in riding and archery. With a little polishing, they can become excellent material."

"Yuzhou's Xuanyi Army should not be underestimated. Their soldiers have been navigating rugged mountain roads since childhood and are particularly skilled in mountain riding and archery. They can be selected as light cavalry."

"Although Jeju's Weibian Army is slightly inferior in combat effectiveness, 20% of them are skilled in horseback archery."

"The Fengguo Army in Ruzhou is close to the Hedong Horse Farm, so many of their soldiers are familiar with horse training."

"As for the rest of the troops, you don't need to bother with them. They are either unfamiliar with horseback riding and archery, or they are just old, weak, sick, and disabled soldiers filling in the numbers."

Zhao Han's heart was lifted when he heard this. After keeping Zhang Fu's words firmly in mind, he stood up solemnly and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Duke of England!"

Zhang Fu immediately reached out and firmly supported Zhao Han's elbow, saying in a deep voice, "I have high hopes for you. If you encounter any difficulties, just send someone to inform me immediately."

"However, the government has taken this matter seriously, so I don't think anyone would dare to embarrass you."

Zhao Han stood up and nodded.

"Your Excellency is right. Since the Emperor trusts me so much, I will see to it no matter what."

Zhang Fu's face was filled with a relieved smile when he heard this.

Just as he was about to say a few words of advice, he suddenly heard the sound of light and urgent footsteps.

Immediately afterwards, a girl about fifteen or sixteen years old came quickly, holding a red tasseled spear.

She was dignified and beautiful, with heroic spirit in her eyes and eyebrows. She wore a narrow-sleeved red riding coat, a purple waist belt, and her hair was tied up high. She was not adorned with any jewelry.

From her heroic demeanor, one can tell at a glance that she is the Duke of England's only legitimate daughter - Zhang Guifen.

Zhang Guifen paused slightly when she saw a stranger coming.

He swiftly put the red tasseled spear behind his back and gave a standard fist-clasping salute to the Duke of England.

"Dad, please take care of my third and fourth brothers!"

"They sneaked off to the stables again, deliberately leaving me behind, and haven't come back until now!"

As Zhang Guifen spoke, her eyes were wide open, her voice was clear, and there was a hint of grievance in it.

Duke Yingguo Zhang Fu had only one legitimate child, Zhang Guifen, and his four illegitimate sons were all born to concubines.

According to the custom of noble families in Bian Jing, the four illegitimate sons were raised by the Duchess of England since birth.

The Duchess of Ying was nearly forty when she gave birth to Zhang Guifen. Knowing that she could not have any more children, she always treated the illegitimate son as her own, and treated and raised him according to the standards of a legitimate son.

"When will you learn needlework from your mother? You spend all day wielding swords and spears. You don't look like a girl at all."

Although Zhang Fu said this, his eyes were full of doting.

Zhang Guifen snorted softly, walked forward and pulled his arm, saying, "I just can't learn those things."

"Dad, please don't interrupt me. You have to take care of them today."

Zhang Fu raised his hand helplessly and frowned.

He caught a glimpse of Zhao Han looking at the father and daughter with a smile, and his old face suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

"Go away! Can't you see your father is entertaining guests? What are you doing running over here? You don't even know the slightest bit of etiquette."

"Hurry back. When I have time in a few days, I will teach you the art of spearmanship myself."

Hearing this, Zhang Guifen's eyes lit up and she excitedly clenched the red tasseled spear.

"Really? Daddy, you can't lie to me?!"

Zhang Fu stroked his beard in a serious manner.

"If you continue to make trouble here, I will tell your mother and see how she teaches you a lesson."

"I won't make trouble anymore, Daddy, you have to keep your word!"

Zhang Guifen smiled sweetly and bowed to Zhao Han just as she was about to turn around and leave.

Her behavior is both bold and elegant like a daughter of a general, and well-educated like a lady from an aristocratic family.

When her charming figure disappeared from his sight like a gust of wind, Zhang Fu shook his head and smiled, "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Chengyuan."

"This girl of mine was hard-earned, and everyone in the family dotes on her."

"It's really a headache to have her develop such an ignorant character."

Zhao Han smiled and said softly, "Miss Zhang has the character of a general in every move she makes."

"If we keep detaining her, it will be counterproductive."

Zhang Fu agreed with this statement, "Yes, I can only follow her temper."