Chapter 15: Conspiracy (Part 1)
This is a small attic, which is extremely ordinary in the city of Yangzhou, so ordinary that it is inconspicuous and unimaginable.
Although it was daytime, the closed attic was pitch black, so an oil lamp had to be lit. Although the light was dim, it was enough to see clearly.
Everyone present bowed to Zhang Xuanning.
The attic was small and could not accommodate tables and chairs, so a layer of coarse cloth was spread on the ground. Zhang Xuanning took the first seat and was the first to sit cross-legged. He said, "Come on, there is no need to be polite here, just sit anywhere."
"Yes, Master Xiang."
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, who came for the first time, looked at the surrounding environment and everyone with extraordinary curiosity and surprise. Generally speaking, there were four team leaders, Gui Xiliang, Zhou Feng, Wang Chengzhi, Gao Zhandao, Xing Rong and Jiang Feng, and finally Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong. Now there were a total of nine people, forming the core of this incense.
Zhang Xuanning smiled and said, "Let's continue the meeting today. How is it? Are you all used to it?"
Seeing that everyone was sitting up straight, Zhang Xuanning smiled and said, "Today we have added Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong. As everyone knows, they are the two with the best martial arts in our Xiangkou. I had other tasks for them before, so they were always patrolling the streets, but now, we have to ask them to participate."
Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong smiled awkwardly, not knowing what to say.
Zhang Xuanning saw that the two were a little embarrassed, so he said, "Well, let's talk business. Gao Zhandao, how is the training of the brothers going?"
Gao Zhandao shook his head and said, "Not bad, but compared to the army, it's still not enough!"
With a slight smile, Zhang Xuanning said: "After all, we are not an army now, so it is not feasible to completely copy the military rules. But everyone should understand that Xiangkou must first follow strict orders from top to bottom, and second, learn some joint attack and joint shooting techniques, so you should pay more attention!"
"Yes, I will try my best. My brothers didn't understand at the beginning, but after the last battle, everyone has become more motivated. After all, the power of the combined attack and shooting technique is visible to everyone." Gao Zhandao said.
"Well, the art of combined attack and shooting can increase our power several times, and thus reduce casualties and bloodshed in battle. Keep telling this to your brothers. Also, I'm at ease with you doing the job." Zhang Xuanning nodded and said, he was not lying, because Gao Zhandao's martial arts skills were not high. In this world, it was completely different from the reality. This was already a fatal weakness. Therefore, it was difficult for him to control his brothers .
Gao Zhandao said, "Thank you for your trust, Xiangzhu. However, the reason why one soldier can defeat ten with one is not only because of his bravery, but also because of his strong armor and sharp weapons. Xiangzhu, what about the weapons?"
"I have already prepared this. I can ask a blacksmith to make the knives. Even if we provide all the materials for the fifty long swords, it will cost me one hundred and fifty taels of gold. We can probably get them before we go out. As for bows and arrows, you only have five. Don't even think about crossbows. We have no way to get them now. As for armor and protective gear, they are even rarer. Besides, it will be too conspicuous when traveling around." Zhang Xuanning said calmly, "But I am not without precautions. I have ordered people to make paper armor. It has been almost completed in the past two months. Paper armor is light and foldable, which is perfect for use along the way."
Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong looked at each other, then spoke up: "Master, can paper armor really be effective?"
Zhang Xuanning smiled and said, "Haha, you are just like everyone else. This is the first time they asked the same question. In fact, paper armor is quite good. It is made of paper and cloth, three inches thick and solid. It can protect against long arrows and even ordinary knife attacks. It can avoid most of the damage. The only thing is that it cannot protect against direct piercing, but it is okay . You will know it later."
"This invention of the Xiangzhu will surely change the battlefield situation, especially the battlefield in the south." Gao Zhandao said seriously: "Armor in the army is expensive and rare, so most soldiers wear cloth clothes, and the casualties are very high. If there is paper armor, fatal injuries can be prevented, medium injuries can be alleviated , and general injuries can be avoided. It should be great."
"This is actually an idea. Once it appears on the battlefield, everyone can control it." Zhang Xuanning waved his hand and said, "Brothers, what about other aspects?"
Jiang Feng calmed down and said loudly: "According to the incense master's instructions, I have completed the establishment of a merit book to record the merits and demerits of the brothers one by one. In accordance with the incense master's instructions, I am also preparing to build some small hotels. If any brothers are unable to fight, they can be taken care of there. As for the fields, I am also preparing to buy them, but the land outside Yangzhou is expensive, one acre is equivalent to one tael of gold, which is difficult for us to afford."
Zhang Xuanning frowned and said, "This is related to the future of the brothers. As the incense master, I have to be responsible for the brothers. This matter must be completed. There are still 60 taels of gold in the incense mouth. I will give it all to you to handle. See if there is any way to make money for the brothers' future life. Speaking of which, the brothers will have to marry, have families and raise children in the future, and they must be taken care of. This matter, I will leave it to you."
Jiang Feng's eyes were solemn and determined, and he whispered: "Don't worry, Master Xiang, this is for the brothers' future, for the money to support the family, and for the funeral. I also know this, so even if I risk my life, I will get this done."
Nodding, Zhang Xuanning said: "We were all gangsters before. No one wants to continue to live the days of begging. So, everyone should work harder now. If we brothers work together, we will definitely find a way out. We will have an explanation for our brothers and their future children!"
"Yes, Master Xiang, we all know it, and we are ready to do it even if it means risking our lives."
Zhang Xuanning said, "Very good. Also, how is the situation in Yangzhou City going?"
Xing Rong stepped forward and continued, "Basically, everything is normal. I have already contacted all the brothers who have not yet joined the sect. They are all very willing to cooperate with us. I am also examining the useful people among them and using them to investigate the situation one by one. Although they are not of much use at present, after a year or so, I believe that there is nothing in Yangzhou City that we don't know. We are just waiting for the order from the incense master."
Zhang Xuanning nodded with satisfaction and said, "Very good, you can make more money with Jiang Feng, which is also a good source of information. On the other hand, you can ask the brothers to help you open a hotel, incense shop, etc. You can give some money to the brothers below. We were born there before, so we should not forget our roots."
"Yes, Master Xiang."
After stretching his legs and crossing them again, Zhang Xuanning asked, "Have you found out the situation of each dojo?"
"Not yet, but the brothers we contacted all intend to do some odd jobs outside the various dojos. After a while, we will naturally know their situations one by one. After all, some things are not secrets."
"Well, knowing how many people there are and what the general pattern of activities is is enough. It's better to record them so that it will be easier for us to do things in the future." Zhang Xuanning said with satisfaction: "This time we go to the Northland to let the brothers gain some experience. After all, we will definitely face off against various dojos in the future. If we don't have some training and preparation first, it will be hard to say what will happen then. After we leave, you two will be in charge of daily life. Don't be negligent. You must be cautious and careful. If there is anything, you can go to Master Su, but try not to. For some things, it's better to give in and talk about it when I come back."
Xing Rong and Jiang Feng nodded repeatedly: "Yes, Master Xiang."
Standing up, Zhang Xuanning said, "Well, that's it. Does anyone have any opinions?"
Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong looked at each other. It was their first time participating in this and they had no idea what to say. They immediately stood up and even took a step forward, opened the door to the attic, and blew out the oil lamp.
Patting the two on the shoulders, Zhang Xuanning said with a smile: "It's normal that you don't understand some things since it's your first time participating. You will understand more if you listen more in the future. You are the most talented people in our Xiangkou, and we will rely on you a lot in the future!"
As he said this, he was the first to go down, followed by the other eight.
