Ming Zuo

Chapter 65 Xu Guangqi's Gift [Don't forget the national disaster, our generation is self-improvement! 】

In the military uniform, Zuo Menggeng has changed a lot.

In addition to removing the iron pieces and gauntlets, straps were added to the waist and trousers.

The Ming army's cloth armor had no straps, and sometimes in order to tighten the belt, a cloth belt had to be wrapped around it.

This is not only loose, but also very complicated to wear.

This is also one of the reasons why ancient battles and night raids were so successful.

With the straps added, the belt hangs directly on it.Soldiers don't need to consider the storage of belts at all, as long as they wear military uniforms, they are tied together with belts.

Zuo Menggeng also adopted the simplest method for the buttons of the belt.

It is a shaped iron ring with a curved pin on the middle part.There is an eye at intervals on the belt. When wearing the belt, you only need to pass a pin through the eye to fix the belt firmly.

In ancient times, there were no belts of this style, but they were rarely used, and they were not used by ordinary people.

At this time, Zuo Menggeng was brought up by the military uniform, which surprised the women and learned a lot.

In addition to military uniforms, shoes are also Zuo Menggeng's most attentive place.

He took out the later practice of cotton shoes.

Regardless of whether it is nondescript with the military uniforms of this era, the most important thing is to be practical and reduce costs.

Zuo Menggeng only found out after asking, that the cloth boots worn by the soldiers of the Ming army at this time actually cost one or two and a half silver per pair.

Can't afford it at all.

Furthermore, most Ming soldiers had no cloth boots to wear at all.

Don't be fooled by movies.

Under the cost and corruption, the vast majority of soldiers wear straw sandals.

Boots?

It was something only officers could wear.

Moreover, after Zuo Menggeng's research, he found that the cloth boots of the Ming Dynasty were very impractical.

In particular, it is not conducive to long-distance marching and running. Not to mention the damage caused to the human body, it is easy to fall off.

This is not as good as cotton shoes with laces.

Everyone also participated in the discussion on the military uniforms of the rear camp.

Liu Yiyuan and others found Zuo Menggeng together.

"Thousands, we feel that helmets must be kept."

Zuo Menggeng removed the iron pieces and arm armor on the cloth armor, and everyone had no opinion.

Because the protective ability of those things depends purely on luck.The enemy's bow, arrows and swords are cut on it, and there is a high chance to protect it.

But the protective area of ​​the iron sheet is not large, otherwise the weight alone can drag the soldier to death.

With such a large loophole, the probability of this protection is very touching.

But on the helmet, Liu Yiyuan and others insisted.

Zuo Rong also said: "Qianzuo, when we fight in the future, can we avoid hand-to-hand combat with the enemy?"

Zuo Menggeng shook his head regretfully.

"Does not."

Let alone now, in any era of war, hand-to-hand combat is inevitable.

Zhouyou followed: "Therefore, a helmet must be available."

Although the others didn't speak, they all looked at Zuo Menggeng and needed him to make a decision.

Zuo Menggeng was very calm.

"This is my negligence, thanks to you picking up the slack."

Soldiers are good at this, right is right, wrong is wrong, and they never play sloppy eyes.

He sincerely admitted his mistake, but it made everyone uncomfortable.But it was very useful in my heart, and I found it really enjoyable to follow such a leader.

Since Zuo Menggeng noticed the problem, he immediately opened up.

"That said, the style of the helmet, do we need to keep it as it is?"

Zuo Rong, who has been on the battlefield in this regard, has more say.

"Our rear battalion is going to take the road of all firearms. Even if there is hand-to-hand combat, there will be not many, so there is no need to spend too much thought on the helmet. A helmet is enough, and a military hat is always worn."

The helmet is actually a flying saucer helmet.

It was inherited from Mongolia and improved by the Ming Dynasty. It is one of the Ming army helmets.

Of course, this is for generals, how about ordinary soldiers?
If it is to be used by ordinary soldiers, it must be improved.

"Then use a helmet and remove unnecessary decorations and red tassel. I will think about it with the blacksmith and see if it can be molded at one time."

Zuo Menggeng felt that he should be able to do it.

Let the blacksmith make the mold in advance, and then pour the wrought iron juice, so that you can get a formed helmet.

Although a bit rough, it is better for ordinary soldiers than no helmet.

He thought of something else.

"The military hats that are usually used should also be carefully considered, and it is best to fit the hats and helmets. In this way, soldiers in wartime can wear hats and helmets outside the military hats, and there is no need to specially lining the hats and helmets."

The helmet is made of iron, so heavy, no one can stand the friction between the surface and the scalp.Therefore, the helmet needs to have an inner lining to protect the head.

Lining can be added, which is equivalent to increasing the cost.

Zuo Menggeng planned to consider the military hat and helmet together.

When there is no war, the soldiers should just bring their hats.Once in wartime, simply pick up the hat and buckle it on the military hat, saving time and trouble.

This idea made everyone applaud.

Zuo Menggeng thought about it and handed over the matter to Zuo Dai.

Since there are not many talents under the hands, it has to be cultivated.

It is still only one battalion, and the army will expand in size in the future, so it is impossible to rely on him to do everything by himself.

The left generation took the lead and figured it out.

The most important thing for Zuo Menggeng right now is the development of financial resources.

The shadow of the army is not there yet, and one third of the wealth robbed from Feng Yuanwai has been used up.

And if he wants to build wealth, Zuo Menggeng has high hopes for the glass.

To make glass, you have to make a furnace that can withstand high temperatures.

On Yang Gui's side, the brick kiln is about to be built. After drying, the refractory bricks will be fired.

Time waits for no one, Zuo Menggeng returned home and found Zuo Xianmei.

"Sister, brother, I need your help here."

Zuo Xianmei knew that Zuo Menggeng was busy with big things outside, and didn't understand what needs her help.

But it feels so good to be needed, Zuo Xianmei immediately agreed.

"I don't know what to do, brother just say it."

As a result, what Zuo Menggeng said made Zuo Xianmei confused.

"I want to ask my sister to come out and buy me some eyebrow pencils. The more the better."

"Brother, a dignified man, what do you want this woman's thrush? Even if it's a gift to someone you like, one or two will suffice..."

Zuo Menggeng forbade her to think wildly.

"This thing is of great use to me, and it can't be known to outsiders. There are many people around me, and it's easy to be seen by others. I have to ask you to come forward. Would you like to help me?"

What kind of eyebrow pencils do women use?

It's actually graphite.

When planning to build a high temperature smelting furnace, Zuo Menggeng first thought of graphite crucible.

This kind of furnace can not only be used to make steel, but of course it can also be used to melt sand to make glass.

The matter was of great importance, and confidentiality had to be considered, Zuo Menggeng immediately thought of Zuo Xianmei.

It is very common for a woman to buy a thrush, and no one will care.

Seeing that he was cautious, Zuo Xianmei obediently stopped asking.

"OK then."

Zuo Menggeng was very happy, and hurriedly handed the money to Zuo Xianmei, and asked Zuo Rong and Zuo Hua to accompany Zuo Xianmei out.

Just after the matter was settled, Zuo Yan ran over.

"Young master, there is a guest from outside the mansion, saying that it is the family of the Minister of Rites, who came to express his thanks."

"Ouch, so fast!"

Hearing that Xu Guangqi had sent someone, Zuo Menggeng hurriedly went out to greet him in person.

"The youngest is Xu Xiang, the housekeeper of Xu's house. The young master Zuo saved my young lady, that is, he saved Xianggong, and everyone in Xu's house is very grateful. Xianggong specially prepared a generous gift and sent it to the youngest as a thank you."

How dare Zuo Menggeng be negligent.

"Seeing the injustice on the road, I just draw my sword to help, I don't dare to be a gift from Duke Xuan Hu."

While talking, Xu Xiang observed Zuo Menggeng.

He knew that Zuo Menggeng was young, but he had seen it with his own eyes, and couldn't help but marvel at the young man's physique.

Sure enough, it is the son of the general, and the end is the generation of Xiong Zhi.Although not handsome, but clank domineering, heartbreaking.

Under the appearance of heroic warriors, his speech is polite and his manners are elegant, far from being comparable to ordinary vulgar warriors.

After welcoming Xu Xiang into the mansion, please take your seat, Zuo Menggeng did not treat him as an ordinary servant at all.

A seventh-rank official in front of the prime minister's gate, and the housekeeper of Xu's residence will not be looked down upon no matter where he goes.

Xu Xiang was calm, took the package again, and handed it to Zuo Menggeng in person.

"Xianggong knows what the young master Zuo is asking for, so the young master prepares it well and sends it. The master said that the young master Zuo has a lot of life in his heart, and his heart is full of the world. If you have any doubts, you can write to the master to inquire."

Zuo Menggeng opened the bag and found that the jars had already been distributed.It is full of seeds, and the jar is specially marked, what kind of seeds are.

Although the name and memory are different, you can guess it just by comparing it.

In addition, what surprised him most was that there was actually the original manuscript of the Complete Book of Agricultural Administration written by Xu Guangqi himself.

The thick manuscript, with a strong fragrance of ink, is the precious effort of an old man.

Holding the book in his hand, Zuo Menggeng couldn't help feeling affectionate.

(End of this chapter)