Moma Liangshan

Chapter 217 Weapon Customization and Strategic Reserves

Wang Hao looked at the heavy broadsword on the table and said, "The Iron Forest Army is heavily armored cavalry, so they should use curved swords. Your Highness, as the commander of the Iron Forest Army, why did you order a broadsword?" The Prince of Liang smiled helplessly and said, "The Jurchen army is at the city gates. Although the Iron Forest Army is cavalry, they will have to defend the city walls, so a broadsword is undoubtedly the best choice." Wang Hao roughly guessed Yelü Yali's intention in inviting him and said, "In future arms trade with the Liao Dynasty, all weapons will be custom-made according to your country's requirements!" The Prince of Liang's face lit up with joy, and he said, "Thank you for your understanding, Duke of Bohai!"

Prince Liang, Yelü Yali's horizontal sword was sent to Jiaozhou as a sample. On the carriage, Wang Hao, playing with the sword, asked, "Compared to the broadsword, which is superior?" Lin Chong replied, "The broadsword was popular in the Song Dynasty because it wasn't under the court's control and could circulate freely in the marketplace!" Wang Hao instantly became interested in the horizontal sword and said, "For local militia, which is more suitable, the Miao sword or the horizontal sword?" Lin Chong replied, "Using the Miao sword requires skillful martial arts; otherwise, the weapon wears out too quickly and may even break during combat. The horizontal sword, however, is broad and thick; the blade doesn't need to be too sharp to exert tremendous attack power due to its weight!" Wang Hao asked again, "What about the Miao sword when combined with skillful martial arts?" Lin Chong replied, "An inch longer, an inch stronger; a ounce lighter, a fraction faster. The Miao sword perfectly balances attack and speed, so for skilled soldiers, it can unleash several times the power of the horizontal sword."

Upon returning to the camp, Wang Hao immediately summoned Yang Zhi for a meeting. Yang Zhi brandished his broadsword with great skill, the sound of the blade whistling through the air. After a short while, he sheathed his sword, his clothes soaked with sweat, and said, "This sword is powerful and heavy, exceptionally fierce!" Wang Hao pondered for a moment, then looked at Lin Chong and asked, "Have you perfected your study of the Miao sword techniques?" Lin Chong replied, "The outline is complete, but the details still need refinement!" Wang Hao commanded, "Practice the sword!"

Lin Chong suddenly drew his sword, the blade flashing like lightning, continuous and powerful. After a short while, he sheathed it, his breathing even except for a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, seemingly still capable of fighting another three hundred rounds. Wang Hao pondered, then asked, "How long does it take to master the horizontal sword technique?" Yang Zhi looked at Lin Chong and replied, "The horizontal sword doesn't require sophisticated moves; as long as you have enough arm strength, you can wield it at any time!" Lin Chong nodded, saying, "Diagonal slashes, horizontal sweeps, vertical cleaves, straight thrusts, parries—it's only a few moves, indeed masterable in a short time. But the greater the arm strength of the wielder, the greater the power of the horizontal sword!" Wang Hao weighed the options for a long time, then said, "If one day, an army besieges the city, and Jiaozhou is forced to urgently recruit soldiers, could the horizontal sword be made the standard weapon for new recruits?"

Lin Chong picked up his sword and said, "The Iron Forest Army is the elite of the Liao army, their strength far surpassing that of ordinary people. This sword weighs about eight jin, which is too cumbersome for our people. I believe it would be more appropriate to reduce the weight to six jin!" Yang Zhi echoed, "I agree with General Lin's point of view!" Wang Hao quickly made a decision, saying, "Send this sword back to Jiaozhou. For the next three months, we will only trade this one type of weapon with the Liao Kingdom!" He then continued, "Tell Zhu Gui to begin designing weapons suitable for the local militia. This sword is only for reference, not a restriction!" Lin Chong and Yang Zhi said in unison, "Your Excellency is wise!" Wang Hao's arrangements did not end there. He said, "All weapons forged in the ironworks must be able to withstand the test of war. Therefore, every new weapon, including improved weapons, must be tested by soldiers in actual combat before it can be purchased!" Lin Chong and Yang Zhi replied, "Yes, sir!"

Wang Hao suddenly remembered that the Mo Dao (陌刀) and Miao Dao (苗刀) were being forged at the same time, and asked, "Has the Mo Dao been successfully forged?" Lin Chong replied, "When I left, the first batch of twelve Mo Dao had already been delivered to the military camp, and General Lu was also selecting suitable men to be Mo Dao soldiers." Wang Hao nodded slightly and said, "Do you two think that the Miao Dao and Mo Dao could serve as the standard weapons for the main force in Jiaozhou?" Lin Chong hesitated slightly and said, "I don't know how to answer your question, young master!" Wang Hao was somewhat surprised and said, "Please speak freely!" Lin Chong considered for a moment and said, "Do you know why the Mo Dao disappeared from the historical stage after the Tang Dynasty?" Wang Hao didn't want to discuss the matter further with Lin Chong and Yang Zhi. Faced with this presumptuous attempt at teaching, Lin Chong simply said, "Speak!" Slightly embarrassed, he said, "The Mo Dao (陌刀) is incredibly powerful, but extremely expensive. After the Tang Dynasty's golden age, the nation's strength declined, and it could no longer afford to equip itself with such weapons on a large scale. Emperor Taizu unified the Central Plains, and the imperial court's annual revenue gradually surpassed that of the Tang Dynasty. However, the northwest and Youyun regions were all seized by enemy states, resulting in a severe shortage of warhorses. While the Mo Dao could directly confront cavalry charges, it was powerless to restrain a cavalry charge. Therefore, where the Mo Dao were present, enemy cavalry avoided battle. Over time, the Mo Dao soldiers had no fighting opportunities and were gradually phased out and disbanded." Wang Hao asked, "What if the Mo Dao soldiers were to fight against infantry?" Lin Chong replied, "For Mo Dao soldiers to fight against infantry would be like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut!"

Lin Chong avoided answering his own question, but repeatedly emphasized the high cost of the Mo Dao, saying, "Both the Mo Dao and the Miao Dao are formidable weapons on the battlefield, but their high cost and heavy wear and tear make them unaffordable for most people!" Lin Chong nodded and replied, "I personally participated in the testing of the Miao Dao in Jiaozhou. Its power and attack speed are beyond doubt, but if the blade is damaged, it is difficult to repair and must be reforged!" Wang Hao said, "Are you worried that the high cost of the Miao Dao and Mo Dao will bankrupt Jiaozhou's finances?" Lin Chong replied, "I have served in the military for many years and deeply understand the cost of war!" Wang Hao looked at Yang Zhi and said, "General Yang, do you share this view?" Yang Zhi replied, "Not only do General Lin and I feel this way, but General Lu Da feels the same way!"

Wang Hao showed no sign of changing his mind, saying, "Leaving aside costs, could the Miao sword and the Mo sword meet the needs of the Jiaozhou army in combat?" Lin Chong suddenly gritted his teeth and said, "If you, young master, can establish a weapons inventory ten times the number of soldiers, the Jiaozhou army will be invincible!" Yang Zhi found it hard to believe that these words came from Lin Chong and hurriedly said, "General Lin, be careful with your words. Throughout history, even the most elite armies have only had soldiers who are fully armed and well-equipped. How can there be a tenfold inventory?" Lin Chong did not back down and retorted, "Ordinary weapons can be sharpened and repaired more than ten times, but the Miao sword and the Mo sword, once damaged, must be melted down and reforged. What I just said about a tenfold inventory was not a rash statement, but a conclusion reached after repeated consideration!" Lin Chong had never been so excited. After his words, he seemed to be waiting for the verdict, but Wang Hao suddenly shouted, "Good! Tomorrow, order Zhu Gui that the Jiaozhou army's weapons inventory must be twelve times the number of soldiers!"