Chapter 0005: The Spark of Technology

"More than thirty! What have you been doing all this time, soldier?" Xiao Ming exclaimed angrily

This type of conduction is akin to magic, similar to Taoist practices, and reminiscent of the enlightening experience of being infused with wisdom.

"Captain Lu, continue to monitor this group of barbarian cavalry. It seems that they intend to have a meal at our gates before departing," Xiao Ming said, glancing at the barbarian cavalry sitting on the ground.

"Your Highness, this is by no means a trivial matter." Lu Fei felt that Prince Qi had gone mad

The barbarian cavalry outside the city does not seem to have any intention of leaving immediately. At this moment, Xiao Ming said to Lu Fei: "Go and call Chen Bingcao over."

On the city wall, three hundred soldiers stood in formation, while twenty archers drew their longbows, ready to shoot at the barbarian cavalry lurking outside the city.

Your Highness, everyone has arrived, but some of the craftsmen from the common folk are still unaware of what iron caltrops are and are unable to forge them

These barbarian cavalrymen are showing them too little regard; this is an insult to him

Compared to the barbarian cavalry, his soldiers wore tattered leather armor, and the ice blades in their hands were all rusted. Only the scale armor worn by Lu Fei still had some quality.

Lu Fei opened his mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed his words instead

He deliberately said: "In that case, Lieutenant Lu might as well lead the soldiers to capture this barbarian and ask for clarification."

Is there no news from Cangzhou? Xiao Ming began to analyze the current situation using the extensive knowledge he possessed

Truly, it is incredibly impoverished, and Xiao Ming was almost driven to madness. He said, "Now gather all the blacksmiths in the city."

Although Qian Dafu felt a pinch in his pocket, he still collected the bronze tripods and ironware from the Wang residence

One of the barbarian cavalrymen drew his bow and shot a sharp arrow towards Xiao Ming

"Let us not bring up these formalities right now. What is going on?" Xiao Ming inquired

When Xiao Ming ascended the city tower, he immediately sensed Lu Fei's disdain for him, which inevitably caused him to feel a surge of anger in his heart

"Is Captain Lu afraid? How can we know how these barbarian cavalry appeared here if we do not capture them?" Xiao Ming said in a calm voice

Xiao Ming remained remarkably calm, as the technological crystal in his mind contained a wealth of knowledge. He was fully aware of the range of ancient bows and arrows, so when the arrow came, he did not even attempt to dodge it

I also find it strange that Cangzhou City has a strategically important terrain, being the only passage through the Qinling Mountains. If the barbarians were to invade, they would undoubtedly first breach Cangzhou City

Is this still King Qi?

What astonished him was that the iron caltrops forged by these seven individuals were even more standardized and sharper than those produced by the artisans of the Equipment Division

As Lu Fei responded, he felt a strange sensation in his heart; the usually reticent King Qi had, in just a few words, pinpointed the crux of the matter.

Xiao Ming smiled with satisfaction; he had succeeded. By explaining this method to obscure the transmission of knowledge, these craftsmen believed that they had understood the production of iron brambles.

In simple terms, the technological crystal integrated into consciousness can connect with the consciousness of others, subtly implanting technological knowledge into their minds

However, these iron spikes have existed since the Warring States period; in fact, they are quite simple, merely resembling a triangular-shaped nail

The military officer in charge of weapons and provisions in the governor's office is known as the兵曹. The most effective way to deal with cavalry is to turn them into infantry.

Lu Fei's face turned green; he was impulsive in temperament, yet not devoid of intelligence. "Your Highness, there are more than thirty riders in Qingzhou City. Although the numbers are comparable, we are by no means a match for these barbarian cavalry archers. Exiting the city gate would be tantamount to seeking death."

King Qi? Lu Feisheng's voice was like a thunderclap, "What is he here for? He really knows how to create trouble"

The timing has arrived, and Xiao Ming merely intended to give Lu Fei a gentle reminder. He said, "Is that so? It is not without possibility."

Chen Bingcao revealed a troubled expression, "Your Highness, there are some, but not many, only a little over thirty pieces"

"Your Highness, so far, there is only a group of thirty barbarian cavalry lingering outside the city and refusing to leave," said Lu Fei

"No problem, I will teach them myself." Xiao Ming revealed a strange smile; in the face of great adversity, at least he still had the technological crystal.

It is strange, since Cangzhou City has not fallen, how did the barbarian cavalry appear here

This person is Lu Fei, the Colonel of Qingzhou, who commands the troops of Qingzhou

Before long, a slender man dressed in a green official robe appeared on the city tower

Is there any iron thorn?

The humble subject has met Your Highness

A group of more than thirty barbarian cavalrymen outside the city is pointing and laughing mockingly at the city gate

Turning around, he had already seen Xiao Ming ascend the city tower

Xiao Ming raised his eyes and glanced at the barbarian cavalry, who were clad in finely crafted scale armor, wielding recurve bows, and mounted on tall and robust warhorses, resembling elite soldiers

North City of Qingzhou

This iron caltrop is specifically designed to deal with cavalry horses

"Captain Lu, the King of Qi has arrived." At the center of the city gate, a tall man with a black face, clad in scale armor and measuring seven feet in height, was vigilantly watching the barbarian cavalry.

Thus, Chen Bingcao looked on in surprise as Xiao Ming took seven craftsmen aside to speak for a while. When they returned, the seven craftsmen immediately engaged in forging

Lu Fei noticed something unusual in the expression of the King of Qi today; he seemed to be somewhat different than usual

The fief belongs to Xiao Ming, who is not only the King of Qi but also holds the position of Grand Commander of the Six Provinces, equivalent to a commanding officer. Lu Fei, on the other hand, is merely a Captain in Qingzhou, subordinate to Xiao Ming's administration

Chen Bingcao苦笑着说："Your Highness, it is not that I am lazy, but rather that it is difficult for a skilled woman to cook without rice. The artisans in the Equipment Department do not have enough pig iron and coal cakes to repair and manufacture weapons"

The technology repository is merely a part of the technology crystal, and the most important function of the technology crystal is to transmit knowledge

The arrow from the barbarian cavalry merely landed on the city wall, as it was too far from the city gate and lacked sufficient range; this shot was nothing more than an attempt to intimidate Xiao Ming

In the eyes of the nomads of the grasslands, the soldiers of the Central Plains are easily defeated; upon seeing them, they would only be frightened and remain in the city, too afraid to come out

At this moment, Xiao Ming is equivalent to a central computer; he can treat his consciousness as a data line, transferring his knowledge to other computers, which refers to other individuals

Lu Fei's complexion changed from green to red, and he argued, "It is not that I, the general, lack courage, but rather that it is truly a futile effort..."

Lu Fei did not dare to disobey; otherwise, if this King Qi acted foolishly and ordered him to leave the city to engage in battle, it would be fatal

Everything is normal in Cangzhou

All twelve craftsmen from the entire city have arrived at the Instrument Bureau, and some laborers have already begun to stoke the fire to melt copper and iron

Ah? Qian Dafu's facial muscles twitched, displaying a look of pain.

The barbarian cavalry outside the city, upon seeing the elegantly dressed Xiao Ming, immediately stirred with excitement, as he was clearly a person of great significance

However, what is transmitted and what is conducted are entirely at Xiao Ming's discretion

Then, Xiao Ming turned to Qian Dafu and said, "Take all the iron and copper items from the Wang residence and deliver them to the Equipment Department"

In Chen Bingcao's eyes, the King of Qi has always been the subject of ridicule by others, but now it seems that something is amiss

Throughout the entire fief, apart from Qian Dafu who treats him like a prince, no one else pays him any attention at all