Chapter 3, The Han Family Ancestors and Descendants
Old Han Zheng, however, shook his head repeatedly
The burly man, who was busy stirring the molten iron, also turned around and shouted loudly, "Second Brother!"
When it comes to the battlefield, any flashy moves are tantamount to seeking death. With absolute strength and further practice of the skills specifically designed for combat on the battlefield, one can easily subdue all enemies on the opposite side.
Of course, my elder brother's birthday is approaching. He is stationed at the frontier, leading troops in battle. With such a formidable weapon, it would be like adding wings to a tiger. Moreover, he has a particular fondness for fine horses and exquisite swords. I believe this gift will undoubtedly delight him immensely. " Xiao Cheng said with a smile, "What do I need such a sword for? If I dare to carry it with me, my father will probably give me another beating.
The seemingly frail scholar in the eyes of outsiders is now skillfully wielding a knife in this courtyard, demonstrating remarkable proficiency. Two streaks of silver light swirl around him, clearly indicating extraordinary skill.
Han Zhong opened a chest in the room and took out a long, rectangular bundle, placing it in front of Xiao Cheng
This is what is referred to as a single force overcoming a hundred meetings
No, no, no! Xiao Cheng waved his hand and said: "I regard the hammer as a brother, but I cannot treat it as a servant"
Listening to Han Zheng's exclamation, Xiao Cheng nodded in deep agreement. In the confrontation between the two countries, what ultimately determines victory or defeat is still the overall situation and national strength; a slight amount of personal martial power is truly insignificant in the face of the national machinery
"Is it permissible to act recklessly? Is it you who calls him 'Second Brother'?" The old man turned around and scolded angrily. "Is there no sense of hierarchy or respect anymore?"
Han Zheng did not suspect anything else and sighed: "Thus, it is said that all pursuits are of lower quality, and only reading is esteemed! I have spent a lifetime working with iron, yet I could not come up with a solution; your few words have resolved the issue."
As Xiao Cheng walked into the room, Han Tian quickly followed with a large pot of cool tea, pouring a generous bowl for each of them. This type of cool tea, commonly referred to as "one pot of tea," has always been the best choice for ordinary people to relieve heat and quench thirst. Just a few leaves can brew a large pot. Although it may not be suitable for high-class occasions, it is the best remedy for generating saliva, quenching thirst, and dispelling heat.
Even though Tiangong Workshop is thriving and making considerable profits every year, at the end of the day, isn't it still just a blacksmith's shop?
So you are giving it to the young master?" Han Zhang suddenly realized
The blade resembles a pool of autumn water; at first glance, it seems as if beams of light are dancing upon its surface, with clusters of beautiful patterns appearing and disappearing on the blade. When the knife is lifted and a finger flicks it, a soft humming sound resonates in the room, lingering endlessly.
At this point, Han Zhang seemed to be somewhat dazed, and after a long pause, he continued: "In a great battle, thousands upon thousands of people are fighting together; ha ha, in such a scene, what does individual strength matter? A single cold arrow can cause a brave man to die without knowing how or why."
The hammer in Xiao Cheng's mouth is named Han Tian, with the nickname Iron Hammer. He is fifteen years old, one year younger than Xiao Cheng, but possesses a robust physique. At fifteen, he already stands over seven feet tall, and a heavy iron hammer weighing several dozen pounds feels like a toy in his hands. Even a hundred-pound iron ingot or iron sheet can be effortlessly lifted with one hand.
The old gentleman is right. My father once told me that over a decade ago, an envoy from the Liao Kingdom came to the capital, and the deputy envoy who accompanied him was named Xiao, Xiao...
It has also been forged. It is made from the leftover materials used to craft this blade, and its sharpness is on par with this knife. As he spoke, Han Zhan turned around and took out two short daggers from the horizontal rack. Unlike ordinary short daggers, the ones Han Zhan produced were slightly longer than usual, and the handles were equipped with handguards.
While the two were conversing, the blacksmith had already poured the molten iron from the furnace into the mold, and the yard was suddenly filled with a steamy atmosphere. Approaching a row of freshly processed dark iron ingots, Xiao Cheng crouched down, picked up a small iron hammer, and gently tapped a few times. After listening for a moment, he smiled and said, "Old man, it seems that the quality is even better than before."
Er Lang, what you instructed earlier has already been completed. Please take a look and see if you are satisfied
He turned his head to pick up a cloth from the table used for wiping the blade, gave it a shake, and tossed it into the air. With his right hand, he lifted the knife, twisting his wrist to point the blade upwards, and the cloth landed smoothly on the blade, silently splitting into two.
After passing through the Moon Gate and turning around a mirrored wall, the first thing that caught Xiao Cheng's eye was two furnaces. A similarly bare-chested man, with his back to Xiao Cheng, reached out to open the valve of one of the furnaces, and the liquid began to flow out in a steady stream, pouring into the mold below.
Er Lang
Xiao Dalin, the greatest hero of the Liao Kingdom! Han Zhang continued, "In the city of Dongjing, he managed to defeat dozens of our Song Dynasty's valiant warriors. For a time, the entire capital was shrouded in silence, and it took several years for us to catch our breath. But in the end, wasn't he still turned into a porcupine by our volley of arrows in the border battle? His head was sent to the capital to claim credit for the victory."
Seeing Xiao Cheng's resolute attitude, Old Han Zheng couldn't help but sigh, feeling both joy and worry in his heart
Xiao Tian on one side was instantly filled with anticipation, as he indeed had this idea. If he were to join the military, with the Xiao family's influence within the army, arranging a good position for him would naturally be a matter of ease.
Suddenly turning around, I saw Xiao Cheng standing not far away, and a look of joy immediately appeared on my face as I hurriedly approached him
"Do not blame Erlang," said Xiao Zheng. "It is hot outside, let Erlang sit inside. Tie Chui, go and pour some cool tea for Erlang to relieve the heat."
On a scorching day, Xiao Cheng ran for nearly half the city of Beijing. The temperature here at Tiangong Workshop was even a few degrees hotter than outside. Han Tian brought up tea, and he drank two large bowls in quick succession. After burping, he felt completely at ease all over.
"Do not do this!" Xiao Cheng shook his head repeatedly and said, "Once you have crafted it well with fine hemp rope, just wrap it around carefully. The scabbard can be made of ordinary material; this sword is for my elder brother, meant for battle and not for show. What is the point of doing all this nonsense? Practicality is the best. By the way, have you made the two short blades I asked you to?"
The sharpness and flexibility embodied in this treasured blade, Xiao Cheng said with satisfaction: "It still relies on the old master's skill; now I have a gift to present to my elder brother"
He reached out to open the bundle, and a long knife appeared before Xiao Cheng
Reaching out to pick up two short daggers, Xiao Cheng skillfully waved them a few times, his interest greatly piqued. He lifted his robe at the waist and directly stepped outside, striking a pose and surprisingly began to show off with the short daggers.
His technique of wielding a short dagger is known as the "shadow hand," which is entirely different from the techniques of the "sun hand" that are commonly seen in the world. It is no wonder that Han Zheng, who is accustomed to such things, was greatly astonished.
Old Han Zheng sighed: "Er Lang, the old man knows you have a good temperament, but I am afraid that the iron hammer has become accustomed to it, and in the future, it may not know how to restrain itself in front of others, where..."
"Er Lang, the iron hammer has spoiled you, and now you are becoming increasingly unruly." Old Han Zheng looked at Xiao Cheng with some complaints
"Er Lang, this is the best knife I have ever forged in my life." Looking at the knife, Han Zhang's eyes were filled with extraordinary excitement, "However, it is also thanks to your method of crafting fine iron, Er Lang, that this knife was made."
Next year, you will be taking the examination for the juren degree. Once you become a juren, let Tie Chui follow you! Lao Han Zheng said cautiously. Given the current situation of the Xiao family and Xiao Cheng's talents, it is entirely possible for him to become a jinshi in the future, or even rise to the ranks of generals and ministers. If Tie Chui can follow him as a personal attendant, he will have a good future ahead, which is certainly better than forging iron now.
A wall of the courtyard divides the inside from the outside
"The hammer's nature is simple and unpretentious, and I like him very much." Xiao Cheng said with a smile, "I also asked him to call me 'Second Brother.' In the future, don't use this matter to teach him a lesson, old man."
"What research? It's just something I came across in a book, merely a casual remark. If we are to speak of contributions, it is you, esteemed elder, who truly deserves the credit for turning the contents of the book into reality." Xiao Cheng chuckled and shifted the topic. "In books, there are houses of gold, in books, there are beauties like jade, in books, there are thousands of measures of grain!"
The old gentleman is right; having Chui Zi manage this workshop is also quite good. Isn't it better to be just ordinary and peaceful than anything else?
Xiao Cheng smiled as he reached out to grip the blade. As he gradually exerted force, the blade slowly bent. When he relaxed his grip, with a ringing sound, the blade snapped back into place
Upon hearing this roar, the man immediately lowered his head
"This is all thanks to you, Erlang!" Han Zheng looked at Xiao Tai, his eyes filled with admiration. "The furnace I modified according to your method, after remelting the pig iron, is almost indistinguishable from wrought iron. How is it that you have such profound knowledge of our trade?"
Old Master! Another batch has been produced today!" Xiao Cheng said with a smile as he walked over
Han Zhen naturally knew that Xiao Cheng was not telling the truth. Just by observing Xiao Cheng's knife skills, it was clear that he was not merely practicing on his own; he had clearly been taught by a master. However, since Er Lang did not wish to speak about it, he naturally would not ask further.
Xiao Cheng laughed and said, "I am just pondering aimlessly by myself."
Han Zheng also smiled: "Er Lang is a scholar, and having this knife by his side is indeed somewhat inappropriate. However, since it is a gift for the young master, I will make some adjustments. I will inlay two gemstones on the hilt, adorn it with gold and silver, and pair it with a fine scabbard."
What a good knife!" Xiao Cheng exclaimed.
Moments later, a sweating Xiao Cheng returned to the room and smiled at Han Zheng, saying: "It fits perfectly."
Xiao Cheng smiled slightly and said, "In my opinion, Chui Zi is truly gifted. If he can join the army, he will undoubtedly become a valiant general who strikes fear into the hearts of the enemy in the future"
At this point, he shot a glance at the hammer that was eagerly being watched by them, and sighed: "In his childhood, I did let him go to school, but he truly was not cut out for it; in this lifetime, he is destined to work with iron."
An old man, with hair and beard completely white and dressed only in a vest, looked at the color of the molten iron flowing out, nodding in satisfaction repeatedly
The Xiao family, known for their military lineage, naturally possesses countless treasured swords and blades. However, in Xiao Cheng's view, none can compare to the one before him
It's nothing!" Xiao Cheng waved his hand dismissively.
"Er Lang, the old Han family has only one heir, and I absolutely do not wish for Tie Chui to join the army again. Back in the day, I followed the old master to guard the northern borders for nearly twenty years, and I have witnessed countless extraordinary heroes meet untimely deaths. There were many who were stronger than Tie Chui, but in the end, how many of them survived?"
Han Zheng shook his head and said: "Didn’t the master forbid Erlang from practicing martial arts? Who did you learn this from? Your technique of holding a short dagger is quite different from that of ordinary people"
"Hammer, hurry up and take care of the molten iron in the furnace, come back to talk later!" Xiao Cheng said with a smile. "Today, I brought you some roasted pork with crispy skin from the restaurant."