Chapter 741: Four Design Proposals for Horse Armor by the Craftsmen of the 'Burning Furnace' Chamber of Commerce

Xueya Site slowly recounted the information he had gathered.

"First of all, several pieces of news I heard all indicate that the villages and towns near Borisfa City have all rebelled. However, it is not a rebellion against the Kingdom or the local nobles, but against the current actual administrator of Borisfa City."

Jier frowned.

"The news is very chaotic, much like what we heard from the rescued merchant earlier. Some say Viscount Borisfa, who led troops to the Province Capital, died in a duel; others say he died in political attacks by other nobles, or that the Noble Council stripped him of his noble title and imprisoned him, intending to pass the title of Borisfa City to the current administrator instead."

"I don't know if it's true, but since that Viscount lord hasn't been heard from leading troops back after Borisfa City fell into chaos, I estimate the situation is not good."

Jier nodded and said, "Tell me about the specific situation in Borisfa City."

"Oh, there are many versions, ranging from thousands of people surrounding the city to tens of thousands, and there are all sorts of claims about a fierce battle with the city's garrison soldiers. But at least the fact that the city is surrounded by rebellious farmers seems true to me. A merchant who risked his life to escape from there claimed that the farmers there were incited and led by the local Agricultural God Church, swearing to resist the taxes that had been piled up on the farmers. According to that merchant, the Tax Officer of Borisfa City did indeed attempt to forcibly collect three times the agricultural tax of last year before the rebellion broke out."

Jier narrowed his eyes, fiddling with the carriage harness that was not currently attached to the horses: "Attempted to collect? So it hadn't started yet? And triple the tax—is the city's temporary administrator crazy? Never mind that there was heavy rain last autumn and harvests were poor everywhere; isn't it spring now? What kind of taxes are they collecting in spring? What are they supposed to let the farmers in the villages eat to survive the next half-year? Rely on eating wild vegetables and fruits to live until this autumn?"

For a moment, Jier didn't know what to say; no matter how he looked at it, this matter was absurd.

"It's too absurd. Hmm, my personal judgment is that this is likely false. Even someone with a lack of management experience wouldn't issue such an absurd decree. Unless that person is determined to make things go wrong."

Xueya Site nodded: "Anyway, that's just what I heard; believe it or not, it's up to you."

Jier then asked: "Then did you hear anything detailed about the local Agricultural God Church? Something more specific."

"I heard a piece of news from a drunken priest of the God of Brewing Church. Although it came from a drunkard, the other party is a church priest, so I think it's still reliable."

Jier gestured for him to speak.

"That priest of the God of Brewing said that the other churches in Borisfa City had long been forcibly ordered by the city administrator to unite and surround and isolate the Agricultural God Church within the city, not letting those Agricultural God Church priests rush out of the city to join the rebellious farmers outside. However, those surrounding them haven't put much effort into it, so this encirclement and isolation have been going on for quite a while."

"Is there any specific timing for these events?"

Xueya Site stated a date, which was the day the other churches in Borisfa City received the order from the city administrator to move and surround them.

Calculating the dates, it was even a few days before the defeated army attacked Changmai Village where Priest Bataer was. The two places have a certain distance between them, so the events happened one after another, but they might not necessarily be connected. But since the Agricultural God did not let Priest Bataer borrow power from the nearest Agricultural God Church to save people in time, it is clear that the Agricultural God knew exactly what was happening in Borisfa City.

That He would rather let Priest Bataer head north and then risk traveling west to the neighboring province to seek help from the Mengtuoka Diocese and wait for Jier, rather than going to the nearby Borisfa City, clearly shows He did not want the priest to get involved; it is estimated that the situation there is not safe.

Forsaking the near for the far must have reasons that are not on the surface.

Jier pondered for a while and saw in the distance that Priest Bataer had finished his morning prayers with the believers and was planning to walk into the tent of the injured to treat them.

So Jier shouted twice to get the priest's attention and called him over.

As soon as Priest Bataer came over, Jier had Xueya Site repeat the information he had gathered.

This news clearly made the young priest, who had been calm and steady just a moment ago, panic: "Rebellion? Impossible! The teachers and the lords could not possibly support the farmers in rebelling like this!"

"They clearly have so many other means to constrain the local nobles; where is the need to use the method of rebelling and surrounding the city to solve this matter? This is like using oil to put out a fire; only a fool would choose to do this."

Jier and Xueya Site nodded, acknowledging this judgment. Making a mountain out of a molehill might seem ordinary, but it turns things that could have been solved at a low cost into uncontrollable, high-cost events.

"But there are merchants who escaped from there claiming that it was indeed the Agricultural God priests who led the farmers to launch the rebellion. Although merchants never have anything good to say about farmers, there is no need for the other party to lie about this; this has nothing to do with interests, right?"

Hearing Jier's words, Priest Bataer looked troubled, his conflicting emotions showing on his face, making his expression very unsightly.

Seeing the priest about to speak, Jier grabbed his arm, interrupted him, and said first: "I know what you want to say, but don't be anxious. Duoen Town is a ten-day journey away with a peaceful road; you can't do anything even if you're anxious now, right?"

The priest sat down on the ground, clenched his fists, and slammed the ground hard to vent the anxiety in his heart. The surface of the shoulder armor he wore flashed with ripple-like light, and he was not injured.

Jier jumped down from the driver's seat, squatted in front of the priest, and said: "Since you can't do anything, why not fulfill the mission we currently bear? This is what you just said; after all, this is a mission the Agricultural God personally entrusted to you, and you need to focus on completing it."

The priest pursed his lips tightly and said nothing.

Seeing him like this, Jier shrugged: "You're still anxious, right? Then why don't you try to contact and communicate with the great Agricultural God? After all, He didn't let you get involved in the Borisfa City affair back then, but guided you to bypass it and go to the Mengtuoka Diocese to find me instead."

This sentence seemed to work. After listening, Priest Bataer closed his eyes and sat cross-legged on the spot. An Amber Metal Long Staff was placed horizontally across his thighs, the Hushin Statue of the God was respectfully placed on the ground in front of him, and he was muttering something to himself, not knowing what he was whispering.

"How is it? Can you get a response or not?"

Facing Jier's words, Priest Bataer replied unhappily: "I'm trying to contact the deity, don't disturb me."

So Jier and the others shrugged and walked aside.

"You stay in this open space today and keep an eye on him; don't let the priest do anything rash."

Jier instructed: "I am going to the town to handle some other matters. By the way, do you know about the Underground Black Market in Duoen Town?"

"Underground Black Market? I've heard people mention it, but I don't know where it is. It seems you can only find the place if someone with local connections leads the way. I'm just a guard for an outside caravan; even if I wanted to ask, people wouldn't take me in."

Xueya Site said so.

"That's true. A merchant from the Merchant Union I met yesterday, Mr. Stuoer-Sikete, is a core Senior Steward of the 'Burning Furnace' Chamber of Commerce here. He said he would take me there today to buy some cheap items of unknown origin."

"As long as you aren't afraid of trouble, then it's up to you."

"There is one more thing: those bandits we captured—I sold them to a local merchant after they signed debt contracts. The other party will send someone over in a while. You entertain them, let the other party set a price for each bandit, and sell them all for money."

"Alright, but won't it affect things if you aren't here?"

"The other party won't come in person either, so you are just right. If they ask about me, just answer truthfully."

"Fine, leave it to me. I've long been tired of those annoying guys; selling them for resources is best."

Xueya Site said at last.

So Jier gave his companion some coins to manage the team temporarily. When the 'Starry Sky' tent general store delivered new tents today, he would settle the remaining payments according to the quantity. Afterward, he ate something, personally fed and groomed Tianxuecao, and then rode out of the open space toward Duoen Town.

He was still wearing the same set of clothes as yesterday, only removing some decorative accessories he had worn for the banquet.

Outside the gate of the open space, several Security Guards sent by Mr. 'Lean Aolier' were still there 'assisting in guarding' the gate. These people had built a campfire on the narrow open ground between the gate and the road and had also set up a triangular tent where they could take turns resting.

Seeing Knight Jier come out, these Security Guards stood up and performed a salute.

Jier naturally returned the salute.

Walking through the foul-smelling streets of the town's slum area again, Tianxuecao was particularly dissatisfied, twisting its large horse head back and forth to show its discontent.

"Alright, I'll find someone to clean your hooves later, will that do?"

After being soothed, the tall horse walked obediently.

Walking all the way from the outer circle of the town to the town center, Jier easily found the tall building of the Burning Furnace Chamber of Commerce next to the town square.

Unexpectedly, the building of the Burning Furnace Chamber of Commerce, which deals in metal forging, in Duoen Town was instead carved from gray rock with rounded corners, not using cold, hard straight lines and angles, but replacing the edges of the building with arcs that were less aggressive and more artistic.

A sign made of pure metal hung on one side of the gate, extending outward, and the building was also decorated with tapestries bearing the mark of the Burning Furnace Chamber of Commerce. The expensive tapestries displayed wealth and status, revealing the momentum and strength of one of the Duoen Town Chamber of Commerce Union members.

Just as Jier arrived at the entrance of the Chamber of Commerce, a young Shop Assistant who had been waiting at the gate for a long time took the initiative to walk over and salute: "May I ask if you are Knight Qiao-Jier? I am the one arranged by Steward Scott to receive you."

"It is me. There is a matter regarding my horse; where is it supposed to go?"

Jier patted the horse's head and asked.

"The Steward said, please follow me from the side door to the side courtyard of the Merchant Guild. Craftsmen and apprentices capable of handling horse armor are already being assembled there."

"Very well, lead the way. Where is Scott?"

Jier jumped off the horse and followed the Shop Assistant on foot through the guarded side door of the Merchant Guild into the interior of the Burning Furnace Merchant Guild building complex.

Calling it a building complex, it naturally consisted of more than just the three-story stone building along the street; walking further in, there were several other wooden and brick-stone buildings. The scattered arrangement of the buildings created several internal open spaces enclosed by the guild's structures.

It was clear that the place he was heading to now was what was called the side courtyard.

Calling it a side courtyard, it was more like a place for keeping the Merchant Guild's horses and carriages.

The most conspicuous feature was a two-story wooden stable. Horses moved between the two levels via a gentle side ramp, so the originally large stable could accommodate twice as many horses and other livestock.

Next to the two-story stable were two buildings closely connected together. One was filled with soot and the sound of iron-working constantly emanated from it; it looked like a blacksmith shop, but upon walking in, one realized that the craftsmen and apprentices busy inside were solely responsible for forging and repairing horseshoes and metal parts for horse equipment.

Next to the small blacksmith shop was a woodworking shop that emitted the sound of saws cutting wood back and forth. However, it was not only manufacturing cargo racks for horse backs, but also housed a heavy-duty four-wheeled wagon that had not yet been finished.

Or, perhaps it was not being made, but being repaired after damage?

Other connected structures included a warehouse containing fodder, as well as a downward-sloping passage leading to the Merchant Guild's large underground warehouse.

And wooden houses for people to live in.

At this moment, as soon as Jier entered, several craftsmen and apprentices who had been waiting on chairs at the entrances of the blacksmith and woodworking shops stood up and clamored, "Finally here. There is so much to do, why did Steward Scott have to call us over and waste half the morning?"

"Don't ask, the person is here. Hmph, probably just some kid from some family who got a good horse and is ordering us around."

Jier secretly curled his lip.

Fortunately, the Burning Furnace Merchant Guild Shop Assistant who led him was quite capable. He went up and immediately announced Jier's identity. Upon hearing that the excessively young Jier was actually a Knight, these craftsmen and apprentices, who still had complaints, finally quieted down.

"Greetings, Sir Knight, good morning to you."

The flattery came right away.

Jier waved his hand: "Spare me the flattery, I imagine you find it awkward too." He clapped his hands: "Then let us begin, everyone? Although this is a matter entrusted to Mr. Scott, my warhorse does indeed need suitable battlefield protection as soon as possible. Whoever performs well during the process, I will reward them."

Jier knew that if you want people to put in effort, don't bother with those empty things; he wasn't some Noble Lord who could promise power and status. If you want people to be willing to work wholeheartedly, throwing money is the simplest and most effective measure.

As long as you don't feel the pinch of that money.

Consequently, these craftsmen and apprentices who had previously made horse armor immediately had smiles on their faces, and they were sincere smiles at that.

Sure enough, gold and the like is a panacea that can cure many ailments, including facial paralysis and depression.

These people immediately swarmed over, crowding around the somewhat nervous Tianxuecao, each using their skills. Wooden straight rulers and long leather tape measures were brought out, and the original Muan and other items on Tianxuecao were all removed.

It was all the craftsmen working; the several apprentices on the side couldn't even get a hand in. If they dared to get close, the craftsmen would directly slap them hard on the head to drive them away.

The craftsmen also muttered to themselves while working, unwilling to let other craftsmen and apprentices learn their secrets. They each recorded the various data of the horse on small pieces of old sheepskin they carried.

Jier stood to the side, hands on his hips, watching the apprentices who wanted to help but couldn't get a hand in—several male and female apprentices were spinning around in anxiety. He smiled and said: "When I arrived, the hooves stepped in the foul mud of the slum streets; who is willing to clean them? The reward is not much, one copper coin."

Although it was only one copper coin, there were still people willing to do it; after all, it was just cleaning horse hooves, a small matter. The apprentices all started by cleaning stable manure and grooming horses.

This kind of thing was the simplest for them.

Working under a craftsman, there was no pay; after all, the most menial work could be done by anyone. Most apprentices could only begin to formally learn techniques from the craftsman after staying under them for over a year.

And only with techniques could they formally participate in manufacturing and production in the workshop and earn wages. Before that, new apprentices could only stand on the side and watch; they weren't allowed to touch anything.

If they dared to touch anything, let alone the craftsman himself, the apprentices who came earlier would often discipline and beat the little apprentice who broke the rules.

However, now, the apprentices who could come over were basically those under the craftsmen present who were about to finish their apprenticeship, and some craftsmen were older and lacked physical strength, so the apprentices could step in to help.

Jier watched them work. After the craftsmen measured the various data of Tianxuecao, they each began their own horse armor designs, basically each bringing out their own unique skills.

Of course, one also had to consider the robustness of this young prairie horse; some heavy armor specifically for a true Knight's warhorse obviously could not be used.

However, the style of horse armor in the Southern Province was inherently inconsistent with the North, not to mention that they were just ordinary Merchant Guild craftsmen and were not familiar with the manufacturing specifications and methods of Knight warhorse armor in the army.

So when, after a while, the four craftsmen presented their respective design plans to Jier, these horse armor styles, which were different from the styles Jier was familiar with, still surprised him somewhat.

Two older craftsmen designed leather armor for the horse. However, one suggested using thick, hard cowhide armor for the entire horse, which was the material used for the Hard Cowhide Armor Jier had previously worn on his body. Wrapping the entire horse, sufficiently thick cowhide armor could provide good protection against bow and arrow fire; it wasn't that bows and arrows couldn't shoot through thick hard cowhide armor, but that the bows and arrows of the vast majority of soldiers could not penetrate this armor.

If it couldn't penetrate, naturally there would be no damage. This design focused on protection against Arrow fire. But for melee lance stabs and Spear impacts, the protective effect was average. It wasn't that it wouldn't work, but it could only provide a relatively strong protective effect.

Another older craftsman recommended using leather armor of ordinary thickness, which was lighter and could ensure the warhorse's running speed and long-distance travel. In addition, he would add extra metal Horse Armor for protection on the horse's front, which was the main area of attack. For the sides, which were not easily attacked, he used a type of Multi-layer Protective Cloth he had developed himself as additional protection added to the leather armor.

This craftsman's Multi-layer Protective Cloth could not only be waterproof but also resist slashing and stabbing from ordinary soldiers, but it had no protective effect against blunt weapon strikes. Regarding this, the craftsman's explanation was that Knights and warhorses generally needed to fight while moving, rather than being used as a fortress on the battlefield, standing still and letting the enemy attack.

Jier felt that what the other party said had some truth; this person was clearly more inclined toward the warhorse's mobility and aggressiveness. The overall design plan was much lighter in weight than the former.

The other two younger, though actually middle-aged, craftsmen recommended using metal Horse Armor. However, their designs were still different here. One craftsman's design plan was to add Metal Armor Plates to a basic leather horse armor to wrap the entire horse. The advantage was that damaged Metal Armor Plates could be replaced, and since the plates were connected and attached to the leather armor, it would not greatly affect the horse's movement.

The last middle-aged craftsman's plan focused more on protective power. The horse's head and neck used several large pieces of Metal Armor connected by a Lock, and key parts of the body were also protected by large pieces of armor. Other places were roughly similar to the former, except that the Metal Armor Plates were also replaced with large-sized horse armor plates the size of a palm.

Facing the four different design plans, Jier became hesitant.

Just then, Mr. Scott walked out from the stone building of the Merchant Guild in front. He shouted from far away: "Knight Jier, haha, how is it? Are you satisfied with the skills of our Merchant Guild's excellent craftsmen?"

Jier smiled awkwardly: "Too satisfied, to the point that I don't know which one to choose."