Chapter 441: The Elder Sister

In fact, the most mainstream armor of the Ming Dynasty is cloth armor.

This kind of armor is also called dark armor.

On the outside it looks like a thick cotton-padded jacket, with armor plates embedded in the interior of the cotton battle robe, fixed with copper nails.

Compared to scale armor, this armor is more lightweight and inexpensive, conducive to large-scale rapid production, and its defensive effect is in no way inferior to that of scale armor,

Chen Wuji had also considered it before, but after a simple trial he gave it up.

In the climate of the Lingnan Six Commanderies, if they wore this, let alone fighting, marching a few dozen miles would have the soldiers steamed to death; compared to that, scale armor is more suitable.

"This set of armor fits my build well, so I'll keep it for myself. The Military Arsenal Workshop can now go all-out producing it; just tell them what you need." Chen Wuji spread his arms to let Li Run help him take off the armor, saying this.

"Really?" Li Run gave an embarrassed laugh, "But we're still short-handed right now."

"To speed up progress, I've already ordered the apprentices who previously followed along to start forging armor plates hands-on, and then I reassigned another batch of apprentices to stand by and learn; in about half a month, this batch should be able to forge armor plates themselves, after which there will be no apprentices left to use."

Chen Wuji nodded, "Got it, any other problems?"

"Other things are fine for now; you could say everything is orderly." Li Run said.

"The garrison troops have recently shown promise; I and Commandant Chen Bushi have been urging them to practice horsemanship, and before long the infantry stationed at Xishan Village will be able to become cavalry."

"Also, regarding the matchmaking you previously tasked me with, progress has been quite smooth—I've paired up about ten couples, and they are now preparing for marriage. Commandant, would you like to officiate their weddings when the time comes?"

Chen Wuji thought for a moment and said, "I'll take this on for now; if I have time, I'll preside. If something urgent comes up, I'll trouble the two of you to handle it, and the county office will cover all wedding expenses."

Li Run's expression stiffened, "Commandant, our foundation isn't that solid; if the county office has to bear even these expenses, the costs could be considerable……

When keeping accounts, one doesn't know the price of firewood, rice, oil, and salt; but now that he manages the accounts of the entire Yunan County, Li Run constantly fears that Chen Wuji will on a whim blurt out demands to do this and that.

"Is it just about bearing the cost of alcohol?" Chen Wuji asked.

Li Run whispered, "Commandant, we have even less alcohol; Yunan is short of grain this year, and alcohol prices have risen outrageously. If we don't buy from outside, each jar we use from the store reduces the store by one jar."

"How about sending some cloth instead? Right now, these are the only surpluses that are relatively large."

Li Run also figured it out—Chen Wuji surely wants the county office to give the soldiers some wedding gifts, so he ought to raise this suggestion.

"Then let's send cloth." Chen Wuji had to say.

These three families—the Gu, Li, and Xue—are still the biggest clans in the city, yet their resources are not at all abundant.

With just a few ten thousand people and horses consuming supplies for a couple of months, the storehouse actually started running low.

The clans have a lot of moisture.

"Qing County and Heping Shan County sent some supplies over the past few days; you happened to come just in time, so stay in the city for two days and, when you have a moment, put these things into storage and organize them." Chen Wuji said.

Li Run's expression instantly brightened, and he quickly agreed.

It's still better to increase revenue; it saves him a lot of worry.

Constantly cutting expenses truly gives him a headache; dealing with it every day leaves him parched.

After the two discussed some further details, Li Run took his leave.

Chen Wuji leaned back in his chair, admiring the armor hanging on the wall, a relaxed smile appearing on his face after a long time; everything was developing in a good direction, full of the vigor of spring.

Speaking broadly, after enduring many disasters, Yunan has at last revived, showing a spirit of discarding the old and establishing the new.

A flash of red appeared at the doorway, stepping lightly to Chen Wuji's side, "What happened to make you laugh so happily?"

Chen Wuji reached out and smoothly embraced Qin Zhanhong's slender waist, pursed his lips, and said, "Our first set of armor, made by ourselves, is complete—better than Da Yu's armor and more mighty!"

Only then did Qin Zhanhong notice the armor on the wall.

She walked over, took it down, and without a word put it on herself.

Halfway through putting it on, she suddenly deflated and pouted, "This thing… why is it so big? Can't you make it a little smaller? This first set is mine."

"This is mine!" Chen Wuji said.

This guy is simply turning heaven and earth upside down, daring to snatch food from the tiger's mouth right off the bat.

"But I want it too." Qin Zhanhong raised her head and said.

"Fine, I'll make you one." Chen Wuji, seeing the situation, had to agree, "Just… shouldn't your Imperial City Department have standard armor?"

"It's ugly, I don't like it; I like this one!" Qin Zhanhong patted the armor beside her.

"All right, all right, wait a few days and I'll make you one." Chen Wuji smiled helplessly.

In fact, altering the size of armor isn't difficult; it's pretty much like making a piece of clothing.

After all, the troops vary in height and build; the length of the lacing cords can adapt to the body within a small range, but if the difference is as great as Qin Zhanhong's right now, we must change the armor plates extensively by adding or removing them.

But this armor is the first set designed and crafted by Chen Wuji, and it fits his size very closely; someone therefore became a little superstitious, and unconsciously gave this set of armor a different meaning.

Chen Wuji isn't reluctant to alter it for Qin Zhanhong; it's just that once the superstitious notion enters his mind, giving it away leaves him feeling a bit awkward, and he can't help but suspect ill omens.

"When I have time, I'll design a completely feminine set of armor for you, tailor-made." Chen Wuji added, consoling the still-pouting Qin Zhanhong.

Lao Qin didn't used to be like this, but ever since he got close to Shen Youwei, this pouting and glaring has become a habit—an older sister pouting and glaring, is that still okay?

Upon hearing this, Qin Zhanhong's face instantly lit up, "You're serious?"

"Naturally it's true; once the workshop has enough hands and can free up capacity, I'll make it for you right away!" Chen Wuji said, "When have I ever joked with you and gone back on my word without getting fat?"

Qin Zhanhong then hesitated, "Won't there be some suspicion of using public resources for private gain?"

"It's not that exaggerated; you're essentially a female general, so giving you a custom-made set of armor is only fitting." Chen Wuji laughed, "Not just you—all the other officers' armor also needs to be custom-made."

"Then it's good; my husband is so thoughtful." Qin Zhanhong beamed, wrapped both arms around Chen Wuji's neck, and clung to him.

Chen Wuji quickly stopped her, "This is the government office; people come and go all the time—don't move around recklessly

"Just kiss me and I'll let you go!" Qin Zhanhong said with a giggle.

Mwah.

"Husband, what I want is a kiss on the lips."

"……"