Chapter 11: Friendship Is Friendship, Business Is Business

On the wilderness, a large batch of Qihuo troops stood on tense alert.

Heavy crossbows were cocked, cavalry wore armor and watched vigilantly in all directions.

Distant scouts had even been pushed out several li beyond.

The Qihuo troops' tension stemmed from the grain piled on the wilderness.

Grain sacks stacked like mountains were just brazenly displayed before everyone's eyes.

By initial visual estimate, there were at least five thousand shi of grain here.

In this era where hearts and lungs were laid bare and everything was sold by the jin and could be put on the table to eat, several thousand shi of grain was enough to spark a cruel battle.

"The staple grain is still refined rice."

Lin Dao routinely handed over: "Considering meal nutritional balance, I mixed in some flour and corn."

"Rest assured, in terms of nutritional value, the difference is absolutely not large."

Weichang Feng Dun and the others were in high spirits, unable to control their expressions.

Each one was overjoyed, wishing they could dance on the spot.

What nutritional balance, what nutritional value — they didn't understand, and didn't want to understand.

They only knew that here there were fully several thousand shi of grain!

Those who have never starved will never understand the starving's crazy longing for grain.

"Brother Zi Hou — this kindness, this sentiment, the two hundred thousand mouths of my Qihuo troops, absolutely dare not forget!"

Feng Dun and the crowd of Weichang generals were all moved in expression, surrounding Lin Dao to express their gratitude.

Before, Lin Dao had always done small-scale business, bringing a few dozen shi of grain each time.

Although it was sending charcoal in snow, compared to the Shangbai lands and the Qihuo troops' huge population, it was still a drop in the bucket.

But now, a single surge to several thousand shi — the significance was completely different.

Several thousand shi of grain, eaten sparingly and mixed with wild vegetables, grain husks, sawdust, and sand, could barely last a month.

Lin Dao's importance, in their eyes, also rose in a straight line.

Feng Dun and the others even wanted to recommend him as the Qihuo troops' Grand Commander.

As long as he could let them fill their bellies, forget Grand Commander — calling him "A-Die" (father) would be fine too.

As for where these grains came from and how they were transported here, no one asked.

Under natural and man-made disasters, being able to buy grain was already not bad — why ask people's secrets!

"Friendship is friendship, business is business."

A wave of flattery came, but Lin Dao wouldn't get hot-blooded and give it away for free.

He pointed at the abacus in the Jun Simma's hand: "Time to settle the account."

"That is natural."

"Would not dare to shortchange Brother Zi Hou."

"It should be."

"Brother Zi Hou just transport grain here, we will buy it all."

Having done business many times, both sides' prices had basically already fixed.

Two thousand market jin is about sixteen-plus shi, less than seventeen shi counts as one gold cake.

That is one ton of grain exchanged for one jin (Han standard) of gold.

Grain sacks were opened, bag after bag of rice, flour, and corn poured into wooden hu measures.

Hu is a volumetric measuring vessel.

One hu equals ten dou, which is one shi.

In the past when tax clerks collected grain, the hu had to be filled to a pointed peak.

Collecting an extra one or two dou was the tax clerks' side income.

With Lin Dao present, the Qihuo troops naturally didn't dare do that — all honest level measures.

Refined rice and refined flour naturally need no further words — these are all top-grade grain.

And although corn had never been seen before, the fragrance belonging to grain would not deceive.

The Qihuo troops weren't picky either — all purchased at the same price.

The abacus in the Jun Simma's hand clicked and clacked as he manipulated it.

"Total four thousand nine hundred ninety-eight shi, converted to three hundred jin of gold."

Feng Dun and them paid very readily.

Dozens of Weichang generals — whoever wanted grain took out gold.

Three hundred gold seems not little, but everyone chipping in together, it was quickly gathered.

Lin Dao loaded the gold, several crates of apples, several sides of frozen pork, several bags of potatoes, online-purchased Tang horizontal swords and armor, etc., onto the three-wheeled cart's bed.

He gestured at the piled-up Chinese cabbages: "These song cai count as a gift for you."

Everyone naturally thanked him repeatedly.

Qin Lang volunteered, leading a squad of cavalry to escort Lin Dao to the Weichang.

The cart carried so much gold — hard to guarantee no one would take desperate risks.

All the way to the courtyard inside the Weichang, Lin Dao got off the carriage, smiling at the dismounted Qin Lang: "Watched all the way — which one caught your eye?"

Along this road, Qin Lang would from time to time glance at the cargo on the three-wheeled cart.

Qin Lang was a bit embarrassed: "That armor — so beautiful~~~"

Of course it's beautiful — these armors are sold at craftwork prices.

Craftwork — practicality is secondary; the most important is appearance.

As long as appearance is high, nothing else matters.

Exquisite modeling, dazzling paint, resplendent luster, cloud-pattern carvings that dazzle the eyes.

For martial artists, an absolute peerless treasure.

Lin Dao smiled and took a set of armor from the tricycle, stuffing it into Qin Lang's arms.

"We are bosom friends; a mere external thing — since you like it, I'll give it to you."

Qin Lang is a subordinate general of Settlement Commander Feng Dun, a Zhuangzhu.

Wei-Jin military system: five men form a Wu, a Wu Zhang is appointed.

Two Wu form a Shi, a Yi Shi Zhang is appointed.

Five Shi form a Dui, a Dui Zhu is appointed.

Ten Dui form a Zhuang, also called a Five Hundred Commander.

Zhuang means banner; only upon reaching the status of Five Hundred Commander does one have the qualification to possess a banner indicating identity.

Therefore the Five Hundred Commander is also called Zhuangzhu.

Qin Lang is a Zhuangzhu, and his command is still the most elite scouting cavalry, similar to the Ming Army's Ye Bu Shou.

Lin Dao deliberately sought to befriend him; a set of artisan armor is not worth mentioning.

"Brother Zi Hou~~~" Qin Lang, embracing the armor, was deeply moved.

Such exquisitely crafted armor are all proper heirloom treasures, the kind military aristocracy families keep secret.

For Lin Dao to give it to him so easily, anyone with even a shred of conscience would be moved beyond measure.

"Gentlemen, escorting us all the way has also been hard work."

Taking down half a side of frozen pork from the tricycle, Lin Dao handed it to Qin Lang's subordinates: "Take it for a feast."

As business expanded, personal safety investment also expanded extremely rapidly.

Building bonds of gratitude — last-minute cramming is useless.

Daily interaction and exchange, bestowing favors is even more important.

Befriending Qin Lang and his scouting cavalry — who knows when it might come in handy.

As for the cost

Artifacts, frozen pork and such — their value, to Lin Dao, is not worth mentioning at all.

Without a doubt, Qin Lang and his subordinates were all deeply grateful.

Not too many pleasant words were spoken; after all, military household warriors are completely unable to compare with professional scholars in the art of flattery and bootlicking.

But their expressions, actions, and gazes had already expressed a sufficient attitude.

He rode the tricycle straight through the main gate; the courtyard was obviously much larger.

The courtyards on both sides had been given to Lin Dao by Feng Dun; walls knocked through, naturally spacious and vast.

"Lang Zhu~~~"

The women in the courtyard gathered forward to salute.

The men training in martial arts in the two side courtyards, seeing the commotion, also gathered around one after another.

"Lang Zhu." Sun Dalang stepped forward: "The guard squad already has fifty-odd men, all fierce warriors who have taken Hu Cavalry heads."

"Good."

Lin Dao nodded: "Still the old rule — each person issued one military greatcoat, two bags of refined rice."

"Bring people over to move things."

Three hundred gold were sent to the main hall; later Lin Dao would melt them into gold bars.

Several sides of pork and potatoes, handed to the women, taken to the kitchen to process and store for cooking.

As for apples, directly distributed to the guards.

During the lean season between crops, being able to enjoy such delicious fruits that normally only nobles could enjoy — the guards were all beaming with joy.

The Lang Zhu's kindness is heavy; we must repay with our lives!

"These sabers aren't sharpened." Lin Dao signaled at those Tang Heng Dao: "Process them a bit, you divide them up."

"And these armors."

Upon seeing the exquisitely crafted Tang Heng Dao, Sun Dalang and the others had already stared with fixed eyes.

By the time the armors were brought out, the guards one and all were breathing heavily, eyes glowing red.

On the battlefield, the most important thing is armor.

Armored fighting unarmored is almost like a university student beating up an elementary schooler.

Lin Dao looked at Sun Dalang: "Take some weapons, test the effect."

A beautiful set of armor was propped up on a wooden rack in the courtyard.

Sun Dalang and the others, holding sabers, spears, swords, and halberds, began testing.

Amidst the clanging sounds, Lin Dao's face gradually darkened.

When a guard used a strong crossbow to shoot straight through the armor, Lin Dao's face turned completely black.

Truly unexpected — silver-like pewter spearhead, good looking but not useful~~~

"Lang Zhu."

The guard holding the strong crossbow stepped forward, examined the armor, and reported: "This armor looks great, it's just too thin."

Lin Dao stepped forward, reached out and pinched it.

Didn't notice before; all attention was on the armor's super high appearance.

Now taking it seriously, he finally felt it — this armor is really thin, estimated thickness less than one millimeter.

Even modern world steel products, hardness far surpasses Yonghe Spacetime.

But this thickness

This is actually quite normal; where would a modern world online mall sell armor for actual combat use.

What they sell are all crafts.

Crafts just pursue good-looking appearance; being ultra-thin is also for the convenience of wearing.

"I even took it to give as a gift; this is truly embarrassing."

Lin Dao hurriedly instructed Sun Dalang, went out to find Qin Lang, and informed him that this armor is good looking not useful.

To prevent Qin Lang from really wearing it onto the battlefield; that would truly be harming someone.

Lin Dao, returned to the modern world, emotions not high.

He first finished the work in the warehouse.

Afterwards arranged trucks for transport, booked ship slots, handled the docking contracts on the Hai Gang Cheng side.

These are all just going through the motions, existing only in records, used to cope with possible inspections.

Actually the goods in the warehouse were all sent by him to Yonghe Spacetime.

After finishing these, he began to seriously consider the armor matter.

"Crafts are good-looking, but they are all just for show."

"Must use genuine materials."

Lin Dao went online to search, gaze first placed on stab-proof vests.

The stab-proof vest's protective capability is not bad, especially against sharp weapon chop wounds, stab wounds, and cut wounds, it has very good resistance effects.

"This is really not bad."

Lin Dao satisfied nod "Price cheap, and can purchase in large quantities."

On his side, he already had the impulse to consume.

Fortunately just suffered a loss, calmed down before placing the order.

"Zhou Shuren once said, when uncertain about something ask Baidu."

Lin Dao went online to query the stab-proof vest's advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages need no further mention; disadvantages were also found out under the universal netizens' reviews.

"The biggest disadvantage is that the protective area is too small."

"Can only protect the torso's vital parts."

"On the battlefield facing bows and crossbows, if limbs and such are hit, it is also a directly injured and forced to retreat outcome."

"Also, facing heavy weapons, hammers, axes, bone clubs, flails, and such, it is completely useless."

As expected, it is still the universal netizens who are knowledgeable and well-informed.

In this way, similar bulletproof vests also have no need to consider.

Leaning on the chair, Lin Dao closed his eyes rubbing his nose bridge.

Unknown how long passed, he raised his hand and slapped his thigh.

"Send the blueprints to the factory, just directly order it!"

(End of Chapter)