Chapter Sixteen: The Anti-Piercing Armor Is Forged, Preparations to Battle Cao Cao

Early summer, mid-May.

It had not rained for some time in the region south of the Yangtze and Huai rivers. The common folk grew increasingly anxious, all hoping the heavens might show mercy, yet this drought was destined to linger long.

At this very moment, within the military camp—

A personal guard hurried over, clutching a suit of armor in his hands. This was already the fifth finished piece in recent days, though the previous ones had performed only moderately well.

"Young master, this is the latest rush order from the workshop."

Chu Feng glanced at his guard, then took the armor. He gave it a firm tug—it was sturdy enough, and the thickness and density of the stitching were much improved.

"Take it and set it eighty paces away."

He then reached for a bow and arrow, drew the string back until it touched his cheek, and let the arrow fly.

Thud!

The arrow struck, but fell to the ground!

Chu Feng's eyes lit up. He strode forward, picked up the armor, and examined it closely—the cloth showed only a puncture mark, the arrow had not pierced through. It had truly worked.

Clang!

He drew his sword and slashed at the armor several times. Still, he could not cut through it; most blows left only shallow marks, and even the deepest cut had merely severed a few threads, the protection remained intact.

"Excellent, truly excellent!"

"Go and inform Uncle Li: whoever crafted this armor is to be rewarded ten gold coins. Manufacture them in large quantities following this structure, thickness, and method, and for every suit produced, the weaver is to receive an extra peck of grain!"

Overjoyed, Chu Feng gave his orders on the spot.

Perhaps this cloth armor was not perfect, but for now, it was entirely serviceable—lightweight, comfortable, and inexpensive, far more cost-effective than laborious chainmail or scale armor.

"Yes, sir!" the guard replied.

Just then, not far off, Yuan Shu approached with Liang Gang, both smiling. "What has gladdened my son so?"

"Father, let us speak inside."

Shortly after, in a camp room—

Chu Feng quietly placed the cloth armor on the table. "Father, this is a new armor I have developed. It can be made quickly, is lightweight and easy to carry, and its protection rivals that of iron armor."

"With this, our chances of success in the uprising at year's end will increase by thirty percent. When Yuan Shu is at his lowest, we shall answer the imperial summons, destroy the villain, and our deeds will resound throughout the land!"

Yuan Shu could not help but twitch at the corners of his mouth.

This dutiful son was as filial as ever!

"Young master, this armor is mere hempen thread—can such a thing truly withstand blade and sword?" Yuan Shu remained silent, but Liang Gang could not help asking.

"The thread is no common fiber. As for its protection, see for yourself!" Chu Feng beckoned Zhao Fan to put it on—though, of course, he wore lamellar armor underneath.

Clang!

Liang Gang drew his saber and struck with at least seventy percent of his strength, greater than that of the average soldier. Yet the blade left no more than a scratch, only a few threads were severed.

"Young master, how long does it take to weave such a thing, and how much does it cost?" Liang Gang sheathed his blade, his face filled with astonishment. If the entire army could be equipped with such armor, though not as good as lamellar, its protection was impressive.

"A novice weaver can make one suit in half a month; a skilled weaver, one in ten days. As for the cost, it is but a trifle—mere thread, hardly worth mentioning," Chu Feng waved his hand dismissively.

"One suit in half a month?"

"Young master's wisdom is beyond compare!"

Liang Gang's praise was sincere. Soldiers rarely had armor, leading to high casualties and rout among non-elite troops. If such armor could be distributed to the whole army, combat power would surely rise by twenty or thirty percent.

Hearing Liang Gang praise Chu Feng so highly, Yuan Shu could not help but beam.

"Feng'er, since we have such treasure, we must produce more. I shall have ten thousand women recruited at once—let us make ten or twenty thousand sets!"

"Ten thousand, Father? Why so many?"

"To equip the whole army, of course. Ahem, I mean, after we rise in rebellion, to arm the troops ahead of time. Let us prepare for the storm, and together, we shall achieve glory!"

Yuan Shu coughed lightly as he explained.

"Father, with our cleverness, we are sure to win fame. But the drought in this region will make it hard to support so many new recruits—best not to recruit more for now."

Chu Feng waved his hand, well aware of the situation.

Now that the cloth armor was developed, it only needed to be equipped to those present. This would both prevent the weaving technique from leaking and avoid burdening the region, suffering as it was from drought.

Besides, there was not enough thread!

"Very well, as you say."

"By the way, Feng'er, now that Yuan Shu has recovered, he is gathering his forces to launch a surprise attack on Cao Cao. When do you think he will set out, and can he win this battle?"

Yuan Shu asked tentatively.

"1. Analyze the situation in detail to receive a detailed map of the Eastern Han administrative regions as a reward."

"2. Speak offhandedly to receive the divine steed Treading Snow, capable of a thousand miles by day and eight hundred by night!"

Hearing the prompt in his mind, Chu Feng had originally planned to say that no matter when he attacked, he would lose. But at the last moment, he changed his tune. "March out in mid-June—then you can seize the wheat and grain of Cao's army."

"Cao Cao will be unprepared; Yuan Shu is sure to win."

"Truly?" Yuan Shu exclaimed in delight.

"Of course. Who else would I ever deceive, if not my own father?" Chu Feng replied earnestly, then added in a low voice, "But Father, you must not go personally to the battle."

Yuan Shu: "???"

He was taken aback—victory was assured, yet his son urged him not to go. Something seemed amiss. No doubt this dutiful child harbored mischief once again.

Still, the battle must be fought.

"Enough, Feng'er, there is much to do at the residence. I shall return—order more to be made, and let me know at once should you have any needs."

With that, Yuan Shu left the camp with Liang Gang.

After only a few steps, Yuan Shu frowned and asked, "Liang Gang, Feng'er says the end of the year is the best time to rise, yet now says I am sure to win this battle—are these not contradictory?"

"Your Majesty, your humble servant is dull and cannot fathom the young master's deeper meaning. Yet his talents and stratagems far surpass mine. If only Your Majesty had his assistance, then..."

Liang Gang trailed off and did not finish.

"Speak no more of this," Yuan Shu said, somewhat displeased. Yet he knew in his heart—he could not let Chu Feng rise to prominence, lest Chu Feng's life be endangered.

Liang Gang bowed his head, not daring to say more.

He understood Yuan Shu wished to avoid a bloody struggle for power between Yuan Yao and Chu Feng. In the past, he might have thought Yuan Yao the likely victor.

But after dealing with Chu Feng recently, he had seen how the people praised his governance, how the troops trusted him, and how he treated others with humility and courtesy. If it came to a power struggle, Liang Gang would bet on Chu Feng. Yet Yuan Yao was the legitimate heir, close to Yuan Shu's ministers and generals—this would be a thorny issue.

"Enough. Return to the city with me."

"Now is the time to prepare for war with all our might. I shall personally defeat Cao Cao and wipe away past humiliations," Yuan Shu declared, though worry lingered in his heart.

Fortunately, Lü Bu had taken the initiative to release Qiao Rui, easing tensions between the two households somewhat.