First, the geographical environment.
In Da Zhao and Jiaozhi, many areas have deep forests with few people. Rotten fallen leaves can swallow up to the thigh. When you encounter such places, you must stay far away, because these spots easily produce a kind of toxic mist!
In addition, the south has many poisonous insects. When camping in the wild at night, be extremely careful. It is best to ask locals for some insect-repelling powder and sprinkle it around.
Next is culture and language.
Da Zhao and Jiaozhi are still manageable, but teams going to Tianzhu must pay attention. There are many religions there. If you see other people’s behaviours, actions or clothing different from ours, never comment casually, and especially do not point fingers!
Jin Feng stood on the high platform, holding the list he had prepared, reminding everyone of the precautions for going to Da Zhao one by one.
The escort guards below all listened seriously.
When you arrive in Da Zhao, it is best to find a few people familiar with Jiaozhi and Tianzhu languages and terrain to act as guides.
…
This workshop was even more advanced than the one at West River Bay. For secrecy, the location was extremely remote, surrounded on three sides by steep mountains. The only way in was by water.
The workers had also been specially selected by Zhou Youda.
After finishing the precautions, Jin Feng turned to look at Man Cang standing nearby. “Distribute the military knives.”
Ever since arriving in West Sichuan, Man Cang had been building a new steel workshop by the Jinma River.
“Bring the military knives over!”
Man Cang waved to the side, and more than a dozen burly men walked out.
Even when the nobles were causing such a commotion recently, the Jinma River construction site had not stopped work.
Man Cang had only come out from the mountains today after receiving Jin Feng’s message.
Not only the escort guards, but also the people brought by the Ninth Princess and Qing Xin Yao each received one.
“Has the master made new knives again?”
Two men carried a bamboo basket, inside which were rows of military knives.
The burly men carried the baskets and began distributing them.
The Ninth Princess and Qing Xin Yao also turned to look.
The new military knife was entirely black like the black knife, but not as long. Including the handle, it was only about thirty centimetres.
Qing Mu Lan could not resist her curiosity and ran over to take one.
Anything produced by the master was bound to be fine quality.
“The master has really invested this time. Even a water jade mirror surface has been installed!”
Qing Mu Lan pointed at the glass and sighed. “If you pry off this piece of water jade, it should be worth quite a lot!”
She drew the military knife and found that one side was the blade, while the other side had serrations.
There was also a piece of glass embedded in the handle, with a small needle underneath spinning back and forth.
“It is not for decoration. What else could it be for?”
“You will know soon.”
“The master is a practical person. If he installed this mirror, it definitely is not just for show.”
The Ninth Princess shook her head and said.
She also had an identical military knife strapped to her leg.
“This military knife is specially designed by me for wilderness survival. You can strap it to your leg, arm or waist, so it does not fall off easily, and drawing it is also more convenient.”
The Ninth Princess looked at Jin Feng on the platform with expectant eyes.
Sure enough, after the burly men finished distributing the military knives, Jin Feng lifted his robe.
Then he pointed to the water jade on the handle. “Everyone, look at this piece of water jade and the small needle inside. This is not just for looking good.”
Upon hearing this, the Ninth Princess’s lips curved slightly. She raised an eyebrow at Qing Mu Lan.
Qing Mu Lan took the scabbard of the military knife and looked. Sure enough, there were four holes for threading rope.
After explaining the scabbard, Jin Feng drew the military knife from his leg. First he pointed to the serrations on the back. “These serrations do not need much explanation. They have no other use. They are simply for sawing.”
Jin Feng did not laugh, but nodded seriously. “This is also one of its functions. Nothing is more important than your own life. If you run into trouble and can exchange the water jade for money, do not hesitate. Exchange it when necessary.”
Hearing Jin Feng say this, the escort guards’ expressions became solemn.
Qing Mu Lan curled her lips and asked, “Then what is it for? Is it so they can pry it off and sell it for emergency money if they run into difficulties?”
Many escort guards laughed upon hearing this.
But Jin Feng handed it over to them without hesitation.
This made them feel Jin Feng’s trust.
The people brought by the Ninth Princess and Qing Xin Yao all showed grateful expressions.
Nowadays, the reputation of water jade had spread. Such a small piece of water jade could definitely fetch a large sum of money.
“The small needle?” Qing Mu Lan lowered her head. “What is this small needle for?”
“Everyone, hold the handle level.”
“What Mu Lan just said is not the greatest use of the water jade.”
Jin Feng ignored the thoughts of the crowd below and continued. “The greatest function of this water jade is the small needle underneath it.”
Qing Mu Lan’s eyes widened. She quickly followed Jin Feng’s example and held the handle level.
The Ninth Princess and Qing Xin Yao quickly leaned in.
Jin Feng demonstrated on the platform. “This small needle is called a compass needle. Once it stops, it will always point south.”
“Is it real or fake?”
“My goodness, it really points south. This is too magical!”
Qing Mu Lan looked at Jin Feng in disbelief. “Master, how did you do this?”
Even Qin Er could not help but look over.
The small needle slowly stopped. The red end was indeed pointing directly south.
Whether travelling in the wilderness or marching and fighting, being able to clearly determine direction was a huge help.
That was why in Jin Feng’s previous life, the compass was called one of the four great inventions.
“Do not ask!”
The Ninth Princess quickly stopped Qing Mu Lan and shook her head at Jin Feng.
If Jin Feng had discussed it with her earlier, the Ninth Princess probably would not have allowed Jin Feng to install the compass on the military knife.
Unfortunately, this military knife had been made by Man Cang in the new workshop. It was its first public appearance, and the escort guards had not even been equipped yet. The Ninth Princess had no prior knowledge.
At this moment, the Ninth Princess was already calculating how to utilise the compass.
How could such technology be made public?
Because Jin Feng had already distributed the military knives, if she ordered them recalled, Jin Feng’s prestige among the escort guards would suffer.
Jin Feng had originally wanted to explain the principle of the compass a little, but seeing the Ninth Princess shake her head, he gave up the idea.
At this moment, the Ninth Princess had a strong urge to recall the military knives and pry out all the compasses.
But in the end, she suppressed the thought.
Although the Dangxiang and Khitan would discover it sooner or later, the later the better.
Since Jin Feng did not explain, the escort guards naturally did not dare to pursue the question.
The compass seemed magical, but the principle was very simple and easy to imitate.
If it spread to the Dangxiang or Khitan, would that not be aiding the enemy?
Jin Feng tilted the handle and poured the contents into his hand.
The Ninth Princess’s urge to recall the military knives grew even stronger.
Qing Mu Lan and the Ninth Princess and others thought the compass and serrations were the biggest differences in this military knife. But then they saw Jin Feng twist open the handle again.
“There is a small mechanism on this handle. Everyone, give it a twist and pull, and it will open.”
Every invention of Jin Feng was truly a treasure, and what she saw in Jin Feng’s hand were several items!
Qing Mu Lan did not think too much. She also followed Jin Feng’s example, poured the contents into her hand, and then looked at Jin Feng expectantly.
