23 Crossbowmen (1/2)

Taking advantage of the time, Ouyang Shuo took out his three new pieces of equipment and took a look at their stats.

Name: Basic Composite Bow (black iron grade)

Length: 1.4 meters

Range: 200 meters

Evaluation: A composite bow. It uses tough black birch for the inner layer and larch pine for the outer, two layers of wood bound using deer or cattle tendons. Fine fish glue is used to firmly stick them together, and the bowstring is made from deer skin.

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Name: Fine Iron Sword (silver grade)

Hardness: 15

Toughness: 20

Evaluation: Extremely fine steel, repeatedly forged for a sharp blade with good toughness

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Name: Exquisite Iron Spear (gold)

Hardness: 30

Toughness: 45

Evaluation: Spear forged from high quality iron barbed wood, the spearhead has been forged repeatedly with exquisite workmanship.

Ouyang Shuo nodded in satisfaction, this was a real change of equipment from a rookie to a pro. He hung the iron sword at his waist, the bow and spear he would keep in his room. He wasn’t a full time warrior, so he only needed those two weapons when combat was imminent, or when practicing.

In the front of the square, 22 horses were lined up in a row. The most striking of them were the leftmost pair, a black and white set, looking quite exceptional.

Ouyang Shuo took an immediate fancy to the black horse. It had a beautiful black mane, vigorous posture, and was exceptionally handsome.

Name: Exquisite War Horse (gold)

Weight: 60 kg

Speed: 40 km/day

Consumption: 3 grain /day

Evaluation: This is a high quality horse from the northern grasslands, easily able to endure a battlefield.

Ouyang Shuo said admiringly, “Really a good horse, I will call you Black Tornado!”

The horse seemed to be able to understand human nature, and as if it understood his words, nodded its head. This made Ouyang Shuo desire it even more, and he brought it away to his yard. Just yesterday he had received the building blueprints for the stables, and now he was prepared to build a small stable just for Black Tornado in the yard of his manor.

In less than ten minutes, Er Wazi had led General Shi back with a full group of thirty men. As he walked into the yard, the roaring voice of General Shi proclaimed, “Hah, my lord, I hear that you are ready to reward the weapons and armor to your men?!”

“That's right. This time, for destroying the raider camp, we definitely should reward the militia team for meritorious services!” Ouyang Shuo answered, pointing to the heap of weapons and armor in the courtyard. “Have your men bring the equipment to the barracks, as well as all the remaining horses. Also, we need to call a general assembly of the troops to reward them for their great deeds!”

“Haha, this is a good idea!” General Shi called out, promptly ordering the militia with him to gather up the weapons and armor. In addition, a dozen were ordered to lead away the horses.

Everyone walked back to the barracks. Ouyang Shuo waited until all the troops were assembled on the training field before beginning the merit awards. “Lin Yi, come forward!”

“Here!” the young officer answered, looking very excited.

“During the battle of the raider camp, officer Lin Yi beheaded the enemy leader, performing great merits!” Ouyang Shuo paused for emphasis. “As thanks for your efforts, you are awarded an exquisite horse, a basic composite bow, and an ordinary iron scale armor as a reward!”

“Thank you for the rewards, my lord!”

With Ouyang Shuo giving a horse, bow, and metal armor to Linyi, the rest of the militia all looked at him enviously. Lin Yi already had a fine iron spear and excellent knife; coupled with these new awards, he was basically now fully equipped as an officer!

“San Gouzi, come forward!”

“Sir!”

“During the battle of the raider camp, Sergeant San Gouzi effectively lured the enemy into an ambush and was brave in combat during the following battles! With our thanks, you are rewarded an ordinary horse, an ordinary wooden bow, an ordinary set of studded leather armor, and a fine iron spear!”

“Thank you for the reward, my lord!”

“Zhang Daniu, come forward!”

“Sir!”

“During the battle of the bandit camp, Sergeant Daniu fought bravely and with great power! With our thanks, you are awarded an ordinary horse, an ordinary composite bow, an ordinary set of studded leather armor, and an exquisite axe!”

There was a bit of a contrast here, as Daniu’s reward was slightly better than San Gouzi’s. But San Gouzi was an agile soldier, and spears were more suitable for him. Da Niu was more of a strength soldier, more suited for using an axe.

“Zhao Sihu, Li Mingliang, come forward!”