nyslfriends Chapter 43 Equipment
Chapter 43 Equipment
Four consecutive days of group drills have softened the initial trepidation in the eyes of the sixty selected elite soldiers from the mountain stronghold, replacing it with a wolf-like sharpness and obedience. Each group has repeatedly refined the details of their mission, from the accuracy of aiming the crossbow, to the timing of the boulder-rolling group's prying up of boulders, to the speed and coordination of the assault group's descent down the cliff, and even the support group's familiarity with the evacuation route. Under Lin Mo's cold gaze and the strict supervision of Han Li and Shi Yong, they have become increasingly proficient.
However, no matter how excellent the teamwork or how brave the personnel, without the support of superior equipment, they are like a toothless tiger, unable to achieve complete success. During a break in the drills, Lin Mo called Han Li and Shi Yong aside.
"The drills were fairly effective, but the equipment shortage remains a problem." Lin Mo cut to the chase, his gaze sweeping over the assault team members practicing close combat in the distance. "Our current weapons are mostly ordinary swords and knives, and our crossbows are outdated, lacking both power and range. We also need to replenish our trap materials, especially sufficiently strong ropes and the mechanisms needed to trigger them."
Shi Yong scratched his head, looking somewhat troubled: "Master, we've taken out everything we could find in the manor's storeroom, good and bad, and that's about it. If we want to get a large quantity of good equipment, we'd have to rob the government's armory, but that would be too much of a commotion."
Han Li pondered for a moment before replying, "Master, perhaps we could utilize the black market channels. The southern part of the city's black market is now largely under our control, and many deal in weapons. However, purchasing large quantities of crossbows and military-grade equipment would attract attention, and given the time constraints, we might not be able to gather the required quantity."
A cold glint flashed in Lin Mo's eyes: "Time is indeed pressing, but the equipment issue must be resolved. Han Li, you return to the city immediately and, through the channels we control, contact those undercover agents in the arms trade. Tell them I need a shipment, and the requirements are..."
He paused briefly, his mind racing as he considered the terrain of Eagle's Beak Cliff and the requirements for an ambush plan.
"First, powerful bows and crossbows. The bows must be at least 1.5 dan (a unit of weight) or better, the crossbows must be foot-action crossbows or better, and the arrows must be equipped with armor-piercing spikes. The quantity... let's start by discussing thirty bows, ten crossbows, and five hundred arrows. Tell them, I don't want showpieces, I want real weapons that can kill."
"Second, melee weapons. Knives should be thick-backed, straight-edged horizontal blades or similar types; swords should be longswords, suitable for slashing and thrusting. Spears should have long hardwood shafts, and the iron spearheads should be sharp and tough. A total of fifty pieces are needed, and the quality must be of the highest."
"Third, armor. Full suits of iron armor are not necessary, as that would make them too conspicuous and difficult to obtain quickly. Leather armor or iron-lined cotton armor is acceptable, at least enough to protect vital organs. Priority should be given to the assault team and the rolling stone team, twenty sets are needed."
"Fourth, trap materials. Find me the toughest sinew rope, the more the better. Also, caltrops, animal traps, the ingenious mechanisms needed to make tripwires, and a sufficient amount of gunpowder. If there are any poisons, whether they are lethal or sedatives, gather them as well."
As Lin Mo mentioned each item, Han Li silently noted it down, his expression growing increasingly grave. The items listed by the manor lord were almost enough to arm a small elite force. Purchasing such a quantity and quality on the black market at once would inevitably attract attention from all sides, and the required amount of money would be considerable.
"Master, with such a large quantity of weaponry... those guys on the black market may not have enough stock. Even if they do, the price will probably be very high, and it's very easy for word to leak out," Han Li said, expressing his concerns.
Lin Mo's expression remained unchanged: "It's alright. Tell them that money is not a problem. I can use most of the recent profits from the black market, and even advance some future shares. But there are two conditions: First, the goods must be prepared within three days and secretly transported to the designated location outside the manor; second, anyone who dares to leak even a word, or substitute inferior goods, will bear the consequences. Let them think about what happened to those who broke the rules before."
The chilling killing intent in his words sent a shiver down the spines of both Han Li and Shi Yong. Han Li immediately nodded, "Understood, I'll take care of it right away."
"Remember," Lin Mo added, "prioritize materials for bows, crossbows, and traps. If it's difficult to gather enough melee weapons and armor in a short time, you can reduce the quantity appropriately, but the quality cannot be compromised."
"Yes!" Han Li accepted the order and, without further delay, turned and quietly left the camp, his figure quickly disappearing into the dense forest.
After Han Li left, Lin Mo instructed Shi Yong: "Continue the drills at the camp as planned, do not let your guard down. At the same time, take a few reliable brothers and set up sentries in advance near the location where we plan to receive the equipment, to ensure that the handover process is foolproof and to prevent those people in the black market from playing tricks or to prevent other forces from targeting us."
"Don't worry, Master, I know what's important," Shi Yong assured him, patting his chest.
For the next two days, the camp drills continued in full swing, but everyone felt a weight on their hearts as they awaited news from Han Li. Without superior equipment, even the most perfect plan could fail.
On the third day at dusk, Han Li returned, travel-worn and weary, but his eyes shone with a light.
"Master, I have accomplished my mission." He reported in a low voice, "We have gathered most of the necessary items. It took some effort and almost emptied our savings from our time in the black market."
He explained in detail: "There are twenty-five strong bows, all of them with a draw weight of 1.8 dan or more; eight crossbows, though not quite the required number, but of excellent quality; four hundred arrows, one hundred of which are armor-piercing spikes; thirty broadswords for close combat; ten longswords; and fifteen spears, all made of finely refined steel of superior quality. There are fifteen sets of leather armor and five sets of iron-insulated cotton armor, more than enough to protect vital areas. As for trap materials, there is a sufficient amount of sinew rope; a considerable quantity of caltrops and animal traps; and some mechanisms, though not perfect, are usable. Thirty catties of gunpowder have been obtained; and only a few types of potent poisons have been acquired, which have been carefully packaged. We were unable to purchase any sleeping powder."
Lin Mo listened carefully and nodded slightly. Although some quantities did not fully meet expectations, the core materials for crossbows and traps were basically sufficient, especially the quality of the crossbows, which exceeded his expectations. This was the best possible result.
"Where is the goods?"
"As you instructed, it has been secretly transported to the abandoned mountain god temple ten miles northeast of Eagle's Beak Cliff. I left two brothers there to guard it. The guys in the black market were relatively well-behaved this time and didn't dare to try anything funny. They were mainly intimidated by our previous show of power, plus they were paid a good amount of money."
"Well done." Lin Mo rarely praised him. "Shi Yong, immediately take your men and, under the cover of night, transport all the equipment back to the camp. Be careful to be discreet, transport it in batches, and don't leave any obvious traces."
"Yes!" Shi Yong was greatly encouraged and immediately gathered eight skilled members of the support team, as well as ten of the strongest members of the Rolling Stones team, and set off quietly under the cover of night.
That night, the camp was brightly lit. Piles of equipment, reeking of tung oil and the metallic tang of iron, had been secretly transported and neatly arranged on the open ground. Bows and crossbows gleamed with a cold, hard black light, swords and knives flashed with a chilling glint in the torchlight, leather and cotton armor were stacked neatly, and various trap materials were piled up in categories.
All personnel involved in the operation were gathered together. Looking at the sophisticated equipment rarely seen in ordinary times, their breathing became heavier, and their eyes gleamed with excitement and anticipation. With these weapons, their confidence in the upcoming ambush was greatly enhanced.
Lin Mo stood in front of the equipment, his gaze sweeping over the excited yet suppressed faces.
"The equipment is here, the claws and fangs are ready." His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears. "Now, it's time to make these inanimate objects a part of your bodies. Han Li, distribute the crossbows and organize the crossbowmen to immediately practice with live arrows, familiarizing themselves with the power and accuracy of the new crossbows. Shi Yong, distribute melee weapons and armor to the groups, with the assault groups given priority, and conduct load-bearing and combat coordination drills. Sun the Cripple, take your trap materials and lead your men to start making and pre-assembling them overnight, ensuring they can be quickly deployed upon arrival at Eagle's Beak Cliff."
As orders were issued, the entire camp sped up once again. The sounds of vibrating crossbow strings, slicing swords through the air, and the clanging of traps being made replaced the previous unarmed drills, adding a strong sense of impending doom to the silent forest.
Lin Mo gazed at the bustling scene before him, his eyes deep and unfathomable.