In terms of military uniforms, Zuo Menggeng made great changes.
In addition to eliminating the iron plates and arm armor, straps were also added to the waist and trousers.
There were no straps on the cloth armor of the Ming army. Sometimes in order to tighten the belt, another cloth strap had to be wrapped inside.
This is not only loose, but also very complicated to wear.
This is one of the reasons why ancient battles and night attacks were so successful.
After adding the strap, the belt can be hung directly on it. Soldiers do not need to think about the storage of the belt at all. They can tie it with the belt as long as they wear military uniforms.
Zuo Mengeng also used the simplest method for the buckle of his belt.
It is a Z-shaped iron ring with a curved buckle pin on the middle part. There are eyes at regular intervals on the belt. When wearing the belt, you only need to pass the buckle needle through the eyes to firmly fix the belt.
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It is not that there were no belts of this style in ancient times, but they were rarely used and were not for ordinary people.
At this time, Zuo Mengeng brought him up in military uniform, which made the women marvel and learn a lot.
In addition to military uniforms, Zuo Menggeng also pays most attention to his shoes.
He came up with the later method of making cotton shoes.
Regardless of whether it matches the military uniforms of this era or not, the most important thing is that it is practical and can reduce costs.
Zuo Mengeng asked and found out that the cloth boots worn by Ming army soldiers at this time actually cost one or two and a half silver.
I simply can't afford it.
Furthermore, most of the Ming army did not have cloth boots to wear at all.
Don't be fooled by movies and TV shows.
Due to cost and corruption, most soldiers wear straw sandals.
Cloth boots?
Only officers could afford to wear it.
Moreover, Zuo Menggeng discovered after research that the cloth boots of the Ming Dynasty were very impractical.
It is especially unfavorable for long-distance marching and running. Not only does it cause great damage to the human body, it is also easy to fall off.
This is not as good as cotton shoes with shoelaces.
Everyone also participated in the discussion about the military uniforms of the rear camp.
Liu Yiyuan and others worked together to find Zuo Mengeng.
"Qianzao, we feel that the helmet must be retained."
Zuo Mengeng removed the iron plates and arm armor from the cloth armor, and everyone had no objections.
Because the protective ability of those things depends purely on luck. If the enemy's bows, arrows and swords hit it, there is a high chance that it will be protected.
But the protective area of the iron sheet is not large, otherwise the weight alone could drag the soldiers to death.
With such a large vulnerability, the probability of this protection is very impressive.
But when it comes to helmets, Liu Yiyuan and others are very insistent.
Zuo Rong also said: "Qianzuo, when we fight in the future, can we avoid hand-to-hand combat with the enemy?"
Zuo Mengeng shook his head regretfully.
"Does not."
Let alone today, in wars of any era, hand-to-hand combat is inevitable.
Zhou You followed: "That's why a helmet is a must."
Although the others did not speak, they all looked at Zuo Mengeng, needing him to make a decision.
Zuo Mengeng was very calm.
"I neglected this point, thank you for filling in the gaps."
That's the good thing about soldiers: right is right and wrong is wrong, and they never play the wrong game.
He sincerely admitted his mistake, which made everyone uncomfortable. But at the same time, he felt very happy and found that it was really enjoyable to follow such a leader.
Now that Zuo Mengeng was aware of the problem, he immediately spoke openly and honestly.
"Let's talk about it, do we need to keep the style of the helmet as it is?"
Zuo Rong, who has been on the battlefield, has more say in this regard.
"Our back camp is going to use all firearms. Even if there is hand-to-hand combat, there will definitely not be many, so we don't need to spend too much thought on the helmet. A helmet is enough, and we always wear a soldier's hat."
The helmet is actually a flying saucer helmet.
This helmet was inherited from Mongolia and improved by the Ming Dynasty. It is one of the helmets of the Ming army.
Of course, this is for generals. How can it be used by ordinary soldiers?
If it is to be used by ordinary soldiers, it must be improved.
"Then use a helmet and remove unnecessary patterns and red tassels. I'll go back and think about it with the blacksmith to see if it can be molded in one go."
Zuo Mengeng felt that he should be able to do it.
Let the blacksmith make a mold in advance, and then pour the wrought iron juice into it, so that you can get a helmet that is formed in one go.
Although it is a bit rough, it is better for ordinary soldiers to use than not having a helmet at all.
He also thought of something else.
"We should also carefully consider the helmets we use in daily life. It is best to match the helmets. In this way, soldiers can wear their helmets outside the helmets during wartime, and there is no need to make special linings for the helmets."
The helmet is made of iron and is heavy. No one can bear the friction between the surface and the scalp. Therefore, the helmet needs to have a lining inside to protect the head.
Adding lining means increasing cost.
Zuo Menggeng planned to consider uniforms and helmets.
When not fighting, soldiers can just wear their helmets. Once in war, they can just pick up their helmets and fasten them on their helmets, saving time and trouble.
This idea amazed everyone.
Zuo Mengeng thought for a while and handed the matter over to Zuo Dai.
Since there are not many talented people at hand, they must be cultivated.
It's still just one battalion now. In the future, as the army expands in size, we can't rely on him to do everything by himself.
Zuo Dai accepted the order and went to figure it out on his own.
The most important thing for Zuo Mengeng at the moment is the development of financial resources.
There was no sign of the army yet, and one-third of the wealth stolen from Yuan Feng had been used up.
When it comes to creating financial resources, Zuo Mengeng has high hopes for glass.
If you want to make glass, you have to build a furnace that can withstand high temperatures.
Over at Yang Gui, the brick kiln is almost ready. After drying, the refractory bricks will be fired.
Time waits for no one, Zuo Mengeng returned home and found Zuo Xianmei.
"Sister, brother, I need your help with something here."
Zuo Xianmei knew that Zuo Mengeng was busy with important things outside, but she didn't know what she needed help with.
But it felt so good to be needed, so Zuo Xianmei immediately agreed.
"I don't know what's going on, just ask me, brother."
As a result, Zuo Xianmei was confused by what Zuo Mengeng said.
"I want to ask my sister to help me buy some eyebrow pencils. The more the better."
"My dear brother, what do you want from this girl's thrush? Even if it's for the person you like, one or two is enough..."
Zuo Mengeng forbade her from thinking wildly.
"I have a great use for this thing, and it cannot be known to outsiders. There are many people around me, and it is easy for others to miss me. I have to ask you to come forward, are you willing to help me?"
What kind of eyebrow pencil does a woman use?
It's actually graphite.
When planning to build a high-temperature-resistant smelting furnace, the first thing Zuo Menggen thought of was the graphite crucible.
This kind of furnace can not only be used to make steel, but of course it can also be used to melt sand to make glass.
The matter was of great importance and confidentiality had to be considered. Zuo Mengeng immediately thought of Zuo Xianmei.
It's so common for a woman to buy eyebrow pencils that no one would care.
Seeing that he said it carefully, Zuo Xianmei obediently stopped asking.
"Oh well."
Zuo Mengeng was very happy and hurriedly handed the money to Zuo Xianmei, and asked Zuo Rong and Zuo Hua to accompany Zuo Xianmei out.
As soon as this matter was settled, Zuo Yan ran over.
"Young Master, there are guests from outside the house. They are said to be the family members of the Minister of Rites, and they came to express their gratitude."
"Oh, so fast!"
Hearing that Xu Guangqi had sent someone, Zuo Mengeng hurriedly went out to greet him personally.
"The younger one is Xu Xiang, the steward of the Xu Mansion. Master Zuo saved my young lady and saved my husband. Everyone in the Xu family is very grateful. My husband specially prepared a generous gift and ordered me to send it to express my gratitude for my great kindness."
How dare Zuo Mengeng be negligent?
"When the road is rough, I just draw my sword to help. I don't dare to accept it as a gift from Duke Xuanhu."
Xu Xiang observed Zuo Mengeng while talking.
He knew that Zuo Mengeng was not old, but he had seen it with his own eyes and couldn't help but marvel at the young man's figure.
As expected, he is the son of a general, a member of the Xiong family. Although he is not handsome, he is domineering and domineering, which makes people feel heartbroken.
However, under his heroic appearance, he is polite in speech and elegant in behavior, far from being comparable to ordinary vulgar warriors.
After welcoming Xu Xiang into the house and inviting him to take a seat, Zuo Mengeng did not treat him as an ordinary servant at all.
No matter where he goes, he is a seventh-rank official in front of the prime minister and the steward of Xu Mansion, and he will not be looked down upon.
Xu Xiang felt at ease, took the package again, and handed it to Zuo Mengeng himself.
"My husband knows what Mr. Zuo wants, so I prepared it and sent it to him. Mr. Zuo said that Mr. Zuo cares about the common people, and his heart is full of heaven and earth. If you have any doubts, you can write to your husband and ask."
Zuo Mengeng opened the bag and found that jars had been divided. They were full of seeds, and the jars were specially marked with what kind of seeds they were.
Although the names and memories are different, you can guess them just by comparing them.
In addition, what surprised him the most was that it actually contained the original manuscript of "The Complete Book of Agriculture" written by Xu Guangqi himself.
The thick manuscript, with the rich fragrance of ink, is the precious hard work of an old man.
Holding the book in his hand, Zuo Mengeng couldn't help but feel emotional.