In fact, regarding the nomadic peoples in ancient China, before the Song Dynasty, they basically had no iron smelting technology. The same was true for the Xiongnu, Xianbei, Rouran, and the Turks in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Their usual sources of iron tools were only two. It relies on plundering, plundering those settled ethnic groups, such as the Central Plains people; the second source is through secret transactions with some special businessmen, which is somewhat similar to weapons smuggling in modern society!
By the Song Dynasty, the nomadic peoples in the north were unprecedentedly powerful. The Khitan, Jin and Xixia could no longer be regarded as nomadic peoples. They had their own iron smelting capabilities. Xixia even developed the more advanced cold forging technology at the time. Cold forged armor was once the strongest at the time. of armor. At that time, the Chinese government also loosened its control over iron tools, which made cooking popular.
As for Mongolia after the Song Dynasty, as a nomadic people at its peak, their channels for obtaining iron tools mainly relied on trade. At that time, there were many countries that could trade iron tools with the Mongols, and it no longer made sense for the Celestial Empire to unilaterally control the export of iron tools. However, the Mongols were not good at smelting iron, but this did not prevent them from plundering various talents who knew iron smelting technology. As a result, Mongolia was able to grow stronger and control the entire Central Plains!
Based on the needle-shaped hidden weapon in his hand, Dugu Xin deduced that the assassin did not come from the Turks, but from the Central Plains. This inference was completely reasonable, because in ancient times when the technical conditions were not mature, it was absolutely impossible to make a thin needle. It is as easy as modern times, not to mention that the fine needle in Dugu Xin's hand is not made of ordinary iron, but is made of special fine steel. It is undoubtedly more difficult to make than the embroidery needles commonly used by ordinary people. With this, Basically, we can conclude that the person who made this hidden weapon must be a Central Plains person!
"The situation in Taiyuan City is not as simple as you think!"
Dugu Xin stood with his hands behind his back and glanced at his younger brother. He sighed and said, "Zhu Xiesheng and Kang Chang'an are just two outsiders, and the Wang family has been operating in Taiyuan for many years. Regardless of their apparent strength, , the power in the dark is extremely large, but these two people can actually escape the pursuit of the Wang family in Taiyuan City, which is enough to show that they are not alone in Taiyuan City, there must be other forces helping them !”
"Brother, who is that force you are talking about? How dare you go against the Wang family and His Majesty?"
Hearing this, Dugu Feiying said doubtfully.
Dugu Xin rolled his eyes, which was not very obvious. He said that if he wanted to know who the force lurking in the dark was, he would have led his troops to arrest them long ago. How could he still have time to chat with Dugu Feiying here
Dugu Feiying regretted asking those words, and after an awkward silence for a moment, Dugu Feiying straightened his face and continued to ask:
"Brother, when we were outside the city gate in the afternoon, why did you suggest that His Highness live in the post house instead of the Wang's house? Can't you trust the Prefect Wang? But even if you can't trust the Prefect Wang, you still have to believe the eldest princess, right? She will never Harming His Highness?"
If possible, Dugu Xin really wanted to say something at this time: "My silly brother, you are too young!"
"It's not that I can't trust Governor Wang or the eldest princess, it's just that the Wang family is a millennium-old family with a big business and many children. Even though Governor Wang is the current head of the Wang family, it's impossible for everyone in the family to be of the same mind as him. !Although the Wang family’s security force is very strong, His Highness should be very safe living in the Wang family, but an indestructible city is often not attacked from the outside by the enemy, but divided from within!”
Dugu Xin glanced at his younger brother and said seriously.
Dugu Feiying is not stupid, he is just too lazy to use his brain many times. When he heard what Dugu Xin said, his eyes suddenly widened and he said in disbelief: "Brother, you mean that there are people in the Wang family who will collude with the Turks." , jointly assassinate His Highness and the others?"
"No! I just said it's possible!"
Duguxin shook his head and said earnestly: "Although the possibility is relatively small, I cannot leave the safety of His Highness and others in the hands of others. Neither you nor I can afford to take this risk! Do you understand?"
Dugu Feiying nodded and said: "I understand, brother! What should we do next?"
Dugu Feiying was still very convinced of his brave and resourceful elder brother. No, once Dugu Xin came, he was too lazy to use his brain. He was simply willing to be Dugu Xin's "tool man" and do whatever he was told.
"Next... Next, let's stay put and stay the same to cope with all changes. We will concentrate on protecting the safety of His Highness and others. Don't distract yourself from looking for Zhu Xiesheng and Kang Chang'an. Let the Wang family look for them! I always I feel that these two are not the real masterminds behind the scenes!”
Duguxin pondered for a moment and then spoke.
"Ah? They are not the real masterminds? How is this possible?"
Hearing this, Dugu Feiying couldn't help but said dumbfounded.
Duguxin sneered and said: "How could you discover the real mastermind so easily? They are just pawns charging into the battle! No matter what, the main task of our trip is to protect the safety of His Highness and others, not to arrest them. To capture Turkic spies, as long as His Highness and others are fine, we will complete the task, don’t be distracted by other things and delay the main business!”
It has to be said that Dugu Xin considers the problem thoroughly. His purpose is very clear and his ideas are also very clear. He will not be led astray by external disturbances. In fact, in this situation where the enemy's origin and reality are not known, he can't do it without knowing it. Being adaptable is the best way.
"That's what the elder brother said!"
Dugu Feiying nodded and responded.
"You said before that you found half of Chuji Iron Shop's account book? Bring it to me!"
Dugu Xin suddenly remembered something and said.
"Okay! Here, here you go!"
Hearing this, Dugu Feiying did not hesitate and took out a incomplete account book from his arms and handed it to Dugu Xin.
This account book was his only valuable gain from sneaking into Taiyuan City in advance. Naturally, he had to collect it carefully, so he kept it close to his body.
Dugu Xin reached out to take it and ordered: "Go and move all the suspects in that house over here, otherwise you have to distract them over there to protect them. From today on, we must stay twelve hours a day Protect the safety of His Highness and others at all times, make arrangements and make sure there are no mistakes!"
"yes, Sir!"
After listening to Dugu Xin's arrangements, Dugu Feiying quickly clasped his fists and "accepted the order", then turned and left.
Dugu Xin, on the other hand, sat down at the table and began to read the half of the account book in the dim candlelight.
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