With the roads sealed off by the heavy snow, the ones facing the most severe situation were the logistics troops in charge of escorting the provisions. Large amounts of materials had piled up, making it impossible to transport them to the front lines.
With no other choice, Su Dingfang personally went to the front lines and mobilized all the young and strong laborers along the way to clear the snow on the roads. Even so, the progress was slow.
"Fortunately, this general had already anticipated the snow disaster and had already stockpiled enough provisions at Jade Gate Pass." Su Dingfang breathed a sigh of relief.
If not for Meton's extremely convenient method of transporting provisions that allowed him to stock up in advance, he would definitely have been obstructed by the wind and snow. The sin of missing the deadline would have been unavoidable.
"However, this general was fortunate enough to escape. I'm afraid that Merton won't be so lucky." Su Dingfang's eyes revealed a trace of worry.
Now that the roads were sealed off by the heavy snow, he had the laborers to clear the snow, but the progress was still slow. Merton's Firearms Supervisor was probably having an even harder time. However, what surprised him was that the Firearms Supervisor had gone further than he had imagined. Even now, he still hadn't caught up to the Firearms Supervisor.
"Have you heard any news about the Firearms Supervisor?" Su Dingfang asked his subordinates.
The soldier cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to the general, according to the news from the relay station at the front lines, Merton led the Firearms Supervisor forward in the snow two days ago."
"Forward in the snow!" Su Dingfang's heart trembled. Back when he was on the northern expedition against the Turks, he still remembered the bone-chilling cold of rushing through the snow. In his opinion, the snow the night before was almost the same as the northern expedition against the Turks. If the Firearms Supervisor were to force their way through, they would probably suffer heavy losses in the end.
"You all continue to open up the path. This general will go forward to scout." Su Dingfang ordered loudly. He believed that Meton couldn't have gone far, so he decided to continue forward and see if there was anything he could help with.
Su Dingfang led a group of officers and soldiers as they mounted their horses and walked on the snow. Nowadays, the horses were equipped with horseshoes, which gave them sufficient friction when stepping on the snow. They could walk steadily on the snow. Although their speed was not fast, it was still much faster than people walking on foot.
Su Dingfang's group traveled along the official road, searching for news about the Firearms Supervisor. The news they received was that the Firearms Supervisor had already left in the snow.
"General, there's news about Merton in Ma Village ahead!" Suddenly, a scout came to report.
"Go!"
Su Dingfang was overjoyed and immediately urged his horse forward.
"This is the hat made by Merton!" In Ma Village, Su Dingfang looked at the unique hat in front of him with a strange expression.
Village Chief Ma nodded and said, "I dare not deceive the general. This is indeed the Merton hat created by Merton. That day, it was snowing heavily. Merton braved the snow to come to Ma Family Village. The entire Ma Family Village used up all the cotton and even tore down the quilts to complete the thousand Merton hats that Merton requested. Merton saw our efforts and specially allowed Ma Family Village to make Merton hats to make a living."
"Can this item really keep out the cold?" Su Dingfang's heart stirred.
Village Chief Ma handed Su Dingfang a Merton hat and said, "General, try it and you will know."
Su Dingfang immediately picked up the Merton hat and put it on his head. Immediately, he felt a burst of warmth wrap around his head. His ears and cheeks that were originally red from the cold immediately became comfortable.
"This item is rather mystical!" Su Dingfang said in surprise.
Village Chief Ma said proudly, "That is natural. This item was created by Merton. That day, after Ma Family Village rushed to make the Merton hat, all the soldiers wore it and continued their journey while braving the wind and snow."
"You said that Merton allowed you to make Merton hats to make a living. How many of these hats are there?" Su Dingfang asked.
Village Chief Ma said with shame, "Although Merton had left for two days, Ma Family Village was limited by the cotton and only managed to make two thousand five hundred pairs of Merton hats and gloves."
Village Chief Ma looked ashamed, but in fact, he was proud. These few days, the Ma Family Village had bought all the cotton within a radius of dozens of miles. They worked overtime to make Marquis Mo's hat. Naturally, they knew that if they could seize the opportunity, they would have an advantage.
"Two thousand five hundred pairs! Alright, this general wants them all. However, the price needs to be discussed. This general is not as rich as Merton. "Su Dingfang said.
Mo Jiazi could pay a hundred coins for a pair, so it was naturally fine. Firstly, the firearms supervisor was in urgent need. Secondly, Merton was a famous prodigal son. If Su Dingfang were to pay a hundred coins for a pair, he might not even have that much money. When he returned, he would probably be scolded to death by the censors.
Village Chief Ma smiled bitterly and said, "This lowly one has already received Merton's favor and was not willing to accept the money. However, Merton insisted. The general wants a large quantity, so the price is naturally easy to negotiate. It is only twenty coins for a Merton hat and a pair of gloves. Ma Family Village Village only needs to recoup the cost and a little labor fee."
"Twenty coins, that is quite honest." Su Dingfang nodded. He also knew that cotton had just become popular and the price was not cheap. In addition to the workmanship and fabric, this price was already very reasonable.
"Two thousand five hundred sets will cost a total of fifty coins. This is a hundred coins! The remaining fifty coins is the deposit. This general wants to order another ten thousand sets. "Su Dingfang handed a stack of banknotes to Village Chief Ma.
"Ten thousand sets!" Village Chief Ma was shocked and looked at Su Dingfang in disbelief.
"That's right. The goods will be delivered in ten days. I don't know if Ma Family Village Village can complete the goods on time." Su Dingfang said. Two thousand five hundred sets might not even be enough for the soldiers who were escorting the provisions. He was prepared to send these ten thousand sets to the front line. If the effect was good, he could continue to order more. He was the chief officer who escorted the provisions, so he could still make this decision.
"It will definitely be completed. General, you can rest assured!" Village Chief Ma was overjoyed. He knew that following Merton would allow him to eat his fill. Sure enough, this big business came.
Now that the heavy snow had stopped, the brick road was about to be opened. Once the raw materials were sufficient, ten thousand sets of Merton hats and gloves would not be a problem.
After leaving the bustling Ma Family Village, Su Dingfang stood against the wind. However, under the protection of the Merton hat, he did not feel the cold at all.
"With the Merton hat, you are not afraid of the cold. Seems like Brother Mo went further than I thought. Let's continue chasing!" Su Dingfang waved his hand and said.
Immediately, the group continued forward. After walking for dozens of li, Su Dingfang suddenly noticed the abnormality on both sides of the brick road. He saw that there were six obvious snow ridges on the official road. In the middle, there were enough traces for vehicles to pass through.
"Send someone to ask the people on both sides of the official road what is going on." Seeing the snow ridges in front of them, Su Dingfang had a premonition that this was definitely related to Mo Jiazi.
"Moving through the snow!"
Soon, the soldier who went to investigate returned. When Su Dingfang heard the soldier's report, he could not help but be surprised. The School of Mo was indeed a prominent school during the Spring and Autumn Period. Mo Jiazi was actually able to use the war chariots that were popular during the Spring and Autumn Period to remove the snow. This simply made him gasp in amazement.
"If Brother Mo was able to think of this move earlier, how would we be trapped in this snow?" Su Dingfang sighed.
The soldier who went to investigate laughed and said, "With this move, Merton must have already moved far away."
Su Dingfang stepped on the thick snow under his feet and found that the layer of snow under his feet was frozen solid. He could not help but shake his head and said, "Moving through the snow is only suitable for when the heavy snow has just fallen. Now that the snow has frozen solid, moving through the snow is no longer advisable."
"So, Merton did not go far?" The soldier who went to investigate frowned.
Su Dingfang nodded and pointed to the front and said with certainty, "Calculating the journey, the Firearms Supervisor will definitely be trapped in Wuwei City."
When Su Dingfang and his group arrived at Wuwei City, they saw the empty barracks left behind by the Firearms Supervisor and the heated discussion in the city. They could not help but be stunned.
"Moving through the snow, what else in this world can stop Mo Jiazi?" Su Dingfang murmured.
"Mo Jiazi's name is indeed well-deserved!"
Not only Su Dingfang, but the entire Wuwei City was also talking about it.
"Marching through the snow, moving through the snow, and moving through the snow by skiing!" These natural disasters that were invincible in the eyes of ordinary people were easily solved by Mo Jiazi.
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