Wu Yong Sends Shi Qian to Steal Armor; Tang Long Tricks Xu Ning Up the Mountain

There is a poem that says: The precious armor of wild-goose feathers is rarely seen in the world; it hangs high from the beam of the bedchamber, not easy to obtain. Taking advantage of deep night, he makes his move to steal it, slipping in quietly, fearing no guards like tigers and wolves. After the third watch, the River of Stars sinks in the west; at midnight, the lamplight is about to go out. Once this treasure is stolen, it is as easy as picking up a blade of grass— this man must have been a master thief in a former life. At that time Tang Long said to the assembled chiefs: “My family has made weapons for generations. My father, relying on this craft, won the favor of the Old Marshal of Zhong and became garrison commander of Yan’an. In the past the court used linked-armor cavalry to win battles. To break that formation, one must use the hook-sickle spear. Our family has had the drawings for generations, and the weapon can be forged according to them. I can forge it, but I cannot use it. The only man who understands this spear technique is my cousin. He is in the......