Chapter 40: Opening Borders and Dragon Sword

  After Cheng Yaojin rushed away, Li Shimin, Hou Junji and Li Ji waited anxiously.

  Only Du He had a relaxed face, with victory in his grasp.

  For them it was an experiment with unknown results, but for Du He, it was an unchangeable fact.

  The emergence of stirrups and horseshoes was an inevitable sharp tool for the rise of cavalry.

  After a while, Li Shimin, Hou Junji and Li Ji all became somewhat impatient.

  Just in time!

  "Dong, dong, dong......" The sound of horseshoes echoed like a drumbeat.

  Before he even arrived, Cheng Yaojin's hearty laughter had already reached the ears of the four people.

  Li Shimin, Hou Junji and Li Ji exchanged a glance with each other, knowing that the matter was settled. Du He still had an expression of "just as I expected".

  "Your Majesty!" Cheng Yaojin dismounted his horse with a swing of his leg, and despite his advanced age, his movements were neat and efficient, without any unnecessary actions.

  "It's too wonderful!" Cheng Yaojin laughed loudly and wanted to punch Du He.

  Du He unknowingly took a step back to avoid the attack. This old guy doesn't know his own strength, if he had been hit by that punch, he would have been in pain for at least three days.

  Cheng Yaojin's fist hit empty air, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He smiled and said: "The young master of the Du family is indeed impressive! I rode it through mud and sand, charged into the fire sea, galloped three miles, and its hooves were not damaged at all. It can be used greatly. You see..."

  Jing raised his horse's hoof, and it was shiny and new, without any damage.

  Li Shimin, Hou Junji and Li Ji all changed their expressions.

  Li Shimin said: "Xian nephew, you have made great contributions to the Great Tang again!"

  Hou Junji and Li Ji simultaneously saluted Du He with great respect.

  Du He hurried forward to support her, but felt somewhat perplexed.

  This horseshoe is indeed beneficial for war horses, but it's not worth mobilizing such a large force!

  "You don't know, the emergence of this horseshoe is a blessing for the cavalrymen of my Great Tang! In the past, when our Great Tang cavalry fought against the enemy, the war horses were the most vulnerable. After a big battle, at least 80% of the war horses would be injured and 30% would die. According to statistics, most of the war horses were injured due to hoof damage. My Great Tang is not like those nomadic tribes, their horses are endless, if one is injured, they can immediately replace it without considering the cost. But if our Great Tang cavalry's war horse is damaged, we can only replace two, and if both are injured, we can only bring them onto the battlefield with injuries. This is a great harm to both humans and horses. With this horseshoe, my Great Tang soldiers will be spared from this suffering and no longer have to worry about it!"

  It turns out that in a cavalry battle, the knights not only had to gallop at long distances but also charge at close range and repeatedly clash in the muddy terrain filled with swords and flames.

  The outer layer of horn on the hoof's surface is most prone to peeling off in such situations, and once it peels off, the hoof is immediately damaged and cannot be used for battle again.

  The Tang Dynasty had plenty of horses, but after all, it couldn't compare to those nomadic nations. Therefore, cases where they suffered losses in battles were not uncommon. As a result, people like Li Shimin, Hou Junji, and Li Ji all had their own unique feelings about this.

  In their eyes, Du He's "invention" of this small horseshoe was no less than winning a battle.

  "Hou Aiqing, immediately issue an order to the military department, requiring all war horses in the Great Tang to have their hooves nailed with this horseshoe. Furthermore, I also want to proclaim to the world, letting the wonderful use of this horseshoe spread to every household!" Li Shimin handled matters quickly and efficiently, immediately issuing an order to spread the benefits of this horseshoe throughout the land, allowing people everywhere to be spared the suffering of horses' hoof skin falling off.

  Hou Junji, Li Ji and Cheng Yaojin bid farewell one after another.

  Duhe originally also planned to retire, but was stopped by Li Shimin.

  Two people walked on the road back to the palace, one in front and one behind.

  Li Shimin sighed and said: "Xian nephew, you have made another great achievement for the Great Tang Dynasty. How should I reward you?"

  Du He smiled indifferently and said, "Uncle Li has this heart, that's good enough! This merit is not to be rewarded!"

  In terms of significance, Du He's horseshoe was indeed a great achievement that could reduce the disadvantage of our Tang Dynasty in horse breeding. But to put it bluntly, it was just putting a piece of iron on the horse's hoof, which didn't have much practical significance.

  Just like his proposal to promote polo matches, it is theoretically feasible, but the actual outcome is also an unknown quantity, and no one can be sure.

  If it were just a matter of rewarding merit, Li Shimin would not have come forward to take credit for Du He's efforts in promoting polo. It was precisely because he understood this that he took on the responsibility, regardless of whether it succeeded or failed. Otherwise, with Li Shimin's wisdom, why would he snatch credit from Du He?

  It's the same this time too.

  "You're indeed thinking clearly!" Li Shimin was quite impressed with Du He's understanding of the situation, and gazing into the distance, he said slowly: "But I'm not that kind of ruler who is unclear about rewards and punishments. If it can't be done openly, then it can be done secretly! I heard from the Empress that you're skilled in sword dancing and have also written a poem called 'The Knight's Journey', 'Zhao guest embroidered Hu Jin, Wu hook frost snow bright. Silver saddle shining white horse, swift as flowing stars. Ten steps kill one person, thousand miles without leaving a trace. After finishing, wipe the clothes and go, deeply hiding one's body and name.' Good poetry! I'll let you choose something from this poem to reward you! Firstly, 'Zhao guest embroidered Hu Jin' refers to clothing, or armor. I have a set of Hundred Wars Lion King Armor, which can withstand most sharp weapons, ensuring you're invincible in battle; secondly, 'Wu hook frost snow bright' is a weapon. I have the Opening Territory Dragon Sword and the Determining Country Beheading General Knife, both are extremely sharp and can help you kill enemies and behead generals. Lastly, 'Silver saddle shining white horse' refers to a horse. I have six fine steeds: Te Lu, Qing Ji, Shi Fa Chi, Sa Liu Zi, Quan Mao Bian, and Bai Ti Wu, each of which has followed me in battles across the land. I can also give you one of them!"

  "How is it? These few treasures, you can choose!" Li Shimin's eyes gazed at Du He, the deep appreciation in his eyes was self-evident.

  Du He knew that as the Emperor of Tang, Li Shimin's words were not to be taken lightly. Once he said something, if she refused, it would not look good. So she thought carefully about which treasure to choose.

  The name of the Hundred Wars Lion King's armor is indeed impressive, but it's not something I can use for now, and even if I had it, it would be useless. Moreover, I excel in lightness and agility, so wearing a cumbersome suit of armor would be a waste of my strengths.

  The Lion King's armor is rejected first!

  They are the six steeds, and the great name of Duhe is clear. Li Shimin ordered Yan Liben to carve the six horses that followed him in battle and place them in the Zhao Mausoleum for burial, hence also known as the "Six Steeds of Zhao Mausoleum". Among them, "Quanmao" and "Baima" were stolen and sold to the United States in 1914. When Duhe became the leader of the thieves, the first piece of Chinese national treasure he obtained was "Quanmao" and "Baima".

  They followed Li Shimin to battlefields, and both sides had deep feelings for each other. This can be seen from the fact that Li Shimin let the painting master Yan Liben personally carve those six war horses to accompany Zhao Mausoleum.

  This horse is a good horse, but it's not Du He's favorite, and it's also been eliminated.

  All that's left is the military equipment.

  "I choose the Expanding Dragon Sword!" Du He didn't hesitate at all and decisively chose what he wanted.

  "Good!" Li Shimin's eyes narrowed with a smile, "I will grant you the Kuanglong Sword to expand our territory!"