Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 427 Shouldn't it be Your Majesty thanking your humble servant?
The wind on the training ground still carried dust kicked up by the horses' hooves. The aftershocks of the first charge had not yet dissipated, and the scattered scarecrows lay haphazardly on the ground.

Some were trampled to pieces by horses' hooves, while others were riddled with holes by spears, demonstrating the swiftness and power of the charge.

"What an impressive display of power!"

A hearty exclamation of praise came from the entrance to the training ground, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

He saw Li Shimin's gaze sweep intently over the cavalrymen who were resting and lining up on the training ground.

Yuchi Gong remained unchanged, gripping his sword and closely following behind Li Shimin, his eyes sharp as an eagle, vigilantly scanning his surroundings.

Inside the pavilion, Cheng Zhijie was holding a teacup when he saw this and slapped his thigh, shouting "Good!" in a loud voice.

"Excellent! I knew Jia Ying was capable. In just one month, the officers of the Left and Right Guards have undergone a complete transformation! Great!"

Qin Qiong sat to the side, stroking his beautiful beard, his eyes full of satisfaction, and nodded slightly.

"With the army united, even Mount Tai can be moved. Jia Ying's method of 'strict discipline' is indeed effective. Today, let's raise a glass to celebrate."

"Duke Yi, you'd better drink less wine."

Wen He chuckled upon hearing this, then, remembering Qin Qiong's old injury, quickly offered some words of comfort.

"Dr. Sun specifically instructed that your body needs rest and recuperation, as alcohol damages the lungs, and you should not overindulge in it."

"Jiaying is right!"

Cheng Zhijie immediately responded, looking at Wen He with bright eyes.

"Second Brother, your health is precious, so let me, Old Cheng, drink this wine for you! Jia Ying, shouldn't you bring out some of that alcohol from your mansion last time so I can have a taste?"

Wen He completely ignored his expectant gaze, secretly cursing in her heart.

That scoundrel, still thinking about his alcohol.

He wasn't afraid of drinking himself silly.

"This wine is good to drink, but you must share a cup with me."

Just then, Li Shimin's cheerful voice came from outside the pavilion, breaking the joking atmosphere inside.

Wen He, Qin Qiong, and Cheng Zhijie were all stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening and quickly got up.

Li Shimin and Yuchi Gong had already reached the entrance of the pavilion.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"

Qin Qiong and Cheng Zhijie moved swiftly, bowing respectfully in unison.

Wen He was a beat slower, but quickly followed suit and bowed, though she couldn't help but mutter to herself.

When did Li Er start learning how to conduct surprise inspections?

Fortunately, the previous training exercise went well; the cavalry's charging momentum and formation were presentable, so we should be able to get away with it.

"Haha, Uncle Bao, Yi Zhen, please don't stand on ceremony, please rise quickly."

Li Shimin smiled and raised his hand to help Qin Qiong and Cheng Zhijie, then his gaze fell on Wen He beside him, and he said with a half-smile.

"You should get up too."

Wen He then straightened up and gave a forced smile.

Hmph, Li Er was definitely doing it on purpose! He was only a half-step slower in bowing just now, yet he deliberately made him get up late. It's clearly a case of settling a personal score.

"You've grown quite a bit taller in just a few days. You used to look like a teenager, but now you stand tall and have the air of a general."

Li Shimin looked Wen He over, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

Wen He was somewhat lost in thought.

More than anything, it's baffling.

Why would Li Er suddenly mention my height?

However, it has indeed risen considerably recently.

Upon seeing this, Qin Qiong stepped forward with delight and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your Majesty, the Earl of Gaoyang County has indeed not slacked off this past month. Your Majesty entrusted this old minister with the task of teaching him the art of the horse spear, and this old minister has not dared to be negligent in the slightest. He has supervised him to practice diligently every day, and now his spear skills are already quite good. Ordinary captains probably cannot even get close to him."

Qin Qiong's words were true.

Wen He suffered terribly for the past month. Every day before dawn, Qin Qiong would drag him out to practice horse spear, making him practice stances until his legs were weak and his arms ached from thrusting and slashing. His body was always covered in bruises.

Once, when Wenrou came to visit him, she saw the bruises on his arm and immediately burst into tears. She ran to Zhongnan Mountain to find Sun Simiao, insisting that she would treat her brother's "serious injury".

Sun Simiao was so frightened that he thought Wen He had been seriously injured and rushed over in a panic.

The result was some scratches.

But Wenrou was still worried.

The next day, she clung tightly to Wen He's leg, preventing him from leaving the house, afraid that he would suffer any more grievances.

In the end, Wen He persuaded the little girl to let go after much coaxing and promising to be careful.

"It is an honor for Shubao to personally teach him."

Li Shimin smiled at Qin Qiong, then changed the subject, deliberately putting on a stern face and staring seriously at Wen He.

"Since you've practiced so well, let's give you a demonstration in a bit and see how well you've done."

"Forehead?"

Wen He was completely stunned, staring wide-eyed at Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty, didn't you come here today to inspect those generals outside? They just finished training, their ranks are neat, and their morale is high. Why don't you go and see them first?"

He quickly changed the subject, cursing Li Shimin a thousand times in his heart.

He practiced horse spear only to get by; he was lucky if he could fool Qin Qiong. How could he dare to embarrass himself in front of Li Shimin?

Li Er is clearly deliberately making things difficult for him!
Li Shimin saw through Wen He's little scheme at a glance, and a sly smile appeared on his lips.

'This brat, still trying to hide? Fine, my main purpose in coming here today is indeed to see the results of your training over the past month.'

"Go inspect the soldiers first. As for your lance training, we'll settle the score later; you won't escape it."

As he spoke, he stepped out of the shaded area and walked toward the cavalry lined up on the training ground.

Qin Qiong and Cheng Zhijie quickly followed, and Wen He sighed helplessly, but could only bite the bullet and follow closely behind.

The cavalrymen on the drill ground had already spotted Li Shimin. They straightened their backs, gripped their weapons tightly, and the once slightly noisy drill ground instantly became silent, with only the sound of the wind blowing through the flags.

The soldiers' eyes were filled with awe, their gazes fixed on the emperor.

Li Shimin walked to the front of the ranks, his gaze slowly sweeping over each young face. Some of these soldiers still had a touch of childishness on their faces, while others were weathered by time, but all of them exuded a high fighting spirit.

The wind at the Zuowuwei training ground carried sand and dust. The cavalrymen, who had just finished their charge, were reining in their horses to rest. The dust kicked up by their iron hooves had not yet dissipated, and the air was filled with the mixed smell of horse sweat and leather.

Li Shimin stood with his hands behind his back on the high slope, looking down at the cavalry lined up in neat rows, his eyes full of approval.

"Everyone, dismount and pay your respects to His Majesty!"

Suddenly, Wen He, who was standing next to Li Shimin, grabbed the megaphone next to him and shouted with all his might.

Li Shimin was surprised to hear the voice and turned to look at Wen He, only to see the young man giving him a sly smile, with a hint of smugness in his eyes.

Just as he was about to ask a question, he heard the sound of armor plates clashing in unison behind him.

Hundreds of cavalrymen dismounted almost simultaneously, their movements so swift and precise as if they had been through countless trials, and then with a "whoosh," they knelt on one knee, their heads bowed.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects and wish you good health!"

Hundreds of voices spoke at the same time, yet it sounded as if one person had spoken, the sound waves rolling straight up to the sky.

Although Li Shimin was a seasoned warrior who had seen countless battles, he couldn't help but take a deep breath, a surge of indescribable excitement welling up in his chest.

These are his Tang Dynasty soldiers, and this is the result of Wen He's month of training!

"it is good!"

Li Shimin praised loudly, his voice full of sincerity.

As soon as he finished speaking, Yuchi Gong stepped forward and repeated the words in a deep voice.

"His Majesty says, good!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The soldiers remained kneeling, but the words of gratitude did not come from their mouths.

Qin Qiong and Cheng Zhijie stepped forward side by side, bowed to Li Shimin, and expressed their gratitude on his behalf.

The military has strict rules; without His Majesty's permission, soldiers are not allowed to stand up, let alone speak.

"Your Majesty, please rise."

Li Shimin raised his hand in a gesture of support, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers below who had risen in neat rows, and he felt increasingly satisfied.

These people were arrogant soldiers who fought independently just a month ago, but now they are so obedient and disciplined. Wen He has indeed not disappointed him.

Qin Qiong, Cheng Zhijie, and the soldiers responded in unison, "Yes, sir!"

Li Shimin turned to look at Wen He, a half-smile on his face, and asked, "I said you did a good job, but you don't even thank me?"

Everyone present was stunned, and all eyes turned to Wen He.

Just now, everyone bowed and expressed their gratitude, but he stood still. Now that His Majesty is asking him a question, it is clear that he has something in mind.

Wen He didn't seem to care at all, and smiled as she cupped her hands in greeting.

"Your Majesty is mistaken. These soldiers belong to Your Majesty. I am merely training troops for Your Majesty. How could I be doing anything for my master and yet I should be thanking him?"

"Shouldn't it be Your Majesty thanking your humble servant?"

Qin Qiong, Cheng Zhijie, and Yuchi Gong were all taken aback.

This Gaoyang County official is incredibly audacious.

Even His Majesty thanked him?

Li Shimin did not expect him to answer like that.

However, those words resonated with him.

That's right, all the troops in the world belong to him!
Although he was happy inside, he still kept a straight face.

"You're always spouting these fallacies! But whether it's genuine skill or just empty talk, I'm going to examine it carefully today. If I find out you've been lying, don't blame me for punishing you!"

Upon hearing this, everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems His Majesty still values ​​Wen He.

However, Wen He is indeed clever. After saying those words, I'm afraid that even if he has military power in the future...

His Majesty will also have great confidence in him.

After all, he said that these soldiers all belong to His Majesty!
Wen He didn't seem to care much and said confidently.

"Your Majesty, please inspect it. I assure you, I will not disappoint you."

After saying that, he turned around and shouted loudly towards the entrance of the training ground.

"Zhang Wenxiao!"

"The general is here!"

A moment later, a figure dressed in black and close-fitting clothes came running quickly; it was Zhang Wenxiao.

"This humble general pays his respects to Your Majesty."

He bowed deeply to Li Shimin.

"A hundred riders?" Li Shimin felt he had some recollection of them.

“Your Majesty, I am indeed a captain of the 100-cavalry unit,” Zhang Wenxiao replied.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin nodded, indicating that he understood.

He then stopped asking questions, turned to Wen He, and gestured for him to continue.

"Pass down the order: according to the usual training procedures, demonstrate your formation, 100-meter obstacle course, horsemanship, and archery skills in turn, and let His Majesty see your abilities!"

Wen He gave the order.

"Here!"

Zhang Wenxiao accepted the order and left, soon returning with several veteran cavalrymen waving command flags.

Upon seeing this, the soldiers on the training ground quickly divided into four teams and headed to different training areas, their movements swift and decisive.

Li Shimin watched this scene with great interest and turned to ask.

"I understand the drill, but the 100-meter obstacle course is different from the usual drills. Is it a new method you created?"

He pointed to the training area not far away, where there were several wooden pillars, several trenches, and an earthen wall taller than a person, which was obviously built specifically for obstacle training.

"Your Majesty, that's right."

Wen He nodded in explanation.

"On the battlefield, ditches, low walls, and broken trees are commonplace. If soldiers cannot even quickly overcome these obstacles, how can they provide timely support during wartime?"

"This 100-meter obstacle course is designed to train the soldiers' explosive power and adaptability, enabling them to maintain formation and coordinate operations even in complex terrain."

As they were talking, the first team of soldiers had already begun obstacle training.

Zhang Wenxiao gave the order.

Ten soldiers shot out like arrows, leaping across the trench with their knees bent at the exact same height.

When climbing the earthen wall, they coordinate their hands and feet perfectly, and after the person in front reaches the top, they will reach out and help the person behind.

The whole process was smooth and efficient. In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, all ten soldiers passed through the obstacles while maintaining their neat formation.

"it is good!"

Cheng Zhijie was the first to applaud, slapping his thigh as he spoke.

"At this speed, even if we encounter enemy trenches, we can rush over them in the blink of an eye!"

Qin Qiong nodded in approval. The battlefield is ever-changing, and the mobility of soldiers often determines the course of the battle. Wen He's method was indeed practical.

In fact, the achievement of such results in just one month is not solely due to Wen He's efforts.

These generals already had a strong foundation.

If it were an ordinary soldier, let alone a month, even if given half a year, Wen He could not train him to be like these generals.

Li Shimin remained silent, but his gaze was fixed on the second cavalry unit's horsemanship training.

Dozens of cavalrymen galloped at full speed, sometimes changing into a long, single-file formation.

At times, it transformed into a diamond formation, with the dust kicked up by the horses' hooves forming a continuous cloud in the air.

The formation remained perfectly orderly, and even at high speeds, not a single rider fell behind or went off course.

Even more astonishingly, under Zhang Wenxiao's command, the cavalry also practiced the tactic of "charging while riding on the wall".

Dozens of cavalrymen formed a tight horizontal line and advanced like a moving city wall, their long spears pointing diagonally forward, their imposing presence terrifying.

"Is this the 'wall formation' you and Uncle Bao were talking about?"

A sharp glint flashed in Li Shimin's eyes. He had used similar tactics at Wulao Pass, but he had never trained them to be so well-coordinated.

"Exactly."

Wen He replied.

"However, I have made some improvements on the original basis, making the cavalry on both flanks more mobile, so that they can not only cooperate with the central army's charge, but also outflank the enemy's flanks in a timely manner. This is also based on Your Majesty's approach back then."

Li Shimin nodded, and the upward curve of his lips became even more pronounced.

Look, even Wen He, a person from a later era, still needs to refer to my previous battle tactics, doesn't he?
What does this mean?
This shows that even more than a thousand years later, future generations will still study my battle tactics.

Just then, Li Shimin's gaze was drawn to the archery training on the other side of the training ground.

The bows held by the two soldiers there were quite different from ordinary longbows.

The bow arm is bent like a crescent moon.

The soldiers drew their bows with ease, yet the arrows shot out at incredible speeds and with exceptional accuracy, hitting the bullseye almost every time, even from a hundred meters away.

"What is that? It looks like a bull horn bow, but it seems lighter."

Li Shimin pointed to the two bows, his tone tinged with curiosity.

He had been learning archery since childhood and was very familiar with all kinds of bows and arrows, but he had never seen a bow of this type before.

Upon seeing this, Qin Qiong quickly stepped forward to explain.

"Your Majesty, that is a new bow recently improved by Wen Dushi, called a recurve bow."

"This bow is different from ordinary longbows. The bow arm is made of a combination of mulberry wood and ox horn. Although it has a strong draw weight, it requires much less effort than a longbow with the same draw weight. Ordinary soldiers can use it with a little training."

"Moreover, the rate of fire is extremely fast. While a longbowman can shoot one arrow, a recurve bow can shoot two, and the range reaches two hundred paces, fifty paces further than the most elite longbowmen in the army."

He paused and added.

"However, this bow is still in the testing phase. Currently, only two prototypes have been made in the military, and the materials are all disassembled and improved from the previous horn bows."

"The bow is made by disassembling the composite bow that the Earl of Gaoyang County gave to Cheng Zhijie."

By the end, Qin Qiong's tone was tinged with trepidation.

While it is not a major crime for the military to privately modify weapons, the failure to report such an important invention in a timely manner is bound to cause His Majesty to harbor resentment.

Especially since it's a powerful bow.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin merely gave a faint "oh," his gaze remaining fixed on the two recurve bows, lost in thought.

The atmosphere on the training ground suddenly became somewhat heavy. Cheng Zhijie was about to speak up to smooth things over when Wen He spoke first.

"Your Majesty, this recurve bow is indeed still in the experimental stage, so we dared not report it rashly."

He and Qin Qiong had planned to report it in the next couple of days, but Li Shimin suddenly arrived today.

It caught him off guard.

He watched as the two dukes explained things to him.

Wen He didn't want to make things difficult for them, so she stepped forward and spoke frankly.

"I have been training troops at the Left Guard for the past month. Improving the bow and arrow was just a coincidence. Last time I saw that the soldiers were having too much trouble drawing their bows, I thought about whether I could improve them."

"Composite bows are too expensive, which Duke Su regrets. So I thought of recurve bows. The reason I didn't tell you before was simply because I felt the time wasn't right."

When these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.

Given the superior performance of recurve bows, why would Wen He feel that the timing is not right?
Li Shimin also became interested and asked, "Oh? What do you mean by that?"

Wen He looked conflicted.

He coughed lightly and said, "Your Majesty, do you still remember the Mohe people I mentioned before? This bow was made by them, you know what I mean."

"However, it is not entirely manufactured according to their technology. Your humble servant has made improvements based on the existing conditions of the Great Tang Dynasty, but this has resulted in a slight decrease in performance."

As Wen He finished speaking, she gave Li Shimin a look.

Li Shimin immediately understood.

This bow was not made by the present Mohe tribe, but came from the later dynasty called the Manchu Qing.

That seems to be a dynasty more than a thousand years from now.

Could it be that Wen He thinks I would look down on weapons from foreign tribes?
That would be underestimating me.

“A weapon is a weapon. Even if it comes from barbarians, as long as it can be used by me and by the Tang Dynasty, it is a good weapon.”

He glanced at Wen He, and seeing him pouting, couldn't help but chuckle.

"Uh, no, I think the manufacturing cost is too high. But if we wait for the waterwheel technology to be perfected, it will be cheaper to manufacture than before, and at least the difficulty will not be so great."

"Oh? I see," Li Shimin stroked his beard.

It turns out I was overthinking things.

He smiled and shook his head.

However, according to Wen He, it seems that large-scale manufacturing is still not possible at present.

Should we wait for the waterwheel technology to be perfected?

After pondering for a moment, Li Shimin spoke.

"In that case, I am not impatient. Furthermore, since you made this bow, I will bestow upon you a favor: from now on, this bow shall be called the Gaoyang Bow."

Qin Qiong and the others standing to the side were completely bewildered.

Wen He just said that this bow was made by the Mohe tribe.

They were surprised.

They had never heard of the Mohe tribe before; could it be that Turkic tribe?

If the Turks possess such a bow, we must be careful in the future.

Moreover, Wen He actually said that the technology of the Tang Dynasty was inferior to that of those barbarians?
Isn't that giving those Turks too much credit?
Just when they were puzzled.

But then Wen He and His Majesty started speaking in riddles again.

Finally, His Majesty said that the bow was made by the Earl of Gaoyang County and even named it the Gaoyang Bow.

"Your Majesty is wise," Qin Qiong agreed without hesitation.

Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Gong were a little slower, but they also seconded the motion.

Wen He was stunned.

It seems that history will record this about him.

Seeing his astonishment, Li Shimin found it amusing.

He turned to look at Wen He, his eyes full of anticipation: "Is this bow really capable of shooting two hundred paces? What is its draw weight?"

"Your Majesty, this bow comes in two types: three stone and five stone. The soldiers just now used the three stone bow, which has a range of two hundred paces. The five stone bow has a range of two hundred and fifty paces, but it requires someone with exceptional arm strength to use it."

Wen He said.

Before coming to the Tang Dynasty, he couldn't believe that the ancient people, who were short of resources, could pull such a heavy bow.

After arriving, he realized that he had underestimated the ancients.

It should be noted that the minimum standard for the Xuanjia Guard was a seven-stone bow, which is roughly equivalent to eighty-four catties in later times.

For ordinary elite archers, the minimum standard is a three-stone bow.

In addition, the standards of the Tang Dynasty were different from those of the Han Dynasty.

In the Han Dynasty, a stone bow weighed about 60 catties, while in the Tang Dynasty it weighed only 12 catties.

Therefore, Huang Zhong's three-stone bow from the Three Kingdoms period would still easily defeat a group of people in the Tang Dynasty.

"it is good!"

Li Shimin immediately felt an urge to act and gave the order.

"Yuchi Gong, fetch my Night-Shining White! And bring me that three-stone recurve bow!"

"Here!"

Yuchi Gong bowed and accepted the order, then strode away. He knew Li Shimin's temperament well; the more powerful the weapon, the more the emperor liked it. Now that he had seen this recurve bow, he would surely put it to good use.

Before long, Yuchi Gong led a pure white horse with black hooves, which was none other than Li Shimin's mount, Zhaoyebai.

This horse was a prized steed presented as tribute from the Western Regions. It could travel a thousand miles a day and see at night, and was one of Li Shimin's most beloved mounts.

When Wen He saw the horse, he couldn't help but gasp.

He had previously visited the reliefs of the Six Steeds at Zhaoling Mausoleum, and this horse did not appear to be carved in later times.

I don't know if it was because the craftsmen at Zhaoling didn't carve it well later, or because it was washed away by wind and rain.

Following closely behind, Zhang Wenxiao held a recurve bow in both hands.

The ox horns on the bow arm gleamed warmly in the sunlight, and ten specially made feathered arrows were inserted into the quiver.

The arrows are made of eagle feathers, and the arrowheads are made of fine iron.

These arrows were used for training or by elite troops.

Ordinary soldiers are too expensive to employ.

Li Shimin strode forward, took the recurve bow, and immediately felt that its weight was just right and the curvature of the bow arm was perfect.

He pulled the bowstring and found that although the draw weight was strong, it required much less effort than a longbow with the same draw weight, which made him even more satisfied.

"Good bow!"

He exclaimed in admiration, then mounted his horse with the agility of a young man.

Well, actually, Li Shimin isn't that old now.

He was only thirty years old; many people in later generations would not be married by that age.

As soon as Li Shimin mounted his horse, he gently squeezed the horse's belly with his legs.

His white horse, Zhaoyebai, shot out like a white shadow.

The wind whistled in his ears. Li Shimin squinted, his gaze fixed on the bullseye. He slowly drew back the recurve bow in his hand, the bow arm bending like a full moon.

Just as Zhao Yebai reached the best shooting position, Li Shimin suddenly let go, and the arrow shot out like a meteor!
"Whoosh!"

The arrow flew toward the bullseye with a whooshing sound, but it went slightly higher, passing over the bullseye and embedding itself in a wooden post beside it.

The training ground was silent.

Qin Qiong and the others remained indifferent.

Wen He felt it was a bit of a pity.

There were no cameras in this era, otherwise he would have definitely filmed what just happened.

That is absolutely first-hand historical material.

Although the first arrow missed, Li Shimin didn't care at all.

He drew his bow again.

"Whoosh!"

The second arrow was fired, and this time, it struck the bullseye precisely. The red bullseye was pierced by the arrowhead, revealing a black hole.

"Your Majesty is mighty!"

Thunderous cheers erupted on the training ground as soldiers brandished their weapons and shouted.

Qin Qiong and Cheng Zhijie also raised their arms in unison and shouted.

Yuchi Gong shouted, "Good!"

Li Shimin was greatly encouraged and squeezed the horse's belly with his legs again.

Zhao Yebai was even faster; he drew his bow and shot arrows in quick succession, his movements fluid and almost without pause.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Three arrows were fired in succession, each hitting the bullseye with precision. After piercing the bullseye, the arrowheads were firmly embedded in the wooden frame behind them, the fletchings still trembling slightly.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Cheng Zhijie slapped his thigh and shouted "Good!" three times, his voice louder than anyone else's.

Li Shimin rode back, dismounted, and handed the recurve bow to Yuchi Gong, his face full of excitement.

"This bow is truly miraculous! It has just the right draw weight, an extremely fast rate of fire, and a long range. If it could be widely deployed in the army, the combat effectiveness of our Tang Dynasty cavalry would surely be elevated to a new level!"

"Wen He, you've done a great job!"

Li Shimin could no longer contain his joy.

Li Shimin was very fond of the composite bow that Wen He had made before.

Unfortunately, the cost is too high.

And this recurve bow—no, from now on it will be called the Gaoyang bow.

The bowstring is the same as that of the ox horn bow, but the bow arm is difficult to make.

But it should be more economical than the previous compound bow, otherwise Wen He wouldn't have taken it out.

Seeing Li Shimin so happy, Wen He had to remind him again.

"Your Majesty, the manufacturing cycle for this recurve bow is not short. The bow arm alone will take at least three months to develop, and we are still in the exploratory stage, especially the high recurve bow tip of the bow arm, which requires repeated experiments."

Before the smile on Li Shimin's face had faded, Wen He's cold water on his expression instantly turned him gloomy.

"I know, you just said that."

Upon hearing this, Wen He smiled awkwardly and then continued speaking.

"However, if the waterwheel can be manufactured and can utilize water power, then things will be much simpler."

"We could also improve the horn bow, but we can't make many in the short term."

At least until the autumn harvest, the idea of ​​mass-producing recurve bows is a pipe dream.

As the saying goes, everything is based on productivity.

If the industrial level of the Tang Dynasty could advance from human and animal power to the water power era.

Then many problems can be easily solved.

"So it's impossible this year, right?" Li Shimin replied in a calm voice.

"Making fewer should be fine," Wen He said.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's gaze darkened, and he suddenly shifted his attention to Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, and Cheng Zhijie.

After a moment of hesitation, he spoke.

"Shubao mentioned before that he wanted to form a force similar to the Hundred Cavalry. What are your thoughts on that?"

He was asking Wen He.

Wen He was stunned.

He previously thought that having a hundred riders would make it troublesome to form another one.

Most importantly, it's unknown whether Li Shimin would be willing.

After all, for the emperor, the army was the last resort.

"I don't know, it's mainly because I don't have the money."

"Humph!"

When money was mentioned, Li Shimin immediately became unhappy.

This month of training cost him nearly a thousand strings of cash.

That's a thousand strings of cash, a full million coins!

It's equivalent to a month's dividends from the soap and glass workshops he receives now.

"Make one hundred Gaoyang bows, and have them distributed to the Left and Right Guards..."

As Li Shimin was speaking, Yuchi Gong suddenly turned to him with a burning gaze.

"Your Majesty, the men of the Right Martial Guard are not bad either."

"Big Blackie, this is none of your business, why are you meddling!" Cheng Zhijie immediately expressed his dissatisfaction.

His Majesty has already said that if one hundred Gaoyang Bows are made, doesn't that mean there are only one hundred slots?
This big black guy actually wants to get involved!
"His Majesty hasn't said anything, what are you yelling about, you big brute!" Yuchi Gong snorted immediately.

His Right Martial Guard was, after all, a major force of the Tang Dynasty.

Why is it that only the Left and Right Guards get to enjoy the good life?

Watching those generals training outside just now, he felt incredibly envious.

"Shut up!"

Li Shimin gave a soft shout.

Yuchi Gong and Cheng Zhijie, who were about to make a move, immediately became obedient.

"Select one hundred people from the Three Guards. As for the candidates, Wen He..."

"Your Majesty, I still need to train the Flying Fish Guards."

Wen He quickly interrupted Li Shimin.

They really think he's just a donkey for the production team.

"Then arrange for them all to be sent to the Forbidden Garden. Moreover, I think these 100 people might be able to cooperate with the Flying Fish Guards."

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes as he looked at Wen He.

amount……

Airborne troops?
Wen He gasped.

It seems to be really possible.

"Then let me try?"

"If you succeed, I will give you those three hundred acres of land in the Forbidden Garden." Li Shimin knew that Wen He would definitely not agree if he didn't offer some benefits.

Even if they agree, they'll definitely only work sporadically.

As expected, Wen He immediately agreed as soon as Li Shimin finished speaking.

He knew he couldn't refuse.

Since Li Shimin offered him this way out, he had no choice but to accept it.

"By the way, wasn't that guy who brought me the bow just now one of the Hundred Cavalrymen?"

Li Shimin suddenly remembered.

Wen He then explained, "Yes, Zhang Wenxiao, captain of the 100-cavalry squad."

After saying that, Wen He waved to Zhang Wenxiao, who was not far away.

Upon hearing His Majesty mention him, Zhang Wenxiao was immediately filled with trepidation.

"Hmm, I know you. You were there when the Hundred Cavalry was established, and you also made contributions during this training. Would you be willing to come to my side?"

Li Shimin asked with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wenxiao's eyes widened in surprise.

This was a meteoric rise for him.

For a moment, his breathing became rapid.

"You young lad, why aren't you thanking the emperor!"

Seeing that he hadn't answered for a long time, Yuchi Gong immediately cursed him in dissatisfaction.

"Hey, Jingde, don't scare him."

Li Shimin smiled nonchalantly.

Zhang Wenxiao then came to his senses and respectfully bowed to Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty, the training methods were all taught by the Earl of Gaoyang County. I dare not take credit for it, but I would like to request to be transferred from the Hundred Cavalry to the Hundred-Man Unit."

He heard every word Li Shimin said.

Your Majesty wishes to establish an even more elite force of one hundred men.

If I could join, wouldn't I be able to follow the Earl of Gaoyang County again?

Zhang Wenxiao had been feeling uneasy ever since he returned from Hebei Province.

After joining the Hundred Riders, he was promoted by Wen He all the way.

Now that the young man is gone, he feels like he has lost his pillar of support.

"You want to follow Wen He?"

Li Shimin guessed what he was thinking.

Qin Qiong and Cheng Zhijie couldn't help but frown.

Seeing that his thoughts had been exposed, Zhang Wenxiao dared not hide anything and told the truth.

"Your Majesty, ever since I joined the Hundred Riders under your command, I have been under the care of the young master. My current skills are all thanks to the Earl of Gaoyang County."

"He's a man of loyalty."

Li Shimin chuckled softly.

Zhang Wenxiao lowered his head, feeling a pang of regret.

He worried that his actions would be detrimental to Wen He, and that he shouldn't have acted impulsively.

"Wen He, what do you think?" Li Shimin glanced at Wen He.

Wen He hadn't expected Zhang Wenxiao to suddenly make such a move.

He was indeed somewhat moved.

But... Zhang Wenxiao did indeed cause him trouble.

However, he answered Li Shimin's question without hesitation.

"Whether it's the Hundred Riders or that soldier from the Tang Dynasty, they all belong to His Majesty. How dare this humble subject speak?"

"Where Zhang Wenxiao will go in the future is not up to him, nor is it up to me; only Your Majesty's word matters."

He trailed off.

Li Shimin chuckled and shook his head, then put on a stern face.

"You should learn less from Yan Lide and Xu Jingzong in the future. Why are you being so slick at such a young age?"

"I know you want Zhang Wenxiao, so he is yours. However, he offended me today, so I am very angry. He will be removed from his position as captain and sent to the new Hundred-Man Squad as a squad leader."

Zhang Wenxiao broke out in a cold sweat.

But apart from him, everyone else looked relaxed.

His Majesty's words just now contained not a trace of accusation.

"Why don't you thank His Majesty?"

Wen He shouted at Zhang Wenxiao.

Upon hearing this, the latter did not know what had happened, but since the young master taught him to express gratitude, he did so.

"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness."

"Alright, it's getting late, I'll be returning to the palace now. Jiaying, I'll give you half a month to finalize the roster and then begin training."

After saying this, Li Shimin gave Wen He a serious look before leaving.

Yuchi Gong glanced at Wen He and followed him.

"The minister obeys the order."

Wen He bowed to his retreating figure, and only after Li Shimin and Yuchi Gong left did he breathe a long sigh of relief.

"Young master, I..."

Zhang Wenxiao felt somewhat guilty, but even more so, he felt a lingering fear.

Wen He looked at him, unsure whether to be happy or helpless.

He looked at Zhang Wenxiao and cursed.

"Get lost, I hate seeing you!"

"Here!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wenxiao's tension vanished.

After he left, Qin Qiong came forward, gently patted Wen He's shoulder, and said.

"Zhang Wenxiao is a loyal and righteous person; he might be able to help you in the future."

Wen He nodded slightly.

This is how the terms "disciples" and "former officials" came about.

Even though Wen He was unwilling, he still found himself forming a faction without realizing it.

Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing is hard to say right now.

So Wen He simply stopped thinking about it.

"Duke Yi and Duke Su, His Majesty has only given us half a month. As for the selection, it depends on the two dukes."

"This selection only considers individual ability, not position, just like our previous training. Regardless of military rank, everyone is treated equally."

Qin Qiong and Cheng Zhijie had anticipated what Wen He said.

Those who train on the training ground today are the same.

"Alright, it's getting late. Tomorrow, Yizhen and I will personally select the people, and we will give you an answer in four days."

Qin Qiong nodded and said.

"Thank you both, Dukes." Wen He bowed and thanked them.

Li Shimin's arrival disrupted today's training plan.

The generals performed well, so Wen He gave them half a day off.

He also gave himself a break.

After leaving Zuowuwei, he went home.

"Xiao Langjun."

As soon as I entered the house, Zhou Fu came to greet me.

"what happened?"

"Just now, Qibi's family came looking for him, saying that his clansmen would arrive in Chang'an in three days, so Qibi hurriedly returned home."

Zhou Fu said.

It took a month to travel from Lingzhou to Chang'an.

That's not exactly a fast pace.

It seems that quite a few people from the Qibi tribe have come to Chang'an this time.

"Prepare some gifts; I will personally visit you in three days."

This matter must be taken seriously.

Li Shimin wanted the Qibi tribe to be the vanguard, so he would definitely have used coercion and enticement.

As Chebiholic's husband, he was certainly the one who was tempted by the offer.

However, Wen He did not expect that Qibi Heli would return in the afternoon.

They also respectfully performed Turkic rituals with Wenhe.
“My mother said that my unauthorized return home was against the etiquette of the Tang Dynasty, and she asked my husband and me to apologize.”

Wen He was somewhat taken aback.

This Lady Guzang is being overly cautious.

"Get up. It's only natural for you to go home. Besides, you're just a student here, not a prisoner. You can go out whenever you want. There's no need for this."

Wen He knew what Lady Guzang was thinking.

She probably thought that Li Shimin had Qibi Heli stay by Wen He's side to better monitor him.

Therefore, Qibi Heli's sudden return made her worry that the Tang emperor would be angry.

This is what it means to live under someone else's roof.

Qibi Heli was also somewhat uneasy.

Wen He smiled and walked up to him, raising her hand to rub his head where only a small tuft of hair remained.

"This will be your home from now on, so don't be afraid, okay?"

Qibi Heli was taken aback and blinked at Wen He.

He clearly looked puzzled.

Wen He knew that saying more would be useless.

As the saying goes, time reveals true character.

"Alright, go go and have fun with Li Tai and the others. Your husband has a lot of things to do."

At this point, Wen He couldn't help but sigh.

With his physique, I don't know if he'll grow any shorter.

His current height of less than 1.4 meters is a great worry for him.

Even touching Qibi Heli's head required raising one's hand.

Why is it that a ten-year-old is about the same height as him?
Three days later.

Outside the Gaoyang County government building.

All that could be seen were horse-drawn carriages filled with boxes of various sizes.

Qibi Heli, who went out with Wen He, was immediately dumbfounded.

"Sir, this is..."

He looked at Wen He in disbelief.

Seeing his surprised expression, Wen He smiled gently.

"These are all gifts for your clansmen. We Tang people are hospitable, so we have fine wine for our friends."

"However, we Tang people also hate evil as much as we hate it, so when the enemy comes, we have swords and spears, do you understand?"

Qibi Heli was stunned for a moment, then nodded somewhat bewildered.

(End of this chapter)