Tang Dynasty: Starting with 3,000 elite cavalry, a bloody battle to retake the city.

"Tap...tap...tap..."

The footsteps approached from afar, steady and powerful.

Li Yingge entered the courtyard in full silver armor, her long hair tied up high, looking heroic and dashing.

Her gaze swept across the area, her brow furrowing slightly. "Just now... someone was here?"

Han Ye smiled faintly: "No, it was just the wind rustling the bamboo shadows."

She looked around suspiciously, but ultimately didn't press the matter further, saying directly, "The Marquis of Champion's monument is finished and stands outside the East Gate of Chang'an. You said you wanted to go see it."

Marquis of Champion – Ghost-Faced General.

For a full half-month after that great battle, there was no news.

Although no one in the government or among the public said it outright, deep down people had already tacitly agreed that he had died on the battlefield in that battle.

Thus, the monument became not only a symbol of merit, but also a place to commemorate the heroic souls.

Even his Azure Dragon Spear was enshrined beside him, its cold light still shining, but no one wielded it anymore.

Han Ye slowly stood up and looked up at the eastern horizon.

After a long silence, he said softly, "Let's go take a look."

At the same moment that Han Ye and Li Yingge went to the Ghost Face General Memorial.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian had already turned back to the palace and stepped into the solemn and imposing Imperial Study deep within the Taiji Hall—reporting back to Emperor Li Shimin was one of his duties as the heir apparent.

But who would have thought that in just half a month, it would be like a complete transformation.

Half a month ago, Li Shimin had secretly sent Li Junxian to thoroughly investigate Han Ye's background.

When the investigation results were presented to the emperor, every clue was strange: a young man from a humble background could speak what ordinary people could not and knew the secrets of the world that had not yet been revealed. From that moment on, Li Shimin not only stopped the crown prince from getting close to Han Ye, but also tacitly allowed him to follow him.

The only condition is—

He meticulously recorded every word Han Ye said and reported it to the Emperor daily.

So, on the surface it was the crown prince seeking knowledge, but in reality... even the emperor who ruled the country was secretly "stealing" knowledge.

The candlelight flickered in the imperial study, and the fragrance of ambergris lingered faintly.

Li Chengqian strode in, bowed deeply, and said in a clear voice, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

"Um."

Li Shimin raised his eyes, his gaze falling lightly on him, but his heart suddenly trembled.

However, it has only been fifteen days.

The crown prince who used to be meek and timid in his presence now stands tall with his back straight, his eyes calm and deep, and a hint of imperial authority emanating from his brows!

This change was astonishingly fast and frighteningly ruthless.

"He's only been by Han Ye's side for a short time... and my crown prince has already become a completely different person."

Li Shimin's heart was in turmoil, yet a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips. "Han Ye, Han Ye, who exactly are you?"

While I felt gratified, I was also deeply shocked.

He stared at Li Chengqian, his tone inquiring: "My son, you're back? What earth-shattering words did Han Ye teach you today?"

Li Junxian, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but laugh, his eyes full of amusement.

Li Chengqian simply smiled and shook his head, saying, "Father, Han Ye did not give a lecture today; it was just casual conversation."

We talked about the rise and fall of the Arab Empire, and a small item called a "horseshoe."

"Oh?"

Li Shimin raised an eyebrow, his expression suddenly hardening. "The Alabao Empire? What kind of power is that? Besides, what is a horseshoe?"

Li Chengqian, with a serious expression, recounted Han Ye's words in detail—

From the mighty cavalry that swept across the Western Regions by the Arab Empire, to its cunning methods of controlling politics through commerce and governing the people through religion; from the bustling capital of its vast territory to the remarkable sight of strict laws and flourishing scholarship... every word was clearly explained, making Li Shimin feel a chill down his spine.

"According to Han Ye, this country is so powerful that if it were to border our Great Tang, it would likely become a major threat!"

Li Shimin spoke in a low voice, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty, "Fortunately, we are separated by thousands of miles, otherwise... they would truly be formidable enemies!"

Before he could finish speaking, he immediately turned to look at Li Junxian and said sternly, "Write it down quickly! Not a single word can be omitted!"

Li Junxian smiled wryly and cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Majesty, I've almost worn my pen out from writing these past few days..."

But in his heart, he muttered: What's so special about Alabao? Just a few days ago, that kid said there was a fertile land in the far west, covered in gold, with grain piled up like mountains, yet the population was as sparse as lone wolves in a wasteland! Even more outrageous, there was black oil buried underground that could burn for three days and three nights; and the things flying in the sky weren't birds, but giant iron-shelled machines that carried people through the clouds and fog...

Potatoes, corn, chili peppers—these were all unheard-of magical things, leaving me completely bewildered every time I heard about them.

If it weren't for the fact that every time someone was sent to check, the match would almost always be correct, Li Junxian would have already concluded that Han Ye was a charlatan!

But—

Everything he said was true.

The more they investigated, the more real it seemed; the more real it seemed, the more sinister it became!

At this moment, Li Shimin's thoughts returned, and he pressed again, "And what are those horseshoes?"

Li Chengqian immediately presented a scroll he had personally hand-painted.

The image depicts a U-shaped iron sheet that fits perfectly over the bottom of a horseshoe, with nail holes along the edge, presumably for securing it.

"Father, please look."

Li Chengqian's lips curled up slightly, his tone unable to hide his excitement, "Han Ye said that although this thing is small, it is a divine skill for warhorses - to put 'shoes' on the horse to prevent cracking and slipping, and to make it more durable for long runs."

Not only will it reduce injuries, but it will also increase speed by more than 30%! Once equipped in large numbers, cavalry will be like tigers with wings!

"What?!"

Li Shimin suddenly stood up, grabbed the blueprints, stared intently at the strange structure, and felt as if a thunderbolt had exploded in his mind!

"How could this be?!"

He abruptly looked up, his eyes blazing brightly: "Summon the Minister of Works! Immediately summon the Directorate of Crafts! Produce a finished product within three days! Success will be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold and a noble title!"

The entire imperial study instantly erupted in a frenzy of excitement.

Li Shimin laughed heartily, his brows and eyes relaxing, and couldn't help but say, "What on earth is going on in Han Ye's head? How can he keep coming up with all these strange and bizarre things!"

Before he finished speaking, he casually tossed the blueprints to Li Junxian beside him, his tone light yet undeniably authoritative: "The workshop must immediately manufacture horseshoes according to these blueprints. I want to test them myself—to see if these things can truly traverse mountains!"

Li Junxian accepted the order with both hands, bowed his head, and said, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

At this moment, Li Shimin was in such a good mood that he almost hummed a little tune.

Han Ye is practically a hidden trump card in his hands!

His ideas are both strange and ingenious, always surprising, yet they always hit the nail on the head.

The most wonderful thing is—

He didn't need to show up in person at all.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian himself ran around tirelessly, reporting back on everything, big or small.

The father can simply sit back and listen to the results, feeling as comfortable as a cat basking in the warm sun!

His smile hadn't faded as he waved his hand: "Anything else?"

Li Chengqian stepped forward, his expression calm: "There is one more thing... Han Ye has recently been planting a crop called 'rice,' but I don't know the specifics."

When asked, he only said it was an auspicious omen and that the truth couldn't be revealed until the appointed time.

"An auspicious omen?" Li Shimin raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "An auspicious omen can be cultivated?"

He paused, then laughed loudly: "Let it be! I want to see if this auspicious omen grows wings and flies out, or if a golden baby springs out of the ground!"

-

at the same time.

Outside the city's east gate, the daylight was just right.

Han Ye had changed into a plain-colored cloth outfit and walked side by side with Li Yingge as they stepped out of the Chang'an city gate.

Not far away, a vast plaza suddenly unfolds before your eyes, with rammed earth and bluestone steps, creating a magnificent scene.

A mansion stands solemnly beside it, with flying eaves and brackets, and a plaque hanging high above it—it was built to commemorate the Marquis of Champion and the Ghost-Faced General!

With a single imperial edict from Li Shimin, the plaza and the mansion were completed within half a month—a speed that could only be described as miraculous.

By this time, a large number of people had already gathered in the square.

As Li Yingge approached, the crowd spontaneously parted to make way for her.

"General..."

"The general is here!"

Whispers receded like the tide, and reverence was written on every face.

Li Yingge is famous all over the world; who doesn't know her?

But when their gazes fell upon the young man beside her, they were all stunned—

Who is that?

He was actually walking side by side with the general?

Doubts quietly spread among the crowd.

Li Yingge turned her head, looked towards the center of the square, and asked softly, "How is it?"

Han Ye did not answer, but slowly stepped forward.

His gaze swept across the entire square—

Dozens of bronze statues stand in a row, warhorses neigh and iron hooves fly high. Each soldier is covered with a ghostly face, holding a battle sword. The murderous aura between the statues is stagnant, as if they are about to charge out at any moment!

The rider in the very center is particularly eye-catching—

Red Hare galloped furiously, Green Dragon Spear pierced the sky and pointed to the heavens, and beneath the mask, his eyes were like torches, as if he wanted to burn away the dust of the barbarian lands for thousands of miles!

It was himself—the Ghost-Faced General!

"kill--"

The silent shouts seemed to burst forth from the mouths of every statue!

Fierce, resolute, and determined to fight to the death!

Han Ye approached step by step, his fingertips gently tracing the cold bronze, touching those familiar outlines.

This is not a sculpture.

This is the soul.

They are his brothers who fought alongside him and were buried in the wilderness, returning in another form!

His throat bobbed slightly, and his voice was hoarse: "...It's fine, everything's fine."

Behind him, a little boy skipped over and, imitating him, reached out and touched the statue's face.

"Big brother," the child looked up, his eyes clear, "why do they look so fierce?"

Han Ye lowered his head, his gaze softening, and squatted down, saying softly, "Because they want to drive all the bad guys out and protect our home."

They are—great heroes.

"A great hero?" The child blinked, then suddenly grinned, jumping up and down and shouting, "Then I want to be a great hero when I grow up!"

Han Ye threw his head back and laughed loudly. His laughter was carried by the wind, as if he had traversed countless mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and finally ushered in this moment of clear sky.

His gaze returned to the statues, but his eyes had already drifted into the distance, as if he saw flames of war raging across the land, rivers of armored soldiers, and heard the thunderous drums and the roars of his brothers—

"Brothers..." he murmured softly, a thin mist rising in his eyes, "Everything we risked our lives for was worth it."

From now on, people will remember you.

From then on, the world revered you as heroes.

This is enough.

Without further ado, I will not linger.

He turned around and stepped into the mansion behind him.

In the center of the hall, a line of poetry is inscribed on each of the left and right walls, the ink so deep and powerful it seems to penetrate the stone.

"If only General Li Guang were here, the barbarian horses would never dare to cross the Yin Mountains!"

Each word is like a sword, cutting through the north wind.

Li Yingge parted her red lips slightly, her voice clear and cold: "His gun... that Azure Dragon Spear, is inside."

"Um?"

Han Ye paused, his gaze suddenly sharpening.