Chapter 25
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It’s easy to go up the mountain, but hard to come down. When descending, Xue Yuan particularly respectfully and actively protected Gu Yuanbai. Especially when the ground was uneven, he even held Gu Yuanbai’s hand to ensure a steady descent.
Although Xue Yuan was injured, he still had considerable strength and was quite familiar with the wilderness. Although the chief guard didn’t like him, seeing how he was taking care of Gu Yuanbai, he followed behind the Emperor to remain vigilant.
In fact, Xue Yuan’s mood was rapidly improving.
He didn’t like men, but that didn’t mean he didn’t know how to enjoy himself. The Emperor’s hand was soft and white. In this April weather, Xue Yuan was sweating, and the coolness of the forest didn’t make him feel comfortable, but holding the Emperor’s hand felt like holding cold jade, refreshing him.
When he held the Emperor’s hand, it was soft and pliable, and he would really have a hand fetish.
The majority of the dark and violent aura that had been pressing down on his heart dissipated. Indeed, the Emperor made him uncomfortable, but in the end, he found comfort in the Emperor.
Gu Yuanbai was straightforward and oblivious to this issue. After descending the mountain, he got into the carriage and only then noticed that his hand had turned red from being held.
Gu Yuanbai sighed. Just being supported like this, he had lost all traces of masculinity.
A palace attendant cleaned his hands, and the carriage had been replaced. Layers of soft cushions were laid under him. Feeling the swaying of the carriage, Gu Yuanbai felt a bit drowsy.
When he woke up, the carriage had already entered the palace.
Gu Yuanbai closed his eyes and relaxed. Tian Fusheng’s voice came from outside, “Is Your Majesty asleep?”
The reply came in a low voice, “Asleep, Your Majesty is tired today.”
After a few moments of sparse conversation outside, Gu Yuanbai propped up his head, feeling a bit sleepy. The scent in the air was thick and sedating, making him feel lazy and tired. His breathing was long and drawn-out, and he was about to doze off again when the curtain of the carriage was suddenly lifted.
Gu Yuanbai lazily asked, “Who is it?”
Tian Fusheng cautiously replied, “Your Majesty, the people from the Engineering Department have brought the newly developed improved crossbows and agricultural tools.”
Gu Yuanbai suddenly opened his eyes, his smile widening as he exclaimed, “Take me to see!”
The Emperor strode towards the palace, followed by a crowd of people. When he reached outside the palace, Gu Yuanbai’s first sight was of Chu Wei and the scribe waiting respectfully on the side. Gu Yuanbai suddenly realized that the vacation of the newly appointed scholars had ended, and they should be on duty now.
Chu Wei was the top scholar, appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. As a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, it was a sixth-rank official position, mainly responsible for compiling national history, recording the emperor’s actions, lecturing on classics, drafting ceremonial documents, etc.
It wasn’t strange for Chu Wei to be here, but it was unusual for him to come to Gu Yuanbai’s presence right after taking office.
Gu Yuanbai glanced at him briefly but didn’t dwell on it. Instead, he looked at the two officials from the Engineering Department. Xu Ning was among them. When they saw the Emperor enter, they quickly approached and bowed.
Gu Yuanbai helped them up, smiling, “I’ve heard that the Engineering Department has come up with something new.”
Xu Ning smiled, “Your Majesty, it’s military weapons and agricultural tools.”
In just a short period of ten days or so, Xu Ning seemed to have changed a lot. He looked a bit plumper, probably from the nourishing food at the Engineering Department. In addition to gaining some flesh on his face, the biggest change in Xu Ning was the lively and energetic look in his eyes. He seemed very spirited and motivated, a satisfied and energetic spirit. This change made Gu Yuanbai, the Emperor, extremely satisfied and gratified.
“Good,” Gu Yuanbai smiled, “Let me see what it is.”
The officials handed over the crossbows, and Gu Yuanbai carefully examined them. While bows and arrows relied on human strength, crossbows used mechanical force. Humans only needed to aim, and the range depended on how they were made. The advantage of crossbows was their long range and power, without burdening the user’s physical strength. However, the inconvenience of reloading small crossbows made them less practical on the battlefield.
The more powerful crossbows, such as the king of crossbows that appeared during the Southern and Northern Dynasties—the bed crossbow, were large and cumbersome, also known as “continuous crossbows.” The bed crossbow had great power and range and could simultaneously launch a large number of arrows. Gu Yuanbai remembered that the bed crossbow was a good weapon for siege warfare, and during the Song Dynasty, its technology had reached its peak, with a range that seemed to have exceeded 1.5 kilometers.
However, sometimes the bed crossbow couldn’t compare to the small crossbow in his hand.
This improved crossbow from the Engineering Department was different from the one Xu Ning had been holding before. It seemed to have changed its material and been improved. It was equipped with three short and thick arrows on top. Gu Yuanbai roughly compared them and found that the arrows were only 6-8 centimeters in length.
Although the arrows were small, it didn’t mean that this thing had low lethality. Within close range, this thing was actually more powerful than long arrows.
There was also something at the bottom of the crossbow that wasn’t immediately recognizable. Xu Ning stepped forward, snapped it open, revealing neatly arranged small arrows inside.
Xu Ning smiled embarrassedly. “We experimented with many styles, and only this one was the most convenient, but it can only hold fifty crossbow arrows.”
“Fifty arrows?” exclaimed a civil official nearby, sucking in a breath of cold air. “If every arrow hits, wouldn’t that be fifty lives?”
“How can it be so accurate,” replied another minister from the Engineering Department. “If only five out of fifty arrows hit the enemy, then it’s a useful small crossbow.”
The more Gu Yuanbai looked at it, the more he liked it. He turned to a palace attendant and ordered, “Go to the Ministry of War and summon the Ministry of War’s Shangshu and the Ministry of War’s Shilang.”
The palace attendant went off, and in a short while, the hasty footsteps of the Ministry of War’s Shangshu, Ministry of War’s Shilang, and Shangshu of the Ministry of Works could be heard rushing over.
Gu Yuanbai chuckled when he saw the Shangshu of the Ministry of Works. “Why are you here too?”
The Shangshu of the Ministry of Works approached with a smile on his old face and bowed. “I heard that the Engineering Department has come up with something good, so I came to take a look.”
During the initial establishment of the Engineering Department, the Shangshu of the Ministry of Works actually felt the most uncomfortable. Wasn’t the Engineering Department part of the Ministry of Works? Did the Emperor intend to create two Ministries of Works?
During that time, the Shangshu of the Ministry of Works couldn’t eat or sleep well. But after the Emperor took the Shangshu of the Ministry of Works to tour the Engineering Department, the Shangshu of the Ministry of Works understood.
The Ministry of Works and the Engineering Department were completely different. One had a broad and varied scope, focusing on specific things for research, while the other was a collaborative department where they could research and do whatever they wanted without dealing with official duties or interpersonal relationships. The Engineering Department didn’t take away the Ministry of Works’ authority, so the Shangshu of the Ministry of Works stopped worrying. He was even eager to watch the performances every time.
Since everyone was here, Gu Yuanbai handed the crossbow to a nearby palace guard. The guard stepped forward, aimed the crossbow at a vacant area in the distance, and with a “whoosh,” three arrows flew out.
The three holes could be shot simultaneously or one by one. After the arrows landed, Gu Yuanbai couldn’t help but step forward. The Ministry of War’s Shangshu next to him was already shocked. “That’s over two hundred paces!”
Just by Gu Yuanbai’s estimate, it seemed to be around a hundred meters.
The Ministry of War’s Shangshu stared at the person measuring the distance, murmuring, “In ancient times, Zhuge’s crossbow could fire ten arrows in succession, with great firepower. It’s just a pity that it’s too heavy and can only be used for defense. In our dynasty, we lack a crossbow that can be held in one hand like this.”
“The range of this crossbow is still so far, and with three shots in succession, it seems to have a lot of power!” remarked the Ministry of War’s Shilang.
Everyone was extremely pleased, especially the officials from the Ministry of War, who were already inquiring whether the crossbow could be mass-produced.
Gu Yuanbai couldn’t hide the smile on his face. Normally, his presence was already radiant without smiling, but now his smile hadn’t left his face. Chu Wei, who was recording the emperor’s words and actions, needed to keep his eyes on him constantly. As he watched, his pen involuntarily stopped.
The scribe next to him, also taking notes, commented, “Whoever invented such a powerful weapon will surely be remembered in history.”
Chu Wei snapped out of his daze and responded with a low “mmm.” He was annoyed at himself for this reaction, as he usually disliked others watching him. Yet now, he was mesmerized by the emperor.
He didn’t like men and had no fondness for such relationships. No matter how good-looking the emperor was, it was just a shell. If he couldn’t take his eyes off the emperor because of his looks, then Chu Wei himself, was also quite handsome, but he never stared at his own reflection in the mirror in a trance.
Chu Wei couldn’t understand it but couldn’t stop looking at the emperor. When he looked up again, he saw the unfriendly-faced man who had sat next to Chang Yuyan on the day the exam results were announced.
Chu Wei frowned slightly.
Xue Yuan had initially been looking at the crossbow casually, but his attitude gradually became serious. When he glanced over, he saw the young emperor holding the hands of two Engineering Department officials, praising them continuously.
Xue Yuan’s smile froze, his eyes turning cold.
He could fight and lead troops, unafraid of slaughter and bloodshed. His military achievements were astonishingly high. Because he was too prominent and his military merits too significant, General Xue had to suppress him, fearing that such a young man with so many military achievements would arouse the emperor’s suspicion.
He was undeniably a prodigy, yet the young emperor had never spoken kindly to him, always treating him harshly. But now, he was so courteous to these two scholars who couldn’t even fend for themselves.
He had been punished severely and had to find ways to touch the young emperor’s hand for comfort. But these two got to hold his hand willingly.
He scoffed inwardly.
After inspecting the agricultural tools, Gu Yuanbai was even more pleased and bestowed rewards. The Engineering Department had developed the “rice seedling planter.” Although it might not be produced on a large scale for spring planting, it should be ready for use by the time the rice matured.
Gu Yuanbai gave the tools to the Shangshu of the Ministry of Works, instructing him to collaborate with the Engineering Department. The two officials from the Ministry of War withdrew with Xu Ning, wanting to ask more questions.
Receiving such a grand gift upon returning to the palace made Gu Yuanbai feel more exhilarated than climbing a mountain in the breeze. He returned to the Xuanzheng Hall with a smile, his pen flying as he handled state affairs. Chu Wei, standing by, glanced at the memorial and saw the emperor’s bold red characters, “Utter Nonsense,” sprawled across it.
Chu Wei was slightly taken aback, then found it amusing.
The official who received the memorial with “Utter Nonsense” written on it would probably be terrified.
Chu Wei diligently recorded the emperor’s words and actions, following the rules that dictated what could and couldn’t be noted. The emperor’s good aspects were to be praised, and the rest was up to his discretion.
In his good mood, Gu Yuanbai reviewed the documents at lightning speed, finishing all his work before it was even time for the evening meal.
Gu Yuanbai turned to Chu Wei and asked, “Official Chu, has your father sent any letters home?”
Chu Wei paused, closed the paper and pen in his hand, and respectfully bowed to Gu Yuanbai, saying, “My father has never sent even a word.”
Gu Yuanbai sighed and said, “It seems that the affairs around the Yellow River must be very busy.”
Chu Wei hesitated to speak, and finally said stiffly, “Being able to share the worries for Your Majesty is a blessing for my father.”
Gu Yuanbai smiled slightly and teased, “Official Chu, it’s a good thing you don’t mind that I kept you and your family apart for two months.”
Chu Wei’s lips twitched, and a faint smile appeared on his extraordinarily handsome face.
His appearance was at its peak for a man. When he didn’t smile, he radiated a dignified aura, and when he did, he was as charming as Pan Anwei. Gu Yuanbai saw him like this and glanced at Xue Yuan. Xue Yuan’s appearance was equally sharp and handsome, with a hint of wickedness in his demeanor. Standing together, regardless of gender, they were a perfect match.
Xue Yuan saw the emperor glance at him, about to smile, but before the false smile could form, the emperor’s gaze shifted away.
Xue Yuan: “…”
He narrowed his eyes and suddenly smiled coldly.
Didn’t want to look at him?
Someone outside suddenly said, “Your Majesty, Heqin Wang sent someone to deliver a Ferghana horse.”
“Oh?” Gu Yuanbai stood up with interest and walked out of the hall. “Where is it? Let me have a look.”
In ancient times, where entertainment activities were scarce, horses were pursued by the nobles and the powerful, much like luxury cars in modern times. Although the palace also had many fine horses, because Gu Yuanbai has never shown any interest in fine horses, there were no Ferghana horses in the palace.
Outside the hall, several people were struggling to lead a handsome and heroic horse. The horse was graceful in physique, with slender limbs and a tall head, pleasing to the eye.
Before Gu Yuanbai could approach, he was stopped by others, who anxiously said, “Your Majesty, this horse is wild and unruly. Anyone who approaches it struggles fiercely. Please don’t get too close!”
Gu Yuanbai stopped his steps, looking regretfully at the fine horse from afar.
It was said that the reason they were called Ferghana horses was because their skin was very thin, and blood could be seen flowing under it when they ran. And because they had many sweat glands, the sweat that flowed out when they ran would soak their reddish-brown fur, creating a color reminiscent of fresh blood.
Gu Yuanbai, tempted by such a horse, really wanted to ride it. He had an adventurous spirit, and even if he was thrown off, he would try to conquer it. But the little emperor’s body was too weak, so he could only watch the horse eagerly from a safe distance.
Just crowned, the emperor’s expression still had some youthful vitality.
Suddenly, someone bypassed Gu Yuanbai and walked towards the surrounded Ferghana horse. Gu Yuanbai focused his gaze and realized it was Xue Yuan.
Xue Yuan pushed aside those who tried to stop him from getting close to the horse and strode over. When he reached the Ferghana horse, it seemed to sense danger and neighed several times at Xue Yuan.
Xue Yuan leisurely rolled up his sleeves, still sporting the wounds inflicted by the emperor earlier in the day. However, the taut muscles made these wounds look like nothing.
When he was ready, Xue Yuan threw his blade to the side, took a few steps back, and whistled loudly at the Ferghana horse. The horse’s gaze locked onto him, firmly attracted by Xue Yuan’s presence.
Xue Yuan grinned and then suddenly ran towards the horse. In a few steps, he reached the Ferghana horse and swiftly mounted it!
Gu Yuanbai stared fixedly at Xue Yuan, who was lying low on the struggling Ferghana horse.
The tall man had powerful arms, wrapped around the horse’s neck, and his tightly clenched legs. Both the wild horse and the wild man refused to yield to each other, each trying to outdo the other.
In the struggle of strength against strength, the horse struggled fiercely, tilting back to a terrifying angle. No one dared to approach, but Xue Yuan did.
He put a bridle on the horse, which kept breaking free and suddenly galloped forward. Xue Yuan fell hard on the ground, dragged for a while, but with a grim smile, he grabbed the reins and climbed back onto the Ferghana horse’s back.
“If Laozi doesn’t tame you today,” Xue Yuan grabbed the reins and pulled forcefully, causing the horse’s head to rear up, “then I won’t need to go to the battlefield!”
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