Chapter 28: Tang He's Doubts

After finalizing the next target for the military campaign, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered all departments to begin preparations well in advance.

The Ministry of Revenue, having just caused such a massive catastrophe, had no choice but to obey whatever the Emperor commanded. Who would dare to argue? Besides, the Ministry had just recorded an influx of ten million taels of silver; could they really claim to have no funds? Even if they were truly empty-handed, they would have to squeeze the money out somehow!

However, the Ministry of War raised an objection. "Your Majesty, the Jurchen forces rely primarily on cavalry. To increase our chances of victory, our army must increase the number of warhorses!"

"Indeed! Our horses have been on campaign for years, and their hooves are severely worn; we have to cull a batch every year!"

"If we are to strike at the Jurchens, we cannot afford to be lax regarding our mounts...!"

Purchasing warhorses was not just a matter of having money; one needed a supply. The Central Plains lacked quality pastures, resulting in low horse production. To secure fine warhorses, one had to look to regions like Mongolia or the Jurchen lands. Given the current political climate, those parties would never sell horses to the Ming! That was exactly where the predicament lay.

"Ten thousand fine steeds are worth as much as a hundred thousand soldiers! Without enough mounts, I fear... we will have to pay the price with the lives of our men!" Lan Yu said, his heart heavy with grief, tears welling up in his eyes. The loss of a hundred thousand soldiers meant that a hundred thousand families in the Great Ming would lose their breadwinners. The futures of those families would be bleak indeed.

Yang Siyi, who had just been demoted to Vice Minister of Revenue, bowed and proposed, "Your Majesty, Western Xia also produces warhorses. Why not purchase them there?"

In the past, he would never have made such a suggestion. Guarding the treasury was his priority! But times had changed; he needed to perform well to secure his return to the position of Minister of Revenue.

"Western Xia...?" Zhu Yuanzhang furrowed his brows. "Those fellows in Western Xia—if the Great Ming goes to buy horses, they insist on charging us thirty taels a head!"

"Exactly! Their horses are fine, but they are far too expensive!"

"True! Horses that should cost fifteen or twenty taels are guaranteed to double in price in Western Xia!"

"To buy ten thousand horses there, we would need no less than three hundred thousand taels...!"

The civil and military officials began to grumble. This sum was neither huge nor small, but the real issue was the frustration of the expenditure. Why should they let Western Xia gouge them?

"Hehe..."

Just as everyone was fretting over the problem, Zhu Xiongying, who had been dozing off on the steps, suddenly chuckled. "Imperial Grandfather, if you have those three hundred thousand taels, why not give them to me? I will solve this problem for you!"

"Hmm? You can solve it?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked, half-doubting.

"Exactly! It’s just hoof wear—a minor matter!" The little boy patted his chest in assurance.

"Your Highness, this hoof wear has been an unresolved issue for a thousand years. Can you truly solve such a difficult problem?" the Duke of Xin, Tang He, asked skeptically.

Zhu Xiongying rubbed his sleepy eyes, stretched, and waddled over to Tang He. He tilted his head to look at him for a long time, searching his memories. He figured this must be the very Tang He who had once encouraged the old man to join the army and rebel! He was in his fifties or sixties, with graying hair and beard. Given his status, teasing him a little should net a good amount of lifespan.

"What? Does the Duke of Xin not believe me?"

"It is not that this old minister wishes to doubt you, but this is an age-old challenge. So many renowned generals have failed to solve it. Your Highness is only seven; I fear you have barely even ridden a horse, so how could you possibly resolve this?" Tang He bowed and shook his head with a smile. Although his words were polite, the meaning was clear: he did not believe it.

It wasn't just him; many ministers in the court were shaking their heads. Once a horse's hooves were worn down, it couldn't even pull a cart or plow a field; it was essentially waiting for the butcher's knife. How could it possibly be solved?

"If the Duke of Xin doesn't believe me, shall we make a wager?"

"What? A wager?" Tang He burst into laughter. Back in the village, he used to make wagers with Zhu Yuanzhang and the others all the time—betting on whether a young bride was carrying a boy or a girl, or which village elder would live the longest! After joining the army, he would occasionally bet with his men to pass the time. But ever since he climbed the ranks, no one dared to wager with him anymore. He never expected that at over fifty, a nursing baby would want to challenge him to a bet. He couldn't help but laugh. "Hahaha..."

"What? Are you afraid?" the little boy asked in his childish voice.

"What is there for this old minister to fear? I only worry that if I win, the other officials will mock me for winning an unfair contest!"

"Mock you? Who would dare? If there are others who don't believe me, you can all bet together!" Zhu Xiongying scanned the officials, but no one responded. It wasn't that they were afraid of losing; they just didn't dare to overstep in the Emperor's presence.

"Well? Do we have a bet?" Seeing no response, Zhu Xiongying turned his gaze back to Tang He.

"Haha! What does Your Highness wish to wager?" Tang He crossed his arms over his chest and asked with a smile.

"Let me think..." The little boy tilted his head, feigning deep thought. A moment later, his eyes lit up. "If I cannot solve this problem, I will give you one hundred thousand taels! But if I succeed, you must change your title from Duke of Xin (Trust) to Duke of Yi (Doubt), how about that?"

"D... Duke of Yi?" Tang He's smile froze instantly.

"Pfft..."

"Hahaha..."

"Duke of Yi? Only the Imperial Grandson could come up with such a title!"

"His Highness is right! Since old Tang doesn't trust him, why keep the title of Duke of Xin?"

"Right, right! Haha! Duke of Yi is much more appropriate...!"

As soon as the boy spoke, the entire hall erupted in laughter. Lan Yu, Xu Da, and the others didn't hold back, openly mocking Tang He.

"Old Tang, why is your face turning green?"

"Old Tang, you're not losing out; if you win, you'll get a hundred thousand taels!"

"Indeed, that's enough for ten years of your salary...!"

Hearing this, Tang He's expression softened significantly. That was true! So what if he became the Duke of Yi? The brat couldn't possibly win!

"Your Highness, a hundred thousand taels is enough to buy five thousand warhorses! Do you truly have that kind of money?" Tang He asked, growing suspicious. His Highness was only seven, after all. If the boy couldn't produce the money, the wager would be void.

"Rest assured, Duke of Xin! Since I said it, I can certainly deliver!" Last time he sold salt, the old man had given him a cut of one million taels. Furthermore, he was entitled to ten percent of all future profits from the sale of refined salt. The income was constant and endless!

"Hahaha! The technology for purifying coarse salt was provided by the Imperial Grandson, and I have already promised him ten percent of the profits!" Zhu Yuanzhang chimed in with a smile, volunteering to vouch for the little one. He, too, was eager to see what method could possibly resolve the problem of hoof wear!