Chapter 23

"Whether it can be successfully fired, I do not yet know. We can only try."

Hearing this, Hu Yulin had no choice but to let the matter drop.

Just then, the Hu Clan steward arrived and respectfully said, "Young master, the merchant caravan has returned."

Ever since coal briquettes and coal stoves had become famous, the Hu Clan had expanded its caravans, traveling north and south to transport goods.

Delight appeared on Hu Yulin's face. "How did it go?" he asked as he led Rong Xi outside the residence gates.

The caravan manager was waiting outside. At the sight of Hu Yulin, his face was filled with sorrow.

"What happened?" Seeing his expression, Hu Yulin's heart tightened slightly.

The manager was in his forties, yet his eyes were red-rimmed, as though he wanted to cry but could not. The sight was truly anxiety-inducing.

"Young master, the goods are all unharmed, but the caravan must rest for several days before continuing its journey."

As he spoke, he actually choked up. "Several horses have injured hooves and cannot carry goods."

Hu Yulin knew that he loved horses. The manager spent day and night with them and had grown attached to them, so seeing their hooves injured naturally left him grief-stricken.

"In that case, let them recover for a few days." He sighed softly.

Horses often injured their hooves after long journeys. The manager was truly being overly sentimental.

"Brother Xuan Shi, if horses injure their hooves from prolonged travel, why not nail iron shoes onto them? They could protect their hooves from injury."

Rong Xi suddenly suggested.

Author's note:

Spoof mini-theater:

One day, the slimmed-down Rong Dalang returned to the capital with Rong Erlang.

When the people of the Rong residence saw Rong Dalang, they all said, "Life at the ancestral home must have been terribly harsh."

But when they saw Rong Erlang again: ...

Rong Erlang, who had become much plumper: (bursting into tears) Elder Brother's cooking was too delicious. I accidentally became a stay-at-home fatty...

Chapter 23

Outside the residence, silence reigned for a long while.

After quite some time, Hu Yulin finally found his voice. His expression was somewhat excited as he tugged on Rong Xi's sleeve. "Eldest Brother, let us go inside and discuss this."

The two went to the study.

"Eldest Brother, what exactly is this iron shoe you mentioned? Can it truly keep horses' hooves from being injured?"

Rong Xi had not known that Great Wei lacked horseshoes. Only after hearing their conversation today did he realize that horseshoes had yet to appear.

The caravan used horses to carry and pull goods. When horses traveled for long periods, their hooves rubbed against the ground, wearing away the keratin. The flesh beneath would then be injured and bleed, which was detrimental to the horses.

This was especially true for warhorses. Without horseshoe protection, their losses from death and injury would be immense.

"It certainly can." He nodded in reply.

Hu Yulin naturally believed him. Overjoyed, he hurriedly asked, "How should it be made?"

"Brother Xuan Shi, do not be impatient. We will need Brother Shouyuan's help with this." Rong Xi smiled helplessly. "We are gathering at Gourmet Pavilion today, so we can discuss it with Brother Shouyuan then."

"Good." Hu Yulin clapped his hands and laughed. "Let us go at once."

He summoned a servant and sent him to the Jiang Clan to invite someone.

Rong Xi had already agreed with Rong Lian, when they parted earlier, to meet at Gourmet Pavilion. There was naturally no need to seek him out separately.

The two arrived at Gourmet Pavilion, where Duan Changjin received them in a private room.

Before long, Jiang Weiping arrived, and the group took their seats casually.

Hu Yulin got straight to the point. "Shouyuan, I need your help."

The two had been close friends for many years, so there was no need for formalities. Jiang Weiping did not hesitate in the slightest. "Tell me."

Rong Xi handed the drawing he had just made to Jiang Weiping.

"This is a horseshoe. It can protect horses' hooves from excessive wear and extend their lifespan."

Duan Changjin and Jiang Weiping were stunned by his words.

Everyone knew that although Great Wei's cavalry was fairly formidable, its yearly losses of warhorses were enormous, making it impossible to expand the cavalry's numbers.

The northern tribes had many horses, well-fed and strong, and far more cavalry than Great Wei. If war broke out, Great Wei would certainly lose in terms of cavalry alone.

If they had horseshoes, the loss of warhorses would lessen, and Great Wei's military strength would rise to another level!

The more they thought about it, the more stirred they became. Jiang Weiping's hand trembled slightly as he held the paper.

What glory it would be if such an achievement came from his own hands.

"Eldest Brother, what do you intend to use this for by forging it?" He tried to calm himself and asked coolly.

Hu Yulin's eyes curved as he smiled. "The caravan's horses were injured, and Dalang happened to hear of it, so he taught me this method."

It had originally only been meant to protect the caravan's horses. Yet after giving it further thought, they realized that Dalang's idea could actually strengthen Great Wei's military power.

The group suddenly fell silent.

Just then, a shop servant reported from outside the door, "Young Master Rong, a young master is waiting outside the shop."

Earlier, Rong Xi had instructed the servant that if a master and servant dressed as scholars arrived—one being a handsome young master clad in indigo and waiting outside—he was to inform him.

Rong Xi answered, rose, and went outside. Sure enough, it was Rong Lian and Xi Yan.

"Elder Brother."

"I met some friends today, and we are gathering at Gourmet Pavilion. You should join us as well." After speaking, Rong Xi instructed the shop servant to properly settle the carriage and horses, then led Rong Lian and Xi Yan into the private room.

Rong Lian was puzzled, though he did not show it on his face.

When Elder Brother had been in Shengjing, he had not associated with any friends. Yet in Linxi, he had unexpectedly made several good friends.

He looked over the three men in the room. Though they were not sons of noble families, they were simple and sincere. He was truly happy for Rong Xi.

"Rong Erlang, I have long heard of your great name." Hu Yulin cupped his hands in greeting, smiling pleasantly, though the emotion in his eyes could not be discerned.

Duan Changjin and Jiang Weiping also greeted him politely.

Rong Lian returned each greeting in turn and took a seat beside Rong Xi.

Rong Xi was already familiar with the others, so his posture had been rather casual before. Now that Rong Lian had arrived, he sat as upright as pine and bamboo, proper and restrained. The others could not help straightening their backs and sitting primly as well.

After learning their identities, Rong Lian showed not the slightest disdain or contempt, which gave them a somewhat more favorable impression of him.

Although Rong Lian's literary reputation had not spread to Mengshan County, whenever Mengshan County's people mentioned Rong Xi, they would be curious about the other young masters of the Rong Clan.

Traveling merchants from Shengjing had mentioned Rong Lian in their talk, and through word of mouth, all the people of Mengshan County came to know his name.

Hu Yulin and the others had heard of him as well.

Now that they saw him in person, they found the rumors true. The Rong Clan's second young master was indeed well-read and possessed an elegant bearing.

The group chatted idly for a long while. By late afternoon, Duan Changjin instructed the shop servants to set out the tables and dishes.

The plates were filled with new dishes, all things Rong Lian had never seen before.