Chapter 762: The Great Tang Warhorse Mission! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”Haha, how could that be? Look, haven't I prepared a nice gift for you?”
Wang Chong smiled, his palm opening to reveal two tear-shaped gilded agate earrings of exquisite craftsmanship.
Not long ago, Yang Hongchang had gifted Wang Chong some very high-quality agates. Wang Chong had found the best craftsman in the Western Regions and had him create this pair of earrings, which were a perfect gift for Huang Qian-er.
As expected, Huang Qian-er's lethal gaze immediately improved at the sight of the earrings.
With a cold snort and a savage glare, she took the gilded earrings.
”I've delivered the White-hoofed Shadow, so you can handle the rest.”
Huang Qian-er dismounted and passed the reins to Wang Chong.
”Someone, bring Lady Qian-er inside to rest, and find a few maids to wait upon her,” Wang Chong ordered as he took the reins.
Wushang was very far from the capital, with many nights being spent out in the open. For a girl like Huang Qian-er to be willing to rush from the capital to this place was very challenging, and though she hadn't said anything, Wang Chong couldn't help but sympathize.
After settling Huang Qian-er in, Wang Chong led the White-hoofed Shadow away.
……
While Wang Chong was welcoming Huang Qian-er and his White-hoofed Shadow at his City of Steel, in the distant capital, an exceptionally intense debate was taking place in the Imperial Court.
”Ten million taels of gold? Are you joking? Where does the Imperial Court have so much gold to squander? And who knows if those people are trustworthy.”
”That's right. The Imperial Court spends money like water. Feeding and paying an army of six to seven hundred thousand soldiers, and there's the pay for all the officials as well. Is there any place that isn't needing money? And don't we also need to save some money in case of a famine or flood?”
”If we spend all the money on the military, what will happen to the other areas?”
”And ten million taels of gold is no small number. Are we expected to just take out ten million taels when anyone comes asking? This is gold, gold! Not silver, and not copper cash either!”
The debate in the court was fierce, with all the censors, assistant ministers and officials of the Six Bureaus taking part. Even the dukes and marquises were participating.
All of them were shouting over each other.
”Bastard! Who says that this is just a random request for ten million taels! This is about warhorses, and isn't the Imperial Court suffering a dire shortage of warhorses! This is something that we usually wouldn't be able to buy even if we had the money.”
”If a nest is overturned, will any egg escape unscathed? And if you remove the skin, will the fur have any place to attach to? These warhorses are to protect the country! If we can't even protect the country, is there any meaning in discussing anything else? Different things have different levels of priority, and if we won't spend money on something as important as this, what exactly is worth spending money on!”
”That's right! And the Young Marquis is a marquis respected by His Majesty and carries a courtesy name bestowed by the Son of Heaven. If not even he can be believed, who can? Do none of you trust in His Majesty's insight!”
”The Imperial Court doesn't have the pastures to breed so many warhorses. This is an opportunity being dropped on our doorstep. If this chance is lost, it won't come again, and it'll be too late to feel regret. Is ten million taels of gold more valuable than the safety of the Great Tang?”
The Imperial Court had divided itself into two equally unyielding factions. Three hundred thousand warhorses, and the best-quality Turkic warhorses at that, would be scarcely imaginable in the past. All the military generals and officials were taking part in this debate, all of them seeing the opportunity.
”All of you only know how to fight and go to war! As long as I, Wen Fugu, still breathe, I will never let you get away with this.”
In the hall, next to a cinnabar coiling dragon pillar, stood the Assistant Minister of Rites Wen Fugu. His expression was agitated, his voice loud.
”Anyone who wants to pass this proposal will have to step over Wen Fugu's corpse.”
As a member of the Confucian school, Wen Fugu had a extreme revulsion of war, so he would never agree to an expenditure of ten million taels of gold.
In these last few days of debate, Wen Fugu had been one of the staunchest opponents.
”Wen Fugu, you bastard!”
The officials from the military were almost exploding from rage.
”Heheh.”
No one noticed that next to another pillar, King Qi in his dragon robe was quietly chuckling to himself. There was no need to show himself in this debate. Wen Fugu alone would keep them busy.