Persuading Li Shimin to Introduce Horseshoes
Li Shimin never expected that Li Zhi would actually organize his theories into a book.
He took the book from Zhang Anan with a puzzled expression and began to flip through it casually.
However, as soon as he read Li Zhi’s introduction to physics, he drew in a sharp breath. It was clearly written that Li Zhi intended to establish a discipline that would study the laws of material motion and the fundamental structure of matter.
Li Shimin struggled to suppress the urge to throw the book back at Li Zhi, forcing himself to continue reading with patience.
By now, he was convinced that Li Zhi was indulging in wild fantasies, for right at the beginning of the book Li Zhi declared his intention to break objects down to infinitely small parts for observation.
To Li Shimin, this seemed utterly impossible.
Yet, as he kept turning the pages, he soon encountered some research results listed by Li Zhi.
Among them was the observation of bacteria, achieved together with Sun Simiao and others.
At this point, Li Shimin became immersed in the world Li Zhi depicted within the book.
The entire Hall of Supreme Harmony was silent, broken only by the soft sound of Li Shimin turning pages.
It was a long time before Li Shimin finally set the physics book aside.
He then picked up the chemistry book and continued reading.
Li Zhi’s writing fit the characteristics of the era; he used the theory of the mutual generation and restraint of the Five Elements to analyze the laws of material transformation.
The more Li Shimin read, the more engrossed he became. He learned the origins of many things from Li Zhi’s books.
Nearly half a day passed before Li Shimin reluctantly lifted his gaze from the pages.
In a voice he had never used before, as if speaking in a dream, he asked Li Zhi, “Zhinü, is everything in the book true? Have you really observed these things?”
Li Zhi replied, “I would not dare deceive my father. Everything mentioned is supported by evidence.”
Li Zhi had described numerous experimental methods and results in the books.
These included analyses of bacteria and medicines by Sun Simiao and others, as well as chemistry experiments conducted with Li Yin.
Upon hearing Li Zhi’s answer, Li Shimin burst out in delighted laughter.
After a while, he exclaimed joyfully, “My son is truly a rare genius! To conceive such wondrous studies—this endeavor is full of promise, full of promise!”
Li Shimin’s words left Fang Xuanling and the others utterly bewildered.
What did this mean? What was the Emperor implying?
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Just moments ago, his face had been thunderous with anger, and now he suddenly spoke such words?
Could those two books possess some magical power?
At that moment, all eyes were drawn irresistibly to the two books lying on the imperial desk.
They, too, wished to discover what secrets lay within.
Li Shimin, not concerned with their thoughts, spoke kindly to Li Zhi, “Zhinü! You mentioned in the book that your theories could greatly increase production. Is your recruitment of extraordinary talents throughout the empire for this purpose?”
Li Zhi answered, “Father, I believe that no one understands a craft better than the artisans of each trade. I wish to conduct research based on their knowledge.”
Li Shimin smiled at Li Zhi’s reply. “You speak well, my son. I approve. Proceed as you wish.”
Li Zhi bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Father.”
Meanwhile, Fang Xuanling and the others were itching with curiosity.
Their minds were full of questions: what exactly was written in those books? How could they have so swiftly changed the Emperor’s mind?
Li Shimin noticed their confusion and said, “You may pass these books around and read them. I guarantee you will be astonished.”
Fang Xuanling promptly rose and took the books from the table, then began reading them with Changsun Wuji and Li Jing.
Li Zhi had no desire to waste more time here; he decided to seek out Yan Lide and Pei Feishu.
He wanted their help in finding skilled artisans, so he could better realize his ideas.
While Li Zhi was busy searching for people, Su Lie, the commander overseeing the Dragon Cavalry’s training, was troubled by a pressing issue.
Because the training for the Dragon Cavalry was intense and nearly combat-level, their warhorses suffered heavy attrition.
The main problem was that the horses’ hooves were frequently injured from constant running.
Once injured, the horses took a long time to recover, leading to frequent shortages in the army.
Su Lie had repeatedly stressed the importance of caring for the horses, but this did not solve the problem.
In the end, Su Lie had no choice but to report the situation to Li Jing.
Li Jing, upon hearing this, was at a loss; he could only apply to the Ministry of War for new horses.
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But this approach provoked Hou Junji’s displeasure, and Hou Junji bluntly rejected the request on grounds of wastefulness.
A few days later, Li Zhi finally found time to visit the military camp.
He was surprised to see many soldiers practicing riding with no horses available.
Li Zhi promptly asked Li Jing what was going on.
Li Jing replied helplessly, “Our training is too frequent; many horses’ hooves are injured.”
Li Zhi instinctively asked, “Don’t the horses have iron shoes on their feet?”
Li Jing was puzzled. “What are iron shoes?”
Li Zhi, not realizing that horseshoes did not exist in this era, answered matter-of-factly, “Of course, horseshoes!”
Li Jing was even more confused. “What are horseshoes? What are they for?”
At this, Li Zhi finally realized the situation. He explained to Li Jing, “Horseshoes are like shoes for the horse. With them, the hooves are less likely to wear down.”
Li Jing was astonished. “Is there such a thing? How is it that I have never heard of it?”
Li Zhi improvised, “It was just an idea I came up with. I thought horses ought to have worn shoes long ago.”
Li Jing blinked for a long moment, then asked, “How have I never thought of such a thing?”
Li Zhi awkwardly replied, “Perhaps you’ve been too busy to notice.”
Li Jing had no time to dwell on this. As he led Li Zhi toward the workshop, he said excitedly, “Your Highness, please guide us in making these horseshoes. I’ll find someone to forge them at once.”
Having no other choice, Li Zhi followed Li Jing to the workshop, picked up a brush, and drew a diagram of the horseshoe.
Li Jing, seeing the design, was immediately skeptical.
He questioned Li Zhi, “Does Your Highness truly believe this will work?”
Li Zhi replied, “Don’t underestimate it, Master. Nail it to the hoof and you’ll see miraculous results.”
Seeing Li Zhi’s confidence, Li Jing wasted no further words, taking the diagram straight to the smiths for production.