[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-great-tang-starting-off-by-vindicating-li-er":3,"chapter-great-tang-starting-off-by-vindicating-li-er-great-tang-starting-off-by-vindicating-li-er-chapter-35":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Great Tang: Starting Off by Vindicating Li Er",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2351166,4596,"Chapter 35: Forming a New Army, Tang Identity Cards","great-tang-starting-off-by-vindicating-li-er-chapter-35",35,"\u003Cp>At this moment, Li Er could not help but recall that not long ago, Su Liang had asked him for the Thousand-Bull Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of thought, Li Er immediately grabbed Su Liang’s arm and said, \"Worthy son-in-law, when you asked me for the Thousand-Bull Guard earlier, was it because you wanted to help me build an army that uses firearms exclusively?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is indeed the case!\" Su Liang admitted immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not only do I want to help Your Majesty build a brand-new army, but I also want to help Your Majesty train them properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, the training methods Su Liang has taught Li Er and the others do not yet include the application of firearms; all of this requires Su Liang to do it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only if Su Liang spends enough time training him and training them well will it be the most important step in changing the entire Great Tang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Li Er laughed heartily and said, \"Good, good, good... this matter must be handled by my worthy son-in-law.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the entire Great Tang at present, only you can train them well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe... then please, Your Majesty, bestow a name upon them!\" Su Liang said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe... worthy son-in-law, you jest. Since these were all invented by you, you should be the one to name them.\" Li Er chuckled, immediately pushing the matter back onto Su Liang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang was at a loss for a moment as to what name to choose. Snow Leopard? War Wolf? Or Flying Tiger?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang then began to ponder secretly...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Su Liang was thinking seriously, Li Er and the others did not make a sound to disturb him, all waiting quietly for Su Liang to name them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, countless terms flashed through Su Liang’s mind: Gao Shun’s Camp-Crushing Battalion, Wu Qi’s Wei Martial Soldiers, Cao Cao’s Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, Chen Qingzhi’s White-Robed Army, Yue Fei’s Back-Wei Army... Zhu Di’s Three Great Battalions...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he thought of Zhu Di’s Three Great Battalions, Su Liang’s gaze sharpened. He had it!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then looked at Li Er and the others and said, \"Your Majesty, how about calling them the Divine Machine Battalion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Machine Battalion... Divine Machine Battalion...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Su Liang’s voice fell, the few of them muttered to themselves, pondering in secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Yaojin immediately said, \"Your Majesty, the Imperial Son-in-Law has chosen a good name. The Imperial Son-in-Law’s White-Robed Guard, with their full-body armor and equipment, only weighs fifty jin, allowing them to be as swift as shadows and as fast as the wind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that the new army has firearms, they naturally do not need to wear heavy armor. In this way, every soldier can carry one mortar and a few mortar shells, which is exactly fifty jin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If there is a war, we will surely be able to catch the enemy by surprise!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded in praise, all feeling that what Cheng Yaojin said made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Su Liang disagreed and immediately chuckled, \"Hehe... Duke of Lu, this is not appropriate. A mortar requires at least a three-man team. Equipped with one gunner, one observer, and one loader.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In addition, it is best to arrange two more people to be responsible for perimeter security! Each team can operate independently.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This way, they can carry more shells. What is the use of having many mortars alone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin stopped speaking. He was very clear in his heart about what Su Liang was saying. After all, this was developed by Su Liang, so Su Liang naturally knew best how to use it specifically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that the few remained silent, Su Liang helplessly continued, \"This arrangement can not only catch the enemy by surprise, but the mobility is also much stronger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No matter what kind of terrain or what method of combat, the soldiers will be able to execute it with ease.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Ruhui, who had reacted, also echoed, \"Indeed, the Imperial Son-in-Law is right. Whether it is infantry or cavalry, they can easily shuttle back and forth on the battlefield while carrying mortars.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The other four men can also carry enough shells; having too many mortars is not necessarily a good thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If a soldier feels tired from carrying a mortar, they can switch with someone else halfway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing this, Li Er also felt it made a lot of sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then looked at the crowd and said, \"Then let the name of the new army be the Divine Machine Battalion. The ten thousand men missing from the Thousand-Bull Guard... we can fill them in later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for casting firearms and training the soldiers, I will have to trouble my worthy son-in-law, haha...\" Li Er said, laughing heartily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, Li Er seemed to remember something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then looked at Su Liang and said, \"By the way... worthy son-in-law, I am preparing to recast a batch of fish tallies for the ministers in the court these days. Do you have any suggestions?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fish tallies? Aren't those worn by officials of the fifth rank and above in the court?\" Su Liang asked immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xuanling explained upon hearing this, \"The fish tally is not only a symbol of the status of our Great Tang officials, but at critical moments, it can be used to mobilize troops and appoint or dismiss officials.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Crown Prince uses jade, Princes of the Blood use gold, and ordinary officials use copper. Ordinary commoners do not have them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang knew this as well. The Tang dynasty fish tally was a fish-shaped tally used by Tang officials. It was generally about 6 cm long and 2 cm wide. It was divided into left and right halves, with a \"tong\" (same) character-shaped mortise and tenon in the middle that could fit together. The fish tally, this type of identity card, was officially used in the Tang dynasty and was an invention of Emperor Gaozu, Li Yuan. The fish tally was divided into left and right; the method of use was that the left tally was kept in the inner court as a \"root,\" while the right tally was carried by the holder as proof of identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The term \"fish tally\" sounded much better than the modern \"identity card,\" carrying the meaning of a carp leaping over the dragon gate... implying good fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This could not help but make Su Liang think of other matters...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately looked at Li Er and said, \"Your Majesty, why not have the commoners of our Great Tang wear fish tallies as well? This would also serve to prove the identity of our Great Tang commoners.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This... this...\" For a moment, Li Er was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Er had indeed never thought of this matter, and at this moment, he could not help but ponder in his heart: Having the commoners use fish tallies might not be a bad thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could both prove the identity of the commoners and avoid unnecessary trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Er then scanned Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, and seeing that both of them nodded slightly, he immediately smiled and said, \"Good, good, good. This move is a good thing. I will have the Ministry of Works handle this matter properly when I return.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the material for casting the commoners' fish tallies, Your Majesty might as well use steel instead. Use copper for officials and steel for the people,\" Su Liang proposed his idea again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding Su Liang’s suggestion, everyone nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A long time later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the afternoon, Su Liang and the others finally arrived at Changancheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Su Liang did not return to the Hibiscus Garden. Instead, after sending the others back to their respective mansions, he and Er Hu went straight to the West Market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nowadays, building roads costs money, building workshops costs money, casting firearms costs money, and running businesses also requires a large amount of capital...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Money is needed everywhere; the wages for four million people alone amount to a full five hundred thousand taels of gold!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang had to pay attention to his businesses...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Su Liang went to the West Market to scout the market conditions. After all, Su Liang had ignored many things before, but that would not do now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The West Market of Changancheng is different from the East Market; there are many foreigners doing business in the West Market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The area near the West Market is generally for ordinary commoners, with goods that are more mass-market and civilian-oriented, mainly including clothing shops, medicinal herb shops, silk shops, scale shops, bran shops, fabric shops, and consignment shops. Because there are many foreign merchants, most of the goods are imported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The East Market is close to the Taiji Palace, Daming Palace, and Xingqing Palace, and the surrounding area is home to many high-ranking officials and nobles. The economic strength of the customer base is much higher than that of the West Market, so there are more precious items in the East Market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Ballad of Mulan\" from the Northern and Southern Dynasties had long reflected this point: buy a fine horse at the East Market, buy a saddle at the West Market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the reason why Su Liang initially placed his ice shops, restaurants, and other businesses in the East Market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overall, the presence of the West Market is far higher than that of the East Market. The West Market is a representative work of the glorious trade of the Tang dynasty, while the East Market is merely a place of consumption for some powerful nobles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to the different consumer groups, Changancheng presents a phenomenon of \"the East Market being expensive, the West Market being wealthy.\" The differentiated competition between the two markets also shows the all-encompassing spirit of the Sui and Tang dynasties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what Su Liang was scouting this time was the market condition for glass!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the saying goes, \"Grape wine in luminous cups, the pipa urges me to drink on horseback.\" If such things could appear in large quantities in the Great Tang, it would surely cause a huge sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who sell things in the West Market value aesthetics the most, not practicality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, there are many foreigners doing business in the West Market. The things they want only need to look good; they have absolutely no need for other functions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After strolling for a long time, Su Liang also found out the market price of glass: a single glass cup cost a full one hundred thousand strings of cash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Higher-end art pieces costing over one hundred thousand or several hundred thousand strings of cash were everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Su Liang and Er Hu looked at each other and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the glass workshop in Taoyuan County was packed full of glass crafts...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Su Liang and Er Hu were about to leave, Su Liang noticed dozens of earthen ceramic jars displayed on an old man’s small stall in front of him. Their airtightness was truly impeccable. Su Liang took a liking to these jars at a glance; the winery was currently in need of such jars, and the more, the better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, what puzzled Su Liang was that although the old man had such craftsmanship, his life seemed quite miserable. Su Liang carefully observed the old man’s hunched figure; he was at least fifty or sixty years old. He immediately stepped forward and asked, \"Old man... did you make these jars yourself?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe... that’s right, it was indeed made by this old man himself. Is this young master looking to buy jars?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that business had arrived, the old man’s eyes suddenly flashed with light, and he looked at Su Liang with anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Su Liang nodded, then cleared his throat and said, \"Ahem... old man, the number of jars I need here might be a bit large. I will take as many as you can prepare for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the price, I will definitely not treat you unfairly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the words fell, the old man frowned slightly. He had been doing business in the West Market for some time, and this was the first time he had seen such a customer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the old man did not refuse, and seeing that the old man had agreed...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang immediately put down two taels of silver and let Er Hu move all the dozens of jars in front of them onto the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old man, to tell you the truth, I need thousands or even ten thousand jars like yours every day, and that is no problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will take as many as you have, as long as these jars are made by your own hands,\" Su Liang said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This... this... young master, you wouldn't be deceiving this old man, would you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man looked at Su Liang with an expression of disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, he couldn't even sell a few jars a day. Now that Su Liang had opened his mouth and asked for several thousand jars, and even said he would take as many as he had, he couldn't help but make the old man suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this matter were true, wouldn't it mean that as long as he could take on this job from Su Liang, he and his grandson would never have to worry about food and clothing again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Naturally, I would not deceive you, old man. You can rest assured about that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the old man’s miserable appearance, Su Liang decided to help him a bit more. He looked at the old man and tentatively said, \"Not only that, I have a profitable business I would like to cooperate with you on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man had not yet woken up from his excitement, and hearing this, he frowned: \"Hehe... this old man is already very grateful to you, young master. Where would I dare to do an even more profitable business?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Many thanks, young master. Besides making jars, I don't know how to do anything else.\" For the old man, Su Liang buying so many jars was already a profitable business; he had never thought of anything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Su Liang deliberately changed the subject: \"Old man, are there any other people in your family?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alas... it is shameful to say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the old man sighed deeply and continued, \"My eight sons have all died in the chaos of war. Now, only my little grandson and I are left to depend on each other.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eight sons died on the battlefield...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the old man’s words, Su Liang’s heart could not be calm for a long time... In the end, he sighed helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alas... the eighteen years from the end of the Sui to the beginning of the Tang have been full of constant warfare. Today, there are still many families in the Great Tang like this old man’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Su Liang also had many thoughts in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, Su Liang looked at the old man and said, \"Old man, if I may be so bold, how old is your grandson this year?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe... my grandson is six years old this year.\" The old man saw that Su Liang’s status was extraordinary and that he was definitely not someone he could afford to offend, so he thought it better to answer honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forgive my bluntness, old man, but how many more years do you think your health will allow you to raise your grandson? How can you support the two of you just by selling jars?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Although I have bought quite a few jars from you, it is barely enough to keep you fed and clothed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Su Liang’s voice faded, the old man suddenly became incomparably sorrowful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang was right; they had no way to change their current situation. For the grandfather and grandson to stay alive already required their utmost effort. A life like Su Liang’s was something they dared not even imagine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Think again about the money-making business I mentioned to you earlier. Would you consider it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you do not agree, then there is no need for me to say more today. If you change your mind, you can come to Furong Garden to find me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Su Liang finished speaking, he casually set down over ten taels of silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Consider this silver a deposit for your jars. In the future, just send the finished jars to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the heavy silver, the old man looked at Su Liang’s appearance, as if he had suddenly remembered something, and muttered to himself: Furong Garden... Drunken Immortal Pavilion...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that the person who can live in Furong Garden and is connected to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion is the Prince of Chu, Su Liang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man walked slowly to Su Liang and asked in a deep voice, \"Young Master, is your surname Su?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Su Liang nod slightly in acknowledgment, the old man immediately knelt and said, \"Young Master Su, I do not want your money. I will make the jars for you for free. I only ask that after I die, you look after my poor grandson.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you can agree to this, my life belongs to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he finished speaking, the old man remained kneeling on the ground, refusing to rise...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how Su Liang tried to comfort him, he did not move at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Su Liang helplessly agreed. To Su Liang, the old man’s plea was just a small matter, but for the frail old man, it was different. He then looked at the old man and said, \"Fine, fine, fine... I agree. From now on, you will make wine jars for the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In a few days, after the new students enroll at Taoyuan Academy this year, send your grandson there to study as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the old man wept with joy; for how many families of humble origin was education a dream?\u003C\u002Fp>",3000,"2026-06-21T02:53:01.560Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","833f15a090622698b6c57711dd43a4173b50f0396b5e18d2f2358fbc69ac3db3","great-tang-starting-off-by-vindicating-li-er-chapter-36","great-tang-starting-off-by-vindicating-li-er-chapter-34",63,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgreat-tang-starting-off-by-vindicating-li-er-cover.jpg"]