Chapter 35: Showing off with my own things

The three-piece set for warhorses was originally proposed by Qin Mu during the previous imperial examination; now that Fang Xuanling was using it to show off, he really was something.

"Oh? Horseshoes, what are those?"

Qin Mu feigned curiosity and asked.

"Hehehe, this item is a divine weapon that can shock the world. Once this item appears, no country in the world will be a match for the Great Tang. Although Your Majesty has talent that surpasses the past and present, in the face of an absolute gap in strength, any talent seems a bit... pale."

"I hope Your Majesty will understand this humble subject's reluctance and accept these golden words."

Fang Xuanling cupped his hands and bowed deeply.

"Is that so? It seems the Great Tang's level of military development is truly remarkable."

"However... Minister Fang, I am a bit curious. Such a world-shocking divine weapon as the horseshoe—who exactly invented and created it?"

After hearing Fang Xuanling's words, Qin Mu was not shocked; instead, the iconic smile on his lips became even more meaningful as he looked deeply at this Great Tang Prime Minister before him.

"This..."

"It seems, perhaps, it should be the masterpiece of Zhangsun Chong, the heir of Duke Zhao, Zhangsun Wuji."

Fang Xuanling's tone was somewhat hesitant.

He had thought his earnest persuasion would make Qin Mu alert, but he hadn't expected Qin Mu to avoid his question and instead throw a difficult problem back at him.

To tell the truth.

When Li Er announced that Zhangsun Chong had won the position of Top Graduate based on that eternal masterpiece, Fang Xuanling and the entire court were shocked beyond measure.

No one had expected it.

A playboy who only knew how to eat, drink, and play could write such a world-shocking article, and even change the landscape of the Great Tang with his own strength.

From then on, the playboy Zhangsun Chong leaped to become a god in the hearts of the Great Tang people.

Even today, Fang Xuanling felt a bit dazed and still couldn't quite believe this fact.

Precisely because of this.

When Qin Mu asked who had thought of the horseshoe, Fang Xuanling was full of hesitation.

"What? Minister Fang seems a bit hesitant."

Qin Mu naturally saw through Fang Xuanling's state of mind and continued to press him.

"This... Your Majesty, whoever invented the horseshoe, this is an internal matter of our Great Tang."

"I ask Your Majesty to carefully consider what this humble subject just said, and not to plunge the people of both countries into the flames of war for the sake of personal desire."

Fang Xuanling nodded slightly, his tone full of sincerity.

Qin Mu was, after all, a foreign ruler; Fang Xuanling naturally would not truly confide in him.

Whether or not the horseshoe was invented by Zhangsun Chong, it had already brought incomparable changes to the Great Tang's military power; this was an undeniable fact.

As for the truth, that was not something he needed to worry about.

"Minister Fang, calm down. Perhaps it won't be long before everything comes to light."

Qin Mu did not continue to press Fang Xuanling, but slowly turned to look out the window, his deep pupils without a ripple.

"Comes to light?"

Fang Xuanling looked up, his eyes full of doubt.

"Whoa?"

Just at this moment, the carriage suddenly stopped.

"Young Master, we have arrived at Chang'an."

Wei Zhongxian's voice slowly sounded outside the carriage.

"Understood." Qin Mu responded, turned his head to look at Fang Xuanling again, smiled lightly, and said: "Minister Fang, we have arrived at Chang'an, and you should return to report. As the saying goes,"

"A gentleman's promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Minister Fang, please do not forget the agreement between you and me."

"That is natural. One month is the term; I will keep my mouth shut."

"Your Majesty, take care!"

Fang Xuanling nodded solemnly, and after bowing to Qin Mu, he strode toward the interior of Chang'an.

"Your Majesty, should we contact our secret agents in Chang'an to watch him?"

After Fang Xuanling had walked far away, Wei Zhongxian asked in a respectful, low voice.

Through Qin Mu's deployment and arrangement, Yu Huatian had long since led a large number of secret agents to lurk in Chang'an.

This was to gather various intelligence within the capital and to prepare for any unforeseen needs.

Wei Zhongxian was responsible for meeting with Yu Huatian, and he knew the situation of the secret agents in Chang'an better than anyone else.

"No need."

Qin Mu shook his head calmly.

He understood what Wei Zhongxian meant.

As the saying goes, everyone serves their own master.

Whether Fang Xuanling would keep his promise or turn around and tell Li Er everything, no one could guarantee.