Chapter 720

When Li Er was in Changancheng, it seemed the little Persian prince had mentioned it once.

At the time, he also said it was the most powerful military branch on land.

As a result, Qin Mu immediately forgot a sentence.

"Since they are so strong, why was Persia destroyed by the Arabian Empire?"

Leaving the little Persian prince speechless.

So the Harsha Empire also had elephant troops.

"What is the combat power of these elephant troops?"

You must know that the Great Tang's greatest enemy was Great Qin. Great Qin's cavalry was very sharp and fierce.

If the elephant troops were truly usable, Li Er was actually a bit tempted.

Zhangsun Wuji saw Li Er's intention.

He described it with added embellishments.

"The elephant troops are controlled by one mahout, with a large basket tied to their backs, inside which four archers crouch. It is a powerful military branch that combines long-range and close-range combat.

Once the elephant herd launches a charge, the cavalry, upon seeing it, will only be trampled!"

Li Er had also seen the elephants presented as tribute by Siam.

They were half again as tall as horses, and their bodies were very huge.

Brainstorming the scene of an elephant herd charging, it truly made one's heart feel cold.

And there were archers on their backs, sniping at the enemy at all times.

Who could resist this?

"How many such elephant troops does the Harsha Empire have?"

Zhangsun Wuji stretched out one finger.

Li Er saw it and subconsciously thought that because elephants were difficult to train, the number might not be very large.

If the number was small, it was no wonder Qin Mu would look down on elephant troops.

Zhangsun Wuji held his breath for a long time, until he saw the look of disappointment flash in Li Er's eyes.

Only then did he speak.

"The Harsha Empire's elephant troops are the best in the world. They have a total of 10,000 elephant troops!"

"10,000?"

Li Er exclaimed in shock.

He would never have thought that a foreign country as unknown as the Harsha Empire would possess such powerful military strength!

10,000 elephants; no matter how strong the cavalry in the world was, they would be trampled!

The scene of 10,000 elephants galloping, even the most iron-blooded and cold elite cavalry, could not resist such a rolling torrent!

"Form an alliance! Form an alliance immediately! And while you're at it, ask if the Harsha Empire can sell some elephant troops to the Great Tang?"

Zhangsun Wuji smiled.

This matter was finally settled.

It was just that he hadn't expected that what finally moved Li Er was the elephant troops.

The trump card he had originally prepared didn't need to be brought out.

Zhangsun Wuji had one more thing he hadn't said.

Bianji told him that besides producing a lot of rice, the Harsha Empire also produced a magical thing called cotton.

Once this thing was introduced to the Great Tang for cultivation, it could be used to weave cloth and keep warm.

It was also a very important strategic material.

It would allow the Great Tang to possess another advantageous commodity. Exporting cotton would exchange for rolling silver for the Great Tang.

It would greatly enhance the Great Tang's national power!

Now.

Since he had already persuaded the Emperor, Zhangsun Wuji didn't intend to mention cotton.

Such a precious strategic resource, he wanted to introduce it himself, possess it himself, and make money himself!

"Your Majesty, since you have agreed to form an alliance with the Harsha Empire, let's discuss this matter at tomorrow's court session.

Who do you think should be sent to the Harsha Empire to handle this major alliance matter?"

Li Er's heart was very excited.

This was the first time he had discovered that the Great Tang had such a powerful neighbor.

This matter must be taken seriously!

To catch up with Great Qin's pace of development, the Harsha Empire could help a lot.

The person sent to handle the alliance must be chosen carefully.

"Let the Minister of Rites, Tang Jian, go; it can also reflect the Great Tang's importance to the Harsha Empire!"

Zhangsun Wuji blinked his small eyes and twisted his beard, seemingly having some doubts.

Li Er asked strangely.

"Wuji, do you think Tang Jian is not suitable?"

Zhangsun Wuji said.

"It's not that he's not suitable, it's just that there is a better candidate."

"A better candidate? Who is it?"

Li Er also wanted to know; Zhangsun Wuji didn't even look up to the Minister of Rites.

In this court, there weren't many people with higher official ranks than Tang Jian.

Could it be that he wanted Fang Xuanling or Du Ruhui to go?

Zhangsun Wuji, however, said.

"Your Majesty, the Harsha Empire reveres Buddhism, and it is for this reason that they made Master Bianji the National Advisor." This made some sense.

"Having an affinity with Buddha, then who is it?"

Li Er had actually thought of Princess Gaoyang in his heart.

But this thought only flashed and was denied by him.

"We need to find someone with an affinity for Buddha to go, so that we can achieve twice the result with half the effort."

It was impossible to send Gaoyang abroad to lose face again! Moreover, she didn't possess the ability to be an envoy.

Zhangsun Wuji hesitated repeatedly before speaking.

"Your Majesty, this person is Pei Ji, who likes to sit and discuss scriptures with Master Hongya!"

"Pei Ji!"

If Zhangsun Wuji hadn't mentioned him, Li Er would have almost forgotten this person.