Chapter 468: You

Li Shimin was very satisfied with Chen Yan's description of the Divine Might Cannon's power, saying that if it could be made, it would surely be a weapon for besieging cities and seizing forts.

Afterwards, he asked Chen Yan about the power of that firearm and its operating procedure.

After receiving Chen Yan's detailed answer, Li Shimin was somewhat puzzled, "Putting aside how hard the firearm is to produce, even if made, firing it is so troublesome—why not just use bows?"

"From your description, the firearm is quite similar to a bow, both are long‑range weapons for killing enemies."

"It's different, His Majesty," Chen Yan replied patiently. "I told you before that heat weapons are still a newborn infant with great future potential. Bows and similar weapons have basically reached their peak; even with improvements, their limitations remain, like an old man leaning on a cane."

"Like the earliest bows, weren't they transformed over generations into the form we see today?"

Li Shimin stroked his chin, recalling the shock of seeing gunpowder's power, "Hmm, you make a good point; we must not linger in old things and need to engage with new‑age products."

"Never mind, set that aside; neither the Divine Might Cannon nor the firearm can be produced in a short time."

"A few days ago, didn't I tell you I would recruit a new batch of men and form a heavy cavalry unit?"

"How many men do you think those three lads can bring?"

Chen Yan was startled, "His Majesty, how many people exactly do you intend to recruit?"

Li Shimin waved his hand broadly, "Does that need explanation? The more the better; who would dislike having fewer heavy cavalry?"

Chen Yan heard this and frowned slightly.

Li Shimin's idea was somewhat idealistic.

The words were correct, but forming heavy cavalry consumes so much manpower, material, and financial resources that it's impossible to field seven, eight, or ten thousand at a whim.

"His Majesty, forgive my bluntness; if we were to raise another heavy cavalry, about three thousand would be a suitable number."

"You indeed do not lack money now, but you cannot casually pour most of the treasury into this. It's good that the Tang Dynasty is about to become prosperous, yet prosperity will inevitably demand substantial resources."

"Moreover, with gunpowder, the soon‑to‑be‑completed Divine Might Cannon, and various equipment, we are unafraid of any future war; there is no need to raise too many heavy cavalry."

Li Shimin raised an eyebrow, "Where are you getting that idea, kid? Am I that irrational?"

"My thinking is similar to yours; around three thousand is a suitable number of men."

"The only uncertainty is whether those three lads have the ability to bring forth three thousand men."

"That shouldn't be a problem," Chen Yan said, relieved. "I know His Majesty wants to use my method of training unbannered cavalry to build this army, but that method is replicable; even with larger numbers, I believe Cheng Chumo and his men can handle it."

"Furthermore, we can continue to invite a steady‑tempered person to take charge."

"Steady‑tempered?" Li Shimin stroked his chin, names flashing through his mind...

"......"

"Alas, I'm born with a fate of endless toil."

Standing outside the Duke of Yi's residence, Chen Yan cradled two jars of wine and couldn't help sighing.

"Young Master Chen, you've arrived?"

The gate guard, seeing him, hurried forward, "Several Dukes are inside; please come in quickly."

"All inside?"

Chen Yan was taken aback, "Who? Cheng Bo Bo and the others?"

"Exactly!" the guard replied cheerfully. "Two days ago the eldest son got married, the Dukes were happy, and they didn't drink their fill that day, so they're still drinking now."

"Damn it, they didn't finish drinking, and they're still at it today."

Chen Yan turned silently, planning to come another day.

Unexpectedly, another guard had already gone in to report, and Madam Jia herself emerged.

"Yo, Brother Yan, you're here?"

Madam Jia hurried forward, grabbed Chen Yan and led him inside, "You're just in time; the dishes are being served inside, and those big boors and your younger brothers are all there."

"Madam Jia, actually I'm just passing through; do you believe me?" Chen Yan wanted to cry but had no tears.

Madam Jia glanced at the two jars of wine he was holding, and said meaningfully, "Brother Yan, do you think I believe you?"

"I..."

"Fine, stop the nonsense; after all I'm a Tang man—how can I get scared of drinking just because there are many people inside?" Madam Jia dragged him in without giving him a chance to speak.

"A few days ago Qin Huai Dao's wedding didn't treat you well; today we must make sure you, Uncle Qin, and Huai Dao eat and drink well."

With matters at this point, Chen Yan had no choice but to grit his teeth and follow Madam Jia.

As soon as he entered the room, he saw Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin holding bowls, ready to clink them together.

Seeing him arrive with wine, Yuchi Gong laughed, "Look, look, our Duke of Wei has come bearing two jars of wine—no need to ask what that means, right?"

"Hahaha." Qin Huai Dao roared with laughter, got up and pulled him to sit, "Your Excellency the Duke of Wei's arrival truly makes the hall shine!"

"If you want to drink heartily with us today, we'll gladly join you."

Chen Yan, with a dark face, said, "Go away, get lost; Yuchi Laohei is causing trouble, and you're following him?"

Yuchi Gong: "?"

"No, kid, didn't you call Yuchi Laohei?"

The atmosphere had reached this point; Chen Yan, knowing he couldn't escape, simply gave up, "I can call Cheng Laohei, but I can't call Yuchi Laohei?"

"We're all brothers!"

Cheng Yaojin: "?"

"Oi!"

Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong stared at each other, laughing in irritation.

"Alright, alright, is it that your seniority has risen, or mine has dropped, that makes us brothers now?"

Cheng Yaojin, furious, let out a retort, about to explode.

"Hold on a moment!"

Chen Yan suddenly recalled something and calmed down.

"So, do you have any last words?" Yuchi Gong clenched his fists, determined to give the kid a good lesson today.

Chen Yan took a deep breath, "His Majesty wants to form a new heavy cavalry unit, located in Weinan County, with a strength of three thousand—do you all know about this?"

As soon as he said that, the room fell silent for a moment, and everyone was puzzled.

How could they possibly not know about this?

After all, Li Shimin had sent Cheng Chumo and those three lads to lead it.

But what does Chen Yan mean by bringing this up now?

Cheng Yaojin sensed there was something behind this and became serious.

"Tell us the details."

They may joke around, but when it comes to serious matters, they are not vague.

Chen Yan leisurely set down two jugs of wine, "His Majesty indeed plans to form a heavy cavalry, intending to have Cheng Chumo and the others lead it, but they still lack a person of prestige to oversee it!"

"It's just this person... His Majesty said to have me help scout for someone..."

Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong's eyes twitched.

Today... it seems they really are going to acknowledge a brother.

"..."