Chapter 606: Legacy

Duke.

After parting from Cheng Yaojin and the other two, Chen Yan went up to Li Jing; he still held him in considerable respect.

Li Jing stared at him for two breaths, then sighed, "Regarding the deployment, you probably know more than I do."

"I came today not to confirm military supplies with you; after all, the specifics still need discussion, and how many supplies are required must be calculated carefully."

Chen Yan shook his head, "Duke, times have changed; many things are vastly different from before."

"For example, when you campaigned against the Eastern Göktürks in the winter of Zhenguan Year Three, the conditions then—weaponry and all—were normal."

"But now......"

"Heh!" Chen Yan said with a smiling squint, "To give you some mental preparation, why don't you come with me to take a look first?"

Li Jing was startled but didn't refuse, "Alright, since you say so, let's go."

"Let's go; please, Duke, accompany me to the Ministry of Revenue," Chen Yan gestured politely, and as they walked said, "The Ministry certainly doesn't have large supplies; if you want to see them, we must go to the Grand Treasury, and the process is rather cumbersome."

"However, the Ministry does have some display samples you can see."

Li Jing nodded lightly, offered no comment on that, and turned to say, "This time...... should be the last battle of my life. The person named Xue Li you asked His Majesty to send last time truly has great talent."

"During this period, he's been learning from me, but...... I'm afraid I can't continue teaching him, lest it affect him."

Chen Yan looked mildly surprised, slowed his pace, "Duke...... what do you mean?"

Li Jing said calmly, "You're a smart man; no need to play dumb with me. My situation, you all see it clearly."

"Being able to command troops once more, I am already very satisfied; I have no regrets."

"I must thank you; if not for the changes you've brought, I might not even have this chance."

Chen Yan sighed softly; regarding Li Jing's situation, he indeed understood it clearly and had no solution.

After all, Li Jing truly is formidable.

That is Li Shimin; if it were another emperor, Li Jing might not even have the chance to die a natural death.

The two fell silent and, in the hush, arrived at the Ministry of Revenue.

Chen Yan led him to his own Ministerial Hall, pushed aside the screen, revealing many items behind it.

From cotton jackets, trousers, and shoes below, up to Moe Swords and newly forged Bright Light Armor above, there was even a single piece of gunpowder.

"What is this......?"

Li Jing picked up a Moe Sword, weighed it, and looked somewhat surprised.

"Moe Sword!"

Chen Yan clicked his tongue, "The cost of this is extremely high; a single Moe Sword can cost dozens of strings."

"But such a price also gives it unparalleled lethality. An elite wielding it, clad in the new Bright Light Armor, would become a nightmare that cavalry dare not recall."

Li Jing fell silent, examined the blade of the Moe Sword carefully for a while, then tried to swing it, remaining speechless for some time.

"Duke, with a single slash, both horse and rider would be shattered—not a joke," Chen Yan lamented, "But because its cost is astronomically high, it cannot be equipped to the entire army!"

"At present, only His Majesty's Xuanjia Army and Lord Qin's newly trained heavy cavalry in Weinan County would be equipped."

"Of course, if troops are mobilized this year, they will also march with you!"

Li Jing imagined the scene, his lips dry as he remarked, "A rather cruel weapon!"

He added, "But if used against foreign foes, it would be perfectly suitable."

Chen Yan pointed to the nearby cotton jackets, "Actually, the Moe Sword isn't the focus; these garments are."

In fact, after entering, Li Jing had already noticed the cotton jackets and asked, "I recall these were the clothes you sold in Weinan County last year, weren't they?"

"At that time the quantity was small; only a few civilians bought them, and… those close to you also have such garments."

"Last year is last year," Chen Yan chuckled, "Making these cotton jackets requires cotton; I didn't have much cotton last year, so only a few were made."

"However, in Zhenguan Year Five, I acquired a vast amount of land. I used all of it to grow cotton, so this year's cotton jackets are plentiful."

"In the name of the Ministry of Revenue, I will approach the Chen Clan Chamber of Commerce and, at a price just above cost, equip all soldiers preparing for the campaign with these cotton jackets and trousers, preventing weather from reducing combat effectiveness."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing could no longer stay calm, "Is what you say true? Will the Ministry provide these cotton jackets and trousers to every soldier in the army?"

"Of course it's true," Chen Yan turned his head, smiling, "Duke, you don't think I'm joking with you, do you?"

"This...... this......" Li Jing was at a loss for words.

As a commander, he naturally hoped his troops could have better conditions.

When campaigning in winter, the Tang Dynasty certainly holds some advantage, yet the cold spares neither Tang soldiers nor enemy troops.

The cold remains cold.

Li Jing originally thought that Chen Yan had prepared enough provisions, and preventing the soldiers from starving was already good.

He didn't expect Chen Yan to also prepare the soldiers' clothing so well; these cotton jackets and trousers are even worn by many nobles in the palace.

He had even heard of how warm they are.

Li Jing paused, then solemnly clasped his fists and saluted, "Minister Chen, on behalf of all the troops, thank you!"

"No need for that," Chen Yan helped him up, "My father and uncles were also commanders; I know how hard soldiers suffer out there."

"I don't understand warfare; I can only contribute in other ways…"

"Enough...... that's enough." Li Jing, grateful from the bottom of his heart, after the excitement, hesitated, "Will this...... require massive expenditure, and if some official accuses us of overburdening the people financially, what then?"

"That's the Ministry's business, isn't it?" Chen Yan waved his hand, "Duke, you just focus on fighting; leave the rest to us."

"Even if someone dares to speak against me now, what can they do?"

"I, Chen Yan, am not one to keep my mouth shut; naturally I would curse his ancestors up to the eighteenth generation!"

"Damn it, I just want our Tang soldiers to stay warm when they're out fighting; is that even wrong?"

Li Jing was stunned for a while, then suddenly laughed.

Then he recalled his purpose for seeking Chen Yan today, took a book from his chest, and solemnly handed it to him.

"Minister Chen, this contains the culmination of my life's effort, all my experience and insights on historical wars; it's a military treatise I authored myself. Please deliver this book to Xue Li."

"From now on, the Tang Dynasty...... will have to rely on your next generation."

Chen Yan stared at the military manual that Li Jing held up with both hands before him, remained silent for two breaths, and gave a heavy nod.

Perhaps, at this moment.

It is not an ordinary military manual, but a kind of inheritance!