Chapter 61

It is likely that the old blacksmith's workshop had never been surrounded by so many soldiers before, let alone visited by a general in person. Thus, the blacksmiths were excited, rolling up their sleeves and baring their chests, their muscles glistening with sweat as they hammered away, the sound of metal clashing and sparks flying, stirring the blood of the onlookers. The prince, standing nearby, watched with wide eyes, his cheeks puffed out, clearly eager to roll up his sleeves and join in the hammering.

Xia Hongsheng, watching the blacksmith hammer the iron bar, turned his head and looked around, then said to Qu Tongs: "General, please find a horse and secure its legs so it doesn't kick anyone. We also need to use a knife to smooth out the worn areas on the hooves before nailing on the horseshoes."

Qu Tongs nodded and turned sharply to the soldiers behind him, shouting, "Do as he says! Bring a horse!"

A soldier immediately responded, leading a warhorse forward. Other soldiers quickly followed, securing the horse's legs with the workshop's thick ropes.

"Old man, please measure the curve of the hoof. The iron bar must fit the hoof, or the horse might sprain its leg. It's like wearing shoes; they must fit properly!" Xia Hongsheng said to the old blacksmith after the horse was secured.

"Sir, it's just a matter of putting an iron band on the hoof. Leave it to me, you can rest assured!" The old blacksmith, who seemed to thrive on the excitement, thumped his chest loudly.

Whether it was making horseshoes or nailing them on, it wasn't a difficult task. These skilled blacksmiths could also craft more complex and intricate items. After glancing at the drawings Xia Hongsheng provided, they knew exactly what to do, and even without further instructions from Xia Hongsheng, they knew which nails to use to ensure the horseshoes wouldn't fall off. However, without Xia Hongsheng's guidance, it might have taken another ten or even twenty years before horseshoes were widely used in the Tang army. The Tang Dynasty was never short of intelligent people; what they lacked was an advanced concept, an idea, a way of thinking, or a direction. Once Xia Hongsheng provided a direction, many intelligent people would follow and complete the task, making the path longer and farther.

With a hiss, a thick cloud of steam rose as the tongs were pulled from the water barrel, revealing a perfectly shaped horseshoe in front of Xia Hongsheng.

The old blacksmith, holding the horseshoe, went to the horse's hoof to measure it, then returned to the anvil for more hammering. After another measurement, he nodded in satisfaction. Xia Hongsheng was also pleased with the old blacksmith's skill.

"Please hold the horse's hoof steady, and don't let the leg kick around," the old man said, bowing to the soldiers. He then approached the warhorse, which was held by several soldiers, one leg raised high. The old blacksmith held the horseshoe in one hand and a small hammer in the other, with a few bent nails in his mouth. He first smoothed the bottom of the hoof, which the soldiers had already leveled.

It didn't take long for the old blacksmith to nail the horseshoe onto the hoof. The other horseshoes were also quickly made, and within a short time, all four were nailed on.

The soldiers released the ropes and let the horse go. The sound of its hooves hitting the ground was clear. Qu Tongs then shouted to the soldiers, "Lay down your weapons!"

Following his order, the soldiers threw their weapons to the ground, creating a path. A deputy then mounted the horse, pulled the reins, and rode over the path of weapon handles, treading back and forth several times. He then spurred the horse to a gallop, riding it over the path several times before stopping, dismounting, and examining the hooves, which showed no signs of wear.

"Ride to the rocky beach!" Qu Tongs, staring at the hooves, ordered the deputy.

"Your order is received!" The deputy immediately remounted the horse and galloped away.

As everyone watched the rider disappear from sight, the prince quickly brought a stool and placed it behind Qu Tongs, saying, "Uncle Qu Tongs, please sit and wait."

Qu Tongs, his gaze returning, finally showed a hint of a smile. Just as he was about to speak, he began to cough violently. After a long while, he managed to suppress it and said, "Since the beginning of this year, my health has been deteriorating. I fear I don't have much time left. I have fought many battles, and several times my horse's legs were injured, nearly costing me my life. But my luck has always been good. Compared to those who died under the hooves of enemy horses, I have lived this long. These horseshoes..."

Qu Tongs shook his head and stopped speaking.

"Uncle, why such a sad remark? I believe you can still fight for many more years!" The prince bowed and said.

Qu Tongs remained silent, his eyes fixed on the direction the deputy had ridden.

Qu Tongs, it seems, might not have much time left. Xia Hongsheng, seeing his gaunt face and white hair, estimated that he must be quite old. In the historical records after the Zhen Guan era, his name is rarely mentioned, indicating that he likely passed away in the early Zhen Guan period. His recent coughing fit suggested a serious lung condition, possibly lung cancer, which was almost always fatal in the Tang Dynasty.

"By the way, I haven't asked your name yet," Qu Tongs turned to Xia Hongsheng.

Xia Hongsheng bowed respectfully and said, "I apologize for not introducing myself. My name is Xia Hongsheng, with the courtesy name Jing Shi. I am from Luozhou in Luoyang and study at the Luozhou Academy."

"Ah? You are so young and have not yet come of age, yet you already have a courtesy name?" Qu Tongs looked at Xia Hongsheng. "The Luozhou Academy... Is it the one founded by Mr. Yan?"

"General, I am indeed a disciple of Mr. Yan. As for my courtesy name, my father and brother died in the war. This name was given by my father before he was conscripted, in case he did not return," Xia Hongsheng replied respectfully.

Qu Tongs, who was older than Mr. Yan, was likely around seventy years old. However, one was a scholar and the other a military man, so they were not in the same circle.

As they spoke, half an hour had passed. A figure gradually appeared in the distance, and Qu Tongs immediately stood up, his eyes fixed on the approaching figure. The figure grew closer, and the deputy pulled the reins, stopping in front of the workshop. He entered, knelt on one knee, and reported, "General, I have ridden the horse on the rocky beach, choosing the most rugged and stony areas. The hooves show no wear. I have completed my mission!"

Qu Tongs's face lit up, and he quickly walked to the horse. A soldier held the hoof, and Qu Tongs examined it, his face filled with joy.

"Ha ha ha... Good! Very good! This is truly excellent!" Qu Tongs laughed heartily, then turned to Xia Hongsheng, "Mr. Xia, please accept the salute of Luozhou's Governor, Qu Tongs!"

With that, Qu Tongs deeply bowed to Xia Hongsheng, and the soldiers behind him also knelt and saluted.

"General... This is too much!" Xia Hongsheng was startled and quickly stepped aside, helping the old general to his feet.

"Hehe, don't call me General. Why not call me Uncle?" Qu Tongs, his face flushed with excitement, said to Xia Hongsheng.

"Then... Uncle Qu Tongs, I will take the liberty!" Xia Hongsheng performed a standard nephew's bow.

Qu Tongs's expression toward Xia Hongsheng was no longer as stern. He patted Xia Hongsheng's shoulder and sighed, "Throughout history, in every dynasty, the greatest loss in military campaigns, especially against the nomads, has not been human lives but horses. In every battle, human casualties are less than ten percent, while horse losses can be as high as thirty or even sixty percent. A significant reason is the severe wear on the hooves during battles, causing many additional casualties. Our army is primarily cavalry, and if a horse is injured, it is a fatal blow to a brave cavalryman. Without a horse, a cavalryman's combat effectiveness is greatly reduced. This problem has never been solved until now. A young scholar like you has solved this age-old problem! I can already imagine how excited the emperor and the old generals will be when they hear about the horseshoes! I am so pleased today! Let's go back to my residence, and I will host a banquet to celebrate!"

Qu Tongs led Xia Hongsheng and the others away. As they walked, Xia Hongsheng looked back and saw the workshop surrounded by soldiers, and it seemed that some were even helping the old blacksmith move.

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