My house's electrical wiring dates back to the Tang Dynasty.

The two returned inside and sat cross-legged facing each other.

Li Mingbo pulled the cork off the bottle of red wine, poured about two ounces for Qin Shubao, and poured some for himself as well.

"From now on, just drink this amount every night before bed. No more. Wine is still alcohol, and too much alcohol is bad for your health," Li Mingbo said.

"Yes, I will follow your orders, Hongwen." Qin Shubao replied like an obedient child.

Soon, the roasted whole lamb was served.

Li Mingbo ignored the others and looked at Qin Shubao, saying, "With the Duke of Su present, there were some things I couldn't say."

Upon hearing Li Mingbo's words, Qin Shubao stopped him, stood up, and went outside to instruct the steward that no one should approach within two hundred meters.

Back inside, he looked at Li Mingbo and said, "You can talk now."

"Duke Yi has seen the stars, but you've never touched them, have you?"

"Of course, I'm not a god, I don't know what Hongwen means by that?" Qin Shubao looked at Li Mingbo with a puzzled expression.

"The two weapons I gave to the Duke of Yi were made from stars in the sky." Meteorite iron, a type of meteorite with a high iron content, was, in ancient times, considered to be stars in the sky.

There's nothing wrong with that.

"Hiss—" Qin Shubao gasped upon hearing this.

If Qin Shubao didn't know Li Mingbo well, he would have said that Li Mingbo was lying to him.

But then she thought, "A person from 1300 years in the future? Is he that amazing? He can even reach for the stars?"

"No, that's not true, but we have been to the moon, that's true," Li Mingbo said.

Then Li Mingbo explained the science of stars to Qin Shubao, talking about meteorites and meteoritic iron.

"I cannot accept this. Such a heavenly thing is only fit for Your Majesty. If I were to take it, it would be a great disaster."

"It's alright. If you don't say anything and I don't say anything, no one will know," Li Mingbo said. "It's His Majesty's own lack of discernment that led him to choose the most beautiful one. But it's still a fine sword, capable of cutting through iron like mud."

"His Majesty's and Duke Su's are both priced at 40,000, while Duke Yi's is three times that price." Li Mingbo took a sip of red wine.

Li Mingbo didn't drink much red wine and couldn't really tell the difference between good and bad; he just thought it was so-so.

"I thank you for your kindness, Hongwen. However, as the old saying goes, there are no secrets that stay hidden forever. I need to clarify this matter with His Majesty. After we finish eating, you and I will go to see His Majesty," Qin Shubao said.

"Let's just forget about it, it's just a sword, isn't it?" Is it that serious?

"Hongwen, you are not from this era, there are some things you don't understand. This kind of sword, forged from the stars in the sky, can only belong to His Majesty. Do you understand that this is usurping power? Even if His Majesty doesn't covet it now, who knows what the future emperor might think?"

"This is no ordinary weapon."

"This is a hot potato," Qin Shubao said. "You'll be coming to the palace with me later. Don't worry, His Majesty is magnanimous. He knows you're not from this era and won't hold it against you. Besides, I'm here for you."

"I've caused trouble for Duke Yi." Li Mingbo never imagined that a sword forged from a meteorite would bring Qin Shubao such a big problem.

"Hongwen, it's not your fault. After all, you're not from this era and don't know about some taboos," Qin Shubao comforted Li Mingbo, seeing his guilty expression.

After the two finished their meal, Qin Shubao disassembled his lance, separating the spearhead from the shaft, and had it sent to the Li residence in Yongchang Ward. He then took the meteorite iron sword and the lance and went to the gate of the residence.

Since Qin Shubao started treating his illness on his own, he hasn't left the house in the past three months.

This is the first time he has appeared in front of the world since his recovery.

Many officials from the Three Provinces and Six Ministries lived in Taipingfang, and many of them were surprised to see Qin Shubao's appearance.

They had seen Qin Shubao before, looking sickly and listless. He hadn't left his house for many years and hadn't even attended court.

It's only been a few months, how come you've suddenly gotten better?

The story then spread within the industry.

Qin Shubao's carriage stopped at Hanguang Gate, west of Zhuque Gate. Li Mingbo, carrying a sword, and Qin Shubao, holding a horse spear, went inside.

The southern part of Taiji Palace was the imperial city where the offices of the Three Departments and Six Ministries were located.

The two walked along Hanguangmen Street.

When we reached the end of Hanguangmen Street, on the east side, we encountered many military officers.

When everyone saw Qin Shubao, whom they hadn't seen for many years, looking so energetic and spirited, and even holding a horse spear without a handle, they realized he was no longer a seriously ill person.

Qin Qiong, the legendary general who could take the head of a general as easily as taking something out of a bag, has returned.

Qin Shubao nodded to everyone, and after walking a short distance, he introduced to Li Mingbo, "This is the Right Guard, the Right Gate Guard, and the Right Thousand Ox Guard, so there are many military officers here."

Ganlu Temple.

Li Shimin was reading the "Old Book of Tang," specifically the section on Changsun Wuji.

She was sulking when she heard Wu Hai come in.

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Yi and Li Mingbo are requesting an audience outside, carrying weapons," Wu Hai said.

Bringing weapons into the palace, especially into the inner palace like the Ganlu Hall, without the emperor's permission was tantamount to treason, so an application was required.

"Brother Qin has arrived! Please come in quickly!" Upon hearing that it was Qin Shubao, Li Shimin put away the "Old Book of Tang" in his hand.

Li Shimin read a portion of the Old Book of Tang.

It includes biographies of Yuchi Gong, Qin Shubao, Cheng Yaojin, Duan Zhixuan, Zhang Gongjin, Zi Dasu, and Da'an.

I just read the biography of Changsun Wuji. Changsun Wuji eventually rebelled, while Qin Shubao and Cheng Yaojin did not rebel later. I like the two generals Qin Shubao and Cheng Yaojin from the bottom of my heart.

More importantly, Qin Shubao has now recovered under Li Mingbo's meticulous care.

As the saying goes, it is easy to find a thousand soldiers but difficult to find a good general.

The valiant Qin Shubao is back; how could Li Shimin not be happy?

Li Shimin knew best how capable Qin Shubao was.

When Li Shimin ascended to the throne, he appointed Qin Shubao as the Left General of the Martial Guard, which shows the importance of Qin Shubao in Li Shimin's heart.

Although he had not attended court for many years due to health reasons, Li Shimin still retained the position of Qin Shubao.

Li Shimin also learned of Qin Shubao's illness over the past few months.

"Your subject, Qin Shubao, General of the Left Guard and Duke of Yi, greets Your Majesty and requests Your Majesty's punishment."

"This humble subject, Li Mingbo, greets Your Majesty," Li Mingbo said, bowing respectfully.

Seeing Qin Shubao's rosy complexion, high spirits, and booming voice, Li Shimin was delighted, thinking that the Qin Shubao of yesteryear had returned. "Second Brother Qin, no need for formalities."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but I am guilty," Qin Shubao said as he stood up.

Ignoring Li Shimin, Li Mingbo straightened up, walked directly to the refrigerator, opened it, and took out a can of cola to drink.

Qin Shubao told Ma Shuo about the sword and said it was made from stars in the sky.

"Hongwen doesn't understand some things here, so he gave it to me," Qin Shubao said.

"Is this really made from the stars in the sky?" Li Shimin took the sword from Li Mingbo, drew it, and asked, looking at Li Mingbo.

It doesn't feel as bright as my own.