The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

"Fifty strings of cash a time? And that's just an estimate?"

Li Shimin asked in disbelief, "So, the price might be even higher?"

Chen Huai'an nodded silently.

"Why don't you just rob it?"

"What does Your Highness think I'm doing?"

Li Shimin: "..."

"You...I..." Li Shimin couldn't sit still any longer. He got up and paced back and forth, wanting to say something, but the words caught in his throat and he couldn't say anything.

Blame Chen Huai'an?

There's no reason for it.

The price of a hundred-refined sword is already high, let alone using Chen Huai'an's unique method to forge a long-handled sword that can shatter both men and horses of cavalry.

It's not incomprehensible that it's expensive.

"But this is damn expensive!" Li Shimin couldn't help but say.

Chen Huai'an was also helpless about this: "Your Highness, there is really nothing we can do about it. The cost of the Mo Dao is just that high."

"It is not a weapon that can be equipped to all soldiers, but is specifically designed to form an elite force to deal with cavalry."

"It's expensive, but there's a reason for it."

"If you don't believe me, I can order my craftsmen to make one first. This will allow us to calculate the exact cost and test the effect so Your Highness can see it for yourself."

"how?"

how is it?

Li Shimin was overjoyed: "That would be best!"

During this period, he secretly contacted Li Jing, Li Shiji and others at the front line, asking them to pay close attention to the movements of the Turks.

The Turks are already stirring, presumably having received news from Liang Shidu that the Tang Dynasty is in unprecedented turmoil.

After hearing Chen Huai'an describe the effects of the Mo Dao, he couldn't completely believe it. Seeing its actual power would certainly reassure him.

If what the other party said is true, then the Mo Dao (陌刀) will be a key element in dealing with the Turks.

Li Shimin thought for a long time, then suddenly blurted out, "Huai'an, what do you say? We'll build part of it, and the Ministry of Works will build the rest."

Chen Huai'an was taken aback: "How many Mo Dao swords does Your Highness plan to forge?"

"two thousand!"

Upon hearing this number, Chen Huai'an seemed to realize something and chuckled softly, "Is Your Highness preparing this for Xue Wanche?"

Li Shimin waved his hand: "That's not important, just tell me if it's okay or not!"

"Of course," Chen Huai'an said. "In fact, the Mo Dao is something that should be used by the national army. There is no point in forging it privately. If the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue provide the money, manpower and resources to forge the Mo Dao, I will naturally support it."

"This is the best option."

"Furthermore..." Chen Huai'an coughed, "Since the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue are already involved in the construction, it's equivalent to the imperial court paying for it. Your Highness might as well be bold and order five thousand!"

"At that time, Xue Wanche, General Yuchi, and others will equip their soldiers with Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword), which will allow them to ambush the Turkic army along their attack route and deliver a fierce blow to the Turkic forces."

Five thousand...

Li Shimin remained silent.

He thought his heart was black enough, but he never expected there was someone even blacker here.

Five thousand Mo Dao swords, at a cost of fifty guan each, would amount to two hundred and fifty thousand guan.

How much was the entire Tang Dynasty's annual revenue?

It would be a miracle if the people in the Ministry of Revenue agreed.

But Chen Huai'an is right. If he had five thousand Mo Dao swords, plus the forces he had gradually subdued with his wealth, dealing with the Turks would be much easier.

After a moment's thought, Li Shimin gritted his teeth and said, "Let the Ministry of Revenue pay for it, the Ministry of Works make two thousand Mo Dao swords, and I will cover the rest. You will be in charge of this matter."

"No problem!" Chen Huai'an readily agreed.

As long as you pay, anything is negotiable.

Li Shimin looked pained. Although he had obtained several million strings of cash from Pei Ji, money really does disappear quickly.

He was also in pain after spending another 150,000 strings of cash.

"Oh, Your Highness, there's also this."

Chen Huai'an took out the strange iron sheet that Li Shimin had previously described.

"...What is this now?" Li Shimin sighed.

They wanted Chen Huai'an to take more, but they didn't want him to take more and more.

His secret stash of money couldn't take it anymore.

"This is a horseshoe, which is basically a shoe for a horse. It can effectively prevent damage to warhorses. It is not expensive and is very simple to make."

"Hmm?" Li Shimin perked up, snatched the blueprints from Chen Huai'an's hands, examined them carefully, and hesitated before asking, "Put shoes on the horse?"

"But to the eye, there are holes in this thing? And there are nails drawn on the side. Did you just drive it in?"

"Can a horse handle it? It runs on its own two feet."

Chen Huai'an was speechless: "Then why don't you go ask Ma?"

Li Shimin: "..."

"Huai'an, I have a suggestion for you, what do you think?"

"What suggestion?"

"From now on, try to avoid associating with Wei Zheng. That country bumpkin is no good. Stay away from him."

Chen Huai'an: "..."

He said awkwardly, "Your Highness, a horse's hooves are like a human fingernail; they don't feel pain, so they have no effect on the horse at all."

"This thing is easy to make, and you can see results in a day or two."

Li Shimin glanced at him; in this respect, he still trusted Chen Huai'an.

But lately, this kid has been increasingly fond of teasing me, especially after I told him I'd find him a woman.

"..."

Chen Huai'an carefully explained the usage and effects of these things to Li Shimin, who listened silently without interrupting.

After Chen Huai'an finished speaking, he was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Huai'an, you're very thoughtful."

Chen Huai'an was taken aback, then smiled and said, "Your Highness, I am merely a subject who receives the emperor's salary, and it is only right that I be loyal to the emperor."

"Is that so?" Li Shimin remained noncommittal. "You weren't this attentive when you were under Li Jiancheng."

Chen Huai'an remained silent.

There's no way to answer that.

"Huai'an!"

"I am here."

"I know what you're worried about. I will win!" Li Shimin's voice was soft, yet heavy.

"..."