Duan Peng's opening speech was very shocking, but the thing he took out was not shocking. Everyone's face was very ugly, especially Li Shiming's fat face kept twitching. He stared at Duan Peng, waiting for a reasonable explanation, otherwise he would immediately turn hostile.
"General Duan, are these four iron bars the things you said could save thirty percent of the Great Tang's military expenditure?”Wei Zheng's old face darkened as he questioned. It could be seen that the old man was trying his best to restrain himself. However, if Duan Peng did not have a reasonable explanation, the old man would start impeaching him.
On the other hand, Fang Xuanling took the initiative to speak up for Duan Peng because of his relationship with Fang Er to avoid the awkwardness of the scene.
"Your Majesty, my fellow colleagues." "General Duan may be young, but he doesn't have any strange ideas. I believe he won't shoot at random," Fang Xuanling said with a smile. Why don't we let General Duan explain the matter clearly? Perhaps this simple iron bar really has a magical effect.”
As soon as Fang Xuanling spoke, Zhangsun Wuji and the others also spoke up to plead for Duan Peng. After all, their son's official position was obtained by Duan Peng. At this time, doing such a favor without cost would not cause any loss to them. They could also do Duan Peng a favor. Everyone was willing.
"Yes, Minister Duan is not the kind of person who dares to bully the emperor.”"Then please tell me the use of these four iron bars, Minister Duan. Let's see if it can save 30% of the military expenses of the Tang Empire." Li Shiming said lightly.”
Duan Peng was unflustered from beginning to end and was not frightened in the slightest. After all, he was also someone who had made it through mountains of corpses and seas of blood. If he could not even withstand a few glances from Second Emperor Li, then it would be too embarrassing.
"Your Majesty, before I explain the function of these four iron bars, I would like to ask Your Majesty and the other lords a few questions.”" I wonder how much warhorses our Great Tang loses every year, and how much it costs to add new warhorses?" Duan Peng asked with a smile. And what was the reason for this huge expenditure?”
The moment Duan Peng mentioned warhorses, everyone became spirited. If it was said before that they still felt that they were discussing a dispensable policy topic, then now they had to face it squarely.
Everyone knew how humiliating the Weishui Alliance had been for Li Shiming, and the issue of his warhorses was the biggest problem in his revenge against the Turks.
"I can tell you this.”"The Twelve Left and Right Guards of the Great Tang have a total of three hundred thousand warhorses," Fang Xuanling said with a smile."We lose about forty percent of them every year. We need to buy new warhorses every year to make up for this number." Moreover, the raising and training of military horses is a huge investment, accounting for thirty percent of the Great Tang's military expenditure…"
Fang Xuanling suddenly stopped talking and looked at Duan Peng in surprise. Could it be that the 30% savings this kid said would solve the problem of warhorses?
"General Duan, do you mean that these four iron bars can solve the problem of the warhorses 'wear and tear?”Zhangsun Wuji said excitedly. As expected of the smartest strategist, he was quick to see the opportunity.
Li Shi Min also looked at Duan Peng excitedly. When he saw Duan Peng nod with a smile, he couldn't sit still anymore. He stood up and walked to Duan Peng, pulling his shoulder.
"Minister Duan, are you serious?”"Quickly tell me, what can we do to solve this problem?" Li Shimin said excitedly. As long as you can solve this problem, you will be the greatest contributor to the Great Tang, and We will reward you handsomely.”
Duan Peng also knew that Li Er's agitation was not without reason. After all, once the matter of the warhorse was resolved, he could speed up his revenge on the Turks. As the future Heavenly Khan, Li Er was unwilling to let this humiliation remain on his body for too long.
"Your Majesty, have you forgotten that I said that I would use this item to do business with Your Majesty?”Duan Peng said with a smile, his eyes filled with wisdom.
"Hehe, you brat, you're really a maverick.”" Alright," Li Er smiled bitterly." Tell me how to solve the problem of the warhorses first." If these four iron bars can really solve the problem of the Great Tang's warhorses, I will make this deal with you, and I will let you name your price.”
Once Second Emperor Li opened his mouth, Duan Peng felt much more at ease too and finally started to get to the main topic.
"Your Majesty, this subject's investigation has discovered that the main reason for the severe wear and tear of our Great Tang's warhorses is because of the wear and tear on their hooves.”Duan Peng asked.
"Yes, that's right." " It takes four to five years to train a warhorse," Li Shiming said with a pained expression." But it can only be used on the battlefield for three years. After that, it will be used as a farming horse and transferred to the prefecture soldiers for farming.”
"Actually, this problem is very easy to solve.”Duan Peng's words made everyone's jaws drop in shock, and he said with a smile,""As long as we nail such iron bars on the horses, the problem can be solved. The cost is low, but it doesn't cost much. What do Your Majesty and the other lords think?”
Everyone's jaws dropped in shock. That's right, everyone knows how to wear shoes. If you nail iron bars on the horses, they won't grind their hooves. Why didn't he think of such a simple solution?
"Such a simple method actually costs thirty percent of the Great Tang's annual military budget. How absurd is this!”Li Shi Min was on the verge of tears. He hadn't thought that the most difficult problem of the Great Tang's warhorses would be so easily resolved by Duan Peng.
"But will the warhorses be able to take it? Would he be unable to walk because of the pain?”Wei Zheng asked curiously. Everyone in the room stopped talking and looked at Duan Peng together, waiting for an explanation.
"Lord Wei, you can rest assured. Horseshoes are actually like our fingernails.”Duan Peng explained," The thickness of the horse's hoof is enough to withstand the nailing of this iron bar. There's no problem at all." If His Majesty and the other lords still don't believe it, you can verify it on the spot.”
"Men, bring a horse to the front of the hall.”Li Shi Min led the ministers out, and the warhorses arrived.
Li Er instructed Duan Peng to instruct the imperial guards to nail the horseshoes on the horses, then he impatiently jumped onto the horse and galloped away in front of the hall.
At this time, Li Shi Min was just in his early thirties and was in his golden age. He rode on a horse with a carefree appearance and indeed had the mighty demeanor of the Heavenly Khan.
Moreover, Li Shiming was a skilled rider. He galloped for more than an hour and performed all kinds of stunts. He had a great time.
The ministers praised Li Shiming's riding skills and confirmed that the horseshoes would not hinder the horse's movement.
After Li Shiming dismounted, everyone looked at the horseshoe and found that there were only some scratches and no damage at all.
This time, everyone was speechless. They had to admit that Duan Peng had once again created a miracle for the Great Tang, and it was even so close to the previous miracle.
"Duan Peng, tell me about your business with Zhen!”Li Shi Min laughed, as if he was waiting for the lion to demand an exorbitant price.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]