Chapter 108: A Renowned General of the Middle Tang Dynasty

Early the next morning, Wei Renshi arrived outside the Jixian Academy. Before long, Academician Zhang and Liu Yuxi emerged.

Seeing Wei Renshi, Liu Yuxi smiled and asked, "Why are you still dressed like this?"

Wei Renshi looked down at his attire and chuckled, "My family was not well-off in the past, and I have grown accustomed to these clothes; I find it hard to change. Linen has its own merits—it is practical and comfortable to wear."

"Then I wish you a smooth day," said Liu Yuxi.

"Are you not coming?" Wei Renshi asked.

Liu Yuxi shook his head and replied, "My rank is too low; it would not be appropriate for me to pay a visit."

"Let us go," said Academician Zhang.

The two boarded the Academician's carriage, heading northeast toward the outskirts of the city. As they traveled, the number of pedestrians on the road gradually dwindled.

The carriage moved quickly, and soon the coachman outside announced, "Reporting to the Academician, we have arrived."

They stepped out to find themselves before a Garrison Commandery, also known as the General's Mansion.

Outside the mansion stood guards. Academician Zhang took Wei Renshi forward and said to the guard at the gate, "Please inform the Great General that Right Remonstrance Official Zhang Jianliang has an urgent matter to discuss."

"So it is Official Zhang!" The guard saluted and replied, "I will convey your message immediately."

With that, the guard gave an order to his companion and hurried inside. Before long, he returned and saluted again, saying, "The Great General invites you in!"

"Thank you," Academician Zhang nodded and led Wei Renshi inside.

Inside, soldiers were drilling. Wei Renshi observed that every movement they made was executed with immense focus and discipline, completely devoid of impatience. For this era, it was clear that the yet-to-be-seen General Wang was an effective commander.

"Cough, cough, cough..." Before they reached the inner courtyard, they heard a series of violent coughs.

As they entered, an elderly man with graying hair and beard, clad in armor, walked toward them. He laughed as he approached, "Jianliang, what brings you to see this old man today?"

"Jianliang pays his respects to the General!" Academician Zhang hurriedly stepped forward and bowed with deep reverence. Wei Renshi followed suit, bowing respectfully to the old general.

Wang Hong looked at Wei Renshi, then back at Academician Zhang, his expression one of inquiry.

"This young man is named Wei Renshi. Though young, he possesses extraordinary talent. He has improved agricultural implements, benefiting the region. He has also offered several strategies, including a proposal to the Weinan Registrar, Liu Yuxi, on land management—specifically, methods for silt accumulation through damming and wasteland reclamation. These methods have already seen success in Weinan. If promoted, they will add countless acres of fertile land to the Great Tang," Academician Zhang said, gesturing toward Wei Renshi.

Wang Hong looked at Wei Renshi with surprise, then turned back to Academician Zhang, exclaiming, "When you were framed and demoted in the past, you refused to seek help from me, even to your own detriment. Yet today, you come to my door for this young man?"

Academician Zhang shook his head and said, "The land management strategies he proposed will be reported to the Emperor by the Weinan Registrar, and the Ministry of Agriculture will naturally send officials to verify them."

Academician Zhang glanced around, then leaned in and whispered into Wang Hong's ear.

The old general's expression shifted from surprise to a dark, somber look, eventually hardening into a stern, murderous intensity.

With the clatter of metal plates, General Wang Hong strode toward Wei Renshi. His massive frame loomed like a small mountain, his face fierce and radiating the authority of a man who had survived countless battles. He spoke in a deep voice, "Young man, I greet you. Where are those horseshoes?!"

Wei Renshi felt a shiver down his spine—*Old man, you look like you’re about to kill someone! That doesn't look like a greeting!*

"Reporting to the Great General, after I presented the method to Academician Zhang, he tested it on one of his own horses. That horse is currently outside the gate," Wei Renshi replied, stepping back and bowing.

"Men!" Wang Hong barked.

A group of armored soldiers rushed in from the courtyard entrance, shouting, "Reporting to the Great General!"

"Go outside and bring that horse in!" Wang Hong commanded, pointing toward the gate.

"I will lead them," Wei Renshi said, noticing the soldiers' confusion.

Wang Hong nodded.

Wei Renshi guided the soldiers outside, brought the horse in, and led it directly before Wang Hong.

"Please, hold the horse steady while I remove the wrappings from its hooves," Wei Renshi said to the soldiers.

"We would not dare trouble you, young master," they replied, stepping forward to steady the animal while others quickly removed the protective coverings.

As the horse’s hooves struck the blue stone floor, they produced a crisp, metallic sound.

Wang Hong leaned in to inspect them closely. "These are... horseshoes?"

"Indeed," Academician Zhang said. "Yesterday, I tested this horse by leading it through a rocky riverbed, back and forth. You can see the condition of the hooves for yourself, General."

"Men, drop your weapons," Wang Hong ordered the soldiers.

"Yes!" The soldiers obeyed without hesitation, casting aside their long and short weapons, and even their armor, onto the ground.

Wang Hong pointed randomly and said, "Zhao Sheng, go and ride the horse."

A young soldier stepped forward, acknowledged the order, and leaped onto the horse. He rode back and forth over the pile of weapons, repeatedly trampling over the swords, spears, and halberds.

After a while, he reined the horse to a stop and dismounted. The soldiers gathered around to hold the horse and lift its hooves.

"Good!" Wang Hong roared. "Hahahaha... Good! Excellent! This is truly wonderful!"

Wang Hong laughed toward the sky, then turned abruptly to Wei Renshi. "Young Master Wei, please accept my respects!"

With that, Wang Hong bowed deeply to Wei Renshi.

Seeing this, the fierce-looking soldiers behind him simultaneously dropped to one knee with a sharp *clatter*, paying their respects to Wei Renshi as well.

"Great General... this—this is absolutely uncalled for!" Startled, Wei Renshi quickly stepped aside to avoid the bow and reached out to help the old general back up.

"I am truly overjoyed today!" Wang Hong said as he rose, smiling. "Young Master Wei, you deserve this respect. You are not a soldier, so you cannot know how much this will mean to the army—I shall go to Chang'an myself to see to this!"

Upon hearing this, Academician Zhang was overjoyed. He exchanged a glance with Wei Renshi, and they both bowed, saying, "Thank you, Great General!"