Phi-Fic Chapter 10 Training Equestrian Stars
Chapter 10 Training Equestrian Stars
Before long, Li Mao returned to the Prince of Shou's residence.
As soon as he got off the carriage, his second uncle, Wu Zhong, who had been waiting for a long time, ran over.
"Your Highness, how is it?"
"Is Your Majesty satisfied...?"
Wu Zhong hesitated, his expression revealing a hint of urgency.
After all, he was the one who found Xianglan. If Li Longji was dissatisfied, not only him, but the entire Wu clan would probably be doomed.
Faced with Wu Zhong's question, Li Mao's lips curled up slightly, and a sly glint flashed in his eyes, his expression wary of a cat that had just stolen some fish.
"Second Uncle, don't worry, Father should be very satisfied."
Upon receiving Li Mao's reply, Wu Zhong breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm satisfied, I'm satisfied, then I can rest assured..."
Seeing Wu Zhong relax, Li Mao recalled Li Longji's expression when he saw Xiang Lan in the Imperial Study.
Under Xianglan's influence, Li Longji's vigilance towards him will likely be temporarily relaxed.
This was a golden opportunity for him.
Thinking of this, Li Mao gave Wu Zhong an instruction.
"Second Uncle, you'll need to put in more effort to take care of Xianglan's younger siblings."
"After all, this was a promise my nephew made to her..."
Upon hearing this, Wu Zhong replied with a smile.
"Your Highness, rest assured, I have already ordered someone to purchase a property in the city and settled the brother and sister there."
"So good."
As they talked, the two walked into the study.
Inside the study, the eldest uncle, Wu Xin, was already waiting. The three of them gathered together and continued to discuss the matter of the racecourse.
After everyone was seated, Li Mao took a sip of tea and looked at his maternal uncle, Wu Xin.
"Uncle, there's one more thing I need to ask of you regarding the racetrack."
Upon hearing this, Wu Xin nodded solemnly.
"Your Majesty, please speak."
Under Wu Xin's watchful gaze, Li Mao put down his teacup and slowly began to speak.
"My nephew thinks that it's not enough for our racecourse grooms to just know how to take care of warhorses. It would be best if each of them learned horsemanship and archery!"
"If possible, it would be best to teach them how to use the lance as well."
Upon hearing this, Wu Xin and Wu Zhong exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with doubt and suspicion.
Wu Xin frowned deeply, a deep "川" (river) shape forming between his brows, as he pondered to himself.
Isn't my nephew's request a bit too demanding?
Ordinary grooms don't need to know these skills.
These skills are not something that ordinary people can easily master!
Training such grooms requires not only time and effort, but also a lot of money.
Moreover, from a common-sense perspective, there seems to be no need for this...
Seeing the puzzled looks on his two uncles' faces, Li Mao smiled and began to explain.
"Uncle, Uncle, you don't know this, but your nephew wants to create an equestrian star."
"Just as skilled players in Cuju (ancient Chinese football) are admired by the crowd, our many grooms at the racecourse would also attract attention if they possessed such abilities."
"Just imagine, my two uncles, when these grooms display their superb equestrian skills on the racetrack, such as their agile posture when galloping, their accurate shooting accuracy, and their imposing and domineering presence when wielding their lances, how many eyes will they attract!"
As Li Mao explained, Wu Xin and Wu Zhong seemed to see the corresponding scene before their eyes.
Noticing the expressions on their faces, Li Mao continued, "In this way, our racecourse will become even more famous and the focus of everyone's attention, and our business will flourish even more."
"At that time, not only will princes and ministers be more enthusiastic about coming here for leisure, but ordinary people may also be attracted to come, and the racecourse's revenue will increase significantly."
Wu Xin and Wu Zhong exchanged another glance. Although their eyes still held doubts, seeing Li Mao's insistence, they did not dare to ask any more questions.
Wu Xin stood up, bowed respectfully, and prepared to leave.
"Understood, Your Highness. I will make arrangements as you have instructed."
"Uncle, don't be impatient, I haven't finished speaking yet..."
As he spoke, Li Mao smiled calmly.
His true purpose in doing so was far more complex than it appeared on the surface!
Creating equestrian stars is just a smokescreen!
What he truly desired was to cultivate fierce and capable generals.
At the same time, he planned to train all the grooms at the racecourse into elite cavalry.
He recreated the majestic Xuanjia Army from the time of Emperor Taizong!
A burning light shone in Li Mao's eyes, a light filled with longing and yearning.
He couldn't help but picture in his mind the Xuanjia Army, in neat formations, wielding long spears, charging into battle like an iron torrent.
Wu Xin, oblivious to Li Mao's somewhat unusual expression, asked with a puzzled look, "Does Your Highness have any further instructions?"
Under Wu Xin's gaze, Li Mao, regaining his senses, took a deep breath.
"There is another crucial matter, which is to improve the treatment of these grooms. In addition, we should open a school in my nephew's name so that their children can have a place to study."
This time, without waiting for Wu Xin and Wu Zhong to question him, Li Mao stood up, walked to the window, looked at the courtyard outside, and slowly said, "Only in this way can they do their best for the racecourse."
Wu Xin and Wu Zhong exchanged another glance, both seeing deep shock and emotion in each other's eyes.
Wu Xin was deeply shocked. He had never imagined that his nephew could have such profound and benevolent thoughts.
Improving the treatment of grooms was something they could hardly have imagined in the past.
In this era of clear class distinctions, the rights of the working class are often overlooked, but Li Mao's ability to pay attention to this point is truly astonishing.
Not to mention, they even planned to open a school for the children of stable boys—what a vision and foresight they had!
Wu Xin was moved by Li Mao's concern for these people at the bottom of society. He seemed to see the hopeful eyes of the grooms' children and the new vitality that the racecourse might be able to generate because of this care.
Thinking of this, Wu Xin was excited and bowed with his hands clasped.
"Your Highness's words are very wise."
"I will immediately order people to begin preparations."
However, what Wu Xin and Wu Zhong did not know was that Li Mao's move was merely to win over these grooms and use the school to "confine" their children, thereby ensuring the grooms' loyalty to him.
After seeing Wu Xin and Wu Zhong off, Li Mao stretched.
As long as the racecourse develops as he expects, the resurgence of the Xuanjia Army is just around the corner!
In high spirits, Li Mao stroked his chin and muttered to himself.
"I wonder how well those cooks are doing with their training..."
"Someone, tell the cooks to prepare. I want to check their performance these past few days."
"Yes, Your Majesty."