Autumn hunt martial arts

The autumn hunt of the tenth year of the Yonghui era was solemnly held at the royal hunting grounds at the foot of Mount Li.

Before the morning mist had dissipated, Wu Zetian had already dressed the three princes.

Li Hong was dressed in an apricot-yellow riding and archery uniform, with a small ceremonial bow at his waist.

Li Xian, dressed in a Hu-style outfit that allowed for easy movement, jumped around excitedly.

Li Xian was wrapped in a brocade jacket embroidered with dragon patterns, and curiously grabbed the tassels hanging down from his mother.

(Inner monologue: On this occasion, I need to keep the military in line, appease the aristocratic families, and also broaden the horizons of the children...)

Li Zhi, dressed in black riding attire, personally inspected the Imperial Guard's formation, then turned and took Li Xian, holding him high above his head: "Look, my lord, these are the sons of my Great Tang!"

The baby was drawn to the armor gleaming in the sunlight and let out a babbling exclamation.

As the military drill began, the cavalry of the Northern Imperial Guards demonstrated their improved double-sided stirrups, which greatly increased their stability during the charge.

But what truly captivated the audience was the canal transport fleet—twenty modified canal boats maneuvered nimbly on a simulated waterway, their newly installed shovels on the bows shattering the wooden rafts used as targets.

"Your Majesty," the newly appointed naval commander Liu Rengui reported, bowing, "the grain transport ships, modified according to the Empress's drawings, have increased their troop carrying capacity by 30%, allowing them to quickly form naval fortresses in the event of an encounter with the enemy."

Wu Zetian nodded slightly: (Inner monologue: Modern military knowledge is indeed useful!)

On the viewing platform, several powerful generals exchanged uneasy glances.

The Left General of the Imperial Guard, a member of the Lu clan of Fanyang, couldn't help but speak up: "Grand canal boats are ultimately civilian goods; what if they encounter an elite navy..."

Before he could finish speaking, a cargo ship suddenly deployed its hidden shield, and its hull was instantly covered with iron spikes.

Li Xian excitedly tugged at his father's sleeve: "Father! Doesn't it look like the hedgehog formation Mother used to describe!"

Li Zhi laughed heartily and then issued an edict: "Effective immediately, the transport commissioners of all circuits shall concurrently serve as naval defense commissioners, and shall have the authority to mobilize troops in times of war!"

(Inner monologue: The separation of military power is inevitable!)

During the midday break, Wu Zetian led the princes into the military camp.

She stopped in front of the mess hall, casually scooped up a spoonful of rations, and asked Li Hong, "Do you know what this means?"

The ten-year-old prince answered earnestly, "If the grain transport is unimpeded, the soldiers will be able to eat fresh grain every day."

"More than that," she said, pointing to the soldiers drilling in the distance, "it also means the imperial court can maintain more elite troops with less money."

Li Xian suddenly reached out his small hand to the cooking camp, and Wu Meiniang, understanding, hugged him and walked closer.

A large pot was filled with porridge made with modern rice, and the aroma was enticing.

The cook knelt and reported, "According to the new cooking method promoted by Her Majesty, it saves 30% of firewood and cooks faster!"

(Inner monologue: The logistical reforms are showing initial results!)

As dusk deepened, Li Zhi summoned his generals for a debriefing.

Wu Zetian held the dozing Li Xian behind the screen. When she heard a general complaining about insufficient military funds, she gently squeezed her son's palm.

Li Xian immediately came to his senses and reached for the abacus on the table.

"Even the Third Prince knows the importance of careful budgeting," Wu Meiniang interjected at the opportune moment. "If we switch from land transport to canal transport, we can save a million strings of cash in military expenses every year. That amount of money is enough to equip ten naval forces."

The tent was completely silent, except for the clear sound of Li Xian turning the abacus beads.

On the return journey in the carriage, Li Xian was fast asleep with his head on his father's lap, while Li Hong was still reminiscing about the battle formation he had witnessed that day.

Wu Zetian leaned against the carriage window, watching the autumn moon rise amidst the sails of the grain transport boats.

"Meiniang," Li Zhi suddenly whispered, "the way you held Xian'er in your arms in the army today reminded me of Princess Pingyang Zhao."

She chuckled lightly, "This concubine has no experience in leading troops into battle."

"But you will build a Tang Dynasty that needs no war," he said, taking her hand, "a Tang Dynasty that will strike fear into the hearts of enemies, deterring them from attacking."

Outside the car window, the lights of the canal boats stretched out on the river like a dazzling dragon, as if tying a golden belt around the sleeping mountains and rivers.

——

[Mini-Theater: Dinner in the Military Camp]

(Diary of the Chief of Staff on the March)

Today, the Emperor and Empress dined with the soldiers in the military camp.

The Empress actually remembered the name of the cook, Lao Fan, and even asked him how his son was doing at the official school.

The Third Prince, as if grasping at a baby's first birthday gift, accurately picked out the location of the Grand Canal's transportation hub on the sand table.

(This family is truly...unfathomable.)

The most ingenious thing was the Second Prince; upon seeing that the soldier's boots were torn, he immediately took off his own gold-threaded purse.

"Take it to the cobbler to mend your boots!"

The soldier was so frightened that he immediately knelt down.