Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

After Du He finished speaking, he took out a roll of sketches from his wide long-sleeved robe and spread it flat on the table.

"Third brother, come and take a look."

Du Aitong nodded, then moved forward with anticipation, staring at the simple pattern on the paper with wide eyes.

After looking at the simple pattern drawn on the pattern, Du Aitong's expression paused slightly.

There was also a hint of doubt in his clear eyes.

He asked in astonishment: "Second brother, this curved thing is a horseshoe?"

"It looks a bit crude. Can it really be used to accomplish meritorious service?"

Although Du Aitong had great confidence in his second brother's ability, the curved horseshoe drawn on the paper did not seem to have any use at all. It just bent the iron.

After hearing Du Aitong's words, Du Gou also came over curiously.

this...

Du Gou frowned and asked, "Second Brother, is this the magical object you mentioned that can solve the problem of horseshoe wear, the horseshoe?"

"How can such a small piece of iron prevent the wear of horseshoes?"

He imagined a lot in his mind, but in the end he couldn't figure out what the use of such a small piece of iron ring was.

Moreover, the shape of this iron fist is completely different from that of a horseshoe. How can it achieve the preventive effect?

Du He smiled and said: "Nailed horseshoes on the horseshoes can prevent the horses from slipping when running fast, and also protect the horseshoes from being worn out when walking on gravel roads."

Du Gou and Du Aitong nodded as if they understood Du He's explanation.

Until they see the practical use of horseshoes, they will never have the concept that horseshoes can protect horseshoes.

Du Aitong asked curiously, "Second brother, if you drive a nail into a horse's hoof, won't it hurt the horse?"

"Will the horseshoe be seriously damaged by driving nails?"

Horses are very expensive, and if nails are hammered into horseshoes and the warhorse is injured, it would be more trouble than gain.

If the imperial court adopted the horseshoes he presented, causing a large number of horseshoes to be damaged, then not only would he not be rewarded with merit, he might even be severely punished by the imperial court.

Du He explained: "The thick cuticle of horseshoes is like our fingernails, so trimming them does not hurt."

"Third brother, when you return to Jiangzhou, bring an old blacksmith from the Duke of Lai's mansion and ask him to make more attempts based on the sketch I drew."

"Once you put the horseshoe on the horse and run a few laps in the gravel stall, you'll know how useful it is!"

There is no point in saying more now. It would be better to let Du Aitong ask the blacksmith to make it and then nail it on the horseshoe for testing.

Moreover, Du He not only drew the shape of the horseshoe, but also explained the steps of nailing the horseshoe.

As long as Du Aitong and the blacksmith work according to the sketch, it can be made in a few days.

Du Aitong nodded solemnly and said, "Okay!"

Since my smart second brother said it was okay, then this horseshoe must be effective!

Du He warned, "Third brother, you must hide these sketches well and never let them fall into the hands of others."

"When you have made the horseshoes and installed them on the horses, you can submit the horseshoeed horses and these sketches to the court."

Now the court has seized a large number of horses from Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, and many of the horses' shoes have been worn out.

If Du Aitong presented horseshoes at this time, the service life of the court's horses would be extended, saving the court a lot of expenses.

Du Aitong quickly responded: "Don't worry, second brother, I will definitely keep it properly!"

This is something that has brought him great merit, so he must keep it close to him.

Du Gou said with a smile: "Third brother, you have to thank your second brother. Without his help, you would not be able to be promoted quickly."

In the first half of last year, Du Aitong was still the magistrate of Taiping County, a seventh-rank official. Now, in less than two years, he is about to climb to the fifth-rank official position.

Such a quick promotion was the first of its kind in the court.

Du Aitong immediately stood up, bowed to Du He with gratitude and said, "Thank you for your support, second brother!"

Du He waved his hand indifferently and continued asking.

"Third brother, how is your grasp of arithmetic? Is there anything you don't understand?"

Du Aitong said confidently: "Second brother, I have almost mastered arithmetic. If you don't believe me, you can test me."

When he was in the Imperial College, Du Aitong showed amazing talent in "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" and "The Art of Summing Up", so he quickly mastered the arithmetic of new symbols.

After testing Du Aitong, Du He found that he had mastered the theory, so he encouraged him.

"Third brother, you should study arithmetic seriously. Maybe you can become a minister of finance in the future!"

The Ministry of Revenue was in charge of all the territory, population registration, land and commercial taxes, officials' salaries and all financial affairs of the Tang Dynasty. Its chief official needed to have certain arithmetic skills.

Du Aitong replied excitedly: "Second brother, I will definitely work hard!"

The three brothers chatted for a while, and as the sky gradually became dark, Du He said goodbye and left the Duke of Lai's Mansion.

Two days later.

Du Aitong, along with his newly-married wife Lu Ziying, braved the howling north wind and left Chang'an again to take up his post in Jiangzhou.

As the Sima of Jiangzhou, he is the core assistant official of the Jiangzhou Governor and cannot be away for too long.

Ministry of Industry.

Du He was wearing a warm mink coat and leaning lazily on the bed.

In the office, Xiao Kai reported with joy on his face.

"Brother Du, I have already fixed the ventilation duct of the kang, so no smoke will drift into the room!"

It has to be said that Zhang Bi, the Prime Minister, was really capable. With his efforts, he solved this difficult problem in just two days.

Du He smiled and said, "Brother Xiao, you can report this good news to His Majesty in person later."

"In addition to completing the tasks assigned to you by His Majesty these days, you should send someone to Princess Chengyang's Mansion and Duke Lai's Mansion to help build a few kangs for me and my eldest brother's family."

Now that the weather is getting colder, Li Shimin will definitely ask the Ministry of Works and the General Administration of Works to give priority to building a kang for the imperial palace.

As the Minister of Works, Du He must have given priority to meeting his own requirements while serving Li Shimin.

Xiao Kai patted his chest and said, "Brother Du, I will send people to Princess Chengyang's Mansion and Duke Lai's Mansion to build a kang later, and then report to His Majesty."

"If His Majesty asks why I built a kang for you first, I will say that I will test it at your and Brother Du's homes first, and then submit the method to the court if there is no problem."

I have to say that Xiao Kai is a very thoughtful guy.

Du He praised: "Brother Xiao is now doing things with consideration for everything, and he deserves to be the most meritorious official in our Ministry of Industry this year!"

When Xiao Kai heard Du He ranked his achievements first in the Ministry of Industry, an expression of excitement instantly appeared on his face.