Volume One: At the Foot of Mount Zhongnan Chapter Twenty-Six: Armor and Horses

As the two spoke, they had already arrived at the doorstep. Li Xuanba instructed, "These two horses traveled with me all the way from Shanxi. They've worked hard along the road, so see to it that you feed them properly."

Li Mingyu responded, "Master, please rest; I'll go cut some grass right away."

Li Xuanba quickly stopped him, saying, "Wait. Warhorses are not like ordinary draft horses; feeding them only grass won't suffice. You need to mix in beans and eggs to ensure their strength."

Li Mingyu stuck out his tongue, surprised, "They eat so well? Aren't horses all grass-eaters?"

"Warhorses bear riders and charge into battle; it takes a toll on their stamina. If they only eat grass, they won't have enough flesh on their bones, and with an armored rider, they'd lose strength after a few steps—how would they fight?" Li Xuanba explained patiently.

Li Mingyu led the warhorses into the stable in the courtyard. This stable had once housed the dairy cow he and Little Black cared for as children, but as they grew, the cow was given to local villagers, though the stable remained and now served perfectly for horses. Following his master's instructions, Li Mingyu fed the warhorses and returned to the house. He found his master had set aside his saber, hung up his bow and lance, and was unbuckling his armor, so he went over to help.

Once the heavy armor was removed, Li Xuanba was visibly relieved. Li Mingyu, curious, asked, "Master, I've heard you were a commanding general in my second uncle's army, but your armor is so plain and dark, without even a beast-head shoulder guard. Don't generals usually wear dazzling armor?"

Li Xuanba replied, "All armor in the army is like this—ordinary, so as not to attract attention. If you wear something too flashy, you become a living target on the battlefield."

Li Mingyu said in surprise, "I always thought generals wore bright silver armor and white robes like those described in stories, standing out like cranes among chickens, charging through the battlefield as if invincible."

Li Xuanba sighed, "I've told you to read more books and fewer stories, but you never listen!" Then he added, "There are those who dress differently on the battlefield—either they're exceptionally skilled and supremely confident, or they're simply tired of living."

Li Mingyu, hearing his master's explanation, finally understood. In ancient warfare, even the commander under the protection of the army could fall victim to misfortune. Wearing overly ornate armor made one a target for arrows. Throughout history, many commanders met their end by hidden arrows, even while surrounded by their troops. Still, there were peerless warriors, confident in their martial prowess, who wore distinctive armor, using their valor to rally the troops and boost morale. For example, Xue Rengui, a famous general of early Tang, was known for his white robe and silver armor, wielding a halberd and carrying double bows, always leading the charge and undefeated wherever he went.

Seeing his master's armor smudged and dusty, Li Mingyu took a cloth and wiped it down repeatedly. He then asked, "Master, your armor is quite peculiar—it's not like scale armor, is it?"

Li Xuanba shook his head, "Scale armor is named for its plates arranged like fish scales. My armor's plates, however, resemble book slips, hence it's called slip armor. The size can be adjusted by adding or removing plates according to one's stature, and repairs are easy—just untie the cords and replace any damaged plates. It's the most widely used armor in the army."

"Which is better, slip armor or scale armor?" Li Mingyu asked.

"Scale armor is superior. Its overlapping plates disperse force, the plates are smaller and denser, offering greater protection. It's also flexible, and since the connecting cords are hidden beneath the plates, they're not easily cut. However, it's expensive to make—a single set of scale armor costs as much as five to ten sets of slip armor," Li Xuanba replied. Seeing Mingyu about to ask more, he continued, "I know you're wondering why your second uncle hasn't given me scale armor. You don't realize he's having a tough time himself. Though he took Huo Yi, most of the armor and equipment was seized by the left flank, and he has to spare some for father's main force. Many soldiers in the right flank can't even be fully equipped. While your uncle wouldn't begrudge me a set of armor, I'm not planning to stay in the army long, so I'd rather let other generals have it."

Li Mingyu, enlightened by his master's words, exclaimed, "So there's so much to know about armor!" Then, grinning, he added, "Master, you'll have to get me a set of scale armor someday."

Li Xuanba laughed, "When you come of age and graduate, I'll get you the finest bright armor!"

Li Mingyu was overjoyed. Bright armor—the pinnacle of ancient armor craftsmanship, from the Northern and Southern Dynasties to the Tang, was the best, offering unmatched protection and flexibility, and so expensive only generals and commanders could afford it. Once his second uncle Li Shimin became emperor and his master a prince, they could easily get him the best armor. It would be like leaving the beginner's village in a game already equipped with top gear. The thought delighted him.

Li Xuanba rested for a while, then began to inspect Li Mingyu’s martial skills. After watching him practice, Li Xuanba smiled, very pleased with his progress.

After the lessons, night had fallen. Suddenly, the two warhorses outside neighed loudly. Li Mingyu smiled and said to his master, "Little Black is back."

Master and disciple stepped outside to see Little Black entering the courtyard. The warhorse was so startled it leaped and neighed, its reins drawn taut, making the hitching post creak. The young colt was petrified, trembling all over, not daring to move.

The horses had long smelled the scent of a beast, which was faint at first, but as Little Black approached, they struggled to escape, only to be held fast by their reins, leaving them no choice but to cry out.

Little Black, now seven or eight feet long and nearly fully grown, radiated the aura of a king of beasts. That day, he had supervised the children’s martial training, caught a wild deer for dinner, and returned home ambling contentedly. Upon approaching, the horses began to struggle and cry out, but Little Black, clever and knowing these horses belonged to his master’s teacher, recognized them as “his people.” As the king of beasts, he also disdained to trouble them. Just as he was about to go inside, the curtain lifted and Li Mingyu and Li Xuanba came out.

Little Black, seeing Li Xuanba after many days, was affectionately excited. Raised by Xuanba since childhood, apart from Li Mingyu, he was closest to him. Trotting up, Little Black nuzzled Li Xuanba to show his affection. Li Xuanba stroked his head and neck, laughing, "Good Little Black, you've grown even bigger now—so majestic!"

Little Black loved being scratched and petted, closing his eyes in bliss and humming with pleasure.

Meanwhile, Li Mingyu calmed the warhorses, which, being well-trained, gradually quieted down when they sensed the beast meant no harm. Li Mingyu unfastened the colt’s reins. The colt, still young and untrained, had never seen such a beast and was too frightened to move. Li Mingyu half-dragged, half-pushed it before Little Black. He said, "Little Black, this will be my mount from now on. Its name is Te Lunsu, and it’s your little brother, so don’t bully it. If you scare it so much I can’t ride it, I’ll have to ride you into battle!"

Little Black, clever as he was, sometimes carried Mingyu around, but tigers are naturally proud and didn’t much like being ridden. Seeing a replacement had arrived, he was glad to be relieved of his mount duties. He turned his big head, sized up the colt, and licked it with his rough tongue.

The colt was nearly scared witless, trembling uncontrollably. When the beast licked it, it closed its eyes, resigned to its fate, its hind legs shaking so much it wet itself from fear.

Li Mingyu had to hold the colt’s neck, gently stroking it while whispering reassurances in its ear. After some time, the colt, realizing it wasn’t being eaten, opened its eyes and saw the beast gazing at it kindly. Animals are sensitive, and the colt, hearing its master’s voice and seeing the beast had no intention of harm, gradually calmed down. Gathering courage, it nuzzled Little Black, who licked it again in goodwill. The colt finally relaxed, rolled on the ground, exposing its soft belly. Little Black nudged its belly with his nose and then turned to urinate on the ground.

Eagerly, the colt rolled into Little Black’s urine, covering itself with the scent. Then it stood up and neighed cheerfully.

Little Black squinted, as if acknowledging his new little brother, and moved toward Li Mingyu, the colt following closely behind, head low, eyes gentle, step for step.

Li Mingyu watched thoughtfully. He’d seen wildlife documentaries and knew animals had their own ways of communicating. When the colt rolled and exposed its neck and belly—their most vulnerable parts—it was a sign of complete submission. Little Black’s urination signified acceptance of the newcomer; animal urine carries information like age, health, territory, and status, each with its unique scent. By rolling in Little Black’s urine, the colt was marked as his protégé—anyone who bullied it would have to answer to Little Black.