Chapter 61: The Scarlet Lightning Fire-Dragon Steed!
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“Zasangbu, as far as I know, heavenly steeds gallop like the wind and possess immense strength, nearly impossible to capture by human means. Yet, I wonder how your country came to acquire this Scarlet Electric Fire Dragon foal?”
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“Your Majesty, it is quite a coincidence. Three years ago, the King of Little Bolu was cruel and greedy; over a trivial matter, he slaughtered more than ten of our Tibetan merchants and plundered their goods!
Outraged, our Great Zangpu mobilized tens of thousands of troops, swiftly conquered the capital of Little Bolu, executed their king, installed a wise ruler, and then triumphantly withdrew.
However, during the retreat, the army lost its way and inadvertently entered the territory of the Nine Clans of Zhaowu, arriving at the foot of the sacred mountain. There, they chanced upon several heavenly steeds grazing on the hillside.
Our tens of thousands of Tibetan warriors set an ambush on all sides, attempting to capture these heavenly steeds. Yet, the horses ran with lightning speed and were as fierce as tigers, breaking through the encirclement. Only one recently born foal, panicked and directionless, fell into our net and was captured alive.
We brought it back home and raised it with care, intending to present it to the Great Zangpu as a steed. But our Zangpu, believing heavenly steeds to be rare treasures and feeling unworthy, dared not ride it. Thus, he sent an envoy to Chang’an to present it to Your Majesty, hoping it pleases you.”
Zasangbu’s eloquence was impressive, recounting the origins of the Scarlet Electric Fire Dragon foal in great detail.
Meanwhile, the Tang emperor and his ministers wore grim expressions, nearly dripping with tension, for this was not merely about a horse but about national sovereignty.
Recall that in the fourteenth year of the Zhenguan reign, after the Tang Empire defeated the Western Turks, it successively subdued more than twenty rebellious small states—including Yanqi, Kucha, Shule, and Khotan—officially establishing the Anxi Protectorate to govern the vast Western Regions.
Nearby, numerous small states such as the Greater and Lesser Bolu, the Nine Clans of Zhaowu, and Tokhara all obediently paid tribute to the Tang.
Yet, since the Kaiyuan era, Tibetan power has been steadily rising, coveting the Western Regions. They seized the neighboring Greater and Lesser Bolu by force. As for the murdered merchants, that was merely an excuse fabricated by the Tibetans.
As for the army’s ‘accidental’ entry into the Nine Clans of Zhaowu’s territory, it was likely no accident but a deliberate display of strength!
This the Tang court knew well.
Only in recent years had the Tang been preoccupied with the northern nomads—the Turks, Khitans, and Kumo Xi—thus unable to attend to the Western Regions, allowing Tibet to gain ground.
Once the Tang Empire is free, it will undoubtedly reckon with Tibet. This too was clear to the Tang emperor and his ministers.
Moreover, heavenly steeds are exceedingly rare. Would the Great Zangpu give one to the Tang emperor without ulterior motives?
“Haha, these heavenly steeds are indeed magnificent but fierce as tigers. They have kicked many of our brave warriors. The Tang Empire, as the Celestial Empire, is renowned for its talented people—I suppose you can tame this heavenly steed, yes?”
As expected, Zasangbu spoke again. Though ostensibly praising the Tang, his words carried a veiled challenge.
If the Tang tames the steed, it confirms their celestial supremacy; if not... well, that would be telling!
“Hmph! Your envoy need not worry. Our Tang is blessed with abundant treasures and talented people. Taming a horse is no great feat!”
Faced with this provocation, Emperor Li Longji accepted the challenge and issued an edict: select warriors from the Longwu Army, the Imperial Guard, and the Jinwu Guard who are skilled in martial arts and horsemanship to attempt taming the Scarlet Electric Fire Dragon foal.
He further declared that whoever succeeded would bring honor to the Tang Empire, immediately earning a promotion of three ranks and a reward of five thousand taels of gold.
“Your Majesty, I volunteer to try!”
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“Very well, step forward!”
“As you command!”
With the generous reward, a brave man stepped forth—a roughly thirty-year-old robust and burly warrior with a rugged face, the chief equestrian instructor of the Longwu Army—Zhang Yue, nicknamed ‘Mighty Vajra’!
Then a Tibetan deputy envoy came forward, carefully unlocking the massive lock on the cage and quickly retreating.
“Whinny... clip-clop!”
The Scarlet Electric Fire Dragon foal, confined for many days, was now freed and immediately galloped wildly across the polo field, sometimes neighing to the sky, sometimes racing back and forth with the speed of a red lightning bolt!
The name ‘Heavenly Steed’ was well-deserved!
Meanwhile, Zhang Yue shed his long robe for a tight-fitting short shirt, took out a five to six-zhang long lasso made from braided wild buffalo hide—extremely sturdy—and wrapped one end around his waist for leverage.
He then stepped into the polo field but did not strike immediately; instead, he paced along the edges, observing.
After circling a few times and gaining a sense of the situation, Zhang Yue cautiously approached, seeking an opportunity.
“Whinny! Whinny!”
Sensing the approach and attempt to lasso him, the Scarlet Electric Fire Dragon foal became furious, pawing violently and then charging like lightning, opening its jaws to bite—it was no mere horse but fiercer than a tiger!
Zhang Yue, experienced, dodged at the last moment and threw the lasso with precision, catching the foal’s neck.
“Good... good!”
“Instructor Zhang... splendid work!”
Those skilled in horse taming know that lassoing the neck is halfway to success. Cheers and whistles erupted around.
Proud, Zhang Yue stepped back, tightened the lasso, braced his waist and arms, then pulled with a force of seven to eight hundred jin. An ordinary steed would have been toppled.
But not the fire dragon foal—it only roused its fury, neighing loudly, lifting its hooves high and charging forward with undiminished speed.
Zhang Yue’s hands cracked under the strain, and he tumbled to the ground, dragged back and forth by the lasso.
“Stop! Someone help!”
“Block the horse!”
Seeing the dire situation, a dozen Longwu soldiers rushed in to stop the foal, but it galloped too swiftly to be stopped.
Fortunately, a quick-witted soldier drew his long knife and severed the lasso, saving the severely injured Zhang Yue, who was unconscious and bleeding, and they rushed him to the imperial physician.
The mighty Vajra Zhang Yue, the Longwu Army’s top equestrian expert, was gravely wounded after just one round with the foal, leaving the onlookers exchanging uneasy glances.
Heavenly steeds, indeed, are not easy to handle!
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Yet, the greater the challenge, the greater the allure.
Next, eight more riders took their turn—experts from the Longwu Army and Jinwu Guard.
Regrettably, within an hour, all joined Zhang Yue in defeat. Two suffered internal injuries and coughed up blood, five had broken bones from kicks, and one had an eye crushed—writhing in agony and howling.
Faced with such grim results, no one dared step forward again.
“Haha!”
On the other side, Zasangbu and his attendants laughed heartily, utterly triumphant.
The Tang emperor and ministers’ faces were as dark as water, filled with resignation. Could it be that among tens of thousands of imperial troops, no one could tame this Scarlet Electric Fire Dragon foal?
Unable even to tame a wild horse, how could they claim celestial supremacy or command the respect of neighboring states?
“Your Majesty, I, unworthy though I am, volunteer to try.”
Before the words fell, a man emerged from the rear of the civil officials—none other than Li Zhao.
“This horse is extremely fierce and has already injured many. The young lord is still young and must not recklessly prove himself,” Li Longji shook his head.
The foal was so formidable that even robust warriors could do nothing—let alone a sixteen-year-old boy.
If he fought it, he might not survive.
Li Zhao was intelligent and capable; Li Longji intended to nurture him as a pillar of the state. It would be a shame to lose him here.
“Your Majesty, rest assured. I have my own plan. Even if I cannot tame the fire dragon foal, I will not harm myself.”
“Very well, you may try, but be extremely careful. If it fails, retreat immediately.”
“As you command!”
Seeing Li Zhao’s determination, Li Longji finally nodded. Perhaps this mischievous youth might give him a pleasant surprise!
After receiving the edict, Li Zhao walked toward the polo field. Someone offered him a new lasso and a protective soft armor, but he declined both.
Compared to fierce beasts and birds, humans have no sharp claws, no powerful bodies, no wings to soar. Yet, humans rule the world by two words: wisdom.
Likewise, to tame this Scarlet Electric Fire Dragon foal, brute strength alone will not suffice; wisdom must prevail!