Chapter 132: Whatever Pleases You

They thought Shen Shi did not know the Emperor...

Well, indeed, he shouldn't have known him. One grew up in Jinhua, while the other grew up deep within the imperial palace—how could they possibly know each other?

Not to mention the Emperor, even Cao Jinhua felt she had disguised herself so well that Shen Shi had no inkling of her true identity.

Alas! She was truly overthinking it. Putting aside Shen Shi's extraordinary gaze, Cao Jinhua had left behind far too many flaws: she casually boarded the Prince's official boat, and she hit it off famously with the Princess Consort...

How blind would someone have to be to believe that the Prince of Runan's Mansion would lower themselves to befriend a stranger and let her run amok?

Naturally, having that pair of eyes made things even more convenient, allowing him to pierce through Zhao Zhen's identity at a single glance. Although the imperial dragon aura surrounding him was rather mediocre, that was merely limited by the overall geopolitical structure of the Song Dynasty; the dragon aura itself was genuine. Therefore, Shen Shi naturally knew precisely who he was.

Outside the Bianjing city walls lay the Imperial Stud Farm. Even without Zhao Zhen's invitation, Shen Shi had wanted to go and see just how exceptional his horses truly were. Believing his own horses were superior wasn't enough; they had to be compared to be proven. Thus, Zhao Zhen's invitation played right into his hands.

As the entourage advanced toward the stud farm, Chen Lin, Zhao Zhen's chief eunuch, subtly signaled his subordinates to move ahead.

What for?

First, since the Emperor was coming, advance notice had to be given. Zhao Zhen had never actually visited the imperial stud farm himself; whenever he needed horses, others would lead them over, and it was unheard of for him to go and select them personally. Furthermore, the officials in charge of breeding horses held lowly ranks and lacked the qualifications to attend imperial court sessions. Thus, Zhao Zhen could not simply rely on his face for recognition.

Moreover, he was traveling incognito this time, without the imperial procession or banners. If they arrived at the stud farm and the staff failed to recognize him and refused entry, it would become quite a farce.

Secondly, the Emperor wished to keep his identity concealed, which meant the sign outside the stud farm had to be taken down.

Being a competent chief eunuch was truly an exhausting job.

Some things were better left unsaid.

Shen Shi saw this happening, yet he deliberately refrained from asking why that person had gone ahead for this very reason. Even when Chen Lin purposely arranged for Cao Jinhua and Zhao Zongjing to be separated from Shen Shi to prevent them from blowing the Emperor's cover, Shen Shi pretended not to notice.

Along the way, the conversation remained solely between Zhao Zhen and Shen Shi.

"The young master raises these horses exceptionally well. Do you have experts in horse breeding among your subordinates?"

"I wouldn't dare claim expertise. However..." Shen Shi casually pointed at one of his men and said, "You, speak."

When the Emperor posed a question, Shen Shi did not answer personally but instead ordered a subordinate to speak. This left Zhao Zhen's personal guards boiling with rage.

Yet Zhao Zhen did not take offense. He likewise reached out a hand, though instead of pointing at the man Shen Shi had designated, he mischievously pointed at another and said, "Fine! You, speak."

"Very well, you speak then." Zhao Zhen could not order about the retainers of the Shen family, but Shen Shi raised no objection and simply switched the person.

Since he was putting on airs to begin with, showing Zhao Zhen that his household was brimming with true experts in horse breeding was the goal. By having him randomly point at someone other than his designated expert—who then turned out to be equally skilled—the aura of superiority became even more profound.

If he had designated the expert himself, it would merely prove he had one talented individual. But with Zhao Zhen pointing at random and hitting another expert, it created the overwhelming impression that everyone in his household was a master.

With so many experts at hand, would Zhao Zhen be willing to let slip the opportunity to have the Shen family breed horses for him?

"Understood, Young Master." The Shen family retainer only bowed to Shen Shi and paid no heed to Zhao Zhen. Shen Shi remained silent—since you were the one putting on a show, my silence was merely helping you act it out.

"In assessing horses, look first to the eyes, then observe the square and rounded contours of the head and face. Judging horses without tracing their lineage is like a foolish person spreading groundless rumors. Eyes like hanging bells steeped in a purple hue, pupils like scattered beans must be distinctly clear. White threads running through the eyes foretell a journey of five leagues, while pupils born with five colors herald longevity. Facial wrinkles bearing patterns signify long life, burning bright like a blazing fire for forty springs. The whorl of hair atop the head rises higher than the eyes, the mane fine and delicate as ten thousand divided threads. A face stripped bare like a rabbit with ribs devoid of flesh, a nose shaped like a golden goblet above the feeding trough. Ears like willow leaves with bases thick as a grip, a neck long as a phoenix and crowing like a chicken. The mouth cleft deep with teeth set far back, the tongue like a drooping sword shaped in a lotus blossom. A mouth without dark spots ensures a long life, the lips like a hanging box closing evenly in two parts."

"Hiss—Could this, could this possibly be the renowned *Classic of Equine Appraisal by Bo Le*?"

Initially, no one believed Shen Shi's men could utter anything remarkable, but the moment the recitation began, they were utterly astounded.

They had never heard this rhymed ballad before. Those who accompanied Zhao Zhen could not all be professional horse judges, but they had thoroughly memorized the standard ballads of equine appraisal.

Among the eighty lines of seven-character verse just recited, not only could they verify its absolute accuracy on the spot, but certain phrases used numerical or metaphorical descriptions so profound that their exact meanings were difficult to define, requiring deep comprehension. As for the descriptions linking coat colors to fortune and misfortune, it filled them with even greater awe.

Of course, this ballad was by no means the ancient *Classic of Equine Appraisal by Bo Le*.

According to incomplete statistics, there were thirty-two classic works and over a hundred volumes on horse breeding, appraisal, and veterinary medicine recorded in historical bibliographies alone. Regrettably, most of these precious experiences accumulated and summarized by ancient sages, including the most famous *Classic of Equine Appraisal by Bo Le*, had long been lost. What Shen Shi knew was actually a Ming Dynasty adaptation renamed the *Song of Precious Gold*, which was a commonly used ballad among later generations of horse breeders.

It would have been utterly impossible for people of the Song Dynasty to know a Ming Dynasty ballad.

Yet since they mistook it for the *Classic of Equine Appraisal by Bo Le*, the prestige and aura surrounding it rose by yet another notch. Shen Shi neither confirmed nor denied it.

While they were speaking, the imperial stud farm came into view.

The sign had already been taken down, and horse grooms were waiting eagerly to serve them. Technical officials of this sort were merely practitioners of "crafty skills and ingenious arts," far from being regarded as true talents. Regardless of which official or relative of an official came, they were expected to cater to them.

The Imperial Stud Farm only sounded prestigious by name. Much like the imperial armies of the Great Song, countless officials treated them as mere domestic servants.

Thus, when the imperial guards flashed their tokens, the grooms complied instantly, playing along with the act by saying, "Our stud farm is open to the public. Five strings of cash per person per visit. If you wish to select higher-grade purebred horses or receive professional instruction, those will be charged separately."

Hiss—such a pitch sounded precisely like merchants running a business.

"Very well, pay them." Zhao Zhen waved his hand grandly and settled the bill.

Shen Shi watched from the side, the corners of his eyes twitching uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Zhao Zhen smiled triumphantly and said, "Young master, what is the matter? Commerce in the capital is thriving, and moreover, what they are doing can be considered contributing to the country. The Liao Dynasty possesses vast hordes of battle horses, numbering in the tens or hundreds of thousands. As citizens of the Great Song, we are irreconcilable enemies with the Liao; with national animosity and deep-seated hatred between us, even though the two nations are not locked in total war, Liao soldiers pillage and plunder our borders almost every year! They treat the people of the Great Song like leeks, harvesting us crop after crop! To be the lamb while others are the butchers—what a humiliation this is! When have the descendants of Huaxia and the Central Plains ever endured such disgrace?"

"Opening a stud farm like this to the public and allowing the common people to become familiar with horses is an act that benefits both the country and the people. It is truly a benevolent governance."

He had no idea whether this was official propaganda. At any rate, Shen Shi had heard similar rhetoric from Gongsun Ce, and now he was hearing it again from Zhao Zhen...

Very well! As long as Your Majesty is happy.

Besides, since you are so devoted to the country and the people, and I happen to have fine horses right here, would Your Majesty care to purchase some?

Everything was proceeding with such smooth perfection—so smooth that Zhao Zhen purchasing horses from the Shen family was now a foregone conclusion; otherwise, the words he had just spoken would be nothing more than hot air and a slap to his own face.