Chapter 62: The First Man to Ride Upon the Back of a Pegasus!

"Neigh! Clatter!"

Seeing yet another person enter the enclosure, the Crimson Lightning Fire Dragon Steed let out a sky-shaking whinny. It began to paw the ground violently with its front hoof, preparing to kick the intruder into the dirt.

It was supremely confident in its ability to do so!

Unfortunately, its calculation was off.

After entering the arena, Li Zhao did not charge forward to struggle or fight. Instead, he stood at a safe distance, waved his hands vigorously to show he held no ropes and harbored no ill intent, then proceeded unhurriedly to pull a piece of mung bean cake from his robes and began to munch on it with relish.

Where did he get mung bean cake? He had brought it himself!

Today was Li Zhao's first day at court. To avoid being late, he had risen at the third watch, left his home at the fourth, and stood in line at the palace gates by the fifth—he hadn't even had time for breakfast. Aunt Qing, feeling sorry for him, had prepared some pastries, wrapped them in oil paper, and tucked them into his robes so he could have a snack if he got hungry. There had been too many, and having not finished them all, they were now coming in handy.

On the other side, the Crimson Lightning Fire Dragon Steed stopped pawing the ground. It tilted its head, observing Li Zhao with a pair of bright, large eyes. Despite its towering, tiger-like ferocity, the steed was actually just over three years old—merely a growing youth by the standards of a Heavenly Horse.

Regardless of the species, young creatures share common traits: they are lively, bold, curious... and they love to sleep and eat! When they see others eating, they can't help but drool, and if they see something truly delicious, they become rooted to the spot. This was true for people, and it was true for horses as well.

*Whoosh... Plop!*

Li Zhao pulled out another piece of mung bean cake and tossed it far ahead, landing it right in front of the Fire Dragon Steed, as if inviting it to share the meal. The steed was wary, however. It looked at the distant Li Zhao, then at the cake, and promptly turned its head away, stepping aside—a picture of "I will not be tempted."

Li Zhao did not lose heart. He continued to eat his pastry, deliberately smacking his lips loudly. Aunt Qing’s craft was superb; the pastries were a delight to the senses. With such delicious food in front of them, even humans could barely resist, let alone a horse.

Sure enough, the Fire Dragon Steed hadn't walked far before it trotted back. It looked, it sniffed, it gave the cake a lick with its large tongue... and finally, it swallowed it in one gulp.

"Haha, a gluttonous fellow... I’ve got an opening."

Li Zhao tossed another mung bean cake twenty paces away. He threw a jujube cake ten paces away, and a sponge cake five paces away.

Meanwhile, Li Longji and his court officials had realized Li Zhao's intent and began to whisper among themselves.

"That little fellow, bringing so many pastries to court? Is he a reincarnated glutton?"

"Heh, even if he is a glutton, he’s a clever one. Using food to lure the Fire Dragon Steed is far better than trying to subdue it with brute force."

"Humph, the Fire Dragon Steed is fierce by nature. How could it be so easily lured? I fear once it finishes the cakes, it will give him a heavy kick, and he'll have lost his investment and his men alike."

"Someone, go and keep a close watch! If the situation turns sour, rescue Yulang immediately! And summon more imperial physicians—have the medicine for wounds ready!"

"As you command, Left Chancellor!"

The officials debated endlessly. Most did not think highly of Li Zhao's method; if a few pastries could tame the beast, the Tibetans would have done it long ago instead of sending it thousands of miles to the Great Tang. Left Chancellor Li Shizhi was particularly anxious, having his men prepared for an immediate rescue.

Back in the arena, lured by the delicious snacks, the Fire Dragon Steed moved closer and closer to Li Zhao until they were only a yard apart. Li Zhao pulled out one final piece of pastry, but this time, he did not throw it. He held it in his palm and walked forward slowly...

One step! Two steps! Three steps!

A miracle occurred. The Fire Dragon Steed did not erupt in violence, nor did it turn and flee. Instead, it locked eyes with Li Zhao for a moment, then stretched out its head to enjoy the treat. Horses are clever creatures; if you have no intention of harming them, they naturally have no intention of harming you. Of course, there was another important factor: Li Zhao possessed an innate ability to coexist peacefully with all kinds of animals, winning their affection and trust. Anyone else would have been kicked away long ago.

"Crimson, is the cake good? You’ve never had it before, have you? Want to have it every day? If so, how about you follow me from now on?"

As he fed the horse, Li Zhao gently stroked its body, from its head all the way to its tail. The steed whinnied a few times and continued to eat. The horse was covered in scars—whip marks, burn scars from branding irons, and puncture wounds from needles. It was clear the Tibetans had used cruel methods to try to break it. But the more brutal the methods, the more fierce the horse's resistance. A true king among horses would never bow to the lash; it would only yield to genuine friendship and selfless care.

"Crimson, let’s make a deal. I’ll give you three pieces of cake—how about you let me ride you for two laps?"

"Neigh!"

"No? How about five pieces?"

"Neigh!"

"Still no? Fine, I’ll go all out—ten pieces. Show me some respect, won't you?"

"Neigh!"

As he spoke, Li Zhao patted its back and vaulted onto it. Since there was no saddle, he could only cling on, wobbling from side to side. In this position, if the horse had been even slightly dissatisfied, it could have thrown him off and trampled him with ease.

But the unexpected happened: the Fire Dragon Steed did not buck. Instead, it trotted forward, carrying Li Zhao with a steady, firm gait, letting out joyful whinnies. Man and horse were in perfect harmony.

The Heavenly Horse runs like the wind and is as fierce as a tiger; it cannot be broken by human strength. The Heavenly Horse is unyielding and cannot be tamed by anyone. From ancient times to the present, countless records have stated this as an absolute truth. But today, that consensus was shattered. Li Zhao became the first man in history to mount the back of a Heavenly Horse.

"Victory! Victory! Victory!"

Thousands of spectators around the polo field, who had watched the entire process in stunned silence, suddenly erupted into a rhythmic, thunderous cheer.

Some might argue that Li Zhao only succeeded through petty tricks and didn't engage in a fierce battle, so what was there to cheer about? Well, the Art of War says: "The best policy is to attack the enemy's strategy; the next best is to disrupt his alliances; the next is to attack his army; the worst is to attack his cities." To the ancients, winning with wisdom was far superior to winning with brute force. Is that not why humanity is the master of all things—because we possess a brilliant mind?

But enough of that; back to the story!

After a few laps, Li Zhao leaped down and knelt before Li Longji, who stood at the highest point of the pavilion. "Reporting to Your Majesty, this subject has not failed his mission!"

"Haha! Yulang, well done! I shall reward you handsomely!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty. This subject does not ask for rank or wealth; I only desire one thing, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it."

"Oh? What is it that you desire?"

"I wish to have this Crimson Lightning Fire Dragon Steed. I humbly request your permission!"

Li Longji had promised that whoever could tame the steed and bring honor to the Great Tang would be promoted three ranks and gifted five thousand taels of gold. He had not expected Li Zhao to refuse the rank and gold and ask for the horse instead. Would Li Longji agree?

Truthfully, Li Longji was reluctant. Heavenly Horses were rare in this world, and he had wanted to ride it himself for a few laps—how majestic that would have been! But he reconsidered: the horse was too fierce, and his old bones probably lacked the strength to master it. Even if he kept it, it would only be a display piece.

Since that was the case, it would be better to bestow it upon Li Zhao. The young man would surely be overjoyed and remain all the more loyal to him.

With that thought, Li Longji nodded. "Very well, I grant your request. This Crimson Lightning Fire Dragon Steed is yours. I hope you will use it well to win glory for our Great Tang!"

"This subject thanks you for your divine grace! Long live Your Majesty, long live!"

"Haha!"

Following this, surrounded by his ministers, Li Longji returned to Xingqing Palace and took his seat upon the throne. As for the Crimson Lightning Fire Dragon Steed, someone was sent to deliver it to Li Zhao’s residence, so there is no need to dwell on that.

As for the Tibetan envoy, Zhasangbu, his face was green with frustration, and he felt a desperate urge to bang his head against a tree. He had thought that because the Fire Dragon Steed was as fierce as a tiger, no one in the Great Tang would be able to tame it. He had expected to take the horse back with him and humiliate the Tang monarch and his court, killing two birds with one stone!

He never imagined that the horse, which had bitten and kicked hundreds of Tibetan warriors, would be tamed by a mere youth of the Great Tang. The Tibetans had lost their Heavenly Horse and their dignity—what a disaster!

However, despite his frustration, Zhasangbu did not lose heart. He still had a second tribute, and he was certain he could regain his lost face with that.