CHAPTER 410: CHAPTER 239: THE ART OF THE EMPEROR

Liang Run’s birthday gift for Zhao Yao arrived in the capital this morning, fortunately just in time for Zhao Yao’s birthday.

Zhao Yao finally got the golden eagle he had been thinking about. Liang Run wrote in the letter: This golden eagle was purchased from the Xiongnu Grassland and has already been tamed by a hawk trainer.

The feathers on the back of the golden eagle are black, but the feathers on its neck and wing edges are golden brown, and its eyes are also golden brown, very majestic and handsome.

Liang Run also mentioned in the letter: Since this golden eagle was tamed by the Xiongnu, it can currently only understand the Xiongnu language and not the Central Plains language. He believes that with Zhao Yao’s abilities, he should be able to make the golden eagle understand the Central Plains language soon.

Zhao Yao: "..."

Luckily, when his mother consort was learning the Xiongnu language, he learned a bit along with her. Although he wasn’t fluent in Xiongnu, he could speak a little.

Zhao Yao didn’t expect that his study of the Xiongnu language would come in handy so quickly, and it wasn’t for communicating with the Xiongnu people, but to communicate with the golden eagle from the Xiongnu Grassland.

This golden eagle had a Xiongnu name that Zhao Yao found both hard to remember and unpleasant to hear, so he directly renamed it "Xiao Jin."

Before coming to the capital, Xiao Jin heard from a group of sparrows that its new master could understand it, which turned out to be true.

On the Xiongnu Grassland, golden eagles, sea eagles, and other hawks, besides hunting, also delivered messages.

Before long, Zhao Yao got well-acquainted with Xiao Jin.

Xiao Jin was very intelligent and perceptive, already able to understand some Central Plains language.

In addition to Xiao Jin, Liang Run also had the escort agency send back other Xiongnu items, like Xiongnu ironware, bronze ware, silverware, etc.

These ironware and bronze ware items were everyday utensils, and although not as exquisitely made as those from the Central Plains, they had their own unique charm.

Zhao Yao took out a sword from a long brocade box, which was said to have been crafted by the best blacksmith of the Xiongnu, using the finest Xiongnu iron.

Liang Run mentioned in the letter that this sword could cut iron like mud. He also mentioned that Zhao Yao didn’t have a personal weapon yet, and this sword was perfect for him to carry.

Weren’t the Xiongnu fond of knives, especially curved knives? How would they craft the long swords used by the Central Plains people?

Liang Run wrote in the letter that the Xiongnu were very fond of things from the Central Plains, and many of the weapons carried by the Xiongnu resembled those of the Central Plains style.

Zhao Yao deliberately pulled out a few strands of his own hair and blew them onto the sword, and indeed, the hair was instantly cut.

This was quite a surprise for Zhao Yao, as he hadn’t expected the long sword crafted by the Xiongnu to be so sharp.

For six-year-old Zhao Yao, this long sword was a bit large, and it would take a few more years for him to be suitable to use it.

Liang Run also gave Zhao Yao a dagger. This dagger was only five inches long and extremely delicate. It was crafted by the best blacksmith of the Wusun and had a wolf howling at the moon carved onto it.

When Liang Run saw this dagger in a Wusun jewelry store, he immediately felt it suited Zhao Yao perfectly and purchased it without hesitation.

This dagger was also exceedingly sharp, achieving the same effect of cutting hair instantly.

Zhao Yao liked this small, exquisite dagger very much and immediately tucked it into his chest.

Liang Run also sent two bows and arrows to Zhao Yao. One set was suitable for the young Zhao Yao, and the other set was for when Zhao Yao grew up.

These two bows and arrows also came from the Xiongnu Grassland. They were said to have been used by the most elite Xiongnu cavalry.

Zhao Yao picked up the smaller set of bows and arrows to try and found it not much better than the ones from the Great Zhou.

Liang Run also bought some exotic items from the Western Regions for Zhao Yao, and many pieces of jewelry. The jewelry from the Western Regions wasn’t as exquisite as those from the Great Zhou, and thus weren’t very expensive.

Previously, Liang Run had the escort agency send back many items, which sold very well in the capital. The goods from the Western Regions were considered very novel and interesting by the people of the capital.

Last month, the cows, horses, and sheep sent back were kept at Dahua Village Manor and the Royal Villa awarded to Zhao Yao by the emperor. Unexpectedly, Liang Run sent another batch of cows, horses, and sheep this time. Among them was a black steed, a descendant of a Wusun horse and a Ferghana horse.

Liang Run hadn’t yet managed to purchase a pure Ferghana horse, but he did buy descendants of the Ferghana horse and other horses.

This horse was specially bought with a large sum to give to Zhao Yao as a birthday gift. Liang Run said that for the time being, Zhao Yao would have to make do with riding the descendant of the Ferghana horse and the Wusun horse. Once he got a Ferghana horse, he would personally ride it back to gift it to Zhao Yao.