Chapter 1143: Unprecedented Air Cavalry Formation

Upon hearing Edmond’s report, Su Li felt a profound sense of relief; the territory’s commercial trade was truly taking shape, to the point that they could even trade Flying Horses.

With such trade, the pasture could engage in horse transactions. Leaving aside whether they could establish an ancient tea and horse route, constructing a trading system for spices and warhorses was definitely feasible.

After all, the Empire was indeed rich in warhorses, but severely lacking in spices.

Every territory capable of producing spices was extremely wealthy, rich beyond compare.

Hesse Territory was one of the few territories that could produce spices. Whether it was Hot Spring Town or Spice Corridor, both relied on Su Li’s intelligence for their development and the greatest opportunities. The vanilla in Hot Spring Town depended on the Healing Hot Spring, while Spice Corridor relied on the Rainbow Falls and Gem Pool.

These places akin to holy lands are very difficult for other territories to establish. After all, each holy land is formed through a combination of various opportunities and coincidences. For example, Rainbow Falls requires building a Pyramid Stone Monument at the top of the waterfall before an earthquake. Simply building the monument isn’t enough; its collapse direction during the waterflow must face the waterfall and shatter into many pieces.

Without guidance from intelligence, it’s extremely difficult for ordinary territories to coincidentally meet so many conditions simultaneously.

Edmond also emphasized reporting slightly on this aspect: “Lord, our achievements in improving horse breeds are also very significant. Through various methods such as trading and breeding, we’ve obtained over 100 Bloodmane Warhorses, including 47 mature horses and 62 foals.”

“Bloodmane Warhorses?” Su Li’s eyes sparkled, asking incredulously, “We already have over a hundred of this level of warhorses?”

Su Li remembered Edmond previously mentioned that these warhorses’ manes were usually blood-red, symbolizing the undefeated banner on the battlefield, commonly serving as mounts for Imperial Generals or Noble Lords, also known as Blood Banner Conquerors.

They were the best warhorses in the Old World. This was because a large region of the Empire was once a prosperous colony of the ancient Elf Empire; these warhorses were actually descendants of Elf warhorses. When Elf colonists abandoned the Old World and returned to the Elf Kingdom, many horse-rearing families left behind numerous Elf warhorses during retreat, while in other places, the Wood Elf ancestors also released groups of warhorses due to their forest lifestyle, roaming freely in Elf City ruins, and merging with local Forest Horses in grasslands and plains. These crossbreed descendants became the Empire’s Bloodmane Warhorses.

This new breed of horses is much larger than any horse in the Old World, stronger and more resilient. The only issue is their demanding requirement for lush grasslands and unrestrained pastures for growth.

Despite the enormous expenditure, when Imperial Knights begin riding these warhorses they discover that the horses are unfazed by the heavy armor, whereas Old World horses would be worn to death, yet they still gallop lightly and leap repeatedly, not to mention their calm demeanor in battle unlike ordinary warhorses that become terrified. Imperial Knights’ victories not only come from their own courage and martial arts but also from the warhorses’ merits.

According to the Empire’s regulations, only Elite Level knights are permitted to ride such noble warhorses, and only a lucky few trusted civilians can serve as grooms for these exceptionally noble horses. The Empire’s people view living in proximity with these noble warhorses as an honor. Grooms must find ways to ensure Bloodmane Warhorses are comfortable and joyful when breeding with local Forest Horses.

Edmond straightened his back, his voice steady and confident, “Yes, my lord. One hundred and nine. Forty-seven mature horses, sixty-two foals. This figure, without the [Warhorse Breeding] new regulations from the academy and Moonlight Alfalfa, wouldn’t even be conceivable.”

“The instructors at Griffin Academy have dissected and refined the horse-rearing matter,” he explained, his tone carrying belief in the new system, “Previously relying on nuns and old horsemen’s experiences, it was passed on orally, and the outcomes depended entirely on personal skill. Now it’s different; the academy developed the [Warhorse Breeding] system, conducting very detailed research on various magnificent warhorses.”

“They compiled a handbook—a thick parchment roll,” Edmond gestured, “covering everything clearly from controlling breeding seasons, care during a mare’s pregnancy, birth techniques, early foal training procedures, to how much and what kind of feed for different ages. Tried-and-true methods from old horsemen were recorded, validated, and then written into the procedures. Every caretaker of the Bloodmane Horses must learn this system from the academy instructors, pass assessments to obtain a certificate stamped with the academy’s wax seal, and only then can they enter the Bloodmane Horses’ stables and paddocks. This is called ‘following protocols’.”

“Moonlight Alfalfa is the foundation, Lord, that hasn’t changed.” He pointed to below the highlands, “But the academy’s regulations have maximized the effectiveness of this feed. When to feed fresh grass, when to feed dry hay, how to supplement before breeding, how to adjust during pregnancy, how to gradually add feed post-weaning for foals… everything follows the handbook. It’s no longer ‘almost enough will do,’ but ‘must be this way.’ When horses eat it, their bone and muscle grow faster and more evenly, the breeding success rate is high, the mares hold steady pregnancies, and foal survivability has improved. Previously a Bloodmane foal needed four or five years to mature for armor-bearing charges. Now? Three years! Their framework and endurance meet standards, and that’s the combined result of regulations and quality feed.