The Red Chamber: Starting from Saving Xue Baochai

Chapter 53 The much-anticipated contest

On top of the viewing platform.

The Minister of War Yu Qian reported the request of Shen Yuan and other two to Emperor Yuanzhen.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuanzhen's expression did not change at all. He said thoughtfully, "My dear minister, what do you think?"

Yu Qian did not like forming factions and had always followed the emperor's wishes, so he said, "I think we can grant his request. On the one hand, it can further demonstrate the bravery of the men of our Great Zhou, and on the other hand, it can inspire other warriors to work hard and forge ahead."

Emperor Yuanzhen nodded, and then glanced at the accompanying civil and military officials, and said in a clear voice: "What are your opinions? Please speak up."

After a moment of silence, Zhou Xian, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate. There is no order without rules. Since there are already established rules, how can we change them at will? If so, wouldn't the etiquette system be meaningless? In the future, it will only lead to more challenges to the etiquette and even affect the foundation of the country."

Zhou Xian was an official from the same faction as Yang Yanzhi, the chief minister of the cabinet, and the second-in-command of Yang's party. He was a master of rites and laws, and was extremely protective of the legal system of the Great Zhou Dynasty. However, he was too stubborn and conservative, and would often raise issues of national importance over trivial matters.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuanzhen's eyes fixed, but he did not respond. Instead, he looked at Feng Tang and asked, "What does General Feng think?"

"Since you have joined the army, you should not be afraid of fighting. If you are hesitant about everything, how can you fight bravely on the battlefield in the future? I think you should agree to my son's request." Feng Tang was open-minded and upright.

"General Shenwu is right. If we don't fight, what's the point of learning martial arts? If one day the Jianlu attack the Shenjing City, will you negotiate etiquette with those Jurchen barbarians?" Beijing Prince Shui Rong said, glancing at Zhou Xian with contempt.

Although he had a feud with the emperor in the past, he would definitely stand on the side of the military generals in the dispute between civil and military affairs.

Emperor Yuanzhen said in a deep voice: "In this case, let's grant his request."

The Minister of Rites Zhou Xian wanted to make some further suggestions, but was stopped by the Prime Minister Yang Yanzhi, who felt that there was no need to offend the emperor on this matter.

The fourth prince Gao Yue, who stood behind Emperor Yuanzhen, did not say a word from beginning to end, because he already knew what Shen Yuan and the other two were thinking, and he had informed his father in advance.

The emperor is here in person today, on the one hand to build momentum for the military examination, and on the other hand to prevent anyone from obstructing it.

Soon, the Minister of War Yu Qian announced that he agreed to allow Shen Yuan and the other two to play an extra game, and negotiated new rules.

The new rules are very simple. Archery on horseback starts from eighty steps, and increases by ten steps for each arrow shot until the winner is determined.

This rule was first announced in the parade ground, and then notified to tens of thousands of people outside the garden through the people of Hanmo Zhai.

After hearing the news, the crowd outside the martial arts garden suddenly fell into noisy discussions.

"Why start from eighty steps?"

"Can anyone who knows explain it?"

"Because during the Jinling Autumn Examination, Shen Yuan and Jiang Fan started at 80 steps on horseback. Half a year has passed, so they can't be worse than before, right?"

"I see. Do you think Feng Ziying will not be able to hit the target even at 80 steps?"

"Impossible. How do you think Hanmozhai came to the conclusion that Feng Ziying and Shen Yuan are on the same level?"

"Then who can know?"

"He must be someone from Hanmozhai, and he has witnessed Mr. Feng's archery range in private."

"Brother, what you said makes sense."

"Hearing this, I am looking forward to every arrow that comes next!"

"Me too!"

Obviously, Shen Yuan and the other two have become the focus of everyone inside and outside the venue. The entire Shenjing City is watching their every move.

Amid the crowd, Ying'er returned to Rongguo Mansion again and brought the latest news back to Baochai and the others.

There was a handsome young man beside Hongyao, who was staring at the entrance of the martial arts garden with a focused expression, his bright eyes full of anticipation.

This person was Jiang Qiuer, who was wearing men's clothes. She was alone at home and couldn't wait, so she changed into men's clothes and came to watch the scene.

"Miss, do you think that Master and Master Shen can beat Feng Ziying?" Hongyao asked Qiu'er beside her. "My brother may be able to win, but Brother Shen will definitely win." Qiu'er was full of confidence in her lover, but she was not optimistic about her brother.

While the two were talking, someone from Hanmo Zhai walked out of the garden, and the crowd instantly quieted down.

Soon, the news came: "Shen Yuan, Feng Ziying, and Jiang Fan, all hit the bull's eye at 80 steps on horseback, and every arrow hit its target!"

"call"

Even though they were mentally prepared, tens of thousands of people still cried out in surprise.

"Come on! It's worth my wait today. This is what a warrior should do!"

"That's what we should do!"

"Forget it, wait for the next life."

"Hahaha"

In the martial arts park, the martial arts candidates watching on the training ground also cheered, shouted and cheered one after another.

There were scholars from Jinling who felt the atmosphere on the scene and were extremely excited, as if they had returned to Yingtian Prefecture half a year ago.

The emperor is here in person and the whole city is paying attention. The situation today is a hundred times better than before!
In the stands, civil and military officials were staring intently at the three people and three horses in the parade ground, with mixed thoughts in their minds.

Emperor Yuanzhen's eyes were basically fixed on the young man in blue, as if this man was the only hope for the revival of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and he hoped that he would not be disappointed.

The second round of archery on horseback from ninety steps away was already underway.

Shen Yuan and his companions are now using 2.2 stone bows, which were specially prepared in advance.

He drove his horse at full speed, galloped out, drew his bow horizontally with his arm, and pulled the string like a full moon. After aiming for a few breaths, he suddenly let go, and the bowstring vibrated with a sound like thunder.
"Shh! Shh! Shh!"

Three people shot three arrows at the same time. The sharp arrows broke through the air and spun rapidly.

"Zheng! Zheng! Zheng!"

The three arrows seemed to have a tacit understanding and hit the bull's eye at the same time, and the clanging sound lasted for a long time.

"Good! Good!"

In the stands, Beijing Wang Shuirong's fair face was flushed, and he clapped and cheered, his heart was filled with excitement.

This young prince is a rare man of character among the descendants of military merit, the four kings and eight dukes. He does not show much of a dandy character.

Emperor Yuanzhen was also pleased, with a rare smile on his face, and asked the mighty general Feng Tang beside him: "When you were at your peak, how far were you in horseback archery?"

Feng Tang stroked his beard and said calmly: "Your Majesty, when I was middle-aged, I shot the target from a distance of 110 steps."

"One hundred and ten steps?" Emperor Yuanzhen pondered, "Is this the longest record in the history of our Great Zhou?"

"It was so after the founding of the country. As for before the founding of the country," Shui Rong replied, "When my great-grandfather followed Emperor Taizu in his campaigns, he once rode and shot an arrow to kill an enemy at a distance of 120 steps."

Emperor Yuanzhen was silent for a moment, then said in a clear voice: "Your ancestors with military merits are indeed rare heroes."

He admired the military exploits of the founding of the country, but now things have changed and each generation is inferior to the previous one.
While they were talking, thunderous applause was heard again on the training ground.
The third round of horse archery has ended. In the 100-step horse archery, three arrows still hit the target.

But the gap has begun to emerge in this round.

Shen Yuan and Feng Ziying remained steady and hit the target.

However, Jiang Fan's arrow had deviated from the center of the target and hit the upper right corner.

Outside the martial arts garden, Jiang Qiuer, who had heard the news, could not help but sigh and murmured, "This should be my brother's limit."

Even though she felt sorry for her brother, the girl still had unwavering faith in Shen Lang.
(End of this chapter)