Chapter 80 Nan You will take you to the horse farm to relax.
The Spring Festival is held at the turn of spring and summer.
Its aim is to foster harmonious relations between nations, facilitate the exchange of goods and services, and promote international cooperation.
To foster neighborly friendship and learn from each other's strengths, the ancestors of various countries established a tradition of sending envoys to other countries every year to learn and compete. Each country sent its young talents to distant lands to compete in horsemanship, archery, swordsmanship, spear fighting, short sword fighting, calligraphy, painting, and literature. If a commoner could win first place in this competition, he could rise to great heights.
Slightly different from previous years, this year's competition includes "medical" elements.
The duty reports of border generals were scheduled around the New Year. Chen Liangyu rushed back to receive a reprimand, and thus did not wait for the other generals to return to Yongdu for the New Year, and returned to the northern border early.
At the end of spring, at the beginning of the Wanhe Festival, Chen Liangyu was summoned again and secretly returned to Yongdu from the northern border overnight.
Xie Wenjun arrived at Xuanping Marquis early in the morning, while Chen Liangyu's sword, which she had been practicing with that morning, was still sheathed.
Xie Wenjun said, "Come on, I'll take you to the South Garden Horse Ranch to relax. The Second Prince of Beiyong said there's a big prize to be won today."
"Making a mystery out of nothing."
Chen Liangyu scoffed at Zhai Ji and tossed the sword to a servant who was sweeping.
Bei Yong had no intention of attending the Wanhe Festival. Zhai Ji's Flood Dragon Qi Array was a test. When Lin Yin broke through the Flood Dragon Qi Array, the Emperor of Bei Yong knew that now was not the time for war.
While Chen Liangyu was concentrating on staying at home these past few days, the heroes from all sides were already fiercely competing on the field. "Today at the horse racing track, we are competing in riding and archery. Our Da Lin's riding and archery has always been unmatched. What's so interesting about this event?"
Xie Wenjun gave her a cryptic look, as if warning her not to be too confident. "The young archers are still undefeated, but Bei Yong has abandoned all the young competitors and placed all their bets on a few young children, desperately trying to outdo us."
Chen Liangyu said, "That's Zhai Ji's style."
Deceitful and opportunistic.
The stableman brought in two fine horses, adjusted their saddles and reins, and presented a draped veil.
Chen Liangyu fastened her hatband, pulled down her hoodie to cover her face, and chose the slightly taller horse.
Although Xie Wenjun was shorter than the other horse, the Xuanping Marquis's mansion used military horses, which were naturally taller and stronger than ordinary horses. Even though he was a few inches shorter, Xie Wenjun's forehead was only just level with the horse's back.
Chen Liangyu asked, "May I go?"
"Can."
Xie Wenjun raised his chin, stepped onto the horse with his feet in the stirrups, and gripped the reins tightly.
Chen Liangyu kicked off and mounted his horse, and the two of them sped through the streets and alleys like the wind.
Xie Wenjun said, "This horse's stamina is a bit worse than Red Mane's."
Chen Liangyu replied to her, "It's more than just a little bit different."
The red mane was obtained by Chen Liangyu when he was thirteen years old. He exchanged it for half a string of copper coins from a horse trading caravan in the northern border.
The selection process for military horses in the camp was extremely rigorous, and Chen Liangyu was particularly picky about her mounts. Horses came in batch after batch, but none of them met her standards. One day, a caravan passed through the area, and as they drove their horses, a sickly little red horse was the last to arrive, looking like it wouldn't last much longer before collapsing in the desolate desert.
Red manes rarely produce spirited horses; such horses are born to carry goods. But fate brought them together, and Chen Liangyu's eyes fell upon a red mane that hung like a pendant at the back of the herd.
When the caravan owner heard that she wanted to buy the sick horse to take back to the army camp, he kindly advised, "Young lady, you are blind. That horse is clearly not going to make it. Even if it is cured, it will be useless in the army. A horse of this size will pant after running a few steps and cannot carry people."
Chen Liangyu said, "I want it. Name your price."
The merchant pondered for a moment, then said, "If you want to keep it, young lady, just give me half a string of cash as compensation for the food I've fed it these past few days."
So Chen Liangyu used half a string of copper coins to acquire a magnificent red charcoal steed worth a thousand gold pieces. He cared for it meticulously for four months, sharing its food and lodging, and the soldiers watched in astounded the sickly foal as it was transformed into a fierce and powerful steed.
With the iron helmet on, he exudes an aura of power and majesty.
Whenever there was a major military event, horse racing, Hongzong always came out on top, outperforming her father Chen Yuanqing's Qingzong beast and her elder brother Chen Linjun's black dragon steed.
Although Red Mane is gentle in nature, it is extremely loyal to its master and understands human nature. Apart from Chen Liangyu, if anyone else tries to command it, it will not move an inch.
Redmane died in the Southern Continent.
In the year the rebellion was quelled in Nanzhou, along with Hong Zong, more than ninety brothers who had fought alongside Chen Liangyu through a sea of blood also died.
The person who caused all this, Liang Qiuting, the King of Nanzhou, is currently in the territory of Dalin, at the Nanyou Horse Ranch. And this is also the reason why Xie Yuan secretly summoned Chen Liangyu back to Yongdu.
Xie Wenjun had told her that the Emperor intended to reclaim the Southern Continent.
Chen Liangyu did not expect Liang Qiuting to dare to come; once he came, he would not return.
The streets of Shangyong City were filled with people dressed in foreign costumes, and the streets and alleys were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. The temple fair was also extremely lively.
Southern Garden.
The Royal Horse Ranch, located in the southern suburbs of Shangyong City, is a vast and fertile land with abundant grass and soil.
Chen Liangyu and Xie Wenjun rode to the East Gate. Xie Wenjun swung the dragon-head gold badge at his waist and rode straight in. The Taipusi official in charge of the register did not dare to stop him.
Entering through the East Gate, one is greeted by an endless expanse of grassland. In the distance, colorful flags flutter in the wind, solemn drumbeats can be heard, and galloping horses race across the plains.
Xie Wenjun adjusted the reins and steered the horse toward a mountain path.
The Nanyou Horse Ranch is backed by Dayu Mountain and surrounded by round hills on three sides. Due to its low-lying terrain, it is humid and warm all year round. Even now, in late autumn, it still looks like a summer scene with lush green grass.
The Milu River, flowing down from Dayu Mountain, passes through the eastern part of the horse farm. A Zhuque Bridge was built across the bridge, leading to the Nanyou Palace, a place for the royal family to rest during their travels.
They were in a side hall of the Southern Garden Palace, perched on the edge of a cliff.
After tying up the horse, looking down from the red railing, the view suddenly opened up, and the entire South Garden Horse Ranch was in full view, with the noise from the field clearly audible.
Chen Liangyu untied the ribbon and casually tossed the curtain onto the low table on the ground.
Xie Wenjun said, "This place was specially built by Father Emperor for Mother Empress. No one else has the opportunity to come up here."
Chen Liangyu smiled and said, "Then I will take advantage of Your Highness's good fortune today."
In the center of the horse ranch was a large open space enclosed by a fence. Outside the fence stood a tall, three-sided platform, crowded with bustling spectators. A slightly elevated seating area on the north side, called the Beast Taming Platform, was where the judge sat. A long, vermilion-colored pavilion built into the cliff face housed guests from all directions, while palace servants bustled about serving tea and refreshments.
The horse trainers, dressed in protective soft armor and wearing bronze helmets, rode on horseback, holding up straw targets with a red dot in the center, and moved about in an orderly manner.
The young prodigy, holding a large bow, also rode his horse, drew the bow, nocked the arrow, and released it, eliciting another round of exciting cheers.
Chen Liangyu leaned down and said, "Judging from their clothes, they're from Bei Yong?"
Xie Wenjun replied, "That's right. This year, Bu Qijun has really stole the show in horse archery. No one can gain the upper hand against him."
Chen Liangyu looked towards the pavilion across the way. In the middle of the pavilion sat a man in a golden python robe and red robe, with his hair wildly braided and decorated with colorful feathers at the ends. Who else could it be but her mortal enemy, Zhai Ji?
Looking to the right, one could see Liang Qiuting, the King of Nanzhou, who was currently dozing off with his chin resting on his hand, looking utterly useless. Chen Liangyu knew perfectly well that his pretense was all an act.
The remaining seats were for the Eastern Yin and the foreign tribes sandwiched between the three kingdoms: Kui Rong, Xi Mano, and Qiu Di.
Zhai Ji and Liang Qiuting noticed something at the same time and looked over in this direction together.
This side hall was only ten feet above the ground, heated by a central heating system, and the trees were quite lush, concealing Chen Liangyu and Xie Wenjun within it, with no one else visible on the opposite side.
Chen Liangyu glanced around, then returned his gaze to Bu Qijun, and asked, "Is this Zhai Ji's trump card?"
Xie Wenjun nodded slightly and said, "So, General Chen, what are your thoughts?"
"Commendable".
Xie Wenjun said, "I guess what you meant was, 'It's nothing special.'"
Chen Liangyu turned his back, leaned against the railing, and said, "No one understands me better than Your Highness."
People arrived from the depths of the woods behind the side hall's roof; it was unclear which family's lady had arranged to take a leisurely stroll.
It was deserted here, and people's voices could be clearly heard.
"It's supposed to be an exchange and discussion, but everyone's holding their breath. It's a matter of the Great Dynasty's reputation, so we can't let our guard down."
Another lady chimed in, saying, "That's right. We women see it as just children competing and have some fun, but they see it differently. They're all on edge. My husband even said, 'What is this? It's a battle between the strong and the weak.'"
After the voices at the rear had faded into the distance, Chen Liangyu and Xie Wenjun realized that the two of them had both held their breath and remained silent as if in a cold winter.
Chen Liangyu pressed his fist against the tip of his nose, trying to cover up the sudden increase in the atmosphere.
The reason is unknown, but it makes people blush and feel hot, just like lovers who are trying to hide their affair.
An affair?
Chen Liangyu was bewildered.
It's puzzling why this word came to mind out of nowhere.
She frantically searched for a place to distract herself, "Who is that child?"
Xie Wenjun followed her gaze to the side of the horse farm, where a young man in riding attire stood tall and focused intently on tuning his bow.
Bu Qijun dismounted, and the young man followed closely behind into the arena.
"Yue Zhengyang, the seventh son of the Marquis of Chengyang, is the only one among the children this year who can still compete with Bu Qijun. Everyone was hoping that the two of them could face off, and today their wish has finally come true."
Chen Liangyu said, "How come you have better access to information in the palace than I do outside?"
Xie Wenjun said, "Where is there a place with better information than the palace? Since I am trapped here, I have the officials copy down the progress of the competition and present it to me every day."
They arrived at an inopportune time; this was the last competition for the junior group.
Yue Zhengyang nimbly flipped onto the horse, and the horse immediately began to gallop. He put his hand behind his back, took an arrow from the quiver, and nocked the arrow with a vigorous and powerful gesture.
With a single shot, the arrowhead struck the bullseye, earning thunderous applause.
Chen Liangyu nodded approvingly: "He's a promising talent."
"interested in?"
"not much."
Amidst the laughter and conversation, several men wearing animal skin vests drove a heavy carriage pulled by four horses. The carriage was covered with black silk embroidered with the Northern Yong mark, and the sound of something hitting the iron railing could be faintly heard inside.
There seems to be a ferocious beast.
Xie Wenjun pointed it out to Chen Liangyu, "Look over there, the black cloth covering Zhai Ji's prize money."
Yue Zhengyang remained calm and composed, and his arrows continued to travel a steady path.
Chen Liangyu stared at the heavy-duty truck. "What kind of trouble is Zhai Ji up to now?"
Xie Wenjun said, "This is the show I wanted to show you. The treasury of Beiyong was severely overdrawn a few years ago, and now the granaries of various prefectures and counties are mostly empty. The treasure that the second prince of Beiyong offered as a prize is no small matter."
The black silk cloth was pulled off by several rough men. The smooth silk slid over the black iron cage and fluttered down, revealing the 'ferocious beast' inside.
It was a pure white horse[1] with hair as smooth as white satin, a strong muscular body, and sharp eyes. It was fiercely ramming the iron cage that imprisoned it.
Jade Lion!
A top-quality steed that exists only in legends, fierce and difficult to tame, a once-in-a-century find.
Many famous generals who loved horses dearly spent their entire lives searching for them but could not find them, and now they are presented to the world.
Chen Liangyu took a deep breath, finally abandoning his nonchalant attitude, and secretly rubbed his palms together.
Itchy hands.
On the field, Yue Zhengyang was about to release his last arrow when he was captivated by the jade lion. He was slightly distracted, and the arrowhead deviated by half an inch, grazing the edge of the grass target.
Chen Liangyu couldn't help but choke, "Zhai Ji hasn't improved at all over the years with these kinds of manipulative tricks; he's still the same petty person."
Yue Zhengyang walked out of the horse farm with his head down, not daring to look up at anyone. It was impossible to tell whether he was disappointed or guilty.
"Everyone!"
Zhai Ji, leaning on the edge of the pavilion, said in a loud voice: "Lin Dynasty is a land of outstanding people and beautiful scenery. I am very fortunate to have met so many heroes here. Bei Yong loves and cherishes talent. This jade lion is a gift for everyone. Whoever has the ability to tame it will not only be allowed to take the horse away, but also be treated as an honored guest when he comes to Bei Yong in the future."
The crowd erupted in a cacophony of voices, and the condemnations abruptly transformed into a discussion about the fine horse.
Liang Qiuting, who was standing to the side, glanced down and immediately perked up.
Whether it was a misperception or not, Zhai Ji seemed to glance at the tree blocking her view and smirked provocatively.
The high-pitched voices followed the bright yellow procession that snaked its way over like a long dragon, and the officials and their sons who were watching the competition immediately rose to greet the procession.
"Welcome, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
"Rise."
Xie Yuan dismounted his imperial horse and ascended the beast-taming platform. "I heard that the envoy from Beiyong has a treasure to present today. I've come to see what kind of treasure it is."
Zhai Ji clasped his hands to his chest and bowed, saying, "It is an honor to have His Majesty visit in person!"
The female attendant quickly removed the teacups from the table and replaced them with fresh tea and pastries.
Xie Yuan said, "No need for formalities. You have come from afar and are honored guests. Please forgive us if we have not been hospitable enough."
Kui Rong's leader, Kui Wu, immediately declared, his full beard obscuring his mouth, the hair around his mouth moving as he closed, making his lips and teeth invisible, "What are you saying, Emperor Zhongli? We are having a very pleasant time here."
Xie Yuan said, "As long as you're having fun. You can continue, don't spoil your enjoyment."
A young girl leaped up from her seat behind Zhai Ji. She wore a red embroidered short jacket with gold thread and a silver fox fur collar. Her hair was tied in a cute little braid. Before Zhai Ji could reply, she spoke up: "Your Majesty, my brother treasures this white horse. I have begged for many days, but he is unwilling to give it to me. Today in Da Lin, you have the final say. I beg you to do me a favor and ask that you let me take the lead. Is that alright?"
Zhai Ji lightly rebuked, "You must not be disrespectful to the Emperor."
After saying that, she turned to Xie Yuan and said, "Princess Zhai Yu of Bei Yong sends her greetings to the Emperor. This girl is used to being impolite, so please forgive her, Your Majesty."
Xie Yuan laughed heartily and said, "Granted!"
The girl skipped down the wooden steps with great joy.
The jade lion has been released into the horse farm and is leisurely grazing on the tender grass at the base of the wooden stakes.
The girl's knees and elbows were wrapped in thick protective gear. She grabbed a handful of hay and slowly approached the jade lion. The horse's nostrils flared with hot air as it sniffed the hay, then picked it up and chewed it. Taking advantage of this moment, she circled around to the side of the horse.
Chen Liangyu rested her arm on the railing, staring intently, and suddenly blurted out, "Beautiful."
It has a graceful figure, glossy fur, and strong, powerful thigh muscles.
This horse is wonderful!
It's really beautiful.
Xie Wenjun glanced at her, then looked at the bright and flamboyant young woman in the horse farm.
Seeing that she was not very interested, Chen Liangyu also sat down cross-legged.
Looking down through the vertical gaps in the railing, Zhai Yu had already seized the opportunity when the jade lion was off guard and suddenly mounted the horse's back. The powerful horse's front hooves suddenly leaped up, emitting a violent neigh.
Chen Liangyu said, "Truly a fine horse."
Xie Wenjun: "You mean a horse?"
Chen Liangyu: "Otherwise what?"
Xie Wenjun picked up a withered leaf and examined it closely. "That's a horse."
On the field, the jade lion ran wildly as if it had gone mad, roaring and trying to throw the rider off its back. No matter how Zhai Yu pulled on the reins, it was to no avail.
Xie Wenjun said, "If you really like it, then go down and give it a try."
"It's not the right time." Chen Liangyu found it uncomfortable to sit cross-legged, so he propped his elbows on the low table and crossed his legs.
Envoys from six directions, half of them enemies.
"It's better not to show your face in front of the civil and military officials, as it would put the emperor in a difficult position. Besides, people from Bei Yong, Dong Yin, and the Di tribes are all here. If I show my face, it will cause a huge mess."
As they were talking, their attention was drawn to the gasps of alarm from below.
As expected, Zhai Yu fell off her horse and didn't last even half an incense stick's time. She rolled several times on the dusty ground, getting covered in mud.
Zhai Yu tumbled several times before finally managing to kneel on one shoulder to steady herself. Without asking for help, she flicked her sleeve and dusted off the hem of her clothes.
Xie Yuan put down his cup and praised loudly, "Excellent! I have long heard that the women of Beiyong are brave and unrestrained. Today, having met the Fourteenth Princess, I can see that she truly deserves the title of peerless beauty."
Zhai Yu also called out, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I am but a humble woman, and cannot compare to the gentle and beautiful ladies of Yongdu. Your Majesty, please forgive my ignorance."
The Earl of Chengyang was quite dissatisfied with the fact that the Northern Yong envoy had tricked Yue Zhengyang into letting the arrow slip from his hand, and he was getting restless.
He stood up and called out to the pavilion in the corridor: "Princess, you are so valiant! Our dynasty has a female general who is also very famous. Princess Beiyong has some of her charm. It's a pity that she is not here today, otherwise I would definitely be able to have a match with you."
As soon as the words were spoken, the expressions of Bei Yong and his entourage all changed.
The Earl of Chengyang was not merely mentioning Chen Liangyu's name; his true sarcasm lay in the humiliation of Beiyong's past defeat.
Zhai Ji raised her eyes again and glanced at the side hall on the cliff where they were.
Zhai Yu remained unfazed and continued in a polite tone, "If such a person truly exists as this gentleman has said, I, as the princess, will certainly make the opportunity to get to know him."
Xie Yuan gave a look to the attending eunuch Zheng Hechuan. These people had served the emperor for a long time and were all shrewd; they could tell what the emperor meant with just a glance.
Zheng Hechuan, with a stooped back, strode quickly to the Earl of Chengyang and persuaded him to go back.
Xie Wenjun said, "This Earl of Chengyang, despite his advanced age, still can't keep his temper in check."
Chen Liangyu also said, "Well, now we can't show our faces even more, otherwise we'll be hacked to death."
Author's note: Raw horse: an untamed horse.
I initially planned to split the 6,000-word post into two chapters, but after revising and deleting some parts, I've combined it into one chapter. Enjoy reading!
I don't know what I'll write in the next chapter. Last time I was locked out nine times before I was released!! Nine times!! I wanted to spread my wings like a roc on the edge of death, but I chickened out.
Thank you for reading this far!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com