Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Useless things.
Outside the window, a bright moon hangs on the treetops, and the candles in the room are still lit.
Xie Tingyu sat cross-legged on the couch, polishing a shiny horizontal sword. She had made this sword at a blacksmith's shop when she accompanied Wang Qiwu back from the riverbank.
Xie Tingyu's eyes were reflected on the cold blade. She lowered her head and stared at it for a long time. According to her usual habit, she took out a piece of red silk and wrapped it around the handle of the knife again and again.
"Madam." A figure was reflected on the door.
"What is it?"
Pushing open the door, the person who came in was Wei Fenghua. He handed over a piece of paper with both hands. In the middle of the paper, inscribed in thin gold script, were the five large characters "Xie Tingyu's personal letter."
Xie Tingyu took it, unfolded it, glanced at it briefly, and then tossed it onto the couch, returning to polishing the blade. "Yuan Wangshu asked me to go to the martial arts arena on the outskirts of the city in three days. He said there would be a competition there, and all the women in Jiankang who knew how to ride and shoot would be there."
She stood up and hung her knife on the ebony knife rack on the wall. "Prepare a few sets of clothes for me tomorrow: riding clothes, pajamas, casual clothes, etc. I'm living in a farmhouse on the outskirts of the city. I won't be returning to the city for a while."
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The competition that Yuan Wangshu invited Xie Tingyu to participate in was called Cuju Chuanyang.
Back in the early days of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu, though renowned for his naval prowess, placed particular emphasis on horseback archery. He commanded three thousand elite cavalry in black armor to a decisive victory at the mouth of the Qinhuai River, laying the foundation for the founding of the dynasty.
Emperor Gaozu had a giant longbow in his hand, and he specially ordered craftsmen to develop an arrow with four carved feathers on the tail. This was the world-famous Four-Feather Arrow.
Compared with ordinary double-feathered arrows, these four-feathered arrows encounter less air resistance when breaking through the wind, and their flight trajectory is as stable as a rock. However, the arm strength required to draw the bow is beyond the reach of ordinary warriors.
In those days, when Emperor Gaozu personally led the army to fight, he once rode alone into the enemy camp and fired three arrows in succession, each of which pierced the throat and nailed three enemy vanguard generals off their horses, which greatly boosted our morale.
Today, the four arrows and the longbow are kept intact in the imperial palace. They are taken out during annual sacrifices for future generations to admire, and also to remind future generations not to forget the foundation of the country.
It can be said that the Great Zhou was founded on horseback riding and archery, and the ladies from aristocratic families took pride in their proficiency in archery and horse riding.
Moreover, Emperor Gaozu was not only good at riding and shooting, but was also obsessed with playing polo.
In order to please the emperor, the subordinates catered to his interests and combined polo and horseback archery into one, creating a new way of playing the game called "Cuju Chuanyang".
This proposal was highly appreciated by Emperor Gaozu, who not only incorporated this method into the army's riding and archery training, but also made it an important examination system for selecting noble ladies from aristocratic families to enter the Sirong Mansion and join the cavalry battalion.
Three days later, the sky was clear and the air was crisp. There were gusts of wind on the martial arts field, and the colorful flags planted on the grass fluttered in the wind. When Xie Tingyu arrived on horseback, many women in brocade riding uniforms had already gathered at the edge of the field.
Xie Tingyu just reined in his horse and looked into the distance. He felt that today's scene was much more lively than the last time at Qingliang Mountain Villa.
After all, today, the Protector General of the Military Affairs Office, Huan Zhanyue, was in attendance. This person was the mother of Huan Zheying, the Commander-in-Chief of the Jinwu Guard, and a renowned general personally appointed by the late Emperor as General Dingyuan during the Northern Expedition against the Xianbei.
The ladies present all wanted to show off their riding and archery skills in front of the general.
When Xie Tingyu came this morning, he heard Cen Xiu say this and could only sigh, remembering that she had once laughed at Huan Zhanyue's crude archery skills to his face, and now he had to rely on others' appreciation.
It really proves the saying that things change over time.
In the center of the martial arts arena stood a wide lawn, flanked on either side by a colorfully painted gate, each with a moon-shaped hole carved into its center. Above the lintels were wooden platforms, each with a suspended target.
After riding a horse and hitting the ball, the ladies will get basic points. After scoring a goal, they can get extra points by shooting at the hanging target with a bow.
The most exciting part of the competition was undoubtedly the wooden kite segment. Once the mechanical wooden kite was thrown into the air, it would spread its wings and soar upwards, becoming a perfect target for testing the women's overhead shooting skills.
Playing polo is an exciting and dangerous game. It not only tests women's horse-riding skills and waist and abdominal strength, but now it is combined with archery, which can also test women's real skills such as turning around and shooting, and shooting from the saddle, which is really a two-pronged approach.
The game is divided into two halves, each half lasting half an hour. Each team consists of three people, and teammates are determined by drawing lots.
Xie Tingyu picked up the fortune stick and shook it, and got thirteen.
The referee took one look and sang out, "Xie Tingyu of the Xie family of Chenjun and Wang Lanzhi of the Wang family of Langya are riding together."
Xie Tingyu nodded, then turned his horse and galloped towards Wang Lanzhi.
Wang Lanzhi had already reined in her horse and was waiting. Seeing this, she smiled. "What a coincidence! Being on your team is like adding wings to a tiger. I'm sure the first prize in this competition will go to our horse." She looked Xie Tingyu up and down. "You're dressed quite smartly today. It's a pity there aren't any men watching. If there were, I'm afraid we'd be collecting sachets like crazy after the race."
Xie Tingyu was wearing a moon-white riding suit today, with flowing cloud patterns embroidered with silver thread faintly visible on the cuffs and collar. His black hair, which used to be loose, was now all tied up, revealing his smooth neck.
Wang Lanzhi was still wearing a crimson riding suit and her ponytail was tied up in a high ponytail with a jade button.
The two of them, one plain and one gorgeous, are like red plum blossoms standing side by side in the snow.
Xie Tingyu was quite surprised to see Wang Lanzhi. "Haven't you already been in the Sirong Mansion? Why are you showing up in front of Huan Zhanyue... ahem... I mean, why are you showing up in front of General Huan?"
Wang Lanzhi grinned: "If you're bored, it's not a bad idea to come and have some fun."
Before he finished speaking, Wang Lanzhi saw something, his face changed, and he blurted out "Be careful!"
Xie Tingyu only felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, and heard the rustling sound of wind in her ears, as if something hard was tearing through the air and attacking her from behind.
In a flash, Xie Tingyu's expression remained unchanged, and he didn't even turn his head. He just tilted his head slightly, and the polo ball wrapped in the strong wind brushed past his shoulder.
Wang Lanzhi finally breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at the man behind Xie Tingyu with a cold expression and said in a cold voice, "Yuan Wangshu!"
Xie Tingyu pulled the reins, and Step Moon Zhui immediately understood, turning around to face Yuan Wangshu, who was approaching slowly. The man held a moon staff in his hand, a smile on his lips, and rode slowly towards him.
Yuan Wangshu seemed completely unconcerned and laughed heartily, "It's not that I'm not injured, Wang Lanzhi, so why are you so nervous? Don't you agree, Xie Er? I still remember your horseback archery skills in the market that day, but I'm just playing a little joke on you, you shouldn't mind, right?"
Xie Tingyu smiled slightly, "I really don't mind."
Yuan Wangshu sighed, "Xie Er is such a great archer and rider. I'm sure he'll be able to outshine General Huan. We'll be left far behind." She then looked at Wang Lanzhi, "Xie Er is so handsome and heroic. It's no surprise that Wang Lang has such a fondness for you."
Wang Lanzhi still had a stern face and did not reply.
Xie Tingyu said, "There are as many ladies in Jiankang who are skilled in riding and shooting as there are nobles across the river. I may not be able to come out on top. However, as for Wang Lang, please be careful with your words, Madam Yuan. My son's reputation is important. He and I are just friends of gentlemen."
Yuan Wangshu clapped his hands and smiled. "That's right." She leaned forward and said, "Ever since Xie Er was taken to the Jinwu Guard prison that day, I've often felt bad about it. How about we add a prize today? If your rider wins, I'll give you five handsome men, all of whom are good at reciting poems, painting, and caring for others. Men, after all, it's good to have them as a plaything to add to their fun."
After saying this, Yuan Wangshu nudged Xie Tingyu with his elbow, "I heard that Xie Er has been practicing hard in Shangqing Monastery since he was a child. I'm sure the service of these five beauties will make you feel like you are in a fairyland, a unique experience."
Xie Tingyu looked at her and said, "Ah... that's fine. If you win, I will..."
"How about giving me the horse you're riding?" Yuan Wangshu pulled the reins, circled around Xie Tingyu, and looked at Stepping Moon. "Your horse's hooves tread on the snow, its chest like a phoenix, its mane like a dragon. It's a rare and fine horse from the Western Regions. I like it very much."
According to the current market conditions, this horse would cost at least a thousand taels of gold. No matter how you calculate it, it is much more valuable than giving away five beauties.
Xie Tingyu gently stroked the Moon-Stepping Horse's mane. "You're really brave enough to ask for it. Otherwise, if you lose, you'll have to bark like a dog in front of me. I can still give you the Moon-Stepping Horse." He raised his eyes and smiled slightly. "Do you dare to accept it?"
When Yuan Wangshu heard the word "dog barking", his expression turned pale and he gritted his teeth. "Of course I dare to answer. Then we'll see the truth at the venue."
Wang Lanzhi watched Yuan Wangshu's receding figure and warned him, "This person appears to be a lady, but is actually a villain. You must be careful when you go on stage."
Xie Tingyu: "I know." She pulled the horn bow on her back, "It doesn't matter. When the water comes, we can block it with earth. When the enemy comes, we will meet him. I will know how to deal with it when the time comes."
While the two were talking, they suddenly heard someone say, "General Huan Zhanyue is here," and they looked in the direction the voice came from.
A rather large figure in tight clothes leaned halfway out of a plain carriage. Over a decade later, his appearance hadn't changed much, though he seemed to have acquired a more dignified air.
Huan Zhanyue jumped off the cart, picking up the girl by the collar as if she were a chicken.
Cui Yuanying couldn't help but beg for mercy: "Auntie, auntie, please give me some face and let me go down."
Huan Zhanyue's husband and Cui Yuanying's biological father are brothers. According to this marriage relationship, Huan Zhanyue can be regarded as Cui Yuanying's aunt.
"Useless thing." Huan Zhanyue's hand loosened, a look of worry on his face. "It's time you started to make some progress. If your father hadn't sent me to the Music Bureau to arrest you, you might still be sleeping with some prostitute right now."
Cui Yuanying's face fell. "How dare I, Auntie." She rubbed the back of her neck and smiled awkwardly. "I really caught a cold a few days ago. I'm afraid of embarrassing myself so I won't come today."
Huan Zhanyue slapped Cui Yuanying on the back. "If you dare to flee from the battlefield today, that would be disgraceful." She looked out at the battlefield, thoughtfully saying, "Zheying said the other day that when there were thieves in the market, there was a young woman from the Xie family in Chen County who had been practicing Taoism since childhood, but she was able to capture the thieves with her bare hands. Look at her, a Taoist priest who can do that. And then look at you, you've had a famous teacher teach you horseback riding and archery since you were a child. Tsk tsk, you're really a loser."
"Aunt, who are you talking about? Mrs. Xie of Chen County, are you talking about Xie Tingyu?"
Cui Yuanying suddenly heard Xie Tingyu's name again. He turned his head and happened to meet the eyes of the most conspicuous moon-white figure in the distance.
Before Cui Yuanying could react, Huan Zhanyue grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and dragged her away. Cui Yuanying was powerless to resist, leaving two long trails on the grass.
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The author said: "Emperor Gaozu had a giant longbow in his hand, and he specially ordered craftsmen to develop an arrow with four carved feathers on the tail. This is the world-famous four-feather arrow." This is not original, and the inspiration comes from the historical Emperor Taizong of Tang.
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