Since he had said that, without further delay, Zhang Shixun went into the kitchen and started working. After a short while, a large plate of steaming egg pancakes was placed on the stone table.
As they ate and chatted, Zhang Shixun said, "I'm going to take the exam in five days. I haven't prepared anything yet. I told you, I know nothing about archery or horsemanship."
"Don't worry about preparing anything. All the connections have been opened for you. You just need to walk around the courtyard of the Ministry of War and show your face. Don't worry about the rest." Gao Yanei patted his chest and said arrogantly.
"Ministry of War? Didn't you say the exam would be held locally?"
"Now that you have registered your household registration and are a legitimate Tokyo resident, of course you have to go to the Ministry of War."
"Oh! I see. If I pass the test, where should I go to take the next exam?"
"Then it's time for the provincial examination. The examiner will be at least a high-ranking official at the level of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards."
"Let's talk about the upcoming exam first. How will it be conducted in detail?" Of course Zhang Shixun had to ask for details. He was completely in the dark and had no idea what to do.
"I told you yesterday that you would take the archery and horsemanship test first."
"I know the exam is archery and horse riding. Please tell me in detail."
"Bow shooting, horse riding, and horseback weapon demonstrations." Gao Yanei said impatiently.
"That's all?"
"Of course that's all!"
Zhang Shixun grabbed him by the back of the neck, pulled him up, and said, "Will you die if you tell me more details?"
"Let me go! I told you I'm not good enough... You haven't even passed the military exam yet, and you're already acting like a soldier!" Gao Yanei pushed his hands away, straightened his collar, and said, "What's there to say about archery and horseback riding? Just draw your bow and shoot a few arrows to see how strong your bow is and how accurate your shots are. Then, ride on a horse and shoot a few more arrows... Do I need to explain this?"
"How many crossbow pulls are needed to pass? How many hits on the target are needed to pass... You haven't explained it clearly, so of course I have to ask."
"Why are you asking so much? I told you that you don't need to take the test. Just go to the Ministry of War and you'll pass."
"I still want to take the test." Of course Zhang Shixun wanted to take the test and take this opportunity to familiarize himself with the process of the Song Dynasty military examination.
"But you don't know how to shoot or ride a horse, so what's the point of taking the test?" Gao Yanei asked doubtfully.
“But I can learn.”
"There's only one month left, and you want to learn archery and horse riding? Are you kidding me?" Gao Yanei was almost amused by his anger.
"Although a month isn't enough time, it should be enough to learn the posture."
Gao Yanei looked at him like a fool, and after a long while he managed to utter, "You are really bored."
"Stop talking nonsense and tell me what it takes to pass!"
"I don't know the details, but I think you need to draw a slingshot on foot and a six- or seven-dug bow on horseback to pass... I don't know if you're stupid or smart. You could just go through the motions, but you insist on taking a test."
Zhang Shixun said, "If you pass without taking the test, people will definitely say your father cheated for personal gain."
"My father isn't afraid of what people say." Gao Yanei picked up a piece of cake and ate it while saying, "Many people say that my father is partial and corrupt. Some people also say that my father abuses his favor for personal gain and corrupts the military and government. But so what? My father has been sitting firmly in the position of Palace Commander for nearly twenty years."
"I know your father is very capable." Zhang Shixun also ate a piece of pancake and said, "How about this? First, find someone to teach me and see if I'm cut out for it. If I can pass the provincial exam, I'll take it. If I can't even pass, then forget it. What do you say?"
"All right, all right! Whatever you like."
"I'll leave this to you."
Gao Yanei readily agreed: "Come with me to Tianwu Army, there is a martial arts training ground and instructors there."
"Let's go." Zhang Shixun stood up.
"Leaving now?" Gao Yanei was a little caught off guard.
"Do it as soon as you say it. That's called sitting up and standing up." Zhang Shixun pulled Gao Yanei up from the stone bench.
"Wait, let me take the remaining cakes." Gao Yanei reached into his sleeve, took out a handkerchief, and wrapped up the remaining cakes on the plate.
"You are such a foodie." Zhang Shixun laughed.
Just as he was about to go out, Zhang Shixun felt a vibration in his ears and Wang Dong's portrait was flashing. It was him calling.
Zhang Shixun clicked on his avatar.
Wang Dong appeared on the screen: "I just heard you were going to practice archery."
Zhang Shixun glanced at Gao Yanei and replied to Wang Dong: "I have already turned off the sharing, how can you still hear it?"
"Did you forget? There are surveillance cameras in the front yard."
"Old Wang, are you sick? Why are you always spying on me?"
"I overheard it this time."
"All right."
"Come here, I have something good for you."
"What good stuff?"
"You'll know when you come and see."
There was no choice but to say hello to Zhang Shixun and Gao Yanei and walk towards the back.
Coming to the second floor at the back, Wang Dong kicked a wooden box at his feet and said, "Open it."
"What's inside?" Zhang Shixun opened the box and took a closer look at the contents. He was overjoyed. "Oh! A bow! How did you get this?"
Zhang Shixun took out the bow and looked at it happily.
"Since you're planning on becoming a military commander, you'll definitely need a handy bow." Wang Dong smiled upon seeing his ecstatic expression. "I specifically instructed the small factory inside the shuttle to make this bow for you. While it may appear similar to bows from this era, the difference is significant. It's a high-tech product."
"It's really hard for you." Zhang Shixun tried to pull the bowstring, but it didn't move.
Wang Dong walked over and pointed at the bow and said, "There's a button here, press it."
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