Ten contestants rode on warhorses, each wielding a different weapon. Most used swords and spears, but some used maces, hammers, clubs, and so on.
Regardless of the weapons they used, they stood in the center of the training ground, in front of and behind the horses, exuding an imposing presence.
In ancient times, many dynasties valued civil affairs over military affairs. This military examination held by the imperial court was entirely out of necessity.
If the Great Northern Dynasty hadn't been without generals to choose from, the court wouldn't have thought of holding this military examination. Therefore, there was no distinction between the top three scholars (状元, 榜眼, 探花) in this examination; they were all military candidates, only ranked in order.
After several rounds of competition, the final rankings were announced, and the winner was named Wei Jin.
The Wei family has always revered martial arts, and some of their ancestors were generals, so there is a reason why he achieved such good results in this martial arts examination.
Finally, the eldest prince announced the final results of the martial arts examination. In addition to the ten successful candidates, nearly a hundred contestants who had previously participated in the two-person boxing and footwork competition and horseback fighting would also be given important positions.
They are all promising talents. With more training and practical experience, they will surely find their place in the world.
The long-term martial arts examination has come to an end. This examination was of great significance, as it selected many martial arts talents for the Great Northern Dynasty, who will become an important force in protecting the Great Northern Dynasty in the future.
Just as everyone was about to leave, a warhorse galloped in, and everyone stopped to see who this person was and what important business he had come for.
The warhorse quickly arrived in the middle of the training ground. A man jumped off the warhorse and looked around.
The scene seemed to disappoint him greatly; judging from the situation, this person should have come to participate in the martial arts examination.
But he arrived too late; the exam had already ended, and he had no chance.
Since this person was also here to take the exam, even though he had missed the opportunity, there were still some things he needed to explain to him. With that in mind, Xiahou Fang walked towards the person.
Xiahou Fang sized him up. The man had a thin face and sharp features. He was in his twenties and, judging from his physique, he was a martial artist.
"Brave warrior, may I ask your esteemed name and what brings you here?"
The man did not speak, but walked up to Xiahou Fang and performed a Buddhist salute.
Xiahou Fang was taken aback. Could this person be a monk?
After performing the Buddhist ritual, the man removed the leather hat from his head. This time, everyone present could see clearly that he was indeed a monk, with the ordination scars on his head clearly visible.
However, by this time, he had grown some hair, and it looked like he hadn't shaved his head for a while.
"Your Honor, I am Wang Bingling, originally from Tangyin. I became a monk at a young age and have been living with my esteemed teacher, Elder Bowen."
Last year, the foreign invaders passed through Tangyin. When the foreign soldiers passed by the temple, they killed my master. I wanted to avenge my master. After killing many foreign soldiers, I was eventually outnumbered and fell off a cliff.
Fortunately, I survived the ordeal. After recovering from my injuries, I vowed to avenge my master. However, my master taught me that monks must not kill. In order to avenge my master, I had no choice but to return to secular life.
A few days ago, I received news that the imperial court was recruiting martial arts talents.
"This humble monk has practiced martial arts with my master since childhood and knows some skills. I came here to take the exam, seeking nothing more than to become a soldier and avenge my master."
So that's what happened. Xiahou Fang couldn't help but sigh. If what this person said was true, it showed that he was a kind and righteous person, worthy of respect.
But the martial arts examination was already over, and he had no other choice but to speak up:
“My brave sir, the military examination has ended, the results have been announced, and the emperor has been informed. I cannot allow you to participate in the examination.”
Wang Bingling was very disappointed. He looked around and saw that the spectators had left and some of the competition facilities on the training field were being dismantled.
It seems I'm indeed too late. The imperial court can't possibly hold another exam just for me.
With that thought in mind, he bowed to the crowd in a Buddhist gesture, mounted his warhorse, and prepared to leave.
Li Hui, who was standing next to him, saw everything that had just happened clearly.
At this time, Li Hui was out of favor in the capital and needed someone with high martial arts skills to work for him.
This Wang Bingling before him might be the person he was looking for. Thinking this, he stepped forward, stood before Wang Bingling, and said:
"Brave warrior, please wait. If you wish to fight for your country and avenge your master, you are not without a chance."
The imperial court's military examination this time is mainly to select martial arts talents. Although you missed this opportunity, there will be others in the future.
You can choose to serve in the army in the capital now. If you are truly capable, you can still become a general in the future.
Upon hearing this, Wang Bingling immediately became excited. He walked up to Li Hui, performed a Buddhist salute, and said:
"Thank you, examiner. This humble monk is willing to stay and serve as a soldier to fight for the country and avenge my master."
At this moment, Xiahou Fang walked over and said, "Wang Bingling, since you have followed the Crown Prince's advice, then stay and serve in the army. The garrison in the capital welcomes you."
Upon seeing that the incredibly ugly person before him was actually the First Prince, Wang Bingling quickly knelt down.
"I was blind and did not recognize the Crown Prince. Please forgive me."
Li Hui was very pleased with Wang Bingling's compliment and quickly stepped forward to help Wang Bingling up.
"Wang Zhuangshi, please don't be so polite. Please rise. I am very pleased that you are willing to stay and serve the country. However, we do not know how skilled you are in martial arts. Could you demonstrate it for us?"
In this way, the imperial court will also gain some understanding of you. The country is currently in need of capable people; if you truly possess great talent, you will certainly be given an important position.
Wang Bingling nodded, then looked around.
At this time, most of the competition facilities in the training ground had been dismantled, but there were still a few archery targets in the distance that had not been removed.
Wang Bingling didn't say much. He walked over to a soldier and asked him for a few arrows, then leaped onto his horse.
The warhorse galloped around the training ground like an arrow released from a bow.
As the warhorse sped past the target, Wang Bingling threw several arrows at the target, which was a hundred paces away.
Five targets were lined up in a row. Wang Bingling casually flicked five long arrows, which flew towards the targets and hit the bullseye every time.
This scene left those around him dumbfounded. After Wang Bingling's warhorse circled around, it returned to its original position. He dismounted, came to the crowd, and spoke.
"Esteemed examiners, I humbly offer my humble opinion."
It wasn't until then that everyone came to their senses. They looked at Wang Bingling with changed expressions, filled with nothing but admiration.
To be honest, an expert can tell a lot just by looking at their work; Wang Bingling's movements just now were executed flawlessly.
His horsemanship is beyond question, but his archery skills are unmatched. Without a bow, he can throw an arrow to hit the bullseye from a hundred paces away with his bare hands. The strength required for that is probably unmatched throughout history.
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