Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 183 Li Hong learns archery
The news of Xue Rengui's great victory quickly spread throughout the court and the country.

Even in the harem, people were talking about his deeds, and the news even reached the East Palace.

That afternoon, the princes in Chongwenguan excitedly discussed this matter during their lunch break.

Li Yong came up to Xue Na with his bowl in hand and said excitedly, "Xue Na, tell me how your father practices archery so I can learn from him!"

Xue Na smiled innocently and said, "Just like everyone else, target practice!"

"No, there must be a trick, otherwise the Tiele people would not be frightened with just three arrows!" Li Yong said seriously, as if he had witnessed the scene with his own eyes.

Li Hongqi asked, "Third brother, what do you mean by three arrows that make you lose your courage?"

The news that reached Chongwenguan only said that Xue Rengui had won a victory, without any further details.

However, Li Yong had always instructed his attendants and palace servants that as long as there was any news about Xue Rengui, they must find out carefully and without any ambiguity.

So he always knows more than others.

"Hehe, you may not know this, but when General Xue was confronting the Tiele people, the Tiele people sent three of their generals to challenge General Xue. General Xue shot them all dead with three arrows. Seeing his bravery, the Tiele people all fled!"

At the Fourth Prince's order, the palace maids and eunuchs even inquired about the news of storytelling in the city and reported it all.

Li Yong was so young that he couldn't tell the difference, so he just thought it was real.

With his exaggerated explanation, the children finally understood how brave Xue Rengui was on the battlefield.

Li Xiaodao said, "Sanlang, why did I hear that when the Hu people fight, they never send anyone to fight alone, but all rush in together?"

Li Yong glared and said, "You've never fought against the Hu people, so how do you know they won't challenge you?"

"That's true." Li Xiao was stunned.

As a result, with Li Yong's efforts in publicity, many children were full of admiration for Xue Rengui, and even Li Hong was the same.

After school, he returned to Lizheng Hall and asked his tutor to find a small bow. He then practiced shooting at a tree in the courtyard of Lizheng Hall from a distance.

He was five years old at this time. He often played Cuju and had some strength. Unfortunately, he shot four or five arrows, but all of them missed the target.

Just as I was feeling dejected, a majestic voice came from behind me.

"Lean forward, lower your left arm, and rotate your elbow internally."

Li Hong turned around and saw that it was his mother Wu Meiniang who spoke.

Li Hong followed his mother's instructions, changed his posture, and with a "whoosh" the arrow actually hit the tree trunk.

Li Hong was overjoyed. He ran to his mother and asked in a crisp voice, "Mom, can you also shoot arrows?"

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "Mother has seen your grandfather practice archery before, so she knows a little bit."

He squatted down, helped his son straighten his collar, and said, "Hong'er, why did you suddenly start learning archery?"

Li Hong blushed slightly and said, "I heard about General Xue's story at Chongwen Hall today. I was so fascinated by him that I wanted to learn from him."

Wu Meiniang took his little hand and walked into the palace, saying as she walked, "This is not what you need to learn."

Li Hong turned his head and asked in confusion, "What should I learn there?"

Wu Meiniang was about to answer when she was suddenly startled: "Your Majesty has not yet appointed Hong'er as the crown prince. It is not appropriate to discuss the way of succession with him now."

So he said: "You are still young, it is right for you to study and establish yourself first. Now is a peaceful and prosperous era, and the princes do not need to go to the battlefield."

As they were talking, the two of them entered the bedroom.

Li Xian, who was originally sitting in the house playing, saw the two of them, immediately stood up, opened his two little hands, and ran towards Li Hong.

Li Hong picked him up and laid him on the couch, saying, "I know. But father always tells me to exercise more. I'm practicing archery, so father should be happy too."

Wu Meiniang couldn't help but smile and said, "Okay, what you said makes sense, then you can continue practicing."

She felt that Li Zhi was in poor health and was worried that his son would become as weak and sickly as he was, so he gave him earnest warnings.

Judging from this attitude, Li Hong's position in his heart is different after all, and he should have been designated as the candidate for the crown prince.

As for why he was not appointed as the crown prince, it might be because Li Hong was still too young.

That night, Li Zhi held a banquet in Chengqing Hall to celebrate.

Wu Meiniang also issued an edict, summoning the concubines, princes and princesses from the harem, and held a banquet in Qianqiu Palace.

In late October, Xue Rengui brought Bi Lidu back to the court to present the captives. Li Zhi conferred the title of Duke of Liang on Xue Rengui, and his son Xue Na was also conferred the title of Baron of Fenyang County.

Because Xue Rengui killed too many people in Mobei, Li Ji suggested that Li Zhi pardon Bi Li Du and place him under house arrest in Chang'an to appease the Tiele people.

Li Zhi agreed to Li Ji's request, placed Bi Li Du in Dayefang, and ordered the Jinwu Guards to guard him.

Although Li Zhi spared Bi Li Du, some people could not forgive him.

On the third day after Bi Li Du was pardoned, a visitor arrived at his residence. "Uncle, you're later than I expected," Bi Li Du said, shirtless, washing himself by the well, a hint of sarcasm on his face.

Runpo said nothing, picked up the horsewhip and started whipping him hard.

Bi Li Du didn't move, letting the whip hit his strong body.

Runpo sneered and said, "You idiot, you have brought great harm to the people of the tribe."

Bi Li Du said calmly, "The winner is the king and the loser is the bandit. I have nothing to say. Uncle, how about I make a deal with you?"

Runpo sneered: "What qualifications do you have to trade with me?"

Bi Li Du said, "You can't be the chief of the Huihe tribe anymore. Living in Chang'an must be very expensive, right?"

Runpo's expression changed: "What do you mean by this?"

Bi Li Du laughed and said, "I have collected all your gold for you and buried it somewhere in Tianshan. Don't you want to take it back?"

Runpo said, "If you think you can use this to make me let you leave Chang'an, you are dreaming."

"No, I know you don't have the guts."

Runpo snorted, "Then what do you want to exchange with me?"

Bi Li Du stared at him and said word by word, "Bring a woman to me, and I will tell you the whereabouts of the gold."

"What woman?"

Bi Li Du said, "Her name is Lan Ya. I originally plundered a woman from the Western Turkic tribe and later gave her to Shu Li. Now that Shu Li has been destroyed, she must have become a captive of the Tang people and was most likely taken back to Chang'an."

Runpo hummed, "According to Tang Dynasty custom, she should be assigned to the Ministry of Justice and given to Tang Dynasty officials as an official slave."

Bi Lidu's eyes were blazing as he said, "I know my uncle has quite a few connections in Chang'an. As long as you can rescue her and bring her to me, I will tell you the whereabouts of the gold."

After a moment's silence, Runpo said, "Well, I'll go and ask around. I might not be able to find out."

After leaving Bilidu's courtyard, Runpo found a friend and went to the Ministry of Justice to inquire about the news. As a result, she found that there was no one named Lan Ya among the captured female slaves.

Later, he asked another friend in the army and finally found out.

The Karluk tribe did have a woman named Lan Ya, but she was taken away by General Xue Rengui.

Since that was the case, he had no choice but to give up.

Xue Rengui was lying on the bed, his eyes flickering, as if he was thinking about something.

"Hey, what are you thinking about? This is the first time a man hugs me, but you are thinking about something else?" Lan Ya slowly stroked Xue Rengui's chest with her pointed fingers.

Xue Rengui said in a deep voice: "I'm thinking about how to place you."

Lan Ya smiled and said, "I've already said that as long as you divorce your wife, I will marry you. Bili Du and Shu Li both divorced their wives for me."

Xue Rengui said calmly, "I've also told you that I can't divorce my wife. If you want to be with me, you can only be my concubine."

Lan Ya smiled and said, "Is your wife really that good? More beautiful than me?"

Xue Rengui said, "Although she is not as beautiful as you, she is my wife who has been with me through thick and thin and has given birth to a son for me. It is better for you to give up thinking about her."

Lan Ya wasn't angry either. She smiled and said, "That's a pity. I actually quite like you. Since I can't be with you, I can only find someone else."

Xue Rengui said slowly: "That's up to you, but you won't even be able to be a concubine then. You can only be a slave to the government and serve as a servant."

Lan Ya chuckled and said, "That's not necessarily true. If you take me to see the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, maybe he will give me another identity."

Xue Rengui snorted coldly, "Do you think His Majesty will be interested in you?"

Lan Ya leaned close to his ear, blew a breath, and said with a smile, "Who knows. What? General Xue regrets it? It's not too late now, right?"

Xue Rengui said coldly: "You will never see His Majesty, and His Majesty will not be interested in you."

Lan Ya smiled and said, "You will take me to see him. Whether he likes me or not, he will give me a new identity. Do you believe it?"

Xue Rengui turned his head and stared at her, saying, "I have a subordinate who is very fond of you. I will give you to him tomorrow. Do you believe it?"

Lan Ya looked him in the eye and said slowly, "Do you know that to the west of your Great Tang, there's a country like this... Noble women often have male servants. Men are not allowed to have female servants. The daughters of commoners can also be chiefs, and their children all take their mother's surname."

"Are you talking about the Kingdom of Eastern Women?" Xue Rengui frowned.

"It's not a small country like Dongnu, but a very powerful country!"

"which country?"

"Su, Pi, country!" Lan Ya said word by word.

She slowly sat up, her eyes a bit more majestic, and said in a loud voice: "I am the queen of this generation of Suobi Kingdom, Suobi Lan Ya. Please ask General Xue to take me to meet your Tang Emperor!"

(End of this chapter)