Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 270, Section 269: The Knight of the Weapon
The Zuo Zhuan states: "The most important matters of state are sacrifice and war."

On New Year's Day, Qin Shi had already followed Ji Heng in worshipping Heaven, Earth, and their ancestors.

Now, however, it is the Shanglin Martial Arts Exercise, which is closely related to important military and national affairs.

In the Qin Dynasty, the entire population was mobilized for war. Whether these trained officers, cavalrymen, and shipwrights still maintained their fighting capacity after accompanying the King of Qin in his conquest of the six states can be seen from this moment.

As the bell tolled, the military officers responsible for the long-distance raid began to set out. From afar, a neat square formation of infantrymen approached from the open space in front of Jianzhang Palace.

Qin Shi watched intently, while Ji Heng, wanting to compare the images with those on her phone, personally explained:
"When the military officers are to practice martial arts, they must first demonstrate a square or round formation. They must advance and retreat in an orderly manner and fight in coordination. Only in this way can they be considered qualified."

Qin Shi nodded, equally focused and attentive.

The Qin soldiers' uniforms were not uniform, but they still tried to make their own distinctive features, such as embroidering colorful scarves to make them look the same.

Now, marching forward in orderly steps, spears in hand, though we dare not compare ourselves to those of later generations, we are now completely disciplined and uniform.

And in this continuous advance, the formation may be large or small, or it may charge or break apart.

Square formation, circular formation, goose formation... accompanied by the official waving flags and blowing horns, beating drums and giving commands, there was truly not a single mistake.

Viewed from afar on the high platform of Jianzhang Palace, they resemble a flock of well-trained geese, pleasing to the eye when observed, and exuding a fierce killing intent when charging into battle.

The couple walked hand in hand to the front of the hall. Ji Heng was also greatly excited and nodded in approval: "Not bad."

Seeing him so happy, Zhou Ju breathed a sigh of relief and quickly added:

"The next martial arts demonstration will be about the use of weapons. We now have the divine weapons brought by the Queen. Although it is too early to equip them yet, they will surely be even more imposing next year."

"That's right." Ji Heng thought so too.

The infantrymen, who had previously stood in neat formation with their spears, were now divided into various teams, some with swords, some with spears, and some with halberds.

Close combat, long weapon thrusting, slashing and stabbing...

Their movements were perfectly synchronized, and their bugle calls were deafening!
The Qin Dynasty was so exciting that I was momentarily unaware of what time it was.

In fact, her great Central Plains country has always been adept at winning people over with virtue.

If one wins people over with virtue, then it's normal for one to have abundant martial virtue in one's own life, right?
Seeing the Queen's enthusiastic expression, Zhou Ju couldn't help but sigh: Indeed, there is a reason why the King appointed the King of Qin as Queen.

Otherwise, if the women of the harem were to become queens, on the day of the military exercises, when the enemy sees the mighty army and thinks of their homeland, they might shed tears...

That's really bad luck.

While the weapon masters were fighting, Qin Shi noticed something with his sharp eyes: it turned out that the Qin state actually had swords.

However, compared to the broadswords commonly used for chopping, the craftsmen at this time used short-handled curved swords.

This is where the King and Queen are. Those with long weapons are naturally not easy to approach, but those with short weapons intentionally get closer and try to impress.

That's the one wielding the short-handled curved sword.

At this moment, he held the knife in a reverse grip, his movements incredibly fast. His purpose was not to kill, but rather to target the joints of the soldiers' leather armor with each strike.

He clearly coordinated well with his teammates, slicing through the leather armor with a single strike, only to be met with attacks from behind wielding halberds or longswords...

Although no blood was drawn, its sharpness was certainly evident.

Qin Shi's eyes sparkled: "Your Majesty, this man is incredibly brave and fierce!"

Ji Heng also observed this, and his expression softened as he said with satisfaction, "Courageous and resourceful, with precise movements and excellent teamwork—worthy of reward."

Without needing to be told, Zhou Ju had already memorized the other person's appearance.

The first one to be praised by the King and Queen during this martial arts competition may have a bright future—provided he doesn't die.

The two men wielding long weapons who were also working with him were also observed by Ji Heng due to their swift and precise movements. With just one command, Zhou Ju began to frantically think.

Qin Shi glanced at him and thought to himself: No wonder he can be the king's confidant and never leave his side. With this memory alone, he truly deserves to be called the king's number one secretary.

In terms of being used skillfully by Ji Heng, he was even more considerate than Prime Minister Wang Fu.

Without cameras or telescopes, those who wish to make a name for themselves before the king will need to put in extra effort during this martial arts demonstration to present themselves in his presence.

Therefore, although it was just a martial arts demonstration by the soldiers, the rapid rotation of the groups passing in front of us was truly dazzling.

However, it must be said that since the only way to get promoted at that time was through military merit, these young men were all very dedicated.

Seeing their actions and murderous aura, Qin Shi truly felt that the Great Qin had indeed conquered the entire world!

……

Following the cavalry are the cavalry, who are not yet the main force in the charge.

Today, light cavalry is the main force.

After the officers withdrew, rows of knights stood in neat rows in the square.

They also practiced synchronized movements and seamless teamwork, with the handling of the horses being particularly impressive.

Sudden stops, turns, obstacle crossings—though lacking the flashy training of dance steps, the sheer scale and grandeur of the horses' hooves piled high with momentum are something most people would never witness.

After the cavalry charge, the next exercise will be mounted archery.

From rapid-fire archery to high-precision aiming, and even close-quarters combat with both long and short weapons.

Compared to the clerks, they also risked their lives.

Here, the horses charge with incredible speed; if you're not careful and fall off, you could easily be trampled to death.

Despite this, not a single person retreated.

For the Qin state, which was not engaged in war, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for its soldiers to be promoted and ennobled.

If one's title is insufficient, one will not have enough land, or will not be exempt from rent.

If the rent cannot be waived, the elderly father, wife, and children in this family will starve to death.

What everyone fights for is not a stepping stone to advancement, but a path to survival.

Given this, how could one not fight with all one's might?

Those who were able to participate in this martial arts competition at Shanglin Garden naturally all possessed unique skills, with several even becoming expert archers.

The horse galloped away, the rider's waist and arms were as strong as a bear or tiger, and the arrows were as fast as lightning, hitting the bullseye!

Qin Shi was greatly annoyed, regretting that a telescope had not yet been made—it was too far away, and he couldn't see the details of how intricate the target was!

And in the subsequent coordinated operations, whether it was a squad charge or a flanking maneuver, it was equally nerve-wracking...

Zhou Ju glanced at Ji Heng and Qin Shi, thinking to himself that although the Queen often said sweet words to the King to win his favor, in essence, she still shared the same interests as the King.

Just looking at this military drill, if anyone were to slacken their guard and lose, the Queen would exclaim "Oh dear!" with great regret.

This made him somewhat curious:
Could it be that thousands of years later, in the Qin Dynasty's Kunlun Ruins, the men will still be fighting on all sides?
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　　(End of this chapter)