Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 335 Light (1)

"General, do you really want to let that Xianbei swindler join the Pei family army?"

Fang Datou couldn't hold back any longer and blurted out, "General, aren't you afraid that wild wolf will betray us in the future?"

Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow slightly: "Then let's go kill them now?"

Fang Datou immediately felt embarrassed: "I was too talkative. The general must have some plans for keeping them here."

Pei Qinghe was exceptionally lenient with Fang Datou, who was a bit dim-witted, and said gently, "Yes, I'm keeping them in the Pei family army. They might be very useful in the future. If you're worried about them, keep a close eye on them. Report any unusual activity to me immediately."

Fang Datou nodded vigorously.

"Also, after beating you up for half a month, your anger should have subsided by now." Pei Qinghe teased with a smile, "When you go to the training ground tomorrow, you have to save face for He Mu in front of others."

Fang Datou replied nonchalantly, "General, don't worry, I know what's important. I've never slapped him in the face before."

Pei Qinghe smiled again.

Fang Datou was ordered to see Hemu and tell him about the training session at the martial arts training ground the next day.

Hemu's eyes suddenly lit up, and he took the initiative to ask Fang Datou, "Why isn't Chief Fang making a move today?"

Fang Datou rolled his eyes and said impatiently, "We've been fighting for half a month. You're not tired, but I am. Stop talking nonsense. Go to the training ground tomorrow and show the general what you've got. You were brought back by me and Master Zhan, so don't embarrass us."

Behind the rude and harsh words, a trace of genuine concern was revealed.

He Mu had been beaten for half a month without ever crying out in pain, begging for mercy, or backing down. But now, his eyes were slightly red, and he said in a low voice, "Brother Fang, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lied to you."

Fang Datou glared at him: "I'm not your brother, call me Chief Fang. Also, you've been hiding some things from me, but most of what you told me is true. You're not a big liar. I'll beat you up for half a month, and that'll even things out."

Hemu grabbed Fang Datou's wrist, his eyes glistening with tears: "Brother Fang!"

Fang Datou forcefully shook off He Mu's hand, his eyes rolling so hard they almost reached the sky: "Don't try to pull me along. Remember, you have to be at the training ground by dawn tomorrow."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

Hemu wiped his eyes with his sleeve, watched Fang Datou's back as he left, and then called over sixteen Xianbei cavalrymen: "The general told us to go to the training ground tomorrow. Everyone, be on your best and let the general see our skills tomorrow."

The Xianbei cavalrymen were immediately invigorated and responded in unison.

Before encountering Fang Datou Zhanfei's caravan, they had wandered the grasslands for over a year, filled with hatred, sometimes starving and sometimes full. Those who have never experienced hunger will never understand that feeling.

Later, traveling with the caravan, we finally stopped going hungry.

After being in Peijia Village for half a month, they ate three meals a day, each one filling them up. Their emaciated bodies gradually grew back in strength.

Putting aside the question of whether they could get revenge, they would stay just for the sake of three full meals a day.

Tomorrow, they will show their prowess on the training ground and let the general see just how brave and fierce the real Xianbei cavalry are!
……

At dawn, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

In the vast training ground of Peijia Village, a battalion of one hundred men formed ranks of ten men each, running forward at a steady pace. The speed wasn't actually fast, but the sight of over a hundred ranks moving forward at a uniform speed was quite impressive.

He Mu and seventeen others were not yet qualified to be incorporated into Pei's army, so they followed Fang Datou's battalion forward.

Hemu was very tall, giving him a significant height advantage, allowing him to easily take in the surrounding scenery. The more he looked, the more amazed he became.

After running ten miles and having breakfast, the morning training officially began. Each battalion practiced different exercises. Fang Datou's battalion, having spent years traversing the grasslands, specialized in mounted archery. This was the forte of the Xianbei cavalry. Once on horseback, they were adept and at ease, controlling their horses effortlessly with just their legs. They could perform various maneuvers on horseback, shooting arrows at targets while riding, and still not satisfied, the bolder ones had already shouted, "Chief Fang, aren't there any live targets?"

“Of course we have live targets,” General Pei, who had been watching with a smile, replied. “Pei Yan, go and get the live targets.”

Pei Yan responded and led people to move several large iron cages. Each cage contained dozens of fluttering birds.

“Each iron cage contains sixty birds,” Pei Qinghe said calmly. “There are five cages in total, with three hundred birds.”

“You have seventeen people. I will select sixteen from the Pei family army. Add me, and we will have seventeen in total.”

"Today, let's shoot at the live target together."

Pei Qinghe trained his troops in the training ground every day, often practicing alongside them. However, such lively activities as shooting live targets were rare. This was mainly because live birds were too difficult to catch; even after a long and arduous process, they could only be used once.

"I've been in Pei's army for half a year, and this is the first time I've seen a general shoot at a live target."

“I’ve been here for over a year and I’ve only seen him twice.”

"The general is a peerless archer, and today we will be amazed by his skill."

Whether veterans or new recruits, everyone craned their necks to look around, and had no interest in training.

Pei Qinghe selected Mao Hongling, Pei Yan, Pei Zhi, Pei Xuan, and Pei Feng, and then selected Sun Cheng, Tao Feng, and Yang Huai. Meng Bing took the initiative to speak up: "General, I also want to practice."

Pei Qinghe glanced at him and asked, "Your injury has just healed, can you practice riding and archery?"

Meng Bing laughed and said, "You've been eating and sleeping all day and have gained weight. It's time to start exercising."

Although Meng Bing had injured his leg, his archery and horsemanship were still top-notch. Pei Qinghe smiled and nodded, then pointed to a few more people. They were all elite members of the Pei family army, skilled in archery and horsemanship.

Hemu's eyes gleamed, showing no fear whatsoever. His blood surged with excitement, and he was eager to try.

The Xianbei cavalry, who grew up on horseback, feared no one when they held bows and arrows.

The Xianbei cavalrymen rode their warhorses, following behind Hemu. Opposite them were the elite troops of the Pei family army led by Pei Qinghe.

"Only bows and arrows are used; no other weapons are available. The one who falls from his horse loses."

"The warhorse must not be harmed."

"The side that hits the most birds within the time limit of one incense stick's burning period wins."

Pei Qinghe announced the rules for shooting at live targets. He Mu understood immediately and turned to the cavalry, saying, "You can fight on horseback, but you can't hurt the horse or the person. You win by knocking the person off their horse."

The Xianbei cavalrymen were hot-blooded and warlike. Instead of showing any fear under the watchful eyes of the crowd, they shouted with fervor.

war! war! war!
裴燕舔了舔嘴唇，狰狞地一笑：“我要揍的他们找不到北。”

Yang Huai didn't say anything, but spurred his horse closer to Pei Yan.

Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed with a smile: "Let's all fight with all our might and test the capabilities of the Xianbei cavalry. Let's not be caught off guard and end up losing."

The crowd responded in unison.

(End of this chapter)