Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 336 Light (2)

A sharp bamboo whistle sounded.

The first iron cage was opened, and sixty birds rushed out and flew into the free sky.

Hemu swiftly drew his bow and shot an arrow. He was a Xianbei archer and extremely confident in his archery skills.

However, one man was even faster. His arrow had barely left the bowstring when another arrow shot into the air, and the bird fell straight down.

Hemu had no time to look, nor did he need to. General Pei's name as a war god resounded throughout the grasslands; who didn't know that General Pei's archery never missed its mark?
With a surge of adrenaline, Hemu's gaze sharpened like an eagle's, and he swiftly fired a second arrow.

At this moment, everyone drew their bows and shot arrows, which rained down like a storm, causing birds to fall from the sky.

The second iron cage was opened. Dozens of birds cried out sharply, struggling upwards to break free. Hemu fired arrows while shouting for the others to spur their horses forward.

Pei Qinghe was also urging his horse forward.

You can't actually charge, you can't hurt the warhorse, but you still have to knock the opponent off. This is much harder than killing someone with a knife; it tests your horsemanship and your true skill.

He Mu had fought Pei Qinghe and Pei Yan before, and knew they were both experts. In battle, the key wasn't to face the strongest opponent head-on, but to pick on the weakest. He Mu went straight for the young and petite Pei Xuan.

Lu Erlang, who had already stopped watching the battle, swore a few times, cursing Hemu's ancestors, wives, and children. He kept a close eye on Pei Xuan.

Pei Xuan's ability to stand out in the Pei family army was not solely due to blood ties; she possessed genuine martial arts skills. The tall, strong, and fierce He Mu charged forward aggressively. Pei Xuan leaned back to avoid a punch, then smoothly hooked her body to the side of her horse and delivered a flying kick. He Mu was prepared.

Bang! Bang! Bang! In an instant, the two exchanged several blows.

We can't keep fighting. The warhorse galloped past, and immediately the arrow was raised to shoot at the birds in the air.

A gasp rang out! Someone had been knocked off their horse.

Hemu was startled.

The Xianbei cavalry usually spoke polite language, but in urgent situations, they would switch to their own Xianbei language. Those who fell off their horses would shout Xianbei profanities.

Hemu's gaze swept quickly across the area, and his heart eased slightly. Someone on the other side had also fallen from their horse.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Pei Qinghe fired three arrows in quick succession, and birds kept falling to the ground.

The third iron cage was also opened.

While the group fought on horseback, they also raised their bows and shot arrows.

The dozen or so battalions around them all stopped their drills to watch the battle. "The general didn't even need to fire an arrow! Truly awe-inspiring! He even shot down two Xianbei!"

"That Xianbei man named Hemu is also very skilled! I've been watching him the whole time; he's incredibly good at controlling his horse. He rides it like it's flat ground."

“If they didn’t have real skills and abilities, why would the general risk keeping them here?”

Those on the outer ring couldn't see the fighting, but the sight of birds being shot down by the rain of arrows was clearly visible: "So many birds, yet not a single one escaped. Amazing!"

"I hope I can master archery like that someday!"

The birds from the fourth and fifth cages were released into the sky together. There was only a moment left in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

By this time, men from both sides had been shot off their horses, leaving fewer than twenty men still on horseback. They fought fiercely while simultaneously firing arrows, birds falling to the ground with a series of thuds. Occasionally, one or two lucky birds would escape, chirping joyfully.

Thud! Some unlucky fellow fell off the horse again.

The sharp sound of the bamboo whistle rang out again.

It’s time for a stick of incense.

This mounted archery competition has now come to an end.

Hemu, still somewhat unsatisfied, put away his bow and arrows. Of Pei Qinghe's seventeen men, ten remained, while his side had only eight. Judging from the outcome, he had already lost.

Little did they know, the Pei family army watching the battle was also shocked.

Pei Qinghe was a war god in their hearts, and the prowess of Mao Hongling, Pei Yan, and others was undeniable. Even Yang Huai and Meng Bing, who had married into the family, were highly skilled. The archery skills of these seventeen men undoubtedly represented the highest level of archery in the Pei family army.

These Xianbei cavalrymen were able to engage in fierce combat with General Pei and his group, and they managed to shoot quite a few birds.

No wonder the general wanted to keep them.

These are real cavalry!

Pei Qinghe's forehead was slightly sweaty. She smiled and ordered, "Fang Datou, come over and count them."

Fang Datou looked troubled and replied with a bitter face, "General, please spare me! A few dozen is fine, but if the number is too big, I can't keep track."

The soldiers burst into laughter.

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "It's alright, you can go count them. He Mu, you go too."

The general finally gave him a second glance! He even gave him a task!

He Mu suppressed his excitement, cupped his hands in agreement, and stepped forward with Fang Datou. Fang Datou glanced at He Mu: "You count your men, I'll count Pei's army."

Cavalrymen were accustomed to marking the fletching of their arrows, so that the arrows could be retrieved and their spoils could be clearly counted.

Hemu picked up the birds from the ground and put them into the bamboo basket, pulled out the arrows, and silently counted them in his mind.

Fang Datou only had one hand, making it difficult for him to draw the arrows, but his movements were much faster. He kept picking up birds and throwing them into the situation. Enthusiastic soldiers around him were already helping to count: "...twenty-three, twenty-four...eighty-eight, eighty-nine..."

They counted until they reached one hundred and sixty-two.

Those who are good at math are already beaming with joy.

There are 300 birds in total. If we get more than 150, we've passed halfway and the victory is assured!
Hemu counted to one hundred and thirty-one.

Seven lucky birds escaped into the mountains, waiting for the Pei family army to enter the mountains again.

"General, we have lost!" Hemu sighed, admitting defeat wholeheartedly.

Previously, he had lost in a physical fight. This time, Pei Qinghe had defeated him honorably in front of everyone using his formidable skill of mounted archery. He won with dignity and composure. He had no choice but to accept defeat!
Although he lost, he earned the respect of the Pei family army soldiers.

Pei Qinghe looked at He Mu: "You only have seventeen men, which is far from enough for a battalion. First, train with Fang Datou's battalion. Once you have enough men for a battalion, you can be the leader."

Hemu was greatly encouraged and bowed to thank the general for his kindness.

The two baskets of birds were sent to the kitchen.

Bian Shulan and the kitchen staff boiled water and cleaned the birds. They chopped them into small pieces, salted them, and then fried them twice in hot oil.

With so many men in Pei's army, it was impossible for everyone to get some. This fried bird meat was awarded to all the new recruits who had memorized the military regulations within half a month. Each person received a bowl of meat.

Hemu naturally ate some too.

The sixteen Xianbei cavalrymen, speaking Jingchao dialect with stutters, naturally couldn't recite it. Watching Hemu eat with relish, they drooled with envy.

"Would you like some?" The bird meat, deep-fried in hot oil, smelled wonderful, and the tender bones were easy to chew and swallow. Hemu ate with great relish.

The cavalrymen nodded frantically, their faces full of anticipation as they waited for Hemu to feed them.

Hemu snorted coldly: "If you want to eat meat, don't be lazy. From today onwards, spend your time and effort memorizing the military regulations!"

(End of this chapter)