Song Xiu

Chapter 39 Three Arrows Subdue Huyan

After some twists and turns, it had quietly come to noon.

The sun hung high in the sky, its rays shining brilliantly in countless strands.

As the sunlight shone into the training ground, Zhao Dexiu, the eldest son of the Song Dynasty emperor, stood on horseback, bow in hand, beside the command platform.

Zhao Dexiu wore a bright armor, with a light purple brocade robe peeking out from between the armor plates. The interplay between the bright armor and the light purple brocade robe made Zhao Dexiu not only heroic but also noble.

Zhao Dexiu held a strong bow in his hand, the bowstring often soaked in beeswax, which emitted a cold gleam under the sunlight.

A few glints of cold light shone in Zhao Dexiu's hand, adding to his murderous aura, which made people both inside and outside the arena momentarily forget his age.

"At this moment, Your Highness truly resembles His Majesty!"

Standing on the high platform outside the training ground, Shi Shouxin, with his eyes focused, unconsciously uttered this remark.

Shi Shouxin's heartfelt sentiment resonated with many of the generals and commanders around him.

Aside from the generals and commanders of the Imperial Guards on the high platform, Lü Yuqing, standing to the side of the command platform, looked at Zhao Dexiu, who was so close, and felt even more deeply moved.

In a daze, Lü Yuqing recalled the scene when he first met Zhao Kuangyin:

"I've heard you are quite talented. Would you be willing to join me in conquering the world?"

On that day, Zhao Kuangyin, just like Zhao Dexiu today, reined in his horse and stopped, his eyes sharp.

Recalling the beautiful scenes, Lü Yuqing suddenly felt an impulse.

How could a prince's martial arts demonstration be complete without the sound of drums!

Having realized this, Lü Yuqing went straight to the drum stand to the side:
"Your Highness, I volunteer to beat the drum!"

After saying that, Lü Yuqing picked up the drumsticks and struck them with all his might.

How could the civil officials of the early Song Dynasty be weak and incompetent?
As the first deep drumbeat sounded, Zhao Dexiu's fine horse let out a long, excited neigh.

Even Zhao Dexiu felt a surge of excitement.

As the eldest grandson of Zhao Hongyin and Zhao Kuangyin, two valiant generals of their time, Zhao Dexiu's bloodline was deeply imprinted with a thirst for the battlefield.

Zhao Dexiu looked towards the field. Three hundred paces away, several straw targets dressed in Khitan clothing were being pulled by winches, appearing and disappearing in the distance, simulating the surprise attack of Khitan cavalry.

As the third deep drumbeat sounded, Zhao Dexiu, guided by his body's memory, immediately tapped the horse's belly with his foot.

With just the right amount of force, Zhao Dexiu's northern warhorse galloped out, shattering the sunlight.

Anyone who fails to advance upon hearing the drums of war shall be executed!

The sound of horses' hooves mingled with the rhythm of war drums. Zhao Dexiu gripped the reins tightly with his left hand, while his right hand reached into the quiver.

The powerful bow in Zhao Dexiu's hand was slightly shorter than the foot bow, and it was designed specifically for mounted combat. His excellent horsemanship, brought by his physical instincts, allowed Zhao Dexiu to draw the bow quickly even on the bumpy back of a horse.

When the warhorse was a hundred paces from the target, Zhao Dexiu immediately wrapped the reins around his left arm and at the same time, with a flick of his right wrist, drew out three feathered arrows, the sharp arrowheads drawing three cold stars in the sunlight.

Upon witnessing Zhao Dexiu's fluid and seamless movements, the generals and commanders watching from the high platform couldn't help but lean forward slightly.

After finding the right opportunity, Zhao Dexiu quickly twisted his waist to the right, the bowstring vibrated against the armor plates, and the first arrow was launched from the bow.

In the blink of an eye, the first arrow pierced the throat of the straw figure on the left, and the goose feather at the end of the arrow sank into the straw target, making it spin in place.

Without stopping the warhorse, Zhao Dexiu continued to flick his wrist, and the second arrow was shot out as the horse passed the new target. This arrow actually pierced through the ear holes of the straw man's helmet, causing the entire target stand to tilt backward.

These two arrows are enough to show that Zhao Dexiu was stronger than the average person.

By this time, Huyan Zan's contempt for Zhao Dexiu had completely vanished.

After the first two arrows were shot, the most difficult and stunning third arrow followed immediately.

As the horse galloped twenty paces past the target area, Zhao Dexiu squeezed his legs tightly around the horse. With the help of the stirrups, he was able to lean back so much that he almost touched the horse's tail.

Upon seeing Zhao Dexiu make this gesture, Wang Yansheng on the high platform couldn't help but slam his hand on the railing in front of him.

Many years ago, when the Imperial Guards held a martial arts competition, Zhao Kuangyin did the same thing!
Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Zhao Dexiu drew his bow with his arm behind his back, the bowstring pointing directly at the last Khitan straw figure that kept turning.

Looking at the Khitan dogs in the distance, Zhao Dexiu's eyes were filled with ruthlessness.

With a whoosh, the last arrow shot out like a fledgling dragon emerging from the sea, and moments later it pierced through the gap in the armor plates on the straw man's back, pinning it completely to the wooden stake behind him!
"Excellent!" "Well done, three arrows to slay the barbarian dogs!"

The moment the arrow pierced the stake, Murong Yanzhao, Gao Huaide, Shi Shouxin, and others on the high platform couldn't help but clap their hands in praise.

Besides the many generals and commanders, there were already many Imperial Guards soldiers watching in the training ground.

Zhao Dexiu's exceptional archery skills drew thunderous cheers from the surrounding Imperial Guards, and the sounds of clashing swords, spears, and armor resounded throughout the arena.

The "Great Song Dynasty Dragon Flag" fluttered at the edge of the training ground, and under the flag, many new recruits were admiringly imitating Zhao Dexiu's posture as they practiced drawing their bows.

After shooting three arrows, Zhao Dexiu rode his horse around the field once and then came to Huyan Zan's side.

"Am I now your lord?"

Zhao Dexiu's words made Huyan Zan raise his eyes and look at him.

Zhao Dexiu held a powerful bow, the bowstring seemingly still carrying the sharp whistling of arrows piercing the air.

Zhao Dexiu, riding a tall and magnificent horse, exuded a sharp and spirited air under the sunlight.

What a bright and promising young general.

With Zhao Dexiu possessing this side, what doubt could Huyan Zanfu possibly have?
"This humble general is willing to die for Your Highness!"

In the blink of an eye, the distinction between Zhao Dexiu and Huyan Zan as master and servant was established.

Upon successfully accepting Huyan Zan's offer, Zhao Dexiu raised his bow in celebration and burst into laughter.

Having one fierce general is enough to surpass a thousand or even a hundred imperial guards!

Seeing that Zhao Dexiu had successfully subdued Huyan Zan, many generals on the high platform were happy for him.

Many generals knew that although Zhao Dexiu was excellent at archery and horsemanship, he could not be considered to have the best skills among the generals.

Not to mention them, even Huyan Zan's archery skills on the field are not necessarily worse than Zhao Dexiu's.

But Zhao Dexiu is a prince!
As a prince, his horsemanship and archery skills are truly outstanding, and they inspire great hope for the future of the Song Dynasty.

I still remember many years ago, Zhao Kuangyin would often take a child nicknamed Liu Ge'er to their mansion to have a martial arts contest.

Time flies, and many years later, that little crybaby has grown into such a handsome young man.

"Li Jun has been making frequent unusual moves, and a major battle is imminent."

The eldest prince would likely be interested in this battle.

Wang Shenqi's seemingly speculative words caused Murong Yanzhao, Shi Shouxin, and others to ponder in secret.

After pondering for a while, Murong Yanzhao was heartbroken and slammed his hand on the railing—why didn't he have a legitimate daughter?

Lü Yuqing shared similar ideas with Murong Yanzhao.

But civil officials are always more flexible in their thinking than military generals.

Looking at the bright young man in his eyes, Lü Yuqing thought to himself:
"He doesn't have a legitimate daughter, but he does have a younger brother."

Unbeknownst to everyone, Zhao Guangyi had also witnessed Zhao Dexiu's actions from another high vantage point.

Upon witnessing Zhao Dexiu's heroic prowess, Zhao Guangyi felt a surge of emotion:

He also longed to take up his bow and gallop across this training ground.

But this impulse quickly dissipated. His office contained all kinds of weapons, and he had tried the power of the strong bow that Zhao Dexiu used.
Finally, Zhao Guangyi closed his eyes in despair—he was not himself after all.

　I just received notification that this book has jumped from the first round of recommendations to the third round. This means that this book is about to officially begin competing for a spot on the Sanjiang list.

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　　Please continue reading, fellow readers. I will continue to delve into the plot and write a captivating tale of the struggle for supremacy in the early Song Dynasty. Thank you!

(End of this chapter)