Chapter 58: Who Dares to Compete with Me in Archery?

  (Thanks to " Zhao Wu Xu 2014", "Seven Emotions Six Desires, Doomsday", "Strange Lemon", and "Glorious Constitution" for rewards. Haha, Glorious Constitution, old book friend, you're here too.)

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  This long migration team, with camels, cows and horses pulling large carts, loaded with the elderly, women and children, as well as various household items. Behind the team followed tens of thousands of cattle, sheep, camels and horses. All members of the tribe who could ride a horse, including young girls and children who had just learned to ride, raised their whips and drove the cattle forward.

  On both sides of the migration team, there were more than 200 robust knights carrying bows and arrows, with knives and axes at their waists. They occasionally galloped around, holding their bows in hand, their eyes filled with vigilance. Further ahead and behind the team, nearly a hundred heavily armed armored knights were scattered around, forming a tight security line ten miles away.

  This seemingly tribal migration, which also has a military nature that ordinary tribes do not possess, is the eastward-bound Han Gog tribe with more than 4,000 people.

  From Baidan to Liaodong, the fastest route is to cross over Wusui Water, head towards Pinggang, then follow the Bailang River valley eastward, enter Liaoxi, and finally pass through Liu City into Liaodong. However, there is a crucial place on this road called Pinggang, which is the main activity area of the Youbeiping Wuhuan, if you rashly go through, you may encounter unexpected disaster.

  Under duress, Tian Yu decided to head north along the wet water first, passing through the northern face of the Ma Yu mountain range, avoiding the activity range of You Beiping Wulan in the south of Ma Yu Mountain, then crossing the cool river and turning into western Liaoning. Although this route is a big detour, it takes time, but it's safe.

  The weather on the grassland in early September is one of the best times of the year, with plenty of sunshine and little rain. The grass and trees are lush and green, and there is no shortage of fodder for the animals along the migration route. In the past, this time was also a day of migration for various tribes on the grassland, so as we walked, we occasionally saw some migrating tribes, but most were migrating south, like the Han Gou tribe that migrated north before winter, which was extremely rare.

  Along the way, some tribes gave them a friendly reception, while others were suspicious, but when they heard that they were from the Han Go Department, they all showed a surprised and fearful expression, begging them to leave as soon as possible. It was also during this time that everyone in the Han Go Department heard about the legendary story of Xianbei Qiliebian's shocking great fire on the grasslands, as well as their commander Ma Xian's bravery in defeating the combined forces of Xianbei and Wuhuan, killing thousands, including the Right North Ping Wuhuan Right Xiehou Nengshi, and severely injuring the Xianbei leader Qiliebian.

  The Hangzhou people were jubilant and held a grand celebration ceremony for three consecutive days.

  On September 6th, the Han army had crossed the Yinliang River and advanced several hundred li to the east, about to enter western Liaoning.

  The closer they got to Liaoxi, the heavier Tian Yu's mood became. Liaoxi was within the sphere of influence of Wudaihan, the king of the Wuhuan tribe, and Liu City was their main base. Although Wudaihan had promised to restrain his troops and not trouble the Hanguo Department, this was then and that was now - the Hanguo Department had just suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Wuhuan's Wuyan Department. As the leader of the three counties' Wuhuan tribe, how could he remain unmoved by the Hanguo Department passing right under his nose? Especially with their commander still away, it was unlikely that they would be allowed to pass through easily.

  What to do? Tian Yu racked his brains.

  It seemed to be a response to Tian Yu's feeling, the Han Gog cavalry who opened the road in front of them sent back news: about 10 miles northeast, a group of Wuhuan cavalry appeared, with about 300 riders, heading towards their main force.

  Tian Yu immediately ordered the troops to stop advancing, and surrounded the carts in a large circle, with the old and weak inside and the livestock outside. Two hundred Han halberds and cavalry gathered on a high hill about 100 paces northwest of the cart circle, and any enemy who came to attack from the northeast would have their flanks threatened by the army's cavalry.

  Soon, the second message came, and the visitor was Wuduyan Sanzi, the third son of Ulanqiang Wang Subu. The other party expressed no malice, only wanting to meet with Hanjia Department Commander Ma Xun. Hanjia's touring cavalry hundred long Wu chased told him that the department commander had not returned, and Doutou said after hearing that he was willing to meet with the person in charge of the Hanjia Department.

  Tian Yu immediately gathered Tang Nu, Mu Ji, Tao Liang, Yu De, Meng Yuan and other influential people from various departments to discuss the matter. After hearing everyone's opinions, they all agreed that Xiang Wang Subuyan was a vassal state of Liaodong under the Wuhuan tribe, with over a thousand households in his department, and his power was still stronger than Khanluo King Wuyan. Moreover, this time Hanke Department moved to Liaodong, and this vassal state of Liaodong was also an inevitable place to pass through, and it would be impossible to avoid dealing with Xiang Wang sooner or later. Since that's the case, why not meet him once and see what his intentions are?

  About a moment later, more than 30 horses rushed forward. The leading knight wore armor and helmet, his war horse was tall and majestic, with knives, axes, long spears and bows and arrows hanging on both sides of the saddle. If it weren't for knowing his identity, just by this outfit, he is a Han army armored soldier.

  Someone from afar burst into loud laughter: "Greetings, Tian Congshi. Tian Congshi fought bravely against the Khanlu King's flag, single-handedly and on horseback, truly a heroic feat that commands respect."

  As he approached on horseback, it was only then that one could clearly see that the man's head was a young man in his early twenties, with a strong and powerful appearance, sturdy physique, giving people the feeling as if he had endless energy.

  The barbarians do not like courtesy, they speak directly to the point, and their first response is to explain why they are present: to meet and accompany his father, King Su Bu Yan, who has returned from the Lin Dan conference, and also because of the great defeat of Wu Yan, the situation in You Beiping Wulan is subtle, so he is stationed here to observe. Then he makes his own demands.

  Tian Yu accepted Da Tou's explanation, which was reasonable, but what Da Tou proposed next exceeded everyone's expectations.

  "The rumor is that Pufulu was defeated by a grassland swallow, and the one who killed him was the leader of the swallows, named Nianslave. I want to see this grassland swallow."

  This request is also too strange, and everyone in Hangzhou looked at each other in dismay.

  Answering with a suspicious look at Tian Yu and others, he turned over and dismounted his horse, pressed his chest to make a courtesy: "Answering absolutely no malice, just because my sister wants to see this grassland swallow, so I'll take a look for her, and go back also good to have an explanation."

  Tian Yu nodded, so that's how it is. It won't hurt to meet with them either. Maintaining a good relationship with the Wuhuan people of Liaodong is still quite necessary, and this request isn't excessive either. Moreover, the fact that they've only brought thirty cavalry shows their sincerity.

  After a while, Nian Nu rode a dark red horse and followed Tang Nu to appear in front of the Wuman people. Nian Nu was shot in the left arm during the counterattack against the Wuman on that day, fortunately wearing thick wool at the time, the flesh was not deep, and after nursing for a period of time, the wound slowly healed. It's just that along the way, she was tired, her small face was a bit pale, which made her eyes and skin more beautiful and charming.

  At first glance, his eyes lit up, but he couldn't hide the look of incredulity. He stuttered: "Y-you're... you're the swallow that killed Pufleur?"

  Nian Nu nodded: "I am Nian Nu." Tan Ran bowed on horseback and turned to leave.

  "Wait a minute." He stopped with a raised hand, took three steps forward, bowed his head in courtesy, and when he looked up, there was a hint of arrogance on his face. "Please call your family members, I want to propose to them."

  "What?" Tian Yu, Tang Nu, Wu Zhui and others were both shocked and angry. "This is too absurd, Antou. You are a prince after all, please behave yourself."

  He replied proudly: "Since you also know that I am a prince, what's wrong with asking to marry a woman from your tribe?"

  "No!" Tang Nu flatly refused. "Nian Nu is not an ordinary tribal woman, she is the commander's servant girl, we have no right to make decisions on behalf of the commander."

  With a frown, his eyes swept across the faces of everyone present, and he suddenly smiled cunningly: "I know where you will go to take refuge. I can tell you clearly that if you befriend my department, it will bring great benefits to your future tent-building. I believe that even 'Khong Bu Tu Lu' would respond with sincerity to my kindness."

  What's Kunbu Tuluo? It seems to refer to the commander, I wanted to ask, but in this situation, no one has that heart. Suddenly, even Tang Nu fell silent. It must be said that the implicit threat hidden in the words and between the lines is indeed the key to the success or failure of this migration.

  Nian Nu bit her lip tightly and didn't say a word, only gripping the lever of the repeating crossbow beside her saddle.

  After a while, Tian Yu took a deep breath and made the final reply: "The general's maid, we really have no right to make decisions. If the prince is sincere, he can come to our door after the general returns and our troops are settled, how about that?"

  His thick eyebrows gradually rose, and he said coldly: "If it were Ma Jinglong's own sister, I might have done as Tian Congshu said. But she is just a maidservant, yet she dares to be so obstructive. It seems that the Han Gou tribe does not want to accept my good intentions."

  Tang Nu suddenly flared up: "What kindness? Forcing someone into marriage is also called kindness?"

  He burst out laughing, flipped over and mounted his horse, galloping away into the distance. Under the bewildered gaze of the Han troops, he drew his bow and shot an arrow at a large tree one hundred paces away. The arrow flew like lightning and landed with a thud, firmly embedded in the trunk of the massive tree.

  Tang Nu and Wu Zhui met, slightly coldly smiling, this hundred-step shooting wood, they can also do it.

  Answering with a galloping horse, rushing out horizontally for more than 20 steps, and then drawing the bow to shoot again. With a crisp sound, the arrow that was originally inserted in the big tree had disappeared.

  At this moment, not only Tang Nu and Wu Zhui, but also Tian Yu and others below changed color. A hundred paces away, an arrow as thick as a finger was shot and broken. This kind of hundred-paces-through-the-willow technique is almost impossible for anyone in the entire Han Gou tribe to achieve.

  Answering the cheers of the Wumeng guards, Ah-Tou proudly turned his horse around and smiled at Tian Yu and others: "I won't make it difficult for you either. Let's follow the rules of the grassland and choose a relative by arrow - as long as someone among you can do what I just did, I'll turn my horse around and leave, and guarantee your safety into Liao Dong, how about that?"

  Tang Nu and Wu Zhui's faces turned red with anger. They were the best archers in the Hangou tribe, and Ah Tou's words were a slap in their face!

  "Ha ha ha! If you can't, then please give me this beautiful grassland swallow. I promise to take good care of her!"

  Tang Nu could no longer bear this ridicule, and in a fit of anger drew his bow: "Let me go up!"

  Wu Chui rushed ahead one step: "Your bow strength is stronger than mine, but I shoot more accurately than you, let me go up."

  Nian Nu's lips were almost bitten to bleeding, and she hung her head in shame. In her heart, a voice kept shouting: "Master! Master! Come back quickly, your Nian Nu, and your tribe have been humiliated by the Hu Nu..."

  "Nobody make a sound!" Tian Yu shouted, not only silencing Tang Nu and Wu Zhui, but also startling Da Tou. "This is not the territory of the Liao Dong country, it's not up to you, the Xiao Wang department, to set rules here. If you want to compete in archery, wait until we settle down, and then we'll go to the Wu You Lü Shan (where the Xiao Wang Su Pu Yan Ya tent is located) to learn from them. At that time, you can set whatever rules you like. But this is Ma Du Shan, not Wu You Lü Shan!"

  "Hahaha, that's all you Han people are good at, just bragging. Real archery skills only belong to us, the great Wudang riders! I don't know how you managed to defeat Wuyan.

  Answering with a loud laugh, his voice thundered as he looked down on Tian Yu and others with disdain, "It seems that so-called Kunbu Tulu, single-handedly blocking the enemy at Bai Zhang Gorge, killing hundreds of people with arrows, heavily injuring Che Bi... Haha! It's just the nonsense spoken by a frightened Xianbei person. Ma Jinglong, you're nothing but this!"

  As soon as these words came out, not only Tang Nu and Wu Zhui roared in anger, but even the surrounding Han Gou riders couldn't help but draw their swords - Ma Xun was their idol, how could they tolerate this barbarian's blasphemy!

  He raised his head, arms akimbo, and halted the movement of the thirty riders behind him. He glared sideways at the people of the Han Gou tribe with a hint of excitement in his eyes. What he wanted was for the Han Gou tribe to take the initiative to provoke them, so that they would have an excuse to kill and plunder.

  Whoosh——

  A shrill whistle suddenly pierced the air, almost bursting eardrums. Answer Head hastily turned around... Poof! Blood splattered everywhere. The warhorse was shot through the brain with an arrow and fell heavily to the ground, sending Answer Head flying out, rolling into a ball, his nose blue and swollen, two front teeth knocked out.

  When he was furious and couldn't help but grab his bow and jump up, he suddenly stiffened all over, and saw 200 steps away from the edge of the forest, a man riding a black horse, holding a blood-colored large bow, pointing at him with his hand: "I am the 'not so' Ma Jinglong you mentioned. Want to compare arrows with me? Come on, I'll stand still here, shoot me at will, if you hit me, it's my bad luck, if you miss, get out of here from wherever you came!"

  "It's... it's Kumbhathor!" The head guard shouted in terror.

  "Boss is back——"

  The Hango troops were boiling over, and with a loud crash, they swarmed up to welcome them. The one who charged forward first was surprisingly a grassland swallow.

  "Thank heavens, I heard Nian Nu's call..." She clasped her hands together, her eyes blurry with tears.

  He led the guards in a state of panic and fled with his tail between his legs. He was indeed a godly archer, but at two hundred paces, he couldn't even penetrate sheep's wool; if he didn't run, he would be humiliated...