Chapter Ten: The Murderer Is Not Me

  Bei Gong Bo Yu

  Who is he?

  I don't know.

  I only know he is a barbarian.

  In other words, Beigong Boyu belongs to a minority living in the northwest grasslands.

  Ethnic minorities.

  What impression did ethnic minorities give to the vast Han people in a harmonious society of past dynasties?

  One, good at singing and dancing, basically every ethnic minority has this skill, while the Han people do not have this skill for the most part.

  Secondly, their clothing and diet are different from those of the Han people, which is why there was a country called "China" in the previous life.

  Thirdly, each policy has special preferential treatment. For example, children's college entrance exams can be reduced by a few tens of points, ignoring family planning, graduate school registration does not require queuing, and admission will also significantly lower the passing score, and various administrative units will give care and so on.

  Fourthly, there are those who like to cause divisions; even if internal problems are small, they can be more fierce than a tiger.

  This is our understanding of them during peacetime.

  However, they often overlooked the ferocity of other ethnic groups (these ethnic groups refer to those against the Han Dynasty).

  Ferocious and barbarous, extremely cruel and bloodthirsty.

  This is probably how people in the Central Plains area describe them.

  The Xiongnu, Xianbei, in the eyes of the people of Central Plains, are all rough and unrefined, each one as if a malevolent spirit descended to earth. With bare chests and disheveled hair, they devour human flesh and drink blood from large bowls. Wherever they go, it is like a plague of locusts, leaving no grass intact. They are far more ferocious than the Yellow Turban Bandits.

  The northwest is barren, except for the Guanzhong Plain which is relatively fertile. The rest are vast grasslands that are not suitable for farming and can only be used for grazing. Therefore, fine horses, cattle and sheep are abundant, and regardless of whether they are Hu or Han, most people make a living from this.

  The ethnic groups in the northwest can be called the people on horseback.

  Bow and horse are familiar? Joke.

  Arms open like a thousand stones and hundred steps piercing willows? Tiger's back and bear's waist strength can hold up the tripod? Hmm, barely enough to describe this nation.

  Bei Gong Bo Yu is one of the leaders of this nation.

  What about me?

  Under ten years old boy.

  A head of one meter two three, a body of delicate skin and tender flesh.

  What a remarkable talent! I've studied six poems from the Book of Songs, memorized a passage from Li Sao, and learned 20 passages from the Analects, still remembering more than half of them. As for Qin and Han dynasties, it seems like I only know those few sentences "Why should we not destroy the Xiongnu?" and "Make my womenfolk lose their color". For Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Cao Pi's poetry was a must-study in school, with three required pieces: "Turtle Longevity", "Watching the Cang Hai", and... (suddenly forgot). And his son Cao Zhi's famous seven-step poem. Then, I can recite 20-30 poems from the Three Hundred Tang Poems, and chant 17-18 songs from the Song Dynasty Ci Poetry. Although I don't know much about Yuanqu, I can hum a few lines from "The Injustice to Dou E" and "Copper Cash". For Ming and Qing dynasties, I can barely recall three or four outlines of major works. As for modern writers, although not many, I can recite two required pieces by Lu Xun and Zhu Ziqing. Chairman Mao's works are vast, but at least I've memorized 4-5 poems and essays like "In Memory of XXX". What a waste of talent!

  Martial arts... just started learning, currently in the midst of three days fishing and two days drying nets, the most skilled is riding a small horse and shooting small arrows with a short bow.

  With my skills, I would certainly take the safest approach to deal with this ferocious minority.

  Attack the enemy's weak points with one's strong points.

  Although I didn't think this was his weakness, attacking where he is unprepared is always right.

  The small arrow had already flown out and shot straight into Bei Gong Bo Yu's back.

  I certainly wouldn't rush over to check if the enemy is dead like in many NC martial arts films, but instead find a place to hide first.

  The arrow has whizzed its way here.

  I gazed intently at the short arrow, watching as it shot towards Beigong Boyu's broad back.

  Only half an inch.

  Bei Gong Bo Yu suddenly turned around, his right hand with five fingers spread apart, seemingly casually scratching to one side.

  I shuddered all over.

  The arrow is in his hand!

  Is this the legendary martial arts?

  Am I seeing things?

  Bei Gong Bo Yu looked up at the sky and laughed, his face already showing a hint of madness: "Ma Teng Ma Teng! I thought you were clever enough, but it turns out you're not even a good dog! Han dogs are treacherous, none of them can be trusted! But how stupid can you be?! Can this kind of archery really kill people?!"

  He casually flicked his wrist, and a soldier tens of steps away was hit by an arrow.

  I couldn't help but curl up, with a wave of nausea in my stomach.

  At this moment, where is there still courage for me to shoot again?

  "Drink!" Beigong Boyu suddenly stumbled, unable to turn his head in time, and jumped up from the horseback. A long arrow had already pierced the joint of his left leg.

  Not yet landed, there is already the sound of horseshoes behind him.

  It was none other than my old father Ma Teng who had disagreed with me on this matter from the very beginning.

  The archer was actually his deputy behind him, Pang De's old father: Pang Yi.

  Lao Die and he were close in distance. At this moment, without saying a word, he quickly raised the long spear in his hand and charged towards Beigong Boyu on horseback.

  Bei Gong Bo Yu fell to the ground, one hand pulling out a long arrow, furious and cursing: "Ma Teng you thieving dog! You dare harm me!" His mouth twisted slightly due to the pain of pulling out the arrow.

  Ma Teng still didn't speak, and with a swift whip of his horse, the long spear pierced North Palace Bo Yu's abdomen without any fancy moves.

  Bei Gong Bo Yu was unable to move, and the arrow wound on his leg was still gushing out fresh blood.

  Ma Teng's long spear pierced down from above.

  The horse's hooves did not stop.

  Rushed straight into the faces of several hundred Qiang and Hu soldiers.

  A spear was thrust into Beigong's body, with fresh blood dripping several dozen steps away.

  The old man slowly reined in his horse and suddenly shook his long spear.

  Bei Gong Bo Yu fell from the sky.

  A bloody mess in the lower abdomen, large and small intestines fallen into the jade plate.

  Qiang Hu soldiers grasped their weapons tightly.

  The old man raised his long spear.

  "Those willing to return to the grasslands and continue their raids, go back; those willing to follow me, Ma Teng, stay behind, and I will treat you as my own kin."

  The Qiang and Hu soldiers have not yet moved.

  The old man's arm holding the gun didn't move either.

  My heart which had yet to fall continued to hang in suspense, could it be that they wanted to avenge Beiyuan?

  "Master Ma..." Someone from the Qiang Hu Shi Zu stepped forward and asked, "What kind of pastry is a Tong Huang Bao?"

  The people behind him all looked curious.

  ……

  I couldn't see Old Man's expression, I suppose he must be overjoyed at this moment: finally met a group of people who are even more illiterate than himself...

  "Cough," Pang Yi sighed and urged his horse to move forward, while Old Dad also withdrew the long gun he had raised. Then, by Pang Yi's explanation, "If you are willing to stay, we will treat you exactly the same as Han soldiers, and General Ma will regard you as his own personal guards. You can stay in Wuwei County, at least you won't have to worry about food and drink like before, nor live with anxiety. How about it?"

  I shook my head secretly: Uncle Pang looks like a cultured person, but it doesn't work either. When dealing with ethnic minorities, in addition to ensuring their food and clothing are taken care of, they also need to be given the rights they want. These soldiers are all wolf-like, and their usual job is to plunder and loot. At least once, they can make a profit that can support them for several years. If you treat them according to the ordinary soldier's treatment in the army, how can they agree?

  Hundreds of horses across from them turned their heads and gathered behind the man who had just spoken.

  "Come on, Master Ma!" The man shouted with a grin.

  "After returning to Jiuquan, let Pang Jun Cheng arrange your accommodation and organization." The old man signaled Pang Yi to lead these new soldiers back to Jiuquan first.

  Then Pong De and Ma Dai followed the main force back.

  I was going to go with him too, but Dad suddenly fell silent and cut in front of my pony.

  "Dad?" I glared at him.

  "Do you know your mistake?" Old Dad stroked his short beard, showing off his air.

  "What's wrong with the child? Where did he go wrong?" I pretended to be ignorant and sincerely asked for guidance from my elders.

  "Hmph!" Old man let out a heavy nasal sound, "You were wrong to neglect practicing martial arts in your daily life, the first arrow was wasted!"

  "I... I confess, I'm guilty. I hastily pleaded for leniency. 'Yes, yes, yes! If the child works hard and makes an effort, he will surely be able to wound the bandits in Beigong first, and then Father's battle will be much easier!'"

  Old man puffed out his mustache: "The mere Beigong Boyu, even if he hadn't been injured, I could have taken him down with one shot!"

  "Yes, yes, yes, Father is wise and powerful, bravely leading the three armies." I looked at myself again and had nothing to do, so I continued to flatter my father with worthless words.

  "But your archery skills are too poor!" Old man was not moved by the flattering words at all, "You must pay attention in the future, as my eldest son, Ma Teng, how can you be like this?!"

  "I will follow father's teachings and work twice as hard from now on." I knew I was wrong, so I hung my head in shame and made a vow, just like the promises we used to make to our parents when we were little.

  I will study hard from now on.