Chapter 9: The Archery Competition

  Zhou Tong presented the iron bow to Yue Fei, who was overjoyed. He drew the bow three times in a row, and Zhou Tong nodded repeatedly.

  Yue Fei took the iron bow and the clothes that Zhou Tong had given him back home to see his mother, telling her everything. His mother was overjoyed when she heard the news. She spent the whole night making new clothes for Yue Fei. The next morning, Zhou Tong was reading in his study when Tang Huai suddenly walked in, looking refreshed and rejuvenated. Zhou Tong saw that Tang Huai was wearing a white scarf with a big red peony flower embroidered on it, a plain white battle robe, a large red embroidered cape, red cuffs on both sides, a silver soft belt around his waist, and black oil-soled boots, looking majestic and powerful.

  "Sir, is this outfit suitable for tomorrow's small exam in the county?" Tang Huai asked with a pleased expression.

  "Very good, indeed elegant and refreshing." Zhou Tong praised.

  "Sir, my father invites you to come to our house for dinner tomorrow and then go to the county together." Tang Huai said.

  "Your kindness I appreciate. Let's meet at the school grounds tomorrow." Zhou Dang refused with a gentle tone.

  After Tang Huai left, Zhang Xian walked in again with great enthusiasm. He wore a green silk scarf with an embroidered peony flower, a green silk embroidered battle robe, red shoulder pads and red cuffs, tied with a soft gold belt, and wore silver-bottomed green silk boots.

  "Sir, does this outfit look good on me?" Zhang Xian asked.

  "Not bad, like a martial arts scholar. Disciple, you go back and inform your master that tomorrow we don't need to wait for me, everyone will gather at the school field." Zhou Tong instructed.

  Zhang Xian responded with a sound and walked out. As soon as he went out, he bumped into Wang Gui. Wang Gui also came to ask the master to take a look at whether his line was okay.

  Zhou Tong carefully sized up Wang Gui, and saw that he was wearing a large red battle robe, with a large red turban on his head, a large red scarf draped over his shoulders, large red cuffs on his sleeves, a soft golden belt around his waist, and golden yellow satin boots on his feet. With his red face, his entire body looked like a burning ember.

  "Master, what do you think?" Wang Gui asked.

  "Excellent! You look perfect with this outfit, it matches your rosy face just right. Tomorrow, you and your father go into the city together, don't wait for me, I'll have dinner at your brother-in-law's house and then head to the school grounds to meet up with you." said Zhou Dang.

  Zhang Xian and Wang Gui had already left. Zhou Tong had planned to rest for a while, but unexpectedly, Yue Fei walked in again.

  "Uncle, I'm going into town tomorrow, will this outfit do?" Yue Fei asked.

  "Feier, for now there's really no other way, you'll just have to make do! I've already made an appointment with the three of them, we're meeting at the school grounds tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, I'll come to your house for dinner and we can head out together." Zhou Dong said.

  Yue Fei listened and was surprised by the honor, saying: "Uncle looks up to me, goes to my house for a meal, but my family is poor and has no good dishes to entertain."

  "We're all family, so let's just relax." Zhou Tong said with a smile.

  On the fifteenth day, early in the morning, Zhou Tong came over. He had a meal with Yue Fei, and after finishing their meal, the two of them stood up and went out the door. Madame Yue saw him off at the gate, repeatedly reminding Yue Fei.

  Zhou Tong rode the crimson horse sent by Wang Yuan, walking in front, Yue Fei followed behind, rushing and slowing down along the way, finally arriving at the training ground at noon.

  Yue Fei's first trip away from home, everything felt novel. When he arrived at the school grounds, he looked around but all he saw was a sea of people, with vendors calling out to sell their wares and tea houses and wine shops everywhere, it was very lively. Zhou Tong led his horse to the entrance of a tea house, tied it to a tree in front, and walked inside. The father-son duo sat down at a table, sipping tea while looking around outside. Before long, three officials accompanied by relatives from the city entered the school grounds, each carrying food boxes. Wang, one of the officials, instructed his servant to find Zhou Tong and Yue Fei. The servant went off on his errand and suddenly spotted the reddish-brown horse at the entrance of the tea house, recognizing it as a gift from his master to Mr. Zhou. He walked into the tea house and indeed found Zhou Tong and Yue Fei drinking tea together.

  "Mr. Zhou originally you were here, our old master asked me to find you for lunch together in front." The house servant said.

  "Go back and report to your master, this is not a place for drinking. Since they've brought it here, just let them eat and don't mind us." Zhou Dang excused himself.

  After Jiading went back to report, the three little heroes came together and invited Zhou Tong and Yue Dagong to have a meal together.

  Zhou Tong said to the three apprentices, "You go over there, and when your names are called later, you can go up. If County Master asks about Brother Yue, just say he's on his way."

  "Teacher, why didn't you call Brother Yue to go up with us?" Wang Gui asked.

  "It's not that I disagree with going up, but your brother-in-law's bows and arrows are all hard objects. If he were to compete with you, it would be impossible for you to show off your skills. Therefore, I asked him to take a separate test." Zhou Tong explained. The three of them listened, understood the implication, bid farewell to their teacher, and returned to the big wine shed, where they told the officials what their teacher had said. Upon hearing this, the officials praised Zhou Tong and Yue Fei even more.

  Before long, the martial arts students from various towns arrived at the school grounds. Most of them were sons of wealthy families, dressed in fine and luxurious attire, riding tall and handsome horses with brightly shining saddles and bridles. These rich young men all hoped to win the small examination and then go on to take the imperial examinations in the capital city to obtain official positions.

  Inside the campus, it's crowded with people, and the noise is incessant.

  After a while, County Magistrate Li Chun arrived at the school grounds with a group of yamen runners on horseback, dismounted and went straight to the martial hall.

  Li Chun stood above, looking at the martial arts students who came to take the exam, and secretly rejoiced in his heart: "If I can select good disciples today, when I enter the capital, my face will also have glory."

  Li Chun drank a cup of tea, and the clerk brought over the list of names. Li Chun took a look at the list and called out the names one by one in order. The martial arts students who were called came up to perform, first demonstrating their archery skills and then showing off their horseback riding abilities. At this time, the only sounds that could be heard in the martial arts hall were the "whooshing" of arrows flying through the air, a constant stream of sound. Zhou Dang listened and smiled slightly.

  "Old General, why are you laughing at the sound of the arrow?" Yue Fei asked in puzzlement.

  "Child, did you know that those martial youths shooting arrows, every single arrow missed its mark. Only the sound of the bow and arrow could be heard, but not the beat of the drum, which is why they burst out laughing."

  Yue Fei listened and understood Grandfather's meaning, and naturally had a few points of joy in his heart.

  After a while, the county master pointed to the names of Yue Fei, Zhang Xian, Tang Huai and Wang Gui brothers four, Zhang Xian, Tang Huai and Wang Gui went up in response.

  "Why didn't Yue Fei come?" asked the county magistrate.

  "Report to the master, Yue Dage only because his family is poor and has no money to buy a horse, he walked to the county, and then arrived." Zhang Xian said.

  "Alright! The three of you will take a written test first. Yue Fei will be tested afterwards," said the county magistrate.

  "Thank you, County Master." The three of them said in unison.

  The contest began, and the three brothers each showed off their skills taught by their master. First, they were tested on their knowledge, which they answered with ease; then they were tested on archery, and as soon as the arrow left the bowstring, the sound of drums was heard. The training ground was filled with cheers and applause.

  The county magistrate saw three young men who were young and promising, he was very pleased, and immediately chose all three of them.

  "Old master, we are just mediocre people. My elder brother Yue Fei's skills are truly formidable," said Wang Gui.

  Li Chun listened and admired Yue Fei even more.

  "Next, Qilin Village Yue Fei —" County Master shouted.

  "Yue Fei is here!" Yue Fei arrived at once, his voice and person arriving simultaneously.

  Li Chun carefully looked at Yue Fei and saw that he was majestic, physically strong, with a stern and upright air about him.

  "At the sound of Li Chun's command, Yue Fei took out his iron bow, stood up straight, and with great force, shot nine arrows in a row, each one hitting the center of the target."

  Everyone saw Yue Fei shoot nine arrows in a row, hitting the target every time, and couldn't help but cheer loudly.

  Zhou Tong stood by, seeing that Yue Fei did not disappoint him, a relieved smile appeared on his face. Yue Fei was his most satisfactory disciple, he decided to cultivate him into a towering tree.