Chapter 22: The Schoolyard Duel

  A cup down, Qin Mubai also felt a bit of scorching discomfort, but he immediately filled another cup and stood up to walk in front of Li Yu, bowing: "Uncle Li, I'd like to offer you a toast."

  "Good. But I don't have Uncle Cheng's capacity, let's just take a sip." Li Yu raised his cup with a smile and took a casual sip. Qin Mubai, on the other hand, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, his face flushing red as he said, "Uncle can do as he pleases, but I must drink to show respect first."

  "Good fellow! Qin Erge, this Sanlang of your family is a good man!" Li Xian stroked his slender mustache and smiled at Qin Mubai, nodding in approval.

  "The dog son is not a good tool, and the two brothers are laughing at me." Qin Shubao laughed heartily and raised his cup, "Two brothers, I'll toast you again, let's drink!"

  Three old friends from Wagon who have known each other for decades, laughed loudly and raised their glasses to drink a toast.

  Cheng Zhijie downed the two large cups in one go and started to feel a bit dizzy, shaking his head with a bright red face like a monkey's butt, and his eyes were also slightly straight.

  "What the hell is this wine... I've only had two cups and it's already knocked me out!"

  This made everyone laugh again. The atmosphere at the banquet became more relaxed and joyful.

  After three rounds of wine, including Qin Mu Bai, everyone had some intoxication. It can be seen that the friendship between Qin Shu Bao and Cheng Zhi Jie, Li Xian is not ordinary. The three people got to know each other more than 20 or 30 years ago, from the beginning of Wa Gang Village, they fought side by side, sharing life and death, their feelings are not ordinary.

  Especially Cheng Zhijie, he treated Qin Shubao like a biological brother. The two had left Wagang together and drifted to Wang Shichong, and at the same time they surrendered to Li Shimin, becoming the fierce generals of the strongest unit under Li Shimin's command, the Xuanjia Cavalry, and fought side by side for more than ten years. After Li Shimin succeeded to the throne in the Xuanwu Gate Incident, the two men served as the left and right dragon-headed military generals, responsible for commanding the imperial city guards and garrisoning the capital.

  It can be said that from their youth, they have been through thick and thin together, and the bond between them is even stronger than that of biological brothers.

  "Two good brothers have been serving as officials and leading troops outside for many years, how did you make an appointment to return to Chang'an together, and still have time to visit this old useless thing?" Qin Shubao asked the two after half a cup of wine.

  Cheng Zhijie took over the conversation and said, "Second brother, don't you know? Last year Li Jing led the army to pacify Tuguhun and won a great victory. Not long ago, Wang Shi returned to the court. With the New Year approaching, the Emperor issued an edict to hold a banquet in the palace to celebrate Li Jing's success, and we generals who were serving outside were all summoned back!"

  "Oh, I see." Qin Shubao nodded slightly without changing his expression, but his eyes suddenly dimmed a few shades.

  Even the generals who were sent out were called back, but no one came to invite me, Qin Qiong!

  Li Xian seemed to have noticed Qin Shubao's emotional fluctuation, and smiled slightly: "Second brother, actually I came today for two reasons. One is to visit you and reminisce about old times, the other is to invite you to attend a banquet together. The Emperor said that such a grand occasion would be lacking in flavor without Second Brother Qin. Because who could forget that Second Brother Qin was once the number one general of the Qin Palace, the iron-blooded war god of our great Tang Dynasty?"

  "Haha, Director Mao, you've become more and more eloquent after all these years in office!" Qin Shubao laughed loudly, "Alright then, thank you, brother! Come on, let's have another drink!"

  Qin Mubai heard this conversation and couldn't help but think: Cheng Zhijie is straightforward and quick-witted, while Li Maogong is meticulous and smooth... In the officialdom, it's often those who are skilled at socializing who get ahead and live a comfortable life.

  Li Xian now serves as the governor of Pingzhou, in charge of almost all military power east of Mount Taihang (not the current Shandong Province, but a vast region east of Mount Taihang) in the Tang Dynasty. Almost one-fourth of the empire's troops are under his control, making him a pillar that supports the entire dynasty, holding up half of the country's borders to the east and north, keeping all northern barbarian tribes at bay, not daring to make any rash moves.

  In comparison, Cheng Zhi-jie was just an ordinary governor of a remote state, although he was nominally the Grand General of the Left Imperial Guard, the imperial palace guards had long been taken away from his command.

  Li Xian's ability may be stronger than Cheng Zhijie's, but the phrase "personality determines success or failure" might not be an exaggeration when applied to officialdom.

  Cheng Zhijie had drunk a lot of wine, his eyes were slightly red, and with a strong slap on Qin Mubai's shoulder, he said: "Third brother, you look so much like your dad, have you learned his skills?"

  "Is Uncle Cheng referring to martial arts?"

  "Nonsense!" Zhang Zijie shouted, "Are you still bragging about your poetry and martial arts skills? My father and I are real warriors, we only know how to lead troops, fight battles and kill on the battlefield, nothing else!"

  It also has a sarcastic meaning of Li Xuan being hypocritical and deceitful.

  Li Xian just smiled and shook his head, Qin Shubao also shook his head and sighed: "Don't mind him. This stubborn old devil was born with a rotten mouth that can't spit out ivory."

  "Never mind them, tell me, how's your martial arts?" Cheng Zhijie however, did not let go of Qin Mubai.

  "My nephew is no genius and hasn't learned even a fraction of his father's martial arts, he's just a half-baked goods." Qin Mu Bai replied with a smile.

  "How can that be?" Cheng Zhijie shouted loudly, slapping a heavy palm on Qin Mubai's shoulder to lift him up. "Come on, I'll teach you a few tricks! This old Qin, with all his skills, doesn't even teach his own son, is he waiting to take it to the grave? Come come come, I'll teach you a few moves!"

  "Brother Cheng, we came here today to visit Qin Erge and reminisce about old times. Don't make things complicated, okay?" Li Xian intervened.

  "Mind your own business! My second brother, I'll teach your son some kung fu skills, you won't be heartbroken, will you?" Cheng Zhijie didn't say another word and jumped up himself, pulling Qin Mu Bai to leave.

  Qin Shubao shook his head helplessly and smiled: "Since Jin is so enthusiastic, then let's go and take a look together!"

  Cheng Zhi Jie was originally called Cheng Yao Jin, but later changed his name to "Cheng Zhi Jie", with the courtesy name Zhen Yi. Now, except for Qin Shu Bao, I reckon no one would be so familiar as to call him by his old name "Yao Jin".

  "That's right, haha!" Zhang Zijie burst out laughing, "Think back to when we were young in Wagang, wasn't every day a real fight with swords and guns, sweating profusely and even bleeding? As an iron-boned man, one should have a bold and daring spirit - Xian nephew, follow me!"

  Having said that, Cheng Zhijie's big hand grasped Qin Mubai's wrist like a tiger claw and dragged him towards the back courtyard polo field.

  Qin Mubai couldn't help but smile wryly and had to let it go. A good man doesn't argue with a drunk, let alone when he's also his father's good friend and an elder.

  Qin Shubao and Li Xian also followed, bringing Liu Shi and Qin Shuang'er as well as some servants to watch. The Tang Dynasty was still in the midst of its martial heyday, and a martial arts competition was something that everyone enjoyed watching, so it was only natural.

  Cheng Zhijie was excited, personally ran to the stable and picked out two good horses, took up an eight-foot horse spear, and asked Qin Mubai: "Young man, what kind of weapon do you use?"

  "My father taught me marksmanship."

  "Ah, good marksmanship." Cheng Zhijie said, "In those years, Qin Ergou's pair of gauntlets, a pair of fists, and a gun, killed the heroes of the world with fear. Since you're learning gunplay, that's great, old Cheng has been playing with his horse spear for a lifetime, today I'll teach you a few moves! Get on the horse!"

  Qin Mu Bai and Li Xuan stood not far away, laughing together. Li Xuan said: "This old devil Cheng, is bullying his juniors again. With a sword for a month and a club for life, he has wielded that spear for over thirty years. How can Mu Bai's nephew be his match? Not to mention Mu Bai's nephew, looking around the world, perhaps only you, Qin Er Ge, and Wei Zhengde are among the few who can be his opponent."

  "I'm old, it's hard to move around, what's the point of talking about riding horses and killing?" Qin Shubao stroked his beard and chuckled, "But Chibei is a good intention. My son, in his eyes, is just like his own son. This guy is rough but has a delicate side, often doing things that seem absurd but actually have deep meaning. I'd like to see what he means today."

  "Heh heh, we're eagerly waiting. I'm also very curious about your martial arts skills." Li Xuan nodded and smiled, already staring at the arena.

  Qin Mubai held up a spear and mounted his horse, holding the spear with both hands: "Uncle Cheng, knives and swords are blind, why don't we remove the spearhead and dip a cloth in slaked lime instead?"

  "Nonsense, fart!" Cheng Zhijie said loudly, "Once on the battlefield, will the enemy be so polite to you? My good nephew, remember this for me. Once on the battlefield, don't think about any dog logic - just remember that the person in front of you is your enemy, if you don't kill him, he will kill you. Only then can you survive. I and your father Sha have fought in battles for decades, who knows how many people died under our guns, saw how many brothers and friends die in front of us, finally understood this truth - do you remember?"

  "Nephew understood!" Qin Mubai responded loudly.

  "Alright! Now use all your moves on me! Beat me to death!" Cheng Zhijie shouted loudly.

  Cheng Zhi's voice was like a loud thunder, with an undercurrent of murderous intent, causing Liu Shi, Qin Shuang'er and the guards to exclaim in fright. However, Qin Xianbao and Li Yu were unmoved, each still wearing a smile on their faces.

  Qin Mubai gritted his teeth and thought to himself: Some unofficial histories and rumors say that Cheng Yaowen uses a broad axe, but it seems that rumors are just rumors after all. If we were to compare archery skills, I'm afraid I wouldn't lose to any of them; but as for horsemanship and spear techniques... I'm afraid I would lose by a wide margin. Cheng Zhijie has spent half his life on horseback, his spear technique is absolutely sublime, so even if I use all my strength and unleash all my moves in a fierce battle against him, it's still worth it just to gain some experience!

  "Uncle Cheng, I've wronged you!"

  Qin Mu Bai's eyebrows sank, his tongue burst forth like a spring thunderclap, and with an angry shout he urged his horse forward. The long spear in his hand shot out like a poisonous snake's tongue, flying straight for Cheng Zhi Jie's chest and abdomen.

  Cheng Zhijie seemed half-drunk and half-awake, sitting on his horse without moving. He watched as Qin Mubai's spear came swiftly and fiercely, but he just smiled and raised his gun with one hand and one elbow. With a casual flick of his wrist, "Ka Dang" - the sound of metal clashing - Qin Mubai's spear was deflected!

  In the blink of an eye, Qin Mubai's gun power was neutralized, his shooting technique scattered, and the empty door around him opened wide. Cheng Zhijie's single shot was like a cold water snake, swiftly and cunningly attacking his back!

  It was at this moment of spark that Qin Mubai's heart suddenly cooled: Not good!

  Before he could react, a bullet had already hit his back.

  Ouch!

  "Bang!" With a single shot, the mighty gun was unstoppable, and it actually knocked Qin Mu Bai off his horse!

  He fell to the ground with a thud, what a miserable sight!

  Fortunately, the horse was not very fast, and Cheng Zhijie also seemed to be holding back and not using his full strength. Qin Mubai, although a bit embarrassed and injured from falling to the ground, was not seriously hurt.

  Liu and Qin Shuang'er in the distance were frightened and shouted, about to run over. Qin Yubao rebuked them with a loud voice: "What are you doing? Fall back!"

  "It's...!" Liu and Qin Xiang'er were met with such a piercing gaze from Qin Shu Bao that they didn't dare to make any slight movement, and could only anxiously watch as Qin Mu Bai slowly got up, getting anxious to the point of stomping their feet.

  "Haha, you little stinker hasn't even fought on horseback before? No way, no way, if this were a real battlefield, you'd already have an extra hole in your body! Your shooting is too scattered and you lack experience, not even half practical, only suitable for deceiving young girls. On the battlefield, you wouldn't last half a round before losing your life." Cheng Zhijie stood tall, pointing his gun at Qin Mubai, shouting loudly, "Get on horseback, let's fight again! I'll teach you some practical moves!"

  Qin Mubai patted the mud off his hands, gritted his teeth and nodded heavily, then picked up his gun and mounted his horse again.

  Li Xuan burst out laughing: "This old devil under Cheng's command really has some skills. Back then, he and you were both known as the twin terrors of the Qin Wang Fu, the left and right guardians, the tiger and lion generals. It seems that reputation was not undeserved!"

  "Hmph, Old Cheng's skills have always been top-notch. Even in my prime, I'm not sure I could've definitely beaten him," said Qin Shubao. "Moreover, Old Cheng has a temperament - the stronger his opponent, the more fiercely he fights. Do you still remember that battle where he and Pei Xingyan fought against Wang Shichong?"

  "Of course I remember," said Li Xian, "He and Pei Xingyan went to rescue Shan Xiangxin, but were surrounded by Wang Shichong. Pei Xingyan was shot off his horse, and Cheng Lao Gui single-handedly charged into the encirclement and rescued him, fighting his way through the crowd and killing a bloody path to get him out. At that time, Cheng Lao Gui's thigh was pierced by an arrow, he immediately drew his knife and cut off the arrow, and also killed the person who shot it, then fiercely fought back, scaring the soldiers surrounding him so much that they didn't dare to pursue. Only then did he lead the injured Pei Xingyan out of the bloody path."

  "Haha, indeed!" Qin Shubao sighed and said, "After that battle, I truly admired him. Not to mention his martial arts skills and bravery, but in such a perilous situation, he would rather die together than abandon his brothers to escape alone. This kind of brotherly love is admirable."

  "Haha, who dares to boast after Qin Ergei? Li Yu said with a big laugh."

  On the other hand, Qin Mubai had already been thrown off his horse by Cheng Zhijie for the sixth time, and was covered in mud, looking extremely disheveled.

  "No, no, come again!" Cheng Zhijie was still shouting loudly. "Qin Sanlang, who taught you this lousy gun technique? It's really too bad! With skills like yours, even a hundred of them wouldn't be a match for me and your dad! A tiger father has no inferior son, don't you feel ashamed?"

  Qin Mubai was so angry that his teeth itched, and in a fit of rage he mounted his horse again and clashed with Cheng Zhijie.

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