Chapter 501: Bao Zhuzhu's Divine Assistance
Chapter 501: Bao Zhuzhu's Divine Assistance
Shooting at copper coins was already outrageous, but now they had to shoot at a nearly invisible and constantly swaying kite string. Wasn't this just a setup for failure?
The Minister of War said, "Prince Zhangsun, you're quite the joker. Even with a light bow, it's difficult to hit a line that's a hundred steps away."
Lu Yuan replied, "I'm not joking. I'm serious. If you want to increase the difficulty, I'll do the same. It's not fair to only allow the officials to start fires while forbidding the commoners from lighting lamps."
The Minister of War fell silent.
The Vice Commander of the Imperial Guards spoke up, "Prince Zhangsun, even if you're bluffing, there's a limit."
Lu Yuan said, "Are you saying we should agree or not? It's hot, so let's make this quick. If you're a man, don't be so indecisive."
Prince Jin's face turned slightly grim.
Prince Rui looked at Lu Yuan deeply, unsure if he was bluffing or using retreat as a strategy.
General Hu spoke up, "Prince Zhangsun, you truly deserve to win the literary test. Coming up with such a plan to make the Prince of the Commandery back down is admirable."
"So, you want the Prince of the Commandery to back down?"
"Didn't Prince Zhangsun say that he'd agree to increase the difficulty with the Hou Yi Bow if his conditions were met?"
"He's set an impossible condition, essentially wanting to grill the Prince of the Commandery."
The military officials began whispering among themselves.
Elder Meng stroked his beard and said nonchalantly, "During the second test, Prince Zhangsun couldn't draw the three-stone bow. General Hu immediately brought out the Hou Yi Bow, which is heavier than the three-stone bow, and forced Prince Zhangsun to give in using the tactic of goading. I really can't see anything wrong with Prince Zhangsun's conditions. In my opinion, there's no need for a competition. Just announce the Prince of the Commandery as the winner. After all, whatever is compared, added, or not added, it's all up to you!"
His words carried great weight.
He was just short of pointing at General Hu and the others and calling them shameless.
General Hu's eyes turned cold.
A chill also flashed in Prince Jin's eyes.
Elder Meng, who had served under the Emperor for many years, always had the pride of a scholar and had never spoken up for anyone like this before.
Moreover, Lu Yuan hadn't even agreed to be his student, yet Elder Meng had already treated him as a cherished disciple.
When he thought about how Elder Meng had tried to refuse Lu Qi's request to be his disciple, Prince Jin's face darkened even more.
"Fine, I agree."
Lu Qi said.
Everyone turned to look at him.
Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow, "Hey, don't show off. If you lose, don't blame me later."
Lu Qi said, "You can talk after you grab the Hou Yi Bow. Let's begin."
Lu Yuan hugged his arms, "Alright."
Prince Ming waved at Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan walked over and asked, "Your Highness, is there something you need?"
Prince Ming asked quietly, "Can you really do it?"
"Tai Ye Ye! Tai Ye Ye!"
A chubby little bundle rushed onto the horse ranch, heading straight for the Imperial Platform.
It was Bao Zhuzhu, leading her little horse.
Meng Qianqian accompanied her.
As Prince Ming asked this question, Meng Qianqian had just walked past the shaded pavilion behind the Crown Prince's Mansion.
Although their eyes didn't meet, they both felt a familiar aura.
Lu Yuan hummed, "Men can do anything."
"Tai Ye Ye! Tai Ye Ye!"
Bao Zhuzhu stood before the Imperial Platform, looking up at the high and mighty Liang Emperor, her chubby body jumping with excitement.
The Emperor's stern eyebrows softened like the spring breeze and rain, and his imperial majesty turned into doting, "It's Zhao Zhao, come up quickly."
The little attendant hurried to lead the little horse.
Bao Zhuzhu stretched out her little arms towards Meng Qianqian, "Teacher, hug."
Meng Qianqian hugged the little one and stepped onto the high Imperial Platform. After putting the little one down, she bowed to the Emperor, "Your Majesty."
The Emperor nodded slightly.
The little one patted into his embrace, "Tai Ye Ye!"
The Emperor laughed as he hugged the little one, "Do you miss Tai Ye Ye?"
"En!"
The little one nodded vigorously and seriously spread her little hands, saying, "I've finished class, but Tai Ye Ye hasn't returned. The Jinluan Pavilion, it's not there! The Imperial Study, it's not there!"
"Hahaha.
"The Liang Emperor couldn't help but laugh at the adorable little girl's gesture of waving her tiny hands. How could there be such a cute kid in this world?"
"None, none at all!"
The little girl, in a soft and tender voice, spoke with utmost seriousness, "I, I found it."
As she spoke, she panted and raised her little hand to wipe her forehead.
The little one was exhausted! The Liang Emperor's heart melted.
"How did you get here too?"
Gongsun Yanming asked Meng Qianqian.
Meng Qianqian bowed politely, "Greetings, Master."
Bao Zhu Zhu, with her hands on her hips, addressed Gongsun Yanming with a serious tone, "Zhao Zhao invited the teacher!"
She used the word 'invited'.
The Liang Emperor smiled, "Zhao Zhao respects her teachers and values the path of learning. She's a good child."
Bao Zhu Zhu lifted her chin proudly, "Of course!"
"Hahaha!"
The Liang Emperor couldn't help but burst into laughter again.
The officials, both civil and military, were stunned, as if they had seen a ghost in broad daylight.
Where was their majestic and awe-inspiring Majesty?
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The Liang Emperor looked at the little girl kicking her feet in his embrace and said to Yu Gonggong, "Prepare a seat for Miss Yan."
Yu Gonggong scanned the area and brought over a small cushion, placing it beside the Liang Emperor.
This position was even closer than that of Zi Wu Xian Sheng and the National Teacher.
The Liang Emperor continued to tease the little girl in his arms.
Yu Gonggong knew he had guessed correctly.
For the guests invited by Miss Zhao, if they were seated too far, Miss Zhao would be unhappy.
If Miss Zhao was unhappy, His Majesty would also be unhappy.
His Majesty truly doted on Miss Zhao.
On the other side, the inspection of the ten archery targets was complete, and the simple high platform for the Houyi Bow was also set up.
It must be said that the capabilities of the Liang soldiers were not comparable to ordinary soldiers. The three-zhang-high platform was completed in the blink of an eye.
One couldn't help but wonder how formidable this well-trained army would be in a siege.
"Is this the strength of the Liang army?"
Meng Qianqian muttered to herself, thinking of the Black Armor Army she had established with Chu Nan.
The Liang Imperial Guards indeed bore some resemblance to the Black Armor Army.
Finally, only the kites were left.
There were two kites in total, one blue belonging to Lu Qi, and the other red belonging to Lu Yuan.
In this round, they needed to gallop on their horses, shoot down ten targets along the way, climb the high platform, seize the Houyi Bow, and then shoot down the opponent's kite.
Everything was ready.
Lu Yuan and Lu Qi rode their mounts with an awe-inspiring demeanor.
Everyone's heart was in their throat because they understood that the upcoming round was not only crucial but also the most thrilling and exciting one.
The three-zhang-high platform alone was enough to make one's heart tremble.
"Can the horses trained this morning perform well?"
Prince Ming asked.
Prince Fu replied, "You're very concerned about your nephew."
Prince Ming said, "I'm worried about my silver!"
Prince Fu was surprised, "You're betting again? With whom this time?"
Prince Ming's gaze went past Prince Fu, looking towards his other side.
Prince Fu turned, "Uncle?"
Jiang Guogong exclaimed, "Start, start! Hurry up, we're getting impatient!"
Prince Fu sighed.
First his mother, then his uncle, could this family produce someone reliable?
As the copper gongs sounded, Lu Yuan and Lu Qi's horses raced ahead, leaving a trail of dust.
The two horses ran side by side.
The two riders loosened the reins, relying solely on their legs and waist strength to maintain their balance.
Almost simultaneously, they drew their bows and pulled out arrows from their backs.
Whoosh! Lu Qi shot the first arrow.
It hit the bullseye!
Immediately after, he shot the second arrow, hitting the bullseye again.
Lu Yuan smirked, "Second brother, is that all you've got?"
After saying this, Lu Yuan drew his bow, arrogantly aiming at Lu Qi.
Not following the usual routine, 23333, please give me a thumbs-up!
(End of Chapter)
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