Everyone loves Huo Qubing

"Compare!" With a "shua", Cao Xiang unsheathed her sword and stabbed straight at Zhang He's face without hesitation.Zhang He hurriedly picked up his sword to fight, but because he didn't have the chance, he had to dodge first, and then use the sheathed sword to parry.Cao Xiang's sword waved down from mid-air, and the blade hit the scabbard repeatedly, and there were several "clangs" immediately.

Cao Xiang was used to fine iron swords, and thought that it would be easy for the person facing him to break the scabbard and the body of the sword with such a slash, but for a moment he forgot that he was holding an ordinary iron sword. "Ping Ping" sounded several times, but only a few dents were left on the opponent's scabbard, and he couldn't help being confused.

"My lord, be careful."

I knew that he must have become angry from embarrassment, so I also raised my sword to fight, but was blocked by Li Gan.

"If you go, the prince will definitely be distracted to protect you, and instead give Zhang He a chance to draw his sword."

But Zhang He didn't draw his sword, but rushed towards Cao Xiang's blade, causing everyone to scream and panic.

"I'm not afraid of death!" Cao Xiang was frightened, and hurriedly withdrew her sword in a hurry. Unexpectedly, the opponent took advantage of the opportunity and swiped close. The sword in his hand flew a foot away, and fell to the ground with a clang.

"You lost." Taishi Han, who had been watching the battle silently, did not speak until now.

"He cheated!" Cao Xiang angrily wiped the sweat from his forehead when an unknown newcomer held the scabbard against his neck.

"To lose is to lose." Taishi Han didn't change his face, "Stay after school to practice target shooting, shoot ten straw heads before going home."

The afterglow of the setting sun quickly hid into the horizon mercilessly, and the cold air hit me, making me shiver.

"You go back first, don't wait for me." I loosened the string, wiped the sweat with my sleeve, and watched the hay-colored ball rolling into the hay in the distance.Archery is my weakness, and grass target is my weakness.

"Seven." The eunuch reported the number.

Cao Xiang, who had already completed the mission and sat cross-legged and watched me shoot the arrow, finally got up from the ground impatiently: "Give me the bow, and I'll shoot. You'll be the one who hits the shot."

"No." The eunuch cleared his throat and said solemnly, "If the son helps Mr. Huo, the ones shot before will not be counted, and the slaves have to start from the beginning."

Cao Xiang sat down and returned to the previous posture.At this moment, I don't care about him, there are three arrows left, I have to fight.

Another straw head slowly tilted, and finally fell down and rolled into a piece of withered grass. The eunuch finally announced the long-awaited "ten".

My stomach growled with hunger.In the past few days, a tooth in my mouth is crumbling, and the new tooth hurts me so much that I can’t sleep or eat, and my appetite is greatly reduced. Now it’s time for dinner, and I gradually feel that my thumb is swollen, stuck in a decision, my shoulders and arms are weak, and my wrist is sore. , Only the strength to walk is left, not the strength to lead the horse.Fortunately, the eunuch was reasonable and helped me lead Huoyun, and led me away from the shooting range in a mess.

"My son, see you tomorrow." When I passed the north gate of Changle Palace, I waved weakly to Cao Xiang.

Turn around and follow the eunuch to the gate of Qingming. At this time, the lights inside and outside Chang'an City have just started.I suddenly felt a pair of eyes staring at me from behind. I quickly looked back, but I could only see the line of imperial guards standing upright at the gate of Changle Palace, and the back of Cao Xiang who disappeared under the Changle Palace.

It must be an illusion caused by being too tired today.

***

Uncle's claret horse was chewing happily in the stable, still wrapped in muddy water, and the servant was washing the horse with a bucket and brush.The two horses of the second uncle and the younger uncle stood aside, turned their heads with a little disgust, and made a "snoring" sound from their noses.

"Uncle is back?" I handed the reins of Huoyun to the servant, and I collapsed on the floor of the main hall with my feet in the air, listening to the movement from the kitchen.

"Shhh, don't make a sound, you're arguing." My uncle sneaked out of the kitchen, brought a plate of caramel and a few small ice cubes to me, pointed at the caramel and said, "Here, brother just came from Fresh goods brought back by Mayi."

Arguing as soon as we meet?I was eating snacks while covering my cheeks.The two uncles recently took turns running to Mayi County, and they didn't have many opportunities to meet each other, and they didn't talk as much as before.

Sure enough, the uncle's loud voice came from the kitchen: "How long has the filial piety period passed, why are you still eating vegetarian food!"

"Your Majesty said that you will keep your filial piety for one year..." I gradually couldn't hear the second uncle's reply clearly, but I can get a general idea of ​​the ins and outs of my uncle's words.

"It's none of your business that he's sad? It's not our grandmother who died." The uncle's voice came again, "I've poured out all the food, let's go out to eat tonight."

The ceramic bowls, ceramic plates, and bamboo chopsticks were mixed with chaos, and the uncle chased the second uncle out of the kitchen while continuing to chatter: "He has replaced the staff in such a drastic manner that China, Korea, Korea, Korea, etc. He is tossing about, setting up a Yuefu, playing those obscene sounds, he doesn't look sad, he is clearly a yellow-mouthed child who has broken free from the restraints and is happily letting himself go!"

The footsteps of the two stopped abruptly in the main hall.Seeing my uncle who was full of anticipation because he heard about the possibility of eating out, and seeing me lying on the ground nibbling caramel ice cubes, the second uncle finally calmed down and sighed.

"Brother said, let's go out and eat."

My uncle clapped his hands and laughed, "Okay, let's change our clothes!" He pulled me up and hurried into the room.

Uncle needs to go back to the palace to report the itinerary tomorrow, and rest early.My uncle drank too much and was so sleepy that his eyelids were battling. He probably wouldn't be able to get up tomorrow morning, but he didn't drink a single drop in the Qimen barracks, which was considered an improvement, and it wouldn't be a big deal if he was happy once in a while.

Tomorrow is Taifu Dong's class. I previewed "Gongyang Chunqiu" for a while, and copied a few unknown official script characters crookedly with my right hand onto the bamboo slips, planning to ask him in class tomorrow.

Tooth still hurts a bit.Turning off the lights, I tossed and turned on the couch, unable to fall asleep.

There was a low voice from outside.

I put on my coat, opened the door quietly, and walked barefoot on the cold ground at night.In the courtyard, the fragrance of wintersweet blossoms pervades the surroundings, and under the willow tree with new leaves stands a tall and tall figure.The second uncle hadn't slept yet, the moonlight was shining brightly on his blue jacket, his drooping eyelashes covered his starry eyes, his cheeks were slightly tipsy from the apricot blossom wine he drank earlier.He beat the verse with his hands and sang softly:

"Qingqing Zijin, care about my heart. Even if I don't go, Zining won't listen?

Qingqingzipei, I think for a while.Even if I don't go, Zining won't come?

Xi Xi pick up in the city of Xi Que.Not seeing each other for a day is like March! "

I know that this song comes from the Book of Songs, which was taught by Li Siye not long ago, and this poem is the melodious sound that my uncle mentioned tonight——Zheng Yin's masterpiece, which is now accompanied by Wei Yin's melodious rhythm by my second uncle Humming out, but out of thin air there is a touch of desolation.

Since I can remember, this is the first time I heard my second uncle sing.I always thought that my aunt, who is good at singing Weiyin, has the most moving voice in the world. It wasn't until this night that I realized that a man's singing voice can also be called the sound of nature.

But, is he still going to compromise with his brother after all?

I walked over gently, put my arms around my second uncle, leaned my chin against his waist, and looked up at him.The corners of the second uncle's lips were slightly raised, and he unfolded a calm smile, stroked my drooping hair, and sighed softly.

"Second Uncle sing it again, Qubing loves to listen."

***

Days of detention, combined with the pain of the new teeth, left me unable to eat. I had never felt so despondent.A little pain is worse than a big pain. Last night I finally couldn't bear it, and ordered my uncle to bring a thick thread, one end was fastened to the copper button on the door, and the other end was fastened to the crumbling tooth.The uncle mercilessly kicked the door open with a "bang", and the white deciduous teeth flew into the air with a streak of blood.

Ice cubes were thrown into the mouth to hold it, which gradually stopped the bleeding, but it was not a cure for the symptoms.Over the past few days, my left arm tends to be strained due to excessive force. Every time I pull the string, it will be extremely painful. My thumb is swollen.

But I can't show weakness, shoot five straw heads and my detention is over.I imagined the grass target as the Huns who invaded Mayi, and once again raised their bows and arrows.

I stared blankly at the sixth head, as dark yellow as withered grass, rolling to the ground.The sky had completely darkened, Cao Xiang couldn't wait to leave first, and the voice of the eunuch's counting came from the distance, hazy and unreal.The torches all around illuminated the shooting range, and in the distance, on the sites of the Qimen Army and the Changan Guards, there were sparks of fire and smoke, and the smell of the food carried by the east wind blowing towards my face, distracted me for a while.

I have no strength left.Maybe imagining these straw people as that annoying Han Yan can refresh me?

"Has your left wrist been injured before?"

A cold voice sounded from behind, making me stagger in fright, I turned around instinctively, the arrow in my hand almost came out of the string, and hit the person in the face.

Han Yan held the arrow with one hand, motioned for me to release the bow, and stretched out the other hand, grabbing my left wrist.The scene three years ago hit my heart. I instinctively repelled the struggle, but was caught dead.

"Let go."

"Don't let go." I met his gaze firmly again.

"Hmph, I can really bear it." Taishi Han chuckled, let go of the hand holding the arrow, untied the knot on my left wrist, and uncovered my sleeve.Sure enough, the left wrist was already swollen like a steamed bun.He let go of me, took my bow, weighed it twice in his hand, held the bow in his left hand, put the arrow on the string with his right hand, and the head of the withered grass man on the opposite side fell down.

Good skill!I praise it in my heart.

"Watch me," he commanded, raising his bow again.

This time, he switched to holding the bow in his right hand and nocking the arrow in his left hand.When the arrow left the string, I was in a trance for a moment, until the skull of the straw man at the farthest end of the shooting range rolled to the corner of the wall and disappeared. I didn't even see where the arrow went.

Taishi Han took out three arrows from my quiver at once, still maintaining the right bow and left string posture, and slowly drew the bowstring.Three arrows were fired at once, and the heads of the three straw figures fell in unison. The three arrows all hit the target, and none of them missed the target.

The person standing in the cold wind was dressed in red. I rubbed my eyes to show that I was right.He is also left-handed?In other words, how did he manage to shoot both left and right without missing a shot?

With his back to the torch, Grand Master Han looked down at me, his eyes were deep, but seemed to penetrate me, looking at another person behind me.That night three years ago, this man turned his back to the light like this, and the crazy words he spit out occasionally still linger in my ears late at night.

"From the next class onwards, switch to a hard bow." Taishi Han said slowly, "Once you get used to a soft bow, it's not easy to change back."

"But I'm used to it." I retorted instinctively.This bow is the first bow my second uncle bought for me, and I don't want to put it on the shelf so soon.

"It must be changed." Han Yan's voice is undeniable, "The soft bow makes your wrist rely too much on the texture of the bow. If you change it one day earlier, it will save one day of pain."

Seeing that I was still staring at him, Taishi Han withdrew his gaze and sighed.

"Come on, I'll take you home."

Taishi Han carried me onto the horse and led Huoyun out of the Qingming Gate.A few beggars who often sit at the base of Chang'an City saw us and surrounded us, stretching out their hands and singing songs.I heard the lyrics are probably "If you are hungry and cold, chase gold pills"?

Taishi Han walked straight through the beggars.

"A group of people who get something for nothing!" I turned around and made faces at those people, in exchange for their abuse.

"Why do they sing that kind of ballad?" After getting rid of those people, I asked inexplicably, "Who would give the golden pill to such a person?"

"Many years ago, there were people who were young and ignorant." Han Yan only uttered this sentence and stopped talking.

One thing I didn't tell anyone.When I passed Changle Palace tonight, the eerie feeling of being spied on came back, but it was too dark, and I could hardly see anything clearly.The place of Changle Palace is too cloudy and the feng shui is not good. It seems that we will have to go around it in the future.

***

In the past few years, the Wei family worshiped the ancestors, and they have always walked with the emperor. In addition, this year, there are fewer people from the Dou family, and the ranking of the Wei family has moved a lot closer to the emperor. My aunt also brought the two princesses, Wei Chang and Yang Shi. Cousin dressed up to attend.Unfortunately, I was not able to participate in this sacrificial ceremony. Due to the recent fatigue and the constant running around with bare feet, I unfortunately fell ill.

The sun was shining brightly, and the uncles all went to Shanglinyuan to participate in the hunting.Enduring the pain of a cold, I lay alone in the bed, huddled into a ball, with snot and tears, and drank bitter herbal juice.The servant brought warm water and sweets for me, and looked at me curiously.

Since Taifu Sima Xiangru's "Shanglin Fu" was published, the news that the second son of the Wei family participated in the hunt during the hunting has spread to the outside world. "In the past, the eunuch Zhao Tong joined the emperor Xiaowen, but now the guards are self-conscious and flattering", gossip everywhere about the relationship between the second uncle and the emperor, and attack the reputation of the second uncle.Uncle was worried, but there was no prey in the last two years of hunting.My uncle is playful as always, and I asked him to tell me what he saw and heard today when he came back.

When I woke up, I heard the neighing and exhaling of horses in the yard, and the voices of my uncles came from outside the door.Open your eyes and look, a round of dazzling sun hangs in the sky.

"Why did it end so early?" I asked my uncle who opened the door.

"Don't mention it, something happened." The uncle unloaded the bow and arrow and hung it on the wall, and said angrily, "Since the deer died last time, according to the new regulations, Han Yan always clears the scene before the opening, and His Majesty will follow." The king of Jiangdu was lucky. He hadn't returned to Beijing for many years. He didn't understand the new rules and mistook his mount. However, relying on himself as His Majesty's elder brother, he messed around in front of the generals and sued the Queen Mother directly. His Majesty was so angry that he sent everyone Dismissal on the spot is really disappointing!"

"Ah? Why did King Jiangdu come here?" I asked while blowing my nose.

Untiing the Hufu, my uncle continued talking: "I heard that the king of Jiangdu came to ask his majesty to send him to fight the Huns. His majesty was very angry when he heard that, and he couldn't refuse in person, so he asked the king of Jiangdu to accompany the hunter first, so that he could send him to fight the Xiongnu." It's a strategy to slow down the army. This is good, the two have completely broken up, and His Majesty will definitely not let King Jiangdu fight."

"Qubing, do you feel better?" Uncle opened the door and came in, trying the temperature on my forehead.

I shake my head.Illnesses come and go like a mountain, and go away like silk. From my experience, a cold can last at least ten days.

"Isn't it a good thing to take the soldiers of King Jiangdu to fight the Xiongnu?" I didn't understand.

There was a trace of worry on the uncle's face, he shook his head and sighed: "The preparations for this war are the top secret of China and North Korea. The fact that Liu Fei, the king of Yi, the capital of the small Jiangdu, can get the news in advance means one thing - someone leaked the news. Your Majesty is furious because Now the whole war needs to be re-planned and possibly canceled."

"Canceled? Then you went to Mayi County the last two times, wouldn't it be a waste of time?"——and also messed with the master father Yan, I said in my heart.

"I don't care if my job is in vain or not." The uncle said so, but there was a look of worry on his face.He helped me tuck the quilt, "Don't think too much about Qubing, get some sleep. Buguang, let's go, don't disturb his rest."