After Exile, I Married the Amnesiac General [Rebirth] Chapter 16

On the drill ground, rows of camp flags fluttered loudly in the wind.

The soldiers had long lined up on both sides of the field. Not only were they not shrinking back because of the cold and strong wind, each of them was instead full of energy, their expressions excited.

Li Chansiu felt that the afternoon seemed even colder than noon. Before coming out, he drank another bowl of ginger soup.

Pei Er walked with him and, noticing that he seemed particularly sensitive to the cold, slowed his steps slightly and hesitantly asked, “Are you… feeling unwell?”

Enduring the cold, Li Chansiu smiled at him and said, “My wind-chill has worsened a bit these past two days. It had originally improved, but I didn’t expect the wind outside to be this strong.”

Pei Er was startled upon hearing this and suddenly thought, could it be that the reason the other party hadn’t come to see him the past two days was actually because he was sick?

After hesitating for a moment, he said, “How about you go back first? I alone can also…”

“Since I’m already here, there’s no need to rush this moment.” Li Chansiu interrupted with a smile.

The two arrived together at the place where the horses were being selected.

Li Chansiu inspected a jujube-red steed in front of him from head to hoof, then from bit to tail. Only after confirming there was no problem did he say with reassurance, “Go on up.”

It made sense. There were not many warhorses in the camp, and each one was carefully maintained. General Chen had even personally instructed that people could lack food, but the horses absolutely could not.

The Great Zhou already held a disadvantage against the Hu people in terms of horses. Each of these tall warhorses was hard-won. With General Chen’s emphasis on them, clearly no one dared to tamper with them.

Pei Er already had feathered arrows on his back and a longbow in hand, clad in cold, austere armor. He gave Li Chansiu a deep look before flipping onto the horse, his movements dashing and crisp.

Not far away, Chen Qing could not help smacking his lips. “He really does look the part, but let’s hope he’s not just an embroidered pillow, only good to look at.”

“Then, Brother Qing, who are you betting on for the second round?” Erzi asked cautiously from the side.

“Isn’t that obvious? Of course I’m betting on my brother, Pei Er!” Chen Qing slapped his shoulder and gritted his teeth. “The money I lost this morning, I’ll definitely win back this afternoon.”

On the jujube-red steed, Pei Er stole another glance at Li Chansiu before tightening the reins and turning the horse onto the field.

Li Chansiu watched his figure grow farther and farther away, until Chen Qing could not help sidling over, grinning obsequiously as he asked, “Miss Shen, still betting?”

Li Chansiu came back to himself, smiled, and said, “Bet.”

Even knowing that he might not win the second round, he still bet on Pei Er.

On the platform, General Chen and the others had already taken their seats.

A military civil official spoke up, “The wind is strong today. When they compete later, I’m afraid it will affect the accuracy of the arrows.”

Someone subconsciously said, “Centurion Jiang’s archery is exquisite; he wouldn’t be affected just because the wind is strong…”

Before finishing, he suddenly realized something and immediately gave an awkward laugh, saying no more.

Jiang He did not respond as he had in the morning, keeping a stiff face the whole time. Seeing this, the others tacitly refrained from speaking.

“The wind isn’t the problem. When fighting the Hu people, do we stop shooting arrows just because the wind is strong?” General Chen said with a half-smile, then signaled the herald to begin.

“Dong!”

As the bronze gong sounded, the first soldier rode a fine horse, galloping in from the east side of the drill ground, kicking up a trail of dust. As he passed beneath the viewing platform, he simultaneously reached back to draw a feathered arrow, set it to the bow, and drew the string, 

“Swish swish swish!”

Several shots in succession.

When the steed reached the far west of the drill ground, the soldier responsible for checking the target also called out the result: “Ma Kangqi, nine arrows, three hits, ”

“Ai!” A wave of head-shaking and sighs rose around.

“Ma Kangqi usually trains well. In mounted archery, he can hit at least five out of nine arrows; on foot he can hit seven. And he uses heavy bows.”

“The wind is strong today; it has an effect.”

“For mounted archery, we still have to look at Centurion Jiang. Not only does he hit every shot, he hits the bull’s-eye.”

“I’d rather see how that Pei Er who defeated him this morning does.”

After that, dozens more soldiers took the field. Their results were mixed, but none hit all bull’s-eyes.

Until Centurion Jiang took the field, everyone could not help straightening, their gazes filled with anticipation.

Those on the platform also unconsciously sat upright, staring intently below.

Centurion Jiang had white cloth bandages wrapped around his face and hands where he was wounded, and one eye was still bruised and swollen. Before taking the field, he cast a cold glance at Pei Er behind him, then cracked his whip and urged his horse forward.

Amid the neighing of horses and rising dust, Centurion Jiang decisively drew an arrow and pulled the bow, 

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh!”

“Nine arrows, nine hits, all bull’s-eyes, ”

Almost the moment he reached the end of the drill ground and reined in his horse, the result was announced.

“Ho!” The surrounding soldiers gasped in amazement.

“As expected of Centurion Jiang!”

“I knew this bit of wind wouldn’t affect him.”

“His mounted archery is indeed impressive.”

“Well, look at his background. I heard he’s trained since childhood, not like us ordinary folk.”

Li Chansiu stood at the edge of the drill ground, watching this scene with calm eyes.

In truth, purely in terms of skill and mounted archery, Centurion Jiang, and his elder brother Jiang He, did indeed have some ability. Given time, they might even become generals in their own right.

But Li Chansiu did not think highly of them. The character of both brothers had serious problems.

He withdrew his gaze coolly and looked again toward Pei Er.

Across the field, Centurion Jiang also looked at Pei Er, his gaze provocative.

Indeed, he had heard from his informant in the wounded soldiers’ camp that Pei Er once boasted of his excellent archery. But now that he had already hit nine bull’s-eyes out of nine arrows, no matter how skilled Pei Er was, how much better could he be?

At this moment, it was hard for him not to feel confident. Seeing the soldiers on the field step forward to change the target, he directly raised his voice, “No need to change it. Who else could hit the bull’s-eye again?”

As soon as he spoke, the soldier responsible for changing the target hesitated and looked toward General Chen and the others on the platform.

Before General Chen and the others could speak, Pei Er spoke first, coolly, “Then don’t change it.”

This left the soldier in charge of changing the target even more stunned. The soldiers watching on both sides could not help whispering:

“Is Pei Er chickening out? Since he can’t hit the bull’s-eye anyway, he thinks there’s no need to change it?”

“Probably. Centurion Jiang already has nine bull’s-eyes. No matter how good Pei Er is, he can’t surpass that.”

On the platform, the crowd also exchanged glances. Jiang He snorted coldly. “This man is far too arrogant and disregards military discipline. None of us have spoken yet, when is it his turn to speak?”

The crowd: “……”

Physician Hu thought to himself, Wasn’t your brother the same just now?

In the end, General Chen raised his hand and waved. “Then don’t change it.”

Below the platform, everyone could not help straightening again. Thousands of eyes fixed on the target range, each silently speculating: Was Pei Er afraid, or did he have another plan?

Li Chansiu also unconsciously looked toward Pei Er. He had originally been indifferent to winning or losing the second round, but at this point, he could not help feeling tense.

Pei Er happened to turn his head to look at him as well. Seeing the worry in his eyes, he suddenly curved his lips toward him, revealing a clear, bright smile.

Then his gaze turned resolute. He leaned forward and urged his horse into a run, drawing arrows from his back at the same time, his eyes fixed on the bull’s-eye.

The pounding of hooves thundered as he quickly drew and released.

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh!”

A cloud of dust rose. When it settled, the entire field was silent.

Nine arrows, nine hits, and all struck the very same spots that Centurion Jiang’s arrows had hit!

Not only did Pei Er shoot down every arrow Centurion Jiang had left in the target, six of his arrows directly pierced through the bull’s-eye.

One must know that although Centurion Jiang hit the red circle of the bull’s-eye with all nine arrows, the red circle was at least the size of a fist, much larger than the spot where the arrow tip actually pierced. Moreover, although all nine of Centurion Jiang’s arrows struck the red circle, not every one landed in the very center of it.

Compared like this, for Pei Er to shoot down each of his arrows was clearly harder than simply hitting the red circle. Not to mention that several of his arrows directly pierced through the bull’s-eye, the strength behind them was evident.

Those present were stunned. The soldier reporting the results even forgot to speak. Only after a full two breaths did he stare wide-eyed and say, “Ni-nine arrows, nine hits, all dead center of the bull’s-eye!”

The watching soldiers immediately erupted, breaking into waves of cheers.

Pei Er’s gaze sought out Li Chansiu at once, and faint specks of laughter shone in Li Chansiu’s eyes as well.

Beside him, Chen Qing was so excited that he threw an arm around his underling’s shoulders and exclaimed, “Won! Pei Er won again! Good thing I bet on him!”

Across the drill ground, Centurion Jiang’s face instantly darkened. He clenched his teeth and glared at Pei Er.

As if unaware, Pei Er urged his horse to return to the opposite side.

Suddenly, however, Jiang He on the platform spoke slowly, his face grim. “How is it that Pei Er has won? I see that both shot nine arrows and hit nine times. It should be considered a draw.”

“This…” Physician Hu, who had been rejoicing for Pei Er, froze for a moment and could not help explaining, “Although both were nine hits out of nine, Pei Er was clearly more skilled, he even shot through the bull’s-eye.”

“This round was only to compare accuracy in archery, not to compare who could shoot through the bull’s-eye. If that rule had been set in advance, who’s to say Jiang Chong couldn’t have shot through it?” Jiang He refuted.

Several officers of one mind with Jiang He hurried to echo him.

“That’s right, it wasn’t stated beforehand.”

“They said compare accuracy, so compare accuracy.”

Physician Hu was dissatisfied, but still restrained himself and said, “Pei Er hit the exact positions that Centurion Jiang had shot. That is harder than merely hitting the red circle. Even if we only compare accuracy, Pei Er should still be superior.”

“Heh. Since it’s the same positions, how can you say Jiang Chong lost and Pei Er won? Just because Pei Er shot later?” Jiang He said disdainfully.

“This…” Wasn’t it obvious to anyone with eyes? The red circle was the size of a fist, but the spot pierced by an arrow tip was only the size of a thumb. Of course hitting the latter was harder. And mounted archery was meant to select those skilled in both horsemanship and archery, how had it become merely a comparison of accuracy?

Physician Hu was momentarily at a loss for words.

“Although it’s the same position, Pei Er shot later, so naturally it tests his archery more.”

Someone spoke up for Physician Hu, immediately winning a round of agreement, and these people clearly looked toward General Chen.

“I think we should still follow the predetermined rules.” Jiang He shot that person a glance and sneered. “Otherwise, if someone doesn’t shoot at the bull’s-eye and instead shoots at a distant tree, and by chance hits a leaf, should he boast that he can pierce a willow leaf at a hundred paces?”

After he finished speaking, he too won a round of agreement.

Clearly, the higher-ups in the camp were divided into two factions, one following Commandant Jiang, the other following General Chen.

Now Commandant Jiang, backed by the new prefect, held a lower rank but greater power, increasingly showing a tendency to overshadow General Chen. The former prefect who had promoted General Chen had already been transferred away.

After speaking, Jiang He turned to General Chen and said with surface respect, “General, what do you think?”

General Chen’s face was dark and cold. In the end, he waved his hand in concession. “Then let it be a draw.”

“Dong!” The bronze gong sounded again.

The herald quickly announced, “Second round, Jiang Chong and Pei Er, draw!”

“What?!”

Chen Qing, who had been cheering, froze, the smile on his face fading bit by bit.

Beside him, Erzi was dumbfounded. “Brother Qing, you bet fifty coins on Brother Pei to win. You lost again.”

“I know!” Chen Qing came back to himself and smacked his hand heavily against Erzi’s forehead, feeling like crying. “How can it be a draw? How can it be a draw?”

On Centurion Jiang’s side, cheers instantly erupted.

Li Chansiu frowned slightly as well, not expecting this result.

His gaze returned to the high platform. He hardly needed to guess that it must have been Centurion Jiang’s elder brother, Jiang He, who had interfered.

It was only the top place in a grand competition. It was understandable that Centurion Jiang wanted it since he had made a wager with Pei Er. But he had not expected Jiang He to also be so intent on letting his younger brother take first place. Could there be some other motive?

Still, it did not matter. He had originally planned for Pei Er to win in the third round. Winning the second round would have been a pleasant surprise; not winning did not affect the final outcome.

Only, if Jiang He was determined to let Centurion Jiang take first place, then the obstacles in the third round would likely be greater than anticipated…

As he was thinking, Pei Er had already ridden back.

He was clearly a bit dejected. After dismounting, he kept his head lowered, listless, lips pressed together as he stood before Li Chansiu.

“I’m sorry,” he said gloomily, head bowed. “I didn’t win.”

He should not have shot Jiang Chong’s arrows. If he had known, he would have simply aimed at the very center of the red circle, it would even have been easier.

Li Chansiu felt that he was like a dejected wolfhound that had suffered a grievance.

He could not help smiling. Raising his hand, he gently patted the other’s cold helmet, like stroking a docile wolfhound he had raised in a dream, and said, “It’s not your fault. They played tricks.”

If Commandant Jiang declared it a draw, then even if the soldiers below were unwilling, they could change nothing.

Pei Er understood this too, but still felt he had disappointed Li Chansiu. Clenching his teeth, he promised, “I will definitely win the third round.”

“Mm.” Li Chansiu nodded seriously, looking at him as he said, “I believe you.”

Only then did Pei Er relax slightly. Immediately afterward, he belatedly realized that Miss Shen’s hand was still resting against his helmet. Without that layer of iron, wouldn’t she be… stroking his head?

All at once, the tips of Pei Er’s ears flushed red.

“By the way.” Li Chansiu suddenly withdrew his hand. After thinking for a moment, he made up his mind and took out a gray cloth pouch shaped like a sachet from his sleeve, stuffing it into Pei Er’s hand. “Keep this on you for now.”

Pei Er, who had been feeling lost when his hand was withdrawn, could not help gripping the pouch tightly and asking, “What is it?”

“A string of Buddhist prayer beads. It will bless you to win. Just return it to me after you come back,” Li Chansiu said, then instructed, “Don’t open it to look.”

In the dream, he had fallen into danger several times. Even at his most difficult moments, he had carried this string of Buddhist beads his father gave him, and in the end had always turned peril into safety. Perhaps in the unseen workings of fate, this string of beads truly could bless a person. He hoped that this time it could also bless Pei Er, and bless himself as well, so that he would not have to marry Centurion Jiang.

“…Oh.” Upon hearing this, the joy that had just risen in Pei Er’s heart dimmed slightly when he heard that it had to be returned.

So it wasn’t being given to him after all.

For a moment, his mood rose and fell, fell and rose, rose and fell again, especially turbulent.