The two scholars blushed slightly upon seeing Ji Taoyu’s peach-blossom-like face and politely greeted him with a bow.
Ji Taoyu then said, "The academy’s examinations are important, and practicing horseback archery is good. You usually labor over books and writing, so riding and shooting during your rest days can both refine your skills and loosen your bodies a little—it’s a fine thing."
"However, heading out to the outskirts at this hour might be too tight on time."
Ji Taoyu turned to Zhao Pan and said, "The archery range hasn’t been fully tidied up yet, but it’s just a bit messy and won’t affect riding or shooting. Why don’t you take your classmates there for some horseback riding and a look around?"
Bai Wangjue and Sheng Cang’s eyes lit up upon hearing this: "There’s a place for horseback archery here?"
Zhao Pan replied, "My uncle’s family just built it."
"Why didn’t you tell us earlier!"
"I was planning to mention it once it officially opened."
Seeing the excited chatter among the young men, Ji Taoyu said, "Alright, how about brewing a pot of tea at the archery range?"
Bai Wangjue thanked Ji Taoyu: "But we didn’t bring our horses. We should go back and fetch them first."
"The range has horses. It hasn’t opened yet, and there’s no one else around, so you’ll have plenty to choose from."
Zhao Pan added, "My horse is here too."
Hearing this, Bai Wangjue and Sheng Cang bowed to Ji Taoyu in unison: "Then we’ll gladly accept your kindness."
Huo Shu had brought Zhao Pan a fine horse from the northern frontier, which he adored and had been meticulously raising at home.
He was close with Bai Wangjue, and Sheng Cang was Bai Wangjue’s childhood friend, so the three of them became acquainted.
Once, when Bai Wangjue came to discuss essays with him, he saw the horse.
What young man doesn’t love horses, especially those from well-off families?
After learning Zhao Pan had a horse, Bai Wangjue not only discussed essays with him but also invited him to race.
The three of them began spending more time together.
Though Zhao Pan’s studies weren’t overly burdensome, he was diligent and rarely had time to ride outside. His home was small, and keeping the horse in the yard felt like a waste.
After the stables here were built recently, he moved his horse over. He came whenever he had free time on his rest days, leaving Bai Wangjue and the others unable to invite him out much.
Ji Taoyu led the young men into the horseback archery range. The twenty-plus-acre site was no exaggeration.
Passing through the reception hall at the entrance, they were greeted by a vast open field for riding.
A high platform surrounded the field for spectators.
To the left were long stables for selecting horses, and to the right were rooms for changing clothes and resting.
"We’ve been completely out of touch at the academy—we had no idea such a large riding ground was built here! Now we won’t have to go to the outskirts to race; we can just come to the range!"
Bai Wangjue and Sheng Cang were overjoyed.
After bringing them to the range, Ji Taoyu didn’t linger awkwardly and let Zhao Pan show them around so they could enjoy themselves freely.
"Where did these kids come from?"
Ji Taoyu watched the boys head toward the horses with a smile when a voice sounded leisurely behind him.
"Zhao Pan’s classmates. They seem quite polite, so I brought them over to look around."
Turning, Ji Taoyu saw Huo Shu covered in dust and couldn’t help brushing it off for him.
"Do you like scholars that much?"
Ji Taoyu paused mid-motion and looked up at Huo Shu.
"Sounds like someone’s jealous, huh?"
"Today, I heard those two boys say they didn’t even know this archery range existed. How can that be when we’re about to open for business?"
"Letting them have fun here might mean they bring more people next time."
Huo Shu’s brow relaxed slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
"You smell like osmanthus."
"Yeah, the osmanthus trees have all been planted."
Huo Shu suddenly added, "Should I go teach them horseback archery?"
Ji Taoyu raised an eyebrow. "Since when is Instructor Huo so accommodating, willing to personally coach a few kids?"
Huo Shu took Ji Taoyu’s hand and led him toward the field. "Aren’t they the ones you brought? Of course I’ll show off a little to back you up."
Ji Taoyu hesitated, but soon, exclamations rose from the field.
Even Uncle Fan and Huo Shou, who had been busy, paused their work to watch Huo Shu’s display.
Three arrows were nocked on the bowstring as Huo Shu rode. Mid-gallop, he loosed all three in succession, each hitting the bullseye.
Hitting the mark was hard enough, doing so on horseback was harder, and firing three arrows at once was harder still. Most could barely manage two of these feats, yet Huo Shu accomplished all three simultaneously.
Bai Wangjue and Sheng Cang were dumbfounded, utterly stunned by Huo Shu’s skill, taking a long moment to recover.
Even Uncle Fan chuckled. "A-Shu, your archery’s even sharper than before!"
Huo Shu showed no pride, his expression as calm as ever. "Just average."
Having spent ten years on the northern frontier, often fighting on the front lines, he wouldn’t have survived without some real skill.
After this display, he dismounted and said to Zhao Pan, "Practice well. Your father could also hit three bullseyes in his day."
Bai Wangjue and Sheng Cang looked at Zhao Pan with newfound admiration.
They knew Zhao Pan lived with just his mother and had never heard of his father. Now, they realized he must have been no ordinary man.
The three boys spent the afternoon riding and playing at the range, leaving reluctantly only when it grew late.
On the twelfth of the tenth lunar month, the horseback archery range and archery workshop opened together.
That morning, even Ji Yangzong, busy with tax affairs, spared half a day to attend the ceremony in town. Huang Manjing, Yuan Huiru, and the entire Ji family came as well.
Not just them—relatives and friends also came to join the excitement.
Between kin and acquaintances, dozens showed up to lend their support.
For the shop’s opening, family and friends brought gifts to bolster the occasion, with firecrackers being especially plentiful.
The Ji family's eldest branch set off firecrackers, followed by the second branch. Aunts, uncles, and all the relatives who came prepared firecrackers as well. The crackling sounds lasted for nearly half a shichen.
The loud noise drew the attention of everyone on the entire street.
While the lively scene was one thing, the more important matter was to let the town know that a new shop had opened here.
No comments:
Post a Comment