Chapter 375

The Heir to Prince Ying did not take the item but said, “Set up the target!”

A few guards quickly gathered materials and crafted a straw target, borrowing a wooden stick from the Qi Family to prop it up.

At the Heir’s signal, they placed it beneath the tall tower.

The Heir Apparent looked at Yan Yu.

Yan Yu understood.

Grabbing a longbow, she asked loudly, “Who wants to go first?”

The kids rushed forward eagerly, jostling to take their place at the front…

Pengshu, ever the professional servant, immediately returned to the Yan Family to fetch stools, ensuring both the Heir and Yan Yu had seats.

Yan Yu was genuinely impressed by Pengshu’s discernment. His keen sense of what was needed was unmatched.

The Heir to Prince Ying also noticed that not only did the kids already lined up come forward, but those who hadn’t lined up did too, joining in the excitement.

He remained silent, taking this opportunity to see if what Xiao Er had said was truthful.

The Young Scouts initially trained with small bows.

However, as the children practiced over time, the power and range of the small bows became insufficient. Yan Yu, seeking to increase the challenge, gradually switched them to adult-sized bows.

Though not as finely crafted as the military’s strong bows, their size and specifications closely matched.

Later, they even seized longbows from the Northern Rong, whose feel was very similar to the strong bows used by the Guanzhou military.

Before purchasing bamboo from Guiyuan, they had trained in archery, not crossbows, so the Young Scouts were more adept with bows.

This group of children, fresh from battle, carried themselves with a bold, fearless air, each eager to showcase their skills.

Fortunately, shame held them back. Children lacking confidence waited at the target’s edge, just like in regular training.

Several kids planted straw stakes in the target for marking while others prepared to retrieve arrows.

This practice stemmed from the Young Scouts’ perpetual scarcity of arrows.

From initially picking arrows off the ground to now pulling them from targets, the children gradually grew accustomed to it.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Without needing instructions, each child shot three arrows before passing the bow to the next.

Children near the straw target gradually forgot about the esteemed Heir as their chanting grew louder.

“Inner ring, inner ring, inner ring.”

“Outer ring, inner ring, inner ring.”

…

“Inner ring, inner ring, outer ring!”

“Hoo!”

The kids jeered, mocking their friend who missed.

A miss with the first shot could be excused as adjusting to a new bow, but how did the third shot go astray? If no one heckled him, what message would that send?!

As the archery scene became livelier, adults from Xiao’an Village slowly gathered.

Forming a circle outside, they pointed and chatted.

Rested after a break, their spirits refreshed, they began to discuss in low tones whose child shot better and whose was a bit lacking.

The Heir to Prince Ying sensed more eyes on him, their expectant gazes tinged with excitement.

Surveying the villagers, he gained a better understanding.

The men of Xiao’an Village, much like those of Guanzhou, bore the fierce bravado of soldiers who had seen blood.

Each child shot three arrows, with others designated to retrieve and take turns quickly.

Yet, the straw target crafted by the guards was nearing collapse, on the verge of breaking.

The child in charge of calling the target hurriedly gestured to stop.

Several kids joined forces to rebind the target.

The archery resumed!

Seeing this, the Heir to Prince Ying gleaned many insights.

For instance, the children closest to the target, well aware of each one’s skill, would stand still for those with accuracy, but swiftly retreat if a less accurate one took aim…

These subtle actions clearly demonstrated that, as Xiao Er had claimed, the children of Xiao’an Village regularly trained together and knew each other’s abilities well.

“I hear there are two Hu brothers in the village who excel in archery. Are they here?” The Heir to Prince Ying called out unexpectedly.

Hu Da and Hu Er were observing the fun.

Their two sons weren’t bad, hitting the inner rings just like their fathers, and they felt happier than if they’d achieved the shots themselves.

Suddenly called upon, Hu Da and Hu Er exchanged glances before stepping forward to respond.

This was the Heir Apparent, presumably ranked higher than the patriarch.

Both men pondered and moved to bow.

The Heir to Prince Ying said, “No need for formalities, brave men.”

“Uncle Hu, Second Uncle Hu, your hands are injured. Can you still shoot?” Yan Yu, keen-eyed, noticed the bandages on their hands.

The Heir to Prince Ying looked over and indeed noticed that the two men’s hands were wrapped in cloth. Drawing closer, he could detect a faint medicinal scent.

“This is nothing. Dalang^[1], bring the bow.”

Hu Dalang quickly ran up, delivering the bow and arrows into his father’s hands.

Standing right there, Hu Da drew the bow.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three arrows flew like falling meteors, forming a single line.

Looking back at the target, all three arrows were clustered right in the center of the straw target.

The boy calling out the scores was quick with his words.

“Uncle Hu, three arrows in the inner ring, each hitting the bullseye!”

The people of Xiao’an Village erupted in cheers, each face breaking into a smile.

They knew well why this noble Heir Apparent had come. When they had killed six Northern Rong, the bailiffs from the Prefectural City asked every little detail, one after another, over and over.

This time, since even more silver was involved, of course the Heir Apparent needed to be thorough. They understood this too; after all, it was over a thousand taels of silver!

The very thought of this number ignited a fire in the hearts of Xiao’an Village residents, filling them with a bright clarity, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

Now it was Hu Er’s turn.

Hu Er signaled for the boy pulling arrows to hold on.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Another three arrows, tightly grouped with the previous trio.

The boy calling scores shouted, “Second Uncle Hu, three arrows in the inner ring, all hitting the bullseye!”

Xiao’an Village erupted in even louder cheers.

Madam Cui, supporting Li Xuemei as they came out to watch the commotion, also joined in the enthusiastic applause.

“It really puts Hu Da and Hu Er in the spotlight. But if you ask me, sister-in-law, your archery is truly divine. Oh my, I wonder if this young Heir Apparent will go back on his word, we have just too many heads here…”

Yan Yu almost choked internally, thinking, oh my dear aunt, do you have any misconceptions about your own voice…

The Heir to Prince Ying, with his sharp ears, naturally heard clearly and responded with a slight smile.

Even if the situation in Guanzhou is precarious, it wouldn’t skimp on rewarding those who struck down the Northern Rong.

He was repeatedly certain, not tangled in silver specifically, but marked by the significant tally from Xiao’an Village, combined with Crouching Tiger City, and all Northern Rong corpses within the borders…

Close to three thousand.

A tally of three thousand was indeed enough to report a victorious battle to the imperial court, to describe the merits earned.

Reward the three armies!

If this commendation could be secured, how much more than this mere thousand taels for Xiao’an Village.

Military promotions, provisions, horses, military materials, weaponry…

Impacts on every aspect, benefits were numerous!

Crouching Tiger City once lost and then reclaimed, could be simply mentioned briefly in the victory report.

Magistrate Tian could be absolved of negligence, while the defensive acts of officials Xiao and Zhang could be submitted to the court, seeking the Emperor’s acknowledgment and honor…

(This chapter ends)