Sun Qian and other selected soldiers went south with the fire. The road was difficult, but Zhang Chong could only get here. He really had a lot to do.
As the leader of a new force that spans both sides of the river, Zhang Chong has too many things to do. And the importance of these things is no less important than this talent promotion ceremony.
For example, what he will attend next is a martial arts competition, the graduation banquet of Taishan Military Academy.
The Armed Forces School has a batch every three months, and today is the graduation day for this batch of Armed Forces students.
As the leader of an army, he must take part in and take exams.
In the rise and fall of a country, neither culture nor military affairs can be neglected.
So after sending off the selected soldiers, Zhang Chong took the eunuchs down to Zhongyang Gate and headed directly out of the city towards the Military Academy by the Zhang River in the south.
The group of people, all wearing big hakama and military bene, rode on pumas and galloped on the road with great force.
In addition to more than 20 high-ranking officials such as Cai Yong, Zhuge Gui, and other powerful generals in the army, they were accompanied by two hundred collision troops on both sides of the road, wearing helmets and armor, carrying flags and canopies to protect them all the way.
Not long after, the group arrived at the Military Academy.
At this time, the Arms Academy has been supervised by the left wing of the Central Guard Army, and there are armored men everywhere, every step of the way, meticulous.
Because Zhang Chong attached great importance to the ceremony, craftsmen and folk came here to set up the venue before dawn. When Zhang Chong and others arrived, the entire venue was almost ready.
The entire ceremony was arranged on the grounds of the Armed Forces Academy, and there were busy people everywhere, checking for omissions and filling in the gaps.
However, no matter how busy they are, there are still some people who are not so nervous, that is, this batch of armed soldiers who are about to graduate.
After three months of study, they will graduate today, and then receive from Qu Shuai the brass-handled yellow-tassel-ringed sword and a bright yellow ribbon that symbolize their armed forces.
But these will not make them nervous, they will only feel glorious. What they are nervous about is that there will be a bow-shooting banquet today.
The Taishan Army prohibits alcohol on weekdays. Alcohol is only served as a reward after a major victory, so there is no alcohol at the graduation banquet of Armed Forces students.
Since there is no wine, let’s bring something else to cheer up. Someone suggested using the Han Dynasty’s throwing pot, but Zhang Chong thought this was too weak.
Although he won his first pot of gold by throwing pots, Zhang Chong preferred archery compared to the slow-motion pot throwing of scholar-bureaucrats, which was more courageous and more valuable to watch.
But no one really regards this as a game. Military students like this issue know very well that everything they say and do in front of Qu Shuai must be treated with caution, let alone showing off their archery abilities.
Archery is the most important martial skill for any warrior. If they can't shoot well, how can they become the elite of Taishan Army? Are they embarrassed to graduate from Commander Qu?
Therefore, everyone is secretly competing, and they all want to make a splash at the archery banquet.
The competition is about the glory of the warriors, not to mention that Qu Shuai will reward the winner with a golden bowl, a gold medal, and the title "champion" in order to increase the winnings.
All of the above directly made the armed officers in this period eager to try.
When Zhang Chong and his entourage took their seats, Tao An, the instructor in charge of the activity, signaled the start.
Then, as two powerful men cracked their whips in the audience, fifty armed officers, dressed in narrow shirts, belts, and kerchiefs on their heads, lined up in an orderly manner and entered the venue.
Some of these people carry bows, some use crossbows, and the shooting tools can be whatever they are, as long as they can hit the target.
The shooting range is located right under the field, with collision teams in helmets and armor on both sides.
Some of them were outstanding military personnel and were selected into the collision team. Now that they see their juniors being like themselves, it feels a bit like revisiting old places.
On the periphery of the collision team, crowded were the students from the last two periods. They all looked up, excited and trembling, because in a month or two, they would be the ones standing there.
Some of the brave ones even secretly glanced at Qu Shuai on the stage. Xu Sheng, who was already a second-year student, was one of them. He didn't dare to look more, but suddenly saw a person sitting in the sun, whose face he couldn't see clearly.
But that momentum was something Xu Sheng had only seen in his life.
In a corner of the field, there is also a music team. When someone hits the target, they will play a music to liven up the atmosphere.
Soon, the first military officer appeared. He first bowed to Zhang Chong on the stage, then walked fifty steps away from the target and started shooting the first arrow.
After the man took a deep breath, he bent his bow and fired.
"Whoosh"
This arrow hit the bull's-eye.
The military officer who was on the side of the arrow saw the result and shouted:
"Spot on the bull's eye."
Then the percussion troupe nearby started shouting and playing, creating a lively atmosphere.
Some of the late-stage military preparation students outside the circle were familiar with this person, and they all cheered for him.
The first shot hit the target, and the military officer was also very happy, but he calmed down and prepared to start the second round of shooting.
He retreated to the second white line, which was now a hundred steps away from the arrow.
To be honest, anyone who can still hit the target at this point is considered a good archer. But this is not over yet. Zhang Chong also set up a third round at the back, which is a distance of 150 steps. He can shoot the arrow.
It's already rare to go this far, let alone win? It can be seen how much pressure Zhang Chong put on these armed officers.
When he was a hundred steps away from the target, the military officer was obviously a little nervous.
He pulled the bow twice, but felt unsure, so he put it down again. Finally, he pulled the bow a third time, his energy sank from his Dantian, and he shot out with a pinch on his back.
"Buzz~"
The arrow hit the target.
The military officials on the side were also happy and shouted:
"Hit the target, missed by three inches."
Then the wind and drum troupe next to them played golden drums, changing the school field into a killing field.
Although he missed, it was not easy, and the heroes around Zhang Chong nodded unconsciously.
The third arrow is one hundred and fifty steps. In this round, the players can choose whether to shoot again.
So the following instructor asked the military officer if he wanted to shoot again.
Feeling the atmosphere of the phenomenon, the man nodded and decided to cum again.
So, the third round, one hundred and fifty shots began.
Unfortunately, luck did not favor him.
As the arrow chopped into pieces, the military officer shouted:
"Missed the target, the arrow fell."
Then the sound of the golden drum disappeared.
The military officer's face turned red and he lowered his head in shame.
After that, he handed over the quiver and hard bow to the archer, then lowered his head and went forward, ready to receive his ribbon and sword.
During this process, he did not dare to raise his head once, obviously he was ashamed and panicked.
Looking at the young warrior kneeling on the ground, Zhang Chong asked warmly:
"What's your name?"
"Return to Qu Commander, the last general will be named Han Zhong."
"Well, the accent sounds like you're from Youzhou?"
"Qu Shuai clearly knows that the last general is indeed from Youzhou and is from Liaodong."
Seeing that this man was nervous, Zhang Chong comforted him and said:
"This arrow is a good shot. It doesn't disgrace you Youzhou people. I still need to practice this strength. I will go back to the army and eat more meat. Eating meat will make you stronger. I'm waiting for you to shoot a hundred arrows one day.
Fifty steps away."
Han Zhong was about to burst into tears. Knowing Qu Shuai's caring heart, he paused heavily towards Zhang Chong and choked with sobs:
"Don't worry, Commander Qu. I will definitely master this shooting skill in the end, so as not to disgrace our military training school."
Zhang Chong laughed loudly, said some words of relief, personally distributed him a sword and ribbon representing his graduation, and then had someone take him down to sit down.
After all, no matter how this shot goes, today is their graduation party after all.
When Han Zhong went down, Ding Sheng on the stage tilted his head and said strange things to Dian Wei beside him.
Ding Sheng was seen looking at Han Zhong going down, and said with a smile:
"This guy is also a loser. He doesn't know how much he weighs. He wants to shoot the third round. I don't know what it means."
When Ding Sheng said he couldn't count, Dian Wei glanced at him. After Ding Sheng finished speaking, he said:
"I think it's pretty good. I really like Qu Shuai's words. If a person doesn't even have the heart to draw a sword, no matter how skilled he is in martial arts, it will be in vain. This Han Zhong can shoot the third round in front of Qu Shuai. This is the desire to win.
Very good. Just as Qu Shuai said, if this man eats more meat and practices more, he might not be a good man."
Ding Sheng never expected that Dian Wei could say this. He glanced at Li Damu next to him and said in surprise:
"No, you, Lieutenant Colonel Zuo, have been renovating in Puyang for a few months. How come you have become so eloquent?"
Li Damu next to him glanced at Ding Sheng and said calmly:
"So, read more. Qu Shuai sent me a box of books from Guan Xiaowei before. They are all the latest rubbings of classics, specially sent to Puyang."
"After our military training, our captain summoned us every day to listen to Master's lectures. Are you just like you, playing around all day long? We, Lao Li, are also educated people. So, Daqi, you still need to read this book.
"
Ding Sheng was embarrassed and spat:
"Reading? What a waste of time! I have a lot of talents taught by nature. Even if you don't study, you can use your brain better than you! Use your brain, do you understand?"
As he spoke, he pointed at the exaggerated muscles of Li Damu and Dian Wei, and then pointed at his own brain.
His meaning is very obvious, you two are so muscular, how can you compete with me, Ding Daqi, in terms of brains? Are you worthy? What level do you think you are?
Ding Sheng, Dian Wei, and Li Damu were joking there. Zhang Chong naturally heard it, and he was used to Ding Sheng's lack of humor.
In fact, if one pays attention to the Taishan Army generals on the stage, they can tell that something is wrong.
Because not only were the Central Guards stationed in Yecheng, but also the generals of the Hou Military Academy, that is, the Eastern Expeditionary Army, and the Western Expeditionary Army, and even the Zuo Military Academy and Lieutenants who were originally stationed in Puyang also appeared here.
It can be seen that the Taishan Army, which has been dormant all winter, is obviously going to make a big move. I just don’t know who the prey is.
Below, archery continues. A famous martial arts official enters the scene one after another, all showing off their martial arts.
Some people chose to complete the three rounds, and some chose to give up the third round. There was also a brave person among them who could even hit the target at 150 steps and won full applause.
This person’s name is shouted below:
"Handang!"
"Handang!"
…
Obviously, this person has great prestige among the juniors of the Armed Forces Academy, and there will be many people calling him out.
But upon hearing this name, some people among the generals in the audience became unhappy.
Yan Gang snorted with a dark face, and then Zhang Zhen persuaded him:
"Old Yan, it's almost done. Everyone had his own master at that time, and this Han Dang is also a good man."
Zhang Zhen didn't have much ill feelings toward Han Dang, but because he was a member of the Zhang Chong tribe and an old brother, he wished that there would be more and more powerful generals in the army.
Zhang Zhen is an old man, and since he said this, Yan Gang didn't say much, but he would definitely not have a good look at Sun Jian's group of generals who were demoted.
Over there, Han Dang came to Zhang Chong's stage with the impressive results of two arrows hitting the target and one arrow missing the target by two inches.
Zhang Chong looked at this Yanzhao man. In his eyes, there was neither the charm of a historical hero nor the contempt for a surrendered general. He just treated him as normal.
He smiled at Han Dang below:
"He's a good man, not bad. Have you figured out where to go next?"
When Han Dang got excited, he raised his head and said without hesitation:
"I would like to join the collision team."
"Oh, for what? Why don't you do the same thing for the Taishan Army?"
Han Dang didn't expect Zhang Chong to ask such a question. After thinking for a moment, he said:
"Commander Qu, I once heard a saying in the Military Academy that those who don't want to be generals are not good soldiers. I, Han Dang, not only want to be a general, but also want to be the best. But I know that I still have a lot to do.
I just want to learn from Qu Shuai."
Zhang Chong burst out laughing, he was indeed a fierce minister of Jiang Biao and had the aura of a tiger.
So, Zhang Chong smiled and said:
"Okay, then go to the collision team. After you take care of the rest, go to Azu's place to report."
Azu is Guozu, the former second general of Hengha, and now he has become the leader of the collision team.
When his wish comes true, Han should sing a promise loudly and then go down.
Han Dang went down here, and the person who was about to come on looked at Han Dang's back, frowned, and then after being urged a few times, he came on the stage.
After this person came on the stage, he quickly missed two rounds, one at fifty steps and another at one hundred steps, and both hit the bull's-eye.
Then, before the instructor asked if he wanted to shoot for the third round, the man had already stood at a position of 150 steps. He bent his bow like the moon and hit the target 150 steps away with one arrow.
The whole process went smoothly.
The arrow buzzed and trembled when it missed, and everyone held their breath, waiting for the result.
The military officer at the target saw clearly that the arrow was missing, took a breath, and then shouted:
"Spot on the bull's eye."
Then came the sound of the golden drum, and all the military juniors present shouted his name:
"Cheng Pu~"
"Cheng Pu~"
…
At this time, the results from the audience were also transmitted to the stage. Many people were shocked when they heard that this person's name was Cheng Pu, and he hit three targets in a row.
Then Guo Mo, who was standing next to Yu Jin, asked Yu Jin quietly:
"This person and Han Dang just now were both Sun Jian's subordinates?"
Yu Jin nodded, of course he knew these two people. It was he who recommended these two people to enroll in the Military Academy.
In fact, he took a lot of risks.
Because although there are many retired generals in the army, Cheng Pu and Han Dang's old master Sun Jian still don't know whether they are alive or dead, so the risk of rashly recommending them is definitely high.
But Yu Jin cherished his talents and finally took the risk. Looking at it now, these two people are really good.
Over there, Cheng Pu stepped forward to receive the sword ribbon. Not surprisingly, he also chose to join the collision team like Han Dang.
Cheng Pu's grades were better than Han Dang's, so Zhang Chong naturally agreed to this request.
Then Cheng Pu bowed respectfully.
Behind him, the shooting match continued, but he couldn't care less.
When Cheng Pu came off the field, he looked for Han Dang. Seeing him squatting in a deserted place, he strode forward, grabbed Han Dang, and said angrily:
"Are you crazy? You told me not to have any thoughts of assassination. Why can't you listen? Why do you still want to go to the collision team?"
Han Dang, who had always had a smile on his face, suddenly heard these words and was stunned for a moment. He raised his head and saw Cheng Pu blocking his sunlight, and hummed: