Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 166: Forbidden Garden Cold Arrow
After leaving Zhuque Gate, Pei Xingjian and Su Dingfang walked towards the Su Mansion together.

Su Dingfang has recently begun to pass on all his years of experience in marching and fighting to Pei Xingjian.

After the main day holiday, Pei Xingjian was about to set off for Anxi.

Time was short, so he spent most of his time in the Su Mansion these days.

The two men walked on, holding their horses. Su Dingfang suddenly said, "Shouyue, you held back on purpose just now."

During the archery competition just now, four people hit the target with all ten arrows. They were Xue Rengui, Su Dingfang, Li Ji and Yuchi Gong.

There were four other people who hit nine out of ten arrows, namely Cheng Zhijie, Qibi Heli, Pei Xingjian and Gao Kan.

Pei Xingjian and Gao Kan voluntarily gave in, leaving only Qibi Heli and Cheng Zhijie to compete.

Originally, Qibi Heli refused to give in and kept clamoring for another fight. It was unknown what Cheng Zhijie said to him, but Qibi Heli finally gave in on his own initiative.

However, Su Dingfang was very clear that Pei Xingjian's archery skills were not inferior to his own, and he had deliberately missed the target with the last arrow.

Pei Xingjian smiled and said, "I still can't hide it from you. The student did miss the target on purpose."

Su Dingfang asked: "Why?"

Pei Xingjian said slowly, "The Sage's words are as true as gold. My student's qualifications are too shallow. If I become one of the five, the Sage's title of Five Tiger Generals will be unworthy of its name."

Su Dingfang was silent for a moment, then said, "Others talk about how amazing Xue Rengui is, but in my heart, you are a master of both civil and military skills. Your talent is not only far superior to mine, but also to his."

Pei Xingjian said hurriedly, "You're too kind."

At the same time, on another street, Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Gong were also riding side by side.

Cheng Zhijie has not looked good since he left the palace.

He snorted and said, "Hei Lang, you haven't neglected your martial arts skills at all despite hiding at home these years. And that old fellow Li Ji, even after becoming a civil servant, hasn't neglected his martial arts skills."

Yuchi Gong grinned and said, "Naigong has nothing to do on weekdays, so he just practices archery. Do you think everyone will be like you, enjoying the blessings of having children and grandchildren at home?"

Cheng Zhijie sighed and said, "I really have to admit that I'm getting old. Hei Lang, are you sure you can beat Xue Rengui tomorrow?"

Yuchi Gong laughed and scolded, "No matter how arrogant I am, I know my physical condition. If I were ten years younger, I might be able to fight, but now, I definitely can't win."

Cheng Zhijie sighed, "Tomorrow's match will just be a showdown between Su Lie and Xue Rengui."

Yuchi Gong said, "Since you know you can't win, why do you still have to beg Qibi Heli for help and force your way in?"

Cheng Zhijie said solemnly, "I have been competitive all my life. Even if I know I cannot defeat him, I will fight him to the bitter end."

Yuchi Gong said angrily, "That's a nice thing to say, but isn't it just because of what Your Majesty said about the Five Tiger Generals?"

Cheng Zhijie didn't blush when he saw that he was exposed. Instead, he laughed and scolded: "How dare you criticize me? When the time comes, don't get so angry that you shoot at others!"

Yuchi Gong said unhappily, "Go away," and rode away.

At the Honglu Temple, the five members of the foreign team were also selected. They used the same target shooting method, but the distance was closer than that of the Tang Dynasty, and they shot at the target at eighty steps.

Runpo led Bilidu back to the Huiheguan Posthouse. After entering the house, she smiled at Bilidu and said, "Not bad, it was not in vain that I brought you here this time."

This time, all countries competed for the championship in target shooting. Bi Lidu hit all the targets and hit the bull's eye, and won the first place to represent Huihe in the competition.

The second was Li Kuge of Khitan, and the third was a Turk from the Nushibi tribe, who also represented the Western Turks and came to pay homage to the Tang Dynasty.

The last two were Murong Xin of Tuyuhun and a Nanzhao person.

Bi Li Du said, "I heard that General Xue shot and killed sixty-nine prey in two hours. Uncle, do you think I can do the same?"

Runpo said, "After he shot sixty-nine, his bow and arrows broke. It's estimated that he shot over seventy. It's said that Tian Khan once secretly hunted and killed seventy."

He glanced at him and said, "Don't even think about it. Although you are the most powerful warrior in my Huihe people, you are still far inferior to the Tang people. If you can defeat Li Kugo tomorrow, I will be satisfied."

Bi Li Du smiled and said, "You are right. I will go to rest now."

After returning to the house, Bilidu took out his bow and stroked it gently.

A trusted aide whispered, "Prince, why not take advantage of tomorrow's opportunity and shoot Xue Rengui dead?"

Bi Lidu glanced at him and said coldly, "There are only five countries participating in the competition. Xue Rengui was killed, and I am the most suspected. Isn't this just seeking death?"

The confidant lowered his head and remained silent.

The next morning, tents had been set up in the Forbidden Garden. Just like last time, the Tang Dynasty team and the teams from other countries each had a tent.

In the Tang Dynasty tent, only bursts of chewing sounds could be heard. Xue Rengui and the other four were eating in silence, no one spoke, and the atmosphere was terribly solemn.

As the drums sounded, the generals left the camp and began to feed the horses.

When the drum sounded for the second time, everyone led their horses to the front of the camp. The quiver on each person's saddle was filled with arrows of different colors.

Li Zhi waved his hand, and the drummer beat the drum and the trumpeter blew the trumpet.

Amid the sound of drums and trumpets, everyone spurred their horses and galloped towards the forest, followed by twenty counting riders.

Li Zhi was in a very relaxed mood. He sat in a chair and chatted and laughed with envoys from various countries.

A quarter of an hour later, a rider reported that the first one to break through the ten prey was Su Lie.

Just when Li Zhi thought that Xue Rengui was going to hide his whereabouts again, Xue Rengui's rider also came to report that Xue Rengui had caught ten prey.

Li Zhi's mind raced, and he thought to himself, "It seems Xue Rengui has already used all his strength. Could it be that Su Dingfang's archery skills are even better than his?"

……

Most of the Tang Dynasty officials who participated in the hunting competition in the Forbidden Garden were military generals, and there were relatively few civil officials.

Di Renjie did not participate, but stayed at home with his wife and children.

Last December, Li Zhi summoned Ren Yaxiang to the capital.

When Ren Yaxiang came to Beijing, he brought Di Renjie's wife and children to Chang'an.

Di Renjie borrowed some money from Li Jin, Lu Chengqing, Gao Youdao and others, and added one year's salary to buy a dilapidated courtyard house in the south of the city.

Finally settled down in Chang'an.

When the family was sitting down to eat, Di Shun ran in and whispered, "Alang, the officer from the Dali Temple wants to see you. He said there is an important matter and wants you to go and take a look." Di Renjie put down his bowl and chopsticks and stood up suddenly.

Yang hurriedly grabbed him and said, "Last year when you were in Bingzhou celebrating the New Year, you were also busy with official duties. This year when you came to Chang'an, you are still busy with official duties. Can it be that Chang'an can't do without you?"

Di Renjie hesitated for a moment and asked Di Shun, "Can you tell me what it is?"

Di Shun said, "I heard that the judicial officer of Xiangzhou sent someone to deliver an official document to the Dali Temple, saying that a strange murder had occurred in Xiangzhou. The officer felt something was wrong and that it might be related to the diplomatic corps, so he sent the news to the capital."

Di Renjie was shocked and said to his wife, "Something big might have happened. I have to go there." He left quickly.

Yang chased him to the door and shouted at his back, "Remember to come back. I'll be waiting for you for dinner!"

"I understand." Di Renjie's voice came from outside the door.

As the sun sets, dusk falls, and the temperature gets lower and lower.

At this time, the hunt had lasted for an hour and a half. The top five were all Tang Dynasty generals. Su Dingfang was still in the lead, and Xue Rengui was second.

Su Dingfang's reputation was no less than Xue Rengui's, and the fact that he could surpass Xue Rengui surprised all the ministers and foreign envoys.

Only Li Zhi was slightly confused.

Because Xue Rengui's performance was not as good as last year.

At this time, Wang Fusheng suddenly came to Li Zhi's side and whispered, "Your Majesty, the eunuchs of Ganlu Palace are here to tell you that Di Shaoqing wants you to go to Ganlu Palace."

Li Zhi frowned and said, "Do you know what it is?"

Wang Fusheng said, "He didn't mention it, but judging from his expression, it seems very urgent."

"understood."

Li Zhi turned to Yue Wang Li Zhen and said, "Eighth brother, please help me preside over this. I will be leaving for a while."

Li Zhen nodded and said, "Your Majesty, please go ahead. I will leave this to you."

When the envoys saw the emperor leave, they were slightly surprised and whispered to each other.

Half an hour later, with the sound of drums, the hunt ended.

Tang team camp.

As soon as Yuchi Gong entered the tent, he asked Cheng Zhijie, "Old Cheng, how many did you shoot?"

Cheng Zhijie was sitting in a chair drinking water. After a few gulps, he said, "I've just turned forty. Hei Lang, how about you?"

Yuchi Gong also went over to drink a sip of water and said with a smile, "Forty-five." He looked around and asked, "Why are you the only one here? They haven't returned to the camp yet?"

As he was speaking, Su Dingfang walked in from outside.

Yuchi Gong hurriedly asked, "Su Lie, how much did you hunt?"

Su Dingfang said, "Sixty-five." He was not very happy because Xue Rengui had shot sixty-nine last year, and that was when he let the water flow.

He thought he had lost.

Yuchi Gong hummed a sigh, gave him a thumbs-up, and continued to stand at the door, waiting for Xue Rengui and Li Ji.

After waiting for a long time, the two men did not come back. It was not until Yuchi Gong wanted to go out and take a look that he saw the two men entering the camp side by side.

Yuchi Gong hurriedly asked, "Xue Li, how many prey have you hunted? Is it still sixty-nine?"

"I only hunted sixty-three." Xue Rengui replied.

Yuchi Gong laughed and said, "Su Lie, you win!"

Su Dingfang was also a little surprised and looked up at Xue Rengui.

"General Xue, you're not giving in on purpose, are you?"

Xue Rengui shook his head and said nothing.

Li Ji suddenly said, "He was shot by a hidden arrow and it's difficult for him to concentrate on hunting."

Everyone was stunned when they heard this.

Yuchi Gong flew into a rage and cursed, "You son of a bitch, you dared to shoot an arrow at my Tang generals? You must be tired of living. Who did it? Go and tear him apart!"

Xue Rengui said, "I didn't see the man clearly. Judging from the color of the arrow, it was the Khitan Li Kuge's arrow."

Yuchi Gong strode out of the tent to pull Li Kuuge over and ask him about it.

Cheng Zhijie hurriedly grabbed him and said, "Hei Lang, don't worry. In the hunting forest, anyone can pick up someone else's arrow."

Although Yuchi Gong was reckless, he was not stupid. He wondered, "Why would Li Ku kill Xue Rengui for no reason? Could it be that someone wanted to provoke a conflict between the Tang Dynasty and the Khitan?"

Stop immediately.

Cheng Zhijie said to Xue Rengui, "General Xue, why didn't you report this to the Saint?"

Li Ji said, "It was my idea. When General Xue was chasing that man, he happened to run into me. I also saw that man's shadow. Although I couldn't see him clearly, it was definitely not Li Kuge."

Yuchi Gong glanced at him and asked, "Who is that?"

Li Ji narrowed his eyes and said, "Except Brother Li Ku, anyone could be the one."

Yuchi Gong thought for a moment and then asked Xue Rengui, "General Xue, are there any of those hunting Hu people who have a grudge against you?"

Xue Rengui said in a deep voice: "To be honest, it is only the Turks who have a grudge against me."

Su Dingfang suddenly said, "The Huihe people are also suspicious. General Xue was appointed as the Protectorate General of Yanran, which is responsible for the nine Tiele clans."

Xue Rengui nodded in agreement.

Li Ji twirled his beard and said, "No matter what, until we know for sure who it is, we must remain calm. Otherwise, if we make a big deal out of this, everyone in these tribes will be in danger, and it might even lead to rebellion."

Cheng Zhijie said, "It's useless to discuss it further. Let's report to His Majesty first."

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of a drum calling for help came from outside.

(End of this chapter)