Yuan Xi and the soldiers dug in the soil until dark and cooked several large pots of broth from the game they had caught.
At first, the soldiers were very frightened. After all, Yuan Xi was now the governor of Zhuo County. But when they saw that Yuan Xi had no airs about him and invited them to eat together, the temptation of game defeated their restraint.
Yuan Xi held a wooden bowl, filled half a bowl of multigrain rice into the pot, and poured a large spoonful of broth mixed with minced meat on top.
He squatted on the ground, stirred the rice a few times with wooden chopsticks, and the aroma suddenly spread, and the soldiers immediately swallowed and spit.
Sun Li stirred in the pot, fished out a piece of bone, and shouted: "What are you doing in a daze? If you start too late, there will be nothing left!"
After hearing this, the soldiers rushed forward.
The meat of the wild goose was actually very hard, and Yuan Xi had to chew it many times before he could swallow it. It was mixed with the smell of blood, and if it wasn't masked by the smell of grains, it wouldn't be that delicious.
Although this kind of rice is far inferior to Yecheng's delicacies, it is a rare opportunity for soldiers to improve their food.
After all, in the Han Dynasty, hunters who could hunt were much rarer than soldiers.
The bows and arrows used in the battle formation were actually quite expensive to make. Unless they were from a family like Yuan Xi, most hunters would either use sharpened wood as arrows or use projectiles for hunting.
The "Wuyue Spring and Autumn Annals" of the Eastern Han Dynasty records, "I heard that the crossbow was born from the bow, and the bow was born from the bullet. The ball was brought up by the filial son in ancient times. ... A filial son cannot bear to see his parents being eaten by animals, so he pretends to make bullets to protect them from the harm of birds and beasts. .”
A bow that shoots projectiles is called a slingshot. Different from modern slingshots, the slingshot of the Han Dynasty was in the shape of a bow, but the structure was slightly different. A spring pad or a double string structure was added to the bow string.
Most of the projectiles used are made of clay. As long as it is not a large prey or a raptor that flies very fast, a skilled hunter can almost stun it and shoot it down.
Of course, for unskilled people, projectiles are much more troublesome than arrows, and they may even hit their own hands.
But projectiles also have the advantage over arrows that they can better preserve the complete fur of prey, which is even more important for animals with high fur prices such as minks and foxes.
Sun Li was young and could easily get along with others. He finished the rice in his bowl with a few strokes. Seeing a soldier who was curious about the two bows he had with him, he explained the difference between a slingshot and a bow.
He got excited as he spoke, took out the projectile and put it on the bow, then pulled it, and the projectile flew out suddenly, causing a stone in the distance to roll several times, which attracted a round of applause.
Sun Li said proudly: "This slingshot can be made from any wood. It doesn't require good strings. If you don't want to bother, go to the craftsmen in the city. You can make a good enough one for just a few tens of pennies."
"Wouldn't it be convenient to hunt whatever game you want to eat by yourself?"
All the soldiers were moved and nodded repeatedly.
Although Youzhou is a bitterly cold place, there is no shortage of game.
Of course, these beasts can also destroy crops, which is also a headache.
The excavated rivers and ditches can effectively prevent wild animals from approaching the farmland. If the soldiers use slingshots to hunt and guard the fields, the situation will be much better.
After Yuan Xi finished eating, he said goodbye to all the soldiers and took Sun Li and others into the city, feeling a little relieved.
In the past few days, he always felt like someone was staring at him, which sent shivers down his spine.
He guessed that the other party had probably taken the bait, but the other party was very cautious. Now that he was surrounded by scouts, the other party would never show up easily.
Yuan Xi was a little impatient, he couldn't waste it any longer.
He said to Sun Li: "Tomorrow you and I will go out to the city to hunt without anyone else."
When Sun Li heard this, his eyes widened in surprise: "Brother is crazy?"
Yuan Xi smiled and said, "Are you afraid?"
Sun Li gritted his teeth and said, "I'm not afraid!"
"Brother dares to take risks himself, why don't I dare!"
"Okay!" Yuan Xi clapped his hands, "Tomorrow we will see what the other side is capable of!"
The next day, Yuan Xi and Sun Li went out to the city for another day of hunting, but as it was almost dark, there was no movement.
When Yuan Xi returned to the city, he even doubted himself. Is anyone watching him?
Tian Yu stood up, and the two guards beside him asked puzzledly: "General, there are so many opportunities today, why didn't you take action?"
Tian Yu remained silent. It was not that the opponent had no flaws, but that the flaws were so big that he doubted whether he would be killed as soon as he made a move.
After all, the opponent is the famous fierce tiger!
He gritted his teeth and couldn't hesitate any longer, otherwise his mind would be exhausted!
Let's put an end to this assassination tomorrow!
It finally dawned, and Yuan Xi and Sun Li rode out of the city gate in the morning light.
If the other party doesn't take action today, he will return to Beixin City. When the time comes to attack Yi Jing, he will have no choice but to kill Tian Yu.
In the morning, he and Sun Li shot and killed a few more rabbits and arrived at the creek.
Yuan Xi squatted down and wanted to scoop water from the stream. As soon as he leaned down, three arrows whizzed towards him from the woods!
Although Yuan Xi had been prepared for it, the sudden arrival of the arrow was beyond his expectation.
He threw himself on the ground in embarrassment, an arrow flew past his face, and the other two arrows shot into his body.
Yuan Xi lay on the ground and screamed loudly. Sun Li was shocked and quickly protected Yuan Xi.
Tian Yu took a look and found that his position was very safe. He was across a stream from the other party. Even if the other party came to rescue him, he would not be able to cross the stream for a while.
He bent his bow and nocked an arrow, aiming at the leg of Yuan Xi who was lying on the ground.
Sun Li was on guard this time and blocked the arrow with his body. The arrow hit Sun Li and was blocked by the armor inside, causing it to fall down.
Sun Li put his hand in his mouth and whistled, startling many birds in the forest.
Tian Yu's eyes narrowed. The guards all wore armor, so how could the fierce tiger not wear it?
The other party has already issued a report, but his personal guards have already searched for him. There is no Yuan Jun around for several miles. We must seize this fleeting opportunity!
Yuan Xi sat up slowly, pulled out the two arrows on his body, and said, "You have the guts to shoot arrows, but don't have the guts to see people?"
Tian Yu picked up his bow, walked out of the woods, and said across the stream: "Tian Yu, who is under Jihou's command, has seen fierce tigers."
Yuan Xi stood up slowly and smiled at Tian Yu: "I heard that Brother Guorang has been famous for a long time. I heard that the eldest brother also suffered a big loss at his hands."
"I'm very curious. Since Brother Guorang has made up his mind to attack secretly, why doesn't he continue to attack?"
Tian Yu said in a deep voice: "This is the most basic respect for the young master who is in danger alone."
"Although I hate you Yuan family very much, Tian also admires you for being able to do this."
"But do you think that because of your reputation as a fierce tiger, you think I, Tian, can't kill you?"
Yuan Xi thought to himself that Tian Yu was so upright and said with a smile: "Brother Guorang, if you want to know, why don't you come and meet me?"
Tian Yu said: "How could I be fooled by you!"
Yuan Xi smiled and said: "If that's the case, then I'll come over!"
After saying that, he waded through the knee-deep stream and walked straight to Tian Yu!
This went beyond Tian Yu's expectation. Is this fierce tiger so confident in himself?
At that moment, he actually had the idea of retreating.
Without thinking, he bent his bow and nocked an arrow, aiming it at Yuan Xi's face, but when he saw the sound of the bowstring, Sun Li had already aimed an arrow at Tian Yuxian!
In the past few days, Tian Yu saw that Yuan Xi's bodyguard was still young and was not conspicuous among the scouts.
When Tian Yu saw him coming out with Yuan Xi today, he had doubted whether the guard had any special abilities. But at this time, most of his thoughts were on Yuan Xi. When Sun Li fired the arrow, he suddenly realized that he still underestimated the opponent!
In his busy schedule, he turned his head to try to avoid it, but the arrow aimed at Yuan Xi had lost its accuracy.
He was about to raise his bow, but he saw Sun Li firing three arrows in succession, shooting at three people. Only then did Tian Yu realize that Sun Li's archery skills were much better than when he had peeked at them in the past few days!
He and the two guards had no choice but to dodge the arrows and temporarily retreat behind the tree. At this time, Yuan Xi was about to cross the stream and held the ring-headed knife on his back in his hand.
Yuan Xi shouted: "Brother Guorang, fight with me!"
"Let me see if you can match Guan Yu and Zhang Fei!"
Tian Yu secretly gritted his teeth. This ferocious tiger really lived up to his reputation. He actually had the courage to come and challenge him. It seemed that the rumors that he defeated Liu, Guan, and Zhang were true!
He gritted his teeth and pulled out the long knife from his back. He walked out from behind the tree, but when he heard a sound in his ears, Sun Li was still firing arrows to attack him secretly!
He suddenly became angry: "I'm fighting with you, why are you, my bodyguard, still shooting at me?"
Yuan Xi looked innocent, "What kind of duel?"
"Ah?" Tian Yu was stunned: "Aren't you going to fight me?"
Yuan Xi nodded, "Yes, I will fight with you, but I can't control others."
This time Tian Yu really vomited blood, "You are so skilled in martial arts, but you still use such despicable methods?"
Yuan Xi sighed: "Brother Guorang, you are wrong."
"My martial arts skills are not very high."
"I just don't want you to run away."
"Actually, I'm scared now."
Tian Yu sneered, he figured it out, the fierce tiger in front of him was not only highly skilled in martial arts, but also cunning and cunning!
Just as he was about to speak, the shrill wind sounded.
Tian Yu suddenly stumbled forward, and a long arrow flew past his arm.
But his men were not so lucky. Two long arrows penetrated their right arms. They screamed and their bows fell to the ground.
Tian Yu quickly turned around and saw a big man with two halberds on his back and a long bow slowly walking out.
Tian Yu's eyes twitched. He recognized this person. He was Tai Shici, the commander of another department stationed in Rongcheng!
When did he appear and how did he touch his back?
Yuan Xi sighed: "Thank you for your hard work, Ziyi."
Taishi Ci said: "It's just a matter of sleeping in a cave for a few days."
Only then did Tian Yu understand that the other party had ambushed him in advance!
He said solemnly: "I don't understand, with this area of dozens of miles, how do you know that I am doing something here?"
Yuan Xi shook his head and said, "No, I don't know."
Tian Yu was stunned.
Yuan Xi raised a finger seriously, "It's just that the place where Ziyi is hiding is near you."
"In order to ambush you, I had people dig some holes late at night in advance, find some hiding places, and ambush people."
"My route these days is to pass through these locations nearby to ensure that no matter when something happens, someone can come over in time."
"They haven't shown up since they hid in there. It's been several days now."
"If Brother Guorang takes action elsewhere, he might encounter Zilong."
"Thankfully Brother Guorang showed up today, otherwise, their food would have been eaten up."
"Brother Guorang, guess how many people were ambushed where I passed?"
(End of chapter)
