Naturally, a horse racing outing would not take place in front of Tokyo City. It is too busy and there is no way to run horses.
The group of people led the carriage heading south. The kites in the sky behind them became farther and farther away, and the scenery became clearer and more beautiful.
Zhao Tong sighed on his horse: "Dali has picturesque mountains and rivers and a passionate daughter. I have always longed for her, but I don't know when and what month I will be lucky enough to meet her."
When Duan Yichang heard the word "passionate" about his daughter, he felt even more depressed. Thinking that the matter was getting more and more difficult, he felt that this King Qi was being abominable.
There are no mountains around Tokyo, only some lush forest slopes. Even Gendake, which has been built for several years in the north of the city, also has this kind of terrain.
There were several forks on the official road ahead. Zhao Tong pointed to the west: "I have been there before. The scenery is always good. There are slopes of forest and rivers where you can hunt and fish."
Duan Yichang saw Zhao Tong swaying on the horse and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, is there actually a place for hunting nearby?"
Zhao Tong nodded and said: "It is a large wild forest with some ups and downs. There are no big beasts, but there is no shortage of small ones. If you don't want to eat what you brought, you can hunt some game to go with your wine."
Duan Yichang smiled and said: "Chang Yi has never thought about this. I didn't bring a bow and arrow. I'm afraid I won't be able to fight."
Zhao Tong said: "I have brought him with me. He is in the carriage behind. If Prince Duan is interested, he can show off his skills when he arrives."
Duan Yichang said: "That's good. Although I brought mutton, chicken and goose meat with me when I came out, it was never fresh and delicious."
Zhao Tong nodded: "Not only are there game in the forest, but there are also fish and shrimp in the river. It is very convenient to wash and peel them."
Duan Yichang nodded in agreement, and one person got off the official road, and all the carriages and horses went to the forked road. Although the scenery here was more beautiful, there were fewer tourists at once. After walking for about two quarters of an hour, the only sound was the wind. Forest leaves, beasts and birds chirping.
After finding a flat and dry place, the entourage set up a thin tent. Zhao Tan asked Lei San to get two pairs of bows and arrows, and said to Duan Yichang with a smile: "My archery skills are not good. If you can't hunt game, you have to occupy Duan Yi." The prince’s is cheap.”
Duan Yichang had just thought of a plan, he wanted to make a fortune and compete with Zhao Tong on how much he hunted, and the less one had to agree to a small thing more. Now when he heard what Zhao Tong said, he was gagged and didn't care. Good to mention it again.
However, he expected that Zhao Tie's archery skills were not good. Zhao Tie didn't like to hear the mention of martial arts yesterday. Today, it was common to see equestrian skills. It was strange that his archery skills were good.
The two of them took a short rest, then lit the charcoal fire brought from the house, boiled water and made tea. After drinking, the two of them rode horses towards the nearby forest.
The trees in the forest were sparse, and the horse could jog without any hindrance. However, there were many flying birds above, but they were not as heavy as the arrows. If they hit the body, they would be shattered. Zhao Tong frowned and said, "It would be better to bring a slingshot."
The wandering children of Tokyo City often play with slingshots, shooting birds and pedestrians during the day, and shooting at the doors and windows of the widow's house at night.
Duan Yichang thought to himself that this King of Qi was probably like this, otherwise he would not have found a slingshot when hunting.
The two of them were walking slowly in the forest. There was no need to follow the beasts around. They just chased and shot them when they saw them. After a long time, Duan Yichang had made some gains and killed a few small beasts. Zhao But Tama gained nothing.
Looking at Duan Yi Chang's prey, Zhao Tong looked unhappy. Suddenly, a small head appeared in the bushes in front of him. It turned out to be a gray rabbit. Zhao Tong was overjoyed. He drew his bow and arrow and shot it straight out.
This time, it was as if the hand of a god came with a precise target, and it hit the hare. Zhao Tong said happily: "I hit it!"
Duan Yichang looked carefully and couldn't help but be surprised. Zhao Tong's previous shots failed time and time again, either straying too far or passing by. Now this arrow hit the hare without any bias.
Zhao Tong was in high spirits, and just as he was about to send his followers to retrieve the prey, he saw the gray rabbit suddenly move, and then with a feather arrow on its butt, it actually jumped and ran away into the distance.
Zhao Tong's expression changed when he saw this, he hurriedly rode forward and shot another arrow, but this time he was not accurate. The hare took the whole arrow and ran away without a trace.
Seeing Zhao Tong's gloomy and speechless face, Duan Yichang smiled and said: "Your Majesty, the arrow must be blunt, so it cannot penetrate deeply and the rabbit will run away."
Zhao Tong glanced at him and laughed: "Yes, yes, the arrow is indeed blunt, otherwise my arrow would not have passed through me? How could I let a little rabbit escape?"
Duan Yichang felt a little relieved. Although he was cheated, he felt much better seeing that King Qi was not very good at embroidering a pillow.
After this incident, he lost interest in hunting and went to the river to catch fish. This did not require two people to do it. The followers could do it no matter where they were. It only took a moment to get a big harvest.
Zhao Tong was sitting on a folding back chair by the river, basking in the sun, listening to Duan Yichang talking about Dali's famous places and specialties, and suddenly said: "I heard that your father traveled to the Central Plains when he was young. Is this possible?"
Duan Yichang was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Zhao Tong to ask about such a thing. He couldn't figure out Zhao Tong's intention, so he said: "Your Majesty is so knowledgeable that he even knows that my father once traveled to the Central Plains."
Zhao Tong smiled and said: "I have several subordinates who used to be from the Green Forest on Jiangnan Road. They once told me about this matter. They said that when I was the heir to the throne, I came to Song Dynasty to explore the world, especially In the Jiangnan area, he has gained quite a reputation."
Duan Heyu was the son of Zhennan King Duan Zhengchun, not the son of Baoding Emperor Duan Zhengming. Zhengchun had not yet succeeded to the throne at that time, so Zhao Tan called him the eldest son, not the prince.
Duan Yichang thought for a moment and said, "I heard my father talk about this. Even my mother often recalls Jiangnan, but Yi Chang regrets that she has never been there."
Zhao Tong raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard this. Duan Heyu's queen came from the Gao family, a powerful minister, and had nothing to do with her. Duan Yichang's mother was the Concubine Wang. She was not from a Dali official family, and few people knew her origins. But at this moment, listening to Duan Yichang's words , seems to have been to Jiangnan back then?
He said: "Your Majesty..."
Duan Yichang smiled, there was nothing to hide about this kind of thing, he said: "My mother is not from Dali, but a woman from the Song Dynasty. She met my father in Jiangnan, and then returned to Dali together."
"That's it." Zhao Tong nodded and said with a smile: "I think your father was handsome and capable in martial arts back then. He must have made many friends in the world. Maybe he even had sworn brothers."
Duan Yichang thought a little when he heard the words, and felt that there was something in Zhao Tong's words, but he really didn't understand these things, so he said: "Your Majesty, you are asking me this question. Yi Chang has never heard my father mention these things, and even my mother... has never heard of it. Never said that.”
Zhao Tong smiled and said, "I am curious." After saying this, he said nothing.
Duan Yichang was confused. He didn't know what Zhao Tong meant by asking these questions. He said he was curious but seemed to have something in mind. It was not as simple as asking casually.
At this time, several women came from the other side of the river, carrying wooden basins to the river to wash their clothes. They looked like they were farmers from nearby farms.
They were not afraid of Zhao Tong and others. They rolled up their trousers on the big bluestone diagonally opposite, exposing half of their white calves. They were laughing and making noise while doing laundry. The voices that came through were none other than the Zhang family, the Li family, and the Wang family's little ones. Lang is so bold.
Zhao Tong saw it interestingly and said: "Prince Duan, if you were in Dali, wouldn't you want to listen to the song in this situation?"
Duan Yichang glanced at the opposite side. The women were laughing and looking this way. When they saw him looking over, they couldn't help but point. Duan Yichang suddenly blushed and said: "Your Majesty, I haven't seen it with my own eyes, but, but... …Probably yes.”
Zhao Tongqi asked: "You haven't seen it?"
Duan Yichang said shyly: "Your Majesty, I rarely go out of the city in Dali. Although I often hear about this kind of thing, I have never seen it with my own eyes."
Zhao Tong smiled and said: "Prince Duan, happiness is among the people, and sorrow is also among the people. The temple is too high and you can't see the market. How can you know the joy and sorrow of the people?"
Duan Yi Changxin said, I have known these truths of yours for a long time, but what does this have to do with the antiphon? It’s not that you covet my Dali daughter’s affection, it’s just that you don’t have good intentions.
He said: "Your Majesty's words are worth ten years of reading. Chang Yi has learned a lot."
After a while, the game fish and shrimp were roasted, and the two of them chatted while eating until they were tipsy.
Duan Yichang saw that Zhao Tong was very interested, so he couldn't help but make some calculations in his mind, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, how about a horse race later?"
(End of chapter)
