Fan Zhongyan said: "General Zhong is not at ease, so he asked Wang Song to spar with him. We should use force to make friends."
General Zhong said politely: "Thank you, sir."
Bai Yutian came over, saluted Fan Zhongyan and Di Qing, and after saying hello, he cupped his fists and raised his hands to show courtesy.
Fan Zhongyan said: "Bai Yutian, General Zhong Shiheng has a subordinate named Wang Song. I heard that you are very skilled and would like to ask for some advice. If you are willing, just compete with him. Until the point is reached, you should use force to make friends. A friend."
Bai Yutian cupped his hands and said, "Yes, sir."
General Zhong Shiheng looked at the soldiers beside him and said: "Wang Song, you have heard what I said. Use force to make friends. That's it."
"Yes, general." Wang Song stepped out.
Bai Yutian saluted Wang Song and said, "I, Bai Yutian, have met Wang Xiashi."
Wang Song returned the greeting and said: "Young Master Bai, would you like to compete with fists and feet, weapons, or archery skills?"
Bai Yutian replied: "Returning to Knight Wang, Bai is not talented. He knows how to use fists, kicks, weapons, and hidden weapons, but he is not good at anything. As for what kind of competition, it all depends on Knight Wang's attention."
Zhong Shiheng was extremely happy when he heard this, and thought to himself: "Wang Song is his most proud subordinate. Even if he loses face and loses face, he still loses to Lord Fan, but he doesn't care. If there is any damage during the competition, then But it doesn't make sense." So he said to the side: "To compete with fists, feet, and weapons, it's really difficult to hit the target all the way to determine the winner. It's better to try the bow and crossbow skills. Just have an object as a target, and you can hit the target all the way. High and low, without any potential danger.”
Di Qing stood up and said to Fan Zhongyan: "My lord, as a soldier, you are blessed with bows and crossbows, riding and shooting. Bai Shaoxia is an ordinary citizen. He was born and raised in the south. He rarely sees horses, let alone riding and archery. If It would be unfair for Bai Shaoxia to compete with bows, crossbows, horsemen and archers."
Fan Zhongyan glanced at Zhong Shiheng and said to Bai Yutian: "Bai Yutian, you can choose what you want to compete with, as long as both parties agree. It's called a competition, but it's actually a competition, but it should be fair and appropriate, without favoring any party."
Bai Yutian said politely: "The common people thank you for your kindness." He paused for a moment and then said, "However, if there is any danger along the way when escorting you to Qingzhou this time, the danger will be determined by the enemy. The common people have the final say. Only when you see the tricks, remove all dangers, and safely escort the Lord to Gyeongju can you say that you have fulfilled your duties. Today's competition should be regarded as a test before leaving. You can't choose by yourself, but it is better than choosing by yourself."
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the audience immediately looked at Bai Yutian with new eyes. They really didn't expect that a young man in the world would think so. good!
Zhong Shiheng said: "Young man, it's great that you think so."
Fan Zhongyan said: "Take those two watermelons and make them archery targets for the two warriors to show off their skills."
An extremely young general said politely to Fan Zhongyan: "Sir, there are only two melons. They are extremely precious. Let's exchange them for others."
Fan Zhongyan said happily: "General Guo Kui, don't you just want me to have a taste of the watermelon before I leave? Although the melon looks bright in color, the time has not come yet. If you want something sweet, you need some heat. Why not borrow the heroic spirit of the two warriors and give it a quick stir, so that it will ripen early and the astringent taste will be removed, and everyone will feel refreshed physically and mentally after eating it."
Guo Kui said: "The last general made a mistake, please forgive me."
Fan Zhongyan said to the sergeant beside him: "Go and tell the lady to get two melons and hang them on the tree to use as arrow targets."
The sergeant left and fetched the watermelons. Fan Zhongyan fetched a brush from the study and drew a medium-sized circle on each melon before hanging the two melons on a jujube tree in the west corner of the yard. The circle on it faces everyone.
Fan Zhongyan smiled and said: "Wang Song, Bai Yutian, each of you choose a melon, and one arrow will determine the outcome. Do you have any objections?"
Wang Song and Bai Yutian replied in unison: "I obey, little one."
Fan Zhongyan said cheerfully: "Okay. The competition begins. No matter we win or lose, let's have fun together."
The sergeant took the bow and arrow and handed it to Wang Song.
Wang Song put an arrow on the string, drew the bow fully, strode and trotted, glared at the watermelon, the arrow flew out in time, hit the center of the black circle of the watermelon, penetrated through, the watermelon only shook slightly twice, then stopped. down.
Such extraordinary archery skills are praised by everyone. Immediately there were cheers and applause.
Wang Song walked to Bai Yutian and handed the bow string to him. Bai Yutian bowed slightly but did not accept it. He turned around and said to Fan Zhongyan: "Sir, can I not shoot with a bow and arrow?"
Fan Zhongyan said: "What weapon do you use?"
Bai Yutian held out a small silver needle in his right hand and said, "Just use this silver needle."
Zhong Shiheng said: "Going into battle to kill the enemy is not the icing on the cake. It's about hurting the enemy a hundred steps away. The greater the lethality, the better."
Bai Yutian bowed slightly to Zhong Shiheng and said, "Yes, general." He turned around and glanced at the intact watermelon. With a flick of his finger, his palm opened towards the watermelon, and the silver needle shot out without a trace.
Everyone in the yard looked at the watermelon, and saw that the watermelon had not moved at all. After a while, a few sounds were heard, and the watermelon began to break from the middle point of the black circle, breaking into eight pieces, and seven pieces responded. And fall.
Bai Yutian jumped over with a vertical step, caught the seven fallen pieces of watermelon one by one, placed them on the ground, and jumped back with a piece in his hands.
"Okay, good skills!" Di Qing stood up and applauded.
Fan Zhongyan applauded, and everyone followed, cheering loudly.
Bai Yutian offered the watermelon in his hand to Fan Zhongyan and said, "Please use it, my lord."
Fan Zhongyan took it and said to the sergeant beside him: "Take the melon and distribute it to everyone, so we can try it together."
The two sergeants received the order, took the melon, cut it one by one with the Chunyang sword on Bai Yutian's waist, gave a piece to each person present, and walked towards the east wing holding the remaining four small pieces.
Fan Zhongyan stood up with a small piece of watermelon in his hand, looked around and said loudly: "Everyone, today I, Fan, am really eye-opening and very happy. A man with superb archery skills, fighting on the battlefield, exalting the prestige of our country, the Song Dynasty." A man with extraordinary martial arts skills and walking in the rivers and lakes shows that our Song Dynasty is full of talents. Please use this watermelon instead of wine to honor our Song Dynasty and wish it prosperity forever. Please!"
Everyone held up the watermelons in their hands and said in unison: "I respect the Song Dynasty and wish it prosperity forever. Please!"
After saying this, everyone started eating together with Fan Zhongyan.
Although the watermelon is not yet fully ripe, the astringent taste has long been eliminated by the heroic spirit of the hero, making it sweet and delicious.
After the watermelon was eaten, the sergeant took away the rind and everyone sat down happily.
Fan Zhongyan said: "General Zhong, General Guo, with such a talented person escorting me to Qingzhou for my appointment, you will feel at ease now, right?"
Zhong Shiheng and Guo Kui said in unison: "This general is ignorant and ill-informed and reckless. Don't blame me."
