Volume 6 Chapter 4 (1/2)
Book 6 Chap 4 – The Imperial Duel
Thousands of people gathered at the huge square next to the hall in Xianyang Palace. It was like a marketplace, with everyone waiting impatiently to see the grand duel that’s about to be held.
On one side there were the Qin’s most famously invincible and fierce warrior.
On the other side is a rising star with great military merits, a swordsman from Zhao.
Everyone wants to witness how these 2 are going to fight to win.
The sun was shining brightly and 3 tall platforms were erected near the main hall with seats neatly arranged on them. The middle platform is naturally the seats for King Zhuangxiang, the Crown Prince and the Empress.
The platform on the left was filled with major officials and military generals who were on Lord Yangquan and Wang He’s side.
On the platform on the right, besides Lu Buwei, Meng Ao and the major officials closer to Lu Buwei are already seated. Li Si is one of them. Actually he is not qualified to have a place there at all but because of his concern for Xiang Shaolong, he managed to talk and persuade his way into getting a seat.
Others who were of a lower status can only stand at the circumference of the square to view the duel.
With the mail armors and helmet gleaming, the Qin soldiers who were taller and bigger built than people from the other 6 states, stood guard on the long stairway leading to the main hall and around the 3 viewing platforms. Their long halberds shone under the sun, giving the soldiers a dignified and serious air.
At this time Lu Buwei and Xiang Shaolong has just arrived in their carriage and they walked towards the right after they alighted. Immediately there was a commotion as people pointed and shouted at Xiang Shaolong.
Lu Buwei exhaled and whispered in Xiang Shaolong’s ears, “The Qins love a good fight and hold heroes in high regard. You can only win and not lose in this duel.”
Xiang Shaolong has already meditated according to the instructions on the Mohist scroll this morning and at this moment he’s feeling very energetic so he said with confidence, “Premier Lu, do not worry!”
Lu Buwei commented, “That person dressed in black warrior outfit on the left platform is Qiu Risheng, don’t forget his face.” His tone revealed a deep hatred.
Xiang Shaolong looked over that direction only to see the eyes of almost a hundred people on the platform were all focused on him and hurriedly smiled and nodded in response. He took a glance at that Qiu Risheng and then looked away.
Lu Buwei led him up the platform and sat down after introducing him to the other people. He asked Tu Xian who was at the back, “Is Wang Jian here yet?”
Tu Xian replied, “Should be here! But I wonder where he is?”
The sound of the horn was heard.
Under the escort of the imperial guards, King Zhuangxiang who was dressed in his dragon robes, leading Xiao Pan, Zhu Ji, Lady Xiuli and Prince Qi Chongqiao as well as a bevy of concubines, walked out from inside the hall towards the platform in the middle.
All the soldiers stood at attention while the rest of the people both on and off the platform knelt down to welcome them. For a moment the atmosphere in the whole square was solemn and silent.
Xiang Shaolong was secretly complimenting, on seeing this situation he can see the nobility of the King of Qin and how much importance the Qins place on compliance and discipline.
It’s only after King Zhuangxiang and the Princes and Concubines were seated and the attendant declared everyone to rise and be seated did the atmosphere returned to what it was previously. However, everyone stopped talking and quietly waited for King Zhuangxiang’s announcement.
The attendant cried out, “Where is Xiang Shaolong!”
Xiang Shaolong hurriedly rose and at the same time removed his outer robe to reveal his perfect physique. He left the platform to come to the front of the main platform and bowed his acquiesce to the King.
King Zhuangxiang looked at Xiang Shaolong happily and kept on nodded his head to show his approval.
He has lived abroad for many years and basically he can be considered an outsider, therefore he feels a special affinity to this young swordsman from Zhao who rescued his wife as well.
The attendant cried out again, “Where is Wang Jian?”
He has just finished his sentence when the sounds of hooves were heard only to see a steed running in from the palace gates like a gust of wind.
The crowd cheered thunderously as they all gave way to let the steed past unobstructed.
When it comes to flaunting, Xiang Shaolong has obviously lost greatly.
Wang Jian’s horsemanship is astounding. In such a short distance, he has already executed several difficult poses and just as he is about to stop, he miraculously curled under the horse’s belly and mounted onto the horse’s back on the other side before leaping off the horse to kneel at the ground as he cried out loudly, “Your soldier Wang Jian! Paying his respects to your Majesty!”
Once again everyone cheered deafeningly, pushing the whole atmosphere into a high.
Lu Buwei and the rest of the people on the platform, including Wu Yingyuan and Tao Fang who were full of confidence for Xiang Shaolong, started feeling a little shaken after seeing his astounding horsemanship. The confidence of Lu Buwei and the others who have not truly seen the ability of Xiang Shaolong were even more affected.
King Zhuangxiang revealed a look of surprise and kept nodding his head.
Because Zhu Ji has a special liking for Xiang Shaolong, she grabbed Xiao Pan’s hand anxiously only to realize Xiao Pan’s palm is sweating as well.
Everyone on Lord Yangquan’s platform looked ecstatic instead as if Xiang Shaolong’s defeat is a sure thing. Wang Jian stood up and looked at Xiang Shaolong.
At the same time Xiang Shaolong looked across with a smile and they saw each other directly.
Both of them revealed a look of surprise at the same time, both shocked at the other’s physique and charm.
This Wang Jian is indeed as Wu Yingyuan described, fair and delicate looking but it’s not enough to really describe him.
He’s only about half an inch shorter than Xiang Shaolong and he wore a red and black warrior’s outfit with an armor vest. His arms and shoulders were wide and his build robust, giving out a heroic air.
His nose is high with deep set eyes which looked unfathomable, his jet black hair combed into a small bun at the top and secured tightly with a red rope with its 2 ends dropping down to the back of his neck which made him appear even more powerful.
Xiang Shaolong was secretly admiring him and smiled in return, thinking that with such a capabilities, no wonder he could help Xiao Pan conquer the world and unite the 6 states in future.
Wang Jian saw that Xiang Shaolong looked friendly and his countenance relaxed as well and politely returned the greeting but his eyes was still filled with enmity.
At this point in time the attendant from the main platform read out the purpose of the duel this time and naturally at the same time offered encouragement to the contestants and emphasized the importance of maintaining good sportsmanship.
Towards the end, the attendant announced loudly, “The duel today will be split into 2 parts, with horse riding and archery first followed by swordplay.”
Xiang Shaolong was secretly lamenting and thought that although he has improved greatly on his riding skills recently, but if he were to compare with Wang Jian, he won’t be able to catch up even if he goes back and train for a few more years.
Wang Jian accepted the orders loudly so Xiang Shaolong can only follow him and agree as well.
With a ‘whoosh!’, Wang Jian leapt up the horse in a graceful motion and rode off. When it looks as if he’s almost knocking into the spectators standing at the corner of the square, he pulled his horse back with a stand and the horse turned around gracefully and came to a sudden stop.
Naturally another round of applause and cheers sounded.
2 soldiers took out a target board from the side of the square and placed it right in the middle of the broad square.
At this time Lu Buwei ordered his man to lead Jifeng out. Xiang Shaolong smiled calmly and jumped up the horse’s back from its rump and clasped his legs around the horse’s belly. Jifeng galloped around the square with astonishing speed and came to another corner of the square and they also received many cheers.
Wang Jian took out his steel bow from the side of his saddle and held it high above his head, which immediately caused another uproar of admiration.
Xiang Shaolong knows that he is very confident and was prepared to display his archery skill. He recollected his feelings and shouted to Wang Jian from afar, “How can a still target be compared to a live target, why don’t Brother Wang shoot 3 arrows at me? I guarantee that I won’t use my shield to block.”
Silence immediately spread through the square but everyone has an incredulous look in their eyes, as if thinking whether this person is seeking death?
But Xiang Shaolong is the only one who can understand the difficult position he is in. Instead of waiting to be defeated, he might as well take the risk and make use of his own swordsmanship and agility to deal with the other party’s arrows. If he succeed, then he’ll be able to pass this stage.
Wang Jian is not one who likes to take advantage of others and he shouted back, “Arrows have no feelings, has Brother Xiang thought clearly about this.”
Xiang Shaolong bowed to King Zhuangxiang from afar and cried out, “Would your Majesty please approve!”
King Zhuangxiang hesitated for a moment before signaling with his hand his approval.
The almost 2000 odd people at the square held their breath, waiting for that heart stopping scene to appear.
Wang Jian lifted his bow with one hand while he pulled out 4 long arrows from his back with his other hand, holding them between his 5 fingers, his stance showing his familiarity and making others feel that it’s as easy as breathing for him to shoot these 4 arrows.
Xiang Shaolong was secretly lamenting in his heart. It turns out that this person is so unfathomable, making others think that he can only shoot 3 arrows at once but only now did he reveal his true ability.
Silence.
Wang Jian laughed loudly, “My steel bow and arrows can pierce through any shield, so it doesn’t matter even if Brother Xiang uses a shield. Be careful!” He clasped his horse’s belly lightly and his warhorse sped forward.
Xiang Shaolong looked heavenward and laughed as he clapped his horse and dashed forward but towards the direction of King Zhuangxiang’s side, trying to intimidate him as he will not dare to release the arrows towards King Zhuangxiang’s direction and to put him down a little.
The 2 steeds got closer then further away, their positions exchanged.
Wang Jian pulled his horse’s head back and immediately turned back.
Xiang Shaolong’s mind went into the Mohist’s technique of calmness. Heaven and earth seems to have gone totally quiet in this instant and there’s nothing else besides Wang Jian.