Chapter 234 Calling a deer a horse

Chapter 234 Calling a deer a horse

Chapter 234 Calling a deer a horse
"Boom, boom, boom..."

In the military camp, the sound of drums became lower and lower until it disappeared.

The son of the Duke of Zhenguo, the white-robed officer respected as "Little Master", had a steady voice that echoed clearly in the parade ground.

At the same time, a group of middle and lower-level military officers also echoed and said in unison:

"Please invite General Zhao to demonstrate his martial arts!"

The air froze for a moment.

In an instant, countless eyes of soldiers in the square formation of thousands of people gathered together, with strange excitement in their eyes.

Zhao Duan faced the gazes of countless eyes with a natural expression and a barely noticeable smile on the corner of his mouth.

His eyes fell on Tang Ping, who was holding the iron bow in front of him, and his armor that was polished to a shine. He smiled at the two people beside him with a look of surprise:
“Can someone explain what tradition this is?”

Beside her, Mo Chou also looked extremely unhappy.

Her eyes passed from Tang Ping's armor to the commander of the Shenji Camp. She looked unkindly and said slowly:
"Commander Shi, won't you explain? I am also very curious about this so-called tradition."

Ton!
Shi Meng, who was as burly as a hill, had his Adam's apple rolling and swallowed hard. He clearly sensed the murderous intent in the eyes of the "female prime minister":
"I……"

The autumn weather was no longer hot, but he suddenly began to sweat profusely.

There was only one thought in my mind: This is bad!

When Xue Shence called him over, he specifically told him not to give Zhao Duan any handle. After he came back, he repeated this order again and again.

This young master was also given this instruction.

Unexpectedly, the senior generals were still obedient, but this group of middle and low-level military officers rebelled.

Thinking of this, Shi Meng felt a surge of anger in his heart, and the look he gave Tang Ping became a little gloomy.

He realized that he had been too lenient towards this young man of military honor in the past, and as a result, he had lost his dignity.

"Tang Ping, who told you to talk like that? Someone, take him away!"

Shi Meng scolded in a deep voice.

Beside them, a group of senior generals' faces suddenly changed, and they were ready to take action immediately.

"and many more!"

However, Zhao Duan raised his hand to interrupt. He was smiling and seemed not to be angry at all.

In the army, he remained calm and composed:

"General Shi, why are you so angry? I am here to perform my duties in the Shenji Camp today. I am a member of the army. There is no need to be shy about any traditions. Ha, I would like to hear about them."

As the deputy commander, he is barely worthy of the title of "general".

Shi Meng looked embarrassed and had to explain:

"There is indeed an old rule in the army. When a new general takes office, in order to show the military spirit of Dayu, he must practice martial arts with the entire army... practice archery and horsemanship...

However, this outdated custom has been abolished for many years and is just an unwritten rule... Zhao Chenshi does not need to pay attention to it. "

Mo Chou's expression changed, and she then remembered that there was indeed such a rule.

It's just that no one has mentioned it for many years.

Therefore, no one had expected that this group of military officers who were deliberately trying to embarrass Zhao Duan would actually bring up this outdated rule.

It caught everyone off guard.

"Hmm, is that so..."

Zhao Duan nodded, looked at the white-robed captain with a strange look, and said with a smile:

"Tang Ping... I know you. Is the Duke of Zhenguo your father?"

Hearing this, the young military officer wearing a silver helmet and holding a strong bow slowly raised his head.

Tang Ping's eyes were sharp. Although he considered himself a minor general, his look and demeanor were comparable to Zhao Duan's.

His eyes were full of scrutiny, and it was obvious that this was his first time meeting the famous Zhao Duan.

His expression was full of arrogance, with a hint of contempt in his eyes:
"Reporting to Zhao Chenshi, I am Captain Tang Ping, and there are no sons of dukes in the army. If the Chenshi does not want to perform martial arts, I will withdraw and not be an eyesore in front of you, the superiors."

Every word is cold and unfamiliar.

Every sentence is tough.

Just as Mochou said, Dayu had strict military discipline, so even if this "young master" was targeting him intentionally, he would use methods that were in accordance with the rules.

At this moment, he was retreating in order to advance, with an appearance of submissiveness.

However, everyone present knew that in front of these thousands of soldiers, if Zhao Duan really refused to abide by tradition and ordered this group of young military officers at the lower level to retreat.

In no time, this newly appointed deputy commander will become the laughing stock of the entire army.

Cowards are never welcome in the army!
After Tang Ping finished saying this, seeing Zhao Duan remained silent, he shook his head, his eyes filled with more disdain, and turned to leave.

I thought that this famous Zhao was indeed as despicable as those officers and soldiers said.

Yes, unbearable!
As the son of the Duke of Zhenguo, Tang Ping is a pure soldier.

He was not interested in the struggles in the court at all.

But after all, they are a family of military honors, so they are not so short-sighted as to look down on civil officials.

In fact, even during the period when Zhao Duan’s reputation was at its worst, Tang Ping did not have much ill feelings towards him.

Because... I look down on you!

Yes, in his eyes, although he was just a mere thousand households for the time being, he never felt that the empress's favorite was worthy of attention.

It was not until recent months, when Zhao Duan rose to prominence, that this name came into my attention, but I only knew about it.

What really caught his attention was that many of his comrades in the army had mentioned this person in recent times.

His words revealed many dirty things about this person.

Being cruel and ruthless, and vindictive are nothing.

Tang Ping was never a moral saint.

I just heard too many comrades say that this person relied on his body to get to the top. His cultivation was barely mortal, but he became a favorite just by relying on his face. It's hard not to feel ashamed.

What really made the young officers of the Shenjiying angry was the imperial edict of promotion.

He jumped from the sixth rank to the fourth rank and was airdropped to the Shenji Camp to take up a post.

This news instantly ignited the anger of the young officers.

Since ancient times, anyone who could serve as a fourth-rank military officer had either made great contributions in the army or was proficient in military tactics, or at the very least was outstanding in martial arts.

How could a mortal man of the first rank, who had no military merit at all, crush a group of military officers by relying on his so-called "merits" of catching rebels and fighting against court officials not make people unbalanced?
A group of restless young military officers immediately found the young master to express their dissatisfaction.

As a descendant of a family of military honors, Tang Ping naturally shared the same hatred for the enemy.

That's why he was able to show his might in front of the entire army today.

……

At this moment, Tang Ping shook his head and turned around, preparing to leave, but was suddenly stopped.

"Since it is a tradition, there is no reason for this general not to abide by it." Zhao Duan said with a smile.

Tang Ping paused and turned around in surprise.

I was surprised that this person with low cultivation level actually dared to accept it.

Mo Chou was also stunned, frowned, and wanted to say something, but held back.

She wanted to remind people that the iron-framed bows in the army were different from the ordinary wooden bows and were not at the same level at all.

On the battlefield, life and death are at stake, and the bows used by soldiers are all labor-saving and light.

As for the large bow used in martial arts performances, it is difficult to pull it apart without extraordinary physical strength.

Even if you pull it, it is difficult to control the accuracy due to lack of training.

Although Zhao Duan also served in the Imperial Guards at the time, he was a guard in the imperial palace.

I know how to use a bow and arrow, but to say that I'm really good at it... not that good.

She was worried that Zhao Duan would not be able to get used to the iron-framed bow and would make a fool of himself in public, so it would be better for him not to fight.

"Mr. Zhao, don't get angry with him..."

Shi Meng wanted to dissuade him, but was stopped by a look from Zhao Duan.

The next second, Zhao Duan stepped forward and took the iron bow, which was almost half a person's height, from Tang Ping's hand with one hand.

As soon as he got his hands on it, his wrist sank gently!
You can see its weight.

I can’t even hold the bow... Tang Ping shook his head, took a few steps back, and glanced back.

Immediately, the young officers who followed him ran out and set targets at fifty steps away, one hundred steps away, one hundred and fifty steps away, and two hundred steps away.

"General, please."

The young master in white robe and silver helmet took a few steps back, raised his hand to make a gesture of invitation, and said louder:

"Cheer for the general!"

"Boom, boom, boom..."

Immediately, the sound of low drums was heard again.

In an instant, the atmosphere on the parade ground became serious, and thousands of soldiers looked at them with burning eyes.

Zhao Duan just smiled, his expression still as usual, and casually pulled out a wrought iron arrow with pure white tail feathers from the quiver.

Bow and arrow.

"crunch-"

A low and sharp sound was heard, and the bow and arrow slowly opened a semicircle - this was the normal level for an ordinary warrior.

"Om."

Zhao Duan shot an arrow, and the arrow left an afterimage due to its powerful kinetic energy.

But it was a high arc, in full view of everyone, brushing the edge of the target a hundred steps away and piercing the ground.

With a puff, it sank halfway into the water, and its tail feathers vibrated slightly.

Missed the target.

At this moment, the drumbeats suddenly stopped, and the warm atmosphere on the parade ground was also choked!
The young generals who were watching the show were also stunned.

It seemed that he had not expected that this useless person's archery skills were so mediocre.

It's only a hundred steps. Not to mention hitting the center of the bull's eye, it's impossible to even get on the target.

That's it?

Are you qualified to be a fourth-rank commander?

"laugh……"

Faintly, there seemed to be a soft laugh from someone in the crowd.

Mo Chou and Shi Meng's expressions also changed slightly. They didn't feel gloating, but only had a headache.

I don’t know how this will end.

Tang Ping was also stunned for a moment, looking at Zhao Duan with contempt in his eyes, but he did not sneer.

But suddenly I felt that all the trouble I had gone to to make this show of power seemed a bit unnecessary.

Such a mediocre person...

However, in the eyes of countless people, some were contemptuous, some were mocking, some were dazed, and some were confused.

Zhao Duan calmly put down the iron bow and asked with a smile:
"How about my arrow?"

"Pah...pah..."

In the silent atmosphere, Hou Renmeng and Qian Kerou clapped and cheered at the same time, with serious expressions:
"Your Excellency has hit the bull's eye with one arrow, which is amazing."

(End of this chapter)