There was a humble smile on Jay's face as he bowed slightly and said in a deep voice: "Shooting the bow is based on the art of mounted archery. How can the Tang people's mounted archery compare to our nomadic grasslands? Therefore, I am confident that Tubo will still win next year's shooting competition. As long as this competition continues, Tubo will always win! "
At this point, Jay raised his eyes slightly, and a cold glint like an arrow faintly appeared in his eyes.
Below the stage, when the Imperial Army generals heard his arrogant words, they couldn't help but explode with rage. Many of the officials and nobles present gradually understood the underlying meaning of the conversation between the Tubo envoy and Empress Wu.
They were not actually talking about shooting the bow. Jay said that shooting the bow was based on mounted archery, and that mounted archery was an important part of military strength. In fact, Jay was referring to the military strength of the two countries. The reason why the two countries were fighting was because of the Western Regions, and the source was the Four Garrisons of Anxi.
The Four Garrisons of Anxi were now a sore point for Empress Wu.
In the first year of Emperor Gaozong's reign, Tubo attacked Anxi and the Tang abandoned the Four Garrisons of Anxi. This was the first time the Four Garrisons of Anxi had fallen into the hands of the Tang dynasty. Five years later, the Tang dynasty recaptured the Four Garrisons of Anxi, but just two years later, they fell into the hands of Tubo again. Another two years later, the Tang army recaptured the Four Garrisons of Anxi. Seven years later, the Four Garrisons of Anxi were lost for the third time.
This loss had happened three years ago, and the Imperial Court had always been divided on whether or not the Four Garrisons of Anxi should be reclaimed. A group of important officials, led by Di Renjie, believed that the Four Garrisons of Anxi were of little value and that it would be of no benefit to them if they lost them. They suggested that the Imperial Court give up on the Four Garrisons and focus on managing the country. Empress Wu was more inclined to recapture the Four Garrisons of Anxi.
Jay had clearly heard of these disputes in the Imperial Court. He was using shooting the bow as a metaphor for military strength, expressing his disdain for the military strength of the Tang dynasty.
The atmosphere immediately became tense. Wu Zetian's face seemed to be covered with a layer of frost, no longer as calm as before.
On the side, Princess Taiping suddenly said, "Jay's words are incorrect. In this competition, you won first place not because the Tang dynasty's military strength is weaker than your country's, but because the military strength of the Tang dynasty's imperial army is weaker than your country's. "
Jay slightly raised his chin, his straight beard proudly facing Princess Taiping. He said, "Your Highness, the strongest force in your country is the Imperial Army. They were defeated. Doesn't this mean that the Tang dynasty was defeated?"
Princess Taiping smiled and said, "Of course … not!"
She spread her fingers and flicked them gracefully in the air. She said slowly, "The Imperial Army is the Imperial Army. It doesn't represent the Tang dynasty, nor does it represent all the armies of the Tang dynasty. The archers that you send to the Tang dynasty to compete every year are first-class experts selected by the whole country. And the contestants of the Tang dynasty's imperial army are some of the best archers selected from the sixteen guards and horses of the North and South Yamen. Do you understand? "
Shanghai Wan 'er understood Princess Taiping's meaning. She replied, "Correct. Shooting the bow is in accordance with the season and is a festive occasion. It's not a big deal. Naturally, the Empress wouldn't go to war for it. She would choose first-class experts from all the prefectures in the country to compete with your country in shooting the bow."
Shangguan Wan 'er's words were aimed directly at Jay's lyric, which alluded to the Tang's military strength. Jay's lyric said that they were a people who lived on horseback, and that their horsemanship and archery were superior to the Tang's. Therefore, if the Tang fought them in the Western Region, there was no way they could win.
Shanghai Wan 'er hinted that the Tang dynasty's territory was vast. Elite soldiers and strong generals needed to guard all four sides. It was impossible to mobilize all the elites of the Tang dynasty for a mere four towns of Anxi. And you used all the power of the country to take Anxi. Once we gather our elites, you are no match for us.
Jay naturally understood her hint. He couldn't help but laugh and said, "Oh? Since Shangguan Daizhao has said so, then I will take out the treasure I just obtained as a wager. Please ask the Empress to gather the first-class archers of your country to compete with us again. What do you think? "
Wu Zetian frowned slightly. With her status, it was naturally impossible for her to be so serious with Jay. She had gone to great lengths to recruit bow-fighting experts from all over the country. Moreover, with this decree, it was unknown whether or not she would be able to find bow-fighting experts who were more outstanding than the experts from the Imperial Army. If they competed again, it would be fine if they won, but if they lost, they would lose all face.
Wu Zetian had just thought of this when Princess Taiping sneered and said, "Why do we need to recruit archers from all over the Tang dynasty? Just pick a few from Luoyang and it will be enough to defeat you!"
Hearing this, Jay laughed in surprise and said, "Good! Then Jay Qu is willing to compete! " After saying this, he placed the golden cup on the table in front of Wu Zetian and took three steps back. He bowed respectfully and said, "Empress Dowager, Your Highness, please choose the elite soldiers and generals. I am willing to compete again. Please be the witness!"
No one knows her daughter better than her mother. Wu Zetian knew that her daughter was smart and thoughtful. Since she said this, she must have something to rely on. She could not help but look at Taiping. Princess Taiping stood up and walked to the side of the stage. She stood straight and slightly swept her gaze downward.
Tens of thousands of people in the audience saw Princess Taiping walking to the side of the stage. It seemed that she had something to say. The whispers suddenly quieted down. The Tubo people who were still cheering also shut their mouths and looked toward the stage.
Princess Taiping raised her voice and shouted, "Today, Tubo wins in archery. Because of this, the Tubo envoys laughed that our Tang dynasty has no capable people! I don't agree! The joy of archery is to celebrate with the whole world, to celebrate with the people. It is only a game! Therefore, the Imperial Army is just some archers chosen from the Imperial Army. Not to mention that they cannot represent the standard of our Tang dynasty's army, they cannot represent the standard of our Tang dynasty. They cannot even represent the city of Luoyang! Now, Jay Qu is the envoy. With the golden cup given by the Empress as the prize, he wants to fight with our Tang dynasty again! "
When Princess Taiping said this, she paused for a moment. Gradually, a murderous look appeared between her eyebrows. She slowly looked around the audience and suddenly raised her voice again. There was a faint sound of metal and stone, "Here are the soldiers of the Imperial Army and the heroes of Dongdu. Is there anyone who is willing to fight with me, Li Lingyue?"
"I am willing to fight with the Princess!"
"I am willing to fight with the Princess!"
The ones who responded were Xue Na, Di Guangyuan, Huselo and the other members of the Forbidden Army. They were already very ashamed of defeating them. Now that they heard Princess Taiping's words, they were even more ashamed to show their faces. A woman was not inferior to a man. How could a dignified man endure such humiliation? Therefore, they all volunteered to fight!
In fact, the blood of the tens of thousands of soldiers around the field was already boiling. If there were millions of enemies in front of them at this time, they would also rush up and fight without fear. The problem was that shooting arrows was not a battle, and it was not enough to be hot-blooded. Therefore, the 70,000 soldiers clenched their fists tightly and looked at the front of the stage, breathing heavily. Although they could not respond, the words "I am willing to fight side by side with the princess!" were stuck in their throats, and their young faces were as red as cockscomb-like blood!
Princess Taiping's limpid eyes were fixed on one person. That person was on the other side of the field. The wind carried Princess Taiping's voice into his ears. He looked at the noble princess on the stage in surprise. He saw that the princess was also looking at him.
Behind him, there were tens of thousands of soldiers, but he knew clearly that Princess Taiping was looking at him.
He did not speak, but just fixed his eyes on the stage.
Some things were indeed just a game. Just like when Maqiao generously gave up the ball under his feet because of Lan Yiqing's coquettish grumble. It was not because he was careless, but because the result of this game was meaningless to him. Since that was the case, why didn't he use it to win the beauty's smile?
If Yang Fan did not want to become an archery member through this game and achieve his goal, he would not care about a game. But even if it was a game, when it was combined with glory, dignity, and bravery, it was no longer a dispensable game, but a goal worth fighting for!
Yang Fan was also a person of the Tang dynasty, and also a man of the Tang dynasty. At this moment, his blood was boiling!
Chu Kuangge stood not far behind him. He raised his hand and slapped the butt of the dark horse. The dark horse walked towards Yang Fan. When it came to Yang Fan's side, it used its head to rub against Yang Fan's sleeve. Yang Fan looked back at Chu Kuangge, reached out his hand and slapped the saddle, and jumped up.
This was a good horse. Xue Huaiyi had requested a batch of the best warhorses from the army, and this Black Stallion was the best among the batch of warhorses. Its fur was as black as satin, and its limbs were slender and powerful.
When Yang Fan rode on the horse, the staff was hanging on the victory hook. Yang Fan took off the staff and held it in his hand like a gun. With one hand holding the reins, his back was straight, and his head was raised high. With both of his legs in the stirrups, the fine horse took small steps and galloped to the empty center of the arena. Yang Fan gently pulled on the reins, and it stood still. Like its owner, it raised its head high.
At this time, the sky was close to dusk. The faint red rays of the sun shone on Yang Fan's handsome face and heroic figure, as if he was a gold-plated bronze statue. Yang Fan gathered his qi in his dantian, and with a voice that resounded through the arena, he shouted, "I, am willing to fight side by side with the princess!"
Princess Taiping stood on the stage and looked at him. A happy smile bloomed on her lips, and it was as bright as spring flowers.
Then, a date red horse galloped into the arena. Chu Kuangge also held his staff like a spear, and with a voice like thunder, he shouted, "I, am willing to fight side by side with the princess!"
"Hahahaha, bold! Refreshing! I haven't been in the arena for many years, and my hands and feet are itching. I, am also willing to fight side by side with the princess! "
With this sudden laughter, Qiu Shenji stood up and walked down the stage like a fierce tiger. He walked straight to Xue Na. Xue Na quickly cupped his fists and took a step back, giving the yellow horse to Qiu Shenji. Qiu Shenji stroked the mane on the neck of the horse, and without stepping on the stirrups, he jumped on the horse. His movement was vigorous, and it was not inferior to a strong young man.
When the imperial army saw that three out of ten places had been taken, they immediately cupped their fists together, and with the most solemn military salute, they knelt down on one knee, and solemnly asked Wu Zetian to fight side by side with the princess, "I, am willing to fight side by side with the princess!"
Wu Zetian raised her eyebrows, and suddenly laughed, "My son, I will appoint you as the commander today. Everyone here will be under your command. Who else do you want to use, just name them!"
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