Chu Kuangge heard their conversation. After that person walked away, he immediately approached Yang Fan and comforted him, "Don't worry, this isn't a one-on-one challenge. We only have five people on the field. Although you're not good at archery, it doesn't matter if you're one more person. You just have to sit on your horse and pretend. Winning or losing has nothing to do with you."
The archery began.
Archery goals were divided into two types: single goal and double goal. A single goal was a small hole about a foot wide under a wooden wall. Behind the hole was a net, and the outcome was determined by the number of goals scored by each team. Generally, women were better at using a single goal because there was less movement on the field with a single goal. The double goal was similar to modern times. Both sides would each set up a goal that was more than ten feet high, and the winner would be the ball that hit the opponent's goal.
The balls used for archery were bright red and the size of a fist. They were made of hardwood, and the ball staves were about ten feet long with a crescent at the top. Yang Fan also took a ball stave and flipped onto a horse. Wang Rufeng held the ball and stood in the center line. He raised the red ball high in his hand and glanced at both sides. Suddenly, he tossed it up. The red ball first rose and then fell to the ground.
"Ha!"
Before the red ball hit the ground, Chu Kuangge and one of the opposing players shouted and urged their horses forward. With a whoosh, the crescent moon-wood staves in their hands struck the vermilion ball at the same time …
…
"My father and brother went to Yangzhou. I was suffering from a cold at the time, so I didn't go with them. Now that my father and brother haven't returned, I'm bored alone in Luoyang, so I walked around the city to relax. I didn't expect … I didn't see much of the scenery of the Central Plains, but I did see a real Central Plains character."
"Xiahou Ying" looked back at Liu Junfan with a smile and said affectionately.
Liu Junfan was very pleased with the beauty's praise, but he pretended to be humble and said repeatedly, "I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed. I really don't deserve your praise."
"Not at all," 'Xiahou Ying' replied. "I've been going around Luoyang recently and seen a few local people, but this is the first time I've seen someone as elegant and handsome as you."
This "Western Region woman" didn't seem to hide her appreciation and affection for Liu Junfan. Such praise coming from such a delicate, rich, and noble girl was simply like the voice of a fairy.
Liu Junfan's heart felt as if it was floating, but his face was indifferent. He brushed his clothes in a natural and unrestrained manner and said with a smile, "You flatter me, you really flatter me. I heard that Dunhuang has sixteen major surnames, and one of them is the Xiahou family. Young lady, you are …"
'Xiahou Ying' smiled. "Langjun, you are truly knowledgeable to even know this. In fact, there were more than sixteen great families in the Western Region. For thousands of years, the great families had risen and fallen. Some families had fallen, while others had risen. The number of ups and downs had never been fixed. My family can barely be considered a great family in the Dunhuang area. It's nothing much, just a few more relatives and more land, cattle, and sheep. "
"It really is the Xiahou family of Dunhuang. No wonder you can spend so much money, two hundred thousand for a cup of wine."
Liu Junfan was very excited.
At that time, commerce was flourishing, and the main trade route of the Tang dynasty was the Silk Road. Therefore, the Tang people were most familiar with the customs of the Western Region. Liu Junfan had heard that Dunhuang had more than ten great families, including the Suo family, the Zhang family, the Cao family, the Li family, the Yin family, and the Xiahou family. All of them were rich enough to rival a country.
These families had herds of cattle and sheep, over ten thousand warhorses, and as many servants as the clouds. They had a large number of pastures and shepherds, which indirectly meant that they had a large army. They also did business, but their status was different from the lowly merchants of the Central Plains. They were practically the local tyrants.
The imperial court had always used the policy of keeping these great families far away from the emperor, using both kindness and authority. Therefore, these families were considered to be of high status in the Tang dynasty, enjoying a high political status. This beautiful girl who had faintly developed feelings for him was actually the Xiahou family of Dunhuang!
Liu Junfan's heart warmed. She said excitedly, "I saw that this young lady has a beautiful heart and an extraordinary temperament. I knew that you were an extraordinary person, but I didn't expect you to be from the Xiahou family of Dunhuang. A person like this young lady is like a fairy who has been banished to the mortal world. Your father must be an extraordinary person in the Xiahou family."
"Xiahou Ying" covered her mouth and laughed. "Langjun has a good eye. My father is the leader of the Xiahou family."
Liu Junfan was secretly shocked. The leader of the Xiahou family! In other words, the little beauty in front of him was equivalent to a princess in the Dunhuang region. How could a person of such status favor him so much? Liu Junfan was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor and began to pay more attention to her demeanor.
Liu Junfan coughed and said politely, "Actually, Luoyang is located between the rivers and Luoyang, in the middle of the world. To the north is Mount Mang, to the south is Yique, to the east is Hulao, and to the west is Hangu. It is surrounded by mountains and stands in great numbers. It has the reputation of being the capital of the world, surrounded by mountains and rivers. Luoyang oppresses Jianghuai to the east, Guanlong to the west, Youyan to the north, and Jingxiang to the south. It is the dragon's vein of the Central Plains. Not only does it have the honest and majestic aura of the Central Plains, it also has the charming and romantic qualities of the southern water villages. Therefore, it has the great beauty of heaven and earth, becoming the Divine Capital that is admired by all. There were a lot of scenic spots and places of interest. Although this young lady has been to a few places, I haven't seen any of them. It must be because I don't have a guide and don't know where the scenic spots are. If this young lady doesn't mind, I am willing to be your guide and accompany you on a tour of Luoyang. What does this young lady think? "
"Good! This is my wish, but I don't dare to ask! "
"Xiahou Ying" smiled like a flower and happily said, "When I was in Dunhuang, I often heard people say that the Central Plains is a place of outstanding people. But ever since I came to the Central Plains, I have only met people who reek of money. Langjun is the only handsome young man that I have seen so far."
At this point, Xiahou Ying hesitated for a moment, her face blushing. She lowered her head and asked in a small voice, "I wonder … Langjun, are you married?"
Liu Junfan's heart thumped. An unimaginable thought immediately jumped out. Could it be that this Miss Xiahou Ying was planning to …
Liu Junfan didn't have time to think too much. He hurriedly answered, "I have studied hard since I was young, wholeheartedly seeking scholarly fame. I am infatuated with my studies, so I have yet to marry."
As soon as these words came out, Miss Xiahou's expression immediately relaxed. An extremely happy expression appeared on her face. Although she immediately turned her head to tidy up the hair on her temples to conceal it, the obvious bashful and happy expression fell into Liu Junfan's eyes.
Liu Junfan's heart thumped wildly. He forced himself to be calm and said, "Please forgive this one for being presumptuous. Young lady … cough! Are you married? "
"Not yet … The men of Dunhuang are all vulgar people. How can I … like them …"
Xiahou Ying said in a low voice. She raised her head shyly and said softly, "What I like is a modest young master like Liu Lang, who is as gentle as jade."
Although women at this time were bold and unrestrained, they were not excessively straightforward. Xiahou Ying's words were already a very clear confession. When Liu Junfan heard this, his heart was like a polo ball on the court that had been hit into the air. He was dizzy and swaying, unable to find a place to rest for a long time.
On the beach, the bow-stroke competition was in full swing. He didn't have the heart to watch it. His mind was completely focused on the beautiful mountain of gold in front of him.
Little Liu was already drunk before he drank.
… …
Yang Fan had indeed never played polo, let alone rode a horse. So when he arrived on the field, he acted as a decoration. He stopped his horse and stayed motionless, watching the excitement.
The main force of the bow-stroke was Chu Kuangge and his four brothers. However, the other side also saw that he was the weakest link. At the same time, they wanted to make a fool of him. Therefore, they took advantage of the advantage of numbers and kept a close eye on the others. They only left a gap in the direction of Yang Fan and forced them to pass the ball to Yang Fan.
Chu Kuangge and the others knew that Yang Fan didn't know how to play at all, so they were unwilling to pass the ball to him. As a result, they continuously lost the ball. Every time they lost the ball, the two sides would change sides and play again. No matter how they changed sides, Yang Fan didn't need to move because he was basically riding a horse on the center line.
After a few rounds, the score of the two sides had become five to one. Chu Kuangge's team was trailing by a large margin. This made Chu Kuangge impatient. When he got the ball again, he rushed straight to the opponent's goal, but was blocked by four opponents. He had no choice but to give it a try and pass the ball to Yang Fan.
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