Yanyuntai·One

Chapter 10 The Battle of Shooting Willows
At this time, willow trees have been planted all over the field of shooting willows. First, the willow branches are inserted into the soil, and then the side facing the crowd is peeled to reveal the white trunk inside.Emperor Muzong of the Liao Dynasty was watching the willow shooting contest with his officials on the high platform. The witch brought up the magic lock and asked the emperor and the officials to change the locks.The monarchs and ministers changed the colored threads in their hands under the service, and because all the princes of different families ended up on this day, they laughed and talked about their daily routines.

"I don't know how many young talents will stand out this time? Siwen, who do you like?"

Xiao Siwen was thinking about Hu Nian sending a maid to look after the two young girls early in the morning. Hearing the emperor's question, he quickly came to his senses: "I think everyone is fine."

Taiping Wang Fu Sage smiled and nodded with Han Kuangsi: "I heard that Kuangsi's son is also gone this time?"

Han Kuangsi hurriedly said humbly: "Children, let's join in the fun." Then he said to Xiao Siwen: "I heard that this time the descendant's Lord Darin is also gone. How can De Rang compare with him?"

Xiao Siwen smiled and said, "De Rang already won the championship last year, and I don't think Darin may be his opponent."

After hearing this, Mu Zong turned his head and asked Fu Sage, "Which house does Darin belong to?"Hearing what Han Kuangsi said, it seemed that Xiao Siwen belonged to this room.

Fu Sage also thought so, looked at Xiao Siwen for confirmation and said, "Prime Minister Siwen, is it your house?"

"It's the grandson of my uncle Shugua, the son of Shululie."

Mu Zong was in a very good mood today, and he was relieved when he heard the words: "They are all good boys, and the teachers are all gone. Let me see their skills."

Fu Sage nodded with a smile, then glanced at Emperor Taishu Yelu Li Hu again: "That's right, even Xiyin from Emperor Taishu's family is gone." Surprised, he vigilantly cupped his hands to Liao Muzong and said, "Xiyin has grown up too, and she should serve the Lord."

Mu Zong laughed: "Okay, let me see what kind of Khitan man Xiyin has grown into now!"

Li Hu bowed his head as if to be humble, looking at the dragon chair under Mu Zong's seat, but his eyes were very dark.He is the youngest son of Empress Dowager Shulu. He has been favored since he was a child, and his two older brothers wanted to give him three points. After the death of Taizong Deguang, Empress Dowager Shulu wanted to support him as emperor. Who knew that there was a mutiny in Sejong's army, and he will soon be the emperor. But flew away.He was unwilling in every possible way, but there was nothing he could do.

After Sejong succeeded to the throne, he was imprisoned. Later, Sejong slowly relaxed his vigilance. He secretly colluded with some tribal leaders who opposed Sejong's implementation of Sinicization, and reached an agreement with Chagao, planning to use Sejong to go south, and Chagao assassinated in the army. He can take advantage of the chaos in the army, with the support of the Empress Dowager Shulu, and ascend the throne as emperor in Shangjing.Who knew that Chagao would strike at Xianggu Mountain ahead of time. As a result of his painstaking planning, Yelujing, the son of his second brother Yelu Deguang, was taken advantage of.

At the beginning of Yelujing's ascension to the throne, in order to win people's hearts and secure the throne, he was released and made him the emperor's uncle.But anyone can see that Yelujing will never let him, the emperor's uncle, inherit the throne.He was unwilling to reconcile, and at the beginning of Yelujing's accession to the throne, he planned one conspiracy after another, but he did not expect that Mu Zong's hands were much darker than Sejong's. His son Xiyin spent most of the past ten years in captivity.

The setbacks again and again and the long years of imprisonment made him, who was arrogant in the first half of his life, learn to bow his head and learn to forbear, but the desire for the throne in his heart became even more irresistible.Only by sitting on the throne can he make up for the humiliation and unwillingness he suffered in the first half of his life.

On the opposite side of him, Yelu Dilie was also silent. The young man who escaped from Xianggu Mountain back then has also been worn away by the years.If it wasn't for him back then, how could Mu Zong ascend to the throne so easily, but after Mu Zong came to the throne, he was not given equal power and status.Even because he privately let Yelu Lou Guo kill Chagao in front of Mu Zong, Mu Zong only endured it for a year before he took Lou Guo's knife, and because of this, he was implicated in Lou Guo's treason case and was reprimanded and imprisoned.

During the more than ten years of Mu Zong's reign, he saw that Fu Sage was getting more and more useful, but he himself complained constantly, and was often involved in the conspiracy cases of some dissidents with Mu Zong. Imprisoned, then released... Although his own brother won the throne, his treatment was not much better than that unlucky Li Hu.

Not to mention that everyone has their own concerns, Yeluhu Gu of the Sixth Academy saw that Mu Zong was happy, and jokingly said: "My lord, I think that this time shooting willows should be Brother Zhong's father's brother Xiu who won the championship."

Mu Zong thought for a while, and it sounded familiar. He drank too much alcohol these years, and he forgot many people and things very quickly, so he became more and more dependent on Feng Sage. He turned his head and asked, "This Brother Xiu is..."

Fu Sage had a tacit understanding with him, and he quickly laughed when he saw this: "He is Yili Jin Shilu's grandson."

Mu Zong was startled for a moment, and looked at Feng Sage with some doubts.For their generation, Yelu Shilu is almost a legendary figure.Yelu Shilu once held the post of Yili Jin when the Yaoni clan was the khan, which played a great role in the expansion of the Yelu family's power.This man is the uncle of Yelu Abaoji, who once raised and cultivated Abaoji, and relied heavily on him, causing his son Brother Hua to kill his father in fear that he would hand over power to Abaoji, and Abaoji killed Hua to regain the position of Yili Jin , and later relied on this to become a khan, proclaiming himself emperor and founding a country.A Baoji was grateful to his uncle, and after killing Brother Hua, he chose another youngest son to inherit this branch.

Fu Sage explained to Mu Zong that Yeluxiu was Shilu's grandson.Although his seniority is high, he is young. Up to this time, he is only in his 20s.When Mu Zong heard this, he immediately became concerned about this person.

All the sons and daughters over there have entered the venue one by one.The nearest branch of the royal family has Yelu Xiyin, the son of Li Hu, and Yelu Zhimei, the younger brother of Yeluxian. A little further away is Yelu Xiuge from Zhongfufang, Yelv Nugua from Jifufang, and Yelu Xiezhen from Liubuyuan, etc. .The descendants also have young fathers, Xiao Dalin, Xiao Haizhi, Xiao Haili, etc.There are also some important officials of the Han people, such as Han Yi, the grandson of Han Yanhui, Han Derang and Han Dewei, the sons of Han Kuangsi, and Kang Yanshou, the grandson of Kang Moji.

Xiao Darin was about to enter the arena, but was stopped by Yan Yan, who said furtively: "Brother Darin, how many people are there today, who will be the first?"

Xiao Darin was stunned, and then recognized Yanyan, a girl at this age really changes a lot every year, she couldn't help teasing and said: "Yanyan, it's you? Why, who do you want to see get first?"

"Brother Darin, I'll ask you first, so you talk first."

Xiao Darin said conceitedly: "It's either me, or brother Xiu from Zhongfu's room."

"Hmph, don't you have anyone else in your eyes?"

Xiao Darin followed Yanyan's eyes to see Han Derang, and smiled meaningfully: "Others, who are they? Is it the boy from the Han family?"

Yanyan blushed and turned her head: "Huh."

Xiao Darin sighed intentionally: "I thought you came here to cheer for Brother Darin, but I didn't expect..."

Yanyan blushed, turned her horse's head and left: "I won't tell you anymore, I'm leaving." Passing through the crowd, bumping away the people in front, she pushed out, but unexpectedly bumped into Yelu who was about to enter the arena. .

She was not annoyed anymore, she frowned at Yanyan, and scolded: "Where is that wild girl running around?"

Yanyan looked up, but she was not afraid to see a young man domineering, she wrinkled her nose and made a grimace: "I can't blame others for my bad riding skills?" Saying that, she ran away in a hurry.

It's just that he was angry, and when he was about to drive his horse to chase, Xiao Dalin stopped him, smiled and said some good things, and then he gave up.

Ye Luu is not only Ye Luxian's younger brother, who was born to Empress Zhen back then.He was only three years old when the incident occurred in Xianggu Mountain. He stayed in the palace without accompanying him and avoided a catastrophe. But at the same time, he knew nothing about what happened in Xianggu Mountain.He stayed in the palace like Yeluxian these years and was raised by Mu Zong.Ye Luxian guarded against Mu Zong's surveillance, fearing that he would cause disaster if he knew about it, so he dared not tell him the truth, and the two brothers had their own nannies and attendants to live in two places, so although they were the sons of Empress Zhen, they had never learned Empress Zhen's scheming methods. On the contrary, because Mu Zong deliberately connives, he is obviously a bit of a dandy.

Yanyan ran out of the paddock and turned to a high slope that was convenient for viewing. Hu Nian and Wu Guli knew that she would come here, so they guarded her early. When they saw her, they blocked her and asked, "Where are you going?" gone?"

"Eldest sister, what are you afraid of? My riding skills are so good, there is nothing wrong with me."

Hu Nian said angrily: "You are not afraid, I am afraid."

This child will cause a lot of troubles without seeing her. Thinking of this, she sighed deeply, it really gave her a headache.Wuguli saw Hu Nian dragging Yanyan to preach, although she was happy to see Yanyan being taught by the eldest sister, but seeing Hu Nian talking and wanting to teach her a lesson, she was unhappy, and hurriedly pointed at the audience. He shouted, "Look, the Willow Shooting Contest is about to begin."

For a while, the three sisters stopped talking and looked at the field.The commanding officer shouted, and the colorful flag waved down. Immediately, everyone rushed to rush forward and drew arrows to shoot willows.Han Derang, Brother Yeluxiu, Xiao Darin, Xiyin, and others all raised their arrows and shot at the rows of willow branches. The willow branches broke in response to the sound and slowly fell from the branches. Everyone immediately galloped towards the willow branches and go.

The rules of this Willow Shooting Contest are to test not only the school's archery skills, but also the school's riding skills.

The willow branches are light and swaying in the wind, so it is extremely difficult to hit them.The best thing is to hit the cyan that has peeled off the bark, and the willow branch must be bent over to catch it before it falls to the ground. That is the first-class skill.Xiao Hai's archery skills were not good, and he missed the first hit, so he hurriedly drew a second arrow from the quiver and shot again.After such a toss, the few people who started first were already far ahead.

But I saw Han Derang, Xiao Darin and Yeluxiu brothers in the first row chasing after each other, biting extremely tightly.The three horses ran together, not giving way to each other, and the horse's head was almost collided with the horse's head.Brother Yeluxiu's horse was startled suddenly and collided with Xiao Darin's horse's head, which blocked Han Derang's horse's head again.

After this delay, Xi Yin and Zhi Mei's horse passed the three of them and moved forward.Seeing this, Brother Yeluxiu quickly waved his hands to order Han Derang and Xiao Darin to move forward quickly, and jumped off the horse to check.Han Derang and Xiao Darin looked at each other without stopping, and quickly caught up, but it was already a bit short.

Xiyin and Zhimei are chasing after each other, but they are blocked by Zhimei every time.Seeing that he took the lead, he smiled proudly at Xiyin.Xiyin was furious, a stern look flashed in his eyes.

Seeing the victory in sight, showing a happy expression, the moment he stretched out his hand to pick up the willow branch, suddenly there was a violent impact from behind, and he turned his head to find that Xiyin bumped into his horse unceremoniously. The branches fell to the ground at the same time.

Xiyin smiled contemptuously, and stretched out his hand to pick up his own willow branch, suddenly his horse was startled, his hand was empty, he could only watch the willow branch fall to the ground, and touched a handful of mud with one hand.

The scene in this scene is slow to say, but before and after it happened, it was just an instant.From the crowd urging the horses to shoot arrows to brother Xiu startling the horses, Xi Yin and Zhi Zhi did not fight, it was only a moment.The willow branches are light and difficult to hit, but they are entangled with the branches and fall to the ground slowly.

Although Han Derang was delayed for a while, he was already the first. Seeing that the willow branch was about to fall to the ground, he urged his horse to bend down, and he could barely catch it when the willow branch was about to hit the ground.

Xiao Darin was a split second late, his hands and willow branches touched the ground at the same time, so he regretted losing.The reviewing soldiers stepped forward, picked up everyone's arrows and broken willow branches, and reported to the high platform where Mu Zong was.

Yanyan and the others were standing on a high place, when they first saw Brother Yeluxiu, Xiao Dalin and Han De let the three horses stand in the way, but they did not take the lead with Xiyin, stomping their feet angrily, if it wasn't for Hu Nian pulling tight, she would have almost died He rode down to the battle.Although Wuyun Gaixue, who has just been tamed, has overwhelmed all the girls of the imperial family this time, everyone knows that only the match in front of the imperial court is the most important thing in the whole spring.

She was riding on the horse and was about to rush down, but she saw that Han Derang won the championship again without fighting with Xiyin. Brother won."

Not far away, on a high platform next to Wang's tent, there was also a girl who saw this, jumped up excitedly, and said to Ye Luxian beside her, "Second brother, second brother, it's virtue that made my brother win."

Ye Luxian looked at his sister with a smile: "Well, Derang won."

Hu Gujin curled his lips, displeased: "Third brother is really useless, and Xiyin plotted against him."

Ye Luxian's face darkened for a moment: "Hu Gujing, sit still, I'll come as soon as I go."

Seeing that he had failed, Xiyin was furious, turned around to see who was the culprit, but it was Xiao Darin who rode over and hit his horse's ass with a whip, jumped up angrily, and punched Xiao Darin , Xiao Darin caught it with one hand, and said with a sneer: "Xiyin, brother Xiu's horse, but you did it?"

Xi Yin was startled, and immediately let go of his hands, and said resentfully: "Midget your own business, it's just a matter of taking advantage of that Han slave."

"It's better to take advantage of anyone than to take advantage of a despicable villain like you."

At this time, everyone was grabbing willow branches, but only one did not fall off the horse, just happened to hear this sentence.

Han Derang handed over the willow branch to the sergeant, saw that Ji Mu was struggling to get up, and stepped forward to help him up.Seeing that it was Han Derang, he was moved, shook Han Derang's hand, and wanted to rush towards Xiyin.Han Derang quickly grabbed him, and said in a low voice: "No, don't be impulsive, the Lord is watching from above."

What he meant was that Mu Zong was suspicious, so he didn't want to be impulsive, but he misunderstood, and immediately shouted: "Exactly, I'm going to the master for a review."

Saying that, he shook off Han Derang's hand and rushed towards the high platform where Mu Zong was.It's just not innocent and open-minded, if he tried to stop him at this time, it would be a waste of time.At this moment, I can only follow up and clean up for him depending on the situation.

Seeing that the competition was over, Mu Zong got off the high platform and walked into the king's tent.

Han Derang chased but didn't reach the front of the king's tent, and Zhulang Jun followed up behind him. He hurriedly pulled but didn't whisper: "No, don't be impulsive, don't spoil the Lord's interest." I didn't see that everyone had already arrived , had to hold back his anger, and together with the others, entered the king's tent and went to meet Mu Zong.

"All the lords have returned from shooting willows, wait for me to see, who will win the championship?"

The attendant loudly reported the results of the inspection: "Pu Suu Ruduo Han Derang, the broken willow is hand-held, and it is ranked as the first class; Zhong's father Fang Xiuge, the young father's Fang Darin, the horizontal account room is only missing, Xiyin, etc. are broken and cannot be done. Then, it will be classified as the second class; the young father Fang Haizhi, Haili, etc. will be classified as the third class."

Such outstanding young people as Han Derang, Yeluxiu, and Xiao Darin, who are basically far away from the throne and conspiracy, are favorites of Mu Zong. Hearing this, he was very happy to ask people to reward brocade robes according to the results And gold silk bow and arrow BMW and so on.

Not wanting to be upset by one person, he jumped out and shouted: "My lord, I have something to say."

Mu Zong looked around, but it was Yelu who didn't, and looked at him rather strangely: "No, what's your opinion?" Just didn't point to Xiyin and said angrily, "He's not qualified to take this second class."

Xiyin, on the other hand, looked down upon Zhiwu from the bottom of his heart, and retorted arrogantly: "You bastard, don't talk nonsense."

It's just that in the palace, he often heard people talking behind his back that his biological mother was Han, and his blood was not noble enough. He hated this matter the most. Hearing this, he was furious and punched him: "Xiyin, how dare you speak rudely!"

Xi Yin didn't expect that he would dare to hit her, so she dodged and dodged it, and the fight started, and the arena suddenly became a mess.Mu Zong felt his head throbbing sharply, and shouted angrily, "Presumptuous, do you still have me in your eyes?"

Seeing this, everyone stepped forward to stop them, Yelu Dilie grabbed Xiyin, Han Derang stopped him.

He didn't feel dissatisfied, and shouted loudly: "He deliberately planned to scare brother Xiu's horse, and then attacked me. He cheated with secret means. Such a despicable person is not eligible for a reward."

"It's clear that you two guys colluded to get the first name and frame others."

Ye Luxian also came to the king's account at this time, and when he saw this, his face darkened: "Xiyin, what do you mean by saying Han'er? The Taizu built Seoul and won the imperial fortune. Isn't Han'er my descendant of Daliao?"

Xiyin is arrogant by nature, although he has a little patience, after all, it is not his father Li Hu who has experienced many things in the world.He wanted to be the best, but was blocked by Xiao Dalin. He was already full of anger, but he didn't provoke him, and he had no scruples. Seeing Ye Luxian, he dared to speak out against him, and scolded: "I want you to be sick." Come tell me?"

Xi Yin scolded his brother again, more angry than scolding him, shook off Han Derang's hand, and punched Xi Yin: "You bastard, how dare you scold my brother."

Mu Zong was furious: "If you want to fight, you can fight as much as you want."

Yeluxian knew that Mu Zong was really angry, and hurriedly shouted: "No, please apologize to the Lord."

Those who never listened to Ye Luxian had no choice but to kneel down when they saw this: "I apologize to the lord."

Li Hu also said: "Xiyin, don't be rude." However, with his pride, he refused to say such apologies.

Mu Zong turned to Xi Yin: "Is there any, I will let someone check to find out. Xi Yin, what do you say? If you still insist on it, you will find out something. You know my temper."

Xiyin's face was blue and white, and when he saw Mu Zong's eyes showing a murderous look, he suddenly thought of the same look in his eyes when he was caught in front of Mu Zong four years ago. He was imprisoned for three years, and suddenly couldn't bear the pressure, so he knelt down with a plop.

Mu Zong snorted coldly, and said disdainfully: "Huh, waste, you have the ability to use conspiracy and tricks, but you don't have the ability to carry it out, and now you have lost the game." After finishing speaking, he shouted: "Exclude Xiyin and list it as an exception." Then he pretended to turn to Li Hu: "Uncle Emperor, I teach my son on your behalf, don't you blame me?"

Li Hu's complexion was also not good, and he suppressed his anger: "What the Lord said is true."

Seeing nothing, he burst out laughing.Not wanting Mu Zong to turn his head and scold: "No, what are you laughing at? Whether it's a conspiracy or a conspiracy, if you fail in the scheme, you lose. If you go to the battlefield and are defeated by the enemy's tricks, who else can you ask to preside over it?" Fairness? Look at brother Xiu, he was tricked. Is he wronged? Has he asked me for justice? He will only win Xiyin back next time. This is a man. You are a Khitan man , don’t be so big and look like a baby boy looking for a mother!"

After Mu Zong finished the training one by one, he felt disappointed and ordered to go back to the camp directly, and all the officials left.

Seeing that everyone had left, the young gentlemen in the tent wanted to go out.Xi Yin strode up to Zhi Mu's side, and stretched out his hand to punch, Han Derang paid attention to Xi Yin's movements early, and stretched out his hand to block Xi Yin.The two immediately clashed, although Xi Yin pressed forward step by step, Han Derang just blocked, which was enough to suppress him.

Xiyin stopped and scolded bitterly: "Han Derang, you slave, dare to fight against me?"

Brother Xiu reprimanded: "Xiyin, keep your mouth clean, only a woman with a long tongue would insult others with verbal abuse."

Xiyin saw that Xiao Darin, Yeluxiu and others were all showing dissatisfaction towards him, and when he was about to explode, thinking of his father's words that he had asked him to scheme for the country and had to win people's hearts, he could only resentfully stop, and forced a smile: "I just don't agree A few men colluded, why do you stand with them?"

Yelu Xiezhen was the youngest and the most ungrateful. Hearing this, he sneered and said: "Sheep and sheep are together, wolves and wolves are together. How can there be any stupid sheep who would not be ashamed just because the wolf's skin color is similar?" Make friends with sheep, but make friends with wolves."

Xiyin was furious, but Xie Zhen was the grandson of Helu Daiyue. This kid has a sharp mouth since he was a child, and he has offended many people. It's just that everyone sees it for his grandfather's sake. I had no choice but to turn around and get sulking, but I didn't want to fight with him, it seemed like I was bullying this fatherless child.

Xiyin was furious, but seeing the way everyone looked at him was a little disgusted, so he could only hold back his hatred and went.

Brother Yeluxiu laughed: "Don't worry about this annoying person, let's go drink and celebrate Derang's winning the first place."

The three houses in the horizontal tent are fighting openly and secretly, and everyone knows it, but everyone has tribal soldiers and horses under their command, no matter who is in power, it will not have much influence on them.In recent years, it is not that no one has thought about standing in line in advance so as to maximize the interests of their tribe, but after there are too many losers, everyone has given up their minds.

So Han Derang won the first place, but everyone didn't care, they all laughed and hugged Han Derang to drink and eat meat together, and made a fuss about taking turns drinking Han Derang's wine.Han Derang couldn't refuse, and was poured several pots in a row, so he hurriedly asked for a leave of absence and went to change clothes in the tent.Just now everyone toasted to each other, drunk drunk, some wine was splashed on his outer robe, Xin Ning changed into the brocade robe that Mu Zong gave him after he won the first place in today's Willow Shooting Contest.

Just such a moment passed, and when he got out of the tent, he saw that the moon had already risen, and bonfires were everywhere.Looking at the grassland under the night, singing and dancing everywhere, it seems that no one can see the darkness behind the lights and the danger in the darkness.

Han Derang couldn't help sighing, and suddenly heard the sound of very light footsteps slowly approaching him. He had practiced martial arts since childhood, so why couldn't he hear the footsteps? It seems to be...

He stood still, and after a while, a pair of small hands stretched out to cover his eyes, and the female voice deliberately lowered her voice and smiled coquettishly: "Brother Derang, guess who I am?"

When Han Derang heard the footsteps just now, he already knew who it was, and couldn't help sighing again: "Yanyan, you are already a big girl, it's not good to do this again."

Yanyan was dressed up carefully, and when she saw the moon rising, she came to dance with Han Derang. She went to the drinking place first, and when she heard that he had gone back to change, she went outside Han Derang's camp again. Seeing him coming out, she quietly step forward.Unexpectedly, Han Derang made it clear, she let go with a giggle, and jumped in front of Han Derang: "Brother Derang, how do you know it's mine?"

Han Derang looked at Yanyan in front of him, she was different from the daytime, wearing a small gold crown, a red shirt and a red skirt, and a gold belt around her waist, but there were countless pearls and jade ornaments hanging from the gold belt. It is very beautiful.Seeing her innocent smile, Han Derang's drunkenness gradually increased at this time, and his usually vigilant mind relaxed a little: "Your footsteps and your laughter all indicate that it is you, do you still want to guess?"

"So, brother Derang, you remember my footsteps and my laughter so well."

Han Derang has a photographic memory, even people who have met once or twice can still remember clearly, not to mention a little girl like Yanyan who will pester him every time he sees him, he said casually, not wanting Yanyan to Misunderstood, I was stunned for a while, and I couldn't explain anything, so I had to get away with a hehe.

Yanyan pulled him: "Brother Derang, the moon has risen, let's go dancing."

(End of this chapter)