Chapter 30: The First Arena Match (Part 4)

During the Song Dynasty, one *zhang* was equivalent to 3.17 meters, meaning two *zhang* was roughly 6.3 meters. To toss an arrow into the mouth of a small bowl from over six meters away required two or three years of grueling practice.

For Wang Gui and Tang Huai, however, this was the only opportunity they had to shine, and both vied for the chance to answer the challenge. In an era where the poor studied literature and the wealthy studied martial arts, as the eldest grandsons of two prominent families in Xiaohua Township, both boys had trained with their families' martial arts instructors alongside their academic studies. Archery was a mandatory part of their training.

"At home, I can hit a target from five *zhang* away," Wang Gui said, rolling up his sleeves. "I land seven out of ten shots. This challenge is mine."

"Nonsense!" Tang Huai retorted, pinning Wang Gui down. "Last time you practiced at my place, you lost to me. Naturally, I should be the one to go."

At this moment, Li Yanqing smiled and asked Yue Fei, "Fifth brother, don't you also practice martial arts?"

Yue Fei was a neighbor to both Wang Gui and Tang Huai. Having grown up together, he had trained alongside them, but he was naturally gifted and far surpassed them in martial skill. After starting at the academy, however, Yue Fei no longer had time to practice archery in Wang Gui’s backyard; instead, he focused on his own small courtyard, perfecting his horse stance and running with iron sandbags at night. His fundamentals were exceptionally solid.

Yue Fei gave a bitter smile. "I could try other things, but when it comes to archery, I cannot compare to these two."

"Then stop arguing!" Li Yanqing called a halt to the dispute between Wang Gui and Tang Huai. "I am the lead respondent, so naturally, I will go!"

"You can't do it!" Wang Gui and Tang Huai objected in unison.

Li Yanqing didn't argue. He crumpled two sheets of paper into small balls, placing one on Yue Fei's desk. Reaching past Wang Gui and Tang Huai, he tossed the paper ball in his hand, striking the one seven feet away with pinpoint accuracy.

"Why don't you two give it a try?"

Wang Gui and Tang Huai fell silent at once.

...

A four-foot-tall, thin-necked, round-bellied bronze vessel was placed against the wall. After the bailiffs measured out two *zhang*, they drew a line. The arrows were standard bronze pot-throwing arrows, about seven inches long and weighing eight *liang*, with an excellent balance.

Li Yanqing had discovered this unique talent while chopping wood. It was an innate gift from the "Foolish Er" of the past—his movements were lightning fast, and he could hit a target with a pebble from several *zhang* away without fail, much like the legendary skill of "Featherless Arrow" Zhang Qing. According to his father's description, the former Foolish Er had likely been autistic, and children with autism often possessed one or two singular talents.

He had spent time contemplating and refining this ability, gradually integrating it into his own repertoire. Today was his first time demonstrating it in public.

By now, the debates in both the A and B arenas had concluded, with the Youli Town Academy and Tangbei Township Academy defeating their opponents without suspense. Scholars crowded the windows to watch, as this was the first time in the five-year history of the Children’s Meet that a competitive archery challenge had taken place.

What seemed even more incredible was that the generally considered weakest academy, Lushan Town, had scored two consecutive points and now held the upper hand in the final deciding round. Everyone wondered if this student’s final strike could rewrite the "glorious history" of Lushan Town Academy. At the same time, he would become the third person in Tangyin County to succeed at the "literary archery" challenge—whoever had come up with this test was truly brilliant.

County Magistrate Liu Zhen and Assistant Magistrate Ma Fu sat at the main podium. Magistrate Liu sat beside the chief examiner, who pointed his brush at Li Yanqing and wrote three words on a piece of paper: "A child prodigy." He presented it to the Magistrate along with the couplet. After reading the couplet, a look of surprise crossed Liu Zhen’s eyes, and he became deeply interested in Li Yanqing.

Across the way, Assistant Magistrate Ma and He Zhen exchanged a quick glance. He Zhen signaled that if this arrow landed, the Weinan Town Academy would be eliminated. Assistant Magistrate Ma had promised to ensure they reached the top three in the tournament. That promise had been bought with three hundred taels of silver—if it wasn't kept, what would happen to the money?

Assistant Magistrate Ma avoided He Zhen’s reproachful gaze and slowly sipped his tea. His eyes narrowed, his sharp gaze fixed on Li Yanqing’s slightly youthful back. A two-*zhang* literary archery shot—could this little schoolboy actually do it?

Li Yanqing stood behind the line, took a deep breath, and slowly closed his eyes, calming himself to find his focus. He suddenly opened his eyes, flicked his wrist, and the bronze arrow left his hand without hesitation.

But just as he released it, a sharp "Bang!" sounded behind him—the sound of a teacup shattering. Li Yanqing’s hand trembled involuntarily, but the sound had come a split second too late; the arrow was already in flight. Despite the slight shake, the shot was unaffected.

The bronze arrow traced a beautiful arc through the air and, with a resonant "Clang!", landed precisely inside the arrow vessel two *zhang* away.

The two events happened almost simultaneously. Assistant Magistrate Ma looked at the shattered porcelain on the floor with embarrassment; his teacup had slipped from his hand. Magistrate Liu shot him a sidelong glance but said nothing. The chief examiner was stunned, unable to understand why the Assistant Magistrate’s cup had fallen at such a critical moment.

He Zhen’s face turned deathly pale, and the four students from Weinan Town covered their faces and wept. They were out.

At that moment, the room erupted into cheers. Wang Gui and Tang Huai leaped up, jumping with excitement. Yue Fei stood and hurried forward to embrace Li Yanqing tightly. They had won. Even Yao Ding’s face broke into a wide smile; for the first time in five years, he had tasted victory.

...

Li Yanqing returned to the inn, his head spinning from the chatter of Wang Gui and Tang Huai. No sooner had he stepped into the courtyard than the innkeeper, a man shaped like a winter melon, scooped him up and carried him into the main hall.

"Brother Qing has brought such honor to our Xiaohua Township! We must celebrate tonight!"

"Alright, alright! Everyone, calm down and listen to me," Yao Ding said, his voice booming, instantly silencing the hall.

"Today was only the preliminary round. We have taken the first step in the Children’s Meet. Now, settle your minds and think about how to face tomorrow. I hope you can take the second step as well."

"Master, who do we face tomorrow?" Li Yanqing asked, raising his hand.

At that moment, Tang Zongzong walked in and said in a low voice, "The Tangbei Township Academy."

"What?"

Everyone was stunned. The Tangbei Township Academy had won the title for three consecutive years; they had only finished last the previous year because they were sabotaged and forced to withdraw early. Even then, they had been the top team in the tournament. The realization that they were facing the undisputed strongest team weighed heavily on everyone.

Tang Zongzong continued, "Just now, the Magistrate drew the lots. Hall A faces Hall C, and Hall B faces Hall D. You are in Hall C, and Tangbei is in Hall A, so you have met in the semi-finals."

"Don't be discouraged," Yao Ding said, raising his voice. "The other two are Youli Town Academy and Tangyin County Primary Academy—they are equally strong. It would be difficult no matter who you faced. To conserve your energy, the innkeeper has prepared a special lunch. After you eat, go upstairs and write your poems; the topics are already prepared."

The innkeeper clapped his hands and smiled. "The food is ready, everyone, come and eat!"

"Uncle Innkeeper, what’s good today?" Wang Gui asked, rubbing his hungry stomach.

"Just something simple for lunch: meat buns, Laba porridge, with side dishes of honey-glazed tofu, chicken and soft-shelled turtle soup, and braised mutton. We’ll have a proper feast tonight."

Hearing about the meat buns, Wang Gui and Tang Huai rushed into the dining room, grabbing one each. Li Yanqing and Yue Fei sat down more leisurely, both straining their ears to listen to the conversation behind the folding screen.

Yao Ding and Tang Zongzong were sitting in a private booth hidden by the screen. Yao Ding took a spoonful of his favorite white fish soup, tasted it, and said to Tang Zongzong, "We need to be careful today."

Tang Zongzong was startled. "Did something happen?"

Yao Ding said coldly, "Nothing specific, but Assistant Magistrate Ma’s teacup fell at a very opportune moment."

Tang Zongzong had heard rumors that the Assistant Magistrate might have intentionally interfered with the competition. He nodded. "As I suspected. He Zhen visiting the Assistant Magistrate last night had a deeper meaning. But since Weinan Town is already out, I think there shouldn't be any more surprises. After all, he is an Assistant Magistrate."

Yao Ding remained silent, slowly sipping his wine. He peeked through a gap in the screen at Li Yanqing before saying slowly, "Qing-er’s father was Li Daqi."

Tang Zongzong’s mouth fell open in shock. He glanced nervously at Li Yanqing before regaining his composure. "No way! Would Assistant Magistrate Ma still remember something from years ago?"

Yao Ding scoffed dismissively. "It depends on the matter. I suspect an official would remember a grudge like that for a lifetime."

"That is true," Tang Zongzong said thoughtfully. "He was supposed to be promoted to Magistrate, but that whole affair caused a scandal over a substitute test-taker. Although all the blame was dumped on Li Daqi, the Assistant Magistrate was affected, and his promotion vanished. If he knew Qing-er was Li Daqi’s son..."

He paused, then added, "But there are rumors in the county that Magistrate Liu and Assistant Magistrate Ma are at odds. Have you heard anything, Master Yao?"

Yao Ding gave a faint smile. "I teach in a remote area and pay no heed to matters outside my door. How would I know about such baseless gossip?"

"This really isn't baseless. Last year, when the Transport Commissioner Wang of Hebei West Circuit passed through Tangyin, someone submitted a letter of accusation, claiming Magistrate Liu had embezzled three thousand strings of cash by dredging the Yongji Canal. I heard Magistrate Liu had to pull strings in Bianjing to make the matter disappear."

Tang Zongzong’s voice grew lower, his body leaning closer to the table as if he were discussing a treasonous secret that could lead to his family's execution. He didn't notice his sleeve dipping into the fish soup on the table.

Yao Ding frowned and quickly pulled the dripping sleeve out of the soup, looking at the bowl with regret. This was the famous white fish of Tangyin, which cost a whole string of cash per fish in the winter.

"Ah! My apologies. I'll ask the innkeeper to make another bowl and put it on my tab." Tang Zongzong beckoned the innkeeper to explain.

"No need!" Yao Ding pulled him back down and continued the previous topic. "I think I understand what you mean. Are you suggesting that Assistant Magistrate Ma was the one who sent the accusation letter against the Magistrate?"

The innkeeper came over to clear the bowl, and Tang Zongzong fell silent until he had left. He then lowered his voice. "If Magistrate Liu falls, Assistant Magistrate Ma takes his place—he is the biggest beneficiary. Ever since that incident, their conflict has become somewhat public. I think Magistrate Liu must know something."

In truth, Yao Ding understood the conflict between Liu and Ma perfectly well. It involved factional strife: Magistrate Liu was a student of Wang Jinggong in his later years, while Assistant Magistrate Ma was a fellow townsman of Sima Guang. After Cai Jing erected the Stele of Yuanyou Partisans, the two men found it impossible to work together. However, both were minor officials in the eyes of the court; they could fight all they wanted, but the higher-ups couldn't be bothered with their petty power struggles.

Yao Ding didn't care about the officialdom of Tangyin County. Even if the Magistrate or his assistant were dismissed, his own son wouldn't get a promotion. Conversely, after half a lifetime of frustration, he had finally found a brilliant student, and he was determined to protect Li Yanqing.

"I think Qing-er is just a six-year-old child. Even if the Assistant Magistrate isn't a Prime Minister, surely he isn't small-minded enough to hold a grudge against a child? And if the worst happens and they try to sabotage us, we can just withdraw and return to the countryside. It’s not worth fighting them for a hollow title."

[Old Gao is writing this book with care and sincerely asks for your votes. Thank you all!]