Chapter 279: Zhengzheng comes to stroll around

The proprietor of the bow and arrow shop was stunned for a moment, then immediately said, "Of course, that is possible!"

The shopkeeper to the side, upon hearing this,

hurriedly took the recurved bow limbs out of the exquisite bow case,

and after handing the bowstring to the proprietor who had reached out his hand,

spread a piece of leather on the ground.

One could see the proprietor first loop one end of the thick bow limb onto the bowstring, place it on the ground, and step on it with his foot,

while resting the middle part on his leg,

then he pulled upward with his left hand and pressed downward with his right, skillfully stringing this powerful bow.

This stringing technique was somewhat different from Xu Zaijing's,

and it also drew the gazes of Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye, who were outside the door, toward it.

"Military stringing method."

Gu Tingye said in a low voice beside Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing nodded, looked at the proprietor who was walking over with the bow in hand, and cupped his hands, saying:

"The shopkeeper has great arm strength."

"Fifth Young Master, you flatter me. Come, have a try!"

Just as Xu Zaijing was about to reach out, he saw from the corner of his eye a youth in brocade clothes to the side, whose face was flushed red and whose arm drawing the bow was trembling,

yet he was still stubbornly gritting his teeth and persisting.

A bit slower than Xu Zaijing, the proprietor also noticed something was wrong, and just as he was about to reach out, Xu Zaijing had already stood beside that youth,

hooked the bowstring with one finger, gripped the bow limb with the other hand, and said: "Release!"

"Many thanks to Fifth Young Master for the helping hand."

The youth in brocade clothes panted and thanked him, his arm still trembling as he cupped his hands.

If Xu Zaijing hadn't acted just now, he would have either dry-fired and damaged the bow, or his arm would have been jerked by the bow's tension, and he likely would have injured his arm!

"A mere trifle."

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, the youth's guard hurriedly walked over to rub the youth's arm.

Taking this powerful bow from the proprietor, Xu Zaijing scanned it up and down, then glanced at the proprietor before drawing the bow open.

'Crack, crack.'

The bow limbs emitted a sound of bearing the strain.

"Fifth Young Master, could you shoot an arrow for us to see?"

Looking at the youth's eyes full of pleading and longing, Xu Zaijing said:

"That depends on the wishes of this proprietor."

The surrounding Bianjing commoners had heard of Xu Zaijing's exploits in the imperial palace before,

and that youth had even voiced what the surrounding people wanted to say.

So, everyone spoke up one after another:

"Shopkeeper, agree to it!"

"Proprietor, I am willing to buy a bow, just to see the archery skills!"

"Shopkeeper..."

Listening to the voices around him, the proprietor glanced at Xu Zaijing and nodded.

A burst of cheers erupted from the crowd.

Coming out to stroll on the Winter Solstice, to actually be able to witness the archery skills of the Xu family's Fifth Young Master, which high-ranking officials and nobles had seen, how could they not be happy?

The shop assistant at the door happily came into the shop,

and the shop assistant inside took out an arrow target, then he used a bamboo pole to hoist it,

passed through the crowd that had automatically made way, and along the wall, hung the target about thirty paces away, at a position about a zhang high on a thick tree trunk,

so that when Xu Zaijing shot the arrow, it would be aimed diagonally upward, which was much safer than shooting horizontally.

While warming up, the proprietor handed a thumb ring to Xu Zaijing.

In the less than half a quarter of an hour of preparation, the news that the Xu family's Fifth Young Master was going to shoot an arrow spread by word of mouth,

attracting another batch of wealthy commoners to watch,

and the entrance was suddenly surrounded three layers deep and three layers out.

The two-story restaurant opposite the weapon shop had a good view and was soon occupied by people; the shopkeeper and the tea and wine expert inside happily greeted them, offering discounts.

At this time, a group of people walked toward this side from the outskirts of the crowd,

among whom a youth wearing a brocade robe and a jade crown, with a handsome appearance, was talking to a woman:

"Senior Sister, you must be lying to me, how could there be a woman more formidable than you!"

"Cangzhou is the hometown of martial arts in the Great Zhou, and the Chai family is one of the few wealthy households in the entire Great Zhou. How could they possibly fail to hire experts!"

"Then, Senior Sister, in how many moves were you defeated?"

Looking at his Senior Sister's dangerous gaze, the youth sheepishly shut his mouth,

and the few people behind him laughed heartily.

Seeing the crowd in front, he said:

"Hey! Isn't this Master's shop? Why are there so many people! Is someone hooked on gambling?"

As he spoke, the youth tried to squeeze in, but it drew angry glares from the commoners watching in front.

It was that woman who said: "Let's go, go to the back door."

As they were about to leave, suddenly a sound—

"Thwack!"

The youth looked toward the source of the sound as if startled; he saw a feathered arrow had already pierced through the target and nailed into the tree trunk, the tail of the arrow still trembling incessantly.

The surrounding crowd shouted thunderously:

"Good!!!"

The youth jumped several times outside the crowd to look inside and said:

"Since when did Master like to perform this?"

As he spoke, he led the few people behind him, followed the woman to a small alley, turned twice, and entered the courtyard through a small door.

As soon as he looked up, he saw the matrons of several families standing at the door of the opposite room,

and another burst of cheers came from the opposite side.

After explaining their identities, because the young ladies of the three families were all outside watching the archery, the group passed through the room and came outside.

Only then did the youth see clearly that the one shooting the arrow was not his Master at all, but a teenager.

"Thwack!"

Another sound rang out,

a feathered arrow shot away like lightning; some spectators hadn't even turned their heads yet, and the feathered arrow had already hit the target.

"Father!"

"Master!"

The woman and the youth bowed and cupped their hands in salute, and the two behind him also bowed and called out "Master."

"Hmm! Junyi and Tingyu are here! Watch first! Xiaosong, you too!"

"Yes, Master!"

The few people cupped their hands and responded.

As soon as these people arrived, Gu Tingye looked over; when he scanned the three of them up and down, he didn't know how his gaze met theirs.

Both were young people, and looking at the other side's unyielding appearance, Gu Tingye gave a mocking laugh.

The youth called Junyi looked at the gaze coming from the crowd; it turned out to be the passerby who had glared at him when he wanted to squeeze in just now,

and he immediately shrugged triumphantly.

However, these few people were well-behaved and did not look toward Tingyi and the other female family members.

Xu Zaijing was still shooting arrows unhurriedly,

and the youth called Xiaosong said in a low voice to the side:

"Senior Brother, isn't it just hitting the target? It doesn't look like much!"

"Fool, don't you see he is using Master's bow? Can you draw it?"

Xiaosong: "..."

The one called Tingyu also said: "Look carefully at the position of the feathered arrows, he is circling."

Rong Xian to the side gave a thumbs up and said: "Brother, good eye!"

Hearing the conversation of the few, those among the onlookers with good eyesight also hurriedly looked carefully,

"This..."

As more and more feathered arrows hit the target, everyone finally saw clearly that Xu Zaijing was using the feathered arrows to draw a circle around the red bullseye.

Xiaosong, who had spoken just now, said softly: "Senior Brother, I see, why is the distance between the two arrows the same?"

"You didn't see wrong."

Xu Zaijing used the feathered arrows to nail a cross inside the circle, and only then did he put away the powerful bow.

Amidst the cheers and applause, Xu Zaijing cupped his hands.

After Gu Tingye and Qi Heng exchanged a glance, they looked at Changbai and Changfeng, straightened their chests, and nodded triumphantly, quite having the pride of "this is my buddy!"

And the open space between Xu Zaijing and the target was soon filled by commoners who went to see the target on the tree.

"It's very neat!"

"Hitting the target is easy, hitting it so neatly is hard!"

Amidst the commoners' talk, the area around Xu Zaijing had already been cleared by the servants of various families.

"Fifth Young Master, how is this bow?"

Hearing these words, Rong Feiyan's beautiful eyes looked over, but she didn't look at the bow, she looked at the person.

Fortunately, Tingyi and the three Lans and others were all watching, so it wasn't abrupt.

Xu Zaijing cupped his hands and said: "A good bow!"

Then he said in a low voice: "I wonder if the proprietor serves in the Imperial Guard's Arrow-Drawing Class?"

The proprietor's expression didn't change, and he asked faintly: "Oh, Fifth Young Master, why do you say that?"

Xu Zaijing: "Cough, I have really used this bow in the palace."

Rong Feiyan's large eyes behind her veil blinked rapidly.

Hearing Xu Zaijing's words, the surrounding crowd all looked over in surprise.

The proprietor cupped his hands and said with a smile:

"Old man Zhou Dong, ashamed to hold the position of Director of the Arrow-Drawing Class, greetings to you!"

"The stiffest bow in the Arrow-Drawing Class that day was this one, Fifth Young Master can actually recognize it!"

"How is it to use?"

Xu Zaijing clamped the bow limb with his legs and casually unstrung the bow.

This relaxed and easy action made the corner of Old Director Zhou's eye twitch; he had used both arms just now...

Then Old Director Zhou shook his head with a smile and said:

"No wonder someone came here before to order a bow limb with terrifyingly high draw weight..."

"I suppose this bow is still a bit soft for Fifth Young Master to use."

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile.

Gu Tingye to the side was full of disbelief:

"What does that mean? Such a thick, powerful bow, and you, Xu Zaijing, find it a bit soft?!"

On the other side, the youth called Tingyu said in a low voice to his fellow apprentices:

"Do you remember the bow limb we tried before? Master couldn't be talking about that one, could he?"

"The one that pierces through earth walls?"

"That's not for humans... right?"

After speaking, he exchanged a glance with Gu Tingye, who was full of disbelief, and found the other person didn't seem so annoying anymore.

As everyone was talking,

that powerful bow was taken inside to be wrapped up again, and a quiver of feathered arrows was added.

Just now, Rong Feiyan heard Xu Zaijing say this bow was a bit soft, and originally wanted to sell it back to the shop, then buy a soft bow with Tingyi and the others.

But when she heard this bow was the one used that time before, she was determined to take it back!

Looking at the colorful dart that had hit the target just now, which was now also being carefully fixed outside the bow case by the shopkeeper, Rong Feiyan said: "The shopkeeper is thoughtful, reward!"

After speaking, Seeing Xi Bu had already placed a piece of broken silver into the shopkeeper's hand.

"Hey! Thank you, noble one, for the reward!"

Xu Zaijing's performance helped the shop gather popularity, and more people spent money to gamble and buy bows at the original price.

And Tingyi returned to the shop with the three Lans to continue looking at the soft bows.

At the door, Zhou Dong had his three disciples state their names,

"Daming Prefecture, Lu Junyi."

"Dengzhou, Luan Tingyu."

"Enzhou, Wu Song."

Looking at Xu Zaijing's somewhat dazed gaze, Lu Junyi said:

"Fifth Young Master, what kind of look is that? Could it be you have heard of our names before?"

Xu Zaijing cupped his hands with a smile and said:

"Yes, long ago, I have long admired your great names!"

"Dengzhou! I wonder if this Brother Luan knows the Pan family of Dengzhou?"

Luan Tingyu said: "I know them! My family has some dealings with the Pan family and is familiar with the stewards!"

Xu Zaijing nodded.

Qi Heng to the side said: "Jingge'er, do you know these few?"

"Naturally, all three are highly skilled in martial arts!"

"Fifth Young Master, you flatter me!"

Luan Tingyu scratched his head with a smile and said: "Who is this young brother?"

Buwei beside Qi Heng said: "We are from the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Qi's household, this is the Young Xiao Xiao Gongye of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Qi's mansion!"

As soon as Buwei's words came out,

the three fellow apprentices stopped smiling and hurriedly lowered their heads, bowed, and cupped their hands:

"Greetings, Young Xiao Xiao Gongye!"

"You few need not be so formal, whoever Jingge'er knows, I know, please rise quickly!"

The three straightened up, but they weren't as natural as before.

Xu Zaijing glanced at Old Director Zhou, his eyes filled with inquiry.

Zhou Dong nodded slightly.

Xu Zaijing then asked with a smile: "You three, do you have any plans to join the army?"

"Could it be that Fifth Young Master wants to secure a future for us?"

Lu Junyi asked with a smile.

Xu Zaijing shook his head with a smile and said:

"I cannot secure it; in my father, the Marquis of Yongyi's army, one must rely on true ability."

"However, there was a hero surnamed Yue who went to my father's army for a few months, and now I hear he is already a Personal Guard Commander!"

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, the three exchanged surprised glances and looked at their Master, Zhou Dong.

Zhou Dong nodded.

The old man also hoped his disciples could have a good future.

At this time, the young ladies of the three families had already chosen their soft bows and, under the suggestion of Zhou Niangzi, had decided on the decorative styles,

and a group of female family members walked out in a flurry.

Gu Tingye beside him also proudly gave a thumbs up, pointing at himself and saying:

"I am from the Marquis of Ningyuan's mansion, you can also come to my family's army! But you must pass my test first!"

After Gu Tingye finished speaking, Zhou Dong's three disciples looked at Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing said: "If you want to compete with me, that's fine, it can also give you an estimate of a general position."

After all, he had already gained experience from beating up his cousins Zhu Qinghu, Di Jing, and Ye Fang, and knew whether Lu Junyi and the others could beat this bunch of personal guards.

The younger Changfeng looked at the three and said smugly:

"You few, do you know who I have eaten with following my brothers before?"

"The Zhang family of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Ying's mansion, the Zheng family of the Marquis of Zhongjing's mansion, the Liang family of the Marquis of Yongchang's mansion, we all have connections!"

After speaking, he felt Changbai's gaze, and Changfeng sheepishly lowered his head.

Qi Heng said in a low voice to the side: "My maternal grandfather's family is the Marquis of Xiangyang's mansion, hmm!"

Lu Junyi and the three swallowed hard.

Although the three had studied under famous masters and learned a full set of skills,

even the Lu family, which had the best family background, was just a wealthy squire in Daming Prefecture.

The stewards that Luan Tingyu's family associated with, perhaps because of their rank, Huyan Jiong didn't even know them, though perhaps his servant Fuding knew.

The highest-ranking official Wu Song knew was his own Master, which was his social ceiling.

And the high-ranking families the few youths spoke of were ones they had never thought of before.

"Qingyun, leave a post for the few, come find me to play when you have time!"

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, he cupped his hands in salute to Zhou Dong and followed Minglan and the others as they continued to walk out.

Qingyun stayed behind, took out a post from his bosom, looked at Lu Junyi, who was the oldest, and said:

"Have a chance to spar!"

Looking at Qingyun, who was a circle taller and stronger than himself, Lu Junyi nodded.

After Qingyun walked far away,

Luan Tingyu said:

"Senior Brother, looking at this servant, he is even harder to deal with, too sturdy!"

"Junior Brother! Good eye, I was thinking the same—ouch! Master!"

Zhou Dong retracted the foot he had used to kick their buttocks and said:

"Get in here!"

Zhou Dong's daughter watched with a smile as several junior brothers were dragged to the backyard by her father.

"Aren't I, your Master, sturdier than that servant?"

"Can I unstring a bow that easily?"

"What are the pair of eyes on your faces for?"

"Stop joining the army, lest you lose my reputation!"

Outside the shop, it was still bustling with noise, and customers entered the shop from time to time.

"This Madam, just now I met a group of people, they said they bought soft bows here?"

Looking at the matron speaking, who was wearing brocade and followed by a beautiful noble young lady and two maids,

Zhou Niangzi waved her hand at the shopkeeper, signaling she would entertain them, walked up, and said with a smile:

"Yes, please come in, our shop has..."

"The noble family from the Marquis of Ningyuan's mansion just bought this style..."

"The noble family from the Marquis of Hou Fu Chang chose..."

Listening to Zhou Niangzi's introduction, the young lady's eyes brightened.

At this time, Zhou Niangzi saw a luxurious carriage stop at the shop door, the tall horse pulling the carriage had a coat as smooth as oil.

A nanmu stool was placed in front of the carriage by a maid,

and the commoners nearby, looking at the quality of the carriage,

very tactfully made way.

A young lady wearing a jade hairpin, draped in a purple sable fur cloak, and wearing a light green brocade dress inside, was helped out of the carriage by a maid.

When getting off the carriage, she even glanced at the target that had been nailed firmly to the tree by more than a dozen feathered arrows.

Zhou Niangzi hurriedly said to the shopkeeper:

"Go, bring that decorated soft bow over!"

"Tell Father to stop hitting them, there are distinguished guests!"

After speaking, she said to the female guests in the shop: "Please choose first!"

The wailing in the backyard ceased.

The few female guests nodded.

Then they walked toward the door and, accompanied by the six maids following the Chai family, entered the shop with Chai Zhengzheng.

Chai Zhengzheng nodded at the female guests in the shop,

and the noble family hurriedly returned the salute, looked at their own clothes, then at Chai Zhengzheng's, and lowered their heads in embarrassment.

At this time, Chai Zhengzheng's soft bow was also sent over; looking at the decorations on it, the noble guest's eyes brightened.

The noble guest's matron hurriedly whispered a few words to the idle shopkeeper; upon hearing the cost of this incredibly beautiful soft bow, decorated with exquisite mother-of-pearl, gold thread, and gemstones,

the four master and servants:...

Some valuable things can be bought by gritting one's teeth,

some things, even if you grit your teeth... it's just gritting your teeth, you really can't afford it.

In the end, the noble guest chose one with a moderate price and, when leaving, bowed to Chai Zhengzheng with eyes full of envy.

And Chai Zhengzheng to the side looked at the soft bow in her hand with satisfaction and said:

"I originally wanted to wait for Zhou Niangzi to send it, but since the street is lively today, I came out to stroll."

Zhou Niangzi: "Yes, it is lively today, my few junior brothers might just have a future!"

Chai Zhengzheng nodded with a happy look in her eyes and said:

"That is truly excellent!"

"By the way, looking at the target on the big tree at the door just now, Old Master Zhou is truly formidable, I saw the distance between every arrow was the same!"

Zhou Niangzi said with a smile:

"Da Niangzi has a good eye, but that wasn't the bow my father drew, it was the sons of several dukes and marquises in the capital!"

"It's the one who made a big splash in the palace before, the youngest son of the Marquis of Yongyi."

"He was also followed by several noble young ladies."

Chai Zhengzheng smiled:

"Hmm?"

"And noble young ladies followed him... them?"

Zhou Niangzi said: "Yes, from the Marquis of Hou Fu Chang's family!"

The smile in Chai Zhengzheng's eyes dissipated, and she took a deep breath...

"And from the Marquis of Ningyuan's family."

"Sister Tingyi?"

Zhou Niangzi hurriedly nodded: "Yes, and the three young ladies of the Sheng family."

Chai Zhengzheng said with a smile: "Oh! Long time no see! Then I'll go find Sister Tingyi to play!"

Imperial Palace

The Emperor looked at the secret report in his hand and said with a smile: "This brat, he really knows how to show off, finding good seedlings for his own father!"

At this time, the voice of Zhao Fang, who was sitting on a cotton cushion, came:

"Father! Come and gamble, as long as seven coins are seven characters, you can sleep with Mother!"

The Emperor put away the paper,

glanced at the Grand Eunuch, and cleared his throat: "Cough!"

The Grand Eunuch hurriedly leaned in,

and covertly handed the seven coins with characters on both sides to the Emperor,

"Fang'er, watch Father!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 280 =====