Chapter 75: The Grand Banquet at Huafu (8)

“Dong! Dong! Dong!” Just as the drum struck its seventeenth beat for the nineteenth arrow, Li Qing’an unexpectedly released his arrow. Everyone was stunned—how could he have shot it so early? At the same moment Li Qing’an shot his arrow, Shi Siming also instinctively released his own, but he hesitated for a split second.

Yes, starting from the twelfth arrow, he had followed Li Qing’an’s lead, shooting at the end of each drumbeat. Li Qing’an should shoot on the nineteenth beat, and he would shoot right after. For seven arrows in a row, this had become a habitual pattern. But Li Qing’an suddenly shot earlier, causing a subtle impact on Shi Siming’s mindset—a hesitation between wanting to shoot and not wanting to.

Under normal circumstances, such an influence wouldn’t matter, but now it was the end of the competition, and both men were nearly exhausted. Even the slightest effect could be fatal. The moment Shi Siming shot, he knew things were not going well.

Li Qing’an’s arrow “thunked” into the golden vase, while Shi Siming’s arrow traced a slightly sluggish parabolic path through the air. With a crisp sound, its tip bounced off the vase, flipped once in midair, and rolled outside.

“Shi Siming fails—18 to 18.”

Silence filled the main hall, until applause erupted like a storm. It was incredible—18 to 18, a tie at the last moment! Du Gu Mingzhu was so excited she cried. It was wonderful! Heaven had favored them again, giving them another chance.

Du Gu Mingyue shook her head with a smile. That Li Qing’an really had good luck.

Li Linfu chuckled softly and whispered to Gao Lishi, “Gao, this was within my expectations.”

Gao Lishi was taken aback.

Behind the curtain, Emperor Li Longji stroked his beard and smiled silently. His guess was correct. But there was still one last arrow. He didn’t believe this young man would accept a tie—the real drama was yet to come.

There was one last arrow, the one that would decide the outcome. The hall fell silent once more, everyone’s heart in their throats.

The red flag was lowered, and the drumbeat “Dong! Dong!” sounded again. The final moment had arrived, the most critical stage of the competition.

Whatever caused Li Qing’an’s tenth arrow to fail, it affected this decisive shot. The drum struck just twice before Li Qing’an released his arrow, which traced a beautiful parabolic path through the air and effortlessly entered the golden vase. Those who had bet on him immediately cheered—at least they wouldn’t lose.

Li Qing’an turned with a smile and looked at Shi Siming. All the pressure was now on Shi Siming. As the drums beat again and again, large drops of sweat streamed down his forehead. He suddenly realized something terrifying—he simply couldn’t make a move during the first fifteen beats of the drum. He was used to acting at the last moment and hadn’t had time to adjust his mindset, while Li Qing’an had already thrown his arrow on the second beat.

The immense pressure and sweat blurred Shi Siming’s vision. All he saw were countless golden bottles swaying, and his hands began to tremble. “Dong!” The eighteenth drumbeat sounded, and his arms and legs became utterly weak.

Everyone began to notice something was wrong—Shi Siming was shaking all over.

“Shi Siming, throw your arrow quickly! There’s no time left!”

Many people shouted anxiously. An Lushan even pounded his own thighs furiously. How could Shi Siming fail at such a critical moment!

Li Longji smiled triumphantly. As he had expected, the tenth arrow had indeed been deliberately thrown off course by Li Qing’an. He didn’t want a draw—this Li Qing’an was too clever to see through it!

“Third Brother, what exactly happened?” Yang Yuhuan and Yang Huahua both looked puzzled.

Li Longji glanced at Gao Lishi, seeing that he had also figured it out, and smiled slightly. “My dear, if you have time, you might as well ask General Gao. He knows more about Li Qing’an than I do.”

“Dong!” The nineteenth drumbeat rang out. Shi Siming was completely desperate. He realized he didn’t know how to shoot an arrow at all. He didn’t even know where he was or what he was supposed to do. All he saw was a blank white expanse.

“Dong!” The twentieth drumbeat sounded, and Shi Siming suddenly collapsed to the ground. The hall fell dead silent. Everyone was stunned—no one had expected such an outcome. Shi Siming hadn’t even managed to shoot his last arrow.

“ nineteen to eighteen, Li Qing’an from Anxi wins!”

With the announcer’s final declaration, the hall erupted in cheers.

……

“I refuse to accept this!”

An Lushan suddenly stood up, shouting loudly. Waving his arms, he said, “Since we’re all soldiers, why play such a trivial game? Let’s have a real competition—horseback riding and archery! This contest doesn’t count!”

He was furious. It was one thing for Shi Siming to lose, but to lose in such an embarrassing way—how could he face his Fanyang army?

The hall gradually quieted down. Everyone looked at An Lushan in surprise. This fat man was backing out!

“Minister An, I think there’s no need to continue the competition.”

Li Longji stepped forward, and the thousands in the hall were shocked. They all bowed to him, saying, “Your subjects pay their respects to Your Majesty!”
An Lushan also knelt in fear, saying, “I acknowledge my fault!”
“It’s just a minor matter. My dear An, there’s no need for self-reproach.”
Li Longji smiled. His gaze fell on Li Qing’an, who stepped forward quickly, knelt halfway, and saluted militarily, saying, “Lieutenant General Li Qing’an pays his respects to the Emperor.”
Li Longji nodded and smiled. “General Li, you showed me a top-notch javelin throwing competition. The clever use of military tactics was truly astonishing. It’s a perfect example of subduing the enemy without fighting. General Li, I must reward you well. Tell me! What do you desire?”
Everyone looked at Li Qing’an, each having their own wish—promotion and wealth, or a beautiful woman. At that moment, Gao Lishi became nervous. “Seventh Brother, be careful not to become arrogant!”
Li Qing’an lowered his head and thought for a moment before scratching the back of his head and smiling. “Your Majesty, I really like the Jiahe wine from today. It’s not available outside. I beg Your Majesty to grant me a few more barrels.”
The hall was filled with whispers of laughter, and many shook their heads slightly. This Li Qing’an really didn’t know how to seize opportunities. But Gao Lishi suddenly felt relieved. This kid was quite smart.
Yang Yuhuan covered her mouth and chuckled softly, then whispered to Li Longji behind him, “Third Brother, this young man is indeed interesting.”
Li Longji laughed heartily. He waved his hand and said, “Very well. I agree. From now on, you may drink freely from my wine cellar!”
He raised his cup to his eyebrows and declared loudly, “Today is the birthday of my beloved concubine, the third sister. I propose that we drink to her eternal youth!”
“Let’s drink!”
Volume 3: Turbulent Times