Chapter 70: The Style of That Arrow
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Helan Chu stood in the rising morning light, like a sculpture, his deep eyes were like eagle eyes, staring ahead. He was now wearing a blue-gray moire brocade robe, with long sleeves already tied with ribbons, and a gold-silk rhinoceros horn yew bow in his hand; The usual jade belt around his waist had been replaced by a leather belt with a gold hook, and the shoes under his feet had been replaced by knee-high boots. This Hu suit, which is convenient for horseback riding and archery, compared with the elegant court clothes that he usually goes in and out of the court, highlights a bit of the arrogance of an iron-blooded man, and shows the pride of his once bloody general.
At this time, he took a step forward with his left foot, and at the same time held the bow in his left hand and buckled the arrow with his right hand, raised the golden silk rhinoceros horn yew bow in his hand above his head and then calmly pulled it down in front of his chest. He wore a tourmaline wrench on the thumb of his right hand, and his arm seemed to pull it gently, and the bowstring had been pulled full like a full moon. Suddenly, his eyes sharpened, his thumb loosened, and with a string sound like a crack, the carved arrow in his hand detied the string and shot out into the air, stabbing at a speed that was difficult to catch with the naked eye. I only heard a "suddenly" sound, and when the carved arrow reappeared in everyone's sight, it had already sunk deep into the center of the red heart of the arrow target.
"Bang, bang" two sonorous strings sounded, followed by two more arrows, all of which shot through the heart impartially.
This is not a school field for real military exercises and martial arts, but a "mirror grinding platform" by the mirror lake of Hualin Garden, a royal garden, so the guards and palace people who were waiting on the side did not dare to rashly make noisy cheers, and could only turn their heads and whisper admiration with admiration.
"Aiqing is good at archery. I'm really not faulty. Zuo Ying praised from the bottom of her heart. She smiled, clapped her hands and walked towards Helan Chu.
Helan Chu lowered his arm, handed the bow to the guard beside him who came to pick it up with both hands, and turned around.
He saw that Zuo Ying was also wearing a coral red arrow-sleeved beard today, coupled with a freesia-colored leather belt and a pair of dark gray leather boots, the complicated and obstructive bun was also scattered, and the long hair was pulled into a bundle of capable and spiritual ponytails hanging down the back of his head; Although the pale complexion and thin figure can't be changed, it also looks a little better than usual, and the already beautiful appearance adds a bit of playfulness and cuteness.
"Your Majesty is overrated." Helan Chu hugged his fists and said, "Your Majesty has not learned archery, please start teaching Your Majesty from the posture of drawing a bow and an arrow." ”
Originally, archery, as one of the "six arts", was an indispensable skill for every noble member, but this He Lanying was frail and sickly since she was a child, and she was frightened on the battlefield, so she has always been reluctant to touch weapons and ordnance. Although the greater significance of archery to the ancients was "etiquette" rather than as a weapon, because of this, He Lanying basically excluded all subjects related to combat skills and tactics when studying schoolwork. Her father and brother could only let her do it, and they didn't force it. So Zuo Ying's memory also doesn't know anything about bows and arrows.
Helan Chu ordered someone to set up an arrow stack in a closer place, and picked up the lightest and smallest birch bow from the bow frame, and handed it to Zuo Ying with both hands, "Your Majesty, it only takes less than thirty catties to pull this birch bow, it is the bow that requires the least strength, and it is suitable for beginners." ”
Zuo Ying took the birch bow, and saw that although its bow was only about four feet long, it was very delicately made: the whole bow was painted vermilion, and the bow surface was ground from the top buffalo horn, and it was wrapped with precious shark skin, and the shark skin was hollowed out and carved with ornaments; There is also a plum blossom carved from deer antlers embedded in the bow tips at each end.
If Zuo Ying makes the gun practice the target, it can be said that he has a hundred shots; The bow and arrow, a long-range weapon that had similarities with a gun, made her feel both familiar and fresh. She picked up the bow curiously, and just when she wanted to draw the bow like He Lanchu did just now, she was stopped by Helan Chu.
"Your Majesty, slow down." Helan Chu said as he took out something from a small brocade box presented by the attendant beside him, "This is ordered by skilled craftsmen to make it when the minister ordered him to teach His Majesty how to bow and horse, the size should be just right, please wear it for Your Majesty, it is easier to use force when you pull the string." ”
Zuo Ying looked up and saw that Helan Chu was holding a white jade wrench in his hand, which was delicate and small, white like snow, and shallow carved with fine and magnificent patterns on it.
Oh? Tailoring is already a technical job, and there is still a way to judge how big a ring to wear with just a glance at your finger, and you are still so confident? Zuo Ying stretched out her hand with interest.
Why do you say "just one look"? Because girls in this era generally have their hands hidden deep in their sleeves, the more noble they are, and the more they don't touch the spring water, the more so. Zuo Ying just broke out of the mound and rode into the Taishi's Mansion on horseback, she was disheveled, only wearing an ill-fitting gown, and her elbows were exposed, so that her hands were almost completely exposed.
"Courage." Helan Chu gently caught Zuo Ying's soft little hand stretched out with one hand, and slowly put the jade wrench finger into Zuo Ying's thumb with the other hand.
Feeling that the jade wrench was not big or small, the moment it was just right, the playful smile on Zuo Ying's face was really a little frozen.
"Your Majesty, please be careful." Helan Chu had a serious face, as if he didn't care about any off-the-field factors at all, and his expression was even colder than usual; While demonstrating, he said meticulously: "To shoot arrows on flat ground, you need to first stand firm, bend your body slightly, and keep your eyes on the target in front of you. Straighten your left hand and put your bow with all your might; Bend your right hand to your heart and keep your right arm close to your ribs. Use the big finger of your right hand to pull the bowstring. This is the essence of 'holding the bow and securing it' and 'pressing the bowstring'. ”
Zuo Ying listened and did what Helan Chu taught. She stands on her feet, her left hand straight, her right hand bent against her ribs, and she grips the bow tightly, maintaining a position where she can pull the bowstring apart at any time.
Helan Chu took out a carved arrow from the quiver next to him and placed it across Zuo Ying's bow, "The left hand slightly bends the big finger to hold the bow, press the arrow body with two fingers, and hold the arrow cluster obliquely with three fingers, and use these two to point in the direction of the arrow, and the four and five fingers are obliquely hooked." And the right hand uses the second finger to hold the arrow, and the big finger presses the tail of the arrow. At the same time, the foot follows the arrow, the toe of the left foot points directly at the arrow stack, and the heel is slightly raised; The right foot is straight and the slit is stacked. This is the key to 'wiping feathers and arrows' and 'beware of entering the basket'. ”
Zuo Ying took half a step while listening to Professor Helan Chu's instructions, bowing slightly with one leg and straightening the other, taking the arrow into the bow, staring closely at the red heart on the arrow stack in the distance.
Helan Chu helped Zuo Ying correct the movements of his hands, and then said with his back hand: "At this time, you should stabilize your left arm, hold your right hand tightly, and use the strength of your entire arm and even your waist to open the bowstring." At the same time, the feet should be firmly steady. ”
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