Volume 1 The Journey Chapter 9 The Journey (2)

He preached: opening the bow is an important part of the basic posture of archery, so it should be done: 1. The bow should be opened to achieve two accuracy: that is, the drawing distance should be accurate. After the bow is opened, the signal piece should be pressed on a fixed position of the arrow, otherwise it will disrupt the rhythm of completing the overall action of shooting an arrow. Then the crosshair should accurately enter the yellow heart. When the bow is fully open (i.e., the bowstring is in place), the crosshair is aimed at the yellow heart, and the second move is not performed. Second, to open the bow, it is necessary to be stable and decisive. To be stable means that there must be a stabilization process after the bow is raised. This steady state should also be maintained during the opening of the bow. To be decisive is to boldly and decisively pull the bow apart, and there is no concern in the mind when opening the bow. Also, maintain the position of your body when you first stand when opening the bow.

And the most hidden and critical method is to rely on the string: first, the method of relying on the string (the positioning method of the hook string hand). First of all, the basic requirements for submandibular positioning are as follows: the thumb is naturally bent towards the palm, the index finger rests under the jaw, and the bowstring is aligned with the center of the nose, mouth, and chin. The basic requirements for lateral positioning are the same as those for submandibular positioning, except that the bowstring rests on the right corner of the mouth (the person holding the bow in the left hand). This method of stringing has some compensatory properties and is generally used for athletes with short forearms. In this way, the angle of the clavicle and humerus is increased, so that the longitudinal axis of the forearm is closer to the archery surface, which is conducive to the exertion of the back muscles. 2. Characteristics of leaning on the string: at the same time as the end of the string action, that is, when the basic posture of archery is formed. The biggest feature at this time is that all parts of the action must be fully ready according to the technical specifications. Because the end of the string action then enters a new and more important stage, the string action must be in place, otherwise it will bring damage and interference to the next action. 3. The formation and cultivation of the basic posture by the string, the basic posture is formed by the string in place, which is an important part of the basic technique of archery and the basis for shooting an arrow well. It is a prerequisite for the continuous tension of each muscle to balance the tension of the bow after the opening of the arch, and it is a prerequisite for the continuous and correct exertion of each muscle. The basic posture is formed, and the basic force of archery - the straight line force is also formed.

This straight-line force can be said, straight-line force, refers to the bow-holding arm to the direction of force (bullseye direction) forward support and pull the bow arm against the back muscle group (mainly rhomboids and trapezius muscles) of the active traction in the opposite direction, so as to form two equal forces, opposite directions, and act on a straight line. After the basic posture is formed, the general requirements are: the body is upright, the weight falls evenly on the two feet, the shoulders are slumped and the chest is relaxed, the movement level is clear, the left and right forces are symmetrical, and the whole movement is natural and relaxed, stable and lasting. The ancients' requirements for archery posture were: "The body should also be upright, do not shrink the neck, do not show the arms, do not bend over, do not probe forward, do not lean back, do not stand up, this is the gist, that is, do the best." He also said: "The body is straight, the force is peaceful, the bow is successful, the arrow is calmly, the forward push is backward, and the bow is full." "From ancient times to the present, good shooters have attached great importance to the training of basic posture movements, because it is the basis for improving shooting skills, the more firm, reasonable, relaxed and natural this foundation is, the longer they can maintain their ability to work, and complete the following actions as they like.

With the passage of time, Xiao Liuzi gradually became a real man on the grassland. And his archery skills are becoming more and more exquisite, originally Xiao Liuzi was very serious in learning things, not to mention that he was such a powerful master, and the knowledge he learned from him became more and more solid. Nurhachi and his brothers only practiced for a few hours a day, and the younger six sons were a little older than them, and practiced a little harder than them, because he knew that it would not be long before he would rush to the next place to study, and he could not delay here for too long.

When he was very young, Xiao Liuzi's casting was naturally very powerful, and now with the guidance of a famous teacher, Xiao Liuzi's archery skills are getting faster and faster, which makes him himself feel surprised. At first, I practiced my strength, and I shot far, how many stones I could pull the bow, and then I shot accurately. Then he followed him out hunting, and he specially let him hunt rabbits and gophers, and trained his eyesight. In less than half a decade, Xiao Liuzi can hit every shot, and then let him shoot the birds in the sky. He saw that he was a quick learner, and he was also happy; just as the so-called teacher had three pleasures, he was taught by the world's talents! He was eager to teach his whole body skills to Xiao Liuzi. Xiao Liuzi is also very open-minded, and whenever he doesn't understand something, he will ask him carefully. How to shoot against the wind? How to shoot with the wind? How to shoot from the wind? Xiao Liuzi asked clearly, in fact, Xiao Liuzi still has an idea, when he has learned it well, he will hand over this craft to his brothers, so he has to learn it carefully and ask more carefully.

With nearly three months of study, the skills have gradually matured, and the weather has gradually cooled with the passing of the days. So he asked him how to make a good bow. He said, "Arrows are easy to make, but bows are not easy." A bow may seem inconspicuous, but making a good bow is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also contains a lot of knowledge and complicated techniques, which are unimaginable to ordinary people. To make a good bow, it must have six materials "dry, horn, tendon, glue, silk, and lacquer", and it must be collected according to the seasons and yin and yang. To make a bow, you also need to consider yin and yang, which is really unimaginable. The six materials used in the bow making are dry to ensure that the arrow can shoot far, the angle to ensure the speed of the arrow is fast, the tendon to ensure that the arrow is shot deeply, the glue to ensure that the bow body is tightly combined and will not divide the force, the role of the silk is to ensure that the bow body is firm, and the lacquer is to protect the bow body so that it can withstand the wind, frost, snow and rain. The quality of dry timber is divided into seven grades, of which Zhemu is the highest, sandalwood is the second, and bamboo is the second. Experienced archers will choose wood that is red in color and has a clear sound of percussion. The color is red and black, and the sound is clear, indicating that the wood has a smooth texture. The craftsman also chooses the horns according to the season. Generally, cattle slaughtered in autumn have thick and heavy horns, and spring cattle have light and thin horns. The texture of the horns is different for different cows. The horns of the calf are straight and moist, while the horns of the old cow are not straight and dry. If the cow is sick for a long time, its horns will be injured and it will be uneven. Usually, the horns chosen by the archers need to be bluish and white in color and have thick ends. The part of the keratin near the cow's brain is moistened by the brain qi, so it is more flexible, and it will naturally bend because of the flexibility. The middle of the horn is often attached to the bowkuma, which is bound to bend. The color is blue, indicating that the horns are tough. Thousands of years ago, the ancients studied the use of glue, deer glue is blue and white, horse glue is red and white, cow glue is red, mouse glue is black, fish glue is white and yellowish, and rhino glue is yellow. The glue used to make the bow will be red and dry. Dry glue, the cracks are deep and shiny, and the cracked texture is round, and there are low edges. Secondly, to choose the bow tendons, the craftsman should form small tendons that are long and long, and the knots at the end of the tendons should be large and moist. Because beasts with such tendons generally move quickly, and using their tendons to make bows, they will shoot arrows as fast as wild beasts. The tendons should be beaten repeatedly until they are cooked again. The lacquer of the bow should be clear, and the silk used should be the same color as when it was boiled in water. Only when these six types of bows are in perfect condition can a good bow be made. Bow making must adapt to the season, and bow makers pay attention to the season when making bows. The archers dissect the dry wood in the winter, boil the horns in the spring, treat the tendons in the summer, and wait until the autumn to use glue, lacquer, and silk to combine the dry, horns, and tendons. Fixing the bow body in the cold season can check whether the paint pattern is peeling off.

It is easier to manage the required materials in different seasons. In winter, the dry wood will be straightened along the texture; in the spring, it is easier to make the horn flexible; in the summer, the tendon will not be disordered, and the tendon should be stretched as much as possible, and the texture should not be broken, so as not to damage its strength; in the autumn, the arch body will be strong and tight with glue, lacquer, silk combination dry, horn and tendon. Once the bow body is fixed in winter, it will not be deformed when the string is opened. It's the middle of winter, and it's the perfect time to test the performance of your bows. Therefore, it takes at least a year to make a good bow.

If you want to make the bow strong and powerful, you should draw the bow like flowing water, prevent the bow from deforming, when drawing the bow, the distance between the string and the bow arm should be three feet, the bow body should be bent like a ring, after the arrow is released, the bow body will not be deformed, it is still bent like a ring. The craftsman will also tailor a suitable bow to the size of the archer. At the same time, a good craftsman will tailor a suitable bow according to the shooter's body shape. If the archer is fat and low, with a generous disposition, and a slow demeanor, make him a strong and swift bow, with a strong bow and a gentle arrow. The archer is resolute and agile, irritable and quick, so he has to make a gentle bow for him, and use the gentle bow with the fierce arrows. If the archer is gentle, his bow will be gentle, and the arrows he shoots will be gentle, so he will not be able to shoot quickly and deeply. If the archer is quick and restless, his bow is strong, and his arrows are strong, and the arrows he shoots will not hit the target. But as long as the bow is strong and powerful, it can be drawn like flowing water. The most famous bows in history are Lu Bu's dragon tongue bow, Xue Rengui's sky-shaking bow, and Xiang Yu's overlord bow. Legend has it that the dragon tongue bow is made of dragon tendons and is the first divine bow in the world. The sky-shaking bow used by Xue Rengui was a compound bow, which could shoot three arrows at a time and hit three people at the same time. The bow of the overlord of Western Chu is made of the tendons of the black dragon, this bow is not afraid of ice and fire, the sword is difficult to hurt, and has been following Xiang Yu for decades, making great contributions to him. And so on, these are all things that are hard to come by. He said that if you are lucky, you may also come across one or two of such well-known bows and arrows. If you meet a good craftsman, you can also ask him to tailor a bow and arrow for you, that is the best thing!

Immediately said goodbye to him and prepared to go away to Qinling, perhaps Xiao Liuzi was born with the temperament of a leader, and he was able to gather some people and guide some people wherever he went. As soon as they heard that the sixth brother was leaving, Nurhachi and the other four brothers looked at the sixth brother with tears in their eyes, which made the little sixth brother a little unbearable. also took out some small bits and pieces that he brought with him and gave them to the four brothers. When he saw this scene, he also took out a strong bow and a pot of carved arrows from his tent and gave them to Xiao Liuzi. I knew in my heart that I couldn't keep the little sixth son, but I still relied on summarizing my own cognition and experience to face my child and said: It's a brother, the world is everywhere, and if it's not a brother, you won't recognize it.

The eldest husband said to go, and he came and went. Xiao Liuzi endured his sadness and unhappiness, pulled out his horse and galloped towards the direction of Qinling. This Qinling Mountains is not a place of mountains and towns, this Qinling Mountains is divided into north and south, the land is vast and lush, and the cultural landscape also has its own characteristics. The Guanzhong Plain in the north is known as "Eight Hundred Miles of Qinchuan" in history, and it is a famous place where cultural relics and historic sites gather. The south of the Qinling Mountains is the "Hanzhong Basin of the Land of Abundance" of fertile fields, and the Qionglai Mountains and the Chengdu Plain are the birthplace of the Shu and Han civilizations, and the deep-cut river valley in the north-south direction is the north-south traffic channel since ancient times, among which the famous Chencang Road, the meridian road from Xi'an to Ningshan, the Baoshui and the inclined water of the Baoshui Road, as well as the Fu Luo Road, the Zhouyang Road. In the north of the Qinling Mountains, there are the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang and many imperial mausoleum groups, the ruins of Feng Ho of the Zhou Dynasty, the ruins of Qin Afang Palace, Louguantai, the tomb of Zhang Liang, the tomb of Cai Lun and other historic sites, and the scenery of Zhongnan Mountain is beautiful since ancient times. "The Book of Songs: Qin Feng" has the verse "What is there in the south, there is a plum". The Tang Dynasty gentry built villas here, among which Wang Wei's Gongchuan Villa was the most prestigious. Most of Wang Wei's beautiful landscape poems describe the scenery here. The Tang Dynasty poet Zu Yong's "Looking at the Remaining Snow in the South" has the verse "The Yin Mountains in the South of the End are beautiful, the snow is floating in the clouds, the forest shows the color of the clouds, and the twilight cold in the city increases". There are also beautiful peaks such as Cuihua Mountain, Nanwutai and Lishan Mountain nearby, and there are more than 40 large and small temples such as Taiyi Palace and Laojun Nunnery built since the Ming and Qing dynasties in the mountain, which is a good place for Guanzhong to visit and escape the summer. In the western section of the Qinling Mountains, there are Maijishan grottoes, and the mountain cliffs stand on the wall, and the shape is like accumulating wheat. Since the beginning of the post-Qin period, there are more than 100 carved caves, nearly 10,000 Buddha statues, countless murals, it is the treasure of ancient sculpture art. At the same time, a small number of homeless people and mountain bandits also lived here to shelter from the wind and rain.