Chapter 60
Book 6 Chap 4 – The Imperial Duel
Thousands of people gathered at the huge square next to the hall in Xianyang Palace. It was like a marketplace, with everyone waiting impatiently to see the grand duel that’s about to be held.
On one side there were the Qin’s most famously invincible and fierce warrior.
On the other side is a rising star with great military merits, a swordsman from Zhao.
Everyone wants to witness how these 2 are going to fight to win.
The sun was s.h.i.+ning brightly and 3 tall platforms were erected near the main hall with seats neatly arranged on them. The middle platform is naturally the seats for King Zhuangxiang, the Crown Prince and the Empress.
The platform on the left was filled with major officials and military generals who were on Lord Yangquan and w.a.n.g He’s side.
On the platform on the right, besides Lu Buwei, Meng Ao and the major officials closer to Lu Buwei are already seated. Li Si is one of them. Actually he is not qualified to have a place there at all but because of his concern for Xiang Shaolong, he managed to talk and persuade his way into getting a seat.
Others who were of a lower status can only stand at the circ.u.mference of the square to view the duel.
With the mail armors and helmet gleaming, the Qin soldiers who were taller and bigger built than people from the other 6 states, stood guard on the long stairway leading to the main hall and around the 3 viewing platforms. Their long halberds shone under the sun, giving the soldiers a dignified and serious air.
At this time Lu Buwei and Xiang Shaolong has just arrived in their carriage and they walked towards the right after they alighted. Immediately there was a commotion as people pointed and shouted at Xiang Shaolong.
Lu Buwei exhaled and whispered in Xiang Shaolong’s ears, "The Qins love a good fight and hold heroes in high regard. You can only win and not lose in this duel."
Xiang Shaolong has already meditated according to the instructions on the Mohist scroll this morning and at this moment he’s feeling very energetic so he said with confidence, "Premier Lu, do not worry!"
Lu Buwei commented, "That person dressed in black warrior outfit on the left platform is Qiu Risheng, don’t forget his face." His tone revealed a deep hatred.
Xiang Shaolong looked over that direction only to see the eyes of almost a hundred people on the platform were all focused on him and hurriedly smiled and nodded in response. He took a glance at that Qiu Risheng and then looked away.
Lu Buwei led him up the platform and sat down after introducing him to the other people. He asked Tu Xian who was at the back, "Is w.a.n.g Jian here yet?"
Tu Xian replied, "Should be here! But I wonder where he is?"
The sound of the horn was heard.
Under the escort of the imperial guards, King Zhuangxiang who was dressed in his dragon robes, leading Xiao Pan, Zhu Ji, Lady Xiuli and Prince Qi Chongqiao as well as a bevy of concubines, walked out from inside the hall towards the platform in the middle.
All the soldiers stood at attention while the rest of the people both on and off the platform knelt down to welcome them. For a moment the atmosphere in the whole square was solemn and silent.
Xiang Shaolong was secretly complimenting, on seeing this situation he can see the n.o.bility of the King of Qin and how much importance the Qins place on compliance and discipline.
It’s only after King Zhuangxiang and the Princes and Concubines were seated and the attendant declared everyone to rise and be seated did the atmosphere returned to what it was previously. However, everyone stopped talking and quietly waited for King Zhuangxiang’s announcement.
The attendant cried out, "Where is Xiang Shaolong!"
Xiang Shaolong hurriedly rose and at the same time removed his outer robe to reveal his perfect physique. He left the platform to come to the front of the main platform and bowed his acquiesce to the King.
King Zhuangxiang looked at Xiang Shaolong happily and kept on nodded his head to show his approval.
He has lived abroad for many years and basically he can be considered an outsider, therefore he feels a special affinity to this young swordsman from Zhao who rescued his wife as well.
The attendant cried out again, "Where is w.a.n.g Jian?"
He has just finished his sentence when the sounds of hooves were heard only to see a steed running in from the palace gates like a gust of wind.
The crowd cheered thunderously as they all gave way to let the steed past un.o.bstructed.
When it comes to flaunting, Xiang Shaolong has obviously lost greatly.
w.a.n.g Jian’s horsemans.h.i.+p is astounding. In such a short distance, he has already executed several difficult poses and just as he is about to stop, he miraculously curled under the horse’s belly and mounted onto the horse’s back on the other side before leaping off the horse to kneel at the ground as he cried out loudly, "Your soldier w.a.n.g Jian! Paying his respects to your Majesty!"
Once again everyone cheered deafeningly, pus.h.i.+ng the whole atmosphere into a high.
Lu Buwei and the rest of the people on the platform, including Wu Yingyuan and Tao Fang who were full of confidence for Xiang Shaolong, started feeling a little shaken after seeing his astounding horsemans.h.i.+p. The confidence of Lu Buwei and the others who have not truly seen the ability of Xiang Shaolong were even more affected.
King Zhuangxiang revealed a look of surprise and kept nodding his head.
Because Zhu Ji has a special liking for Xiang Shaolong, she grabbed Xiao Pan’s hand anxiously only to realize Xiao Pan’s palm is sweating as well.
Everyone on Lord Yangquan’s platform looked ecstatic instead as if Xiang Shaolong’s defeat is a sure thing. w.a.n.g Jian stood up and looked at Xiang Shaolong.
At the same time Xiang Shaolong looked across with a smile and they saw each other directly.
Both of them revealed a look of surprise at the same time, both shocked at the other’s physique and charm.
This w.a.n.g Jian is indeed as Wu Yingyuan described, fair and delicate looking but it’s not enough to really describe him.
He’s only about half an inch shorter than Xiang Shaolong and he wore a red and black warrior’s outfit with an armor vest. His arms and shoulders were wide and his build robust, giving out a heroic air.
His nose is high with deep set eyes which looked unfathomable, his jet black hair combed into a small bun at the top and secured tightly with a red rope with its 2 ends dropping down to the back of his neck which made him appear even more powerful.
Xiang Shaolong was secretly admiring him and smiled in return, thinking that with such a capabilities, no wonder he could help Xiao Pan conquer the world and unite the 6 states in future.
w.a.n.g Jian saw that Xiang Shaolong looked friendly and his countenance relaxed as well and politely returned the greeting but his eyes was still filled with enmity.
At this point in time the attendant from the main platform read out the purpose of the duel this time and naturally at the same time offered encouragement to the contestants and emphasized the importance of maintaining good sportsmans.h.i.+p.
Towards the end, the attendant announced loudly, "The duel today will be split into 2 parts, with horse riding and archery first followed by swordplay."
Xiang Shaolong was secretly lamenting and thought that although he has improved greatly on his riding skills recently, but if he were to compare with w.a.n.g Jian, he won’t be able to catch up even if he goes back and train for a few more years.
w.a.n.g Jian accepted the orders loudly so Xiang Shaolong can only follow him and agree as well.
With a ‘whoos.h.!.+’, w.a.n.g Jian leapt up the horse in a graceful motion and rode off. When it looks as if he’s almost knocking into the spectators standing at the corner of the square, he pulled his horse back with a stand and the horse turned around gracefully and came to a sudden stop.
Naturally another round of applause and cheers sounded.
2 soldiers took out a target board from the side of the square and placed it right in the middle of the broad square.
At this time Lu Buwei ordered his man to lead Jifeng out. Xiang Shaolong smiled calmly and jumped up the horse’s back from its rump and clasped his legs around the horse’s belly. Jifeng galloped around the square with astonis.h.i.+ng speed and came to another corner of the square and they also received many cheers.
w.a.n.g Jian took out his steel bow from the side of his saddle and held it high above his head, which immediately caused another uproar of admiration.
Xiang Shaolong knows that he is very confident and was prepared to display his archery skill. He recollected his feelings and shouted to w.a.n.g Jian from afar, "How can a still