My Cultivation Starting from Archery

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Commanding soldiers?n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Chen Sansi wasn't too surprised.

Even riding a horse would have a proficiency level, so it wasn't strange that commanding soldiers had one as well.

Perhaps previously, because he was just a small flag with too few people under him, he hadn't met the activation conditions for this skill.

It seemed that in the days to come, there would be one more thing to be busy with.

Archery, horse control, martial arts, reading, commanding soldiers…

It's a bit overwhelming.

But having many skills does not burden one.

Since he had chosen to join the army, he naturally had to learn to lead troops in battle and not just be a dead soldier who charged into enemy lines.

Chen Sansi finished counting the number of people in the Martial Arts Arena.

A total of one hundred and fifteen.

That was a few more than the full quota managed by Households.

And most of them were young.

Like Wu Da, who was only sixteen.

There were also middle-aged men like Zhao Qiao, but not many.

Chen Sansi had a photographic memory, firmly imprinting each face and corresponding name in his mind.

He clasped his fists and said, "Thanks to everyone's kind support, willing to follow me; from now on, we are brothers. You can get to know each other first, and then go home and get ready. Starting tomorrow, I'll personally teach you martial arts."

…

Central Army Camp.

"Sir, this shouldn't be allowed."

Luo Dongquan watched the scene at the Martial Arts Arena from a distance: "These people came for that kid, and now they're all under his command. Isn't this the equivalent of setting up an independent power base within the Households?"

"Old Luo, do you think I'm being too indulgent with Chen Sansi?"

Xiang Tingchun poured tea for himself from a purple sand tea pot, his voice devoid of any agitation: "Think about it, why am I doing this?"

"You value talent," Luo Dongquan had to concede: "This boy indeed has exceptional natural talent, and his future is boundless."

"Value talent? Haha."

Xiang Tingchun couldn't help but laugh: "What use is my valuing talent, when come spring, he flies up to the branch and becomes a phoenix, what ties will he still have to me?"

Luo Dongquan bowed his head: "Please enlighten me, sir!"

"You just mentioned being worried about him having his own hilltop?"

Xiang Tingchun looked at the villagers on the Martial Arts Arena, who couldn't even line up properly: "Do you think after a few months, how many of them will still be standing here?"

"I understand," Luo Dongquan said with realization: "Sir is winning people's hearts.

"This way, they will willingly go to their deaths.

"Even if that kid is eligible for Selected Point, according to the Governor Mansion's way of doing things, they won't let him leave before the battle. So, he might very well die on the battlefield too."

Xiang Tingchun said sternly: "Glad you understand.

"So there is no need for you to continue holding a grudge against him over the Selected Point matter.

"If he is still alive after next year's campaign, and you have the guts, I won't interfere with whatever you want to do.

"But right now, there are a lot of situations we need to deal with."

Xiang Tingchun said in a grave tone: "I've received news that the new-appointed Magistrate is recommended by Elder Yan, handpicked by the Emperor."

"Handpicked?"

Luo Dongquan understood the implication.

A mere seventh-rank Magistrate doesn't need to be handpicked unless something big is about to happen in the place he's appointed.

Xiang Tingchun scoffed: "And accompanying the Magistrate is the Magistrate of the larger region."

"For the sake of the Song Family?"

Luo Dongquan asked: "Could this cause trouble?"

"We all serve the Crown Prince; what can he do to me? At most, he can just throw a fit," Xiang Tingchun said with a resigned sigh: "The Emperor, the Crown Prince, the Governor Mansion, the powers of three sides meet here in our small Po Yang County, even I don't know what will happen next. Old Luo, you will have to offer me more support."

"Rest assured, sir, I am at your command at all times."

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On the ancient road the western wind sweeps past, and stallions gallop as the sunset casts a red glow and the day's light fades.

Upon the seemingly endless official road, two red-maned stallions race—one before the other. Leading is a young woman, followed closely by a fair-faced young man, both around eighteen or nineteen.

Clad in a tight-fitting red dress, the woman's delicate hands pull on the reins, her slender waist sashaying with a saber slung at her side. Her natural beauty is framed by a halo of clouds, her flawless complexion speaks the language of flowers, and although her hair is styled elegantly, an air of valor emanates from her.

"Sister."

The young man trailing behind, equally handsome, carries a long spear and a bow and arrow on his back. He yawns and says, "Why do we meddle in the affairs of Selected Point? For a mere Po Yang County town, is it worth it for us to traverse mountains and rivers?"

"As closed-door disciples, should we not be prudent?"

The woman spoke with an earnest tone, her voice cool and serene, "Moreover, we have other tasks at hand."

"Military deployment?"

The young man sighed, "This affair clearly smells of the Crown Prince's doing, and it's unstoppable—"

"Father had clearly promised that after the barbarian conflicts ended, he would return to his fields. Yet they still refuse to wait.

"Over the years, they've been planting their own generals everywhere, even sent a supervisor to Liangzhou, and have stuffed many of their people into the Eight Camps.

"What's most detestable is the eldest apprentice brother..."

"Sister, for their Cao Family's empire, how many of our Sun family have died over the years? Big brother, second brother, and..."

"It's not just for Selected Point."

Sun Li's eyes gleamed with profound depth, "There are other matters we need to investigate."

"Investigate what? Why didn't father tell me?"

"Would it be of any use if he told you?"

"..."

Sun Li noticed the sudden quiet behind her, and slowed down her pace to look back.

The young man had, at some unknown moment, reined in his horse and silently raised a three-stone heavy bow, aiming towards a poplar grove flanking the official road.

On a patch of open ground about seventy paces away, a hare was nibbling at the grass.

He pulled the bowstring taut as a full moon, his gaze determined and his posture perfect. After aiming carefully and finding the right moment, he suddenly released his fingers.

The arrow whistled through the air with imposing force!

A loud "thwack" rang out as the arrow skewed off course, striking the trunk of a poplar tree half a meter away from the hare.

The hare glanced at the arrow shaft, then at him, and continued to graze.

"?"

Enraged, the young man drew another arrow and let it fly.

This time, the arrow simply vanished without a trace, nowhere to be seen, a grievous miss.

"This is too much!"

The young man stowed his bow, took up his spear, and spurred his horse into a gallop, charging straight into the poplar grove.

Only then did the rabbit realize the danger. It tried to flee but it was too late.

"Hiss—"

With a spear thrust, the young man pierced the rabbit, lifting its body high with satisfaction: "Got it!"

"Sun Buqi!"

The woman in red closed her eyes, biting down on her silver teeth, "If you truly don't wish to go, then go back to Liangzhou by yourself." Your adventure continues at empire

"Sister, don't be mad. I just couldn't resist hunting when the opportunity arose. I'm ready to leave now."

Sun Buqi, with a playful smile, carefully stowed the rabbit and returned to the official road.

"You spend all day hunting and shooting birds, what a sight."

Sun Li chided him as if she were frustrated with his refusal to meet her expectations, "With the way you act, what will become of the Eight Camps in the future?"

"Sister, I never once imagined taking over the Eight Great Camps!"

Sun Buqi hastily responded, "Wouldn't it be lovely to go back to our old home and wait for father to lay down his arms and return to farming? Are you truly prepared to continue serving the Old Emperor?"

Sun Li fell silent, her heart burdened with worry.

Retire from military service and return to civilian life?

Anyone could do so, except for their family.

Without someone continuing to wield military power in the army, did they truly believe the Old Emperor would let the Sun family land safely?

Such naivety...

The siblings continued their journey.

Finally, before nightfall, they could vaguely see a small city emerging at the end of their line of sight.

Po Yang County town, they had arrived.

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