if he shot the arrow at Zhou Jin’s back he would probably kill him. As he had no enmity towards Zhou Jin he decided to shoot an arrow and hit him in some non-vital spot. In his left hand he held the bow as firmly as a mountain while in his right hand he held the arrow as lightly as though he carried a baby. So pulling his bowstring to its full extent until the bow was like a full moon in shape, he shot the arrow which flew with the speed of a falling star, and struck Zhou Jin’s shoulder. This occurred much quicker than it takes us to describe it. Zhou Jin fell off his horse and the animal being free galloped off to the back of the inspection platform. A number of soldiers came forward to help Zhou Jin to get up.
Grand Secretary Liang was again much pleased at seeing this, and summoning his adjutant he dictated an order that Yang Zhi take the rank and position of Zhou Jin. Yang Zhi heard this but did not allow his feelings to be visible in his face. He dismounted and approaching the inspection platform saluted, and offered thanks for his promotion.
Just then however a man ascended the steps leading to the inspection platform on the left side, and called out, “You need not offer thanks for your promotion. I will have a couple of bouts with you.”
Yang Zhi saw that the man was over seven feet in height; had a round face with large ears; a broad and square shaped mouth; with bushy side whiskers; a general austere, dignified, and handsome appearance. Coming before the Grand Secretary he called out, “Sir, Zhou Jin has evidently not quite recovered from a sickness, and not being in the best of health, has been defeated by Yang Zhi. Though I have no particular ability, yet I am quite willing to compete with Yang Zhi. If Yang Zhi defeats me even only slightly then I shall be quite willing to let him take my rank and position instead of Zhou Jin’s. Even if he kills me it won’t matter.”
Grand Secretary Liang recognized the man as Captain Suo Chao of the headquarters at the Northern Capital, Daming. He had a fiery disposition, and would invariably fought for the honor of the state, and even killed men so that everybody called him “The Urgent Vanguard.”
General Li Cheng upon hearing the man make this statement left the inspection platform, and going round to the front of it addressed the Grand Secretary, “Sir, Yang Zhi was previously an officer in the Imperial Guard and therefore it is only to be expected that his skill in military sports would be better than that of Zhou Jin. I think it would be a good idea if Yang Zhi now contested with Captain Suo, and then we should see exactly who is the better man.”
Grand Secretary Liang thought the matter over. He certainly wished to give Yang Zhi an officer’s commission, but as so many were opposed to that, he would wait until Yang Zhi had defeated Suo Chao, so that nobody could then raise any objection even if Suo Chao was killed. So he summoned Yang Zhi and asked him, “Would you care to compete against Suo Chao in the military sports?”
Yang Zhi replied, “Sir, if you give me an order I must obey it.”
Liang said, “In that case you had better go behind this platform, and put on your full armor. Also tell the armorer to accompany you and give you whatever you require in the way of accouterment. You can also take my warhorse, and ride it. Now, be careful, and do not treat your opponent too lightly.”
Yang Zhi expressed his thanks, and retired to put on his armor, etc.
General Li Cheng went and spoke to Suo Chao, “You, of course, cannot be compared to anyone else. Zhou Jin was a pupil of yours, but he has just been defeated by Yang Zhi. If you be also only slightly defeated by Yang Zhi he will make nothing of all the officers at Daming, I will lend you my superb war horse, and also a suit of armor. I hope that you will take care, as I do not want a man with your valor to be defeated.”
Suo Chao thanked him, and then went off to dress.
Grand Secretary Liang got up, and walked to the front of the inspection platform near the railings, and there the attendants brought his chair. He also told the umbrella bearers to open there the large official umbrella made of brown gauze, with a silver button on top, and with three fringes round to make it cool on hot days, and they were to hold it aloft behind his chair. On both sides of him the officers took their positions in two ranks. He then instructed the officer in charge to wave the red flag as a signal that the sports were to proceed. The gongs and drums on both sides were beaten, so that they gave a low rolling sound like thunder. In the center of the parade ground two cannons were fired off. Upon this signal Suo Chao galloped to the parade ground, and took up his position at the foot of the flagstaff near the cannons, surrounded by the soldiers on parade. Yang Zhi also galloped forward, and took his position behind the flag on the opposite side.
On the inspection platform the yellow flag was waved, and upon this all the drums again rolled, and the troops cheered. After that there was absolute silence. A gong was now sounded, and a white flag was hoisted up on a pole on the inspection platform. The officers stood to attention, and there was not a single word spoken after this. A purple flag was now waved on the platform, and the drums rolled again for the third and last time upon which Suo Chao left his position, and rode in front of the platform where he took his arms, and certainly gave the audience the impression that he was a valiant warrior. On his head he wore a steel helmet with a lion design on it, and a large red tassel hanging down at the back. His body was covered by armor in the form of iron leaves linked together; round his waist was a silk belt with a buckle with a tiger’s head design in gold; on his breast and also on his back was a bronze protecting mirror; his outer garment was of red silk with a design of florid circles all over it; on each side there hung a green silk sash; his big riding boots had strips of leather on them in a slanting direction; a bow was at his left side, and a quiver with arrows on his right; in his hand was a large battle-axe; and he was riding the trained war horse, as white as snow, belonging to General Li Cheng.
From the other side Yang Zhi galloped to the front of the platform, where he reined in his horse, with a spear in his hand, and with a very bold appearance. He was wearing a fine steel helmet which glittered in the sun, and had a green tassel hanging down at the back; his armor was made up of iron in the form of plum blossoms and leaves of the elm tree all linked together; his silk sash was of red color; on his breast and back were two protecting metal mirrors; his outer coat was of white silk; and holding it in position was a belt of purple silken texture—his small boots were of undyed leather; at his side was a bow, and also a quiver full of arrows; in his hands he carried a heavy steel spear, and he was riding the Grand Secretary’s red war horse which was capable of galloping about three hundred li against the wind.
The troops and officers on both sides approved of both combatants in whispers, and although they did not yet exhibit their military skill, yet their grand majestic appearance had already made a bold impression.
On the south side of the parade ground an officer now waved a flag with the character “Ling”58 in gold, and riding up on his horse called out, “His Excellency orders both of you to exercise great care. Whoever of you is defeated will have to suffer the punishment, and the one who wins will be handsomely rewarded.”
The two combatants after receiving this order pressed their horses to the center of the parade ground, where they passed each other backwards and forwards several times, holding their arms ready in their hands, and watching for a chance of dealing a serious blow. Suo Chao lost his temper and brandishing his battle-axe challenged Yang Zhi to fight. But Yang Zhi was not afraid of this, and holding his spear in both hands he also charged towards Suo Chao. They met in front of the inspection platform, and there they both used their utmost skill. Backwards and forwards they went; lunging, slashing, and parrying and each time they met there was a general whirl of their arms and the legs of their horses. After more than fifty bouts neither of them had either won or lost.
Grand Secretary Liang was lost in admiration as he watched this marvelous display. The officers kept up a general round of applause. Among the troops on parade
