Chapter 156 Waiting for the Rabbit

Yuan Xi and the soldiers dug in the earth until nightfall, cooking several large pots of broth with the game they had hunted.

Initially, the soldiers were quite apprehensive, as Yuan Xi was now the governor of Zhuo County. However, seeing that Yuan Xi had no airs and invited them to eat together, the temptation of the game outweighed their restraint.

Yuan Xi held a wooden bowl, filled it with half a bowl of mixed grain rice from the pot, and poured a large spoonful of broth with minced meat on top.

He squatted on the ground, stirred the rice a few times with his wooden chopsticks, and the aroma immediately spread, causing the soldiers to swallow hard.

Sun Li stirred in the pot, fished out a bone, and shouted, "What are you staring at? If you don't start, there will be nothing left!"

Hearing this, the soldiers rushed forward.

The meat of the wild goose was actually very tough, and Yuan Xi had to chew it many times to swallow it. It was mixed with a bloody taste, and if it weren't for the taste of mixed grains masking it, it wouldn't be so delicious.

Although this kind of meal was far from comparable to the delicacies of Ye City, it was a rare opportunity to improve their diet for the soldiers.

After all, in the Han Dynasty, hunters who could hunt were much rarer than soldiers.

The cost of bows and arrows on the battlefield was actually quite high. Ordinary hunters, not like Yuan Xi, a member of a prominent family, either sharpened wood into arrows or used slingshots to hunt.

The "Spring and Autumn Annals of Wu and Yue" from the Eastern Han Dynasty records, "I have heard that the crossbow originated from the bow, and the bow originated from the slingshot. The slingshot began with ancient filial sons... Filial sons could not bear to see their parents eaten by birds and beasts, so they made slingshots to protect them, eliminating the harm of birds and beasts."

The bow that fired bullets was called a slingshot. Unlike modern slingshots, the slingshots of the Han Dynasty were in the shape of a bow, but the structure was slightly different. A bullet pad or double-string structure would be added to the bowstring.

The bullets used were mostly made of pottery clay. As long as they were not large prey or fast-flying raptors, skilled hunters could almost knock them unconscious or shoot them down.

Of course, for those who were not skilled, bullets were much more troublesome than arrows, and they might even hit their own hands.

However, bullets also had advantages over arrows, namely, they were better at preserving the complete fur of the prey, especially for animals with high fur prices such as sable and fox, this was even more important.

Sun Li was young and easier to get along with people. He quickly finished the rice in his bowl. Seeing that some soldiers were curious about the two bows he carried, he explained the difference between slingshots and bows.

As he spoke excitedly, he took out a bullet, placed it on the bow, and then pulled it. The bullet flew out suddenly, hitting a stone in the distance and causing it to roll several times, drawing cheers.

Sun Li said triumphantly, "This slingshot can be made by finding a piece of wood. It doesn't need a good bowstring. If you're afraid of trouble, go to the craftsmen in the city. A few dozen coins can make a usable one."

"Wouldn't it be convenient to hunt whatever game you want to eat then?"

The soldiers were moved and nodded repeatedly.

Although You Province was considered a bitterly cold place, it was not lacking in game.

Of course, these wild animals also damaged crops, which was also a very troublesome problem.

The excavated river channels and ditches could effectively prevent wild animals from approaching farmland. If soldiers used slingshots to hunt and guard the fields, the situation would be much better.

After Yuan Xi finished eating, he said goodbye to the soldiers and entered the city with Sun Li and others, finally feeling a little relieved.

In the past few days, he had always felt that someone was watching him, making his back feel a little cold.

He guessed that the other party had probably taken the bait, but the other party was very cautious. Now that he was surrounded by scouts, the other party would never show up easily.

Yuan Xi was a little impatient. He couldn't afford to wait any longer.

He said to Sun Li, "Tomorrow, you and I will go out of the city to hunt, without anyone else."

Hearing this, Sun Li opened his eyes wide in surprise: "Is Big Brother crazy?"

Yuan Xi smiled: "Are you afraid?"

Sun Li gritted his teeth and said, "I'm not afraid!"

"Big Brother dares to risk his life, how can I not dare!"

"Good!" Yuan Xi clapped his hands. "Tomorrow, let's see what abilities the other party has!"

The next day, Yuan Xi and Sun Li went out of the city to hunt for another day, but nothing happened until almost dark.

When Yuan Xi returned to the city, he even doubted himself, was anyone really watching him?

Tian Yu stood up. The two personal guards beside him asked in confusion, "General, why didn't you take action when there were so many opportunities today?"

Tian Yu remained silent. It wasn't that the other party had no flaws, but the flaws were too big, making him suspect that he would be counter-killed as soon as he made a move.

After all, the other party was the famous Fierce Tiger!

He gritted his teeth. He couldn't hesitate any longer, otherwise his mind would be worn away!

He would put an end to this assassination tomorrow!

The sky finally dawned. Yuan Xi, facing the morning light, rode out of the city gate with Sun Li.

If the other party didn't take action today, he would return to Beixin City. When attacking Yi Jing at that time, he could only kill Tian Yu.

In the morning, he and Sun Li shot and killed a few more rabbits, and came to a small stream along the way.

Yuan Xi squatted down, wanting to scoop water by the stream. Just as he bent down, three arrows whistled towards him from the forest!

Although Yuan Xi was prepared, the suddenness of the arrows still greatly exceeded his expectations.

He stumbled and fell to the ground. An arrow flew past his face, and the other two arrows pierced into his body with a thud.

Yuan Xi lay on the ground and screamed loudly. Sun Li was shocked and quickly protected Yuan Xi.

Tian Yu looked at it. His position was very safe, separated from the other party by a small stream. Even if the other party came to rescue, they would not be able to cross the stream for a while.

He drew his bow and aimed at Yuan Xi's leg on the ground.

Sun Li was prepared this time and blocked the arrow with his body. The arrowhead hit Sun Li's body, was blocked by the armor inside, and fell down.

Sun Li put his hand in his mouth and whistled, startling many birds in the forest.

Tian Yu's eyes narrowed. The personal guards were all wearing armor, so how could the Fierce Tiger not be wearing it?

The other party had already made a sound to signal. However, his personal guards had already searched. There were no Yuan troops within a few miles. He had to seize this fleeting opportunity!

Yuan Xi slowly sat up, pulled out the two arrows from his body, and said, "Do you have the guts to shoot arrows, but not the guts to show yourself?"

Tian Yu, carrying his bow, walked out of the forest and said across the stream, "Tian Yu, under Ji Hou, greets the Fierce Tiger."

Yuan Xi slowly got up and smiled at Tian Yu, "I have long heard of Brother Guo Rang's great name. I heard that my elder brother also suffered a great loss under your hands."

"I am very curious, Brother Guo Rang, since you have decided to launch a sneak attack, why not continue?"

Tian Yu said in a deep voice, "This is the least bit of respect for the young master's risking his life alone."

"Although I hate you Yuan family very much, I admire you very much for being able to do this."

"But does the young master think that because of the name of the Fierce Tiger, I, Tian, cannot kill you?"

Yuan Xi thought that Tian Yu was so upright and smiled, "Brother Guo Rang, if you want to know, why don't you come over and meet me?"

Tian Yu said, "How can I fall into your trap!"

Yuan Xi smiled, "Since that's the case, then I'll come over!"

After saying that, he actually waded through the knee-deep stream, heading straight for Tian Yu!

This greatly exceeded Tian Yu's expectations. Did this Fierce Tiger have so much confidence in himself?

In that instant, he actually had the idea of retreating.

Without thinking, he drew his bow and aimed at Yuan Xi's face, but he heard the sound of a bowstring. Sun Li had already fired an arrow at Tian Yu first!

In the past few days, Tian Yu had seen that Yuan Xi's personal guard was young and inconspicuous among the scouts.

Today, Tian Yu saw him coming out with Yuan Xi and suspected whether this personal guard had any special abilities. But at this time, most of his mind was on Yuan Xi. When Sun Li fired the arrow, he suddenly realized that he had underestimated the other party!

In a hurry, he tilted his head to avoid it, but the arrow aimed at Yuan Xi had already lost its accuracy.

He was about to raise his bow, but he saw Sun Li firing three arrows in a row, shooting at three people. Tian Yu realized that Sun Li's archery was much stronger than when he had been spying on him these days!

He and the two personal guards had to dodge the arrows and temporarily retreat behind the tree. At this time, Yuan Xi was about to wade across the stream, holding the ring-pommel knife on his back in his hand.

Yuan Xi shouted, "Brother Guo Rang, fight me!"

"Let me see if you can compare to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei!"

Tian Yu secretly gritted his teeth. This Fierce Tiger was indeed worthy of his name. He actually had the courage to challenge himself. It seemed that the rumors of him defeating Liu, Guan, and Zhang were true!

He gritted his teeth, drew the long knife behind him, and walked out from behind the tree. But he heard a sound in his ear. Sun Li was still firing arrows to sneak attack him!

He was immediately angry: "I'm dueling with you, why is this personal guard still shooting me?"

Yuan Xi looked innocent, "What duel?"

"Ah?" Tian Yu was stunned: "Aren't you going to fight me?"

Yuan Xi nodded, "That's right, I'm fighting you, but I can't control others."

This time, Tian Yu really vomited blood, "Your martial arts are so high, why are you still using such despicable means?"

Yuan Xi sighed, "Brother Guo Rang, you're wrong."

"My martial arts are not high."

"I just don't want you to run away."

"Actually, I'm very scared now."

Tian Yu sneered. He knew that the Fierce Tiger in front of him was not only skilled in martial arts, but also insidious and cunning!

Just as he was about to speak, a shrill wind sounded.

Tian Yu suddenly lunged forward, and a long arrow flew past his arm.

But his subordinates were not so lucky. They were pierced through their right arms by two long arrows respectively, screaming in pain, and the bows also fell to the ground.

Tian Yu quickly turned around and saw a burly man with double halberds inserted into his back and carrying a long bow walking out slowly.

Tian Yu's eyes twitched. He recognized this person. It was Tai Shici, the commander of the separate troops stationed in Rong City!

When did he appear, and how did he touch his back?

Yuan Xi sighed, "Thank you, Ziyi."

Tai Shici said, "It's just sleeping in the cave for a few days, it's a small matter."

Tian Yu then understood that the other party had ambushed in advance!

He said hoarsely, "I don't understand, how would you know that I would take action here in these dozens of miles?"

Yuan Xi shook his head and said, "No, I don't know."

Tian Yu was stunned.

Yuan Xi solemnly raised a finger, "It's just that the place where Ziyi is hiding happens to be near you."

"In order to ambush you, I had people dig some caves in the middle of the night in advance, find some hiding places, and ambush people."

"My routes these days have been passing by these places nearby, to ensure that someone can come in time no matter when something happens."

"They haven't shown their faces since they hid in them. It's been several days now."

"If Brother Guo Rang had taken action in another place, you might have encountered Zhao Yun."

"Fortunately, Brother Guo Rang appeared today, otherwise their food should have been eaten up."

"Brother Guo Rang, guess how many people are ambushed in the places I passed by?"