The green carpet is one of the charms of the prairie.
Looking around, everything is green and full of vitality.
But who could have imagined that in such a lush scenery, there was danger of blood and killing everywhere.
Recently, the Khitans have been in trouble, especially the herdsmen in the Shangjing area, who are even more terrified of wolves.
For some unknown reason, tens of thousands of ferocious wolves swarmed in together as if they had made an appointment, and roamed around Shangjing, attacking the herdsmen's cattle and sheep everywhere.
Regardless of the losses of cattle and sheep, the number of herdsmen who were bitten and disabled by the ferocious wolves alone reached tens of thousands. This can be regarded as an unprecedented and bizarre event in the records of Khitan history.
It was in such an atmosphere that a group of Khitan teenagers gathered together.
The cause, naturally, was that the brothers Yelu Duozhen and Yelu Xianechi, along with Qian Muran, Wenlan and Yangguang, challenged Yelu Abaoji of the Yishi tribe, Yelu Yuwen of the Tulubu tribe, and Han Zhigu, a Han Chinese who was sinicized by the Khitan.
These young men would get together and hunt in the pastures.
"Duozhen, you brothers, don't you just want to compete with us in archery?" Chuolizhi, who was riding his horse, suddenly said, "Instead of competing in shooting deer, roe deer, and other prey that won't resist, we might as well shoot wolves."
"Shoot wolves?" The brothers Yelu Duozhen and Yelu Xianechi were stunned when they heard this.
It's no wonder they were surprised. Since ancient times, wolves have been sacred creatures on the grasslands. Of course, they are also the natural enemies of grassland herdsmen. Grassland people always have very complicated feelings towards wolves, especially warriors.
When they heard that they were going to shoot wolves, everyone was stunned.
After looking around at the expressions of the people, Chuoli just raised his head and said solemnly: "Yes, it is Shooting Wolf."
"I don't know when it started, but in addition to natural disasters, wolves suddenly appeared on the grasslands. About two or three years ago, herders who were nomadic near the Gobi Desert were suddenly attacked by packs of ferocious wolves."
"These vicious wolves seem to be fighting with herders. They not only attack cattle and sheep, but also herders. Now, the wolf problem has spread to our tribe."
"What Chuolizhi said is absolutely right." Han Zhigu quickly agreed, "Just this July, a large number of wolves migrated eastward collectively, and the areas around Huangshui and Tuhe were severely affected. Many herdsmen were bitten and a large number of cattle and sheep were killed."
When everyone heard this, their expressions immediately became solemn; of course, Qian Muran, Wen Lan and the other three remained indifferent. What did the Khitan people's suffering from wolves have to do with them? The three of them had no good feelings towards these Northern Di people.
If it weren't for the mission, they wouldn't bother to associate with these bald boys.
"It's unbelievable that such a thing actually exists."
"However, if we can help our tribesmen do something good besides the competition, why not do it?" Yelu Yuwen of the Tulubu tribe thought for a moment and said, "Besides, as Chuolizhi said, there is no point in shooting prey that won't resist. It's not as interesting as shooting wolves."
"Hmph, let's shoot the wolves, who's afraid of who? The men of our Sixth Academy have no objection either." Yelu Duozhen said in a sonorous voice.
"That's right, the Sixth Court is afraid of no one, so let's go shoot the wolves." Yelu Xianechi also quickly agreed.
After a few words of discussion, they readily set a goal and unanimously agreed to go shoot the wolf. At this moment, Qian Muran's beautiful eyes suddenly turned, and she immediately suggested: "Everyone, we are all young heroes of the Khitan tribe. Whether it is shooting a deer or a wolf, there must be a prize."
"A simple competition like this is so boring."
"Yeah, that's good." Upon hearing the prize, Yelu Xianechi became excited and quickly agreed.
"Well, it's a good omen. It's good to have a good omen." Wenlan also said excitedly. Countless suckling pigs, roasted lamb legs and the like instantly emerged in her mind.
"Well, it's best to be edible." The sunlight is more direct, and the dreamy eyes are no less beautiful than Wenlan's.
"Hmm" Chuli only heard the words and looked at Qian Muran in surprise.
He didn't mind adding a prize to the competition; but the fact that this prize was proposed by a young Han Chinese girl did make him a little suspicious.
However, when he saw the young girl's dirty and slovenly appearance and her two crystal clear snots like noodles, the historical Emperor Taizu of Liao quickly turned his head away and no longer had the courage to look at her a second time.
After one look, he almost vomited out last night's supper. How could he possibly take a second look? Brother Yelu Duozhen, where did you find such a top-notch admirer? You couldn't have picked him up from a beggar, right? He just complained inwardly.
However, before he could wake up from his inner complaints, he heard a voice as crisp as a sweet pear, anxiously and sweetly saying: "In my opinion, the loser should prepare a roast suckling pig and give it to the winner; this way, everyone can eat it, isn't it wonderful?"
The first person who mentioned food was obviously none other than Wenlan Yangguang, whose gluttony was no less than that of Wenlan. The suggestion just now was made by her.
Before anyone else could respond to her proposal, Wen Lan glanced at Yang Guang with disdain and said unhappily, "How can a roast suckling pig be enough? Junior Sister, you are too unsophisticated."
"At least we need to add a roasted whole lamb, ten cans of salted honey rice, ten baskets of dried rice, and ten kilograms of milk tea. Only then will we have enough to eat."
"Oh, yes, senior sister is really thoughtful. We must have a roasted suckling pig, a whole roasted lamb, and various fruit teas." Upon hearing what Wenlan added, Yangguang's beautiful eyes lit up, and then shone brightly. She immediately nodded her head like a chicken pecking at rice and responded repeatedly.
What does it mean it’s settled? When Qian Muran heard the prize proposed by the two, she was so angry that she almost vomited blood. She really admired Yuchi Jin. With two such foodies by her side, she dared to entrust them with such an important task. How confident she must be.
Even Chuolizhi, Yeluduozhen and others kept their eyes on these two. Although they had seen greedy people, they had never seen such greedy people. Apart from eating, the only thing left in their world was playing.
Not daring to let them continue to make noise, otherwise who knows what they will talk about, Qian Muran quickly said: "I heard that Zhu Ning'er, the sister of Huaihua General Zhu Li, is under house arrest in Shangjing. If you lose, why don't you take us to pay a visit to this lady?"
"See Zhu Ning'er?" Chueli couldn't help but frowned when he heard the words.
Although Zhu Ning'er was in his uncle's camp, it would not be a big problem for him to go and see her.
But it would be a bit difficult to bring others in. After all, Zhu Ning'er is an important figure now. This lady is not only related to this firewood-collecting event, but also to the crouching tiger in the northern border of the Tang Dynasty. How could she be an ordinary person? She would meet him whenever she met him.
"Why, Chuoli can't do it?" Yelu Duozhen couldn't help but provoke Chuoli when he saw that Chuoli was just frowning.
No matter whether it was the people from their six courtyards or the young heroes from other tribes, almost all the Khitan youths who came to participate in this event wanted to meet Zhu Ning'er.
The main reason was that Zhu Ning'er was the biggest "prize" of the event, and anyone who wanted to marry her had to win the first place in the event, which aroused the curiosity of countless Khitan teenagers.
What kind of lady is she that is worth the entire Khitan clan mobilizing such a large force? These young men are already at an age of restlessness and curiosity, so how could they not want to see such a beautiful woman
"Hmph, is there anything impossible?" Provoked by Yelu Duozhen, Chuli snorted coldly and immediately agreed.
No matter how heroic he is or what achievements he has made in history, he is just a young man now. Young people are most afraid of being looked down upon by others, so Chulizhi certainly does not want to admit that he cannot do it.
However, he was not worried about losing. Given the skills of Yelu Duozhen, Yelu Yuwen, Han Zhigu and others, it would not be easy to defeat him.
"If I, Chuolizhi, lose, I will take you to visit Madam Zhu Ning'er; but what if you lose?" Chuolizhi did not want to suffer such a big risk, so he immediately challenged the others.
"I have a fine horse named White Crane. If we brothers cannot defeat you, we will give you our precious White Crane. How about it?" Yelu Duozhen said resolutely.
"Okay." Chueli's eyes lit up when he heard that and he responded immediately.
The White Crane was a priceless fine horse, purchased from a merchant from the Western Regions by the older generation heroes of the Sixth Academy at great expense. How could Chuolizhi not agree to bet on such a fine horse
"I have a precious bow named Wanliqiyunyan. You two should know how powerful it is. If anyone can defeat me, I am willing to give the bow to him." Yelu Yuwen of the Tulubu tribe also stated his bet very proudly.
... ...
The other Khitan teenagers told their bets one after another, and surprisingly, all of them were famous products.
"Okay, it's settled." With so many good things, how could Chue Li not be satisfied? He immediately agreed happily.
But at this moment, Qian Muran suddenly said, "I wonder if you guys would mind if a young lady like me participates in your competition?"
These words shocked several other Khitan teenagers. After hearing them, they all looked at her with slightly surprised expressions.
Facing the gazes of the crowd, Qian Muran was not afraid at all, and said calmly: "I traveled to the northern border. In addition to gaining knowledge, I also want to see the skills of the heroes of the various Khitan tribes."
"If I could compete with you all and understand your shortcomings, it would be a great blessing in life."
Before she could finish her words, Qian Muran suddenly took out an exquisite sachet from her body. Then, she took out a night-shining pearl as big as a longan from the sachet. The pearl was crystal clear and brilliant, and it was obvious that it was not an ordinary item.
She raised the Night Pearl and said calmly, "If I lose, this Night Pearl will be given to the winner. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Chuolizhi, Yelu Yuwen and others did not respond immediately, but looked at Yelu Duozhen and his brothers together. After all, these three Han girls were brought by their brothers, and no matter what, they had to ask for their brothers' opinions first.
"I have no problem. Madam Muran is a disciple of a great master from the Central Plains. I believe your archery and martial arts must be pretty good." Yelu Duozhen met the gazes of Chuolizhi and Yelu Yuwen and spoke out in support readily.
"Yes, these three ladies are also the nieces and uncles of the old immortal Haichan, so they are naturally qualified to compete with us." Yelu Xianechi also quickly agreed.
As for whether Ye Qianmuran and the other two were disciples of a master, to be honest, the two brothers didn’t really know; however, after all, these three were brought by them, so the two brothers naturally had to support them.
"Okay, I have no objection." Yelu Yuwen said indifferently.
"Well, Madam Muran has such a precious treasure. I, Chueli, don't think it makes sense to push such a good treasure away." Chueli said proudly as soon as he saw that the brothers Yelu Duozhen supported Qian Muran.