The next day, just as Liang Jiaotou had said, they ran half of the laps and finished early. It wasn't even time for lunch yet.
Then, all the recruits were brought to the training field.
The training field next to the Liangzhou Guard Station was huge. It was probably because there was a large open field at the foot of the mountain that could accommodate everyone. He Yan looked around and thought that this was indeed a good place to train. It was noon and the sun was high up in the sky. There wasn't even a trace of wind. The flags on the high platform were stuck to the flagpoles, making the recruits look listless from the sun.
"From today onwards, you will begin weapon training." Chief Instructor Shen slammed his long spear on the ground. Everyone was shocked and looked at him attentively.
"Do you see that open field?" Shen Han pointed his long spear to the north.
Next to the open field near the weapon rack, there were dozens of crossbows in rows, staring at them aggressively. A hundred steps in front of the crossbows, there were arrow targets neatly arranged.
"From today onwards, all of you will start learning how to use the bow!" Chief Instructor Shen ordered. The following days were once again packed with students.
For a moment, everyone didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Wow! Archery is my favorite! "Xiao Mai was probably the happiest." Brother, it's our turn to show off! "
He Yan asked Shi Tou, "The bows you use for hunting aren't this heavy, right?"
Shi Tou looked at the crossbow for a while and shook his head. "No, it's lighter than this. It's also not made from cow horns. I made it from bamboo."
"It's pretty much the same," Xiao Mai said happily. Suddenly, she thought of something and asked He Yan, "A He Ge, can we borrow this bow to hunt rabbits in the mountains?"
He Yan: "… Train hard, don't dream about it."
As usual, the recruits were divided into teams. Each team was led by the head instructor to practice crossbow. The head instructor demonstrated first. He pulled the bow and released an arrow. The arrow flew into the middle of the target with a "whoosh" sound. It was very firm.
The recruits burst into cheers, and the head instructor had a pleased expression on his face.
He Yan could not help but praise him in his heart. Liang Ping was not a fake. He was really capable. Such a person would be an expert on the battlefield.
The soldiers in the barracks were all very excited and eager to give it a try. One after another, they came up to test the bows. Some people were born with great strength and could draw their bows to the fullest. Although they couldn't shoot accurately, they could shoot far. Some of them had already touched a bow and arrow before, so they were more familiar with the posture. Most of the recruits had strength but no accuracy. Their arrows were crooked, and before the arrows could reach the target, they would break in midair and fall to the ground.
After all, he had drawn his bow and shot an arrow.
Hong Shan also went up to try. He was born strong and could draw the bow well, but his accuracy was not good. He fell down when he reached the edge of the target. He didn't think much of it and even felt very satisfied. He nodded and said, "Not bad, not bad."
Shi Tou and Xiao Mai followed closely behind. Shi Tou's hand strength was steadier and stronger. The arrow flew out of his hand with a "whoosh" sound and did not hit the target. Although it did not hit the target, it was still in the middle.
Liang Jiaotou looked at him in surprise and asked, "What's your name? Have you touched a bow before? "
"My name is Zhong Shi Tou. I used to be a hunter," Shi Tou said in a deep voice.
"No wonder." Liang Ping nodded with satisfaction. He was naturally happy that there was a good seedling in the team.
Xiao Mai went up to him and said, "My name is Zhong Xiao Mai. I'm his younger brother. I used to be a hunter too!"
"Oh?" Liang Jiaotou was a little expectant. He said, "Why don't you try?"
Xiao Mai followed Shi Tou's example and pulled the bow. However, this time, he did not have his big brother's impressive ability. The arrow he shot just happened to miss the target.
Liang Ping was speechless.
Xiao Mai rubbed his nose and stepped back resentfully.
He Yan was a little amused. Just as she was thinking about whether she should give it a try, someone walked out faster than her.
"Whoa," Hong Shan whispered beside He Yan, "It's him."
It was Wang Ba. They didn't notice that Wang Ba was actually a soldier under Liang Jiaotou. He walked forward, rolled up his sleeves to his elbows, spat twice on his palms, and picked up the bow.
He Yan looked at him. His arms were very tight, and she could vaguely see his strong honey-colored skin. He was a very strong person. Wang Ba was not in a hurry to shoot the arrow like the other recruits. He took a deep breath and aimed at the center of the target.
"This way …" He Yan calculated in his heart. It was probably not his first time using a bow. Like Shi Tou, he was a good archer who often touched the bow.
Finally, the taut bowstring let out a clanging sound, and the arrow went straight to the center of the target. Everyone only saw a white light flash in front of their eyes, and then, the grass target in front of them was hit by the force of the arrow, and fell to the ground with a bang.
The arrow did not hit the center of the target. Only a little bit of the arrow feather was exposed. Not only did the arrow penetrate the grass target, but it also brought the target down.
He Yan could not help but sigh in his heart. This was a very amazing arrow. Wang Ba was strong and steady. His aim was good, and he could keep his composure. It was very rare. Liang Jiaotou looked at Wang Ba with a strange gaze. In this batch of recruits, there was Shi Tou Zhong and Wang Ba. They were really good at crossbows.
Wang Ba put away his bow. He did not immediately walk away. Instead, he walked in front of He Yan in two steps. The scar-faced man crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked at He Yan with a gloating expression. He said, "It's your turn."
It would have been better if he did not say that. Once he said that, many people around them looked at He Yan. Facing Wang Ba's provocative gaze, He Yan walked forward.
The bow was a high-quality horn bow. It was very smooth to the touch. It had probably been used countless times in the past. There were traces of it. He Yan touched it bit by bit. His time in the army suddenly appeared in front of his eyes. The last time she used a crossbow was when she was still in the "General Feihong".
Many years had passed in a flash.
Liang Ping looked at He Yan with a strange expression.
He knew that a crossbow was different from other weapons. It required a lot of hand strength. Judging from He Yan's physique and previous performance, he would not be able to perform well. But … this was a very hardworking recruit. People always looked forward to the unknown. Liang Ping was also very conflicted.
"Why are you touching it? Don't waste other people's time." Wang Ba sneered. "Why don't you show us your superb archery skills?"
He Yan picked up the bow and put his fingers on the arrow.
After a moment, he put down the bow.
"What does A He Ge mean?" Xiao Mai asked, puzzled. Why did he put down the bow when he had not started to draw it? Was there something wrong?
"Why aren't you moving?" Wang Ba was dissatisfied. "Move it!"
"No need." He Yan looked calm. "I can't draw this bow."