"If that is the case, then this old servant shall immediately have someone prepare suitable attire for Lord Li. Given his imposing physique, if he were to wear the clothes of a palace maiden, I imagine it would present a unique charm!"
Seeing the Emperor's pleasure, Tong Guan said with a smile.
"You are all too preoccupied with your affairs. If you wish to compete, then compete. Speak less nonsense!"
Even though the competition had not yet begun, these officials of the Song Dynasty were already preparing the punishments for their victory.
Furthermore, the expressions on their faces were increasingly lewd. Even with Li Shanqing's good temper, he couldn't help but feel a bit provoked at this moment.
"Hahahaha! Since Lord Li is impatient to perform his dance for everyone, then hurry and make your preparations!"
Liang Shicheng said with a cold laugh, waving his hand. The palace maids and eunuchs standing nearby immediately began to busy themselves.
Looking at Han Mo, who remained composed, both Mei Yaochen and Liu Xingbang could only feel inferior.
Tonight, the limelight for both of them would be completely overshadowed by Han Mo, the top scholar. If Han Mo were to win tonight, it wouldn't just be the two of them; even all the new scholars combined would not shine as brightly as Han Mo alone.
"Fetch my bow!"
Seeing that their preparations were nearly complete, Li Shanqing said with a cold smile, instructing the guards by his side.
Soon, someone brought forth a bow of ancient and simple design.
The moment he saw this bow, Zhe Kucun's expression changed noticeably.
Compared to ordinary bows and arrows, the bowstring of this bow was clearly much thicker.
As an expert of his caliber, he could recognize that the bowstring was made from four strands of bull tendon twisted together.
Even without physically testing it, relying solely on his experience, he could tell that this was at least a three-stone bow.
According to the current standards for selecting soldiers in the imperial court, being able to draw a six-dou bow would qualify one for the Upper Four Armies.
If this fellow could truly draw a three-stone bow, then Han Mo's victory tonight might not be an easy feat.
"Your Majesty, esteemed ministers, this bow is truly too soft. Are there any with stronger draw weight?"
While he was worrying, Han Mo also reached out and took a two-stone bow specially brought by Liang Shicheng.
"This bow already has a draw weight of two stones, and it's still too soft?"
Liang Shicheng was taken aback, looking at Han Mo with some suspicion.
"Thank you, Grand Commandant. This bow is indeed a bit soft!"
As Han Mo spoke, he casually drew the bow in his hand into a full moon.
"I recall that the palace still has a Treasure Eagle Bow used by the founding emperor. However, that bow is a five-stone bow. Can you draw it?"
Even Zhao Ji did not expect that this new top scholar would possess such strength.
However, now was truly a time to bring glory. He immediately became interested.
"This humble subject is willing to try!"
Upon hearing Zhao Ji's words, Han Mo's face immediately showed a hint of joy, and he cupped his hands towards Zhao Ji again.
This was not Han Mo being boastful. As a seasoned coach, Han Mo understood the importance of psychological warfare for competitors better than anyone.
Even Sun Tzu's Art of War states that a good strategist subdues the enemy without fighting. If he could completely overwhelm Li Shanqing psychologically before the competition, wouldn't his chances of winning be even greater?
As Han Mo had predicted, Li Shanqing's lips twitched involuntarily upon hearing the words "five-stone bow."
This young man looks so refined and gentle; where did he get such strength?
If the occasion were not inappropriate, he truly wished he could have this young man arrested and his stomach cut open to see what he ate to grow up.
He had originally intended to boast about the three-stone bow in his hands, but after witnessing Han Mo's display, if he were to boast now, it would only invite ridicule.
"Hahahaha! Guards, fetch the Treasure Eagle Bow used by the founding emperor for me!"
Seeing Li Shanqing's face as dark as the bottom of a pot, Zhao Ji triumphantly instructed the eunuchs behind him.
Seeing the Emperor so pleased today, none of the eunuchs dared to delay. In less than fifteen minutes, a young eunuch walked up to the Emperor, carrying a long wooden box.
"If you can draw this bow, then I shall lend it to you today!"
As Zhao Ji spoke, he personally opened the wooden box and took out a vermilion treasure bow.
Han Mo licked his lips, then strode forward, bending his body slightly, and took the Treasure Eagle Bow from Zhao Ji's hand.
The moment the bow was in his hand, he immediately felt its weight.
The feeling of perfect harmony instantly made Han Mo fond of this bow.
After flexing his arms again, Han Mo took a deep breath, exerted force with both his arms, and drew the bow to half-draw.
"Good!"
Even Emperor Zhao Ji couldn't help but exclaim his approval.
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Han Mo took another half-step forward with his left foot, using the strength of his waist to exert further force.
With a grating creak, this strong bow, which had been silent in the palace since the ascension of Emperor Taizu, was finally drawn once more by someone.
With the bow in hand, Han Mo's demeanor became infused with an indescribable aura.
"Mere barbarians, daring to bark like mad dogs before the Son of Heaven of our Great Song. Come and fight!"
As Han Mo spoke, he turned directly and, from ten paces away, loosed the bowstring towards Li Shanqing.
"Humph—"
The power of this bow was immense. Even though Han Mo had no arrow in hand, the mere rush of air from the released bowstring caused Li Shanqing's face to sting.
"Beat the drums!"
Even Zhao Ji had not expected Han Mo to make such a provocative move.
However, regardless of the reason, Han Mo's actions had indeed greatly boosted his prestige.
No matter how incompetent Zhao Ji, the Son of Heaven of the Great Song, was, seeing his newly appointed scholar not only stand his ground but completely dominate a foreign envoy in terms of aura, he couldn't help but straighten his back.
"Dong—Dong—Dong—"
With the muffled sound of drums, Han Mo laughed heartily, reached into the nearby quiver, selected an arrow, drew his bow, nocked the arrow, and aimed directly at the target thirty paces away.
Seeing that Han Mo had already begun, Li Shanqing naturally would not be outdone.
When Han Mo had pointed at him just moments ago, for an instant, he felt as though the person standing opposite him was not a frail Song Dynasty youth, but rather a ferocious beast ready to devour him!
However, he quickly composed himself and directly drew his bow to aim.
"Whoosh—"