I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 50 Learning Martial Arts

As dawn broke, Liu Shan donned his armor, slung a strong bow across his shoulder, and hung a quiver at his waist. He mounted his warhorse and, under the protection of Zhao Tong, headed towards the Archery Learning Mountain at the foot of Phoenix Mountain.

The facilities used for the monthly exams at the Imperial Academy are still preserved here, making it a good place to practice.

Liu Shan's archery and horsemanship skills became increasingly proficient, and he could shoot every arrow without missing its mark.

"happy!"

After reviewing many perfect exam papers last night, Liu Shan was in a good mood.

The training program was his culmination of hard work and also a talent pool for the future of Shu Han. As long as professional talents could be continuously cultivated, the Han Dynasty would have the hope of unifying the world.

"Zhao Tong, I heard that Zhang Bao got fifth place in equestrianism in this monthly exam, which is quite impressive."

Not only did the civil officials perform exceptionally well, but the military training classes also produced many promising talents in military affairs.

Their insights into military strategy and management are truly remarkable.

"Zhao Guang told me that Zhang Bao's horsemanship was originally outside the top twenty, but he made great strides in this assessment, completing all the test items in one go, putting considerable pressure on the candidates behind him."

Liu Shan put away his bow and casually picked up a long spear from the weapon rack.

"This young man is teachable. Among the younger generation of generals of our great Han Dynasty, there must be one like Zhang Bao."

"drive!"

Liu Shan gripped the horse's belly tightly with both feet, and the white horse, understanding its master's intention, neighed and galloped faster.

As he approached the scarecrow, Liu Shan aimed his spear and thrust it forward swiftly, striking the scarecrow's head hard.

"good!"

Zhao Tong shouted loudly.

Then, Liu Shan sheathed his spear and thrust it to the other side, piercing the scarecrow's body.

The white horse ran faster and faster, and Liu Shan had no time to adjust, sweeping away the third scarecrow in one fell swoop.

After several rounds, Liu Shan was already panting heavily from exhaustion.

Damn it, those military generals on TV seem to wield their spears so easily, but it's exhausting for me.

Does that mean that making hundreds of holes was all fake?

"Zhao Tong, what do you think of my marksmanship?"

Zhao Tong thought for a moment and then said without any hesitation, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, but I think it's very ordinary. Your Majesty probably hasn't learned any marksmanship and only knows how to use brute force."

"You're right, I really haven't learned it. Show me how you stab me a couple of times."

Liu Shan threw the spear in his hand over.

Zhao Tong caught the spear with one hand, reared upside down on his back, his legs shaking against the horse's belly, and said, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Tong, holding a long spear, seemed like a completely different person, imposing and with piercing eyes.

As the warhorse galloped, the spear flew from his hand, each thrust striking the scarecrow's vital points, without a single sweeping attack.

Zhao Tong's spear technique originated from Zhao Yun. The moves are elegant and graceful, and when wielded, they create specks of silver light, which are formed by sunlight reflecting off the spear tip.

"Zhao Tong, I wish to learn this spear technique. How long will it take to master it?"

Liu Shan felt a strong urge to try it.

Even though he was the emperor, if an assassin were to attempt to kill him, he would be hacked to death by the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Guards before he could even get close.

Having martial arts skills is always a good thing.

Zhao Tong hesitated upon hearing this.

"What, you won't?"

Zhao Tong said, "Your Majesty, this spear technique was taught to me by my father. If Your Majesty wishes to learn it, I will inform my father and teach you everything I know. However, spear techniques are extremely difficult to master, and Your Majesty is usually busy with state affairs, so I'm afraid you will not be able to achieve much."

It is said that one must practice for months, years, and years with swords and spears.

The marksmanship is unpredictable and difficult to defend against, which requires a long period of immersion to unleash its power.

These days, I can barely squeeze out a little time to practice archery on horseback, let alone have the energy to practice spearmanship.

"Then I am beyond saving?" Liu Shan sighed in disappointment.

If only there were machine guns in the time travel, I could just hold them and start shooting, instead of practicing my marksmanship.

The clatter of hooves approached, and a troop of cavalry galloped in from afar.

The leader was dressed in a suit of shiny silver armor, looking imposing.

"Your Majesty, my father has arrived," Zhao Tong called out.

Before long, Zhao Yun arrived, dismounted, and bowed.

"Your subject Zhao Yun pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Liu Shan said, "Uncle Zhao, no need for formalities. This isn't the imperial palace, there's no need to be so polite."

After Zhao Yun stood up, he said, "Your Majesty, you ordered me to monitor the movements of Gao Ding and Zhu Bao. The two met secretly last night. I wonder what they were plotting."

After the pacification of the south, Gao Ding and Zhu Bao entered the court as officials, but in reality, they were hostages.

Now that the Southern Region has been divided into seven prefectures, the two men fear that their power will be affected and want to return to the Southern Region to rebuild their strength.

"After I refused their request to return to the South, these two are still up to no good. It seems they are about to make a big move. Keep a close eye on them and don't let them return to the mountains."

"Anyone who defectes will be killed without exception."

In fact, Liu Shan wanted to kill the two men himself to eliminate any future troubles.

However, considering that they surrendered voluntarily, killing them would not satisfy the people and would also make many powerful families in the south fearful and rebel against the court. Therefore, they were sent to the court as hostages.

"Uncle Zhao, how long do you think I'll need to practice shooting?"

When Liu Shan saw that Zhao Yun, a master of spear fighting, had arrived, he still couldn't give up and casually asked a question.

"Your Majesty, marksmanship is difficult to master; why not practice with a sword?"

Practicing swordsmanship?

I'm not a wandering swordsman; on the battlefield, long weapons are king.

Zhao Yun continued, "Your Majesty, the late Emperor was a master swordsman. Why seek something far more difficult than what is readily available?"

Ah, a knife?

My old man is a swordsman, isn't he?

Two years ago, he forged eight divine swords, and kept one for himself.

Zhao Yun continued, "The late Emperor studied under Lu Zhi, and conquered the world with two weapons, one long and one short. The long one was a ring-pommel sword, and the short one was a hand halberd. One was orthodox and the other unorthodox, and his martial arts were superb. Your Majesty is the late Emperor's flesh and blood, so learning from him will surely be twice as effective."

Liu Shan understood from Zhao Yun's words that he knew his father's martial arts style.

"Uncle Zhao, do you know the late emperor's martial arts?"

Zhao Yun nodded happily.

"When the late emperor was alive, he passed on his martial arts to me, hoping that one day I could pass them on. Now that Your Majesty has ascended the throne, it is only natural that you must learn the late emperor's martial arts."

Liu Shan immediately knelt down and said, "Uncle Zhao, from now on, you are my teacher."

Zhao Yun quickly helped Liu Shan up, saying, "Before his death, the late emperor instructed me to protect Your Majesty. How could I dare accept such a great courtesy from Your Majesty?"

"One thing at a time. How can one accept a master without performing the proper apprenticeship ceremony? Wouldn't that make the world laugh at me for not knowing etiquette?"

Seeing Liu Shan's stubbornness, Zhao Yun could only accept it with tears in his eyes.

During the late Han Dynasty, the ring-pommel sword was used more often than the longsword in the army, becoming a standard piece of equipment.

The ring-pommel sword is approximately 70 to 110 centimeters long. It has a straight blade with a single-sided edge and a thick back, making it suitable for both stabbing and slashing, combining the advantages of both swords and blades.

Liu Bei rose to prominence amidst chaos. Coming from humble beginnings, he lacked the resources of figures like Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, making the common weapon, the ring-pommel sword, his natural first choice.

As a short weapon, the hand halberd can be used for both close combat and throwing, and also has the function of ranged attack. Many famous generals also used it as one of their main weapons.

These two weapons demonstrate how much Liu Bei, a king who rose from humble beginnings, valued pragmatism and efficiency.

In just one morning, Liu Shan had mastered both sword and halberd techniques.

It wasn't that he was exceptionally gifted, but rather that both of their techniques were simple and easy to learn.

"Your Majesty, the late Emperor's martial arts skills were honed on the battlefield. They may seem simple, but in reality, they require real combat experience to unleash their full power."

Liu Shan was immediately discouraged after hearing this.

So, according to you, my whole morning of practice was for nothing?

As an emperor, I cannot personally lead troops into battle and gain experience on the battlefield.