One day, everyone in the General's family went hunting in the back mountain. As the children of the greatest general in the country of Da'en, archery, horseback riding, and marksmanship were essential skills. Except for the youngest seventh sister, Lin Wen, who stayed in the camp with their stepmother, Lady Gu, the rest of the siblings mounted their horses and set off. They galloped across the land, the sound of bowstrings vibrating, all in high spirits.
"Giddy up!"
Lin Yuan rode a chestnut - colored steed, excitedly patting the reins as he spurred the horse to move through the forest. Today, he was determined not to come back with nothing. Otherwise, his eldest and second brothers would make fun of him again.
As he looked around, his eyes suddenly lit up. In a patch of low grass, a large gray rabbit was huddled up, its ears perked up, seemingly listening intently to the sounds around it.
Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow and marveled in his heart: Could this rabbit be a result of a genetic mutation? It was a full circle bigger than an ordinary rabbit!
Without thinking much, he quickly drew his bow and nocked an arrow. With a flick of his arm, swoosh!
The long arrow shot through the air and hit the rabbit's front leg right on target! The rabbit winced in pain and kicked its legs violently, trying to escape. But Lin Yuan was quick - eyed and deft. He immediately squeezed his legs against the horse's belly, spurred the horse forward, and with a flip, he leaped off the horse. He grabbed the rabbit by its ears, held it up, and laughed proudly:
"Hey! You still want to run? Just be my spoil of war obediently!"
However, Lin Yuan's pride didn't last long. Suddenly, he heard two "whoosh! whoosh!" sounds of something piercing the air not far away. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw his third sister, Lin Su, riding towards him on horseback. The bowstring was still trembling slightly, and two pheasants not far away had been shot down to the ground!
"Wow, Third Sister is so amazing!" Lin Yuan couldn't help but flatter her. Then he grinned and waved the rabbit in his hand. "But I also have my own catch! Look, I got this!"
Lin Su took a quick look at the gray rabbit and smiled faintly. "This is quite the find. Such a plump rabbit. Once we're home, we can have the cook make braised rabbit. It'll keep you stuffed for two whole days."
The brother and sister exchanged a smile, then rode their horses and headed back towards the hunting camp.
...
Lin Yuan accidentally overheard his father's confidential conversation
After the hunting was over, Lin Yuan handed his prey to the servants to deal with. Just as he was about to find something to eat to fill his stomach, he heard his father, Lin Jiwu's, steady and deep voice coming from the main tent not far away...
"... His Majesty means to spread the art of war widely? This is no small matter..."
Another voice rumbled, "The art of war has always been top-secret military knowledge. If it gets out, trouble will follow."
"His Majesty's set on it... What's your take?"
Lin Yuan stopped in his tracks. His heart skipped a beat, and he quietly took a few steps closer to the main tent. He also heard his father continue to say, "If the art of war is spread among the common people, it can strengthen the country and consolidate its foundation. However, if evil and treacherous people make use of it, it will also be a disaster... This matter requires the utmost caution."
Lin Yuan was confused. He wasn't interested in the art of war at all. All he knew was that His Majesty and his father seemed to be arranging something important. He pursed his lips and thought to himself, "The art of war? Sounds like a headache. I'm only nine, after all. Let the grown-ups deal with this stuff!"
Thinking this, he stretched, turned around, and walked to the kitchen, eager to find some food.
====================
这一日,将军府全家出动,前往后山狩猎.身为大恩国第一大将军的子女,弓马骑射自然是基本功,除最小的七妹林温陪着嫡母顾氏留在营地,其余兄弟姐妹皆跃马出发,策马奔腾,弓弦震响,兴致高昂.
"驾!"
林远骑着一匹枣红色骏马,兴奋地拍了拍缰绳,策马穿梭在林间.他今天的目标是至少不能空手而归,不然又要被大哥二哥他们嘲笑了.
正当他四处张望时,忽然眼前一亮,在一片低矮的草丛里,一只灰色的大兔子缩成一团,竖起耳朵,似乎正在警觉地听着四周的动静.
林远挑了挑眉,心中惊叹:这兔子该不会是基因突变了吧?比平常的兔子足足大了一圈!
不等多想,他迅速拉弓搭箭,手臂一抖,咻!
长箭破空而出,正中兔子前腿!兔子吃痛,猛地一蹬腿想要逃跑,但林远眼疾手快,直接一夹马腹,策马冲上前,一个翻身跃下,一把拎住兔子耳朵,拎到自己面前晃了晃,得意地笑道:
"嘿!还想跑?乖乖做我的战利品吧!"
但林远的得意劲还没维持多久,忽然听到不远处 "嗖!嗖!" 两声破空之音,他循声望去,正见三姐林苏策马奔来,弓弦仍微微颤抖,而不远处的两只野鸡已经被射落在地!
"哇,三姐好厉害!" 林远忍不住拍了个马屁,随即笑嘻嘻地晃了晃手上的兔子,"不过,我也有收获!你看,我打到了这个!"
林苏看了一眼那只灰兔,嘴角微微勾起:"那可真是稀罕,这么肥的兔子,回去让厨娘做红烧兔肉,够你吃上两天."
兄妹两人相视一笑,随后策马而行,朝着狩猎营地赶去.
...
林远无意间听见父亲的密谈
狩猎结束后,林远将猎物交给下人处理,正准备找点吃的填填肚子,却听见不远处的主帐中传来父亲林季无沉稳低沉的嗓音...
"...陛下的意思,是要让兵法广传?这可不是件小事..."
另一个浑厚的声音说道:"兵法之事,历代皆属军中秘闻,若轻易广传,恐生变数."
"但陛下已经决意如此... 你怎么看?"
林远停住脚步,心中一动,悄悄往主帐的方向靠近了几步.他还听到父亲继续说道:"兵法若是传至民间,既能强国固本,但若有奸佞之辈利用,亦是祸患... 此事,需慎重再慎重."
林远听得云里雾里,兵法什么的他一点都不感兴趣,只知道陛下和阿爹似乎在安排着什么重要的事情.他撇撇嘴,心里嘀咕着:兵法什么的,听着就麻烦,反正我才九岁,这种事就交给大人们头疼去吧!
想到这里,他懒洋洋地伸了个懒腰,随即转身朝伙房走去,打算弄点吃的填填肚子.