Chapter 28: The Archery of Wu Ban

The weather in the Shu region was magnificent today. The sun shone brightly, casting its rays in every direction without a hint of clouds or shifting winds—ideal conditions that would not hinder Wu Ban’s archery demonstration. It was truly a perfect day for shooting.

Liu Zhang was currently at the Wu family’s training grounds. His predecessor had rarely ventured out and had never visited the residence of Wu Yi, so he was somewhat taken aback by the vastness of the estate’s grounds. As a prominent clan that had followed Liu Yan into Shu, the Wu family maintained their own private drill field—a space so expansive that it could easily accommodate the training of a thousand soldiers, let alone a hundred-pace archery target. Although the city of Chengdu had been reconstructed and significantly expanded during the second year of the Yuanding era under Emperor Wu to pacify the southwestern tribes, the ability to possess such a sprawling training ground within the city walls was a testament to the influence of a powerful house.

After a brief moment of admiration, Liu Zhang turned to the prepared Wu Ban and said, "Yuanxiong, if you can hit the target seven times out of ten, I shall appoint you as a commander of my hundred-man personal guard."

Wu Ban was, after all, still a youth. His elder brother, Wu Yi, had already tried to provide him with some cover earlier, knowing that demanding ten hits out of ten was overly harsh. Liu Zhang offered a more lenient threshold, wishing for the day’s proceedings to be a pleasant affair for both host and guest.

"A hundred-man commander."
"Personal guard."

Neither Wu Yi nor Wu Ban dwelt on the rank itself; for scions of a prestigious family, such a position was not remarkable. They focused instead on the latter half of the title—"personal guard." Being a commander within Liu Zhang’s inner circle gave the rank significant weight.

Wu Yi pondered, convinced that his suspicions were correct: his sister shared an unconventional bond with this Governor Liu. Otherwise, why would Liu Zhang offer Wu Ban a position reserved for the most trusted of confidants?

Wu Ban’s eyes lit up. To serve as Liu Zhang’s personal guard meant having daily access to the pinnacle of power in Yizhou. What better opportunity could there be to achieve greatness? Filled with youthful bravado, he answered loudly, "There is no need for seven out of ten. Today, I shall strike the mark ten times in a row to showcase my skill for the Governor."

A display of youthful spirit, Liu Zhang thought, silently praising him. History, as recorded by Chen Shou in the *Records of the Three Kingdoms*, would later note that this future General of the Flying Cavalry possessed the style of a chivalrous hero.

Wu Yi, however, felt a headache coming on. His cousin was far too headstrong; insisting on ten hits out of ten just to save face—he was as stubborn as an ox.

Clad in martial attire, Wu Ban took his bow and arrows and walked to a spot seventy paces from the target. He held his breath, focused his spirit, and drew his bow until it resembled a full moon. Watching the spirited young man, Liu Zhang felt his admiration grow.

In a heartbeat, Wu Ban released his first arrow. It flew like a shooting star, striking the center of the target seventy paces away without the slightest deviation.

"Bravo!" Liu Zhang applauded. Beside him, Wu Yi wore a smile, secretly exhaling in relief; at least the first shot had landed true.

Seeing his successful start, Wu Ban allowed himself a faint smile, but quickly returned to a composed state. He steadied his heart, drew a second arrow from his quiver, and released it. It flew with the speed of thunder, instantly embedding itself in the bullseye.

The third shot—another bullseye.

Watching Wu Ban hit every target, Liu Zhang could not help but reflect that archery, being one of the Six Arts of a gentleman, was a craft mastered by the youth.

In China, archery culture had flourished since the Western Zhou dynasty, serving both as a means of defense and hunting. When a boy was born, the family would use a bow made of mulberry wood to shoot six arrows made of cogon grass—toward heaven, earth, and the four cardinal directions—signifying that a man’s ambitions should reach across the world. By the Spring and Autumn period, under the influence of Confucius, archery was elevated to the status of an "Art of Archery," where every movement and pause was governed by strict regulations, and every bow and arrow carried profound ritual meaning.

The *Book of Rites* even linked archery to virtue. It stated that the advancement and withdrawal of the archer must conform to ritual. One must be upright in heart and straight in body before taking up the bow and arrow with steadfast focus. Only then can one speak of hitting the target, and through this, one’s moral character can be observed.

Under such social influence, every man of the Han household was versed in archery. Even his predecessor, with his soft and timid nature, could pull a bow with a draw weight of one *dan*.

"Bravo," Liu Zhang praised as Wu Ban hit another.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Wu Ban had struck eight times. Two more, and his task would be complete, securing his position as commander of the personal guard. Liu Zhang fell silent, fearing he might disturb the youth’s concentration.

Wu Yi felt a flicker of nervousness. If his cousin hit the final two, he would achieve perfection, allowing him to display the excellence of the Wu family before Liu Zhang and deepening the Governor’s favor.

Wu Ban drew his bow again. The more he hit, the calmer his heart became. Undisturbed by external objects, his mind was fixed solely on the red center of the target seventy paces away.

*Whoosh.* Wu Ban released his ninth arrow.

Liu Zhang and Wu Yi watched the fletching fly. A moment later, the result was clear: the ninth arrow had hit. Liu Zhang nodded with a smile; this future General of the Flying Cavalry had lived up to his words.

"Bravo!" Wu Yi cheered inwardly, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

With the ninth shot, Wu Ban entered a profound state of mind. He became oblivious to his surroundings—neither the watching Liu Zhang and Wu Yi, nor the sunlight above or the trees around the field, held any place in his thoughts. Between heaven and earth, there remained only his bow and the red heart of the target.

Without adjusting his stance, he drew a tenth arrow from his quiver, nocked it, drew the string, and released it. He did not watch the arrow fly; he simply whispered "hit" in his heart, confident in his final shot.

"Magnificent!" Liu Zhang exclaimed in astonishment. Wu Ban had hit all ten.

"It is merely Yuanxiong’s good fortune, as the weather is fine today and there is no wind," Wu Yi said with feigned humility, though his pride was evident. He was thoroughly pleased with his cousin’s performance.

Liu Zhang waved a hand, praising him, "Even without wind, to hit ten out of ten is no simple feat. Today, witnessing the prowess of the Wu family’s youth, I see how deep your family’s scholarly traditions truly run." He then granted the promised reward: "Yuanxiong, from this day forth, you are the commander of my personal guard."

"I thank the Governor. Wu Ban accepts the command," the youth replied, beaming with joy.

The group returned to the main hall, taking their seats to share wine and conversation. As they drank, Wu Yi excused himself, pretending to visit the latrine. Instead of heading to the facilities, he made his way to the rear courtyard. His confusion had grown, and he needed answers from his sister; the future of the Wu family depended on it.

Summoning Wu Xian from her quarters, Wu Yi did not ask directly. Seeing the faint marks on her face, he asked with concern, "That wretch Liu Mao treated you with such insolence—why did you not tell me?"

He had consented to his sister’s marriage to Liu Mao because Liu Yan was the Governor of Yizhou, and Liu Mao had a decent reputation. He had not expected him to be a viper in disguise. Wu Xian was his only sister, a woman of rare beauty whom Dong Fu had once predicted was destined for great fortune; his family had always treasured her.

His sister was virtuous, and though she had been relaying news from the Governor’s mansion to their family, she had never spoken a word of Liu Mao’s cruelty. He had only heard rumors of her mistreatment from outside sources.

"Brother, do not worry. I am safe in the mansion now. Though my husband has been erratic of late, the Governor has allowed me to reside in the separate courtyard until his illness has passed," she said, hoping to ease her family’s fears.

"Reside in a separate courtyard?" Wu Yi was surprised, but instead of pressing further, he asked an abrupt question: "Sister, what do you think of Governor Liu?"

Wu Xian, suspecting nothing, replied instinctively, "The Governor is naturally an excellent man. He is kind and benevolent in his daily dealings, yet decisive in his actions." Suddenly realizing the implication, her face flushed red. "Brother, what do you mean by asking this?"

Wu Yi wore an expression of knowing, replying, "Nothing of the sort, I was merely asking."

With that, Wu Yi departed, not wishing to keep Liu Zhang waiting, leaving a blushing Wu Xian behind.

When Wu Yi returned from his "latrine break," he was even more enthusiastic, leaving Liu Zhang slightly puzzled—could a trip to the latrine really deepen one’s friendship?

By the time the birds returned to the woods and the sun dipped below the horizon, Liu Zhang took his leave. Wu Yi stood at the gate, smiling as he and his family saw the Governor off.

-----------------

At Baidicheng, Liu He, the Assistant Governor of Jingzhou, stood at the prow of his ship, observing the city that leaned against the mountains and was surrounded by water on three sides. After traveling upstream, he had finally set foot in the territory of Shu.

It was time for him to make his mark.