"Yes! Everyone in the Anxi Army likes her very much—not because she's straightforward, but because she's righteous. Whenever she sees injustice, she has to intervene. Last year, Jason Knight's son was whipping a soldier in the street. She saw it, gave Jason Knight's son a good beating, and forced him to apologize to the soldier. Just thinking about it now is still satisfying."

Andrew Thompson nodded, then suddenly remembered something and quickly asked with a smile, "What's her nickname?"

John White laughed heartily. "She loves giving people nicknames, so everyone gave her one too—Tall-legged Phoenix. But you must never mention it in front of her; she seems especially displeased with you."

Andrew Thompson couldn't help but laugh. Mark Howard is very tall, with long, slender legs—she really is like a tall-legged chicken!

"Qilang, by the way, I almost forgot to tell you something." John White slapped his forehead and hurriedly said, "There's a polo match tomorrow. You have to participate."

Andrew Thompson nodded cheerfully and said with a smile, "I haven't played in an official match yet! It's a perfect chance to test myself in real combat."

...

Polo in the flourishing Tang Dynasty had reached a feverish level. From emperors and powerful ministers to commoners and street vendors, everyone loved this sport. It required not only a strong physique, superb riding skills, and precise striking, but also the toughest willpower and lightning-fast reflexes.

From the day it was invented, polo was called the 'military game' and was a required training for Tang soldiers. Most of the top polo players in the Tang came from the military, especially the border armies with many cavalrymen, which produced countless talents. Polo was also deeply loved in the Anxi Army, which boasted many top-level players. In last spring's grand polo tournament held by the Tang, they won third place.

Andrew Thompson had only been exposed to the sport for a few dozen days, yet he had already shown extraordinary talent. His ability to seize opportunities and his precision at the critical moment amazed countless people. What he lacked now was only experience in major competitions—something that could only be honed through repeated matches.

Today's match was between the personal guards of Arthur Freeman and the personal guards of Chris Howard. Both teams had the best polo players in Anxi. On Chris Howard's side were famous generals like Paul Turner, John White, Andrew Thompson, and Patrick Foster, while Arthur Freeman's team had experts like David White, James Sutton, Olivia Lewis, and Kevin Lewis. Each side fielded ten players, and the match was held at the Kucha polo field.

The polo field was about a thousand paces long, roughly the size of three modern soccer fields. The mallet was three feet long, shaped like a crescent blade. The ball was about the size of an orange, and the goal was a square hole, one foot on each side, cut into a wooden board with a soft net behind it. The winner was the team that hit the ball into the opponent's goal the most times.

The match was divided into three periods: upper, middle, and lower, each lasting the time it took for one incense stick to burn. The team with the most goals would win.

This match attracted more than five thousand spectators, not only soldiers and their families, but also many civilians from Kucha city who came after hearing the news.

On the viewing platform beside the polo field sat the military governor Arthur Freeman, Deputy Protector and Commander of the Four Garrisons Chris Howard, Supervising Censor Frank Lane, Deputy Protector Henry Carter, Chief of Staff Adam Bell, Acting Officer Thomas King, Chief Historian Jason Knight, and other high-ranking civil and military officials of the Anxi Army.

Arthur Freeman was about fifty years old, with narrow eyes and dark skin. Perhaps due to age, he had become somewhat overweight, no longer possessing the might and ambition of his days leading troops in campaigns north and south.

He glanced at Chris Howard, squinting with a smile, and said, "Chris, shall we make a wager as usual?"

Chris Howard bowed slightly and replied with a smile, "Certainly!"

"Good, the usual rules—each of us puts up fifty strings of cash, and the winner takes all."

Supervising Censor Frank Lane, sitting nearby, laughed and said, "Let me join in for fun. I have a pearl; whichever team wins, it goes to them."

"Lord Bian, there are ten people on a team, but you only offer one pearl. How will they split it after winning?"

Chris Howard's daughter, Mark Howard, who was sitting behind him, interjected with a laugh.

"Wu-niang, let the adults talk. Don't interrupt," Chris Howard gently scolded his daughter.

Arthur Freeman laughed. "Wu-niang makes a good point! Censor, don't be stingy—put up a bit more for excitement!"

Frank Lane coughed twice, nodded, and said with a smile, "Since Wu-niang objects, I have no choice but to bleed a little. I'll add another hundred strings of cash; the winner takes it."

"And the pearl?" Mark Howard pressed relentlessly.

Frank Lane took out a pearl the size of a walnut, waved it in front of her, and said with a smile, "If your ragtag team wins, the pearl is yours!"

"Really?"

Mark Howard was overjoyed and shouted loudly, "Duan Little Sword, Bai Wax Stick, Li Stinky Bow, you all have to give it your all!"

The surrounding Anxi Army burst into laughter, and Arthur Freeman also laughed heartily. After laughing, he asked, "Wu-niang, who is Li Stinky Bow?"

"It's, it's..." Mark Howard suddenly forgot Andrew Thompson's real name.

"That's the one with the single bow and lone arrow, who shot forty Tujue cavalrymen—Andrew Thompson. I've made him a Yajiang," Chris Howard interjected with a smile.

At this moment, someone gave a light snort and muttered, "The moment someone shows a bit of skill, you immediately claim him as your own. Anyone who doesn't know would think the Anxi Army's surname is Gao!"

Chris Howard's face changed dramatically. He stood up and shouted sternly, "Protector Carter, explain yourself—what do you mean by that?"

Chapter Twelve: Polo Turmoil (Part Two)