Sarah slowly lowered her head. “I really want to go! But... this dance competition is very important. I heard that if I do well, I can go to Chang’an. I’m sorry, Brother Sam, I... I really don’t want to give up.”

Brian Thompson frowned. “You want to go to Chang’an?”

A trace of panic flashed in Sarah’s eyes, and she quickly shook her head. “No! I was just saying. How could my father possibly allow me to go?”

Brian Thompson didn’t quite believe her. This little girl was set on going to Chang’an and Luoyang—she’d better not do anything foolish. He reminded her again, “Even if your father agrees, you still can’t go! You’re not even fourteen yet. It’s too dangerous to go to Chang’an alone.”

“I won’t go!”

Brian Thompson was still a bit uneasy. When he had time, he’d have to talk to Uncle Cooper and make sure she was watched more closely.

……

The barracks are like iron, but the soldiers come and go; the foot archery exam was very quick. In just one hour, over six hundred candidates in the three exam halls had completed the foot archery.

For most candidates, this was the end, but there were still fifty who would participate in mounted archery, competing for three spots to advance to the capital as provincial scholars.

This was the highlight of the martial provincial exam. The mounted archery was held in the grand drill ground of Dunhuang, which was also the polo field of Shazhou. Every year, the polo matches attracted tens of thousands of Shazhou citizens to watch, creating a spectacular scene.

Today’s martial provincial mounted archery also drew over ten thousand spectators, who packed the viewing areas all around.

Thousands of soldiers were responsible for maintaining order. To the north stood a grandstand, where Shazhou’s high officials were seated.

Among them were the Prefect Frank Thompson, Chief Historian George Reed, Sima Peter Sullivan, Deputy Military Commissioner Steven Bolton, as well as the magistrates of Dunhuang and Shouchang counties, Head of the Thompson Family James Thompson, Head of the Clark Family Charles Clark, and others.

There were also two distinguished guests today: one was the Grand General of the Left Guard and Governor of Wuwei Circuit, Richard Martin; the other was Richard Martin’s deputy, Henry Harris. Richard Martin held the rank of Senior Third Grade, a position of great power and influence.

In contrast, Prefect Frank Thompson was only a Lower Senior Fourth Grade official, several ranks lower, and his status at court was far inferior. He was not even on par with Deputy Henry Harris.

Richard Martin sat in the central seat of honor, while Henry Harris sat in the second row. After all, Frank Thompson was the host and had to accompany Richard Martin; it would not be proper for the host to sit behind the guest.

Richard Martin acted as if nothing had happened, squinting as he enjoyed watching a troupe of dancing girls perform gracefully on the polo field.

Seated behind him, Steven Bolton also smiled without saying a word. Today, he too pretended to know nothing and would not expose the secret connection between Richard Martin and Brian Thompson.

But there was one thing he was absolutely clear about: no matter what, he would never give up the spot that belonged to his son.

“Does the Grand General’s army also have officers recommended to go to the capital for the martial exam?” Frank Thompson asked with a smile.

“There have been in the past, but not this year. After all, there’s a war coming, so I haven’t given it any thought for now.”

Frank Thompson nodded, then said with concern, “I heard that His Majesty sent Samuel Howard as an envoy to Dunhuang, and he should be arriving these days, but I haven’t received any news. I’ve already asked Commander Bolton to send troops to welcome him. Shouldn’t the Grand General also send troops to greet him?”

Frank Thompson had brought up the matter that most troubled Richard Martin. He was startled. “You mean, His Majesty sent Samuel Howard?”

“That’s what the official dispatch says. Isn’t it Lord Howard?”

Richard Martin became even more worried. Samuel Howard was a trusted eunuch of the emperor, holding great power. If anything happened to him, how could he possibly bear the responsibility?

He understood what Frank Thompson meant: Frank Thompson was only responsible for Shazhou, but Richard Martin oversaw all of Hexi, so he should also send troops to welcome the envoy.

Richard Martin concealed his anxiety, nodded, and smiled. “I’ve already sent troops. I haven’t received any news yet. Lord Howard should have palace guards with him, so there shouldn’t be any safety issues. What do you think, Governor Thompson?”

“I hope there won’t be any problems either.”

At this moment, Peter Sullivan stepped forward and saluted. “Grand General, Prefect, the mounted archery is about to begin.”

Richard Martin’s mind was not on the competition, so he absentmindedly asked, “How many participants are there?”

“Around fifty, all outstanding candidates from the foot archery exam, and the best young mounted archers in Shazhou. I believe the Grand General will not be disappointed.”

Richard Martin casually replied, “Then let’s begin!”

Chapter 009: Absolutely Unwilling to Give Up

The mounted archery competition had already begun. The reason it was called a competition and not an exam was because foot archery had standards—passing was enough, and there was no real competition.

Mounted archery was the opposite: there were no set standards, and it was entirely a contest among the candidates—the most skilled would win, hence it was called a competition.

There were ten rounds in total, with five participants in each round. Each person had only one chance, and the others waited outside the field until their names were called.

This was a new rule this year. Last year, everyone waited inside together, but it was said that there was mutual interference among the candidates, affecting their performance, so the rule was changed at the last minute.

Brian Thompson waited outside with his white horse and the other candidates. Although he didn’t know his final foot archery score, he had hit the bullseye with all five arrows, and his result had been confirmed by the chief examiner—he was sure to be in the top three.

Everyone held their horses, ears pricked, listening for the examiner to call their names.