Paul Thompson's ranking is rather delicate. With Brian Thompson removed, he is exactly in third place. If he performs poorly on the spot, he might be replaced by Benjamin Clark, which would be a disaster.

Actually, as long as Paul Thompson performs normally, even if he's slightly inferior, he can make up for lost points in the foot archery round.

This is also due to a rule change this year, temporarily including the foot archery results, which is helpful for manipulating the predetermined list. The key is for Paul Thompson not to underperform.

At this moment, a soldier on the side waved the starting red flag. The five scholars, in order, galloped off one after another, each allowed to shoot only one arrow.

Within a fifty-pace running distance, they shot at a straw target sixty paces to the right, and their performance was judged based on where each arrow hit.

This is the military's standard mounted archery test method, which is much less difficult than the mounted archery Brian Thompson did in the barracks.

Brian Thompson had to shoot at a straw target eighty paces away, from a running distance of only twenty paces, firing two arrows with both hands—this is the highest level of difficulty, and very few can accomplish it.

The first up was Michael Bolton. Amidst the cheers and shouts of the spectators on both sides, he galloped forward, entered the shooting line, drew his bow, and released an arrow. His performance was very steady—the long arrow struck the straw man's throat dead center, and the entire competition field erupted.

Only Richard Martin and Steven Bolton showed no reaction. Both had witnessed Brian Thompson's miraculous archery with their own eyes, and Michael Bolton's skill was far inferior—not worth cheering for.

At this moment, Richard Martin smiled slightly at Steven Bolton and said, "Your son shot well. I will write him a letter of recommendation."

Steven Bolton was overjoyed and quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you, General, for your praise."

Just then, the cheers in the arena thundered again—this time it was William Sullivan's arrow. He also shot well, hitting the center of the chest, comparable to Michael Bolton's shot.

Peter Sullivan was secretly delighted, eagerly looking toward Richard Martin. Since Michael Bolton got a recommendation letter, William Sullivan should get one too.

Unexpectedly, Richard Martin remained motionless, showing no reaction at all—not even the most basic congratulations. Peter Sullivan's heart sank; he sensed something was wrong.

While Peter Sullivan was flustered, the next three contestants galloped by in quick succession, but in the end, the crowd let out a collective sigh of regret.

The last one, Thomas Wright, was too nervous and missed the straw target entirely—his arrow went wide.

At this, Richard Martin chuckled, "All fine young men. Although the last one missed the target, which is a bit of a pity, his courage is commendable. I hope he tries harder next time."

He then smiled at the governor Frank Thompson and said, "Should we let that young man come out and perform mounted archery now?"

Behind him, James Thompson was also stunned. Why didn't General Martin show any intention of writing a recommendation letter? He glanced at Peter Sullivan, who happened to be looking at him and shook his head, meaning that Richard Martin probably wouldn't write one.

James Thompson was silent for a long time. Without Richard Martin's recommendation letter, the concession he made to the Sullivan family was too much of a loss—it made him feel like coughing up blood.

The governor Frank Thompson smiled and said, "It seems the General is really looking forward to that young man's performance!"

He immediately ordered the attendant beside him, "Go and fetch Young Master Brian Thompson."

Soon, Brian Thompson galloped over on horseback. Even if Richard Martin hadn't called for him, he would have come to find Richard Martin himself—he had no interest in shooting at such low-level test targets.

"Student greets the General!" Brian Thompson cupped his fists in salute.

"Young Master Frank, it's your turn to perform mounted archery now. Of course, since you're not participating in the martial arts provincial exam, you don't need to use the exam's test method. Let's try a different style of mounted archery, how about it?"

"Please, General, set the challenge!"

Richard Martin then smiled at everyone and said, "Since this is a mounted archery performance, let's not be so formal. I'll set the challenge, and let him solve it. What do you all think?"

Everyone voiced their agreement. Peter Sullivan felt a bit relieved—this Richard Martin clearly didn't want to get involved in the inside story of this martial arts exam, and the matter was brushed over lightly.

Steven Bolton said from the side, "Since it's a performance, there must be a prize. I'll put up fifty taels of gold as the prize."

"No! No! No!"

Richard Martin quickly waved his hand. "How could I let Commander Bolton spend so much? Since I'm setting the challenge, naturally the prize should come from me."

He ordered his personal guard, "Bring the horse over!"

The guard led over a magnificent, robust Ferghana horse—its limbs strong and long, its tail flowing gracefully. Everyone exclaimed in admiration, "What a fine horse!"

Richard Martin said proudly, "This was seized when we captured Kuqa. I originally planned to take it to the capital, but now I'll use it as the prize."

No one could understand why Richard Martin valued this mounted archery performance so highly.

He was actually offering a precious horse, intended as a gift for a powerful court official, as the prize. This horse was worth a fortune and hard to come by—this Richard Martin was truly eccentric.

Brian Thompson immediately recognized the horse—it was the fine steed he had ridden in the barracks yesterday. A wave of gratitude welled up in his heart; it turned out Richard Martin had prepared this all along.

Richard Martin pointed at the horse and asked Brian Thompson, "Do you want this horse?"

"I do!" Brian Thompson answered crisply and decisively.

"Good! If you can solve my challenge, I'll give you this horse as the prize. Of course, my challenge won't be so easy to solve, and this horse won't be so easy to win."

Brian Thompson bowed and said, "Please, General, set the challenge!"