Tian Zifang (9)

1 Lie Yukou was a famous marksman. Once, he invited Bohun Wuren to his exhibition of archery.

2 Standing in the exhibition field, Lie Yukou put a full cup of water on his elbow and drawn the bow to its full extent. The arrow flied out and shot the target to the point. It was expected that the water in the cup didn’t spill. However, the miracle was that he kept the pose like a statue to shot continuously and every arrow was accurately to the point. The spectators applauded and signed for the miracle.

3 Only Bohun Wuren was not so excited. He said, “The actions are done under the condition that you focus your mind on shooting. You are not disturbed by other factors.”

4 As you know, in the battlefield, dangers are everywhere. Soldiers are possibly killed at any moment. Under such dangerous environment, the marksman’s performances are very different.”

5 Our training of shooting is for the preparation of war. The accuracy under certain of disturbances is what the right criterion we are asked. Could you keep such an accurate shoot when you stand on a shakable jumbo stone that seems to fall from a peak?”

6 After speaking of this, he took Lie Yukou to a peak of high mountains. He chose a jumbo stone on the edge of a cliff. Under the stone was bottomless abyss. With his back to the abyss, Bohun Wuren stood there with half soles out of the edge of the stone. He asked Lie Yukou to shoot at this pose.

7 Frightened, Lie Yukou laid down and was sweat all around his body. He couldn’t shoot at all. So, Bohun Wuren told him, “A man of perfect practice should possess of composure. He goes around to the heaven, or under the earth, no matter what conditions, he can handle everything at ease and leisure. Look at you, stand on a higher place and then you are scared to sweet overall and daze yourself. If you were in the battlefield, how much your skill could be exerted? It is doubtable.”