"Oh, this is quite a warhorse," said the county magistrate's wife, who was knowledgeable about such things. "It must have cost a pretty penny!"
"Not too expensive," Li Yao replied.
"Li Yao, you really do spoil him," the county magistrate's wife said. "No one pampers their child as much as you."
"It's not spoiling him," Li Yao explained. "Wang San'er will have to serve in the military next year."
"Oh, military service?"
The county magistrate couple was a bit taken aback.
According to the law, males over the age of 14 were indeed required to serve in the military, but not everyone went.
Generally only one or two from each family went, and families without sons were exempt.
Besides, wealthy families like Li Yao's could easily pay someone to serve as a substitute. There was no need for their own sons to suffer through it.
Yet Li Yao was voluntarily sending Wang San'er to serve.
"Li Yao," the county magistrate's wife said, "are you sure?"
"What's there to be unsure about?" Li Yao replied. "Anyway, this is his own wish. He wants to become a grand general in the future."
"Admirable ambition," the county magistrate remarked. "A man ought to have such aspirations!"
Wang San'er had already bonded with the little horse, riding it around the yard a few laps and totally forgetting about his bicycle.
"Mother, can you buy me a real bow and arrows?"
"If you can beat County Captain Zhang in the archery contest on the thirteenth, I won't just buy you a bow and arrows, but also have a fine sword forged for you."
"It's a deal!" Wang San'er jumped down excitedly from the horse's back. "I'll definitely win!"
"I made a saddle for you too. Starting tomorrow, practice more riding."
The saddle Li Yao had prepared incorporated her own innovations, using double stirrups. It was a simple modification, but revolutionary in impact.
After chatting a while longer, the county magistrate's wife noticed the late hour and suggested they all turn in early.
...
On the first day of the new year, Li Yao's doorway was nearly trampled from all the villagers coming to pay respects.
Li Yao also brought out the melon seeds and candy she had prepared to treat them, and red envelopes for the children.
That night, the two families enjoyed a hearty hot pot dinner.
On the second day, it was time to visit the wife's family.
Of course Li Yao did not go, and He Xiaoyi had already gone the previous year, so she did not go either. Naturally the county magistrate's wife could not go back.
The two families spent the day together again, eating another hot pot.
On the third day, County Captain Zhang came to Huawan Village with his yamen runners, over a dozen brawny men, and of course his newly purchased fine horse.
He was determined to clinch first place in this horse versus bicycle race!
"Boy," County Captain Zhang said confidently to Wang San'er, "don't blame me for not going easy on you. I'm taking first place this time!"
"Hmph, the one taking first will be me!" Wang San'er refused to back down.
Although he had only been practicing riding for two days, he was brimming with confidence.
The onlookers laughed and shook their heads, thinking a little boy who had just learned to ride two days ago could not possibly beat the others no matter how good his horse was.
Of course, no one believed Li Yao's bicycle could surpass a horse.
Li Yao's bicycle had been modified by Xia Xian.
Besides replacing the rubber tires with solid rubber ones for better shock absorption, he had also installed a speed control device to make pedaling uphill easier.
In the open area at the village entrance, County Magistrate Song officiated the race beaming with authority.
The villagers crowded along both sides of the road.
Although everyone believed in Li Yao's capabilities, there were still quite a few who thought a bicycle could not beat a horse.
"She probably can't win."
"It doesn't matter if she can't win," the village head said. "Li Yao told us this bicycle will be mass produced. Then we can just buy one at the market when it's more convenient."
"That's right, I heard it can carry very heavy loads."
"Most important is it doesn't eat anything."
...
Amidst the villagers' chatter, over a dozen riders on horseback had gotten into position. Li Yao changed into lightweight clothing and wheeled her modified bicycle to the starting line.
"Ready—Go!"
At County Magistrate Song's command, the horses immediately galloped forth. Li Yao forcefully pedaled the bicycle into rapid motion.
Fine horses could reach speeds of 60 km/h and sustain running for hours, but for a bicycle to achieve such speeds required a professional cyclist, specialized bicycle, and ideal road conditions.
So winning this race would not be easy.
However, Li Yao's physical fitness was beyond ordinary. Zhang County Captain and the others also did not have the best horses. Pedaling with all her might, Li Yao quickly pulled ahead.
The men anxiously whipped their horses to go faster, but the horses were already wheezing and still couldn't catch up.
After all, they were not true warhorses, with top speeds of only around 40 km/h.
After a long steep slope, everyone finally lost sight of Li Yao.
Unable to beat Li Yao, Zhang County Captain conceded, but as a veteran soldier, he was determined to thoroughly defeat the other riders.
So he regulated his breathing and pace, keeping ahead of the rest.
Nearing Baichuan Market, he had left most of the riders behind by over a li, with only Wang San'er doggedly tailing him.
"This kid really has some skill."
On the return trip, the two were clearly competing intensely.
Wang San'er closed in, forcing Zhang County Captain to pull out all the stops.
But by the time they reached Huawan Village's outskirts, the two were neck and neck.
Seeing the finish line ahead, Zhang County Captain fiercely cracked his whip and his horse abruptly accelerated.
"Wang San'er, I'll be waiting for you in Huawan Village!"
"It's too early to say that now!"
Wang San'er refused to back down. Bending low, he stood up in sync with the warhorse's steps, swaying back and forth with its motion.
His mother had taught him this--it enabled maximum coordination between rider and warhorse to achieve the greatest speed.
In a flash, Wang San'er overtook Zhang County Captain.
"How can this be?"
Zhang County Captain was flabbergasted.
In decades of riding, he had never seen this riding technique.
"How did he even stand up on it?"
...
"They should be back soon," said the county magistrate's wife, looking at the nearly burned-out incense at the entrance to Huawan Village.
"My lady," the county magistrate asked with a smile, "do you think Li Yao can win?"
"Is there any need to ask? When has Li Yao ever exaggerated?"
"Well, not necessarily," he chuckled.
Ding ling ling--
At that moment, a clear ringing sounded as Li Yao came into view riding her bicycle.
Yet there was not a single horse behind her!
She was clearly far, far ahead!
"Look, Li Yao did win after all," said the county magistrate's wife.
Watching Li Yao draw nearer and nearer, the county magistrate remained silent.
A bicycle that could outrace ordinary horses by human power alone--Li Yao's creation really was formidable.
