"Do you think you're a top scholar?" Clearly not! In reality, Jake couldn't even get into a good university, let alone in this time and space. He had no knowledge or understanding of the exam content in this era. How could he possibly pass? So, to elevate his status, he seemingly didn't have any other choices.
"But I just want to make money," Jake said, unwillingly. He didn't want to be a soldier; he just wanted to earn money.
"When you have a higher position, are you still afraid of not having money?" Eli asked, "Look at the officials in the court, both civil and military. Are any of them poor? They have grand mansions, servants, and fertile fields, everything they could want."
Eli was truly putting in a lot of effort to lure Jake into joining the military. Jake thought that Eli did make some sense, but the idea of spending his future in a military camp didn't sit well with him. The world was vast, and he wanted to explore, find resources, and more. What could he do stuck in a military camp all day?
Moreover, Eli's words were indeed tempting, but as Jake had previously thought, there were so many soldiers in the army. How many of them would actually rise to high ranks and titles? Even those senior generals were a minority. This path wasn't as easy as it seemed, and having abilities didn't guarantee success. Just looking at Eli in front of him clarified that. Did Eli, with his abilities, succeed?
Clearly, he did. Both in terms of personal strength and training, Eli had a lot to offer. Jake believed that Eli would perform well on the battlefield as well. But what was the result? He ended up being assigned to this miscellaneous unit?
Although what Eli said was tempting, Jake wasn't likely to make a rash decision and become a professional soldier, joining the regular army.
"Think about what I said. If you come around, let me know, and I'll help you make it happen," Eli said, "For now, let's focus on horsemanship. Have you ever ridden a horse before?"
"No," Jake shook his head.
"Alright, watch my movements closely, and listen carefully to my instructions." Eli wasn't surprised that Jake hadn't ridden a horse before. The number of cavalry was scarce, and horses were valuable strategic resources. The nationdidn't permit civilians to own warhorses. Some people might have used short, stout horses for transportation, but those were few in number. So, many people hadn't had any contact with horses, let alone know how to ride them.
After giving Jake some instructions, Eli placed his hands on the horse's back, lightly kicked, and effortlessly mounted the horse, displaying agility and skill.
"Horses are intelligent creatures, especially warhorses. You can't treat them like ordinary livestock; you should regard them as your companions, your partners. Only then can you achieve seamless cooperation and invincibility on the battlefield. A good warhorse can sometimes save your life on the battlefield," Eli explained, "Now, let me teach you some basic movements. Watch carefully."
As Eli spoke to Jake, he controlled the horse to start moving slowly. His body swayed in sync with the horse's movement, maintaining a rhythm. It was evident that Eli was an experienced cavalryman. After a while, Eli brought the horse to a stop beside Jake and dismounted with exceptional stability.
"Now, you try," Eli said to Jake.
"Alright." Jake became interested. In this era, horses were more precious than cars in the modern world. Not everyone had the opportunity to ride one.
However, it was Jake's first time riding a horse, and mounting the horse was a bit challenging. Moreover, the horse was less cooperative with Jake, a stranger, than it had been with Eli. As a result, Jake's movements weren't as smooth and graceful as Eli's.
"Don't rush, take it slowly. It's normal for a beginner like you to experience this," Eli said from the side.
After some effort, Jake finally managed to mount the horse. He grabbed the reins with both hands, feeling a bit nervous. He gently tapped the horse's belly, and the horse started moving slowly.
Excitement surged through Jake as he rode the swift horse. Galloping through the terrain, how exhilarating and heroic! However, as the horse's speed gradually increased, Jake struggled to maintain control. His body swayed, and it seemed like he might tumble from the horse's back at any moment.
Falling off a galloping horse, even with Jake's physical condition, would likely result in injury. This thought frightened him, prompting him to quickly flatten himself against the horse's back. He clamped his legs tightly around the horse's belly and held onto the reins, striving to maintain his balance.
"Don't be afraid. Focus on feeling the horse's gallop and try to match its rhythm," Eli's voice came from behind.
Jake forced himself to calm down, gradually straightened his body, and felt the frequency of the horse's movement. He imitated Eli's earlier actions, allowing his body to sway with the rhythm. He worked hard to maintain his balance, keeping his feet securely clamped around the horse's belly.
Jake, with his high intelligence and the white crane jade pendant he wore, quickly grasped a certain pattern. Even the extent of his swaying from side to side wasn't as pronounced as before, and his body became more stable. While he wasn't as steady as Eli had been, he managed to eliminate the risk of falling off the horse.
"This kid's learning ability is amazing. Does he have a talent for horseback riding too?" Eli murmured in amazement as he witnessed everything from behind.
Based on Jake's earlier actions when mounting the horse and his initial attempts at riding, it was clear that he was a first-time rider. However, in such a short period, he managed to grasp the rhythm of riding and control the horse quite well. Although Jake couldn't be considered a qualified cavalryman just yet, as cavalry required more than just riding skills—combat on horseback was essential—he had taken the first steps in controlling the horse.
Nevertheless, his progress was remarkable. Keep in mind, this was Jake's very first time riding a horse. He had quickly figured out the technique, and with further practice, becoming a competent cavalryman wasn't out of the question.
"This kid is a born warrior. It's a shame he doesn't want to be a soldier!" Eli sighed, increasingly determined to see Jake join the regular military and become a true warrior.
Meanwhile, Jake, on the other side, was oblivious to how his performance had solidified Eli's intention to have him join the regular army. At this moment, he was still savoring the sensation of racing on horseback. The feeling of the wind rushing past his ears, and the swiftly retreating scenery, was truly wonderful. After several laps, Jake gradually slowed down the horse's pace, riding alongside Eli before coming to a stop and dismounting.
"How does it feel?" Eli asked.
"Very good," Jake patted the horse's back and replied.