A glimpse of opportunity: Start by marrying a mermaid bride.

Chapter 78 The Finals Begin

The venue for the finals was much more grand than that for the preliminary rounds.

The most eye-catching feature is the central arena. This time, four arenas were built in the central area, and the final round of sixteen to eight and the quarterfinals to four will be held simultaneously on these four arenas.

In addition to the arena, the audience seating for this tournament has also been upgraded.

The organizers designated a large area, modeled after a Western-style stadium, and all spectators were required to purchase tickets for entry.

This move was initiated by County Magistrate Liu Jie. County Assistant Magistrate Sun and his associates saw that collecting tickets was profitable. In addition, they were planning to deal a heavy blow to Song Jin'ao and his gang and wanted to show the people of Tianjin how to embarrass them. Therefore, they went along with it and agreed to hold a grand event.

Therefore, as soon as they arrived at the competition venue, the area was surrounded by layers of barriers. Those with status could buy first-class tickets for the stands for ten silver dollars, where they could enjoy tables, tea, and seasonal fresh fruit.

The next level up is the high-platform stands, where a ticket costs 200 copper coins for a seat. Further down, there are standing tickets on the ground, which cost about ten copper coins for a show.

Because of this novel way of watching the game, many locals from Nanjinmen came to watch the match.

At this time, the first-class tickets at the top of the stands were all for local merchants from Nanjinmen, or people of status, and even a few foreign faces.

On the high platform, most of the people were local vendors and people with a little spare money. Among them, three people stood out.

Of the three, one had bandages wrapped around his face, and the other two were a married couple.

That's right, they were Zheng Jin, who had been brutally beaten by Zheng Xuan, and Zheng Daguo and his wife.

Zheng Daguo looked at Zheng Jin, who was wrapped in bandages, and said, "Jin, why didn't you take care of your injury? What did you have to do here?"

Zheng Jin's face was still swollen, and his teeth were slightly lisp. He said angrily, "I want to see how Zheng Xuan died! I want to see with my own eyes how he died!"

'

Upon hearing this, Zheng Daguo said, "Why bother? You're brothers."

,"Shut up!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Jin's eyes widened as he exclaimed, "Brother, brother, he beat me up like this! We're not brothers, we're enemies, enemies!"

'

As he spoke, he aggravated the wound on his face, causing him to wince in pain.

Seeing his reaction, Feng Guiqin angrily rebuked Zheng Daguo, saying, "Did you hear that? If our son says he's an enemy, then he is an enemy. You are not allowed to mention him again. Just pretend this little beast was never born."

Zheng Daguo sighed upon hearing this, and Feng Guiqin then said, "Let me tell you, when that ingrate gets beaten to a pulp, you clap and cheer, you hear me? This little beast, look how he beat Ah Jin, he went all out!"

The family of three was talking when they suddenly heard a voice: "Oh, Da Guo, you've come too."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Daguo turned around and saw his sister Zheng Lixia and her husband Zhou Bingyi, who were leading a sixteen-year-old girl, Zheng Lixia's daughter.

Zheng Lixia became pregnant early in her life but miscarried, which damaged her uterus. After treatment, she was able to give birth to a daughter, but she could no longer have children. So when she argued with Feng Guiqin, Feng Guiqin would secretly curse Zheng Lixia as being childless.

In this day and age, a man without a head of household is considered to have no descendants.

Zhou Bingyi was a constable in the county, and he was an honest man.

Zheng Daguo looked at Zheng Lixia with some surprise and said, "Sister, brother-in-law, what brings you here too?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Lixia said, "Your brother-in-law works in the county. I heard from his colleagues that Xiao Xuan has made something of himself and is taking the martial arts exam here. How could I, as his aunt, not come and support him?"

""

"This child, even after coming to the city, doesn't come home for a visit."

""

Zheng Lixia couldn't help but complain as she said this.

Upon hearing this, Feng Guiqin quickly interjected, "Hehe, I told you that little beast is an ingrate. You've been so good to him, but it's all in vain, isn't it?"

After saying this, Zheng Lixia glared at Feng Guiqin and said, "If you can speak, then speak. If you can't, then shut your mouth. What kind of mother calls her own son a little beast? Daguo, your wife needs to be taught a lesson."

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Zheng Daguo looked embarrassed upon hearing this, while Feng Guiqin scoffed dismissively.

Seeing that a fight was about to break out, Zhou Bingyi quickly pulled Zheng Lixia aside and said, "Our tickets are over there, let's go over there first."

As he spoke, he led Zheng Lixia and her daughter away. Zheng Lixia said, "I'll find a chance to tear that bitch's mouth apart sooner or later."

Zhou Bingyi said, "Alright, alright, we're here to watch Xiao Xuan's match, there's no need to get angry."

,

Hearing this, Zheng Lixia looked at Zhou Bingyi and said, "Husband, why didn't Xiao Xuan come to see me when he got to the city? You say he's heartless? He even sent me thirty silver dollars for the Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, a full thirty dollars!"

"You say he values ​​family ties but never comes to visit his family. Why is that?"

'

Upon hearing this, Zhou Bingyi said, "You really can't blame Xiao Xuan for this. He also had his reasons. You know about the Tianjin church case a year ago, right?"

"

Zheng Lixia said, "I know, I heard that more than thirty foreigners died."

Zhou Bingyi said, "I heard it's related to Xiao Xuan."

,"ah!

'

Zheng Lixia was startled upon hearing this. Zhou Bingyi said, "Shh, he's offended some foreigners and is afraid that meeting us will implicate us. If he's so heartless, would he just give away thirty silver dollars like that?"

Hearing this, Zheng Lixia felt a little better, but then worriedly asked again, "Husband, do you think Xiao Xuan will be in danger?"

Zhou Bingyi said, "It's easy to dodge a spear in the open but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. He's also learned martial arts, so we should be careful. However, we can't cause him any trouble. If others find out about your relationship with him and use you to threaten him, he'll be at a disadvantage."

Zheng Lixia said, "Yes, yes, we can't admit it, otherwise we'll become Xiao Xuan's weakness."

""

Then Zheng Lixia said, "Honey, it's okay if we don't acknowledge each other on the surface, but if it really comes down to a critical moment in the future, you have to help him out."

""

Zhou Bingyi said, "What else is there to say? He's my own nephew."

""

As the two were talking, they heard the little girl beside them say, "Dad, Mom, look, isn't that my cousin?"

As she said this, Zheng Lixia looked over and saw that not far away, Zheng Xuan followed Song Jin'ao and his group into the training ground, and then prepared for the competition in the contestant area.

Just then, a drumbeat was heard, and the next moment, four people appeared in the direction of the rostrum: Magistrate Liu Jie, Commander Zhao, Assistant Magistrate Sun, and Gong Ying. Among them were two foreigners, namely the French Ambassador to Tianjin, Wei Daye.

After everyone was seated, Magistrate Sun looked at the prepared crowd below and then turned to Commander Zhao, saying, "Sir, shall we begin?"

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At this moment, Commander Zhao said obsequiously, "Lord Wei is here, ask Lord Wei."

""

Magistrate Sun looked at Wei Daye, who then waved his hand and said, "No, no, no, I'm just here to watch the fun. Let Lord Zhao make the announcement."

After hearing this, Commander Zhao looked at Wei Daye and said, "Then I will announce it."

Wei Daye smiled and nodded at him, but throughout the entire process, no one paid any attention to Liu Jie, and the county magistrate was completely isolated.

At this moment, Commander Zhao stood up, looked down and said, "I hereby announce that the final round of the Tianjin Martial Arts Examination has begun!"

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