The First Marquis of Leisure

Today is the day of the funeral of Bai Tianque, a legendary war god.

Few court officials came; only a very few military generals who had once followed Bai Tianque arrived.

Despite opposition from many, the Third Prince, the Eighth Prince, and Zhang Chunqiu still personally attended the send-off ceremony.

The scene was somewhat bleak, which was seriously inconsistent with Bai Tianque's supreme status during his lifetime.

Many ordinary people spontaneously came to see him off and mourn the passing of this legendary war hero.

Meanwhile, today is also the day that the Great Yan's super delegation arrives in the capital of Great Zhao.

Emperor Zhao Tianhe personally issued an edict, placing all matters related to receiving the Great Yan delegation under the responsibility of Prime Minister Li Taibei.

This is a crucial signal.

Many schemers quickly sensed a unique opportunity in this decree!

Previously, everyone knew that the Eighth Prince was in charge of the literary contest between the two envoys.

The fact that he has suddenly become Lee Tae-beok is quite meaningful and thought-provoking.

Just as Bai Xinghe, as a filial son, led the people of the Marquis's mansion to deliver Bai Tianque's coffin to the burial site.

Suddenly, a group of uninvited guests arrived.

This group of people dressed completely differently from the common people of Zhao, and their appearances were quite varied.

Leading the group was a dignified-looking military officer, behind whom stood several dashing and debonair scholars!

"People of Yan!"

The third prince was somewhat surprised.

What are the people from Yan doing here?

Zhang Chunqiu and the Eighth Prince were also very curious, and Bai Xinghe became more vigilant.

"Halt! This is the solemn site of General Bai's mausoleum. What are you, a group of Yan people, doing here?"

One of the Marquis's personal guards immediately stepped forward and stopped a group of Yan people who were walking towards them.

The leading Yan general glanced at everyone present, then calmly said, "I am Consort Ji of the Great Yan Kingdom. Today, I have arrived in the capital of the Great Zhao Kingdom with this delegation, and have come specifically to pay my respects to General Bai Tianque!"

Consort Ji!

The moment the name was uttered, everyone was greatly surprised!

Ji Changzai was a famous general of the Great Yan Kingdom, with outstanding military achievements.

It can be said that Ji Changzai played an indispensable role in the Great Yan's immense power.

It's truly unexpected that Consort Ji has come with the Great Yan delegation.

"I wonder what important matter brings General Ji and his troops here?"

Bai Xinghe stepped forward and met Ji Changzai's gaze.

Ji Changzai glanced at Bai Xinghe. He didn't know Bai Xinghe, but he had heard of Bai Xinghe's great name.

One of his subordinates whispered a few words in his ear, and Ji Changzai immediately showed a strange, contemptuous and disdainful expression.

"Like father, like son. By day, he was a master strategist, invincible in battle, but unexpectedly, he raised such a spoiled brat."

"Hmph, who told you that Young Master Bai is a spoiled brat?" Zhao Sisi was the first to express her dissatisfaction and stood up to speak for Bai Xinghe.

Ji Changzai ignored her and walked straight ahead.

Bai Xinghe stepped forward, blocking the way.

"Boy, step aside. I, Ji, have come today specifically to offer incense to your father!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

It can be said that during the day, he killed countless soldiers of the Yan Kingdom, and Ji Changzai was the Tian Ce General of the Yan Kingdom.

Unexpectedly, they came specifically to pay their respects, which left everyone feeling deeply moved.

A famous general from an enemy state came to pay his respects, but the emperor of Zhao remained ambiguous in his attitude.

"please!"

Bai Xinghe stepped aside and gestured for him to proceed.

Ji Changzai came to the coffin, took the incense, and then bowed.

"We've fought dozens of battles, large and small, on the battlefield, yet I, Ji, have never gained the upper hand against you. I admire your character!"

Ji Changzai's words were sincere and heartfelt.

After the worship ceremony, they left quickly with their entourage without lingering.

at the same time

Inside the palace, the Great Yan delegation had arrived, totaling over one hundred people!

With a grand display of force and the deployment of all its elites, it was clear that they intended to completely crush the Great Zhao in this area.

Zhao Tianhe personally received the envoy, but the arrogant and haughty attitude of the Yan Kingdom's envoy greatly displeased the entire court.

"Your Majesty, our visit to Yan today is a gesture of friendship through literature and art, aiming to repair diplomatic relations between our two nations!"

"I've long heard that the Great Zhao has the renowned Confucian scholar Zhang Chunqiu presiding over the realm, so why hasn't he appeared?"

The envoy from Yan was quite direct, stating his purpose right away and specifically naming Zhang Chunqiu.

Zhao Tianhe was somewhat anxious. The Yan Kingdom was renowned for its culture, while the Zhao Kingdom revered martial prowess.

If we want to curb the arrogance of the Yan state by not being a national force in terms of literature, then Zhang Chunqiu is indispensable.

But he had already heard that a once-in-a-century genius had come to the Yan Kingdom.

"Old Master Zhang is preoccupied with important matters, so I will receive you temporarily."

Li Taibei stepped forward, his heart pounding with excitement.

The arrival of the Yan delegation meant that his plans were finally on track.

To everyone's surprise, the Yan envoy did not buy it at all after hearing Li Taibei's resignation.

"Prime Minister Li, Elder Zhang is highly respected and has countless students. Since he has other matters to attend to today, why not have his most accomplished student engage in a written examination with the scholars of Yan?"

"This!" Li Taibei was also undecided for a moment and looked at Zhao Tianhe.

Zhao Tianhe nodded, somewhat hesitant.

"Your Majesty, is the mighty Zhao state truly devoid of talent?"

The Yan envoy was arrogant and began to mock them.

"presumptuous!"

"Our great Zhao is brimming with talent, how could there be no one!"

Several ministers reprimanded him in displeasure.

"Hmph." The Yan envoy sneered, "Since that's the case, why not let some people come out and have a competition? You can choose any of the people in my delegation behind me."

"Arrogant!" Many ministers were furious, but dared not easily step forward to fight.

"Your Majesty, let me do it!"

At this moment, a scholar from the Hanlin Academy stepped forward.

This person was named Xue Qing, and he was also a student of Zhang Chunqiu. He was very talented.

Seeing the arrogant attitude of the Yan envoy, he could no longer contain himself.

"Good, Minister Xue, you must not disgrace our Great Zhao." Zhao Tianhe was somewhat gratified, after all, someone had stepped forward to fight.

Xue Qing cupped his hands in greeting, looked at the arrogant Yan delegation, and said, "I am Xue Qing, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, and a student of Zhang Chunqiu."

Ji Kong, the leader of the Yan Kingdom, sneered and casually instructed the delegation members behind him, "Li Ming, you will conduct this first competition!"

"Yes, Mr. Ji!" Li Ming stepped forward and quickly faced off against Xue Qing.

The two were about the same age and had a poetry contest!

Without saying a word, Xue Qing pondered for a moment and immediately composed a poem.

"good!"

"Now let's see if you Yan people still dare to be arrogant!"

When Xue Qing finished, the court erupted in cheers.

To everyone's surprise, the Yan delegation didn't take it seriously at all, and Li Ming just smiled contemptuously.

"Is there really no one left in the Great Zhao? This level of poetry is worthy of being called poetry? Let me teach you Zhao people what poetry is!"

Without thinking, Li Ming put his hands behind his back and casually composed a five-character quatrain.

Not only did it take less time than Xue Qing's work, but it also completely surpassed Xue Qing's work in terms of artistic conception and meter.

After Li Ming finished speaking, Xue Qing's face turned ashen, and everyone in the Zhao court looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Your Majesty, I believe the outcome is already clear; there's no need for further discussion, is there?"

Ji Kong looked at Zhao Tianhe with a slightly provocative expression.

Zhao Tianhe was furious, but he was at a loss for what to do.

"You Yan people shouldn't be so smug. If Elder Zhang hadn't had something to do today, what are you worth?"

"Very good!" Ji Kong said unhurriedly, "In that case, the states of Yan and Zhao will officially hold a poetry competition two days from now!"

"If my Great Yan loses, His Majesty the Emperor of Great Yan promises that for the rest of his life, he will never again wage war against Zhao!"

"If your Zhao state loses, then you must submit to my Great Yan and sign a treaty, how about that?"

What!

Ji Kong's terms caused a stir in the court and among the people.

The Great Zhao must submit to us? Absolutely not!

But in the current world situation, Yan is the strongest, if it weren't for the emergence of a war god, Bai Tianque, in Zhao.

It's likely that the Yan cavalry has already wantonly trampled on the lands and rivers of Zhao.

Now that Bai Tianque has passed away, if the Yan state were to invade again, there would truly be no one in the Great Zhao who could stand against them!

If the Yan state could be prevented from ever waging war against Zhao again, it would indeed be a good thing for the country and its people!

"What? Are you people of Zhao afraid to fight?"

The Yan delegation kept making sarcastic remarks and digs.

"Your Majesty, the dignity of our Great Zhao Kingdom cannot be humiliated! This Yan delegation has gone too far!"

"Your Majesty, with Elder Zhang in charge of our Great Zhao, what do we have to fear from those insignificant Yan children!"

Li Taibei was secretly delighted, as he had already communicated these matters in secret with the high-ranking officials of the Yan Kingdom.

Zhang Chunqiu is destined to lose, and once he loses, he will undoubtedly die.

"Your Majesty, Lord Li is absolutely right."

"Your Majesty, the dignity of the nation must not be dishonored!"

Lee Tae-beop's cronies also offered their opinions.

Zhao Tianhe's expression was unpredictable. He clenched his fists and looked at the Yan Kingdom delegation, who were mocking him and acting extremely arrogantly.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Very well, I agree. Two days from now, there will be a poetry competition between the literary talents of our two nations. If my Great Zhao loses and submits to the Yan Kingdom, I will relinquish my imperial title."

"If your Yan state loses, you shall never again wage war against my Zhao state!"