The First Marquis of Leisure

"Zhang Chunqiu, the outcome of the first round is self-evident, isn't it?"

Li Chentian smiled broadly, his tone full of sarcasm.

Although Zhang Chunqiu was unwilling to admit it, there were so many talented scholars and writers, and everyone had basic appreciation skills.

Zhang Zhi's poems are indeed inferior to Li Ming's!

With a livid face, he loudly proclaimed, "Li Mingsheng of Yan!"

Li Ming, now even more arrogant, shouted at the many talented scholars of Zhao, "Who's next?"

Xiao Changqing, Zhao Sisi, and others couldn't resist volunteering to go and compete.

However, Zhang Chunqiu stopped him. He knew from the beginning that his students' talents were no match for Sheng Wen's Yan State talents; the gap was huge.

He knew perfectly well what level Zhao Sisi, Xiao Changqing, and the others were at; they were definitely no match for Zhang Zhiqiang.

"Tang Wannian!"

After thinking it over, Zhang Chunqiu directly named Tang Wannian.

Tang Wannian stepped forward, his long hair flowing, giving him the air of a scholar.

As the most talented scholar in Jiangnan, Tang Wannian was indeed a man of great talent and learning.

But the poem Li Ming had just written had already made him feel apprehensive.

However, in front of so many ministers and the emperor, he dared not reveal the slightest bit of his true feelings and had no choice but to bite the bullet and proceed.

Seeing Tang Wannian on the throne, many common people and officials had their hopes rekindled.

"Tang Wannian is the greatest scholar in Jiangnan. His talent is so outstanding that he should surpass even Li Ming of Yan!"

"Indeed, since Elder Zhang personally named him, he must be confident."

Many people began to discuss it, and their words showed that they were quite optimistic about Tang Wannian.

The Yan state still didn't take it seriously, their expressions full of disdain.

Moreover, the fact that only Li Ming was sent out from beginning to end clearly shows the contempt for the State of Zhao.

"I've heard you're the foremost scholar in the south of Zhao?"

Li Ming sized up Tang Wannian, his imposing manner already surpassing Tang Wannian's.

"That's right!" Tang Wannian replied.

"Very well." Li Ming said dismissively, "I'll let you go first."

"You go first!" Tang Wannian refused to be the first to compose a poem.

Li Ming smiled, then lowered his head and pondered for a moment before composing another poem.

It takes very little time, but the artistic conception is very profound.

Now the Zhao state was completely uneasy, and everyone was watching Tang Wannian with bated breath.

Tang Wannian was covered in sweat, stammering and opening his mouth as if to speak but then stopping himself.

"The most talented scholar in the south of Zhao? What? Have you become mute?"

Li Ming launched various sarcastic attacks.

"It seems the State of Zhao truly has no one left to rely on!"

"Ha, with this little strength, they think they can compete with our Great Yan!"

Other talented scholars from the Yan state who hadn't yet made a move also joined in the mockery.

Tang Wannian completely lost his composure and stood there dumbfounded, unable to do anything for a long time.

"Tang Wannian, what are you doing?"

"Tang Wannian, you are the greatest talent in the south of Zhao, what's going on?"

Many people couldn't stand it anymore and started urging things to hurry up.

Zhang Chunqiu and the others were also very surprised, and their faces were full of disappointment.

The Eighth Prince was even more ashamed, because he had invited Tang Wannian, but he never expected that Tang Wannian would turn out to be a fraud.

Zhao Tianhe's face turned ashen. He glanced at the Eighth Prince, who felt a chill run down his spine.

In a contest that concerned the honor of the Zhao state, Tang Wannian performed so poorly.

As a member of the Crown Prince's faction, Zhao Xing's eyes were filled with disappointment at this moment.

He whispered a few instructions to Qin Guang, his trusted confidant, and Qin Guang's eyes immediately flashed with murderous intent.

"Tang Wannian, step down!"

Zhang Chunqiu sighed. He had thought that this top talent in the South, even if he was not as good as Li Ming, would at least not be this bad.

Things didn't go as planned, so he had no choice but to let him leave.

Tang Wannian's face turned bright red with shame. He lowered his head and dared not speak again.

"Hahaha, is this the strength of your Zhao state?"

"Is there anyone left in Zhao? Why don't you all come at me together? I, Li Ming, am enough!"

Faced with Li Ming's relentless provocation, the entire Zhao state could only remain silent, for strength was the deciding factor.

"Zhang Chunqiu, why don't you, the Zhao state, just admit defeat? At least you can lose with some dignity!"

Li Chentian stood with his hands behind his back, his expression full of arrogance.

"Li Ming is merely one of my insignificant students. His talent is not among the best in my household; there are at least ten people who are far superior to him!"

What!

There are more than ten people stronger than Li Ming!

As soon as Li Chentian finished speaking, everyone in the Zhao Kingdom turned ashen-faced!

Is Heaven determined to destroy my Great Zhao? How can we compete like this?

Despair filled everyone's face!

The one under the most pressure is Zhao Tianhe. As the emperor of the Great Zhao, he is very likely to become the ruler of a fallen kingdom today!

"Old Master Zhang, my empire rests on your shoulders, I beg you!"

Zhao Tianhe stepped forward and, in his supreme status as the emperor, in front of all the people, actually pleaded with Zhang Chunqiu.

Zhang Chunqiu shook his head and sighed.

He knew that he was at most on par with Li Chentian, but the number one genius of Yan Kingdom inside the carriage had not yet appeared.

"Your Majesty, I..."

Just as Zhang Chunqiu was about to speak, Crown Prince Zhao Xing suddenly interrupted and stepped forward.

"Father, today the fate of Zhao rests on our shoulders. Your son requests permission to fight!"

Zhao Xing's initiative to volunteer exceeded everyone's expectations.

No one expected that he would take the initiative to step forward.

"My son, you?"

Zhao Tianhe was clearly not entirely sure, after all, although the Crown Prince was talented, he was not outstanding.

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has been well-versed in the classics since childhood and has also received guidance from Elder Zhang. Even if he loses today, his ambition will be a blessing for our Great Zhao!"

Li Taibei immediately stood up and spoke up for the Crown Prince.

Zhao Tianhe thought for a moment, then walked over and patted Zhao Xing on the shoulder to encourage him.

Clearly, this action was extremely threatening to the Third Prince Zhao Feng, but he was also completely baffled.

Why did the Crown Prince volunteer for battle?

However, countless people cheered and rallied for Zhao Xing, and his prestige reached its peak in an instant.

"Oh dear, it seems your Zhao state really has no one left; even the future crown prince has been implicated!"

Li Ming continued to mock and ridicule, showing no regard for Zhao Xing.

Zhao Xing, however, displayed remarkable composure, waving his hand and saying, "You Yan people are too arrogant. Although I am not as learned as Elder Zhang, I am at least somewhat literate. What is there to fear in a battle!"

"Ha, then I shall see how much talent the future crown prince of Zhao possesses."

Li Ming gestured for Zhao Xing to go first.

Zhao Xing smiled faintly and said, "No need. Since the winner of this competition is the one who finishes in the shortest time and whose poem is better, let's follow the rules."

Before Li Ming could say anything, she had barely finished speaking.

Zhao Xing took a step forward and recited a five-character poem in one breath!

The moment the poem was recited, the entire audience erupted in uproar.

Even Li Ming was stunned, never expecting Zhao Xing to be so talented!

Zhang Chunqiu and the others were also shocked, looking at the calm and composed Zhao Xing in disbelief!

"The Crown Prince is mighty!"

"People of Yan, what are you so arrogant about? Heh heh, how could you compare to the Crown Prince of our Great Zhao?"

Many people shouted excitedly; even those who were illiterate could hear the words.

Zhao Xing's poem is of far superior quality to the two poems Li Ming had written previously!

Zhao Tianhe was so excited that he personally clapped, and the other officials also clapped.

"My skills are inferior to yours, Your Highness; you are indeed talented, and I admire you!"

Li Ming cupped his hands in a gesture of surrender and readily conceded defeat before retreating.

Zhao Xing personally intervened to turn the tide for the Zhao state, pushing the atmosphere to a new level.

"Heh!" Li Chentian snorted coldly and took a step forward.

"It seems your crown prince is indeed quite talented, but I will personally take charge next!"

"Zhang Chunqiu, do you dare to accept the challenge?"

These words caused another stir in the room.

No one expected that the Yan Kingdom would directly field Li Chentian, skipping all the other contestants!

Zhang Chunqiu smiled, his gaze firm yet calm.

He clasped his hands together and made a decision that almost made everyone faint!