The First Marquis of Leisure

Li Chentian personally took action and specifically named Zhang Chunqiu.

Zhao Xing naturally stepped down, because everyone knew that the real highlight was yet to come!

The two academic giants will officially begin their contest, and no one, even on the Yan side, knows who will win or lose.

The two are very similar in age, talent, status, and identity, and the phrase "two equally brilliant talents of the same era" is the most fitting description.

However, just when everyone was full of expectations, Zhang Chunqiu's answer completely stunned everyone!

Zhang Chunqiu glanced at the enthusiastic gazes of the entire audience, especially those of Zhao Tianhe and many princes and ministers.

"Li Chentian, there's no need for us to compete. I concede defeat!"

What!

Did Old Zhang admit defeat outright?

Are you kidding me? What's going on?

The crowd erupted in cheers, and countless people shouted.

Zhao Tianhe and many ministers also stood up, and all eyes were focused on Zhang Chunqiu.

Apart from a very few people who knew the truth, such as the Third Prince, the Eighth Prince, Zhao Sisi, Xiao Changqing, and Zhang Zhi, even the people of Yan were completely confused!

Li Chentian was also stunned for a moment, his face full of disbelief.

Although he was confident that the State of Zhao was definitely inferior to the State of Yan, he also knew that he was not sure he could defeat Zhang Chunqiu.

But Zhang Chunqiu admitted defeat on the spot, which was truly baffling.

You must understand, this is no ordinary competition, but a major contest that concerns the fate of the Zhao state.

If they lose, the State of Zhao will have to submit to the State of Yan forever!

And in the entire Zhao state, besides Zhang Chunqiu, who else has the strength to fight?

"Zhang Chunqiu, are you really going to surrender without a fight?"

Li Chentian still found it hard to believe and confirmed it.

"Not bad!" Zhang Chunqiu nodded, looking at Zhao Tianhe, who was filled with murderous intent.

"I know I'm no match for the one in the carriage, so I'd better save time!"

"Hehe," Li Chentian chuckled, "It seems you're quite self-aware!"

"Old Zhang, what are you doing?"

"What's wrong with Elder Zhang? Doesn't he know that if he admits defeat, our Zhao Kingdom is finished?"

"Zhang Chunqiu, what's wrong with you, you old scoundrel who's just trying to gain fame and fortune?"

Many people couldn't hold back any longer and started shouting and cursing; some even tried to rush in.

"Zhang Chunqiu, do you know the consequences of your surrender? How can you live up to His Majesty's favor and trust?"

Li Taibei was secretly overjoyed, but on the surface he pretended to be extremely angry and ran over to question him.

"Zhang Chunqiu, you have served as tutor to three emperors, receiving countless imperial favors, yet today you surrender without a fight, dragging my Great Zhao into an abyss!"

Chen Feng and many ministers rushed over and angrily questioned him.

Zhao Tianhe was so angry that he trembled all over, and his murderous intent spread uncontrollably.

"Father, please take care of your health."

Zhao Feishuang and Zhao Xing helped Zhao Tianhe walk over, one on each side.

"Old Zhang, you've gone too far. How has my father, Zhao, ever wronged you?"

Zhao Feishuang looked furious.

"Zhang Chunqiu, are you doing this for Bai Xinghe?!"

Zhao Tianhe suppressed his anger and coldly questioned him.

"I have treated you well, and this is how you treat me? Even if I become the ruler of a fallen kingdom, I will still exterminate your entire Zhang clan!"

Zhao Tianhe was furious, his murderous aura soaring to the heavens.

He never expected Zhang Chunqiu to pull this stunt!

"Father, please calm your anger!"

The Third Prince and the Eighth Prince rushed over.

"Father, Elder Zhang is a highly respected elder; he must have his reasons for doing this. Please give Elder Zhang some time!"

"Heh, third brother, what time is it? Are you still trying to win people over?"

"Yes, Third Brother, don't you know that once we admit defeat, our Great Zhao will forever bow down to the Yan Kingdom?"

Zhao Xing and Zhao Feishuang also launched an attack on Zhao Feng.

"Slay the old traitor Zhang Chunqiu!"

"May that old dog Zhang Chunqiu die a horrible death!"

Many people roared and cursed.

Even many of Zhang Chunqiu's disciples, unaware of the situation, deeply resented it at this moment.

The future of the entire Zhao Dynasty rested on his shoulders, yet he unexpectedly admitted defeat on the spot!

The people of Yan were delighted and watched the spectacle with great interest!

"Your Majesty, we beg you to issue an edict to execute Zhang Chunqiu immediately and exterminate his entire clan, including nine generations!"

Li Taibei took the lead in requesting an imperial decree, and many ministers echoed his sentiments.

Zhao Tianhe clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and stared at Zhang Chunqiu with eyes full of hatred, disappointment, and murderous intent.

"Wait!" Just then, Zhang Chunqiu suddenly shouted calmly.

"Your Majesty, I know I am no match for that peerless genius of Yan, a talent that appears only once every century, and I am willing to concede defeat. But that does not mean that my Great Zhao will lose!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was once again completely bewildered, having no idea what Zhang Chunqiu meant.

"Zhang Chunqiu, judging from your words, does your Zhao state actually have someone who can rival my Yan state?"

Li Chentian asked with a face full of disdain.

"Not bad!" Zhang Chunqiu took a deep breath, his eyes becoming firm.

"Indeed, there is a man in our great Zhao who possesses talent that even if we study for a hundred years, we would still find it difficult to catch up with."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room began to speculate.

"Mr. Zhang, you must be joking, right?"

"Zhang Chunqiu, even on your deathbed, you still dare to deceive His Majesty! Who doesn't know that you are the strongest in Great Zhao!"

Zhang Chunqiu ignored these comments, looked at Zhao Tianhe, and suddenly knelt down with a thud.

"Your Majesty, this old minister has received the grace of three generations of emperors. Today is no time for child's play, and I am unwilling to see the Great Zhao fall into ruin."

"Your Majesty, I implore you to issue a decree immediately. If we are to defeat the Yan Kingdom today, one person is indispensable!"

The crowd wanted to mock Zhang Chunqiu, thinking he was afraid of dying and was saying it on purpose, but Zhao Tianhe stopped them.

Although Zhao Tianhe was neither a man of great talent nor a wise and powerful emperor, he was nonetheless calm and collected.

He suppressed his anger and said coldly, "Who!"

"The late God of War, Bai Tianque, and Bai Xinghe, the heir of the Marquis of Zhenguo!" Zhang Chunqiu announced loudly.

Bai Xinghe!

The moment the name was uttered, the entire audience fell silent for at least a few moments, followed by a deluge of laughter and insults.

"Zhang Chunqiu, you are truly afraid of death! Even at this time, you are still deceiving His Majesty!"

"Zhang Chunqiu, you're getting senile! Everyone knows Bai Xinghe is a notorious spendthrift, utterly ignorant and incompetent!"

Faced with the overwhelming insults at the scene, Zhao Sisi, the Eighth Prince, the Third Prince, Xiao Changqing, and Zhang Zhi all stood up and knelt down.

"Your Majesty, we swear on our lives that everything Elder Zhang said is true!"

Seeing this, Li Taibei, Zhao Xing, Zhao Feishuang and the others were stunned.

"Father, don't you know how Bai Xinghe is doing?"

"Your Majesty, Bai Xinghe is utterly useless and ignorant. He can't even read a few characters, let alone compose poetry!"

"Your Majesty, Zhang Chunqiu's intentions are despicable; not killing him would not appease public anger."

The people of Yan also burst into laughter. They had thought Zhang Chunqiu was talking about some extraordinary reclusive master, but they never expected him to be a notorious playboy.

"Zhang Chunqiu, that纨绔子弟 (spoiled brat) you mentioned, I saw him at Jufulou. You've really gone senile!"

"Indeed, we have heard of this man's name when we first arrived in Zhao. Heh, just a good-for-nothing prince who only knows how to eat, drink and have fun."

"Ha!" Zhang Chunqiu sneered and said loudly, "Compared to Bai Xinghe, your talents are nothing more than fireflies and the bright moon."