The First Marquis of Leisure

Zhao Tianhe never expected that the person Zhang Chunqiu was talking about was actually Bai Xinghe!

This not only made him feel that his supreme authority as emperor had been challenged, but also that his intelligence as a normal person had been insulted!

In his extreme anger, Zhao Tianhe almost lost his mind and burst into maniacal laughter.

As the saying goes, "A common man's anger can cause blood to spill five steps away."

When the emperor is angry, blood can flow like a river.

Zhao Tianhe was completely enraged and could no longer contain his overwhelming killing intent.

"Someone come here!"

"By imperial decree, Zhang Chunqiu, that old scoundrel, and all members of the Zhang family are to be immediately taken to the execution ground and executed by slow slicing!"

At Zhao Tianhe's command, a group of armored soldiers, weapons in hand, began to converge!

"Your Majesty, no, absolutely not!"

The Eighth Prince panicked and stepped forward, kneeling on the ground.

"Your Majesty, I can also attest to the truth of Elder Zhang's words. Bai Xinghe is not at all as ignorant and incompetent as the rumors suggest; his talent is unparalleled!"

"Your Majesty, what Elder Zhang and my father said is true. Young Master Bai is truly exceptionally talented, and only he can defeat the Yan Kingdom."

Zhao Sisi also knelt on the ground, followed by Zhang Zhi and Xiao Changqing.

"Father," the third prince Zhao Feng also knelt down, "I am willing to stake my life on it. At this point, we have no choice but to believe Bai Xinghe."

"Very well!" Zhao Tianhe's killing intent was palpable. "Do you think I wouldn't dare kill you?"

"Take them all away and execute them by slow slicing. Anyone who dares to plead for them will be put to death!"

"Father!" the third prince cried out, "Do you really intend to watch the Great Zhao dynasty perish?"

"Zhao Feng, do you think I won't kill you?"

Zhao Tianhe has lost patience. Today he is the king of a fallen kingdom, and he doesn't mind wreaking havoc before his kingdom falls.

Li Taibei and Zhao Xing felt as if they were on honey, as their entire plan had been perfectly executed.

It was even more perfect than I had imagined. I never expected Zhang Chunqiu to actually seek death!

"Your Majesty!" Zhang Chunqiu roared and stood up abruptly.

"This old minister is already over sixty years old. Even if you spare me, my days are numbered. But if the Great Zhao Kingdom perishes, I would rather die a thousand deaths than face my two late emperors in the afterlife!"

"Your Majesty, I am willing to die, but I beg you to calm down. If Bai Xinghe is not as I have said, Your Majesty need not issue a decree, I will lead my clansmen and disciples to commit suicide!"

"My brother is the same as the elder!"

"I feel the same way!"

The Eighth Prince and the Third Prince were completely desperate; at this point, no one could remain uninvolved.

Seeing that Zhang Chunqiu, the Eighth Prince, the Third Prince, and Zhao Sisi were all so resolute, even disregarding their lives.

This calmed Zhao Tianhe down immediately; he was indeed exceptional in his ability to ascend to the throne.

"Your Majesty, do you really believe the nonsense spouted by that old scoundrel Zhang Chunqiu?"

Li Taibei was unwilling to see Zhao Tianhe suddenly change his mind, so he struck while the iron was hot.

At this moment, Li Chentian became interested.

At first, he was also puzzled as to why his old rival Zhang Chunqiu would think so highly of a playboy.

It is clear that Zhang Chunqiu did not suffer from mental illness; his speech and behavior were perfectly normal.

Doubts arose in his mind: could that playboy Bai Xinghe really be that extraordinary?

This greatly piqued his interest!

"Your Majesty the Emperor of Great Zhao, Zhang Chunqiu's words are not without merit. This old man and I, the scholars of Great Yan, are quite eager to see that infamous playboy!"

Sure enough, after Li Chentian spoke, Zhao Tianhe regained some of his senses, but he still stared at Zhang Chunqiu with murderous intent in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, there is no time to lose. We should immediately send someone to the Nine Gates Commander's Office to release Bai Xinghe!" Zhang Chunqiu urged.

Zhao Tianhe snorted coldly, closed his eyes, and then let out a long sigh.

Since things have come to this point, there's no other choice but to try anything, even if it seems hopeless.

"Go immediately to the governor's prison and bring Bai Xinghe here!"

Seeing this, Li Taibei and his cronies were somewhat dissatisfied, but they had no way to defy the imperial decree in public.

However, in their view, this was nothing more than a pointless exercise.

How could Bai Xinghe possibly have such talent!

"I will release Bai Xinghe for now. If things don't turn out as you say, I will exterminate your entire clan!"

.......

The atmosphere at the scene was extremely tense, and the surrounding crowd stopped attacking and hurling insults at Zhang Chunqiu, instead whispering among themselves.

Everyone had similar thoughts, after all, the people of the capital had all heard of Bai Xinghe's reputation as a good-for-nothing spendthrift.

It is unacceptable to allow someone like this to represent the Zhao family in such a crucial poetry competition.

Just like Zhao Tianhe's helplessness, Zhang Chunqiu was the most skilled player in the entire Zhao family, and he had already admitted defeat.

If the Great Zhao were to avoid its demise, this was the only glimmer of hope.

Meanwhile, in the prison of the Nine Gates Commander's Office.

Because Zhao Feng had personally gone there before, Bai Xinghe was able to enjoy a few days of peace.

After all, the people in the governor's office weren't stupid; they wouldn't risk offending a prince for the sake of a dying man.

Bai Xinghe lay on the straw, shackled, his eyes gleaming.

He knew that today was the day of the Yan-Zhao Poetry Competition, and he also anticipated that he would be released today.

Sure enough, hurried footsteps came from outside the death row.

Then a eunuch, sweating profusely, rushed towards him with several jailers.

"Bai Xinghe, His Majesty has decreed that you are pardoned from the death penalty and are ordered to immediately rise and participate in the poetry competition!"

Bai Xinghe sneered; everything was exactly as he had expected.

"Quickly, open the cell door and remove his shackles!"

The eunuch was very anxious and urged the jailer to release the man immediately.

"Wait!"

Bai Xinghe stood up and said calmly, "Go tell Zhao Tianhe that I, this young master, am not someone who can be killed or released at will!"

"If you want me to represent Zhao in the poetry competition, have Zhao Tianhe personally come and fetch me!"

"Bai Xinghe, you!" The eunuch did not expect Bai Xinghe to be so stubborn. Not only did he disobey the imperial decree, but he also called the emperor by his name and even wanted the emperor to come to the prison to pick him up.

"Bai Xinghe, things are different now. The Zhenguo Marquis's mansion has fallen on hard times. You'd better keep a low profile. If it weren't for Elder Zhang, the Eighth Prince, the Third Prince, the Princess, and others guaranteeing your lives, you would surely be beheaded!"

"Hehe." Bai Xinghe shrugged, indicating that he didn't care.

"Time is of the essence, but I am not in a hurry. If Great Zhao is willing to submit to Yan from now on and sign a humiliating treaty that cedes its sovereignty, then you may do so!"

The eunuch stomped his feet in anger, but seeing that he couldn't reason with Bai Xinghe, he had no choice but to leave the prison immediately and head towards the poetry competition venue.

At this moment, the master of poetry was on site.

Everyone in the room felt an invisible pressure, and their palms were sweating with nervousness.

Only Zhang Chunqiu, the Third Prince, the Eighth Prince, and Zhao Sisi, among a few others, appeared calm and confident.

Despite their efforts to remain calm, Zhao Tianhe and many other princes and ministers, especially Zhao Tianhe, tried to maintain his dignity and composure.

But his extreme anxiety and the pressure of becoming the ruler of a doomed kingdom still caused him to make numerous mistakes.

Li Taibei, Zhao Feishuang, Zhao Xing, and their cronies were all waiting with great interest to see what would happen.

As for the Yan state, they were chatting in small groups.

Li Chentian remained arrogant and full of mockery.

"Zhang Chunqiu, Zhang Chunqiu, I was originally thinking that after our defeat, you wouldn't be able to stay in Zhao. I would put aside past grievances and recommend you to His Majesty the Emperor of Yan!"

"But now it seems that your Zhao emperor will certainly not let you go!"

Zhang Chunqiu chuckled and said, "Li Chentian, you should think carefully about how you will explain this to your emperor after your crushing defeat of my Great Zhao."

Time was ticking away, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the road leading from the Governor's Office to the poetry competition venue.