The First Marquis of Leisure

The whole country rejoices as the once idle and good-for-nothing playboy has turned the tide.

They completely overwhelmed the prestigious Yan Kingdom's elite military force, renowned for its literary prowess, and even caused Yan Kingdom's once-in-a-century genius to suffer a mental breakdown on the spot, leaving him utterly powerless to fight back!

The entire capital was immersed in immense joy, which was not only related to the face of the Zhao state.

More directly, it meant that there would be no more wars in the border areas between Zhao and Yan, and countless people could live and work in peace and contentment.

People rushed through the streets, spreading the good news to one another.

Many people praised Bai Xinghe's name, and many others lauded Zhao Tianhe as a wise and benevolent ruler!

The Zhenguo Marquis's mansion once again became the focus of the entire Great Zhao, because the daytime was missing this war god.

It's all because of Bai Xinghe, the God of Literature!

After the celebration, it was already night.

The Third Prince Zhao Feng personally hosted a dinner, inviting the Eighth Prince, Zhang Chunqiu, Zhao Sisi, and Bai Xinghe to his residence.

After this competition, their friendship deepened considerably, as they had been through thick and thin together.

After several rounds of drinks, the third prince spoke first.

"Brother Bai, what are your plans next?"

Zhao Feng's question did indeed stump Bai Xinghe.

He hadn't really thought about this issue in detail.

Soon, the entire Zhao region probably knew that he was not a good-for-nothing spendthrift, but a brilliant scholar descended from heaven.

The Zhenguo Marquis's Mansion will rise again, but he hasn't figured out how to proceed from there.

"Your Highness, to be honest, I have never considered the future."

Zhao Feng nodded, then said respectfully, "Brother Bai, with your talent, even if the Emperor were to appoint you as the Imperial Preceptor, it would be a piece of cake."

"Imperial Advisor?" Bai Xinghe smiled and said, "I'm used to a carefree life and have no desire to serve in the court, which would be too restrictive. As for Imperial Advisor, Elder Zhang is more suitable than me."

"Brother Bai, since that's the case, I do have an idea."

Zhao Feng was a cheerful and talented man.

"I wish to become sworn brothers with Brother Bai!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Xinghe, Zhang Chunqiu, the Eighth Prince, Zhao Sisi, and the others were all stunned.

Bai Xinghe clearly understood Zhao Feng's intention: to first test his ambition and then win him over and bind him.

However, he did have a good impression of Zhao Feng, who had stepped forward to help him on several occasions.

This time, in particular, Zhao Feng risked everything, even his life, to secure his position.

"Since Your Highness is of royal blood, and has spoken, I cannot refuse!"

"Great!" Zhao Feng was very happy.

He never gave up and was looking for an opportunity.

This poetry competition gave him a lot of confidence.

"Old Zhang, Eighth Uncle, Sisi, I ask you to witness that I, Zhao Feng, and Bai Xinghe, are sworn brothers today. We will share happiness and hardship together. If we break this oath, may we die a horrible death!"

As he spoke, Zhao Feng picked up a glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp, while Bai Xinghe did the same without saying a word.

He was aware of Zhao Feng's ambitions, but he did not reject them.

There was even some anticipation, since it wouldn't be bad if his brother became emperor.

.......

Meanwhile, in the Prime Minister's residence

Li Taibei, Chen Feng, Zhao Feishuang, and their cronies all had gloomy expressions.

The results of the poetry competition completely exceeded their expectations.

Now, let alone killing Bai Xinghe, wiping out the entire Zhenguo Marquis's mansion, or taking Zhang Chunqiu's head, these things are out of the question.

Now they were all filled with fear and unease, with a premonition that a great calamity was about to befall them.

"Lord Li, what should we do now?"

"Lord Li, Bai Xinghe's prestige now probably surpasses that of Bai Tianque back then. Let alone touching him, even if a single hair on his head were to fall, it would cause a huge uproar."

Chen Feng looked dejected, worried about himself, but even more worried about his son Chen Ping's life!

Li Taibei clenched his fists, his face filled with a sinister look.

His plan was perfect; it was just one step away from being realized.

By using a poetry competition to defeat Zhang Chunqiu and fulfill the conditions of the Yan state, Zhao Tianhe subsequently lost all prestige.

Crown Prince Zhao Xing secretly exerted his influence and seized the throne in one fell swoop.

Then the new emperor ascended the throne and purged all his political enemies, starting with the Zhenguo Marquis's mansion.

The Eighth Prince and the Third Prince must all die. In the end, a princess will be chosen to marry into the Yan Kingdom, and sixteen cities in the Southern Commandery will be ceded to them.

Everything should have been perfectly realized, but then Bai Xinghe suddenly appeared out of nowhere!

What he found most unacceptable was that Bai Xinghe had always been an incompetent playboy.

Everything is now in chaos, and there's only one path to take.

"Now that things have come to this, if we want to save our lives and families, we must strike first!"

"Lord Li, why not strike first?"

"Lord Li, please explain."

Chen Feng and his cronies were unaware that Li Taibei and Crown Prince Zhao Xing had already secretly colluded with the Yan Kingdom's Shadow Guard organization.

"Gentlemen, if this succeeds, we will not only retain our current position, but we will also rise to a higher level!"

"If we lose, our entire family will be doomed!"

Hearing Li Taibei describe the situation as so serious, the others also fell into deep thought.

"Lord Li, you might as well speak frankly. As long as Bai Xinghe lives, I, the princess, will not be able to eat or sleep in peace." Although Zhao Feishuang was a woman, her hatred for Bai Xinghe was no less than that for Li Taibei.

"Your Highness, please wait a moment. We can discuss that matter after His Highness the Crown Prince arrives!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was even more surprised and puzzled.

Will the Crown Prince come too?

The room was quiet, and the night was deep.

The Prime Minister's residence was already under martial law, under the cover of darkness.

Crown Prince Zhao Xing, accompanied by his trusted confidant Qin Guang, secretly arrived at the Prime Minister's residence and easily found his way to the secret room.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Upon seeing that Zhao Xing had indeed arrived, Li Taibei led the way in bowing.

"Please, everyone, no need for formalities!"

Zhao Xing's expression was also very grim, according to the previous plan.

He stepped forward to participate in the competition, winning back a point for the State of Zhao and gaining prestige.

Of course, he had already prepared the poems. Moreover, the Yan Kingdom's shadow guards had already secretly reached an agreement with the Yan Kingdom's delegation.

I never expected Bai Xinghe to suddenly appear out of nowhere!

Without Bai Xinghe, his throne would be as secure as Mount Tai, but now it's clear to everyone with eyes to see.

The Third Prince Zhao Feng, who once competed with him, is showing signs of rising to prominence!

"Your Highness, those who enter this secret chamber today are all in mortal danger!"

"This old minister suggests that delaying may lead to unforeseen complications; it would be better to take action tomorrow!"

Zhao Xing hesitated, after all, if this matter were to be leaked or fail, everyone would be doomed.

But he was also aware of the current situation and knew that the best course of action was to strike first.

"Gentlemen, would you be willing to assist His Highness in ascending the throne at the grand ceremony?"

Zhao Xing asked tentatively.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the secret room gaped in astonishment.

No one expected that Zhao Xing would plot to usurp the throne!

This is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family; once exposed, they will all die!

"What? Are you all scared?"

Zhao Xing gave a cold laugh and met Li Taibei's gaze.

Anyone who dares to disobey must be eliminated immediately.

"Your Highness, if we are to successfully ascend the throne, our army of soldiers is far from sufficient!"

"The Imperial Guards only obey His Majesty's orders; even Lord Li cannot be mobilized. How can we possibly accomplish anything?"

Chen Feng voiced his question, inwardly gasping for breath.

The other ministers were the same; they were merely Li Taibei's henchmen who had previously joined forces to deal with Bai Tianque.

Unexpectedly, Li Taibei had already colluded with the Crown Prince to usurp the throne, and had them all tied to the ship.

After all, they were all high-ranking officials in the court, so they were certainly not foolish.

Now that things have come to this, it's clearly impossible to back out; we have no choice but to grit our teeth and keep going.

"Rest assured, everyone. I have already cooperated with the Yan Kingdom's Shadow Guards."

"Furthermore, Commander He of the Nine Gates is already one of our men. At that time, the soldiers of the Commander's office will be able to completely control the Imperial Guards!"

"Only by helping His Highness ascend the throne at the grand ceremony can we turn the tide and eliminate Bai Xinghe, Zhang Chunqiu, and the others. Otherwise, we will be purged sooner or later!"