When the two of them walked into the palace, everything was normal at first. The audience, letters of credence, and gifts were all carried out step by step. The envoy from Southern Zhao was also respectful and courteous, even though it was the first time he came to the Jingyuan Dynasty as an envoy. , but it can be seen that sufficient preparations have been made in advance.
Since this was the first time that Southern Zhao came to pay tribute, and the gifts presented were extremely precious, Xiao Changyi did not hesitate to give more precious gifts in return, and even heavily rewarded the two people who came as envoys, as did the Southern Zhao envoys. Kneeling down and thanking him seemed very sincere and not artificial.
Just when everyone thought everything was completed smoothly, the envoy of Nan Zhao suddenly made a shocking request.
"Your Majesty, our country, Southern Zhao, is located in a remote place among high mountains and lofty mountains. The folk customs are simple and there are very few people who study. Therefore, in terms of literary talent and knowledge, we naturally dare not compare with a great country like your dynasty. However, I am on a pilgrimage. The Lord has always heard that your dynasty relied on military force to establish a country and to maintain its peace through culture. Although Wen did not dare to compare with your dynasty, in terms of military force, our country, Southern Zhao, was also founded on this basis. Therefore, before the envoy comes, My Holy Lord told me that when I come here this time, I must discuss and seek advice from the martial arts practitioners of your dynasty. Today happens to be the day when all the capable people and strangers from your dynasty are here, and I would like to take this opportunity to meet with the martial arts practitioners of your dynasty. Let’s discuss martial arts and learn from each other, and I hope your majesty will give me your permission.”
Hearing the request from the envoy of Nan Zhao, there was an uproar in the hall. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that it was a discussion in name, but in reality it was a challenge.
The Southern Zhao Kingdom is located in the smog-stricken land of Bozhou. It has long been regarded as a barbarian. Because of its tough folk customs and ignorance of calligraphy and etiquette, it is often despised by the world. However, martial arts prevail here, and in the land of Bozhou Almost every family practices martial arts and everyone practices kung fu.
Jingyuan had been a country for more than a hundred years, but he had rarely used troops against Southern Zhao. This was partly related to the inconvenience of marching in the mountains of Bozhou. Another important reason was that the local people were fierce and good at fighting, not easy to surrender, had a strong sense of clan, and were difficult to govern. Therefore, after several attempts, the emperors of the past dynasties gave up the idea of occupying Bozhou and Nanzhao. For many years, the two countries did not interact with each other and did not invade each other, but they were in peace.
This time Nan Zhao sent envoys to pay tribute, which originally puzzled many people. Now it seems that things are not that simple.
I don’t know what the emperor of Southern Zhao has in mind? Since sending envoys, it should be to seek long-term coexistence and peaceful coexistence. Now the envoy suddenly launched a challenge in this hall and emphasized that he was entrusted by the emperor of his country. This was tantamount to provoking the Jingyuan Dynasty.
But since the two countries have always been in peace with each other, why did they do such an incredible thing?
Although Xiao Changyi was also shocked, he said to the Southern Zhao envoy without showing his face: "You have come from afar, you are a guest, and on this occasion of the New Year, forget about using swords and guns. Come on! Besides, although there is not much contact between the two countries, it can be said that they live in good neighborly relations. This sword has no eyes, and no matter which one is injured, it will hurt the harmony, so we should leave the matter of this martial arts competition later! "
Unexpectedly, the envoy of Southern Zhao said reluctantly: "Your Majesty, the whole country of Southern Zhao is martial, just like the literati of your dynasty studying. Literati have the etiquette of literati, and we warriors of Southern Zhao also have the etiquette of warriors. If others want to learn from each other, , issued a challenge, it would be a great discourtesy to refuse to accept the challenge. Your dynasty is a superior country, and it is also a country of etiquette. I will definitely not do such a discourteous thing. I hope your Majesty will learn from it."
The meaning is very clear. I will politely come to you to ask for a fight. If you are timid, you are rude. If you lose the fight, you are your loser. If you win, you are a bully.
Shao Xi thought to himself that this is the sixth child! It doesn't matter if we fight like this, or if we don't fight; it's troublesome if we win, and even more troublesome if we lose. You are not here to pay tribute, you are here to be a troublemaker! And he brought such a big one.
He raised his eyes and looked at the big fat man who was like a hill, and then looked at the black iron ball in his hand that was as big as a washbasin. Putting the towel on his body was like a band-aid. Who could do this?
Seeing that the other party had reached this point, Xiao Changyi would be rude if he refused any more, so he turned to the direction of the military ministers in the hall and asked: "Do you, dear friends, are willing to come out to fight? With this Southern Zhao The strong men will learn from each other."
As soon as he finished speaking, several military generals stood up to ask for a fight. They had endured it for a long time. As military ministers fighting for the country, no one could bear it now that they were being provoked.
Although I was quite surprised when I saw the opponent's physique and weapons, I can't be timid at this time no matter what. Regardless of whether I can beat him or not, for a martial artist, this shrinking tortoise must not be done, and he cannot afford to lose it. this person.
Xiao Changyi followed the sound and saw that the few people standing up were all generals who had fought for the country on the battlefield for many years. All of them had outstanding military achievements and were members of the general family. They were loyal to the emperor and served the country with one thousand soldiers.
Xiao Changyi is an emperor after all, and he still has to weigh the pros and cons of many things. Seeing the fat man standing in front of His Highness, most people would definitely suffer a loss if they fought with him, and the generals who asked for the battle were all the treasures of the Jingyuan Dynasty. Wouldn't it be unfair if they were injured in the hands of this fat man? So he raised his hand and motioned to the generals to sit down first. Instead, he turned his head and asked the envoy of Nan Zhao a question.
"The person you sent to compete is this strong man in front of you? What is this strong man's name? How old is he this year?"
The envoy from Southern Zhao did not think much about the meaning of Xiao Changyi's question, and answered immediately: "His name is Wu Qiu'er. He will be eighteen years old after this year. He was originally a slave. Because of his strange bones and tall stature, It is a good material for practicing martial arts, so I, Pilgrim Master, got rid of his slave status. However, because he is too strong and has a somewhat irritable temperament, he may accidentally hurt others, so I add strength to his hands and feet on weekdays. He was shackled and then given an iron ball to restrict his movement."
As soon as he finished saying this, people in the hall began to discuss in a noisy manner.
Putting aside everything else, it is unbelievable at this age. With a look like this and a big beard on his face, you told me that you are only eighteen years old? Is it too early to mature? Or are there too many one-year-olds?
Besides, a person is so powerful that he has to shackle his hands and feet and drop a big iron ball? What would happen if these restrictions were removed?
What Shao Xi was thinking in his mind was, "How unethical are you? You have to be shackles after being freed from slavery. What's the difference between this and not being freed from slavery? No wonder people say you are barbarians."
After Xiao Changyi listened to the words of the Southern Zhao envoy, he had his own plan in mind, so he said: "All of you, my beloved ministers, are the pillars of the country. You have suffered many injuries and illnesses after fighting for the country for many years. Besides, you are now older. Like You should stop participating in this kind of martial arts competition. Besides, I am still a child. How can you bully the young with your big one? I don’t think it is worse than this. All of you, my beloved, are from a general’s family, and your sons will all be the same. They have great martial arts skills, why not let them fight on behalf of their father."
Xiao Changyi's words were high-sounding. After hearing this, Shao Xi secretly laughed below.
"As expected of an emperor, he really knows how to be a king. First, he refused to allow his capable ministers and generals to participate in the competition on the grounds that he was sick while serving the country and was old, so as not to be injured. His beautiful words won over people's hearts. In place. To describe the big fat man as a child and not to bully the small ones is to find a good way to avoid the fear that his generals will be injured during the competition. Finally, he sent a group of children to compete in the battle to compare the martial arts competition between the two countries. It turns into a competition between a group of children, downgrades the situation, makes you happy when you win, and doesn't lose your country's dignity when you lose. This little calculation is worth deducting 666 points."
Now that the Holy One has said this, neither the Southern Zhao envoys nor the generals of the Jingyuan Dynasty can stick to their own ideas, and everyone can only nod in agreement.
Because it was a competition, naturally it couldn't be in this hall, so Xiao Changyi gave an order to "set up a driving school martial arts field."
Lian Wenchen, military commanders, and a large group of people from foreign missions rushed to the school martial arts field together. The place was spacious and weapons could be used. After all, weapons were not allowed in the main hall, and the school martial arts field was The martial arts field is different. Long and short weapons, foot and horse combat will not be restricted for fear of startling the holy knight, and can be used freely.
It is not a small matter for such a large group of people to move. This has made the Ministry of Rites, Honglu Temple and Guanglu Temple very busy. They were originally responsible for today's reception work. As soon as the move was announced, a large number of people were sent in advance. Rush over and get ready.
By the time the civil and military officials and the envoys from various countries arrived at the school martial arts field with the Holy Driver, the banquet had been prepared in advance. This efficiency was beyond the reach of many five-star hotels.
Everyone came to sit down in the field. Xiao Changyi sat on the high platform in the center, looked around, and said to the father-in-law beside him: "Tell them, if they are ready, let's start!"
After receiving the decree, the father-in-law stood in front of the high platform and said loudly in a very sharp voice: "The Holy Majesty has decreed that today's martial arts competition will be held in the form of a wrestling match. The warriors from Nan Zhao will be the ring master. If anyone wants to challenge the ring master, they can enter the venue on their own. It is a one-on-one competition, and multiple people are not allowed to join forces. This competition is for the purpose of exchanging points. The two sides of the competition are not allowed to hurt anyone's life. Anyone who resists will be severely punished. "
After announcing the rules of the competition, the fat man named Wu Qiu'er from Nan Zhao walked into the field and threw the big iron ball in his hand on the ground, which immediately made a deep hole the size of a washbasin on the ground.
He grabbed the iron chain connecting the iron ball and gently lifted it up. It was as easy as lifting a ball. He swung the iron ball over his head a few times and then smashed it to the ground again. The entire iron ball was almost completely submerged in the ground.
Seeing such a scene, everyone present could not help but take a deep breath.
Everyone knows the weight of the iron ball. If he can swing it so easily, how strong must this person be? Moreover, the competition has not yet begun, so it is not yet known whether this person only has brute strength. If he has also practiced martial arts, it will be even more terrifying.
"The competition begins! Is there anyone willing to compete with Nan Zhao warriors?"
"I come!"
