Chapter 228: Contest in the Court

Bai Zongren took over the military camp, and Bai Li led the troops to Beijing.

"Dad, please be careful with the treasure. Each team must have someone watching over them."

"I understand. When you go to the capital, be careful with your words. Those censors can make the dead appear alive and the crooked appear straight. Don't let them catch you by the hair, or you'll be in big trouble.

But they also have their flaws, like being too concerned about reputation and being hypocritical. As long as you're a little more humble and sweet-talking, they won't be able to do anything to you. Just don't confront them head-on."

"Dad, it seems you have quite some experience in dealing with them!"

"As an official for many years, even if you don't think about yourself, you have to think about your family. You can't be straightforward in everything like you're on the battlefield."

"Wrong. Sometimes you need to use your brain on the battlefield and not just act recklessly."

"Oh, it seems my daughter is even better than me!"

The father and daughter joked with each other for a while at the gate of the military camp and said goodbye reluctantly.

"Dad, when I come back, I'll give you half of the reward."

"When you come back, I'll give you half of Dad's credit."

The father and daughter smiled at each other and walked into the military camp.

On the training ground, Nangong Min had just assembled the cavalry and was ready to set off.

"Marshal Bai, why are you here so early?"

"Um, I couldn't sleep because of something on my mind, so I just got up."

The two exchanged a few pleasantries before setting off. After all, the journey was long and there were plenty of opportunities to talk.

The cavalry left the village in the early morning light and set foot on the official road to Beijing.

The horses galloped day and night without stopping, and finally entered the gate of the capital after three days.

The group was covered in dust and dirt. If it weren't for the extraordinary horses they were riding, people would have mistaken them for beggars from somewhere who had come to Beijing to beg.

"This is the capital city, it's really prosperous!"

Although Bai Li had memories of her past life, strictly speaking, this was her third time setting foot in the capital.

The first time was when I just came here, my property was confiscated and I was exiled, and I left here.

The second time was when we rescued Wu Lanzhi and the others. We were in a hurry and didn’t have time to look at it any more.

This was the third time she reined in her horse and walked slowly on the bluestone road, feeling as if she were in another world.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the court was solemn.

The envoys from the two countries looked arrogant, especially the envoy from Simon, who approached Zhou Yu who was sitting in a high seat.

"Emperor of the Great Zhou, today is the third day. The journey from Qianxi to the capital is only a thousand miles. If we had a fine horse from our country, we could reach the destination in one day.

Are you, the Great Zhou, using the war horses as an excuse to deliberately delay time?"

The court was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

The ministers below were all angry but dared not speak. Zhou Yu looked around and saw only a pile of heads. He felt very disappointed.

The envoy Simon had a mocking look on his face, Zhou Yu's face darkened and he was about to get angry.

Eunuch Li stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, there's a report from outside. Marshal Bai Libai has arrived!"

Zhou Yu's face was filled with joy as the cloudy sky suddenly cleared up. "Urgently summon Bai Li to see you!"

"Announce, Marshal Bai Libai, enter the palace for an audience!"

Eunuch Li's sharp and slender voice sounded, and a petite figure strode out of the court.

Perhaps it was because of the backlight that made her figure look tall and slender, making everyone feel inexplicably depressed.

"She is Bai Li, the daughter of General Bai Zongren, the famous commander of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

Simon's envoy Han Yong, his subordinates are quietly giving him information about Bai Li.

Han Yong narrowed his deep eyes slightly and shot a dangerous look at Bai Li.

"She is the female commander who led tens of thousands of soldiers and defeated our army of 200,000?"

He placed particular emphasis on the word "female" in his words, which shows how much he looks down on women.

The subordinates were silent. He was not leading tens of thousands of soldiers, but less than ten thousand.

However, he did not dare to say it. In order to save some face, the people of Simon exaggerated the military strength of the Great Zhou and minimized the country's losses. They only claimed to have lost 100,000 troops. Otherwise, Simon would have no face to show and as a Simon, he would not be able to see anyone.

The subordinates' silence expressed their agreement. Han Yong's glare flew towards Bai Li like a real knife, and his eyes were full of resentment towards Bai Li, the coach of the victorious team.

In the last war, Simon lost 200,000 troops and its national strength was severely damaged. They blamed Bai Li for all this.

"I heard that Marshal Bai is brave and good at fighting. He was lucky enough to defeat my Simon Kingdom last time. I wonder if he has any ability in this literary battle?" The envoy from Simon Kingdom took the lead in attacking, his tone full of provocation.

Bai Li stood at the designated location and knelt down to pay homage to the emperor.

After receiving the pardon, he stood up, then smiled slightly and responded neither servilely nor arrogantly: "Since this is a friendly exchange between our two countries, Bai will naturally accompany you. But I wonder what topic your Excellency would like to discuss?"

"Hmph, I've heard that the culture of the Great Zhou is extensive and profound, and that poetry and songs are truly exceptional. So, let's discuss poetry. Do you dare to accept, General Bai?"

A glint of cunning flashed in the eyes of the envoy from Simon.

Bai Li knew in his heart that the Simon Kingdom was guessing that she came from a military family, had been wielding swords and guns since childhood, and was not outstanding in reading and writing. They wanted to regain their face in the cultural field to restore the dignity of their country after its defeat on the battlefield.

She snorted coldly and nodded calmly: "Please ask a question."

"Let's take this summer court as our theme. Within a limited time of one stick of incense, you must compose a poem that fully captures the spirit of the Great Zhou. If the general can do this, we will be convinced."

The envoy from Simon kept his eyes fixed on Bai Li, as if he was certain that she would not be able to produce a good work in such a short time.

Bai Li closed his eyes slightly and pondered for a moment.

The time of a stick of incense is neither long nor short. It must reflect the style of the Great Zhou Kingdom and surpass the opponent in intention, which is really a test of one's ability.

As the incense ash slowly fell, Bai Li opened his eyes, cleared his throat, and chanted, "Summer is approaching, the court is bathed in golden light, and the majestic dragon throne reflects the rosy clouds.

Envoys from both countries discussed matters together, and the prosperous times blossomed with flowers."

As soon as this poem came out, all the civil and military officials in the court could not help but nod inwardly.

It not only depicts the solemnity and splendor of the summer court, but also highlights the harmonious scene of envoys from the two countries discussing matters together, and also shows the prosperity of the Great Zhou Kingdom.

From the moment she came up to meet the emperor to the moment she responded, her demeanor was calm and composed. She was just like her poetry, majestic, magnificent and imposing.

The Simon Kingdom envoy's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: "Marshal Bai is indeed quick-witted and proficient in both civil and military affairs.

"But this poem is full of whitewashing rhetoric, lacking any real spirit. How about we have another competition, this time on the subject of military strategy? I want to see if Marshal Bai has a deeper understanding of military tactics besides his brute courage on the battlefield."

The envoy from Mongolia remained silent, but his eyes moved back and forth between Bai Li and the envoy from Simon, with an expression of waiting for a good show.

Bai Li sneered inwardly. This Simon envoy had lost in poetry, but now he was trying to redeem himself in his own area of ​​military strategy. She stood firm, "It's up to you, envoy, to set the question."

"If you were to lead an army of 100,000 deep into enemy territory, with a fortified city in front of you and pursuers approaching from behind, and only enough food and fodder for three days, how would you respond?"

The envoy from Simon State raised a difficult question with pride in his eyes.