During the Northern Barbarian delegation's stay in Beijing, Xiao Xun arranged several activities to show his hospitality, including an equestrian exchange held at the Royal Horse Ranch.

The Northern Di people were renowned for their horsemanship and archery, and were naturally eager to try it out, especially Bo Rigu and Qi Qige, who were determined to show off their prowess to the people of Daliang and turn around their recent setbacks.

Banners fluttered in the wind at the horse racing arena. Xiao Xun and Xin Jiuwei sat on the viewing platform, accompanied by ministers such as Xin Yunzhou and Qi Huaihe. A group of young military officers and sons of noble families were also eager to participate.

Bo Rigu, dressed in the attire of a Northern Di rider, mounted a magnificent Northern Di steed and swaggered around the arena a few times, his movements agile and his horsemanship truly superb. He reined in his horse, looked towards the viewing platform, and called out, "I have long heard that the Great Liang is full of talented people. I wonder if there are any brave warriors today who would like to exchange horsemanship skills with my Northern Di lads? Just running laps is rather boring; how about setting up some prizes?"

Qiqige, riding a small red horse, said sweetly from the side, "Brother Wang is right! If anyone can defeat my brother Wang, I, Qiqige, will personally present him with a Northern Di treasure sword! If... if General Xin is willing to step down and give me some pointers, that would be even better!" She looked intently at Xin Yunzhou, her intentions clear.

Xin Yunzhou remained expressionless and ignored it. He couldn't be bothered to deal with such blatant provocation.

However, the arrogance of the Northern Di people enraged one person. From the young men's seats, Xin Rui, dressed in riding and archery attire, suddenly stood up and declared loudly, "Your Majesty! Your subject Xin Rui, on behalf of the younger generation of Great Liang, wishes to seek guidance from Prince Bo Ri Gu!"

Everyone was taken aback. Although Xin Rui was brave, he was still young, and his opponent was a well-known warrior from the Northern Di.

Xin Yunzhou frowned: "Rui'er, stop fooling around!"

Upon seeing this, Bo Rigu laughed heartily, his words laced with sarcasm: "What? Is there no one left in Great Liang? You actually sent out a mere brat to fight? General Xin, is this your son? He's certainly young and fearless, but unfortunately... he probably can't withstand any hardship."

Xin Rui's face flushed with anger, but he stubbornly raised his head: "Your Majesty! Father! Although I am young, I know how to uphold the dignity of the nation! Please allow me to fight!"

Looking at the indomitable spirit in Xin Rui's eyes, which was just like Xin Yunzhou back then, and then glancing at Xin Kui's worried but not stopping look, Xiao Xun pondered for a moment and said, "Approved. Stop when you've made your point, don't hurt anyone."

Xin Yunzhou wanted to say something, but Xiao Xun raised his hand to stop him: "Let him go. I believe in Yunzhou's son; he is by no means a reckless person."

Xin Rui was overjoyed and immediately went to make preparations.

Xin Kui nervously clenched her handkerchief. Xin Yunzhou walked to her side and whispered, "Don't worry, I personally taught Rui'er archery and horsemanship, so she knows what she's doing. That Bo Rigu is arrogant and underestimates his opponent; he might not come out on top."

The competition involves grabbing a golden ring suspended from a high pole in the center of the arena. Two players start simultaneously, circle the arena three times, and overcome obstacles along the way. The player who ultimately grabs the golden ring wins.

The bugle sounded! Two steeds shot off like arrows! Bo Rigu, as expected of his experienced rider, gained the upper hand from the start, a disdainful smile playing on his lips. Xin Rui, though lagging behind, remained composed, displaying excellent horsemanship and keeping a tight grip on the horse.

As they rounded the first obstacle, Bo Rigu deliberately squeezed Xin Rui's horse path, attempting to force him onto the outer edge. Xin Rui, however, deftly turned his horse around, using the momentum to overtake from the inside! This drew cheers from the Liang side!

Enraged, Bo Rigu began to resort to underhanded tactics typical of the grasslands. He would secretly whip Xin Rui's horse in the eye, or try to trip Xin Rui's horse with the stirrups when riding side by side. Despite his young age, Xin Rui was exceptionally composed, narrowly dodging each attack and using the gaps in his opponent's mischief to gradually close the distance.

Watching from the sidelines, Qiqige grew impatient and couldn't help but shout, "Brother Wang! Hurry up! Stop playing!"

Xin Yunzhou's face was ashen, but anger was already burning in his eyes. How could the Northern Barbarians be so despicable!

The final lap! The two were almost neck and neck, rushing towards the central pole! Taking advantage of his horse, Bo Rigu was slightly ahead by half a horse length, grinning as he reached out to grab the golden ring!

Just then, Xin Rui kicked the horse's belly hard, his body almost suspended in the air, and made an extremely dangerous but beautiful move of hiding in the stirrups. He not only avoided the saddle that Bo Rigu had deliberately bumped into, but also reached out his hand from another incredible angle!

"Swish!" The golden ring was removed!

Almost simultaneously, Bo Rigu's hand arrived, but he grabbed nothing! Due to the excessive force and the momentum from Xin Rui's dodge, his body swayed and he fell off the horse with a "thud." Although he rolled over in time to dissipate the force, he was still covered in dust and looked extremely disheveled!

Xin Rui sat steadily on his horse, holding the golden ring in his hand high. The sunlight shone on his young yet resolute face, making him look spirited and vigorous!

"Bravo!!!" Thunderous cheers erupted from the entire arena! The Liang emperor and his ministers were finally triumphant!

Xin Rui rode back to the viewing platform, dismounted, knelt on one knee, and raised the golden ring high: "Your Majesty! Your subject has not failed in your mission!"

"Good! Good lad! Like father, like son!" Emperor Xiao Xun was overjoyed. "A generous reward awaits!"

A rare smile of pride appeared on Xin Yunzhou's face as he nodded to his son. Xin Kui was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes.

Qiqige's face turned ashen as he ran to help Borigu up. Borigu hadn't fallen hard, but he had lost all face. He shoved Qiqige aside, glaring at Xinrui with a sinister look in his eyes.

Xin Rui didn't even look at him, and raised his voice in Qiqige's direction: "Princess, you flatter me! I will send someone to retrieve that Northern Di treasure sword later!" The pride and ridicule in his tone made Qiqige so angry that she almost gritted her teeth.

In this horse race, the Northern Di not only lost the race, but also lost their composure, a classic case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead.

After suffering repeated setbacks, the arrogance of the Northern Barbarian delegation was finally suppressed. Agula knew that further entanglement would be futile and might even truly damage relations between the two countries, so during his final audience before leaving the capital, he became much more respectful.

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