After Zhu Yuanzhang accepted the challenge to the Eastern Island Kingdom, the two sides set a time.

The time has come, and the competition between the two sides is about to begin.

The Imperial Palace of the Ming Dynasty, Fengtian Hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang hosted a banquet, inviting some of the court's key officials and envoys from the Eastern Island Kingdom.

That evening, the Fengtian Hall was brightly lit.

Above the main hall, Zhu Yuanzhang sat imposingly, while to the lower left, Zhu Yunwen, also dressed in a four-clawed python robe, sat there with great dignity.

Behind him was Zhao Qingzhu, dressed as a little eunuch.

Officials and envoys from the island nation were all seated.

Zhu Yunwen looked over and saw that among the envoys from the Eastern Island Kingdom, the two leading figures were a man and a woman. The woman was about seventeen or eighteen years old, while the man appeared to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight.

The man and woman both wore arrogant expressions. When Zhu Yunwen looked at them, they also turned their gazes to him, their eyes showing a slight disdain and inexplicable confidence.

It seemed to them that Zhu Yunwen was destined to lose this competition.

At this moment, the two so-called princes and princesses of the Eastern Island Kingdom seemed like victors who had already won.

Zhu Yongtong smiled coldly, seemingly unconcerned. After all, in his view, the Eastern Island Kingdom had absolutely no chance of winning against the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked down at the prince and princess of the Eastern Island Kingdom and said:

"The Eastern Island Nation's purpose in coming here is to exchange ideas and learn from each other with our Great Ming Dynasty. Now that we have set up this banquet, let's have a competition between the two sides."

However, let's set the rules beforehand: this is a competition, but in a verbal contest, we must not let it damage harmony, and in a physical contest, we must not cause death. We'll stop when we've reached a point of contention.

Upon hearing this, the princess of the Eastern Island Kingdom couldn't help but stand up and say:

"Your Majesty, it is understandable that a civil contest can be conducted without harming the harmony. However, a physical contest must not result in death. If it is only a matter of stopping short of death, it may be difficult to grasp the appropriate measure."

In my opinion, life and death in a martial arts fight should be left to fate. If injuries occur, they are unavoidable, so why not set no restrictions?

Upon hearing what the princess of the Eastern Island Kingdom said, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Yunwen smiled slightly and said:

"Since the princess of the Eastern Island Kingdom says so, then I am relieved. Indeed, fists and feet can be unpredictable and sometimes difficult to control."

Setting too many restrictions would prevent us from fully enjoying ourselves. So, without rules, it's actually quite nice.

The princess of the Eastern Island Kingdom was somewhat surprised, then sneered and said to Zhu Yunwen:

"This must be His Highness the Crown Prince, right? His Highness may not know this, but in this competition, our Eastern Island Kingdom wants His Highness to be a major participant of the Ming Dynasty."

Whether it's a contest of wits or a contest of martial arts, we hope His Highness the Crown Prince will participate. Therefore, His Highness the Crown Prince must also participate in the martial arts competition.

Zhu Yunwen said, "I understand perfectly well. It is precisely because I am also going to participate that I said that fists and feet have no eyes, and it is better to have fewer rules and restrictions."

Upon hearing this, the princess of the Eastern Island Kingdom was taken aback.

According to her understanding, Zhu Yunwen, the grandson of the Ming emperor, had no martial arts skills.

However, unexpectedly, Zhu Yunwen actually dared to abolish the restriction that swords and spears have no eyes and that the attack should stop when the point is reached.

This surprised her greatly, and she found it hard to believe.

But then she gave a cold laugh and said:

"Since His Highness the Crown Prince agrees, that would be best."

In her view, if Zhu Yunwen truly demonstrated exceptional talent and ability in this competition, then she would have to find a way to kill him in the subsequent martial arts battle.

Such a dangerous figure should not be allowed to become the emperor of the Ming Dynasty in the future, as that would not be good for the ambitions of the Eastern Island Kingdom.

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke again:

"Since we're going to have a competition, then I'm also very curious, what do you gentlemen from the Eastern Island Kingdom want to compete against my Great Ming Dynasty in first?"

The princess from the Eastern Island Kingdom stood up, bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang, and said:

"The Ming Dynasty in the East is a country with a wide variety of cultures and a very high level of literature. So this time, let's start by comparing our literary aspects."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Yes, culture is indeed something very profound in our Ming Dynasty, so who will you send to compete with us?"

The princess smiled and said, "I have loved literature since I was a child. I am very familiar with poetry, songs, and classical texts. Therefore, I have come to compete with the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately became interested and asked with a puzzled look:

"It's truly remarkable that a woman like you has such a passion for culture, but compared to my Great Ming Dynasty, wouldn't you...?"

The princess smiled and said, "Your Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, please don't underestimate me. I am no ordinary woman. By the way, I have a request: this time, I want to compete against His Highness the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yuanzhang took a liking to Zhu Yunwen. Zhu Yunwen slowly stood up, looked at the princess from the Eastern Island Kingdom, and said:

"Then I'd like to learn a thing or two from you. What would you like to compete in?"

The princess of the Eastern Island Kingdom hesitated for a moment, then looked at Zhu Yunwen and said:

"I've long heard of your exceptional poetic talent, so... let's not have a poetry contest today!"

She was quite clever, because she had already investigated Zhu Yunwen before coming.

I know that Zhu Yunwen was at the Hundred Garden at the time, where he had a poetry competition with the previous Minister of Rites and some young talents in Nanjing.

At that time, Zhu Yunwen also wrote a poem about plum blossoms, which was very stunning and impressive.

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