Less than twenty moves later, Zhao Heng's spear touched the sturdy general's chest and he said, "Thank you for giving in."
The sturdy general wiped his sweat and laughed, "Zhao Heng, you are indeed quite capable. I am convinced!"
Zhao Heng also laughed, put away his spear, and bowed to Xiao Shengxing and the others.
Su Lijin was completely attracted by this competition, and her admiration for Zhao Heng became even stronger.
"Your Majesty, why don't you let General Zhao Heng protect me?"
Concubine Shu looked at Zhao Heng and excitedly asked Xiao Shengxing for it.
Xiao Shengxing glanced at her and asked, "Shufei wants him to protect you?"
Su Lijin was slightly startled, then sneered and said, "Shufei, Zhao Heng is a dignified general. He is responsible for defending the country, not a guard who can be ordered around at will. Just because you say he will protect you, does that mean he will be sent to protect you?"
"Oh, is that so..." Concubine Shu's face darkened.
Staring at the expression on her face, Su Lijin curled her lips: "Shufei is so excited to ask for a man from outside. Could it be that her mind is elsewhere, or she has some shameful thoughts? I have to say it in advance. Adultery in the harem is a capital crime!"
Concubine Shu was startled, then realized what she had said without thinking. She hurriedly said, "No, I just admire General Zhao's martial arts. I said it carelessly at the moment, and I definitely didn't mean anything else."
Su Lijin's words almost put her on the execution platform!
Xiao Shengxing, who was standing by, did not express his opinion but just looked at her, which made Concubine Shu break out in a cold sweat.
"General Zhao Heng is an exceptional martial artist, a rare talent."
Regardless of what Concubine Shu thought, Su Lijin looked at Zhao Heng with admiration: "I heard that General Zhao is also highly praised by his colleagues in the military camp. He is indeed quite good."
Hearing this praise, Xiao Shengxing couldn't help but look at Zhao Heng a few more times.
He understood the hidden meaning in Su Lijin's words and was afraid that Zhao Heng was quite appreciated by Su Lijin.
The expectant look in Su Lijin's eyes before she came to the military camp flashed through his mind, and a dark light flashed in his black eyes.
Zhao Heng had already won, becoming the first in the field. Xiao Shengxing raised his hand to invite him forward, saying, "General Zhao, are you used to being in the barracks?"
Zhao Heng bowed and said, "The military camp is my home. I've long been accustomed to it."
Xiao Shengxing asked some more questions and got to know Zhao Heng a little better. He knew that he was at the bottom of the rank of generals.
Just when everyone thought he was about to end the conversation, he waved his hand and said, "General Zhao is loyal, brave, and resourceful. He will be promoted to Commander of the Imperial Guards today."
Everyone was shocked, and Zhao Heng also looked up in shock.
"General Zhao, you should go to the Imperial Guards today." Xiao Shengxing glanced at Su Lijin and patted Zhao Heng on the shoulder.
This time, it wasn't just Zhao Heng and the others who were surprised. Su Lijin, who was standing beside them, was so shocked that she almost screamed out loud.
She never thought that Xiao Shengxing would actually transfer Zhao Hengsheng to such a high position!
Zhao Heng looked at Xiao Shengxing and said nervously, "Your Majesty, I have been promoted to the commander of the Imperial Guards. Is it..."
He wondered if this was rising a little too fast.
After so many years of struggling in the military camp, he has always been a general at the bottom. Deep down, he believes that only by making military achievements can he have the opportunity to be promoted.
At this moment, he only won the first place in the general competition, but was promoted to an official position that he would never dare to think about in normal times. For a moment, he was a little bit unbelievable and a little doubtful.
I suspect that Xiao Shengxing promoted him because he was impulsive.
Su Lijin glanced at Zhao Heng and naturally understood what he was thinking.
After all, no one expected Xiao Shengxing to suddenly grant such a decree.
Although she wanted to get Zhao Heng into the palace to work, the position of the commander of the imperial guards was extraordinary, and she also wanted to know what Xiao Shengxing was thinking.
Thinking of this, he looked at Xiao Shengxing.
Taking in Su Lijin's expression, Xiao Shengxing smiled at Zhao Heng and said, "General Zhao, don't worry. I've seen your skills and know that you are unmatched."
"The Imperial Guards are a vital force in defending the Imperial City. They must possess both top-notch martial arts and strategic intelligence. This is what I value. I am not a narrow-minded person. I select talents based on their merits. As long as they possess talent, even if they are promoted several times, what harm is there in that?"
These words made Zhao Heng's eyes brighten surprisingly, and there was even a hint of red in the corners of his eyes. It was obvious that he was deeply moved. He knelt down with a plop.
"General Zhao, please stand up. Leading the Imperial Guards well from now on will be your way of repaying the Emperor."
Su Lijin smiled and raised her hand to let Zhao Heng stand up, then looked at Xiao Shengxing seriously.
"The Queen is right. General Zhao just needs to be at ease." Xiao Shengxing and Su Lijin looked at each other, their thin lips slightly curled.
Zhao Heng quickly glanced at Su Lijin, knowing that Su Lijin intended to let him enter the palace. He quickly turned his gaze away, knelt solemnly, and said, "Zhao Heng will not let the emperor down."
Afterwards, Zhao Heng left the military camp with Su Lijin and others.
The emperor promoted Zhao Heng on the spot, and the news spread throughout the military camp.
For a time, Zhao Heng became the topic of conversation among everyone.
"Humph, that Zhao Heng, he's clearly ranked last among the generals, so how did he get promoted several levels to become the commander of the Imperial Guards?"
In the military camp, someone snorted with jealousy.
"That's right. If he had stayed in the military for a few more years, he would have been promoted to deputy general at best. But now he's been sent straight to the palace and has risen to prominence in no time!"
Many people gathered around and talked about it.
"I think he must have resorted to some unspeakable means. I heard that the other day Concubine Shu even mentioned that he should go to the palace for protection. Tsk tsk, I really can't believe that Zhao Heng is such a person behind the scenes!"
Upon hearing this, everyone showed an ambiguous and contemptuous expression on their faces.
Such remarks spread in the military camp. For a time, the jealous and ignorant people were all talking about Zhao Heng's tricks.
On the other hand, in the imperial guards, facing Zhao Heng, the sudden leader, none of them were convinced and refused to listen to his command at all.
"When practicing, you should keep your posture straight and raise your hands a little higher so that you can draw your sword with more strength."
Seeing that the imperial guards were lazy and even performed their movements weakly on the training ground, Zhao Heng couldn't help but frown and give them some instructions himself.
The Imperial Guard soldier secretly rolled his eyes, deliberately dodged his hand, and snorted coldly, "This is what our former commander taught us. General Zhao, please don't say anything nonsense. Could it be that Commander Zhao thinks that our former commander, who is truly qualified, doesn't understand it as well as you do?"
As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately caused laughter from the other soldiers, and they all looked at Zhao Heng with contempt.
They all knew that Zhao Heng was unknown and was only promoted several levels to become the commander of their imperial guards because of Xiao Shengxing's favor. They had always looked down on Zhao Heng.
At the same time, rumors that Zhao Heng had used some shameful means also reached their ears. They sneered at Zhao Heng and were unwilling to listen to him.
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