Another cup was poured down. Under the urging of the Empress of Shu, Zhao Hao had already finished nearly ten cups before he even had time to sit down.
At this time, the second song and dance also ended.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Queen of Shu suddenly remembered that she had recruited Zhao Hao as her son-in-law.
He couldn't help but sighed, looked at Zhao Hao with resentment in his eyes and said: "Mr. Zhao, you guys should work hard. If you really want to form a good relationship with my Shu Kingdom, then I will just let you be my Shu Kingdom's son-in-law!"
"If that's the case, then I will make the decision and agree to your request directly. It is better than letting these court officials quarrel now."
"To be honest, before we met, I was attracted by Mr. Zhao's talent."
"Now that I have seen you, I feel that you are an extraordinary talent!"
"Sir, why don't you reconsider this?"
Zhao Hao smiled bitterly and said, "I am honored that your majesty has shown me favor, but this matter is really difficult."
"I am the only son in my family, and my father is one of the six ministers. As the saying goes, one should not travel far away when one's parents are still alive. Zhao Hao really cannot leave Dagan."
When the Queen of Shu heard this, disappointment was immediately written on her face.
"Alas, it was originally a good marriage, but fate played tricks on us. It's really sad."
“…”
Zhao Hao was speechless again.
Is it really okay for you to be so proactive?
Besides, when you are saying this, why don't you go and ask around at Da Gan?
My buddy’s nickname is General Qingtian. Are you sure you can do it?
As soon as this thought came up, Zhao Hao killed it on the spot.
He has little interest in this kind of person who has countless lovers.
He is a person who is quite mysophobic in this regard.
No matter how beautiful you are, it won’t work.
Thinking of this, Zhao Hao said in an inexplicable way: "Your Majesty is the supreme ruler, and your appearance is the most beautiful in the world. You don't need a mortal like Zhao Hao."
The Empress of Shu heard this, her beautiful eyes moved, and she immediately smiled and said: "Although I have many lovers, there is not one like Mr. Zhao."
Zhao Hao shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind."
As they spoke, at the invitation of the Empress of Shu, the two of them raised their heads and drank another full cup.
Just then, a middle-aged man in his thirties, dressed in gorgeous clothes, walked over.
Not to mention, she looks pretty good.
Something like that.
As the middle-aged man came over, all the ministers looked over here.
The slightly noisy scene just now became quiet.
The middle-aged man stopped and bowed to the Empress of Shu.
He then glanced at Zhao Hao beside him and said faintly, "Your Majesty, today is a banquet to welcome the Dagan envoys."
"But, just singing, dancing and feasting is a bit monotonous."
"I have an idea..."
Hearing this, the Shu Kingdom Empress's beautiful eyes suddenly lit up, and she nodded quickly and said, "Okay, okay, I also think it's a bit monotonous."
"Lord Lu, what suggestions do you have? Please tell me now!"
The middle-aged man said, "Your Majesty, before, our Shu Kingdom delegation and the Wu Kingdom delegation went to visit Dagan together."
"There was a literary battle between the three kingdoms."
"And in that literary duel, Lord Zhao Hao defeated the envoys from our two countries almost single-handedly."
"From then on, people all said that Dagan had produced a Lord Zhao, and thus had his own Wenquxing."
"From now on, Dagan will not only prosper in terms of military power, but also in terms of culture."
"It just so happens that Lord Zhao is visiting my country of Shu. Why don't we meet again through literature?"
"It would be a good idea to toast His Majesty."
"I hope Your Majesty will grant me permission!"
Hearing this, the Queen of Shu Kingdom clapped her hands excitedly and said, "Great, great, this is a great idea. It will also allow me to witness Mr. Zhao's amazing talent with my own eyes!"
"Last time, we, the Shu Kingdom, lost. This time, let's see if we can save our face."
When everyone heard her say this, they all had black lines on their foreheads.
Your Majesty, it is enough for us to know this ourselves. Do we have to say it in front of others?
However, this situation seems to have happened more than once or twice, and they have become immune to it.
The middle-aged man turned his head to look at Zhao Hao, bowed slightly, and asked, "What do you think, Lord Zhao?"
Before Zhao Hao could speak, the Shu Queen hurriedly said, "Mr. Zhao, you can't refuse. If you refuse, these people will look down on you."
"After the banquet is over and the news gets out, everyone will think you are scared."
"People who don't know you will think you have no real talent or knowledge."
"This is very bad for you."
"So you should agree to it."
"Use your extraordinary talent to slap these people in the face. After today, you will be able to become famous once again."
"When the time comes, not only will you be able to gain honor, but you will also be able to bring honor to the great literary figures!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hao rolled his eyes in his heart.
Thank you, you are such a nice person.
So considerate of me.
Although he kept complaining in his heart, there was no change on Zhao Hao's face.
Zhao Hao returned the greeting to the middle-aged man and said calmly: "Zhao Hao has no talent at all. He only has a superficial understanding of literature and Taoism."
"However, since your majesty wants to see it, and our friends from Shu are also interested, then let's play around a bit."
"As this gentleman said, it can be regarded as making friends through literature."
Seeing that Zhao Hao agreed, the Queen of Shu and the middle-aged man were overjoyed.
Among the civil officials, many of them were excited and eager to make a move, as if they were ready to take action.
The middle-aged man hurriedly said, "Lord Zhao, we are the ones who proposed the literary duel. As for the method, let Lord Zhao decide it!"
Zhao Hao immediately said, "Sir, we were talking about making friends through literature, how come it turned into a literary duel?"
The middle-aged man smiled and said, "Lord Zhao, don't worry about it. It's just a sight."
"It doesn't matter whether you call it "making friends through literature" or "competing with others through literature", whatever you call it is fine."
Zhao Hao hummed in his heart, then nodded slightly: "Okay, but I won't mention the rules. I can't think of any good way to play at the moment."
As he spoke, Zhao Hao turned to look at the Empress of Shu and asked, "Does your Majesty have any interesting suggestions?"
The Queen of Shu said, "Since we are comparing talents, let's use the simplest and most direct method."
"I and my dear ministers will randomly come up with some topics for you to choose the best one."
"Then, Mr. Zhao and the participants from my Shu Kingdom will write poems, lyrics, or essays based on the selected topics."
"After it's finished, you will all judge it and decide which is better."
"How is it?"
The middle-aged man bowed quickly and said, "Your Majesty, we have no objection."
The Queen of Shu looked at Zhao Hao again: "Does Mr. Zhao have any objection?"
Zhao Hao shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, I have no objection either."
The Shu Kingdom Empress was overjoyed and looked at the middle-aged man and said, "Okay, then who from our Shu Kingdom will participate?"
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