"Tang Huan, why aren't you backing away? Do you even have the right to speak here?"
"Lord Tang, you mustn't step forward! Go back to your original position!"
"How dare he say such a thing? He's insane..."
People couldn't control their emotions and started talking.
The ministers looked at Tang Huan with complicated expressions, their eyes filled with disbelief.
"Did I underestimate him? Or is it just that young people are ignorant and fearless, daring to step forward at a time like this, aren't they afraid of getting into trouble?"
Reading looked at Tang Huan with a rare hint of appreciation.
Even this high-ranking official dared not speak up at this moment, expressing a willingness to fight the Northern Region head-on.
This would certainly be a great honor and maintain Daqing's dignity, but if war breaks out because of it, and the war is not ultimately won, people will point the finger at Daqing.
Has he really gone mad?
Cui Renshi also stared intently at Tang Huan, trying to discern more from the young man's eyes.
However, Tang Huan's expression remained calm, making it impossible to guess his intentions.
"I can't believe he actually did it. But he's just a minor county magistrate. How dare he confront Gongshan Liqun of the Northern Region in public? Doesn't he feel any fear or unease?"
When Wang Tianze heard someone speak, he knew that Tang Huan had started according to the plan.
He just didn't expect Tang Huan to personally refute the Northern Region. He originally planned to do it himself or wait for His Majesty to speak.
Amidst the clamor and suspicion, Gongyang Tingbai looked at Tang Huan with a smile, his eyes full of admiration.
Gongshan Liqun scoffed, "A mere county magistrate dares to speak so arrogantly? Has Daqing really come to this? A county magistrate can decide whether or not to wage war?"
Tang Huan retorted sharply, "Perhaps as the county magistrate I cannot decide whether to start a war, but if the enemy has already come to our doorstep and I keep retreating, then I am not worthy of being a citizen of Daqing. As a Daqing resident, when faced with an enemy who actively provokes conflict, I will risk my life to keep them out."
"A loyal heart transforms into the vast blue sea, and unwavering loyalty forges a bronze insignia. Even if the mountains and rivers are shattered, the war drums will still resound."
As soon as he finished reciting a line of poetry, Gong Shanliqun's expression changed. "You're Tang Huan?"
"Exactly."
Gongshan Liqun laughed loudly: "What a wonderful line! Even if the mountains and rivers are shattered, the war drums still resound. I always thought you were just a poet who only wrote about the beauty of nature and the fleeting beauty of spring. Now it seems that I misunderstood you. It is admirable that a mere county magistrate has such a belief."
Tang Huan remained unmoved by Gongshan Liqun's praise.
"Your Majesty, I would like to know, do Lord Tang's words represent your intentions?"
Wu Lanxi, sitting on the dragon throne, looked down at Gongshan Liqun and said, "If the Northern Region wants to start a war, Daqing will fight to the end. Even if it means paying a heavy price in the end, Daqing will not back down."
When the Empress spoke, many veteran officials were moved to tears.
Even the young officials were inspired by these words and wished they could personally go into battle and fight the people of the Northern Region to the death.
A wave of cheers erupted in the main hall.
Gongshan Liqun glanced around, shook his head, and said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty, war is something the Northern Region also does not want to see. Even if the Northern Region wins, it will suffer heavy losses. How about this, let the two sides discuss the Dao through martial arts?"
"Discussing the Dao through martial arts?" Wu Lanxi was unsure what Gongshan Liqun was up to.
But one thing has been confirmed: the Northern People were indeed bluffing; they were also unwilling, or rather, dared not, to launch a full-scale war.
Wu Lanxi looked in Tang Huan's direction and found that he had already retreated back into the group, as if everything was unrelated to him.
Upon seeing the Empress's gaze, Tang Huan even revealed a smile.
Just as Wu Lanxi came to her senses, she heard Gongshan Liqun speak:
"Since neither side is willing to back down, and war would cause too much damage, let's settle this with martial arts. The victor will win the war and can demand sufficient spoils from the loser."
"Three people from the Northern Region will fight three battles against Daqing. The first one to win two battles will be the victor."
Tang Huan heard it clearly from the crowd, and he scoffed at those words.
Although it's said to be a discussion of martial arts, when it comes to actual combat, the people of the Northern Region are all tall and strong, and have been tempered in harsh environments, giving them a considerable advantage in this matter.
"If the Northern Region wins, they will receive silver and cloth from Daqing. But what if we win?"
Gongshan Liqun laughed loudly: "If Daqing wins, the Northern Region will also offer furs, warhorses, and strong liquor of equal value. So, His Majesty agrees?"
"Three days later, the two sides will begin their martial arts debate outside the Meridian Gate."
Upon receiving the Empress's approval, Gongshan Liqun could not hide his excitement, and he laughed loudly a few times.
Next, the two sides jointly formulated the rules and confirmed each other's rewards, which led to another dispute in the hall.
This morning court session only discussed one matter, yet it lasted a full three hours, longer than usual.
After the court session ended, the people from the Northern Regions left immediately and did not linger.
The civil and military officials of Daqing also left one after another, but everyone was in a rather solemn mood when they left, and they kept talking about the competition three days later.
A contest between two countries.
A contest involving huge interests.
Tang Huan was unable to leave smoothly and was once again invited into the Imperial Study.
This time, however, the Imperial Study was not only filled with the Empress. When Tang Huan arrived, it was already packed with people, including the six ministers, the prime minister Cui Renshi, and even the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and Pang Conglong.
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