As a county magistrate, Tang Huan was not qualified to go to the venue set up in Meridian Gate Square, but the Empress specially ordered him to come to her side.
Thus, Tang Huan, as the county magistrate, and Pang Conglong sat on either side of the Empress, making them even more conspicuous than the ministers.
As for Li Daikui, Xue'e, and the others, they stood behind Tang Huan.
Due to his status, Qin Yuyang had to blend into the crowd to avoid being recognized by the Empress and did not appear here.
"How is General Pang's injury?"
While waiting, Tang Huan asked Pang Conglong about the other party's injuries.
Pang Conglong shook his head slightly, "It's alright, participating in a competition won't have any impact."
Seeing this, Tang Huan didn't ask any further questions, but instead looked at the Empress beside her.
"Your Majesty, has the selection of participants for today's competition been finalized?"
"General Pang and Commander Xiao Yuanshan will each participate in a competition. The third competition is tentatively scheduled to be a rising star in the army who has made many meritorious contributions in recent years and has extraordinary skills."
Tang Huan nodded slightly.
As they spoke, the surrounding crowd became noisy.
Looking up, they saw that the Northern Region delegation had arrived late.
For a time, curses and insults were heard incessantly.
The people were already enraged by the news of Pang Conglong's assassination and were filled with anger towards the Northern Region delegation. In the past few days, they had gone to provoke and curse them several times.
Unfortunately, the Northern Region delegation acted like cowards, refusing to come forward and confront the situation, leaving everyone helpless.
Now that they've appeared, everyone is venting their dissatisfaction with the Northern People.
Gongshan Liqun remained silent with a sullen face, while Princess Gongyang Tingbai wore a slight smile, even smiling when she noticed Tang Huan looking at her.
The Northern Region delegation was located not far from the Empress, only a few meters away.
However, the middle was clearly divided. The people were squeezing towards Daqing, while the area next to the Northern Region delegation's position was empty, with people standing far apart.
If it weren't for the large number of people who came to watch the spectacle today, making it difficult for everyone to get a good spot, perhaps no one would have been willing to approach the Northern Region delegation.
"Your Majesty, since the time has come, let us begin."
Gongshan Liqun took the initiative to speak. His voice was deep and loud, and could be heard clearly even from a distance.
Tang Huan thought to himself, "As expected of a master in the army, his voice is full of energy."
To ensure fairness, both sides will send out their representatives first in the first two rounds, and simultaneously in the third round.
Once the opponent's personnel are confirmed, one can selectively send troops into battle, thus gaining a certain advantage.
This advantage may seem insignificant, but it can be very useful in certain situations.
"For the first battle, Daqing sent its Grand Commander Xiao Yuanshan."
The Grand Eunuch Li Lianying announced in a deep voice from the front.
As the words fell, Xiao Yuanshan walked out of the crowd with a gloomy face, and slowly walked towards the empty and huge square in front of him.
At this moment, weapon racks had been set up on both sides of the square, with all kinds of weapons, including swords, spears, halberds, and even some uncommon weapons, on them.
As Xiao Yuanshan appeared, another person from the Northern Region also stepped forward.
This person was not as tall and imposing as the common people of the Northern Region; instead, he was similar in stature to the people of Daqing, appearing short and thin among the Northern Region people.
The man walked silently toward the square.
"Who sent the Northern Region? State your names!" a commoner shouted.
Gongshan Liqun said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yuanshan of Daqing is much more famous and is even the Grand Commander. This man is just one of my servants and doesn't even have his own name. Everyone usually calls him Ah San."
One is Ah Da, and the other is Ah San.
Tang Huan glanced at the Northern Region delegation, wondering if there was another Ah Er among them.
As the two took their positions and began choosing suitable weapons, everyone's eyes turned to them.
Xiao Yuanshan's gaze lingered on the weapon rack for a moment before he finally chose a spear that suited him. He picked one up and casually twirled it a few times, its cold light gleaming, drawing cheers from the crowd.
When he looked over at the Indian man, he saw that the man hadn't chosen any, but had instead picked up a whip directly from the top.
"whip?"
Xiao Yuanshan wondered why this competition, though called a contest, involved the vital interests of both countries and even affected their dignity and prestige; it was practically a fight to the death.
Unless someone is injured and unable to move or get up, no one will admit defeat.
In this situation, a whip poses very little threat.
Without much thought, Xiao Yuanshan gripped the spear in his hand, nodded slightly, and took the lead in engaging in battle.
The gun barrel slid across the ground, sending sparks flying.
Faced with the menacing Xiao Yuanshan, A-San stood still.
As the distance between the two sides rapidly closed, and Xiao Yuanshan raised his spear towards the Indian, the man from the Northern Region suddenly made a move.
He straightened the long whip in his hand, blocking the spear firmly.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Yuanshan frowned and forcefully swept his spear horizontally.
But the Indian man deftly dodged it by bending down.
Just as he was about to retract his spear and launch another attack, he found that the spear did not move at all.
Only then did he notice that the whip in Ah San's hand had been tightly wrapped around the tip of the gun.
Although this northerner was smaller in stature than the others, he was no less strong. Xiao Yuanshan struggled with him to take back the spear, but was unable to move for a moment.
At the same time, the Indian man put his hand on his waist and then swung it forcefully.
Xiao Yuanshan felt a burning pain on his face, where a bloody wound had been left.
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