Emperor An gained a new understanding of Bai Qingyuan's shamelessness.
Jing Zhe won first place in the Mid-Autumn Poetry Competition and made great contributions, but there hasn't been a chance to reward him yet. If he can win the martial arts test today, then his merits will be doubled, and he should be rewarded even more generously.
But Bai Qingyuan just happened to come up with the idea of reducing the rewards for others. Su Mochen, who was standing next to him, curled his lips when he heard this, and wondered if Jing Zhe would curse after hearing it.
It's highly likely... yes...
He wouldn't soften his tone just because Bai Qingyuan was already an elderly man nearing the end of his life; his most likely course of action would be to send Bai Qingyuan straight to the grave.
Thinking of this possibility, Su Mochen actually smiled a little, just in time to see that Emperor An's expression was solemn, and he didn't know how to answer.
So he smiled and said, "Father, what Grand Tutor Bai said makes sense, and it's not impossible. Let's wait until the martial arts test is over!"
"Your Highness is wise!"
Bai Qingyuan glanced at Su Mochen gratefully, not expecting her to speak up for him at this moment.
Emperor An was somewhat surprised. He had heard that Jing Zhe and Su Mochen had a good relationship. Since she said that, she must have her reasons. So he nodded and went out.
King Xiang lagged behind, glanced at Bai Qingyuan, and followed him out with considerable satisfaction.
Bai Qingyuan breathed a sigh of relief, feeling extremely satisfied.
What he needed to do was to give Emperor An a heads-up in advance, letting him know his thoughts, and that he absolutely could not assign Jing Zhe a high-ranking official position.
Of course, he now felt that Jing Zhe might not survive the martial arts test. Judging from Qi Gulong's expression just now, he was probably going to kill him with his own hands. Hmm... he hoped that he wouldn't hold back.
...
Qi Gulong left the house and came to the open area outside the hunting grounds.
On either side of the field, on one side stood their fifty Silver-Threaded Soldiers, clad in silver-white embroidered robes, looking imposing and awe-inspiring.
On the other side were An Guo's personal guards and the Jinghong Iron Cavalry. The personal guards were nothing special, but it was the first time Qi Gulong had seen the Jinghong Iron Cavalry. The fierce aura emanating from them was awe-inspiring, and Qi Gulong looked on with envy.
The Silver Thread Army is strong in its equipment, while the Astounding Iron Cavalry is strong in its raw power. In terms of individual combat or head-on battles on the battlefield, the Silver Thread Army is no match for its opponent.
How wonderful it would be if I had such a team of men under my command?
"You all come down!"
Upon hearing Qi Gulong's words, the entire Silver Thread Army dismounted. The deputy general in front asked curiously, "General, isn't the martial arts test about to begin? Why do we have to dismount?"
"You don't need to go up later, I can do it myself!"
"General, don't worry. Dealing with just one person, even if she is Liu Jinghong, we fifty men are not afraid!"
Yes, with superior numbers and the protection of the Silver Embroidered Robe, the deputy general spoke with great confidence.
Qi Gulong waved his hand: "It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that that guy's mouth is too venomous. I've already decided to personally take him down!"
Upon hearing this, the deputy general said no more.
Qi Junguang stood behind and quietly called out to Qi Gulong.
General Qi, you must not make a move later!
"Hmm? What does Your Highness mean by this?"
If he couldn't take action, why did he go through all that trouble and even sign a pledge?
"We must win this martial arts competition! Then, I will marry Lady Zhu, and our relationship with Anguo won't become too strained. If General Qi really makes a move, Jing Zhe's death will be gruesome, and the consequences will be disastrous. However, he has humiliated me time and time again, so he cannot be allowed to live!"
"..."
Qi Gulong was a little confused. He was being told not to make a move, but he was also being told not to let Jing Zhe live. What was he supposed to do?
"General Qi has fought on the battlefield for many years; surely he knows many ways to kill without lifting a finger? For example..."
After Qi Junguang pointed it out, Qi Gulong suddenly understood!
Yes, he'll be leading fifty warhorses all by himself. When the time comes, he'll gallop straight towards Jing Zhe. Where can he hide?
Then they said the horses had no eyes and were out of control, and since they had signed a waiver of life and death, no one could blame them!
Qi Gulong and Qi Junguang then exchanged a knowing smile, their expressions full of malice.
...
Without any further concerns, Jing Zhe took out the four "nuclear weapons" from the carriage. Even though Qi Gulong was highly skilled in martial arts, if he were to be touched by these four wine jars, he would either die or be crippled!
When he took four wine jars covered with red square cloths out of the car, there was a murmur of discussion below.
"It seems Young Master Jing feels that four jars of strong liquor are not enough!"
"Then let's add four more jars and see if Qi Gu Long gets drunk!"
"Eight jars of strong liquor, enough to get even a horse drunk, let alone Qi Gu Long!"
"However, this seems a bit different from the previous four jars!"
"Hehe, maybe this prescription is even higher!"
"Minister Wu's insight is brilliant! Haha~"
"..."
Wu Xianyong, the Vice Minister of War, was chatting with a group of ministers. His words were full of contempt for Jing Zhe. As a military general in charge of the Ministry of War, he did not think highly of Jing Zhe.
On the contrary, in his eyes, Jing Zhe was no different from a dead man, except that he didn't know how he died.
However, he was still comforted. Because of him, his son Wu Yong was dismissed from his post as prefect, his daughter was forced to sever ties, and his grandson had been beheaded. It was no exaggeration to say that he had a deep hatred for Jing Zhe. The entire court combined did not wish Jing Zhe to die as much as he did!
Jing Zhe noticed some small carts around the hunting grounds, which seemed to be used for clearing weeds. There were also many withered yellow weeds piled up next to them. Jing Zhe asked Sui Shouren to send someone to bring him one.
Then, eight wine jars were placed on top of each other, connected together with wires, and finally, a lot of dry grass was piled up outside the wine jars.
This move left everyone dumbfounded.
Wine delivered by cart?
But what's the point of covering it with weeds?
Qi Gulong, who was on the opposite side, also found this scene amusing. He rode his warhorse behind another forty-nine warhorses dressed in silver-embroidered robes, holding a long whip. He was just waiting for the start when he whipped his horse and spurred it on, trampling directly at Jing Zhe!
Emperor An, his face full of worry, whispered a few words to Sui Shouren. Sui Shouren then went to the center of the arena, looked at the two of them, and asked, "Are you both ready?"
"alright!"
The warhorses of Qigulong are already parched with hunger!
"etc…"
The familiar voice rang out again, and everyone frowned.
What kind of trouble are they causing now?
"Your Majesty, you cannot be here!"
Jing Zhe pointed to Emperor An, who was less than fifty meters away from him, and said.
"Then where shall I go?"
Emperor An looked puzzled.
Jing Zhe thought for a moment, then pointed to the house they had just come from, about two hundred meters away, and said, "Your Majesty, please take your men inside!"
"..."
A moment of silence fell over the crowd. Emperor An then slowly asked, "Why do you want to go inside?"
Jing Zhe smiled and said, "Because the weapon I'm going to use later is so powerful, I'm afraid Your Majesty might get hurt if you get too close!"
"..."
————
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