Zhao Huan did not return to the palace, but went to the post station. He wanted to test the Goryeo princess.
Of course this is one of the reasons. In fact, the foolish king also wanted to see whether the princess was beautiful or not.
The people at the post station did not recognize Zhao Huan. The official post station in the capital only received foreign envoys, so Zhao Huan was stopped when he arrived at the door.
"Who dares to trespass into the post station!" The post station had postmen, similar to today's special police force.
"I am a palace guard, and I have come to see the Goryeo princess on the orders of His Majesty." Zhao Huan took out a token.
The postman took the token and looked at it, then hurriedly bowed and saluted: "It turns out to be Guard Linghu. I'm sorry, please come in!"
The token that Zhao Huan took out was the one he had asked Linghu Yunlong for. He wanted to pretend to be a guard and sneak into the post station.
Leaning silently by the railing, her flowing hair and white clothes as white as snow, Zhao Huan was struck by a flash of lightning. This Korean princess had an exotic beauty, a sense of ethereal beauty, but her eyes were too melancholy.
Zhao Huan had never seen such a melancholy look. Princess Yanran's thoughts were still in the distant Goryeo, where her father and the palace where she had lived were.
Although the prosperity of the Song Dynasty was wonderful, it was nothing compared to the longing for home. Two maids stood by with their hands hanging down. Yanran remained silent, leaning on the railing and gazing into the distance.
Zhao Huan coughed lightly. Princess Yanran finally turned around and asked, "Are you the emperor of the Song Dynasty?" Her tone was a little stiff, but quite pleasant.
Although the Song Dynasty lacked military prowess, its culture was a global phenomenon. Whether it was the Khitan Liao or the Jurchen Jin, they all admired Song culture, and these nations considered it a virtue to emulate the Song. Consequently, Princess Yanran was exposed to Chinese culture from a young age and understood the language.
Zhao Huan was startled. How could she recognize him? But then Princess Yanran continued, "Alas, you are not the emperor. Can you take me to see your emperor?"
"This is exactly what our Majesty asked me to do," said Zhao Huan.
Princess Yanran was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. She looked at Zhao Huan in surprise and joy: "Yes, it's the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty. Why doesn't he come to see me in person?"
"Well, our Majesty is very busy. If you have anything to say, just tell me and I will convey it for you." Zhao Huan asked tentatively.
Princess Yanran's expression darkened. "If your emperor still doesn't want to see me, then all right. Please tell him that the Goryeo Dynasty has rebelled, and my father has been captured by the rebels. I hope His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty can send troops to rescue our Goryeo, as long as it can help my father regain the throne. We, the Goryeo, are willing to be a vassal state of the Great Song Dynasty for generations to come, and Goryeo respects the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty as the Supreme Emperor."
"Well," Zhao Huan said somewhat apprehensively, "Our Majesty has said that the Song Dynasty is currently unable to prepare for war and cannot help you. Princess, our Majesty has asked you to understand the Song Dynasty's difficulties. However, we will send envoys to ask the current King of Goryeo to release the former King, or to expel him from Goryeo. The Song Dynasty can accept this."
Princess Yanran bowed and said, "Please go back and tell your emperor that I am willing to marry him and ask him to send troops."
Zhao Huan was delighted: "Oh, it's delivered to my door." However, he still said: "Our emperor is an old man. Princess, wouldn't it be unfair for you to marry him?"
Yanran was surprised. To be honest, she had no idea what the Emperor of the Song Dynasty looked like. Was he old or young, handsome or ugly? When she heard what the man in front of her said, she thought for a moment and then bit her lip and said, "I won't regret it, as long as he is willing to help us Goryeo."
Zhao Huan suddenly felt some sympathy. She would rather sacrifice her chastity for her country. This princess is worthy of admiration.
"Princess, let me tell you the truth. I am His Majesty's closest guard. His Majesty does not want to send troops to Korea, so he will not see you for the time being. Frankly speaking, I sympathize with you. A princess as beautiful as you must have suffered a lot to come all the way to the capital. However, I can hear that His Majesty seems to be relenting. As long as I go back and persuade His Majesty more and find an opportunity to send you to the palace, I believe His Majesty will agree one day."
Princess Yanran bowed deeply and asked, "May I know your name, hero?"
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "I am the imperial guard Linghu Yunlong."
"Guard Linghu Yunlong, we in Goryeo are deeply grateful for your hero's kindness. We hope he can persuade your Majesty to send troops. Yanran has no way to repay you, so I can only thank you again."
Zhao Huan hurriedly rushed forward and said, "Princess, don't worry. I will certainly try to dissuade Your Majesty after I return to the palace. I will come back and tell you as soon as I have any news."
After bidding farewell to Princess Yanran, Zhao Huan was about to leave the post station when he was stopped by someone, the postmaster Zhu Chengen.
Zhu Cheng'en was once a formidable general, but later became a cripple after being wounded in the line of duty. He had gained fame for single-handedly killing two Khitan generals in the northwest. Later, while leading his troops in battle, he was ambushed and had his left leg severed. Upon returning to the capital, he was awarded the post of postmaster for his meritorious service.
Although the post of postmaster is not a high-ranking position, the postmasters in the capital are different. The postmasters in the capital are responsible for the reception of foreign envoys, which is also an important position.
Zhu Chengen wears a prosthetic limb on his left leg, a testament to the wisdom of the ancients. It's said to have been crafted by a master mechanical engineer from the Military Equipment Bureau. While Zhu Chengen can't run with it, he doesn't need a cane to walk.
"Are you Guard Linghu?" Zhu Chengen asked.
He had never met Linghu Yunlong, and even more so, he had never met Zhao Huan.
Zhao Huan nodded: "Exactly."
Zhu Chengen clasped his fists and said, "I've long heard that Guard Linghu is an unrivaled swordsman. I've always admired him, but unfortunately, I've never had the chance to meet him. Today, I see that he's truly a young hero."
Zhao Huan felt a little regretful. He could have impersonated anyone else, but Linghu Yunlong. It seemed that the other party admired Linghu Yunlong's martial arts. If he let him use a few tricks, it would be very troublesome.
"Well, nice to meet you. I have something important to do, so I'll go back to the palace first." Zhao Huan wanted to slip away quickly.
Zhu Cheng'en stopped him and said, "I am Zhu Cheng'en, the postmaster. I would like to learn a few moves from Master Linghu. Is that possible?"
"Well, I don't have my sword. I'll definitely exchange some moves with the postmaster some other day. I have to return to the palace to report. I'm really sorry." Zhao Huan turned and left. He was so weak that he could barely even tie a chicken. If he didn't leave, he would only be beaten if they really came to blows.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Chengen, after finally capturing the world's number one swordsman, was unwilling to let him go. "Welcome, Linghu Hero. We have plenty of swords here. Please pick a few at random. I know I am no match for you, Linghu Hero. I just want to know how many moves I can take on you."
Anyone who studies martial arts wants to know how good their skills are, especially when they meet a master who is stronger than themselves. This is the end of Zhao Huan. Linghu Yunlong, you bastard, why do you have to learn swordsmanship when you can learn something else.
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