"This… what the fuck does this mean?"
Xia Ya was also stunned.
This is inexplicable, someone came to send such a big gift? Then he didn't say a word, turned around and left, not even a fart.
Damn, is there such a good thing in the world
Looking at the pile of golden light on the ground, Xi Ya pinched his chin with a toothache.
On the other hand, Alfre Carter, who was next to him, also stayed for a while, then let out a long breath, looked at Xiaya, and said with a wry smile: "It seems that the previous rumors are true... Well, I just heard about this, I've never had the opportunity to witness it with my own eyes, and I'm not qualified to come into contact with these things. I didn't expect it to happen to me today."
Xia Ya turned her head: "What did you say?"
Avre Carter first smiled, and then made a gesture to Soit, who immediately went over to close the gate of the yard, and then Avre Carter squatted down, grabbed a handful of gold coins, and carefully looked at a few Eyes, sighed faintly: "I fought to death, fought bloody battles in the arena for many years, and I have never made so much money, sir, you only showed a little today, and your wealth is rolling, hehe... Thinking about it, it's really impressive. Sigh."
Xia Ya smiled: "What the hell is going on? You must know from your appearance."
Avre Carter nodded with a smile, and then said sternly: "It is said that this is the usual style of these people. Although they didn't say anything, they actually made it clear. There was a badge on the carriage that came, and it was them. The badge of the Chamber of Commerce, as long as you are not idiots, you will understand who sent the money."
Xia Ya frowned and thought for a while: "What do you mean... The chamber of commerce that undertook the right to bet on some kind of competitive competition, came to give a gift to Lao Tzu?"
"Who else can it be if it's not them?" Afre Carter shook his head and smiled: "This is also a routine, and it's not the first time they have done such a thing."
Then the wolf-toothed warrior explained patiently: "The empire's major chamber of commerce families have a long history and deep roots, and their potential strength should not be underestimated. Even those famous and first-class nobles may have a thousand silks with them. The relationship is inextricably linked. This competitive competition was established at the beginning of the empire, and it has become a tradition today. How many business opportunities does the annual competition generate? These are all financial resources. You can get the maximum benefit by manipulating it in the dark - they have always been like this. What you said about 'fraud' in the stands today, I think you understand it yourself. Fraud is for profit, and Manipulation is also for profit. In order to make competitive competitions more popular, several chambers of commerce often take some special measures. For example, in order to attract the attention of the audience and cause gimmicks and fame, they often try to use some shady methods. , to attract some well-known powerhouses to participate. Those real powerhouses are different from these warriors who are struggling in the Vanity Fair. Those talents are the real powerhouses standing on the clouds. If these characters can find one to participate, then back then The competitive competition will be extremely hot, causing a sensation in the mainland and bringing unlimited business opportunities."
Xia Ya shook his head: "How can a real strong person be willing to fall and come here to suffer this kind of humiliation."
He couldn't help but think of the only strong man he knew: Hastings. With Hasting's arrogant temperament, no matter how downhearted he is, he will not be willing to run on the stage to compete with others, and let people pay for tickets to come in and visit!
Avre Carter shook his head: "The strong are also human. No matter how strong the strong are, they will inevitably have relatives and friends, parents, wives and children. People survive in this world. Many things cannot be decided by themselves. Especially some Powerhouses, although famous, do not have their own foundation, and they are invisible in the world—such people are the targets of those chambers of commerce. However, the reputation of this empty shelf is more valued by the Chamber of Commerce. Over the years, I have seen many such scenes: some famous masters in the past, It was already late, but suddenly came to participate in the competition openly. If you are lucky, you will gain fame and fortune. If you are unlucky, you will be a hero who will die tragically in the ring and turn into loess..."
After a pause, Avre Carter said in a low voice: "Just three years ago, there was a famous swordsman in the empire, whose strength had reached the ranks of ninth-level warriors. He appeared to participate in the competition back then! This person used to be indifferent to fame and fortune, and many wealthy and nobles were not willing to give in, but he suddenly participated in a high-profile competition, which made people puzzled. After all, he was old and his strength declined too much. Killed and died in the ring... The tragic situation at that time made people sigh!"
After a pause, Avre Carter whispered again: "I heard a piece of news later, that old swordsman, he has an only son with mediocre talent. In the end, a big disaster happened! It was the old swordsman who was implicated. Under the persecution of some people, he had to come forward to participate in the competition for his own son. The Chamber of Commerce behind made a lot of money, but he didn't expect that those guys were so ruthless, they actually took advantage of him to show weakness in the arena, the opponent pushed too much and attacked him directly, seriously injured him, and finally took his life! His son later He wasn't killed, but he lived in the slums in the south of the capital city, living in madness all day long..."
Xia Ya listened, sneered again and again, looked at the gold coins on the ground, and snorted: "Oh? Could it be that these guys gave me money, but also made my idea to want me to compete and make money for them?"
Avre Carter laughed: "With your fame, you wounded Odin Hasting on the battlefield. Such fame is unparalleled in the empire! To say your name is naturally enough to make them tempted. However, with It doesn't seem to me that they were trying to hit you.
You are different from the old swordsman from a few years ago. The old swordsman was a commoner. He was arrogant by nature and never wanted to be recruited by the wealthy and nobles. Therefore, there was no backstage, and if you were killed, you would be harmed... But after all, you are Your Majesty now. The pro-appointed baron is also the armament commander of a county. With the power in hand, he is a person with real power. With his actions, he can mobilize a large army of thousands of troops! The nasty tactics of those chambers of commerce are just bullying some lonely and helpless out-of-date masters. For a person with a solid backstage like you, they only dare to make friends, and they absolutely dare not move your mind. "
Avre Carter thought for a while: "So, I tried to kill, maybe you suddenly appeared on the stage today, killed that Philip, and made people recognize it - don't be surprised, my lord, with the power of these people, Osgilia said It’s not big or small, and it’s not surprising that someone like you is recognized by them. I think this gold coin is just a sign of friendship, and it’s also a sign of weakness.”
"What's the meaning?"
"That Philip..." Avre Carter sighed: "Although I don't know much about things, but I know Philip as a person, and I can guess a few points. Philip must have spent a lot of money in advance. The person who arranged the game in the chamber of commerce had already colluded with Philip and made some arrangements. But you suddenly showed up, intervened, and abolished Philip, which directly ruined their plan. If it is an ordinary person, I am afraid that this It's a big disaster! After all, you have different identities, and these people dare not provoke a powerful military figure like you, so they can only come to please and show weakness. The money is sent for nothing more than a meaning: please stand tall Your hand, don’t spoil their good deeds any more. Sending a generous gift is a sign of weakness. The so-called take people’s money and do things with them. You will naturally feel embarrassed to continue embarrassing them after receiving their generous gifts. Bar."
When Xia heard this, she suddenly realized, stared at Avre Carter, and then laughed a few times: "Interesting! It's so fucking interesting! I still seem to be a country bumpkin, and there are so many twists and turns in this matter. Going around, if it weren't for the explanation of your experienced veteran, I really don't understand the riddles these people play."
As he said that, he looked at the gold coins on the ground again, and the turtle smiled: "Fuck, isn't it just paying the protection fee!! Well! Anyway, I was just on a whim today, and I didn't intend to trouble these guys, but there is no reason. I got a windfall. Humph... It seems that I will be short of money in the future, so I will go to the competition to make a fuss, and I will just wait for these people to send money home when I come back."
Alfrekat couldn't help laughing and crying: "Sir... this, these people do things insidiously and cunningly, this thing can't be done again, there is no need to make enemies with these people because of these small profits..."
Xia laughed and patted Afre Carter: "I'm just joking. These little people, I can't hide."
※※※
In the next few days, Xia Ya was really bored, he didn't have any friends in the imperial capital, General Adric and Fatty were gone, and Greene also went to work in Moore County one step ahead. Staying in the imperial capital by myself, I was really busy and panicked.
Speaking of acquaintances... Caviehir is considered one of them, but even if the turtle has eaten the gall of a bear and a leopard, he will never dare to come to provoke that unfathomable old guy.
He was in the yard every day, and Sharba and Cato practiced Dodoro well, and practiced a magician to a bitter end.
Fortunately, this time, Todolo has put away his lazy temperament, worked hard, and was a good magician. In the past few days, he has gradually been trained to look like a samurai.
Seeing that Dotolo was wearing a leather armor tailored for him (if the armor is iron, Dodoruo would not be able to carry his back.)
And Xiaya is also generous, and directly gave Dotolo a piece of dragon scale as a heart armor.
Poor magician, mounts a bow, dismounts and dances a sword, fully armed, wearing leather armor, like a tortoise shell, where is there a half-point of the magician's elegant and unrestrained taste
Both Sharba and Cato were born in cavalry, and they were impatient, and they were inevitably irritable when they practiced.
"Hey! Todoro! You're blind! The target is so big that you don't shoot, so what are you shooting at Lao Tzu!!"
Sharba cursed anxiously. It turned out that Dodoro just shot an arrow and missed the target, but the arrow almost hit Shaerba, who was standing ten steps away from the target.
Xia laughed on the side, and then Dodo practiced for a while, and Afre Carter also taught Dodo some of his agile movements in shadow swordsmanship.
But when a few people in the backyard were working together to train the poor magician, Soyite came to report in front of him: A palace messenger has come from the palace.
Xia Ya was stunned for a moment, then left the crowd and came to the front yard. At first glance, it was an acquaintance who came, and it was the palace messenger who came to give orders when he first entered the palace for an audience.
Everyone is acquaintances, this court messenger is extraordinarily enthusiastic at the moment, not at all arrogant, and even warmly came up to hug and hold hands with Xia Ya, even a golden cake that Xia Ya took the initiative to give, refused to accept it.
"Lord Baron Char, you are insulting me like this!" The court messenger looked aggrieved: "I help His Majesty with errands, and I don't lack this little money wherever I go. You and I are sincere friends and I respect you Such a hero, if you take more money, you will look down on me!"
Since he wanted to pretend like this, Xiaya simply took the money and laughed.
"This, Your Majesty decided that three days later, that is, the day of spring, to hunt in the gardens of the eastern suburbs of the imperial capital. The members of the noble council invited this time, as well as the trusted generals of the royal city, Your Majesty also specially added your name to the list. What! Mr. Baron Char, congratulations to you, the people who can be invited to the annual hunting conference have always been important ministers trusted by Your Majesty. Although you are not young, you are so favored by His Majesty when you first entered the imperial capital, and your future is not very promising. Limited! Your Majesty has been crowned emperor for decades, and at a young age like you, you are the first person to be invited to hunt as a baron!"
The court messenger complimented a few more words and took out a gold badge: "This is the badge for the hunting conference. As a rule, as a baron, you can only carry two squires..." Said, the court messenger said. He smiled and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty shocked the country with his martial arts when he was young. He is a hero who likes martial arts the most. With your skills, you will show more heroism at the shooting and hunting conference in the future. Your Majesty will definitely like it! It's a rare opportunity. , you should take advantage of these two days to practice the art of bowing and horses."
After the palace messenger left, Xiaya held the golden badge in his hand and was stunned for a while.
Hunting meeting
It should be a gathering of nobles and nobles. What did the emperor call a country boy like me here
After he turned back, he discussed it with everyone. It's a pity that the people around him, whether Sharba or Cato, are from commoner backgrounds. Although Afre Carter has seen some worldly events, where has he heard of such top-level, upper-level core-level gatherings? No result could be negotiated for a while.
In the evening, it was Yulia, the widow of bald man Kevin, who saw Xiaya's uneasy mind at the dinner table. After asking a few questions, Xiaya said, Yulia listened and pondered for a while, Cai said: "Xia Ya, the emperor appreciates you, although I don't know why, but since I appreciate you, most of them like the characteristics of you now, so I think you don't have to do anything deliberately, what is it? What it is like at times, showing your true nature may be the best way."
When Xia Ya heard this, his heart moved, and he laughed loudly: "Not bad! Yulia, you are right! What is I afraid of! If you tell me to go, I will go, and if you ask me to drink and eat meat, I will let go of my stomach and eat and drink, Tell me to hunt... Hahaha! Isn't that Lao Tzu's old skill? Those generals, maybe the martial arts bow and horse are better than me, but when it comes to hunting, which one is more powerful than Lao Tzu?!"
Having said that, I looked at Yulia, Yulia was still depressed recently, but she had a child in her belly, and she cheered up. Although the laughter disappeared, her diet gradually returned to normal, which made Xiaya a lot at ease. No matter what, the bald man had a brotherly love for him, and he died for himself. Even if he fought everything, he still had to protect the safety of his orphans and widowed mothers!
※※※
Three days later, at the Spring Shooting and Hunting Conference, the Royal Forest Army sent by the imperial palace came to pick up Xiaya early in the morning.
Xiaya showed the gold badge, and brought Sharba and Cato as squires. After wearing new clothes, they set off with the team.
Today, Xia Ya put on his most sophisticated armor, the one that was extorted from the military headquarters in the war zone, and three high-quality war horses, also one for each person. The bright and shining armor was polished and hung on the saddle The fire fork was placed in the place where the lance and the sword were only hung as usual. The Shouting Bow presented by Guro the Landis was also carried behind his back, and twenty iron ridges were inserted into a cowhide quiver behind the saddle. Armor!
The turtle was born with a majestic physique. After putting on this armor, he was fully armed, with a face with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and his long black hair with a simple bunch. , The murderous aura that has been nurtured on the free battlefield is like the appearance of a decisive military general!
Even Shaerba next to him, although he is also a brave man, in comparison, he seems to be less heroic than Xiaya. Cato glanced at Char and suddenly sighed.
Sharba frowned: "Hey, you smuggler, what are you sighing?"
Cato smiled and stabbed Sharba: "Hey, bull, do you look like Char... Back then, when we first met General Adric! At that time, the general was not as old as he is now. Big, but also full of heroic and suffocating aura, people can't help but feel awe when they see it."
※※※
The location for hunting is in the eastern suburban gardens of Osgilia, which is an industry handed down by the imperial family for generations. It is a short half-day's journey from Osgilia City. A dense forest surrounded by a small river that draws water as a natural protection zone.
Walking into this forest along the river, I gradually felt that the guards were heavily guarded, but within a short time, Xia Ya had already seen three groups of guards patrolling back and forth on horseback, all fully armed and ready to fight!
Next to the forest, a large camp has been set up, which is like a march in the army. The central army has a large tent, a chain of military camps, and a gathering of garrison troops. The scale of the camp can accommodate at least thousands of people. Obviously, the emperor's trip, the scene is naturally not small.
In the camp, a field was opened in the middle. Eagle flags fluttered around, and a group of knights from the Royal Forest Army guarded the surrounding area. In the field, the imperial dignitaries who were invited to hunt this time gathered.
Although Xia Ya has already put on the brightest armor, but when they came here, the clothes of the heavy generals in the noble and wealthy army, one is more luxurious and eye-catching, the other is more dazzling and dazzling, Xia Ya came here, and suddenly changed again. Became an inconspicuous bastard.
He was wearing nothing but the military-style general-level armor, but looking at it here, he clearly looked like a guard.
He is young, although he walked in and looked at some young nobles wearing brocade robes eager to try, which one would pay attention to him, Xia Ya? Even if he passed by others, everyone just regarded him as a general in the Imperial Forest Army.
The person standing here is either a marquis or an earl, and the person with the status of a duke has also become the focus of everyone. He is such a small baron, no one pays attention, and no one asks who he is. .
Occasionally, some young people of the same age as Xia Ya are also extravagant and extraordinary, forming a circle of their own, ignoring others.
Xia Ya stood by and watched silently for a while without speaking. Sharba and Cato, the two squires, were led away long ago, and they were not qualified to stand here.
After waiting for a while, a bugle was heard, and everyone was instantly refreshed!
Hearing the sound of horses’ hooves coming from outside the hunting ground, a group of men and horses came over, facing a pure black high war horse, which was obviously one of the best horses out of 10,000. Arriving in front of the crowd, the horse was looking forward to it, and there was a faint power of its own!
The person on the horse is Cantos, the "Lance King"!
The Great Emperor was dressed in a patterned cotton robe and a thick fox fur scarf. Although he was wearing soft armor under the robe, sitting on a horse, the tired look on his face was hard to hide, and his sickness could no longer be concealed. Although he is still skilled in controlling horses, when he dismounts, he already needs someone to help him.
Behind the Great Emperor, a blond young man closely followed him. He was handsome and full of extravagance. His gestures were full of majesty and etiquette. He was wearing a gorgeous retro Paladin-style armor with fluttering blond hair. Wearing snow-white gloves, it was His Royal Highness Crown Prince Garcia.
After that, a group of cavalrymen covered with suffocating aura followed closely. As soon as Xia Ya saw these cavalrymen, she suddenly froze in her heart!
He didn't know that these cavalry were the "Dark Night Royal Forest" he had seen on the Wildfire Plain! The most loyal dead man in the hands of the emperor!
After the Great Spear Emperor dismounted, he stood on the high platform and looked at the people below. These were the imperial aristocrats who had finally entered the royal family. Among them were some generals in power in the Eagle Clan. Unfortunately, the spiritual leader of the Eagle Clan, Mi Duke Nas, old and sickly, did not attend this hunting meeting.
The emperor stood on the stage, his eyes flickered, and he clearly saw the young man he admired at the end of the crowd—Xia Ya stood at the very end, keeping a distance from the nobles in front. The young general, only thought it was a role like a lieutenant in the Royal Forest Army.
Seeing that Xia Ya was far away from these noble groups, the emperor felt a little satisfaction in his heart.
Very good, this kid came to this kind of occasion for the first time, but he knew the proportions and did not make friends in the camp, not bad!
After clearing his throat, the emperor made a hoarse voice and said very briefly: "Today will be hunting, as usual! Everyone, work hard, if the young talents of each family perform dazzlingly, I will not hesitate to reward them! Go! Show off my Byzantine valour!"
The young aristocrats below were already gearing up, and when they heard the emperor say this, they all responded with a bang. Some of them had already been instructed by the elders in the family to do their best. Some of his heroic appearance and bravery came, his skills overwhelmed the audience, and he made a good show.
The Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Garcia, remained silent, standing behind the emperor, maintaining an adequate manner.
Then, an officer of the Royal Forest Army naturally came up and waved the eagle flag. After a while, the hunting began naturally!
Emperor Cantos stepped down, got on his horse with the help of the attendants next to him, and rode his horse into the woods. The nobles behind him came to the sidelines and mounted their horses, and followed behind the team.
Everyone did not disperse first, but followed behind the horse of the Great Spear Emperor, because according to convention, the first arrow of the hunt must be shot by His Majesty the Emperor himself!
Entering the woods, I could faintly hear the sound of horses’ hooves in the distance. There were already the cavalry of the Royal Forest Army patrolling back and forth, and there were special riders holding nooses and other tools to drive back and forth those wild beasts raised in the woods, and try to take some prey as much as possible. driven to the vicinity of His Majesty the Emperor himself.
Naturally, this drive is also exquisite, and the important thing is that the prey should not be too big or too dangerous, nor too small and inconspicuous.
Otherwise, you rush a tiger to the front of your Majesty, and if you hurt your Majesty, it would be a joke. But if he only chased a few gray rabbits... Even if His Majesty was in the hunt, the dignified emperor of a country only hunted a rabbit, and it would not be glorious.
Therefore, this round, after being driven away, I saw a few elk jumping from the forest and came to the gap in the trees far away from the Great Lance King. The elk looked up at everyone in the distance in a little panic.
The Great Lance Emperor took a deep breath, and when he beckoned, a servant next to him handed over a golden longbow. But after all, he is old and frail, and in recent years, he has been plagued by illnesses, and he has long lost the style of the "Like Emperor" who fought in the South and the North when he was young.
The arrow shot crookedly, slammed into the tree trunk next to it, and the elk jumped to the side with a whimper.
Everyone in the back saw that the emperor was making a fool of himself, but no one dared to speak, just looked at the emperor in dismay.
At this time, Garcia next to him smiled gently, and others dared not speak. He, the crown prince, wanted to relieve his father's embarrassment. Garcia smiled casually: "My father is too humble and does not compete with others... Oh, this deer , let me shoot it for you!!”
As he said that, the crown prince took off a delicate golden bow from the saddle himself. Just as he was about to pull it away, the lancer next to him suddenly shook his head and put the longbow in his hand on the crown prince's arm: "No need."
The emperor suddenly turned his head and looked at the crowd behind him, a strange look flashed in his eyes: "Where is Baron Xia!!"
? ? !
Everyone froze together! Baron Char? Who is His Majesty talking about
It turned out that the emperor just added his name temporarily to Xiaya's invitation. At this moment, the nobles who attended this meeting didn't even know about it!
When Xia Ya heard the emperor calling him, she stayed for a while, then immediately rode her horse around from behind the crowd, and gave a military salute on the horse: "Your Majesty, Xia Ya is here."
The emperor looked at Xia Ya, Xia Ya was a general in the army, the armor was bright but not luxurious, and he liked it in his heart, but he said lightly: "I heard that you are brave, even Odin Hasting was injured. Your subordinates! Very good!"
As he said that, he pointed to the deer in the distance, and His Majesty's tone became a little more intense. On the face at the moment, I don't know what kind of emotional expression it was, but the eyes suddenly became bright and imposing. With a faint majesty, he stared at Xia Ya: "Baron Xia Ya! That deer, shoot it for me!!!"
※※※
hum! ! !
The words of the Great Spear Emperor immediately caused an uproar among the people behind!
The emperor stopped the crown prince's surrogate shooting, but actually gave this chance to this honor... um, Xia
Is that the legendary general who defeated Hastings? !
At this moment, those who are interested have been shocked in their hearts!
His Majesty's actions are clearly helping Xia Ya become famous! ! These words came from His Majesty's mouth, so from now on, the weight of Xia Ya...
For a time, many eyes and complex emotions all converged on the young general.
Xia Ya's expression did not change, she looked at the emperor quietly, and there was a hint of determination in the emperor's eyes, Xia Ya nodded slowly: "Yes! Take orders!"
The emperor laughed and said, "Well done! Don't let me down!"
Xia Ya's eyes lit up, took a deep look at the emperor, and then tore off the Juxiao Bow on his back! This peculiarly shaped longbow immediately made the emperor's eyes lit up! He is the Emperor Wuyong, and he can see the extraordinaryness of this bow at a glance! Even the several military generals who attended this meeting were originally pro-hawks, and when they saw Xia Ya, they were all his own, and at this moment, they all cast their eyes of goodwill.
Xia Ya held the bow in hand, but did not hold the arrow. With a shout, the horse rushed towards the deer!
The deer in the distance was still looking up, and suddenly saw Xia Ya rushing towards the horse, and immediately ran away.
hum! ! !
Above the empty string, a force of energy shot past! Hearing a screeching sound, the grass in front of the deer running was suddenly torn apart by strength! The grass is flying! The deer turned around in panic, Xiaya had already caught up, and slammed the bowstring again! !
The grass on the left side of the deer was also torn apart by the energy, and this time he couldn't escape, and Xiaya had already rushed in front of him! I saw the Turtle Man on the horse, he bent down gently, stretched his body, and grabbed the antlers with one hand, how strong he was, he lifted the deer with one hand, and threw it on the ground, the head of the deer was gone. Broken by him!
At this moment, the deer had already escaped, and then Xiaya pulled out an iron-ridged armor-piercing arrow, put it on the bowstring, and looked intently...
I saw the most majestic stag running behind a big tree...
Xia Ya took a deep breath and shook her arms! Ju Xiaogong was pulled like a full moon by him! ! !
hum! ! ! !
This piercing sound, even everyone in the distance can hear it really! ! I saw a lightning-like black light shoot out, and the black light directly pierced the two big trees in front of me! Egg-sized perforations in tree trunks!
The black light penetrated two big trees and shot directly at the stag. The stag was shot by the strong arrow and his entire body was thrown flying. When it landed far on the ground, it happened to fall on the lance. Before the emperor's horse! !