The next day's martial arts competition between the two countries was a grand ceremony for the visit of Bei Li's envoy.
Although Ning Chengzhi didn't agree to let people from Guhou's mansion play, he didn't dare to deal with people with mediocre martial arts at will, and Dong Ling would lose face if he lost.
He asked Yin Shuo to search for martial arts masters in the court and even the Jianghu, and tried his best to win Bei Li in this martial arts competition, and not let them suppress him everywhere.
Yin Shuo did his best to deal with this matter, the competition started today, and Ning Chengzhi came to watch the competition in person.
"Ning Xuan, I heard that you are going to be a father soon?"
Before the contest started, Ning Chengzhi specially summoned Ning Xuan to speak alone. The latter was slightly surprised, "Yes, thank you for your majesty's concern, my wife is five months pregnant."
Ning Chengzhi said: "I used to think you were a dandy, but gradually I found that you are very reliable. I have an important matter to tell you today, you go to accompany that little son of Beili for me, and try to trick him .”
"What words?"
"Beili's prince came from Xikun. Yesterday when all the ministers accompanied the young master on a tour of the West Lake, he personally said that the prince went to Xikun as an envoy first. Please find out for me why he went to Xikun , Do you intend to establish diplomatic relations with Xikun? The most important thing is, we must find out Beili's attitude towards Dongling and Xikun, who is closer to him?"
Ning Xuan smiled, thinking that since Ning Chengzhi ascended the throne, he has been widely known as stupid among the people, but what he said today is serious, it seems that he is not blindly stupid.
It's just that when it comes to the matter of Gu Hou's mansion, his stupidity is particularly vivid.
Ning Xuan cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I know that Bei Li's attitude can almost determine my Dongling's safety, that's why Your Majesty treats this young master so courteously. But can Your Majesty consider returning to the Marquis Gu's Mansion? What if The border is really fighting, without Master Gu, I'm afraid..."
"What are your Majesty and Uncle Ning Tang talking about?"
Yin Shuo suddenly appeared out of nowhere, "Your Majesty, the arena is ready, just wait for Your Majesty to pass by."
Ning Chengzhi hurriedly said: "Okay, let's go, I want to go and see for myself!"
Yin Shuo cast a secretive look at Ning Xuan, followed Ning Chengzhi to the field, that look...
It's a warning look.
The ministers in the court who spoke for Guhou's mansion were almost wiped out by Yin Shuo. Ning Chengzhi blindly followed Yin Shuo's bewitching and lost his own opinion. It is really not easy for everyone in the Guhou Mansion to be cleared of their crimes and leave the prison.
Ning Xuan went back to the banquet and sat beside Ji Chengfa as an accompaniment to the guests. Ji Chengfa's position was opposite to Yin Shuo's, representing Dong Ling's hospitality to Bei Li.
Ji Chengfa turned his face to look at him, seeing Ning Xuan's delicate features and kind expression, he didn't play naughty to drive him away.
The first warriors of the two sides entered the field, everyone's eyes were fixed on the field, Ji Chengfa suddenly said: "Emperor Ning asked you to ask me something, please hurry up, I won't be in the mood to answer your words after a fight. "
Ning Xuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry, this child was indeed a big kid.
He didn't hide anything, "Your Majesty would like to know what Prince Beili did in Xikun, is it to establish diplomatic relations like you came to Dongling? Beili established diplomatic relations with Dongling and Xikun at the same time. Which one is more inclined?" side?"
"Yes, it is to establish diplomatic relations. But which side we prefer depends entirely on our Highness's will. Your Highness will go to Xikun and then Dongling. After seeing the kings and courtiers of the two countries, he will naturally consider it."
Ning Xuan said: "That is to say, we still have a chance to win Bei Li's support?"
Ji Chengfa couldn't take his eyes off, "Yes, but you have to ask our highness about it, and you will know when she comes. Hey, fight! Well done!"
Ning Xuan turned his head and saw the tall and mighty Beili warrior on the field, his fist was as big as an iron pan, and his face was distorted with one punch.
He vaguely remembered that this samurai was a member of the Imperial Forest Army, and then he looked for Meng Fei on the field, and the latter really looked like he hated iron but not steel.
The warriors selected by the Imperial Forest Army are naturally masters, and no one would make fun of Dongling's national prestige. It seems that the martial arts of the Beili people should not be underestimated.
Ning Chengzhi sat on the top with a bad expression, and when he heard Ji Chengfa shouting, he felt even more uncomfortable, "What kind of idiot is chosen for the martial arts competition? Come on, change to another master!"
Ji Chengfa laughed loudly, "Sure enough, it's an idiot. I got down before I took a serious look at it. It's so boring! Can't you send a decent person?"
After he finished speaking, Ning Chengzhi's face turned completely green.
Bei Li's envoy really didn't give face.
Ning Xuan said softly: "Young Master Ji, may I ask what is the name of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of your country, and what are his hobbies and habits? We should also prepare in advance to welcome his arrival."
Ji Chengfa glanced at him and ignored him. I haven't even figured out whether it's a man or a woman, but I still want to find out her preferences and habits
It is better for him to concentrate on watching than trying.
The second round didn't end as quickly as the first round, probably because Ning Chengzhi was furious, so this time it was the one with the highest martial arts skills among the warriors selected by Dong Ling.
After fighting with both hands for several rounds, even Ji Chengfa, a child, could tell that this person's martial arts skills are very quack, and he doesn't follow routines at all.
In order to win the competition, Ning Chengzhi even invited the masters of the rivers and lakes, Ji Chengfa suddenly laughed, Ning Xuan turned his head and saw a little devil baring his teeth beside him, with a mischievous look on his face.
Sure enough, Ji Chengfa suddenly jumped up from his seat, "Hit him! Beat him like a pig! You're welcome!"
"Yes, young master!"
The Beili warrior on the field responded, and suddenly exerted force towards the opponent. The opponent couldn't hold back for a while, and was thrown out of the whole body, and fell on a big tree not far away.
Ji Chengfa glanced at everyone contemptuously, "Hmph, there is no one who can fight!"
Now not only Ning Chengzhi, but every Dongling courtier here couldn't bear it anymore. The dignified Dongling was ridiculed by a foreign child like this. How could they have any face? !
Ning Chengzhi looked at Yin Shuo with dissatisfaction, Yin Shuo didn't expect Bei Li's warrior martial arts to be so high, the man who just came on stage was already Dongling's biggest martial arts trump card, but he was overwhelmed by the opponent with one move.
They have no better candidates to play.
Ning Chengzhi blushed, "Come on, come on!"
"Your Majesty, wait a minute!"
Yin Shuo got up to stop him, walked to Ning Chengzhi and explained the situation to him, "Your Majesty, the rest of the warriors can't beat them, so it's better not to beat them and save some face."
Seven people playing seven rounds and losing all seven rounds is much worse than two people playing two rounds and losing. It is better to stop in time.
Yin Shuo can stop it, Ning Chengzhi can't. As Dong Ling's monarch, Dong Ling's face damage is like being slapped in the face in public!
He just wants to win now, no matter what method he has to win!
"Hurry up and find a master to fight, and defeat those Beili people no matter what you say!"
Yin Shuo said: "Your Majesty, if there is such a master, I would have let him appear on the stage long ago. Is there any need to wait until now?"
Ji Chengfa waited impatiently at the bottom, "Are there any of you? If not, I will just think you have surrendered!"
"Yes! Who said no?!"
Ning Chengzhi got up angrily, "Come here! Go to the prison of Dali Temple and bring Gu Jiuge and Gu Hanmo out!"
Yin Shuo subconsciously looked at Ji Chengfa, and the child blinked at him, with a look of success, Yin Shuo was so angry that he almost couldn't control his emotions.
Ji Chengfa deliberately asked Ning Chengzhi to bring out the people from Guhou's residence!
His deliberately provocative words stimulated Ning Chengzhi step by step, forcing him to bring out the people from Guhou's residence to clean up the situation. This is exactly what Ji Chengfa wanted to see!
Who is he? Why does he care so much about the people in Guhou's mansion? What on earth is Bei Li planning
A series of questions flashed in Yin Shuo's mind, and before he had time to figure it out, the Imperial Forest Army had already brought Gu Jiuge and Gu Hanmo here.
The high-spirited young master of Guhou's mansion in the past is now dressed in plain prison clothes, with a faint smile on his face, as if he is still a young man in brocade clothes.
Prison clothes cannot destroy their minds, change their aspirations, let alone conquer their souls.
When Ji Chengfa saw the two of them appearing in the martial arts arena, Ji Chengfa's eyes lit up instantly, "Okay, this looks like a good warrior! You are too unkind, why did you hide such a good talent until now?"
Gu Jiuge and Gu Hanmo looked at him, and saw a half-person-tall child bouncing around, speaking without any manners in front of Ning Chengzhi, he must be the envoy of Beili that Yin Jiyi mentioned.
The two couldn't help but be amazed that Bei Li acted strangely and sent a child as an envoy.
Ning Chengzhi waved his hand, "Gu Jiuge, Gu Hanmo, today is the martial arts competition between Dongling and Beili warriors. You were also the fourth-rank generals in the court. It is only right to win glory for the country! I will let you fight today! Beili warriors, do you dare?"
The two brothers looked at each other, Gu Jiuge bowed his hands, "This is the job of a minister, but I have a request, please allow it."
He claimed to be a lowly minister rather than a criminal minister, so it can be seen that he did not admit the crime of collaborating with the enemy and treason, and he wanted to make conditions to Ning Chengzhi. Could it be that he let the Guhou family go
Ning Chengzhi thought for a moment, "Tell me about it."
Gu Jiuge said: "The condition of this minister is that no matter whether the Marquis Gu's mansion is found guilty or not, the minister, his father and younger brother will accept His Majesty's disposal. The so-called king wants ministers to die and ministers have to die. We dare not resist. But I implore Your Majesty to forgive those who are outside the prison, and not to implicate this matter any further."
There are two meanings behind these words. First, he, Guhou Mansion, is innocent and died only to be loyal to the emperor and protect others.
Second, he hoped that Ning Chengzhi would not punish the subordinates of Gu Hou's mansion and the soldiers of the Gu family army. There are 300,000 soldiers of the Gu family army. Dealing with these people is tantamount to hurting Dong Ling's lifeline.
Ning Chengzhi didn't intend to dispose of it at first, but after thinking about it, there is only one Yufu left in Guhou's mansion except those servants, of course he would not dispose of Yufu, so he nodded and agreed to Gu Jiuge, "I promise you. "
Gu Jiuge bowed his hands to him to thank him, and then turned to the ministers present, including Beili's envoys, "Your Majesty's words today are all witnessed by the adults present and Beili's envoys. You are not joking, I thank the Lord for your kindness."
After finishing speaking, he picked up the sword from a soldier of the Royal Forest Army and flew towards the Beili warrior in the field, and the two sides quickly fought together.
Ning Chengzhi took a step back in fright. He knew that everyone in Guhou's mansion had extremely high martial arts skills, but he didn't want Gu Jiuge's martial arts skills to be so high.
Especially his body is as fast as lightning, and now he is not bound by shackles, what if he turns to assassinate himself
Noticing his expression, Eunuch Chi hurriedly waved his hand to let the guarding guards approach Ning Chengzhi, so that he could protect Gu Jiuge in time if he had any wrongdoing.
Many people noticed the situation around him, and even Yin Shuo showed disdainful eyes.
If Gu Jiuge would assassinate him, he would have rebelled directly before he was imprisoned, so why bother
The Gu family army did not rebel at the beginning, and now anyone in Gu Hou's mansion would not be able to kill the king.
Ji Chengfa kept watching the martial arts competition on the field, seeing Gu Jiuge's elegant and agile figure, and his sword was as fast as lightning, he was so happy that he jumped up and waved the flag to him, "It's amazing, it's amazing!"
With children's cheers in the solemn martial arts arena, the atmosphere suddenly became lively.
The courtiers of Dongling on the field were all very surprised. This child with eyes on the top of his head has been disliked since he came to Dongling. Sometimes he thinks that the West Lake is not big enough, and sometimes he thinks that Dongling people's martial arts are not good. It's rare for him to be satisfied today.
Everyone felt that there was honor in their face. If Gu Jiuge and the others were not here, Dong Ling would lose all face today.
Ji Chengfa cheered and shouted for a while, then suddenly curled his lips and said, "Hey, Emperor Ning, you warriors haven't eaten, have you?"
Ning Chengzhi was worried that Gu Jiuge and the two would assassinate him, and was stunned when Ji Cheng asked him a question. Then he realized that Gu Jiuge's figure was becoming more and more sluggish, and he looked like he lacked strength.
Presumably, he suffered a lot in prison, so his physical strength was weak.
Ji Chengfa waved to Gu Hanmo who was standing beside him, "Come here, eat something for a while before going on the stage. I want to see your Dong Ling's real strength, so what's the point of fighting hungry?"
Gu Hanmo glanced at Ning Chengzhi, and the latter nodded slightly at him, acquiescing, and Gu Hanmo walked over slowly.
Although this envoy of Beili was young, he looked very smart. I don't know what his idea was for asking him to come here.
Ji Chengfa pushed all the snacks and wine on his case to Gu Hanmo, "Eat it quickly, by the way, I heard that you are from Guhou's Mansion?"
The child's tone sounded harmless, Gu Hanmo picked up a piece of snack casually, and answered while eating: "Yes, I am Gu Hanmo from the third member of the Gu family, and my second brother Gu Jiuge is on the field."
These two names are very familiar, and they matched the names in Ji Chengfa's mind. He smiled so much that he rolled his eyes, and said loudly on purpose: "Then fight hard for a while, don't hold back, if I am happy watching, I will plead with Emperor Ning for you!"
These words were very insane, and Ning Chengzhi couldn't help laughing when he heard it, thinking that you might not have this face. He didn't say anything, but it was just a child's joke for a while, and he would forget it when he looked back.
Yin Shuo kept staring at Ji Chengfa, always feeling that he said this intentionally for everyone to make people think that the relationship between him and Guhou Mansion was just a relationship of "I'll beg you casually when I'm happy".
"Yin Shuo, look at it!"
Seeing him staring at Ji Chengfa seriously, Ning Chengzhi couldn't help being amused, and asked him to watch the competition in the arena. At this very moment, Gu Hanmo bit a foreign object in the pastry.
Like a piece of paper rolled into a small roll, he frowned and raised his head quickly, and Ji Chengfa winked at him playfully. He understood immediately, put the little note into his sleeve, and ate the remaining half of the snack calmly.
For some reason, he subconsciously felt that although Ji Chengfa was a child, he came here with full of kindness towards Guhou's residence.
It is said that he is crazy and loves to mess around, but what Gu Hanmo saw was the clarity in his eyes.
If you look closely, his eyes are a bit like jade balls, round and black. When he smiles, they are curved like crescent moons, and there is always a clear spring flowing through his eyes.
Gu Hanmo lowered his head and smiled wryly, he didn't know if he would see Yufu again in this life.
After the martial arts contest was over, Gu Jiuge and the two were escorted back to the prison of Dali Temple, and Gu Hanmo took out the note in his sleeve.
"Third brother, what is that?"
"It was hidden in the pastry that Ji Cheng sent to me. It should be some information he wanted to pass on to us behind his back."
As Gu Hanmo said, he opened the note, and there were five characters of different sizes written in the crooked childish handwriting on it—
"Save your life! Wait for your return."
Waiting for you to return...
Gu Hanmo said: "What do you mean by that? Who is he talking about? Could it be the rumored Prince Beili?"
Gu Jiuge looked at Gu Huaijiang, across a fence, Gu Huaijiang's complexion changed several times.
After a moment of silence, he slowly said: "The meaning of this sentence is to let us save our lives at all costs, and wait for the arrival of the prince of Beili. If I guess correctly, Yufu and Shubai may be with this prince. Together. Even…”
He thought that Yu Fu had never revealed his identity, and a strange guess suddenly appeared in his mind, "Han Mo, have you found out whether that Prince Bei Li is a prince or a princess?"