The Beacon of Kyushu

As Wang Qinruo left Qionglin Pavilion, Lu Mengzheng and other new scholars also tactfully excused themselves. In an instant, only Zhao Guangyi and Wan Jianfeng were left at the lively Qionglin Banquet. Zhao Guangyi was somewhat unhappy. He stared at Wan Jianfeng and said in a deep voice: "Young Master Wan, what happened to Qu Yue? Has Hou Renbao still not conquered Guluo City?"

Wan Jianfeng smiled bitterly and said, "Sir, you really don't care what's happening outside! Lord Hou died in battle on the bank of Zhiling River, Lord Kou was also captured by them, and all the soldiers in the central army were killed. Lord Liu of the Eastern Army is now trapped in Huabu City, and his life is in danger. As for Lord Chen of the Western Army, I haven't seen him since I arrived in Quyue, and I haven't even seen him send battle reports to the other two armies, so I don't know whether he is alive or dead."

Zhao Guangyi thought that with three armies, even if he couldn't take down Quyue within a few months, at least he could fight on equal terms. He never expected that he would end up like this. It was not until he heard Wan Jianfeng's report that he completely understood Li Huan's strength and felt extremely regretful. "Alas, I thought Hou Renbao had been in Yongzhou for so long, and he swore that he had a plan to defeat the enemy and would capture Li Huan alive and wipe out Quyue. Unexpectedly, it was so useless! Now that Li Huan has won one victory after another, his ambitions will surely expand and he intends to annex the south. What should I do?"

Wan Jianfeng said, "Your Majesty, there are only two ways to deal with Qu Yue. One is to send powerful generals to attack. Maybe 100,000 or 80,000 people will die, and Li Huan can be killed. The other is to send eloquent officials to negotiate peace. After all, the Song Dynasty is strong and Qu Yue is weak. I believe Li Huan should be smart and will not ask for too many unreasonable demands."

Zhao Guangyi thought for a moment and said, "Young Master Wan, the Liao Kingdom in the north and the Tanguts in the west are eyeing the Song Dynasty covetously. If I send too few troops, I will definitely not be able to wipe out Qu Yue. But if I send too many troops, the two northwestern countries will take the opportunity to send troops and intend to rule the Central Plains. Therefore, I think the best way is to negotiate peace. As for this envoy..."

Originally, Zhao Guangyi wanted to select a suitable candidate from the new Jinshi candidates to represent the Song Dynasty as an envoy to Quyue. However, he thought that the top three candidates were all old friends of Wan Jianfeng. If they were allowed to achieve such a great feat, they would surely be promoted to high positions after returning to the court. In that case, Wan Jianfeng might interfere in the government of the Song Dynasty by relying on his personal relationship, and thus pose a threat to his throne, so he was a little hesitant for a while.

Seeing his hesitation, Wan Jianfeng asked anxiously, "Sir, who is the envoy?"

Zhao Guangyi pondered for a moment and said with a smile: "Young Master Wan, you are smart and have many friends. Why don't you choose the person to be this envoy? Don't worry, as long as you think it is suitable, just bring it to my imperial study. I will definitely entrust it to an important task no matter who it is."

Wan Jianfeng looked at Zhao Guangyi in disbelief for a long time, not quite believing his ears. He wondered in his heart, "It's true that I saved his life, but he shouldn't trust me to this extent, right? In the stories told by Mr. Shi, the emperor always carefully selected envoys and made his own decisions. How come it's completely different with me! Could it be that the old emperor got drunk and was joking with me?"

Zhao Guangyi waved his hand and said, "Young Master Wan, if you have nothing else to do, go and select the envoy. I am a little tired, so I won't keep you any longer. We will meet again another day."

Wan Jianfeng did not dare to disobey the emperor's will, so he had to clasp his fists and turn around to leave Qionglin Garden. His mind was very confused at the moment, as if he had drunk more than a dozen bottles of strong liquor. He staggered towards Bianhe Street while lowering his head to ponder the deep meaning of Zhao Guangyi's move.

The wind today was neither too strong nor too weak, and it blew warmly on his face, which gradually calmed Wan Jianfeng's thoughts. He was extremely smart, but he lacked some experience in government affairs. At this time, he calmed down and thought about Zhao Guangyi's words several times, and suddenly understood the intention. "Haha, this young man understands!" Wan Jianfeng was happy in his heart, clapping his hands and laughing, "The official is very narrow-minded. He must have seen that Lu Zhuangyuan and others are enthusiastic about me, so he is worried that I will use them to shake the foundation of the country. But he doesn't know the details, so he can only use the name of selecting envoys to see how deep the friendship between this young man and these people is. If we are just casual friends, who would be willing to go to Qu Yue's dragon pool and tiger's den for my sake? But if we are friends of life and death, they will follow me through fire and water, and have no complaints even if they die in the hands of Li Huan. It's a pity that this young man is so wise and brave, how could I fall into your trap?"

While talking to himself, Wan Jianfeng had already arrived at the inn on Bianhe Street. He was about to enter when the annoying old man suddenly walked over and said, "Young man, it's ok for you to scare others, but you actually scared me, Sun San! Just after you left, that Wang guy told me the truth. He didn't even know the King of Chu, let alone the eight things like sworn brotherhood. I advise you to pay the money obediently, otherwise don't blame me for kicking you three out!"

Wan Jianfeng's face changed slightly when he heard this, and he couldn't help but blame Wang for being pedantic. But he suddenly remembered that his master was right beside Wang. Even if Wang was honest, his master would definitely make things right. How could he really let him speak the truth? He immediately calmed down, "Old man, don't lie to me! Don't think that you can turn white into black and say something is nothing just by making up a few words. If you don't believe me, I will invite the emperor to your store tomorrow and see what you have to say then!"

Sun San had met many guests who made big promises before, but as long as he used this trick, no matter how smart the other party was, they would take it as it was and pay him the rent without hesitation. He had never seen Wan Jianfeng be so self-righteous. He originally believed that Wan Jianfeng was fooling him, but now he made up his mind and lost 50% to 60% of his 100%.

Wan Jianfeng looked at the old man, and seeing that he didn't say anything to embarrass him, he simply took out a paper bag from his arms and handed it to him, "Old man, boil this medicine for me, and remember to control the heat well. If you dare to ruin the medicine, even if I don't punish you, I will never forgive you when the government comes tomorrow!"

Sun San took the medicine package tremblingly, and said yes repeatedly, looking very respectful, but in his heart he greeted his ancestors one by one countless times. Wan Jianfeng was too lazy to pay more attention to this guy who looked down on others, and walked straight to his room without saying much nonsense.

Soon, Wan Jianfeng entered the room and saw the scholar named Wang. He looked more energetic than before and was leaning on the bed reading a book. Chen Tuan sat beside him, with one leg on the ground and the other on the edge of the bed, his eyes slightly closed to rest.

Wan Jianfeng waved his hand at the candidate surnamed Wang and said with a smile, "Brother Wang, I have a good job for you. If you can help me complete it, I will ensure that you will rise to a high position and never have to worry about failing the exam again!"

The scholar surnamed Wang was startled, and put the book on his knees, and asked curiously: "Young Master Wan, I wonder what you need me to do? You have done me a favor, as long as it is something you ask me to do, no matter how difficult it is, I, Wang Shize, will do it without hesitation."

Wan Jianfeng pointed to the southwest, "Brother Wang, you have read so many books, I will test you today. Do you know what is the direction thousands of miles away, and what is happening now?" (End of this chapter)