I'm in the Red Mansion

Chapter 134 So ridiculous
Kou Xiang said: "This plan is not inappropriate, but the content of the competition should be changed. How about we each select a talented person to compete in poetry and song?"

After hearing this, Hesheli could not help but say, "Prime Minister Kou is joking. Our negotiation is to resolve the dispute between the two countries, so we should compare our military strength."

Kou Xiang sneered and said, "Master Hesheli, you were the one who joked with me first. If we want to compete in martial arts, why do we need to find two archers to compete?"

"You may as well start the war directly on the battlefield. Let me remind you again that if Lord Hesheli does not agree to the two requests I have made, there is no need to continue the negotiations."

Hesheli looked at Kou Xiang deeply and said meaningfully: "Kou Xiang, you will agree."

Minister Kou flicked his sleeves and the meeting ended in unhappiness again.

This time, Hesheli went directly to the prime minister of Qin and proposed that the two countries each find an archer to compete in archery to decide the ownership of Caogu County.

He also threatened that if Daxia still did not agree, the two sides would meet on the battlefield.

After saying this, Hesheli didn't give Prime Minister Qin time to react and just said goodbye and left.

After seeing Hesheli off, Prime Minister Qin couldn't help but frown.

He really didn't want Daxia and the Qing Dynasty to go to war.

If a war really breaks out, the outcome is unpredictable, and if they are defeated, I am afraid they will not even be able to maintain the current situation.

Finally, Prime Minister Qin gritted his teeth, got up and went to Prince Yi Zhong's mansion.

After a conversation with Prince Yoshitada, the two went to the Imperial Palace together and asked to see the retired emperor.

I stayed in the palace for a long time.

Afterwards, the emperor suddenly issued an edict, agreeing to the competition proposed by the Qing envoy Hesheli.

In the imperial study, Emperor Yonglong received the order from the retired emperor. His face turned pale and veins bulged on his forehead.

After a long while, Emperor Yonglong let out a long sigh and slowly sat down.

Half an hour later, Prime Minister Kou asked for a meeting.

Emperor Yonglong ordered someone to invite him in.

After entering the Imperial Study and paying respects to Emperor Yonglong, Prime Minister Kou could not help but ask, "Your Majesty, the Qing envoys have clearly run out of tricks and will soon agree to our conditions. Why did you suddenly agree to their rude request?"

Emperor Yonglong sighed and said, "This is the order of the Supreme Emperor. I cannot disobey it. This matter is a done deal and cannot be discussed any further."

"The competition will be held in three days. During these three days, you must find a sharpshooter in my Great Xia army or among the common people."

"In this competition, you must win, not lose."

Hearing this, Kou Xiang smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, how difficult is this matter?"

"Since the Manchus dared to make such a request, they must have been prepared long ago. Moreover, they are good at riding and shooting."

"I have done my best in this competition, but I dare not claim victory."

Emperor Yonglong sighed and said, "Forget it, forget it. Just do your best and leave the rest to fate."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After Prime Minister Kou left, Emperor Yonglong felt extremely depressed.

Obviously victory was imminent, but that old fellow in Ningshou Palace just happened to jump out and interfere.

Are they afraid of the Qing Dynasty to this extent?
It was clear that they were about to recapture Caogu County without bloodshed, but now, the outcome had to be decided through an archery competition.

And this time, they will most likely lose!
Caogu County will most likely belong to the Qing Dynasty!
These people are traitors!

The anger in Emperor Yonglong's heart was already burning fiercely.

……

However, after Prime Minister Kou left, he immediately sent orders to the three major camps of the Beijing camp, the inner guards, the imperial guards and other troops within the capital.

Order them to report the archers in their respective armies, and they can even recommend archers who are not in the army.

Next, it took a day to select a total of 356 people, and there were also recommended sharpshooters in the army. The next day, these 356 sharpshooters had a big competition.

It wasn't until the evening that a sharpshooter among sharpshooters was finally selected.

And this sharpshooter was none other than Jia Cong’s senior brother, Feng Ziying.

After the selection was completed, Prime Minister Kou took Feng Ziying to meet the emperor.

Of course, Feng Ziying himself is qualified to meet the emperor.

But this time, we have to go through this procedure.

After Feng Ziying paid his respects to Emperor Yonglong, Emperor Yonglong could not help but say, "Ziying, I didn't expect you to be the best archer in Daxia. Not bad, not bad!"

Feng Ziying said humbly: "I was only selected within the capital. Moreover, even in the capital, I dare not claim to be the best."

Emperor Yonglong laughed and said, "You don't have to be so modest. How can it be fake after all these rounds of competition?"

"Ziying, are you sure you can win this competition?"

Feng Ziying said helplessly: "Your Majesty, I know nothing about the archers sent by the Qing Dynasty, and I am not sure of victory, but I will do my best!"

Emperor Yonglong nodded and said, "Okay, you go down and have a good rest. Rest for a day tomorrow, and the official competition will begin the day after tomorrow! I'm waiting for your victory!"

Feng Ziying bowed and said, "I will do my best. I will take my leave now!"

After leaving the palace, Feng Ziying couldn't help but show helplessness on his face.

He really didn't want to take part in this competition.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to win glory for his country, but he is not sure of victory.

There is even a high probability that he will lose the game.

Since the Qing Dynasty had been prepared for a long time, the person it brought this time would definitely be the Qing Dynasty's best shooter.

No matter how confident Feng Ziying was, he had no confidence that he could really defeat the Qing Dynasty's best archer.

If they lose this time, Daxia will lose Caogu County.

And he will probably be associated with traitors in the future.

However, since he has stood out after numerous rounds of selection, he has no room to retreat.

At this moment, Feng Ziying had an idea and suddenly thought of someone.

He suddenly ordered: "Don't go back yet, go to Junior Brother's house."

"Yes, Master!"

After Jia Cong moved into his new house, Feng Ziying also came to greet him with gifts.

Soon, Feng Ziying arrived in front of Jia Cong's courtyard.

There was no need to inform each other after he got off the horse, as they were good friends.

Feng Ziying went straight into the yard, first went to pay his respects to Aunt Mei, and then went to Jia Cong's study.

After seeing Feng Ziying, Jia Cong smiled and said, "Big Brother is here? Come sit down and talk."

"You are a very busy man. I wonder what brings you here today?"

Feng Ziying took Jia Cong's hand and said, "Little Junior Brother, stop talking nonsense. Let's go to the martial arts arena and compete in archery."

Jia Cong laughed and said, "Big Brother, you came to me, don't you want to crush me?"

"If you want to do this, I won't compete with you. I've only been practicing archery for a few months. If I compete with you, wouldn't I be asking for trouble?"

(End of this chapter)