Chapter 235 Surprisingly Liked

Chapter 235 Surprisingly Liked

The envoys were still angry, but Prince Bei understood the meaning behind Tuoba Xiao's words.

Now that their Dongrong's top warrior couldn't even match up to Xie Yuan, it was clear that none of the people they had brought could defeat him.

Even if they held another match, which would be the last one, Xie Yuan would still have a chance to compete, but Tuoba Xiao wouldn't. Who else among them could compare with Xie Yuan?

Therefore, the outcome of this martial contest was already determined: Dongrong would lose.

If they insisted on adding another match and won, it would be fine, but if they lost again, wouldn't it be even more embarrassing? Adding a match only to lose...

Just thinking about it made Prince Bei feel humiliated.

He exhaled roughly through his nostrils and decisively declared, "If we lost, we lost. Dongrong Country is not one to shy away from defeat. I will personally petition my elder brother, the Emperor, for the conditions you demand!"

With that, he turned and left.

The envoys of Dongrong Country never expected that at such a critical moment, everyone would falter. They could almost imagine the overwhelming criticism they would face back home after losing so much in Great Shen!

But no matter how unwilling they were, Prince Bei had already spoken, leaving no room for negotiation. They all wore sullen faces as they glared at the people of Great Shen.

However, the people of Great Shen didn't care whether they looked upset or not. Despite the recent earthquake, their excitement had reached its peak, and their joy was evident.

The Dongrong people found this increasingly unpleasant. Although they had lost the competition, they didn't want to lose face either. So they coldly remarked, "It was just because of this unexpected incident; otherwise, our General Tuoba might not have lost!"

Admitting that their top warrior wasn't stronger than the people of Great Shen would be too humiliating.

So, they instinctively found excuses for Dongrong and Tuoba Xiao.

The people of Great Shen sneered, ready to retort, but then heard Xie Yuan calmly say, "Give your General Tuoba ten more chances, and he still wouldn't win against me."

The Dongrong people stared at Xie Yuan wide-eyed.

If Xie Yuan had said this arrogantly, they might have thought he was boasting, but his tone made them believe it might actually be true...

Tuoba Xiao, who had walked far away, suddenly paused, as if he had heard these words. However, he did not turn back and soon left the scene.

The Dongrong people muttered, "We'll see about that," and hurriedly left, lacking confidence.

Watching these Dongrong people, who usually looked down on the people of Great Shen, flee in embarrassment, the people of Great Shen felt an indescribable joy.

Su Youyue's eyes sparkled when she heard the man's words.

She had never seen Xie Yuan act so confidently before...

But surprisingly, she liked it...

Su Youyue did not notice that in a corner, a young girl's eyes also lit up upon hearing Xie Yuan's words, but quickly darkened as she stared at him intently, as if entranced.

Qin Yumei clenched her sleeves tightly.

She must get this man, by any means necessary!

Amidst the general jubilation, no one noticed Qin Yumei's dark thoughts. Everyone's attention was focused on Xie Yuan.

"Sir Xie, you were truly magnificent! I never knew you were so capable!"

"You don't know this, but Sir Xie has been exceptionally skilled since childhood!"

"I misunderstood you earlier, Sir Xie. You must have been confident in defeating those Dongrong scoundrels! I apologize to you..."

Praise poured in from all sides, and the emperor spoke up, "Excellent! With such exceptional warriors in Great Shen, why worry about future peace and prosperity? From this spring onwards, restore the martial examinations, following the system from the twenty-first year of Mingde, to select talented individuals for Great Shen!"

When Emperor Bailing Hongxuan spoke, the crowd immediately buzzed with discussion. The martial examination system had been abolished after being used by the early emperors of Great Shen. Nowadays, military officials typically came from military families, and their status was lower than that of civil officials, so few were interested.

But with the restoration of the martial examinations, things would change. Like the civil examinations, it would select talent from the common people.

Moreover, during the twenty-first year of Mingde, the martial examination system was at its peak, and those who passed had higher starting positions than civil officials.

This was a significant change. On any other day, officials would oppose it, but today, they looked at each other and surprisingly agreed without a single objection.

After today's battle, although they still looked down on martial arts practitioners, they were less dismissive and even felt it was beneficial. Without these people, who could bring glory to the country in the martial contests?

Emperor Bailing Hongxuan nodded, pleased, and scanned his subjects with a smile.

Of course, even if anyone opposed it, it would be useless.

Since his days as Crown Prince, he had been deeply troubled by Great Shen's subservience to Dongrong. He had long resolved that once he ascended the throne, he would restore the martial examinations to select military and martial talents, promoting both civil and military virtues, strengthening the nation, and allowing Great Shen to stand tall before Dongrong, enhancing the country's prestige.

He wanted Great Shen to stand at the pinnacle of the three kingdoms, peaceful and prosperous, without paying tribute, compensations, or territorial concessions, with the emperor guarding the gates and the king dying for the state!

With the decision on the martial examinations settled, officials would be busy, but the emperor waved his hand, dismissing everyone to celebrate the New Year and instructed the astrologers to observe the heavens overnight to prevent further earthquakes.

As the noise died down, the excited crowd left the palace, discussing animatedly.

Now that they had won the martial contest, the conditions agreed upon by Dongrong were theirs—ten years of tariff exemptions and five years of exemption from tributes! How much silver that would be! With that money, they could accomplish so much for Great Shen!

Everyone left in high spirits, and the entire nation of Great Shen was immersed in joy.

Except for Princess Bailing Wei.

"What did you say?"

Princess Bailing Wei turned around in shock, her earrings swinging violently.

The palace maid serving her was not afraid of her. Seeing her reaction, she found it absurd. A princess of the nation, hearing that her country had won a contest against another nation, reacted not with joy but with shock and anger.

So the palace maid coldly replied, "Princess, we won the martial contest, and Prince Bei has agreed not to send you for marriage."

It has to be said, as a palace maid who serves by Baili Wei’s side, she naturally knows her sore spots all too well. As soon as she finished speaking, Baili Wei flew into a rage.