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墨書 Inktalez
I have yet to recite my poetry, and you already wish to raise the stakes? You must understand that even if you lose now, your head is still on the line. To raise the stakes again seems rather inappropriate, doesn't it?
Su Qianxue spoke languidly, a look of disdain for the world evident on her face. The officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty were left in shock by Mu Jinkun's poetry! However, Su Qianxue had already seen Jiang Han's verses. In her opinion, comparing the two was akin to comparing heaven and earth. Mu Jinkun's poetic talent was indeed far superior to Long Mingkun’s! But to think he could be mentioned in the same breath as Jiang Han was like an egg striking a rock.
Your Majesty, are you perhaps afraid? Mu Jinkun provoked. The Great Zhou Civil and Military Officials were taken aback, then their expressions turned to indignation. Even the officials under the Langya Prince felt displeased at Mu Jinkun’s words. In their eyes, even if Su Qianxue was lacking, being provoked would mean they too would lose face.
What audacity! How dare he provoke our Emperor like this! Mu Jinkun, even if you are the Xia Kingdom’s top scholar, this is still our Great Zhou!
Mu Jinkun, do not be too arrogant; even if you win this round, it should not warrant such provocation! Mu Jinkun, I know your junior has fallen, but such provocations will surely come with a heavy price unless you can compete in every round!
Many officials of the Great Zhou stood up to angrily denounce Mu Jinkun, including Minister of Justice Luo Yuhua, who was particularly displeased with him.
Mu Jinkun sneered as he surveyed the crowd of officials from Great Zhou and said lightly: You Great Zhou officials cannot bear to lose? If you cannot accept defeat, you might as well ask your Emperor to concede now; that would be acceptable! However, the literary world of the Great Zhou Dynasty will have to submit entirely to our Xia Kingdom! From now on, all of your Great Zhou’s examination officials will be replaced by people from my Xia Kingdom!
His words struck like thunder, instantly igniting righteous fury among the Great Zhou Civil and Military Officials. Led by Luo Yuhua, they hurled various accusations at Mu Jinkun.
Standing with his hands behind his back atop the Da Zhou Court, Mu Jinkun displayed an air of superiority as if viewing all heroes of the world as mere weeds.
Jiu Gong could not help but smile; this is what a man from This Palace looks like—his talent unmatched in the world.
"Su Qianxue!"
"You can't do this behind Jiang Han's back!"
The Langya Prince kept his eyes closed the entire time, pretending he hadn't heard anything.
Seeing this scene, the Lingnan Prince Heir glanced at Su Qianxue, silently questioning whether he should step forward or not.
Su Qianxue shook her head slightly. Once Mu Jinkun and the officials had argued enough, she spoke up, "Mu Jinkun, what additional bet do you want to make?"
"It's simple," Mu Jinkun replied. "If the External Minister wins, I want a life from your Great Zhou Dynasty!"
His words immediately stirred a huge uproar.
Minister of Justice Luo Yuhua was furious, pointing at Mu Jinkun and retorting, "How dare you threaten our Great Zhou like this? Do you have your sights set on someone’s life in this court? Is it mine? If you want my life, feel free to come at me with a knife right now!"
"Indeed, Mu Jinkun, how audacious of you to demand a life from our Emperor! Are you looking at my life?" an elderly minister scolded Mu Jinkun angrily.
The officials who had just rebutted Mu Jinkun were among the most vocal, all believing that he was targeting their lives.
Instantly, the officials began to roar at Mu Jinkun, declaring that if he wanted their lives, they would settle it with real swords and guns.
Most of the Great Zhou civil and military officials had fought on the battlefield before. Even the scholars among them were capable of riding into battle while also being well-versed in literature; their tempers flared as they pointed fingers at Mu Jinkun in outrage.
Mu Jinkun stood leisurely with his hands behind his back, humming a tune as if these people were merely singing to him. He felt little about their anger; after all, their words were harmless and did not threaten Luo Yuhua or any of their lives. What he truly wanted was Jiang Han's life.
As the civil and military officials felt their dignity was being challenged and hurled various insults at Mu Jinkun, once they grew tired of their tirade, Mu Jinkun finally said nonchalantly, "Great Zhou Emperor, the External Minister wants that life—without any official title or nobility attached to it—just an ordinary citizen of your Great Zhou. I believe that should calm everyone down a bit, right?"
Upon hearing this, the officials realized there was no title or nobility involved. That meant it must be some commoner or merchant who had offended Mu Jinkun, and they quickly lost interest in the matter.
Su Qianxue noticed that the civil and military officials had quieted down and couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
She looked at Mu Jinkun and asked, "Are you really going to raise the bet to take a life from the Great Zhou Dynasty?"
She could naturally guess that Mu Jinkun wanted Jiang Han's life. But she would never agree!
"Yes, if I win, that life is mine! If I lose, I will grant His Majesty one request, but it must not concern the state, the court, or the dignity of our clans!" Mu Jinkun said defiantly, his logic clear and direct, aimed straight at Jiang Han.
Just as Su Qianxue was about to refuse, Piao Xue arrived with Jiang Han's message.
It could be agreed upon!
During the commotion between Mu Jinkun and the civil and military officials, the personal eunuch had informed Jiang Han of the situation. Jiang Han then sent Piao Xue over to convey his stance: he was willing to gamble his life, but he could not afford to lose in poetry.
Upon learning this was Jiang Han's intention, Su Qianxue nodded and looked back at Mu Jinkun, asking, "Are you sure you want to raise the bet?"
The Da Zhou Emperor and the External Minister confirmed!
Originally, if the External Minister lost the bet, his life would be forfeit to His Majesty. If he won, His Majesty would grant them three thousand finely crafted weapons—those exquisite swords with eight-sided blades!
With the increased bet, if the External Minister lost, he would fulfill His Majesty's request before dying. If he won, then His Majesty would have to agree to allow the External Minister to legally take a life within the capital, and that person could not refuse!
Mu Jinkun reiterated the terms of the wager.
Su Qianxue nodded again and turned to all the officials present. "Then let all of you—Langya Prince, Xia Guo Jiu Gong, Xia Guo Da Ru Hong Qianjun—witness this wager!"
Upon hearing this, Jiu Gong furrowed his brow slightly, thinking that Su Qianxue was placing too much trust in Jiang Han! How could Jiang Han's poetry possibly compare to Mu Jinkun's?
Hong Qianjun began to worry about what the outcome would be.
Mu Jinkun stood with his hands behind his back, still exuding an air of superiority as he gestured for Su Qianxue to begin her recitation.
Su Qianxue slowly composed a poem for Jiang Han and began to chant it aloud.
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