Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 735 Martial Arts Competition
Gan Baobao continued, "Besides my husband's good looks, it's also because he's skilled at raising horses. This time when he came to Liang, he brought over a hundred fine horses from the valley. Three of them are top-quality horses."

"It's a pity there's no vacant land around Liangshan, otherwise, I could have gone back to my old trade and made a living raising horses."

Zhao Zhen nodded in agreement. As the capital, Liangshan City indeed had no idle land. The former Kushu Mountain, which used to have pastures, had now become the Imperial Garden. The imperial horses grazed on the former pastures.

Zhao Zhen said, “There are many ranches of all sizes in Liang Kingdom, and there is indeed no suitable place here in the capital. If Father-in-law wants to go to a ranch, he will have to leave Liang Mountain. If Father-in-law is willing, I can appoint Father-in-law as the ranch supervisor.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhong Wanchou shouted, "I'm not going. I want to stay and take care of Madam."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "How about this? I'll have the Imperial Horse Administration take over these hundred-odd fine horses, Father-in-law. These three high-ranking horses will be placed in the Qiji Department, and the rest will be sent to the army. Father-in-law can then become a department head at the Qiji Department to train the imperial horses. In this way, you can both keep your mother-in-law company and have a job, so you won't neglect your career."

“This is good, I…” Zhong Wanchou had barely started speaking when Gan Baobao glared at him.

Like a mouse seeing a cat, Zhong Wanchou immediately shut his mouth.

Gan Baobao said, "Your Majesty, my husband has not yet achieved any merit, yet he has been appointed as the acting magistrate. I'm afraid he will not be able to win the hearts of the people."

“My mother-in-law is mistaken. My father-in-law is skilled in horse herding and can breed warhorses. Based on this alone, he is qualified to be the assistant director of the [Qiji Bureau]. Now that he is also a relative of the emperor, he will be granted an official position. There is nothing to say about it.”

"With my father-in-law's abilities, raising excellent warhorses is a piece of cake."

"Indeed, I may not be as skilled in martial arts as others, but when it comes to raising horses, no one can match me. Your Majesty, rest assured, breeding warhorses is not a difficult task for me," Zhong Wanchou said, patting his chest after hearing Zhao Zhen's flattery.

Gan Baobao scolded, "You're everywhere."

Upon seeing this, Zhong Wanchou quickly smiled ingratiatingly, "Madam, I'm just looking for a way to make a living."

At the hour of Shen (3-5 PM), Zhao Zhen sent someone to lead Zhong Wanchou and Gan Baobao out of the palace.

In the Qianqing Palace, Mu Wanqing, who spoke the least, said, "His Majesty appointed Yu Yan and me as deputy instructors of the female guards today. Since you have some free time today, why don't you let us get to know the others as well?"

Zhao Zhen smiled upon hearing this, "That makes sense."

As he spoke, he sent someone to the inner palace to invite Hu Sanniang and the others.

Upon hearing this, the women of the inner palace also rushed over, wanting to see Zhao Zhen's three new concubines.

Seeing the group of concubines rushing over, Zhao Zhen ordered, "Rose, have the Imperial Kitchen prepare a banquet. Let's have some fun today."

Cheng Wan'er looked at Wang Yuyan and said, "Your Majesty, is this the talented lady Wang Yuyan?"

"How did you know?" Zhao Zhen asked.

"Although I have never met my three sisters, I have had my maids inquire about them. The three new concubines that the king has taken in are all quite beautiful. The first one to serve the king is Lady Wang, who is dignified and graceful, with elegant manners, a quiet and learned personality, and is gentle and charming. You can tell at first glance."

"What these maids said is not even a fraction as good as what Lady Wang said."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Ling asked, "Did the palace maids only mention Sister Yu Yan?"

Cheng Wan'er smiled and said, "You must be Zhong Ling, right?"

"And what did they say about me?"

"Lively and active, with a beautiful and charming appearance, is Consort Zhong. With a face as cold as ice, exceptionally beautiful, with a graceful figure, tall and slender, charming and alluring, yet not lacking in heroic spirit, is Sister Mu Wanqing." Looking at Cheng Wan'er holding the snow-white lion cat, Zhong Ling said, "What the Imperial Concubine says is all correct."

Cheng Wan'er took the initiative to speak, and Zhong Ling echoed her. After a few pleasantries, on the surface, everyone quickly eliminated their awkwardness and started calling each other "sister" and "younger sister."

Mu Wanqing looked at Hu Sanniang, who was the tallest, and asked, "Sister Hu, have you really fought and killed enemy generals? Among the Qingyuan Guards, your martial arts skills are the highest, right?"

Hu Sanniang nodded and said, "I have killed a few people and captured a few alive. Among the concubines in the palace, I am not the best in terms of martial arts. The one with the best martial arts is Consort Chen, Sister Liqing."

Upon hearing this, Mu Wanqing turned to Chen Liqing and said, "Your Highness, since we have nothing to do today, why don't we have a competition?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen quickly said, "Although it's still relatively warm today, we'll inevitably catch a chill while competing in the martial arts arena. Our muscles and bones won't be able to move around properly, and if we get injured, it won't be good. Let's call it a day."

"Your Majesty, let's stop here and test our skills so that we can be better equipped to teach our female guards in the future."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen waved his hand, "Consort Chen has only recently given birth, and Hu Zi still needs to nurse. We cannot act rashly."

Hu Sanniang said, "Your Majesty, what Sister Wanqing said is also true. It is only right that we instructors get to know each other when we are teaching female guards. How about I have a spar with Sister Wanqing?"

Zhao Zhen nodded upon hearing this and had Buddha's Hand fetch ironwood swords and knives.

Yi Zhangqing picked out a pair of short swords that she usually used, and Mu Wanqing weighed them and also picked out a wooden sword that fit her hand.

The crowd stepped back, moving the tables, chairs, and screens in the main hall to make room for a large area in the center.

The two stood facing each other. Hu Sanniang stood with her feet apart, holding two swords with the blades facing outwards. She looked at Mu Wanqing and used a starting stance, Seven Stars Crossing Tiger.

Upon seeing this, Mu Wanqing gave a soft shout, pushed off with her feet, and thrust her wooden sword straight forward.

The two were agile, their swords clashing and separating in an instant. They fought back and forth, exchanging blows for more than ten rounds in no time.

Gradually, Mu Wanqing shifted from a one-sided offensive to a strategy of mutual offense and defense.

After another five or six rounds, they were already more defensive than offensive. Wang Yuyan almost couldn't help but offer some advice.

After another ten or so exchanges, Hu Sanniang used the move "Wrapping Head and Neck" to first block Mu Wanqing's sword thrust, and then immediately placed her knife against Mu Wanqing's neck.

Mu Wanqing dropped the wooden sword in her hand and said, "Sister's martial arts are superb, I humbly admit defeat."

Her originally cold and aloof face became rosy and fair after the fight, and her coldness faded somewhat.

Hu Sanniang also sheathed her twin swords and said, "Sister Wanqing's martial arts are also quite good. Judging from her moves, they are very agile and swift. She follows the path of a wandering knight-errant, which is different from my powerful and heavy battle fighting style."

"Your Majesty, Wanqing's martial arts are superior in their speed, which is different from our battlefield combat. Why not recruit a new commander to train and teach her this swift swordsmanship?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen asked, "Wanqing, what do you think?"

"Whatever Your Majesty commands, please do so," Mu Wanqing replied.

Zhao Zhen nodded and said, "In that case, after the spring, select one hundred women from those sent from Huainan East Road to train and try it out. If the effect is good, increase it to two hundred."

(End of this chapter)