The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 249 Sharp Tongue (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Zhang Jie looked at the generals, who all hesitated and looked troubled. He couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, we must see him, after all, we still have military ties, but this hunting trip..."

Zhao Ti said leisurely, "If the other party provokes us, wouldn't it weaken our momentum if we didn't agree to the competition?"

Zhang Jie gave a wry smile and shook his head: "Your Majesty, hunting and writing poetry are two different things and cannot be compared. Your Majesty may be unparalleled in poetry and lyrics, and invincible in the Liao Kingdom, but as I have said, I gained nothing from the last autumn hunt, while Yelü Duanqing had a great harvest."

Zhao Ti pondered for a moment and said, "What does Minister Zhang mean..."

Zhang Jie said, "If we do not agree to hunt together with the other party, our prestige will indeed be weakened. But if we agree and then lose, wouldn't we lose even more momentum? I think Your Majesty should find an excuse to refuse this matter."

Zhao Ti glanced at him and said after a long while, "Actually, I deliberately showed weakness at the time, so I didn't hunt anything. How could I show my strength for the sake of the border market? I just wanted to reassure Yelü Hongji without him noticing."

Zhang Jie was taken aback upon hearing this, and the generals were also stunned. After a few moments, Zhang Jie shook his head: "Your Majesty, this is not something to be said lightly. Even if Your Majesty... truly intends to show weakness, Yelü Duanqing will return with a full load. Isn't the outcome of this battle unpredictable?"

Zhao Ti smiled and, seeing that everyone was still half-believing and half-doubting, said, "Let's see what he has to say tomorrow. There are many kinds of hunting, so we should decide based on whether there are any prizes involved."

Zhang Jie said with doubt, "Your Majesty, please reconsider. If the prize is too high, please do not agree. Your Majesty's literary talent is astounding, as we officials have all witnessed, and we admire you wholeheartedly. However, archery and horsemanship are far superior to literary pursuits..."

Zhao Ti nodded, put his hands behind his back, and walked out. Zhou Tong hurriedly followed, and their figures disappeared in a moment.

The people in the hall looked at each other. Lü Huiqing said, "Minister Zhang should persuade the king not to act rashly. If we lose, it will be disadvantageous at this moment."

Zhang Jie sighed and said, "Lord Lü also needs to advise him. The king is unparalleled in talent and naturally has a proud and arrogant heart, but martial arts have nothing to do with talent. How can he force it?"

Liu Zhongwu then said, "My lords, I think the king may not be lying. He might really be just as good as the other, or even better?"

Lu Huiqing said, "There is no shortage of talented people in the world who are good at both literature and martial arts, but you have just seen how high Wang Jia’s literary talent is. In the Liao Kingdom, his poetry surpasses that of everyone in the court. Do you think his martial arts skills can be on par with his literary talent?"

"This..." Liu Zhongwu rubbed his head. What the other party said was actually right. His literary talent was already outstanding, so could his archery and horsemanship skills be so unparalleled? Probably not. Even being proficient was already rare. He was already considered to be both literate and martial.

Everyone in the hall nodded in agreement. Although Liu Zhongwu felt that the logic was sound, he still had some inexplicable doubts. He felt that Zhao Ti would not exaggerate, and that he might really be equally skilled in both civil and military affairs.

As the sun set and after dinner, Zhao Ti went to the stables.

This time, he brought not only the Black Rose from Tokyo to the Northwest, but also the Hequ horse that Zhao Xu had previously bestowed upon him.

Both horses were in the stable at the moment. The River Stirred Horse was standing in front of the trough, eating with its head down, while Black Rose was curled up on the side of the stable, stretching out its body and lying down with its head on its legs.

Seeing him come over, Black Rose stood up from the ground, shook off the hay that had gotten on her, and came over to rub against his arm.

Zhao Ti stroked its head, pondered for a moment, and thought that the matter of the Hetao region needed to be resolved as soon as possible, and then he also needed to investigate Li Qianshun and reorganize the Western Xia territory.

If there is still no news from Mu Wanqing in Dali, he should take the opportunity to go there while investigating Li Qianshun. Since it is a matter of expediency, he can make all the decisions himself. In the Northwest, no one can stop him.

Early the next morning, the Wulahai City army mobilized, with a full 30,000 men leaving the city and heading straight for the vanguard.

The vanguard was defended by 100,000 troops, which stood far away from the Miechuan area, while the other troops stationed in the Hetao region were stationed at key points around the area to guard against Liao troops spying on them or launching surprise attacks.

At this moment, the vanguard troops also began to move, but they did not follow the 30,000 troops directly. Instead, they adopted a battle stance and followed slowly from the rear, maintaining a state where they could enter the battlefield at any time.

Zhao Ti rode Black Rose ahead of the 30,000 troops, surrounded by his generals, heading towards the Mi'echuan Military Command. The Mi'echuan Military Command was not one of the twelve military commands established by the Western Xia Dynasty; it was later separated from the Heishan Weifu Military Command. After Li Qianshun succeeded to the throne of Western Xia, Empress Dowager Xiao Liang ordered this area to become independent.

At its peak, the Western Xia had seventeen military commands, but normally it mainly had fourteen. However, since it had twelve when it was founded, it is generally referred to by this number.

The front city of Miechuan Military Command was called Tagur, which was very close to Wulahai City. The Liao army had a large force stationed here, eyeing the Hetao region covetously.

After traveling a short distance further, they could see a large, dark mass of troops in the distance; the Liao army had been waiting for them for a long time.

Both sides checked their commanders' flags, then sent out messengers to deliver messages and return to confirm the meeting. Zhao Ti then mustered three thousand men and led his generals forward, where a force of about two or three thousand men came to meet them.

As they drew closer, they saw a man surrounded by banners on the opposite side. He was fully armored, dressed in a robe and belt, and his attire was impeccable. He was none other than Yelü Duanqing, the commander of the Southwest Pacification Commission of the Liao Kingdom.

Zhao Ti observed the other party and found that he had not changed much since he was sent on a mission to the capital. He was of medium age, with a neatly trimmed short mustache and a slightly pale face. He had a refined and scholarly air about him, unlike the ordinary Liao generals.

Then he said loudly, "Your Highness, it has been almost two years since we parted on the grasslands. Your Highness's demeanor is even more impressive than before, which is truly admirable."

Zhao Ti smiled and said, "General Yelü is no different; he is still as heroic and imposing as ever."

Zhang Jie, standing to the side, looked at Lü Huiqing and whispered, "This person..."

Lü Huiqing nodded: "They are unpredictable and not easy to deal with."

Yelü Duanqing's behavior in the two letters before and after, and at this moment, is almost like three completely different things, making it impossible to figure out what kind of personality he really has.

"Your Highness Prince Yan is too kind. What kind of imposing manner do I possess? I am merely fulfilling my duties in this position. If possible, I would like to return to the capital and enjoy the pleasures of nature, composing poems and lyrics every day. I would be overjoyed," said Yelü Duanqing.

Zhao Ti said, "General Yelü is skilled in archery and horsemanship. If he goes back to the capital and only indulges in pleasure every day, wouldn't that be a waste of his martial arts skills?"

Yelü Duanqing sighed and said, "Your Highness is unaware of this. I am quite famous for my poetry in the capital and I enjoy this art. It is a pity that Your Highness was not present when you composed your poem at the Wenhua Hall, and I was unable to witness your elegance in person. It is truly regrettable."

Zhao Ti smiled and said, "In that case, I think we don't need to go hunting. Let's change it to composing poems. If you and I compose three poems, wouldn't that be enough to fulfill General Yelü's long-cherished wish?"

Upon hearing this, Yelü Duanqing immediately chuckled and said, "This is not appropriate. Firstly, I do not consider myself a match for Your Highness the Prince of Yan. Secondly, since we are in the army, hunting would be more appropriate. Does Your Highness the Prince of Yan think so?"

Zhao Ti looked at him and smiled without saying a word. Lu Huiqing whispered beside him, "Your Majesty, please think it over. This matter is of great importance and you should not agree to it casually."

Then Yelü Duanqing said, "I am naturally inferior to Your Highness in poetry, so I dare not compare my literary talent with Your Highness. If Your Highness also feels that I am inferior in archery and horsemanship, and dares not compare with me... then this matter can be dropped."

Zhang Jie's expression changed: "Your Highness, the other party is cunning. Don't listen to them."

Zhao Ti reached out and touched Black Rose's ear. Black Rose turned to look at him, and he said calmly and casually, "Is it just a comparison? What does it matter who wins or loses?"

Upon hearing this, Yelü Duanqing across from him revealed a hint of joy: "Does Your Highness agree? It would be good if there were some prizes involved in the outcome of the competition."

Zhao Ti smiled slightly: "I wonder what prize General Yelü has in mind?"

(End of this chapter)