The Song Dynasty on the Sand Table

Chapter 405 Arm Wrestling

Yue Wenxuan thought to himself: If I were to say that the Northern Song Dynasty had enthroned a prince or something, it would only be useful to regular scholars. For a military general like Niu Gao, who came from a rebel army, it might not have any good effect. It might even invite ridicule from Peng Qi.

Because the people present probably didn't really care about the word "orthodox".

So bringing up the prince here is useless!
If you were to tell Niu Gao that the Northern Song Dynasty loved its people like its own children and was genuinely working to improve the country, it might have a little effect. However, words are powerless, and Niu Gao might not believe it unless he saw it with his own eyes.

These days, who doesn't claim to love the people like their own children? Even the most incompetent Emperor Huizong of Song had this phrase on his lips. But he said one thing and did another, so he had no credibility whatsoever.

Then we can only demonstrate our strength!
It is said that after meeting Yue Fei, Niu Gao was deeply impressed by Yue Fei's martial prowess and military leadership, which is why he willingly followed Yue Fei's orders. For such a person, demonstrating power might be more decisive.

Yue Wenxuan said, “General Niu, our Northern Song Dynasty is much stronger than the Southern Song Dynasty. If you surrender to the Southern Song Dynasty, you may not be able to defeat the Jin Dynasty in the future. But if you surrender to our Northern Song Dynasty, we can beat the Jin Dynasty to a pulp in the future.”

Niu Gao nodded: "I have heard of this. The Northern Song Dynasty was skilled in using firearms and defeated the Jin army in Jiaodong several times."

As soon as he opened his mouth, Peng Qi became anxious: "General Niu, it's not a big deal that the Northern Song Dynasty won a few battles against the Jin army. There are many people who have defeated the Jin army. On our side of the Southern Song Dynasty, didn't Han Shizhong defeat the Jin army at Huangtiandang? And Zhang Rong defeated the Jin army at Suotouhu, even killing Talan's son-in-law. The Northern Song Dynasty may not be able to achieve such brilliant results."

Niu Gao: "Uh, that's true!"

Yue Wenxuan chuckled inwardly: It seems I'll have to bring out my musket troops and put on a show outside Qiao County.

He was just thinking about this...

Niu Gao suddenly grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, and then stretched out a hand: "Everyone claims to be powerful, but talking is useless. Now that the Northern and Southern Song have made peace, you can't fight a battle to determine the winner. Why don't you each send a strongman to wrestle with me? Whoever beats me, I will surrender."

Peng Qi was taken aback: "Huh? That works too?"

Yue Wenxuan was also taken aback: "So hasty?"

Niu Gao: "Is it hasty? Not at all! Men should be more direct when talking to each other. A handshake, a little arm wrestling, and you can be open with each other, right?"

Peng Qi: "..."

Yue Wenxuan: “…”

What does it mean for two men to become bosom friends with just a handshake? Which TV drama are you from, some clueless idiot?

However, Yue Wenxuan immediately understood after making that comment.

Niu Gao was actually directionless and struggling internally. He might have some understanding of both the Northern and Southern Song dynasties, but not a clear understanding. He couldn't figure out which side he should align with in a short time, so he simply resorted to a seemingly hasty solution: an arm-wrestling match.

This probably falls into the category of "leaving one's fate to luck."

He didn't mention rolling the dice, which was already quite restrained.

“Alright! Let’s have an arm wrestling contest.” Yue Wenxuan said, “But I’m just an envoy, and I don’t have much arm strength. I don’t think General Peng is a strongman either. How about we go back to our respective places and each send a strongman to Qiao County in three days? We’ll settle the matter with an arm wrestling contest.”

"You actually dare to agree to this?" Peng Qi's expression changed completely: "Have you Northern Song people gone mad? Holy crap, you actually want to arm wrestle with General Niu?"

Yue Wenxuan: "What's wrong? Can't we compete in this?"

Peng Qi said angrily, "Don't you know how strong General Niu is?"

It turns out that Niu Gao was born with superhuman strength!
His village, Shibeigou in Lushan County, is located deep in the mountains, with poor transportation and a sparse population. Before joining the army, Niu Gao made a living selling firewood, relying on his elderly mother, wife, and children. Niu Gao was incredibly strong, able to carry loads weighing over 500 kilograms with ease. Every time he finished cutting firewood in the mountains, he would cut down a sturdy tree to make a carrying pole, then carry the 500-kilogram load of firewood to Lushan County to sell.

Pay attention, this is important: over 500 kilograms!
This weight is roughly equivalent to that of a Honda Fit sedan. In other words, Niu Gao would carry a small car down the mountain every time he went up.

That's not a person, it's a tow truck!

No wonder Peng Qi's expression changed drastically; he knew that no one in his army could outmaneuver Niu Gao.

Yue Wenxuan laughed: "General Peng is scared?"

Peng Qi retorted angrily, "Is this a matter of fear or not? If your army can't produce a strongman who can beat General Niu, you won't be able to persuade him to join you either."

Yue Wenxuan: "But I can afford it."

Peng Qi: "..."

He was speechless for a moment, and after a long while he said, "Alright, alright, I'll see what kind of guy you can come up with in three days."

Yue Wenxuan: "See you in three days!"

Seeing Yue Wenxuan's certainty, not only Peng Qi, but even Niu Gao couldn't help but become interested.

He was born with superhuman strength, and no one could match his power.

When he proposed the arm-wrestling contest, he actually planned to go easy on them. He intended to observe the actions of both the Northern and Southern Song dynasties, consider it carefully for three days, and then decide which side to go easy on.

However, Yue Wenxuan's current behavior suggests that he intends to subdue himself through arm wrestling in a fair and square manner.

This really provoked Niu Gao's stubbornness.

He really didn't believe that anyone in the world could beat him in an arm wrestling match.

He couldn't help but tilt his head and look at Yue Wenxuan: "Three days later, outside the city gate of Qiao County, we'll have an arm-wrestling match. Don't be afraid to come. If I don't see any of your people, I'll go and join Li Heng."

Yue Wenxuan laughed: "General Niu, rest assured, just prepare to join the Northern Song army."

Niu Gao's expression was strange: "Are you so sure that there's someone in your army who can beat me? Do you know how strong I am?"

Yue Wenxuan: "I've heard a little bit about it. I heard that when the general was young, he could use a big tree as a carrying pole to carry a thousand catties of firewood down the mountain."

Niu Gao: "I thought you hadn't heard of this. Are you sure you have someone under your command who is stronger than me?"

Yue Wenxuan: "Hehehe, I'm sure."

Niu Gao suddenly got angry: "Good, good, good! Excellent! Go and call your men here quickly, the sooner the better. I can't wait three days. I want to defeat him immediately, right now!"

Yue Wenxuan smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "General, please be patient."

He walked out of Qiao County, told the plastic figure to go home, then realized everything and returned to the outside of the sand table... He reached into the cabinet, took out the Xiang Yu figurine, grinned mischievously, and put it into the sand table.

Hehehe, Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu!

Come on, Niu Gao, let's have an arm wrestling match.

(End of this chapter)