My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

"Qin Ying, don't talk nonsense. He Zongxian earned all those credits himself. How can you say it was an impersonation?" Zhang Zhilong said.

"Do you think the young master doesn't know what He Zongxian is capable of?"

With his limited skills, how could he possibly rescue so many people from the Turkic army?

"You're really shameless," Qin Ying said, pursing her lips. "And you guys are really useless. Four brothers against one person, and you couldn't even beat them. I'm ashamed for you!"

"What makes you think you're better than us? Weren't you captured alive by Ashina Simo too?"

"Even if I were captured alive, it would be a one-on-one fight, while it's four against one for you. How can that be the same?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhilong became even angrier, and his writing style gradually became chaotic.

The two men were arguing and fighting at the same time.

At this moment, the two hugged each other again, each trying to throw the other to the ground.

Zhang Zhilong whispered in Qin Ying's ear, "Qin Ying, I want to make a deal with you."

Qin Ying found this strange, wondering what the young man was up to, and asked, "What do you want to talk about?"

"You can pretend you're no match for me, as long as you lie on the ground, I'll give you ten thousand taels of silver."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ying thought to herself that this kid was really generous, trying to bribe her with ten thousand taels of silver.

However, ten thousand taels of silver is indeed a lot of money, and I am short of money to spend.

Qin Ying was somewhat tempted after hearing what he said.

Qin Ying said intentionally, "Ten thousand taels of silver is too little. Am I, a general, only worth ten thousand taels of silver?"

"You'll have to give me at least 100,000 taels of silver, or the young master will throw you off the stage right now, you believe me?"

"Ten thousand taels? You have quite the appetite. Are you trying to rob me?"

Even if you become a general, how much money will you have in a year?

How about this, I'll give you a discount. I'll give you 50,000 taels of silver, and you pretend to have lost. What do you say?

Qin Ying thought to herself that 50,000 taels of silver was quite a lot, and if it could really be cashed out, it would be quite considerable.

Even if I became a general, I probably wouldn't earn that much money even if I worked my whole life.

However, Qin Ying was not giving up and wanted Zhang Zhilong to add more: "Let me tell you, the young master came today for the general's seal, not for the money."

It's not that the young master is bragging about his wealth in front of you.

My grandfather was Qin Qiong, and my father was Qin Huaiyu, the son-in-law of a royal prince. Even if we don't know how much money our family has, we certainly have no problem with food and drink.

You should keep that money and go back to recruit soldiers and buy horses.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhilong was alarmed. He realized that Qin Ying already knew about his father's unauthorized recruitment of soldiers in Hedong. This was no small matter; if the Emperor found out, it could be a crime punishable by the extermination of the entire family.

Unauthorized recruitment of soldiers is considered treason.

"How could I, your humble servant, possibly bow down for five pecks of rice?"

"Listen to me carefully, I'm giving you fifty thousand taels of silver, not five pecks of rice. Are you really not going to admit defeat?"

"I will never admit defeat! If you're so capable, then show me your true skills and beat me!" Qin Ying replied resolutely.

"Okay, then look down at the audience!"

Qin Ying was puzzled. He didn't know what Zhang Zhilong meant by telling him to look down at the audience.

As a result, he saw a woman in the crowd. The woman was as beautiful as an angel, and she was none other than Jiebina, whom Qin Ying had been longing for day and night.

However, to Qin Ying's surprise, Jie Bina was being held by the arms of Zhang Zhihu and Zhang Zhibiao.

Qin Ying didn't know when Jie Bina had arrived in Chang'an. Could it be that Jie Bina also missed her and came to visit her?

But how did Jiebina end up in the hands of Zhang Zhihu and Zhang Zhibiao?

What are those two bastards trying to do?

Qin Ying had already clamped Zhang Zhilong's head under her left arm, intending to throw him to the ground.

Zhang Zhilong said again, "Qin Ying, have you thought this through? If you throw me to the ground, do you think the woman you love will survive?"

"I'll fucking kill you—!" Qin Ying really wanted to twist Zhang Zhilong's head off.

However, looking at Jiebina, he understood that if he really killed Zhang Zhilong, Jiebina would probably be finished as well.

Qin Ying had no choice but to say to Zhang Zhilong, "If I pretend to lose and lie on the ground, firstly, you have to release Jiebina."

Secondly, you still have to give me that fifty thousand taels of silver.

Otherwise, I'll twist your head off!

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhilong thought to himself that this kid was really ruthless; there was nothing in this world he wouldn't dare to do.

With a little force, Qin Ying squeezed Zhang Zhilong's head so hard it hurt terribly.

"Ouch, that hurts so much! Let go!"

Will you grant my request or not?

"Yes, I promise!"

In truth, Zhang Zhilong also had his concerns; he didn't dare to kill Jiebina easily.

After all, Jiebina is from Yanqi and has a powerful background.

"boom!"

And so, Qin Ying pretended to fall to the ground. Of course, he fell very skillfully, making it seem as if he was no match for Zhang Zhilong.

Cheng Yaojin immediately announced the results of the match: "Zhang Zhilong wins the first match!"

Zhang Shigui was also in the west stands. At this moment, he saw his son Zhang Zhilong win the first game and a smile appeared on his face.

After Qin Ying got up from the ring, she jogged over to Zhang Zhibiao and Zhang Zhihu and pushed them aside.

Overwhelmed with excitement at the sudden sight of Jiebina, Qin Ying stammered, "Jiebina, is...is it really you?"

"It's me. Are you Qin Ying?" Jie Bina stretched her limbs.

When did you arrive in Chang'an? Are you alright?

Why didn't you give me a heads-up beforehand?

"I'm fine. I heard there's going to be a martial arts exam in Chang'an, and I'd like to come and see what's going on, and maybe even see the Crown Prince. Where is he?"

Qin Ying had assumed that Jiebina had come to see her, but it turned out she had come to see the Crown Prince.

Qin Ying felt as if he had been struck on the head. He staggered back two steps before regaining his balance, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes: "What? You came to Chang'an not to see me?"

"Why are you looking at me? What's so interesting about you?"

Qin Ying thought to herself, "It seems that men need to be tall and handsome to be popular."

Although he was full of energy, he was by no means handsome.

Of course, Li Chengqian was the crown prince, while I was just a subject; in terms of status, we couldn't compare.

Qin Ying took a deep breath and steadied herself: "Now that you're here, the Crown Prince is over there. I'll take you to see him."

"That's great!"

Qin Ying glared at Zhang Zhihu and Zhang Zhibiao, and the two boys were so frightened that they took a few steps back.

Qin Ying led Jiebina to Li Chengqian.

Qin Ying said with an embarrassed smile, "Your Highness, I didn't expect that Zhang Zhilong has been practicing martial arts so diligently lately. He has indeed improved very quickly. I am no match for him. I have embarrassed you."

Li Chengqian looked at Qin Ying and asked in return, "Are you really no match for him?"

I didn't see any signs of defeat on you. Did you go easy on me?

Your performance today was very different from that time at Zhaoren Palace.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ying thought to herself that Li Chengqian was indeed meticulous and had observed things very carefully.

Li Chengan may have already seen through the flaw, but he couldn't very well admit that Zhang Zhilong had promised him 50,000 taels of silver, could he?

"I didn't let him win. I did my best, but I was indeed outmatched."

Li Chengan sighed: "This isn't your fault, because you're still injured."

So your skills will be greatly diminished. It's okay, you'll have another chance if you lose this time.

Seeing that she had gotten away with it, Qin Ying breathed a sigh of relief and pointed at Jie Bina, saying, "Your Highness, look who she is!"

At this moment, Jiebina blushed, then rushed to Li Chengqian, hugged him, and murmured, "Your Highness, I've missed you so much."

Li Chengan hadn't figured out what was going on when he felt a soft, delicate body slump in his arms.

Upon seeing this, Qu Zhili jumped up from her chair and pulled Jiebina away: "What are you doing?"

Jiebina then realized that Princess Gaochang was also there.

"Qu Zhili? Is that you?"

Qu Zhili looked up and saw that the girl in front of her was Jiebina. She realized she had been a bit presumptuous: "Jiebina, when did you arrive in Chang'an?"

"I just arrived too."

"Zhang Zhihu and Zhang Zhibiao didn't do anything to you just now, did they?"

"no."

"How did you end up in their hands?"

"I'm not quite sure either. I had just arrived in Chang'an when they started targeting me, saying they wanted to take me to find the Crown Prince. I was caught off guard and ended up being kidnapped by them."

Jiebina seemed a little awkward in front of Li Chengqian.

Li Chengan had almost forgotten about her.

Li Chenggan looked closely and felt that Jiebina seemed to have grown taller than before.

Jiebina was a woman from the Western Regions, unlike women from the Central Plains.

She was tall and had a dashing, heroic air about her.

She lacked the delicate femininity of a typical woman and instead possessed a somewhat boyish air.

However, even so, when Jiebina suddenly saw Li Chenggan, she couldn't help but feel her heart flutter.

Li Chengan treated him with courtesy: "I didn't expect it to really be you. What brings you to Chang'an?"

"On the one hand, I heard that a martial arts examination was going to be held in Chang'an, which was an unprecedented grand event, so I also wanted to come and see the excitement;

On the other hand, it has been a long time since I last saw Your Highness, so I would like to take this opportunity to meet you.

Jie Bina expresses her feelings more directly, unlike the more reserved women of Jiangnan.

Li Chenggan never expected Jiebina to say such a thing in public, especially with Qu Zhili right next to her.

Qu Zhili's eyes were fixed on him.

Li Chengan was somewhat flustered inside, but outwardly remained calm and composed: "Confucius said, 'Is it not delightful to have friends coming from afar?'"

There's also a saying: "Since you're here, make the best of it."

Now that you're here, why not stay in Chang'an for a few more days?

"What do you mean by 'stay a few more days'? I never intended to leave Chang'an after coming here!" Jiebina's beautiful eyes looked at Li Chenggan.

"Uh," Li Chengan seemed to understand something from her burning gaze.

Li Chengan quickly changed the subject, "Speaking of which, the last time I was in Yanqi, I was very grateful to you and your father, otherwise, we would probably be dead long ago."

"Your Highness, why do you need to say such polite things?"

"You are in Yanqi, and my father and I will do everything in our power to protect you, even at the cost of our lives. How could we possibly let you get hurt in the slightest?" Jiebina said sincerely.

at this time,

Qu Zhili pinched Li Chenggan, as if to say, what exactly is the relationship between you and this Jiebina?

She was actually willing to risk her own life for you.

"I know that your father is a man of great principle, who understands the big picture and prioritizes the overall situation."

I am very grateful to him. Did he come with you this time?

No, I came here secretly by myself.

They say Chang'an is under the emperor's nose, so they'll definitely hate the people of Yanqi. I've come not only to see you, but also for another reason.

"Oh, what is it?"

"We're going to take the Blue Rakshasa back with us. I heard she's done a lot of bad things here."

None of those things were initiated by my father.

Li Chenggan also understood that Jiebina's father and Lanpoluosha had different political views.

The Blue Rakshasa woman was determined to help the Dragon Cavalry fight against the Tang Dynasty.

However, Jie Bina's father had a very good relationship with the Tang Dynasty.

Li Chengan nodded slightly: "Please sit down first."

Let's discuss this after the competition.

"Mmm." Jiebina complied readily.

Qu Zhili sat to Li Chengqian's left, and Jiebina sat to his right.

Jiebina, however, was unwilling to sit with Qin Ying.

Qin Ying couldn't get a word in edgewise, and she was incredibly sad. It seemed that her feelings for Jie Bina had been for nothing, just a joke.

However, he thought again that Zhang Zhilong had promised to give him 50,000 taels of silver, which was no small fortune. Once he got the money, he could eat whatever he wanted, drink whatever he wanted, and buy whatever he wanted. He was going to indulge himself for once.

Zhang Shigui was also seated in the stands. Seeing his son Zhang Zhilong win, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He thought to himself that Zhang Zhilong had finally made him look good this time.

He glanced at Li Chengan, a smug look on his face, as if to say, "Li Chengan, Li Chengan, it was you who recommended Zhang Zhilong and He Zongxian to participate in the martial arts examination."

Actually, you look down on the two of them. Now, even your capable assistant Qin Ying is no match for Zhang Zhilong. Do you still dare to underestimate the Zhang family?

Li Chengan also noticed Zhang Shigui's complex expression.

Li Chengan thought to himself that Zhang Shigui was very pleased with himself after his son Zhang Zhilong won a match.

However, Zhang Shigui was indeed quite cunning.

On that occasion, the 10,000 troops brought by Buyeo Pungjang were surrounded by Li Daozong's army outside Luoyang.

However, when Li Chenggan arrived at the Baekje camp, he found that Zhang Shigui and Li Daozong's troops had already withdrawn from Luoyang.

In a way, Zhang Shigui also bears some responsibility for this matter.

Because of the special relationship between Zhang Shigui and Li Daozong, Zhang Shigui's daughter married Li Daozong.

Therefore, he put pressure on Li Daozong and suppressed Li Chenggan and those around him.

At that time, Li Chengan wanted to confront Zhang Shigui and Li Daozong.

However, both of them disappeared.

Li Chengan thought to himself, "I will settle this score with you sooner or later. I will not talk to you about this now, but wait until after the martial arts exam."

At this moment, things had changed on the arena, and the second match had begun.

Cheng Yaojin announced again: "The second match today is between He Zongxian and Ashina Jieshe."

He Zongxian stepped onto the stage dressed in white, intentionally trying to resemble Xue Rengui as much as possible.

Last time, he was severely beaten by Qin Ying at Zhaoren Palace.

Afterwards, he was severely reprimanded by Zhang Shigui.

then,

During this period, he practiced martial arts diligently and worked hard to improve his competitive level. As the saying goes, even last-minute sharpening of the spear can be effective.

He originally intended to challenge Qin Ying again, but unexpectedly, Zhang Zhilong fought very smoothly in the first match and actually defeated Qin Ying.

He thought to himself that since Zhang Zhilong was able to defeat Qin Ying, he couldn't possibly let his father-in-law down.

Ashina Jieshe did not climb the ladder to the arena, but instead used a move called "Dry Land Uprooting," which lifted him three or four zhang high from the ground before landing steadily on the arena.

The audience applauded and cheered.

Putting everything else aside, the move Ashina Jieshe just made was enough to shock the entire audience.

In the entire Tang Dynasty, it would be difficult to find a master of lightness skill like Ashina Jieshelu.

Ashina Jieshe held a high position and wielded great influence among the Turkic royal family.

He was determined to restore the Eastern Turkic Khaganate and hoped to make a comeback and rise again.

He infiltrated Chang'an to gather information.

At first, unaware of the situation, he joined Li Tai's tutelage.

Li Tai treated him well and spent a lot of money on him.

Li Tai's men spoke ill of Li Chengqian to him, even leading Ashina Jieshe to believe that the Eastern Turkic Khaganate would be destroyed, all because of Li Chengqian.

Therefore, Ashina Jieshe hated Li Chenggan.

In truth, the Eastern Turkic Khaganate's current predicament was entirely of its own making by Khagan Jieli.

After assuming the throne of Khan, he, at the instigation of Princess Yicheng, continuously led his troops southward, invading the borders of the Tang Dynasty and penetrating deep into the heartland of the Tang Dynasty, including Mayi.

They even reached the vicinity of Chang'an, committing arson, murder, looting, and all sorts of atrocities.

On that occasion at the Wei River, he reached an alliance with Li Shimin.

However, not long after, Khagan Jieli unilaterally broke the alliance and launched an army south.

Li Shimin, having reached his limit of tolerance, dispatched Li Jing to lead an army to eliminate the Eastern Turks.

Therefore, Jieli Khan brought this upon himself and brought about his own destruction. What does this have to do with Li Chenggan?

Ashina Jieshe, having received orders from Li Tai, went to the East China Sea to assassinate Li Chenggan.

It must be said that Ashina Jieshe was not only a master of light-footed skills, but also an excellent user of concealed weapons.

It's almost as if it hits the bullseye every time.

On that occasion in the East China Sea, Li Chenggan almost got assassinated by Ashina Jieshe if he hadn't hidden inside a crocodile's belly.

However, Ashina Jieshe was not entirely without brains.

Later, he gradually discovered that Li Chenggan was not as evil as Li Tai and the others had described.

On the contrary, he learned that Li Tai was a schemer who disregarded brotherhood and only wanted to seize the position of crown prince.

Moreover, Ashina Jieshe discovered that Li Chengqian valued loyalty and generosity, and was even more magnanimous than Li Tai.

After Ashina Jieshe arrived in Chang'an, he discovered that Li Shimin was not as cruel and tyrannical as he had previously heard. On the contrary, Li Shimin loved his people like his own children, and it seemed that after the Eastern Turks surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, the people were living better than before.

Ashina Jieshe began to wonder if he had made a mistake in wanting to revive the Eastern Turkic Khaganate.

It seems that the unification of the world by the Tang Dynasty was an inevitable and irreversible trend.

Later, persuaded by Zhang Shizheng, he made up his mind to join Li Chengan.

On that occasion, Ashina Simo led the Turkic army in a surprise attack on Luoyang. They were initially confident of victory, but due to the appearance of Li Chengqian, the Tang army turned the tide and defeated the Turkic army, causing them to flee in disarray.

At that time, Ashina Jieshe volunteered to lead the charge, carrying a letter from Li Chengqian to persuade Ashina Simo to surrender.

Because they had reached a common understanding that as long as Li Chengqian was in power, they could not possibly defeat the Tang Dynasty.

This martial arts competition is a rare gathering of heroes.

Ashina Jieshe also wanted to show off his skills at this conference.

Because he wanted the world to know that the Turks were not all incompetent.