Chapter 98

Wanyan Huonü's eighth arrow failed, and he came to Wanyan Chang with great dejection, "I am incompetent and have disgraced the Grand Marshal!"

Wanyan Chang patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Don't worry! He won't win this arrow either."

Wanyan Huonü was taken aback, not understanding what the commander meant.

After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Grand Marshal, it doesn't matter if we lose here. I will win on the battlefield, but such underhanded tactics will make the Han people laugh at us."

Wanyan Chang smiled smugly, "We Jurchens don't do underhanded things. If it's the Han people fighting among themselves, it has nothing to do with us."

It was Chen Qing's turn to step up. He took a deep look at the incense head in the distance, nodded to Liu Qiong, and Liu Qiong came forward to blindfold him with a black cloth.

Chen Qing stood in front of the line with the Dinging bow, motionless.

The surroundings were deathly silent, and everyone held their breath, watching Chen Qing with tension.

Just a few steps behind Chen Qing, Wang Bo held a cup of tea, his eyes fixed on Chen Qing's hands. The tea had long since cooled, but he had no intention of drinking it. He was waiting for the crucial moment to let the teacup fall to the ground.

At that moment, a black shadow flashed before him, and before he could react, the teacup was snatched away.

Wang Bo, caught off guard, immediately recognized Huyan Tong and became furious, shouting, "What do you think you're doing?"

His voice was loud, drawing the attention of everyone around. Huyan Tong, who wanted to kill this bastard, punched Wang Bo to the ground and covered his mouth to prevent him from shouting. Wang Bo struggled desperately.

At that moment, seven or eight merchants rushed over and pinned Wang Bo down. Wang Bo tried to shout but could not make a sound.

Chen Qing, however, was calm and composed. He slowly drew an arrow, nocked it, and drew the bow to full tension. The arrow shot out like lightning, its sharp tip flashing through the air and striking the incense head, sending it flying...

Wanyan Huonü closed his eyes in pain, knowing the moment Chen Qing's arrow was released that he had lost.

The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, and hundreds of guests hugged and jumped with excitement. Huyan Tong released Wang Bo, who lay on the ground, his heart filled with hatred and regret.

"Damn you, Huyan Tong, just wait and see what I'll do to you!"

Wanyan Chang's face was grim, but he quickly put on a fake smile, "General Chen, this friendly archery match was well-fought, signifying a good start to the relationship between our Jin and Song states."

Chen Qing smiled faintly, "Thank you, Wanyan Inspector, for letting me make a fortune."

Wanyan Chang looked deeply at Chen Qing and waved his hand, "Let's go!"

He led a dozen Jin soldiers and turned to leave. Wang Bo hesitated for a moment and hurriedly followed.

Outside the Fengle Tower, Wanyan Chang looked up at the sky with his hands behind his back and said coldly, "Huonü, do you want Chen Qing's head?"

Wanyan Huonü understood the commander's meaning and bowed, "I would rather take his life on the battlefield."

Wanyan Chang shook his head, "This is the Khan's will, not something we can decide."

He then turned to Wang Bo, "Please have your uncle arrange it. I want to see him tonight."

......

Yesterday's birthday banquet had left Lu Yihao a bit tired, and today being a rest day, he stayed home to rest.

As night fell, Lu Yihao was sitting in his study reading when a maid reported at the door, "Master, a young guest named Chen Qing has come, saying he has urgent business to see you!"

"Chen Qing?"

Lu Yihao was indeed surprised. It was quite late for Chen Qing to visit.

After a moment's thought, he said, "Let him wait a moment, I'll be right there."

After a pause, he added, "Have the eldest son accompany him!"

The eldest son, Lu Jin, was Lu Yihao's first son, currently serving as the governor of Xinzhou. He had returned to Lin'an for his father's sixtieth birthday.

Lu Yihao changed into a set of clothes and then walked unhurriedly to the guest hall.

As he ascended the steps, he saw his eldest son Lu Jin talking with Chen Qing in the hall. Lu Yihao chuckled, "I kept you waiting, General Chen!"

Chen Qing and Lu Jin quickly stood up. Chen Qing apologized, "I came uninvited, but it's truly urgent, disturbing your rest!"

"It's fine if it's urgent!"

Lu Yihao turned and noticed a bronze Buddha on the table. Upon closer inspection, his face changed, "This... this is the golden Buddha of Emperor Shenzong, isn't it?"

Lu Yihao's mother was a Buddhist, and he had seen this Buddha several times, leaving a deep impression.

Chen Qing nodded, "That's right, it's the golden Buddha that Emperor Shenzong venerated."

"But... it should have fallen into the hands of the Jin people. Where did you get it from?"

"This Buddha was indeed obtained by the Jin people, specifically by Wanyan Chang. I was fortunate enough to win it back from Wanyan Chang today."

Chen Qing then detailed the events of the evening at the Fengle Tower to Lu Yihao.

Lu Yihao was so excited that he couldn't sit still. He stood up and examined the golden Buddha, sighing after a while, "I never thought this Buddha would return. Thanks to General Chen's bravery and wisdom! What do you plan to do with it?"

He looked at Chen Qing with great anticipation.

Chen Qing said calmly, "I brought it to your residence with no intention of keeping it. I will return it to its rightful place."

"Good! Good! Good!"

Lu Yihao said the word "good" three times, "It's rare to find a loyal and patriotic general like you. I will report to the Emperor and ask for a generous reward for you, so you won't suffer any loss."

Chen Qing knew that the gambling match would inevitably reach the Emperor's ears. This golden Buddha was not something he could keep. To avoid the Emperor's displeasure, it was better to do a favor and return it to the palace.

Chen Qing sat down and asked, "Why did Wanyan Chang come to Lin'an?"

"They came for two main reasons. One is to seek a ceasefire in the Huai and Jiang regions, likely to concentrate their forces on Sichuan and Shaanxi. I and the Emperor are aware of this. The second reason is related to you."

"Related to me?"

Chen Qing pondered for a moment, "Could it be because of Wanyan Loushi?"

Lu Yihao nodded, "The Jin chieftain wants to bring back Wanyan Loushi's head, so Wanyan Chang brought back two of the Emperor's princesses."

Emperor Gaozong had five daughters, all taken north. Three of them died on the journey, leaving only the eldest daughter, Zhao Fuyou, and the second daughter, Zhao Shenyu, who were about eight years old now.

"Is Wanyan Loushi's head still around?"

"It is, buried in the White Crane Temple on the west slope of Phoenix Mountain. The Emperor is very excited and has already ordered the Ministry of Rites to handle the exchange."

Chen Qing was also very pleased and smiled, "I never thought Wanyan Loushi's head would still be useful in the end."

"Indeed! For this, the Emperor is very grateful to you."

Lu Yihao then asked, "Has your graduation procedure been completed?"

"Today is a rest day, and the Ministry of War asked me to come tomorrow."

"Right, I forgot it was a rest day today."

Lu Yihao chuckled, stroking his beard and looking at Chen Qing, "How is your family?"

Chen Qing shook his head, "My parents died in the war."

"What about your wife and children?"

"I haven't married yet."

"Twenty-four years old and not considering marriage? Or do you have a betrothal already?"

Chen Qing smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Neither. I haven't settled down, so I haven't considered personal matters."

Lu Yihao stroked his beard and smiled, "My granddaughter is also unmarried, and she would be a good match for you. You actually met her yesterday. If you don't mind, I would like to arrange a match for you."

Chen Qing immediately thought of the gentle and graceful young woman he had seen yesterday. He later learned that she was definitely not a maid, as her attire was inappropriate. She was likely a relative of Lu Yihao. The young woman was not only beautiful and dignified but also had a very gentle demeanor, which made Chen Qing's heart flutter.

After a moment, Chen Qing said, "To receive such favor from you, Sir, is a great honor. However, I will be leaving Lin'an in a couple of days and don't know when I will return. I fear it might delay Miss Lu..."

"That's fine. We can wait a year or two. Let's discuss this further."

Chen Qing got up to take his leave, and Lu Yihao had his eldest son, Lu Jin, see him out.

A short while later, Lu Jin hurried back and asked, "Father, are you thinking of betrothing Xiuer to him?"

Lu Yihao said calmly, "Is he not suitable? He is already the governor of Qin Prefecture at such a young age. Do you want to betroth your daughter to a wastrel like Wang Bo?"

"That's not it. I also think he is good, but... what if there is news of Mingzhong?"

Lu Yihao's granddaughter, Lu Xiuer, had been betrothed to Zhang Muzhong, the grandson of Zhang Shunye, since childhood. However, during the Jingkang Incident, Zhang Shunye's family was taken north, and Zhang Shunye committed suicide on the way. There was no news of his descendants.

Lu Yihao waved his hand, "Now that the Jin are strong and the Song are weak, it's unknown when those taken north will return. That would delay Xiuer. Besides, Xiuer herself has taken a liking to Chen Qing. The previous betrothal is null and void, and we should not mention it again."

"Father, but Chen Qing's attitude is not clear either!"

Lu Yihao stroked his beard and smiled slyly, "Didn't you see that he is already interested?"