Traveling through time and space to become a child, supporting the family by catching fish and shrim

Chen Lang naturally didn't know the meaning behind the glances between Xiao Chucai and Empress Dowager Xiao. He looked around and wondered, "Why don't I see Yelu Xiuge?"

"Could it be that his level is not high enough to attend this banquet?"

He Jinling said, "That's definitely not the case. The Director of the Di Liemadu Division is equivalent to our Minister of Rites. He is definitely qualified."

"He didn't come... maybe there was a conflict."

Chen Lang pondered for a moment and felt that He Jinling's speculation was probably correct.

The smuggling business was interfered with by Empress Dowager Xiao. He rescued the captured Yelu Zongwang, who then died in a confused state, causing Xiao Huaiyi to put all the blame on him.

If I come to this banquet, I might be dragged by Xiao Huaiyi into a real-life PK.

With his physique, he is definitely no match for Xiao Huaiyi. If he gets beaten to a point where he has black eyes, he will be so embarrassed.

So it’s best not to come.

Chen Lang said no more, picked up the wine glass and sipped it slowly. After a while, the sound of ritual music rang out in the palace. More than ten women dressed in the characteristic costumes of the Liao Dynasty came and danced the Khitan folk dance.

In his previous life, Chen Lang believed that the ancient emperors and nobles liked to watch dancing because there was a lack of entertainment activities in ancient times. But now, after watching these Khitan women dance, Chen Lang found that his understanding in his previous life was still too one-sided.

This dance is more exciting than any other entertainment activity.

Regardless of whether you have "artistic bacteria" in your body, you can find your own joy in this beautiful dance.

He Jinling standing by was staring intently, his Adam's apple rolling and his saliva unable to stop.

Of course, as a royal banquet, dancing alone would not be enough to satisfy everyone.

After this group of pretty girls left, two shirtless, muscular men walked to the center of the hall and started wrestling.

This is also one of the national characteristics of the Khitan. The Liao people present watched it with great interest, while the members of the Yan delegation seemed a little bored.

Although men wrestle with great strength, they can never compare to beautiful girls dancing.

Only Chen Lang thought that this wrestling was very interesting to watch. He even shouted "good" when one of the strong men performed an over-the-shoulder throw.

However, it was this "OK" that brought Chen Lang a big trouble.

……

"Mr. Chen, what do you think of this proposal?" Empress Xiao looked at Chen Lang with a smile. Although her eyes were full of lust, her tone was unquestionable.

Chen Lang was quite helpless. He had never expected that just because he showed a little interest in wrestling, he would attract a bunch of people from the Liao Kingdom to compete with him in wrestling.

Please, with my thin arms and legs, am I suitable for wrestling?

Chen Lang also understood why the Liao people insisted on wrestling with him. They were a nation on horseback, and writing was not their forte.

Since they cannot defeat themselves on the cultural level, they are prepared to use simple and crude means to humiliate themselves.

As for whether they would be judged as "an unfair victory", the Liao people in the room didn't care at all.

The State of Yan is weaker than us, so you should do whatever we say!

What Chen Lang couldn't understand the most was that Empress Dowager Xiao actually acquiesced to the proposal of the Liao court officials.

This old woman has no moral integrity. After all, I have helped you solve many problems, and this is how you repay me?

Aren’t you afraid that after I return to my country, I will interrupt the business of Hongyanzui and beer and cut off your source of income?

Chen Lang took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed to the Queen Mother. He said, "Queen Mother, I am just a scholar. Wrestling is not something I am good at. Let's forget it."

The Liao people in the hall burst into laughter.

They were happy to see Chen Lang make a fool of himself.

Empress Dowager Xiao looked at Chen Lang and said calmly, "Young Master Chen, don't be nervous. Wrestling is just a game, and it's not about who has more strength that will win. It requires skill."

"Mr. Chen is very clever. He might be able to find the trick after trying for a while."

The corners of Chen Lang's mouth twitched slightly. He never expected that this old woman would be so ruthless as to force him to wrestle with others.

Things have come to this point. If I refuse again, I will not only lose my personal reputation, but also the reputation of the court.

The emperor himself was already dissatisfied with the fact that he was Li Shirong's son. If he lost face, he would probably use this as an excuse to cause trouble.

In addition, he also wanted to get a position as an imperial merchant. If he didn't have enough favor in front of the emperor, even if his products were good, it would probably be useless.

Wait... Imperial Merchant...

Chen Lang's eyes lit up and he understood instantly.

Sheng Yinping must have told Empress Dowager Xiao about her intention to become an imperial merchant.

Could it be that Empress Dowager Xiao did this not to embarrass herself, but to enhance her own reputation?

But is this old woman really so kind?

Chen Lang had a big question mark in his mind.

After a moment's silence, Chen Lang bowed and said, "Since the Queen Mother wants to see me wrestle, then I will perform my show."

Empress Dowager Xiao's eyes lit up slightly and she nodded with satisfaction.

Empress Xiao immediately said, "Wrestling is just a trick, just stop when you have done it."

"If anyone feels they can't control their strength, they shouldn't come out and embarrass themselves."

This sentence stopped those who wanted to take the opportunity to beat Chen Lang up.

Chen Lang became more and more certain that this so-called wrestling match was the parting gift given to him by Empress Dowager Xiao.

As soon as he finished speaking, a general came out of the hall, saluted the Queen Mother and Empress, and said, "I would like to wrestle with Master Chen of the Southern Dynasty."

The Queen Mother remained silent, and the Empress nodded slightly.

The general quickly walked up to Chen Lang and said, "Mr. Chen, please teach me."

Before Chen Lang could say anything, a steady voice sounded behind him.

"If you want to wrestle with my young master, you have to get past me first."

The speaker was naturally Qu Huai'en. He took a step forward and stood in front of Chen Lang.

Qu Huai'en is not a rookie like Chen Lang. He is a serious military general, the leader of the Black Ice Guard, and has superb martial arts skills.

Just taking this step shows your skills.

When the eyes of both sides met in mid-air, the Liao general suddenly felt the pressure doubled, and even involuntarily took a small step back.

Although he quickly stabilized his body, even if he only moved half an inch, he was at a disadvantage in terms of momentum.

But at this point, the Liao general could no longer afford to retreat. He clasped his hands together, pushed forward with all his might, and shouted, "Please teach me!"

Qu Huai'en lifted his calf, and the hem of his robe rose up. He immediately grabbed it in his hand and tucked it into his belt. He pointed his palm towards the center of the hall and said, "Please come in!"

He Jinling was confused. He couldn't understand how a banquet could turn into a wrestling tournament.

If they win, the Liao Kingdom will lose face. Will they be able to leave the palace?

If they lost, Dayan would lose face, and they would definitely be severely reprimanded by the emperor when they returned home.

But then again, Dayan had been oppressed by the Liao Kingdom in recent years, and any official with a bit of blood in his veins had no good feelings towards the Liao people. The boss of the Imperial Prison where He Jinling was located was Li Junhui, a tough guy who had no fear of the Liao Kingdom. With such a boss, the people under him would naturally not be so cowardly.

If you back down in the face of the other party's active provocation, you are not worthy of being a member of the Imperial Prison!

He Jinling cast aside all his worries and said loudly, "Commander Qu, please be gentle and don't cripple him."