The emperor is biased and wants to kill me, but you chickened out when the army is at the city gates

The Shence Army was not equipped with this!

Yelü Dongze noticed this crucial point immediately and was deeply shocked.

If these bows and arrows, which he revered as divine bows, were not even qualified to be equipped in the Shence Army, then the Shence Army must already have more powerful bows and arrows.

At this moment, Yelü Dongze put aside all his contempt and said respectfully:

"Your Highness, I apologize for my previous ignorance and arrogance!"

"I wish to purchase a batch of these Divine Strategy Bows, and I implore Your Highness, the King of Chu, to grant my wish."

The Loulan cavalry of Goryeo were most skilled in mounted archery. If they could be equipped with the Shence Bow, they would be even more formidable.

Never underestimate the difference between 150 meters and 200 meters. Those mere 50 meters could very well be the lives of countless soldiers and could very well determine the final outcome of a war.

"The Shence Bow is a military supply. If Mr. Yelü Dongze is truly interested in purchasing it, then we can exchange it for copper mines and horses from Goryeo."

"Five Shence bows can be exchanged for a Goryeo horse, or fifty catties of brass for a bow."

Qin Xuan stated his price, his expression calm, showing neither anticipation nor excitement.

It seems that he doesn't care at all whether or not he does this deal.

But Yelü Dongze was different; he was determined to get the Shence Bow, so he was already cursing Qin Xuan in his heart as a heartless businessman.

Five arrows for a Goryeo warhorse? That's practically robbery.

"Your Highness, this price..."

Yelü Dongze tried to negotiate the price, but Qin Xuan interrupted him first, saying, "Mr. Dongze, have you forgotten the rules of Beining City?"

rule?

Yelü Dongze was taken aback, then remembered that the rule in Beining City was that there was no bargaining; it was take it or leave it.

“Alright, although the price is not cheap, Goryeo is willing to buy it. However, I need to go back and report the specific quantity to my king in person.”

Yelü Dongze was well aware of this situation and immediately nodded in agreement.

"No rush. Mr. Dongze will always be a distinguished guest in Beining City. You are always welcome here."

Qin Xuan said a polite remark and then sent Yelü Dongze back.

That same day, Yelü Dongze led a portion of the merchant caravan directly back to Goryeo.

As for Yelü Huanxi, he stayed on the grounds of studying the culture of Qi.

However, she tried several times to meet Qin Xuan alone, but he refused each time because the Confucian Sage was about to arrive in Beining City.

This event was publicized for nearly five months, attracting the attention of countless scholars and even other countries, making it an unprecedented spectacle.

"Your Highness, the number of scholars from outside Beining City has now exceeded 50,000. All the inns in the city are full, and many scholars can only stay temporarily in poetry societies or post stations, but the number of scholars is still increasing."

Zhuge Xuan never imagined that one day Beining City would have a headache because there were too many scholars.

The number of Confucian scholars is only one factor; there are also many more ordinary tourists and businessmen who come to visit because of its reputation.

According to statistics from the city gate entrance, nearly 120,000 people have now poured into Beining City.

This was in ancient times, when transportation was inconvenient, and many people were unable to come because of the distance. If we disregard these factors, the number of people would probably be double.

"With the increase in tourists, prices throughout Bac Ninh are soaring, and the locals are starting to complain."

Zhuge Xuan said with concern.

"Prices can be controlled by Mr. Qiu and Cui Yu through relevant government orders, but accommodation is a problem that will be difficult to solve in the short term."

Qin Xuan gave a wry smile; he had planned everything, but he hadn't considered this point.

"Hasn't Beining Academy already been completed?"

Qin Xuan thought of a solution and couldn't help but say it.

Zhuge Xuan immediately understood and said with some concern, "It is indeed completed, but we are currently arranging the opening ceremony. Moreover, the Confucian Sage will arrive in Beining City tomorrow. The original plan was to ask him to inscribe a message for Beining Academy. Would it be inappropriate to let other Confucian scholars move in first?"

"You underestimate the Confucian Sage too much. If he knew that we were giving away the newly built Beining Academy to the Confucian scholars who came to observe the ceremony for free, he would be overjoyed!"

Based on his previous interactions with the Confucian sage, Qin Xuan was certain that this action would only garner the sage's praise.

He decisively said:

"Make all the dormitories of Beining Academy available free of charge to visiting Confucian scholars."

"In addition, tidy up the classroom on the third floor as well. If these Confucian scholars want to discuss poetry and philosophy during the day, let them do so in the classroom."

"My subordinates will do it now."

Zhuge Xuan stopped questioning and immediately went to make arrangements.

At the same time, Qin Xuan also took some time to visit Beining Bookstore to check on the printing status of "Confucianism".

Once everything was settled, Qin Xuan returned to the Chu King's residence, awaiting the arrival of the Confucian Sage the next day.

The next morning, around 10 a.m., a large procession finally appeared at the north gate of Beining City.

Qin Xuan rode a warhorse, with Zhao Luoying, dressed in silver helmet and armor, standing on his left, looking heroic and valiant, and Zhuge Xuan, a soldier in a scholar's robe, on his right.

To the left and right of the two men were Qiu Xingzhi, who was stroking his long beard, and Cui Yu, who had a solemn expression and burning eyes.

Behind them stood the imposing Shence Army cavalry, commanded by Ning Yuanfeng.

"Everyone says that the Shence Army is unparalleled in the world, and seeing it today, I can confirm that its reputation is well-deserved."

A hundred meters away, the Confucian sage alighted from his carriage, and the first thing that came into view was the Shence Army soldiers standing straight as javelins.

"King Chu truly deserves to be called a military genius. Just by looking at the momentum and eyes of the Shence Army before us, one can see his brilliance when leading troops into battle!"

Bai Mufeng couldn't help but sigh. This was the first time he had seen Qin Xuan in battle robes. He couldn't help but compare him with Qin Xuan in scholar's robes. He felt that both of these different images of Qin Xuan seemed to possess a unique charm that made them unforgettable.

"The King of Chu of Beining City respectfully welcomes the Confucian Sage into the city."

At this moment, Qin Xuan had already brought Zhao Luoying, Qiu Xingzhi and others to the Confucian sage.

The Confucian sage had a warm smile on his face, and although his travel-worn face showed some fatigue, his eyes were extremely bright.

Beside him, Bai Mufeng quickly bowed and said, "Mufeng greets Your Highness, the Prince of Chu!"

"Brother Bai, how have you been? No need for such formalities."

Qin Xuan smiled faintly and stepped forward to personally help the Confucian sage.

He could tell that the Confucian sage was extremely tired from the long journey, and his legs were trembling slightly.

After all, he was already in his seventies. Such a long and arduous journey would have exhausted most of his energy and spirit.

"Your Highness, now that the Confucian Sage has arrived, shouldn't the second line of the couplet at the city gate be announced?"

Bai Mufeng had been thinking about this second line the whole way, and now he could no longer suppress his thoughts and couldn't help but ask.

Upon hearing his question, everyone, whether they were scholars who had come out of the city to welcome the Confucian sage or Confucian students who had come with him, immediately began to urge him on with smiles.

"Your Excellency, then may I make a fool of myself?"

Qin Xuan looked at the Confucian sage, who nodded slightly with a smile on his face.

"Smoke locks the willows by the pond, this couplet is about the correspondence between the radicals of the five elements, so the second line is about the city of lanterns and wine!"

Upon hearing the second line, countless scholars immediately praised it, many reciting it aloud, while others whispered among themselves:

"Who was it that said there would never be a second line for this couplet? The King of Chu's literary talent is indeed unparalleled throughout history!"

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! They all use the same five elements radicals, but the imagery they depict is of a vibrant, bustling city that never sleeps. I'm truly impressed!"

"That's just the second line for the North Gate. What about the one for the South Gate?"

"Your Highness, please tell us the other perfect second line of the couplet!"

"..."