Zhang Jun and his wife Li arrived at the hall, smiling and greeting everyone.

  Everyone in the hall came forward to show their kindness, hoping to get along with Zhang Jun, a high-ranking official of the imperial court who was second only to one person and above all others.

  "Princess Nanping has arrived!"

  At this time, a voice came from the doorway, and then Zhao Ji, wearing a light blue long skirt, with her hair tied up, wearing a pearl flower on her head, accompanied by a maid, walked in.

  Zhang Jun and his wife hastily led the crowd in the hall to come forward and greet them.

  "Long live Her Royal Highness, may Her Royal Highness live for a thousand years, ten thousand years, and forever!"

  The crowd knelt down one after another, shouting and cheering loudly.

  Yang Chengye stood in the corner, without drawing anyone's attention, and looked up at the princess. Wasn't this Zhao Ji, who had a duel with Zhang San at West Lake that day? I didn't expect her to be here too.

  Princess Zhao's face wore a gentle smile as she said with one hand supporting her body, "Everyone please be seated. I am here on behalf of my father the Emperor to attend the banquet hosted by Lord Zhang."

  "Everyone, don't be so formal!"

  "Thank you, Master!"

  Everyone stood up, and Zhang Jun and his wife stepped forward, saying: "The princess's noble presence has brought glory to our humble abode!"

  "Please have a seat, princess!"

  Zhao Ji nodded and sat down in the main seat with the support of her maid, asking at the same time: "General Zhang, why isn't your wife here?"

  Zhang Jun replied: "I'll inform the princess that the young lady is in her boudoir dressing up, and I'll have her come to pay respects to the princess immediately!"

  Zhao Ji waved her hand and said, "No need, Lord Zhang should still entertain his guests."

  Zhang Jun ordered his wife to accompany Zhao Ji, while he himself went to welcome the guests again.

  "The Envoy of the Golden Country has arrived!"

  At this time, the sound came from the door again, and a middle-aged man with a slight dark complexion and a smile on his face, wearing a scholar's uniform, walked in with two men.

  When they heard the messenger from the Golden Kingdom, everyone's face changed instantly and looked towards the gate.

  This man was none other than Wanyan Honglie, the Sixth Prince of Jin who had been sent as an envoy to the Song Dynasty.

  Zhang Jun did not welcome him, but stood in the center of the hall, staring at Wanyan Honglie.

  Wanyan Honglie had not yet entered the hall when he cupped his hands and smiled: "Lord Zhang, this king has arrived late, please do not blame me!"

  Zhang Jun calmly said: "This official's small banquet, how dare I trouble Your Majesty the King of Da Jin to come in person?"

  Wanyan Honglie didn't take it as a provocation, and smiled as usual: "The Great Jin and the Great Song are neighboring countries, although there have been wars, but in recent years they can still coexist peacefully, which is a blessing for the people."

  "I came to Great Song with the intention of having our two nations live in peace. My great Jin nation would never initiate a war."

  Upon hearing this, Zhang Jun coldly laughed and said: "Your Highness's words are quite off the mark. Don't you know that not long ago your Jin State openly allied with Western Xia to launch an attack on my heavily fortified city of Xiangyang?"

  Wanyan Honglie's face changed, and he gritted his teeth, saying: "Your Excellency Zhang is unaware that the attack on Xiangyang a few days ago was not the will of the Emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty, but rather the grandson of Wanyan Wuzong, Wanyan Jindun, who acted arbitrarily."

  "The Emperor of Japan has now received the imperial edict, stripping Wan Yan Jinzhong of his military power and imprisoning him for life, which can also be considered as giving a statement to the Great Song."

  Zhang Jun sneered: "I don't think so?"

  "You, the great army of Jin and Western Xia, came with a mighty force, intending to capture Xiangyang City. If it weren't for the people of Xiangyang who vowed to fight to the death, I'm afraid you would have taken the city long ago."

  "You failed and immediately put on a good attitude, if you won, would you send troops to attack me in Lin'an, and repeat the changes of Bianliang?"

  Zhang Jun's words were devoid of any courtesy, causing Wanyan Honglie's face to change color repeatedly, while the rest of the people also showed a look of admiration for Zhang Jun, especially Zhao Ji, whose eyes were full of appreciation.

  Hehe

  Wanyan Honglie knew he was not popular with everyone, so he hastily changed the subject and said, "Let's not talk about state affairs today."

  "I heard that Lord Zhang is getting married today, so I've come especially to offer my congratulations. This small gift is hardly sufficient as a token of respect!"

  Wanyan Honglie said to let his followers present the gifts, but Zhang Jun didn't even glance at them, and it was only when a servant took the gifts that Wanyan Honglie's embarrassment was avoided.

  Jin Yonglie directly sat down beside the main hall and nodded at Zhao Ji.

  "This Wanyan Honglie's face is really thick, others don't welcome him, but he still shamelessly stays."

  "It is said that this Wanyan Honglie is a character, has been in Lin'an for almost a year, and has been walking among the officials of the court, with many officials having a close private relationship."

  "I also heard that many people wanted to kill him, but his residence was heavily guarded by soldiers. Those who went to kill him were killed instead."

  "Hmph, I don't believe he can always be like this, one day he'll lose his head!"

  Yang Chengye listened to the crowd's discussion and looked at this Sixth Prince of Jin with great interest.

  At this time, Zhang Jun pressed his hands together and said: "Today, there are three joyful events that the imperial court has to announce!"

  "Sir, aren't you just looking for a live-in son-in-law? What's with the three happy events?"

  Someone in the crowd shouted something.

  Zhang Jun smiled and said: "Everyone, please calm down and listen to what I have to say."

  "The first piece of good news is the great victory at Xiangyang, where almost all the Jin and Western Xia soldiers who came to attack were killed, leaving only a few thousand defeated soldiers and generals fleeing."

  "Good!"

  As soon as Zhang Jun's voice fell, everyone burst into applause.

  Zhang Jun continued: "The second piece of good news is that the imperial court's brother-in-law, who made great contributions in this Xiangyang defense battle, led the soldiers and civilians of Xiangyang to repel the invading enemy, and was bestowed by the emperor as the Tiger Might General, holding a third-rank official position."

  As soon as Zhang Jun's words fell, the crowd began to discuss again, all talking about what kind of person Zhang Jun's wife's younger brother was, and how he could achieve such a great merit.

  Zhang Jun looked at everyone's expression and continued: "We will now invite General Li Zhihou of the Tiger Guard."

  As soon as Zhang Jun's voice fell, Li Zhihou, dressed in casual clothes, stepped out and bowed to the crowd, saying: "I am Li Zhihou, thanks to the emperor's favor, I have been promoted to Tiger General."

  "But this Xiangyang defense battle was not daring to take credit, all thanks to the generals and soldiers who risked their lives, and the citizens in the city worked together with one heart."

  "At the same time, I would also like to thank the support of the Beggar Clan's brothers, otherwise how could the 50,000 weak and disabled soldiers in Xiangyang City resist the 100,000 allied forces of Jin and Western Xia?"

  Listening to Zhang Jun and Li Zhihou's words, Wanyan Honglie's face became increasingly unsightly, and finally he couldn't help but stand up and say: "General Li, according to what this king knows, the greatest contributor to the Xiangyang defense battle is not you, but another young hero, I don't know if it's true or false?"

  Li Zhihou's expression changed slightly as he looked at Wanyan Honglie and said, "So it was the Sixth Prince of the Jin State. It seems that Your Highness is quite well-informed."

  "Not bad, this time in Xiangyang's defense war, there was indeed a young hero who made quite an effort, but as for his surname and name, I don't know."

  "I think General Li is not unaware of who it is, but rather wants to take credit for someone else's achievement!"

  At this time, another voice sounded, drawing everyone's attention over there.

  All respected readers, if you like it, please don't hesitate to cast your monthly tickets and recommendation tickets, and collect them by the way, thank you!

  (End of chapter)