Chapter 63: First Meeting with Zong Ze

  Yue Fei did not expect that such an absurd thing would happen, and even martial arts competitions could lead to a marriage. At this point, it was not good to object, so he went out to the front hall with Yang's old ancestors and Yang Zai Xing, and explained to Niu Gao.

  At this time, there were already some Yang family elders in the hall. Niu Gao originally wanted to say no, but the severe eyes of the Yang family's ancestors stared at him, and Yang Zai Xing, Luo Yan Qing, and other Yang family elders also looked at him with a fierce gaze, putting great pressure on him. After all, he had taken advantage of the situation and was now soft-hearted, Niu Gao panicked for a moment and nodded in agreement. The entire Yang family let out a sigh of relief, finally marrying off Shen Xiao Kun. It seems that this Shen Xiao Kun has caused enough trouble for the Yang family.

  Niú Gāo himself agreed, and Yue Fei had nothing to say. He secretly pulled Yang Zai Xing aside and asked him the reason. It turned out that this Si Xiao Kun was crazy about martial arts, and it wasn't enough for him to fight in the Tianbo government office, so he often went outside to challenge others. Although no one had been killed yet, he also often brought a lot of trouble to the Yang family. Now they could marry off Si Xiao Kun earlier, and their home would be rid of a scourge.

  Yue Fei let out a sigh of relief, it's not a big deal, and who knows, maybe in the future there will be even more help.

  Parents are not around, elder brother acts as father, Yang family's ancestors and Yue Fei agreed to help Niu Gao and She Xiao Kun set up a marriage three days later.

  It was already noon, and several brothers had lunch in the Tianbo government office, then went to the Kaifeng government office's yamen in the east of the city.

  Seven brothers arrived at the gate of the Luoshou government office, dismounted and took a look, indeed majestic. Yue Fei walked forward and said to the soldier guarding the door: "The famous general Huang County Wujun people Yue Fei and others have come to pay respects to Grand General Zong Ze and deliver the examination papers."

  One of the soldiers led several brothers into the government office, passing through the martial arts arena to a side hall to see the commander.

  Come to see the commander-in-chief. Yue Fei stepped forward, cupped his hands and said: "Yue Fei, a martial arts candidate from Huang County, Henan Province, along with seven others, requests an audience with General Zong to show off their archery skills on horseback and submit their examination papers; please introduce us."

  That officer's name was Hong Xian. When he heard Yue Fei speaking, he turned his head and asked the soldier who had brought them: "Is it customary for them to be sent here?"

  "The soldier replied: 'I have never sent him here.'"

  Seven brothers heard the conversation and did not make a sound, coldly staring at Hong Xian, watching how he would handle it.

  Hong Xian turned his head and said to the brothers: "Yue Fei! You don't know, the old master is not seeing guests today, you can come back in three days."

  Yue Fei listened and asked the central army: "Are you really not going to report to us today?"

  Hong Xianyi slammed his hand on the desk and shouted loudly: "How dare you! How can this official do things without your instruction? Get out quickly!"

  The cow was on fire and was about to rush forward to fight, but was pressed down by Yue Fei and dragged out of the side hall.

  Niú Gāo was just about to complain, but seeing Yue Fei not going out, he came straight to the big drum in front of the martial arts field, picked up the drumstick and "Boom Boom Boom" started beating the drum loudly.

  Niu Gao and others were delighted: "Still, big brother is formidable. With one poke, he'll poke all the way to heaven."

  As soon as the drumbeat sounded, a group of people rushed out. The leader, fully armed, shouted loudly: "Who is so bold as to dare beat the war drum without permission?"

  Yue Fei put down his drumsticks and walked forward, looking at the man's attire. It turned out to be a flag officer. Yue Fei cupped his hands and said: "The Yellow County martial arts champion, Yue Fei, has come to pay respects to Lord Zong Ze. He brought the examination papers, but was blocked by Hong Xian of the central army. In desperation, he had no choice but to use the drumbeat to disturb you, sir."

  Qipai Guan listened and asked: "Are you Yue Fei Yue Pengju of Qilin Village?"

  "It is indeed!" Yue Fei replied loudly.

  "Come in quickly." The official's expression changed rapidly, saying: "Zhong Liuguo ordered several days ago that if a martial artist from Huang County's Qilin Village, Yue Fei, comes to deliver documents, bring him to see me. Now you've come at just the right time."

  Yue Fei's eyes scanned the crowd and saw that Hong Xian, the commander of the central army, was also present, looking displeased. Yue Fei ignored him and followed the flag officer with his brothers into the main hall of the governor's office.

  In front of Han Shizhong, the flag officer knelt down on one knee and reported: "The military officer from Huang County, Qi Lin Village, Wu Prefecture, Yue Fei and others have arrived."

  Ladies and gentlemen: Dan Chi refers to the steps of a government office or temple.

  Yang Zai-xing and Niu Gao also knelt on one knee, saying "Greetings, sir."

  Yue Fei did not kneel down, but merely bowed his hands and paid respects, looking up at the Grand Councilor behind the desk.

  He had a national character face, with regular features and a stern appearance, exuding an aura of murder, standing on the high platform, truly like a Yan Luo Tianzi.

  Zong Ze saw the robust and extraordinary figures of the people below the hall, and was initially very pleased. However, upon seeing Yue Fei standing below the stage without kneeling, he felt puzzled. The letters of recommendation from Zhong Shi Dao and Han Xiao Ei had described Yue Fei as a rare talent in the world, unmatched and unparalleled, with both literary and military prowess, truly a pillar of the state, who must be supported and promoted by Zong Ze. Now, at their first meeting, why was he so ignorant of etiquette?

  Zong Ze slapped the desk and shouted: "The scholar below, why didn't you kneel when you saw this official?"

  Yue Fei bowed his head and said: "Sir, please calm down. As a junior with a special identity, I only kneel to my parents, Heaven and Earth. Please allow me to report privately."

  Zong Ze was surprised and ordered his personal guard to lead Yue Fei to wait in the inner hall.

  Before long, Zong Ze also arrived at the inner hall and saw Yue Fei. He asked straight away: "What kind of trick are you playing?"

  Yue Fei smiled and said: "I don't know if Lord Zong has heard of Wu Shen Yun?"

  Zong Ze was taken aback, thought for a moment, and suddenly realized, answering: "Isn't it the protective deity ribbon on our ancestors' bodies?"

  Yue Fei nodded slightly.

  "After the death of Taizu, the divine ribbon of the protector of the country was sent back to Mount Hua for worship. You are a disciple of Mount Hua... Are you the successor of the divine ribbon of the protector of the country? Is the divine ribbon worn on your body?" Zong Ze asked Yue Fei several questions in one breath.

  "The adults are right, I am the new generation of protector god of war, and the god of war ribbon is on my body." Yue Fei's expression was serious.

  "Hurry up and let me see the Wu Shen Yun." Zong Ze was somewhat expectant, this being a legendary sacred object.

  "General, seeing Wu Song is like seeing the great ancestor himself." Yue Fei reminded.

  "Wait a minute, Xianqi. I'll go get the Kaifeng Prefecture Gazette." Zongze said and hastily walked out. About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he came back with a thick book in his hand, saying: "This is a matter of great importance, we must make sure everything is clear and accurate, there can't be any mistakes."

  Yue Fei saw this, and took off his outer garment, revealing a suit of armor underneath and a golden yellow sash slanting across his shoulder.

  Zong Ze looked at the patterns, symbols, and signatures recorded in the official records, and carefully compared them with the Wu Shen Yun on Yue Fei's body. It took him a whole incense stick to confirm that there was no doubt. Then he put down the official records, knelt down in front of Yue Fei, and performed the three kneels and nine knocks ceremony. After the ceremony, he stood up and said: "According to the official records, I doubted the Wu Shen Yun and should receive three rods from you."

  Yue Fei knew that Zong Ze was a meticulous person, and seeing a cane in a corner of the inner hall, he picked it up and lightly tapped Zong Ze's back three times. Then he said: "General Zong, let's take care of the outside matters first."

  Zong Ze saw that Yue Fei had not yet put on his outer garment and could only obey, so he went out of the inner hall first.

  Yue Fei woke up and hastily put on his outer garment, following behind.

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