Chapter 31: The Appointment on the Fifteenth Day (Part 5)

  Vasily sprang to his feet and strode up onto the stage, assuming a fighting stance.

  Two people stood facing each other, and visually, it was even more shocking.

  Vasily was nearly two meters tall, with a large head and muscles bulging all over his body. His fists were like iron pots. Especially his fierce eyes, thick beard, and chest hair made the surrounding villagers who came to watch the play afraid. In contrast, Li Zhen was only one meter eight in height, slender but pale, and didn't have Vasily's powerful appearance.

  Li Zhen stretched out his hand to stop him and said: "Wait a minute!"

  Vasily didn't understand Li Zhen's words but understood his gestures and temporarily did not take action.

  However, the Russian beside Vasily understood what Li Zhen said.

  This man was Vasily's translator, Chinese name Chen Yuande. He stepped onto the stage with big strides, staring at Li Zhen without blinking, a cold light flashing in his tawny eyes as he said: "If you're not going to fight, get down from the stage."

  Li Zhen said: "I dare to go on stage, of course I'm here for a martial arts competition."

  Chen Yuande retorted, "Since we're going to fight on the stage, let's not waste so many words. Let's just start fighting!" This guy was a Chinese expert, not only fluent in Chinese but also quite knowledgeable about Chinese culture.

  Li Zhen said calmly: "A martial arts competition is meant to be competitive, but doing it so casually is a bit too childish."

  "Oh, what do you mean?"

  Chen Yuande reached out and touched his high nose bridge, looking quite interested.

  Li Zhenlang loudly said: "The venue is too small, and there isn't even a notary official. Fifteen days later, I will invite the imperial court's first-rank official, Envoy Qi Shan to judge. Similarly, you can invite the Russian envoy to attend. Both sides will openly compete. Russia's strongman lost, and he obediently rolled out of Beijing, don't lose face for Russia in Beijing."

  Chen Yuande's face showed displeasure and he was very angry.

  The heroes of Russia will never surrender!

  Chen Yuande's eyes rolled around and he immediately asked: "What if you lose?"

  "Did I lose?"

  Li Zhen looked at Vasily with disdain and said, "The 'world's number one brave warrior' in your eyes can't withstand a single blow. In my eyes, he is not even as good as a stray dog or a wild chicken."

  Are you a local?

  Chen Yuande touched his nose again, not understanding what this word meant.

  However, he understood that there must be some derogatory meaning.

  Chen Yuande no longer asked Li Zhenru how to deal with it. Because once the Russian envoy participated, and there was a first-class imperial commissioner of the Qing Dynasty watching, the martial arts competition had already risen to the height of two countries. As long as Vasily defeated the young man in front of him, he would definitely cause a sensation.

  At that time, to publicize the victory of Russia even more would create an impression that Russians are invincible. This had a great effect on the Russian Empire's occupation of places north of Heilongjiang.

  At this moment, Chen Yuande became excited, and his purpose for coming to Beijing was finally about to be achieved.

  Li Zhen stared at Chen Yuande, with a cold smile in his heart.

  Everything depends on real strength.

  Chen Yuande's tone changed and he asked: "Respected brave warrior of the Great Qing, what is your name? Where do you live? Can you attend on time fifteen days later?"

  Li Zhen sneered inwardly and saw through Chen Yuande's intentions at a glance.

  Asking for address and name is just to prevent Li Zhen from regretting.

  "I am Li Zhen, a general of the imperial court, residing in the southern city post house. Since we are prepared to defeat the Russians, it is impossible to retreat. In fifteen days, I will meet you on time for battle. I hope your Russian warriors do not retreat."

  Chen Yuande burst out laughing and proudly said, "Mr. Li Zhen, the brave warriors of Russia are invincible in battle. Just look at the people lying on the ground around us, they can't even withstand a single blow. You won't be able to win either, it's certain defeat."

  Li Zhen showed a disdainful expression, got down from the stage, turned around and left.

  Chen Yuande stared in the direction Li Zhen had left, his eyes icy cold.

  After Li Zhen's back disappeared, Chen Yuande spoke to Vasily in Russian, saying coldly: "Vasily, we came to Beijing and set up a platform, sweeping through the martial arts halls of Beijing, and have already had a certain impact. Now that the Qing general is participating in the war, it is an opportunity to expand our influence. You must defeat the Qing general and make the people and officials of the Qing think that Russian warriors are invincible."

  "Roar!!"

  Vasily let out a loud roar, raised his fists and pounded them against his chest, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust as he shouted: "For the glory of the Tsar, I am invincible in battle!"

  Chen Yuande said: "If necessary, we can take drastic measures and kill the Qing general."

  Two people chattered on and on, but the common folk couldn't understand a single word.

  With fifteen days left before the challenge, Chen Yuande took Vasily away, leaving an empty arena. Next, Chen Yuande had to loudly publicize this matter, expanding the influence of Russia's undefeated image.

  Li Zhen returned to the inn and entered Qi Shan's room.

  Qishan asked: "You've returned so quickly, have you already won?"

  "Sir, I went once and set the date for the contest to be after the 15th with the Russians." Li Zhen paused, then knelt down with a thud, saying: "Sir, I took it upon myself to say that you will also go fifteen days later, and let the Russian envoy who came to Beijing ask for your pardon."

  "Ah!!"

  Qishan exclaimed in surprise, a hint of panic flashing across her eyes.

  Immediately, Qi Shan scolded: "Nonsense, this is simply absurd. I've already said it before, this matter involves Russians, I cannot intervene. Once I get involved, it becomes a matter between the Qing Dynasty and Russia, no longer just an ordinary civilian dispute. Alas, how can you be so unreasonable?"

  Li Zhen knew that Qi Shan had anger in his heart, and said: "Sir, I understand. But without you presiding over this, even if I defeat the Russians, it will not have a deterrent effect."

  "What if we can't win?" Qi Shan countered.

  At this time, Qi Shan's temples were jumping non-stop, and he was very uneasy in his heart. He had just received the emperor's praise, but now he was involved in the court and Russia's muddy situation, wasn't this asking for trouble? The current court, with internal worries and external troubles, was no longer the time of Emperor Kangxi, Qi Shan did not want to deal with Russia.

  However, Li Zhen was his beloved concubine, and Qi Shan really didn't know how to punish her.

  Qishan quickly calmed down and asked: "Are you sure?"

  "Your Excellency, I will definitely defeat the Russians. I have delayed for 15 days and will make a big show of it so that all the people in Beijing know about this matter. Your Excellency, please trust me, this time we will surely win and drive the Russians out of Beijing, making them not dare to be arrogant."

  Qishan nodded helplessly and had to agree. Li Zhendou had already reported his name, and he was a duck being pushed onto the stage, unable to not go.

  Li Zhen's eyes rolled around and he said: "Sir, perhaps this is your chance."

  "What chance?" Qishan asked.

  Li Zhen said in a low voice, "Think about it, with the participation of the Russian ambassador and your own participation. If General Wu defeats the powerful Russian wrestler, it will greatly boost national prestige, and you will also become famous throughout the country."

  Qishan heard this and the panic in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a scorching gaze.

  Perhaps this is his chance.

  PS: The fifth update;