Chapter 32 The Benefits of Bribery

  Qianqing Palace, Xianfeng is reviewing memorials.

  Han Laiyu stood beside him, a faint smile on his face, motionless like a sculpture. After a long while, Xianfeng put down his pen, stretched his waist and asked: "Han Laiyu, have you had any interesting things happen recently?"

  Han Laiyu said: "Your Majesty, there is indeed one thing."

  Xianfeng showed interest and said, "Tell me about it."

  Han Laiyu said: "The matter is about Li Zhen. On that day, Li Zhen and Qi Shan came to the palace to pay respects to the emperor. After leaving the palace and returning to the post house, they learned that their general Huang Shi Hai was severely injured by a Russian strongman. In a fit of rage, he challenged the Russian strongman. This matter has been widely spread, from high-ranking officials and nobles to ordinary people, everyone is discussing Li Zhen's challenge to the Russians. However, many people are waiting to see the excitement."

  Xianfeng nodded and asked: "What time is it compared to Dou?"

  Han Laiyu replied: "There are still ten days left."

  Xianfeng let out a long sigh, furrowed his brow and said: "Li Zhenren is an intelligent person, how could he be so muddled as to engage in a martial arts contest with the Russians? A barbarian from a barbarous country, ugly beyond recognition, engaging in a contest with such a coarse person, it's truly humiliating. Is it necessary to go back for more after being bitten by a dog? Truly pig-headed."

  If Li Zhen were here, he would definitely curse Xianfeng as a pig brain.

  They have already been beaten to their own doorstep, yet they still dream of being a great and powerful nation, utterly stupid.

  Han Laiyu sensed that Xianfeng did not intend to punish Li Zhen, and after a moment's thought, he said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, this Russian strongman is also extremely detestable. I would love to go and kick him a couple of times."

  Xianfeng asked: "What is hateful?"

  Han Laiyu replied, "The Russian strongman set up a platform to challenge various martial arts halls. He won every battle and no one dared to fight him anymore. What's even more arrogant is that the Russians actually put up a banner claiming to be the 'World's Number One Brave Warrior'. A barbarian country like this dares to call itself the world's number one, it's simply arrogant."

  After a pause, Han Laiyu said indignantly: "Li Zhen took the initiative to challenge the Russian strongman, which can also be considered as saving the emperor's face. I just hope Li Zhen can uphold our country's prestige and beat this barbarian to death."

  At this time, Li Zhen's benefit of stuffing money came, which was the eunuch's whisper.

  Xianfeng said: "I remember that many years ago, there was a Tai Chi master named Yang Luchan, who was known as the Invincible Yang of Beijing. This time the Russians set up a martial arts arena, why didn't he show up?"

  Han Laiyu sighed: "Yang Luzhen is also a man in his fifties and sixties, he can't fight anymore."

  Xianfeng furrowed his brow and said in a deep voice, "Although Li Zhen is reckless, he is also loyal to the country. He fought against the Russian strongman for the sake of our great Qing dynasty. Han Laiyu, you personally go to the post house and let him fight well, fight fiercely, and win this battle for me. Hmm, Li Zhen is loyal to the country, reward him with a yellow horse jacket."

  Han Laiyu raised an eyebrow, Li Zhen is really lucky!

  Leaving the palace, Han Laiyu took a carriage and rushed straight to the post house.

  After meeting Li Zhen, both sides finished the courtesy, Han Laiyu said: "Li Canjiang, this time to fight against Russia, the emperor is very concerned about it. He wants you to defeat Russia beautifully. Let me tell you something, although the emperor didn't say what would happen if we lose, but if we really lose, not only will our future be ruined, but also whether our heads can be kept safe or not."

  After finishing speaking, Han Laiyu gave the yellow horse cloak to Li Zhen again.

  After things were done, Li Zhen sent Han Laiyu away and stuffed 6,000 taels of silver tickets.

  Although Li Zhen was heartbroken, he could only endure the pain and cut his losses.

  Qishan and Li Zhen saw off Han Laiyu. After returning to the house, Qishan said: "Li Zhen, you sent out countless people to make a big noise, now the emperor has also received the news, it's already reached the sky. You put yourself on fire to roast, I'll follow you to be roasted by fire, if we're defeated, both of us will be crushed to pieces, we must win."

  "Please be assured, sir," Li Zhenlang said loudly, "I will definitely defeat the Russians."

  ……

  Ministry of War's residence, rear courtyard.

  The young maid, Zilan, rushed into the room in a flurry, her face pale and her eyes flashing with alarm. "Miss, something's wrong! Something terrible has happened!" she exclaimed loudly.

  "Zhilan said in a low voice: 'Die'er, what's the point of being so flustered and anxious?'"

  The butterfly said: "Miss, Li Gongzi wants to have a martial arts competition with the Russian strongman, it's already known throughout the city."

  "Ah!"

  Zhilan let out a cry of surprise, her rosy cheeks turning pale in an instant. Since parting with Lǐ Zhèn, Zhi Lan often thought about the scene where Lǐ Zhèn saved her and had a faint affection for him.

  Suddenly hearing Li Zhen and the Russian strongman competing in martial arts, his heart immediately tensed up.

  The butterfly continued to say: "I let people inquire about the situation of the Russian strongman, that Russian man is like a small mountain, his arm is as thick as my head, and his head is even more like a basin. What's even more frightening is that he has already killed or injured dozens of people, and there hasn't been one time when he was defeated. If Li Gongzi engages in a martial arts match with the Russian strongman, he will definitely get hurt."

  Zhilan panicked and said: "I'll go find him right away and tell him to call it off."

  The butterfly's head wobbled like a rattle drum, saying: "Miss, the matter has already been known throughout the city, even the emperor knows it, and Young Master Li cannot shirk it."

  Zhilan stood up and said: "I'll go find Ama, Ama will definitely have a way."

  After finishing speaking, Zilan hastily left the boudoir.

  Zhilan arrived at Guilian's study and entered directly without any hesitation.

  Gui Liang had nine daughters, and Ruo Lan was the eighth. She was Gui Liang's darling. Especially since Gui Liang's ninth daughter had already married Gong Qin Wang Ye Xin, only Ruo Lan remained unmarried. If it weren't for Gui Liang's favoritism, Ruo Lan wouldn't still be unmarried at over twenty years old. When Gui Liang saw Ruo Lan enter, a smile spread across his face as he asked: "Good girl, what brings you to see your mother?"

  Zhilan walked up behind Guilian with small steps, gently patted his back and softly said: "Father, do you still remember the matter of your daughter and Qishan returning to Beijing?"

  Kui Liang stretched his waist and smiled: "Daughter gives Ama a back massage, it's so comfortable!"

  "Mother, I'm talking to you," said Zilan with a pout.

  Guī Liáng said: "Remember, Ah Ma remembers, Qí Shàn saved you and you were able to escape."

  Zhilan nodded and said, "Ama, the one who actually saved your daughter is Li Zhen, a general under Qishan. He's about to engage in a martial arts competition with a Russian strongman and might get injured. Ama, you're the smartest and most capable, please save his life."

  Qishan inquired about Gulden and already knew the situation.

  He smiled and stared at Zhilan, asking: "Good daughter, you wouldn't have fallen in love with Li Zhen, would you?"

  Zhilan pounded her chest twice and said with a pout: "Auntie, what are you talking about?"

  Gui Liang coughed a few times and said slowly, "If Ama's dear daughter likes it, Ama will certainly think of a way. If she doesn't like it, then so be it, it has nothing to do with me."

  Zhilan blushed and said, "Ama, I don't know what he's thinking. When I told him earlier that Ama would arrange an official position for him in Beijing, he didn't agree. He's really stubborn. Ama, please save him this time."

  "Is there anyone who does not want to be an official in the capital? How strange!"

  "Uh-huh, that's him."

  A flash of unusual color flickered in Zilan's eyes. Although Li Zhen refused, it made Zilan think that Li Zhen had a proud bone.

  Guiliang's face revealed a subtle smile, someone who could refuse his arranged official position was quite impressive. However, Guiliang knew that Li Zhen and Qi Shan had met the Emperor and also heard that Li Zhen had gained the favor of Xianfeng, such a person would absolutely not be one who didn't understand adaptability, it's worth testing him out.

  Kei thought of his daughter becoming a big girl but no one liked her, and he was anxious in his heart.

  It's hard to let go of one, and Gui Liang doesn't want to miss it either.

  "Listen, my dear daughter," said Gui Liang. "Auntie also wants to help you, but Auntie has to tell you the truth. Given the current situation, Li Zhen is already in a precarious position and cannot back down from the duel. Whether he wins or loses, he will have to fight the Russian. We can only wait for the outcome and then decide what to do."

  Zhilan said: "Ama takes action, and can certainly turn bad luck into good fortune."

  Gui Liangxin smiled bitterly in his heart, this matter was indeed difficult to handle. But if Li Zhenren won, it would be a great sensation in the capital, and he would have made a big show of himself, with boundless prospects ahead.

  PS: The sixth update, finished work for today.