Chapter 41 The Martial Tournament Once Again

Su Zihuan was well aware of the strength possessed by those separatist forces.

Should he displease them, he truly could not afford to take such a risk.

Upon hearing mention of the imperial court, the assembled officials suddenly understood the situation.

Holding martial examinations at present was hardly a wise choice, and they vied with one another to offer dissuading advice.

Witnessing the officials trying to persuade him, Fang Han immediately hatched a plan in his mind.

What he feared right now was not the imperial court; after all, the Great Zhou dynasty had only recently been established, and it was hardly the time to stir up another military conflict.

Even if Lin Qingxue wished to dispatch troops to the southern frontier, the ministers of the imperial court would never consent.

The greatest concern regarding holding the martial examinations came from the separatist factions in the southern frontier.

Once those factions were brought under control, there would be no trouble in opening the examinations.

Therefore, Fang Han decided to employ a tactic of reverse psychology.

"When this official was traveling to the southern frontier, I already heard rumors circulating among the ministers in the capital."

"Presently, the Great Zhou has just been stabilized, and with a shortage of military commanders, the court is indeed discussing the holding of martial examinations. Perhaps the imperial edict will reach the southern frontier after the new year."

"It will not be too late to hold the examinations then."

When Fang Han finished speaking, the generals exchanged glances, a surge of joy welling up in their hearts.

Among these men, some had previously participated in past martial examinations, while others had enlisted merely to secure a livelihood after the southern frontier rebellion broke out, never having had the chance to take part in such tests.

To military generals, the martial examinations were comparable to the imperial civil service examinations.

Especially in the aftermath of warfare, when commanders were scarce and replacements urgently needed.

A single martial examination could result in a direct imperial appointment as a general, leading troops into battle, earning meritorious service, and establishing a lifelong legacy.

That was infinitely more promising than lingering in the tiny southern frontier.

Hearing that the imperial court was about to institute martial examinations, they naturally felt overjoyed.

In truth, Fang Han's words were not entirely baseless.

As early as when the hostilities had just subsided, some individuals had indeed proposed opening the martial examinations.

However, Fang Li had flatly rejected the idea, claiming that the soldiers needed time to recuperate and rebuild.

In reality, Fang Li was merely afraid that his own position and authority would be threatened.

Now, half a year had passed, and the neighboring state of Liang was once again plagued by warfare; no one could say for certain whether the flames of war might eventually spread to the Great Zhou.

Thus, holding the martial examinations had become an absolute necessity.

Hearing Fang Han's words and harboring no doubts as to their authenticity, the officials dropped the subject entirely.

One general asked excitedly, "My lord, is what you say true?"

At these words, Fang Han instantly rose to his feet and said in a booming voice, "Of course it is true! Would this official need to deceive you? But you must all listen well and keep this firmly in mind."

The generals fixed their gaze on Fang Han, waiting to hear what he would say next.

"When the martial examinations commence, you must all put on a stellar performance for this official and outshine Fang Li completely."

"Whoever manages to defeat Fang Li shall have a shrine dedicated to him by this official right here in the southern frontier. Should anyone fall in battle, I shall erect a memorial temple for him and petition the imperial court to posthumously confer official ranks and titles upon him!"

Upon hearing this, the generals felt their blood boiling with excitement.

Especially since Fang Han had specifically mentioned Fang Li, his words laced with boundless bitterness and resentment.

Although they remained unaware of the underlying reasons, seeing Fang Han display such intense emotions convinced them that the matter was undoubtedly true.

Everyone now believed that the imperial court was indeed going to initiate the martial examinations.

The news spread rapidly from the prefectural yamen, sweeping across the entire provincial capital within mere days.

The martial arts tournament was consequently held with roaring enthusiasm and fervor.

No one was participating for the sake of the modest prizes; every single competitor was preparing for the imperial examinations.

On the sparring platform, the combatants fought as if they wished nothing more than to slaughter their opponents, all to reduce the number of competitors.

After all, with every rival eliminated, one could potentially advance further in the upcoming martial examinations.

To lead troops into battle, achieve military glory, and attain noble titles was no longer an unattainable dream.

Under Fang Han's instructions, Fang Da and his men also stepped onto the stage to compete.

Fang Da's very first opponent was once again Zhao Hu.

"Commander Zhao, trust you have been well since we last met," Fang Da said coldly.

"Commander Fang, I advise you to step down of your own accord," Zhao Hu retorted with utter disdain.

During this period, the city defense camp had intensified its daily training regimen.

Had it not been for his prior defeat at the hands of Zhao Hu, the separatist factions might have suspected that Fang Han was plotting something else entirely.

Even though the rigorous training of the city defense camp was common knowledge by now, Zhao Hu still held Fang Da in low regard.

While the defense camp was training, his own men were training as well.

Since he had defeated Fang Da the last time, he could undoubtedly defeat him again.

Fang Da assumed a combat stance and roared, "Come!"

With that, he exerted a burst of explosive strength and charged directly toward Zhao Hu.

Zhao Hu stepped forward to meet him, and the two traded dozens of blows without a clear victor emerging.

Inwardly, Fang Da felt a sense of mockery as he gradually reined in his physical strength.

In truth, he had only been using fifty percent of his power.

Fang Da was naturally tall and heavily built, possessing a physical strength far surpassing that of ordinary men.

Had it not been for Fang Han's explicit command to intentionally lose to Zhao Hu, Fang Da could have subdued him in fewer than ten exchanges.

Sensing that Fang Da's attacks were growing weaker, and observing the grimace of apparent strain on his face, Zhao Hu concluded that his opponent was merely a paper tiger.

Someone possessing a massive frame but entirely devoid of genuine substance.

With a sudden burst of effort, Zhao Hu forced Fang Da back.

"You've lost," Zhao Hu said indifferently.

Angered, Fang Da shouted, "I haven't fallen off the stage yet! Again!"

Down by the platform, the closest onlookers were soldiers belonging to other factions.

Three commanders were also watching the match.

They unanimously agreed that although Fang Da had not tumbled off the platform, having been repelled by Zhao Hu's force meant he had already lost.

Seeing Fang Da's sophistical excuses, they felt an even greater contempt for Fang Han's subordinates.

Zhao Hu chuckled softly and said, "Compared to last time, you've improved, but you still lost."

"I haven't lost! If you have the guts, come again!" Roaring, Fang Da charged at Zhao Hu once more.

With a cold sneer, Zhao Hu tightened his grip on his broadsword and slashed fiercely forward. As their weapons collided, Fang Da deliberately released his grip, feigning that his weapon had been knocked out of his hands by the impact.

"You've lost."

Just as Zhao Hu prepared to lower his blade, Fang Da abruptly lunged forward and shoved him hard. Taken by surprise and off balance, Zhao Hu staggered back a few steps and tumbled right off the platform.

Jumping up, Fang Da laughed heartily and shouted, "I haven't lost, you're the one who lost! Is there anyone else who dares to come up and face me?"

The spectators watching from below all looked at Fang Da with expressions of disdain.

The three commanders in particular began to hurl sarcastic taunts.

"Commander Fang truly has marvelous skills."

"A wonderful sneak attack by Commander Fang. So what if you can't beat him fairly? No one ever said sneak attacks weren't allowed."

"Hahahahaha."

Not only Fang Da, but several commoners with some basic martial arts training also began to hiss and jeer.

Fang Da's face flushed crimson. He had no wish to make a fool of himself, but having received strict orders from Fang Han, he had no alternative.

With no other choice, he could only stand upon the stage and roar with impotent fury, "Get up here, all of you! Who dares to fight me?"

Not a single person stepped onto the platform.

The commanders looked down upon him, while the commoners did not dare to challenge him. Some folks, even though they found Fang Da distasteful, chose to hold their tongues out of respect for the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion.

Moreover, even if they did go up, there was no guarantee they could defeat Fang Da.

Humiliated by being shoved off the stage, Zhao Hu flew into a rage and leaped furiously back onto the platform.

This time, however, it was Fang Da who adopted an air of smug triumph. "You've already lost. I don't fight with losers."

Though consumed by anger yet helpless to change the outcome, Zhao Hu let out a cold snort and jumped back down.

Right and wrong would eventually be judged by others.

Left with no opponents, Fang Da had no choice but to step down from the platform.

Shortly thereafter, Fang Yuan and the others also stepped up to fight a few rounds, all ending in defeat without exception.

Through this endeavor, Fang Han intended to plant a seed in the hearts of these men, instilling in them the illusion of exceptional competence.

Only then would they desperately yearn to participate in the martial examinations; after all, with the chance to command troops in battle and achieve glory, who would willingly consent to remain cooped up in a tiny, insignificant southern frontier?