"Your Majesty, you must administer justice for your subject!"
"This person was causing a disturbance outside the palace gates. I merely reprimanded him, and he proceeded to beat me."
"Furthermore, he brazenly claimed to be the Taizong Emperor of our dynasty. Such an act is treasonous. I implore Your Majesty to issue an decree to have him executed on the spot!"
"His accomplices should also be apprehended and handed over to the Dali Temple for rigorous interrogation!"
Sima Guang, with snot and tears streaming down his face, accused Zhao Xu of Zhao Guangyi's brutality, his words conveying a burning desire to devour his flesh and drink his blood.
Having entered officialdom with the reputation of a child prodigy, when had he ever suffered such humiliation!
"Oh, is that so?" Zhao Xu's voice was somewhat cold.
His gaze swept over the eight helicopters parked outside Xuande Gate. He didn't know their purpose, but they certainly didn't appear to be ordinary objects.
And the middle-aged man standing at the gate, why did he look so familiar?
With his suspicions aroused, he temporarily suppressed his killing intent and called out to Zhao Guangyi in a clear voice.
"Who are you people, daring to commit violence outside the palace gates? Do you disregard the laws of our Great Song, or do you believe my Imperial Guards are mere decorations?"
The emperors of the Song Dynasty generally referred to themselves as 'I' to foster a closer relationship with their ministers. The term '朕' (zhen) was rarely used.
When this term appeared, it signified either a major event like a sacrifice or an intention to carry out a punitive action.
Zhao Guangyi felt his face fall before his great-great-grandson. The humiliation he felt in front of Li Shimin caused his recently quelled anger to flare up instantly.
"Presumptuous! I am your high ancestor!"
"You cannot recognize me? Have you not seen my portrait in the ancestral temple during the annual sacrifices?"
Zhao Xu blinked, his mind recalling the portraits of past emperors displayed in the ancestral temple. He realized that the man before him did indeed bear a strong resemblance to one of them.
But how could he dare to acknowledge such a claim of ancestry so casually?
Seeing Zhao Xu falter, Sima Guang quickly interjected, "It is not uncommon for people to resemble each other. You dare to use this as a pretext to insult His Majesty!"
"Our high ancestor has been deceased for many years, how can you desecrate him here!"
"I beg Your Majesty to issue a decree to have this villain executed!"
Ouyang Xiu finally regained his senses. This was not a fabricated story designed to keep him here!
The attire and appearance of these individuals were indeed different from those of the Song people. Only the one claiming to be Taizong wore a somewhat normal outfit.
Belief in ghosts and spirits was not uncommon and held considerable sway among the ancients. Many inexplicable events were attributed to them.
But now that someone was truly before them, claiming to be a spirit, they were ten thousand times unwilling to believe it.
It wasn't that they truly disbelieved, but rather that they dared not!
Spirits were supposed to be high above, how could they easily descend to the mortal realm?
If spirits descended to the mortal realm, were they still spirits?
He tidied his robes and bowed to Zhao Xu, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe it is time for me to depart the capital."
"Yongshu, we will discuss this matter later!" Zhao Xu, still staring at Zhao Guangyi, waved his hand without looking back.
Upon hearing this, Qin Liangyu's eyes lit up. She walked away from the crowd.
"If I am not mistaken, you are Ouyang Xiu, courtesy name Yongshu, one of the Eight Masters of the Tang and Song dynasties."
"I advise you not to exert yourself further. It would be best to remain in the capital and enjoy your old age, perhaps even bring your family here."
This kind of literary giant was an idol to scholars. A woman of both literary and martial prowess like Qin Liangyu naturally knew his background.
According to records, Ouyang Xiu had only two years left to live. She truly couldn't bear to see this old man push himself any further.
The Eight Masters of the Tang and Song dynasties??
As soon as she spoke, everyone present was stunned.
The Great Song had not yet fallen, and yet the rankings of literary masters had already been determined?
Ouyang Xiu felt a little flustered. "My lady, please do not speak such nonsense. How could I possibly merit such a title? I beg you to speak with more discretion."
Literature had no first place, and martial arts had no second. The title of the Eight Masters of the Tang and Song dynasties was akin to placing oneself on a fiery rack.
While one could indulge in such fantasies privately, who would dare to boast in front of others?
Qin Liangyu was also a sharp-witted person. She had been momentarily excited upon seeing her idol, but upon hearing Ouyang Xiu's words, she immediately came to her senses.
"I was indeed presumptuous. I ask for Senior Ouyang's forgiveness!"
As a person from the Ming Dynasty, it was only natural for her to call Ouyang Xiu a senior.
However, Zhao Xu heard these words differently. How could a heavenly being address a mere mortal as a senior?
"Guards, seize this individual impersonating Taizong!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The imperial guards flanking him surged forward, charging towards Zhao Guangyi.
"Presumptuous! If you wish to make a move, ask me first!"
Ge Luoyang, seeing this, quickly brought his men to block them. His Excellency had accepted ten million taels of silver for travel expenses from this person, so he couldn't let him die here.
But as they moved, even more imperial guards charged forward. This was the Imperial Palace of the Great Song!
Not to mention the eight hundred thousand imperial guards outside the city, the imperial guards within the palace alone numbered over ten thousand.
When it came to numbers, my brothers have never lost!
(Although, they've never won a fight~~)
Ge Luoyang twisted his mouth into a smile upon seeing this and, raising his Ak, unleashed a burst of fire towards the ground in front of the imperial guards.
Fighting with numbers, hehe, that's the act of the weak!
True men should fight with bullets!
The imperial guards rushing forward immediately halted, looking at the bullet craters on the ground just a step away. They were filled with lingering fear.
The floor was paved entirely with bluestone, yet it had been gouged with finger-sized holes. What were they holding?
"Insolent! You still dare to resist!"
"Guards, fetch the crossbows and strike them down without mercy!"
Sima Guang clamored from the side, daring to hit me? Kill them!
Zhao Guangyi cast a disdainful glance at him, then said to Zhao Xu.
"No need to shout. The imperial guards are no match for them!"
"Xu'er, if you want to capture me, you'll have to do it yourself. What do you say, dare you exchange a few blows with the Taizu?"
Zhao Xu was caught in a dilemma. The speed of those people's hidden weapons was so rapid, and their power was astonishingly great. If one were to be aimed at him, he might lose his life on the spot.
Furthermore, the person before him shamelessly resorted to provocation. As the ruler of a nation, he could not retreat.
He gritted out through his teeth, "Come, then let me personally capture you, you rebellious wretch!"
With that, he rolled up his sleeves and lunged forward, throwing a punch at Zhao Guangyi.
"Song Emperor, when fighting, kick the opponent's groin first. Your win rate will increase by half, you know~"
Ge Luoyang, seeing the two emperors about to fight, grinned and shouted from the side.
Old Zhao stumbled, almost tripping over his own left foot. Damn it, this was his great-great-grandson. Kicking him would mean no heirs!
Zhao Xu's eyes, however, lit up. He subconsciously took this as a reminder for himself.
The subordinates of this scoundrel spoke such sense!
With that thought, he retracted his fist and extended his leg.
Before Zhao Guangyi could regain his balance, he saw his own grandson kicking him with a deadly blow.
"How dare you~~~"
"Crack!~"
"Ah~~~"
Before he could finish speaking, he let out a scream and fell to the ground.
The indescribable pain made his eyes bulge open, his legs clamped tightly together, and he writhed on the ground, large beads of sweat soaking his clothes as if they were freely given.