Emperor Lin Mubai coughed again as he sensed the reaction of the crowd. With a flip of his palm, a pair of boots appeared out of thin air.
It was a pair of dark blue boots lined with gold. There were a few white clouds embroidered on it. He could not tell what it was made of, but it was probably made of a soft metal.
Fang Zhengzhi looked at the pair of boots in confusion and disdain. "Is the prize this pair of shoes?"
How stingy!
Where was the trust between people?
Where was the prize the Emperor was supposed to give out? If he really could not afford it, he could at least give out a few boxes of gold. How much was a pair of shoes worth?
Just as Fang Zhengzhi was feeling a little disappointed, the crowd suddenly let out an exaggerated scream of terror.
"It's the Drifting Cloud Boots!"
"Oh my god, the prize for first place is the Drifting Cloud Boots!"
"Isn't that a little too much? I want it so badly. If I knew it was the Drifting Cloud Boots, I would have participated even if it cost me my life. Mummy... I want the Drifting Cloud Boots. "
All of the spectators' eyes turned red. They stared at the pair of boots in Emperor Lin Mubai's hands, almost drooling.
Especially those who had participated in the competition. All of them were pounding their chests and stomping their feet in regret. They hated themselves for not being more careful and following behind the rest of the group. They did not take a look at the fourth recording tablet.
If not, the Drifting Cloud Boots would have ended up in their hands.
All of the spectators looked at Fang Zhengzhi with jealousy. "Is the Drifting Cloud Boots really going to go to that shameless Fang Zhengzhi? Damn it! "
Those who did not participate in the hunt all glanced at Fang Zhengzhi with mocking expressions.
You want the Drifting Cloud Boots?
No way!
These were two completely different looks. Half of them were filled with jealousy, the other half were filled with mockery.
As for Fang Zhengzhi himself, he did not understand what was going on when he heard the discussions around him.
"Drifting Cloud Boots? What the hell? Are they worth a lot? "
Just as he was confused, a few of the older spectators began to show off in front of the other spectators.
"I really didn't expect His Majesty to be so magnanimous. To take out the Drifting Cloud Boots as the prize for this horse race hunt, I can't help but gasp in admiration. "
"That's right! These Drifting Cloud Boots are a true treasure!"
"Although the Drifting Cloud Boots are not one of the ten great treasures of the Great Xia Dynasty, but … It is the only peerless treasure that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ten Great Treasures. "
"Most importantly, these Drifting Cloud Boots were worn by my ancestor during the founding of the empire. It has an extraordinary significance!"
"Meaning is one thing. Another thing is that these Drifting Cloud Boots have the 'Great Xia Drifting Cloud'. Wearing these Drifting Cloud Boots, it is equivalent to moving through mountains and rivers, as if they are flattening the ground! "
Fang Zhengzhi's jaw dropped when he heard this. This treasure was so powerful! Mountains and rivers flattened? Didn't that mean that he would be able to escape very quickly?
Fang Zhengzhi smiled as he thought about it.
Not bad, I can make do with it.
The other nobles did not know what Fang Zhengzhi was thinking. If they knew that Fang Zhengzhi's first impression of the Drifting Cloud Boots was that it was a good escape tool. They would definitely beat him to death.
After Emperor Lin Mubai showcased the Drifting Cloud Boots, he took out the second and third place prizes one by one.
Almost every treasure that was taken out immediately caused a wave of exclamations.
Fang Zhengzhi didn't know much about these treasures, so he didn't feel too strongly about them. His thinking was very simple. It didn't matter how many treasures there were. Even if he didn't use some of them, he could still use them as hidden weapons.
Take his battle with Ying Shan in the World of the Sage as an example. At that time, he had used the Blazing Qilin Spear as a hidden weapon. It was indeed very effective.
After displaying the prizes, Emperor Lin Mubai did not say anything else. After placing the prizes on the table one by one, he sat down again.
The Ministry of Rites official stood out at this moment. He knew that it was time for him to take the stage.
"Alright, before I announce the results of the competition, there is one more important thing that needs to be clarified. The competition has always been fair and just. As such, we have to deal with anyone who purposely sabotages the competition. Even if this person wins the competition, he or she will be stripped of his or her prize! "
At this point, the Ministry of Rites official scanned the crowd. Very quickly, he discovered the change in the expressions of the crowd. Especially the candidates who were participating in the competition. All of them widened their eyes as though they had discovered a new continent.
Indeed!
The Ministry of Rites official knew that. He did not beat around the bush and continued to speak.
"The tradition of horse racing and hunting has been passed down for hundreds of years in the Great Xia Dynasty, and the rules have always been approved by everyone. However, no matter how reasonable the rules are, there will definitely be loopholes. Hence, for this horse racing and hunting competition, with the approval of the Emperor, we have decided to add another rule."
"Are we changing the rules?"
"This is good news. Fang Zhengzhi moved the directional stone without permission. This is against the rules. We have to report him!"
"That's right, that's right."
Very quickly, the Ministry of Rites official's words attracted the attention of all of the candidates. All of them craned their necks, waiting for the Ministry of Rites official to continue.
Fang Zhengzhi frowned. That can't be right? Change the rules! They didn't mention this before the competition. Are they trying to trick me? This wasn't good for them.
Just as he was thinking about this, the Ministry of Rites official spoke again.
"The new rule is simple. No one is allowed to move... the recording tablet!" The Minister of Rites paused for a moment before continuing, "The recording tablets represent the four points of the competition. If the recording tablets can be moved, it would be against the rules of the competition. I'm sure everyone has no objections, right?"
"No objections!"
Very soon, the spectating aristocratic families' descendants began to shout. This was the moment they had been waiting for.
All of the participating candidates frowned. Was it because they couldn't move the recording tablet? Even after adding this rule, it was useless.
The Ministry of Rites official did not speak. He looked at all of the candidates. He waited for them to report him.
However, something unexpected happened. After half an incense stick, no one spoke.
The Ministry of Rites official was in an awkward position.
What was going on?
He had already explained the rules to them. If they didn't report him now, when would they?
The Ministry of Rites official was not the only one. All of the officials and Emperor Lin Mubai were confused as well. Shouldn't they be reporting now?
What went wrong?
"Ahem... is there anyone who has anything to say?" The Ministry of Rites official waited for a while longer. He could not hold it in any longer and asked.
"Sir Minister, I have a question to ask!" Very quickly, a candidate who was participating in the horse race and hunt stepped forward.
"Oh? If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Don't be afraid of offending anyone. "The Ministry of Rites official said courteously, giving the candidate the courage to speak.
"What I want to ask is, if someone moves the directional stone during the competition, would that be against the rules?" Does that count as breaking the rules? "The candidate quickly asked his own question.
When they heard this, all of the other candidates were filled with anticipation. As soon as the Ministry of Rites official nodded, they would report Fang Zhengzhi.
They had to get rid of Fang Zhengzhi.
However, the Ministry of Rites official did not nod. Instead, he shook his head.
"The directional stone is placed before the competition. It is normal for the horses to be startled during the competition. It is not against the rules." The Ministry of Rites official thought to himself. He turned to look at Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping and shook his head.
"Oh..." The candidate was extremely disappointed.
The other candidates who were participating in the competition were equally disappointed. How could this not be considered breaking the rules? Aish... what happened to fairness?
Fang Zhengzhi smiled brightly.
It was a false alarm. Originally, he really wanted to take that thing away. Unfortunately, he didn't manage to dig it out. He really wanted to, but he couldn't.
She pouted her lips and looked at Fang Zhengzhi with a look of indignation. She muttered to herself, "This shameless fella is really lucky!"
Ninth Prince Lin Yun smiled. It was all thanks to Fang Zhengzhi that he was able to get third place in this competition.
Otherwise, there was a high chance that Ping Yang would take the third place.
No one said a word. All of the competitors were waiting for the Ministry of Rites official to announce the results.
As for the Ministry of Rites official, he continued to wait.
Until...
15 minutes passed.
"Do you all have any more questions?" The Minister of the Ministry of Rites asked again and again if there was any problem. For a Minister of the Six Ministries, this was not a very comfortable thing to do.
However, he had no choice but to ask.
Because...
Emperor Lin Mubai was still waiting for him to eliminate Fang Zhengzhi.
When all of the competitors heard this, they looked at each other and shook their heads.
You already said that moving the directional stone is not against the rules. What problem could there be?
"Is there really no problem?"
"Nope."
"..." The Ministry of Rites official felt like he was on the verge of collapsing. He turned to look at Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping, then back at Emperor Lin Mubai.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping and Emperor Lin Mubai were also on the verge of collapsing.
What was going on?
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping placed his hand on his chair. Just as he was about to stand up, he felt as though he had been struck by lightning.
Hang on...
Someone had asked if moving the directional stone was against the rules.
Could it be...
Oh no!
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's expression darkened.
At the same time, Emperor Lin Mubai's expression darkened as well. He had also thought of the same question. This was a question that no one had thought of before.
After all, it was too easy to move the Earth Realm Wayfinding Stone.
Even though a large portion of the candidates were outsiders, there were still members of the royal family like Ping Yang and the Ninth Prince.
How could people like them, who hunted in the Eastern Suburbs Hunting Grounds, go the wrong way?
No one would have thought of doing this.
More importantly, if Fang Zhengzhi had only moved the directional stone, how would he have passed the first recording tablet?
Why would Ping Yang's name appear on the fourth recording tablet right after Fang Zhengzhi?
If this was a coincidence...
That was too much of a coincidence!
Emperor Lin Mubai could not understand. Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping could not understand either. None of the officials present could understand.
After looking around, the Ministry of Rites official saw something in Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's eyes. It was a simple look, almost as though he was looking at all of the competitors.
However, the Ministry of Rites official understood.
"Well … before we officially hand out the rewards, is there anyone willing to share what they saw and heard during the competition, as well as their feelings and experiences from the competition?" The Ministry of Rites official thought of a good excuse. He emphasized on the words' what you saw and heard '. He was afraid that some of the competitors would only talk about their experiences.
As the Ministry of Rites official spoke, all of the candidates looked at each other, not understanding what the Ministry of Rites official meant.
After all, there was no such thing in the past competitions.
However, the opportunity to showcase their eloquence in front of Emperor Lin Mubai and Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping was enough to excite them.
Very quickly, one of the competitors stepped forward.
"I am willing to share!"
"Good, you can tell us in detail." The Ministry of Rites official nodded encouragingly.
When the candidate heard this, his eyes lit up. The meaning behind these words was extraordinary. It meant that he would have more time to display his talents.
After clearing his throat, the competitor began to recount his experiences.
From the inspection of the horses at the beginning of the race to the thoughts in his mind, he told her everything in detail. In between, he also described the surroundings of the hunting ground in the eastern suburbs and his feelings about it.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Emperor for personally hosting this competition.
His speech flowed smoothly like water. Just the beginning of the competition alone took him a full fifteen minutes. The officials who heard him rolled their eyes. The Minister of Rites was the most pitiful. After all, everyone else was sitting, and he was the only one standing.
He was an old man. He could not stand for too long.
"F * ck, can you get to the point?" Minister Shu of the Ministry of Rites still looked like he was bathing in the spring breeze, but he cursed in his heart.
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