Zhao Ji's laughter immediately caused all the new Jinshi to lower their heads.
It was strange, really. If you shouted "ugly" on the street, everyone would probably think you were talking about someone else.
But if you yelled "handsome guy," most men would assume you were talking about them.
Just like at this moment, Han Mo, with his thick skin, thought exactly that.
"Today is the Qionglin Banquet. Where is my top scholar?"
On an occasion like this, the top three scholars—Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua—were naturally the brightest stars.
However, due to the essay, even in such a setting, Zhao Ji did not hesitate to show his favoritism towards Han Mo.
This made Mei Yaochen, the second-place scholar, and Liu Xingbang, the third-place scholar, feel a wave of awkwardness.
Originally, on this occasion, the three of them should have stepped forward together, stood by the emperor's side, toasted him, and then returned to their seats.
But they never expected that the emperor, in his excitement, would completely forget about the other two.
They had practiced for this moment countless times.
After all, this was a moment of great honor for their ancestors. How to salute, how to advance, how to retreat during the toast—they had rehearsed it all in their minds innumerable times.
Now, at the crucial moment of their appearance, being put in this situation by the emperor had truly left them flustered.
Attending the Qionglin Banquet as the top scholar was a first for Han Mo, the thick-skinned fellow, much like a young lady's first time being carried to her wedding sedan.
Upon hearing the emperor's summons, he immediately stood up, tidied his clothes, and then strode confidently towards the emperor and Cai Jing.
After carefully observing Han Mo, Cai Jing suddenly noticed that two more individuals among the new Jinshi were standing outside the main line.
"Red flowers need green leaves to complement them. Where are this year's Bangyan and Tanhua?"
Cai Jing cast a meaningful glance at Han Mo, then smiled at Mei Yaochen and Liu Xingbang below.
Although it was just a simple sentence, it eased the awkwardness of the two.
In that instant, Mei Yaochen and Liu Xingbang felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards Cai Jing.
"Indeed, indeed. Where are the Bangyan and Tanhua?"
Reminded by him, Zhao Ji finally came to his senses and quickly added.
The emperor had finally remembered them. Mei Yaochen and Liu Xingbang truly felt like crying at that moment.
Although their essays were not as brilliant as Han Mo's, the emperor's differential treatment was truly too obvious!
"Your humble subject pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
Regardless of what they were muttering to themselves, being able to officially address the emperor as a subject in front of him filled them with excitement.
Of course, compared to their excitement, Han Mo remained much calmer.
After all, if it weren't for the exceptionally high welfare benefits and the things he needed to do, he wouldn't have been interested in bowing and scraping to others.
"Lift your heads, let me get a good look!"
The three stood less than ten paces from the emperor, listening to his kind voice. Both Mei Yaochen and Liu Xingbang were trembling with excitement.
But when he heard these words, Han Mo felt a peculiar sense of discomfort.
He was the top scholar today, and in such a setting, it was normal for the emperor to say something like this.
Yet, in his ears, it always gave him the feeling of selling himself in a brothel.
"Your Majesty, when you Song people select officials, do you always pick those who are good-looking?"
At that moment, Han Mo suddenly heard a peculiar voice from beside him.
Glancing with the corner of his eye, Han Mo realized that sitting to the emperor's right was a person wearing a fur coat and a felt hat.
What's more, Han Mo actually recognized this person. It was none other than Li Shanqing, the chief envoy of the Jin delegation!
"Hahahaha, it's normal for you foreign envoys not to understand the situation. They are not just good-looking; they are all truly talented!"
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Wang Fu quickly said with a laugh.
"Our Great Jin's officials are all warriors who can fight a hundred with one. Unlike you Song people, who only know how to talk!"
As Li Shanqing spoke, his gaze towards Han Mo was almost spitting fire.
Han Mo's mouth twitched. This old fellow clearly had a hidden agenda, and he was clearly targeting him today.
However, it was fortunate that this fellow was born in the Jin dynasty. If he had been born in the Song dynasty, the grass on his grave would probably be three zhang high by now.
With his simple sentence, he had offended all the civil officials present.
"Then, according to your words, are you also a warrior chosen from a hundred?"
Without giving the emperor any face in front of so many people, the emperor could tolerate it, but the military officers sitting beside him could not.
Zhe Kecun stood up without a second thought. Although he wasn't carrying any weapons today, his mere presence was enough to command respect.
"Naturally!"
Even Li Shanqing realized by now that he had spoken out of turn, but at this moment, he couldn't take back his words.
"Since that's the case, then I truly must ask for your guidance!"
This was a golden opportunity to make a name for himself. Zhe Kecun had been in Bianliang City for so many days, and he certainly wasn't willing to miss such a good chance.
Seeing how obtuse this fellow was, even Emperor Zhao Ji felt a bit displeased. If Zhe Kecun could vent his anger for him now, he would naturally be happy to oblige.
"Zhe Shangge, today is the Qionglin Banquet. It might not be appropriate to draw swords here..."
Seeing the increasingly tense atmosphere, with both sides on the verge of drawing weapons, Tong Guan chuckled and quickly stepped forward to intervene.
He knew Zhe Kecun's temper. If he got carried away and struck the fellow with a sword, wouldn't the alliance with the Liao dynasty be complicated again?
"Your Majesty, esteemed officials, although your humble servant is untalented, I cannot agree with the words of this envoy!"
Seeing Li Shanqing's challenging gaze, Han Mo sneered, flexed his wrists, and stepped forward.
Upon hearing this, Tong Guan was stunned. What did this young man intend to do? He wouldn't dare to fight this Jin man, would he?
Not only Tong Guan, but all the important figures present were also dumbfounded.
"What? Are you challenging me to a fight?"
Li Shanqing chuckled. He still remembered the incident last time when Han Mo forced him to kill his three guards.
"Although Han Mo is untalented, if you have the inclination, your humble servant will naturally oblige!"
Oblige your sister!
Hearing Han Mo's words, Tong Guan's mouth twitched incessantly.
Had this young man eaten something wrong?
This was the Jin envoy. If he were a martial arts champion, it would be one thing, but this young man was the top scholar. Fighting a Jin man was akin to seeking death!
"Your Majesty, on such an occasion today, drawing swords and weapons is rather inappropriate!"
No matter how much Tong Guan disliked Han Mo, he couldn't just stand by and watch the top scholar of the Great Song die in the hands of a Jin person.
"Your Majesty, since our top scholar is inclined, I think it would be best to let the top scholar compete with this envoy in archery!"
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, Cai Yu's pupils constricted, and he said with a cold smile.
This was Han Mo seeking his own doom!
If he didn't make a fool of this kid today, it would be a disservice to himself!
"Hahahaha, archery? Do you Song people even know how to shoot arrows?"
Li Shanqing, though unsure why Cai Yu was helping him, burst into laughter upon hearing this.
Han Mo's mouth also twitched. What was wrong with Cai Yu today?
Did he also find this kid displeasing?