Wang Yan of Song, this is a monarch with mixed praises and criticisms.

He was the younger brother of Song Tichengjun, the previous monarch of Song State. He served as a general of Song State when he was over 20 years old. He was brave and good at fighting and had great prestige in the Song State army. Therefore, his army later supported him to usurp the throne of his brother.

In the eyes of outsiders, especially in the rumors released by Qi, Song Wangyan was an absolute tyrant. It was rumored that he was disrespectful to heaven and earth, did not value etiquette, was addicted to wine and color, and said that he had cut open the back of a hunchbacked man and cut off the legs of a man crossing the river in the morning. In fact, these were all slandering the state of Qi to Song Wangyan. The reason was that Song Wangyan usurped the throne of Song Tichengjun, who was good at Qi, and led Song, who had once surrendered to Qi, to challenge the majesty of Qi, which was intolerable to Qi.

Therefore, Qi released rumors and slandered Wang Yan of Song as "Jie and Zhou's rebirth". However, in fact, the Confucianism, the most influential contemporary public opinion, never made negative comments on Wang Yan of Song. Mencius, the leader of Confucianism, even respected Song Yan as King of Song, and advised Song Wang Yan to govern the country with "benevolent politics", saying that this way, he would not be afraid of Qi and Chu.

Compared with Mencius's first mission to Wei State when he saw King Xiang of Wei, when he left, he said that King Xiang of Wei did not look like a monarch. His behavior of calling Song Yan the King of Song was already extremely friendly.

Of course, this is also because Mencius himself had a good impression of the State of Song, because at that time, there were only one and a half countries that governed the country and promoted benevolent government, namely the State of Teng, which was defeated by the State of Song a few years ago, and half of the State of Song.

It sounds ironic. Wang Yan, who was slandered by Qi as the reincarnation of Jie and Zhou, actually promoted benevolent government under his rule. Although the Song State implemented benevolent government mainly because of the favorable relationship between the state prime minister, at least Wang Yan of Song also had to recognize this matter?

In addition to Mencius, the one who has a great favor for Song Wang Yan and Song State was Zhao's father.

Zhao Zhufu and Song Wangyan had a solid alliance for more than 30 years. During this period, Zhao and Song had never had any conflicts or frictions. When Meng Zhong was still in Zhao, he heard Zhao Zhufu praise Song Wangyan as his most trusted and reliable ally more than once.

As the saying goes, stories gather together, and people are divided into groups. Mencius, Zhao Zhufu and others all admire Song Wang Yan so much. Of course, Song Wang Yan would not be the foolish monarch who was rumored to be "reborn Jie and Zhou".

Of course, things have two sides, not to mention people. Song Wangyan also has shortcomings, such as being warlike, irritable, and bloodthirsty.

When Song Wang Yan seized his brother Song Tichengjun's position, he couldn't stand his brother's waving his tail to ask for mercy on Qi. After all, in terms of the "status" of the vassal states, Song State is one of the "three wise men" of the Zhou royal family, and his status is much higher than that of Qi. Therefore, in order to restore the dignity of Song State, Song Wang Yan, after seizing his brother's monarch, launched three wars against Qi, Chu, and Wei within a few years. He fought all the three powerful countries that were coveted by Song State's richness, in order to show these three countries that Song State had a decision to burn all the jade and stones, and would never forgive the enemy country that tried to invade Song State, even if it was a powerful country.

Perhaps in the eyes of many people, Song Wangyan's actions were a bit disgusting, but the facts proved that after three consecutive wars, Qi, Chu and Wei were indeed shocked, and no longer violated Song for more than thirty years.

On the contrary, after 20 or 30 years of rest and recuperation, Wang Yan of Song once again launched a target against Teng State and the expansion of Huai and Si land, expanding the territory of Song State.

As for irritability and bloodthirsty, these two shortcomings can actually be discussed together.

Song Wangyan had a bad temper and was easily angry, and he would kill people when he got angry. Therefore, the ministers of Song State were afraid of this monarch.

But in fact, Song Wangyan was definitely not killing people in a state of loyalty. For example, Hui Ang. It is no exaggeration to say that all the ministers of Song State advised and disobeyed Song Wangyan as much as Hui Ang. However, until now, Hui Ang is still alive and still serves as the prime minister of Song State and is highly valued by Song Wangyan.

On the contrary, a villain like Tang Yang who only knows how to flatter him only said something to cater to Song Wangyan when Song Wangyan was having a dispute with Hui Ang, but was killed by Song Wangyan instead. Song Wangyan angrily vented his anger towards Hui Ang on Tang Yang.

This incident is enough to prove that Song Wangyan is not a foolish monarch who is indistinguishable from right and wrong. On the contrary, he is still a wise monarch, but his usual tyrannical and bloodthirsty image is really hard to get involved with the wise monarch.

At this moment, when Meng Zhong said those words that openly challenged Song Wangyan, the nearby waiters and guards were stunned.

You should know that looking at the entire Song Dynasty, no one dared to point at Song Wangyan and say something like "Come on, let me wake you up, the old fool." The prince Dai Wu dared not, nor could the prime minister Hui An, let alone Dai Busheng, Dai Yingzhi and others.

Who is this young man named Meng Zhong?

Just when everyone present thought that this young man would definitely die and would definitely be killed by Song Wangyan's guards, Song Wangyan unexpectedly accepted the young man's challenge.

In front of everyone, Song Wang Yan ordered someone to get a set of armor and ordered the palace maids present to help Meng Zhong wear them. During this period, he chatted with Meng Zhong with a sword: "Since you have returned to Song, it seems that the war between Wei and Qin has ended?"

"ah."

With the help of two terrified palace maids, Meng Zhong put on his armor and replied: "It ended almost in late July. In the next half month, I discussed the issue of cede land with Wei Ran of Qin."

"Ceave the land?"

Song Wangyan opened his eyes wide in surprise: "Qin State cedes territory? Did you help Wei State regain the Xihe?"

"It's just that more than 200 miles of land including Dali, Linjin, Yuanli, Heyang, Shaoliang, and Jigus are not considered complete Xihe County. Compared with Xihe County, which was once the Wei State, there are still several cities in the hands of Qin, such as Yinjin. However, it is almost impossible to force Qin to cede Yinjin. If Qin State loses Yinjin, the path of sending troops to the Central Plains will be cut off..." Meng Zhong did not explain in detail, but just said a few words simply.

"Are there more than two hundred miles of land?"

A trace of dazedness flashed across Song Wangyan's face.

You should know that in recent years, the Song State occupied Teng State, Xueyi, and Huai and Si, and whether these places were all over 200 miles or not was still unknown. However, the young man in front of him helped Wei State seize more than 200 miles of land from Qin State through a war that took more than half a year.

Thinking of this, Song Wangyan could not help but feel a little envious, jealous and hatred towards Wei.

‘Did you ever think about coming back?’

Song Wangyan couldn't help but want to ask this question, but he couldn't help but ask indirectly, and asked lightly: "What will the King of Wei reward you for this contribution to the State of Wei?"

"The King of Wei was named Marquis of Yan." Meng Zhong asked calmly.

Hearing this, the two young palace maids who were wearing armor for him flashed in their eyes and looked at each other with shock.

The young man in front of him, who was about their age, was actually a marquis of Wei?

The waiters and guards who heard this also opened their eyes wide in horror at this moment.

It’s no wonder that the marquis has become the title of the most powerful minister in the present. Ordinary people may not be able to obtain it for their entire lives, but this young man... was he so young?

"Yenhou?"

Wang Yan of Song stumbled for a moment and deliberately asked: "There is only one title? Where is the corresponding title? Where is the fief?"

Meng Zhong replied calmly: "I don't know... I heard some rumors at that time, so I set off for Song before I could reward my merits. There might be a follow-up."

When he heard the "some rumors" that Meng Zhong said, and thought of this son's bad attitude, in fact, Song Wangyan had already guessed a little. But not only did he not get angry, he admired Meng Zhong quite a lot. After all, after Meng Zhong heard that his home country was in trouble, he didn't even care about the reward of the marquis and rushed back to Song State. How many people in the Song Dynasty who are abroad can do it?

"I advise you to have some snacks." Song Wangyan deliberately sobbed: "Wei Shi has always been stingy. Considering that you have a grudge with Tian Wen, don't just get a silly Kong Jue, the Kong Jue who is a marquis..." After a pause, he added meaningfully: "I can confer such an Kong Jue at will."

Meng Zhong glanced at Song Wangyan and sneered: "Is this your invitation to me?"

"ridiculous!"

Song Wangyan sneered with a stern face: "Who do you think you are? You think that if you helped Wei seize more than 200 miles, I will take you..."

As he spoke, he couldn't continue.

Well, this time Meng Zhong helped Wei seize more than 200 miles of land from Qin. In fact, he felt envious and jealous. After all, Meng Zhong was a native of Song and should have been the general of his Song State to open up territory for Song State.

But he couldn't bear to see the young man in front of him... Song Wangyan, who has been so strong and stubborn since childhood.

He thought for a while and said, "If I can't stay in Wei in the future, I can consider giving you a position as a military Sima."

Hearing this, Meng Zhong sneered and sneered: "I hope I lose power in Wei State, you might as well abdicate and pass the throne to the crown prince. I will consider it."

"..." Song Wangyan's face darkened and he stopped talking.

At this time, the two palace maids had helped Meng Zhong wear armor, and Meng Zhong smiled one by one: "Thank you two."

"No, no need..." The two palace maids were frightened and lowered their heads and quickly left Meng Zhong.

It’s not that Meng Zhong’s smile is so scary, but that Meng Zhong’s straightforward words that made Song Wangyan abdicate scare them.

Including the waiters and guards watching not far away, although Meng Zhong spoke without any burden, the people who heard it only heard cold sweat on their foreheads, and they called in their hearts that the Marquis of Wei was so bold that they dared to say such things.

In front of everyone, Meng Zhong, who had already worn armor, slowly walked towards Song Wangyan. While walking, he slowly pulled out the sharp sword that Song Wangyan had given him.

Seeing this, Song Wangyan also raised the sword in his hand and looked at Meng Zhong in a deep voice, "Boy, you've been ten years? Let me see your growth and see where you have the courage to speak rudely to me!"

"Hmph! Please give me advice from King Song!"

With a cold snorting, Meng Zhong quickly walked towards Song Wangyan.

At the same time, Hui Ann was still in the military camp outside the city, paying attention to the transportation of meat, while talking about the current situation with Dai Busheng.

As they were chatting, two guards rushed here in a hurry and reported: "Hui Xiang, Sima, a servant from Hui Xiang's mansion came outside the camp and said that there was something important to see Hui Xiang immediately."

Dai Busheng looked at Hui'an after hearing this, and asked silently: Something happened at your home?

Hui Ann shook his head and thought to himself that I don’t know.

Seeing this, Dai Busheng ordered someone to bring in the servants from Hui'an Mansion. As a result, the two servants said anxiously as soon as they saw Hui'an, "Master, the second uncle is back..."

Hui Ang was stunned for a moment, and then realized that the second uncle mentioned by the servant might be referring to his righteous brother Meng Zhong.

"You mean my brother Meng Zhong?"

“That’s right.”

"Ha!" Hui'an asked happily when he heard this, "Where is Ah Zhong at this moment? Are you in your residence?"

"No." Another servant shook his head and said breathlessly: "Uncle Second went straight to the palace to invite the king. He heard from the guards at the palace gate that Uncle Second looked gloomy and seemed to have something big..."

"Go straight to see the king? Not good!"

Hui Ang thought a little, then realized that the situation was not good.

You know, when Meng Zhong came to Pengcheng, he always saw him paying homage to his house and recounted his brotherhood. When did he see him go straight to the palace to invite Wang Yan to Song?

If something goes wrong, you will be a demon. This time Meng Zhong went straight to see Song Wangyan, and he would definitely be a bad thing!

Thinking of this, Hui Ang didn't care about staying any longer, and turned to Dai Busheng, who was also surprised, and said: "Really speaking, my brother still has many things in the Wei State, so he wouldn't return to Song State like this. He must have heard of the 'that thing' and went to argue with the king..."

Dai Busheng also knew the pros and cons of the matter, so he hurriedly said, "I am not convenient for me to come forward. Hui Xiang asked him to return to the palace immediately. Meng Zhong and the king... Alas, Hui Xiang, let's leave immediately."

Hui Ann nodded, immediately said goodbye to Dai Busheng, and took his servant to return to Pengcheng in a carriage.

Back in Pengcheng City, Hui'an and his group went straight to the palace.

As Hui Ang's identity, there is no need to inform him. After giving in to the palace gate, Hui Ang got off the carriage and ran to the palace alone.

Along the way, he asked a team of guards about the location of Song Wangyan: "Where is the king right now?"

The guard replied: "In the palace schoolyard, he is competing with a young man named Meng Zhong."

A sword?

Isn't this just a hit?

Hui Ang was in shock and sweated from his forehead and rushed to the schoolyard.

After he arrived at the school ground, he looked around and saw two people wearing armor and competing in martial arts. One was Song Wangyan and the other was his brother Meng Zhong.

The two of them competed in swords while arguing.
To be continued...