Chapter 101: Dragon and Tiger Fight (I)

In the seventh year of Tianbao polo competition, the most anticipated thing was an Anxi army and a Fanyang army. Three years ago, the Anxi army lost with a goal difference, but because of the insults of the Fanyang army general Cai Xide, the two armies fought fiercely on the polo field. The Anxi army left an extremely deep memory for the people of Chang'an with the oath that they would avenge this revenge in three years.

Three years later, both armies entered Beijing with strong force. The Anxi Army swept the Jiannan Army polo team 12-1, showing a kingly style. Fan Yang Army also eliminated the Lingnan team nine-2 in the first game, showing strong strength.

Therefore, the narrow road meeting between the two armies on the ninth day of the first lunar month aroused unprecedented enthusiasm among the people of Chang'an and became the biggest hot spot since the start of the polo competition. In order to see this wonderful dragon-tiger battle, not only the polo fans from various counties in Jingzhao Prefecture also flocked to Chang'an City, but even the polo fans from nearby prefectures and counties such as Fengxiang, Huazhou, Shanzhou, Qingzhou, etc. also came to Chang'an to visit relatives and friends. For a time, the major inns in Chang'an were full, and all public places such as various taverns and brothels were discussing the upcoming battle.

The unprecedented enthusiasm of the people of Chang'an also attracted the attention of the Ministry of War. In order to ensure the excitement of this game, the Ministry of War temporarily changed its plan and specially allowed the Anxi Army and Fan Yang Army to go to the Jianghuai Army to set off one day late so that the two armies have a complete lineup to confront each other.

This polo competition even alarmed Li Longji. He specially issued an order to arrange the game to be held at the Chongyefang Polo Stadium, the largest polo field in Chang'an. In order to prevent a large number of polo fans from pouring into Chongyefang early in the morning, the gate of the house was not closed on the eighth night of the first lunar month, and the Jinwu Guard and the patrol battalion were fully responsible for maintaining order.

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, from noon, countless polo fans went to Chongyefang to occupy favorable positions. At night, there were more and more people. Thousands of fans were sitting on the side of the polo court, carrying blankets and bedding, and they would spend the cold night. On the eve of the match between Anxi Army and Fan Yang Army, countless Chang'an people would be unable to sleep all night.

After sending his son back to Youzhou, Fan Yang Jiedushi An Lushan made another special trip to Chang'an. The match with An Xi army was no longer just a polo game for An Lushan. To some extent, it was a competition of strength between the army and an alternative competition of riding and shooting.

After Shi Siming threw a pot and lost to Li Qing'an at the Yanghuahua birthday party, An Lushan never paid attention to this game as much as he is today.

In the afternoon, the first pre-war meeting was held in An Lushan’s mansion in Chang'an, and An Lushan personally presided over it.

An Lushan, his staff member Yan Zhuang, the official Shi Siming of the Polo team, the deputy Cai Xide of the team, and another core player Yin Ziqi attended the meeting.

"The importance of this competition is. Let me tell you first. If you win the game, it means that An Lushan is good at leading troops and there are many talents in cavalry and shooting. Now that Wang Zhongsi is arrested, the governor of Hexi and Longyou is vacant, it is very likely that people will be transferred from Shuofang or Longyou. In this way, the possibility of my serving as the governor of Shuofang or Hedong will be greatly increased. Therefore, in this game, no chance of winning is allowed. If you win, I will be promoted to everyone and give you a bonus. If you lose, you will be defeated. Humph! Don't blame me for being ruthless."

An Lushan's tone was very strict, his eyes swept towards everyone one by one, and finally fell on Shi Siming's face. Last time, he lost to Li Qing'an in a shameful way. Then this time, if he loses again

Shi Siming knew what An Lushan was thinking, and his face was hot and he quickly bowed and said, "Master, please rest assured, we will never lose this game."

At this time, Yan Zhuang next to him smiled, "General Shi, it's not okay to be very strong, you have to use some strategy."

He said to An Lushan again: "I went to watch the match between the Anxi Army and the Jiannan Polo Team the day before yesterday. Their strength has improved greatly than the last time, especially after Li Qing'an, the Anxi Army is no longer the team three years ago. Grandmaster, I am bluntly speaking, the strength of our Fan Yang Army polo team is already slightly inferior to theirs."

"Mr. Yan, don't be more ambitious."

Cai Xide said with some dissatisfaction: "I have seen their training, and they have their own advantages. I admit that his shooting level is slightly higher, but we are better than them in horse control. We have the most powerful Youzhou Iron Cavalry in the world as the backing and the commander of the great commander himself, which is much more beneficial than their single power."

An Lushan waved his hand decisively and said, "Mr. Yan's words make some sense. Polo matches are actually fighting between the two armies, with clear plans as the main and secret plans as the auxiliary. If we can win tomorrow, we can do whatever we can."

After saying that, he said to Yan Zhuang again: "Sir, I will hand over this matter to you. I will give it to you how much money you want. I will give it to you too!"

Yan Zhuang smiled proudly and said, "Don't worry, the general is not polite. The last time we were plotted against the young general, we returned it to him by his own way. This time, I will let Anxi taste my plan to destroy the family in the Third Ring Road.

Anxi Jinzuyuan was already on high alert. The Wannian County Inspection Camp specially mobilized 300 people to patrol near the wall of Jinzuyuan, and no one was allowed to approach. Gao Lishi also drew fifty martial arts guards from his mansion and went to Jinzuyuan to strengthen his vigilance.

In order to ensure the victory of this game, the Anxi Army also issued an order that no one is allowed to leave the Jinzouyuan or receive any guests. Everyone is resting in the Jinzouyuan and waiting for tomorrow's battle.

As the night fell, Duan Xiushi hurried to Li Qing'an's room. Li Qing'an was discussing going to Yangzhou with Li Fei Shouyu. Seeing Duan Xiushi come in, Li Qing'an smiled and said, "Don't Cheng Gong still feel a little worried?"

Duan Xiushi nodded and sighed slightly: "The lessons learned three years ago are too profound, and we must not be careful this year."

"What happened three years ago?" Li Qingan asked curiously without knowing the specific details.

Thinking of what happened three years ago, Li Fei Shouyu said angrily: "During the game three years ago, Cai Xide's boots had a dark blade hidden in his boots, which stabbed the legs of Bai Yuanguang and my mount. Although he changed his horse, he was not as comfortable as his own horse. Bai Yuanguang missed two goals that he must score, resulting in the final defeat. The two armies fought on the polo court, hurting many people. This year's game is even more eye-catching. I am sure Fan Yangjun will use despicable means."

"Shouyu is right. We did neglect three years ago and we must not be plotted against this year."

Duan Xiushi glanced at Li Qing'an, "Qilang, what do you think?"

Li Qingan said lightly: "We are not villains, but we will never be gentlemen. As long as we make careful arrangements and know the rules, we will make An Lushan impeccable and even let him suffer the consequences."

Duan Xiushi was overjoyed and asked quickly: "Qilang, let me talk about it in detail."

Li Qingan smiled slightly and said, "The best way to deal with An Lushan is to calmly and to change with him with constant change. He makes conspiracies and tricks. We will calmly deal with them. If they have distractions in their hearts and open-mindedness, we can show off momentum and seize his three armies with momentum."

"Qiro said it well!"

Li Siye walked in with a smile and said to the three of them: "They use conspiracy and tricks to obtain small power. We can get the big power and use the big power to compete with the small power. We will win this battle."

"I thought of at least twenty of the various defense measures."

Li Qingan smiled slightly, he wrote a note, walked quickly to the door, handed it to the servant leader sent by Gao Lishi and said, "Please give this note to Gao Weng, saying that I really want to ask him for help this time."

The Jinzouyuan is equivalent to the offices in Beijing today. It is usually managed by local people. The same is true for Anxi Jinzouyuan. The manager and several deputy officers are small officials sent by Anxi Protectorate. However, some traitors, such as grooms, cooks, and browsers, all hire locals. Although Anxi Jinzouyuan is heavily guarded and does not allow outsiders to visit, the traitors of Jinzouyuan itself are not within the prohibition.

Jinzouyuan covers a large area, with several specialized labourers, and a tree gardener. The gardener's surname is Hu. He is honest and honest and does not like to talk, so he is nicknamed Hu Mutou. He is from Gaoling County, Jingzhao Prefecture. Therefore, after Jinzouyuan was burned, he took leave and returned to his hometown. It happened to be the New Year again, so he didn't come back until the evening of the eighth day of the lunar month.

Because he was from Jinzouyuan, the soldiers in the inspection camp did not make things difficult for him. After searching him, they put him in Jinzouyuan.

"Hu Mutou, why did you come back today?" Luo Shenjun, the manager of the Zuoru Academy, asked with some displeasure.

"Master Luo, I just heard that the house has been repaired, so I came out early this morning and asked Mr. Luo to forgive me."

"Forget it, I won't talk about you anymore. The three wintersweet trees in the right yard did not bloom this winter. It's very strange. Go and take a look!"

"I'll go!"

Hu Mutou hurriedly ran to the right yard, which was the location of the stable and the kitchen. There was a well behind the kitchen, where both cooking and drinking horses were fetching water. The stable was already on high alert, and there were seven or eight hidden stakes squatting nearby. Since the polo player's horses were all in this stable, it was not careless.

Hu Mutou didn't go to the stable either. He came to the three wintersweet trees and carefully checked. The King's chef leaned out of the window and smiled, "Hu Mutou, is it my smoke that smoked the trees?"

"No, it's an insect."

"I want to water some water."

Hu Mutou seemed to have talked a lot today. He carried a wooden barrel from the wall and walked quickly towards the well. When he walked to the well, he looked around. There was no one, only the chef Wang smiled at him in front of the window.

"Cheer Wang, why are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing at you for not catching insects for trees, but watering them."

"What's so strange about this? It's early spring. Of course, I have to water the trees more. I'll catch insects later."

Hu Mutou said as he drew a bucket of water. He glanced at Cook Wang, sniffed and smiled, "Cook Wang, what's your stuff?"

"Yo! I'm cooking."

Cook Wang hurried to look at the fire. At this time, there was no one around. Hu Mutou lowered his head and the soft head on his head fell into the well.

Hu Mutou's heart was pounding with nervousness. He hurried back to the tree with a bucket of water, poured it down, and left. His mission had been completed. Now he had to leave Jinzouyuan quickly to enjoy the large amount of money he got today, and no longer have to be a carpenter.
Chapter completed!