On March 16, the eleventh year of the Apocalypse, Jinmingchi held a dragon boat race as usual, or it was also called the Seventh Song Dynasty Dragon Boat Bidding Competition Finals.
There are eight participating teams, namely Jiangdong Commercial Bank Team, Kaifeng Fengheng Yuxing Team, East Zhejiang Donghai Chamber of Commerce Team, Two Lakes Reclamation Team, Lingnan Nanhai Chamber of Commerce Team, Jiangning Prefecture Dafeng Cotton Mill Team, Shanghai County Baoshan Iron and Steel
Factory team, Huaidong Huai Salt Industry Team.
On the day of the finals, spectators who had bought tickets early in the morning rushed to Jinmingchi with various means of transportation. The most loaded ones were the multi-carriage rails from Qionglinyuan University District to Zhuque Gate. For this reason, Kaifeng Carriage
The passenger transport company opened six more trains, but they were still full.
The Gyeonggi Inner and Outer City Police Department deployed 3,000 police officers, and at the same time asked for help from the Gyeonggi Security Police Detachment, which brought in 3,000 security police. Only then could the entire scene and order be barely maintained.
There are always spectator seats on both sides of the Jinmingchi track - Jinmingchi has always been the main venue of the Song Dynasty Dragon Boat Bidding League, with more than a dozen races held every month during the competition period.
Men, women, old and young, accompanied by relatives and friends, slowly poured into their respective seats like a swarm of ants.
There are various vendors walking between the seats.
“Lao Fantou’s spiced melon seeds, I still want to eat them.”
"The big head is braised so fragrantly! It's so delicious! Duck paws, duck neck, duck legs -!" It must be said in a drawl after that.
"Wang Sanniang's roasted sweet potatoes, the fairy seeds brought back by the expedition team from Yingzhou Wonderland. Eat one and feel refreshed, eat two and feel relaxed and happy, eat three and you will become immortal and soar!"
There were also staff members wearing uniforms and carrying tags walking through the middle.
"It's a bet, it's a bet! Jiangdong Commercial Bank team, Kaifeng Fengheng Henan Team... Huaidong Huai Salt Industry United Team," he read out the names of the eight participating teams in a thunderbolt, and then followed
Put a bunch of small whips to hang, clean and neat.
"The handicap of the eight participating teams is 40%, 45%... 60%, 70%." The staff then read out the handicap of each team, which is the probability of winning.
50% means a tie, neither lose nor win. Below 50%, 40%, 450%, it means it has a high probability of winning. The smaller the number, the greater the probability. You won’t make much money betting on it. Above 50%, it means the probability of winning is very small.
, 60% to 90%, the larger the number, it means it is an upset. If you win the bet, you will make a lot of money.
Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, people have been fond of gambling. How can there be less such large-scale events? But now the court "standardizes management". All gambling games must be hosted by licensed corporate societies, and private gambling is strictly prohibited.
Moreover, different competitions have different licenses and are managed very carefully.
The audience was also talking about the teams they supported.
"I definitely support the Kodong Commercial Bank team, because it is the richest! If you have money, you can build the best dragon boat and invite the most powerful racers. And I heard that its owner, the Commercial Bank, promised a huge bonus.
——Under a heavy reward, there must be a brave man. This time, the Kodong Commercial Bank team is bound to win."
Another person was shaking his head, "I admit that the Koto Commercial Bank team does have money, but it lacks foundation. It has only been four years since the team was formed, and it has not won a championship. There are some things that even if you have money, you won't be able to get them in a hurry.
"
"I'm optimistic about the Huguang Reclamation Team. This team is made up of elite sailors from the original Forbidden Army and Xiang Army. Their coaches and backbones are all champions who have won championships since the Shaosheng years. This heritage
, you weigh it!"
Before a fight could be made here, a sentence suddenly popped up from the next seat: "I support the Huaidong Salt Industry United because I am Huaidong Chuzhou, and my fellow villagers must support my fellow villagers."
Soon, the entire northwest of Shanxi was in chaos, but everyone still only talked about it and did not develop to see the truth with fists and feet.
Yue Zhuoqun really felt this atmosphere. There were flags of various participating teams everywhere. From time to time, someone jumped up and shouted: "Team so-and-so, this year's championship team!"
Then everyone around them scolded them in unison, "You're a straight bitch! Our team is the champion!"
"Thirteenth Lang, this atmosphere is really exciting. I wonder what it will be like during the competition?" Yue Zhuoqun turned to ask Zhao Si, who was in uniform next to him.
"Even more passionate."
"Haha, Thirteenth Lang is absolutely right." Yue Zhuoqun was stunned for a moment, and then he also laughed.
"Zhuo Qun, does your Roman Empire have such an atmosphere?"
Yue Zhuoqun thought for a while, "The Colosseum in Western Rome should have such an atmosphere."
"Watching humans and beasts fight to the death and gain happiness! How barbaric people can do this. It's a shame that you still call the Western Roman Empire a glorious civilization and claim to be its inheritance." Zhao Si curled his lips and said.
Yue Zhuoqun smiled coquettishly, not daring to say anything.
Ever since I have seen the prosperity of the Song Dynasty and learned about the history of this land, I know that no civilization dares to claim to be glorious and elegant in front of the Song Dynasty.
"Zhuo Qun, when you go back, please advise your prince to abandon the bad things. Otherwise, you will follow its old path and end up in ruin. You must learn from it."
Zhao Si said to Yue Zhuoqun while walking among the bustling crowd.
"Promote and show them the pinnacle of world civilization - the Song Dynasty. Especially the Christian world to the west of you. It is a dark world. We must promote the light more!"
Yue Zhuoqun felt sad.
"Thirteenth Lang is right. Especially the Pope, who is said to be the representative of God in the world, is actually more insidious and vicious than ordinary people."
"It's normal, because the pope to the west of you did not sit on that throne based on piety or the belief of his followers, but on scheming, means, and manipulation. Now to the east of your Byzantine country, the Saracens and Persia
The people, the Turks, are divided and fighting on their own, and they are no longer enough to pose a threat."
"The Rebirth of Financial Giants"
"And I have decided to carry out the first Western Expedition in the next three or five years, and will continue to do so until the land passage to Byzantium is opened. By then, my hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers and cavalry can
Help you sweep away all threats in the east."
"Thank you for your kindness and all you have done for Byzantium..."
"No, no, no, Yue Zhuoqun, you have to remember that no one in this world serves others wholeheartedly, especially politicians. Their first consideration is their own or their country's interests. There are many reasons for the Song Dynasty's Western Expedition. The output is getting higher and higher.
Larger industries need to find new dumping markets, businessmen need to make more money, and the army and the Four Elephant Banners need more military merits, rewards, pastures and households."
Having said this, Zhao Si pointed at Yue Zhuoqun and said: "It's just a matter of course to help you, the Byzantine Kingdom. And we need an ally who lives in the center of the three major landmasses of Yanzhou, Liuzhou and Zuzhou to transport our goods.
, make money together.”
Yue Zhuoqun was silent for a while and replied: "Your Majesty, your frankness may make people feel a little uncomfortable, but this kind of frankness makes your words more charming and convincing."
"Haha, Zhuo Qun, you stayed in the Song Dynasty for two years and learned the accent of those civil servants."
Yue Zhuoqun chuckled, "The foreign minister has been studying hard." This chapter has been completed!
