The battle between Hai Tianlong and Xuanhuang is full of blood, and the long song with loose hair takes in the wilderness.
The water is flowing and the people are leaving. One day the moon is bright and white as frost.
——"Farewell to Tang Guodun with Poems and Paintings" Su Manshu (Qing Dynasty)
…
The oracle to hold a polo match on the Lantern Festival was announced at the most conspicuous position of the city gates and square gates in Chang'an. This news that attracted the attention of the whole city quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys of Chang'an, and the people were smiling and running around to meet each other.
tell.
In addition to admiring lanterns, watching social operas, and dancing fire dragons, the people of Chang'an have another lively place to go to during the New Year, making the New Year's atmosphere more joyful and peaceful.
The people of this world have been so simple in all dynasties. As long as there are no wars or famines, and they can have enough food and clothing, they will be very content. They will thank the emperor for his great kindness and God for his blessing - allowing them to live in a peaceful and prosperous age.
…
When the news came, several major casinos in Chang'an were overjoyed. They immediately sensed the business opportunities and opened handicaps one after another to bet on the teams of the royal grandsons.
In order to attract people to participate, the casino sends various types of scouts to conduct overt and covert visits to understand the composition of the players of each team, the technical and tactical characteristics of the players, the strength level of the horses, the proficiency of the players and horses, etc. Then, this information is
Printed into journals and sold to people on the streets. For a time, paper became expensive in Chang'an.
In order to obtain detailed data, many casino scouts paid to bribe the maids and servants of the prince's family to find out key inside information.
What's more, they paid a lot of money to hire several famous polo coaches in the army to conduct detailed analysis of the technical and tactical characteristics of each team and make accurate predictions. The analysis and predictions were then bound into a book, packaged in a sandalwood gift box, and given to regular players.
Take care of the big benefactors and high rollers of the casino.
With the help of casinos, the interest and enthusiasm of the people in Chang'an for the polo competition are increasing day by day. Tickets for public sale are hard to come by and have been sold at sky-high prices.
One polo tournament made countless people in Chang'an make a fortune!
Under the heavy rewards, there must be brave men. Under His Majesty the Emperor's grace, each team actively prepared for the war and secretly competed.
Just as Qing Wang Li Cong expected, starting from the first day of the Lunar New Year, all the polo masters in Chang'an City, whether private or military, were snatched up by the royal family on the same day.
In order to prevent opponents from spying on military intelligence, various teams continue to strengthen patrols and vigilance. They even release smoke bombs to hide their true strength.
What is even more ridiculous is that many well-known poets have also become the targets of various companies. The purpose is to publish slogans to boost morale, or to canvass votes with poems to mobilize the people of Chang'an to cheer for their own teams!
For a time, wine shops, teahouses, brothels and boats were buzzing with gongs and drums, competing for beauty, it was so lively!
When Xuanzong heard this, he laughed loudly. He ordered Gao Lishi to tell all parties that as long as they did not do anything extraordinary, each family could let go and show off their magical powers.
…
Early that morning, Li Tan, the king of Jianning, came to see Zhong Yaya. He was in a low mood and was quite depressed.
Under Zhong Yaya's questioning, Li Tan replied: "My eldest brother Li Chu doesn't want to be in my team. He wants to team up with his sixteenth uncle Li Lin."
Zhong Yaya asked curiously: "According to the rules, can the prince also participate?"
Jianning King Li Tan nodded and said: "The rules only say that each team must have an emperor's grandson as the captain and must play. It does not prohibit the princes from participating. It is said that many princes similar to our age are also actively preparing for the competition. I hope we can
To please His Majesty."
Zhong Yaya smiled and said: "Isn't that great? If your eldest brother is in the same team as you, shouldn't he be the captain?"
Li Tan, the king of Jianning, sighed and said: "My eldest brother is the eldest son, and he is both civil and military. He should have been the captain. Now he competes with me in the team in order to let me get ahead. I feel bad, and I feel that there is a divide between the brothers.
.”
Zhong Yaya smiled and said: "I don't think so. As the saying goes, brothers must settle accounts clearly. Your eldest brother just wants to prove himself in front of the Holy Emperor.
On the other hand, if you join forces to win the championship, who will be the leader in this game? Instead of everyone feeling unhappy, it is better to fight independently and be willing to admit defeat."
After hearing this, King Li Tan of Jianning felt relieved and felt much better. He held Zhong Yaya's hand and said softly: "Yaya, thank you. Sometimes, you really understand better than our men."
Zhong Yaya snuggled next to Li Tan and said with a smile: "Don't be careless. Although your skills are superb, I have seen King Yong's skills before, and they are very good.
What's more, King Yong has a lot of friends. If he agrees to leave, your brother's team must have other interesting foreign players. We must prepare quickly and not underestimate the enemy."
Li Tan, King of Jianning, laughed, as heroic as ever, and said: "As long as Yaya is by my side, I, Li Tan, am not afraid of anyone!"
…
In the polo field in Prince Qing's Mansion, five brothers including Li Qiu and Li Yan stepped up their practice.
Li Yan made a long pass from the backcourt to the frontcourt. Li Qiu galloped forward and hit the ball with his stick without waiting for the ball to stop. The ball hit the net from 20 steps away. The audience cheered and cheered.
Li Chu came to Li Yan's horse, turned over and dismounted, and said: "Second brother, have you heard? Li Chu and Uncle Sixteen formed a team."
Li Yan nodded and said, "I heard about it. Uncle Sixteen gave Li Chu a lot of face. Not only did he personally go into battle, but he also brought out General Gao Xianzhi to support him."
Li Qiu was shocked: "What? When did this happen?"
Li Yan said: "Half an hour ago, on my way here, the second son of the Cui family gave me a report."
Hearing this, Li Qiu sighed like an eggplant beaten by frost: "Li Qiu alone is difficult enough to deal with, plus Uncle Sixteen and Gao Xianzhi. It seems they are bound to win!"
The two were discussing the total. The servant came to report, and Li Xiu, the son of Prime Minister Li, asked to see him.
Li Yan asked: "Brother, what is he here for?"
Li Qiu smiled meaningfully and said: "Father ignored Prime Minister Li. So Prime Minister Li sent his son to make a bridge. Let's go and see what he has done today."
Before he finished speaking, a hearty laugh was heard. A handsome young man came to the stadium with two friends. It was Li Xiu, the son of Li Linfu.
Both parties exchanged greetings and greeted each other. After a few warm words, they quickly got to the point.
Li Xiu said: "My father heard that the prince was preparing for war, so he specially ordered me to give a small gift to express my feelings." After that, he introduced the two luxuriously dressed people behind him to Brother Li Qiu.
The first tough warrior, with tattoos of the Western Regions on his eyes and arms, a curly beard, thick beard and hair, and a Persian scimitar hanging from his waist, is a typical Hu warrior.
The second one turned out to be a Persian woman. Her beautiful cheeks were covered by black gauze. Under her icy skin, she had a pair of sapphire-like eyes, which looked like smoke, like mist, like a cat or a fox, and she was charming and charming.
The black horses under their crotches, with golden saddles and silver trimmings, curvy manes and muscles, are strong and handsome, without a trace of hair. At first glance, they are the only horses from Dawan.
It was the Persian who fought fiercely with the soul-stirring demon girl Aqi at the Yuelai Inn that day.
Li Xiu introduced: "This beautiful Highness is the distinguished Persian Princess Boniadi, and the warrior beside her is General Alberts, the leader of the Persian Guards.
Persia is the birthplace of polo, and their skills are unparalleled in the world!"