The weather in Guanzhong is gradually getting hotter. The people in Chang'an City have already put on their layers of robes to protect themselves from the cold and put on fresh waistcoats. They sit in twos and threes in the teahouse chatting about their family affairs and the secrets of the palace. Although they have just arrived in June.
It was moonlit, but the scorching sun was mercilessly scorching the earth. The wine spilled on the bluestone slab was evaporated into a mist after a while, with a mellow aroma in it. A vendor selling sour plum soup on the roadside
Ridiculousness has blossomed. A bowl of ice drink with a copper coin is the best way to quench the heat and quench thirst. No matter you are a young master from a wealthy family or a poor man making a living in the streets, who can't afford a coin? According to people in the industry.
, this is called "producing body fluids (gold)" and bringing in wealth, and it is meant to be an auspicious saying. The men of wealthy families naturally do not want to go out on the street and suffer the sin of leisure, so they sit on the wicker chairs in the backyard and drink the ice cold drinks served by the servants.
Sour plum soup is refreshing and refreshing for the muscles and bones. Speaking of the Ming Dynasty Emperor Ming Dynasty, he moved to the cool Xingqing Palace early with his concubine to enjoy the coolness and escape from the summer heat, enjoying the lychees transported thousands of miles from Lingnan.
Side by side. This taste is the ultimate happiness in the world.
Li Kuo has gradually come out of the shadow of "getting married by order". With his new friend Zhou Wuwei, his life has become much more colorful. These days, with the secret help of this little fat man, he has gradually understood how to become a hermit.
What he needed was a persevering will, a low-key and prudent character, and an attitude of absolute obedience. After the Master returned from his travels, Li Kuo met with this great Confucian under the recommendation of this young senior brother. To the young man’s surprise, the Master
He was so satisfied with himself that he actually let him enter the assessment stage directly. Of course, as Wuxin said, everything in life is as usual. Reading when he should study, horse racing when he should, composing poems when he should, and writing when he should
Tea tasting. As for whether you want to obtain a meritorious service or join the army and march, it all depends on your own wishes.
Because he had promised Pei Xingchen to participate in the polo match, Li Kuo would take time out to practice with his classmates every afternoon. Although Zhou Wuwei was full of fat, he also liked the national sport of the Tang Dynasty. After some coercion and inducement, he naturally
He went in and out together with Li Kuo. Unfortunately, something happened to the family of a famous Gongsheng student. His grandfather, who was far away in Sichuan, died suddenly. In panic, he rushed back to Jiannan to attend the funeral. As a result, one member of the team was missing. Although he was not guilty at all.
He wanted to come on as a substitute, but he had no choice but to give up angrily because he was not a Gongsheng student. Naturally, Li Kuo thought of his best friend Zhang Yanji. After an invitation, the young man of the Zhang family patted his chest and promised that he would live up to expectations, which made Jiedu's tooth soldiers even gray.
Zhang Yanji's horsemanship and archery skills were well-known in Chang'an City, so Li Kuo was naturally very happy. For a time, the estrangement between the two was completely eliminated, and they returned to their previous close relationship.
Sitting leisurely in a manor on the outskirts of the city, Zhang Yanji narrowed his eyes to a slit, casually put a bunch of purple and attractive Gaochang grapes into his mouth, and stretched himself comfortably. It happened to be a ten-day holiday, so Zhang Yanji naturally
Not missing the opportunity to relax and relax, he came to his manor early and enjoyed a good time in the name of training polo. Although his grandfather banned him for a period of time after being in danger on the outskirts of the city, Zhang Yanji also promised not to cause trouble in the future.
But as time passed, Zhang Xiaolang returned to his cynical look and ran to the outskirts of the city looking for opportunities. Although Zhang Shilang was sullen in his heart, he was busy with business and knew that his boy had a wild temper, so he
Just turn a blind eye and let him do it.
Under the influence of the intoxicating sunlight, Zhang Yanji gradually became sleepy. As soon as he closed his eyes, he heard the annoying voice of Xiao'e, the maid in his manor.
"Young Master, Young Master, a friend of yours is here to see you. I asked him to wait in the front hall."
When a nap was interrupted, Zhang Yanji replied angrily: "Why are you yelling? This kind of thing bothers me. With such a loud voice, who will dare to marry you in the future? Didn't you see that I was taking a nap, young master? Just say I'm not here."
!”
"Oh." After being scolded in vain, Xiao'e frowned and turned around to leave.
Zhang Yanji seemed to have remembered something. He sat up suddenly, patted his forehead and asked urgently: "Is his name Li Kuo? Please call him in quickly!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw a handsome young man in short-sleeved uniform, with a face like a crown jade and piercing eyes walking into the backyard. He casually tied up his hair with a hairpin, and tied a lake-blue sweatshirt around his waist.
The scarf just showed off his well-proportioned and tall figure. The person coming was indeed Li Kuo.
Zhang Yanji took out the arm that was pressed behind his back, scratched his head and said: "Brother Kuo'er, why did you come so early? Didn't you go to the palace to perform the bow ceremony in the afternoon?"
Li Kuo shook his head helplessly and joked: "I was making a bet with Wuxin just now. Young Master Zhang must have gone out of the city to enjoy the happiness in his village, and had long forgotten the polo match. But Zuxin did not
I believe, how could anyone not cherish such a good opportunity? It seems that he still doesn’t understand our Young Master Zhang, we can’t guess what such a wealthy young man is thinking."
Zhang Yanji was teased by Li Kuo, and his face had already turned red. He hurriedly begged for mercy: "Brother Kuo'er, it's my fault. But I will never hold you back. In front of the servants, you can save some for me."
Isn’t it about saving face?”
Seeing his friend's embarrassed look, Li Kuo suppressed his laughter and coughed lightly: "Well, let's go into the city now. We'd better arrive at Danfeng Gate before noon so that we can meet up with Sinless and the others.
.”
Zhang Yanji repeatedly said yes, and while instructing Xiao'e to prepare the horses, he changed into short game clothes.
Over the past month, Li Kuo was in a very good mood. After learning that he was going to participate in the polo match, Brother Nan generously gave him a Turkic-bred green horse. Because the horse's coat was green and gray, and its demeanor was
It is elegant and refined, so Li Kuo gave it a very elegant name - Qingfeng.
Li Kuo untied the reins from the wooden pole of the stable, and Qingfeng snorted and came to the master, half-coquettishly spitting out foam and licking the boy's left hand. Li Kuo stroked Qingfeng's mane lovingly and patted it a few times.
As a reward, Qingfeng shook his mane with satisfaction and let out a long cry.
Zhang Yanji said with a smile: "They say that good horses understand human nature. I see that Qingfeng has become one with your horse. I'm afraid no one can ride on it except you."
Qingfeng seemed to understand Zhang Yanji's words, and took a few steps towards Zhang Yanji angrily, spraying out a few wisps of white mist from his nostrils, making a buzzing sound.
Zhang Yanji subconsciously stepped back a few steps: "Look, look. This beast really understands human speech."
Li Kuo spread his hands and said, "Why do you want to compete with a pony? Come into the city with me quickly."
Zhang Yanji shrugged and said nothing. He took out his beloved big black horse from the stable and jumped onto the horse's back with a light jump.
"Brother Kuo'er, do you think it's your breeze that's faster, or my thunderbolt that's faster?"
"Don't you know Bibi?"
Outside Zhang's farm, two dots of green and ink were seen faintly disappearing in the dark blue sky, with yellow sand billowing up.
Juju, also known as batting and polo, was very popular in this dynasty. (Note 1) Due to the inheritance of the culture of the former Sui Dynasty, the folk customs in the prosperous Tang Dynasty were open and martial arts were practiced throughout the country. Even the scholars who read classics and history also knew a little about riding.
Shooting. In this cultural background, polo has become one of the three popular sports along with Ji Dou and Buju. Dou Ji is nothing more than high and low, and is mostly a self-entertainment activity for the common people. Buju is a
This is a popular sport at the bottom of society. Polo is the only sport that is truly accepted by the upper class. Just imagine, the prerequisite for good results in playing polo is to have a good horse, and the hard-working people at the bottom of society start from
Where can I find a good horse?
It was almost noon when Li Kuo and Zhang Yanji arrived at Shengyefang. They hurriedly handed over the horses to the waiter who came forward to feed and take care of them. The two strode into Anxing Inn. The polo match they participated in this time used the eight-meter polo match.
Two-door system, that is, each team has eight players, and the game lasts for 40 minutes. The one with the most goals wins. His Majesty, the current emperor, is so powerful that his holy strategy is popular. He loves polo and regards it as one of the military training courses. This time
To celebrate the birthday of the Imperial Concubine, His Majesty the Emperor Long Yan Dayue decided to hold a polo match to celebrate the Imperial Concubine's birthday. Therefore, Ya Bing, who had followed the Hexi Jiedushi envoy Ge Shuhan back to Beijing to report on his duties, made an appointment with the imperial concubines at the Xingqing Palace to honor His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine.
Present a polo match.
In addition to Li Kuo and Zhang Yanji, the Imperial Guards also included Pei Xingchen, Chen Runzhi and other descendants of aristocratic families. The group met for lunch at the Anxing Inn in Shengyefang, and then entered the palace together. Under the guidance of the waiter, the two men left
Turning right, he finally saw the other six people in the corner of the second floor. After apologizing, the two of them went to the banquet at the urging of everyone. Perhaps because they were too excited, these young masters who usually talked to each other were talking about tactics.
Strategy, there was a table of delicacies but almost no one was paying attention. Seeing that everyone had arrived, Chen Runzhi pressed his hands down to signal everyone to be quiet. When the noise gradually disappeared, Chen Runzhi cleared his throat and said: "This time we are competing.
We represent the Imperial Academy and the scholars. Although our opponents are the Hexi Ya soldiers who roam across Mobei, we must not embarrass the scholars in the world!" Seeing that no one objected, Chen Runzhi nodded with satisfaction and said: "Now I will give the last words.
Determine the positions of the personnel. Li Kuo and Pei Xingchen will continue to serve as side generals. He Rui, Cao Yu, Yu Dongwei and I will serve as Zhonglang, while Zhang Yanji and Dai Jinjie will serve as Houyawei instead. (Note 2) Do you have any opinions?"
Zhang Yanji wanted to stand up and argue, but Li Kuo suppressed his shoulders. He raised his hand towards Chen Runzhi, and Li Kuo smiled and said: "But Brother Runzhi has the final say. We must work together to win this game."
Note 1: Juju: that is, polo. It was very popular in the Tang Dynasty. I will describe it here specifically. This polo match is related to the future development of Xiaoqi.
Note 2: Well, this group of words is a name similar to forward, midfielder, and defender that I imitated in modern football. If you can’t find it, don’t be surprised.
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