The Liao delegation actually wanted to have a Cuju competition with the Song Dynasty!
When the news spread quickly in the city of Tokyo, it was like a big stone being thrown into the calm water, causing a lot of waves, and the people of the Song Dynasty all over the city began to discuss this Cuju competition. , and put aside the previous debate about whether Sun Tu had betrayed his country and surrendered to the Liao people.
The people of Song State have always hated and feared this powerful enemy in the north, because in the past hundred years of war between Song and Liao, the Song Dynasty had hardly made any big gains. The Song Dynasty lost its troops and generals, lost its face, and was forced to sign the Chanyuan Alliance, which was like an alliance under the city.
Precisely because everyone knows these results, they still have a lot of awe for the Liao people's combat prowess. But now, they actually came to Tokyo and proposed a Cuju competition to the Song Dynasty. This made almost everyone think that the Liao people were crazy, because everyone knew that Cuju had been a sport among the Han people since the Tang Dynasty. Cuju masters in the Forbidden Army emerged one after another. Aren't the Liao people trying to do this just to make the Song Dynasty take the opportunity to express their bad temper
Just as the whole city was discussing the matter, the court soon spread further news. The Cuju competition between the two sides was scheduled to be held on the seventh day of winter in a few days, and the venue would be a place beside Jinming Pool. It was in the forbidden military academy, and even the current officials would lead their ministers to watch the battle.
Once the news was confirmed, the whole city was excited about it, and countless thoughtful people began to get busy. Some are trying their best to get the qualifications to enter the school grounds to watch the game, and some are offering handicaps to attract people to bet on who can win the Cuju game, or how many points each can score in the end. ball…
People in the Song Dynasty were fond of gambling, especially the people in Tokyo. So when a few gambling houses or people with a lot of money place bets, in just two or three days, the money bet has reached hundreds of thousands of dollars, but nearly 80% of them are bets. On the Song people's side, this was not only determined by their own position, but also their confidence in the Cuju masters of the Song Dynasty. Even if the handicap had a huge deviation, it still could not change the number of bets and became more and more biased towards the Song people's side.
Compared with Guanpu betting, which is in full swing, it is much more difficult to enter the venue to watch. Although the school stadium occupies a large area and can accommodate tens of thousands of people to sit and watch the game, the number of spectators will naturally be greatly controlled because the emperor will come at that time. In the end, only 2,500 people were allowed to enter the stadium.
The number of two thousand five hundred does not sound too small, but it also includes hundreds of imperial guards who came with the emperor as well as high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the court and their families, so it is not calculated at all. After all, there were only a few hundred ordinary people who could enter the venue that day.
With just a few hundred places to watch the game, all kinds of wealthy and well-established Tokyoites immediately tried their best, whether it was using money or borrowing favors. The people in the capital had a lot more to talk about, and the popularity of this Cuju competition has not decreased but increased in the past few days. On the eve of the competition, everyone is paying attention. Many people can't wait to gather outside the stadium overnight, even if they can't see it with their own eyes. During the game, you also need to know the situation and score on the field as soon as possible.
At this time, the Song Dynasty court showed its closeness to the people. Even though the people's actions were a bit troublesome, the government had no intention of driving away the crowd except sending people to maintain order. The imperial court even specially sent people to set up a stage near the busiest Royal Street and invited Mr. Guan Qi, a famous speaker in the city, to explain the relevant details of the event to the people in the city who could not attend the event in person. For this reason, they also specially arranged dozens of scouts in the stadium to deliver news, just to send out the game scores as soon as possible.
Such generous arrangements could only be made by the Song Dynasty court, which preferred to have fun with the people. In a sense, this can be regarded as the earliest live broadcast in the world. Although everyone can only listen but not see. to any live footage.
The fanatical atmosphere truly reached its peak in the morning of the seventh day of the lunar month. As the officials led the harem and several adult princes and court officials appeared in front of the school grounds, the cheers resounded through the sky, shocking Sun Tu who had entered the school early. They all felt dumbfounded, praising in their hearts that the Song Dynasty was indeed an era of extremely developed entertainment industry.
But Yelu Jian, who was sitting next to him, had a disdainful sneer on his face, and muttered softly: "If the Song Dynasty can invest all the money spent on these extravagant things in the army, I am afraid that Daliao will really feel it." I have a headache." But this series of performances from Da Song was exactly what he wanted to see.
As the emperor led his ministers to sit on the best position on the general stage, the audience also took their seats. After checking that the time was almost up, an official from the Ministry of Rites came forward to make a speech, saying that this Cuju match was just a reflection of the friendship between the Song and Liao countries, and no matter whether they won or lost, it would not hurt the harmony between the two parties.
Finally, Zhao Ji also stood up, and with excitement on his face, he showed a luxurious jade cup inlaid with gold and silver to everyone for a clear look, and then said: "No matter how much gambling there is, there must be a jackpot so that people can work hard to win." Go. So today I will take out this most beloved Kowloon Jade Cup. Whichever team wins, I will give the cup to the captain of that team."
As soon as these words came out, the whole place was aroused, and even many ministers showed excited expressions. Because everyone understands the profound meaning. If the Song Dynasty team can win this Cuju competition, then the Tianwu Army commander Zhao Tianyao, as the captain, will receive a heavy reward from the emperor, and his status will naturally be very different by then. Of course, if he loses, his guilt will not be small, but now almost no one believes that our Song Dynasty Cuju team will lose to these Liao people who came from afar.
At this time, the players who were waiting on the edge of the field and were about to play were all in high spirits, and their eyes were about to burst into flames. They just wanted to start the game as soon as possible and win a hearty victory as soon as possible.
Compared to them, the taller and stronger Liao players on the other end seemed very relaxed, and some people kept shouting and provoking at the Song players.
As time arrived, a burst of fierce drumbeats rang. In response, players from both sides lined up and slowly walked into the newly renovated stadium, which was only paved with loess, but was about the same size as a later football stadium. In the Cuju field, they first lined up in front of their respective dragon gates and formed formations with each other.
At this time, there was actually no fixed number of participants in the Cuju competition.
Some of them are between 12 and 16 people, and there is no requirement that the number of players on both sides must be the same. However, in order to show fairness this time, the Song and Liao teams also played twelve players.
Similar to later generations, these players on the court were all dressed in the same style. The Song people wore red bunt uniforms, while the Liao people wore black clothes, just like the iron iron represented in their national title.
Seeing that the two teams had already appeared, many people at the scene cheered and yelled loudly. The former was naturally for their own team, and the latter was for the Liao people. Even a thousand years ago, home advantage in sports still existed.
An official from the Ministry of Etiquette acted as a referee and walked to the court with a Cuju ball. After explaining that the game focused on friendship and some rules such as not intentionally hurting others, he threw the ball high into the air. And he himself immediately retreated towards the rear.
Sun Tu had never seen how a kick-off in today's Cuju competition was played, so he was naturally watching it carefully with interest. But after seeing the referee throw the ball like a basketball, he grinned in surprise. It was obviously not the peaceful kick-off of later generations, but a direct grab!
Sure enough, the moment the Cuju fell from the air, hit the ground and bounced slightly upwards, the teams on both sides flew towards the ball like arrows. Everyone moved forward like wild beasts who saw their prey. .
Soon, both sides rushed to Cuju almost at the same time, and then quickly stepped out to grab the ball that had just stopped. Their bodies collided heavily at this moment, and many people began to stagger. , but the pointe still tried its best to reach the Cuju.
Right from the beginning of the game, this Cuju competition has entered a fever pitch, which made countless spectators involuntarily let out bursts of cheers. At this time, no matter what their status was, no matter how upright and polite they were on weekdays, they all let go of everything to cheer for their home team.
The Song team really lived up to the cheers of the home crowd. After a hard fight, one player kicked the ball towards the opponent's half. Zhao Tianyao, the ace and captain of the team, was there. In an instant, he started running with all his strength. After changing direction and throwing away the two opponents who were staring at his path, he rushed to Cuju first. As soon as he moved his toes, the ball followed him as if it was alive. Rush towards the opponent's dragon gate.
"Tianyao's speed is the fastest among our army. As long as he carries the ball, no one can catch him!" A military general said confidently to several colleagues in front of him, and those few people also They all nodded in agreement.
As a player involved in arranging this Cuju competition, Tong Guan also smiled happily after seeing this. As long as he wins this time, the saint will be happy, which is a big achievement for himself. .
Under the expectant eyes of thousands of people on the side, Zhao Tianyao took the lead. After dribbling continuously, he finally reached the dragon gate. With one move, he stood up just as two Liao men flew towards him. The foot shot angrily, causing the ball to turn into a shadow and go straight towards Feng Liuyan.
With a snap, the ball hit the net.
As soon as the game started, the Song people already took the lead and scored one point first.
One to zero!