I

  Chapter 729 726 [Concubine's bet]

   Polo was relatively prosperous in the early Ming Dynasty.

  Wang Fu, a member of Zhongshushe, once accompanied Zhu Di to watch the ball, and wrote a poem "A Banquet for Watching Horses and Shooting Balls at the Dragon Boat Festival".

  However, with the decrease in the number of horses and the dissipation of martial arts, polo began to decline in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, and was only retained as a court ritual and folk festival. But no matter what, until the end of Ming Dynasty, polo sport definitely existed.

  Like Cuju, the sudden disappearance of polo was after the entry of the Qing Dynasty.

  In the early years of the Qing Dynasty, anti-Qing and restoration of the Ming Dynasty was everywhere, so gatherings of Han people with more than 30 people were prohibited. It was even forbidden to worship with different surnames. At the beginning, they were caught with a hundred whips for sworn worship, but in the eighteenth year of Shunzhi, they were changed to direct beheading.

   disappeared together, and Shangsi outing.

  Shangsi Festival is next to Tomb-sweeping Day and Cold Food Festival. In spring, the sun is warm and a hundred flowers are blooming. Men and women go out for an outing in the city, and the suburbs are full of gentry and common people. After the party is banned, it will be impossible. If you go out for a spring outing, you may be arrested and thrown into prison. Therefore, the three festivals of Shangsi, Qingming, and Hanshi were completely merged in the Qing Dynasty, leaving only the function of visiting ancestors' graves.

  At this moment, Zhao Han was sitting in the stands, and the guards of the imperial city were "fighting" on horseback.

   Compared with the polo in the Tang Dynasty, it has changed a lot now. The wooden ball was changed to a leather ball, the club became longer, and the scoring rules were changed.

  A guard named Quartz rode his horse to catch up with the ball. He leaned out, and after the wooden club hit the ball, he didn't swing it immediately, but dragged the ball forward, which is equivalent to dribbling forward in football.

   Two enemy cavalry intercepted one after another. The closest distance was only two horses, and Quartz suddenly swung his pole.

  The ball rolls rapidly on the ground, and the teammate accelerates to catch the ball, but the enemy is also fighting for it.

   "Boom!"

  With a muffled sound, the ball was knocked into the air.

"nice shot!"

  Lu Tianxiang was originally sitting behind the emperor, but at this moment she couldn't help standing up and applauding.

  But the ball was passed accurately, and the teammate stretched out his rod to vent his strength. Then the horse started to canter, dragged the ball straight to the goal, and someone from the enemy came to intercept him diagonally. The person immediately adjusted his posture and swung the club, and the ball went into the goal quickly and accurately.

   Compared with modern polo, there were fewer rules in polo at this time.

  Of course, head-on collisions and right-angle collisions are also prohibited. Otherwise, it is impossible to play at all, and it is easy to get injured. Generally, they ride horses side by side to grab the ball.

"it is good!"

  Zhao Han couldn't help applauding, and said with a smile: "The red side won this round, and each will be given an official belt."

  The official belt is not very expensive, but it is not shabby either, made of silk, inlaid with stained glass and agate. Moreover, it was bestowed by the emperor, so wearing it will save face, and the winning side will immediately smile.

   "Your Majesty, I want to play too!" Lu Tianxiang eagerly said.

   Zhao Han smiled and said, "Go ahead. You lead the red team, and Xiuying leads the blue team."

   Tian Xiuying immediately stood up and began to put on the equipment. Wrist pads, knee pads, elbow pads, hats, etc., if they fall, they will not be seriously injured.

  The two concubines got on their horses and each selected a team member from among the guards.

  Suddenly, Lu Tianxiang approached the stands on horseback and said, "Your Majesty, what's the prize if you win?"

  Zhao Han said: "Whoever wins can make a request. As long as you don't go too far, I will definitely help her achieve her wish."

  Lu Tianxiang looked slyly and said: "Then what is too much and what is not too much? It was agreed at the beginning, and I learned 500 Chinese characters, and His Majesty let me join the army. This matter has also been rejected."

  Zhao Han said speechlessly: "I told you earlier, I know five hundred characters, but I only allow you to enter the palace to have an audience."

   "No regrets this time." Lu Tianxiang said.

   "Let's play ball first." Zhao Han felt that this girl was playing tricks again.

   "Drive!"

  Lu Tianxiang pulled the reins, turned the horse's head and rushed to the field.

  The referee took out the Datong silver dollar, Tian Xiuying guessed the front and back, and had the right to hit the ball at the beginning, while Lu Tianxiang could choose the venue.

  Both women serve as shooters, and the guards under their command are in charge of running the fight.

   After a fight, the ball finally passed to Tian Xiuying. The players from both sides fought fiercely, and sometimes they even rubbed against each other, but when the ball was in Tian Xiuying's hands, they immediately became peaceful.

  The enemy players also came to fight, but they didn't dare to get too close, for fear of causing Concubine Tian to fall and get injured.

   "Stop it, grab the ball!" Lu Tianxiang shouted anxiously.

   Having said that, the guards are timid.

  After Lu Tianxiang screamed, the team members under his command did become more active, but they were very limited.

   "Boom!"

  Tian Xiuying made a swing and the ball scored accurately.

  Lu Tianxiang Lung was about to explode, complaining that the team members dared not fight for it. But when she got the ball, she felt happy again, because Tian Xiuying's players didn't dare to get too close to her.

   To put it bluntly, a group of guards are playing with the two concubines.

   Zhao Han shook his head and laughed. Fortunately, he didn't play, otherwise the situation would be similar, and the guards would not dare to grab the emperor's ball.

  Lu Tianxiang rolled her eyes and decided to follow suit.

  She is no longer a regular shooter. Once the opponent gets the ball, she immediately rides her horse to catch up, and her position is from the front field to the midfield.

   Sure enough, seeing Concubine Lu coming on horseback, the player holding the ball immediately passed the ball. Charge with the ball side by side with the emperor's favorite concubine? This thing is too dangerous, they dare not take risks.

  So, wherever Lu Tianxiang rushed, there was chaos.

   Under the flustered pass, mistakes are inevitable, and the ball is quickly regained by Lu Tianxiang's teammates. Then, Lu Tianxiang took the initiative to ask for the ball, and dribbled the ball straight from the midfield to the goal. The enemy players along the way did not dare to stop him.

  Tian Xiuying looked at the goal from afar and couldn't laugh or cry.

  She is much older than Lu Tianxiang, and has experienced the fall of the Ming Dynasty, so she has already given up her ambition. Since Lu Tianxiang wants to win, let the little sister win, it's just a polo match.

   After forty minutes, the game finally ended, and Lu Tianxiang won by a big score.

   Riding to the stands again, Lu Tianxiang said: "Your Majesty, I have won!"

  Zhao Han laughed and said, "You cheated."

  Lu Tianxiang asked back: "Where did I violate the rules?"

  Hmmm...seems like there was no foul.

  Zhao Han can only say: "What request do you have?"

  Lu Tianxiang said: "Joining the army is definitely impossible, but I still want to lead the army. I heard that His Majesty is going to send the imperial guards to sea, why don't you let me lead these imperial guards, and send some female officers from the horse guard to follow."

  This request exceeded Zhao Han's expectation.

  Zhao Han asked: "How do you know about the imperial guard going to sea?"

  Lu Tianxiang said: "In the past two days at the racecourse, the imperial guards have been competing for a place to go to sea. They compete in archery and polo. Only those who win can be ordered to go to sea."

   "I see." Zhao Han suddenly realized.

  Going to Europe is very dangerous, and going there for three or four years is obviously a hard job.

  But Zhao Han's imperial city guards are all elites selected from various armies. They had grown impatient in the capital for a long time, and when they heard that they had the opportunity to go out to fight, they immediately rushed to their heads - not only could they leave the capital to stretch their fists, but they also had the opportunity to kill the enemy and make meritorious service.

  Zhao Han didn't agree or refuse, but asked, "Do you know how long it will take to go back and forth?"

  Lu Tianxiang shook his head: "I don't know."

Zhao Han said: "A round trip will take three years at the fastest, and it must be smooth without delay. If you encounter a little trouble, you will not be able to return for at least four years. You will also visit various countries on the way, and the time to return to Beijing may be extended to five years." Years, six years. Do you still want to go to sea?"

"this…"

  Hearing that it took five or six years to go back and forth, Lu Tianxiang finally hesitated.

   There was silence for a long time, Lu Tianxiang suddenly raised his head, gritted his teeth and said, "I will go there in five or six years, and I will stay in the palace for the rest of my life, and I will be suffocated to death!"

   These words are enough to anger people. If it were another emperor, Long Yan would probably be furious.

  What do you mean staying in the palace will suffocate to death?

  Does being a concubine make you so uncomfortable?

Zhao Han was also a little unhappy, but there was no need to be angry with the woman, and immediately said in a bad mood: "It is already a bad rule for a concubine to leave the palace. Usually, it is more generous to allow you to go out of the city to ride horses and play golf. You go out to sea After a trip for several years, what kind of words are spread like this?"

  No one dared to speak out.

  Lu Tianxiang straightened her waist and said: "You are not joking, Your Majesty has promised. Besides, you can let the female officers of the Yumajian follow, and they stay close every day. Could it be that I...I can still not abide by women's morals..."

  Zhao Han was so angry that he laughed, and saw Lu Tianxiang clenched his fists, looking like he had offended the emperor and was waiting to die.

  This wild girl, if she is not allowed to lead the army once, I am afraid that she will be uneasy for the rest of her life.

  The harem is not allowed to interfere in politics, and the harem is not allowed to touch the army, but going to sea is not necessarily impossible.

  Zhao Han thought over and over, turned his head and said to You Julian with the palm seal of the Imperial Horse Supervisor: "You Dajian, choose twenty female officers of the Imperial Horse Supervisor who are proficient in martial arts, and personally protect her safety. They must not leave half a step after going to sea."

   "Abiding by the order!" You Julian cupped her hands and said.

  Zhao Han looked at Lu Tianxiang again: "After you go to sea, you will only lead the army in name. Negotiations with foreign countries will be handled by civilian officials. Military generals will be fully responsible for fighting foreign countries."

  Lu Tianxiang was overjoyed immediately, got off his horse and knelt down and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your permission!"

   "Go aside, sit down properly." Zhao Han was still angry and didn't want to pay attention to this concubine.

  In fact, Zhao Han didn't resist that much, this was due to the special psychology of the traverser. Sending a concubine to lead the army to the sea must be rich in history books, and it is estimated that various stories will be derived in future generations. The reason for his reluctance is that he simply doesn't want to break the rules. What does it sound like if the harem goes out to show off?

  After repeated consideration, Zhao Han still made a decision, **** the rules, Lao Tzu is the founding emperor.

  Twenty female officers of the Imperial Horse Supervisor are watching closely, can Lu Tianxiang still steal men?

  The polo match was still going on, Tian Xiuying sat next to Lu Tianxiang, and said in a low voice: "Sister is so courageous, aren't you afraid of being thrown into limbo by Your Majesty?"

  Lu Tianxiang said: "I have learned martial arts, and I always lead soldiers to display my skills. No matter how adventurous I am, I have to try it. Doesn't Your Majesty agree?"

   "That is, Your Majesty, which emperor would agree?" Tian Xiuying muttered a few words, actually quite envious in her heart.

  What Zhao Han thought in his heart was that he still had a few months to go to sea, so he could go to Lu Tianxiang's place to sleep more, and he wouldn't have to go if he got pregnant.

   But think about it carefully, two or three months before going to sea, and you can't sleep around, what if you find out you are pregnant after boarding the ship?

  (end of this chapter)