Chapter 330: Swollen Faces

Without a doubt, Emperor Zhao Xu was definitely a football fan. It was well known that football was far more popular in the palace than among the common people, and even ministers like Sima Guang and Wang Anshi would kick the ball around. Zhao Xu had watched quite a few old football matches himself.

However, this first new football match immediately rose to first place in his heart.

This also indicated from another angle that in Zhao Xu’s mind, new football was more exciting than old football.

Academician Zhang Sheng said, “Although this football match had its exciting moments, both on and off the field it was filled with crude language and barbaric actions. It’s not suitable for the masses!”

Zhao Xu glanced at him and smiled, “Academician Zhang, your words are mistaken. When two armies face each other in battle, how can they maintain perfect courtesy? As Zhang San said, competitive matches should have some fighting spirit – only then will they be exciting.”

His praise for football also contained his subconscious desire to change the entire social atmosphere, because he yearned for external warfare and still needed some fighting spirit.

The speaker had intention, but the listeners were even more attentive.

Two armies facing each other?

All the scholar-officials’ expressions changed.

This young emperor really was going to stir up trouble!

Actually, ever since Zhao Xu ascended the throne, the ministers had been wary of this young emperor, because for the Song Dynasty, military campaigns were truly a very cautious matter, especially after the Treaty of Chanyuan, whereby the Song empire agreed to recognize the Liao State as a sibling state and to pay an annual tribute. Many ministers didn’t want to engage in major warfare and disrupt the status quo.

Of course, the war with Western Xia was another matter entirely.

The instigator Zhang Fei stood to one side, observing the ministers’ expressions. He could understand their concerns – warfare was something that affected the whole body when you moved one part, and indeed required careful consideration, especially fighting the Liao. If they lost on the front lines, the next step might be defending Bianjing itself, since there were no natural barriers in between. The risk was too great.

The key point was that currently, Zhang Fei believed time was on the Song Dynasty’s side.

Empress Dowager Cao naturally knew her grandson like the back of her hand. Seeing the boy seemed to be getting carried away, she quickly said, “Oh my! Watching this match was truly exhausting.”

Zhao Xu was startled, understanding Empress Dowager Cao’s intention. But his words were actually meant to prepare the ministers mentally. He bowed and said, “Grand Empress Dowager, your grandson will escort you back to rest now.”

Empress Dowager Cao nodded.

All the ministers quickly rose to respectfully see her off.

This finally ended the topic.

As Zhao Xu helped Empress Dowager Cao walk outside, he asked, “What did Grand Empress Dowager think of the match?”

Seeing her grandson’s lingering enthusiasm, Empress Dowager Cao went along with him: “Compared to old football, it certainly had a different kind of appeal, though it was quite tiring to watch. Hehe.”

These words weren’t entirely just going along with him – she had indeed experienced an unprecedented sense of excitement and tension.

Old football matches were actually more similar to volleyball, but lacked volleyball’s spiking attacks. After all, the goal eye was above their heads, so they couldn’t use brute force, only skillful techniques. This made the entire match lack aggression. Imagine volleyball players in their own half doing various fancy moves, ultimately just passing the ball to the other side.

At most, there was a moment of slight tension when the ball went through the hole.

Though pleasing to the eye, it could never reach a true climax.

Therefore, watching old football matches could never be as thrilling as watching new football matches.

This point could also be seen from the audience’s emotions.

A tie!

There was actually a tie?

With such an exciting match, if they didn’t determine a winner, were they sure the audience could even leave the stadium?

Moreover, most of the spectators supported the Imperial Guards, so seeing the dejection of the Guards players and the joy of the Police Bureau players felt as awful as eating excrement.

Therefore, the audience unanimously let out deafening boos and curses.

They strongly demanded overtime.

But it was useless. When the newspaper had introduced overtime and penalty kicks, it had already stated that this charity match would not include penalty kicks or overtime.

Amid the chorus of boos, the Police Bureau players left the field arm in arm, happily discussing where to enjoy themselves tonight and eat some sea cucumber to replenish their energy.

After all, their team had the two wealthy players Cao Dongdong and Ma Xiaoyi!

Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.

Meanwhile, the Imperial Guards players were so dejected they couldn’t leave for a long time. In just that brief moment, they had lost the substantial prize money.

In fact, they could have completely avoided being caught on the counterattack.

Heaven and hell were so close to each other.

“Zhang San!”

After Emperor Zhao Xu, Empress Dowager Cao, and the group of scholar-officials had left, Wang Chao suddenly flashed forward, appearing in front of Zhang Fei with eyes glaring like bronze bells.

Cao Ping was not to be outdone, flashing forward to block between them. “Commander Wang, you’re not going to be a sore loser, are you?”

Wang Chao’s expression suddenly changed, and he laughed heartily. “We didn’t lose! Didn’t you see it was a draw? Move aside, I want to discuss with Zhang San about forming teams and renting military fields.”

This passion was only momentary; money was the eternal truth.

With money, one could play with passion in all sorts of ways.

Now in Wang Chao’s eyes, Zhang Fei was a hot commodity. How could he bear to hit or scold him? He couldn’t even coddle him enough!

The Three Military Divisions was the department with the highest expenses and also the one most lacking in funds. They were always trying every possible way to make extra money.

After all, with hundreds of thousands of imperial guards, one had to be extremely cautious.

Cao Ping and Zhang Fei exchanged glances, then smiled. “Then let’s sit down and discuss this in detail.”

“Yes, detailed discussion! Detailed discussion!”

Wang Chao was so delighted he couldn’t close his mouth.

As the players left one after another, the spectators knew there was no hope for extra time, and they all left the stadium reluctantly, complaining to each other.

This was truly painful yet joyful.

“Although this draw is frustrating, I have to say this football match was much more exciting than those old football games.”

“Who said that?”

“What happened to your voice?”

“Yeah! How did my voice become hoarse?”

“When you watched old football matches, you never shouted your voice hoarse.”

“This is outrageous! That Zhang San cheated. If they had continued playing, the Imperial Guards would have definitely won.”

“If they couldn’t win within the stipulated time, then they couldn’t win. What’s the use of saying all that?”

“Are you crazy? You’re actually supporting the Police Bureau team?”

“I’m just being objective; it’s not about supporting anyone.”

“Don’t forget, we all bet on the Imperial Guards to win. Now it’s a draw, and with the Imperial Guards giving half a goal handicap, we’ve lost everything!”

“Right! My money, oh dear… Match-fixing! This must be match-fixing. No, we need to demand an explanation from them. If there had been extra time, the Imperial Guards would have definitely won.”

However, there was still a group of people sitting dazedly in the stadium.

Who am I?

Where am I?

What just happened?

Chen Maoqian, Fan Yong, and other major donors looked at each other with bewildered expressions on their faces.

Their voices were now so hoarse from shouting they could barely speak, and Ma Tianhao had already gone off to the victory banquet with Cao Dongdong and Ma Xiaoyi through his connections with their fan club.

Wasn’t it supposed to be boring?

How did it turn out like this?

This situation was completely beyond their expectations. They had watched practice matches before, but felt this was entirely different.

It made people passionate and excited in a way that cuju matches could not.

After a long while, Chen Maoqian slowly turned his head and said in a hoarse voice, “Brother Fan, we can’t let Zhang San steal this business from us!”

Fan Yong nodded. “Exactly! It’s absolutely impossible for him to monopolize this business. After all, we’re spending money from our charity!”

By now, they knew that this football match was definitely worth investing in, as this was their personal experience.

“By the way! Zhang San! Where is Zhang San?”

They looked around everywhere, beginning a worldwide search for Zhang Fei.

At this moment, Zhang Fei was sitting in the pavilion above, discussing the football league with Cao Ping, Wang Chao, and other officers from the Three Military Divisions.

“Commander Wang, actually renting the training ground has its intricacies. If done well, the profits for the Three Military Divisions won’t just be limited to rental fees.”

“How so?”

Commander Wang’s eyes lit up as he asked eagerly.

Zhang Fei smiled. “There are also storefront fees, which might even become the major source of income.”

“Storefront fees?” Wang Chao was puzzled. There were no shops at the training ground!

Zhang Fei nodded and gestured outside. “Commander Wang, do you think these spectators will immediately go home to sleep?”

Wang Chao suddenly understood. “I get it, I get it.”

Zhang Fei said, “Therefore, the Three Military Divisions can provide us with some relatively remote training grounds. If it were held here, there are countless taverns and restaurants outside Football City, so we wouldn’t get a piece of that pie. But if it’s in a remote location, the Three Military Divisions could build some shops outside the stadium and rent them to merchants.”

How much should they charge for tickets?

Wang Chao actually had no idea, but when it came to shop rentals, he knew about that – the money was substantial indeed. He chuckled, “I understand! I understand! I know what to do.”

Zhang Fei continued, “We’ll take about thirty percent of the profits from that portion.”

Wang Chao’s expression changed again. “What gives you the right to take profits from it?”

Zhang Fei replied, “Because we can decide where the matches are held.”

“…!”

Wang Chao frowned deeply. “Do you really care about that little money?”

Zhang Fei said, “Most of this money will be used to reward the various teams, as well as for field maintenance and purchasing match balls, and so on. This money will eventually be spent on you anyway.”

This matter was becoming quite complex to discuss.

Wang Chao couldn’t digest it all at once – the complicated network of interests was completely beyond his understanding. But he grasped one point: the charity would lead the entire tournament.

For now, they had only discussed the general outline; the specifics would require detailed negotiations.

The police team members had already gone out to celebrate.

However, the Imperial Guard cavalry players were still sitting in the locker room, restless and uneasy. To put it more seriously, they were waiting for their fate to be decided.

After all, Wang Chao had issued harsh words earlier, and now that the match had ended in a draw, they didn’t know what they would face.

After waiting for a long time, Wang Chao finally arrived, burping from alcohol and moving slowly.

“Commander Wang?”

All the players dared not look directly at Wang Chao.

“Burp.”

Wang Chao let out an alcohol-laden burp, his bleary eyes scanning them. “Everyone played well and didn’t disgrace our Imperial Guard cavalry. Although it was a draw, the audience knows our strength is superior. Later, we’ll find a good restaurant to celebrate properly, and your bonuses won’t be lacking either.”

Upon hearing this, the players were overjoyed beyond expectation.

Life’s ups and downs were truly too thrilling.

They quickly clasped their fists and thanked him repeatedly.

“Haha!”

Wang Chao laughed happily. “This is nothing – in the future, these bonuses will only get bigger.”

These players were now all his money trees, so how could he not treat them well?

“Brother San, you’re back. We had many guests come to the house just now.”

Niu Beiqing’s large eyes peered inside.

“Many guests?”

Zhang Fei was slightly startled.

Niu Beiqing nodded. “Mogul Chen and the others.”

“That bunch of scheming merchants!”

Zhang Fei cursed, then put on a weary expression as he walked inside.

“Zhang San is back!”

“Zhang San, that match just now was truly spectacular, absolutely breathtaking.”

“It was definitely the most exciting match I’ve ever seen in my life.”

“Yes, yes, yes, I’m still savoring it.”

“It’s just a pity they couldn’t determine a winner – that’s somewhat regrettable.”

“No matter, no matter. This regret will be made up for eventually, after all, we’re not just having this one match. Don’t you think so, Zhang San?”

Chen Maoqian, Fan Yong, and others surrounded Zhang Fei, showering him with endless flattery.

However, Zhang Fei appeared utterly exhausted and didn’t even grunt in response. He kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, silently walking to the host’s chair and sitting down. Li Si beside him immediately poured tea for Brother San.

Seeing that their flattery received no response, everyone’s voices gradually grew quieter, until they all stood awkwardly to the side.

Zhang Fei set down his teacup and looked at the wealthy men standing nearby, asking with puzzlement, “Gentlemen, why are you standing? Sit down. Please sit, please sit.”

“Thank you very much!”

Everyone sat down as instructed, but their expressions still seemed somewhat unnatural.

They were the ones so arrogant before, resisting football in every way. Now each of their faces was swollen beyond recognition!

But merchants had one good quality: in the face of money, they completely abandoned their dignity.

Zhang Fei saw that things had progressed far enough, and suddenly his expression changed as he chuckled, “Please don’t feel guilty at all. Actually, this match was played specifically for you to see. Everyone has invested so much money in the charity, and no one wants to waste it all. If I could get you to agree to invest so much money just with my words alone, I doubt your businesses would have grown so large.”

Fan Yong let out a long sigh of relief, “Oh my! Zhang San, you don’t know how terrifying your expression was just now. You really scared us to death.”

Zhang Fei chuckled twice, “What? Afraid I’d go it alone and not share a piece of the pie with you?”

Fan Yong smiled awkwardly and said nothing.

Chen Maoqian quickly spoke up, “How could that be? Brother San has the heart of a bodhisattva. You’re organizing this football match for charity.”

At this point, he changed his tone, “Actually, we’re all doing this for the good of the charity. We still have great faith in you.”

“Brother Chen speaks reasonably. When we formed the board of directors, we did so according to your contract, Brother San. We had no other intentions.”

Everyone began finding various reasons to explain away their already swollen faces.

In business matters, Zhang Fei really wasn’t the type to haggle over every detail. Merchants, after all, still needed to prioritize cooperation, and he actually couldn’t do without these wealthy men either. He continued, “So do you all agree now to invest money in football?”

“Of course we agr—”

Before the word “agree” could leave his mouth, Fan Yong changed course, “I wonder how much money you plan to invest?”

Zhang Fei said, “I plan to first use three thousand hectares of land as collateral to get a loan of one hundred thousand strings from the Ma family.”

“One hundred thousand strings?”

Everyone without exception gasped in shock.