Inside the Cuihong Tower, Liu Hong, lost in thought as he sat at his desk, couldn't help but think of the competitive entertainment activities of later generations, especially competitive sports.

As he pondered this, Liu Hong's eyes lit up. Competitive sports can not only improve physical fitness, but also inspire the passion, enthusiasm, and fighting spirit of the nation and its youth.

This is very beneficial for the younger generation of the Han Dynasty.

Moreover, the development of sports activities can also generate many related industries, increasing income and providing more employment opportunities, which can be said to be a win-win situation.

Finally, Liu Hong couldn't help but think of the first sport of later generations, which was "football".

Football is a competitive activity that combines cooperation, passion, hard work, perseverance, and striving for excellence.

Football not only improves physical strength and endurance and enhances teamwork, but it also boosts self-confidence, greatly motivates people to participate in sports, and improves their overall physical fitness.

If such a movement were promoted, its benefits would be self-evident.

Cuju, a sport with a long history in China, is said to have originated in the time of the Yellow Emperor, who invented it to train soldiers.

Through continuous development, by the Han Dynasty, a complete set of rules had evolved. At that time, there was also a book called "Twenty-Five Chapters on Cuju" which specifically explained the techniques of Cuju.

Cuju (ancient Chinese football) was actually very popular in the Han Dynasty, and Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, was a big fan of the sport.

There was a football field in the palace at that time, and it was divided into two teams to compete. Each team had twelve players. Apart from having one more player than the football of later generations, the rules were not much different from the football of later generations.

However, at that time, people only regarded Cuju as a game and entertainment, and it did not attract much attention. Therefore, apart from the powerful and wealthy and some local ruffians, many ordinary people had no interest in it, which greatly lowered the status of Cuju.

It is a great pity that such a healthy and positive competitive sport has not become more widespread.

Moreover, it was later turned into a mere show of ball skills by the Song Dynasty, and by the Ming Dynasty, it was turned into something for prostitutes to play with by the powerful and wealthy.

So much so that Zhu Yuanzhang later ordered that those who played Cuju (ancient Chinese football) should have their feet removed, leading to the complete decline of the sport, which is truly tragic and lamentable.

Of course, the most important point is that such a global sport has become one that Chinese men in later generations are most unwilling to mention, and it is also a pain that will never be forgotten.

Liu Hong naturally felt a deep sense of regret regarding Chinese football, so now that he had this opportunity, he was determined to develop football into a national sport in this era and personally create an ideal Chinese football system.

Thinking of his fierce players dominating the field, Liu Hong couldn't help but smile slightly.

Looking at the emperor who suddenly burst into laughter for no reason, Xi Zhicai, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but twitch his eyebrows when he saw the familiar smile on Liu Hong's lips.

Just as Liu Hong was envisioning a bright future, Xiahou Yuan returned with the money he had "taken" from Cao Cao's residence.

"Here, the bill's ready!"

Xiahou Yuan, who had come to the front desk, waved to the shopkeeper with a smug look on his face.

"Oh, you've arrived!"

Seeing this, the servant boy hurriedly ran over with a smile.

Is this enough?

As he spoke, Xiahou Yuan took out the two gold ingots and slammed them onto the counter, giving the shopkeeper an arrogant look.

Liu Hong couldn't help but turn his head to look, a strange light flashing in his eyes. He hadn't expected Xiahou Yuan to be so rich at such a young age.

"That's enough, that's enough, we don't need so much!"

The shopkeeper, with a broad smile, took a gold ingot, weighed it, and then pushed several strings of five-zhu coins along with the remaining gold ingot in front of Xiahou Yuan.

That's enough!

As he spoke, Xiahou Yuan unceremoniously stuffed the remaining money into his pocket.

Xiahou Dun, who was standing to the side, saw the money that Xiahou Yuan had put into his pocket, and seemed to have thought of something. A glint of light flashed in his eyes.

Then Xiahou Yuan scurried up to Liu Hong, looking at him with a fawning smile.

"Young master, the money has been settled. Where do you plan to go next...?"

Liu Hong smiled and shook his head, "I'm not going anywhere. Don't worry, I'll send someone to deliver the money you spent today!"

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Yuan quickly replied, "Young Master, what are you saying? Consider this a token of our respect..."

“Yes, yes, young master, since you’re here today, it’s only right that we brothers treat you to a meal…!” Xiahou Dun quickly chimed in.

"Heh~, I don't need you to treat me to a meal. Alright, let's go!"

Liu Hong looked at the two brothers, smiled and shook his head, then stood up and walked outside, with everyone quickly following behind.

Upon arriving outside the Cuihong Building, Liu Hong turned to look at the Xiahou brothers and Xu Chu who were following behind him.

"It's time to eat. You three should head back now and not linger here!"

"Yes, young master, we will take our leave!"

Go!

Liu Hong then waved to the Xiahou brothers and Xu Chu, and the three bowed to Liu Hong before quickly turning and leaving.

"Let's go too!!"

Watching the Xiahou brothers leave in a hurry, Liu Hong chuckled and then led the group toward the Middle East Gate.

Soon the Xiahou brothers brought Xu Chu to the end of the street.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!