Many excellent forms of exercise existed during the Tang and Song dynasties, but they were lost during the Qing dynasty.
Polo is one of them.
One theory suggests that this sport originated in Persia and spread to the Central Plains of China very early on, becoming popular during the Tang Dynasty.
The Song Dynasty was also very popular.
However, this is an aristocratic sport, and even in the 21st century, polo is still considered an aristocratic sport.
During the Song Dynasty, polo was very popular among the wealthy and powerful.
To enrich the lives and entertainment of ordinary people, Zhao Huan ordered the construction of a separate polo field in the new city area, which ordinary people could enter by purchasing tickets.
Today's polo match against Wanyan Zongpan is taking place at the polo field in the south of the city.
In March in Tokyo, the willows along the roadside are already drooping, and the spring breeze is intoxicating to tourists.
Peach blossoms danced in the spring breeze, landing on the streets and adding a touch of romantic poetry to the young men and women meeting by the lake.
Today, many people rushed to the South District of the New City early in the morning and entered the polo field.
These people are all polo fans and are extremely passionate about polo.
Some people came in groups, dressed in their own clothes, with headscarves tied around their foreheads, and even had a flag that read "The Great Song Dynasty will surely win."
In order not to cause trouble for the people present, Zhao Huan quietly took his place at the very end.
As the polo teams from the Song Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty entered the field one after another, a deafening roar of cheers erupted from all around.
This instantly reminded Zhao Huan of the football field in his previous life.
Gao Qiu, the head of the Sports Department, ran up to the emperor and said, "Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities," Zhao Huan said. "Gao Qiu, you may sit next to me."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Sitting next to Zhao Huan was Wanyan Zongpan. Upon seeing Gao Qiu, Wanyan Zongpan said, "You are the famous Gao Qiu of the Great Song Dynasty?"
Gao Qiu, relying on the emperor's presence, completely disregarded Wanyan Zongpan.
Wanyan Zongpan wasn't angry; he was absolutely confident of winning the match.
In his mind, the Jin people were far superior to the Song people in horsemanship.
The Jurchen people originated on horseback, and their cavalry and horses were an integral part of each other.
The Song Dynasty polo players wore bright red clothes, while the Jin Dynasty polo players wore black clothes.
The polo players of the Song Dynasty were selected from Han Shizhong's army, and they were all full of energy.
Zhao Huan sipped his tea while looking around.
He wasn't particularly obsessed with polo, but he thought the public's enthusiasm was very high, which was a good thing.
It seems that the people of Tokyo are very fond of polo, but since polo is a sport for nobles, they can only hear about it from others.
Now that they can see it with their own eyes, many people are so excited that their faces turn red.
This sport needs to be popularized and made accessible to everyone.
For the country to prosper and the people to live in peace, the entertainment industry must thrive.
The competition has now begun, and the person under the most pressure is not anyone else, but Gao Qiu.
If he loses, he will have to take responsibility.
Gao Qiu's specialty wasn't polo, but Cuju (ancient Chinese football). But now that the emperor wanted to play polo with someone, as the head of the Sports Department, he had no reason to be picky.
Gao Qiu quickly found a polo expert and spent a few days training Han Shizhong's group.
Those men were originally elites from the former Imperial Guard Cavalry Battalion, and their horsemanship was far superior to that of professional polo players.
The only difference is that the spears and sabers have been replaced with baseball bats, and within two days everyone was wielding them with unparalleled skill.
Moreover, they were originally partners in life and death on the battlefield, and their cooperation when facing the enemy could not be neglected in the slightest, otherwise they would lose their lives.
Therefore, it's incredibly easy to coordinate on a court like this.
Gao Qiu inwardly exclaimed that being the head of the Sports Department was too easy; the people the emperor had sent were all extraordinary individuals.
The officials of the Song Dynasty watched with trepidation, their hearts pounding.
This isn't some friendly match between families; it's a competition between nations.
It wasn't just the game that was lost, it was also the spirit and the face that were lost.
If the mighty China, the Central Plains, were to lose to barbarians, not only would the emperor lose face, but the entire Song Dynasty would lose face.
Even if merchants go north to trade and barter in the future, the other side might laugh at them, saying that the polo world of your Great Song Dynasty is just a bunch of weaklings waving sticks.
And perhaps the following spectacular scene would emerge in the polo world of the Song Dynasty: We apologize to the people of the whole country, we are sorry!
Then, revealing their physiques resembling boiled chicken, they all shed tears while reading the newspaper.
Just imagining this scene made Zhao Huan feel utterly betrayed; a national sport had been ruined by certain individuals.
Watching the Jurchens riding on horseback, each one fierce and wild, the Song Dynasty's civil officials secretly shook their heads.
The emperor has lost face big time, and the Song Dynasty has lost face too!
Zhao Huan suddenly said to Han Shizhong, who was sitting not far away, "Marquis Yongwu, the Jin envoy is a guest! Give them some face and show them some courtesy!"
He spoke deliberately loudly, and the officials around him wished they could cover their faces.
Your Majesty, do you really not know how powerful the Jurchen cavalry are?
Do you really not know that we Song people are not good at riding horses?
Before Han Shizhong could speak, Gao Qiu immediately began flattering Zhao Huan: "Your Majesty is kind and benevolent. It is truly my greatest fortune to serve Your Majesty!"
Seeing how quickly Gao Qiu could flatter the emperor, everyone was eager to follow suit and began to vie with each other to flatter him.
They kept talking back and forth, making Wanyan Zongpan want to vomit blood.
The rulers and ministers of the State of Song are absolutely outrageous!
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
