Chapter 26 Competition (I)

Not long after, there was a sound of a gong, and everyone in the stands looked towards the field at the same time. A group of people walked out from the left and right sides, one in black and the other in white.

In order to distinguish them, the goalkeeper tied a red cloth strip on each arm.

There are two games today. The first one is between the Folk Cuju Team and the Royal Cuju Team.

Don't think that the Royal Family will definitely win in the Cuju game. It is said that the Cuju ball is round, and no one knows what the result will be until the last moment of the game.

Cuju was very popular in Dazhao, and today's game was meant to be enjoyed by all the people. Therefore, in addition to the dedicated stands, the area outside the fence was now crowded with city residents who came to watch the game.

Of course, there were also imperial guards surrounding the stadium. Not to mention the nobles in the capital, the emperor, empress, and a group of princes were all here today. If something happened, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The two teams walked to the center of the court and bumped fists one by one. This is the fixed procedure before every game.

Soon, with a whistle, the game officially began.

Although Shen Yuan had no interest in Cuju before, under such an atmosphere today, her heart seemed to be lifted up along with the Cuju thrown high by the referee.

Whether it is a folk Cuju team or a royal Cuju team, it can be said that they make a living from it, which is different from a simple hobby.

So when it comes to viewing pleasure, it is naturally more beautiful when played by professionals.

Soon, an incense stick of time passed and neither side scored a goal.

However, the atmosphere off the field did not stagnate at all because of the lack of goals. Instead, it became even more heated.

As the players on the field scrambled, intercepted, and passed the ball, there were bursts of cheers from inside and outside the stands as the ball moved.

As a spectator, Shen Yuan also tightened his fingers unconsciously.

Everyone makes a living from this, so there is no need to consider the opponent's family background, so they are very decisive and ruthless when scooping up the ball. At this time, the one who is scooped up will usually fall heavily to the ground. Shen Yuan grimaced at the sight, as if it was her who fell.

It’s hard to tell who’s wearing black, but as for the team wearing white, it’s almost impossible to recognize the color of almost everyone’s clothes.

As the game progressed, it was not only the spectators who were excited, but also the players who were playing. Even Shen Yuan, who knew nothing about Cuju, could see that the players were getting more and more ferocious in their movements, and were shooting the Cuju directly towards the goal more and more often.

This immediately brought a big challenge to the goalkeeper.

The goalkeeper of the folk Cuju team recently jumped high and caught a ball, which made all the spectators cheer in unison.

"I thought being a goalkeeper should have the easiest job, but it seems that's not the case. Just now, He Dalang couldn't keep the ball." Yan Siyu complained to Shen Yuan in a low voice while watching the game.

Shen Yuan also whispered back, "That also depends on what kind of football the opposing team can play. The players in the competition practice this every day, so it's naturally different."

"That's true. My brother played Cuju every day at home. He even broke a few vases. My mother was so angry that she emptied his room and only left him a quilt. With his condition, he was able to join the team and play. I think the others are probably the same."

Unlike the two teams currently competing, the team at the back is obviously there just to entertain everyone.

After all, the games of folk Cuju teams could be seen almost every day, but not many people had seen the teams composed of ministers from various government offices in the imperial court.

On the Cuju field, excluding the goalkeeper, each team has eleven people. In Shen Yuan's opinion, Cuju requires the cooperation of all members of the team, otherwise, no matter how good they are, it will be useless.

It seems that it is not difficult for them to reach a tacit understanding after daily training, but these officials in the court are on duty almost every day, so Shen Yuan is looking forward to what kind of game this group of "competent" players can play.

While he was daydreaming, thunderous cheers came from all around, and Shen Yuan realized that the folk Cuju team had scored the first goal.

There were constant cheers all around, and Shen Yuan had to raise his voice when talking to Yan Siyu, "What a pity, I didn't even see the goal clearly."

"The ball was so fast, it went from left to right all of a sudden. Not to mention you, the people on the field probably didn't see it clearly!"

After this goal, the whistle for the end of the first half was blown soon, and the players all went off the court to rest before changing sides and continuing the game.

However, the people off the field seemed to have not recovered from this exciting game.

After the first half of the game was over, the queen and princesses sitting in the front naturally would not sit in the stands waiting for the second half to start. A special place was set aside in the training ground for them to rest.

Although the rest of the people did not receive this treatment, they were also served specially prepared snacks and tea by maids.

People living outside the area can also buy some tea and snacks from nearby vendors. With such a grand event as today, smart vendors have already spotted the business opportunities and are waiting to make a fortune in the next few days.

Shen Yuan and Yan Siyu ate almost all the snacks that were served to them with their tea. Looking at the plates with only the snack residue left, the two looked at each other and smiled awkwardly.

When Madam He and Madam Yan saw them, they asked their maid to bring the snacks on their table to the two of them.

"Children have good appetites, unlike us old folks who can't eat much even if we want to."

Shen Yuan was eating while not forgetting to flatter, "Where did this old guy come from? Why didn't I see him? Siyu, what do you think?"

"Hey, I didn't see it either."

Seeing the two of them eating happily, He Ying also smiled. She also went to her mother and Madam Yan's ears and whispered that Shen Yuan didn't dare to eat big mouthfuls this morning because he had put on lip balm, and it seemed that he had forgotten this when he was eating snacks.

"That's better than the one at home. The one at home was delayed and I was in a hurry to get it right before leaving the house. Now I'm hungry again."

"Mom! Didn't I tell you not to ruin my reputation outside?!"

"It's really strange that you still have a reputation? I thought you didn't know this."

The Yan family, the He family, and the Shen family had little contact in the past, but today, thanks to the two young men, they had the opportunity to sit together and talk.

Mrs. He and Mrs. Yan had a very pleasant conversation, and both felt that the other party was very compatible with their own temperaments. He Ying also joined in the conversation from time to time, and after half an hour, they were chatting away.

Many people today are like this. They are all the mistresses of their respective families. They have to watch the competitions, and socializing is naturally indispensable. There is a lot of knowledge involved.