The Yelü people cheered.
There's nothing more gratifying than seeing your opponent make a mistake and then helping your side to work harder.
This kind of mistake can easily cause the opponent to lose the confidence to continue fighting.
But, unexpectedly, the middle-aged man smiled shyly, turned around, and delivered another powerful strike to the ball.
This strike was even more powerful than the previous one.
Before the goalkeeper of the Yelü clan team could react, the ball shot straight into the hole.
"Well done, Xiao Tao!"
General Jin shouted with joy, waving his hands as if he were about to dance on horseback.
The Yelü clan were all stunned.
Yelü Guzha was the first to react, shouting out a string of incomprehensible words that sounded like a curse or a reprimand.
Qin Yuan laughed and said, "That move was absolutely brilliant, that backhand shot was superb."
Qin Heng said happily, "If we keep playing like this, there won't be any need for extra matches. I'm so lucky and happy."
Qin Siyuan exclaimed in admiration: "Truly, a red-maned steed with brocade bristles, a yellow-bridled horse with green silk, a purple steed flashing like lightning. Like shooting stars streaking across the flower field, like the crescent moon flying over the painted staff. I can only imagine the Marquis's spirit when he commands his troops in the northern frontier."
Master Gu said, "My third brother practiced martial arts from a young age, determined to protect our country. He was already practicing horse stance before he was even as tall as a table leg. He then went to the northern camp to learn military strategy from my father. When the Marquis's mansion was about to collapse, my third brother went to the northern camp alone and made a solemn vow that he would not return until Yelü was apprehended. He kept his word."
Qin Siyuan said, "No wonder you admire your third brother so much."
"No amount of admiration is too much."
On the stands, the Emperor's eyes were fixed on Lord Gu, while Princess Fuyun and the others kept their gazes glued to him.
The Prince of Jin suddenly asked, "Why didn't Lord Gu ride his snow-white steed today?"
King Qishan said, "If we ride it, I wonder how many rounds Yelü Guzha will lose?"
King Qi said, "I predict that Yelü Guzha will lose by at least eight points when this match ends."
The emperor's interest was piqued, and while watching the scene through his binoculars, he said, "I guess more than ten."
Old Wang laughed and said, "Yelü Guzha's side are all strong men, how could they lose so badly?"
The Crown Prince said quietly, "When I was young, I watched the Marquis of Dingbei lead his team to compete against the palace polo team, winning dozens of times in a row. Not only in polo, but even in cuju, few can beat him."
After these words were spoken, everyone fell silent again.
The King of Qi's eyes showed even more disgust and disdain.
On the field, Lord Gu, General Jin, and Xiao Tao were all closely watched, for fear that they would steal the ball again. But there were only so many players, and all the firepower was concentrated on these three, giving the others more opportunities.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, five more chips were advanced.
Cheers erupted from the audience.
The Yelü clan members were like ducks with their beaks tied, quietly staying in a corner.
The Yelü team was also demoralized. Even Yelü Guzha had lost his fierceness and was only filled with resentment, exhaustedly dealing with the attacks from Lord Gu and others.
"Daxing team wins."
"Daxing team wins again."
"Daxing team wins again."
My hands are numb from banging the gong.
For the Yelü clan team, half an hour felt incredibly long; they couldn't wait to end this match where they were being unilaterally suppressed.
But for the Daxing team, half an hour is too short.
When the gong sounded, Yelü Guzha breathed a sigh of relief, but General Jin sighed, "We haven't all had our turn yet."
Such a match is something to be proud of in the future; scoring a goal in it is something your children and grandchildren can brag about for years to come.
Gu Jinghui said, "If we win, then everyone wins."
"That's right!" General Jin quickly understood and said with a smile, "It wouldn't be good to beat them too badly, since we've already won anyway."
Amidst the roaring cheers, the two teams lined up in two rows.
Gu Jinghui said to Yelü Guzha, "You flatter me."
Yelü Guzha forced a smile: "The Marquis of Dingbei is exceptionally skilled in ball games and adept at managing his subordinates. I am truly no match for him, and I accept my defeat wholeheartedly."
Gu Jinghui dismounted and led the group up to the stands. After bowing to the Emperor, he said, "Your Majesty, we are fortunate to have fulfilled our mission."
The Emperor laughed heartily, "Excellent! Marquis Dingbei truly deserves to be my trusted advisor. You played the game exceptionally well, wonderfully. You must come to the palace more often to play football with me and the Crown Prince."
Gu Jinghui immediately replied, "Your subject obeys."
The emperor comforted Yelü Guzha with a few more words, but did not mention anything about the life-or-death agreement.
But Yelü Guzha was already deeply worried.
Old Wang said, "Your Majesty, the robes are all prepared. Would you like to bestow them upon us now?"
The Emperor laughed and said, "Of course, I will reward them now. I will personally bestow the rewards upon these brave soldiers."
General Jin and the others were so excited that their faces flushed, and they almost didn't know how to move their hands and feet.
The Emperor walked up to them, first ordering Gu Jinghui to stand up, then personally unfolding the python robe and draping it over him, and then ordering a young eunuch to present him with a jade belt.
Gu Jinghui knelt down again to express his gratitude.
When it came to General Jin and the others, the Emperor ordered the Crown Prince to help bestow rewards upon them.
The crown prince was pale and sickly, but he spoke very kindly. When he bestowed the qilin robes upon them, he would also say a few more words about their superb ball skills.
General Jin and the others all felt that it would be better if the Crown Prince were not sickly.
After receiving their reward, the group, dressed in brocade robes, mounted their horses and slowly walked around the edge of the training ground, allowing the onlookers to watch.
A thunderous roar of praise erupted.
The Emperor, sitting at the head of the table, couldn't help but sigh, "The Marquis of Dingbei, dressed in his python robe, is truly like an auspicious cypress tree, a handsome man indeed."
The Crown Prince said, "I feel that he is far inferior to my father. My father was also a handsome man in his youth, with a dragon-like appearance and a phoenix-like demeanor. He is far more elegant than I am."
The Emperor laughed heartily and said, "I am the ruler, how could I compare my beauty with that of my subjects? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at if word gets out?"
Despite this, he was clearly very happy.
Everyone said, "His Highness the Crown Prince is right. The Emperor's heroic bearing is indeed beyond what Marquis Gu can match."
After Lord Gu and his entourage had circled the field once.
The Ninth Princess stepped forward and said to the Emperor, "Father, I heard that before the competition, the noble ladies also fought hard against the concubines of Yelü, the hostage. Why not reward them with some silk and cloth to show the Emperor's boundless grace?"
The Emperor nodded and said, "Very good."
Then he sent Old Wang to summon the women's team to pay their respects.
Upon receiving the news, Gu Baozhu and the others hurriedly rode their horses into the arena. The Emperor greeted them one by one, offered words of praise, and had the Ninth Princess and Princess Fuyun bestow upon each of them a jade ruyi and a piece of fine silk.
The Crown Prince said, "Indeed, like father, like daughter. The seventh young lady of the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion is exceptionally brave at such a young age."
The Emperor nodded.
Prince Jin suddenly said, "I heard that the Lady of Dingbei is also present. Why doesn't Father Emperor order the Marquis of Dingbei to bring his wife to see us? It is said that the Lady of Dingbei is the daughter of the Imperial Academy Master. She is intelligent and virtuous, has a great talent for making incense, and is also very good at managing a household. She is deeply loved and respected by the Marquis of Dingbei."
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