Chapter 343 Anfu Gate

"I recently heard that outside Anfu Gate, there are often people performing acrobatics. I just want to take my wife, concubines and children to watch. Your Majesty, please come with me to watch." Li Ke did not talk about military affairs or the problems of ministers in the court, but talked about folk art.

"Many folk craftsmen rely on such art to support their families. The livelihood of a family depends on the money from selling art every day." Li Chengqian said with a smile.

"I never thought that my brother knew so much about it. I am ashamed of myself." Li Ke said.

"As an emperor, I have lived in the palace for a long time, so I am not ignorant. I often let people report the situation outside the palace to the palace, and it is my responsibility to understand the people's sentiments." "

But when you mentioned this, I did hear some things about the Hu people. These Hu people came to Chang'an and brought some exotic performances. They also performed in Chang'an." Li Chengqian said.

"I heard that the women of the Western Regions are different from our Han women. Relatively speaking, the women of the Western Regions are more wild." Li Ke said. "

Why? You are interested in women of the Western Regions, then I will let the Uighur, Turkic, Pugu and other tribes select some beautiful women from the Western Regions who are good at singing and dancing and send them to you as a reward." Li Chengqian said.

"Your Majesty, you are joking. I am just a little curious. I still like the beauties of our Tang Dynasty. What's more, I am devoted to the great cause of the Tang Dynasty and have no intention of thinking about anything else." Li Ke said with a smile.

Li Chengqian smiled but said nothing.

The emperor's procession entered Chang'an in a grand manner. Back in the Taiji Palace, Li Chengqian and Li Ke got out of the carriage.

"I will take my leave first!" Li Ke said with his arms crossed.

"Okay! Go!" Li Chengqian said.

Looking at Li Ke's leaving figure, Li Chengqian thought he should go up to Anfu Gate to take a look, so he turned and went to Anfu Gate. He wanted to see what the living standards of the people in the Tang Dynasty were like now.

The streets of Chang'an City were bustling with traffic. Li Chengqian climbed up the Anfu Gate tower and looked into the distance.

In addition to the vendors and peddlers, there are also artists and peddlers performing acrobatics on the bustling Chang'an Street.

The peddlers carry their goods on their backs and walk through the streets and alleys to sell their goods.

The street performers perform various acrobatics and magic tricks for the pedestrians, such as finding the tripod, finding the tower, swallowing the knife, spitting fire, etc., in order to attract the attention of the pedestrians and receive the exclamations and screams of the pedestrians.

There are also music and dances dressed as human figures, "fish dragon manyan" dressed as animals, and "Donghai Huang Gong" with a simple story.

In short, these acrobatics are varied and dazzling. In addition to applause and screams, the onlookers will also take out some copper coins to reward these street performers.

These street performers earn their living expenses by performing acrobatics, which is their only source of income.

Now that the Tang Dynasty is stable and prosperous, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and their living standards have improved a lot, and everyone has spare money.

With spare money in hand, it is naturally easier to watch these street acrobatics and give them a reward. These street performers can make money more easily than before.

They no longer have to worry about tomorrow's meal. Although they cannot be rich and glorious, they have no problem with three meals a day.

After watching the acrobatics, Li Chengqian had a general understanding of the living standards of the people in Chang'an.

Li Chengqian continued to look out, his eyes lingering in the distance, where a group of Hu people were playing football, and some even opened a handicap to bet on the outcome.

After watching for a while, Li Chengqian felt bored and left the Anfu Gate Tower to return to the palace.

The next day, when Li Chengqian was discussing government affairs with his ministers, he talked about what he saw when he climbed the Anfu Gate Tower.

He said to the ministers: "Yesterday I climbed the tower to observe the customs and folkways of the people in my Tang Dynasty, whether they are extravagant or frugal, not for vocal entertainment."

"I heard that the Hu people are good at playing football, and I wanted to see it myself to see if the Hu people are really good at playing football. I wanted to compare whether my Tang warriors are more powerful or the Hu people are more powerful." Li Chengqian said.

The people of the Tang Dynasty loved playing Ju whenever they had free time, especially among the nobles, and even in the imperial palace.

The game of Ju is actually polo, a sport that involves riding on a horse and hitting a ball with a polo stick.

Ju was the most luxurious sport in ancient times, and it is said to have originated from Persia. This violent and exciting polo was deeply loved by the people of the Tang Dynasty.

Polo is also an extremely dangerous entertainment project. Once you fall off the horse, breaking your bones is a minor matter, and death is also commonplace.

Despite how dangerous this sport is, there were many Tang Dynasty emperors who loved this kind of sports and entertainment.

Emperors Zhongzong, Xuanzong, Muzong, Jingzong, Xuanzong, Xizong, and Zhaozong were all advocates and participants of polo.

Among these emperors, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was the most enthusiastic polo player. In the sixth year of Tianbao, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang issued an imperial decree to include polo as one of the subjects of military training.

Li Chengqian had no interest in polo at all, and he didn't like to play polo. He rarely rode a horse, let alone playing such a high-risk sport that could cause him to lose his arms and legs at any time, or even his life.

Isn't it good to be alive?

"Saint, why don't you hold a jockey match in the palace so that the Hu people can see the style of our Tang Dynasty?" said an official.

He thought Li Chengqian was also an enthusiastic polo player, so he made this suggestion to Li Chengqian.

"Yesterday, when I first climbed the tower, I saw many Hu people playing polo. Some even opened a bet on which team would win."

"The Hu people love playing polo. How can the emperor do such a thing so casually? I have ordered the burning of the polo bowls."

"I hope this will prevent the Hu people from secretly observing the emperor's preferences. I will also take this as a warning." Li Chengqian glanced at the official and said.

The official was shocked after hearing this! He had heard that the emperor didn't like polo, and might even hate this kind of entertainment.

He originally wanted to please the emperor and flatter him, but he didn't expect to flatter the emperor.

The official was so scared that he trembled, and now he regrets it.

Others looked at him with sympathy.

"Let's stop here today, let's all go!" Li Chengqian said, without any intention of blaming the official.

He would not do anything to the official just for a suggestion, and he was not so petty.

"I will take my leave!" The ministers stood up, said goodbye, and left.

After leaving the palace, the official who suggested Li Chengqian to organize the polo match finally breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the emperor did not blame him, otherwise, his career would be in vain

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