Xi Zhicai thought for a moment, then asked, "Is Your Majesty referring to the 'Liubo' game?"
(Liubo, an ancient Chinese chess game, is also known as "Boyi" along with Go, and both are Chinese intangible cultural heritage.)
As for some idiots who claim that chess originated in India, or that China doesn't have elephants, and so on, those are just baseless ramblings.
The "elephant" in Chinese chess is taken from the traditional Chinese divination system of "Four Symbols and Eight Trigrams".
The earliest mention of the term "chess" comes from the "Summoning the Soul" chapter of the Chu Ci (Songs of Chu): "They play chess, with six rounds of board games. They advance in separate teams, pressing each other closely."
It means: a chess set made of jade, divided into two sides, one for the enemy and one for ourselves, each attacking to win!
Liu Hong nodded. "Yes, yes, that's it. Zhi Cai played it too?"
"Indeed, in my spare time, I often discussed chess and Go with you and others!"
"Oh? Then Zhicai, tell me properly, how do you play this chess game?"
Then Liu Hong couldn't help but ask Xi Zhicai some questions about chess.
Xi Zhicai nodded, and then carefully explained some of the rules and gameplay of chess to Liu Hong.
"Your Majesty asks these questions, are you perhaps planning to establish a chess club?"
After he finished speaking, Xi Zhicai looked at Liu Hong with some curiosity.
"Hmm, not bad, these two are great things. They can be used not only for competitions, but also to train people's thinking and calculation abilities!"
Upon learning that the chess of this era was not much different from that of later generations, Liu Hong suddenly had an idea.
Then Liu Hong continued, "Of course, it's not just chess clubs. There are also poetry societies where students can compose and recite poems to each other!"
There are also music societies where students can exchange musical skills, saving those who are poor from having to go to brothels to listen to music.
There are also art studios where students can exchange painting techniques!
Then Liu Hong rattled off a whole list of familiar entertainment activities, such as teahouses, lantern riddle gatherings, pitch-pot games, cockfighting, and so on.
"Your Majesty, how did you come up with these ideas...?"
Looking at the emperor speaking eloquently, Xi Zhicai couldn't help but ask a question.
He simply couldn't understand how the emperor, who was always diligent and busy with state affairs, could come up with so many things for entertainment.
"Uh... don't worry about the details, just tell me, are these okay?"
Meeting Xi Zhicai's astonished gaze, Liu Hong waved his hand somewhat awkwardly.
"Hmm... these... I think they're feasible!"
Xi Zhicai thought about it and nodded, quite tempted.
"Yes, that's good!! Everyone will have something to do in the future, that's a good thing! Let's get started without delay!"
The thought of having fun after leaving the palace brought a happy smile to Liu Hong's face.
Sports events should be held, and entertainment should not be neglected. Of course, the most important thing is that these things can stimulate consumption and drive the economy.
If we give wealthy people more opportunities to spend their money, they'll realize the importance of making money, right?
Finally, Liu Hong turned to look at Jian Shuo, who was lost in thought.
"Jian Shuo!!"
"Ah, your servant is here!"
Jian Shuo, who was standing to the side, quickly bowed and came to Liu Hong's side.
"Quickly, go and fetch the Grand Minister of Agriculture, Lü Qiang, and Zhao Zhong!!"
"promise!!"
"And the Minister of Works, bring him here too!"
"promise!!"
After receiving the order, Jian Shuo hurriedly ran out of Deyang Palace, gave instructions to a few eunuchs, and then rushed out of the palace.
"Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."
After Jian Shuo left, Xi Zhicai also bowed to Liu Hong to take his leave.
Liu Hong nodded. "Yes, go ahead! It's really not good for you to get involved in these things!"
Xi Zhicai smiled and nodded, bowed to Liu Hong, and then quickly left Deyang Palace.
"Sigh... So many good things were already leftovers from our ancestors, but in the end, we couldn't compete with them! What a damn disgrace..."
After Xi Zhicai left, Liu Hong couldn't help but sigh dejectedly. He then took out paper and pen and began to write and draw on the paper.
What Liu Hong drew was the layout and some of the corresponding rules of football in later generations.
A moment later, Liu Hong, biting his pen, looked at the densely written football rules he had penned and couldn't help but frown.
"Hmm~, it's a competitive sport! It's only fun if there's intense competition. If there are too many restrictions, it'll just become a showy display?"
After muttering something under his breath, Liu Hong picked up a brush and erased all the rules he had written.
After blinking and thinking for a moment, Liu Hong began to write:
First, except for the goalkeeper, no one else may handle the ball with their hands.
Second, no one may maliciously injure others, and no fighting or brawling is allowed on the court.
Third, attacks on the lower body are prohibited.
Fourth, while dribbling, you are not allowed to intentionally attack or collide with opponents behind you who are not carrying the ball.
The sole scoring criterion is scoring goals.
"Hmm~, that's about right, this is enough!"
Looking at the four rules he had rewritten, Liu Hong couldn't help but grin happily.
Thus, a violent version of football featuring a giant man was born.
Before long, Cao Song, Yuan Feng, Lü Qiang, Zhao Zhong and others also arrived at Deyang Palace together.
After the emperor and his subject exchanged greetings, Liu Hong first looked at Yuan Feng and asked:
"Sikong, how's that concrete matter going?"
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