The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 145 Cuju
A ball fell diagonally from mid-air.

Xiao Yi neither dodged nor avoided the ball. With a flick of his right foot, he hooked the ball, precisely dissipating the force with the outside of his foot, and steadily stopped the ball, as if it were glued to him.

He spotted the flirtatious look in her eyes, then deftly tossed the ball over with his foot.

"Didn't you say you couldn't do it?" Li Chongjin asked.

"Once you understand one thing, everything else will fall into place."

Xiao Yi is indeed not very good at Cuju (ancient Chinese football), but he can always do a good job of showing off.

Li Chongjin said, "Don't kick it around. After the game starts, give the ball to Zhang Yongde and let him play."

"Why?"

“That’s the rule, he’s the ball leader, so only the ball leader can score.” Li Chongjin whispered, “It’s because he’s the prince consort, we’re not.”

Over there, Gao Huaide received the ball, executed a series of skillful maneuvers, and then beautifully kicked the ball back.

A beautiful woman carrying a little girl entered the stands, cheering in a childlike voice.

"Grandpa is awesome!"

As Xiao Yi spoke, he casually hooked the ball with his left foot, caught it blindly, juggled it twice, and then kicked it to Zhang Yongde, wondering what the point of this rule was.

"Gao Huaide's child is already three or four years old?"

“Yes, he is the son-in-law of Liu Ci, the military governor of Anguo.” Li Chongjin spat, “But look, at least my wife is prettier than his wife.”

"Congratulations."

Xiao Yi glanced around and, apart from a few he recognized, didn't see anyone else who stood out among the women. He thought Zhang Wan was the prettiest.

After a short warm-up, the football game begins.

Their ball leader is Zhang Yongde, the nimble ball leader is Li Chongjin, the center forward is Guo Shouwen, and Xiao Yi is the ball leader. His role is to run and receive the ball, create opportunities for the ball leader, defend and intercept, and prevent the opponent from passing the ball. He is equivalent to a midfielder.

This tactic of deploying troops according to their positions made it very difficult for Xiao Yi to play, and he couldn't fully utilize his abilities.

He could only adapt to the rules and engage in physical confrontations with his opponents.

The other person's head was a boy about his age, a bit chubby, and not as strong as him, but he was experienced and liked to hug him around the waist.

"Aren't you committing a foul?"

“There’s no foul. I know you. You picked Xiao Yi who picked Murong Yanchao. My name is Milford. Remember my name. I will shine sooner or later.”

Xiao Yi was so uncomfortable being held by him that he practically jumped up, dragging his entire weight, and headbutted the ball to intercept it, then passed it to Li Chongjin.

Treat it as weight training, drag Miford all over the field to wear him down.

Less than half an hour later, Miford, panting heavily, said, "So tired... but you're going to lose..."

Xiao Yi glanced at the tally; the opponent had already secured five tallies, while they only had three. Looking at Gao Huaide's condition, he remained composed, while Zhang Yongde appeared exhausted and his eyes were glazed over.

With these lousy rules and terrible formation, we definitely can't win.

Not long after, both sides took a break. Xiao Yi happened to intercept the ball, casually kicked it past Feng Liuyan, and then turned around to grab a water pouch.

Gao Huaide passed by and casually remarked, "Impressive footwork."

Xiao Yi wasn't too concerned about Cuju (ancient Chinese football), but he was quite curious about Gao Huaide's martial arts skills, saying, "If I have the time, I would like to ask Brother Zang Yong for martial arts advice."

"No need, I don't fight with others."

Gao Huaide shook his finger, his attitude not arrogant, but rather possessing a detached and carefree air.

Then, he added with a smile.

"If you want to beat me, today is the only day."

Xiao Yi originally didn't want to comment on Zhang Yongde and Li Chongjin's tactics, but he couldn't help himself and went over to them, saying in a low voice, "We need to change our formation."

Li Chongjin's face darkened with anxiety as he asked, "How do we change it?"

“Brother Bao Yi is good at overall view and calm in advance and retreat. He should be the ball handler, pass the ball and organize the attack; Brother Chong Jin is strong and fierce. He should be the ball handler, run the ball and intercept it to win; Guo Shouwen is flexible and fast. He should be the ball handler. Let’s pick another one with good skills to be the ball leader.”

"You'll be the ball leader."

Zhang Yongde surprisingly has a great sense of the big picture; it's hard to tell if it's because he's broad-minded or just lacks personality.

As he spoke, he untied his red brocade outer robe and said, "Let's change our clothes."

Over there, Miford shouted, "It's started! Aren't you coming? Are you scared?"

Seeing that time was running out, Xiao Yi didn't hesitate to exchange clothes with Zhang Yongde and return to the field.

The opponent didn't have time to change their formation, and Milford was still guarding him. He chuckled and said, "You can be the ball handler too?"

After saying that, she opened her arms and hugged him.

Xiao Yi retreated in a flash.

"Hold one!"

Zhang Yongde's technique is actually very good, but he lacks a fierce edge. His shots are not decisive enough, but his passes are quick and accurate.

Before Xiao Yi could finish speaking, the ball arrived.

He didn't rush to receive the ball. Seeing Miford rushing over to intercept, he raised his foot and kicked the ball high. At the same time, he spun his body, feinted away from Miford, calmly received the ball, hooked his foot, and decisively shot.

The ball flew past Fengliuyan with a "whoosh".

"it is good!"

Li Chongjin was overjoyed and shouted his approval.

Four chips are better than five chips.

Before long, Gao Huaide unleashed a dazzling series of freestyle moves, bypassing Zhang Yongde and gaining the upper hand once again.

Xiao Yi ran incredibly fast on the field, charging like a cavalryman, dodging Miford, signaling Guo Shouwen to pass the ball, and then cutting inside and firing a shot to pull one back.

When he got another chance, the opponent had one more person to defend him, so he hooked the ball with his left foot, turned his body to the side, and pulled the ball to change direction.

"Whoosh."

Six chips compared to six chips.

Miford was too tired to run anymore.

Xiao Yi also has fancy moves, like the Marseille turn and a volley shot.

As he played, he gradually became familiar with the way Cuju was played, and he and Gao Huaide went back and forth, their play becoming increasingly heated.

Suddenly, the ball fell from above.

With his back to Feng Liuyan, Xiao Yi decisively judged the landing point, stomped his left foot on the ground, slightly bent his right knee, and tightened his waist and back, like a string gathering power.

As the ball arrived, the opponents surrounded and defended it.

He suddenly pushed off the ground, his body leaping up like an arrow, flipping over, raising both legs, straightening his right leg, and precisely kicking the ball with the inside of his foot.

Inverted hook.

"Boom."

A dull, soft sound.

With his clothes fluttering, Xiao Yi landed, his hands barely touching the ground to cushion the impact. He then used his core strength to push himself up, landing with alternating feet, and dusted off his disheveled clothes. The movement was effortless for him; the difficulty lay in accuracy. It had been a long time since he had played football, and he wondered if he had hit the target.

"it is good!"

"it is good!"

After a brief pause, cheers suddenly erupted from the crowd.

Xiao Yi turned around and saw that the nine chips were compared to the eight chips... The next moment, Li Chongjin and the others surrounded him and lifted him high up.

"We won! Hahaha, we won!"

Xiao Yi was tossed around in the air a few times, and he felt quite exhilarated, as if he had returned to his youth in his previous life.

After being finally put down, Gao Huaide, Zhang Yongde, Li Chongjin and others walked towards the stands, each going to find their wives.

He also had something to say to Zhang Wan, so he walked over there.

Zhang Wan was seen holding up her robe as she followed Guo Xin to the edge of the stands.

Guo Xin jumped down, looking quite pretty, while Zhang Wan, being a lady, didn't dare to jump.

"Be careful."

"You looked pretty cool just now."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi was slightly taken aback, only then remembering that Guo Xin had been peeking from outside the door when he mentioned this word to Guo Xin last time.

"for you."

Guo Xin tossed a water pouch over and said, "That little fat boy is always clinging to you, he must be exhausted!"

Xiao Yi took the water and drank a sip; it was actually lukewarm.

This situation is just like the night Liu Zhu was killed.

"That's good. Why did you tell Brother Chongjin that I know how to play Cuju?"

"I just wanted you to come and... to embarrass yourself, but I didn't expect you to actually have some skills. Your footwork is different from others."

"You can see through the trick?"

"Don't underestimate me, pass the ball to me."

Xiao Yi waved to the palace servants in the distance, and a ball was tossed over. He stretched out his foot to catch it, but a foot wearing a deerskin boot snatched the ball first and stepped on the instep of his foot.

Guo Xin smiled mischievously, bounced around a few times, her clothes fluttering, and she looked really pretty.

Suddenly, she lifted her foot and hooked the ball towards Xiao Yi's face, but it was quite slow. He then stopped the ball with his shoulder, shook it off, and kicked it past Feng Liuyan.

Guo Xin, a little smug, asked, "How did I play?"

"Look at them with new eyes."

"I'm good at all of the following: Cuju (ancient Chinese football), Shuanglu (backgammon), Touhu (pitch-pot), and Chuiwan (hammer ball).

Xiao Yi looked at her smiling face, which seemed quite innocent and playful, but upon closer inspection, he could see that there was a girlish sentiment hidden in her eyes.

Why are you looking at me?

"I admire you."

"Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. Will you escort us to the Imperial Street to admire the lanterns?"

"Is tomorrow the Lantern Festival?"

When this matter was mentioned, Xiao Yi realized that he hadn't taken Li Zhaoning to see An Yuanzhen yet. If he had some free time today, he would have to take care of it.

Guo Xin waved her hand in front of his eyes and said reproachfully, "Don't play dumb. I will only allow Sister Zhang Wan to leave the palace if you come tomorrow night."

As they were talking, Zhang Yongde and Li Chongjin each came over with their wives.

Guo Si Niang asked, "Fifth Sister, what are you talking about? You're gesturing so animatedly."

"Sister, I praised him for his excellent football skills and asked him to accompany us to the lantern festival tomorrow night."

"Alright, alright, I'll have your brother-in-law call Xiao Lang over."

Xiao Yi felt the scrutinizing gaze from Guo Siniang, but remained calm.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, he noticed Zhang Wan standing to the side, watching with longing eyes, so he took the opportunity to go over to her.

The two went to a secluded spot and whispered to each other.

"Lang Jun."

"Are you getting used to it?"

"Don't worry, my lord. I didn't say anything. I just... hope that you will take me out of the palace."

"It's almost here, wait a minute."

Zhang Wan stepped forward and whispered, "My lord, does Lady Guo have feelings for you?"

"Why do you say that?"

"She asked me how I came to be with my husband... as a couple. I didn't know how to answer, so I imagined myself as the Empress Dowager and replied that I was lonely in the palace and it was rare to meet a man like you, with such outstanding character and understanding. But Lady Guo said that she was asking how I won your favor. I could only say that I took the initiative to chat with you."

"You're overthinking it. Given her status, if she truly had such feelings, how could she allow you to stay by my side?"

Zhang Wan was taken aback, then lowered her head and said, "Yes, before Guo Wu Niangzi entered the palace, she had no maids by her side, so she asked me to help select palace maids and whether to put lanterns and candle wicks here."

"No, she will have to get married in the future, so our people need to stay in the palace and select a few who can be loyal to her."

"Yes, I would like to give this to my lord."

As she spoke, Zhang Wan handed over a small cloth bag with both hands.

Xiao Yi opened it and saw some gold and silver jewelry. He asked in surprise, "What's this?"

"The dowry I've accumulated over the years... is for my husband's expenses."

How could I possibly use your money?

"I heard that you have been granted a large mansion, and I should be in charge of managing it. However, I am unable to leave. Please accept it and buy some maids to take care of me." Zhang Wan lowered her head and said softly, "I can live with you after I leave the palace."

"it is good."

Xiao Yi didn't stand on ceremony and took it, feeling the warmth and faint fragrance of her still lingering on the cloth bag.

He discovered that he wasn't short of money if he didn't engage in business.

I had planned to take Li Zhaoning to see An Yuanzhen in the afternoon, but Zhang Yongde wanted to host a banquet, so I had to go and postpone the matter until tomorrow.

The group headed straight for Linque Tower. When they arrived, they looked up and were all taken aback.

"What happened?"

"Have we come to the wrong place?"

Xiao Yi was shocked to see that the plaque above the door had been changed. He could almost conclude that the owner of this building was Yan Jinqing, and that he was very respectful to him.

Because those two characters, written in a bold and elegant style, are none other than "Fanlou".

(End of this chapter)