This time, the arena competition was not held in a separate enclosure in the imperial city, but in a cleared open space outside the imperial city.
In order to allow the people of the whole city to see it, the governor of the capital sent people to build a platform in the open space outside the imperial city three days ago.
At least five thousand craftsmen were dispatched this time, and it took only three days to build an open-air square platform for viewing.
There is room for at least 10,000 people around this platform. This is only the infield. The outfield can accommodate 20,000 people, but the view is not very good.
But being able to watch it is a great blessing to the people in the city.
According to past practice, major events like this were held in the Imperial City. The people of Kyoto City would wait until the incident was over at most. It took ten days and a half before the news came from the Imperial City and they learned what had happened.
Now, His Majesty is gracious and allows them to enter the field and watch it in real time. Even if they are in the outfield, they are very content.
In this arena competition, in addition to seeing the competition between the masters of both sides, I was also lucky enough to see the powerful figures of Great Liang.
It is said that Su Xuanyong will come in person, even if he is far away from them and cannot even be seen, but even if he hears some faint sounds, it is an honor for the people in the city.
The emperor's words are a great thing that one cannot ask for in several lifetimes of living in Kyoto.
This time the emperor came forward, and all the dignitaries in Kyoto City had to attend.
Anyone picked out would be a big shot that would make the city of Kyoto tremble. It is rare to see them on weekdays. This time, all the big shots were present in the arena.
No matter what, you have to grab a spot, even if you can't see anything, at least it will be bragging rights in the future.
This is basically the mentality of most people. With the arrival of the competition in the arena, the streets in the city are already crowded with people at dawn.
Like a tide, it surged towards the central area of Kyoto City.
For the people living on the periphery of Kyoto City, they may not be able to enter the central area throughout their lives.
This opportunity to compete in the ring gave them a chance to gain a foothold, which they had to seize.
This time, Su Xuanyong's careful consideration was behind allowing the people from the periphery to enter.
This competition in the ring is no better than the previous confrontation between the two countries represented this time.
Although this confrontation is in the form of a martial arts competition, in fact, the bet is on Fuso's future attitude towards Daliang.
If they lose, Fusang will definitely not be willing to be checked by Great Liang. The banditry on the southeast coast is the beginning of a trial.
Only when you win can you take advantage of the situation and make it quiet, and your inner ambitions will be somewhat restrained.
Since such a major event is a bet on the future of the country, it cannot just be held behind closed doors and quietly.
It must be announced to the world, in front of all the people in the city. Only in this way can morale be boosted, the people in the city have a sense of participation, and be more recognized by the Great Liang Society, and this can delay the decline of the Great Liang. ..
The four quotas left previously were just to give the people of Great Liang a sense of participation.
Of course, doing this is accompanied by great risks. If you win, nothing can be said. If you lose, the already low morale will be shattered.
Su Xuanyong understood this, but after all considerations, he still chose to tell the world and make it public. In order to restore the decline of Great Liang, he had to give it a go.
The flow of people like a tide continues towards the central area of Kyoto City.
This time, it was a first-come, first-served basis. Every main street was guarded by Kyoto security forces. There were 5,000 people guarding it alone.
When they entered the central area, there were 5,000 security troops following them all the way until 30,000 onlookers were sent to the inner and outer fields one by one.
There were also 3,000 Imperial Guards patrolling around the inner and outer fields. It could be said that 13,000 troops were dispatched for the smooth conduct of the competition in the ring.
The people living in Kyoto City know better than anyone else that if they want to take advantage of such a grand conference to cause trouble, it is best to give up the idea.
Not to mention the patrolling Imperial Army, there are also the 10,000 security forces responsible for monitoring them. During the competition in the ring, they all killed first and then reported.
right.
Once they find someone in the crowd stirring up trouble and fishing in troubled waters, the security forces will immediately take action and kill them without giving anyone a chance to explain.
Since you are lucky enough to watch the competition in the ring, you must abide by the rules. If you don't abide by the rules, the security forces will not be polite.
After realizing this, all the people who entered the central area were like rabbits, walking silently all the way, for fear that they would be killed by the security forces who were monitoring them because of any bad behavior. This would be extremely unfair. .
The people in the city who entered the central area had a smooth journey without any accidents. Under the leadership of the security forces, they entered the inner and outer fields one after another.
The people in the outfield who found their position looked around and were shocked by the scene in front of them.
In front of them, there were layers of seats that looked like steps. As the eyes looked into the distance, they reached at least a hundred feet away until they disappeared from sight.
Some people are in a relatively high position, which is a form of overlooking. In the middle, there is a large arena, and they can see it clearly even if they are far apart.
They did not pay attention to the arena. They glanced around. On the opposite side of the arena, there were independent private rooms. These private rooms were made of wood and bamboo. Each private room was about one foot apart. Looking at it, they could vaguely see the interior of the private room. Someone's figure flickered.
These people are none other than a group of powerful courtiers from Kyoto. In a separate private room at the top, they can feel an absolute majesty from a long distance away.
It was the aura of the Emperor, and many people's eyes flashed, and then they knelt down with pious expressions.
Although based on their distance, the top private room belonging to Su Xuanyong could not be seen clearly at all, but this did not prevent them from being respectful and pious to Su Xuanyong.
That was their Majesty, the Emperor of Great Liang, and it was necessary to pay homage. Just feeling the Emperor's aura from a distance was enough to be a source of bragging rights in the future.
This is true for the people in the outfield, not to mention the people in the infield who are closer. The moment they took their seats, they discovered the private room opposite.
I could see the general clothing in the private room, and without any hesitation, I immediately knelt down and knelt down to worship.
At the same time, loud and respectful voices rang out. The sound was so powerful that even Su Qi'an, who was sitting in one of the private rooms opposite, was shocked.
Looking across from him, countless people were kneeling on the ground with piety written on their faces.
He knew very well who these people were worshiping, it was the Emperor of Great Liang, their Majesty, Su Xuanyong.
This is the absolute authority of the emperor. Even if he doesn't say a word, even if the empire is declining, he will stand quietly as long as the emperor appears.
It is enough for countless people to worship respectfully. This is the majesty of the emperor.
This kind of kneeling continued for a long time. As the servants' voices were heard one after another, the people on the opposite side slowly stood up. Everyone lowered their heads and did not dare to speak.
This competition was rare in terms of scale and momentum. As the people stood up one after another, Su Qi'an and Xie Cang, who were sitting in the private room, also stood up and walked out of the private room.
The people's worship was over, and it was their turn next to the courtiers.
Three wooden bridges were built leading to Su Xuanyong's private room. As Su Qi'an and Xie Cang walked out, they naturally saw other courtiers and several ministers with whom he had issues.
It's just that during this worship, the other party was very restrained and did not make any provocation. He walked silently as if he didn't see him.
The wooden bridge was not long. After a while, there were a large number of courtiers in front of them, standing individually according to the rules in the court.
At the front was naturally Su Xuanyong. Next to him, Su Zhe and Su Tai stood beside him.
From this aspect, we can see the high status and weight of the two people and the degree of importance they attach to them.
Su Qi'an had just appeared and originally wanted to find a corner, but the sharp-eyed Su Xuanyong saw him and stepped forward with a smile.
Su Qian nodded and could only walk to the front. Next to him, in addition to several familiar old rivals, the Duke of the State, Prince Fuso, and Showa Incheon were also among them.
Seeing Su Qi'an step forward, Su Xuanyong said with a smile.
"Haha, it's rare to see Marquis Dongshan be so low-key. This is not like your style."
"No, I heard that Marquis Dongshan also had two guards participating in this competition. Maybe Marquis Dongshan was unsure and was afraid of losing face, so he kept such a low profile."
"Well, what Mr. Zhao Guogong said makes sense. After all, the martial arts competition in the ring is a conference. I don't know why Dongshan Hou would join in the fun. It is probably just a whim. I didn't react until the interest passed. I'm afraid it's the same for being so low-key. .”
The moment Su Xuanyong finished speaking, before Su Qian could speak, Zhao Cheng and the Minister of Rites, standing beside him, spoke one after the other.
As soon as these words came out, there was a burst of laughter. Su Qian looked around and said to Su Xuanyong.
"Your Majesty has also seen that before the competition in the ring has even started, your colleagues are so sarcastic and adding insult to injury."
"The martial arts competition in the ring is related to the dignity of Da Liang. Even if we have grudges with them, we still know the righteousness. It's a pity that your colleagues not only don't encourage it, but also act like this. Those who don't know, think that you are on Fusang's side." , precisely because we have such colleagues, it is really insulting to the gentlemen that we should not want to be in the same row as them."
"Dongshanhou, you!"
The expressions of the courtiers changed. They were just joking, but they actually attracted such a strong counterattack from Su Qi'an.
Not giving them any face is no different than pointing their noses and scolding them. It not only scolds them, but also satirizes their behavior.
If he didn't explain this and made Su Xuanyong suspicious, then he would be in trouble.
Just when the ministers were furious and ready to retort angrily, the next moment they were stopped by Su Xuanyong.
"Okay, stop talking. There is no occasion for a quarrel. No matter how arrogant it is, today is a competition in the ring. I will hold back any grievances I have."
"Hou Dongshan, please step back. We are looking forward to this competition in the ring, where your guards will show off their skills."
"You guys should step back too."
Su Xuanyong had said so, and even if the courtiers were angry, they could only endure it. When they retreated, they glared at Su Qi'an fiercely.
