To be honest, although Li Hao initially said he wanted official support, he actually didn't have much hope.
But now Ouyang Xiu said that the government not only wanted to give them a plaque to support them, but was also willing to provide lottery prizes. This surprised Li Hao and added a lot of doubts. He was waiting for Ouyang Xiu to answer his questions.
This time, Ouyang Xiu didn't sell it, and said directly: "It is true that I told the officials about this matter, but I didn't expect the officials to support me at the time. I just mentioned it when the officials asked about you.
But the officials were extremely interested after hearing this. They thought you had done a good job and said they would reward you.
So I took advantage of the situation and made these requests for you, and the officials agreed. Even the polo field next to Jinming Pond was only given back so quickly after the officials asked. "
After hearing this, Li Hao asked: "Why do the officials ask about me? Is it because I am a third-level flower? Does uncle think the officials have any intention of doing this, or is it just to suit their wishes?"
After hearing this, Ouyang Xiu said: "I really can't guess the reason why the officials asked you, but since you can get the officials' special attention, it's not a bad thing after all.
As for why your official family is optimistic about this so-called competition, I have thought about it carefully. I think the official family really wants to improve the current atmosphere. The time for you to propose this idea is very good.
After all, the Qingli New Deal's measures in the early years included the promotion of military force. Although it was later forced to terminate, the officials may not have forgotten this matter, and it happened that you handed over the idea at this time, so the officials were naturally happy and followed the trend. And for.
Secondly, the officials may now want to make amends for Gu Tingye's matter. "
After hearing this, Li Hao said: "My uncle is saying that the officials now feel that there is something inappropriate about deposing Gu Tingye and letting him end his path to the imperial examination."
Ouyang Xiu explained: "Officials are always kind and don't like to treat others harshly. I might have been angry for a while at the beginning. Now that my anger has subsided, I naturally don't want to pursue it. But after all, it's hard to change the golden words, so I can only focus on other things. It’s more compensation.”
Li Hao listened to this and thought that it was indeed the case. In the play, when Gu Tingye rescued him from the palace, Zhao Zhen personally admitted that he had done something wrong in front of Gu Tingye.
Although he may be grateful to Gu Tingye for risking his life to save others, I am afraid that he really regrets it when he apologizes to his ministers with the dignity of the emperor.
After Li Hao finished thinking about it, he generally accepted the official support in his heart, so he thought that with the official support, it would be much easier for him and Gu Tingye to successfully run this competition.
Just hang up the official plaque, and then use the official prize as a trophy like the Hercules Cup, and take it back to the championship team that won the prize that year. Wait until the second year to get it back and give it to each champion in a cycle. Such an honor is not afraid of those noble disciples not working hard to grab it.
Just as he was thinking about it, he heard Ouyang Xiu calling him, so he hurriedly listened to Ouyang Xiu and said: "Originally, this matter was just a joke between you and Gu Tingye, and it would involve the Kaifeng Mansion at most, so I will let you go and make a fuss.
But now that the officials know about it and have high hopes for it, you must handle this matter well. It will be beneficial to both you and Gu Tingye, so you must be more attentive. "
After hearing this, Li Hao agreed: "My nephew will do his best. I will go to Gu Tingye later and tell him the good news. In addition, I will discuss with him what to do next. Now that we have official support, we can't do anything like this." It was just a small fight as originally thought, we must build momentum, otherwise we will disappoint the officials."
After hearing this, Ouyang Xiu said: "I don't understand much about this matter. You still have to figure it out on your own. But if there is anything you need my help with, just tell me when the time comes."
After hearing this, Li Hao replied: "Thank you uncle. If nothing happens now, I will go down first. As for the words that need official inscriptions, I will inform my uncle after discussing with Gu Tingye."
Then seeing that Ouyang Xiu had no intention of keeping anyone around, he withdrew.
After waiting for the official release in Kaifeng Mansion, Li Hao hurriedly took a carriage to find Gu Tingye outside the city.
Because the venue has not been available these days, Gu Tingye could only borrow the venue from the Zhenguogong's house outside the city. Li Hao had only heard Gu Tingye say it once, but had never been there before. Finally, he asked the talent to find it. The place.
As Li Hao slowly approached, he realized that this place was indeed not as big as the polo field next to Jinming Pond. The other facilities also looked a bit old and not as good as those there. No wonder why Xungui was willing to go there. .
When Li Hao approached, he was stopped by the boys guarding the area.
Li Hao said to the boy: "You go in and report. He knows that Li Hao from Kaifeng Mansion is here to see Gu Tingye."
After hearing this, the boy went in to report, and Li Hao was also waiting outside.
After waiting for a while, he saw Gu Tingye running over on a black horse, and Li Hao said jokingly: "Why are you here? It's really rare."
After hearing this, Li Hao responded: "You have worked so hard to prepare here. Isn't it right for me to come over and check on you? Listen to what you said, why do you come over to see if you still have problems?"
After hearing this, Gu Tingye said: "You came to see me prepare. It was you who proposed to hold this event. In the end, you just gave some opinions and some general rules, and then left it all to me. You didn't ask anything." ”
Li Hao was a little embarrassed after hearing this, but he still said: "I believe in your ability, you can definitely handle this matter, why should I bother you.
And it’s not like I have nothing to do. Today I have brought you some great news. "
After hearing this, Gu Tingye said: "Well, it seems that this news is not small, otherwise it would make you come all the way here.
Forget it, let's not talk at the door. I'll take you in and take a look, just in time to introduce you to the people present. "
So he turned his horse and rode slowly, while Li Hao sat on the carriage and followed behind. After walking for a while and entering the polo field, he could see two teams playing Cuju on the field.
Gu Tingye was also at the side and introduced to Li Hao at this time: "This Cuju rule is modeled on the old practice in the Tang Dynasty and changed after referring to the rules you mentioned. Now I have brought six teams in, and the one on the field is one of them." The two teams were from the Duke of Lingguo's family and the Uncle Weining's family. The leaders were Yang Wenyuan, the fifth son of the Duke of Lingguo, and Li Yixing, the third son of the Uncle Weining's family.
In addition, people from the Marquis of Xuanning, Marquis of Yongjia, Marquis of Tongan, Bo Xin'an, Bo Anxiang and Bo Yingcheng are here today. I will introduce them to you one by one later. "
Then Gu Tingye took Li Hao into the main hall and sat down. Everyone who was originally scattered on the court slowly stopped when they saw Gu Tingye bringing people back, and then several of them walked in from outside.
After everyone came in, Gu Tingye stood up and introduced Li Hao one by one. Seeing this, Li Hao also stood up and faced everyone.
Then as Gu Tingye introduced them one by one, Li Hao finally got to know a group of second-generation lords who stood at the top of Bianjingzhong, including Yang Wenyuan of the Lingguo family, Li Yixing of the Weining family, Cao Shiji of the Xuanning Hou family, and Yongjiahou Zhu Liangzu of the family, Meng Shan of the Hou family of Tong'an, Li Jun of the Xin'an family, Zhang Xing of the Anxiang family, and Sun Yan of the Yingcheng family.
After introducing them, Gu Tingye introduced Li Hao to them and said: "This is the current beauty prospector. I think you have all heard of it. The idea of holding a league this time was also Brother Li's first idea. "
After hearing this, a group of second-generation people were still quite polite for Gu Tingye's sake.
But after a brief greeting, Yang Wenyuan said: "As expected, we are a new explorer, and we are thoughtful. The reason why we have to go out to play is to come up with an excuse. Now that we have this excuse, we can come out openly. I have to thank Tanhua Lang. Tanhua Lang will also come and walk around with us more in the future. Talking to us people in Bianjing City is still of some use."
After hearing this, Gu Tingye's expression became a little uneasy, and Li Hao also thought to himself after hearing this, the polo and football games that I have worked so hard for a long time are just for you to play if you want, so I will lose my face.
On weekdays, Li Hao could only endure this tone. After all, here are a bunch of people from the Dukes, Marquises, and Earls' houses. They would treat him with contempt for a sixth-grade official and a person without a prominent family background. normal.
But Li Hao felt confident today and said: "Originally, this matter was indeed a bit of a joke, but somehow, it later spread to the ears of the officials. When the officials found out, they greatly agreed with it and even gave it to them. Since grace has been given, it can’t just be a joke.”
As soon as these words were said, the expressions of everyone below changed. Even Gu Tingye looked over curiously. At this time, Yang Wenyuan took the lead and asked, "I wonder what His Majesty's grace is that Brother Li is talking about."
