Cuju is a big hit.
With the tacit approval of the Empress Dowager, the new style of Cuju soon spread out of the palace.
The new style of kicking and the change of using the romantic eye as a goal make Cuju suitable for all ages. The addition of military elements makes Cuju extremely interesting and competitive without losing the competitiveness.
Coupled with the influence of today's officials personally reforming Cuju, the new Cuju has replaced the traditional Cuju almost overnight and has become the new favorite of Kaifeng City, popular in the streets and alleys.
Business in the Song Dynasty was prosperous, but entertainment facilities were extremely scarce. Listening to music was only a pleasure for the rich. Ordinary people were bored. The new Cuju appeared at the right time. The threshold was low and everyone could participate. Competitions between two teams could often be completed. Thousands of people gathered to watch.
Soon, the new Cuju attracted the participation of all people in Kaifeng City and became an indispensable part of Kaifeng citizens' life.
However, the popularity of Cuju aroused the dissatisfaction of the die-hard conservatives in the court. More than 20 people chased the ball all over the court, just to kick a ball. In their view, it was simply unreasonable.
There are thousands of people watching and cheering, but they are not engaged in production and are just playing.
In addition, today's officials are personally reforming Cuju, which in their view is even more treacherous and deviant. Now they are standing on the commanding heights of morality and severely criticizing Zhao Xu.
"I would like to report to the Empress Dowager that Cuju has become a popular practice among the people now, and there are even people who specialize in Cuju who do not engage in production and make a living from Cuju."
"Whenever there is a Cuju competition, there are many onlookers, and addiction is common."
"The King of Chu has such a slim waist that many people in the palace starve to death. The officials are the current emperors. Not only is he addicted to Cuju, which has attracted people all over the world to imitate him, but he also asked the Empress Dowager to order a ban on Cuju in the world."
……………………
In the Chui Gong Hall, Zhao Ting, the imperial censor, spoke righteously and severely denounced the popular behavior of Cuju among the people.
Soon a group of conservative ministers came forward to remonstrate, strictly prohibiting the practice of Cuju, and asked the officials to correct their evil ways.
Sitting on the throne, Zhao Xu's expression remained unchanged. He had already expected the opposition from the conservatives, and he explained calmly: "Zhao Aiqing doesn't know something. Cuju is not useless, but it can strengthen the body. This is my fault." My personal experience is absolutely no lie!”
"I'm afraid it's not just for physical fitness. It is said that after the new Cuju became popular, the number of Cuju injuries increased sharply. The orthopedic department of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital is very popular, and Dr. Fan will take care of his own business."
Upon seeing this, Lu Dafang immediately expressed support.
Fan Chunren shook his head and objected: "Cuju has been practiced since ancient times, and Taizu and Emperor Taizong also had pictures of Cuju. This is a folk custom and it is difficult to change it. Moreover, even if the fracture is broken, it can be cured by a traditional Chinese medicine hospital. There is no danger. I am afraid that Cuju should be banned. There is overwhelming public dissatisfaction, so it would be better for you ministers to put your minds on state affairs."
Fan Chunren objected without hesitation, saying that he was not trying to support Zhao Xu, but that Cuju was not as harmful as kissing someone or binding feet, and that the ministers in the court were entangled in such trivial matters as simply delaying state affairs.
All the ministers in the court were immediately embarrassed. Fan Chunren used their objections to the incest and the ban on Cuju, leaving them speechless.
The Empress Dowager also nodded slightly, forbidding incest and footbinding was supported by righteousness, but banning Cuju in the world was just too full and thankless.
Lu Dafang said resolutely: "There is no harm in the people of the world practicing Cuju. Officials shoulder the responsibilities of the world, how can they indulge in Cuju? Moreover, Fan Zheng, the imperial doctor, instigated officials to practice Cuju, so they should be severely punished."
From the perspective of conservatives, the government's reform of Cuju is extremely dangerous. This precedent must not be set and must be nipped in the bud. In particular, the initiator Fan Zheng must be driven away from the government.
"Lord Lu, you are overly worried. Fan Zheng has worked hard since he became an imperial doctor, and the officials' bodies have become stronger day by day. This is something that is obvious to all. Besides, Cuju is a folk game. Firstly, it can be used for leisure and entertainment, and secondly, it can strengthen the body. This is To achieve the goal of killing two birds with one stone, Mr. Lu, please don’t go overboard.”
Su Che also retorted loudly, saying that in his opinion, Cuju was nothing, and that the official's health was the top priority.
Suddenly, among the three prime ministers in the court, two supported Zhao Xu, and only the conservative Lu Dafang opposed it. Suddenly, the trend of the court changed drastically.
Seeing all this, Zhao Xu couldn't help but think of Fan Zheng's theory that good medicine tastes bitter. As long as it is a beneficial reform and as long as the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, people will naturally support it.
At that moment, Zhao Xu said loudly: "My dear friends, you should put state affairs first and don't delay the government affairs because of my private affairs. Now that my body and bones have improved greatly, I will definitely play less Cuju in the future and practice Taizu Changquan diligently."
"The officials are wise!"
Suddenly, all the ministers in the Manchu Dynasty shouted loudly, and even some conservatives greatly appreciated Zhao Xu's obedient attitude.
Queen Mother Gao saw this scene silently and did not say a word.
Zhao Tingzhi and Lu Dafang were unable to succeed and left the matter alone.
Everyone was secretly anxious. With Fan Zheng, the vanguard of reform, by the side of the officials, I am afraid that the officials will be more determined to reform. This is not a good thing for the conservatives.
After the court meeting, Zhao Xu did not continue to play Cuju. Instead, after practicing Taizu Changquan, he studied his lessons directly, so that Lu Dafang, who came to teach, could not find any faults.
"The officials are wise!" Fan Zheng praised.
Zhao Xu shook his head and said: "Hua Tuo's unique skills are like Ling Chi's. Patients with intestinal carbuncle still grit their teeth and endure it. I just played Cuju a few times less, so what does it matter?"
Fan Zheng nodded silently. Zhao Xu has indeed changed a lot from before. He no longer has the overly sensitive and impulsive personality before.
However, just as Zhao Xu was listening to Lu Dafang's lecture attentively, a scream suddenly resounded throughout the palace.
"What's going on?" Zhao Xu was suddenly surprised and asked quickly.
A eunuch immediately went to inquire about the news and soon came back with a report: "I have informed the official family that the King of Jinkang County came to play in the palace and injured his foot while playing Cuju with His Highness King Shen and others. The Empress Dowager asked Imperial Physician Fan to go immediately. Seek medical attention.”
"Zhao Xiaojian?" Zhao Xu frowned. Zhao Xiaojian, the king of Jinkang County, was the crown prince of King Yong. He usually pretended to be filial to please the imperial grandmother, which made him quite unhappy.
However, after all, Zhao Xiaojian was injured, so he couldn't ignore it, so he immediately visited with Fan Zheng. Lu Dafang also followed after seeing this.
"Ah, Imperial Grandmother, my grandson is in pain!"
Before the three of them arrived at the Cuju field, they heard the heart-rending cry of pain from a young man.
"Why hasn't Dr. Fan arrived yet? Why don't you hurry up and hurry up!"
The anxious voice of Queen Mother Gao came from the side. When Zhao Ji Cuju was injured, it was Fan Zheng who treated him. Now that Zhao Xiaojian was injured, Queen Mother Gao immediately thought of Fan Zheng.
"To report to the Empress Dowager, the humble minister Fan Zheng has been summoned." Soon, Fan Zheng and three others appeared.
I saw a 14 or 15-year-old boy in brocade clothes sitting on the ground holding his feet and crying loudly in pain. Next to him, King Yong Zhao Hao had a worried look on his face. Seeing Fan Zheng arrive, Queen Mother Gao breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Doctor Fan, please give Xiaoer immediate medical treatment and see where the injury is."
Fan Zheng took the order and immediately leaned over to check Zhao Xiaojian's foot injury.
"What's going on?" Zhao Xu frowned when he saw Zhao Bai standing aside.
Zhao Bai said aggrievedly: "Today, the king's brother came to the palace to accompany the emperor's grandmother. He insisted on waiting with me to play Cuju. He injured his foot just after playing for a while."
Zhao Xu suddenly frowned and secretly exclaimed that it was bad luck. There were constant disputes about Cuju in the court. Now Zhao Xiaojian was injured while Cuju in the palace. It was like a leak in the house and it rained all night.
Fan Zheng lowered his head to check and couldn't help but frown. He saw that Zhao Xiaojian's ankle was not red, swollen or bleeding. However, whenever he touched the ankle, it would cause Zhao Xiaojian to scream in pain.
"Mr. Fan, how is Xiaoer's foot injury?" Empress Dowager Gao asked with concern.
Fan Zheng said truthfully: "To report to the Empress Dowager, from the outside, there is no redness, swelling or congestion on Prince Jinkang's ankle, so it should be fine."
"It's nothing serious. My son is in such pain. He must have injured his bones. You must treat him carefully. If you are careless and leave foot disease in the future, I will definitely not be able to spare you." Fan Zheng had just finished speaking. King Yong Zhao Hao He immediately shouted angrily.
Fan Zheng cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness King Yong, don't worry, Fan is a doctor. Please trust Fan's medical skills."
"That's nonsense. You don't have clairvoyance. How can you be sure that my son has not broken any bones? I have long said that Cuju is not allowed in the palace, but you still want to trick the officials into Cuju. Now that trouble has occurred, you still want to shirk responsibility. , Deliberately delaying my son's condition." King Yong Zhao Hao said angrily.
Fan Zheng frowned and said, "If His Highness King Yong doesn't believe in Fan's medical skills, you can find other imperial doctors to come and treat him."
King Yong Zhao Hao said coldly: "It seems that I was right. Xiaoer's foot injury is strange. In order to evade responsibility, you actually led the disaster to other imperial doctors."
Zhao Hao angrily scolded Fan Zheng, coupled with Zhao Xiaojian's heartbreaking cry of pain, everyone couldn't help but look at Fan Zheng suspiciously.
Lu Dafang, who followed, also took the opportunity to say: "Let me tell you, the Empress Dowager, Cuju has been played since ancient times, but it has always been separated by two sides. There are very few injuries. King Duan is also a pure accident, and the government reformed Cuju, so that Cuju parties are fighting each other, and injuries are inevitable. King Jinkang is not the first case, and it will definitely not be the last case. The minister once again begs to persuade Cuju to be banned, at least no more Cuju can be performed in the palace."
Empress Dowager Gao nodded slightly and said solemnly: "It's accurate! From today on, Cuju is prohibited in the palace!"
In an instant, the expressions of all the princes changed drastically, and they stared at King Jinkang with unkind eyes. Cuju was their happiest time, but now because of King Jinkang, they will never be able to play Cuju again.
Zhao Xu looked embarrassed. He did not expect that he had been cautious and failed in the end. Once Cuju was banned in the palace, the support he had finally gained from the court would be gone.
"Mr. Fan, this happened because of you. If you can't cure the king of Jinkang County, the Ai family will blame you!" Empress Dowager Gao said sternly, all this happened because of Fan Zheng, since the official's body has been greatly damaged. It's getting better. As long as you exercise regularly, you will be healthy. It doesn't matter whether Fan Zhengzheng is not an imperial physician.
Fan Zheng's expression changed, and he immediately issued a military order and said: "I have a good side and an evil side. A two-pronged approach will definitely restore the king of Jinkang County to his original state."
"Good and evil?"
Everyone couldn't help but be stunned. They had heard about Fan Zheng's evil methods for a long time.
"What is the correct method and what is the evil method?" Empress Dowager Gao frowned and asked.
Fan Zheng replied: "The correct method is to apply plaster. When Wei Chen changed His Royal Highness Duan Wang's dressing, he prepared plaster. He only needs to put plaster on Prince Jinkang, and he will definitely recover as before as His Highness Duan Wang. "
At that moment, Fan Zheng immediately ordered Duan Wang Zhao Ji on the side to send someone to Duan Wang's palace to get spare gypsum gauze.
"What about the evil prescription?" Zhao Hao frowned and asked.
Fan Zheng shook his head and said: "If the correct method is effective, then naturally there is no need for the evil method, and the evil method will not work if you say it. However, Fan can guarantee that he will definitely restore King Jinkang to his original state. If King Jinkang is not cured, , Fan asked to resign as imperial physician."
"Okay, I will trust you once!" Zhao Hao said.
When Zhao Xu heard this, a trace of pain appeared on his face. Now he could see that everyone was obviously coming to him for reforming Cuju, and Fan Zheng was just suffering from the fish pond.
After a while, gypsum gauze was delivered to Duanwang Hall and handed to Fan Zheng.
Fan Zheng took the plaster gauze and asked everyone to help Zhao Xiaojian, who was wailing, carefully explore the foot injury and prepare to apply a plaster for treatment.
Seeing this, Zhao Hao couldn't help but reveal a sly smile as if his plan had succeeded. He had indeed arranged his son's injury today. The bone injury was within the human body. Who could detect whether it was a fracture or not? Whether he would recover or not in the future was not all decided by Zhao Xiaojian.
He was sure to win this time. No matter how magical Fan Zheng's method of plastering was, Zhao Xiaojian would still be left with foot problems that were detrimental to walking. It would not be cured without medicine until he ascended to that supreme position.
However, Fan Zheng suddenly stopped putting on the plaster, shook his head and said, "Weichen thinks it's better not to waste this precious plaster gauze. These medical resources are enough to save a person with a fracture from being disabled."
"Mr. Fan, what do you mean?" Zhao Hao's expression changed.
Fan Zheng raised his head, looked directly at Zhao Hao and said, "Fan decided that it would be better to just use the evil method."
Zhao Hao's expression changed, and a bad premonition suddenly appeared in his heart, because as Empress Dowager Gao said, Fan Zheng's evil methods have never failed.
At that moment, everyone was staring at Fan Zheng's every move, but they didn't realize that Zhao Ji suddenly threw a bunch of earthworms on Zhao Xiaojian.
"ah!"
Zhao Xiaojian was so proud that he couldn't bear the disgusting soft and greasy earthworms. He immediately jumped up and hurriedly patted the earthworms off his body.
Even Empress Dowager Gao's expression changed and she stared at Zhao Ji with displeasure. Zhao Ji had always been her most beloved grandson, but his current performance greatly disappointed her.
"Zhao Ji, what a good thing you did, you dared to throw earthworms on me!" Zhao Xiaojian was furious and roared at Zhao Ji, completely unaware that everyone was staring at him with strange eyes.
Zhao Ji sneered: "What a good thing I did! What about the good thing you did? I asked you to play Cuju out of kindness, but you deliberately pretended to be injured to harm us."
Cuju is his favorite sport. Now that his bone injury has not healed, and before he can experience the new style of Cuju, Zhao Xiaojian hurts him and makes him unable to play Cuju.
When Fan Zheng asked His Royal Highness Duan Wang to get plaster gauze, he secretly ordered a bunch of earthworms to be dug up and secretly handed them to him, asking him to obey his orders. Finally, Zhao Xiaojian's true colors were revealed.
The other princes also angrily criticized Zhao Xiaojian. If Fan Zheng hadn't exposed Zhao Xiaojian's conspiracy, none of them would have been able to escape punishment.
"ah!"
Only then did Zhao Xiaojian notice the strange looks from everyone. He panicked and quickly fell to the ground, holding his right foot and crying out in pain.
Fan Zheng said calmly: "Prince Jinkang, you held the wrong foot. The injured one should be the left foot."
Zhao Xiaojian panicked and quickly let go of his right foot, hugging his left foot and complaining of pain.
Fan Zheng said again: "Oh! Fan remembered wrongly, it was indeed his right foot that was injured just now."
For an instant, Zhao Xiaojian stayed there, his head a mess. In the panic, he couldn't remember which foot he had just injured.
Fan Zheng then turned around and cupped his hands to Empress Dowager Gao and said, "Fortunately, I have lived up to my command and cured Prince Jinkang's foot injury."
"Evil recipe! Evil recipe again!"
Everyone couldn't help but look at Fan Zheng with strange eyes. Everyone knew that Fan Zheng's evil methods had never failed. Now they finally saw with their own eyes how evil and miraculous Fan Zheng's evil methods were.
(End of chapter)
