Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 989 - 81: The Importance of Promotion

The concluding days of the trade conference feature competitions, including football games and polo contests. The ultimate day is dedicated solely to the grand military parade.

Polo boasts a lengthy history, apparently inherited from the dynasty prior to the last one, before surging in popularity during the preceding dynasty.

During the previous dynasty, polo served as an exclusive pastime for the elite nobility. Within the Great Zhou, it continues as a pursuit for officials, since common folk lack the means to acquire horses. Whether in the former dynasty or the current Great Zhou, the base cost of a horse starts at several thousand coins at minimum, and even if regular people managed to purchase one, the ongoing upkeep proves too burdensome. The annual feed required for a horse represents a substantial outlay as well.

Following the submission of nations like Johor and Siam to the Great Zhou, these lands have absorbed profound influences from the Great Zhou. What's more, the nobles in these realms, mirroring the pastimes of Great Zhou's officials, have grown deeply enamored with polo.

Previously, no such diversion as polo existed in their territories. After pledging allegiance to the Great Zhou, it has emerged as their premier leisure pursuit. At present, in these lands, individuals of any notable standing engage in polo. Failing to master the sport invites disdain from others.

Rumors circulate that annual polo tournaments occur in these countries. Whoever claims victory in a polo event, be they man or woman, enjoys immense fame. Should they remain unmarried, suitors and matchmakers swarm their doorstep.

Word has it that in Siam, a trader's daughter who dominated a polo competition drew the attention of the Prince, transforming her fate from humble origins to royal favor, ultimately becoming his cherished concubine.

Yearly, envoys from these nations arrive to offer tribute to the Great Zhou and challenge the scions of Great Zhou's nobility in polo matches. This forms a key element of the cordial interactions between the Great Zhou and these realms, yet regrettably, their prowess falls short, resulting in defeats against the Great Zhou each time.

Despite consistent losses to the Great Zhou annually, the zeal for polo in these countries remains undiminished. In fact, over recent years, their fervor has intensified, with hopes of someday triumphing over the Great Zhou. Losing not only in warfare but also in polo would spell profound disgrace. They seek to reclaim some dignity via polo, aiming to challenge the Great Zhou's dominance, though this ambition stays forever out of reach.

Aware that the trade conference includes a polo event, the elite youths from these countries have trained rigorously for an extended period, eager to settle old scores from prior losses. They figured that even if besting the capital's noble heirs proved impossible, they might overcome the contingent from Swamp Prefecture. Prince Han, being the Emperor's direct heir, meant defeating him would mirror a victory over the Great Zhou's Emperor himself. Such a success would let them unleash their pent-up frustrations with vigor.

Zhao Yao possesses the skill to play polo, though it fails to excite him much. He finds it lacking in thrill and enjoyment. Instead, he favors football. Back in his capital days, whenever he ventured outside the palace, he would kick a ball around with four young attendants and extend invitations to everyday children's participation.

Through his encouragement, the ordinary kids in the capital developed a strong affinity for football. He extended its reach into the army barracks, where troops took to it readily. He regularly arranged football games, drawing crowds of players. Long ago, football had woven itself into the fabric of daily life among the capital's populace and the soldiers.

At first, aristocratic families scorned football, deeming it far too coarse in contrast to polo's refined grace. Additionally, as a game of the masses, they viewed it unfit for their lofty positions. Subsequently, observing the Emperor's own delight in football, including matches in the Imperial Guard Camp, they slowly warmed to the idea.

With the Emperor's patronage, football eclipsed polo to claim the spotlight as the Great Zhou's premier sport. Not just noble youths, but even academics and pupils took up the game. What began as a boisterous, unpolished pursuit evolved into a sophisticated and graceful endeavor.

In the present day, beyond the capital, diverse regions organize football events or contests, all garnering tremendous enthusiasm.

The previous year, Zhao Yao unveiled rubber footballs, enhancing the pleasure of the sport immensely. Consequently, these rubber balls turned into highly coveted goods, yielding Zhao Yao substantial earnings from his creation. Traders, bureaucrats, and intellectuals from the capital and elsewhere vied to acquire rubber footballs from him. Some officials commissioned personalized versions directly.

Overseas traders attending the trade conference, while snapping up products such as glassware, soaps, and herbal remedies from Zhao Yao, prioritized securing footballs, frequently submitting hefty orders. Yet, given the intricate process of crafting rubber footballs, Zhao Yao imposed purchase restrictions. These caps prompted the merchants to inflate prices on their own, enabling Zhao Yao to reap easy and considerable gains.