The popularization of bicycles was extremely necessary for the Tang Empire, and the imperial court attached great importance to it. For this reason, after discovering that the aristocrats liked to ride bicycles, they immediately organized a special bicycle competition in the name of the imperial court.
The bicycle competition organized by the imperial court was quite complicated. In addition to the bicycle speed race, there were also various other competitions, such as mountain races, obstacle races, and fancy races.
Among them, the most eye-catching was the rally around the capital, which was to circle the capital. Whoever reached the finish line first would be the winner. This event was held in the periphery of the capital, and it often attracted the attention of the officials in the capital, as well as the favor of many young ladies of the aristocrats.
In addition to the simple bicycle competition, the imperial court also introduced a comprehensive competition of bicycles and other events. For example, first riding a bicycle around the capital, then running for more than ten miles, and finally swimming from Qujiang Pool to the finish line. This was called the triathlon in the future, and it was a very challenging sports competition. The introduction of this event was entirely the suggestion of Ang Lee. It was because Ang Lee wanted to torment these idle aristocrats and make them suffer. At the same time, the Tang Dynasty was a martial dynasty. Tormenting the young people could greatly enhance the strength of the Tang Empire, and make the surrounding countries more afraid to provoke the Tang Dynasty.
The large-scale popularization of bicycles made the related sports competition flourish. When Ang Lee was idle and bored, he would also go to the gate tower of the capital to watch the young people of the Tang Dynasty compete.
Of course, Ang Lee was also very young, and he was fully capable of participating in such sports competition. He even had a great chance of winning the first place. However, Ang Lee's current status was quite special, and it was impossible for him to compete with these aristocrats. Moreover, the imperial court would certainly not allow it. Firstly, it was for the sake of safety to prevent danger to Ang Lee. Secondly, Ang Lee's status was so high. What if he lost? Wouldn't it be very embarrassing? Losing his own face was secondary, and the main point was that he would lose the face of the imperial court. This was unacceptable.
"Assistant Minister Li really knows how to torment people! He organized the triathlon. These brats who usually ride roughshod over others are going to suffer now, hahaha! "
Chen Xuanli chuckled as he walked up the city gate and saw Ang Lee enjoying the bicycle race outside the city.
Ang Lee turned to look at Chen Xuanli and said, "I heard that the grandson of the Great General is also here to participate in the competition. I wonder if he can get first place."
Chen Xuanli's face was full of disdain. He snorted and said, "Don't even think about getting first place. He can't even get into the top ten. In the past, he always got first place in horse riding competitions, but that was because he rode the good horse that His Majesty bestowed to me. It wasn't because of his superb riding skills. Now, when it comes to riding bicycles, it's a competition of real ability. My grandson doesn't have the ability to get first place. He just bragged in front of me and had to work hard to get it."
"Oh, what did your grandson say?"
"He said that he was the grandson of General Long Wu and would definitely be able to get first place, just like in the horse riding competition in the past. However, this was just bragging. Not only would he not be able to win first place, the few brats who usually play with him would also not be able to get first place. Without a good horse, they would not be able to compete with people with real ability."
Chen Xuanli said objectively.
"The Ironman Triathlon is a competition of one's physical strength and willpower. Only the strongest and most determined person can complete the Ironman Triathlon. The ranking of the competition is not important. As long as one can successfully complete the entire competition, it is already considered a victory."
Ang Lee revealed the purpose of the Ironman Triathlon.
"Completing the race is a victory. Assistant Minister Li is right. That little grandson of mine has a stubborn temper. It won't be a problem for him to complete all the races. As long as he can complete the race and reach the finish line, I will praise him."
Chen Xuanli said seriously.
"Great General, the competition is already halfway through. Let's go to the finish line of Crooked River Pool to take a look! Let's see who will get first place in this competition and whether your grandson can reach the finish line. "
Ang Lee suggested.
"Okay, let's go and see who will get first place this time."
Chen Xuanli happily followed Ang Lee to the finish line of Crooked River Pool.
The width of the city wall of Chang 'an was relatively large, so it was not a problem for carriages and horses to travel on it. Ang Lee and Chen Xuanli took an open carriage and went directly to the Crooked River Pool on the city wall. Soon, they arrived at their destination.
At the finish line of Crooked River Pool, many people had gathered. There were high-ranking officials of the imperial court, as well as onlookers. There were also many hanging curtains. Behind these hanging curtains were the young ladies of the big families. In the relatively civilized Tang dynasty, young ladies of the big families were also allowed to go outside. They just needed to be a little careful.
The young ladies came here to watch the fun for two reasons. First, they wanted to join in the fun and see the strong young men. Second, they wanted to find someone to rely on for their whole life. With so many young ladies watching, the young men participating in the competition were naturally more energetic and more willing to work harder.
"How is it? Has anyone reached the finish line yet?"
Ang Lee looked at the time and felt that someone should have reached the finish line at this time. After all, the distance had been calculated. According to the mark of later generations, even if they reached the finish line now, they would be later than the Olympic record.
"Assistant Minister Li, it should be soon. Someone has already swum here."
The official in charge of the triathlon said.
"Good. It's been four hours. It's good enough if someone can reach the finish line. The reward for the first place must be generous. Only in this way can more people be motivated to work hard."
Ang Lee said.
In order to encourage the people of the Tang Dynasty to participate in sports and strengthen their physique, the imperial court of the Tang Dynasty took out a lot of money from the national treasury to reward the contestants who got a good ranking. Especially the first place, the reward was quite generous, with at least ten barrels of gold. Anyway, the imperial court of the Tang Dynasty was now rich, so the money was nothing. It was enough as long as it could motivate the young people to actively participate in sports and strengthen their physique.
In addition to the huge cash reward, there was a bigger hidden reward. That was, the people who got a good ranking would show their faces. If they were fancied by a young lady from a rich family, they would have a meteoric rise. Or they could be appreciated by a minister and be promoted as an exception. Or they could directly catch the eye of the emperor and become the emperor's favorite minister.
In short, participating in the sports competition held by the imperial court only had advantages and no disadvantages. It was the best way for many people who had no social connections to get promoted.
"Coming, coming, the first place is about to reach the shore."
Seeing the splashes in Qujiang Pool getting bigger and bigger, the onlookers were all excited. Everyone was guessing who the first person to reach the finish line would be.
Listening to the discussion of the onlookers and watching the contestants swimming to the shore, Ang Lee was in a good mood. He was happy that he proposed to hold the triathlon. After all, it was a test of people's perseverance. At the same time, it had also received a lot of attention in the Tang Dynasty. It could be said that every competition was watched by a large group of people. Many of the winners of the competition were favored by the ministers in the imperial court and were recruited to work for them. Some young and handsome men were fancied by young ladies from rich families and thus became the son-in-law of the nobles in the capital.
In fact, Ang Lee came here this time to select people. After all, the armored artillery unit he formed had been expanded many times. The military strength was much more than before, but there was a relative shortage of talents. Selecting more young and strong people to join the armored artillery brigade could greatly expand the strength of the brigade. Given the current status of the soldiers of the brigade, the selected people would definitely be willing to join the brigade.
"He's coming out, he's coming out. It's a tall and strong man. Why haven't I seen him before? What's his background?"
"He's tall and strong, but he's not handsome enough. His expression is a little scary. You can have him."
As soon as the first place reached the shore, Ang Lee heard the conversation of the young ladies behind the curtain behind him. Obviously, they were not here to watch the sports competition, but to choose a husband.
"General, do you know who's behind the curtain behind you? Why are they so close?"
Ang Lee took a look behind and felt that the people behind the curtain were not ordinary. They could be so close to the front and in such an excellent position to watch the competition. The rest of the curtains were far away.
In the future, the leaders had to sit in the best position, and the people with high status also had to sit in the best position to watch the competition. The losers could only sit in the corner. Of course, it was the same in the Tang dynasty. This was the same in any era. It was sad to have a low status!
"Assistant Minister Li must be too busy. How could you not recognize the carriages of the Right Prime Minister's residence? These are the unmarried daughters of the Right Prime Minister. They're here to watch the fun and pick a husband. Hahaha!"
Chen Xuanli explained.
"The daughters of the Right Prime Minister can choose their husbands by themselves?"
Ang Lee seemed to think of something, but his train of thought was stuck for a moment. He just couldn't think of the following content.
"Yes! Don't you know? The Right Prime Minister is the most open-minded when it comes to the marriage of his daughters. As long as his daughters value him, he won't interfere with their marriage. So, if a young man is valued by the daughters of the Right Prime Minister, it's definitely a blessing. "
Chen Xuanli explained.
"Oh, there is such a thing. There aren't many fathers in the Tang dynasty who are as open-minded as the Right Prime Minister!"
Ang Lee said.
Later generations had a bad opinion of Li Linfu, but they praised Li Linfu for not interfering in his children's marriage. This was probably the only positive opinion of Li Linfu from later generations.
"The winner of the first race is here. Who is it?"
Chen Xuanli saw the winner, but he didn't know this person, let alone his grandson.
"The winner of the Ironman Triathlon is Ma Sui."
The official in charge of the competition announced the winner's name loudly.
"Ma Sui, I've never heard of him!"
"Ma Sui, what a familiar name."
Chen Xuanli and Ang Lee made different exclamations.
"Assistant Minister Li, have you heard of Ma Sui?"
Chen Xuanli looked at Ang Lee curiously and asked.
"Oh, I think I've heard of him somewhere. Maybe I remembered wrongly."
Ang Lee said perfunctorily, but he already knew who Ma Sui was. Among the famous generals of the Central Tang dynasty, there was a person named Ma Sui. It was very likely that he was the winner in front of him. According to the analysis of age, it was about the same.
If the person in front of him was the famous general of the Central Tang dynasty, Ma Sui, then he was a rare talent! He had to snatch him first.
"Ma Sui, where are you from? What's your current position? "
Chen Xuanli ran over and asked.
"General, I'm from Ruzhou's Jiacheng. I'm still a civilian."
Ma Sui replied.
"A civilian? It's a pity that you have such good stamina. Why don't you work in my Dragon Martial Army? I'll give you the position of a team leader first. What do you think? "
Chen Xuanli said.
It turned out that he was also here to poach people. Ang Lee was quite surprised and quickly went up to him.
"Ma Sui, you'd better go to the Iron Armored Artillery Brigade! The Iron Armored Artillery Brigade is more powerful and has a better future. "
Ang Lee quickly said as he was worried that Ma Sui would be taken away by Chen Xuanli.
Ma Sui had just won the first place, but two big shots of the Tang dynasty were fighting over him. This surprised him and he didn't know how to answer.
"Ma Sui, just say what you think. No matter what your choice is, I won't mind."
Chen Xuanli didn't care whether he could get a talent or not. After all, he was already so old and had a good relationship with Ang Lee. If Ang Lee needed a talent, he could give it to him. It didn't matter.
"Thank you for your kindness, General and Assistant Minister Li. I still prefer to fight for it with my own strength. A few days ago, I applied for the Iron Armored Artillery Brigade and am waiting to participate in the selection."
Ma Sui answered with a serious face.
"Haha! You have ambition. That's what an outstanding man of the Tang dynasty is like! Well, since you insist on fighting for it with your own strength, I'll fulfill your wish. "
Ang Lee respected Ma Sui's choice very much. He felt that Ma Sui's choice was a display of ambition and a good thing that was worth advocating.
Chen Xuanli also admired Ma Sui very much. This behavior of insisting on winning with one's own strength was very worthy of respect. It was a display of ambition.
"Thank you, Assistant Minister Li and General, for your help."
Ma Sui was not good at flattery, so he thanked them very stiffly.
After receiving the ten collars of gold, Ma Sui nodded to the crowd and left. He didn't deliberately curry favor with anyone, nor did he have the intention to curry favor with the leaders.
Ang Lee and Chen Xuanli waited for a long time before they saw a familiar figure. It was Chen Xuanli's young grandson, the participant of the Iron Man Triathlon.
"I've said before that my grandson won't give up the competition. Although he only got the tenth place, it's good that he can finish the competition smoothly. I didn't dote on him for nothing."
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