The task of opening up the Maritime Silk Road was very difficult. Moreover, the sooner this commercial road was completed, the more beneficial it would be for the Tang Empire. Therefore, Ang Lee couldn't stay in the same place for too long, so as not to delay the progress of the entire task.
Today's Anzhu City was basically on the right track. Most of the things had been arranged by Ang Lee, but because the officials appointed by the imperial court hadn't arrived yet, Ang Lee couldn't leave for the time being. Otherwise, Anzhu City would quickly fall into a state of anarchy, which would cause a big problem.
When the imperial court selected officials to go overseas, there were a lot of things to consider and a lot of procedures to go through. As a result, they naturally had to wait for some time. During this time, in order to maintain the normal order of the new territory, Ang Lee and his subordinates had to stay in the city and couldn't leave for the time being.
During these days in Anzhu City, in addition to being responsible for guiding the work, Ang Lee spent the rest of his time on entertainment. When he was angry, he would find the four little beauties to vent his anger. When he was bored, he would wander around Anzhu City. Of course, he would also bring the beauties with him. It would be too boring if he was alone.
Of course, after the recent establishment of the Colosseum, Ang Lee had another way of entertainment. Moreover, watching the Colosseum's performance was much more exciting than ordinary entertainment. Ordinary businessmen and people also liked the Colosseum's performance very much.
Two days had passed since the first performance. Now, the second competition was about to begin. However, this time, there was a fee for the performance. The price wasn't expensive, it was very affordable.
The reason why there was a fee was that the construction of this simple Colosseum cost a lot of money, so it was better to recover some of it. In addition, the response of the first Colosseum was too good. If they didn't charge the entrance fee, it was estimated that there would be a lot of people watching, which would exceed the capacity of the small Colosseum, causing congestion and danger.
Using price leverage to exclude some visitors was a very good trick. People had been using it since ancient times, both in China and abroad. It was a very good method.
After the first Colosseum's performance, drainage facilities and many new facilities were also completed, so that more people could be accommodated. At the same time, it would be safer.
Before the show began, the Colosseum's officials sent more than twenty people in ten groups to different locations in Anzhu City to sell tickets according to Li An's request. They also told everyone in detail when the Colosseum's show would begin.
With the influx of merchants, craftsmen, and their families, the population of Anzhu City grew rapidly. Almost every day, there would be an increase in population.
The first to enter were merchants and craftsmen. Then, teachers, doctors, and those looking for opportunities all entered Anzhu City. No matter what, an increase in population was a good thing. Only with a sufficient population could Anzhu City develop faster and better.
For example, Ang Lee was selling tickets to the Animal Fighting Colosseum. If there wasn't enough population, he wouldn't be able to sell many tickets. At that time, the Animal Fighting Colosseum would be very deserted, and it wouldn't be able to maintain the atmosphere.
"The Beast Fighting Colosseum is actually collecting tickets. How much is it?"
A merchant looked at the ticket seller and asked.
"It's not expensive. One silver coin for three tickets. It's a good deal to have a few friends watch it together."
The ticket seller said.
The merchant nodded, took out a silver coin from his pocket, and said, "I'll buy three tickets."
"Okay, take it. Here are your tickets."
The merchant happily took the tickets in his hand and walked to the Spring Fragrance House next to him. He wanted to go in and have some fun first. Then, he would invite two friends to watch the show together.
"What? One silver coin for three tickets? It's not expensive! It's my treat today. You're not allowed to compete with me! Give me six tickets. "
A merchant and a few of his peers were strolling on the street. When they saw the Animal Fighting Colosseum selling tickets, they quickly bought a few tickets and prepared to go in and watch the show.
"Haha! I'll buy it next time. It's really not expensive. "
"The show in the Animal Fighting Colosseum is very exciting. It's worth watching. It'll be a big loss if you don't go."
"Let's go now. We can get a good seat early. It'll be more enjoyable to watch the show."
"Yes, yes, yes. Anyway, we have nothing to do now. Let's go now."
After buying the tickets, a few of the merchants who were close to each other happily walked in the direction of the Animal Fighting Colosseum.
In another position, the fat merchant and a few of his peers were fighting over the payment. They were all willing to spend their own money to invite others.
In the end, the fat merchant didn't snatch the tickets from others and obediently accepted the tickets bought by others.
"Fatty, this time you can't jump into the Animal Fighting Colosseum like last time. Last time, there was muddy water in the Animal Fighting Colosseum. This time, the ground is dry. With your heavy body, you'll be half-dead if you fall in. Haha!"
"That's right. Don't do stupid things again. Even if we're a little harsh, you don't have to joke with your life."
"Hey, you don't say. Last time, Fatty was really mighty! Waving two short wooden sticks, he dared to fight with the pirates. Fortunately, you had the big hunting dog to help you. Otherwise, I'm afraid Fatty's life would be gone. "
"Who said that? You guys don't believe in Fatty, but I do. That pirate's martial arts are far inferior to our Fatty's. Our Fatty was just going easy on him. If we used our real skills, the pirate would have been taken care of in a few moves."
"That's right. Our Fatty is so mighty. How can the pirates be our Fatty's opponent? They're not even worthy to carry Fatty's shoes."
Several merchants talked and praised Fatty. "Alright, don't say that.
"Well, don't make fun of me. I can beat you guys easily, but I really can't beat the pirates. Those guys do the work of killing. If you're not good at fighting, how can you beat the pirates? I was anxious at that time and jumped down without any hesitation. After I went down, I saw the murderous eyes of the pirates and knew that I couldn't beat them. It's good that I was able to keep my life."
Fatty said with lingering fear.
"Fatty, you're really good. If it were me, I would have been scared to the point of peeing my pants."
"Peeing your pants is not bad. If it were me, I wouldn't even dare to jump down."
Several merchants continued to praise Fatty.
"In fact, your worries are a little superfluous. Fatty will be fine. Even without the help of the hunting dog, he will be fine."
"Why?"
"Think about it! Fatty is an honest merchant. If he was killed by the pirates in the Colosseum, how bad would the impact on the Imperial Court of the Tang dynasty be? "
"It was Fatty who jumped in by himself. It was not the officials of the Tang dynasty who forced him to fight with the pirates. Even if something happened, the Imperial Court of the Tang dynasty can't be blamed."
"Even if Fatty jumped in by himself, the officials of the Tang dynasty are also guilty of negligence."
"Yes, I've inquired about it. At that time, Assistant Minister Li had already drawn his bow and arrow. As long as Fatty was in danger, the pirates would be killed. He would never let anything happen to Fatty."
"In that case, it was not luck that I could come out alive. It was fate."
"Of course. How could the officials of the Tang dynasty let anything happen to Fatty? They probably wanted to see your performance, so they were not in a hurry to save you."
"By the way, have you heard that the big black dog and the pirates are not dead? They were both saved by the doctors of the Tang dynasty and are recovering."
"What? My Little Black is still alive? That's great."
Fatty was overjoyed when he heard that.
"Treating the pirates? Isn't it a waste of money?"
"It's not a waste. It's more fun to torture them a few more times! After the pirates are cured, they will definitely continue to fight in the Colosseum. It's only a matter of time before they are killed. Why are you in such a hurry? "
"Yes, I think so too. The pirates have done so many bad things. They should be tortured well. How can they die so easily? They should be killed at least a dozen times."
"Haha! You guys are so ruthless! If the pirates fall into your hands, they will be even more miserable. "
Several businessmen talked and laughed. They went to the Colosseum together and chatted happily.
In the direction of the Colosseum, everything was ready. The soldiers in charge of security and defense were more than twice as many as last time. The reason was very simple. This time, it was not a hand-to-hand fight between men and beasts, but a life-and-death battle between pirates and robbers.
Both sides would be equipped with weapons, armor, and shields. In this way, the danger would be greater. In order to ensure absolute safety, more soldiers of the Tang dynasty must be mobilized to avoid any kind of hidden danger.
At least this time, the businessmen must not be allowed to jump into the Colosseum. Otherwise, even if Ang Lee was a great archer, he might not be able to save them.
By the time everything was ready, Li An had already arrived at the scene with a few of his civil and military subordinates, and they conducted a round of inspection.
"Assistant Minister Li, everything in the Bestial Battle Arena has been prepared. There will definitely be no accidents."
The official in charge of the Colosseum reported confidently.
"Oh, is that so? Last time, you said it was foolproof. In the end, a fat businessman jumped into the Colosseum. If this kind of thing happens again, I will definitely punish you for dereliction of duty. "
Ang Lee said seriously.
"Assistant Minister Li, don't worry. This kind of thing will definitely not happen this time. This humble servant dares to use my own head to guarantee that this kind of thing will definitely not happen. This time, the number of guards has more than doubled. Moreover, the fights below are all real swords and spears, not the short wooden sticks from last time. I reckon that no one will dare to jump down again. Otherwise, that would be courting death. This humble servant will also order the soldiers to do their best to seal off the area and prevent the spectating merchants from getting too close to the Colosseum to ensure their safety."
The subordinate said seriously.
Li An nodded and said, "Since you're so confident, then this official can rest assured. Bring this official to see the contestants."
"Assistant Minister Li, this way, please."
The subordinate led the way and walked to a large room next to the Colosseum.
The pirates and robbers who participated in the Colosseum Show were all inside. More than a dozen heavily armed soldiers of the Tang dynasty were watching them closely and asking them to put on armor.
When Ang Lee went in, the pirates and robbers had already put on their armor and helmets, but they had not been given weapons yet.
Only when the game was in progress would they be given weapons for safety reasons. If they were given weapons in advance, they would cause a certain amount of damage to the soldiers of the Tang dynasty if they cooperated to resist. Therefore, it was necessary to avoid casualties as much as possible.
They were not wearing ordinary armor, but the armor of the army of the Tang dynasty and the army of the Dashi dynasty. The robbers were wearing the Mingguang Armor of the Tang dynasty, while the pirates were wearing the excellent armor of the Dashi dynasty.
It was hard to say which armor was better, but the overall performance should be about the same. They were all excellent armor. After they put on their armor, they would not be so easy to kill. If they fought without armor and with weapons, it was estimated that one of them would be killed soon. In that case, the Colosseum Show would soon be over. It would be boring and would lack the thrill of a fierce fight.
In order to let the two sides exert their full strength and fight with all their strength, Ang Lee gave them huge benefits.
If the pirates won, they could enjoy good food and drink for half a month. If the robbers won, they would be acquitted, but they would be banished to Anzhu City and the pirates would have to go somewhere else to make a living.
These two benefits were seriously unequal. That was because the crimes committed by the pirates were more serious than those committed by ordinary robbers, so the punishment for them was naturally more severe. Ordinary robbers' crimes were lighter, so naturally, they could be given more benefits.
Since there were benefits, there were naturally punishments. If both sides were unwilling to fight with all their strength, they would be severely punished and pay a heavy price.
How effective these rewards and punishments were could only be determined when the fight began. However, according to Ang Lee's experience, such measures would definitely be effective, especially for the robbers who had been convicted of a very serious crime. In order to be free, they would definitely go all out to kill the pirates, and the pirates would not wait for death. Naturally, they would go all out to fight. In this way, the wonderful show could go on smoothly.
"Look at them. They are quite impressive after putting on their armor. There will be a good show later. Let's go and have a cup of tea first."
Ang Lee smiled easily and took a group of civil and military officials to sit on the viewing platform.
There were spectators on all sides of the viewing platform, but only the front of the viewing platform had chairs, tables, and awnings. There were only a few seats on the other three sides, and most of them were for standing. After all, time was very tight, and there was no time to make so many chairs and tables. Besides, the ticket price was so low, of course, they couldn't give seats. They just needed to stand.
The front viewing platform had another advantage, which was that it could provide tea and fruits. The guests on the other three sides did not have anything. At most, they would have to spend extra money to buy some tea. Moreover, they could only drink while standing. The difference in treatment was very obvious.
"Not bad! There is still half an hour before the duel, and so many people have already come. "
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