Back to Tang Dynasty to be Emperor

The two came to the study and sat down. Li Ke asked Ma Zhou, "Prince Bin, what do you think of polo?"

Ma Zhoudao: "Polo is a high-tech, high-intensity sport, suitable for playing in the military. However, due to the high requirements on horses and the superb riding skills of the players, it is not suitable for ordinary people. A luxury sport."

Li Ke agreed: "Therefore, no matter how popular polo is with the public, it has its limitations, but Cuju is different. You see, just like today, as long as there is a big place, you can play with a ball. And it’s pretty good to watch.”

Thoughtful, Ma Zhou asked tentatively, "Your Highness wants to hold a competition to promote Cuju?"

Li Ke nodded and said: "Yes, that's what I mean. I want to hold Cuju competitions throughout the Tang Dynasty, so that all people in the Tang Dynasty can like this kind of sport." In fact, Li Ke thought more than this Still far away, he wants to make Cuju into a league like the football of later generations, and develop Cuju in Datang.He also knows that at his current age and status, he cannot participate too much in government affairs. Therefore, he wants to promote Cuju well during this period of time, hold league matches, and earn a fortune if possible. He is confident.

Ma Zhou thinks that Li Ke's idea is good, but it is not so easy to implement it in practice, and it is difficult to promote it at the very least.He asked: "I don't know what method His Highness uses to promote it?"

Li Ke smiled slightly and said, "Isn't this king already promoting it?"

"It turns out that the competition organized by His Highness today is the beginning of promotion." Ma Zhou suddenly said, "It's just that I don't know how to promote it among the public?"

Li Ke said confidently: "Today, my brothers have brought home the kickball and booklets. They are practicing at home, and they will gradually inspire the neighbors in the neighborhood. Then, I will hold such a competition in Chang'an City again. At that time, it will definitely be popular in Chang'an, and then spread all over the country."

Ma Zhou said worriedly: "Your Highness, this method is not bad, but I'm afraid it still won't reach the point you envisioned."

Li Ke also knew that he was just thinking too much about things. Perhaps, the result may not be like this. After all, the nobles of the Tang Dynasty prefer polo and have always disdained kicking like Cuju.

Seeing Li Ke's melancholy face, Ma Zhou reminded: "Did Your Highness forget someone? As long as there is him, there is no fear that Cuju will not spread to every place in the Tang Dynasty."

Li Ke immediately understood, and said pleasantly: "What King Bin said is so true, why did I forget my father, as long as he visits the competition, the entire Tang Dynasty will not cause a sensation, as long as everyone knows, it will be fine if it is held a few more times." It’s easy to get everyone involved.”

Ma Zhou was also overjoyed, and asked again: "I don't know what your Highness's competition method is?"

Li Kedao: "Firstly, we will hold several Cuju competitions in Chang'an to let everyone understand and accept this style of play, and then issue a notice to let them form teams to participate. It is recommended to carry out the Chang'an city competition. The last two teams will compete for No.1. The winner will have the king's bonus, and a special symbolic thing will be made as a reward. I want my father to give this prize to the winning side. "Li Ke said very cryptically, he didn't directly mention the trophies and gold medals of later generations.

Looking at him, football originated in China, and the form of trophies should be something in the traditional Chinese sense, rather than the so-called Hercules Cup and Big Ear Cup.The titles of gold medal and champion also need to be changed. He wants to make the new Cuju completely in the color of the Tang Dynasty, and then spread it all over the world.

Ma Zhou was in favor of Li Ke's idea, especially the final winner would give money and precious things as encouragement, which would allow more people to participate in this competition.Therefore, he said to Li Ke: "Your Highness's method is very good, but it's too rough. I'll ask Weichen to help His Highness think carefully and write a report. Your Highness can do it after looking at it."

Li Ke was overjoyed. He knew that Ma Zhou was talented, so he told him that he was asked to write the specific details. Unexpectedly, he himself brought it up. Li Ke said: "Then there will be King Raubin."

Ma Zhou said: "This is my official job, I don't dare to say it." Then he said: "Can your highness have an appropriate name for the competition?"

Li Ke thought for a while and said, "It's called the Tang Cuju League."

Ma Zhou asked again: "What is the name of the competition held in Chang'an City?"

Li Ke said: "It's called Chang'an First Class League? What does King Bin think?" Ma Zhou didn't answer immediately. He heard many words for the first time, and his mind short-circuited for a while.

Li Ke explained: "If Cuju is extended to the entire Tang Dynasty, there will be many Cuju teams participating. It is impossible for us to allow every team to participate in the competition. Therefore, according to the strength, we must divide the Cuju teams into grades, in order A, B, C, D, the most powerful. Those who are strong can participate in the first-level competition, and those who are above-average can participate in the second-level competition. When they get No.1 in the second-level competition, they are eligible to participate in the first-level competition. Can be relegated to the qualifications to participate in the second-tier competition. So, by analogy, when the teams compete, isn't the imbalance between the strengths resolved?"

Hearing Li Ke's words, Ma Zhou's eyes lit up, and he praised: "Your Highness, this method is excellent. This will not only prevent fish in troubled waters, but also play a stimulating role, so that the Cuju team in the first-level competition will not dare to relax. , the teams in the second division have a goal."

Seeing Ma Zhou's excited expression, Li Ke also laughed.

Because he was happy, Li Ke discussed some details about the league with Ma Zhou in detail. Ma Zhou was more concerned about this matter, so he asked many professional questions, and even asked some questions about football in later generations. question.Li Ke couldn't help admiring Ma Zhou's intellect. He just had a random idea, and Ma Zhou could think so far and in detail.

Ma Zhou asked, "Your Highness, how should the league be decided?"

Li Ke is no stranger to this question from Ma Zhou, and said: "Two teams compete, the winner can advance to the next round, and the losing team will wait until the next year."

After Ma Zhou asked all the questions he should ask, he hurried back to write a report, while Li Ke began to think in his study how to make money through the competition.

Li Ke thought of the specific forms of the five major European leagues in later generations, and some of them can be copied, such as tickets. I'm not afraid that no one will buy tickets to watch the game.However, there is still a certain degree of difficulty in this way, that is, there must be a large-scale Cuju field.

This matter is not easy to handle, not to mention whether it is possible to build a grandstand and such a large arena in later generations, even the money needed to build it is not a small sum.In addition, sponsorship is also a good income, but it seems that it is difficult to make it work in Datang, where the business is not very developed, but we will talk about these at that time, the most important thing at present is to build the arena.

"What should we do?" Li Ke said to himself, and suddenly he had an idea. He had an idea for the design of the arena. The highest department of Datang, such as Dike, should have no problem building a stadium.It's just that the cost of construction is a bit difficult.

Li Ke thought, not to mention the high risk of going out alone, if you really make money in the future, people will be jealous, and the best way is to unite everyone in the form of shares.As for who to invest in, Li Shimin first came to Li Ke's mind, but he quickly denied it. The entire Tang Dynasty belonged to Li Shimin, and there was no need for him to invest in a Cuju field.In the end, what Li Ke thought of was his brothers. Letting them buy shares would be the most secure, and there would be no mistakes in management. Thinking of this, Li Ke made up his mind.