Chapter 313: What Respectable Person Plays Football |
“Hah, not a single one of them is easy to deal with!”
After seeing off Sima Guang, Zhang Fei couldn’t help but shake his head with a somewhat dejected expression.
Originally, he had envisioned that with his relationship with Zhao Xu, he could subtly lay out his plans through gradual influence. After all, Sima Guang, Wang Anshi, Fu Bi, and Wen Yanbo were all old foxes – if he revealed too much, he feared they might detect something.
But there was no choice. Today he had ultimately given Sima Guang some signals.
“Eh? I think I just saw Uncle Sima.”
Xu Zhiqian suddenly entered the room from outside, looking at Zhang Fei with curiosity.
“Oh, Academician Sima came to consult me about some judicial reform issues.”
Zhang Fei replied casually, then suddenly pulled Xu Zhiqian over and wrapped his arms around her slender, boneless waist. “Zhiqian, you’ve been hiding so much from me!”
Xu Zhiqian asked in bewilderment, “What have I been hiding from you?”
Xu Zhiqian blinked and giggled, “So that’s what you’re talking about!”
Zhang Fei nodded.
Xu Zhiqian laughed, “You’re listening to their nonsense. Top player? That’s really not the case. The truly skilled ones are those courtesans who regularly play with the princes. They just don’t show off usually, so others don’t know about them.”
Zhang Fei asked, “But I’ve known you for so long and have never seen you play.”
Xu Zhiqian said, “I only used to play with my sisters when I was bored. Now I have so many things to keep me busy, where would I find time for football?”
She had been naturally lively and active since childhood. Although the Northern Song was relatively open-minded, she still belonged to the more extreme type, which was also related to her years of traveling everywhere with her father. She was very skilled at swings, football, and even polo.
But that was only compared to other women.
Zhang Fei said, “You can’t say that. Work is work, but hobbies should still be maintained. Let’s practice when we get home later.”
Xu Zhiqian cupped her hands in salute, “Alright, since you’re so interested, this humble woman will risk her life to accompany you, sir.”
Zhang Fei said shyly, “Actually, compared to football, I prefer eating big white steamed buns. Why don’t you accompany me with that too?”
“Steamed buns?”
Xu Zhiqian was first stunned, then remembered this morning’s incident. Her face immediately turned red, and she raised her powder fist, “You scoundrel, you dare bring that up again! I shall carry out justice for heaven today!”
“Hey, hey, hey, don’t get violent. This is the office.”
“I’ll settle accounts with you when we get home.”
Today Wang Anshi was very low-key. Just like usual, he came early to the Reform Planning Commission and then shut himself in his room, preparing new policy regulations.
This made even Lu Huiqing curious. Finally, near the end of the workday, he found an opportunity to enter the room and said to Wang Anshi, “Mentor, did you forget that the Scholar’s Gazette published your article today?”
“Really?”
Wang Anshi lightly patted his forehead, “Look at me, I’ve been so busy I forgot about this. How did it go?”
But his expression seemed somewhat unnatural.
Lu Huiqing immediately said, “Even better than expected. Everyone has been discussing the Balanced Delivery Policy today, and no one is mentioning the charity organization matter anymore. Moreover, we’ve gained support from quite a few people. It shows this newspaper is indeed very powerful.”
He had been observing all day, and many officials who previously opposed the New Policies gradually turned supportive after reading this newspaper, mainly the younger officials.
This filled him with joy.
Wang Anshi was obviously relieved, though he only smiled lightly and said, “That’s good! Actually, publicity is secondary. As long as we do our work steadily and properly, that surpasses all publicity.”
He appeared calm and composed.
Little did anyone know, he had actually been tense all day. After leaving the law firm two days ago, his heart had been conflicted, because there had been lessons before, and he somewhat regretted it. But his pride wouldn’t allow him to go back and talk with Zhang Fei again.
The previous two times, he had secretly gone to taverns and inns to observe people’s reactions, but today he didn’t dare go, fearing another blow.
Now he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Wang Anshi suddenly asked again, “Has no one been discussing Sima Guang’s article today?”
Lu Huiqing replied, “Your student has not heard anyone discussing Academician Sima’s article.”
A flash of disappointment couldn’t help but pass through Wang Anshi’s eyes.
Lu Huiqing noticed this and understood that Wang Anshi was still somewhat troubled by the comparison with Sima Guang’s article. But today, who had the mood to compare the two articles side by side? Everyone was discussing the New Policies. He added, “However, there are quite a few people opposed as well, with Su Shi being the most vehement in his opposition.”
“Is that so?” Wang Anshi asked. “On what grounds does he oppose?”
Lu Huiqing said, “He claims our Balanced Delivery Policy violates ancestral laws and competes with merchants for profit.”
Wang Anshi was dismissive of this. “That bookworm.”
Lu Huiqing said, “Mentor, I believes Su Shi is definitely not just an armchair theorist. He’s someone who dares to take action, and currently he still controls the Prosecution Office.”
Wang Anshi frowned slightly. “Are you saying he would prosecute us?”
Lu Huiqing said, “Since he claims we’re violating ancestral laws, I believe it’s very likely he would do exactly that.”
Wang Anshi let out a cold laugh. “If he dares to do that, I absolutely won’t let him off lightly.”
Lu Huiqing continued, “Actually, Su Shi is only secondary. His younger brother Su Zhe is even more detestable. As a Document Examiner, he has consistently criticized the new legal provisions that you have formulated. I have argued with him many times over this. This is detrimental to the unity of our commission, and moreover, I believe that Su Shi’s fierce opposition is definitely being instigated by his brother Su Zhe behind the scenes.”
One mountain couldn’t contain two tigers. In the Reform Planning Commission, Su Zhe constantly opposed him, and he had long wanted to kick Su Zhe out.
Wang Anshi nodded. “Those with different principles cannot work together. Since Su Zhe doesn’t agree with the New Policies, there’s no need to keep him here. However, he was after all appointed by His Majesty, so it’s not convenient for me to transfer him on my own authority. This matter cannot be rushed.”
Speaking thus, he looked up at Lu Huiqing. “Go observe carefully and see which people support the New Policies. We absolutely cannot let those who oppose the New Policies be the ones to implement them.”
Although Wang Anshi had been recruiting supporters all along, since the New Policies hadn’t been announced before, he wasn’t clear about who supported and who opposed them. Now that the Balanced Delivery Policy had been revealed, he could determine who supported the new laws.
He needed to quickly assemble his team. If the Su brothers were to implement the New Policies, wouldn’t that be like sending sheep into a tiger’s den?
Lu Huiqing nodded. “I understand.”
At the Zhang residence.
“I’ll head it! Damn, ouch!”
Zhang Fei was staring at the flying small ball, moving his body sideways. Just as he headed the ball back, he suddenly tripped and fell straight to the ground.
“Pfft!”
Xu Zhiqian immediately burst into giggles, but at the same time the small ball continued bouncing on her toes, never touching the ground.
“You did that on purpose.”
Zhang Fei jumped up, exclaiming excitedly.
Xu Zhiqian’s eyes darted about. “How was I to know you wouldn’t watch where you were going? If you went to play in a match, wouldn’t you knock down all your teammates?”
“What happened?”
Gao Wenyin was seen carrying a wooden tray as she quickly walked out from the main hall, her eyes looking at Zhang Fei with concern, having obviously heard Zhang Fei’s cry of pain.
Xu Zhiqian’s eyes moved, and with a light flick of her toe, the small ball immediately flew slowly toward Gao Wenyin.
She had intended to entice Zhang Fei to intercept the ball, but she had clearly overestimated Zhang Fei’s awareness.
Zhang Fei cried out urgently, “Be careful!”
His feet made no movement whatsoever, which immediately left Xu Zhiqian at a loss.
Gao Wenyin held the tray with both hands. Seeing the small ball flying toward her, she suddenly bent forward, and her left foot naturally swung up, easily kicking the small ball back.
Zhang Fei watched in stunned amazement.
Xu Zhiqian easily stopped the small ball on her instep and said delightedly, “Sister Gao also knows how to play football!”
Gao Wenyin smiled bashfully. “I used to play occasionally, but my footwork can’t compare to Miss Xu’s.”
Zhang Fei said glumly, “My lady, aren’t you supposed to be a homebody? You play football too?”
He thought to himself that it was bad enough being unable to beat those international friends before,[1] but now coming to the Song dynasty he still had to be humiliated. This was really screwed up.
Gao Wenyin asked, “What is a homebody?”
Zhang Fei said, “Someone who doesn’t go out.”
Gao Wenyin nodded. “I generally only play at home!”
Xu Zhiqian laughed. “Zhang San, you’re a grown man who can’t even outplay us women at football. Aren’t you ashamed?”
“What do I have to be ashamed of?” Zhang Fei argued defensively. “The environment is different. Back where I’m from, playing football is considered shameful.”
Xu Zhiqian said in surprise, “Playing football is shameful? Stop trying to fool us.”
Gao Wenyin also looked at him with curiosity.
She had never heard of such a thing.
Zhang Fei snorted. “Why would I lie to you? Back where I’m from, only ruffians and scoundrels play football. No respectable person plays football.”
Xu Zhiqian spat. “Stop making veiled accusations and indirect insults. You just know how to make excuses. A grown man who can’t even stop a ball without it bouncing away – you’re worse than a three-year-old child.”
This little girl was truly lawless! Zhang Fei’s eyes flashed, and he suddenly charged toward Xu Zhiqian.
Xu Zhiqian wasn’t flustered at all. The corners of her mouth curved up, and just as Zhang Fei was about to reach the small ball, she flicked it with her toe. The small ball traced a beautiful arc over Zhang Fei’s head and flew toward Gao Wenyin.
The damage was minimal, but the humiliation was extreme.
Who knew Zhang Fei would abandon all martial virtue and ignore the small ball entirely, directly lifting Xu Zhiqian into his arms.
“Ah!”
Xu Zhiqian cried out, “How can you cheat like this?”
Zhang Fei held her tightly. “What cheating? This is a rule of football.”
“Nonsense!”
Xu Zhiqian raised her pretty face. “What kind of rule is this?”
“A future rule.”
“A future rule?”
“That’s right!”
Zhang Fei said, “Given your humiliation of me today, I’ve decided I’m going to completely change the rules of football. No technique, all physical confrontation. Let’s see if you dare to be so arrogant then.”
Xu Zhiqian raised her hand to feel Zhang Fei’s forehead, looking thoughtful. “You don’t have a fever!”
Zhang Fei’s mouth twitched. “Fine, fine, fine. You’re arrogant now, but I’ve already decided I’m going to invest ten thousand strings to create a new style of football.”
Xu Zhiqian said in astonishment, “Are you crazy?”
Zhang Fei smiled. “I’m not crazy. Why do you think I suddenly wanted to have a football match today?”
Xu Zhiqian suddenly realized, saying nervously, “Don’t tell me you want to use the charity organization’s money for this business?”
Zhang Fei quickly kissed her fragrant lips. “Smart! That’s your reward.”
“You’re asking for death!”
Xu Zhiqian lightly patted Zhang Fei’s arm and broke free, glancing awkwardly at Gao Wenyin. She saw that Gao Wenyin had already turned her face away, but she couldn’t worry about that now. “Don’t you dare mess around! You can’t even stop a ball, and you want to organize football matches?”
“I can’t stop the ball only because this ball isn’t round.”
Zhang Fei continued, “Besides, I’m doing business, not playing on the field myself. Just wait and see – this new style of football will definitely replace the current football.”
Xu Zhiqian wasn’t very good at business, but she was extremely concerned about the charity organization. “When the time comes, take me to see it. I’ll help you come up with ideas.”
Zhang Fei smiled. “Alright!”
Suddenly they heard Xiaotao say, “Madam, the steamed buns are ready.”
Steamed buns?
Xu Zhiqian couldn’t help but freeze.
Gao Wenyin said, “Zhang San, Miss Xu, you’ve been practicing for so long and must be tired. Come quickly and eat some steamed buns – they’re freshly steamed.”
Xu Zhiqian said excitedly, “Why are we eating steamed buns?”
Gao Wenyin said in confusion, “Didn’t Zhang San say he wanted to eat steamed buns?”
Zhang Fei nodded repeatedly. “Right, right, right! I requested it. Lately I’ve been craving these big white steamed buns – I have no appetite for anything else.”
“Bah!”
Xu Zhiqian glared at him and quickly walked to Gao Wenyin’s side, whispering in her ear.
Zhang Fei immediately felt dizzy. Damn, was this woman really so bold? She could actually say such things?
He saw Gao Wenyin’s fair face instantly turn blood red. She stamped her foot hard and said angrily, “Zhang San, I never thought you were this kind of person.”
“I—”
Zhang Fei laughed awkwardly. “Children say the darndest things, children say the darndest things. My lady, please don’t listen to her. Let’s eat the steamed buns.”
Gao Wenyin snatched the steamer of buns from Xiaotao’s hands. “We’re not eating them. Xiaotao, go get some flatbread instead.”
“Flatbread?”
Zhang Fei snorted. “I won’t eat it.”
Xiaotao looked confused. “Flatbread is quite tasty too.”
“What’s tasty about it?” Zhang Fei said. “It’s flat and hard, and doesn’t even have cherries for flavor. From now on, my household is not allowed to have such things as flatbread.”
[1] Chinese men’s football is the constant butt of jokes because they keep losing.