Zhenguan Xiaoxian Wang Li Shen Li Shimin

After listening to Li Shen's words, Li Chengqian did not express his opinion, but instead quietly looked at Li Shen while holding his tea.

He understood immediately; it turned out that Li Shen had come today for this very reason. It seemed he didn't want his father to participate in the football match.

Could it be that he wants him to persuade him? Thinking this, Li Chengqian asked:

"Tenth Brother, you don't mean for me to persuade Father not to participate in the competition, do you? Aren't you overestimating me?"

Don't you know that with Father's temper, once he makes up his mind, very few people can persuade him?

"If I try to persuade him, wouldn't I just be making a fool of myself? Tenth Brother, you'd better find someone else."

"Brother, you're mistaken. Aren't we just thinking about Aye's safety? Think about it, what would we do if Aye got injured on the field?"

Besides, many vassal states will also be watching the games; wouldn't we be laughed at by other countries then?

Li Shen looked at Li Chengqian with a serious expression. He never expected that Li Chengqian would actually refuse him.

Shouldn't he be trying to please himself?

"Hehe, tenth brother, what you said does make some sense, but you forgot one thing."

Aye is now in his prime, strong and vigorous, and his martial arts skills are unparalleled. He has seen all kinds of situations.

Getting Aye injured on the field is no easy task.

I know you have ulterior motives, but you should give up on that idea. Aye is determined to participate, and it's not something you or I can persuade him with a few words.

Li Chengqian chuckled. The more Li Shen acted this way, the more unfavorable the matter was to him.

This little brother is very cunning. He rarely does things directly; he prefers to beat around the bush and play tricks.

Li Shen was somewhat disappointed. Li Chengqian was no longer easy to fool; this guy had grown up.

Unlike before, when people would believe whatever they were told, it's true that teaching a disciple can lead to the master's downfall.

"Alright, alright, I'll tell you the truth, brother. The main reason I don't want Aye to participate in the competition is that it will affect the fairness of the competition."

The match itself is minor, and who wins or loses doesn't matter, but the outcome will affect football betting. Brother, don't forget that the imperial court takes 30% of the profits.

When Aye participates in the competition, who would dare to compete against him, let alone win? Those ordinary players are all from humble backgrounds; they would probably tremble and wet their pants at the sight of Aye.

Brother, think about it. When the betting goes on, a lot of people will bet on Aye to win. Even if it's just the smallest odds of 10 to 1, we'll still suffer heavy losses.

For something that's guaranteed to make a profit, wouldn't wealthy nobles and aristocratic merchants bet their entire fortunes on it?

Thirty percent of the compensation came from the imperial court.

When one trick didn't work, Li Shen came up with another: if you won't listen to reason, then let me tell you something practical.

The imperial court holds a 30% share of the football betting market, amounting to over 1.6 million this year.

For the sake of this money, you can't just stand by and do nothing, can you?

Sure enough, after Li Shen finished speaking, Li Chengqian fell into deep thought, clearly Li Shen's words had an effect.

He was present when the imperial court distributed the money this year, and watched as the mountain of gold was transported back to the national treasury.

Li Shen's words were not without reason. If the emperor participated in the competition, who would dare to win? Everyone would bet on the emperor's team, and who knows how much money they would have to lose in the end.

"Don't rush me, let me think about it. You know that neither you nor I can change Aye's decision to participate."

Li Chengqian was also at a loss. His father was the emperor, and no one could sway his thoughts.

Even his own mother had to persuade him with reason and emotion.

"Brother, I have an idea, but I don't know if you dare to do it."

Li Shen then spoke up.

"Oh? Why don't you tell me?" Li Chengqian asked, somewhat curious. You already have a plan, so why are you coming to me?

"Brother, I heard you've also formed a team." Li Shen took a sip of tea.

"That is true, but I have no intention of participating in the competition. I just want to have some fun, and the candidates are just guards from the Crown Prince's palace."

Li Chengqian did not hide anything.

"Then Big Brother should just enter the competition and play a match against Aye. If he wins against Aye, our betting will definitely make a fortune."

Li Shen's eyes shone brightly, filled with tiny stars.

This was a plan he had just come up with; it wouldn't be considered a great disrespect for the Crown Prince to defeat the Emperor.

No matter how unwilling his father was, he would not punish the crown prince.

Li Chengqian glanced at Li Shen sideways, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Is this your idea? You've really gone all out for your brother. A son defeating his father without showing any mercy—isn't that a great act of rebellion and unfilial conduct?"

Do I even care about my reputation anymore?

"And you've made a fortune, why don't you just go and form your own team and beat Ajer?"

Good heavens, this guy is really digging his own grave, making himself the villain so he can reap the benefits later.

He knew this troublemaker was unreliable.

"Brother, what are you saying? How can this be considered disrespectful? If you think about it another way, wouldn't it sound better to say that the student surpasses the master?"

Besides, it's not just me making money; do you think I'd give up the government's 30% share of the profits?

"Aren't you doing this for the sake of the court? As the crown prince, shouldn't you be willing to take responsibility?"

Li Shen began to reason with Li Chengqian.

However, Li Chengqian remained unmoved.

"You make it sound nice, but why don't you just get involved yourself? You'll also get a 30% cut, and in my opinion, you're the one who's best suited to take the fall."

Father dotes on you so much, even if you beat him in a kick, he won't do anything to you.

Li Chengqian wasn't stupid; he had no intention of betraying his own family for the greater good. His father's personality had changed drastically; he wasn't the same as before.

He used to be serious and authoritative, but now he's meticulous about everything, especially since he's developed an interest in disciplining his children.

He might get beaten up if things went wrong. He, Li Tai, and Li Zhi had all been beaten up countless times, not to mention Li Shen, who was a regular user of family discipline.

If it weren't for Li Shen, there wouldn't even be such a thing as family rules.

It's not worth getting beaten up just because you won the game. The money belongs to the government, but your backside is your own.

Seeing that Li Chengqian remained unmoved, Li Shen's eyes lit up:

"Big brother is right. I also have a 30% share, so I can't just stand by and do nothing."

How about this, I'll also form a team to compete against Ayer. When we get to Ayer, either of us will definitely win.

For our money, and for our cause, we must do it, shall we?

Anyway, his initial plan was to form a team to target his father. If he could trick Li Chengqian into doing so, he wouldn't have to offend anyone.

"Then why don't you go yourself? With your abilities, you can do it alone."

Li Chengqian looked at Li Shen with suspicion.

"Brother, don't you know that football matches are drawn by lot? To ensure fairness, the opponents are drawn in advance."

If our three teams are added to the semifinals, it will become seven teams. I wonder if I will be drawn against Aye.

"Every further delay will cost us a lot of money."

(I'll be attending an association meeting in mid-month; please let me know in advance.)