Lin Chong's Women's Cuju Team

After much deliberation, Emperor Huizong realized that Gao Can's suggestion to have Lin Chong play Cuju against Mohat was definitely a trap to ensnare him. But if he refused, how should he deal with the Jin envoy, Mohat? The more he thought about it, the more troubled he became. Even when Chen Jinhuan called him "Your Majesty" several times, he did not respond.

Upon seeing this, Gao Jian quickly gave Chen Jinhuan a wink, signaling her to proceed according to their previous plan and not to directly force the emperor to abdicate. Chen Jinhuan blinked, then immediately adopted a charming demeanor, affectionately tugging at Emperor Huizong's sleeve and saying sweetly, "Your Majesty, actually, I invited you to play Cuju (ancient Chinese football) today, and I also invited several of my good friends, Du Shiniang, Du Rushuang, and Chai Nianci, to the palace. Instructor Lin Chong is also here, and Lord Gao has brought him along. Why don't we go to the Cuju field now? It'll be more lively with more people. That Jurchen man named Mo something, he can play with us too, what do you think?"

"My beloved concubine, of course I would like to play Cuju with you, but this Jurchen man cannot be allowed to leave the field, otherwise he will think that I have agreed to let him play Cuju with Lin Chong. I also need to consider the status of Lin Chong and your sisters." Seeing that the beauty was in high spirits, Emperor Huizong did not want to dampen her enthusiasm, so he truthfully expressed his hesitation about the matter of appointing Lin Chong's women's Cuju team.

"Your Majesty, I don't understand politics. I just want to play Cuju. Shall we go now? Your Majesty, why don't I go to the Cuju field first and have someone prepare?" Chen Jinhuan suggested to Emperor Huizong while gently shaking his arm.

Emperor Huizong sighed and gently tapped Chen Jinhuan's forehead, saying softly, "Alright! My dear concubine, go and prepare. I will go play Cuju with Gao Can, Lord Mo, and the others in a little while."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jinhuan hopped away like a little rabbit. Gao Can felt that his plan for today was half successful. Now, all he needed to do was find a pretext to have Mohart and Lin Chong play Cuju (ancient Chinese football). If Lin Chong won afterwards, he could then ask Emperor Huizong of Song for an official title.

When Xiao Minghao saw that Chen Jinhuan had invited Lin Chong, Du Shiniang, and others to the palace to play Cuju (ancient Chinese football), he knew that today's events were all planned by Gao Can. However, he was unwilling to let Gao Can and Lin Chong have their way. He deliberately prevented Mohart from playing Cuju with Lin Chong and wanted to see what reason Gao Can could come up with to persuade Mohart.

"Your Majesty," Xiao Minghao said to Emperor Huizong, "I just mentioned that due to Lin Chong's identity, he absolutely cannot be allowed to play Cuju with the Jin envoy. Now, I will advise Lord Mo and myself to leave the palace and await Your Majesty's news. However, I believe Lord Mo will definitely try to obtain the ghost ball again."

After hearing the translator relay Chen Jinhuan's and Gao Can's conversation, Mohat found this Lin Chong interesting. Since he had been a former instructor of the Imperial Guards, Lin Chong's martial arts skills must be quite good. He wanted to spar with Lin Chong, and using football as a pretext was the best option. The Jurchens were warlike, and Mohat was no exception; how could he possibly leave the palace with Xiao Minghao to wait for news?

So, Mohat pulled Xiao Minghao to his side and said he was willing to go to the Cuju field later to play Cuju with Emperor Huizong of Song, and incidentally exchange Cuju skills with Lin Chong, but it had nothing to do with borrowing the ghost ball, it was purely for the purpose of exchanging Cuju skills. Xiao Minghao tried to persuade Mohat a few more times, but seeing that his determination to play Cuju with Lin Chong had not changed at all, he gritted his teeth and could only let the Jurchen man be stubborn.

Xiao Minghao secretly wanted to see if Zou Xiaoyan had entered the palace today; he hadn't seen his ex-wife for several days. However, regarding the upcoming football match between Mohart and Lin Chong, regardless of the outcome, he insisted it was just a private competition and amusement. He absolutely couldn't let the Emperor be pleased and approve the investiture of Lin Chong and the Zixiang Pavilion women's football team.

When Emperor Huizong heard that Mohart was willing to play Cuju (ancient Chinese football) with Lin Chong in a private capacity, he said nothing more. He simply instructed Liu Guangyu to lead the way, and together with his advisors, Mohart, Xiao Minghao, and others, they arrived at the newly built Cuju field. (Hands on hips)

Chen Jinhuan, dressed in red, was running across the Cuju field, with Chai Nianci and Du Shiniang flanking her, trying to snatch the ball from her feet. Lin Chong stood on the sidelines, arms crossed, observing the three of them playing Cuju with a serious expression.

Emperor Huizong instructed Liu Guangyu to remain silent as he announced his arrival. He and his advisors quietly watched the three women play Cuju (ancient Chinese football) from the sidelines. A short while later, Chen Jinhuan broke through the encirclement of Chai Nianzi and Du Shiniang, carrying her Cuju ball to the goal. Looking at the goal, which was adorned with red silk and taller than herself, she powerfully kicked the bamboo Cuju ball into the goal with her left foot. Lin Chong cheered loudly, Emperor Huizong clapped and applauded, and the advisors and others joined in the cheers.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Chen Jinhuan's forehead, her face flushed and radiant like a cherry after a light buzz. She rushed towards Emperor Huizong of Song, who quickly opened his arms and warmly embraced the beauty. He then gently stroked Chen Jinhuan's hair and exclaimed in admiration, "My Consort Luo's Cuju skills are truly superb! So impressive!"

"Your Majesty, you've arrived! Come on down and play Cuju with us!" Chen Jinhuan said excitedly. "Oh, right, Lord Gao, Lord Xiao, you should also join us for Cuju. We can play three against three." Chen Jinhuan glanced at Gao Can and the others, extending an invitation to them to play Cuju.

Emperor Huizong nodded slightly. Gao Can and Xiao Minghao quickly went to the small bamboo hut beside the Cuju field to change into the Cuju clothes prepared for them by Liu Guangyu. Then they went onto the Cuju field with Emperor Huizong. After Lin Chong bowed to Emperor Huizong and Gao Can, he stood on the sidelines, focusing on instructing Chen Jinhuan and Du Shiniang on Cuju, without even glancing at Mohat and the other two Jin people.

"Lord Mo, didn't we come here to play Cuju (ancient Chinese football) with the Song people? Why won't they invite us to play?" Mohat's attendant, Salida, asked his master in confusion. "Do they look down on our Jin people's Cuju skills?"

"No, Salida, don't be nosy! Lord Xiao just told us to watch the match first, and he'll step down when he has a chance to replace Lord Mo." The interpreter explained, "Besides, didn't that Instructor Lin Chong not play either? I just heard Consort Luo call that tall, thin man next to her Instructor Lin, so he must be Lin Chong."

Mohart gave a soft "hmm," focusing intently on the three men and three women playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football), showing no intention of joining in. But in that instant, his gaze was captivated. Chen Jinhuan and the other two women moved with agility and grace, like three beautiful whirlwinds sweeping across the grass. The small Cuju ball seemed to possess a life of its own, leaping, spinning, and dancing on their toes.

Every touch of the ball was like a meticulously choreographed dance move, fluid, natural, and full of power. Chen Jinhuan and her teammates resembled three colorful and beautiful parrots, engaged in a fierce yet joyful struggle around that round corn kernel.

Sunlight bathed them, outlining their graceful silhouettes and strong lines. A gentle breeze stirred their hair and skirts, adding to their captivating beauty. At this moment, they were no longer merely delicate women, but heroines exuding a heroic spirit, leaving everyone in awe.

Song Dynasty women were indeed beautiful; even their Cuju (ancient Chinese football) was as graceful and elegant as dancing. Mohart felt that Jin Dynasty women's Cuju was characterized by a tough and ruthless style, which contrasted sharply with the Song Dynasty women's gentleness. The two styles of beauty were completely different, but each had its own merits.

Watching Emperor Huizong and Gao Can, three men from the Song Dynasty, play Cuju (ancient Chinese football), one sees an intense masculine energy emanating from them, like a blazing flame. Whenever they vie for the ball, they are as ferocious as tigers descending a mountain, their ruthlessness sending chills down one's spine. Every lunge at the ball is swift, decisive, and powerful, giving their opponents no chance to breathe.

When they begin to run with the ball, they display astonishing skill. The football in their hands seems to be under a spell, intimately connected to their palms, weaving nimbly through the crowd with their steps and body movements. Whether it's a rapid change of direction or a clever dribble past an opponent, they handle it with ease, leaving their opponents completely bewildered.

However, Xiao Minghao's skills were clearly far inferior to Gao Can's. Before long, he was covered in sweat, his stamina obviously lagging behind Gao Can and the others, and even inferior to Chen Jinhuan. Mohart shook his head slightly, somewhat looking down on Xiao Minghao. This guy was indeed a civil official by background; his stamina in Cuju was poor, and he had no skills whatsoever.

After losing two consecutive goals in Cuju (ancient Chinese football), Emperor Huizong of Song called a halt to the match. Liu Guangyu, holding a handkerchief, was about to step forward to wipe the emperor's sweat when Chen Jinhuan, holding a pinkish-white handkerchief, rushed ahead to offer her services. He could only stand silently, watching Chen Jinhuan wipe the emperor's sweat. As she wiped, Emperor Huizong became increasingly improper, gently kissing each of Chen Jinhuan's slender, white fingers, and even lowering his head to kiss her cheek.

"Your Majesty, I'm embarrassed in public!" Chen Jinhuan said to Emperor Huizong with a hint of annoyance. The emperor looked up and glanced around, and seeing that Gao Can and the others had tactfully left, he unabashedly embraced Chen Jinhuan, made her sit on his lap, and kissed her lips again, but ultimately dared not be presumptuous any further.

"Your Majesty," Chen Jinhuan said casually, "I noticed that Lord Xiao seemed a little weak in the legs. Perhaps we could let him rest and let the Jin envoy take his place?" Emperor Huizong placed the beauty's hand on his chest and whispered in Consort Luo's ear, "That's exactly what I was thinking. My beloved consort truly understands my heart!"