"Something important?"
Lin Qingge raised an eyebrow, a little confused.
"It's like this, Jingxing. You're new to officialdom, so you might not know.
To increase exchanges between officials from different prefectures, the Ying Tian Prefecture, Shun Tian Prefecture, Cheng Tian Prefecture, and Feng Tian Prefecture hold a Cuju tournament every two years."
"Cuju tournament?"
"Precisely."
Xu Changling nodded. "Each prefecture selects a Cuju team, and they compete against each other to determine the winner.
The venue for the tournament rotates among the prefectures. Last year it was Shun Tian Prefecture, and this year it's Feng Tian Prefecture's turn. This is why I was so eager to find you, Jingxing."
"So, Master, you are looking for me to prepare for this Cuju tournament?"
Lin Qingge tugged at the corner of her mouth, her face practically screaming 'unwilling.'
She felt that such an event was no different from the basketball or table tennis matches her former colleagues held when they gathered.
It was time-consuming and energy-draining, and it significantly disrupted work.
But under the pressure of her superiors, she couldn't refuse to participate, which was incredibly annoying.
Sensing Lin Qingge's undisguised annoyance, Xu Changling earnestly advised,
"The Cuju tournament is a tradition of many years. Not only will princes act as referees and spectate, but the winning teams will also receive a championship plaque personally inscribed by His Majesty, along with a prize of one hundred taels of gold."
"One hundred taels of gold?"
Upon hearing about money, Lin Qingge's eyes immediately lit up, and her attitude did a complete 180-degree turn.
"Master, you flatter me. As the Acting Prefect of Feng Tian Prefecture, it is my undeniable responsibility to lead the Cuju masters of Feng Tian Prefecture to victory and bring glory to our prefecture!"
Xu Changling, mistakenly believing Lin Qingge was interested in the championship plaque personally inscribed by His Majesty, shook his head with a hint of helplessness. "Jingxing, winning the championship might not be as easy as you think.
Cuju requires training grounds and a certain material foundation, conditions that most county towns do not possess.
Therefore, only the four major prefectures have specialized Cuju halls.
Among them, Shun Tian Prefecture, where the capital is located, is the wealthiest.
In other words, skilled Cuju players are all gathered in the capital, which is Shun Tian Prefecture.
The best evidence is that the champions of every previous tournament have been the Cuju team from Shun Tian Prefecture."
As the former Prefect of Shun Tian Prefecture, Xu Changling's words were quite accurate.
However, Lin Qingge was not convinced. "What does it matter if they were champions in previous years? They just haven't met me... Duggu Qiubai. This time, I will open their eyes and let them understand that there's always someone better!"
Hearing the grand pronouncements from the person before him, Xu Changling's head began to ache. He couldn't quite recall what motivated him to drink that cup of discipleship tea in the first place…
"By the way, Master, when does the Cuju tournament begin?"
"In seven days."
"What?!"
Lin Qingge, startled beyond measure, took several steps back, displaying an exaggerated expression of 'Brother, you must be joking.'
Xu Changling, realizing the time was indeed too tight, cupped his fist near his mouth and coughed lightly. "Well, I've been rather busy lately, so I forgot about this matter.
But I have to depart for the capital tomorrow, so…"
Understanding Xu Changling's unstated meaning, Lin Qingge internally swore in her native tongue but maintained a serious demeanor, giving her assurance:
"Master, rest assured. With Brother Lin Yan's help, I will do my utmost and live up to your esteemed reputation!"
Because Xu Changling was not only the former Prefect of Shun Tian Prefecture but also the former Prefect of Feng Tian Prefecture, he was quite familiar with the situation in Feng Tian Prefecture and the procedures for organizing the Cuju tournament.
Lin Qingge humbly sought advice from Xu Changling and then, under the guise of organizing a Cuju team, unashamedly delegated the task of preparing for the Cuju tournament to Lin Yan, who was serving as a human backdrop.
As they walked along the path in the prefectural office's back garden, Lin Yan casually asked,
"When did Lord Lin learn Cuju?"
Lin Qingge blurted out without thinking, "Does Cuju require learning?"
"I believe knowing at least the basic rules is necessary."
"What you say seems quite reasonable."
Although Cuju was the ancient version of football, the rules were not identical.
Hearing this, a hint of a smile appeared in Lin Yan's eyes. "So, Lord Lin, you don't know how to play Cuju?"
"It's okay if I don't know, I can learn.
First time is strange, second time is familiar.
If all else fails, finding someone who knows Cuju is also fine!"
After speaking, Lin Qingge waved to Yan Tinghao, who was waiting in a pavilion in the courtyard. "Constable Yan, do you know Cuju?"
"Cuju?
When I was young, I used to play it with my parents.
But because my mother either kicked the Cuju too far or broke it every time, our games almost always ended unhappily."
"Alright, I understand."
Not wanting to be subjected to more displays of affection, Lin Qingge waved her hand and then ordered,
"Constable Yan, go back to the county office and inform Madam that I might have to stay overnight at the prefectural office for a while. Ask her to bring the packed luggage from the county office directly to the prefectural office tomorrow."
"Also, call Hua Shiye over."
"Yes, my lord!"
Yan Tinghao hurried away. However, before leaving, he couldn't help but pull his lord aside and say mysteriously,
"My lord, that new Lord Lin seems to have a penchant for men. You should be extra careful when you are alone with him!"
Lin Qingge was stunned for a moment, then muttered softly,
"Tsk, it would be great if he really had a penchant for men."
"My lord, what did you say?"
"Nothing, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Lin Qingge sent Yan Tinghao away and returned to Lin Yan's side, relaying Yan Tinghao's suspicion about his 'penchant for men' to him.
Lin Yan, finally understanding why everyone had been looking at him strangely that morning, couldn't help but let out a wry smile. "Lord Lin, you've gotten me into serious trouble.
If I can't find a wife because of this, will you be responsible for me?"
Hearing the teasing tone in the other person's voice, Lin Qingge rolled her eyes to the heavens and said with a forced smile,
"In Changzhou County, on the north street, there is Zhu Sanniang's daughter, named Ruhu. She looks just like her name suggests, and she's desperately looking for a suitable husband.
If you're willing, with your looks and demeanor, you wouldn't even need to pay a dowry, and you could be married off immediately.
Would you like to consider it?"
"Lord Lin, you know very well…"
Before Lin Yan could finish speaking, Lin Qingge interrupted him forcefully, "Stop! I am a married man now. Women must stay ten feet away, and men must maintain even greater distance!"
Amused by these nonsensical words, Lin Yan took two steps back before speaking with mock seriousness, "Lord Lin, is this distance acceptable now?"
"That's right. Maintain this distance with me from now on."
Lin Qingge nodded approvingly, then turned and strode out.
"Lord Lin, where are you going?"
Hearing Lin Yan's question, Lin Qingge rubbed her rumbling stomach and replied without looking back, "The kitchen."