Dahan: A 100-year-old veteran, I will build the strongest family

Chapter 17: Arena Competition,
On this day, as the sky was just getting light, the Li family began to get busy.

The Li family members built more than ten fighting arenas on a wide piece of land near a busy street in the east of the city.

As time passed, the sun moved towards the center of the sky.

The experts from all over the country who were staying at the Li family or in various inns, after eating and drinking their fill, rushed to the designated location.

Many Luoyang residents had been waiting for this day for a long time, and they flocked here to watch the fun.

For a moment, the arena was crowded with people, and the hawkers hawking their wares made it very lively.

In front of more than ten arenas, there were huge stone rollers weighing 500 kilograms.

The strong man who wanted to step onto the ring had to lift the stone roller first to obtain the qualification to participate.

Lifting the 500-jin boulder was no problem for the experts from various states, and they all stepped forward to lift the boulder.

The atmosphere of the competition in the arena gradually became lively, accompanied by the exclamations of the people of Luoyang who were watching.

More and more common people and noble families are attracted here.

……

Luoyang, Imperial Palace, Chengde Hall.

Civil and military officials were attending the morning court.

Sitting on the dragon throne, the emperor played with the jade seal out of boredom.

Liu Hong didn't hear a word of what the official was saying.

Yes, the current Emperor of Han is none other than Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, who has impressed future generations.

Liu Hong was born in 157 AD and inherited the title of Marquis of Jie Duting in his early years.

Later, when Emperor Huan of Han died, Liu Hong succeeded to the throne in the first year of Jianning (168 AD).

This also means that Liu Hong was only 12 years old when he ascended the throne.

Now time flies.

Liu Hong ruled the Han Dynasty for thirteen years.

Thirteen years.

Liu Hong went from being a puppet young emperor to supporting and relying on a group of eunuchs such as Cao Jie, Wang Fu, Zhang Rang, and Zhao Zhong, taking back the power of the court and balancing the power of relatives, aristocratic families, and eunuchs in the court.

Obviously, Liu Hong is not a real loser. On the contrary, Liu Hong also possesses strong political wisdom.

but.

Even if he had some political wisdom, Liu Hong could not do anything in the context of the late Han Dynasty.

Therefore, Liu Hong chose a comfortable lying position.

He was content with pleasure and allowed the eunuchs to serve him.

but.

As the emperor of the Han Dynasty, Liu Hong had power over the world, but he had a worry that always existed in his heart.

That was the repeated invasions by powerful alien races on the border, and every invasion made Liu Hong feel terrified.

They were afraid that foreigners would invade the Han Dynasty and pose a threat to their country.

Inside Chengde Hall, the court meeting was going on.

Sikong Yuanfeng looked up at Liu Hong, who was in a trance and had no reaction to what the official who reported the matter said, so he waved his hand and signaled him to leave.

Yuan Feng stepped forward, bowed to Liu Hong and said:

"Your Majesty, I have discovered that there is something interesting happening in Luoyang City today. I wonder if Your Majesty is interested?"

"Hmm? Something fun?"

Liu Hong, who was sitting on the dragon throne, immediately became interested.

Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong and other ten eunuchs beside Liu Hong became alert and looked at Yuan Feng suspiciously.

Liu Hong's eating, drinking and having fun were their way of currying favor with him. Why did Yuan Feng come here to join in the fun?
Was there some conspiracy? Or was Yuan Feng trying to harm them?
Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong and other ten eunuchs looked at Yuan Feng vigilantly.

The natural confrontation between the eunuchs and the aristocratic families made both sides wary all day long.

"What interesting things are there? Tell me about it!" Liu Hong asked curiously as he saw Yuan Feng was going to take him out to play.

Yuan Feng's eyes flashed with something strange, and he reported:

"Your Majesty, what I am talking about is the martial arts competition held by the Li family today."

"I heard that the Li family spent a huge amount of money to attract brave warriors from all states of the Han Dynasty to Luoyang. The scene is quite grand. I wonder if Your Majesty is interested in going to take a look. It is a good opportunity to understand the style of our Han men."

Yuan Feng's words completely aroused Liu Hong's interest.

Although Liu Hong was incompetent, he was not stupid.

Liu Hong is naturally eager for talents.

The power of the aristocratic families is too great, and he also needs civil and military officials to fight against them.

However, there is no need to think about the civil official Liu Hong, because most of them come from aristocratic families, and aristocratic families will not sincerely help him.

However, Liu Hong has always longed for a powerful military general.

Now Liu Hong has a group of military generals under his control, such as Jian Shuo, Feng Fang, Bao Hong, Zhao Rong, and Xia Mou.

However, although these people are useful, they ultimately fail to meet his expectations.

Whenever Liu Hong thought of the generals under his command, he sighed that he did not have great generals like Wei Qing and Huo Qubing like Emperor Wu.

Now, hearing that brave men from all over the country had come to Luoyang, Liu Hong immediately became interested.

"I have heard Zhang Rang talk about this before. Is this Li family the Li family of General Li?" Liu Hong asked.

Zhang Rang, standing aside, was busy flattering Liu Hong and said:
"Your Majesty, this Li family is the Li family of General Li Hong. When he celebrated his 100th birthday a year ago, Your Majesty asked me to deliver a gift."

"General Li also wanted to recruit some talents to the Li family and revive the reputation of the Longxi Li family by holding the martial arts competition this time."

Zhang Rang was willing to speak for the Li family, which made the civil and military officials below immediately understand that the Li family must have made arrangements for Zhang Rang.

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong suddenly said with some emotion:
"Speaking of which, before I ascended the throne, I once encountered a crisis. Several bandits kidnapped me and wanted to kill people and rob me. Fortunately, General Li passed by and rescued me. However, General Li's ambition has never changed. He wanted to revive the Longxi Li family decades ago. Now, time flies, and General Li is actually 101 years old."

Liu Hong sighed, and suddenly revealed a secret, which surprised all the civil and military officials. Li Hong actually saved Liu Hong?
Yuan Feng frowned immediately.

"Your Majesty, I heard that General Li has a wife and concubine and a son. He is still as vigorous and powerful as ever. He doesn't look like a hundred-year-old man at all. I'm afraid he is very old." Zhang Rang said flatteringly to Liu Hong.

"What?" Liu Hong, sitting on the dragon throne, was stunned when he heard Zhang Rang's words. He looked at Zhang Rang in disbelief and said:
"General Li is already over a hundred years old, and he has married a wife and concubines, and has a son?"

Zhang Rang hurriedly confirmed:

"I dare not lie to your majesty, it is true! I just heard about it a few days ago and even went to inquire about it. General Li is really strong and powerful."

"In addition, I also heard that General Li announced that the Li family has a set of longevity boxing techniques. He wants to use this to attract some powerful heroes to join the Li family. I have carefully considered that the Li family, such as General Li's two sons, seem to be quite long-lived. I am afraid that this longevity boxing technique is also related to it!"

"According to the old general's son Li Wen, this boxing method is indeed effective if practiced for a long time."

Zhang Rang changed the subject and said something to Liu Hong that shocked Liu Hong and all the civil and military officials.

Does the Li family really have a boxing technique that can prolong life?
Liu Hong's eyes suddenly became bright, and he said in surprise:
"General Li really surprised me. I want to see this longevity boxing technique."

"Okay, let's end the court meeting here today. You can follow me to see the brave men in various states of the Han Dynasty and see the style of our Han people."

After a pause, two haunting figures appeared in Liu Hong's mind, and he smiled again:

"Zhang Rang, go to the harem and bring the Queen and Concubine Wang with you. They are bored in the harem too."

The Queen and Concubine Wang were the most beautiful concubines in the palace.

The Queen gave birth to a son several years ago, and Concubine Wang also gave birth to a son this year. Both women are in their prime.

Liu Hong likes exceptions.

Liu Hong stood up with a smile, preparing to take the civil and military officials, the Queen and Concubine Wang to watch the martial arts competition held by the Li family.

(End of this chapter)