Chapter 949 - 949 949 The So-Called Eagle Fighting Competition (4)

949: Chapter 949: The So-Called Eagle Fighting Competition (4) 949: Chapter 949: The So-Called Eagle Fighting Competition (4) At this time, Yang Ruxin was also in the carriage with Gu Qingheng, discussing the subject of eagle fighting, and Gu Qingheng was actually quite knowledgeable about it.

“It’s all started by wealthy and idle young masters,” said Gu Qingheng with a smile, “dog fighting, cock fighting, cat fighting, cricket fighting, even pig and donkey fighting; in short, anything that can fight will fight, it’s just a disguised form of gambling.”

“Donkey fighting?” Yang Ruxin’s mouth twitched, “Isn’t there bullfighting?” Bullfighting sounded comparatively normal to her.

“Bullfighting?

That’s illegal,” Gu Qingheng frowned, “All cattle must be registered and recorded by the Imperial Court, even if they’re hurt or sick, they must be reported.

Who would dare?”

Yang Ruxin realized, in this era, oxen were very precious; to this day, she seemed to have never even eaten beef, not because she couldn’t afford it, but because there was none for sale.

“You might not expect this, but in the previous dynasty, there was even a trend of fighting people,” Gu Qingheng sighed.

“Fighting people?” Yang Ruxin frowned, “You mean combat?”

“Not just combat,” Gu Qingheng slowly exhaled, “There were many varieties, such as tying up two men of similar stature, hand and foot, and then they would have to bite and tear at each other using only their mouths…

Sometimes women or children were used too…”

Yang Ruxin’s eyebrows furrowed deeply, “That’s too cruel!”

“That’s why when the current dynasty was established, Emperor Gaozu immediately forbade these vicious activities.

Once caught, the punishment was severe, and it could even implicate the entire family, so it was quickly eradicated…” Gu Qingheng played with Yang Ruxin’s hand, “However, cricket fighting and cock fighting weren’t prohibited, and this eagle fighting has only risen to popularity in the last couple of years.

It’s said to have come from the north, from Yuan Country, where a Hai Dongqing can fetch up to a hundred thousand silver and still be hard to buy…”

Yang Ruxin chuckled, “This really is a game for the filthy rich.” She pondered for a moment, “How much betting goes on in one of these matches?”

“That’s hard to say, in Beijing, the highest stakes have reached a hundred thousand per match.

As for here, it must be several tens of thousands at least,” Gu Qingheng raised his eyebrows slightly, “You’re not tempted, are you?”

“I’m just feeling sorry for those who squander their family wealth,” said Yang Ruxin with a sigh, “Behind the vermilion gates, the wine and meat stink while the frozen bones lie along the road.”

“My wife, you’ve even read the poems of the old man from Shaoling?” Gu Qingheng couldn’t help but laugh.

“The old man from Shaoling?” Yang Ruxin didn’t react right away; she blinked then remembered that Du Fu referred to himself as the “old man from Shaoling,” and then she smiled, “What’s so surprising about that?

I don’t just know the poetry of Master Du, I also know quite a few from others.” The three hundred Tang poems, she had memorized them in elementary school.

“Who else do you know?

Let’s hear it…

“Li Bai, Wang Wei…” Yang Ruxin suddenly remembered watching a TV program in her previous life that had those ancient poems sung aloud.

Her favorite back then was “Autumn Evening in Mountain Living,” and these words prompted her to hum the tune, “After a fresh rain on the empty mountain, the weather has turned cool and autumnal…”

Gu Qingheng watched the girl before him, his face stoic but his eyes ever brighter with keenness, his heart once again tossed in surging waves.

Yang Dani didn’t even recognize characters, let alone poetry, but his Xinxin seemed to know everything…

He inexplicably shivered, then extended his hand to embrace Yang Ruxin into his arms.