Zhao Yingluo sat next to the dragon chair, waving her jade hand, and Wen Boyuan responded.

Her eyes flashed with wisdom, and her lips opened lightly, telling the long-brewing national fitness plan in her heart.

"General Wen is interested in implementing a national fitness program to improve the physique and health of the people of the Great Song Dynasty. Thinking about it, this matter may start with running, and set up different levels of running competitions, such as 30 zhang sprint, 300 zhang middle run, and even 3,000 zhang long-distance run. In this way, it can not only exercise the people's physique, but also select excellent runners to win glory for my Great Song Dynasty. ”

After Wen Boyuan heard this, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.

As the commander of the forbidden army, he naturally knew the strictness of the army's training, but he never thought that there would be such a unique competition.

He pondered for a moment, nodded and praised, "Her Royal Highness the princess has a very good plan. Although the forbidden army has good daily training, it focuses more on technical and tactical training, and rarely involves such physical competitions. This move can not only stimulate the people's enthusiasm for sports, but also discover more talents suitable for joining the army among the people. ”

Zhao Yingluo saw that Wen Boyuan agreed, and her heart was determined.

She knew that in order to carry out this plan, she still needed the support of the ministers at the court meeting.

So, at the court meeting the next day, she solemnly announced the idea of a national running championship.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Zhao Yingluo's voice echoed in the court, "Lone intends to promote a national running championship to improve the physique and national strength of my Great Song people." The competition will be divided into four levels: county-level, state-level, provincial-level and Da Song finals, and the winners will be selected step by step. The competition will start in March, go through the county, state and provincial selections, and finally hold the finals in October in the capital city of the Great Song Dynasty. ”

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the court.

The courtiers looked at each other and talked a lot. Although they have always admired the wisdom and courage of the princess, this national fitness program made them feel incredible.

Above the court, a white-haired old minister, with traces of time engraved on his face, bowed slightly, and his tone revealed a bit of confusion and worry: "Your Royal Highness Princess, the old minister has something unclear. The people of my Great Song Dynasty work hard every day, and they are all busy in the fields, markets and alleys. Their daily work is already the best exercise for the body, so why use running to keep fit? ”

When Zhao Yingluo heard this, she smiled lightly, her smile revealed a bit of wisdom and calmness: "What the boss said is extremely true, the people of my Great Song Dynasty have indeed worked hard, and their bodies have been exercised because of this. However, the National Running Championship mentioned by Hongu is not for them. ”

She paused and continued: "The people who are concerned about this palace are those who are scholars, people in the market, the royal family, and the children of the powerful. They either study hard, or they are pampered, and their bodies lack exercise, and in the long run, they will inevitably be weak and sickly. The palace implements this plan in the hope that they will be able to get out of the study, out of the deep house compound, and participate in running competitions to strengthen their physique. ”

After listening to Zhao Yingluo's explanation, the old minister frowned slightly, and seemed to still have doubts: "Your Royal Highness Princess, scholars should focus on reading, if these national fitness activities are opened, how can they study with peace of mind?" ”

At this time, Wen Boyuan stood up, and he said in a loud voice: "The old man is wrong! If you don't have a strong physique, how can you support the heavy responsibility of studying and becoming an official? Only when you are healthy can you better serve the Great Song Dynasty. ”

After a pause, he continued: "Besides, participating in running races doesn't mean giving up studying. On the contrary, such competitive fitness activities can stimulate the motivation of readers to win, so that they can gain growth and confidence in the competition. This will be of great benefit to their studies and future careers. ”

Zhao Yingluo nodded in agreement: "What General Wen said is very true. Hongu also believes that as long as you manage your time and energy reasonably, there is no contradiction between reading and fitness. Moreover, by participating in the national fitness activities, they can also make more like-minded friends and broaden their horizons, which is much better than burying their heads in dead books. ”

She swept her gaze over the courtiers and continued: "Ladies and gentlemen, this palace's implementation of this plan is not a whim, but the result of careful consideration. Hongu hopes that through the holding of the National Running Championship, the sports enthusiasm of the people of the Great Song Dynasty will be stimulated and their physical fitness will be improved. I hope you can give your full support. ”

As soon as Zhao Yingluo's words fell, there was a brief silence in the court.

Although the courtiers still had doubts about her ideas, Her Royal Highness the princess had always acted decisively and did not play cards according to common sense, and they were all accustomed to it and did not say more.

However, at this moment, Zuo Xiang Lu Yihao stood up, and he asked a tricky question with a solemn expression.

"Your Royal Highness Princess," Lu Yihao said in a deep voice, "I am afraid that the financial and material resources spent on organizing such a national fitness competition are extremely huge. The current treasury is not sufficient, and it may not be possible to afford the cost of this project. ”

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the court suddenly became tense.

The courtiers exchanged heads and talked about each other. They all know that what Lu Yihao said is true, the financial resources of the national treasury are indeed limited, and it is indeed difficult to support such a large-scale event.

Zhao Yingluo was unmoved, she smiled slightly, her lips opened lightly, and her tone revealed incomparable confidence: "What Lord Zuo said is extremely true, the financial resources of the treasury are indeed limited. However, the expenses required for this plan will be borne by the palace itself. ”

She paused and continued: "Now the private property of the palace is drunk hibiscus hot pot all over the country, and business is booming; Dasong Bank also has branches in various states, and its financial resources are extensive. Hongu is willing to allocate a part of the silver from its own industry to sponsor this project and make a modest contribution to the cause of national fitness. ”

Hearing this, the courtiers above the court were shocked again.

They didn't expect Her Royal Highness the princess to be willing to pay out of her own pocket to support this plan.

They were impressed by their determination and courage.

Zhao Yingluo's gaze swept around the court and continued: "The palace has decided to set up a generous number of prize money for each level of competition, so as to motivate more people to actively participate in it. The specific matters will be handled by the Privy Council Clerk Zhu Shengfei and the Ministry of Officials. Hongu is confident that with their joint efforts, this project will be a success. ”

The edict of the national fitness program spread quickly throughout the states and counties of the Great Song Dynasty like a spring breeze, causing a sensation everywhere it went. Kaifeng Mansion, where the capital is located, took the lead in responding and prepared for the competition in full swing.

Outside the city gate of Kaifeng Mansion, the notice was full of people who came to watch. They were standing on tiptoe or stretching their necks to catch a glimpse of the contents of the freshly baked notice. Literate people read aloud the words on the notice as they watched, and every word seemed to have a magical power, making the hearts of the onlookers beat faster.