260: Chapter 260 Xiang Yu Becomes a Boxing Spokesperson

After Fan Kuai and Xiang Yu faced off, they collided like two prehistoric ferocious beasts.

Both men's boxing styles were very clean, with few clinches; both used techniques that proved their path through sheer strength as they blasted against each other.

The sight of those punches hitting flesh made the ticket-buying spectators shout that the price was more than worth it.

Although Fan Kuai was strong, there was still a gap compared to Xiang Yu.

Fan Kuai knelt on one knee, his face full of regret.

He had fought until his physical energy was exhausted, yet he still couldn't overcome Xiang Yu.

Meanwhile, Xiang Yu looked at Fan Kuai with eyes flashing brilliantly; it hadn't been easy for him to take Fan Kuai down either.

“Yu is the Hegemon-King of West Chu!”

Xiang Yu let out a great shout, his voice full of heroic spirit: “Yu is the Hegemon-King of West Chu!”

“Hegemon-King of West Chu!”

“Hegemon-King of West Chu!”

The spectators in the arena all shouted loudly.

“Congratulations, Hegemon-King.”

The Commandery Governor of Shouchun Commandery cupped his hands in congratulation to Xiang Yu.

Despite Xiang Yu's dislike for Great Qin officials, he couldn't very well give a cold shoulder when someone approached him with a smile.

“This is the Hegemon-King Golden Belt bestowed upon you by His Majesty the Head of State.”

Although the main body of the golden belt wasn't made of gold, the four characters for 'Hegemon-King of West Chu' were crafted from gold, shining brilliantly under the sunlight.

As the Commandery Governor of Shouchun Commandery strapped the golden belt onto Xiang Yu's waist, countless envious gazes turned toward Xiang Yu.

This golden belt was too eye-catching, adorned with many rubies; one could tell the craftsmanship was expensive at a glance.

The Hegemon-King Golden Belt!

Looking at the Hegemon-King Golden Belt worn around his waist, Xiang Yu's emotional satisfaction was at its peak!

Painters present at the scene began painting on the spot.

They were officially invited to promote the match and attract more spectators to future events.

“Hegemon-King.”

The Commandery Governor of Shouchun Commandery said to Xiang Yu, “His Majesty the Head of State wishes to sign you as the spokesperson for the sport of boxing in the Chu Region.”

“Spokesperson?”

Xiang Yu didn't quite understand.

“We will produce a large number of your portraits and promote them widely throughout the Chu Region.”

After the Commandery Governor of Shouchun Commandery explained, Xiang Yu said happily, “This is a good thing!”

How could he not support something that would increase his fame?

Jing Yue, the Commandery Governor of Shouchun Commandery, added, “As the spokesperson, you will need to endorse products for us such as boxing gloves, boxing shorts, boxing socks, and boxing shoes.”

“Rest assured, we will pay you an endorsement fee.”

“We will give you a five percent commission on the sales profits.”

“The more of our products that are sold, the higher the endorsement fee you will receive.”

“Oh!”

Xiang Yu's heart stirred.

Who wouldn't be moved by a share of the money?

He still liked money very much.

“Fine.”

Jing Yue nodded, looking satisfied.

He asked again, “The Hegemon-King can write, I assume?”

“Of course I can!”

Xiang Yu said without hesitation.

Though he didn't like reading military texts, if he couldn't even write, his uncle would have beaten him to death.

“Very good.”

He clapped his hands, and immediately a large number of people brought boxing gloves, boxing shorts, boxing socks, and other goods transported from Xianyang onto the arena stage.

He took a simple microphone handed over by an assistant and shouted to the audience below, “I have good news for everyone! If you line up now to buy boxing gloves, boxing shorts, boxing socks, or boxing shoes, you can receive the Hegemon-King's autograph!”

“Really?”

The spectators had intended to leave, but after hearing Jing Yue say this, Xiang Yu's fans instantly went wild.

That was Xiang Yu's autograph!

If they could get Xiang Yu's autograph, wouldn't they be able to brag about it for a lifetime!

“I want one!”

“I want one!”

A large number of fanatical fans rushed toward the stage.

“Line up!”

“Line up properly!”

Under the shouts of the Qin Army, Xiang Yu's fanatical fans were forced to line up.

When they saw Xiang Yu sign the boxing gloves, they took the gloves with Xiang Yu's personal signature and began kissing them wildly.

This was still acceptable.

Xiang Yu could still tolerate it.

But some fanatical fans wanted to buy the shoes and socks Xiang Yu was wearing.

Once they bought them, they took the socks and started kissing them frantically.

Holy crap!

Xiang Yu watched this world-view-shattering scene.

He widened his double-pupiled eyes.

This was simply a total collapse of rites and music!

Shang Ziling watched the massive autograph sale and murmured to herself.

“His Majesty the Head of State, was this your idea again?!”

Seeing the boxing gloves, socks, and shorts sell out at an extremely fast pace, Shang Ziling once again marveled that Zhao Fusu had far more tricks in business than she did.

Compared to him, she, the leader of the School of Merchants, was like a complete novice!

This was mainly because under the national policy of emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce, the School of Merchants had been heavily suppressed by Great Qin; a large number of their classics were burned, and their pillars were persecuted.

Shang Ziling hadn't learned many sophisticated business techniques.

Furthermore, without policy support, even the most shrewd merchant could not conduct business.

During the time of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period, the Qi State, under Guan Zhong's management, had a highly developed commerce; he launched economic wars to annex small states and sanctioned the State of Chu.

But once Guan Zhong died, his descendants were persecuted, and the Qi State continuously declined, returning to the old path of emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce.

Guan Zhong was a master of economics and the originator of global trade wars, but all decisions originated from him alone.

Once he died, his decisions faced a backlash from the exploitative class.

His descendants were purged, and all his decisions were overturned.

Guan Zhong's decisions benefited the entire citizenry but were detrimental to the exploitative class's ability to squeeze the common people.

In fact, not only Guan Zhong faced this problem; Zhao Fusu faced the same issue.

While he was alive, he could make the country people-oriented.

But once he died, there would be a backlash from the exploitative class.

To better exploit the common people, the vast amount of advanced knowledge he brought would be destroyed.

This was why Zhao Fusu wanted to limit imperial power, establish the Huaxia Party, and allow a large number of new Great Qin people who were influenced by advanced ideas to participate in politics.

They would serve as seeds to inherit and develop Zhao Fusu's thoughts.

One day, Great Qin would become a truly people-oriented country.

Xiang Yu appeared in the Great Qin Empire Weekly; in particular, the fact that he received an endorsement fee of ten gold was heavily promoted, showing people that one could actually make so much money by boxing.

Xiang Yu's posters were sold in large quantities, and his endorsement portraits were posted in the streets and alleys of the Chu Region, drawing the envy of countless Chu youths.

Seeing Xiang Yu gain both fame and fortune, they all developed the desire to become boxers.

Xiang Yu attracted a large number of youths to embark on the path of becoming fighters.

The Xiang Yu Boxing Club also opened; a large number of youths brought their registration fees to join the Xiang Yu Boxing Club to learn boxing.

“He really thought of it too!”

Shang Ziling looked at the newly opened Xiang Yu Boxing Club with a smile on her face.

How could His Majesty the Head of State, that business genius, not think of what she could think of?

The King of Fighters Championship was set for June, and the venue was Xianyang.

The battle between the boxing kings of various war zones was destined to attract a large audience, allowing Zhao Fusu to make another huge profit.

Zhao Fusu had already ordered people to begin constructing the venue.