Later generations used "Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen" to describe China's first-tier cities. At that time, the term used to describe China's first-tier cities was "Above the Blue Sky", namely Shanghai, Qingdao and Tianjin.

Qingdao was indeed very prosperous in the 1930s. The Germans carried out construction in Qingdao for decades, which made Qingdao have the best infrastructure in China. The Japanese regarded Qingdao as their back garden, but it also kept Qingdao away from warlords' melee, and there was no idea that the warlord dared to fight Qingdao without opening his eyes. In addition, Qingdao's identity as a "business port", a large amount of foreign capital, national capital, and even bureaucratic capital all poured into Qingdao, which also promoted the development of the entire Qingdao.

With the development of commerce and trade, tax revenue will naturally be high. Qingdao's municipal government has money and the construction scale of Qingdao's stadium is also extremely large. What's more, Mayor Chen originally hosted this North China Games to compete with Chairman Han, so he did the scene naturally make it more grand, which would overwhelm the popularity of Jinan holding the North China Games two years ago.

In this North China Games, there were twelve teams including Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Suiyuan, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Peking, Tianjin, Qingdao, etc., and the contestants reached 1,034. The scale of this competition is quite large. You should know that in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, there were only 1,331 athletes participating. If Qingdao hosts a regional sports event, the size of the contestants is comparable to that of the Olympics.

In this field, Chen Qiang is a well-deserved superstar. The Shandong team also gave Chen Qiang special treatment and ordered a single room for Chen Qiang in a hotel by the sea.

Afterwards, the leader of the Shandong team also came to him personally.

"Chen Qiang, the task of this competition is heavy, we have signed you up for seven competition events." The Shandong team leader said.

"Seven projects, so many?" Chen Qiang was slightly surprised.

"Five individual events, two collective events." The leader then explained: "The individual events are sprinting meters, as well as long jump and triple jump, while the collective events are 4 by 100 meters relay and 4 by 400 meters relay."

Chen Qiang just nodded slightly, but did not answer.

The team leader did not put on airs, but said kindly: "Chen Qiang, Chairman Han attaches great importance to this North China Games. He hopes that our Shandong team can strive for the best and achieve good results. You are the strongest athlete in our Shandong team, and Chairman Han also has high expectations for you. Before I came to Qingdao, Chairman Han specifically reminded me to meet all your requirements as much as possible and provide you with sufficient participation guarantee. In addition, Chairman Han also said that after you win, he will hold a banquet in Jinan to celebrate your achievements!"

Obviously, Chairman Han from Shandong also knew that the North China Games was Mayor Chen deliberately competing with him when he held the North China Games in Qingdao. With Chairman Han's character, this is absolutely unbearable. He must find a way to fight back on this provocation.

However, this is a sports competition. In front of everyone, Chairman Han cannot act arrogantly no matter how strong he is, he must follow the rules. So Chen Qiang became the most favorable counterattack weapon in Chairman Han's hands.

If Mayor Chen holds a North China Sports Games, isn’t he going to compete with me? Then I will let our Shandong athletes take away all the gold medals and slap you in the face!

If it were before, Chen Qiang might have thought that Chairman Han was really concerned about sports or the honor of the Shandong team. However, on the train when he came, Zhang Boling had already pointed out the relationship between Chairman Han and Mayor Chen, so Chen Qiang knew that Chairman Han cared about him so much was just to slap Mayor Chen in the face at the North China Games.

Although Chen Qiang is the world's number one athlete and has fame in China, he is still not rich, powerful, and no background. Chen Qiang never dares to offend a Shandong native emperor like Chairman Han. After Chairman Han spoke, Chen Qiang could not refuse.

So Chen Qiang said, "For those five individual events, as the world record holder, I will definitely win the championship for the Shandong team, but I can only do my best to do my best for 4 by 100 meters and 4 by 400 meters. After all, this is a movement of four people. I run fast by myself and the other three run slowly. I can't do anything about it. Please understand."

"Understand, of course, understand. I believe Chairman Han can understand it too." The leader said immediately.

The team leader is already very satisfied with the guarantee that Chen Qiang won the championship in five individual events. As for the other two group events, it can only be done by others and accomplished by heaven.

However, the team leader believes that with Chen Qiang here, even if he can't win the championship in the team project, he can at least get a second or third place. After returning to Jinan, it will be enough to submit a meeting with Chairman Han.

...

At the same time, in the Qingdao Municipal Government, some officials are also reporting to Mayor Shen for the preparations for the North China Games.

"Mayor, the delegations from various provinces and cities have arrived in Qingdao one after another. According to our understanding, they have all completed the check-in..."

Mayor Chen nodded and said, "You must pay attention to ensuring the personal safety of participating athletes. These days, patrol police will be sent to the streets, and there are also those street gangs to let them restrain me and not to make the athletes' ideas. We have finally held a large sports meeting and have to win face for Qingdao. In addition, the three participating teams in Heilongjiang, Liaoning and Jilin should be careful. There are many Japanese overseas Chinese in Qingdao, so don't let them have conflicts with Japanese overseas Chinese, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble."

"Subordinates obey the order."

Mayor Chen continued to ask, "Is the Shandong team here too?"

"Yes, the Shandong team arrived this afternoon." Someone said.

"Chen Qiang, the world's number one athlete, is here too?" Mayor Chen continued to ask.

"Chen Qiang has also arrived, and the Shandong team has arranged a special residence for him." The man replied.

Mayor Chen's face was a little gloomy. He was in charge of this North China Sports Games to compete with Chairman Han, turn the North China Sports Games into a big scene, and to make him look great. However, sports competitions ultimately depend on the results. If he was a player from Shandong team in the game, wouldn't he be slapped in the face if he was not pretending to be slapped in the face!

Mayor Chen’s idea of ​​holding the North China Games was born two years ago. At that time, Chen Qiang was not the so-called "world's number one athlete", so Mayor Chen did not consider Chen Qiang at all.

Who knew that when the 17th North China Games fell in Qingdao, the Olympics in Los Angeles were over, and Chen Qiang suddenly became the "world's number one athlete" and suddenly became the holder of world records in five events. For Mayor Chen, this is really a plan that cannot keep up with the changes.

Mayor Chen could not refuse Chen Qiang to participate in the competition, so Mayor Chen is now suffering a loss.

Some subordinates next to him had already understood Mayor Chen’s thoughts, and he said, “Mayor, why don’t we use some means to prevent Chen Qiang from participating in the competition?”

"What method is used? Find someone to rush into the hotel and beat Chen Qiang up? Don't talk about whether this can be done. Just say that someone comes to our Qingdao to participate in the competition, and then be beaten by a stranger in the hotel. If it is spread, will we not be laughed at by the whole country? Where can I put my old face?" Mayor Chen said.

"Otherwise, I would secretly give Chen Qiang some medicine, such as Croton, which would not hurt my body, but would just cause diarrhea." Someone said.

Someone immediately denied it: "That's not OK. If this is spread, it would be a big joke to say that our Qingdao is in poor health and the players have diarrhea after eating. Don't forget that in the last National Games, athletes were collectively poisoned. That time, Hangzhou made a big joke, and it was embarrassing to the whole country."

"I don't think so, we bribed the referee and did some tricks in the game." Someone suggested.

"This is even more impossible. Chen Qiang is so famous now. Many people will definitely watch his game. In the eyes of everyone, the referee cannot turn black and white. Don't forget that the general referee of this game is Zhang Boling. If there is a penalty against Chen Qiang, Zhang Boling will definitely protect Chen Qiang, so the referee's path will not work." Someone rejected this proposal.

"This is not OK, that is not OK, what should I do!" A trace of anger flashed in Mayor Chen's eyes.

At this time, someone whispered: "Mayor, I have a way. I think I still have to think of some solutions in the game, but it is not to bribe the referee, but to do something from the schedule."

"Oh? Let's hear it." Mayor Chen asked.

"Didn't Chen Qiang sign up for many competitions? We can arrange these events more intensively, such as 200 meters running and 400 meters following, so that Chen Qiang will not have a chance to breathe. If he consumes his physical fitness more, his performance will inevitably decline, and he may not be able to win the championship." The man said.

"Well, this is a solution." Mayor Chen nodded in approvingly.

The man continued: "In addition, we can also arrange two competition events at the same time, such as the 100m final and the long jump final at the same time, and the 400m final and the triple jump final at the same time. At that time, Chen Qiang cannot take into account both the beginning and the tail. When he participates in the 100m competition, he will have to delay the long jump competition. When he participates in the long jump competition, he will have to delay the 100m competition. In this way, Chen Qiang's performance can also be weakened."

"This idea is good. Chen Qiang doesn't know how to clone his skills. No matter how powerful he is, he will never appear in two projects than him at the same time!" Another person said.

Mayor Chen also nodded in praise: "This method is feasible, just follow this method!"

...

At the opening ceremony, Mayor Chen stood on the rostrum with a proud look and started to speak with a full attitude:

"The people of our country always maintain peace, and all habits are quiet but not moving. The superiors are used to being weak in literature and tend to be negative, while the subordinates go astray and have many disadvantages. This is because they have no great body and no great thoughts. However, noble morality follows the world's wind and the country's chaos deepens. Therefore, if you want to make the country strong, you must have a strong physique. This is one of them."

"Secondly, if everyone can work hard, the social order will be stable and the national strength will naturally be full. This requires a sound physique as a prerequisite. Third, our country has a vast territory, inconvenient transportation, and few connections between different places. Sports meetings can enhance exchanges among various places and enhance cohesion across the country."

Mayor Chen on the stage gave a passionate speech, but Chen Qiang off the stage looked at the schedule in his hand and frowned.

"This schedule is cheating me!" Chen Qiang said in his heart.

Generally speaking, the 100-meter competition event is placed at the forefront, but this is not the case in this North China Sports Games.

The first morning was the opening ceremony. After the opening ceremony, the 200-meter preliminary round and the 400-meter preliminary round were immediately held. The two games were held continuously, while the afternoon was the 200-meter semi-final round and the 400-meter semi-final round, and the two games were held continuously.

This kind of schedule is very unscientific. The consumption of physical energy of meters is much larger than that of 100 meters, especially the 400-meter sprint, which consumes a lot of physical energy. In the future, it is common for athletes to run only 400 meters a day.

If the athlete does not run rice at the same time, then the rice will be held continuously and will have no effect on the athletes. But if the athletes run rice at the same time, then this schedule is almost equivalent to asking the athlete to do a two-choice multiple-choice question, either giving up 200 meters or giving up 400 meters.

After an athlete ran 200 meters, his physical energy consumption was already high enough, and then he went to run 400 meters. His physical fitness had not recovered yet, so he would definitely not be able to achieve good results, and it might be difficult for him to finish the race.

Chen Qiang is a meter player, so this schedule is also a big test for Chen Qiang's physical fitness.

The first day's schedule was already very unfriendly for Chen Qiang, but even more unfriendly is still at the back.

The next morning, Mi's finals were held continuously, and the triple-level long jump final was held at the same time. In other words, the triple-level long jump time was in conflict with Mi's final.

"This is a bit troublesome. I don't know how to clone the art, so I can't appear on two courts at the same time!" Chen Qiang frowned and continued to look at the schedule.

The next afternoon, there was a 100-meter preliminary round, a rematch, and a 4-by-400-meter preliminary round. In other words, Chen Qiang had to run three games, including one of which was 4-by-400-meter.

On the morning of the third day, the 100-meter semi-finals and finals were held at the same time as the finals, and there was also a long jump final!

Another time conflict.

On the afternoon of the third day, a 4-by-100-meter preliminary round was held first, followed by a 4-by-400-meter final, followed by a 4-by-100-meter final.

"This schedule was deliberately made me!" Chen Qiang looked depressed. He had never seen such a nonsense schedule.

In track and field competitions, field competitions and track competitions will occur at the same time, but the finals of each event will not be scheduled to be held at the same time. For example, when the finals of a certain event are being held on the track, the finals will inevitably not be held in the throwing field or the long jump sand pool. When the finals are held in the same throwing field or the long jump sand pool, the runway will often have preliminary or rematches.

This schedule is to allow the audience to aim for all the finals. After all, the athletes in the finals are of high level and the competition process is also quite thrilling. If the finals of two events are held at the same time, the audience will have to do multiple-choice questions. Choose one of two in the two finals, and it is likely to miss the exciting competition, which will also lead to a significant reduction in the viewing of the competition.

"Qingdao has never held a large-scale sports competition, and may not understand the schedule of track and field competitions, but the director-general of this competition is Hao Gengsheng and the referee is Zhang Boling. They know sports, so why did they still come up with such a schedule? The finals of the two events are held at the same time, which is unreasonable! According to this schedule, athletes who run the rice must suffer a big loss, and athletes who run sprint and long jump will suffer a big loss," Chen Qiang said in his heart.

The next second, Chen Qiang suddenly realized that both standards he actually met! He was both an athlete who ran the rice and a athlete who ran sprinted and long jumped. So he lost money with such a schedule.

"This nonsense schedule is not specifically targeted at me, right? Mayor Chen from Qingdao and Chairman Han from Shandong are not in the same way. I am representing the Shandong team again. Maybe Mayor Chen will just stumbling on the schedule in order to make me win less." Chen Qiang had already guessed in his heart.

Afterwards, Chen Qiang felt even more depressed.

Sports competitions are always fair. It is inevitable that any athlete will be unwilling to accept it.

Chen Qiang originally thought that in this era, China was weak and incompetent, and Chinese athletes had no place in the international arena. He, the "world's number one athlete" who participated in international competitions may be like Huawei, and he will inevitably be secretly plotted by foreigners and targeted in various ways.

But what Chen Qiang didn't expect was that after he became famous, the first person to plot against him was whether he was a foreigner, but his compatriots.

"The soldiers come and the generals block the water and the soil. The mayor Chen from Qingdao underestimated me too much. He thought that such a schedule would stop me?"

Chen Qiang clenched his fists hard. This targeting and plotting made him more motivated!

...

The opening ceremony ended, the track was quickly cleared, and the 200-meter preliminary race was about to begin.

This preliminary round is somewhat imitating the Olympic schedule and is also the top three in the group to advance, but the number of contestants is not that large, so there are only three rounds of the 200-meter competition. After today's preliminary round and rematch are completed, the final will be held tomorrow.

Chen Qiang was assigned to the last group to appear, but for Chen Qiang, it doesn't matter which group he was assigned to, after all, the gap between his strength and other players was too big.

In the 200-meter sprint, Chen Qiang maintained the world record of 21 seconds. Apart from Chen Qiang, only Liu Changchun in China took 22 seconds, and other players could run 24 seconds, which was already a very good level.

In the preliminary round, the players' level is even lower. It is normal to run for more than 25 seconds, and there are many people who are more than 26 seconds.

The 200-meter sprint, 25 seconds and 5 seconds of hand-scoring was already the standard achievement of national third-level athletes in later generations. In the 1930s, China's ability to reach national third-level athletes was considered high-level athletes.

In this preliminary round, Chen Qiang didn't have to exert any effort. He could probably win the first place in the group if he ran a 25-second time.

Chen Qiang stood on the track. When the broadcaster introduced Chen Qiang, there were endless applause and cheers in the surrounding audience.

Mayor Chen competed with Chairman Han, which led to Chen Qiang being targeted by the organizers of the competition, but the people in Qingdao did not know this, and the people did not care which team Chen Qiang represented. In their eyes, Chen Qiang is a model for winning glory for the country and a national hero. They are willing to give Chen Qiang the warmest applause and cheers.
To be continued...