Abraham Lincoln smiled slightly, his speed suddenly increasing as he charged straight toward Samuel Hayes.

Samuel Hayes fixed his eyes on Abraham Lincoln, bent over, ready to block him personally.

Abraham Lincoln moved faster and faster. Just as he was about to collide with Samuel Hayes, he suddenly flicked the ball up; it flew right over Samuel Hayes's head and landed at the feet of Matthew Carter, who had been waiting.

Before Samuel Hayes could react, just as he turned to chase, Matthew Carter gave the ball a powerful kick, sending it soaring toward the goal from afar.

On the field, everyone stared at the ball, watching as it flew steadily toward the empty goal.

Samuel Hayes and the others stood frozen, watching helplessly as the ball sailed into the goal.

Dong~

A dull thud sounded as the ball landed—the goal was scored!

Chapter 10: Preparing to Make an Arrest

"Ah, we won! We won!"

Franklin Pierce shouted, his face flushed as he ran toward Abraham Lincoln.

The other teammates quickly gathered around, looking at Abraham Lincoln with excitement, their eyes burning with words left unsaid.

They had been playing cuju for years, but had never won so easily. Even the best player, Samuel Hayes, couldn't score this effortlessly—let alone when facing Samuel Hayes himself.

On the other side, Samuel Hayes was stunned. Was this really how cuju could be played?

However, Samuel Hayes finally understood: the other side's leader was using tactics. If he wanted to win, he had to break those tactics!

Thinking back to how he was just considering how to lose, Samuel Hayes felt a bit embarrassed. He called his group together to discuss how to win. After all, they had already lost twice; winning once wouldn't upset the leader.

Abraham Lincoln glanced at Samuel Hayes, his eyes smiling, then called Franklin Pierce and the others over to quietly discuss strategy.

Everyone listened to Abraham Lincoln, nodding repeatedly.

They were already fully convinced by Abraham Lincoln, with no intention to argue or question him.

Franklin Pierce couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, I—I—I can score too! Give me the ball this time!"

Abraham Lincoln just gave him a look, and the little rascal immediately shrank back, glancing around nervously.

Soon, the game resumed, this time with the ball at Samuel Hayes's feet.

Samuel Hayes dribbled forward, his eyes locked on Abraham Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln watched him, his feet moving restlessly, shifting left and right.

Samuel Hayes originally wanted to get past Abraham Lincoln, but was blocked by his movements and didn't dare force his way through. After a moment, he suddenly turned to pass the ball back.

But Abraham Lincoln had been watching him closely. With a quick hook of his foot, he took the ball, then darted around Samuel Hayes and charged forward at full speed.

Seeing this, Samuel Hayes chased after him, shouting loudly, "Watch the sides! Mark your man! Each of you take one! Be careful of the leader's passes!"

At his shout, his teammates became highly alert, each guarding against a pass from Abraham Lincoln.

Franklin Pierce, Matthew Carter, and the others weaved back and forth, dragging Samuel Hayes's teammates all over the field. The front looked crowded, but no one came to stop Abraham Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln led the charge, moving incredibly fast—even Samuel Hayes couldn't catch up.

Seeing this, Samuel Hayes gritted his teeth and pushed himself, trying to get ahead of Abraham Lincoln to block him.

Abraham Lincoln looked at the goal, lifted his foot, and sent the ball flying with a powerful kick.

With that kick, the whole field seemed to freeze.

Everyone watched as the ball soared high, then dropped quickly, heading straight for the huge, empty goal.

Dong~

The dull thud of the ball landing echoed, followed by several more as it bounced and rolled.

"Ah, another goal! Another goal!"

Franklin Pierce jumped up, hugging Abraham Lincoln and trying to climb onto him.

Abraham Lincoln pressed down on his head, firmly pushing him back.

Matthew Carter and the others also came over, too excited to speak.

Earlier, they had scored; now it was the leader's turn. Not only was his strategy good, but his cuju skills were even better!

Samuel Hayes stood stunned for a while, then let out a quiet breath and thought to himself: losing to the leader isn't shameful.

Comforting himself this way, Samuel Hayes walked over and said, "We admit defeat, Your Majesty. You played well."

Abraham Lincoln smiled, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "It's been a while since I've exercised. I had a great time today. Everyone will get a reward. I'll have the imperial chef prepare some food and send it over—you'll all get some."

Everyone was overjoyed and quickly raised their hands in thanks: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Franklin Pierce tilted his little face up and said, "Your Majesty, when did you get so good at cuju? How come I never knew?"

Abraham Lincoln glanced at him and said, "There are plenty of things you don't know. Go rest now."

With that, Abraham Lincoln turned and walked away, found a palace maid, and said, "Notify the imperial chef to prepare some good dishes for a dozen people and bring them here."

"Yes," the maid replied, hurrying off.

Abraham Lincoln poured himself a cup of tea in the house, then came out and sat on the steps, watching Franklin Pierce surrounded by the others, discussing the tactics he had just used.

Before long, the imperial chef's dishes were brought over. The palace maid asked, "Your Majesty, where would you like to dine?"

Abraham Lincoln looked around and said, "Bring two big tables here and set them up in the courtyard."

The maid hesitated for a moment, then went to arrange it.

Soon, two large tables and a dozen or so stools were set up in the courtyard.

Franklin Pierce and the others were still discussing, glancing at Abraham Lincoln from time to time.

Abraham Lincoln sipped his tea and smiled. After some exercise, his mind felt much clearer, and he gradually began to have some ideas.

At that moment, Samuel Hayes came over, bowed, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the feast."