Chapter 133: Poem to Protect the Country! Go to Shouren Academy and invite Xu Qingxiao!
"This Xu Qingxiao is really arrogant! We came to Wei to participate in the Taiping Poetry Festival, and he actually humiliated us like this!"
"I just wrote a few famous poems through the ages, but why are you so arrogant? No wonder you dare to disrespect the great Confucians. Such people will have to reap the consequences sooner or later."
"The Taiping Poetry Club is hosting a banquet for literati from all over the world. We are celebrities from ten countries. I dare not say that we are talented. However, I have read books about saints for several years. I never thought that Xu Qingxiao would look down on us like this. We are really crazy."
"Only called the wrong name, not the wrong nickname, eternal madness! Hateful."
In the capital of the Great Wei Dynasty, voices sounded one after another. They were from the great talents of the ten countries, and there was no shortage of them among them.
Xu Qingxiao said personally at Taohua Temple that she would not participate in the Taiping Poetry Society.
This was originally an ordinary sentence, but after someone added some fuel and jealousy, it was suddenly misinterpreted as Xu Qingxiao looking down on the talents of the Ten Nations, which caused some controversy.
In fact, as Xu Qingxiao guessed, it is impossible for the Ten Kingdoms to know that someone misinterpreted his meaning.
But that doesn't stop them from making trouble for Xu Qingxiao. People believe in what they want to believe more.
But whether it was crazy or humiliating, Xu Qingxiao was almost completely deaf to what was going on outside the window.
That's it, the next day.
August 15th.
The Taiping Poetry Club opens today. Many students and talents have already gone to Liyang Palace. When the time comes, they will enter directly.
Kyoto in the Wei Dynasty also became completely lively. Countless people poured into Kyoto. Every street was full of people. Every restaurant was fully booked. There were even four or five people staying in one room. It was so exaggerated.
The prosperity of Kyoto is extremely noisy. Every house is decorated with lights and colorful decorations, and the sounds of hawking are rising and falling.
Inside Shouren Academy.
Prince Yongping looked at Xu Qingxiao helplessly.
"Brother Xu, this Taiping Poetry Society is one of the three major poetry societies in the world. Are you serious about not going?"
"All the great talents from the ten countries have gone. Every Taiping Poetry Festival is extremely important. You represent our Wei Dynasty now. If you don't go, I'm afraid it will be difficult to suppress these great talents from the ten countries."
These days, Prince Yongping is preparing for the Taiping Poetry Festival at home, which is a state of seclusion.
Now that the poetry meeting was about to begin, Crown Prince Yongping went out to do some activities, but he learned that Xu Qingxiao did not attend the Taiping Poetry Meeting. He couldn't sit still anymore and came directly to Shouren Academy to find Xu Qingxiao.
"Brother Mu, the Taiping Poetry Fair is a grand event for scholars all over the world, but for me, it is just a party."
"Now the waterwheel project of the Wei Dynasty needs to be implemented quickly. Brother Yu has to treat it carefully. This matter is beneficial to the people and cannot be delayed."
Faced with Prince Yongping's persuasion, Xu Qingxiao politely refused on the grounds of the waterwheel project.
"Brother Xu, I know that the waterwheel project is very important, but the Taiping Poetry Society is also important to scholars like us."
"Furthermore, the Ten Kingdoms are well prepared this time. Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and the Wei Dynasty also needs to do something. If this Taiping Poetry Fair is suppressed by the talents of the Ten Kingdoms, then the Wei Dynasty will not be able to hold its head high.
.”
Prince Yongping tried to persuade him from another angle.
But Xu Qingxiao felt a little helpless.
"Brother Mu, there are many talented people in the Wei Dynasty. To be honest, Brother Yu, although he has some talents, he really dare not say that he is the most talented person in the Wei Dynasty. Why are you so sure that the Wei Dynasty will lose?"
Xu Qingxiao said, he is really busy now, how can he have time to attend this grand event?
And the participation lasts for seven days. Isn’t this a waste of time?
"Brother Xu, there are indeed many talented people in the Wei Dynasty, but this time is different. My father told me that this session involves many things. The talented people from the ten countries have prepared a lot, just to win the crown at the Taiping Poetry Society. It is said that this time
There are shadows of the Tuxie Dynasty and the Chu Yuan Dynasty, so they are rushing to rob me of the talents of the Wei Dynasty."
"If this is really the case, then our Wei Dynasty will not be able to hold our heads high in the future. Brother Xu, you have to go."
What Mu Nanping said was very impressive, all referring to the talent of the Wei Dynasty.
But Xu Qingxiao was still helpless.
"Brother Mu, I really have something to do. Isn't there another Hua Xingyun in the Great Wei Wen Palace? Let him go. Besides, if this is really the case, Your Majesty must be prepared."
"I'm really busy, Brother Mu, so I won't see you off."
Xu Qingxiao's attitude is very resolute. The biggest thing now is to win public opinion.
As long as there is public opinion, you can cover up the magic in your body. Cheng Lidong is a bomb, who knows when he will suddenly explode.
Xu Qingxiao was 70% sure that Cheng Lidong did not dare to turn against him directly, but would come to find him again.
But there was still 30% left, and Cheng Lidong broke the jar.
If it's the former, there's still room for detours, but if it's the latter, you must conceal the magic in your body as soon as possible.
Otherwise, once the strange magic is exposed, he will be really in trouble.
I'm afraid that Your Majesty won't even be able to protect himself.
So under such circumstances, how could Xu Qingxiao have the heart to attend some Taiping poetry gathering?
It is better to spend time and study the promotion of waterwheels.
If we can speed up the process, we may be able to gain public support sooner.
"Brother Xu! Alas!"
Mu Nanping wanted to continue speaking, but seeing Xu Qingxiao's appearance, he finally shook his head and had no choice but to give up and leave.
After watching Mu Nanping leave.
Xu Qingxiao also looked pure.
But not long after, someone came again, an official from the Ministry of Household Affairs.
"Sir Xu, Gu Shangshu asks you to go to the Ministry of Finance quickly, saying that there is something important."
As officials from the Ministry of Revenue arrived, Xu Qingxiao became a little curious.
But he didn't say much and set off directly to the Ministry of Finance.
"What happened?"
On the way, Xu Qingxiao asked the official.
"My subordinates don't know either. I only know that Gu Shangshu received a letter, and then he was furious. After a while, he asked his subordinates to invite you."
The other party's answer made Xu Qingxiao frown for some reason.
Therefore, Xu Qingxiao quickened her pace.
Arrive at the Ministry of Finance.
After entering the household department, Xu Qingxiao went straight to the inner hall.
In the inner hall, Gu Yan, the Minister of Revenue, was sitting on the Grand Master's chair, and the two ministers on the left and right were also seated in it. The three of them looked unattractive, and the atmosphere in the room seemed unusually quiet.
"My subordinate Xu Qingxiao has met Gu Shangshu and the two ministers."
Xu Qingxiao entered, first bowed to Gu Shangshu, and then slightly bowed his hands to the two ministers. He was also a minister, and they were of the same rank. There was no need to salute, just a simple courtesy.
Seeing Xu Qingxiao appear, Gu Yan did not say anything, but handed the three letters on the table to Xu Qingxiao.
"have a look."
Gu Yan spoke, Xu Qingxiao took the letter, and then opened it and read it.
After a while, Xu Qingxiao's eyes changed slightly.
Look at the second and third letters.
Soon Xu Qingxiao understood why Gu Yan was so angry.
These three letters are business letters from Guangling Shanxi merchants, Beihu Hui merchants, and Nanlin Gan merchants.
The content is very simple. The imperial court wants to make a large number of waterwheels, and the three most important materials for making waterwheels are rattan wood, Bailian iron, and water oil.
After the waterwheel is built, it needs to be smeared with water and oil, which will form an oil film that is heat and fire resistant. Most buildings in Kyoto are smeared with water and oil, which has a polishing effect and can also effectively prevent fire. It is a good thing.
It is also excellent for use on water trucks.
In addition to hundreds of iron smelting, the most important vines, water and oil are basically in the hands of these merchants.
After all, the Wei Dynasty did not need such things. Iron ore needed to be stored, which was something that must be controlled. However, storage of vines, water and oil had no meaning, and they could not be made into weapons.
The Ministry of Industry does have some, but not many.
Fifty counties need 50,000 waterwheels, and the Ministry of Industry's combined cane wood and waterwheels can manufacture up to 50 waterwheels. Naturally, these items need to be purchased.
And these three major chambers of commerce, at the same time, sent letters informing the Ministry of Household Affairs that there were some things, but not a lot, and most of them had just been sold out. If there is an urgent need now, they must be harvested in advance. However, doing so will lead to a loss of harvest.
Rarely, significantly damages long-term growth.
Therefore, they proposed to wait for production next year. Of course, there is another way, that is, they bear the pain of harvesting, but the price is not this price.
It is obvious that the three major chambers of commerce want to raise the price on the ground. As for the price, they have not yet negotiated, giving both parties a buffer opportunity.
As a result, as the Minister of Household Affairs, Gu Yan was naturally furious.
"These businessmen are really greedy for small profits. I have hardly closed my eyes in the past few days. I have calculated the costs and offered a price of 8,500 taels for a water tanker, leaving them with about 40% of the profit. I never thought that
, they are greedy!”
"Sure enough, all the crows in the world are black, Fanshang is black, and the merchants of the Wei Dynasty are also black. As long as they are merchants, there is no one who is not black."
"I really want the Ministry of War to arrest the shopkeepers of these three chambers of commerce and confiscate their homes! Kill them until they become honest."
Gu Yan cursed loudly, and he even wanted to be like Xu Qingxiao, asking the Ministry of War to arrest people, and kill anyone who dared to object.
But he knew this was impossible.
Xu Qingxiao killed Fan Shang because Fan Shang had already aroused public resentment. In addition, Xu Qingxiao did it deliberately to make them crazily make money, which made the public resentment reach a boiling point and he was killed again.
But if these merchants are touched, it is no joke. If Fan Shang is really killed, it will not affect the Wei Dynasty.
But these businessmen were involved in a wide range of businesses, ranging from food, drink, housing and transportation to the needs of the six ministries. If they were to be killed, who would work for the court? Who would create part of the tax revenue for the Ministry of Household Affairs? The people at the bottom would be even more dissatisfied.
So he was just talking out of anger. If he was asked to kill him, he really wouldn't dare to kill him.
"Shouren, do you have any way to deal with these female businessmen?"
Having said this, Gu Yan looked at Xu Qingxiao, he was really at a loss what to do.
The other party made it clear that they were raising the price, and the reasons they gave were impeccable. After all, if you want such a huge amount of materials in one go, it is reasonable for others to say they don't have it.
You can't possibly send someone to check, right?
Even if you send someone there, what will happen? Do you know where their warehouse is? How do you liquidate it?
When the time comes, someone will say, these are all goods that have been ordered, so it is impossible to jump in the queue, right? Especially these businessmen are very smart, saying that they have been ordered by a foreign country.
If he really jumped in line, he would scold Da Wei for bullying.
In the prosperous times, he really wouldn't be afraid of being scolded, but now the Wei Dynasty must be careful no matter what he does, not only not to attract insults, but also to do things well.
If Xu Qingxiao killed Fan Shang, if it were not for the strong support of the people, Xu Qingxiao would have been imprisoned under any circumstances.
The greater the involvement, the more scruples there are.
Hear what Gu Yan said.
Xu Qingxiao did not answer, but thought in silence.
In fact, I had already guessed this before.
After all, businessmen are looking for profits. When they see such a large order, their first reaction may not be to make a fortune, but to think about how to ask for a price.
There is no way around this.
Unless you have purchased the materials beforehand, if you buy in large quantities, it will also arouse others' suspicion, and it is almost impossible to spare them.
"First send a letter back and tell them that they are willing to increase the price, as long as the price is reasonable."
After a while, Xu Qingxiao gave this answer.
But as soon as he said this, Gu Yan's face turned a little ugly.
"Price increase?"
"There are 50,000 waterwheels and 8,522 each. There is already close to 40% profit. After deducting the cost, they also get close to 10% profit."
"If the Ministry of Household Affairs allocates further funds to increase the price, the subsequent labor costs, water transportation costs, and other miscellaneous costs will be at least 500 taels of silver in excess."
"Shouren, we have to spend another 50 million taels, and I'm afraid the Ministry of Revenue won't be able to bear it."
Gu Yan said a little depressed.
Originally, 50,000 taels of silver was already the limit, but now the price is going to be increased?
To be honest, once the price is increased, it means an excess. Da Wei has 80,000 taels of silver in hand, of which at least 20,000 taels must be left untouched, right?
After all, who can guarantee that nothing will happen tomorrow?
There are 60,000 taels left, and taking out 50,000 taels is already the limit of the Ministry of Revenue. He will not be able to part with any more.
Forget about him, who would be willing to give up six movies?
Your Majesty is reluctant to part with it.
This group of female businessmen.
"Gu Shangshu, being restrained by others right now, can only make an inquiry first, at least to know how much they want to increase."
"Then we'll take a long-term view."
In a short period of time, Xu Qingxiao would definitely not be able to think of any solution. Instead of doing that, it would be better to see how big the other party's appetite is.
If you just want to add a little bit, it's not impossible to talk about it.
But if you want to add more, that would be a shame.
Gu Yan's face was a little dark, but he finally nodded and agreed with Xu Qingxiao's statement.
I have no choice but to wait, right?
The Ministry of Industry has been training for such a long time. If it is delayed due to material issues, it will be troublesome.
The entire Household Department and Works Department have been busy for more than twenty days. They should have been dealing with other matters. They would not be willing to give up like this.
"Shouren, take measures well. I feel that this matter will never be that simple. These businessmen must have the confidence and trump card to dare to raise prices at this juncture. This will be a test for the Ministry of Household Affairs.
"
Gu Yan spoke and asked Xu Qingxiao to be prepared. If the other party dared to suddenly raise the price, he must have the confidence and trump card.
"Qingxiao understands, sir, please rest assured that Qingxiao will take this matter seriously."
Xu Qingxiao nodded.
Xu Qingxiao also thought of what Gu Yan thought of.
But no matter what, let’s wait for the other party to quote.
"Okay, it's getting late, Shouren, let's go to the Taiping Poetry Club together."
Gu Yan stood up and decided to leave the matter alone for the time being. He invited Xu Qingxiao to go to the Taiping Poetry Club together.
"Gu Shangshu, I won't go to the Taiping Poetry Society. I have other things to do."
Xu Qingxiao declined politely.
As soon as this was said, the three of them became a little curious.
"Shouren, the Taiping Poetry Festival is one of the three major literati gatherings. You are such a talented person, wouldn't it be a pity if you don't go?"
"Yes, Shouren, today when I go to court, everyone is talking about you and expecting you to bring honor to Wei Dynasty at the Taiping Poetry Festival. How can you not go?"
The servants on the left and right spoke, their words full of curiosity.
"If you are busy with official duties, and the waterwheel project cannot be understood for one day, the people of Wei will be hungry for one more day. The Taiping Poetry Festival is a grand event in the eyes of others, but in Xu's eyes, it is not as good as the common people."
Xu Qingxiao opened her mouth and said this.
As soon as he said this, the three of them were surprised again.
"My three lords, I have to take my leave."
Xu Qingxiao didn't say much, bowed to the three of them, and then left.
In the room, after watching Xu Qingxiao leave, Gu Yan couldn't help but sigh.
"Xu Shouren, you are truly an upright official of Wei Dynasty. He cares about the people. I admire him."
Gu Yan’s words are definitely not a compliment, but they are spoken from the heart.
For literati all over the world, if they are talented, they would like to participate in such literary events every day, eager to steal the limelight and attract the envy of the world.
Maybe Qingxiao has such a great talent, but he is willing to stand by his side and make a living for the people. How can he not admire this?
Another place.
Xu Qingxiao walked towards Shouren Academy. His face was calm, but he was a little unhappy inside.
The waterwheel project is currently what Xu Qingxiao cares about most, but what he didn't expect was that someone was secretly stopping it.
It is normal for the three major chambers of commerce to raise prices in pursuit of profits, but generally speaking, they will not raise prices at this juncture, and can definitely be raised two days in advance.
Obviously there is support behind it, and they are also willing to ask for more money.
This is disgusting enough.
It's a pity that we can't directly attack this group of businessmen, otherwise, Xu Qingxiao wouldn't mind ransacking a group of people's homes again.
No mercy.
"We have to think of ways to deal with it. The three major chambers of commerce are probably coming from bad actors."
Xu Qingxiao said to herself.
This is another trouble.
As a result, it is even more impossible to participate in this Taiping Poetry Festival, which is a complete waste of time.
Shouren School.
When Xu Qingxiao returned home, a woman was standing outside the school, holding a letter in her hand.
When she saw Xu Qingxiao, the woman immediately came over.
"Mr. Xu! Mr. Xu! This servant is the maid of the lady in white. This is the letter that the lady in white asked the servant to give to you."
The woman came over and handed a letter to Xu Qingxiao, looking nervous.
After all, the person in front of her was an eternally talented person in the Wei Dynasty and the Minister of Household Affairs. It was already quite good for a maid like her to muster up the courage to hand over the envelope to Xu Qingxiao.
"Girl in white?"
Xu Qingxiao took the envelope, nodded, and the maid quickly left.
After the maid left, Xu Qingxiao opened the letter. The text was beautiful and elegant, and there was a faint fragrance.
Its content is an apology.
"Is it really not her?"
"Did I misunderstand?"
The content of the letter was entirely an apology to myself, saying that I didn't know where I had offended myself, and I hoped that I wouldn't blame myself.
This made Xu Qingxiao wonder if she had really recognized the wrong person.
Entering the school, Xu Qingxiao looked for a place at will.
He frowned in thought.
Baiyimen made an appointment with him to go to Taohua Temple, and he accepted the appointment. Logically speaking, someone would come to meet him as soon as possible.
If you are worried that it will be too obvious and dare not meet immediately, you will at least give yourself a signal or a hint.
It’s impossible to let yourself guess who is from the White Clothes Sect, right?
If this person in Baiyi really belongs to the Baiyi sect, he should come straight to the point when he sees him, there is no need to be secretive.
Waste each other's time.
But if this guy in Baiyi is not from the Baiyi sect, then who is?
Miss Liu?
Impossible, I have a lot of alone time with her, so I can tell her directly.
Then who is it?
Mr. Wang?
That's even more impossible. People from the White Clothes Sect are really looking for trouble for themselves? Is there something wrong with their brains?
Xu Qingxiao pondered.
At the end, he closed his eyes and began to recall yesterday's bit by bit.
From the moment I entered Taohua Temple, every person and every scene was replayed in my mind.
Abruptly.
Xu Qingxiao opened her eyes.
"It's him!"
Xu Qingxiao suddenly guessed who it was.
An unremarkable guy.
There is a certain possibility.
"If he is really this person, this white-clothed man is too cerebral."
Xu Qingxiao guessed a possibility, but she couldn't guarantee it completely. She could only wait until she went to Taohua Temple next time.
I don't have the time or energy to go now.
Picking up the letter, Xu Qingxiao returned to the room.
The matters involving the three major chambers of commerce must be resolved as soon as possible.
The waterwheel project will never stop because of these three major chambers of commerce.
no way!
Youshi.
Xu Qingxiao lit the candle and read the book carefully, but Xu Qingxiao was preoccupied with two things.
Read a book and think about things.
At this moment, several bells rang.
Accompanied by a loud voice, it spread throughout the capital of the Wei Dynasty.
"The Taiping Poetry Society has a banquet."
As this sound sounded, the fireworks in Kyoto soared into the sky, gorgeous and beautiful. The people looked at the fireworks in the sky and enjoyed the excitement and short-term prosperity.
The entire Liyang Palace became completely lively at this moment.
Countless talented people poured into the Liyang Palace, fine wine poured into the pond, orioles sang and swallows danced, bells sounded like music, and there was endless prosperity.
All the important figures from the Great Wei Wen Palace and the four major academies are here. The empress will not appear in the first few days, but will only appear in the last three days.
The feast began, and everyone watched singing and dancing, drinking and chatting. As the scholar finished his speech, some strange people appeared and performed illusions, making the feast even more brilliant.
The common people who entered could not take their eyes away from it, and the talented people also applauded one after another.
Until an hour later.
The banquet has reached the most anticipated part.
On the first day, the Wen Palace of the Great Wei Dynasty will set a topic, and everyone can participate in it and write poems, poems, and articles based on the topic.
In the end, the best work will be selected and rewarded by the court, but for the world's literati, the greatest reward is to appear at a feast.
Poems based on the topic, interspersed with songs and dances, and some guessing games suitable for the public made the event extremely lively.
time flies.
The entire event lasted for five hours until Chou Shi.
Wen Gong of the Great Wei Dynasty, Sun Jing'an got the list.
"The first day of the Taiping Poetry Festival, the top ten literati."
"First place, Bailu Academy of the Great Wei Dynasty, Zhao Anzhi."
"Second place, Chen Guo Jingchen Academy, Li Peng."
"Third place, Sanhe Academy of Jin State, Wang Yangxin."
As names were called out one after another, everyone on the list looked very excited.
The first place is the talented scholar of the Wei Dynasty, which makes sense, at least he did not lose face.
However, seven of the top ten talents are from other countries, and the Wei Dynasty only ranks first, seventh and ninth. This result is not good.
But fortunately, the first one is a talented person from the Wei Dynasty, so he will not lose face. It can only be said that he did not live up to his expectations.
The top ten talents were listed, and the imperial court gave them the Four Treasures of the Royal Study as a reward, as well as the words of diligence written by the empress, which was considered a great honor.
Then with the sound of the bell, everyone left the stage one after another.
Most of the people still hesitate to leave. After all, they won't be able to come tomorrow and a new group of people will have to be replaced.
After a stick of incense.
The Liyang Palace became quiet. The big figures from the Wei Wen Palace and the four major academies were still in the palace. Everyone's expressions were not particularly good-looking.
The scene was very quiet, with no trace of excitement at all.
"Ten countries, come prepared."
After a while, Chen Zhengru's voice sounded, breaking the silence.
As soon as he said this, everyone became even more silent.
Because the Taiping Poetry Society is one of the three major poetry societies in the world, and it is also a poetry society hosted by the Great Wei Dynasty. In previous years, basically seven of the top ten talents on the first day were all talents of the Great Wei Dynasty.
There were even times when all ten of them were talented people from the Wei Dynasty.
But this year, there are only three people. Even if they are ranked first, they are slightly partial to one or two. Some people are not weaker than him in literary talent and can be tied for first place, but they still prefer Wei. If the first place is given to other talented people from the Ten Kingdoms,
Taken away.
Wouldn't that be a joke?
"I don't expect any good results tomorrow. I just hope that I, a member of the Wei Dynasty, will be number one. Otherwise, we will be in trouble."
Someone spoke, it was the dean of the four major academies, with a slightly serious look on his face.
"Don't be pessimistic. Even if we lose tomorrow, we, the Wei Dynasty, haven't sent out Xingyun yet. If he does, he will definitely outshine the rest."
Sun Jing'an spoke without caring at all, thinking that everyone was thinking too much.
"I hope so."
"Why doesn't Xu Qingxiao come to participate?"
The other party nodded, but was also curious as to why Xu Qingxiao didn't come to participate.
"Huh, there are rumors among the people that he looks down on the Taiping Poetry Society. What else can such a person say?"
Sun Jing'an sneered.
As soon as he said this, Chen Zhengru couldn't help but frown.
"Sun Ru, this is just folklore. Although Shouren is a little arrogant, he is not like this. As a great Confucian, he should know that rumors stop only among the wise."
Chen Zhengru looked slightly unhappy.
"Whether it's a rumor or not, I'm not sure yet."
"Of course, there may be a possibility."
"He knew that Xingyun would also come to participate, so he didn't dare to compete."
Sun Jing'an spoke indifferently.
Having said this, he left directly without giving Chen Zhengru any face.
Chen Zhengru ignored it, and everyone left without saying anything.
A few hours later.
The Taiping Poetry Festival in Liyang Palace has become the number one topic in the Wei Dynasty.
All the people who participated in it praised the Taiping Poetry Festival to the extreme.
It has attracted countless people to yearn for it.
But some sounds also appeared.
It is the voice of talented people from ten countries.
"Brother Li's poems at yesterday's grand event were obviously no less than those of Zhao Anzhi, but the Wen Palace of the Wei Dynasty favored Zhao Anzhi for the sake of face. This number one position is in name only."
"Although I can understand the actions of the Wen Palace of the Wei Dynasty, this is a poetry meeting and poetry should be the main focus. To save my face, I deliberately suppressed Brother Li. It is really disgusting."
"We, the scholars, should seek truth from facts. For the sake of this face, the Great Wei Wen Palace is a bit shameless."
A moderate voice spread in Kyoto. The scholars of the Ten Kingdoms were not satisfied with the behavior of Wen Gong of Wei Dynasty. After all, they believed that Li Peng's poetry was better than Zhao Anzhi's.
But he condescended to take second place, which made them very dissatisfied.
It's just that this is the first day after all, and the scholars from the Ten Kingdoms can understand that these words are nothing to complain about with friends.
But perhaps because he didn't pay attention to others, he attracted the attention of some Wei literati, and many disputes broke out.
There were even some literati scolding each other, which attracted some attention. Later, the Ministry of Punishment came forward to mediate and the matter was dropped.
One thing is undeniable.
The talented men of the Ten Kingdoms were very unconvinced.
Until today, Youshi.
The second day of the Taiping Poetry Festival begins.
Just like yesterday, music and dance were played first, and then poems were composed. There were corresponding arrangements for each hour, making it extremely lively.
Although the talented people from the ten countries were dissatisfied, they still had to eat, drink and smile at the grand gathering.
Xu Shi.
All the poems have been collected. Mainly led by several great Confucians from the Wen Palace of the Great Wei Dynasty, and assisted by the deans of the four major academies, everyone is also reviewing the poems and then ranking them.
But today, I encountered the same situation as yesterday.
The battle for first place.
The quality of the poems written by the talents of the Wei Dynasty and that of the talents of the Tang Dynasty is almost the same. If we want to compare them, we can only distinguish them based on their fonts.
But the calligraphy of the great scholar of the Wei Dynasty was slightly inferior, and everyone was silent for a while.
According to common sense, the talented scholar of the Wei Dynasty is naturally ranked first.
But if we really want to be serious, then naturally the talented men of the Tang Dynasty should be the first.
If the Taiping Poetry Fair were held in a foreign country, they would not be so entangled and would directly choose Tang.
But this is Dawei.
The empress has just ascended the throne, and the Wei Dynasty needs to do something to enhance the people's confidence and promote the country's prestige.
Therefore, taking into account political factors, we can only choose the talented people of the Wei Dynasty.
"Don't worry, I'll be ranked at the bottom."
Chen Zhengru spoke and asked everyone not to rush to pick the first one.
Let’s talk about it later.
Several great scholars from the four major academies and the Great Wei Wen Palace nodded and began to quickly line up from second to tenth.
Wait until it is sorted out.
Everyone looked even worse.
Because from the second to the tenth, there is not a single great Wei scholar.
In other words, if we don't choose Wei as the number one, it will become a joke after today's meeting ends.
"Li Yue's poetry feels like its level has declined a bit."
"Zhang Chen's poetry has also declined somewhat."
"I thought they could occupy the top ten positions, but why is the quality so average?"
"There is another person named Chen Xinghe. He has written more than ten poems. Each of them is mediocre. Why are there so many people like this attending the banquet?"
Chen Zhengru specially found a few poems. These are famous talents in the Wei Dynasty. They are not said to be able to write poems for the ages, but at least there is no problem in entering the top ten. I can find them and take a look. Although the poems are good, you can compare them with the poems they have written before.
, some decline.
When you reach the level of a talented person, any slight decline is crucial.
Especially the talented people from the Ten Kingdoms came prepared this time.
And there is Chen Xinghe, who wrote more than a dozen poems in a row, but they were all very ordinary. I don’t know where he got his confidence from.
"Perhaps they are nervous. After all, it is their first time to participate in the Taiping Poetry Festival."
The dean of Songyang Academy opened his mouth to explain.
Everyone nodded slightly. It is possible that the poems written on weekdays are elegant and may be better. But if they really want to write poems at the poetry meeting, they may be slowed down due to inner nervousness and time issues.
.
The Talents of the Ten Kingdoms obviously came for the Wei Dynasty, and their quality is obviously extraordinary. Some poems, although not in the top ten, can still be regarded as excellent works.
"what to do?"
Someone asked in a low voice.
"Choose Dawei. There is only one person in the top ten. If he doesn't take first place, how can Dawei lose his face?"
Sun Jing'an spoke immediately and made a choice.
As soon as this was said, everyone hesitated.
They all looked at Chen Zhengru.
The latter seemed very quiet.
He was also hesitant and confused.
There is no problem in choosing the Wei Dynasty as the number one, but I am afraid that the talents of the Ten Kingdoms will not agree.
But if Wei is not allowed to take first place, it will cause even greater trouble.
"Choose Tang."
In the end, Chen Zhengru made a decision. Although he was a little reluctant, there was nothing he could do about it.
"No!"
However, Sun Jing'an refused directly.
"Chen Ru, if we choose the Tang Dynasty, what happened today will be spread to the world, and everyone in the world will laugh at me, the Wei Dynasty."
"Choose Dawei."
Sun Jing'an is decisive.
"But if we choose Wei, wouldn't it be unfair?"
Chen Zhengru frowned.
"What's the injustice? Ask yourself, the quality of the two poems is comparable. This poetry competition is about poems, not fonts. If the poems of the Wei Dynasty are indeed not as good as those of the Tang Dynasty, I will never say a word more.
"
"But essentially, there is really no problem between the two."
Sun Jing'an said this.
The others couldn't help but nodded.
Seeing everyone nodding, Chen Zhengru sighed and said nothing more.
"I will print the poems and write the rankings."
Sun Jing'an was afraid that Chen Zhengru would regret it temporarily, so he personally took over the task of writing the rankings.
Just like that four hours later.
Finally, the feast is over.
It was Sun Jing'an who still appeared, holding the list, and spoke slowly.
"Top 10 test questions today."
"First place, Yuelu Academy of the Great Wei Dynasty, Fan Haoguang."
"Second place, Jingyang Academy of Tang Dynasty, Chao Xingyan."
"Third place, Pingyang Academy of the North, Zhong Ruo."
Sun Jing'an's voice sounded, and the eunuchs in the palace took the rubbings of poems and showed them to everyone.
After Sun Jing'an finished reciting, he twirled his beard and said with a smile: "Invite ten talented people to come out and receive the reward."
When his voice fell, someone stood up from the crowd. It was Fan Haoguang, a talented man from the Wei Dynasty. His face was full of smiles, and there was unconcealable excitement in his eyes.
But the next moment, a voice sounded.
"It seems that Fan Haoguang's poetry is not as good as Brother Chao's."
The sound rang out, followed by several more voices.
"Yes, although both poems are superior, Brother Chao's poems are obviously superior."
"More than that, Brother Chao not only has excellent poems, but also has beautiful handwriting. Looking at Brother Fan's poems, although they are also good, the handwriting is obviously not as good as Brother Chao's."
"Sun Ru, is this ranking wrong? I hope Sun Ru will verify it again."
"Yes, recheck!"
Voices rang out one after another, most of them were the voices of talented people from the ten countries. They did not attack, but questioned, and then asked the great scholars to review it again.
But when he said this, he offended the literati of the Wei Dynasty.
"I think Brother Fan's poems surpass Chao Xingyan's. As for the font, what's the problem with it?"
"Yes, is it possible that you can't afford to lose?"
"In the top ten, nine of them are talented people from the Ten Kingdoms. If we don't have them in the Wei Dynasty, we don't have them. But the number one person who is a talented person in our Wei Dynasty is a talented person in our great Wei Dynasty. If you can't afford to lose, why come here to embarrass yourself?
"
Some voices sounded with displeasure.
After all, only one of the top ten literati was from the Wei Dynasty. They were already a little unhappy, but they didn't expect that these talented people from the Ten Kingdoms would be so arrogant. Do they have to trample the Wei Dynasty under their feet to be happy?
"It's ridiculous, why can't we afford to lose? It's just that one is one, and two is two. The quality of these two poems is comparable. We can only judge from others. If it's not good, it's not good. Isn't it true that the Wei Dynasty is not good?
Let people tell you?"
"Can't afford to lose? That's ridiculous. We have been preparing carefully for several years just to strive for a ranking. One is one. If this is the case, then why hold this grand event? Just write the number one in Wei Dynasty. It is a waste of time."
"First, the crazy student Xu Qingxiao made rude remarks and humiliated us and other talented people from the ten countries. Now the ranking is unfair. Is the Wei Dynasty so strong? I understand, I learned."
"Forget it, I'll leave later. It's so unfair, it's better not to come."
"Come on, is this reward very meaningful? If you are inferior to others, you are inferior to others. I thought that the Wei Dynasty was one of the three great dynasties, but I didn't expect that it would be so fraudulent."
"Everyone, let's go!"
When the talented men from the ten countries spoke, they all sneered. In the end, no one knew who took the lead and turned around and left, looking arrogant.
At that moment, figures left one after another. The talented people from the ten countries were extremely disrespectful. This was also the pride of the literati, so they left one after another.
At the banquet, Sun Jing'an looked ugly, and the six ministers, the officials of the Wei Dynasty, the scholar of the Imperial Palace, and the deans of the four major academies all also looked ugly.
The Taiping Poetry Festival is such an important event, but these people are so arrogant. Isn't this another slap in the face of Wei?
When the people saw this scene, they were a little angry, but they didn't know what to say.
"A group of people cannot afford to lose!"
"Can you, the talented man from the Ten Kingdoms, have some courage?"
"How ridiculous!"
"If you don't come, you won't come. Are you still afraid of waiting?"
The literati of the Wei Dynasty couldn't help but curse.
After all, this matter has not been finalized yet. As a result, these people left immediately without giving any face. How could they hold back?
"The banquet is over!"
At this moment, Chen Zhengru spoke, his face looking slightly ugly.
soon.
Inside the Kyoto of the Great Wei Dynasty.
Various voices sounded, causing huge responses.
"The Wei Dynasty is unfair. It's just for the sake of face and it doesn't take talent into account. It's ridiculous."
"In such a grand event, the Wei Dynasty is so collusive and treats us scholars as ants."
"I, the scholars of my generation, cultivate great righteousness, but never thought that a great Confucian would distort the facts and really insult the word Confucian."
"It's okay not to go to such a grand event."
This is the voice of the talented people from the ten countries. They are extremely angry and think it is unfair.
"Poetry Society Poetry Society is itself a gathering of poems and lyrics. It's really ridiculous for you to correct the fonts."
"It's hard to find fault. Are you here to participate in a grand event or are you here to find fault?"
"If you can't afford to lose, you can't afford to lose. Nine of the top ten literati are not from the Wei Dynasty. Isn't this unfair? So what is unfair?"
"Yes, nine out of ten people are you, what else can you do? Do you mean to say that I, the Great Wei, are not as good as you?"
The literati of the Wei Dynasty also became angry.
It is a poetry meeting in itself. What we are competing for is poetry, not who can write better.
Furthermore, the matter has not yet been decided. If you leave on the spot without giving any face, isn't this another slap in Wei's face?
A group of barbarians.
Both sides were very angry, and the people were also a little angry.
You're right. The quality of poems is almost the same. Why are you worrying about fonts? Is it to compare with whose handwriting looks better, or whose poems are better?
Furthermore, is it really too much to deny face in this way?
Honestly speaking, nine of the top ten are from your ten countries. Isn’t that enough? What else? I have to step on Wei’s face to be happy?
It is precisely because of this contradiction.
For a while, the people became somewhat hostile to these scholars from the Ten Countries.
The main reason is that they don't listen to the explanation and just leave without giving any face. If you don't give it, these people won't give it either.
Some innkeepers simply cleared people out and asked me to get out of here.
Some restaurants have directly posted notices refusing foreigners to stay.
Some literati even sneered and ridiculed.
In an instant, conflicts arose, and a fight soon broke out.
I don’t know how busy the officials of the Ministry of Justice were on this day.
They went everywhere to regulate, and the Wei court immediately issued an order not to allow people who hate other countries.
After all, Wei Dynasty is a state of etiquette, so it would be pointless to play with this.
Later, the Wen Palace of the Great Wei Dynasty asked Hua Xingyun to appear. He traveled around the world and had relationships with literati in many countries.
He stepped in to mediate the situation, as the superiors did not want to cause too much trouble.
It has to be said that Hua Xingyun did have the means to gather the talents of the ten countries, and then held a banquet to apologize, expressing his feelings and reasoning. He not only talked about the fundamental issues, but also mentioned the things they had fallen out with yesterday.
The merits and demerits balance each other out, so I will still go to the banquet today, regardless of the past. As for yesterday's ranking, the court is also reviewing it, and will give an explanation after the event.
After hearing these words, the talented men of the Ten Kingdoms felt slightly relieved.
This finally put an end to the conflict.
But the most important thing is that Hua Xingyun will attend the banquet today, and the talents of the ten countries can calm down their anger.
After all, if you can suppress Hua Xingyun at the Taiping Poetry Conference, then everything will be easier to say.
Therefore, whether it is the literati of the Wei Dynasty, the common people of the Wei Dynasty, or the talents of the ten countries and foreign countries, they are full of expectations for today's grand event.
And in Shouren School.
Gu Yan, the Minister of Household Affairs, came here.
Zhang Jing, the Minister of Punishment, came here.
Even Chen Zhengru, the Minister of Civil Affairs, came here.
There are also two brothers and sisters, Mu Nanping.
Even Chen Xinghe came to persuade Xu Qingxiao to attend the banquet.
But they were all rejected by Xu Qingxiao.
"Junior brother, this Taiping Poetry Recital was a little troublesome."
"If you don't come, I'm afraid it will be really difficult to end this."
Chen Xinghe opened his mouth and spoke earnestly to the side.
He went there for the past three days, and every time he actively wrote poems, but he couldn't choose any of them. Perhaps the talented people from the Ten Kingdoms were deliberately prepared, and it was normal for him to condescend to the eleventh place.
As for why he knows he is number 11, Chen Xinghe has this confidence.
"Senior brother, please don't try to persuade me. I really don't want to go."
Xu Qingxiao felt a little confused. I don’t know how many people came today, but they all persuaded her to go.
But the question is, where are you going and what are you doing?
What's there to do when you're full?
There are so many serious things to deal with, so why not just run over and pretend to be beeping?
Brother, it’s cool for you to pretend to be beeping.
But I don’t have time. If I don’t handle this well, I will lose my head.
Xu Qingxiao was speechless.
If nothing happens, he might go.
But there are so many things going on now, it’s a waste of time.
"well."
Chen Xinghe was a little helpless, but it was a pity that the poetry competition would have a title. If there was no title, he even thought about asking Xu Qingxiao to write a poem and show it off.
What a pity, what a pity.
Chen Xinghe persuaded her not to disturb Xu Qingxiao. Seeing that it was getting late, she set off again to go to the banquet. If she wrote more today, she couldn't pass all the songs, right?
Youshi.
This is the third day of the Taiping Poetry Festival.
But it was different from the previous two days.
Everyone was happy the previous two times, but today they seemed a little silent and serious.
Yesterday, the talented people from the ten countries were so disrespectful. Who can still laugh today?
What the talented men of the Ten Kingdoms did was like giving Wei a slap in the face. If you can still laugh about it, then there is something wrong.
Everyone was silent.
Even singing and dancing performances can't make everyone laugh.
Everyone hopes that the time will pass quickly, and they can go directly to the poem writing stage, and then announce it immediately.
An hour later.
This time it was Chen Zhengru who asked the question.
"This time the theme is a banquet."
"One poem per person, no more."
Chen Zhengru opened his mouth as he did yesterday, but added an extra rule.
Everyone was a little curious and didn't know why this rule was added.
Is it possible for someone to write two poems in one breath?
Also, this question is inexplicably difficult.
banquet?
Why is this question asked?
Everyone was more curious.
They were just out of curiosity, but soon everyone started writing.
At the banquet, Chen Zhengru and others all focused their attention on Hua Xingyun.
And Hua Xingyun did live up to expectations, he put pen to paper.
In an instant, the energy surged, and the words were written on the white paper, blooming with golden light.
"Okay! One word is a thousand gold, one word is a thousand gold!"
"Excellent work! Excellent work!"
At this moment, many people opened their mouths. When they saw Hua Xingyun's letters blooming with golden light, they instantly understood what was going on.
A thousand pieces of gold is a symbol of poetry.
It is not as good as ancient poetry, but it is still a masterpiece, a rare masterpiece.
At this moment, many talented people in the Ten Kingdoms frowned. Facing a work worth a thousand dollars, they naturally felt a little emotional and felt powerless.
Most works, after they are written, are evaluated by great scholars, and even these works are excellent works.
It is also limited to poetry.
But if it can lead to visions, this will be recognized by heaven and earth.
A word worth a thousand dollars is a kind of recognition.
Going up is the poem of Zhengguo.
Further up are the famous poems through the ages.
Not to mention famous poems throughout the ages, even poems that support the country are difficult.
Not only the common people, but also the six ministers, the Great Confucian of the Wen Palace of the Great Wei Dynasty, and the deans of the four major academies also breathed a sigh of relief at this moment, with smiles on their faces.
But at this moment.
boom!
A thunderous sound exploded.
At this moment, among the crowd, there was a handsome man, whose whole body was full of talent.
Billions of talents pour into the paper.
A sound like thunder erupted.
Directly shook the poems in Hua Xingyun's hand away.
The next moment, the words on the white paper turned into light, jumped out of the paper, and flew towards the sky.
Each character continues to multiply, reaching a size of a hundred feet, hanging in the sky over the Wei Dynasty.
At that moment, the faces of the great scholars, the six ministers, and others became very ugly in an instant.
Because, this is a national poem!
"Hiss! Brother Li En has written a poem to subjugate the country!"
"This is Brother Li En from Henglu Academy in Nanguo."
"Brother Li is a great talent!"
"Hey, you actually wrote a poem to subjugate the country? Brother Li is really a great talent."
"Hahahaha, I didn't expect Brother Li En to be able to write poems to subjugate the country. I have a lot of fun today, I have a lot of fun today."
"Okay, okay, okay, I want to see if anyone dares to say that this poem is not good today."
"Everyone, this poem can't possibly be ranked second, right?"
"Poems and lyrics control the country. Brother Li, this is an eternal talent."
"If Brother Li's poem is still ranked second today, then it doesn't matter if the great Wei Dynasty doesn't come again in the future."
"This is still ranked second? If I am ranked second, then I will stop studying and go to farm."
"Not necessarily. It depends on whether the great scholars agree or not."
The talents of the Ten Kingdoms instantly became excited at this moment.
They were excited but also ridiculed what happened yesterday.
But all the talented people in the Wei Dynasty looked ugly.
Hua Xingyun was also a little unhappy, but didn't say much.
As for the people of the Wei Dynasty, each one was even more silent than the other.
Are you angry that you lost to the opponent on your own territory?
Still so yin and yang?
"It's ridiculous. It's still unknown whether he can be number one."
"Yes, is it confirmed so soon?"
"How many hours are left."
Some people were unconvinced and couldn't help but speak.
It was okay just not to speak, but as soon as he spoke, more voices sounded.
"Isn't this number one? What a national poem! Why are you so stubborn?"
"As long as the great Confucian scholars are a little more impartial, that will be number one."
"Isn't the first in national poetry? What is the first? Is one word worth a thousand dollars?"
"Is it possible that there are still famous poems through the ages?"
"Oh, I understand. What you want to say is that Xu Qingxiao hasn't come yet, right? It doesn't matter whether he comes or not. No matter how powerful Xu Qingxiao is, he can compose famous poems through the ages at will?"
"Don't be so harsh. Is it so difficult to admit that you are worse?"
The talented men from the ten countries took turns to speak. The literati were inherently arrogant and sharp-tongued. What they said made many people blush.
"Xu Wangu doesn't come because he doesn't like you. Otherwise, do you really think he won't come?"
"Yes, there are many eternal terms, eternal famous sayings, and the best parallel prose throughout the ages. Do you have them?"
"That is, when Xu Wangu comes, it is still unknown whether he will be number one or not."
The common people spoke, and even many literati of the Great Wei Dynasty couldn't help but speak, including some people from the Wen Palace of the Great Wei Dynasty.
Although they don't like staying up late at night.
But at this point, it was impossible not to support Xu Qingxiao.
"Chen Ru, the student would like to write another poem, is it possible?"
At this time, Hua Xingyun suddenly said that he wanted to write another poem.
In an instant, everyone's eyes lit up.
Somewhat excited.
The talented men from the ten countries all frowned. After all, Hua Xingyun’s talent was well understood by everyone.
Maybe there really is a turning point.
"Brother Hua, Chen Ru has already said that each person is limited to one poem. It's not that I'm afraid that Brother Hua will write some poems."
"It's just that this is against the rules, isn't it?"
At this time, someone spoke up, thinking that it was not in compliance with the rules, and used this to block the other party's way.
Sure enough, as soon as he said this, everyone's expressions changed.
Chen Zhengru was also a little depressed.
The reason why he limited one person to one song was because someone wrote more than a dozen songs in one breath, so he added this restriction.
Unexpectedly, I shot myself in the foot.
The current situation is very embarrassing.
If you agree.
Even if he writes better poems, the talented people from the ten countries will never agree to it.
But if you don't agree, you will lose completely today.
Everyone has grudges about what happened yesterday. If Wei loses, he is afraid that it will cause trouble.
"Rules are rules."
"But the time has indeed not come yet. We will wait until the banquet is over to decide. Please don't stop and write."
Chen Zhengru spoke.
Don't change the rules.
But he still has the only hope.
As soon as he said this, the talented people from the Ten Kingdoms smiled even more.
At this time, Chen Zhengru whispered in the guard's ear.
"Go to Shouren Academy quickly and ask Xu Qingxiao to come!"
His voice was not loud, but it was full of determination.
The four major academies, the Great Wei Wen Palace, and many common people saw this scene, as did the talented people from the ten countries.
No one could hear what Chen Ru said, but everyone guessed what it was.
At that moment, the guards set off and left immediately.
Chen Zhengru was both worried and a little angry.
Who is this Chen Xinghe?
Hurt self and others!
at this time.
There was finally laughter at the feast.
But they are all the laughter of talented people from ten countries.
The people of the Wei Dynasty and the literati of the Wei Dynasty seemed unusually quiet.
A polarization formed.
But everyone is waiting.
Wait for Xu Qingxiao to come!
Soon, the affairs of Liyang Palace also spread to the capital of the Wei Dynasty.
After all the people learned about it, they couldn't help but feel heavy.
"Hurry to Shouren Academy and ask Xu Qingxiao to come!"
At this moment, the only thought on the mind of both scholars and common people in the capital of the Wei Dynasty was this.