The dancer, musician, and others retreated, and only the faint sound of the piano could be heard from the buildings in the distance.
After the third prince announced the general rules on behalf of the prince, the cultural meeting officially began.
Since it is a literary society, what we play is the things of literati.
Poems, songs, couplets, puzzles, etc. can all be themes.
Jia Lian didn't want to understand the specific gameplay and process. He just drank tea with the fourth prince and watched the excitement.
The fourth prince was a restless person. After a while, he couldn't help but run to the couplets and guess riddles.
As a companion, Zhang Su naturally followed immediately.
He wanted to give certain reminders to the fourth prince at the appropriate time, lest he fail to answer any of them, guess them, and be embarrassed and angry when the time comes...
Seeing Feng Ziying sitting and drinking tea, Jia Lian couldn't help but smile and said, "Brother Feng, isn't he going to show off his talent today?"
"Second brother Lian is joking, but my younger brother is not very talented and has little knowledge. He knows that it is difficult for him to become an elegant person, so naturally he does not dare to show his embarrassment."
Faced with Feng Ziying's modesty, Jia Lian laughed.
Although Feng Ziying is the son of a general, judging from his usual speech and behavior, he is definitely not a rough man.
It can even be said that he is a rare person with both martial arts and culture.
However, the way of writing is not as straightforward as the way of martial arts. Except for those with extraordinary talents, it is really difficult to convince others.
Therefore, Feng Ziying, who had already shown her glory in the morning's martial arts battle, felt that she could not surpass others in terms of literary skills, and mediocre works were meaningless.
From this point of view, Feng Ziying is a very self-aware person. After all, there is no first place in writing. Even if he writes about things like going to pee together, if he has the vision to discover beauty, perhaps looking at it from another angle, it will not have a different "taste".
Therefore, more than 80% of the people on the field were actively participating in literary exchanges.
As for the results, most of them can only entertain themselves. Even if they are sent to the princes and princes for tasting, the few works that everyone praised are, according to Jia Lian, quite average...
Although Jia Lian himself couldn't do anything good, as someone who traveled from later generations, he felt that he was qualified to be picky.
What, you don’t accept it? I’ll give you two songs, one high and one low!
This is what Jia Lian thought after seeing those people's faces glowing red after being praised by others, and they felt that they were proud of their ancestors.
In the end, I still managed to keep a low profile.
Copying is fun for a while, but once you put the hat on, you can't take it off.
I might have to keep copying in the future, which would be quite tiring...
Anyway, he really didn't have any intentions of being a princess, and it was good to maintain his image as a rough guy.
Looking back, Zhang Tao next to him was lowering his head, thinking hard and drawing with his fingers on the table. Jia Lian almost laughed out loud.
When Princess Zhaoyang came over before, Jia Lian noticed that the boy's fists were clenched tightly and he looked nervous.
Not to mention, this guy is also attracted to Princess Zhaoyang, right?
"Xiao Tao'er, have you finished the idea? Tell us and we will help you with the details."
Zhang Tao, who was interrupted from his thoughts, came back to his senses. His face suddenly turned red. Seeing that Feng Ziying and others were looking at him, he immediately said angrily: "What do you care about!"
"Looking at you, you probably haven't come up with anything good. Why don't you call me cousin and I'll help you fight to become your consort!"
"cut……"
Zhang Tao rolled his eyes speechlessly and said sarcastically: "Don't think I don't know you, don't ask me to be my consort, if you can write a poem and hang it on it, I'll eat the fruit plate in front of you!"
Zhang Tao really admired Jia Lian and was so thick-skinned.
When he didn't know that Jia Lian only went to the Imperial College for two years. Many of the noble disciples like them went to the Imperial College just to show their name and didn't go to class every day. As a result, they couldn't go through the normal graduation process, so they just got mixed up.
"Fake diplomas" are just deceiving people.
Jia Lian is such a person.
Jia Lian smiled and was about to open his mouth to tease Zhang Tao again. Suddenly he saw several people walking towards them and Jia Lian stopped talking.
"I met Lord Jia in Xingzhou next week."
"What's the matter?"
Although Jia Lian didn't know Zhou Xing, he recognized Zhou Sheng behind him. That was his first big order after taking office, a total of eight hundred taels of silver!
Judging from their names and circumstances, Zhou Xing and Zhou Sheng should be brothers.
Are you here to find a place for Zhou Sheng?
Zhou Xing looks to be in his twenties, with an ordinary face, but a very confident, even arrogant demeanor.
When he saw that Jia Lian didn't even move his buttocks when he saw him meeting him "with courtesy", he immediately felt that he was being slighted, and his malice towards Jia Lian increased by three points.
"I heard that Jia Jueye was a student of the Imperial College. He happened to be studying at Taiyuan College. I have always admired the character of the Imperial College students.
Today happens to be a grand event, I wonder if Mr. Jia is interested and can give me some advice?"
Zhou Xing squinted his eyes and said sincerely.
The provocative meaning is self-evident.
Because of the arrival of Zhou Xing and others, it naturally attracted the attention of some people around him.
"He is Zhou Xing from Taiyuan University. I know this person. Rumor has it that he is a famous talent in Taiyuan University!"
"Yes, this person is one of the influential figures in Taiyuan University, and he is also the younger brother of Empress Zhou in the palace. He is a true relative of the emperor. Presumably he is here for Princess Zhaoyang this time..."
"Since he is here for Princess Zhaoyang, what is he going to do with Second Master Lian? Second Master Lian is not a threat to him?"
"Hey, you don't know, Zhou Xing's younger brother Zhou Sheng..."
The comments from people around him made the arrogance on Zhou Xing's face even more intense. It was a comfortable feeling like being recognized by people wherever he went, like a star.
Looking down at Jia Lian, he imagined that he would "step on" Jia Lian to the ground later and show off his outstanding talents in front of all the princes, grandsons and princes. This would not only make him famous, but also help bring bad breath to the family!
Maybe this will even win the favor of His Highness Zhaoyang...
"Not interested."
Jia Lian uttered three words lightly, and then continued to talk to Feng Ziying as if Zhou Xing and others did not exist.
Seeing being despised by Jia Lian, Zhou Xing became angry and then sneered: "Why, Lord Jia, who was born in the Rongguo Mansion, are you afraid?
Or are all the people from your Imperial College so timid and afraid to show off their talents to others?
Could it be that he is afraid of tarnishing the reputation of the Imperial College?"
Following Zhou Xing's words, several people next to him also followed suit with sarcastic remarks, intending to provoke Jia Lian into execution.
Although Jia Lian looked normal, Feng Ziying next to him couldn't listen.
He is also from the Imperial College.
When it comes to your "alma mater", naturally you will fight to the death to protect it!
"When it comes to talent and learning, your Imperial College is not even worthy of carrying shoes to our Imperial College!"
Feng Ziying said coldly.
After Feng Ziying retorted like this, the two sides naturally started to quarrel with each other.
Within a few words, Zhou Xing said with a smile: "If you are not convinced, how about we make some gestures?"
Although Feng Ziying knew that her talent and learning were not high enough, she might not be able to defeat her opponent, but she could not lose even if she lost. At this time, she could only ask: "How to make a gesture?"
Zhou Xing said with a smile: "I won't make it difficult for you. Just follow the rules of His Highness the Third Prince and compose poems to compare with who ranks higher on the display screen. Isn't this fair enough?"
Poetry has always been the main theme of cultural gatherings, and today is no exception.
As the host of the cultural gathering, the Third Prince had a large screen placed on the stage.
As long as the poems and lyrics passed to them are approved by him, the Crown Prince and King Beijing, they can be hung on the display screen for everyone to review together.
The rankings can be changed, and are limited to one hour. The top three in the final rankings are the second and third overall winners of this round of literary competitions, and will receive the rewards prepared by the prince.
Feng Ziying was about to agree, but Jia Lian grabbed her arm.
Looking back, Feng Ziying was a little confused when she saw Jia Lian shaking her head at him.
These people have been bullied to their core. At this time, in their small circle, he thinks he should be the best in literary talent. If he doesn't come forward to recruit them, who will?
"What, are you scared? Tsk, tsk, are all those who came out of your Imperial College cowards?"
As more and more people watched the excitement around, Zhou Xing's voice became louder.
One of his purposes is to step on Jia Lian, so even if Jia Lian does not dare to step down, he will try his best to make Jia Lian and others lose face so that they cannot step down.
It would be better if Jia Lian couldn't stand the stimulation and ended up.
Jia Lian was the younger brother of the newly favored concubine Xian De in the palace, and he was quite famous himself. Winning a battle with him attracted much more attention than a person going up to the third prince and others to review his poems!
Not to mention, you can vent your anger on your sister and brother.
Concubine Xian De's younger brother lost to him, Empress Zhou's younger brother, which naturally boosted her sister's ambition.
Jia Lian looked at Brother Zhou Xing with a smile, feeling really funny in his heart.
Just because he doesn't want to stand out, doesn't it mean he can't stand out, right?
How can anyone be so desperate to be stepped on by him? Isn’t this forcing others to come forward to show their holiness?
"I remember, your target should be me, right?" Jia Lian looked at Zhou Xing and asked with a smile.
Zhou Xing looked happy and said, "If Master Jia is willing to give me some advice, that would be the best."
Unexpectedly, Jia Lian shook his head again: "Actually, you are not qualified to compete with me. You are dressed in white, and what is my status?"
"you……"
Zhou Xing's face darkened, but when he saw the joking smiles of the people around him, he knew that Jia Lian was right.
In terms of status, Jia Lian was much higher than him.
"If Mr. Jia doesn't dare to show off, just say it clearly and don't bother with these useless things.
Today is the birthday party prepared by His Royal Highness for Princess Zhaoyang, so even with your status, it is no different here!"
Haha, this Zhou Xing is quite capable of finding steps for himself.
"You are right, in front of your two highnesses, my identity is indeed nothing.
However, even the crown prince has prepared a prize for the winner, so if you take the initiative to come to me to compete, you won’t come empty-handed, right?”
Not to mention Zhou Xing, even the people around him didn't understand what Jia Lian meant.
Do you think you need to give him a gift if you want to compete with him?
"Whatever you want to say, just say it."
Jia Lian smiled and said: "What's the point of gesticulating in vain? How about we also add some luck?"
"What jackpot?"
"There's no need for anything expensive. Let's do this. If I beat you, how about you give me ten thousand taels of silver?"
"What? Ten thousand, are you crazy?"
Zhou Xing and others were shocked.
Even if I go to a gambling house to gamble, I have never seen someone bet ten thousand taels at a time. This is really scary.
"Of course, if you are afraid of losing or can't come up with ten thousand taels of silver, then go back as soon as possible. I don't have time to fool around with cowards or poor people."
Jia Lian waved his hand, as if to shoo away flies, urging Zhou Xing to leave.
Zhou Xing had never been so despised. Ten thousand taels of silver was not an astronomical figure to the Zhou family.
He can also get it.
"Then what if you lose?!"
"I lost? Of course I will give you ten thousand taels."
Jia Lian smiled.
When Zhou Xing saw this, his heart was inevitably filled with excitement.
Ten thousand taels is definitely not a small amount. If his family knew that he was gambling like this with others outside, they would definitely be unhappy!
However, today he is trying to bring glory to his family!!
Moreover, how could he lose.
They had already figured out Jia Lian's situation. He was just a warrior who devoted himself to military service. His biggest deed that could be heard from the outside was that he defeated Prince Duan. They had never heard of him having any outstanding literary talents.
place.
Even if he studied in the Imperial College, he would just have an experience like other wealthy and powerful children.
How does he compare with the talented scholars from Taiyuan University?
Jia Lian just wanted to scare him off with such a huge gamble so as to save his dignity and face.
"Brother, promise him, promise him..."
His younger brother Zhou Sheng was still urging him. Obviously, Zhou Sheng had the same idea as him!
With his younger brother's support, Zhou Xing felt hesitant and even became excited for a moment.
This is an unexpected blessing today. Ten thousand taels is a huge fortune for anyone!
"Okay, I agree! Then let's each rely on our own abilities..."
Zhou Xing quickly sent people to recruit the attendants who were carrying the Four Treasures of the Study, some eager to become famous and make money.
"Wait a minute."
"anymore question??"
"You're happy with your promise now, but what if you regret it later or can't get the money?"
"What do you want?"
The more Jia Lian kept looking for reasons and excuses, the more Zhou Xing became convinced that Jia Lian had a guilty conscience.
"How about we go to the Crown Prince, sign a document in front of him, and ask His Highness the Crown Prince to give us a guarantee?"
Zhou Xing was slightly shocked. Not everyone would dare to ask the prince to be a guarantee.
But when he thought that Jia Lian was in the second rank, the prince would definitely give up this idea.
Although I don’t know why Jia Lian dared to make such a request, but with the crown prince’s guarantee, while restraining him, wouldn’t it also be equivalent to restraining Jia Lian?
He had just suspected that Jia Lian would not admit his guilt afterwards...
So how can I disagree.
People around him, including Feng Ziying and Zhang Tao, thought Jia Lian was crazy.
Knowing that the Duke of your country has a great business, you wouldn’t give money to others like this!
For other melon-eating people, such a big gamble is rare.
Moreover, it happened on such an occasion, and both parties involved in the bet were brothers of the empress in the palace.
This is a good show, no matter who loses or wins, it is a good show not to be missed!
Therefore, everyone who noticed the situation here watched Jia Lian and others walking towards the prince and others, and followed closely, for fear of missing any exciting place.