Wei Chen was sitting on the bamboo mat, with a large plate of boiled mutton and several sliced pieces of mutton lungs placed on the table in front of him.
As for drinks, there is only one pot of Xuanjiu.
What is Xuanjiu?
Xuanjiu is a very mysterious wine that you can drink without getting drunk after a thousand cups.
In short, it is pure water.
Wuquan Winery's amber wine is very popular in Jiangning and is regarded as elegant by literati and poets. Unfortunately, it was not included in this banquet.
Because every aspect of this banquet follows ancient rituals and is modeled on the rural drinking ceremony of the Spring and Autumn Period.
Although many tedious etiquettes were omitted, no trace of Xuanjiu was omitted in this ancient ceremony, and a pot was given to each scholar.
Many pampered scholars looked a bit ugly when they saw this, and they secretly cursed: This Master Futai is too stingy!
Wei Chen didn't care. He was born in a poor family, so it would be good if he had meat to eat. As for good wine, he had plenty of it at home, so there was no need to drink it here.
This kind of banquet is not originally for drinking and eating, but for showing off the scenery and dignity.
Wei Chen is still very clear about this.
Wei Chen was slowly eating boiled mutton when he suddenly heard a deep and majestic voice.
"Everyone, why don't you compose an elegant poem for an elegant banquet? Please compose an impromptu poem each to increase the interest!"
The speaker was, of course, Shen Du, the prefect of Jiangning.
Wei Chen was the closest to Shen Du, and it was only then that he experienced the voices of these officials. It was really deafening!
When everyone in the hall heard Shen Futai's request, they all looked at each other, feeling reluctant.
I only took two test poems in the government examination, and this happened again during the banquet. Can I still have a good meal?
"You come first!"
Shen Du randomly clicked on someone.
This person is in the fifth year of Tang Dynasty.
Tang Henian pondered for a while and then recited a poem. The poem could not be said to be very good, but it could be said to be upright, peaceful and appropriate to the time.
Wei Chen was also very impressed after hearing this. He could write such a poem in such a short time. He is worthy of being a famous young hero in Jiangning Mansion. This Jiangning Mansion is really a hidden dragon and a crouching tiger!
Each of the scholars below stood up after being called upon by Shen Du, and each composed a poem on the spot, or recited the scenery, or expressed his ambitions, and so on.
When it was Wei Chen's turn, Shen Du said with a smile: "Wei Chen, you already have a name for poetry, and you are the head of the case in this office. Your talent is far beyond your peers. I only give you seven breaths of time to write a poem quickly!" Wei Chen complained secretly.
Seven breaths become a poem?
This is even more outrageous than Cao Zijian’s poem written in seven steps!
However, Wei Chen also got an advantage. When other scholars were writing poems, he was also prepared to be called upon and took the opportunity to type up the draft in advance, so he was not in a hurry at this time.
At that moment, Wei Chen stood up and said without thinking: "Li Du's poems have been passed down by thousands of mouths."
Shen Du nodded and said with approval: "Not bad."
Wei Chen added: "It doesn't feel new yet."
When all the scholars present heard this, they unconsciously took a breath of cold air. Sheng Changbai and others who were close to Wei Chen even sweated for Wei Chen.
After pondering it for a while, he smiled and said, "Your poem is too loud, so I'm afraid it won't finish well."
Wei Chen raised the glass with one hand and held it behind the other, and continued chanting: "There have been talented people from generation to generation, and each has led the way for hundreds of years."
Wow!
Everyone in the house was shocked.
Even Shen Du's expression became solemn.
The Futai master flicked the hem of his official uniform, raised his cup from the case, and uttered three words:
"Well done!"
This sound was like a stone thrown into a calm lake. Everyone in the hall immediately cheered Wei Chen's poem. Chen Jun, Tao Dazhi and others clapped their palms red.
Shen Du pointed the wine glass at Wei Chen and said with no concealment of admiration and affection in his eyes: "You are such an astonishing talent, I would like to propose a toast to you!"
Others write poems to praise objects and express their aspirations, but Wei Chen's poem is equivalent to commenting on the poems written by others before, and the pattern is higher.
Moreover, his poem is equivalent to praising all the scholars present. At least these scholars themselves will think that the "talented person" in the poem is themselves.
The reason why Shen Du appreciates Wei Chen's poem so much is that, in addition to appreciating the poem itself, he also appreciates the magnanimity and wisdom behind the poem.
"Master Xie Futai."
Wei Chen held the cup with one hand and covered his sleeve with the other, and then drank all the mysterious wine in the cup.
When everyone saw that Wei Chen was still so calm despite being in such a big limelight, they couldn't help but admire him.
After that, everyone continued to compose poems, but no matter how good they were, they would pale in comparison to Wei Chen's "On Poetry".
Sheng Changbai smiled and said: "Brother, your poem has won the day! After today, what happened at the banquet will be spread throughout the Jiangnan literary world. Brother, you are going to be famous again!"
……
In the evening, the banquet dispersed and everyone returned home happily.
After saying goodbye, Wang Yaochen, Weng Dingfan, and Tang Henian stopped and looked back. Under the lights in the distance, Shen Futai was pulling Wei Chen, as if he was giving instructions.
When the three of them saw this scene, they were all envious.
"I am not as talented as this person!"
Wang Yaochen couldn't help but sigh.
Both Weng Dingfan and Tang Henian were a little puzzled. Wang Yaochen had previously boasted that he would beat Wei Chen in the provincial examination, so why was he feeling ashamed now?
Wang Yaochen shook his head and said: "In the past, I only knew that this person was young and mature, and his city was deep. Today, I can see that he is a vigorous scholar!"
On the other side, Wei Chen, who was left alone by Shen Du to talk, also caught up with Sheng Changbai and others.
Sheng Changbai asked curiously: "Brother Xian, what did Mr. Futai say to you?"
Wei Chen said: "Master Futai told me that if I can ignore my career and concentrate on my studies in the future, within ten years, I will be a mountain farmer again."
Chen Jun was a little surprised: "Mr. Shannong is a famous scholar in the world, but Mr. Futai actually compares you with him?"
Sheng Changbai frowned: "If you don't ask about your career, doesn't that mean you can't take the imperial examination and become an official?"
Wei Chen sighed and said: "Master Futai said that if I distract myself from the imperial examination and get obsessed with fame and fortune, I may not be able to settle down to study in the future. You can't have your cake and eat it too!"
"Then how did you answer?"
Sheng Changbai and Chen Jun asked in unison.
Wei Chen said with a smile: "I said that students think that doing knowledge does not necessarily mean retiring to the mountains and fields. Being an official is just like doing knowledge, and they can also understand the truth from it."
"Well said!" Chen Jun clapped his legs and said, "Being practical in dealing with the world and emphasizing both righteousness and benefit. This is the style that scholars of our generation should have!"
Sheng Changbai asked with a worried look on his face: "I'm afraid your answer may not be in line with Shen Futai's wishes. Mr. Futai didn't blame you, did he?"
"Of course not." Wei Chen laughed and said, "Not only did Mr. Futai not blame me, he also greatly praised me and introduced me to a teacher who could teach me how to manage the world."
"Teacher?"
"Who is that person?"
Facing the questioning of his two friends, Wei Chen smiled mysteriously and slowly uttered a few words.