South Yu New Building.
Outside the entrance.
With the arrival of Xu Qingnian and the others.
The students from Tianming Academy also appeared.
“These people should have laid eyes on us, where is such a coincidence that they came just as we arrived.”
Wang Ru spoke with a suppressed voice, he instantly felt that the other party was intentional, otherwise, it couldn’t be such a coincidence.
“These guys, they seem to have their eyes on Brother Xu.”
“Ignore them and do well for yourself.”
Li Xin spoke, somewhat irritated, while Chen Xinghe followed, not wanting the conflict to intensify.
“Brother Chen, I haven’t seen you for some days, my humble brother has missed you.”
It was also at that moment.
Amongst the students of Tianming Academy, a figure walked out from the crowd, he knew Chen Xinghe and had some interactions, and led the crowd of students to walk towards Chen Xinghe with a slight salute.
“Greetings, Brother Zhang.”
Seeing the other party, Chen Xinghe did not look very polite, but etiquette did not break the rules and returned a salute as a greeting.
The latter was wearing the academic robes of the Tianming Academy and was quite okay looking, but his gaze fell on Xu Qingnian.
“Brother Chen, this couldn’t be Xu Qingnian, Xu Wangu, the first in the Great Wei New Dynasty’s Prefectural Examinations and the one who wrote the most outstanding essay, Xu Da Cai, could it?”
The latter had long noticed Xu Qingnian, but at this moment, pretending to see him, his words were still very exaggerated and seemed to be very respectful, but when these words came out from someone else’s mouth, they might really be compliments.
But coming from his mouth, it had an indescribable taste.
“Greetings, brothers, Vanguard’s great talent is really an overstatement, but I am just a reader who is lucky.”
Xu Qingnian didn’t want to provoke any wrongdoing, he understood that the purpose of these people was to provoke himself, and in the end, they were just looking for an internal imbalance.
If it were normal, Xu Qingnian might have disliked them a bit, but today he had something to ask, so Xu Qingnian held back.
“Better luck? Xu Wangu has really overstated his case.”
“The heavens are not blessed with me, Xu Qingnian, and the Confucian Way is like a long night, this is what brother Xu himself said, if you don’t call it the word Wangu, lest others say that the students of Tianming Academy are disrespectful, right?”
Zhang Heng opened his mouth, his face full of smiles, but this sentence was really a bit mocking ah.
“You!”
Li Xin couldn’t hold back a bit, he wanted to speak up, but was pulled back by Chen Xinghe.
“Wan Gu is a bit exaggerated, this senior brother of mine only spoke casually, it can only be considered a joke, but my senior brother has been enrolled in school for just over a month and is already a Confucian Dao eighth grade, calling him Wan Gu is a bit excessive.”
“Xu Qiangu is just right, what do you all think?”
Chen Xinghe spoke up, his face was clear and proud, although he knew the other party, the relationship could only be described as not good or bad.
Now that the other party had so humiliated his own senior, Chen Xinghe could naturally tell who was one of his own and who was not.
This statement was modest on the surface, but in reality it was also a kind of mockery.
Whether Xu Qingnian was a great talent of the ages or not was another matter, but he had entered the eighth grade of Confucianism within a month of entering the school, and this alone was not something that could be compared to you and the others.
As a matter of fact, once this was said, the faces of the students of the Tian Ming Academy all changed.
They could hear what Chen Xinghe was saying beyond his words.
Angry?
Very angry.
But could they dislike it?
One couldn’t dislike it, because it was the truth.
“Yes, in less than a month, he is already an eighth rank in Confucianism, a rarity indeed, a thousand ancient wonders is not too much to ask.”
“It’s just that in ancient and modern times, there are many people who have stepped into the eighth grade in a very short time, but they are late in the eighth grade for life, unable to clarify their intentions, Brother Xu should still work hard, read more sage books, clarify their intentions sooner, and step into the seventh grade sooner, so as to avoid gossip.”
An eerie voice rang out.
Using words of dissuasion to ridicule Xu Qingnian.
“Foolish, others may be stuck at the eighth grade but Xu Wangu can certainly, with his supreme essay of ling yi, still not be able to advance to the seventh grade?”
“Brother Xu, if it is possible, I hope that Brother Xu will teach and instruct us, share the article so that we can also study and learn, if one day I can understand Yi, such great kindness will not be forgotten.”
“Yes, yes, I almost forgot this, Xu Wangu, Xu Da Cai, you must not hold a grudge, I am weak, a gust of wind can blow me over, don’t hold a grudge, it was me who said the wrong thing.”
One by one, the students of the Tianming Academy opened their mouths and all sorts of sinister words were said.
There was even someone who directly insinuated that Xu Qingnian had instructed the official to beat people up.
Looking at these people.
Xu Qingnian’s face was calm, but at this moment, he also completely understood a truth.
If a person didn’t like you, no matter what you did, he wouldn’t change his opinion.
The other person was like this.
He, Xu Qingnian, was also like that.
But no matter what, Xu Qingnian knew that today he was not here to quarrel or fight, but to reconcile.
“Dare I ask where Fu Zi Wan is?”
Xu Qingnian did not respond to their sneers, but asked where Wan Anguo was.
“Fu Zi Wan has long been in the building banquet, but Brother Xu, I would advise that since what happened the other day has nothing to do with Brother Xu, then don’t get involved, otherwise it would be troublesome.”
Zhang Heng replied, his face still full of smiles.
But it was also clear from these words that the gang was indeed waiting for themselves, otherwise the fuzi had gone up and they had only just arrived?
Obviously not in line with common sense.
“Alright, let’s go in.”
Chen Xinghe did not want to say anything more with this gang, and at the critical moment, he opened his mouth and led Xu Qingnian and the three of them inside.
It was also at this moment that many readers gathered around, following Xu Qingnian and the others.
These were all the readers of the Southern Yufu.
As they watched the silent Xu Qingnian and the others leave, the students of Tianming Academy were happier than one another, as if they had eaten honey.
After all, they must have been happy to see Xu Qingnian defeated.
“Let’s go, let’s go in too.”
Zhang Heng opened his mouth, and the students walked in with great enthusiasm.
On the road.
Xu Qingnian and Chen Xinghe were walking side by side, surrounded by fellow literati from the Southern Yufu, all of whom were indignant at the moment.
“These guys, their intentions are just not good, they said before that they were only here to discuss Confucianism, but today they have revealed their original form.”
“Yes, all they are saying is that they don’t like the fact that Brother Xu has won the first place in the Imperial Examination and has overpowered them.
“Comparing them to Brother Xu is simply an insult to Brother Xu.”
“But looking at their expressions today, they seem to be somewhat prepared, and when it comes to the building banquet, they will probably have to press us a bit, and I wonder if Brother Xu has prepared some poems to help them, lest these people become even more arrogant and complacent.”
The readers of Nan Yu House were still relatively united, and came one by one, sort of standing in line.
“No matter, I have prepared poems, it’s not their turn to make a splash.”
At this moment, Chen Xinghe spoke up, looking as if he had a good idea of what to expect.
Once this was said, the crowd all breathed a sigh of relief.
However, all along the way, Xu Qingnian kept silent, he seemed unusually quiet, only this quietness inexplicably made people feel that something was not quite right.
A quarter of an hour later.
The crowd arrived at the South Yu New Building.
With the maids leading the way, they soon ascended to the fifth floor.
The building was very empty, with the main pavilion set up with more than twenty tables, and hundreds of tables around it.
There were quite a few people who had already arrived and were exchanging talks.
In the middle of the main pavilion.
Li Guangxin was talking to two old men, with smiles on his face.
“Xin’er, Shouren, come here.”
At this moment, Li Guangxin saw Xu Qingnian and Li Xin, so he got up and spoke towards them, asking them to come over.
Li Xin answered, and Xu Qingnian followed.
As for Chen Xinghe and Wang Ru, they sat in the place closest to the main pavilion.
They walked up to the banqueting platform.
Xu Qingnian looked at the two old men around Li Guangxin.
Both of them had white hair and had the characteristic that their clothes were covered with many patches and looked very old.
But there were others in the main pavilion, Mu Nanping and Mu Nan Lime had also come, as well as several husbandmen, all seated on top.
“Xin’er, Shouren’s nephew, come, come, this is Wan Anguo, Master Wan, the old dean of the Tianming School.”
“This, on the other hand, is the great Confucian of the dynasty, Yan Lei, the great Confucian Yan, you must pay your respects quickly.”
Li Guangxin rose and introduced himself to the two with extreme solemnity.
“Student, meet Master Wan, meet Great Confucian Yan.”
Meeting the great Confucian, Li Xin was obviously much more nervous, while Xu Qingnian was incredibly calm.
After saluting, Wan An Guo complimented Li Xin, but his eyes soon fell on Xu Qingnian.
“Is this Xu Qingnian? He is truly a talented man. My Wei is truly blessed to have such a handsome man.”
Wan Anguo praised Xu Qingnian, he indeed valued Xu Qingnian, this was the valuation of a scholar, it had nothing to do with personal matters.
However, in contrast to Wan An Guo, Yan Lei, Yan Da Ru was much more austere, nodding slightly and without any exaggeration.
The body reveals a kind of majesty, for example, Li Xin will not dare to look at it, inexplicable panic.
This was the aura of a great Confucian.
“FuZi is too kind.”
Xu Qingnian responded very modestly, and the latter just smiled and did not continue with his courtesy.
At that moment, Li Guangxin asked Xu Qingnian to sit on the main seat beside Mu Nanping. Xu Qingnian was the first in the new Wei Dynasty’s government examinations and was qualified to take the seat, while Li Xin went down honestly and just found a place to sit.
Although he wanted Li Xin to sit, the rules did not allow him to do so. If a person without virtue or talent were to take the seat, it would invite gossip, but it would bring him a bad name, especially when he was sitting next to a great scholar who was upright and righteous.
“Brother Xu! I haven’t seen you for a few days, you’ve become even more profound.”
When Xu Qingnian settled down, Mu Nanping said politely towards Xu Qingnian.
“Brother Mu is the same.”
Xu Qingnian smiled faintly, but anyone could see that he had something on his mind, so Mu Nanping did not continue the exchange.
One by one, the guests entered the venue.
There was still a little more than half an hour before the banquet started, and soon the students from the Tianming School also entered, with Zhang Heng at the head, leading the crowd to the main seat and paying a deep obeisance towards Li Guangxin, the various fuzi, and the great scholar Yan Lei.
One man, in particular, looked at Yan Lei with a smile on his face.
“Uncle, how has your health been lately?”
He deliberately spoke, saying that his relationship with Yan Lei was that of uncle.
And this person was the one who was downstairs just now, asking for advice on Xu Qingnian’s stand-up essay.
“I’ve been fine lately, but I heard from your father that you’ve been neglecting your studies and going off to play in the mountains. Although you pa*sed the government exam this time, you didn’t rank in the top ten, so when the days are free, I’ll have to talk to my elder brother and let him teach you a lesson, otherwise how can you become talented?”
Yan Lei spoke up, with a reprimanding tone.
The latter smiled and said that he would never do it again.
Immediately afterwards the crowd retired, but this man pulled Zhang Heng to sit on the far side of the main pavilion, albeit on the side, but also into the main pavilion, somewhat smugly, with a smile on his face that could be described as springtime.
The guests were gathered.
All sorts of lively noises were heard, and the people who came were either literati or important officials from the South Yu Province, as well as many people sent by other provinces to congratulate them, so it could not have been worse.
It was at this moment that the main pavilion was opened.
Xu Qingnian spoke out.
“Fu Zi Wan.”
He opened his mouth, and for a moment, attracted quite a few gazes.
“What is it?”
Hearing Xu Qingnian’s shout, Wan Anguo turned his gaze towards him.
“A few days ago, something unpleasant happened, and there were too many misunderstandings in this.”
“The student knows that the laws of Great Wei are like mountains, but there is a saying that the law is not to blame, so the student hopes that Master Wan can be merciful beyond the law.”
“If so, I will bear this in mind. As for the injured students, I will bear the cost of all the medicine, and if compensation is needed, as long as it is not too much, I will also compensate them one by one, and even apologise.”
Xu Qingnian spoke up.
Just these words caused many people to fall silent.
Inside the main pavilion, Mu Nanping put down his cup of wine in silence and frowned slightly, he did not expect Xu Qingnian to really dare to ask for mercy like this.
Several teachers also fell silent, and some even sighed in a low voice, thinking that Xu Qingnian had been reckless.
Some of the guests were also silent and looked towards the main pavilion.
Everyone knew what had happened in the South Yufu recently.
Some could see through it, others could not.
But no matter what, the crowd was curious as to how Xu Qingnian would choose.
After all, no matter what factors were behind this, if Xu Qingnian opened his mouth to plead for those martial officials, he would be offending the readers.
So they were curious.
Now, in the middle of the banquet, Xu Qingnian spoke up directly, which was unexpected for many people.
The banquet was somewhat quiet.
Li Guangxin was also somewhat silent, but he didn’t say anything more, since Xu Qingnian had opened his mouth, he had nothing to say, he only hoped that Xu Qingnian would not be too aggressive.
Wan Anguo’s face changed slightly as he put down the wine he was holding up.
With a somewhat calm expression, he looked towards Xu Qingnian and said.
“The law is like a mountain, although the law does not blame the public, but a martial artist beating a scholar, this is something unheard of, the implications of which, is not a trivial matter.”
“Xu Qingnian, I know that these people are angry for you, and I can understand that you are upset.”
“But the law is the law, and the holy will is the holy will. You would rather offend the old man than plead for them.
“This is the end of the matter.”
Wan An Guo’s words were reasonable.
He did not deliberately make things difficult for Xu Qingnian, but rather found a reason for him to do so. After all, in his eyes, the reason why Xu Qingnian begged for mercy was because he felt sorry for him.
This matter had nothing to do with him, it was someone who took the liberty to stand up for Xu Qingnian.
So Xu Qingnian felt bad about it.
If he did not ask for mercy, I was afraid that everyone in the world would laugh at Xu Qingnian for being unkind and unrighteous.
Now that Xu Qingnian had begged for mercy, he politely refused and at the same time praised Xu Qingnian for her benevolence.
This made Xu Qingnian’s heart feel better and did not intensify the matter.
In the final analysis, it was Wan Anguo who valued Xu Qingnian. He was not a student of the Tianming Academy, and he naturally valued people with talent.
Because the law was involved and the holy will was involved.
When the words were said, it was considered to be the end of benevolence.
Indeed, once this was said, Mu Nanping immediately spoke up.
“Yes, brother Xu, this is a rare and extremely complicated matter, and we understand that you feel sorry for them.
As the son of a county king, it was not difficult for him to arrange for someone to take care of them.
He could see through the situation and didn’t want Xu Qingnian to continue to be intense, so he stopped where he was and retreated when he should.
The only way to protect oneself is to be clear.
The moment he said this, a cold voice rang out, and the building banquet was instantly silenced.
“A little care?”
“The son of the emperor really has great power.”
“To send them to a thousand miles and punish them to hard labour is in itself to make them suffer, to make them remember, and to make the world fear the law.”
“Is this word care not treating the law as a laughing matter and the holy will as a blank sheet of paper?”
It was Yan Lei’s voice.
He was calm, with a hint of coldness.
The whole hall, instantly, went cold, and everyone fell silent.
The voice of the great Confucian spoke out like thunder, and even if the voice was small, it could still reach everyone’s ears.
Everyone did not dare to speak, not even daring to breathe, the scene was very awkward for a while, and only the students of the Tianming Academy were in an extremely happy mood at this moment.
“This ……”
“I also hope Yanru will calm down his anger, it was my son who lost his tongue just now.”
Mu Nanping was a little embarra*sed as he stiffly rose and bowed towards Yan Ru.
He had tried too hard to make a roundabout statement, but he had not expected to be caught by Yan Ru, and this reprimand was at most embarra*sing for ordinary people.
But to Mu Nanping, it was no small matter.
If Yan Lei became angry and reported to the court, he would be guilty of abuse of personal power.
He did not expect Yan Lei to be so unsympathetic, and what he said just now could be interpreted as a courtesy.
But Yan Lei had taken it seriously, so he could only apologise honestly.
“A slip of the tongue?”
“You are the Yongping Shizi, every word you speak represents the Yongping County King, the court, and the imperial power.”
“I will report this matter to the court, and it is up to your father to decide what to do.”
However, in the face of the Shizi’s show of weakness, Yan Lei remained impersonal, and a word made Mu Nanping’s face turn ugly.
Trying to say something, he eventually fell silent.
On the side, Mu Nan Lime frowned a little, but although she was usually rambunctious and had the great Confucian sitting on her hands, she still didn’t dare to act rashly, but she was upset in her heart.
But to say that the person who was most upset in her heart was Xu Qingnian.
Wan Anguo was still speaking rather euphemistically, with some dissuasive intent.
And Yan Lei’s outburst, he could obviously see that it was a warning to himself.
Mu Nanping was just being polite.
As a result, Yan Lei caught a reprimand, Mu Nanping as Yongping’s son, a sentence like this to round up the situation was not even close to humane.
It was nothing more than saying it to himself, saying it to himself.
This matter, it was impossible to reconcile, and would not be reconciled.
But Xu Qingnian took a deep breath.
Continuing to speak.
“No one is without fault, this matter, in the end, is still a misunderstanding.”
“Even though the law is like a mountain and the holy will is like the sky, there is a time when there is grace outside the law and a time when the clouds are lifted.”
“Master Wan, I am willing to write a chapter of self-examination and post it in the Tianming Academy.”
“I am also willing to go to the Tianming Academy in person and make a pilgrimage to the Academy as a token of my apology.”
“I only beg that you, Master, will be kind enough to make a big deal out of it.”
Xu Qingnian spoke again, his attitude already determined.
Bang!
A slap on the table sounded, but it was not from Wan An Guo.
Rather, it came from Great Confucian Yan Lei.
“Unbridled.”
“How can the law be enlightened to rule the country.”
“Holy will is like heaven, how can it be slandered.”
“Xu Qingnian, I know that this matter has nothing to do with you, you begged for mercy just now, and Master Wan let you have peace of mind and fulfill your benevolence, but you have forced your way in again and again.”
“You are benevolent for yourself, but you disregard the benevolence of others, and you are a scholar in vain.”
“Further, the law is never open to mercy.”
“The holy cannot be insulted.”
“I will forgive you for this wantonness, considering that you are the first in the provincial examinations and have brought the best writings to the Great Wei.”
“But if you continue to speak up and plead for the thugs, I will never forgive you.”
Yan Lei’s voice rang out with anger, but not the kind of roar, but a cold intent.
These words were a complete and utter statement of position.
It also told Xu Qingnian completely and utterly not to beg for mercy anymore, or else you would also be unlucky.
At this moment, Li Guangxin immediately spoke.
“The building banquet has begun, don’t delay the auspicious time of the zodiac, all of you take it easy, it’s really rare to get together for one.”
Li Guangxin opened his mouth and gave a look down.
At once, the music began, a delicate woman walked into the banquet, the sound of bells and drums, the sound of bamboo and silk around the beam.
The atmosphere was instantly lively, just a little far-fetched, and everyone was inexplicably on tenterhooks, fearing that things would continue to stagnate.
On the main pavilion.
Mu Nanping leaned closer to Xu Qingnian, he pulled on Xu Qingnian’s shirt, he didn’t dare to continue speaking for fear that Yan Lei would continue to find him in trouble.
But the meaning was clear, he was also discouraging Xu Qingnian from arguing any further.
On the main pavilion.
Xu Qingnian stood in his seat, he glanced at the crowd, the students of Tianming Academy were full of smiles, Li Xin, Wang Ru and Chen Xinghe all showed a worried look, especially Chen Xinghe, frowning and shaking his head all the time to stop talking about it.
Wan Fu Zi looked calm and held his gla*s of wine towards Yan Lei in a toast.
Everyone tried to bring things to a close just like that.
At this moment, Xu Qingnian was silent.
He sat down and never said another word.
In the building banquet, many people heaved a sigh of relief.
If this went on like this, I was afraid that the building banquet would not be held.
When Li Guangxin saw this scene, he could not help but sigh with relief.
Finally, Xu Qingnian had backed down from her difficulties.
This was a good thing. He knew Xu Qingnian’s heart and knew that Xu Qingnian was benevolent and righteous, but sometimes he could not be too rigid and it was a good thing that he knew the difficulty and retreated.
“Today’s banquet at the South Yufu House, all of you enjoy drinking to celebrate the new building.”
Li Guangxin laughed loudly, hoping that the atmosphere would be a little more lively.
Indeed, as Xu Qingnian fell into his seat, the hearts of the crowd fell, and for a moment laughter rang out from one another as they began to exchange, and there was no shortage of congratulatory words of all kinds.
Some of the laughter, however, seemed harsh.
It was still the students of the Tianming Academy, who were indeed happy and had smiles on their faces that really came from their hearts.
Above the main pavilion.
The laughter of Yan Jun and Zhang Heng was also louder.
But whether they were laughing for the celebration of the building banquet, or because of something else, was not known.
The sound of the zither was in full swing.
Mannish women displayed their bodies in the hall, and the crisp sound of music rang out as the crowd indulged in this feast.
The eyes also fell on the women, and it was clear that there was indeed much joy.
But Xu Qingnian was the only one sitting quietly at the table.
Mu Nanping lifted his gla*s of wine and wanted to toast Xu Qingnian, but in the end he gave up.
Instead, it was Mu Nan Lime, holding a cup of wine, who called out to Xu Qingnian.
“Qingnian gongzi, I’d like to toast you.”
Mu Nanliu was a bit capricious, no one dared to make conversation to Xu Qingnian, but she dared, she also disliked these rotten Confucians, and at the same time admired Xu Qingnian very much, it was just a pity that she could not fight this group of people, she was a bit suffocated.
When she heard Mu Nanliu’s voice, Xu Qingnian looked at her.
Xu Qingnian gave her a look.
He then lifted his gla*s of wine and took a sip.
The beautiful wine entered his throat, but the taste was inexplicably bitter.
Xu Qingnian poured another gla*s for herself.
It was still a little bitter.
Poured herself another gla*s.
It was still bitter.
One gla*s after another.
Xu Qingnian remained silent, and in the eyes of the others, he seemed to be drinking.
But the crowd could understand, if something like this happened, it would be strange if he wasn’t depressed.
So the crowd did not care.
It was also at this moment that Zhang Heng’s voice rang out.
“Yan Ru, I have always heard Brother Yan mention you, and the idea of Yan Ru is really admired by my generation of scholars, so this is a toast to you, and I am glad that Great Wei has such a strict scholar like you.”
Zhang Heng opened his mouth, he lifted his gla*s and said towards Yan Lei.
He toasted this cup of wine.
One, it was because he sincerely wanted to show his face in front of the great Confucian, even if it was to brush up his presence, it was good for him.
The second was to disgust Xu Qingnian, especially the last two words, the word Yanru had a twofold meaning.
Everyone in the audience could hear what he meant.
Most of them frowned slightly, seeing through his intentions at a glance.
Even Wan An Guo was a bit displeased, this matter had already ended here, Xu Qingnian was drinking alone, and you still wanted to provoke him? Isn’t that sick?
But what he said was reasonable, so it was hard to reprimand him, so he could only hold back his disgust.
As for Yan Lei, he also understood what the other party meant.
But he didn’t reprimand anything, in his eyes, it was normal for Zhang Heng to behave like this, after all, it was common sense for his own cla*smate to be a bit angry after being beaten up for no reason.
So he nodded his head and accepted the drink as well.
Seeing Yan Lei nod, Zhang Heng suddenly smiled brightly and immediately drank it down, followed by Yan Jun on the side who followed and spoke.
But it was not to speak with Yan Lei, but towards Li Guangxin that he spoke.
“Prefect Li, my brother Zhang is good at poetry, this time the new building at Nan Yu House has just been built, so brother Zhang has prepared a seven-word poem to count as a celebration.”
He opened his mouth and bragged about Zhang Heng.
When this was said, although Li Guangxin loathed this man in his heart, he still laughed outwardly.
“Oh? I didn’t expect Zhang Heng to have this intention, so why not read it out and add luster to my new building in South Yu.”
Li Guangxin said with a smile.
As soon as this was said, the Tianming Academy students below began to raise their voices.
“Brother Zhang’s poetry is a masterpiece.”
“Yes, yes, Brother Zhang’s work must be a masterpiece, we are fortunate enough to hear Brother Zhang’s poetry, it was not a waste of coming here.”
After all, it was a banquet in a building, and it was a necessary part of the banquet to sing and compose poems.
“No, no, brother Yan is really flattering me.”
“But the student did compose a poem, so I think it will add to the glory of the new building in South Yu, of course if it is not good, I hope you will not laugh at it.”
Zhang Heng smiled.
On the surface, he was all kinds of modest, yet he had already got up and looked at the crowd and spoke.
“The peak of the pavilion is leaning against the emerald sky, the wind in the sky is blowing away the blue clouds, a chime is ringing at times, ten miles of chimes are ringing at midnight.”
He had already prepared this poem, and had also consulted many scholars, deleting and changing it.
As the poem was read out, the crowd in the audience could not help but feel a little bit more confident.
The people in the audience nodded slightly.
If you say it’s particularly good, it’s definitely not, but if you say it’s bad, it’s definitely not.
After all, you can’t ask too much. Where can everyone make a thousand famous poems?
“Gentlemen, it’s really a student’s contribution, if there are those bad points, I hope you can give me more guidance.”
Seeing everyone’s reaction, Zhang Heng was slightly proud, but still spoke modestly.
Off the stage, Chen Xinghe took a sip of wine and became more confident in his heart, but he did not rush to come up with his own poems, after all, this session would still last for a while, and everyone would take turns to write poems.
He could have waited until the time was right, and then he could take out his poems and suppress the whole audience.
Firstly, it would be for the sake of his junior brother.
Secondly, it was to prove his strength.
Thinking of this, Chen Xinghe took another sip of wine.
“Good!”
“The poem is good, and the mood is good too, worthy of being made by Brother Zhang.”
“Brother Zhang is worthy of being a reader from my Tianming Academy, not bad, not bad.”
Soon, all sorts of praises rang out, most of them shouted by the students of the Tianming Academy.
The rest of the people also followed suit, clapping and praising.
This was how the banquet went, you complimented me, I complimented you, as long as there was no animosity, they would be polite to each other.
Feeling the compliments from the crowd, Zhang Heng was also a little dazzled.
But at this moment, he glanced at Xu Qingnian and said with a slight smile.
“Nowhere, nowhere, it’s just an offering, just an offering, if it weren’t for the completion of the new building at the South Yu Mansion, I wouldn’t dare to bring it out to make a fool of myself, after all, Xu Qingnian, Xu Wangu is on the side, so you all should not laugh at me.”
“Compared to Brother Wan Gu’s talent, Zhang’s talent is really the light of a grain of rice.”
Zhang Heng spoke, modestly, but also full of mockery.
He was also a scholar and had entered the ranks, and to put himself down so low to praise Xu Qingnian seemed like he was no good, but in reality he was also belittling the crowd.
Invariably, he was praising Xu Qingnian, but he was also secretly ridiculing Xu Qingnian and disgusting him.
At this moment, even Wan An Guo could not bear to look at it anymore.
Why was it necessary to repeatedly go looking for trouble with Xu Qingnian?
“Brother Zhang should not be discouraged, Xu Qingnian is the number one person in Confucianism in all the ages, it is only natural that he is no match for him.”
“Yes, Xu Wangu’s poems and lyrics are famous for thousands of years, so it’s only natural that he is no match for Xu Da Cai.”
“At such a young age, he is an eighth-ranked Confucian scholar, so it is not too much to say that Mr. Xu’s talent is overwhelming our Tianming Academy.”
Voices of all kinds rang out again.
Like clowns jumping up and down.
Like summer cicadas chattering.
Many people frowned, and even Li Guangxin, as the ruler of the prefecture, could not help but frown.
These people were indeed somewhat insensitive.
Xu Qingnian was silent, alone and drinking sullen wine, and you all still want to sneer?
The two siblings, Mu Nanping and Mu Nanliu, could not bear to watch.
Especially Mu Nanliu, who wanted to speak up, but was pulled back by her own brother at a crucial moment.
At this moment.
Zhang Heng turned his gaze towards Xu Qingnian.
And on the pavilion.
Xu Qingnian was still drinking one gla*s of wine after another.
He didn’t know how many cups he had drunk.
The wine jug had been changed three times.
The wine wasn’t too strong, but it wasn’t a fruit wine either, and normal people couldn’t stand to drink like this.
“Brother Xu, Zhang’s poetry is not up to the level of elegance, but Brother Xu is so talented that he has composed a thousand famous words in a small banquet.”
“Why don’t you write another poem for such a feast? Why don’t you add to the glory of the new building?”
Zhang Heng was indeed a little puffed up.
Although he knew that what he had done was a bit annoying, but so what?
He was just not happy with Xu Qingnian.
He had come all the way here, but Xu Qingnian had not seen him and had broken his face, so he was not happy.
Later, when Wan An Guo came, Xu Qingnian still didn’t see them, and he was even more upset.
Especially when his cla*smate was beaten up, he was even more upset.
All these displeasure added together, he wanted to embarra*s Xu Qingnian today, just to make Xu Qingnian unhappy, just to disgust Xu Qingnian.
What?
Not happy?
Hit me if you dare.
This is what Zhang Heng was thinking inside.
He didn’t mix with the literati circle in South Yu anyway, so once today was over, wouldn’t the entire literati of Tianming Prefecture revere himself?
What about Xu Wangu?
So what if he had written the most amazing articles?
So what if they are famous for a thousand years?
I will be defeated all the same.
Thinking of this, the smile on Zhang Heng’s face became even thicker and thicker.
And at this moment.
Xu Qingnian still did not say a word.
He picked up his gla*s of wine and poured in cup after cup.
Bitterness!
Bitterness!
Bitterness!
It was still bitter.
To onlookers, Xu Qingnian looked a little pitiful.
First, he was taught a lesson by a great Confucian, and now he was humiliated and disgusted by such a person.
It made people sigh inexplicably.
However, it was at this some.
Xu Qingnian put the wine jug down.
He did not continue to drink anymore.
Xu Qingnian’s face was a little red and there was some drunkenness in his eyes, but he was not yet very drunk.
Phew.
A long breath was exhaled.
The smell of wine rushed to the sky.
The next moment, Xu Qingnian stood up and looked towards Zhang Heng.
There was a calmness in his eyes.
Not calm, but bland.
This kind of blandness was like an emperor looking down on his subjects, without any fear or anger, just a blandness.
Feeling Xu Qingnian’s gaze, Zhang Heng somehow cringed a little.
But as the gazes of the crowd converged, Zhang Heng secretly took a breath, followed by a smile that filled him and said.
“I wonder what Brother Xu thinks of Zhang’s proposal?”
Zhang Heng asked with his face still full of smiles.
“I came to this building and did not compose any lyrics.”
Xu Qingnian opened his mouth and answered truthfully.
At these words, Zhang Heng became even more delighted and was just about to continue speaking when Xu Qingnian directly interrupted.
“I, Xu, had thought that such a feast and the gathering of literati from the two provinces, with both a scholar and a great scholar.”
“It is reasonable to say that there should be many talented people and a banquet full of talent, but I never thought that a song by Brother Zhang with such broken words would draw applause from the whole hall.”
“I was really curious, but when I looked closely, it turned out to be the colour of a student of the Tianming Academy, so it became clear.”
“Although Brother Zhang is not good at composing lyrics, he is honest and indeed he is offering a scandal, so I won’t comment on anything more.”
Xu Qingnian spoke.
His voice was extremely loud, but it was not a roar, giving an inexplicable sense of pain.
Yes, painful.
Very painful.
Mu Nanliu, in particular, clenched her small fist, her beautiful eyes falling on Xu Qingnian’s body, her heart flowing with pleasure.
As expected.
Once this was said, Zhang Heng’s face instantly became incomparably ugly.
He said that he was just being polite and modest, but he didn’t expect Xu Qingnian to humiliate him like that.
This was simply a few slaps towards his own face.
No, it was even more painful than slapping him a few times.
But Zhang Heng endured it, but laughing would be a bit of a laugh.
“Zhang Mou’s poetry is indeed unimpressive and not as talented as Brother Xu’s. Why don’t Brother Xu improvise and write a poem, so that Zhang Mou can also see how talented Brother Xu is!”
Zhang Heng opened his mouth, and the last sentence was almost said through clenched teeth.
You say my poetry is bad?
Then, you can write a poem and see.
As soon as he said this, Chen Xinghe on the stage couldn’t help but take out his poetry, ready to speak up and relieve his senior brother.
However, before Chen Xinghe was ready to open his mouth.
Xu Qingnian’s voice rang out again.
“Brother Zhang, don’t be angry, I, Xu, have always been quick to speak, so I really didn’t prepare anything when I came to the new building this time.”
“However, improvisation is fine, only the poems are not monotonous, so I, Xu, will come up with a word sequence to increase the difficulty by one or two, just in case Brother Zhang does not appreciate it.”
“Moreover, with such a vulgar poem in front of Brother Zhang, I think that even if my poetry is bad, it is still better than Brother Zhang’s.”
“Someone!”
As Xu Qingnian said this, he looked to all the guests, and then to the duo of Wan Anguo and Yan Ru, with just a glance, but one that made people feel the meaning of something unusual.
Things.
It was going to be a complete mess!
And Zhang Heng’s face, too, became increasingly ugly, his palms hidden in his sleeves, clenching his fists to death.
“Pour wine for me!”
The next moment, Xu Qingnian picked up the cup, his gaze looking towards Yan Ru, and his words of pouring wine echoed through the entire hall.
“Brother Xu, I’ll do it.”
In an instant, Mu Nanping was somehow so delighted by Xu Qingnian’s words that he rose directly, picked up the wine jug and poured wine for Xu Qingnian.
Yongping Shizi poured wine for him.
This scene was truly one to remember for the rest of his life.
Everyone in the room felt, inexplicably, a feeling that could not be described.
Xu Qingnian dared to say such words, to disparage Zhang Heng’s poetry so badly, so it was clear that Xu Qingnian must have confidence.
They looked forward to it.
They were curious.
What kind of poetry could Xu Qingnian produce?
Goo!
A mouthful of wine entered his throat.
It was still bitter.
But this time, the wine tasted sweet.
Xu Qingnian closed his eyes.
Three breaths later.
He opens his eyes again.
Looking out at the building.
“The former county of Yuzhang, the new capital of Hongdu. The stars are divided into wings and squares, and the earth is connected to Henglu.”
Xu Qingnian’s voice rang out.
The moment he opened his mouth, he stunned the entire audience.
“With three rivers and five lakes, it controls the barbarian Jing and leads to Ou Yue. The sky is full of treasures, the marketplace where the dragon’s light shoots at the ox-dou; the people are so talented, the couch of Li Fan under Wang Ru.”
“The majestic state is lined with fog, and the handsome collection of stars. The gods of Taihuang are at the crossroads of the rabbit and the summer, and the guests and hosts are enjoying the beauty of the southeast.”
“The elegant hope of the Governor, Li Gong, is distant; the exemplary model of Chen An is temporarily in the front of the house.
Xu Qingnian spoke.
This preface is the first preface of the ages, the Preface to Teng Wang Ge.
However, Xu Qingnian has changed it, the names of people and places have been changed, some similarities are not changed, but what is not there, he needs to change.
For example, it is possible to call the southern Yufu province Yuzhang, but the original sentence is about two other people, so Xu Qingnian changed it to another allusion.
The Tengwangge Preface is the first preface in the world.
The reason for this is the beauty of the words and the creation of many ancient words, such as people and the spirit of the earth, like the flying pavilion and the flowing pavilion.
These words, the beauty of the world, said the best, and quoted the scriptures, into which, the wisdom of the world, all the heaven and earth, before the work of this first preface of the ages.
Zhang Heng repeatedly found himself in trouble.
Xu Qingnian put up with it.
It was because he was thinking about it.
Now he has figured it out.
So he completely let himself go.
Whatever his intention.
And what about the literati dispute.
Today, he is going to turn the whole South Yu Province into a mess and turn the whole world into a mess.
Great Wei was already unsettled.
Then he would let the waves of Great Wei be even more violent.
Above the banquet.
Xu Qingnian completely let himself go, reciting the words aloud and pouring gla*s after gla*s of wine down his throat.
The crowd, however, indulged in this ekphrasis.
“A thousand miles to meet and greet, high friends fill the seats. Tengjiao and phoenix, Bachelor Meng’s lyrical clan.”
“Purple lightning and green frost, the military treasury of General Wang.”
“The family ruler is the slaughterer, revealing the famous district; the child, who knows, meets the preserves of victory.”
One by one, a thousand ancient famous words came out of Xu Qingnian’s mouth.
At this moment, outside the South Yufu building.
A cloud drifted in.
The strange light shone throughout the entire South Yu Mansion, shining brightly and looking exceptionally beautiful, while the entire population of South Yu Mansion, too, saw this scene.
I don’t know how many people rushed to come, they were shocked and filled with astonishment, thinking that it was a blessing from the heavens and that it was a blessing from heaven.
This moment.
Xu Qingnian turned his gaze to the lake outside the window.
As the clouds came in, they reflected the lake like a mirror.
A group of lone ducks flying above the lake looked so beautiful.
Xu Qingnian’s voice, at this moment, rang out again.
“The setting sun and lone ducks fly together, the autumn water shares the same colour with the long sky.”
“The fishing boat sings at night, ringing poorly on the shores of Pengli; the wild goose formation frightens the cold, breaking the sound of Hengyang’s Pu.”
Absolutely famous lines appeared.
With the fall of this sentence.
Like rivers of talented qi, it surged into the great hall.
It entered Xu Qingnian’s body.
At this moment, the hall was filled with fear and astonishment as they all stood up in unison, even the great Confucian Yan Lei could not help but stand up.
“Another Thousand Ancient, another Thousand Ancient!”
“The sky is showing colourful clouds, this is an omen of good fortune, Xu Wangu has made another thousand ancient texts.”
“The setting sun and the lone rustling duck fly together, the autumn water shares the same colour with the long sky, this is a perfect line on earth.”
“Bravo, bravo, bravo, bravo, bravo!”
Not to mention the guests present, the guests outside the building were also completely abuzz.
How could such an auspicious event not cause shock?
Wan An Guo froze.
Yan Lei was also frozen.
Li Guangxin was frozen.
All the students of the Tianming Academy were frozen.
Especially Zhang Heng.
He looked at Xu Qingnian dumbfoundedly.
There was disbelief in his eyes.
He really couldn’t believe all this.
How could Xu Qingnian have created another thousand ancient famous words, a thousand ancient preface?
This was impossible.
This was impossible.
At this moment, Mu Nanliu looked at Xu Qingnian with some fascination.
She had never thought of it before.
A man of letters could be so bloodthirsty.
It made her, a woman, hot-blooded.
After the banquet.
I’m afraid Xu Qingnian’s name will resound again.
A full quarter of an hour later.
Xu Qingnian would finish reading the last line of the Teng Wang Ge Preface without any haste.
The words fell.
Everyone fell silent.
There was not a single clamour in the hall.
All were dumbstruck.
The only sound was the pouring of wine.
