Great Song Super Scholar

Chapter 12 Prodigy vs. Prodigy
Wang Anshi gently pushed Fan Ning up and whispered in his ear, "Don't be afraid!"

This is not a question of whether you are afraid or not. If you want to compose poetry or calligraphy, you will lose face.

Helpless, Fan Ning had no choice but to bite the bullet and go forward to kneel down to the emperor, "Xiaomin pays homage to the emperor, wishing the emperor great blessings and good luck, and a long life like heaven!"

Fan Ning uttered the last eight words casually. After he finished speaking, his face turned red.

Zhao Zhen didn't pay attention to what he was talking about, but was very interested in his identity, "Whose family are you a child?"

Fan Zhongyan came out and said: "Your Majesty, this child is the grandson of Weichen, and his name is Fan Ning."

Zhao Zhen smiled slightly, "It turns out that he is the grandson of Fan Gong, and he is indeed a good-looking talent."

The dynasty that valued child prodigies the most in history was the Song Dynasty, and the emperor who liked child prodigies the most in the Song Dynasty was Song Renzong Zhao Zhen. Because he had no children, he had a special liking for child prodigies.

At this time, Zhang Yaozuo gently pushed his grandson, and Zhang Chun also stepped forward and knelt down to salute.

Zhao Zhen looked at the two children. Although Zhang Chun was the concubine's nephew and he was his uncle, in all fairness, he liked Fan Ning better. This child was dressed in simple clothes, with a confident, indifferent, and unhurried temperament in his bones. , Zhang Chun is far inferior.

Zhao Zhen smiled at Pang Ji again: "Pang Xianggong can choose one of these two children."

Of course Pang Ji wanted to choose Fan Ning. Fan Zhongyan brought his grandson all the way to pay respects to him on his birthday. How could he not give this face, but Concubine Zhang is the favorite concubine of the government. If she chooses Fan Ning directly, she will offend Concubine Zhang. .

Pang Ji thought for a while and smiled and said, "Both of them are gifted child prodigies, it's hard to choose! We can only choose the one with higher talent and learning. Today is Weichen's 60th birthday, so please ask the two children to present a birthday poem." !"

Zhang Yaozuo hurriedly said: "I have heard for a long time that Bachelor Ouyang's calligraphy is excellent, and I recommend Ouyang Gong to record lyrics for the two children!"

After saying this, Fan Ning almost burst out laughing. It turned out that this little friend Zhang's calligraphy is also very bad. No wonder Wang Anshi told himself not to be afraid.

Zhao Zhen's face was a bit ugly, he gave Zhang Yaozuo a dissatisfied look, then smiled at Ouyang Xiu: "Just trouble Mr. Drunkard."

Ouyang Xiu blushed for a while, and said hastily: "My minister obeys the order!"

Of course, the two of them wrote it themselves, but Ouyang Xiu copied it again, and the calligraphy of the two of them is not counted.

Fan Ning sighed softly. In order not to embarrass his grandfather, he had no choice but to borrow poems from famous people.

Fan Ning pondered for a long time, and suddenly he thought of a birthday poem, which is very suitable for today's scene, and the time also happens to be September [-], which is simply a match made in heaven.

He picked up his pen and wrote it out: "Bu Suanzi Quiet Chrysanthemum Sky"

At this time, Zhang Chun also wrote it, but he had prepared it in advance. Since he asked the child prodigy to present his birthday, he wanted to write poems for the old man.

Ouyang Xiu copied the words of the two with a blank face, and then handed it to Pang Ji. Pang Ji didn't dare to read it, so he handed it to the emperor Zhao Zhen.

At this time, Ouyang Xiu quietly gave Fan Zhongyan a thumbs up, the admiration in his eyes was fully revealed, and Fan Zhongyan breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhao Zhen had already read Zhang Chun's poem this morning. To be honest, the poem was very average, but it was barely acceptable when it was written by a ten-year-old child.

Zhao Zhen put aside the words written by Zhang Chun, and carefully read the words written by Fan Ning.

"Bu Suanzi Quiet Chrysanthemum Sky"

In the quiet chrysanthemum sky, wash away the sycamore rain.

Beijiu is surrounded by rotten rice cakes, and birthday wishes are taken at the head.

Wearing Qianyehuang on the top, stacking beautiful golden ribs.

Fairy flowers are fragrant at night, people are willing to rush to see them

"good words!"

Zhao Zhen patted the table and praised: "It's such a quiet chrysanthemum day, washing away the rain of sycamore trees, and vividly depicting the late autumn season."

Zhao Zhen handed Fan Ning's words to the crowd again, and everyone who knew the goods praised and applauded. Pang Ji wore a yellow chrysanthemum on his head, isn't it just the yellow Chiba on the top of his head?
Zhang Yaozuo's face turned pale, and he couldn't say a word for a while, he really had a heartache to make someone's wedding dress, he really wanted to make another trick, but the emperor was here, he hesitated for a long time, and finally he didn't dare to turn his back on him.

But if he was allowed to admit defeat and leave like this, he would not be reconciled in his heart, and he must find the place back.

Zhang Yaozuo's eyes fell on Fan Ning, it was this brat who stole the opportunity from his grandson, and it turned out to be Fan Zhongyan's grandson.

But he also knew that his grandson, Zhang Chun, was far inferior to Fan Ning, and he couldn't find his way back. After much deliberation, Zhang Yaozuo had no choice but to jump out by himself.

Zhang Yaozuo walked out with a smile, "Fan Shaolang is really a child prodigy! Why don't I test you again."

Bao Zheng became vigilant, this Zhang Yaozuo had no good intentions, just as he was about to speak out to stop him, Wang Anshi gently pulled him and gave him a wink.

Bao Zheng followed Wang Anshi's gaze, and saw Fan Zhongyan looking at his grandson with a smile on his face, his eyes full of anticipation for him.

Bao Zheng immediately stopped talking. Fan Zhongyan trusted his grandson so much, so he had nothing to worry about. He also looked at Fan Ning hopefully.

Fan Ning saluted slightly, and said calmly, "Please give me your advice!"

Zhang Yaozuo started his career with his daughter, and his literature is vulgar, but he really likes couplets, which are the only things he can afford.

Zhang Yaozuo raised his brows, twitched his whiskers lightly and said, "Let's match up! I'll make the upper line, and you will match the lower line. If you can match up, I will admit that you are better than my grandson."

Fan Ning smiled slightly, and calmly accepted the challenge, "Being respectful is worse than obeying orders, please tell me!"

Zhang Yaozuo narrowed his small eyes slowly, shook his head and said, "There is a painting in my house, which shows two monkeys cutting wood in the mountains. I will use it to write the first couplet. Listen carefully, Fan Shaolang. Two monkeys are cutting wood on the Panshi Mountain. How dare the little monkeys?" Saw (sentence)."

Everyone glared at Zhang Yaozuo, it's really humiliating to insult a child by borrowing couplets.

At this time, Fan Ning said in a calm manner: "A few days ago, the Jianghuai River was raining heavily in autumn. I saw a horse stuck in the mud on the road, and it was difficult to get out. Why don't I use this scene to the next couplet? Please listen up, the abbot. How does an old animal show its hooves when it is stuck in a muddy river (question)."

As soon as the second couplet came out, the surrounding officials suddenly burst into laughter. Bao Zheng laughed so hard that tears came out. He gave a thumbs up. This slap was really relieved.

Fan Zhongyan stroked his beard and smiled, just now Zhang Yaozuo humiliated himself in front of the officials, and he didn't want to argue with him, so it would be best to let his grandson slap him in the face, you can't argue with a child, right?

Zhang Yaozuo's face turned red and turned pale, and he really couldn't get off the stage. In the end, he could only stare at Fan Ning fiercely with his old blushing face, stepped forward, pulled his grandson up and walked away in despair.

Zhao Zhen also smiled and said nothing. The father-in-law was obviously seeking to humiliate himself, and he couldn't blame others. He didn't take it seriously, but he became really interested in Fan Ning, and asked, "Where is your hometown?"

"Xiaomin's hometown is Jiangwan Village, Wu County."

Zhao Zhen nodded, "By the way, you are the grandson of Fan Gong, and your hometown is of course Wu County. Can you write another poem describing your hometown?"

Fan Ning had no choice but to confess inwardly, "Brother Lu, I'm really sorry, let me borrow the calligraphy again." '

He took a few steps, and under the gaze of countless celebrities and senior officials around him, he slowly chanted:
Mo Xiao's farmhouse is full of wine and drunk, and he stays with chicken and dolphin in good years.

Mountain darkly, vista.

Xiaogu follows Chunshe, and the clothes are simple and ancient.

From now on, if Xu Xing leisurely by the moon, knocking on the door every night with a stick.

After he finished reciting, there was applause in the hall, and Ouyang Xiu couldn't help applauding loudly, "It's so wonderful that there is no way out, and the willows are dark and the flowers are bright, it's really wonderful!"

Fan Zhongyan laughed from ear to ear. As soon as this poem came out, Sun Tzu's reputation as a child prodigy was stabilized. He really gave himself a face!
Bao Zheng patted him on the shoulder and sighed, "Old Fan, I really envy you for having such a grandson!"

Zhao Zhen stroked his beard in admiration, "Little Fanning, your hometown is so nice, I really want to take a look."

"If Your Majesty goes to my hometown, I will cook bacon for Your Majesty!"

There was another burst of laughter in the lobby. Zhao Zhen loved Fan Ning so much, he turned around and asked Fan Zhongyan, "Why don't you let Ling Sun take the exam?"

Fan Zhongyan quickly saluted, "His foundation in scriptures is still weak, and he is not good at calligraphy. He still needs time to hone his skills. After a few more years of foundation, I will let him take the boy's department."

Zhao Zhen stared at Fan Ning and said slowly: "I hope to read your poems in the court hall one day earlier."

"Fanning will not disappoint His Majesty."

Zhao Zhen thought for a while, then took off a string of purple jadeite bracelets from his wrist and handed them to him, "This is for you, and I will give you another sign."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward!"

Zhao Zhen pondered for a moment and said: "Your name is Fan Ning. Zhuge Liang said in the "Book of Commandments" that there is no ambition unless you are indifferent, and there is no way to go far without tranquility. I will give you the word Zhiyuan. From today on, you are also called Fan Ning." Zhiyuan."

(End of this chapter)