first minister

Chapter 17

Xu Dapeng was no longer surprised by Xia Jingyun's ignorance, and explained: "This is the number one talented person in my Jiang'an County, Zeng Zize! He studied under Mr. Guan Yun, a famous Confucian in the state, and it is said that he has learned his true teachings. This literary conference will be held in Jiang'an County. Some people say that this year's Wenkui is likely to be won by him!"

Xia Jingyun immediately reacted when he heard it, oh, one pays two.

"He takes Wenkui? Do you really think there is no one in the state?"

Next to the two of them, a scholar who didn't get up to salute just now sneered, "He, Zeng Zize, is just an ordinary disciple of Mr. Guan Yun. This time, the entire Sishui Prefecture has gathered great talents and talented people. Why should he be the top scholar?"

With Xu Dapeng’s character, he was never false, “Why, of course it’s based on real talent and practical learning! If the order is set according to fame before the start, what’s the comparison? Just announce it or not?”

The scholar next to him was stunned, and Xu Dapeng was relentless when he gained power, "Anyone who takes Wenkui is guessing. You think that Brother Zize can't take Wenkui, that's okay. But you keep talking about ordinary disciples, why does poetry and literary talent depend on family background? Then what kind of sage books do we scholars still read? Just go and be a dog for the powerful!"

"Well said!" Xia Jingyun slammed into the fire beside him.

The scholar's face turned red, "Extremely pedantic! I'm too lazy to talk to you!"

Xu Dapeng snorted coldly, and was about to take advantage of the victory to pursue, when a greater commotion appeared, a young man wearing a crown jade head, brocade clothes, red lips and white teeth, full of manners walked in surrounded by others.

This time, more than half of the people came forward to say hello.

The scholar next to the two who had failed in the bickering turned his head to look at the two, snorted, and trotted over.

Seeing that Xu Dapeng, who was just like a courtesan just now, did not speak this time, Xia Jingyun asked in surprise, "Brother Bo Yi, who is this person?"

With complex eyes, Xu Dapeng sighed softly: "Our Sishui prefecture has only produced two leading figures in the literary world in the entire Great Xia Dynasty, one Mr. Mingquan and the other Mr. Guanlu. These two have supported the prosperity of the literary style in Sishui prefecture for nearly 30 years. This person is the great-grandson of Mr. Mingquan, Lin Feibai."

Oh, the one for one.

Xia Jingyun nodded clearly, and then asked in confusion: "Since that's the case, why didn't brother Bo Yi go say hello?"

Xu Dapeng lowered his voice, "It's just a person who relies on the shadow of his father's generation, but his real talents are not mediocre. I look down on him. Of course, he also looks down on me."

After speaking, he looked at Xia Jingyun with burning eyes.

Xia Jingyun immediately stated his position, "I also despise this kind of ignorant rice bug the most!"

"Hey! You can't say that. He's not a rice bug, but he doesn't match his morals and is pretentious."

Xia Jingyun looked at him, and suddenly felt that it was a bit interesting to meet this buddy by chance today.

He watched as Lin Feibai bowed to everyone, then walked to the first row and sat down in a seat away from Zeng Jimin.

The student who had quarreled with Xia Jingyun and Xu Dapeng before came back slowly, looked at them and smiled triumphantly, "Let me tell you to some simple and ridiculous people, three of the four great Confucianists who are here today have studied under Mr. Mingquan, and the remaining one has also been favored by Mr. Mingquan many times."

Xia Jingyun twitched the corners of his mouth, my good fellow, are the referees all yours?

Xu Dapeng was also silent when he heard the words.

"What? You were so crazy just now, and now you have nothing to say?" The other party taunted, confident in winning.

Xu Dapeng suddenly turned his head to look at Xia Jingyun, "Brother Gao Yang, I'm thinking about something right now."

Xia Jingyun, who was born as a project manager, answered the question immediately, "Oh? What's the matter?"

Xu Dapeng rubbed his chin, "I was thinking, if you slept with an oiran, would I be proud?"

Xia Jingyun was an old man, he understood instantly, and snorted, "You are so proud, did you cheer up at the door or push your back?"

Xu Dapeng's eyes lit up, he didn't expect Xia Jingyun to be able to match him, and he immediately said stiffly: "Although you and I are no acquaintances, but if you can sleep with the oiran, I am not the same as Yourong, as if I also fell asleep."

Xia Jingyun looked contemptuous, "Thank you, you can say it, if I were you, I would go back and be with Miss Wu, and then cry bitterly, feeling that I am useless, and I still show off, what is there to show off, is that your thing? Where did you get the face!"

"Vulgar! Vulgar!" The scholar next to him listened with gusto, and suddenly reacted, blushing instantly, pointed at the two and cursed: "Vulgar! Don't you know that the friendship between gentlemen is as pale as water, and you actually use such vulgar words to tarnish our friendship!"

Xu Dapeng had an expression of [Are you okay], "What are you talking about? We're talking about friends of oirans, not friends of bullshit gentlemen. You have that hobby, don't say it to disgust me."

"Hey mother!" The scholar rolled up his sleeves and was about to throw his fist at each other, when suddenly there was a burst of shouts from all around, "Silence!"

The three of them were startled, thinking they were yelling at them, but it turned out that it was Daru and some dignitaries who came to watch the ceremony began to enter the venue one after another.

The great Confucianists all had smiles on their faces, and the rich and powerful even brought their families along. The scene that had just calmed down suddenly became lively again.

Xia Jingyun also took the opportunity to ask a question that he was very puzzled just now, "Brother Bo Yi, didn't you hear that there is a man named Zheng Tianyu who is the most hopeful to become the chief literary officer? Where is he?"

Xu Dapeng said in a low voice: "Mr. Zhongming is recognized as the number one son of Sishui Prefecture, but there are many thieves and bandits in the prefecture. It is said that he is traveling in the prefecture to study and suppress the bandits. This time, he will probably not appear at the literary fair. Otherwise, people like Lin Feibai would not dare to have unrealistic expectations for Wenkui."

Xia Jingyun's heart sank, "Is this Zheng Tianyu so powerful?"

"Of course. Speaking of family background, Mr. Zhongming is the second son of Zheng Taishou of Jianning County, and he is no worse than Lin Feibai, but everyone dismisses Lin Feibai, but they are convinced by him. The state education decree wants to accept him as a disciple. He is not qualified. Several great Confucian professors almost fought for the sake of accepting apprentices. Thanks to Master Xuezheng, who came forward to uphold justice and accepted him as a disciple, the matter was resolved. Moreover, as the second son, his elder brother has publicly stated that he is a good inheritor of the family business. Choose, quit by yourself, tell me, how powerful is this?"

Xia Jingyun stroked his chest slightly, "It's a good thing he didn't come."

Xu Dapeng looked at him in surprise, and joked, "Why, are you still afraid that he will compete with you for the top prize?"

Xia Jingyun smiled immediately, "Being a human being without dreams is any different from salted fish."

Xu Dapeng smiled disapprovingly at first, but then slowly fell silent.

On the stage, the great Confucianism began to sing praises, and praised His Majesty's holy rule, the prosperity of the country, the peace of the people, and the cleanliness of Haiyan and Heqing;
Praising the kindness of the concubine De, how great she has made for the elders of her hometown and so on.

Xia Jingyun listened silently, thinking of what happened to his family and the huge mass graves in the labor camp, he sneered expressionlessly in his heart.

Finally, after several great Confucians finished their nonsense, a great Confucian in the middle stood up, and after a long speech, spoke loudly.

"I declare that this essay meeting has officially begun!"

A loud gong resounded throughout the venue.

　Ask for collection, ask for tickets. or2
　　
　
(End of this chapter)