Cultivating Immortality, Starts with Green Plum

Chapter 42: Xu Ming, please stand up (4000 words, two chapters in one)

At the banquet, the literary duel between the two sides was already showing a tendency to become one-sided.

However, Xiao Mochi, who was sitting in the first seat, still looked very calm.

The old man from Qi State named Fang Jingchun always felt that he was being used.

It seemed like the other party had set up a trap and I jumped into it without knowing it.

However, Fang Jingchun still couldn't figure out what this game was, let alone the other party's purpose.

"The flower-receiving order is always someone else's poem, and it really doesn't have much meaning."

Just as the atmosphere at the banquet was becoming more and more lively, Xiao Mochen spoke to everyone.

"How about this? Today is a great day, can you all write a few poems? If a masterpiece is passed down, tonight's banquet will also be a good story. But I have a request."

As he spoke, Xiao Mochen clapped his hands, and several maids came up and placed wooden signs and pens and ink on everyone's table.

"My request is that the poem must include the other party's name." Xiao Mochi smiled and said, "You can write your name on this wooden sign to make it easier for everyone to write poems."

"Interesting." Fang Jingchun smiled and stroked his beard. "In that case, I'll write it down first."

Fang Jingchun took the lead and wrote his name on the wooden sign.

Although it is not clear what Xiao Mochen exactly wants to do, can he really harm these people?

The relationship between Qi and Wu was indeed not very good, but now, Qi and Wu were allies.

Now, the one who is most worried about what might happen to these people is Wu Guo, and the one who most wants to protect the safety of these people is also Wu Guo.

I want to see for myself what kind of success he can achieve.

Seeing that Mr. Fang had already written it down, naturally the others had no objections and wrote down their names one after another.

"Write a poem based on the other person's name."

This rule is indeed very clever.

In this way, even if one party does a very good job, because it is in the name of the other party, it can also be regarded as a disguised way of making the other party famous. This is a completely win-win situation.

At that time, no matter which side it is, they will not be embarrassed, nor will their defense be broken because of the huge gap.

Even though this is just a small rule, most people already have a high opinion of this scholar named "Xiao Mochi".

A glimpse of the whole picture reveals the whole picture. This Xiao Mochen is indeed a graduate of Bailu Academy. He is really extraordinary.

I remember that at that time, the emperor invited Xiao Mochi to enter the State of Qi.

On the other side of the banquet, Fat Xu silently wrote down his name.

Xu Xiaopang's hands are still shaking.

When receiving the flower order just now, Fat Xu failed to remember the poems many times because he was too nervous, and Xu Ming reminded him silently.

Otherwise, Xiaopang would have to drink several times.

In fact, this also makes it difficult for Xu Ming.

Because there are many poems in this world that Xu Ming has never seen before, and some of Lan Haixing’s poems cannot be used in the flower-receiving order.

So Xu Ming could only keep searching in his mind for the poems he had learned in the academy in the past few years.

Fortunately, Xu Ming has read a lot of books in recent years in order to increase various attribute points.

After everyone wrote a poem on the wooden sign, they placed the sign in front of themselves.

"Who will come first?" Xiao Mochi glanced at everyone, "When I was studying at Bailu Academy, I was fortunate enough to receive three copies of calligraphy and paintings from my teacher. If you don't mind, I will use them as a reward."

After hearing what Xiao Mochen said, everyone, who were already enthusiastic, became even more eager to try.

Everyone knows who was Xiao Mochen's teacher when he was studying at Bailu Academy. That gentleman's calligraphy and paintings were world-famous and priceless.

For other monks, these calligraphy and paintings are of collection value at most.

But for Confucian scholars, the calligraphy and paintings of that gentleman played a significant auxiliary role and could be regarded as a treasure for spiritual practice.

"Then I would like to venture to offer my humble opinion." An envoy from Qi State named Wang Huan stood up and bowed to Xiao Mochi.

"Please." Xiao Mochen made a "please" gesture.

Wang Huan stood up, scanned the names on the wooden plaques in front of the people of Wu State, selected a name, and composed a poem in his mind:

"Old memories are blown away by the wind, while new lotus flowers bloom in the south bank of the river in the sun.

Frost dyes the forest red and leaves fall; the moon shines on the clear stream and white dew appears.

Where do the geese in the clouds fly? The autumn scenery in the sky enters my heart.

Who will get drunk with me as I sing this beautiful song? I will write my endless longing into poems. "

"it is good!"

When Wang Huan finished speaking, shouts of "good" were heard throughout the banquet.

Many people in the Wu State delegation looked at a man.

The man named "Chen Nanshuang" smiled helplessly, stood up and bowed to Wang Huan: "Brother, I admire your talent."

"Thank you for the compliment, Brother Chen." Wang Huan said modestly.

"Nanshuang, since someone has already written a poem for you, why don't you write a poem and return it to them?" Xiao Mochen said with a smile.

Chen Nanshuang closed her eyes, thought for a moment, and slowly said:

"The Wang family's demeanor is natural, and the courtyard is filled with singing and laughter.

The magnificent mountains and rivers add to the splendor, and the brilliant sun and moon reflect the blue sky.

The jade trees and beautiful towers are like a fairyland, and the fine wine in the golden cups is intoxicating.

When life is good, you should enjoy it and don’t waste the good times and beautiful scenery.”

"it is good."

As Chen Nanshuang finished speaking, cheers were heard from the Wu Kingdom.

Fang Jingchun, who was sitting in the seat of honor, nodded. He already had some appreciation for the young man named "Chen Nanshuang".

However, although Chen Nanshuang is quite talented, Wang Huan is still better than her in writing poems.

The first poem focuses more on emotional expression and creation of artistic conception, giving people a deep and quiet feeling; while the second poem focuses more on clear theme and warm emotions, giving people a grand and cheerful feeling.

But in terms of difficulty, the name "Chen Nanshuang" is much more difficult than the two words "Wang Huan". Moreover, the first poem is also better in terms of structure and word choice.

Especially the last couplet of Wang Huan's poem, "Who can get drunk with me when I sing a song? My endless longing for you is expressed in poems", which ends with the song and poetry. Who can get drunk with me when I sing a song? The endless longing for you can only be expressed in poems.

"Thank you, Brother Chen, for the poem." Wang Huan bowed.

After Qi and Wu wrote poems to each other, the atmosphere became much better.

It’s just that the situation on the Wu State side seems a little difficult to deal with.

After all, everyone could see that in the last two poems, his side lost.

The two sides sat down and chatted and laughed, and several people on both sides stood up and wrote poems.

But the Wu Kingdom has always been inferior.

The atmosphere of the banquet was getting better and better, but Fang Jingchun felt more and more strange!
Although the Wu Kingdom's literary world is not very popular, it is still one of the ten great dynasties of the human race.

Moreover, there were several scholars in Wu State who were all quite famous in Qi State.

How is it possible that no one can be better than my State of Qi?
"You adults seem to be in the mood to compose poems." Xiao Mochi smiled, "There are a few youngsters here. Why, do you want them to eat the food all the time?"

Fang Jingchun understood what Xiao Mochi meant and smiled. It just so happened that Fang Jingchun had the same idea: "Since you said so, Zhong He, see if you can write a song. The requirements are not high, as long as it doesn't make others laugh at it."

The boy who exuded the arrogance of "being talented and proud" and "everyone except me is garbage" stood up and said: "Then Zhong He is showing off his ugliness."

Zhong He looked at the son of the Minister of Rites, thought for a moment, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. Xu Ming actually tasted what the Crooked-Mouth Dragon King meant.

Zhong He walked out of his seat, put his hands behind his back, and walked back and forth in the middle. It felt as if all the candlelight was on him:

"Traveling around the world, my heart soars high, and I soar to the horizon.

The breeze blows across my face under the moon, and the wine among the flowers intoxicates my heart.

The green mountains are far away, and the green waters are hazy with mist.

I have no other intentions in the years to come, only the rhyme of poetry fills the universe."

When Zhong He recited this poem, everyone savored it carefully. No matter whether they were from Qi or Wu, they all expressed a view that Zhong He "will become famous in the literary world in the future".

Fang Jingchun continued to stroke his beard with satisfaction.

This visit to Wu State is not just a visit to Wu State.

Fang Jingchun also had another idea, which was to travel around other dynasties, one being to let these young scholar-officials "read thousands of books and travel thousands of miles", and the other being to make names for these two little guys.

Of course, this reputation is earned through their own talents.

Today, Zhong He did not disappoint himself.

"Zhou Liu, someone gave you a poem, you should write a poem in return." Xiao Mochen looked at Zhou Liu with a smile.

Zhou Liu stood up and bowed, his manners were perfect and there was not a single flaw: "It should be so."

Zhou Liu looked at the wooden sign with his name on it in front of Zhong He's empty desk, thought carefully, and then said:

"The sound of the bells spreads far in front of the ancient temple, and the river reflects the blue sky.

Green trees shade the paths, and red flowers bloom on the mountaintops.

The wind is light and the clouds are thin, making me feel refreshed; the moon is bright and the stars are shining, making the night beautiful.

This place is quiet and peaceful, suitable for retreating from the world, why bother asking when to return. "

After the poem, the others looked at Zhou Liu with surprise. After a while, they reacted and cheers came from the Wu crowd first, followed by applause from the others.

Although Zhou Liu's poem is inferior to Zhong He's in terms of artistic conception, it is still a very good work.

This Zhou Liu is the leader among the younger generation in Wu State and the youngest scholar. Then isn’t Zhong He one of them?

Judging from this poem alone, the gap in literary talent between the two countries' younger leaders is not that far.

With Wu Kingdom's recent luck, could it be that another figure like Xiao Mochi has emerged?

"Pangda." Xiao Mochen called Xu Pangda's name softly.

Xu Pangda quickly stood up and bowed to Xiao Mochi: "Sir."

"As the top candidate in my Wudu case, would you like to write a poem and dedicate it to Miss Cici?" Xiao Mochen said with a smile, his tone gentle.

As soon as Xiao Mochen finished speaking, everyone looked at Xu Pangda and couldn't help but feel worried about him.

There is nothing wrong with writing a poem for Zhu Cici.

But the other party is a natural literary talent, and his talent is likely to be even greater than that of Zhong He.

If Zhu Cici had replied with a poem, comparing the two, Xu Pangda would most likely have been like a firefly under the scorching sun.

That little bit of light can only serve as a foil for the girl.
Whenever someone mentions today's events, they all think of Zhu Cici's reputation. As for Xu Pangda, he is just a background figure.
Xu Pangda looked embarrassed.

This does not mean that Xu Pangda is afraid to write poetry because he is worried that he will become a background figure in the future.

But Xu Pangda simply can't do it
For Xu Pangda, writing poetry has always been his weak point.

Xu Pangda is best at parallel prose, but I can't write a parallel prose under her name. I can't write it in a short time.
Seeing Xu Pangda's embarrassed look, everyone felt embarrassed for him.

Xu Ming was also helpless.

Mr. Xiao is calling you, why did you stand up so quickly?

How can I help you secretly in your ear?

"gentlemen."

At this moment, the scholar named Chen Nanshuang stood up.

"I was a guest of Mr. Zhang from Qingshui Academy before. Mr. Zhang told me that there are two smart friends in the Xu family. One is Pang Da, who is good at parallel prose, and the other is very good at poetry. I wonder if we can let that friend come?"

"Oh?" Fang Jingchun was also a little surprised. "It's rare for someone to be praised by that old man Zhang Lu. Mo Chi, why don't you let him come to the banquet to meet him?"

Xiao Mochi bowed and said, "Mr. Fang, he cannot take a seat because of his status."

"Identity? What identity?" Fang Jingchun asked.

Xiao Mochi looked embarrassed: "He is the son of the fifth lady of Xuguo Mansion."

"."

As soon as Xiao Mochen finished speaking, everyone fell silent.

The son of the fifth lady of Xuguo Mansion.

In other words, he is a bastard?
In Qi, concubines' sons were not a big deal. Although they were not as good as legitimate sons, they had a high status and even had certain rights to inherit the family business.

But it was different in Wu State, the status of a bastard's son was too low.

"No problem." Fang Jingchun shook his head. "According to the rules of your country, Sifang Pavilion belongs to the territory of the guest country. We should act according to the rules of the guest country. Mo Chi, you can just call that young friend over. It won't be considered as breaking the rules of Wu country. Otherwise, Mo Chi, I am really itching to hear you say that."

Fang Jingchun was indeed curious about such a bastard, but he was not so curious that he had to meet him.

But since Xiao Mochen brought it up, I have to meet him.

Otherwise, if today's events were to spread, it would become "A poetry contest at a banquet between two countries, and Qi did not win completely because the child that even Mr. Zhang admired did not come."

This banquet will build momentum for that child, and to a certain extent, Qi will even become the other party's background board.

"etc."

Suddenly, Fang Jingchun's mind focused, as if he understood something.

No way.

Could it be this kid?
"Since Mr. Fang has said so, then it would be unreasonable for Mo Chi to be unreasonable."

Just when Fang Jingchun felt that he understood everything, Xiao Mochen looked in the direction of Xu Pangda with a smile.

"Young friend Xu Ming, please stand up."

(End of this chapter)