Prince of Song Dynasty

Chapter 411

Without trying to understand it, Ye Chen knew that under the prosperous appearance of Jinling City, the capital of the Southern Tang Dynasty, there were some differences, or fundamental differences, between the Southern Tang Dynasty and the Great Song Dynasty.

Don't talk about it, just say that the Southern Tang court did almost nothing, and did not consider the aspect of people's livelihood.Every year during the flood season of the Yangtze River, there will always be a large number of disaster victims. The response of the Southern Tang Dynasty court and the local government is to close the city, let the army guard the city gate, and prevent the victims from entering the city. , everyone put together porridge and rice, but in fact it is a cup of water to draw salary, or put it on the air, even if there are food everywhere in the south of the Yangtze River, big rivers and small lakes, most of the victims will starve to death .

In addition, with the relatively warm climate in the south of the Yangtze River, many people would freeze to death every winter. Of course, most of these people were beggars, and they might not be considered human beings in the eyes of Southern Tang court officials and rich people.Ye Chen heard the maid Chu Chu say that if it snows, it is not uncommon to see people hugging each other and freezing to death on the street the next day.

And Ye Chen knows that in Kaifeng, the winter is much colder than Jinling. Although there are beggars who freeze to death, there are definitely not so many. The government will always find some way to accommodate them, whether it is for the face of the emperor and the court, or other reasons.But at least someone is always in charge.But in the Southern Tang Dynasty, similar things had already become commonplace.The so-called "Zhumen's wine and meat stinks, and the road has frozen bones" refers to today's Southern Tang Dynasty.

Ye Chen sighed in front of Yu Qingyan more than once: "This kind of country has come to an end, and it should be destroyed by our Song Dynasty."

Today, after Ye Chen played chess with Mr. Zheng, it started to rain immediately, and Mr. Zheng's home is nearby, so he invited Ye Chen to be a guest to avoid the rain.

Mr. Zheng lived here with a concubine named Fu Niang. She was in her 30s. She was also a courtesan in her early years. The first time I saw her was also sending lunch to Mr. Zheng, Rongzhi was dignified and generous.

Ye Chen played chess with Mr. Zheng in a nearby street. He only knew that the other party lived here, but he hadn't been there yet.At this time, he followed Mr. Zheng into the door, and met his wife at the door.

After being polite, Ye Chen drank the tea brought by Fu Niang herself, played another game of chess with Mr. Zheng, chatted for a few words and then went to the poetry meeting.

"Liu Fang Poetry Fair? There are many talented poets in the Liu family's eight boats, but the overall standard is not the highest in Jinling. If it is said that many talented people flock to it, it is the Xu family who holds the Jinling Poetry Fair."

"The Xu family? Could it be that the famous Xu Xuan and Xu Kai, the 'two Xu', belong to the Xu family?"

"That's right, it's them. The Xu family's three generations of Hanlin, especially in this generation, both brothers are Hanlin bachelors, especially Xu Xuan. In the Southern Tang Dynasty, apart from the king, his poetry should be the most talented. It's just that Xu Xuan has been sent to Wuyue as an envoy some time ago, and it is said that he has been under house arrest for a period of time. Recently, there have been rumors that he colluded with the people of Song Dynasty, which seriously damaged his reputation. .So these days I heard that I have been staying at home and never attended any banquets or poetry gatherings."

In the Southern Tang Dynasty, literature was respected, and Jinling was the capital of the Southern Tang Dynasty. It was also a place where the world's cultures gathered. A good poem is produced in one poetry meeting, and a better one is produced in another poetry meeting. It is often stirred up on this night, and it becomes a good story in the following months or even years.Of course, there are also various merchants and even the government behind the scenes for hype, but in any case, the reputation of Qinhuai River is enhanced in such an atmosphere.

The influence of Liu Fang Poetry Club in Jinling can only be regarded as one of the top poetry clubs. The reason why Liu Fang Poetry Club is called Liu Fang is because it consists of eight large boats connected into one, drifting on the Qinhuai River all night, drinking and singing Shi watch fireworks and lights on both sides of the river, and there will be various performances on the boat.

The Liu family was originally a rich man in the south of the Yangtze River, but the status of a businessman was low. After they got rich, they wanted to rely on the direction of a literati. Unfortunately, such a thing could not be done in a few years or ten years.The Liu family's family has a great career, and there have been a few talented literati in the past few years, much better than Uncle Chen Qing's family, but it is still not considered a scholarly family in the eyes of the world.

The Liu Fang Poetry Club is famous for being grand, luxurious and lively on the Qinhuai River, but most of the people who go to participate are people with business background or connections similar to the Liu family. There are people in official circles, but only a small number.Therefore, if there are poems written by self-proclaimed literati, the other half are used to build relationships and discuss business. of.

The Jinling Poetry Club held by the Xu family is a gathering of top talents in the Qinhuai area. The Xu family hosting the poetry club is a real scholarly family with three generations of Hanlin. The poetry meeting held by his family has always attracted many students who are determined to seek fame.Of course, if you really want to be eligible to participate in the poetry meeting, you must have a certain amount of talent and knowledge or a sufficient relationship background. In addition to some well-known talents who can be invited, there are also many talented people who have sent famous posts to the Xu Mansion. Send your own poems in hopes of gaining favor.In addition to this, many brothel prostitutes are also proud to be invited to participate in the Jinling Poetry Club, which is completely different from the significance of the Liu Fang Poetry Club spending a lot of money every year to invite people.

"Since I'm ready to participate, does little friend Zhong Shu have any poems prepared?"

After Zheng Lao finished speaking, he looked at Ye Chen across the table, Ye Chen smiled and shook his head: "I don't know poetry, I just went to see the excitement."

After lunch, the thunderstorm outside stopped, Ye Chen took his leave and left. After sending him to the door to watch him go away, Funiang smiled beside Mr. Zheng and asked, "Master, does Mr. Chen really understand poetry?"

"Madam, what do you say?"

Fu Niang blinked: "A lie?"

"The acquaintance is still short, and it's too early to draw too high a conclusion. However, when he was playing chess, he also said a few poems that fit the occasion. Those poems are very good, but I have never heard them before. If you only talk about If you say he doesn't understand poetry, hehe, I don't believe it."

Mr. Zheng shook his head and smiled, and continued: "I have read a lot of people in my life, and I have also seen young people who are seeking fame or who are really talented and learned. A eccentric mad student, flamboyant and uninhibited, but also really talented, always amazes people. But anyway, these are just the same thing, but only this boy from the Chen family, although he is a Famous scholar, looks dull, but actually has a very pragmatic personality, not only has real ability, but also a person who can really do things."

"Could it be that the master wants to introduce Mr. Chen to the shopkeeper?"

"That's right! Recently, the Holy Church is looking for some capable and talented scholars who have enmity with the Song Dynasty. After changing their identities, they will focus on training them vigorously, and then let them participate in the scientific examination of the Song Dynasty next year. This Chen Qing has a reputation as a scholar, can do practical things, and is capable. And their whole family was killed by the Song State government. But they meet these conditions. If he can really be named in the Song State Gold List in the future, he will become a member of the Holy Hall. An important chess piece in the court of the Song Dynasty, and I will be the recommender, and the Holy Church will also give a great reward."

The next morning, Ye Chen went to play chess by the Qinhuai River again.With the experience of being invited to Mr. Zheng's family yesterday, Ye Chen knew that his target person should appear soon.

Sure enough, when I came here today, another old man had already played chess with Mr. Zheng here. The old man's surname was Yi, and he was about the same age as Mr. Zheng. The servant girl opened the way, this guy looked kind, but his eyes seemed to be hooked, ordinary people would look at him twice, and his aura would weaken.One can tell at a glance that he is a person who occupies a high position and is used to giving orders.

After a game of chess, Yi Lao was obviously dissatisfied with the fact that he had brought tea and lost the game, but he had lost anyway, so he admitted it, called Ye Chen over and everyone replayed the game, and then it was still Yi Lao Get off with Mr. Zheng.But the three of them started chatting intentionally or unintentionally. First, they mentioned the origin and identity of Chen Qing dressed by Ye Chen. Family hatred and country hatred.

In the late autumn, the sun was still bright, but in the afternoon there was a wind blowing over the Qinhuai River. After the game was over, it was already late, and everyone went home.

In the evening, the setting sun dyed the weather red and immersed half of Jinling City in the warm red glow. Ye Chen, led by Chen Qing's two cousins, went to Qinhuai River to participate in the poetry meeting.

Ye Chen was very happy to be able to participate in the poetry meeting held by Liu's family who had a close relationship with the ultimate target person from the very beginning, and he has already made plans to start tonight and make great preparations.

There are many performances on the eight boats of the Liufang Poetry Association. Along the way, you can also enjoy the night view of the entire Qinhuai River Lantern City. For anyone at this time, it is a feast-level enjoyment.

Not long after, the Liufang Poetry Club officially started. The eight boats originally moored at the busiest streets of the Qinhuai River also sailed slowly away from the shore. According to the rumor, amidst the lights and songs all over the city, the atmosphere of elegance has become more and more intense, and the lively night in this city has officially reached its climax.

(End of this chapter)