Do you know that it starts with Meng Tong?

Regardless of whether they were willing or not, everyone returned the gift and said in unison: "Brother Wei, please come first!"

Then the crowd retreated to both sides like waves, leaving a path for Wei Chen.

Under the gaze of everyone, the 11-year-old boy, wearing a navy blue straight suit, slowly climbed the steps and walked into the central gate of the government office.

.

Behind Wei Chen, Sheng Changbai and Wang Yaochen followed one after another, one on the left and the other on the right.

The remaining scholars lined up in three columns and followed them in slowly.

The moment they stepped into the government office, almost everyone was excited.

For most of the children present, they may only attend such a banquet once in their lives. This is a lifelong honor for scholars, and they can be mentioned to future generations even before they die.

As for the higher-level Qionglin Banquet, Deer Ming Banquet or Hairpin Flower Banquet, many people simply don't dare to think about it.

The government government is two levels higher than the county government in terms of regulations. The vastness and exquisiteness of the buildings are not comparable to the county government.

The scholars entered the middle gate, went straight into the second gate from the main road, and entered the courtyard in front of the government, which is the office of the government.

Walking through the front courtyard of the mansion, you can see the Yimen, which is exactly the same as the main entrance.

Entering the Yimen is the lobby, and after passing the lobby is the second hall. This is where the prefect holds a banquet.

At this time, the ritual music stopped, and the salute officer stood up and said loudly: "Wei Chen, the leader of the current case, leads the newly promoted scholars to pay homage to Mr. Futai!"

At the moment, Wei Chen led the scholars behind him to pay homage.

After the ceremony, everyone stood up.

Shen Du, who was sitting high in the hall, smiled and spoke to the scholars about studying hard and working hard.

The scholars held their breath and listened to the instructions at the foot of the steps.

Finally, Shen Du seemed to feel that he had spoken for too long and said with a smile: "It's getting late. If you have anything to say, it's not too late for us to talk about it at the banquet. Let's have a banquet!"

After saying that, the sound of ritual music sounded, and everyone followed Shen Du inside to attend the banquet.

According to ancient etiquette, at the banquet after such a big competition, one person has one seat, one person has one case, and they are seated in strict order of seniority and inferiority.

Although Wei Chen is young, he is the head of the case in this government examination, so his position is next to the prefect Shen Du.

As for the other dozens of scholars, they were far away from Shen Du. The seats at the back were dozens of meters away from Shen Du. It was difficult to speak to Mr. Futai.

Under Wei Chen, there are nine seats closest to Shen Du, which are among the top ten positions in this government examination.

The second one is Sheng Changbai, and the third one is Wang Yaochen. Wei Chen already knows about these.

But he didn't expect that Tao Dazhi was also among the top ten, and he was still sixth, ranking higher than Chen Jun who got the question.

As for the fourth and fifth, they were named Weng Dingfan and Tang Henian respectively. Both of them came from well-known families, and their talents were well-known, and Wei Chen had also heard about them.

In fact, before the trial case was launched in the government, these two people and Wang Yaochen were the most popular contenders for the position of head of the case. However, no one expected that Wei Chen would come out of the blue in the end and snatch the head of the Jiangning Mansion case. .

Weng Tang and Wang Yaochen had known each other for a long time, and they were seated next to each other. After the banquet started, they naturally chatted together.

They knew that Wang Yaochen and Wei Chen were both from Youyang, so they asked Wang Yaochen about Wei Chen.

"What do you think of Wei Chen's article?"

After hearing the two people's questions, Wang Yaochen pondered for a while. He is now much calmer than during the county test in February, his demeanor is neither humble nor arrogant, and his words are also very measured.

He said slowly: "During the county examination, Wei Chen and I were on equal footing, and it was still a matter of debate as to who would be the leader. I thought I would be able to avenge my disgrace in the government examination, but in the end I still lost."

Weng Dingfan asked hurriedly: "But Wei Chen is so lucky?"

"No." Wang Yaochen shook his head and said seriously: "It is his article that has made progress again, and the speed of progress far exceeds mine. I am convinced of this."

"what?"

Weng and Tang were both surprised when they heard this.

You know, who is Wang Yaochen?

Born in a noble family, with famous teachers and disciples, he has always put his eyes higher than his head!

It seems that except for his teacher Luo Bingkun, he has never been convinced by anyone.

Now he is convinced by Wei Chen?

Incredible!

Wang Yaochen saw the surprised expressions on the two people's faces and smiled casually: "It's better to be better than me. Maybe I still can't compare to Wei Chen in the college examination, but even if I get a small three yuan for him, so what?"

The provincial examination three years later will be the real competition. I will definitely not make the same mistake again then! "

Weng and Tang were stunned when they heard this, and immediately stood in awe and said, "Bo Yong, you are such a magnanimous gentleman!"

Chapter 50 The Fish and the Bear's Paw

Wei Chen was sitting on the bamboo mat, with a large plate of boiled mutton and several sliced ​​pieces of mutton lungs placed on the table in front of him.

As for the wine, there was only one jug of Xuanjiu.

What is Xuanjiu?

Xuanjiu is a very mysterious wine. You can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk.

In short, clear water.

Wuquan Winery's amber wine was very popular in Jiangning and was regarded as elegant by literati and poets. Unfortunately, it could not be included in this banquet.

Because every aspect of this banquet follows ancient rituals and is modeled on the rural drinking ceremony of the Spring and Autumn Period.

Although many tedious etiquettes were omitted, no trace of Xuanjiu was spared in this ancient ceremony, and each scholar was given a pot.

Many pampered scholars looked a bit ugly when they saw this, and they secretly complained: This Master Futai is too stingy!

Wei Chen didn't care. He was born in a poor family, so it would be nice if he had meat to eat. As for good wine, he had plenty of it at home, so there was no need to drink it here.

This kind of banquet is not originally for drinking and eating, but for showing off the scenery and dignity.

Wei Chen is still very clear about this.

Wei Chen was slowly eating boiled mutton when he suddenly heard a deep and majestic voice.

"Everyone, why don't you compose an elegant poem for an elegant banquet? Please each compose an impromptu poem to increase the interest!"

The speaker was of course Shen Du, the prefect of Jiangning.

Wei Chen was closest to Shen Du, and it was only then that he experienced the voices of these officials. It was really deafening!

When everyone in the hall heard Shen Futai's request, they all looked at each other and felt reluctant.

I only took two test poems in the government examination, and this happened again during the banquet. Can I still have a good meal?

"You come first!"

Shen Du randomly clicked on someone.

This person happened to be in the fifth year of Tang Dynasty in the imperial examination.

Tang Henian pondered for a while and then recited a poem. The poem could not be said to be very good, but it could be said to be upright, peaceful and appropriate to the time.

Wei Chen was greatly impressed after hearing this. He was able to compose such a poem in such a short time. He was worthy of being a famous young hero in Jiangning Mansion. This Jiangning Mansion is really a hidden dragon and a crouching tiger!

Each of the scholars below stood up after being called upon by Shen Du, and each composed a poem on the spot, or recited the scenery, or expressed his ambitions, and so on.

When it was Wei Chen's turn, Shen Du said with a smile: "Wei Chen, you already have a name for poetry, and you are the head of the case in this office. Your talent is far beyond your peers. I only give you seven breaths of time to write a poem quickly!"

Wei Chen complained secretly.

Seven breaths into poetry?

This is even more outrageous than Cao Zijian's poem written in seven steps!

However, Wei Chen also got an advantage. When other scholars were writing poems, he was also prepared to be called upon and took the opportunity to type up the draft in advance, so he was not in a hurry at this time.

At that moment, Wei Chen stood up and said without thinking, "Li Du's poems have been passed down by thousands of mouths."

Shen Du nodded and said in approval: "Not bad."

Wei Chen added: "It doesn't feel new yet."

When all the scholars present heard this, they unconsciously took a breath of cold air. Sheng Changbai and others who were close to Wei Chen even sweated for Wei Chen.

Shen tasted it for a while, then smiled and said: "Your poem is too loud, I'm afraid it won't finish well."

Wei Chen raised the glass with one hand, held it behind the cup with the other, and continued chanting: "There have been talented people from generation to generation, and each has led the way for hundreds of years."

Whoa!

The whole place was shocked.

Even Shen Du's expression became solemn.

The master of the mansion flicked the hem of his official uniform, raised his cup from the case, and uttered three words:

"Well done!"

This sound was like a pebble being thrown into a calm lake. Everyone in the hall immediately cheered Wei Chen's poem. Chen Jun, Tao Dazhi and others clapped their palms red.

Shen Du pointed the wine glass at Wei Chen from afar, with no concealment of admiration and affection in his eyes: "You are such an astonishing talent, I would like to propose a toast to you!"

Others wrote poems to praise objects and express their ambitions, but Wei Chen's poem was equivalent to commenting on the poems written by others before, and it was a higher level in structure.

Moreover, his poem is equivalent to praising all the scholars present. At least these scholars themselves will think that the "talented person" in the poem is themselves.

The reason why Shen Du appreciates Wei Chen's poem so much is that in addition to appreciating the poem itself, he also appreciates the magnanimity and wisdom behind the poem.

"Thank you Mr. Futai."

Wei Chen held the cup with one hand and covered his sleeve with the other, and then drank all the mysterious wine in the cup.

Seeing that Wei Chen was still so calm despite being in such a big limelight, everyone couldn't help but admire him.

After that, everyone continued to write poems, but no matter how good the poem was, it would pale in comparison to Wei Chen's "On Poetry".

Sheng Changbai smiled and said: "Brother Xian, your poem has won the day! After today, what happened at the banquet will be spread throughout the Jiangnan literary world. Brother Xian, you are going to be famous again!"

……

In the evening, the banquet dispersed and everyone returned home happily.

After saying goodbye, Wang Yaochen, Weng Dingfan, and Tang Henian stopped and looked back. Under the lights in the distance, Shen Futai pulled Wei Chen, seemingly giving instructions.