socalfunplaces Page 160
Page 160
Finally, with Fan Xian's help and reminder, Guo Shao managed to win a spot at the last moment before he passed out drunk.
Therefore, Guo Baokun became one of the five hundred scholars who entered Yunmen Temple.
Of these 500 people, 100 attended the formal poetry gathering, while the remaining 400 could only listen in.
Therefore, Guo Shao must undergo a third round of selection, with five candidates advancing to the next round.
"Brother Fan, those who can participate in the world's premier poetry gathering... are all truly talented!"
Because the young emperor also had to attend formal poetry gatherings, this year's gatherings focused on checking whether the scholars would behave improperly in front of the emperor.
The drunken Guo Baokun was naturally disqualified from the selection and could only attend as an observer.
An official from the Ministry of Rites recognized Fan Xian and selected a seat for them in the front row of the audience.
Upon hearing this news, Guo Shao said with some regret, "Brother Fan, I've wasted all this drinking today!"
Since the Northern Qi was originally going to provide the delegation with a seat as an observer, it seems that the outcome has not changed.
Fan Xian said with a smile, "No, Young Master Guo, you have already proven that your talent ranks among the top five hundred scholars in the world!"
"You earned your current seats through your own hard work!"
The Chongxin Temple and Yunmen Temple of the Northern Qi Dynasty were far larger than the Qing Temple in the capital of the Southern Qing Dynasty.
The Yunmen Poetry Gathering only occupied the huge outer hall outside Yunmen Temple.
Like the outer hall of Qingmiao Temple, the outer hall of Yunmen Temple can be used for banquets, but it is much larger.
After undergoing strict security checks, Fan Xian and his two companions sat in the front row of the audience.
The scholars who were officially participating in the poetry gathering took their seats, all looking quite spirited.
These people all remained expressionless, showing no signs of having been drunk.
Then, everyone waited for a full half hour until solemn music resounded in the main hall.
Imperial Guards with embroidered spring knives at their waists entered each seat, standing ready for battle.
The young emperor's participation in the poetry gathering presented Wei Hua with a major problem: he had to do everything in his power to protect the emperor, which was also why he was unwilling to bother Yan Bingyun any longer.
As the music began, everyone watched with bated breath as an old man and a young man slowly walked into the main hall through the entrance.
"It's Master Zhuang! Master Zhuang has arrived!"
"That young man must be Li Chang'an, the Prince of Yong of Nanqing!"
"It is said that he was not even twenty years old, yet he was already hailed as the three saints of poetry, calligraphy, and painting!"
"What kind of poet saint is he if he hasn't presented any masterpieces at the Yunmen Poetry Gathering!"
There were more than 500 scholars in the main hall, most of whom were from the Northern Qi Dynasty.
In this era, there were two literary giants: Zhuangzi, Mozi, and Han Yu in the north, and Li Chang'an in the south.
Scholars have always looked down on each other, especially now that the Civil War had just ended, these scholars were all holding their breath!
Li Chang'an entered calmly, completely unconcerned about the subtle hostility emanating from within the hall.
Zhuang Mohan and Li Chang'an sat in two seats below the main seat.
That empty seat at the top was reserved for Emperor Zhan Doudou.
Fortunately, it didn't take long before the young emperor, protected by Haitang Duoduo, entered the main hall.
Apart from Zhuang Mohan and Li Chang'an, everyone else in the hall knelt down to pay their respects.
"See Your Majesty!"
Among the five hundred scholars, the majority of whom were from Northern Qi, all looked at the young emperor with reverence.
Rumors circulated that the young emperor, through his strategic planning, eliminated two powerful ministers in a single night.
His high-profile participation in the World's Number One Poetry Gathering further demonstrates his determination to gradually take personal control.
These scholars, their hearts burning with passion, all hoped that the young emperor could help the State of Qi sweep away the dejection of defeat and usher in a new era!
At this special juncture, this grand poetry gathering has been imbued with some additional meaning.
"Be flat!"
Zhan Doudou sat in the main seat without looking to the side, glancing at Li Chang'an out of the corner of her eye.
Li Chang'an vaguely sensed an inexplicable hostility, or more accurately, resentment.
Did the decision to stop updating Dream of the Red Chamber really cause Zhan Doudou such resentment?
"Fellow scholars, I have heard of the reputation of the greatest poetry gathering in the world since I was a child, and today I am finally fortunate to participate."
"I have stated beforehand that the poetry gathering is a stage for talented individuals to showcase their abilities, and I am not here as the emperor."
"I and His Highness Prince Yong of Qing Kingdom will participate in setting the topics and composing poems, just like all the talented scholars."
"Please don't be shy, everyone. Please let the teacher preside over the poetry gathering according to the rules."
Zhan Doudou spoke concisely, and Zhuang Mohan exchanged pleasantries before the poetry gathering began.
The rules of the poetry gathering were quite simple: the one hundred scholars who officially participated in the gathering would each compose a poem based on their seating order.
Scholars value talent and quick wit, and those with such talent are most admired.
Once a scholar sets a topic, the other scholars compose poems based on that topic, with a limit of three poems per topic. Those who are slow to think are at a disadvantage.
After Zhuang Mohan finished explaining the rules and his opening remarks, he said to Zhan Doudou, "Your Majesty, please give us the first question."
Zhan Doudou glanced at the murals on the stone pillars of the main hall and made a suggestion.
“Teacher, we are holding a poetry gathering in the outer hall of Yunmen Temple. We should let the one with the Heavenly Vein give us the topic first.”
"This disciple suggests that the Holy Maiden Haitang should first propose a poem topic!"
Zhan Doudou's words were loaded with meaning; she was clearly implying that the current Heavenly Vein Masters were the true Heavenly Vein Masters.
Li Chang'an didn't take it seriously, but he was secretly planning to find a way to teach the young emperor a lesson before he left.
Haitang, dressed in white, stood solemnly behind Zhan Doudou.
The sacred crabapple blossoms were displayed in the palace, and even more so in Yunmen Temple.
At that moment, she looked spotless, like a fairy.
Haitang Duoduo, who wasn't good at poetry, was quite surprised by this suggestion!
Junior nephew, what are you doing? Why didn't you discuss this beforehand?
My junior apprentice has been very restless lately, and not steady at all.
Haitang Duoduo's face remained calm and composed, displaying an expression of serene indifference.
"liquor!"
She had just finished speaking when Zhan Doudou changed the subject before the scholars could compose their poems.
"All of you talented scholars have drunk quite a bit of strong liquor from the Great Qi before entering the hall today. The Holy Maiden's topic is indeed fitting!"
The crabapple blossoms smiled slightly, appearing pure and holy.
What she was thinking was, "I'm afraid even if I, the Holy Maiden, say something, the little emperor will find a reason to say something appropriate."
Zhan Doudou continued, "As the saying goes, guests from afar are honored. Among the hundred talented scholars below, eighteen are from Nanqing and Nanzhao."
"For this first poem, we should invite the Poet Saint of Nanqing to compose it, which would also be in accordance with the Great Qi's way of treating guests."
Most people in the hall had only heard of Li Chang'an by name, but had never seen him in person.
Zhan Doudou's suggestion was both in accordance with etiquette and met the expectations of everyone in the hall.
Zhuang Mohan, who had witnessed Li Chang'an composing a poem on the spot, raised a cup of wine and said, "Your Highness Prince Yong, I have been looking forward to this moment for a long time."
Li Chang'an picked up the wine cup on the table and drank a cup with Zhuang Mohan.
"A jug of wine in Chang'an yields a hundred poems; in the capital, one sleeps in a tavern. Summoned by the emperor, he refuses to board the boat; a banished immortal of wine, he descends to the mortal world!"
Li Chang'an calmly and leisurely copied down the four lines of Li Bai's poem.
The disciple behind Zhuang Mohan quickly copied down the poem.
These lines are arrogant: "Even when the emperor calls, I won't board the boat!"
The original poem described the poet as a wine immortal, but Li Chang'an, unwilling to be called a subject, changed it to "a wine immortal banished to the mortal world."
Therefore, after Li Chang'an finished reciting the poem, the hall immediately fell silent.
Many people were moved by the unrestrained and wild spirit of these four lines, but no one dared to applaud them.
The emperor is sitting right there, and you dare say you won't board the boat when the emperor calls!
Everyone knows who should break the silence created by this poem.
Sure enough, Zhan Doudou chuckled softly.
"Your Highness Prince Yong, if I were to call you from the ship, would you come aboard?"
Chapter 119 The Greatest Poetry Gathering in the World! A Bloodbath! (13)
Zhan Doudou had a slight smile on her face, wanting to see how Li Chang'an would answer this difficult question.