I come to see Bai Yujing today

Chapter 119: The Best Poet among Young People in the World

The sixteenth floor of the Wangxing Palace seemed much quieter.

Countless real adults in Xuantianjing sat in front of the desks, talking in low voices with the people beside them.

There were no dancers, only the melodious sound of the guqin. From time to time, palace maids came and poured tea and wine for the many adults.

Chen Zhian entered the hall and many people looked at him.

Some people looked indifferent, just glanced and turned away, while others nodded slightly at him.

For example, Lord Tao, the Minister of Rites, or Chu Muye who was sitting at the railing. In addition to these two, some elderly adults even stood up slightly and nodded to him.

The eunuch from the Shangyi Bureau did not let him greet the others, but instead led him to a table and asked him to sit down.

"Sir Chen, since you have come to the sixteenth floor of the Wangxing Palace, you must take a good look at Xuantianjing." The eunuch leaned forward with a smile on his face and whispered to Chen Zhian, "You can drink here first. The Saint will come to see you in person later. You are the only young person the Saint wants to see during this court ceremony."

Chen Zhian remembered that Eunuch Liu had told him that the top three would be qualified to go up to the sixteenth floor and drink with the officials. As for whether they could meet the emperor, that would depend on the emperor's wishes.

So he nodded slightly and sat alone at the table near the railing.

As soon as he took his seat, several palace maids came in with lotus steps and lowered their heads, bringing him many exquisite foods and pouring him a cup of fragrant tea. They then placed a cup of wine on the side and carefully heated the cups.

Chen Zhian took a sip of tea, and as it went down his throat, he felt a fragrance in his mouth.

This tribute tea is naturally one of the best teas in the world.

He turned his head to look at the sixteenth floor and saw many adults also drinking tea and wine. He turned his head again to look at Xuan Tianjing outside the railing.

He saw the orderly streets and alleys, pavilions, buildings and gardens scattered throughout Xuantianjing, which was extremely spectacular.

Crowds of people were walking on the streets, heads bustling and shoulder to shoulder. On the Huanglong River, countless lanterns were floating downstream, which was quite beautiful.

For a moment, Chen Zhian was somewhat intoxicated by it.

His eyes moved around, looking at Xuantianjing for a long time, then he lowered his head to look below Wangxing Palace.

The Panchi Stage was still bustling with many young men from aristocratic families. Chen Zhian just watched silently. Coincidentally, Wei Lingyu also walked onto the stage at this time. He casually looked up and saw Chen Zhian on the sixteenth floor of Wangxing Palace.

At this moment, Chen Zhian lowered his head and looked down at Wei Lingyu with a calm expression and calm eyes, as if he was looking at an insignificant person.

At this moment, something in Wei Lingyu's heart broke.

Wei Lingyu had pretended to be eccentric and domineering in the past, but today, murderous intent flashed in her eyes as she stared directly at Chen Zhian upstairs.

Chen Zhian didn't seem to be afraid at all. Instead, he took the cup and drank a sip of tea.

Wei Lingyu looked at Chen Zhian very seriously, then lowered her head and stopped looking at him.

At this moment, she suddenly remembered that just the night before, she was standing high on the Panchi Terrace, looking down at Chen Zhian.

But just two days later, Chen Zhian climbed to a higher place and looked down at her.

Wei Lingyu touched the long whip at his waist, wondering what he was thinking.

At this moment, a young man from the Wei family came hurriedly and said to Wei Lingyu: "Princess, the Duke has entered the city."

The murderous intent in Wei Lingyu's eyes faded, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth again.

"understood."

Chen Zhian was drinking tea when the eunuch from the Shangyi Bureau brought a young man over.

The eunuch asked him to sit at the Huabiao. The man's eyes moved around and finally fell on Chen Zhian. He walked over a few steps and sat opposite Chen Zhian.

Chen Zhian was looking at the scenery in Xuantianjing. He only turned to look at the man when he sat down.

The man had a heroic face, wore a tall crown on his head, had sharp eyes and a sturdy body. He did not look like a handsome nobleman, but more like a young general.

"Jiang Feiliu of the Jiang family."

The palace maid poured tea for this man, but he waved his hand, took the wine pot and cups from the palace maid's plate, poured himself a glass of wine, and poured another glass for Chen Zhian.

"I came to the capital yesterday and went to the sword platform. I saw the Sigeng sword that General Tianzhu once used. I looked at it carefully for a long time, then held the hilt and drew the sword halfway, but I still didn't understand the meaning of the sword."

"So I didn't continue to draw the sword, but General Fu told me that you not only drew the fourth watch, but also understood the sword meaning. I was curious, so I went to the cavalry and archery fields and won two first-class places. Even if I didn't come to ask for an audience and there was no one to hinder me, I could take a good look at your sword meaning."

Jiang Feiliu's voice was clear and his eyes were open. Having said this, he did not wait for Chen Zhian to reply. He drank the wine in the cup in one gulp and poured himself another glass.

Immediately he extended his index finger and dropped it into the wine.

A mysterious sword intent flowed out from his fingertips, easily separating the wine and the water, without leaving the cup without any damage.

Even this sword intent was silent and did not attract the attention of the adults.

"My sword intent is called Seeing the Sound. If it doesn't sound, it's fine. But if it sounds when the situation strikes, it can kill everyone." Jiang Feiliu took his finger out of the wine and said, "Mr. Chen, I hope you can teach me."

He had previously called Chen Zhian by his first name, but this time he used honorifics.

Seeing Jiang Feiliu's exquisite sword skills, Chen Zhian seemed to be lost in thought. After more than ten breaths had passed, he suddenly stretched out his finger and lightly tapped the cup.

Clang!
A very crisp sound was heard, but it was suppressed extremely skillfully in a small space. The wine in the glass began to ripple, and then the surface of the wine was like a river flowing, with waves coming slowly, but layer upon layer, without stopping at all, and like an army taking a city, its momentum was magnificent.

Jiang Feiliu showed some surprise on his face. Such a powerful sword force could actually be brewed in this small wine glass.

"General Fu's sword intent is a vicissitude, which he has learned from his long experience on the battlefield. Mr. Chen grasped the hilt of the sword and realized the sword intent, which is admirable."

Jiang Feiliu looked at it for a long time, a smile appeared on his face, and his tone seemed quite happy.

“Ever since Yun Ting committed a crime and was thrown into prison, no young man with a knife in Xuantianjing could impress me.

Only today I see you, Chen Zhian."

He drank another glass of wine and said with a smile, "In this great age, there are countless young heroes in the seven kingdoms. Our Great Yu may seem to be the second best in the world, but in fact, when it comes to young geniuses, we are not as good as the three kingdoms of Liangqi, Lu Ding, and Chen Fang.

I, Jiang Feiliu, aspire to be a great figure in this world. If no one walks with me, wouldn't it be too boring?"

He drank the wine in the glass in one gulp, shook his head and said, "Chen Zhian, at your age, you have been able to comprehend such a vicissitudes of sword intent. I am puzzled. Can you explain it to me?"

Chen Zhian looked at the young master of the Jiang family who was talking to himself, thought for a moment, and said frankly: "Young Master Jiang, the understanding of the sword's meaning is different from the sword's method. If you ask me today, how can I explain it clearly?"

Jiang Feiliu thought about it carefully and felt that this was indeed the truth.

He was about to speak when an old man in official uniform suddenly approached from a distance.

The old man, who was over ninety years old, came up to the two men.

Jiang Feiliu obviously recognized the old man and was about to stand up when the old man suddenly took a deep breath and bowed to Chen Zhian. All of a sudden, all the officials on the 16th floor were in an uproar, and the quiet palace became noisy.

Chen Zhian was also a little surprised, but he still stood up and helped the old man up.

Li Zhuqiu, who was drinking alone and unwilling to look at Chen Zhian, finally couldn't bear it anymore and looked at Chen Zhian.

Someone in the palace also asked loudly: "Master Ji, why do you have to bow to a junior?"

Jiang Feiliu, who was standing by, had already stood up and saluted the old man: "Mr. Ji."

The old man was helped up by Chen Zhian. He looked at Chen Zhian very seriously and then spoke slowly.

His voice was neither anxious nor impatient, but it was full of emotion: "I am already ninety years old in the first year of Ji Cheng. During this sitting festival, I saw Kuixing lighting incense on Xiuba Mountain, saw many good boys from Dayu, and saw many mysterious magic methods.

I thought this court ceremony would end here, but I never expected to hear another beautiful poem. "

As soon as he finished speaking, another person in scholar's robes slammed the table and recited loudly: "Don't listen to the sound of leaves being blown by the wind, why not sing and walk slowly. A bamboo stick and straw sandals are lighter than a horse, who is afraid? A raincoat will protect me for the rest of my life."

This person is thinking highly of this.

Another scholar who was favored by the Grand Secretary of Jidian stood up and continued to recite: "The chilly spring breeze sobered me up from the drunken stupor. It was a little chilly, but the slanting sunlight on the mountaintops greeted me. I looked back at the desolate place and returned home. There was neither wind nor rain nor clear sky."

After the song was recited, the palace fell silent.

Ji Chengyuan was already in tears: "My family has fallen into poverty in my life, and I have been demoted many times. I even went to the South China Sea and was deceived by villains. Now I am back to Xuantianjing. I have lived a hurried life. Looking back, the wind, rain and sunshine have all gone.

Soon, I will die, but I still can’t be so carefree! ”

"A bamboo stick and straw sandals are lighter than a horse, so who is afraid? A raincoat will protect me in my lifetime!"

Ji Chengyuan recited softly, his eyes gradually becoming hazy, and said: "I have experienced many hardships, and I am in deep trouble, but I am also free and unrestrained. In the wind and rain, I can see the slanting sun on the top of the mountain, and I can stay calm and composed even if it blows through the forest and hits the leaves..."

"Chen Zhian! Chen Zhian!"

The old man said, "No wonder you were able to write 'Awakening the bright moon, shining on my heart full of ice and snow, and the mighty rivers flowing'. No wonder you were able to come to Xuan Tianjing from Sunan Prefecture alone. No wonder the harshness of Minister Li, the prestige of the Si family, could not scare you. This old man admires you inexplicably."

"Looking back at me now, I am already ninety years old, carrying the title of a great scholar on my shoulders, but I still can't put down this official uniform and refuse to go home."

The old man didn't know what he was thinking about, and tears came to his eyes.

Another university scholar waved his sleeves and said, "When I first heard this poem, I thought that the person who could write such a poem must be a person who has traveled thousands of miles away from his country and witnessed the ups and downs of life. I never thought that it was written by a young man."

“But after a closer look, I realized that there is nothing strange about this poem being written by you, Chen Zhian.

The young man came to Beijing alone and made such a name for himself, but he remained calm. This is truly admirable!"

Several great writers spoke out loudly one after another, and many people recited this poem silently. They felt that this poem was truly amazing, free and unrestrained, and there was no other poetry in the world that could compare with it.

Li Zhuqiu looked unhappy, but remained silent.

It's just because the people who spoke just now are all cabinet ministers, some of them serve in Zhongji Hall and Dongge, and they are all figures in the four halls and two cabinets. Even if they have no real positions, they are real great Confucian scholars and the cabinet team of Prime Minister Song. They are highly respected in the court and handle government affairs for Xuantian Palace. They are real officials, not ordinary people.

When facing these people, Li Zhuqiu had to suppress his anger even though he was angry.

But among those words of praise, there was also criticism of his Li family. Old Ji even said directly, "Minister Li is so strict," which made Li Zhuqiu even more angry.

He took a deep breath, stood up suddenly, and left.

Si Zhongfu on the side sighed, stood up and left the sixteenth floor of Wangxing Palace.

At this time, Mr. Ji was patting Chen Zhian's hand and whispering to him, "Chen Zhian, you are worthy of this title of the best poet. Not to mention that the competition in the sitting court is limited to young people under the age of 30, even if old people like me go, we will only be your foil.

That great prime minister Yang Heyin, who wears white robes, would be filled with emotion when facing your song, even if he could not hear the sound of leaves being blown by the wind in the forest, and he would admit that he is not as good as you. "

Jiang Feiliu on the side felt a little uneasy.

He had just arrived in Xuantianjing yesterday and had not yet heard this poem.

He knew that Chen Zhian won the first prize in poetry, but he just thought that Chen Zhian had produced a poem that was far superior to that of his peers.

But I never thought that in this Wangxing Palace, Chen Zhian's poem could actually cause Dongge Grand Secretary Ji Lao to shed tears and bow...

But after a little thought, he knew the reason.

"These university scholars are from Prime Minister Song's team, and they are deliberately trying to make Chen Zhian famous."

Jiang Feiliu looked rough, but he was actually thoughtful. But when he saw the tears in Ji Lao's eyes, he knew...

It is true that he brought fame to Chen Zhian.

This poem was so well written that it was truly admired by these university scholars.

I'm afraid Mr. Ji's tears were sincere.

"Great." Jiang Feiliu thought to himself, "No wonder my sister wrote to me and asked me to give Chen Zhian a try."

"To be able to attract my sister's attention, this Chen Zhian must have some skills."

It was much noisier in the sixteenth-floor palace.

A eunuch hurried over and said loudly, "The Saint has ordered that Chen Zhi'an, the first-rank official in the imperial court, should go up to the seventeenth floor to meet the Saint."

The old Ji Lao patted Chen Zhian on the shoulder sincerely and said, "Go ahead, young man. If you have time, come to Wenkui Street in East City to have tea with me."

The other university scholars also smiled and nodded at Chen Zhian.

Chen Zhian saluted everyone, nodded to Jiang Feiliu, walked up the stairs and went straight to the seventeenth floor.

Chen Zhian went upstairs.

A university scholar came to Mr. Ji and asked in a low voice, "Mr. Ji, do you think Chen Zhian can hold the seal?"

Old Ji looked at the vast Xuan Tianjing and said, "If he wants to hold the seal, I will help him before I return home to thank this young man for helping me out of my troubles."

The university scholar smiled bitterly and said, "How can we have private thoughts when governing a country?"

Old Ji shook his head: "I, Ji Chengyuan, have walked on thin ice all my life for ninety years. Now I am about to die. Can't I be willful for once? Can I return home freely for once?"

The scholar nodded and said, "No matter what, from today on, Chen Zhian's reputation as the best young poet will spread throughout Dayu, and even the world."

"All scholars in the world should recite these two poems of his."

ps: There will be additional updates in the evening for monthly tickets.

(End of this chapter)