Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 194 A Moonlit Night, Flowers in Full Bloom, Wine in Abundance [Seeking Monthly Tickets!]

The so-called "Night Banquet of Han Xizai" was created when Li Yu, the last ruler of the Southern Tang Dynasty, was suspicious of the powerful minister Han Xizai. He sent the court painter Gu Hongzhong to sneak into Han Xizai's residence to secretly observe and record the extravagant and indulgent state of Han Xizai's night banquet, which eventually resulted in this famous painting.

Although this painting has extremely high artistic value, the story behind it is one of power struggles and intrigue.

Lu Beigu thought to himself, "Wang Kui's suggestion to imitate this painting at this moment is utterly despicable!"

On the surface, Wang Kui was praising Song Qi's romantic talent as comparable to Han Xizai, hoping to leave behind a lasting legacy. However, upon closer examination, this suggestion was actually malicious.

Song Qi was about to take up his post in Chengdu as a high-ranking official in charge of a region, a position that was inherently sensitive. Wang Kui himself was a notorious "cruel official."

What kind of associations would arise if such a painting of a night banquet, depicting scenes of revelry, were to be painted and circulated at this time? Would it be interpreted as Song Qi indulging in extravagance and debauchery in his local area and as associating with cruel officials? Or would it be interpreted as him trying to tarnish his reputation in order to avoid trouble?
As for the interpretation, Wang Kui's core intention was to firmly "bind" Song Qi to himself, and through this painting, to forcibly create visual evidence that "Song Qi and Wang Kui had a close relationship"!

Once the painting was completed, whether Song Qi liked it or not, in the eyes of outsiders, they would be seen as "close friends" who shared a banquet and extravagance, which was exactly the signal that Wang Kui was eager to convey to the outside world.

—Look, even Scholar Song drank and chatted with me, Wang Kui, and left behind a masterpiece!

The smile on Song Qi's face froze instantly, like a lake surface frozen by a cold wind, when Wang Kui uttered the words "Han Xizai's Night Banquet".

His fingers, holding the wine glass, paused slightly, and his eyes, which always carried a somewhat lazy expression, suddenly became sharp.

Song Qi looked at Wang Kui with a scrutinizing gaze that seemed to penetrate one's very soul.

There was no surprise, no anger in those eyes, only a chilling coldness born from knowing everything.

Wang Kui felt a chill run down his spine under that gaze, and his smile faltered. He quickly added, "Scholar, please do not misunderstand. I have no other intention than to admire your talent and wish to capture this momentous occasion in a painting to ensure your lasting fame. I have already prepared the finest silk and invited the best painter from Jiangling Prefecture, who is waiting in the side hall. As long as you grant my permission, it will be done immediately."

"Prefect Wang."

Song Qi finally spoke, instantly drowning out Wang Kui's urgent explanation.

He slowly put down his wine glass, his movements still elegant.

The frozen smile on his face melted away, replaced by a distant expression tinged with a hint of mockery: "I appreciate Prefect Wang's hospitality, Zijing."

His gaze swept over the sumptuous feast and dancing girls in the hall, finally settling on Wang Kui's face: "The Night Banquet of Han Xizai is a masterpiece by Gu Hongzhong, truly a work to be passed down through generations. However, what this painting depicts is a scene from the late Southern Tang Dynasty, and Han Xizai's act of concealing his true intentions. The expressions of the figures and the extravagance of the banquet all have profound meanings. It is not merely a picture of revelry, but rather a scroll of historical reflection."

Song Qi's voice echoed clearly in the hall.

"We are born into a holy dynasty, bathed in its benevolent influence. His Majesty treats his subjects with sincerity, and the subjects serve their sovereign with loyalty. How can we emulate the stories of the late dynasties where the emperor and his subjects were suspicious of each other, and powerful ministers tarnished their own reputations?"

"Today's banquet is a testament to Prefect Wang's warm hospitality, which I deeply appreciate. However, the people here are merely engaged in ordinary drinking and socializing; the scenery is nothing more than the usual local custom of entertaining guests. If we were to forcibly imitate the events of the previous dynasty or try to replicate them in paintings, we would not only lose their authenticity but also risk being ridiculed for our poor execution and becoming a laughingstock. Furthermore, it might lead to unnecessary speculation and cause us unnecessary trouble."

Song Qi's eloquent and righteous refusal, drawing on classical texts, was like a resounding slap across Wang Kui's face.

He not only directly pointed out the metaphor behind "The Night Banquet of Han Xizai", but also directly shattered Wang Kui's delusion of forcibly attaching himself to the painting and attempting to create "evidence".

In front of everyone, he used extremely dignified yet incredibly sharp words to draw a clear line between himself and Wang Kui!

Song Qi's subtext was crystal clear.

—You, Wang Kui, want to use my name, Song Qi, to glorify yourself, and even try to drag me down with you? You think you're worthy?
Wang Kui's face flushed slightly. He was somewhat embarrassed, but he couldn't utter a single word in the face of Song Qi's gaze.

The local gentry lowered their heads, concealing the barely suppressed glee in their eyes.

Lu Huiqing, Wang Shao, and the others also breathed a long sigh of relief.

If they were both depicted in "The Night Banquet of Scholar Song", it would always be a potential problem if they later entered officialdom.

Lu Beigu's gaze towards Song Qi couldn't help but carry a hint of admiration for this seemingly dashing young scholar. At crucial moments, his political acumen was truly astute.

Moreover, Song Qi's art of speaking was unparalleled.

He began with a brief, polite remark, then pointed out the true meaning of "The Night Banquet of Han Xizai," followed by flattery of the current emperor, clearly distinguishing between the Song Dynasty and the Southern Tang Dynasty, and finally clearing everyone present of any wrongdoing, subtly implicating Wang Kui.

It can be said that in a very short time, the logic was clear and everything that needed to be said was explained, which served to warn the other party to the greatest extent possible, while also keeping the situation from getting too ugly.

Lu Beigu carefully considered the words several times in his mind, and felt that if it were him now, he probably wouldn't be able to say them so perfectly.

However, the atmosphere at the scene was still somewhat awkward.

At this moment, Song Qi saw that Wang Kui was speechless because of what he had just said, but he didn't care at all and directly took control of the pace of the entire banquet.

He raised his cup with a smile to toast everyone, his manner so natural that it seemed as if he were the host of the banquet. Moreover, Song Qi did not just offer a general round of toasts; as a high-ranking official in purple robes, he personally carried a wine pot and cups to toast each guest behind every table.

This behavior can no longer be explained by "politeness"; it can only be explained by his genuine love of feasting.

When Song Qi toasted Lu Beigu and his group, he inquired in detail about their names, ages, and hometowns. Then, based on each person's characteristics, he praised each of the younger generation who were not even Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations). He even praised Wang Shao, who hadn't said a single extra word, saying things like "calm and reserved, he will surely become a pillar of the country in the future." He really maximized the emotional value of the conversation.

For a moment, Lu Beigu didn't know whether this young scholar Song truly had the ability to judge people, or was simply too good at talking.

But no matter what, how could any young man who hadn't yet entered officialdom stand in front of you and chat with you like an older brother, carrying a wine pot?
So not only Lu Beigu, but everyone else, in the midst of their drinking and revelry, felt that this unpretentious young scholar Song was incredibly kind and approachable.

"Tonight's banquet is filled with mostly boring people, except for you young people, who are genuinely interesting."

Song Qi poured himself a glass of wine, gestured to them, and downed it in one gulp. The others quickly poured themselves their own drinks and drank as well.

“You are all candidates who have traveled thousands of miles from home to take the provincial examinations of the Ministry of Rites in the capital. I also went through the same process when I was young, so I understand your hardships.”

"Wang Bo wrote in his Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng, 'We meet by chance, and are all strangers in a foreign land.' Now, we meet by chance, which is fate. Come, let's have another drink."

After drinking another cup, Wang Shao, who had the lowest alcohol tolerance, started to turn red in the face.

Song Qi held up an empty wine glass, but was still in the midst of a lively conversation.

"There is something you may have heard about. In the second year of the Tiansheng era, when I took the provincial examination of the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Rites originally planned that I would be the top scholar in the provincial examination and my elder brother Song Xiang would be the third. However, Empress Zhangxian felt that there was no reason for the younger brother to be ranked ahead of the elder brother, so she made my elder brother Song Xiang the top scholar in the provincial examination and then the top scholar in the palace examination. He became the most recent person in the Song Dynasty to date to achieve the triple crown. In fact, the top scholar and the top scholar should have been me."

The reason why the story told by Song Qi mentions "Empress Zhangxian deciding the ranking of the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations)" is because the situation in the Song Dynasty at that time was quite special. When Emperor Renzong ascended the throne, he was young and the country was in turmoil. Therefore, Empress Zhangxian, Liu E, ruled from behind the curtain, and the ranking of the Jinshi was determined by her.

"Don't laugh at me." Song Qi took another sip of his drink, then burst into laughter. "After the palace examination, I ignored my brother for months. I was so angry! I felt I deserved to be the top scholar, why did I lose it just because I was born later? By the way, do any of you have older brothers?"

Several people answered in turn.

After hearing their mixed answers, Song Qi drank another cup, his expression somewhat melancholy.

"But looking back now, I realize that I was young and impetuous back then, only concerned with fame and fortune, and I didn't understand the principle that 'life is short, and it is only by spending time with family and friends that we can live a fulfilling life.' I hope you can understand this principle."

The moon was already high in the sky.

Although the autumn moon has passed its full phase, it remains oval, making it lovely to behold.

Song Qi skillfully poured wine, raised his cup, and, facing the bright moon outside the hall and the fresh flowers inside, recited a poem, "Lang Tao Sha Jin".

"The youth are carefree, time flies like an arrow, and before they know it, the years have passed."

Now, I cherish the full moon, the blooming flowers, and the overflowing wine.

He then downed the wine in his cup, looked toward the Yangtze River, and recited the second half of the poem.

"A small boat longs to be unloaded from the willow-lined bank, where we still share a joyous feast, but as the sun sets and the songs fade, we will soon disperse."

Leaning on the orchid-covered oar, I gaze at the distant waters, the distant sky, and the distant people.

After the poem was recited, the whole hall erupted in applause.

As Lu Beigu clapped his hands, he thought to himself, "It is truly the scene that evokes emotion, which is how good the words come to be."

Lu Beigu remembered this poem, "Lang Tao Sha Jin," very clearly. Historically, it was written by Song Qi, but it was far less famous than his masterpiece "Yu Lou Chun," and even among Song lyrics, it was not considered a particularly outstanding work.

But at this moment, in this situation, this is the best work.

Lu Beigu was even certain that even if he actually copied those timeless masterpieces from Song Dynasty poetry, even the eternally famous "Prelude to Water Melody: When Will the Moon Be Bright?", and recited it under these circumstances, it would be good, but it just wouldn't feel right.

—How could a seventeen-year-old boy like you have such profound insights into life as "There should be no resentment, yet the moon always seems fullest when we are apart?" How many partings, even life-and-death separations, must one have experienced to write such lines?

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that this is someone using other people's poems to promote their own literary reputation, which is utterly ridiculous.

"The essence of poetry lies in genuine feelings. Young people, at tonight's banquet in Jiangling, don't you want to compose a poem?"

A tipsy Song Qi looked at them with a smile and said, "If your writing pleases me, there will be a reward. I know what you want most."

(End of this chapter)