Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 359 Xu Guangqi finally appeared! Zhang Yunxiu, you can write poetry too?
"The incense has burned out, and the two quarters of an hour have passed!"

"All students, please stop writing!"

"We humbly await Your Majesty's inspection and evaluation!"

As the eunuchs chanted, the gongs and drums above the city gates of the Ming Dynasty resounded.

Half an hour is neither too long nor too short. Earlier, the officials from the Ministry of Rites had added to the rules for today's poetry gathering, all of which were based on the "seven-character quatrain" format. With the format fixed, the difficulty was naturally increased.

A seven-character quatrain, with only twenty-eight characters, requires mastering the rules of tone, rhyme, and meter, while also fulfilling the theme and expressing the grand occasion of today's Lantern Festival and the arrival of envoys from all nations—a truly challenging task.

However, those who made it into the top three today are all extraordinary individuals; six or seven out of ten are Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations).

The Xuan paper on everyone's table was taken away, in preparation for being examined by Emperor Wanli.

As the ten bells and drums rang out above the city gate of the Ming Dynasty, everyone's eyes were once again drawn to the city tower.

The common people couldn't see what was happening on the city gate, but they could vaguely see some figures. They stared intently at it without stopping, as if they wanted to absorb some of the scholarly atmosphere.

From the restaurant closest to the city gate tower, Zhu Yiliu looked up at the tower and muttered curses.

"If I had that telescope, why would I be so anxious here? My brother is quite biased; he gave the telescope to Yongning but not to me."

That telescope is a national treasure, which I, the king, cannot possess. How is it that Yongning, a mere woman, is able to have it?
"My elder brother truly favors Yongning!"

Shen Li, standing to the side, had an uncertain expression, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Zhu Yiliu noticed the change and spoke up.

"Mr. Shen, please feel free to speak your mind."

Shen Li then lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness, that telescope is incredibly powerful; only those who have His Majesty's deep trust can obtain it."

"I am His Majesty's own younger brother!"

"It is precisely because Your Highness is His Majesty's younger brother that it is not available."

Shen Li lowered her head even further, as if afraid that Zhu Yiliu would see her expression.

Zhu Yiliu was stunned for a moment, his whole body seemed to freeze and he couldn't move, then he mechanically turned his head and said.

"It's nothing. If I wanted to, I could make those things myself."

Shen Li took it as an angry remark and changed the subject.

"Today, the prince seems to have given you no instructions."

In the past, Zhu Yiliu would give repeated instructions for all his actions, but today, when Yu Shenxing went to attend this poetry gathering, he did not receive any instructions.

Zhu Yiliu looked out the window with his hands behind his back: "If Yu Keyuan can become the top scholar, it will be a great relief for me, and he will have made a contribution."

"Even if he fails to achieve the top scholar title and that Japanese woman wins it, it will still disgrace Zhang Shiyuan. Either way, we'll both benefit. Do you need any instructions?"

Shen Li nodded slightly and said, "What Your Highness says is absolutely right."

But then he narrowed his eyes. The Prince of Lu had changed quite a bit in recent days, but his arrogance remained unchanged.

Today, not only Hosokawa Iya is on the list, but Zhang Yunxiu is also prominently featured. Does this mean that Zhu Yiliu tacitly agrees that the other party cannot write any good poems?
In Shen Li's view, although the other party did not have a reputation for poetic talent, he was meticulous in his actions and would certainly not falter at such a moment.

If he had no powerful backing, how could he dare to get involved?
"That brat Zhang Shiyuan! If he can't live up to expectations, I'll go to Xishan and smash his signboard! What kind of master of the new school is he? If he can't even kill Hosokawa Iya, what kind of master is he?"

Li Zhi disguised himself and hid in a tavern, cursing and swearing.

He wasn't deliberately trying to hide his identity, but if he didn't disguise himself, he would be arrested by the Imperial Guards and the Eastern Depot patrolling the city. In their eyes, Li Zhi had become an extremely unstable "dangerous element".

His apprentice, Yuan Wenwei, sat to the side, his eyes filled with desolation.

I thought I had gotten a great deal by becoming Li Zhi's disciple, but now I realize that I must have owed this old man something in my past life to be suffering this torment.

Yuan Wenwei shook his empty satchel and sighed again.

"Sir, you should think about our future, shouldn't you? You've emptied your coffers just to get Zhang Shiyuan to come up on stage and compose a poem?"

“You don’t understand.” Li Zhi took a swig of yellow wine. “A fortune can be spent and then come back. It would be a great mistake to let that Japanese woman win.”

"What is your relationship with him, sir?" Yuan Wenwei sighed repeatedly. "He even sold off his family's ancestral property in the capital."

Li Zhi, however, seemed completely unconcerned: "It's just a few houses. Are we, master and disciple, going hungry in the Western Hills? I'm just going to stay here from now on!"

Yuan Wenwei was speechless with emotion.

Zhu Yinghuai looked at his older brother with a suspicious look in his eyes and said, "Brother, who are you voting for this time?"

Zhu Yingzhen, looking travel-worn, stiffened for a moment, then whistled and spoke in a deliberately leisurely manner.

"What are you saying? I am not the kind of person who is addicted to gambling. If I say I will quit, then I mean I will quit."

Zhu Yinghuai narrowed his eyes: "So you've managed to submit to my master this time?"

Zhu Yingzhen's face stiffened again. He knew that he couldn't hide it any longer, so he rubbed his nose and chuckled.

“I don’t know about the others, but I have some confidence in Zhang Shiyuan. This kid has never lost a fight before. This time, I’ve bet five thousand taels of silver, and I’m determined to make a huge profit and get back everything I’ve lost!”

Zhu Yinghuai sighed, already at his wit's end with his elder brother.

"This is cheating! The Ming people are shameless! They have no morals whatsoever!"

Hosokawa Yusai was hysterical again in the private room.

He never expected that Zhang Yunxiu would also participate. Logically speaking, Zhang Shiyuan should have avoided suspicion regarding the Lantern Festival held in Xishan.

Even in the imperial examinations, if the chief examiner had relatives involved, it was only right that they should avoid suspicion.

But Zhang Shiyuan shamelessly got involved!

An aide smiled and advised, "Sir, Zhang Shiyuan has never had any poetic talent, so there's no need to worry."

Besides, even if he wins, is it something to be proud of for a man to defeat a woman?

In my opinion, Miss is certain to win.

Hosokawa Yusai calmed himself down, turned his gaze to the window, and looked out into the distance.

"It's up to you now."

Yu Shenxing approached the Wanli Emperor again, quite excited. He dared not look at the emperor, but still couldn't help but speak.

"Your humble servant Yu Keyuan dares to pay his respects to Your Majesty!"

Emperor Wanli raised his eyes slightly and realized that the name Yu Shenxing sounded familiar, but he no longer recognized the man's appearance. He then gestured with his hand and said...

"Today is the Lantern Festival, so don't say anything discouraging. Since you've come to see me here, you've done nothing wrong. Just focus on writing your poem."

Yu Shenxing wanted to say something more, but when he glanced at Zhang Juzheng in the corner, he suddenly shivered.

Back then, wasn't it precisely because he offended Zhang Juzheng that he had no choice but to feign illness and return to his hometown?
Now that I've come to the capital again, if I don't show some real talent and learning, am I going to repeat the same mistakes?
If he could win the title of top scholar, Yu Shenxing would not only become famous throughout the world, but he would also receive a promise from Emperor Wanli. At that time, if he could keep it in the emperor's mind, it would not be so easy for Zhang Juzheng to take action against him!

Thinking of this, he even forgot about Prince Lu, Zhu Yiliu, and slowly paced down the steps, saying each word carefully.

"The street drums have just ceased, the night is gentle, and a thousand lanterns illuminate the imperial city!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Wanli slightly raised his eyes, showing some interest. The previous five "Jinshi" all had official titles, and it was unclear how they had entered the Ming Dynasty city gates by solving riddles. They seemed to have studied the Four Books and Five Classics extensively, but they did not show any talent in poetry. Their poems were all sturdy and predictable, with no obvious mistakes.

I suppose today is the day I come up to see the Emperor. Just being able to meet the Emperor is worth a thousand pieces of gold, isn't it?
Compared to other people's poems, Yu Shenxing's first two lines are quite inspired.

Yu Youding, the Minister of Rites, glanced at the other party and couldn't help but feel a little appreciative.

Yu Shenxing was quite talented, but unfortunately he was too ambitious and liked to show off. If he had known how to keep a low profile, he could have achieved great things.

However, he offended Zhang Juzheng, and he would only have a chance to rise in the court if Zhang Juzheng were to be out of office for even a day.

However, now that Zhang Yunxiu is here, all fantasies have vanished.

Yu Shenxing's voice trembled slightly. He stared at the heel of the Wanli Emperor's dragon throne, bowed slightly, and continued to say the second half of the sentence.

"Who pities this traveler in Chang'an tonight, leaning alone on the railing, gazing at the Dipper and the Ox?"

As the sound faded, silence fell upon the city tower.

"it is good!"

Emperor Wanli clapped his hands and laughed.

"Yu Keyuan, your poetry is quite good. I remember now, you were a Jinshi in the second year of the Longqing reign, and you were a lecturer before, weren't you?"

Yu Shenxing's eyes reddened instantly. He hurriedly knelt down and said in a trembling voice, "Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty! It is indeed I, Yu Shenxing!"

Emperor Wanli nodded slightly and said, "I never imagined that our Ming Dynasty could find talented people without testing their poetry and prose. I will remember you, Yu Keyuan."

If the Wanli Emperor remembers this, then he has already won a great victory today.

Once back in the queue, the other scholars couldn't help but cast envious glances at Shen Xing.

They all knew in their hearts that the last two lines were precisely an expression of the feeling of "being talented but not appreciated".
Which of the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) here today is not a person whose talents are not recognized? They have either resigned from their posts for various reasons, or they are still waiting in the capital for assignment by the Ministry of Personnel.

But it was a matter of timing and fate; only Yu Shenxing was able to gain the emperor's favor.

In fact, the mediocrity of others only highlights his brilliance.

"Not bad!"

Emperor Wanli roused himself; the poems of the first few successful candidates had almost shattered his confidence.

Today's poetry gathering is indeed just for fun. It's not a big deal if the Japanese woman wins, but if the Japanese woman overwhelms all the other contestants and the gap is too big, the emperor will really lose face.

He couldn't help but glance at Zhang Yunxiu, who seemed to be falling asleep and didn't seem to care at all, which made him a little annoyed.

Zhang Yunxiu is a dog-like creature; I will deliberately relegate you to the back of the table.

So, Emperor Wanli turned his gaze to the next person and spoke.

"Xu Zixian?"

The man immediately stepped forward, bowed respectfully to the Wanli Emperor, and said...

"This humble subject, Xu Guangqi, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

The Wanli Emperor showed no interest in this person and nodded slightly.

"Then compose a poem."

Standing not far away, Zhang Yunxiu was jolted awake the moment he heard the words "commoner Xu Guangqi." He was instantly wide awake and his gaze toward the other man's back grew even more intense.

Good guy!
So it was Xu Guangqi!
Judging by his age, he is exactly the same age as Xu Guangqi in history!
Most importantly, not only are their names almost identical, but their trade names are also almost exactly the same!
When Zhang Yunxiu first saw the list, he thought it was just a case of people with the same name, but now it seems that there is no mistake.

No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to find anything, and it won't take any effort at all!
He had asked people to search for Xu Guangqi all over Songjiang Prefecture, but they just couldn't find him. Unexpectedly, the other party delivered himself to his door.

"Very well, you may step aside for now."

The Wanli Emperor leaned back on his dragon throne and said it was good, but in reality, he was dissatisfied.

Xu Guangqi's poem is far inferior to Yu Shenxing's.

Emperor Wanli didn't take it seriously, but Zhang Yunxiu's eyes couldn't leave the other person, lingering on him.

Xu Guangqi was a very important figure, serving as Minister of Rites and Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion during the Chongzhen reign.

He had no achievements in poetry and prose, but he was highly accomplished in fields such as astronomy, calendar systems, mathematics, and water conservancy.

With works like "Complete Treatise on Agricultural Administration" and "Essentials of Fire Attack," it can be said that without Zhang Yunxiu, Xu Guangqi would have been the foremost scholar of miscellaneous learning in the Ming Dynasty.

He even wrote "A Treatise on Sweet Potatoes" to promote them. If the Ming Dynasty wanted to develop science, it would certainly not have been possible without him.

I wonder where Matteo Ricci is now? If he were in the Ming Dynasty, he would surely be captured and thrown into the Western Hills to serve as their beasts of burden!

Just as Zhang Yunxiu was plotting how to legitimately kidnap Xu Guangqi after the lantern festival and have him help him grow sweet potatoes, the Wanli Emperor's voice rang out.

"Shiyuan, it's your turn. I'm giving you special treatment by letting you take a backseat. But if you don't write a good poem, I will punish you."

Everyone else would have been terrified to hear this, but Zhang Yunxiu was different; he was already used to it.

He then stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, please rest assured that although I have no official rank and rarely read poetry, I still have some inspiration during this Lantern Festival.”

"Oh?"

Emperor Wanli raised his eyebrows and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Shiyuan actually has some inspiration?"

Emperor Wanli certainly acknowledged Zhang Yunxiu's expertise in miscellaneous studies, but he had never seen him excel in poetry.

He assumed in his heart that Zhang Yunxiu was completely ignorant of poetry.

Could it be that they're just using the work of the students to fool us?
At this moment, everyone's eyes were on Zhang Yunxiu.

Zhang Juzheng, in particular, kept his eyes glued to Zhang Yunxiu and leaned slightly forward, as if afraid that Zhang Yunxiu would compose another line of poetry like "When will the azure dragon be bound?" so that he could immediately step forward to help him out.

In Zhang Juzheng's view, his father was truly worried sick.

Liu Wan'er looked at Zhang Yunxiu with a strange expression. She had just observed him and found that his gaze had been lingering on Xu Guangqi, which made her feel a little disgusted.

Could it be that Zhang Yunxiu has fallen for a man?

Hosokawa Iya's eyes were very gentle; she stared intently at Zhang Yunxiu's back, unwilling to look away for even a moment.

It was at this very moment that Zhang Yunxiu finally spoke slowly.

"Butterflies and bees flutter among the flowers in their joyful reverie, while fine horses and luxurious carriages linger through the long night!"

His voice was clear and loud, and almost everyone on the empty city tower could hear it.

These two sentences instantly made all the officials present sit up straight, and even Zhang Juzheng's pupils contracted.

The words "bees and butterflies" are so apt, instantly bringing the bustling city to life on the page.

The first two sentences already far surpass everyone else's!

Most importantly, these words came from Zhang Yunxiu's mouth!

(End of this chapter)