Snow: The Crown Prince of Chu, forced into marriage by the Minister of the Southern Palace with his

"Today's topic is very simple: Autumn!"

"Metaphors, metaphors, expressions of feelings, and aspirations are all acceptable; there are no further requirements beyond the first time."

As soon as he finished speaking, students came out of the door.

The writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones were moved to both sides, creating more than a dozen large tables.

There were too many students attending the entrance ceremony, and it was impossible to ask each of them to compose a poem on the spot.

After setting a time for submitting the manuscript, Wang Jijiu turned and left.

The gates of Shangyin Academy closed once again.

But the students outside all frowned.

秋！

The question was so simple, and there were no requirements whatsoever.

That's precisely why it's so difficult!

If today's topic were limited to metaphors, many people could still offer some insightful comments.

This would also allow him to flatter Zhang Julu.

It was open to all genres, but it completely disrupted everyone's train of thought.

Who among those present wasn't well-read and knowledgeable?

But precisely because of this, they hesitated to put pen to paper.

They were afraid that their ideas were insufficient and that they would fall behind others.

But they were also afraid of missing the opportunity.

If I miss this opportunity, I'm afraid I'll have to wait another year to enter the Shangyin Academy.

The Shangyin Academy did not accept everyone without question.

There are only about a hundred places available each year.

While everyone was troubled, one person stepped forward, quickly wrote down what he had written, folded it, and handed it to the students of Shangyin Academy.

Seeing that someone had already made a move, the others became increasingly anxious.

Jiang Xuan watched this scene, but his expression remained unchanged.

If Zhao Huangchao could be a plagiarist, what's wrong with me being one myself?

Poems about autumn are something anyone can write, right?

Jiang Xuan, too, already had his own ideas.

He stepped forward, walked to a table, and asked the student beside him for pen and ink.

Then lay the paper flat.

Then, the brushstrokes became fluid and dynamic!

A poem has fallen!

When autumn comes on the eighth day of the ninth month...

After my flowers bloom, a hundred flowers will be killed.

The fragrance of incense fills the air in Lin'an.

The whole city is adorned with golden armor.

The pen falls.

Jiang Xuan signed his name, folded it up, and handed it to the Shangyin student waiting beside him.

I wonder if this poem will allow me to enter the Shangyin Academy?

Chapter Six: A Huge Upheaval, Traitors! Traitors!

As sheets of Xuan paper were collected into the Shangyin Academy, the faces of the many students outside the gate all showed anxiety.

After all, will one live a mediocre life and die, or will one leap over the dragon gate and soar to great heights?

Everything hinges on this!

Even the "prodigies" who had initially spoken confidently and eloquently with everyone fell silent, their expressions revealing solemnity.

At this moment, only Jiang Xuan remained calm, looking at the pond outside the academy and gazing at the surrounding scenery.

Compared to the panicked state of others, Jiang Xuan was naturally without the slightest worry.

Because he was completely confident in the poems he had written.

...........................

Inside the Shangyin Academy, the Grand Master Wang and the others examined the Xuan paper in their hands one by one.

The only sound in the room was the rustling of things being looked through. Some people nodded slightly, some smiled, and others frowned and shook their heads.

"This person's writing is alright, but... it's not enough."

At this moment, someone suddenly spoke up, and after someone spoke, a lively discussion ensued.

"This one in my hand is really no good. It's unbelievable. I can't believe a student could have written this."

"Hmph, too many people are trying to squeeze into the Shangyin Academy, including many scions of aristocratic families."

"With such limited talent, you think you can enter the Imperial Academy? Some people are truly delusional!"

"The few I've looked at are all eligible for admission, but... that's about it."

"Hiss, are we sure we won't have a single good prospect this year? No way!"

Zhang Julu, the chief minister of the Liyang Dynasty, secretly shook his head, thinking to himself.

If geniuses appeared every year, their Liyang Dynasty would have unified the world long ago.

However, although these priests of Shangyin Academy think poetry is not good, it doesn't mean that other subjects are not good.

For example, there were several people who were very much to his liking in terms of strategy, and they did end up working under him.

This visit was just a routine inspection. If there are any promising talents, we'll keep them; if not... we'll train a few obedient ones.

After all, competition in the imperial court always requires a trump card.

Even if it's the smallest card, you still need to have it, right?

Just as Zhang Julu was lost in thought, Wang Jijiu's hand suddenly paused.

He suddenly stood up from his seat and slammed his hand on the table.

"The whole city is clad in golden armor! The whole city is clad in golden armor! This is rebellion! This is rebellion!"

As soon as Wang Jijiu said this, everyone present looked over, their eyes filled with doubt.

After all, Wang Jijiu was one of the three Jijiu in Shangyin Academy, and the one most likely to become the Grand Jijiu.

This person is of the highest caliber in terms of knowledge, character, temperament, and disposition.

What kind of poetry could make someone like this angry?

"Master Wang, what kind of poem has angered you so much?"

Without saying anything, Wang Jijiu simply tossed the Xuan paper in his hand to the other party.

At the same time, he plopped down in a huff, his eyes bulging, and began drinking his tea.

At this moment, Zhang Julu was also a little curious. The Wang Jijiu he knew was not this kind of person, so he spoke up directly.

"Read!"

Hmm... The man nodded slightly. He glanced at it briefly, and then a subtle expression appeared on his face.

But because of Zhang Julu's words, he still read out the poem written by Jiang Xuan in its entirety.

A silence.

After all, no one present could have imagined that a student who came to Shangyin Academy would dare to write such a poem.

Is this like saying you're going to rebel in front of the government?

At that moment, everyone had only two thoughts: one was that the person who wrote the poem was absolutely crazy!

Secondly, this person is a genius!

After all, there's nothing wrong with this poem in terms of tone and rhyme.

Moreover, autumn does indeed fit the theme.

However, this poem is ostensibly about chrysanthemums.

But what about the facts?

It contains a hidden danger.

Especially the last two lines, "The fragrance of incense fills Chang'an, and the whole city is adorned with golden armor."

The Chang'an mentioned here is clearly an allusion to "Tai'an".

The city adorned with golden armor is a blatant act of rebellion.

"Is the person who wrote the poem still around? We absolutely cannot let him get away! Catch him! He's definitely a traitor!"

"Yes! We must interrogate him. September 8th? Was he planning to attack Tai'an City on September 8th?!"

"This is a possibility, and we must be on guard!"

"Is it possible that this poem is merely a reflection of the emotions of litigation, after all, there is widespread discontent throughout the Li Yang Dynasty?"

"Especially in the Northern Liang and Northern Mang regions, beset by internal and external troubles, the people are suffering terribly!"

"I think this is just a warning poem, its purpose is to tell us that there is such a group of people in the Li Yang Dynasty."

I saw the people of Shangyin Academy arguing over a poem.

Zhang Julu stood up at this moment and reached out to take the Xuan paper.

Looking at the few lines of writing on it, his first impression was that the calligraphy was elegant and beautiful.