I'm coming clean: I'm the reincarnation of the God of Literature.

The elegant gathering at Wangjiang Tower has ended, but the excitement in Qinghe County is just beginning.

"Be the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures!"

These fourteen characters, as if they had grown wings, flew throughout the streets and alleys of the county town overnight.

In the teahouse, the storyteller, spittle flying from his lips, was no longer recounting "The Prodigy Battles the Heroes," but rather a fragmented sequel to the novel by Emperor Wenzong.

He slammed his gavel down with a thunderous roar, his voice nearly hoarse from shouting: "Ladies and gentlemen, with a single stroke of his pen, Mr. Gu completed Wang Shengyan's incomplete work! Zhou Wenbin's face turned green on the spot! Isn't that amazing?"

The tea drinkers below cheered in unison, and some were so excited that they spilled tea all over themselves.

In the tavern, a half-drunk scholar slammed his fist on the table, swaying his head as he recited this new motto.

An old scholar, thoroughly drunk, clutched his wine jar and wept, "I've studied for thirty years, and only today do I understand what 'vision' truly means!"

Those around him advised him to drink less, but he pushed them away, saying, "Don't stop me! I'm going to get drunk today! I've never heard of anything like 'establishing a heart for heaven and earth, and establishing a destiny for the people' in my fifty years of life!"

Even the vegetable vendors in the East Market would say when haggling, "Oh dear, I'm just running a small business, I have to worry about the world's troubles before me, don't I? Please don't haggle over a few coins!"

The woman buying groceries laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight: "Auntie, you're using it incorrectly."

"Who says I'm wrong? I'm selling these vegetables at rock-bottom prices because I care about the people, isn't that?" the auntie argued vehemently.

The intellectuals throughout Qinghe County have all experienced a complete transformation in their mental outlook.

In the past, when we met, it was with "Brother, do you have any good works to share today?" Now, I bow with hands clasped and a solemn expression: "Brother, are you enjoying yourself?"

I understand everything I understand.

At the entrance of the county school, several scholars were having a heated discussion.

"I think the essence lies in the saying, 'Not elated by external gains, nor saddened by personal losses!'"

"Bullshit! The most brilliant saying is clearly 'Those who hold high office should be concerned about the people'!"

"You're all wrong; the key is the overall structure of the piece!"

The group argued heatedly, and finally decided to go to Hanmozhai together to buy a piece of Gu Ci's calligraphy to study and contemplate every day.

As for Zhou Wenbin and his group of talented men from the prefectural city, they had already slunk away.

Some people saw that they had hired a carriage overnight, and when they left, they didn't even dare to lift their heads, for fear of being recognized.

A mischievous scholar even made up a joke: "When Scholar Zhou arrived, he was so imposing, in groups of three or five, pointing out the flaws in the country. But when he left? In the dead of night, he sneaked around, not even daring to say hello. Alas, he's lost face all the way to the provincial capital!"

This caused a burst of laughter from the entire room.

The people of Qinghe County feel that the sky has been bluer than usual these past few days.

Even the county magistrate, Wang Chengen, felt proud.

This was a child prodigy produced under his tutelage; it would be a celebrated story if word got out.

……

Early the next morning, a guest arrived at the Gu family's newly renovated blue-tiled house.

Gu Mingzhe was holding a new broom, sweeping the newly paved blue bricks in the yard with a leisurely swishing motion, feeling quite pleased with himself.

Life is getting better and better.

Although the courtyard is not large, it is paved with blue bricks and the tiles have been replaced. It is much better than the old dilapidated thatched hut.

As he swept, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile.

"Thump, thump, thump."

The knocking was neither too loud nor too soft, demonstrating impeccable manners.

"Who is it?" Gu Mingzhe put down the broom, walked over and opened the courtyard gate.

A young man, around twenty years old, stood outside the door. He was dressed in a moon-white long robe, with a handsome face and an extraordinary demeanor.

A servant followed behind him, carrying a large brocade box.

Gu Mingzhe's heart skipped a beat when he saw this impressive figure. Who was this important person from?

He was somewhat at a loss and subconsciously wiped his hands on his coarse cloth clothes.

The young man spoke first, a gentle smile on his face, and bowed deeply to Gu Mingzhe.

"I am Li Mubai, a junior scholar, and I have come from the provincial capital. I apologize for the intrusion. May I ask if this is the residence of Mr. Gu?"

He adopted a very humble posture, without the arrogance often seen in scholars from the provincial capital.

Gu Mingzhe was stunned.

Are you from the provincial capital? And you're being so polite to me?

He quickly stepped aside to make way, saying, "Yes, yes, I am his father. Please come in, young master!"

He was even stuttering a little when he spoke.

Li Mubai smiled and nodded, signaling the servant to put the gifts down, and then followed Gu Mingzhe into the courtyard.

Hearing the commotion, Lin came out of the kitchen. Upon seeing such a person, she, like Gu Mingzhe, was so nervous that she didn't know where to put her hands.

She quickly took off her apron and hid it behind her back.

"Uncle, Aunt, please don't be so formal."

Li Mubai cupped his hands in greeting again, "I have come here specifically to seek guidance from Mr. Gu."

consult?

Gu Mingzhe and Lin Shi exchanged a glance, both seeing pride on each other's faces.

Even their own children have been visited by wealthy young men from the provincial capital seeking their advice?

Lin was so excited she could barely speak: "This, this is too much... Young master, you're too kind..."

"Father, Mother, have we had guests?"

Gu Ci came out of the house.

When Li Mubai saw Gu Ci, his gentle smile deepened.

He did not show the slightest contempt for Gu Ci because of his young age; on the contrary, he bowed solemnly once again.

"Brother Gu, since we parted at Wangjiang Tower yesterday, I have been deeply impressed by your talent and could not sleep last night. So I have come to pay my respects today."

His address of "brother" immediately elevated the relationship from "young master" to that of equals.

Gu Mingzhe's heart skipped a beat when he heard this, and his mouth almost stretched to his ears in a wide grin.

He couldn't help but think to himself: My son has made something of himself, my son has really made something of himself!

Gu Ci glanced at the other person.

This person was indeed present at yesterday's gathering, but remained silent throughout, neither provoking like Zhou Wenbin nor joining in the commotion.

To remain silent in such a situation requires either a lack of ability or a truly broad perspective.

The person in front of us is clearly the latter.

"Brother Li, you're too kind. Please come inside and have a seat."

Gu Ci invited Li Mubai into the main hall.

The newly replaced eight-immortal table was polished to a shine.

Gu Ang, with great foresight, served freshly brewed tea, and even used a newly purchased blue and white porcelain teacup.

After Li Mubai took his seat, he got straight to the point, stood up, and bowed to Gu Ci again.

"My dear brother, the first thing I've done today is to apologize for the rudeness of Zhou Wenbin and the others yesterday."

He looked ashamed.

"They are trapped by the empty fame of the prefectural city, like frogs in a well, ignorant of their own limitations. Their words and actions are laughable to you, my worthy brother. Although they are in the wrong, I, Mu Bai, feel ashamed to be seated with them."

These words were spoken with great frankness.

You can't hit someone who's smiling, especially one who's being so humble.

Gu Ci waved his hand: "Brother Li, you flatter me. You can't talk about ice with a summer insect, nor can you talk about the sea with a frog in a well. I didn't take it to heart."

Upon hearing this, Li Mubai's eyes flashed with a strange light, followed by a wry smile.

"You can't talk about ice with a summer insect, nor can you talk about the sea with a frog in a well... A word from you, my virtuous brother, is worth more than the books of sages."