The Empress remarried, and I retaliated by wiping out the court.

Upon hearing this, Su Wensheng's eyes lit up with smugness: "Of course! Listen carefully—"

He shook his folding fan and looked up into the distance.

Outside the Imperial College, a small river flows slowly, its waters reflecting the sky.

Su Wensheng pondered for a moment, then said loudly:

"The river flows eastward, day and night are long, a lone boat drifts into the vastness. If one day the wind rises, the boat will soar straight to the highest heavens."

A chorus of praises erupted from all around.

"As expected of Young Master Su!"

"What a beautiful poem! What a beautiful poem!"

"With its expansive imagery and extraordinary grandeur, this truly embodies the spirit of a talented scholar!"

"Isn't that right? Some people, though they are emperors, are unfortunately illiterate and probably can't even compose a complete poem."

A hint of appreciation appeared in Liang Mei's eyes.

really.

His beloved was exceptionally talented, far surpassing that incompetent emperor Ye Wudao!

Even Cai Wenyuan, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, couldn't help but sigh softly.

Su Wensheng is indeed talented. He can compose poems on the theme of river water. Even he has to admit that the other party is extremely talented.

The crowd looked at Su Wensheng with even greater reverence.

The look in her eyes as she looked at Ye Wudao held a hint of mockery.

"Young Master Su studied diligently for ten years, reading extensively from the classics, before achieving his current reputation for talent."

Liang Mei looked at Ye Wudao triumphantly:

"Your Majesty, it's your turn. If Your Majesty truly cannot perform, then concede defeat... Losing to Young Master Su is not shameful!"

"Yeah?"

Ye Wudao sneered, "A piece of garbage, and you're all praising it like this! You're like a wild boar that can't stomach fine food!"

"you!"

Liang Mei's face flushed with anger: "You actually called us wild boars? If you're so capable, write a poem better than Wen Sheng's!"

"Then listen up!"

Ye Wudao picked up the wine glass on the table and drank it all in one gulp.

Then, amidst everyone's puzzled gazes, he spoke loudly:

"Have you not seen the Yellow River's waters come from the sky, rushing to the sea never to return!"

boom!

In an instant.

The entire Imperial College was completely silent!

Everyone's expression froze instantly!

Such a magnificent momentum is simply incomparable to Su Wensheng's lone boat!

Cai Wenyuan, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, stared intently at Ye Wudao, his breathing becoming rapid without him even realizing it.

"Have you not seen the sorrow reflected in the bright mirror of the high hall, where white hair grieves, once black as silk in the morning, now turned to snow by evening!"

One moment it was the mighty Yellow River, full of magnificent power.

The next moment, however, the force of the universe suddenly shifted to a single person.

a mirror.

A head of white hair.

An old man.

The word "sorrow" is the most prominent.

It vividly portrays the sorrow of growing old!

Someone gasped in shock.

In the morning, your hair is black; by evening, it's white. In just one day, it feels like decades have passed!

What an exaggerated imagination!

Yet it feels incredibly real!

Ye Wudao's voice continued:

"Enjoy life to the fullest when you're successful; don't let your golden goblet stand empty before the moon!"

"Everyone has their own unique talents, and even if I spend all my money, it will come back again!"

One sentence after another.

Everyone felt as if a mighty river was rushing towards them from the sky!

That kind of boldness!

That kind of wildness!

That domineering aura instantly overwhelmed everyone!

Su Wensheng's confident smile froze.

Liang Mei's mouth dropped open, as if she had been struck by lightning.

In just the first few sentences, he was miles ahead of Su Wensheng!

Ye Wudao seemed completely oblivious to everyone's expressions, continuing to drink and sing.

"Let's drink, don't stop!"

"I'll sing you a song; please lend me your ear!"

Ye Wudao's voice grew louder and louder.

In the end, it seemed that only that extremely bold voice remained in the entire Imperial College.

"Sages and worthies of the past are all forgotten, only drinkers have left their mark!"

"..."

"Call the boy to bring out some fine wine, so we can drink away our eternal sorrows together..."

As the last sentence fell, silence descended upon the world.

The entire Imperial College was completely silent.

Everyone seemed frozen in place, staring blankly at Ye Wudao.

next moment.

"boom--!"

The atmosphere instantly exploded, and everyone was utterly astonished!

"What a beautiful poem!"

"I have never seen such unrestrained poetry!"

One student was so excited that his face turned red, and he even slammed his hand on the table.

"Is this... really a poem that a human could write?"

"If this poem doesn't spread throughout the world, I'll be the first to object!"

Cai Wenyuan looked at Ye Wudao and said, "This old minister originally thought that although Your Majesty possessed the talents of an emperor, you might not have the talents of a scholar. But today I realize that this old minister was like a frog in a well, looking at the sky from the bottom of a well!"

He turned to the assembled students, his voice brimming with excitement: "Today's poetry contest—His Majesty wins! A resounding victory!"

Su Wensheng stood there blankly.

In my mind, only that phrase remains: "Together we dispel eternal sorrow."

An eternal sorrow.

What an eternal sorrow!

Compared to Ye Wudao, his poems are like a pile of dog shit compared to the bright moon and radiant sky!

Su Wensheng was so ashamed he wanted to disappear!

He had always thought his talent was unparalleled, but today Ye Wudao's poem shattered all his pride.

Ye Wudao looked at him with a smile and said calmly:

"Su Wensheng, do you still remember the bet?"

Su Wensheng's face turned pale. Of course he remembered!

The loser must be treated like a beast of burden!

Liang Mei suddenly stood up:

"Your Majesty! It's just a poetry contest; why be so aggressive?"

Ye Wudao's eyes suddenly turned cold: "I'm being aggressive? He proposed the bet himself, he chose the poem topic himself, and he admitted the stakes himself. Now that he's lost, does Emperor Liang still have the nerve to come out and plead for him?"

He looked at Su Wensheng, "What? Young Master Su, can't you handle losing?"

"No, Your Majesty..."

Liang Mei was about to speak when Su Wensheng suddenly spoke up:

"That's enough!"

Everyone looked at him.

Su Wensheng closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When he opened his eyes again, the pride in them had completely vanished.

"Liang Mei, there's no need to say anymore. I've lost, and I accept it wholeheartedly!"

He looked at Ye Wudao and said with a wry smile:

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I am willing to fulfill the bet. From now on, if Your Majesty gives any instructions, I will do my utmost."

Ye Wudao raised an eyebrow: "To be treated like a slave?"

Su Wensheng remained silent for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "I'll be your slave!"

The entire audience erupted in uproar!

Ye Wudao looked at Su Wensheng in front of him and nodded in satisfaction.

The chains are ready, binding Su Wensheng; Liang Mei can only become a puppet on strings.

He originally came to the Imperial Academy for the purpose of being appointed as an official, but after reading the poem "Bring in the Wine," things completely went beyond his expectations.

The way these people looked at him had changed from contempt to shock and admiration, which was exactly what he wanted.

Now that the old court officials have resigned, let's—establish a new court of our own!

Ye Wudao looked up at Cai Wenyuan: "Chancellor Cai!"

"Your old minister is here."

"Starting today, classes at the Imperial College will be temporarily suspended."

Cai Wenyuan was taken aback.

Ye Wudao said calmly, "I want you to re-examine all the students. Don't test them on the Four Books and Five Classics, but on what they can do. Who knows mathematics, who knows law, who knows agriculture, who knows water conservancy, who knows military affairs, register them all clearly for me."

Cai Wenyuan's expression gradually turned serious. "Your Majesty intends to..."

Ye Wudao gazed at the horizon and said calmly:

"I intend to establish a new dynasty!"