Chapter 64: The Writing on the Royal Brush Pavilion Shocks Like Thunder

  But Zhao Xing couldn't bear Yuan Shu's deliberate provocation, so he stood up straight and loudly recited a poem about summer:

  The green trees are dense and the summer days are long, the buildings and pavilions are reflected upside down in the pond.

  Crystal curtains gently swaying in the breeze, a courtyard filled with the fragrance of blooming roses.

  (Solemn declaration: The original text here quotes Gao Pian's "Summer Day in the Mountain Pavilion", and some people say that it is plagiarism by the author!)

  "General Zhao is indeed a master of literature, this poem has a lingering charm that seems to bring a refreshing breeze to one's face, what a great poem!" Guo Jia, who was following the group, tactfully praised Zhao Xing, nodding his head in approval.

  The old man on the stage was also satisfied with Zhao Xing's poem, and after whispering a few words to the other elderly men on the stage, he said loudly: "In the first round of poetry recitation, General Pingbei Zhao Xing's poem is one step higher in artistry, and it is considered the best! Next, let's start the second round, please ask each talented person to recite a poem about parting.

  The students under the stage heard this and again made a loud noise, each of them began to brew up their sorrowful feelings of parting, preparing to make a big show in this round.

  Before long, someone in the audience had composed a poem and sent it up to the high platform for the teachers' comments. The teacher on the platform selected some poems that were more relevant to the topic and recited them aloud, which received quite a few rounds of applause.

  Zhao Xing also responded with a few words from time to time, not wanting to make himself seem superior. Zhao Xing indeed thought so in his heart, what he recited was not his own poem after all, although they were all works of later generations, it's not like he would be discovered as a plagiarist, but he still had self-awareness, if we're talking about talent, he couldn't compare to those teachers and geniuses on the stage, reciting poems and making couplets was never his strong suit!

  Zhao Xing wanted to keep a low profile, but someone didn't want to let him off. Last time it was Yu She who squeezed him, this time it changed to another table. A tall and handsome young scholar with the demeanor of a noble's son stood up and said loudly: "Nanyang Yuan Shao requests General Zhao to add new works to convince everyone!"

  "Here I met Yuan Shao again, these two brothers really don't plan to let me go, so I'll give you some fierce stuff, otherwise every time I'm squeezed by you, when did I become afraid of you!" Zhao Xing was a bit annoyed, he wanted to keep a low profile and not provoke others, but others just wanted to provoke him.

  Zhao Xing stood up again, loudly saying: "Zhaoshi Zhao Xing is not talented, has a clumsy poem to recite to everyone, please correct it!", as soon as he finished speaking, a shocking farewell poem appeared in front of the four seats.

  "The city gate assists the three Qins, wind and smoke gaze at the five crossings. With you parting ways, we are both officials on a journey. Within the four seas, I remember those who know me, at the edge of the sky as if neighbors. Without worries on the crossroads, children share a handkerchief."

  "What a great poem!" The teachers on the stage, including Zhang Jiong, were all shocked by this poem and stood up one after another. Zhang Jiong even made a profound comment: "The whole poem is well-structured, with a smooth flow of words, and a broad and profound meaning. It washes away the sorrowful and melancholic mood, revealing a lofty and broad-minded spirit." Especially the lines "With friends in the world, though far apart, we are as close as neighbors", can be considered as an eternal famous quote! General Zhao is indeed a hero with both literary and military talents!"

  The scene of the poetry meeting was very lively, and a courtyard not far from the poetry meeting was even more lively. "Xinyi, that Wufu from Shangdang has written a new work again!" A woman in a gentlewoman's attire rushed into the courtyard, holding in her hand the farewell poem that had just been transcribed from the front. (Zhang Xin, also known as Xinyi, was the daughter of Grand Scholar Zhang Jiong.)

  "Fengqin, you're talking nonsense again! Zhao Xing is not just any martial artist, he's a man of both literature and martial arts, with a heart full of beautiful embroidery!" The woman known as Xinyi was holding a piece of paper with a poem written on it, lost in thought as she leaned against the window, her beauty illuminated by the soft glow of the oil lamp, leaving behind an enchanting silhouette that sparked endless imagination.

  "Hmph, this is another poem by that martial artist, even Zhang University Scholar stood up and applauded. I don't know how that guy, so young, has so much money, and to make matters worse, he's still a pretty boy, the most infuriating thing is that he can even pretend to be a scholar!" said Feng Qi, a woman with a gloomy expression.

  "Hehe, why is Feng Yu so displeased with General Zhao?" Zhang Xin turned around, revealing a delicate face like a fairy in the moon. "What poem did General Zhao compose again?"

  "Take it, read it yourself!" Feng Qinyuan handed over the farewell poem written by Zhao Xing.

  Zhang Xin took it in his hand, and before he had time to examine it closely, his face changed color, with an expression of being reluctant to part with it. "What a wonderful poem! Which talented young man from Luoyang can rival this?" Zhang Xin couldn't help but softly praise.

  "Sister Zhang, you just enjoy it slowly, I'll go ahead and watch the excitement."

  Although Zhao Xing's farewell poem shocked the audience, it still didn't reach the shocking level of "Inviting Wine". The teachers at Taixue were still setting questions, and the students below were actively showcasing their talents. But Zhao Xing was not polite afterwards, as soon as the old man on stage set a question, he could compose a poem in an instant, that speed, it was simply frightening.

  The teachers on the platform had become numb, and they all turned a blind eye to Zhao Xing's show-off. Finally, when Zhao Xing presented a new poem with a style similar to "Will Bring Wine", Zhang Jue revealed a triumphant smile. "I've finally found you!" Zhang University Scholar exclaimed in his heart.

  Zhao Xing this time wrote a poem about drinking according to the requirements. Last time Li Taibai's "Bring in the Ale" had been plagiarized by him, this time Zhao Xing didn't mind plagiarizing another one of the Poet Immortal's poems, "Drinking Alone under the Moon".

  A pot of wine among flowers, alone with no close kin.

  Raising my cup I invite the bright moon, with my shadow we make a trio.

  The moon doesn't understand drinking, its shadow follows me alone.

  The moon is about to set, and we must make merry while spring is still here.

  I sing in the moonlight, I dance with scattered shadows.

  Awake together, drunk apart.

  Eternal vows in an unfeeling journey, a distant appointment beyond the Milky Way.

  After seeing Zhao Xing's poem, Zhang Jiong rushed down from the stage and walked into the Imperial Brush Pavilion. He stared at Zhao Xing for a long time. Although there were few people in the pavilion, there were still some scholars present, especially Guo Jia, who was very puzzled as to why Chancellor Zhang was standing inside the pavilion, lost in thought.

  "May I ask if General Zhao is the one who left two poems at Drunken Immortal Pavilion?" Zhang Yan asked with a hint of resentment.

  "Guo Chang is not talented, but he has made a laughing stock of university scholars!" Zhao Xing also didn't quite understand, so he could only respond politely.

  "Only today did I realize that General Zhao's talent is overflowing, and he is a rare genius. I wonder if you have time to visit my humble abode for a chat?" Zhang Fan asked.

  "It's an honor, I dare not decline!" Since the university scholar had invited him, Zhao Xing couldn't bear to lose face, so he readily agreed.

  The news that Chancellor Zhang wants to invite General Zhao Xing, the newly appointed Pingbei general, to his mansion for a detailed discussion swept through the poetry meeting scene like a gust of wind. A large group of scholars let out a loud wail, but only Zhao Xing himself was unaware of what was going on. Before the poetry meeting, some busybodies had spread rumors that the prize for this poetry meeting would be Chancellor Zhang's daughter, Miss Zhang Xin. Now, Chancellor Zhang has not invited anyone else, and has only invited Zhao Xing, his intention is self-evident.

  "Zhang sister, it's not good! Zhang University scholar has invited that martial artist to your home as a guest!" The woman known as Feng Qi, Zhang Huang, rushed into the backyard in a fluster and exclaimed loudly.

  "Father is treating us to dinner, why are you so flustered?" Zhang Xin asked calmly.

  "Good heavens, all the scholars are saying that Zhang University Scholar has promised you to Zhao Wuhou! They want to marry you off to that guy!" Feng Qiu still had a stubborn look on her face. "You mustn't agree to it! That Wuhou is simply no match for my elder brother Benchu (Yuan Shao's courtesy name)!"

  "Yuan Qi, don't talk nonsense! Father promised me that my marriage must be decided by myself. Besides, your elder brother Yuan Shao is not necessarily better than Zhao Xing. What poem did you see from Yuan Benchu tonight?" Zhang Xin retorted, ungratefully provoked by Feng Qiu.

  This girl, called Feng Yu, who is about the same age as Zhang Xin, was originally the daughter of the Yuan family and a cousin of Yuan Shao. She was the daughter of Yuan Wei, the current Taifu. If Zhao Xing knew at this time that the Yuan family was again making trouble for him in his backyard, his male hormones would definitely be instantly stimulated.