Chapter 67: Opportunities Are Left for Those Who Are Prepared

  Xiao Jiading understood, Du Erniu had already obtained the poetry club's topic and came to cheat with him. He told Shu Tongwen Yan that he would go out for a while, then took Du Erniu to his own residence.

  After closing the door, Du Er Niu smiled and said: "Big brother, I've already got the topic. And there's another piece of good news that will make you happy when you hear it."

  "Oh? What's the good news, are you getting married?" Xiao Jiading asked with a sly smile.

  Du Erniao's chubby face turned slightly red, and she gave him a big white eye, saying: "Not that! It was my godmother who said it, wanting you to be the vice president of our 'White Dew Poetry Society'!"

  "What?" Xiao Jiading glared and said: "How come none of you informed me, and just got me involved in this development?"

  "Didn't Huang sister inform you yesterday?"

  "Huang Jie? Huang Shiyun?"

  "Yes, we discussed it two days ago. It was Sister Huang who proposed to our Poetry Society's president, Madam Ji, that you join us. You're from our county and defeated the number one scholar of Yizhou, Zhong Wenbo, in a poetry duel. Everyone agreed as soon as she mentioned it. So it was settled. Sister Huang said she'd inform you herself. Didn't she tell you?"

  Xiao Jiading immediately understood, yesterday afternoon, Huang Shiyun came to find himself, one of the things was because of this, but was choked by his own words and didn't say it out loud. So she stayed behind to wait for him, probably to discuss this matter with him. She wanted to persuade him to join their poetry club, unexpectedly he got drunk, and she took care of him on her own initiative, as a result not only did the drunken him treat her like a quilt and sleep with her all night, but also scolded her away in the morning, of course there was no chance to mention this matter.

  Xiao Jiading listened to Du Erniu say that he wanted to join their poetry club, but because Huang Shi Yun and Tang Rongxuan gave him a bad impression in this poetry club, he really didn't want to be with such people, so he said: "I think I'll pass, my little talent is not enough to enter the grand hall. Please thank Ji Fu Ren for me, thank her for her kindness."

  Du Erniao was alarmed as soon as she heard it, and grabbed his arm: "Big brother! If you don't participate in our poetry club's competition with the prefectural government this year, we will definitely lose again. We have already lost three consecutive sessions! Can you help us?"

  Xiao Jia Ding asked curiously: "What competition?"

  "Our county's 'Bailu Poetry Society' and the provincial government's 'Yizhihua Poetry Society' hold a competition every year, with very heavy prizes. We've lost three years in a row now. And this year's grand competition is particularly important, as we'll be judging alongside Tang Sima!"

  Xiao Jiading's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. "Tang Sima?"

  "Yes, it was Tang Lin, the Tang official who recommended you as the county magistrate."

  This Tang Lin doesn't know why he recommended him, Xiao Jiading isn't very clear either. He only met him once and according to his own speculation, it's probably because the poem he wrote touched his heart and got a good impression from him. Adding to that, his analysis of the case he proposed also increased this good impression, thinking that he might be a talent worth cultivating, so he recommended himself. Everyone says he is his backer, but he has only met him once. Last time when he told Ya Niang about meeting him, Ya Niang said even she herself finds it hard to meet him. Not easy to arrange.

  Since it was because he appreciated himself and recommended him, then he should try his best to find opportunities to show off more. On the one hand, it's the ability to handle cases, and on the other hand, it's poetry. Because I guess Tang Lin recommended himself for these two reasons.

  Now, Tang Lin is going to participate in the poetry competition at the county government office as a judge, which is a great opportunity for him to show himself.

  Opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared! Xiao Jiading firmly believes in this.

  To cling to the big tree of Tang Lin, one must find every opportunity to come into contact with him, let them understand and appreciate themselves. Only by constantly showing their abilities in front of their leaders can they gain recognition and be promoted with hope. This is something that Xiao Jiading is extremely clear about.

  He made a decisive decision, put aside his disgust for Huang and Tang, and took this poetry meeting as a stage to show off his abilities.

  Xiao Jiading sighed and smiled wryly at Du Erniu, "You know, I especially dislike Huang Shiyun and Tang Rongxuan, but I really like being with you. Now you're asking me again, it's really putting me in a difficult spot..."

  Du Er'niu heard what Xiao Jia Ding said, and seemed to have loosened up a bit. She was overjoyed and tightly hugged his arm, shaking it as she spoke: "Big brother, good big brother! Since that's the case, you should consider little sister's face and agree with her. Don't mind them, no, don't mind Tang Rongxuan. Actually, Huang Jie is a very nice person. She was praising you to me just the other day, and my mother-in-law also has a high opinion of you. She read your poetry and said it's extremely impressive!"

  "Really?"

  "Hmm! The day before yesterday, Huang sister brought out the poem you wrote to show everyone, saying it was your new work, and she had a hard time getting it. We all copied your few poems, now they have been spread around. It's really well written!"

  Xiao Jiading immediately understood that the poems Huang Shiyun took out to show them were probably the ones he had copied when he was drinking at her house that day. This little girl didn't mention going to her house for a drink, and she didn't use this to show off, which made Xiao Jiading's dislike for her slightly alleviated.

  Xiao Jia Ding felt his arm in Du Er Niu's plump embrace, experiencing her curves and temperature, and his body began to react shamelessly. He quickly pulled out his hand, patted her shoulder, and said: "You're flattering me like this, isn't it just because you want me to join your poetry club? Alright, you've helped me before, so I should help you too. I agree!"

  This is a favor that must be granted.

  Du Er Niu jumped up excitedly and opened her arms to hug him: "Great! Xiao Da Ge, you promised, don't go back on your word!"

  Xiao Jia Ding originally had his arm around her and was already reacting, now that the whole person is being hugged, he's afraid it will be even more troublesome. He quickly pulled down Du Er Niu's arms and said: "Don't do this, like a child, speak properly!"

  "Others are happy, aren't they!" Du Er Niu didn't think much of it. "The competition time hasn't been set yet, but it's soon. We'll be notified in advance. The day after tomorrow our poetry club is having a gathering at Yang Liu Di outside the city. At that time we can go together!"

  "The day after tomorrow?" Xiao Jiading was still planning to go to Su Yunxia's mother's grave the day after tomorrow, to pay his respects and show some filial piety for this poor girl. He said: "Can I go a bit later? I have something to do."

  "We ate at noon, is it inconvenient for you to handle things in the morning?"

  Xiao Jiading suddenly felt relieved and said: "Alright, I'll take care of some business in the morning, and we can go together at noon."

  "Alright! It's settled then. By the way, I'll tell you this time's topic and you can help me prepare two pieces. I don't expect to get first place, as long as I'm not last it's fine."

  Having said that, Du Er Niu announced the topic.

  Xiao Jiading listened and thought the topic was very common, with many relevant poems in his belly. He selected a few that were not bad and told her. Although they were only mediocre poems, for Du Erniu, they far exceeded her expectations, and she couldn't help but be overjoyed, carefully memorizing them, and anxiously asked: "Big brother, you've given me such good poems, what about you?"

  Xiao Jia Ding deliberately laughed loudly and said: "My talent for composing poetry in seven steps is not a reputation that has been obtained in vain."

  Du Erniao felt relieved at once and skipped out of the door happily.

  Xiao Jiading came out of his residence and headed towards the signing office. As he was about to arrive, a middle-aged man approached him from the opposite direction, bowing and cupping his hands in greeting: "Xiao Zhiyi!"

  Xiao Jiading took a closer look and saw that it was the market official, Left, from the yamen. He had only met him once before when County Magistrate Deng brought him to meet some people, but they didn't have any dealings with each other. As the market official, he was in charge of the markets, equivalent to the head of a modern commerce department. However, since commerce had always been looked down upon in ancient times, which emphasized agriculture over commerce, this market official wasn't as impressive as his modern counterpart would be. Xiao Jiading cupped his hands together and said, "Ah, Market Official Left! Is there something I can help you with?"

  The left city commander looked a bit sneaky, glanced around and whispered: "Is Xiao Zhiyi free tonight? Let's go out for a walk?"

  Xiao Jiading knew that he must have something to ask of him, so he said: "Left Market Commander doesn't need to be polite. If there's anything that requires my brother's help, just say it. I'll definitely do my best."

  A sedan chair with many people carrying it, having one more friend means having one more road. This principle is very clear to Xiao Jia Ding. Therefore, he speaks very politely.

  This remark was extremely exciting to the Left City Lord, who hurriedly cupped his hands and said: "Thank you, thank you. There's nothing special about this matter, it's just that Wu Shi's husband wants to talk to Xi Yi about this case. He has a good relationship with me, so he asked me to pass on the message. Don't worry, Xi Yi, I understand the situation and won't let him make any unreasonable demands. Besides, Xi Yi has been in the yamen for many days now, and my younger brother hasn't had the chance to sit down with you yet. It's a good opportunity tonight. What do you think, Xi Yi?"

  Su Yunxia, who sued her stepmother to avenge her birth mother, had a stepmother named Wu Shi. Among the other cases in his hands, there was no one named Wu Shi. Xiao Jia Ding's heart skipped a beat as he asked, "The case of Wu Shi? Is it the one where the first wife killed the concubine?"

  "Ah, yes, that's the one. Her husband is called Su Lao Cai, and he wants to meet you. He asked me to invite you, and I also wanted to get closer to you, but I don't know if you'll grant me an audience?"

  Xiao Jiading heard that it was indeed that case, so he wanted to know what Su Yunxia's old father wanted to say to him. He said: "If it were someone else, I would have pushed it away, but since the Left City Commander has spoken up, this face must be given."

  Xiao Jia Ding's favor immediately made Zuo Shi Ling feel light and carefree, he hastily cupped his hands and said: "Thank you, thank you, Xiao Jia. It's settled then. The yamen is full of people with loose tongues, let's part ways for now, after dispersing the crowd, I'll wait for you at Hua Creek dock, alright?"