Chapter Nine: The Literary Gathering

  In front of the Cai Mansion, a large number of mats were laid out in the empty garden, where scholars sat on their knees drinking and chatting idly, with occasional comings and goings.

  Cai Yong and Ma Ruzhen, Lu Zhi, Yang Bi and other older generation people sat in the garden pavilion, surrounded by lush low trees and blooming flowers, the scene was very lively.

  In Qin Feng's view, this grand gathering of famous scholars is similar to a Western aristocratic salon, with more exchange of artistic talents and less mundane chatter, providing a good opportunity for ambitious scholars to increase their reputation.

  Qin Feng, because he brought out a set of advanced arithmetic methods, had some reputation. He came to the Eastern Han Dynasty at the end, so the guests who came didn't know him and it wasn't convenient for him to join in directly. So after arriving at the flower garden, he called the household servant to bring the guest list.

  He took over the guest list and looked at it. Although most of the clan children were unfamiliar, there were a few who were very familiar.

  "There are actually Chen Lin, Kong Rong, and Xun Yu, these few exceptional individuals." Qin Feng had read the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and played games about it. He deeply understood that to achieve something in this late Eastern Han era, he needed the help of famous scholars. However, he also deeply understood the principle of not biting off more than one could chew, so it was better to befriend these extremely intelligent individuals one by one.

  So who should he befriend first? Qin Feng thought for a moment and decided to get to know Xun Yu first.

  Xun Yu, styled Wenruo, was a prominent politician of the Eastern Han dynasty. He was a man of great intelligence and wisdom, with an IQ above 95. Cao Cao referred to him as "my Zifang". What's more important is that after he joined Cao Cao's camp, he recommended many talents to Cao Cao, such as Xun You, Zhong Yao, Chen Qun, Guo Jia, etc., all of whom were his recommendations.

  "Housekeeper!" Qin Feng walked up with a smile and gave instructions in front of Cai Lin.

  Cai Lin saw that Qin Feng didn't dare to be slow, in his opinion, Qin Feng was quite talented and also gained the old master's appreciation. His future prospects were boundless, so he spoke very politely. "Oh, is Zi coming? The old master also told me to go find you."

  "Tsai Guan Jia, I see a guest among us named Xun Yu, which one is he?" Qin Feng asked politely.

  "Xun's family is a prominent family in the world, and Xun Yu has been known for his talent as a king's assistant since he was young." Cai Lin explained slightly and looked around in the garden, smiled slightly, and pointed: "That white-faced scholar over there is him."

  As Qin Feng looked over, he saw a young scholar in his twenties with a refined appearance and elegant demeanor, chatting with the people around him. "Thank you!" Qin Feng thanked him and walked away.

  How can I get to know her without being too abrupt? Qin Feng couldn't think of a good reason for a while.

  To stand out, one must get to know the big shots. This is just like in modern times, when people go to great lengths to find a job at a large company. Qin Feng, who wanted to make a name for himself in Eastern Han, absolutely could not let go of any opportunity. Since he couldn't think of anything else, he went ahead and forced his way in. He walked over: "Everyone, I am Qin Feng, Qin Zi Jin, nice to meet you."

  There were two people talking with Xun Yu, both of whom were from large clans in Luoyang. The three of them looked up and down at Qin Feng as soon as they heard the words.

  Qin Feng's face turned awkward, what was he saying? Had he eaten or not?! Oh man!

  "Huh? Brother, isn't that Qin Feng, Qin Zi Jin, the one who is well-versed in the way of arithmetic from Cai Gong's residence?" Xun Yu asked in surprise.

  "I dare not say I'm proficient, it's just a humble statement." Qin Feng secretly wiped his sweat, it seemed that having some reputation was a good thing, wherever he went, someone knew him.

  The method of arithmetic is included in the number of methods, and the number of methods is a major school of I Ching, which is the first of the Six Classics. To be proficient in the method of arithmetic is also a talent for the right way. Especially after Cai Yong spread Qin Jing's multiplication table of Arabic numerals, everyone in Luoyang knew that there was such a person.

  Xun Yu knew of Qin Feng's talent and invited him in, saying: "Brother, please take a seat."

  Qin Feng gave a slight bow and sat down.

  "This is Yang Shi of the Yang family of Jingzhao, and this is Zhang Bei Nian of the Zhang family of Xunyu." said Xun You. (Two extras, don't mind them.)

  Qin Feng exchanged greetings with these two people one by one.

  All four of them were young people, after a few cups of wine, Yang Shi said: "Yesterday I heard my uncle say that the emperor once said that Zhang Changshi was my father and Zhao Changshi was my mother. Tsk...". A tone of disdain flowed from his words.

  "Hum, the other day Zhang Rang and others were all enfeoffed as marquises, with unparalleled honor. Eunuchs can be enfeoffed as marquises, where can we scholars put our faces?" Zhang Beiyuan said with a heavy tone after taking a sip of wine.

  In the sixth year of Guanghe, i.e. 183 AD, the eunuchs' power reached its peak. Twelve people including Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong were all enfeoffed as marquises, enjoying unparalleled wealth and prestige. They were known as the "Ten Attendants". Emperor Ling once said that Zhang was his father and Zhao was his mother. The Ten Attendants became even more unbridled, each building high mansions and grand estates on a scale similar to the imperial palace. They also allowed their family members to take up important positions in the provinces, but these people were ignorant and only knew how to use their power to harm the common people, being greedy and violent.

  Qin Feng knew this piece of history when he was studying the script of "Three Kingdoms" at the drama academy. He casually said, "The eunuchs' rebellion is more ferocious than a tiger..."

  Xun Yu heard this and his eyes lit up at once.

  "Wenruo brother, what do you think about this?" Yang Shi asked. He knew that Xun Yu had been called a great talent since childhood and really wanted to hear Xun Yu's opinion, so he could learn from it and go back to answer the questions of his family elders.

  "I wonder what you think about this, Master Qin?" Xun Yu's eyes sparkled with intensity as he gazed at Qin Feng.

  Grandfather has an opinion, naturally the more chaotic the better, as the saying goes "muddy water catches fish", it's this principle. However, Qin Feng can't say that, seeing Xun Yu ask himself, thinking he's probing his own depths. Just right to stir up the evaluation of over a thousand years later, attracting the attention of outstanding people.

  Qin Feng said: "The Emperor is being deceived by eunuchs, favoring petty men and distancing himself from virtuous ministers. Zhang Rang and others are in control of the government, known as the Ten Eunuchs. They buy and sell official positions, impose heavy taxes and levies, causing the people to be unable to survive. I have heard that in recent years a Taiping Dao teaching has emerged, many poor commoners have joined this teaching. The complaints of the people are rising everywhere, if this continues for long, it will inevitably lead to disaster."

  "That's right, that's how it is. The whole world is full of complaints and grievances, and if this goes on for long, disaster will surely arise. Brother Qin, your words have opened my eyes, please drink up this cup!" Yang Shi hastily poured wine for Qin Feng, thinking to himself that he must remember these words, tonight when he gets back, his uncle Yang Biao will ask him about the state of the world, but he won't be able to stump me, haha...

  Xun Yu was deep in thought. This Qin Feng was indeed extraordinary, his words were incisive and revealed the current situation with one sentence.

  San Guo game Qin Feng has played several times, in the game, 10,000 troops can withstand 100,000 NPC troops, it's because you have a famous general, and the other side has a mediocre general. So he deeply understands the importance of talent, no territory is no problem, as long as there are people, everything else will follow slowly.

  He saw Xun Yu deep in thought and raised his cup saying: "Brother Wenruo, please!"

  "Oh, please!" Xun Yu's view of Qin Feng was now vastly different from before. Previously, he had just regarded Qin Feng as someone with a side door talent, but now he no longer had any disdain for him. "This person has the great talent of the orthodox path, not inferior to that of famous scholars." Xun Yu thought to himself, and from then on, he had the intention of making friends with Qin Feng.

  Qin Feng was unable to meet with Xun Yu, so he went drinking with four people and talked about the human geography of the earth in later generations. Everyone was shocked. He feared that Xun Yu and others would not understand, so he drew a world map with some wine water, and Xun Yu and others were stunned when they saw this map.

  "Zi Jin Xiong, you say that the Roman Empire is actually a senatorial republican system, is there such politics in the world?"

  Yang Shi scratched his ear and cheek, saying: "Hiss, hiss, you come in brother, tell me about Egypt's affairs, unexpectedly having a history of 10,000 years. Cough, cough, and that Empress Wu, also say something!"

  Xun Yu's mind was not on any beauty, but as he saw the world map on the table gradually fade away, he was extremely shocked. It seemed that this Qin Feng, Qin Zi Jin, not only had talent but also had a broad vision, and actually knew about events in countries thousands of miles away, and actually had a map of all nations in his mind! "Brother Zi Jin has great talent, I am not as good as him."

  "Embarrassing!" Qin Feng said hastily. Who would have thought that a world map could shock this one of the top three experts in the country?

  Just then, a young man stood up from the garden seat and proposed: "Everyone, it's rare for Mr. Cai and others to gather together again, why don't we recite poems and compose essays to help with the wine excitement? If Mr. Cai and other seniors can comment on us, it will be a great story."