The dinner was held in the Zheng family residence where Zhou Xuexuezheng was temporarily staying.
A master chef was specially appointed to Cuihua Building to cook in the kitchen to ensure that everyone can enjoy their meal.
But few people who can actually come here care about what they eat and how they eat.
But this is a necessary style and dignity. This is true for all kinds of behaviors of people in this world. They all need to hide their desires and calculations under high-sounding words and deeds.
Even in brothels with the most straightforward dealings, girls still need to wear nice clothes to convince the other party to get naked with them.
Xia Jingyun came with the two masters, but they separated at the door.
The two masters had their own circle. They went into the hall to watch, have tea, and exchange pleasantries;
Xia Jingyun could only hang out with people of his generation outside.
However, neither of them was worried. After getting in touch with Xia Jingyun, they knew that he was dealing with these small scenes. Their real worry was about the dinner party later. Although they were just guesses, there would definitely be trouble.
Thinking of this, there was a bit of worry between the two people's eyebrows.
Xia Jingyun, however, seemed not to pay attention to what the two of them had mentioned before, and happily walked around and looked there.
Among the younger generation who came here tonight, some knew him, some didn't, some were hostile, and some admired him, but it didn't matter. He could handle this kind of superficial youthful spirit like eating and drinking. So simple.
After some operations, many people who were originally hostile changed their minds a lot and began to reflect on their own shallowness and misunderstandings.
Then they started gossiping.
"Hey, did you hear the song that spread all over the city yesterday? The flowers in the forest have faded."
"I know, poems are indeed good poems. I heard that the owner of Yicui Tower was suffering from the lack of good works and was unable to gain a reputation, so he found a few poor scholars to play for free. As a result, one scholar was unlucky enough to be assigned to an old man. The old woman, whose appearance was faded and no one cared about her, was drunk because she disobeyed the scholar. When she woke up the next morning, she was filled with grief and anger, and she really made him write such a famous article!"
Xia Jingyun:......
You are worthy of being scholars, and your editing is more logical than those market rumors.
His face darkened and he quickly walked away.
"Hey, isn't that Wen Kui from the past few days?"
"It's him. He has taken over Wen Kui, and now he is Mr. Su's disciple. On such an occasion as tonight, no matter how much Master Xuezheng dislikes him, he still has to pinch his nose to invite him!"
"Why does Lord Xuezheng dislike him?"
"Are you stupid? Who is Lord Xuezheng's only disciple? Who lost to him head-on at the literary meeting?"
"Hiss! So, he will be targeted tonight?"
"Otherwise? I'm even thinking about why Mr. Xuezheng would hold such a grand dinner party just for this matter."
"No, according to what you said, what's the difference between Mr. Xuezheng and that jealous woman in the village?"
"hehe."
"Then do you think Mr. Zheng will win this time?"
"You are not talking nonsense. Except for writing poetry, Mr. Zheng is far better than him in everything."
"That's right. The number one son of Sishui Prefecture is not a boaster."
Xia Jingyun didn't hear these discussions. He was chatting with Zheng Tianyu at the moment.
Zheng Tianyu enthusiastically took Xia Jingyun's arm and introduced it to a group of sons of powerful people from the county, county, and even the state, "Gao Yang has amazing literary talent, noble appearance, and majestic weapons. We have known each other for a long time. Everyone, But don’t underestimate it!”
A bunch of young men rushed to send greetings regardless of what they were thinking.
Xia Jingyun looked at Zheng Tianyu's face with a sincere smile and felt a little admired. Sure enough, there are capable people everywhere!
But how do you know about the majestic weapon?
He did not show off, but returned the greeting to everyone, and said with a smile: "I thought Brother Zhong Ming was just to be the host and introduce him politely, but I really didn't expect him to be so enthusiastic. It's this kind of gesture that really makes me admire him. It’s me, how can I be so magnanimous when facing someone who has defeated me, I can’t help but not get angry, and I even take the initiative to say nice things to the other person.”
As he spoke, he cupped his hands towards Zheng Tianyu, "Master Zhongming is truly a role model for our generation!"
With this bow, everyone else had no choice but to bow their hands, "Young Master Zhongming is indeed a role model for our generation!"
Zheng Tianyu took a deep look at Xia Jingyun, then smiled and said, "It's almost time. Please take your seats."
If we want to say who respects etiquette the most in the world, apart from the royal family and nobles who need a sense of ritual to maintain their authority, it must be the scholars who regard sages as their teachers and regard themselves as virtuous.
The banquet was held in the main hall. Instead of sitting around the table, which is popular at the moment, tables and tables were placed and people ate separately.
Everyone was satisfied, except the guy who served the food.
Xuezheng Song Yanzhi and the county magistrate Zhao Hongfei sat at the same seat. More than a dozen dignitaries and scholars, headed by Mr. Yun, sat in front of both sides. Following them were Zheng Tianyu, Xia Jingyun, Zeng Jimin, Lin Feibai and other people with good family or reputation. The remaining outstanding students from the state school who were invited sat in the second row at the back.
Seeing the personnel in place, Song Yan smiled and turned his head, "Mr. Zhao, shall we start?"
Song Yanzhi was the mentor of Zhao Hongfei's immediate boss. Zhao Hongfei, the magistrate of Jiang'an County, did not dare to entrust him to him. "Master Song, you make arrangements."
Song Yanzhi then looked at Mr. Yun, who was sitting in the first place on his left, "Old man, shall we start?"
Mr. Yun said calmly: "I'll do as you please."
Song Yanzhi stood up with a smile, looked around, and said loudly: "Dear virtuous and talented people, thanks to your majesty's sage and virtue, I am waiting to meet here today. All the virtuous people have gathered, and the young and old have gathered together. It’s a great blessing. Come, let’s raise a glass of wine together to congratulate the country, congratulate your majesty, and congratulate the empress!”
Everyone stood up together and said, "Congratulations to the country, congratulations to your majesty, and congratulations to the empress!"
Xia Jingyun silently observed his first banquet in this world. Apart from the different format, it was not fundamentally different from the banquets he had experienced in the past.
Wherever people gather, there are only three topics of discussion: showing off oneself in a roundabout way, belittling others with added fuel and jealousy, and gossiping about each other through prying eyes.
On occasions like tonight, everyone talks nice words, flatters, compliments, and tests each other, and then silently pours the wine in the glass to dilute the disdain, jealousy, or curses hidden in their stomachs.
Naturally, some toasters came to his place, smiling and saying things like a bright future and a bright future.
Xia Jingyun also smiled and returned his blessings to them, and then also rinsed his mouth with wine after telling lies.
After three rounds of drinking, we found an opening. Song Yan, the organizer of the banquet, smiled and said, "Everyone, can you listen to me?"
After everyone reminded each other, the entire hall gradually became quiet. Everyone sat in their seats and looked up.
Su Shidao and Mr. Yun, who were sitting diagonally across from Mr. Yun, exchanged silent glances and were alert.
Song Yanzhi smiled and said: "Master Zhao, old master, all sages, these professors and outstanding students of Sishui Prefecture will return to the prefecture city tomorrow. I regret that I can't see Concubine De in person and listen to her teachings. But I want to come as a native of Sishui Prefecture. They also have a lot to say about your visit, how about letting them talk about it here and think about it completely?"
coming!
Including Mr. Yun and Su Shidao, many people who had speculated about tonight's events were instantly frightened.
Then, before they could react, the admiring person immediately stood up. A great scholar laughed and said, "What your Excellency said is true, but there are so many thoughts, so there must be a theme so that everyone can elaborate on it, right?"
Song Yanzhi smiled and said: "Students in our prefecture study and read the books of saints and sages all take it as their duty to pass the imperial examination and serve the country. In the imperial examination, there are both poetry and policy. The literary meeting has tested everyone's literary talents before. Otherwise, let’s take a look at your ability to manage the world and benefit the people, and show your understanding of state affairs in front of parents like Mr. Zhao and the wise men of the country.”
He glanced at everyone, glanced at Xia Jingyun's face, and said with a smile: "Why don't we just use the topic of the impact of Empress Dowager De's trip on the country, let everyone debate it, and spread it in the future, it will be a good thing. What do you think?"
"Very good! Very good!"
"As expected of Mr. Xuezheng, this discussion is from a high position and is unique. It will definitely be another grand event in the literary world of Sishui Prefecture!"
The great scholars all agreed and teased each other, and seemed to be ready to finalize the matter in just a few words.
Song Yan nodded and smiled, "Since we don't have any objections, then..."
Just then, a voice interrupted angrily, "I have an opinion!"
