The sky is clear and blue.
A high platform was erected in the open space of Xu Dudong City, which was the place where the Lunar New Year Review was held.
After the recruitment order was issued, people from all walks of life were attracted to come. At this time, the place was already crowded with people. There were not only wise men and literati from all walks of life who came to participate in the review, but also many ordinary people who came to watch the excitement. It was very lively.
"Sikong is here!"
With a shout, Xun Yu, Guo Jia and others accompanied Cao Cao, and under the protection of Xu Chu and other guards, they climbed to the viewing platform next to the high platform and took their seats.
A gray-haired old man slowly walked onto the high platform with the support of the book boy. He was the great sage Zheng Xuan.
The scene immediately became quiet, waiting for the start of the monthly review.
Zheng Xuan walked to the middle of the high platform and saluted everyone in the audience: "I, Zheng Xuan, have been ordered by Cao Sikong to preside over the Lunar New Year Review and recruit talents."
"I also invite all the wise men to come on stage in order, submit your own poems, songs, or calligraphy and painting classics, and comment on them below. Please."
Zheng Xuan sat on the high platform, and the Lunar New Year Review officially began.
The wise men from all walks of life appeared on stage in order. Zheng Xuan's comments are extremely insightful and unique, and those who receive comments are sincerely convinced, whether they are praising or criticizing.
Cao Cao watched from a distance and was very happy to see wise men being selected by Zheng Xuan from time to time.
This time, the Yuedan Review seems to be extremely successful, and the purpose of recruiting talents has been achieved.
Cao Cao saw the figures of Cao Pi and Cao Zhi in the crowd, both holding bamboo slips in their hands.
"It seems that the two young masters, Zihuan and Zijian, are also preparing to come on stage to receive comments." Xun Yu said to Cao Cao in a low voice.
"Xu Shao's words about being a capable minister in times of trouble and a traitor in troubled times made me famous all over the world! How could they miss this good opportunity?" Cao Cao responded with a chuckle.
He continued to search among the crowd, but did not see Cao Zhang's figure. He looked puzzled: "Why isn't Ziwen here?"
"Perhaps Mr. Ziwen is still preparing for the work, so he arrived late." Xun Yu guessed.
Cao Cao nodded, although Cao Zhang wrote the Thirty-six Strategies and the Recruitment Order, which gave him a refreshing feeling.
However, reciting poems and writing poems requires a certain amount of talent. Cao Zhang did not like reading before, so it was not easy to write a piece of work that could catch Zheng Xuan's eyes in a short period of time.
Among the people watching the ceremony, brothers Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Juan were also among them.
Xia Houjuan looked around and became anxious: "Brother Ziwen, why isn't he here yet?"
"He doesn't know how to recite poems and compose poems. Maybe he didn't come because he wasn't interested." Xiahou Ba guessed.
"The Magpie Bridge Immortal he wrote that day was very good. You can go on stage and ask Zheng Xuan to comment on it." Xia Houjuan defended Cao Zhang, "No, we can't let brother Ziwen miss this good opportunity. Let's go and find him."
Xiahou Juan pulled Xiahou Ba and rushed out of the crowd.
The two galloped on horseback and arrived at Cao Zhang's mansion, but heard from their servants that Cao Zhang was still sleeping in the bedroom.
The two rushed into Cao Zhang's bedroom anxiously. Xiahou Ba shouted and slapped Cao Zhang: "Ziwen, get up!"
Cao Zhang opened his eyes in confusion: "Zhong Quan, I was having a dream, why did you wake me up?"
Xia Houjuan urged him anxiously: "The Lunar New Year Review has started, why are you still sleeping here?!"
"The Lunar New Year Review won't end until the afternoon. It's not past noon yet. Why are you anxious? The most powerful people must wait until the end to appear." Cao Zhang replied in a serious manner.
"Are you the most powerful? Let me tell you, even famous officials like Liu Zhen and Wang Can are only second-rate." Xiahou Ba told Cao Zhang about the situation in the Yuedan Review.
"Yes, Brother Ziwen, there are so many famous officials who have been reviewed today on the first day of the month, and Zheng Xuan's reviews are also very sharp. You will benefit a lot from listening to his reviews of others." Xia Houjuan agreed.
Cao Zhang felt helpless in his heart when he saw Xia Houjuan and Xia Houba's anxious expressions.
In fact, he had already made plans in his mind. As a medical student, he had read many historical books and allusions, so it was no problem to be a word porter.
But if he appears too early at the Moon Dan Review site and someone pulls him to discuss and exchange poems and songs written by others, his level will be far behind and he will definitely be exposed, which will make him laughable.
Therefore, he deliberately spent time at home, planning to wait until the end of the Lunar New Year Review to show up and play one or two of the masterpieces handed down from later generations to create a blockbuster.
Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Juan didn't know what Cao Zhang was thinking, so they dragged him out of bed without explanation.
Cao Zhang couldn't resist the brother and sister, so he could only try his best to finish washing up, and followed them to the site of Yuedan Ping.
The three of them walked into the crowd. Cao Zhang originally wanted to find an inconspicuous place to stand and watch.
However, Cao Zhi had already seen them and came up to them with Cao Pi, Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu and others.
"It's such a pity that Brother Ziwen didn't arrive until now." Cao Zhi said with regret.
"What's the pity? Brother Zijian." Xia Houjuan asked curiously.
"Just now, Yang Taichang's son Yang Xiu came on stage to show off his talents. He is really knowledgeable and talented. He became the first high-level evaluation given by Mr. Zheng today." Cao Zhi introduced to the three of them.
"The first one to get the first class? Could it be that Brother Zihuan and Brother Zijian didn't get the first class?" Xia Houjuan asked curiously.
Cao Zhi responded with a bit of regret: "Zheng Gong said that although my poetic style is very high-minded and outstanding, I have insufficient experience and am a little immature. In time, I may achieve great success, but now I am only good enough to be in the first class."
After hearing this, Cao Zhang secretly admired in his heart that he was praised so highly at the age of fifteen. He was indeed Cao Zhi, who was rated as an "immortal talent" among poets together with Li Bai and Su Shi in later generations.
"What rank are you in, Brother Zihuan?" Xiahou Ba asked Cao Pi who was standing aside.
Cao Pi seemed a little embarrassed and responded in a low voice: "Mr. Zheng commented that my poems were too straightforward and colloquial, and were only second-class."
"Ah? Brother Zihuan is only second-class, isn't Mr. Zheng's standard too high?" Xia Houjuan couldn't help but stick out his tongue in admiration.
Seeing that Cao Pi had lost face, Cao Zhen wanted to help him make amends, and deliberately squeezed Cao Zhang: "If it's Ziwen, I'm afraid he won't even get the lowest rank, right?"
"Isn't that right? I remember that the year before last, Sikong asked us to write a poem with the theme of spring. Ziwen held it for a long time and wrote the word spring on the paper."
"However, his calligraphy is very powerful. If it is put on stage as a calligraphy work and asked to be commented by Mr. Zheng, it should be okay." Cao Xiu immediately spoke in agreement after hearing what Cao Zhen said.
Xia Houjuan was unhappy and was about to retort: "Who said that, brother Ziwen's literary talent..."
Cao Zhang did not want to argue with them, so he stretched out his hand and pulled Xia Houjuan, and she had no choice but to hold back.
Cao Pi stood up and pretended to accuse Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu: "Zidan, Wen Lie, you can't say that. Reciting poems and writing poems is not what Ziwen is good at, but when it comes to martial arts, riding and shooting, among our brothers, he is definitely the best He is number one."
Of course Cao Zhang understood that while Cao Pi was defending himself on the surface, he was actually mocking himself for his strong limbs and simple mind.
"What some brothers said is that I am indeed not very good at reciting poems and writing poems. However, today's Moon Festival Commentary Ceremony is hosted by the great sage Zheng Gong. My younger brother also boldly wrote an article and prepared to go on stage to ask Gong Zheng to comment."
Cao Zhang deliberately looked humble, but expressed that he was also ready to go on stage to receive comments...
