Cao Zhang was about to turn around and leave, but Zheng Xuan spoke at this moment: "Master Cao, please go slowly. I have something unclear and want to ask you for advice."
After hearing Zheng Xuan's words, Cao Zhang couldn't help but tremble in his heart. Could it be that the old man saw a problem and wanted to question himself.
Although he was pounding in his heart, Cao Zhang remained calm on the surface and responded: "If Mr. Zheng has any doubts, feel free to ask. How dare I ask for your advice?"
Zheng Xuan said calmly: "Young Master's poem "Xia Ke Xing" is bold and majestic. With the allusions of Lord Xinling, Hou Ying and Zhu Hai, the knight's personality of solving problems, not seeking fame and fortune, showing loyalty and valuing commitment is fully displayed between the lines."
"I already know the young master's literary talents, so I would like to ask the young master about his ambition and knowledge. What does the young master mean in his heart?"
Hearing Zheng Xuan's question, the scene became quiet again, everyone wanted to hear how Cao Zhang, who could write such a heroic poem as "Xia Ke Xing", would answer.
After listening to Zheng Xuan's question, Cao Zhang pondered for a moment and replied: "I think that a small chivalrous person should be a friend or neighbor. A big chivalrous person should serve the country and the people."
"A great chivalrous person serves the country and the people..." Zheng Xuan recalled Cao Zhang's words.
"I believe that the people are the foundation of the country, and the country should also be established for the people."
"Mencius says: The people are the most noble, the country is second, and the king is the least. Therefore, the people of Qiu become the emperor, the emperor becomes the princes, and the princes become the officials."
"I think being able to put the interests of the common people first is truly chivalrous."
"The righteousness of Zhu Hai and Hou Ying saved thousands of people in Wei State. These are the great chivalrous men."
"My father raised a rebel army to meet the emperor, crusaded against rebellion, supported the Han Dynasty, and benefited all people. He is the greatest chivalrous man in the world!"
Cao Zhang made an impassioned speech, quoted Liang Qichao's remarks about chivalrous men, and borrowed a passage from "Mencius". In the end, he succeeded in complimenting Cao Cao.
"Good! Good people are the foundation of a country! The young master speaks loudly, has great ambitions, and cares about the people. I admire you!" After Zheng Xuan listened, he saluted Cao Zhang respectfully.
Cao Zhang hurriedly returned the courtesy to Zheng Xuan respectfully: "Mr. Zheng has given me too much praise, but Cao Zhang is too embarrassed to deserve it!"
The crowd once again erupted into thunderous applause and cheers.
Under a big tree on the roadside, a man wearing a bamboo hat nodded slightly while looking at the scenery on the stage, and then quickly squeezed out of the crowd and left.
Cao Cao looked at Cao Zhang on the stage, laughed and cursed: "I just want to be in the limelight, why did you bring me in?"
Guo Jia said: "Master Ziwen is extremely filial. He understands Sikong's inner thoughts and shares his worries, which is really rare."
Cao Cao nodded slightly, with a satisfied and proud smile on his face.
Cao Zhi in the crowd praised softly: "It's really true that the real person doesn't show his face. I didn't expect Brother Ziwen's poetic insights to be so profound and profound. It's amazing."
Cao Pi did not expect that Cao Zhang would perform like this. He won two top prizes in a row and received high praise from Zheng Xuan.
Comparing the two, his second class looks ashamed.
Cao Pi felt ashamed and didn't want to stay any longer, so he turned around and prepared to leave.
Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu also hurriedly followed Cao Pi, preparing to leave together.
When Xiahou Ba saw that Cao Zhen was about to leave, he stretched out his hand to stop him: "Hey, Zi Dan, you are just going to leave like this. Have you forgotten something? You forgot that you made a bet with Zi Wen and lost." Just want to run away?"
Although Cao Zhen was unconvinced, he did not lie and responded: "Who said I was going to run away?! I'm just going to apologize. I'll just go!"
After Cao Zhen finished speaking, he strode towards the high platform, walked up directly, and came to Cao Zhang.
"Ziwen, I was blind and I shouldn't have questioned your talent in public. I apologize to you in person!" Cao Zhen said and knelt down to apologize to Cao Zhang.
When Cao Zhang saw Cao Zhen about to kneel down, he quickly stopped him and said seriously: "Zidan, you can't do this. We are brothers, it's just a joke, how can we take it seriously?"
"Actually, you don't need to apologize to me, but I should thank you properly!"
"Thank me?" Cao Zhen didn't understand what Cao Zhang meant.
Cao Zhang said with a smile: "If it weren't for you today, I would have just submitted a song called "Spring Night Wedding Wine" and won the top prize before stepping down."
"It is true that I did not study literature in the past and did not know how to recite poems and compose poems. Don't say you have doubts about me. Even the wise men present must have doubts."
"With your excitement, Brother Zidan, I came up with another song "Xia Ke Xing", which gave me two opportunities to show it. It also eliminated the doubts of the world and safeguarded my father's intention of reorganizing the Yuedan Review. You said I Should I thank you?!"
"Don't say anything anymore. We brothers will go back soon. We must drink to our heart's content and never come back until we are drunk." Cao Zhang pulled Cao Zhen and said.
Cao Zhen was originally a man with a bold personality, but Cao Zhang treated him with sincerity, protected his face, and made him smile: "This is what you said. Don't look at martial arts and poetry. I am not as good as you, but when it comes to drinking, I am not as good as you." , you are far behind."
"Okay, let's give it a good try." Cao Zhang agreed with a smile, and walked down the platform arm in arm with Cao Zhen.
Although Cao Zhen is Cao Pi's die-hard loyalist, he is also Cao Cao's adopted son after all. Letting him make a fool of himself in front of Cao Cao's face is tantamount to losing Cao Cao's face.
I am already glorious enough, there is no need to kill everyone and magnify the conflict with Cao Pi and Cao Zhen.
Letting Cao Zhen go can not only maintain the superficial harmony, but also allow Cao Cao and everyone present to see his magnanimous side. This is far more meaningful than letting Cao Zhen kneel down and kowtow, which is a moment of pleasure.
Cao Pi watched Cao Zhang and Cao Zhen walking off the platform arm in arm with an awkward smile on their face.
At this time, he had to admit that the Cao Zhang in front of him was no longer the brainless reckless man he knew before, but a master of both civil and military skills, and who was well versed in the art of controlling people. He would also compete with him for the position of heir apparent in the future. Strong enemy.
After Cao Zhang stepped down, perhaps because his performance was too eye-catching, no one came on stage to submit works for comments.
Seeing this, Zheng Xuan stood up and said in the direction of the viewing platform: "Reporting to Sikong, there is no one on the stage to accept my review anymore. Today's Lunar New Year review can be over."
Cao Cao nodded with satisfaction: "Thank you, Mr. Zheng. Let's send Mr. Zheng back to rest."
Zheng Xuan walked down the platform with the support of the book boy and left.
Cao Cao nodded to Xun Yu behind him.
Xun Yu took a step forward and announced loudly: "Today's review ends here. All the wise men who have received first-class reviews or above will report to Sikong Mansion tomorrow and wait for Sikong's arrangements."
All the wise men in the audience who received comments bowed together and saluted: "Thank you Sikong!"
Cao Cao and others got up and left under the protection of Xu Chu.
Cao Cao and Zheng Xuan left one after another, and the onlookers began to disperse.
Cao Zhang greeted Cao Zhen, Cao Pi and others and was about to leave together when he suddenly noticed a familiar figure appearing in the crowd in the distance out of the corner of his eye.
Cao Zhang looked closely and saw that the person was Guo Zhao, who was dressed in purple. At this time, she was looking at Cao Zhang with admiration...
