The sunset is infinitely beautiful, but it’s almost dusk.
Zhao Tong sighed in his heart and left the house.
He took Yu Mo and Su Shi with him, and the carriage drove straight to the palace.
Still walking through Xuandemen, he then entered the palace.
This banquet was held in the Jade Hall of Yanfu Palace. This hall was seldom used and would only be open to the public when the Emperor Daojun and his ministers discussed music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and garden art.
But in recent years, with age, Emperor Daojun has become increasingly lazy, and there is no one in the government who can draw on him in calligraphy and painting. As for Gen Yue, it is almost completed, so the place has become depressed.
At present, the hall is smoked with animal furnaces to drive away the musty smell caused by the lack of popularity for a long time.
All sixteen windows were opened for ventilation, and many servants were busy inside.
The tables and tables have been set up, and there are also musical instruments such as a piano table, a flute stand and so on.
The nine-top silver candlestick was burning, and the tall butter wax flame was strong, reflecting the brightness of the pearls in the temple.
After waiting for a while, the sky became slightly dark, and a group of people outside the palace surrounded the Emperor Daojun like stars holding the moon.
I saw him wearing a Confucian scarf, a Confucian shirt, with big sleeves fluttering, looking sanctimonious.
Followed by Wang Fu, Cai You, Bai Shizhong, and Zhou Bangyan.
Zhou Bangyan is sixty-four years old this year. The Song Dynasty did not have a clear retirement system. It had previously stipulated that he would leave office at seventy, but it could not be implemented. In the end, it became a dead letter and nothing happened.
Because the average life span of people in this era is not that long, many officials cannot reach the age of seventy and have already passed away.
There are also those who take the initiative to become an official under the age of seventy, but the court often does not approve it.
As for those who can live to seventy, they are already very few. At this time, the court will not force them, so most of them can serve as officials until they die of old age.
Zhou Bangyan's beard was half white at this time, he was breathing in the wind when he walked, and he was in good spirits, but his eyebrows were furrowed and his expression was solemn, as if he was thinking about something important.
The four were followed by more than a dozen people. Except for Li Qingzhao, almost all the famous lyricists in Tokyo were present.
None of these people are too young. Almost all of them are in their forties, with beards and complicated expressions.
They certainly knew what they were doing when they entered the palace today. Everyone was called here by Emperor Daojun. After all, famous ci writer was just a title, and most of these people had official status.
In fact, it has been like this since ancient times. No matter whether it is a great Confucian or everyone, there is no one who has never been an official. Some people even spend their entire lives in officialdom.
Go up to Master Mencius.
Later came the four heroes of the previous dynasty, Li Duyuanbai, Liu Wangmeng.
In this dynasty, there were two Yans, two Songs, three Sus and four bachelors and so on.
Even Liu Yong, the prime minister in white clothes and a master of slow poetry, took the imperial examination at the age of fifty-one, finally passed the exam, and happily went to work as a junior official of the eighth grade.
Any words written on purpose are all duplicity.
Among poets and lyricists, it is common for prime ministers and ministers to write books, and it is common for magistrates and magistrates to hear it everywhere.
Therefore, the literati community is actually composed of officials of all sizes, with few civilians among them.
In the eyes of the scholar-bureaucrats, poetry was an elegant thing, belonging only to the aristocracy and never to the common people.
No common people can recite two lines of poetry or one line of poetry when they go out.
But many ordinary people can hum operas and sing ditties. Music is a common thing in people's daily life.
But now, the King of Qin has elevated music to the point where it can compete with lyrics. Doesn't that mean that the common people are on the same level as the scholar-bureaucrats?
This is something that all poets can't bear, and it's an insult to them.
What qualifications does music have to compete with lyrics? How can the common people, who are like ants, be on an equal footing with the literati?
Zhou Bangyan came to Beijing with this mood, even if the other party was the King of Qin, this would not work!
This is a dispute in the literary world. He is not afraid of the disparity in status between them. The King of Qin is also the leader of the scholarly community, so Gai will not embarrass him because of this.
But he originally just wanted to argue with the King of Qin, but he didn't know why the officials intervened.
However, he more or less saw the official intention, and he probably didn't want King Qin to carry the music up.
But in this way, the taste has changed a bit...
Everyone entered the palace. Emperor Daojun was very satisfied when he saw the surrounding arrangements. The second son had been making such a big fuss recently that he went out and caused such a big deal just after the confinement ended.
What music and lyrics compete? How can the music compete with the words? Emperor Daojun was also a poet and lyricist. Although his achievements were not as high as calligraphy and painting, he never believed that music could be on an equal footing with lyrics.
He actually watched the two Mid-Autumn Festival songs from the Taixue Poetry Conference. Although they were good, how could they all be so good? It was just a mistake.
There was a music trend in the capital, and he had read the new songs. They were simply nondescript, out of place, and unsightly!
Emperor Daojun didn't really believe that he could still write a song like the one at the Poetry Festival. Even if the second son could write another one and a half, it wouldn't be like this for the first time, right? Today he called these people to take turns to fight, just to dampen his arrogance and make him give up the idea of praising the song.
Fan Lou hadn't settled the accounts with him last time, but he actually came out to cause trouble again. He just took advantage of Zhou Bangyan's return to Beijing to suppress him severely!
Emperor Daojun felt proud, as if he had seen Zhao Tong's deflation.
No matter how talented your second son is, he is probably alone. How can he compete with these poets?
After everyone sat down, Emperor Daojun glanced at the sky outside. Just when he was about to ask King Qin why he didn't come, the young eunuch outside led Zhao Tao into the palace.
Zhao Tong first paid tribute to Emperor Daojun, and then looked at the people sitting below. Sure enough, almost all the famous people in Tokyo were here, except for one Li Qingzhao.
His table was deliberately separated from the others. There were three Wang Fus sitting at the bottom. The three tables were connected to each other. He was at the table alone, and opposite him were Zhou Bangyan and others.
This is an attempt to isolate and attack his own family. Zhao Tong shook his head secretly. Didn't he just promote the song? What's wrong with carrying forward something that the common people like to hear and see?
As for shaking the status of poetry, at least it is impossible for now, but people like it, so why not let a hundred flowers bloom? You must play the same tricks as in the court, exclude dissidents and suppress them with all your strength!
Emperor Daojun was condescending, looking at the people below, and said as if he had a pearl in his hand: "Today, I am hosting a banquet for no other reason than for the recent competition over lyrics and music in the capital."
Wang Fu immediately responded: "Guan Jia Sheng Ming, this matter has caused a stir in the scholarly literary circles. There are endless debates in the academy and schools, and it is difficult to distinguish."
Emperor Daojun said: "That's right, but why can't we distinguish this kind of thing? When I think about it, it's actually very simple!"
Cai You said hurriedly: "The official family is also everyone. If the official family takes action, it will naturally be easy to see whether the music can keep pace with the lyrics."
Emperor Daojun smiled and said: "I am not a great master in terms of lyrics and music. The matter of lyrics and music still depends on King Qin and Zhou Aiqing."
Bai Shizhong said: "The official family is really too modest. The official poetry, calligraphy and painting are the best in the world. No one knows it, and no one knows it!"
Emperor Daojun smiled and waved his hand: "There is no need to say such things. I called King Qin and Zhou Aiqing to come today. Naturally, they are arguing with each other. I am just setting up a place. King Qin, do you have any objections?"
Zhao Tong thought to himself, your old man's decree only mentioned the night banquet, and he didn't mention the dispute over lyrics and music at all. Now he said it clearly just to catch me off guard. You are not trying to create a scene here, you are clearly in the same group as the opposite party.
He said: "The officials don't know how to fight with each other?"
Emperor Daojun said: "I heard that you said something in the Taixue Poetry Association that you can't write lyrics for. As a master of poetry in this dynasty, Zhou Aiqing has a different meaning to your words, so he requested an order to return to Beijing to argue with you. , this struggle is naturally about comparing words to music and distinguishing between good and bad."
"So you are going to compose music?" Zhao Tong glanced at the dozen or so people opposite him, led by Zhou Bangyan, and said with a sad face: "The officials, this is not fair, there are so many of them!"
Emperor Daojun almost laughed out loud when he heard this: "Prince of Qin, you also recognize them. They are all lyricists in the capital. They all disagree with your words that do not contain lyrics, so they want to compete with each other in terms of lyrics and music."
Zhao Tong said: "But the official family..."
Emperor Daojun interrupted him and said: "King Qin, don't say it's unfair. You can also invite the Qu family in the capital to come to the banquet. I allow you this convenience. Even if you invite people now, it's not too late. They are a few more than the other party." It doesn’t matter either way!”
Zhao Tong blinked and asked him to call someone too? But where can he call people? Not to mention Tokyo, even the entire Song Dynasty would not be able to find a few good songs. This may seem fair, but in fact it is not fair at all!
When Emperor Daojun saw that he was defeated, his heart was filled with joy. This second brother always looked calm and calm at all times, and his every advance and retreat was based on calculations. It was rare for him to show such an uncomfortable look.
He said: "The King of Qin should ask people to come into the palace now. Don't say I am unfair because of this."
Zhao Tong smiled bitterly and said: "Officials are fair, and ministers don't ask for help!"
Emperor Daojun smiled and said: "King Qin, please think carefully. If you don't call others, you will face Zhou Aiqing alone."
Zhao Tong said: "Thank you for your understanding, sir...it's okay!"
When Zhou Bangyan heard this, his expression immediately changed, and he thought to himself, "It doesn't matter." King Qin, you are really a little too arrogant.
He opened his mouth and said: "Your Highness, King Qin, must think carefully. Are you really sure that one person will fight against all of us?"
Zhao Tong said calmly: "I have already thought about it, but everyone in Zhou is worrying too much."
He will not give Zhou Bangyan a good face. If you, an old man, is not working as an official in Huaidong, you have come all the way back to Tokyo to cause trouble for me. It is strange that I can give you a good face!
Zhou Bangyan couldn't help but said after hearing this: "Does the King of Qin really think that one person can defeat the likes of us? The King of Qin looks down on the poets of the time too much!"
What he said was not polite, and there was no taboo about each other's identities. Anyway, before learning, there was no respect for the old or the young, and the masters came first. Now they were discussing lyrics and music, and being too polite would make them feel guilty.
Zhao Tong looked at him, then glanced at the poets behind him, and tapped his fingers on the desk in front of him: "Why not?"
Zhou Bangyan said: "Manpower is sometimes poor. Even if each of us writes a poem, I am afraid that King Qin will not be able to withstand it!"
Zhao Tong said: "Everyone Zhou seems to think too highly of themselves and others!"
Zhou Bangyan shook his head and said, "It's King Qin who underestimated us!"
Zhao Tong narrowed his eyes: "It's not that I underestimate you, it's actually that there is no great talent in the world, so I made a mediocre person famous!"
"King Qin, you!" Zhou Bangyan was so angry that his beard trembled when he heard this. The poets behind him all had ugly faces. The implication of King Qin's words was that he didn't take them seriously at all!
Emperor Daojun felt relieved for a while. He had a quarrel with Zhou Bangyan in the past, and his second brother always made him worried. Now that these two are fighting together, it seems very satisfying.
He laughed loudly and said: "There is no rush to write lyrics and music. Since it is a banquet, we should drink wine first. How can we write lyrics and music without wine?"
After saying this, he signaled to Zhang Di next to him, who immediately passed on the order, and wine and food began to be served outside the Jade Hall.
After a while, all kinds of fine wines and delicacies were placed on the table. Emperor Daojun picked up a cup of sour plum drink on it and said proudly: "Today's grand gathering of song and lyrics should be celebrated with a toast. If it spreads tomorrow, it will be a blessing to our Song Dynasty." A great story in the literary world."
Everyone raised their glasses and said, "The officials are wise!"
Emperor Daojun drank all the wine in one gulp, followed by others who drank from their glasses, and then Emperor Daojun began to talk non-stop.
Most of what he talked about was about lyrics and music, showing off all kinds of knowledge about poetry, music, and poetry. He especially took out some unfamiliar music brands and elaborated on the origins of allusions.
After drinking for three rounds, Emperor Daojun wiped the soup from the corner of his mouth with silk silk, sat back on the dragon chair with satisfaction, and decided to start watching a play.
He said: "Do you have any interest in poetry?"
Zhao Tong held the wine glass and looked across the way. He saw that Zhou Bangyan's face was a little red, and he seemed to be slightly drunk, so he said, "I can do it at any time. I wonder if everyone Zhou is drunk?"
Zhou Bangyan heard this and said: "What King Qin said is wrong. Whether you can write lyrics or not has nothing to do with being drunk or not?"
Zhao Tong smiled and said, "I'm afraid Lian Po is old and will he still be able to make a living?"
Zhou Bangyan shook his head and said: "The King of Qin must know that Jiang Lang has only one thing to do. I wonder how many more songs he can compose for me and others tonight?"
Zhao Tong thought to himself, I know you all have stocks. Now, using these words, isn't it just a threat? You want me to bow my head on Qu, but even if you have manuscripts in your mind, you don't have a lot of ambitions. .
He said: "Do you guys in Zhou Dynasty want to fight against the Confucian scholars?"
This story of fighting with Confucian scholars has been around for a long time.
There are exclusive storytellers in Tokyo, among whom Huo Sikuo is the most famous, Yin Changmai is the history of the Five Dynasties, and Wen Baniang is the most famous.
Huo Siju's "Shuo San San", that is, the story of the Three Kingdoms, is the earliest version of the Three Kingdoms storybook. Many of the stories in it are handed down from ancient times and are not original creations of some later novels.
When Zhou Bangyan heard the words "Texu Zhan Qunru", he shook his head secretly, thinking that although the King of Qin was talented, he was still too young after all. He never thought that he or these poets didn't have a few unpublished poems. draft?
If these words were released, how could King Qin be able to withstand them? Let alone composing music on the spot, even if he had retained them, how could the music be so easy to compose?
He had read those two Mid-Autumn Festival songs. The cold and absurd artistic conception in them could never be written in a short while. Without such artistic conception, it would be just an ordinary piece of music, which cannot be compared with the lyrics at all.
If the capital cannot have artistic conception, then the King of Qin will undoubtedly lose. But if he wants to compose a piece of music that is entirely artistic, how is this possible?
Thinking of this, Zhou Bangyan stood up and saluted Emperor Daojun: "Guan, since King Qin has already thought about it, please ask the official to come up with the question."
(End of chapter)
