The news that the British government was about to hold a cultural conference spread like wildfire in the capital.
The National Examination is about to take place, and the major halls and restaurants in Beijing are crowded with candidates from various provinces who have come to Beijing to take the examination.
When they heard the news, almost everyone was less interested.
A vulgar person like Wu Fu Xungui also learned from civil servants to organize cultural gatherings?
What a joke.
What happened to the British father?
Although he was a high-ranking official of the first rank, he did not have as much power as a real commander. Besides, even if he could gain face with Lu Heng as a civil and military leader, it would not explain anything in the civil service system. Maybe he will end up with the reputation of following the crowd.
But people are simply overthinking these things.
Although Lu Heng wants to hold a cultural gathering, not everyone is qualified to participate.
Juren, who has no literary talent and a mediocre family status, will not receive invitations at all.
But someone whose family was powerful and talented in literature was even less likely to go to a British government official.
However, it didn't take long for news to come to the market that the King of Shu was coming to Wenhui in person.
As soon as this news was released, all the scholars who were originally not optimistic about the British government's cultural conference could not sit still.
His Majesty now has three sons, the deposed crown prince Zhang Yan. This man's face was seriously injured for unknown reasons before, and he lost his position as crown prince because of his appearance.
Since then, the position of prince has been vacant.
Your Majesty's second son is named Zhang Can, who was granted the title of King of Qi. I heard that this man has a very good relationship with the young master Qin Que, who is the first assistant to Qin Yan. There has been a rumor in the court that this is the next crown prince, and he has been very popular recently.
Zhang Yan and Zhang Can were both descended from the Lu family, the first queen of Emperor Zhengzheng, Empress Mouling.
As for the king of Shu, his name is Zhang Quan [sound LI, fourth tone]. He is the youngest, only 12 years old this year. He is the daughter of the current Queen Xie.
To be honest, everyone doubted whether the little kid King Shu knew what Wenhui was, and they didn't feel that they were appreciated by King Shu during this period.
But where is his identity? Now that the King of Shu has gone, will the person in the palace also pay attention to this cultural gathering at the British government?
Thinking of this, the scholars' hearts felt hot.
If there are one or two things that stand out at the cultural gathering and that person knows about it, in the future...
On the day of the Wenhui Festival, in the past, only vulgar warriors came and went in front of the British palace. Suddenly, there were many more people wearing Taoist robes, crane cloaks, and square turbans on their heads.
These people only met for a while, and they made all the disciples of the British government very polite.
"Brother Yazhi, are you here too?"
"Haha, I heard that at this cultural fair, talented people from all provinces gathered. Why don't you come and join in the fun?"
"Brother Yazhi is not here for His Majesty the King of Shu, right?"
"Haha, how is that possible? Am I the kind of person who tends to follow people's influence?"
"Then this thick stack of manuscripts in your hand can't be a manuscript..."
"Um, this..."
After the elegant judge was able to prevaricate, he and the person who asked the question boarded the gate of the British Palace.
When the disciple saw the two of them, he smiled and said, "Two gentlemen, do you have invitations to the cultural gathering?"
The two of them were dumbfounded. Brother Ya said displeasedly: "I am Liu Zheng of Yanzhou, Shandong..."
"Mr. Liu, please give me an invitation!"
"No!"
"If you don't have it, you won't be allowed in!"
"It's ridiculous. I'm a dignified scholar, but I'm not well-known in Yanzhou. I came to attend the cultural gathering at your house. That's..."
Before he finished speaking, the disciple said impatiently: "Come on, two people, get out of here. Why do you think cats and dogs can participate in the cultural gathering at our house? It's a joke."
"You... are so impudent. I will definitely read Lu Heng's book when I become a high school scholar in the future!"
Menzi didn't look at him at all, but turned to look at the other person.
"I don't have this either..."
"I don't want to give it away!"
…
Early in the morning, this scene was repeated repeatedly in the British government. These noble men were used to being arrogant in their hometowns. The common people would kowtow when they saw them. Even the county magistrate would do so if he saw them. As good as friends are, who would have thought that when I came to this place, I would suffer such great humiliation.
"We won't leave, but we want to see who is going in!"
"The name of the man who just entered is Su Rong, whose courtesy name is Kongde. He is the second son of the Taoist sect in Yanzhou!"
Liu Zheng, who was driven out, his eyes turned red when he heard this.
"How can it be unreasonable that the Scholars Wenhui is also engaging in this kind of behavior? Does the prince, general, Xiang Ning, have the guts?"
"Brother Ya, be careful what you say!"
"Am I wrong? Why does the imperial court hold the imperial examination? If everyone does it like the Lu family does? Then why do they need the imperial examination? Why don't dragons give birth to dragons, phoenixes give birth to phoenixes, and the sons of mice can dig holes!"
"Yes, I think Brother Yazhi is right!"
"We want to go in too!"
"We won't leave until you get in!"
"That's right!"
At this moment, a carriage drove up the street in front of the British Duke's palace. The carriage was followed by about twenty pro-army retinues.
The carriage is made of small-leaf rosewood. In the sunlight, the gold stars on the wooden texture shine brightly.
What caught the attention of all the scholars was not the luxurious carriage, but the huge word "Shu" on the carriage carriage.
"It's His Royal Highness the King of Shu!"
"Your Highness!"
When everyone saw the carriage, they all bowed and saluted.
In the carriage compartment, a young man heard the noise outside and curiously said to the middle-aged man next to him: "Peng Changshi, are the people outside calling me?"
Peng Changshi, whose surname is Peng Mingzheng and given name Shehou, is Zuo Changshi, the chief historian of the Prince of Shu's palace, who is in the fifth rank.
Peng Zheng said solemnly: "These people are all intellectuals who want to participate in the cultural gathering. They just salute when they see His Highness stand!"
The young man frowned and said, "Why don't they go in?"
Peng Zhengdao: "Maybe I didn't receive the invitation!"
The young man shook his head: "I heard Peng Changshi tell me that once a scholar passes the examination, he will be a person who has read poetry and books. Since it is a literary society, what is the point of shutting out these people?"
Peng Changshi was speechless for a moment. When he was about to get out of the car, he said: "The British Duke is organizing a cultural conference at the command of His Majesty. It is better for Your Highness not to interfere with the specific arrangements!"
King Shu Zhang Huan shook his head and said: "I don't know why my father asked me to come here too. I haven't even finished reading the Four Books. I'm afraid that I will lose my father's face today!"
Peng Changshi frowned even deeper when he heard this.
Yes, what exactly does your Majesty mean? Why was King Shu suddenly asked to attend the literary meeting?
This oral instruction will definitely not ask the King of Shu to write poems and compositions at the literary meeting. If so, it means there is something special about the scholars participating in the literary meeting. Your Majesty wants the King of Shu to get in touch with him...
Thinking of this, Peng Changshi's heart skipped a beat.
The crown prince's position has been undecided for a long time. If it is as he guessed, wouldn't that mean...?
Thinking of this, Peng Zheng was not happy at all, but felt uneasy.
At this moment, the noisy scholars outside shouted in unison: "Welcome to His Majesty the King of Qi!"
"King Qi..."
Peng Zheng's face looked even more grim.
