"The humble ministers kowtow to the Supreme Emperor and wish the Supreme Emperor good luck every year and good luck every year."
Although almost everyone in Chonghua Hall has heard of Jia Lian's name, many of them have never seen Jia Lian's true face.
Therefore, when Jia Lian appeared in front of the hall, many people couldn't help but secretly praise him at first sight: What a handsome young man!
It is true that he is a young man. Among those who can enter the palace, regardless of the clan or civil and military relatives, Jia Lian is definitely one of the youngest people.
Just when all the big guys in the hall were praising Jia Lian's appearance, they saw that the Supreme Emperor, who had been sitting on the high dragon chair from beginning to end, stood up and stepped down after staring at Jia Lian for a few seconds. steps.
Seeing this, everyone ignored their surprise and stood up to show respect.
"Are you Jia Lian?"
"Back to the Supreme Emperor, the humble minister is Jia Lian."
Face to face with the Supreme Emperor, the Supreme Emperor of the world, even Jia Lian felt quite pressured. He quietly raised his head and took a look at the Supreme Emperor, who was standing only a few steps away in front of him. He saw that his body was already old and thin.
However, even for such a frail-looking old man, his random actions can affect the entire hall, which represents the thoughts and actions of the most powerful people in the entire Wei Dynasty.
"As expected, you are a handsome and charming person with extraordinary appearance. It seems that the Queen Mother is right. You are indeed the most outstanding young talent among my generation, the Great Wei Dynasty."
The Emperor did not hide his praise for Jia Lian at all, and the mention of the Queen Mother in his words made everyone who heard it feel envious.
Jia Lian didn't know what kind of luck he had. Not only did Ning Kangdi value him and treat him as a confidant, but even the two old saints, the Emperor and the Queen Mother, also had such good senses for him. It was a blessing. .
You know, even the current prince would never receive this kind of treatment.
Jia Lian was not stunned by the sudden favor from the Supreme Emperor. Instead, he glanced at Emperor Ningkang standing above him. When I noticed that his expression had not changed at all and was still as cold as water, I felt a thump in my heart.
While he was looking back, he glanced at the high-ranking Queen Mother, but he happened to meet her bright eyes. But at that moment, the latter immediately turned indifferent, and even his beautiful face had a cold look.
Jia Lian did not dare to make a mistake, and quickly bowed and responded: "The Emperor and the Queen Mother are so complimentary. I am ashamed that I can't deserve it."
The Supreme Emperor looked around Jia Lian half a circle with great interest, and suddenly said: "Although the pair of unicorns that your Rongguo Mansion gave me are good, they are nothing to me. Compared with this jade unicorn, I I would rather see the real talent and learning of this real Qilin.
I have heard a few of the poems you wrote before and thought they were quite good. Therefore, today, I want to test you in person. I wonder if you have the courage to show off your talent and knowledge in front of me, a prince full of people in the palace? "
Hearing what the Supreme Emperor said, many people in the hall became interested. They all knew that Jia Lian was a martial artist, but they had also heard that Jia Lian became very popular when he was gambling poetry with others in the Prince's Courtyard. He wrote many excellent poems in a row. Such glorious deeds as taking out 10,000 taels of gambling capital.
Hearing is worse than seeing. Today, you may have the opportunity to witness with your own eyes whether it is the rumors that are just rumors or whether Jia Lian is really talented and versatile in both civil and military affairs!
Of course, many people are secretly jealous. The Supreme Emperor has not been involved in foreign affairs for many years. Normally, even the prince, grandsons and grandsons would see his face, let alone take an exam in person.
It is definitely a great honor to be taught by the Supreme Emperor, let alone on such an important occasion as the Supreme Emperor's birthday banquet.
It is conceivable that if any of the disciples in the clan could get such an opportunity, they would wake up laughing in their sleep.
Jia Lian had long known that if he chose to show off his talents at the beginning, such things would be inevitable in the future. This was actually the reason why even though he chose to join the martial arts later on, he still devoted part of his energy to studying poetry and songs, not just to pick up girls... in order to blend in with the atmosphere of talented women in his family, so as not to lose his prestige.
I don't know if what I have learned over the years can pass the test of the Supreme Emperor.
In fact, given his status, if there were any inexplicable people asking him to write poems and lyrics, he could simply ignore them. Or just like he did to the Zhou brothers, he asked for ten thousand taels of gambling money to put an end to his thoughts...
But these moves are obviously ineffective against the Supreme Emperor.
"The humble minister has little talent and little knowledge. He is afraid of staining the ears of the Supreme Emperor."
"You don't have to be humble. I've said it before. If you do well, I will reward you heavily."
Hearing the Emperor's words, "Everything comes with rewards," Jia Lian almost couldn't help but want to start memorizing poems at all costs. After all, for the Supreme Emperor to specifically emphasize a heavy reward, this reward must not be simple.
Maybe just make him the Duke of the country...
But there is a big problem... The boss Ning Kangdi is not sure why he feels awkward now. Showing his face in front of the Supreme Emperor at this time, and even taking his reward, is unpredictable.
Now change the door? Come on, Jia Lian doesn't mind having a long life.
After sorting out all the causal relationships in his mind, Jia Lian showed no expression on his face and remained modest and cautious. "Thanks to the Supreme Emperor's love, I condescend to take a test. I am willing to give it a try."
"very good."
The Emperor was very satisfied with Jia Lian's performance. He had indeed read Jia Lian's poems before, and he had a good impression of this boy, so he suddenly thought of taking a test today.
Seeing Jia Lian agree, he looked thoughtful, and with a glance, he had already decided on the topic.
He raised his hand and pointed at the door of the hall and said with a smile: "It is the early winter now, so let's use snow as the theme. Whatever you have in mind, whether it is a rhymed poem or a quatrain, you can use it as you like."
Everyone looked in the direction indicated by the Supreme Emperor, only to find that snowflakes had started to fall in the sky at some unknown time. Snowflakes accumulated on the tops of trees outside the hall, creating a floating snow-white world.
Many people sighed in their hearts: Colleagues outside the palace, how are you?
Jia Lian had no time to care about the people enjoying the feast outside the palace. He also followed the Emperor's instructions and looked around. His brain and thoughts were running at full speed, thinking about how to deal with the situation in order to best solve the situation at hand.
Seeing Jia Lian thinking, the Emperor did not urge him at all. He turned around and sat back on the dragon chair.
The entire hall was very quiet, with hundreds of pairs of eyes staring at Jia Lian. Suddenly Jia Lian turned around, walked to the bookcase brought by the eunuchs next to him, dipped his pen in ink, and as he started writing, he read in a serious voice:
"Heavy snow crushes green pines"
A very powerful opening sentence and an opening question. Just listening to this first sentence, many people have a feeling that this Zhenyuan Hou is by no means a person who lives up to his reputation.
"Green pines are straight and straight"
Well, taking snow as the title but mentioning "pine" in two sentences seems to be a crime.
Some knowledgeable people frowned slightly, but because of Jia Lian's reputation, they did not dare to draw a conclusion easily, thinking that there might be a wonderful turning point in the future.
"Know the lofty and pure pine trees"
Is there any pine again? Some people couldn't help but doubt it, but others were wondering, could it be what Jia Lian wanted to do? Even so, it is obvious that the minister is strong and the master is weak in the first half of the battle. How can the second half of the battle be reversed?
"Wait until the snow melts"
…
Those who were waiting for Jia Lian to read the second half of the poem were startled when they saw Jia Lian stop writing. Is this the end?
Perhaps because of preconceptions, everyone knew that Jia Lian was going to write about "snow", so they did not immediately understand the poem in terms of "pine".
When Jia Lian put away his pen, they slowly came to their senses, and then they couldn't help but think deeply.
Looking at the rows of pine trees outside the main hall, their branches bent under the weight of snowflakes, anyone with some literary appreciation can feel the praise for the character of the pine trees in these four lines of poetry read by Jia Lian.
As one of the "Three Friends of Suihan", it is not surprising that Song has been written and praised a lot by literati since ancient times.
The strange thing is, if it is really as I thought, wouldn't Jia Lian be off topic?
Many people find it difficult to understand. If we say that Jia Lian is not good, he wrote these four games very well. If the theme is loose, I am afraid it will be a rare masterpiece.
Could it be that there is some other deep meaning in this?
Perhaps because of the uniqueness of Jia Lian's poem, the palace remained quiet for a long time after he finished reading it.
until……
"What's wrong, Your Majesty?"
Sitting next to Emperor Ning Kang, the gentle empress suddenly noticed that the dragon body that had been motionless since sitting down suddenly trembled, and couldn't help but ask with concern.
"nothing."
Emperor Ning Kang replied in a low voice, but his eyes were fixed on His Highness, Jia Lian, who was standing in front of the case with his hands down after he stopped writing.
"What a 'Keep the pine trees pure until the snow melts'!"
Emperor Ning Kang was very shocked. After a few years, he once again felt the brutal oppression from the Supreme Emperor.
He had worked hard to formulate the national policy that was about to be promulgated. He had prepared and arranged almost all the preliminary preparations.
However, just because of the simple words of the Supreme Emperor today, all his plans were shattered, and all his hard work and planning were in vain.
He didn't listen to the Supreme Emperor's high-sounding reasons at all. He firmly believed that he was right, so he was angry inside.
But while he was angry, he vaguely sensed a problem.
He seemed to remember that in the past, when faced with the interference and suppression of the Supreme Emperor, he could only instinctively choose to obey, and did not dare to resist at all.
But today was different. Facing the Supreme Emperor's interference today, he not only argued with him, but also had a huge impulse in his heart, wanting to break the confinement in front of him at all costs and say no to the Supreme Emperor.
Fortunately, the only trace of reason left in his heart allowed him to barely suppress the anger in his heart and resisted it from exploding.
He didn't quite understand why he had such a change at first, but after hearing Jia Lian read his poem, he suddenly understood something.
Yes, when he first ascended the throne, everything was given by the Supreme Emperor, and he could not resist.
There is a difference between now and before. He has been in power for seven years. These seven years of hard work in state affairs have made him unknowingly develop his own strength and solid foundation like a pine tree rising from the ground.
However, he forgot that no matter how strong his foundation and strength were, he could never surpass the Supreme Emperor. Just like the green pine, no matter how tall and strong it is, as long as the snowflakes are flying in the sky, it is destined to be bent by the white snow.
And the only way to break this bondage is only when the sun shines and the branches melt, can the green pine truly reveal his noble character to the world.
When will the sun shine brightly and the snow accumulated on the branches melt? Emperor Ning Kang glanced at the hunched Emperor above him. He took a deep breath to calm down his irritable mood for a long time.
Then he looked at Jia Lian again, and Jia Lian also looked at him. The pair immediately retreated, but silently expressed their loyal gaze, making Emperor Ning Kang narrow his eyes.
It can be said that Jia Lian's poem really fits his mood at this time. Is it a coincidence, or did Jia Lian do it intentionally?
Just a coincidence, what if it was intentional? He knew that Jia Lian was quite a monster, so it was not surprising that he could persuade him in new ways. This boy could always cater to his wishes.
He just felt that if this was really the case, then Jia Lian would be too courageous! In other words, if he has the slightest dissatisfaction with Jia Lian, he can be taken down and punished now. The crime was disrespect, and the evidence was the phrase "wait until the snow melts."
But obviously, Emperor Ning Kang could not have this idea.
First of all, these are just speculations based on his personal experience. Moreover, if Jia Lian is dealt with on this charge, wouldn't it also mean that he also regards the existence of the Supreme Emperor as the heavy snow pressing on his branches, committing the crime of disrespect and unfilial piety?
Therefore, Emperor Ningkang not only had no intention of punishing Jia Lian, but instead felt an indescribable tenderness in his heart. After all, just now, he experienced a betrayal from civil and military officials.
Many of those who opposed him were people who were usually loyal to him, but when it came to their own interests, they chose to side with the Supreme Emperor.
And when he faced the pressure of the Supreme Emperor alone, no one could share it with him. Now, knowing that Jia Lian has such loyalty to the emperor, he feels somewhat relieved.
Regardless of Emperor Ning Kang's turbulent thoughts, other people in the palace finally couldn't help but started whispering.
The Supreme Emperor also read Jia Lian's poem manuscript at this time, and he finally said: "The heavy snow pressed on the green pine, and the green pine was straight and straight. You must know that the pine is noble and pure when the snow melts! It is indeed a good poem, with simple words and quite interesting ideas. It is profound and makes people think deeply when reading it.
However, although the poem is good, I don't see much connection with 'snow'. Could it be that you didn't hear what I said clearly? "
Jia Lian immediately knelt down and said, "Replying to the Emperor, it's not that I didn't hear clearly the Emperor's holy will. At the beginning, I also wanted to use 'Ode to Snow' as the theme. While I was thinking hard, I suddenly saw the towering green pines outside the palace. , Even if it is rolled over by heavy snow, it still stands unyielding, and I feel it in my heart.
Because he thought that the emperor's examination was to measure the talent and learning of the minister, and the good lines were accidentally discovered by chance, he boldly wrote this poem and asked the emperor to forgive me for his lack of talent and lack of knowledge. "
Jia Lian's meaning can be summarized as follows: I didn't think of anything else at the time, I just thought of this. Please forgive me for my lack of knowledge and talent.
It is true that there are many poems about snow, and there are even poems about snow that do not exist in this world, but can be called eternal famous poems, and Jia Lian also has them in his mind.
But he didn't want to write. He had no intention of pleasing the Supreme Emperor now. He was only thinking about how to send the Supreme Emperor away tactfully without annoying Emperor Ningkang.
He didn't lie. It was indeed when he looked at the scene outside the palace that he suddenly remembered this masterpiece by Chen Shuai.
He thought it was very good, the poem was good, although it was not particularly amazing, it was rare that it had lofty intentions and a long spirit, so it could block the Emperor's mind.
As for going off topic, as he thought, it was not important. Anyway, the Emperor probably just wanted to see if he had real talent and learning, and was not trying to make things difficult.
And the suspicion about Emperor Ning Kang was indeed not completely unfounded. Jia Lian really thought of using this metaphor to remind Emperor Ning Kang to be calm and calm.
What are you so anxious about? You are still young, and the Emperor is already in his seventies or eighties. When he burps, what do you want to do?
As for why he dares? He didn't dare, no, he didn't say it out loud.
Those meanings were all expressed by Emperor Ning Kang himself. As for the Supreme Emperor, he may not think that his interference with Emperor Ningkang today is a kind of oppression of Emperor Ningkang. He may also think that he is the right one, and he will never think of "snow pressing on the green pines".
As for the others, even if there are those who have a clear mind and are sure that Jia Lian and Emperor Ning Kang are "iron buddies", they can associate it with this level, but who dares to say?
To instigate a father-son relationship between the Supreme Emperor and Emperor Ningkang is a capital crime!
Even if someone dislikes him, they are not afraid of spreading rumors about him afterwards. There is no substantial evidence anyway. When he is obviously very popular in the royal family, using such baseless things to deal with him will be slanderous to anyone with a discerning eye.
After all, he is just a small courtier. In other words, if Ning Kangdi writes a poem like this backhand after he goes back today and is exposed, that would be a real deal.
As for him, even if he was hammered, it can only be said to be a coincidence. The guilty ones are those with ulterior motives who dare to make such an association.
Beside Jia Lian, Jia Zheng once again felt the ruthless suppression from his nephew Jia Lian. After laughing bitterly in his heart for a long time, he saw that Jia Lian actually disobeyed the imperial edict. For fear of his suffering, he quickly urged: "Lian'er, since you remember that the emperor asked you It’s ‘Snow’, so why don’t you compose another one soon?”
Faced with Jia Zheng's anxiety, the Supreme Emperor above laughed first before Jia Lian could respond.
"What a 'wonderful person'. He is indeed the most outstanding young talent of the younger generation in Wei Dynasty. His talent and character are equally outstanding and eclectic.
That’s all, there’s no need to write another one, I think this one is very good. Tell me what reward you want. "
The Emperor seemed very happy and generous. Not only did he casually give Jia Lian the title of the most talented young man in the Wei Dynasty, but he also immediately wanted to redeem his promise.
Seeing the Emperor's reaction, Jia Zheng's face showed anxiety and dullness. I still remember that when he first came to serve in the imperial court, he was just a small director of the Ministry of Industry and was not even qualified to go to the imperial court.
Later, I could only stand in the row behind the civil servants and feel the supreme power of the Supreme Emperor from a distance.
When had he ever enjoyed such gentle treatment? So for a moment he looked at Jia Lian with both happiness and envy.
Alas, I originally thought that relying on my daughter's power, I would have a chance to be promoted, and maybe I could overtake Jia Lian in the official position. Now it seems that everything is in vain.
Just looking at the attitude of the two saints towards this boy, one knew that his future career would definitely soar like a rocket. Really, it’s boring for me to compete with this brat when I’m fine.
Facing the Emperor's sincere inquiry, Jia Lian wanted to say for a moment: If you don't want to be the Emperor, why don't you just give me the title of First-class Rongguo Duke of our ancestor...
After thinking about it, Jia Lian bowed and said, "Since the Supreme Emperor sincerely rewards me, I will be disrespectful. I dare not hide it from the Supreme Emperor. I really have a wish in my heart now."
"Well, you say."
The Supreme Emperor seemed to have no pressure at all, and was not afraid of Jia Lian's big mouth. Perhaps for him, there is no reward in the world that he cannot give, it just depends on whether he is willing to give it or not.
"My current wish is that the Supreme Emperor and the Queen Mother will always have good fortune and longevity, and they will benefit the people of Wei Li for thousands of years!"
…
(End of chapter)
