Wei Chen was sitting on the bamboo mat, with a large plate of boiled mutton and several sliced pieces of mutton lungs placed on the table in front of him.
As for the wine, there was only one jug of Xuanjiu.
What is Xuanjiu?
Xuanjiu is a very mysterious wine. You can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk.
In short, clear water.
Wuquan Winery's amber wine was very popular in Jiangning, and was regarded as elegant by literati and poets. Unfortunately, it was unable to attend this banquet.
Because every aspect of this banquet follows ancient rituals and is modeled on the rural drinking ceremony of the Spring and Autumn Period.
Although many tedious etiquettes were omitted, the Xuanjiu in this ancient ceremony was not omitted at all, and each scholar was given a pot.
Many pampered scholars looked a bit ugly when they saw this, and they secretly cursed: This Master Futai is too stingy!
Wei Chen didn't care. He was born in a poor family, so it would be good if he had meat to eat. As for good wine, he had plenty of it at home, so there was no need to drink it here.
This kind of banquet is not originally for drinking and eating, but for showing off the scenery and dignity.
Wei Chen is still very clear about this.
Wei Chen was slowly eating boiled mutton when he suddenly heard a deep and majestic voice.
"Everyone, why don't you compose an elegant poem for an elegant banquet? Please each compose an impromptu poem to increase the interest!"
The speaker was of course Shen Du, the prefect of Jiangning.
Wei Chen was the closest to Shen Du, and this was the first time he heard Shen Futai's loud voice up close, which was simply deafening.
It seems that this official is not that easy to become, at least you need to practice the lion's roar skill.
After hearing Shen Futai's request, everyone in the hall looked at each other with reluctance.
I just took two test poems in the government examination, and now the banquet is here again, can I still have a good meal?
"You come first!"
Shen Du randomly clicked on someone.
This person happened to be in the fifth year of Tang Dynasty in the imperial examination.
Tang Henian pondered for a while and then recited a poem. The poem could not be said to be very good, but it could be regarded as fair and peaceful, and it was appropriate to the time.
Wei Chen was quite impressed after hearing this. He was able to write such a poem in such a short time. He was worthy of being a famous young hero in Jiangning Mansion. This Jiangning Mansion is really a hidden dragon and a crouching tiger!
Next, each scholar was called by Shen Du and stood up. Each of them composed a poem on the spot, or recited the scenery, or expressed his ambitions, and so on.
When it was Wei Chen's turn, Shen Du said with a smile: "Wei Chen, you already have a name for poetry, and you are the head of the case in this office. Your talent is far beyond your peers. I only give you seven breaths of time to write a poem quickly!"
Wei Chen complained secretly.
Seven breaths into poetry?
This is even more outrageous than Cao Zijian's poem written in seven steps!
However, Wei Chen also got an advantage. When other scholars were writing poems, he was already prepared to be called upon and took the opportunity to type up the manuscript in advance. At this time, he was not in a hurry.
Wei Chen stood up and said without thinking:
"Li Du's poems have been passed down by thousands of mouths."
Shen Du nodded and said lightly: "Not bad."
Wei Chen added: "It doesn't feel new yet."
When all the scholars present heard this, their colors changed and they took a deep breath unconsciously.
Sheng Changbai and others, who were close to Wei Chen, were worried about Wei Chen. They thought that Wei Chen was too courageous, and even the poets and immortals were not looked down upon. How could they come to terms with this?
Shen Du tasted it for a while, with a playful look in his eyes, and teased: "Your poem is too loud, I'm afraid it won't finish well."
Wei Chen looked calm, raised his glass with one hand, held it behind his back with the other, and continued chanting: "There have been talented people from generation to generation, and each has been leading the way for hundreds of years."
The words fell.
Everyone in the house was shocked.
Even Shen Du's expression became solemn.
The master of the mansion flicked the hem of his official uniform, stood up suddenly, raised his cup from the case, and uttered three words:
"Well done!"
This sound was like a stone thrown into a calm lake. In an instant, everyone in the hall cheered Wei Chen's poem, and Chen Jun and Tao Dazhi clapped their palms red.
Shen Du pointed the wine glass at Wei Chen and said with no concealment of admiration in his eyes: "You are such an astonishing talent, I would like to propose a toast to you!"
Why is Shen Du so happy?
Because Wei Chen’s poem is so good!
Other people's poems either chanted things or expressed their aspirations, but Wei Chen was commenting on the poems written by everyone, and the pattern was much higher.
Moreover, his poem was equivalent to praising all the scholars present, making these scholars think that the "talent" in the poem was himself.
In short, it is "pattern" plus "emotional intelligence".
At this moment, in Shen Du's eyes, the brilliance of the poem itself is secondary. Wei Chen's wisdom and magnanimity are what Shen Du appreciates the most.
"Thank you Mr. Futai."
Wei Chen held the cup with one hand and covered his sleeve with the other, and then drank all the mysterious wine in the cup.
Seeing that Wei Chen was still so calm despite being in such a big limelight, everyone couldn't help but admire him.
After that, everyone continued to write poems, but no matter how good the poem was, it would pale in comparison to Wei Chen's "On Poetry".
Sheng Changbai smiled and said: "Brother Xian, your poem has won the day! After today, what happened at the banquet will be spread throughout the Jiangnan literary world. Brother Xian, you are going to be famous again!"
…
In the evening, the banquet dispersed and everyone returned home happily.
After saying goodbye, Wang Yaochen, Weng Dingfan, and Tang Henian stopped and looked back. Under the lights in the distance, Shen Futai pulled Wei Chen, seemingly giving instructions.
When the three of them saw this scene, they were all envious.
"I am not as talented as this person!"
Wang Yaochen suddenly let out a sigh.
Both Weng Dingfan and Tang Henian were a little puzzled. Wang Yaochen had previously boasted that he would beat Wei Chen in the provincial examination, so why did he feel ashamed now?
Wang Yaochen sighed and said: "In the past, I only knew that this person was young and mature, and his city was deep, but today I can see that he is so powerful!"
…
On the other side, Wei Chen, who was left alone by Shen Du to talk, also caught up with Sheng Changbai and others.
Sheng Changbai asked curiously: "Brother Xian, what did Mr. Futai say to you?"
Wei Chen said: "Master Futai told me that if I can ignore my career and concentrate on my studies in the future, within ten years, I will be a mountain farmer again."
Chen Jun was a little surprised: "Mr. Shannong is a famous scholar in the world, but Mr. Futai actually compares you with him?"
Sheng Changbai frowned: "If you don't ask about your career, doesn't that mean you can't take the imperial examination and become an official?"
Wei Chen sighed and said, "Master Futai said that if I distract myself from the imperial examination and get obsessed with fame and fortune, I'm afraid I won't be able to settle down and study in the future. You can't have your cake and eat it too!"
"Then how did you answer?"
Sheng Changbai and Chen Jun asked in unison.
Wei Chen said with a smile: "I would say that students think that doing knowledge does not necessarily mean retiring to the mountains and fields. Being an official is just like doing knowledge, and you can also understand the truth from it."
"Well said!" Chen Jun clapped his legs and said, "Applying practical knowledge to the world, emphasizing both justice and benefit. This is the style that scholars of our generation should have!"
Sheng Changbai looked worried and asked, "I'm afraid your answer may not be in line with Shen Futai's wishes. Mr. Futai didn't blame you, did he?"
"Of course not." Wei Chen laughed and said, "Not only did Mr. Futai not blame me, he also greatly praised me and recommended me a teacher who can teach me how to manage the world."
"Oh, teacher?"
"Who is that person?"
Facing the questioning from his two friends, Wei Chen opened his mouth with a smile and slowly uttered a few words.
"Mr. Qingteng, Zhuang Jun!"
