The news of Zhang Longxiang composing a poem swept across Sheng Yuan like a gust of wind.
Since only High Scholars or higher could enter the rankings, the rest of the people could only wait for the High Scholars to announce their names.
There were a few High Scholars in Wen You Tavern who were not part of the High Scholars. Because of the discussion, they did not look at the rankings. Now that they heard someone shouting, they immediately took out their official seals. Everyone around them shut their mouths and looked at the High Scholars quietly.
After a few breaths, one of the High Scholars opened his eyes and nodded, "Zhang Longxiang has indeed composed a poem. It is called 'Viewing Dong Ting Lake as a Tribute to the Emperor'."
The tavern owner immediately shouted, "Quick! Bring out the ink and paper! "
The waiter beside him immediately picked up the ink and paper and rushed towards the High Scholar.
The High Scholar nodded and began to write. As he wrote, he recited.
The level of the Eight Moons Lake.
The air steams the Dreamy Cloud Lake. The waves shake Yueyang City.
Desiring help without a boat to sail, the shame of the sage.
Sitting and watching the fisherman, the envy of the fish.
After the High Scholar finished reciting the first and second couplets, everyone nodded their heads. However, when they heard the complete poem, many of them were surprised.
"The poem is a good one, but … it shouldn't be …" Zhang Zongshi and the other High Scholars muttered to themselves.
"Is there something special about this poem? Can Mr Wang explain? "A young High Scholar asked the Old Show beside him.
The Old Show smiled and said, "Old Man is not talented. Let's not talk about the final couplets. Let's talk about the first and second couplets. The first four lines are the best. The first line, 'The level of the Eight Moons Lake', is simple and straightforward. However, it accurately describes the characteristics of the Dong Ting Lake in August. The water level of the lake has risen to the same level as the shore. When the word 'level' is spoken, it makes people feel as if the water of the lake is about to overflow. Years ago, Fang Xusheng composed a poem, 'The bright moon shines above the sea, from the ends of the earth we share this moment'. He used the word 'level' instead of 'level' and it shocked the world. It was also written during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Of course, the word 'level' is slightly inferior to the word 'level'. "
The High Scholars around nodded their heads. They did not expect the Old Show to be so knowledgeable. They all listened quietly. Even the High Scholars put down their official seals.
"The Void in the second line refers to the sky. The sky, the water, of course, refers to the sky......... the sky refers to the sky........ The previous sentence was about the shape of Dongting Lake, so this sentence described the appearance of Dongting Lake. The choice of words was very accurate and it was really excellent. This can't help but remind me of Zhang Mingzhou's poem, 'The white sun at the end of the mountain, the Yellow River flows into the sea'. The scenery in these two lines is as beautiful as a painting. "
"Teacher is right." The young scholar nodded his head repeatedly.
"The Dreamy Cloud Lake is another name for Dongting Lake. Yue Yang is also another name for Baling City. The water vapor on Dongting Lake evaporates. When the wind blows, the waves roll. The wind is so strong that it seems to shake Baling City. Do you know what's so wonderful about the phrase 'the waves shook Yueyang City'? "
. ".. I don't know." The High Scholar's face turned red.
"The first two lines refer to the lake being full and the lake being mixed with the sky. First, there is a lot of water. Second, the water surface is wide. But no matter how you write it, it is just a big lake. Now, you write that the waves of Dongting Lake seem to be able to shake Baling. It echoes the first line, giving Dongting Lake the power of an ocean. Everyone says that Zhang Mingzhou is extraordinary. Seeing this poem with my own eyes, I can't help but admire his talent. "
"Sir, why don't you read the last four lines?"
The Old Show smiled and said, "I don't know much. I don't understand the last four lines." With that, the Old Show stopped talking.
Many High Scholars understood the Old Show's words, but there were some who thought carefully and vaguely understood something.
The manager of the restaurant was smart. Seeing that the Old Show did not read the last four lines, he knew it was a taboo. He smiled and said, "Come, give this old gentleman a twelve-year-old Baling Laojiao! Who can continue to interpret the first four lines? If you are recognized, we will also give you a twelve-year-old Baling Laojiao! "
Many High Scholars' eyes lit up. Baling Laojiao was one of the three famous wines in Xiangzhou. Wine older than ten years was extremely expensive. They did not expect to be given a twelve-year-old wine here.
A middle-aged High Scholar who was addicted to wine said, "After reading the whole poem, I can think of more. Everyone knows that although Dongting Lake's wind and waves are big in autumn, it is too exaggerated to say that 'the waves shake Yueyang City'. So, why did Zhang Longxiang write it like this? In my opinion, there are two possibilities. The first possibility is that Zhang Longxiang is full of heroism. He thinks that he can bring the power of heaven and earth to Baling City and take the first position of the Four Great Scholars, suppressing Fang Yun! As for the second possibility, it is that Zhang Longxiang's thoughts are fluctuating and his talent is shaken. He wants to show off his heroism and echo the wind and waves of Dongting Lake to form 'the waves shake Yueyang City'. "
"That's right!" Many Scholars nodded gently. If given enough time, everyone present could come up with this interpretation. However, this person was able to decipher the poem so quickly. This showed that this person was quite talented.
"Good, I will give this guest a bottle of twelve-year-old Baling Laojiao!"
Thus, everyone began to discuss the first four lines of the poem. They all felt that the words "flat", "mixed", "steamed", and "shook" were very accurate. They were words, but they made Dongting Lake move. It was a rare poem. It was at least a poem from Da Prefecture, or even Mingzhou.
However, many people kept talking about the first four lines and avoided the last four.
After a long discussion, a Scholar smiled and said, "Brother Zongshi, I see that everyone is not talking about the last four lines. You have to stand out and tell the truth."
Many Scholars smiled and looked at Zhang Zongshi. He was the most suitable person to take on this dirty job.
Zhang Zongshi already knew that someone would say this. He smiled helplessly and said, "The last four lines, I don't think it's anything special. It's just saying that Zhang Longxiang feels ashamed of being idle when the monarch is wise. He wants to cross Dongting Lake but doesn't have a boat to paddle. He sits on the shore and looks at the people fishing with envy, but he doesn't catch any fish. The last four lines are easy to understand. There is no truth in them. "
"Zongshi, you have changed. You are not honest anymore!"
"Yes, Brother Zhang, you are avoiding the important points. This is not good, not good at all!"
"As the owner of Xusheng's Blood Poem Wall, if you don't take action, who will? Say it, I am a High Scholar with an official seal. I can post your words on the list. "A High Scholar smiled and said.
Everyone asked Zhang Zongshi to speak the truth. Zhang Zongshi couldn't refuse and had to speak.
"If that is the case, then I can't care about the infamy. Even if Zhang Mingzhou is a meritorious official of Two Worlds Mountain, he must be judged by others! The first four lines of this poem are good, but the last four lines can only be called a fake poem! The last four lines can be summed up as asking for an official position. Zhang Longxiang wanted to leave the literary world. He compared breaking through the barrier between the two worlds to crossing Dongting Lake. However, he couldn't find a suitable place to stay. After all, he was unfamiliar with Saint Origin. Therefore, he went against his conscience and said that the Qing Monarch was a wise monarch. He felt ashamed in front of him. He was not envious of the fishermen. He was envious of the officials who were valued by the Qing Monarch. He wanted to hold an important position in Gyeongo! The phrase 'shaking Yueyang City' implied that he could be the vanguard of Gyeongo to attack Fang Yun and Jingguo! "
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