He Yutang said, "To put it bluntly, it's nothing much. It's just a competition between the humble and landowning families for the Literary Name. In the past, the humble had always been suppressed by the landowning families. Now that a humble scholar like you has appeared in Jingguo, they naturally want to take the opportunity to turn the tables. However, they shouldn't have any ill intentions towards you. Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent so many people. It's actually a form of respect and they're afraid that you'll think too much. "
Fang Yun thought quietly and didn't say anything.
He Yutang said, "If you can outshine everyone at this poetry meet, the people of Li Shan Club will definitely invite you to the Li Xia Literary Meet at night to spread your Literary Name and thank you for suppressing the landowning families."
"They have a good idea," Fang Yun said casually as he looked out of the window with a calm expression.
He Yutang immediately said, "Since you don't plan to steal the limelight at the poetry meet, it doesn't matter. However, if something like this happens again in the future, they must give you enough benefits! They can't let you lead the charge and let them reap the benefits. "
Soon, the carriage left the city and arrived at Wuli Village, which was very close to the city.
He Yutang said, "Such literary meets are often held outside the city. After all, the city is full of houses and there's no spring to see. Wuli Village has beautiful scenery and a tributary of the Yangtze River, the Yang River. It's the favorite of many scholars. Of course, the brothels and pleasure boats here are also superb. "
After saying that, He Yutang revealed a knowing expression. Fang Yun smiled slightly.
The two of them discussed the literary meet along the way. Most of the time, He Yutang was talking while Fang Yun was listening. He Yutang deliberately mentioned some of the methods that scholars used to harm people and told Fang Yun to be careful.
When they arrived at Wuli Village, He Yutang pointed Fang Daniu to Ming Yu Building, which was the venue of the poetry meet.
Fang Yun smiled and said, "Brother He, you're a regular."
Not only was He Yutang not embarrassed, he even looked a little smug.
All the scholars of the Ten Nations pursued romance. As long as they didn't wear official robes, even officials could drink with prostitutes. However, they couldn't stay overnight.
Not long after, Fang Daniu shouted, "Young Master, there are too many carriages in front. The servants are diverting the carriages. We can only stop here."
"Alright, let's stop here."
Fang Yun and He Yutang alighted from the carriage. Fang Yun took out a piece of silver worth about half a tael and gave it to Fang Daniu, saying: "Find a place to eat. We don't know how long it will be before we leave."
"Thank you, young master." Fang Daniu was overjoyed.
He Yutang's eyes lit up, thinking that this Fang Yun was indeed worth relying on.
The two of them got out of the car and walked. Fang Yun looked around.
On the right was a river that was about thirty meters wide. When the wind blew, the surface of the river sparkled.
There was a dense forest on the opposite side of the river. On this side of the river, there were many two-story wooden buildings, each of which was exceptionally grand and spacious.
These wooden buildings had their backs to the river and were facing the residences of Wuli Village.
There were carriages everywhere on the road.
The two of them walked to Mingyu Tower, showed their invitations, and entered the first floor.
The first floor of Mingyu Tower was very spacious. There were many dining tables and desks. On the dining tables were various pastries, cold dishes, and wine. On the desks were writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
Six musicians were playing zithers and flutes in the main hall. Their melodious voices echoed in the air.
More than fifty scholars were scattered along the corridors of the first and second floor. Many of them had one or two women in their arms. However, more than half of them did not touch the women. Instead, they gathered together and chatted.
The doors of all the rooms on the second floor were wide open. They could faintly hear men talking and women laughing.
"Fang Yun!" Gao Minghong loudly waved at Fang Yun.
When these three words came out, all the scholars stopped what they were doing. Even the women looked at the door with surprise.
The music suddenly became chaotic. The six musicians were distracted by Fang Yun and had no choice but to stop playing.
The people who were originally in the rooms on the second floor also walked to the corridor and looked at Fang Yun.
Fang Yun helplessly cupped his hands, which could be considered a greeting to everyone. Then, he walked towards Gao Minghong.
Only one person saw Fang Yun and quickly walked into the heavenly room on the second floor.
The musicians continued to play their instruments. Mingyu Tower returned to normal.
Many people walked towards Fang Yun, wanting to chat with Fang Yun.
"Fang Yun, today you have to do well for our humble school. Take first place in the poetry competition," Gao Minghong said.
Fang Yun thought that what He Yu Tang said before was right. Gao Minghong must have been used as a pen. Otherwise, he would not have said such words when they had just met.
"Today, I only brought my mouth, not my hands. Therefore, I cannot write a poem. After eating, I will leave." Fang Yun smiled.
The surrounding scholars did not know what had happened. Some of them did not know what to do. Some of them even thought that Fang Yun was joking.
Gao Minghong asked in confusion, "What happened? We just concluded that this year's poetry competition was going to be yours. Why are you not participating? "
"Writing poems is not like eating or drinking. It is not something that can be done just because you say so. Today, my thoughts are exhausted. I really cannot write a poem. I hope everyone will forgive me."
"What a pity."
Many people sighed.
At this moment, a group of young people wearing luxurious robes walked out of the heavenly room. They appeared in the corridor on the second floor, holding onto the railing.
The music stopped, and everyone looked at those people.
One of the scholars, whose clothes were embroidered with a koi fish, cupped his hands to the crowd and smiled. "Thank you everyone for giving me this opportunity to host this poetry competition. I originally wanted to complain, but after hearing that Fang Yun and Fang Shuangjia had personally come, all the hardships I suffered these past few days were worth it. I represent everyone here to thank Fang Yun. Not only for letting us see such a good poem, but also for letting us Jingguo scholars hold our heads high! "As he spoke, he clapped his hands.
Mingyu Tower immediately burst into thunderous applause.
Fang Yun and a small number of people felt that something was wrong.
Whoever set up the stage was the one singing the opera. This person was hosting the poetry competition, yet he was praising Fang Yun. He was praising Fang Yun to the heavens. There was clearly a problem. Moreover, applauding was a very high honor for performers and storytellers, but to applaud a scholar so abruptly was a bit sloppy.
Gao Minghong immediately said, "He is an important figure in Ingshe, Guan Yaoyuan. Although he is from a prominent family, his uncle is a fifth-rank official in the capital. He is the trusted aide of the left minister. This person has a very good relationship with the two Liu brothers. "After he finished speaking, he gave Fang Yun a look that warned him to be careful.
Fang Yun immediately stood up and cupped his hands to the crowd. "Brother Guan is too kind. I am just an ordinary scholar. I occasionally wrote a few good poems. I do not dare to claim credit. Today, I came here to eat the fresh fish from Yanghe. As for the poetry competition, I will have to rely on Brother Guan. "
After Fang Yun finished speaking, he sat down.
Everyone could see that Fang Yun had the intention to back down. Some were curious, some secretly nodded, and some were dissatisfied. But the people around Guan Yaoyuan sneered.
Guan Yaoyuan sighed and said, "Speaking of the poetry competition, I would like to apologize to everyone. Because my family's servant passed on the wrong message, the person who wrote the invitation made a mistake. This time, it is not a poetry competition, but a poetry competition. In order to express my apology, the reward for the first, second, and third place of this poetry competition will be doubled. But since everyone is writing poems on the spot, they will not care about such a small matter. "
"Of course, poetry competitions are all the same."
"It is all a poetry competition!"
Everyone helped Guan Yaoyuan out of the situation.
Gao Minghong's face flashed with anger. He immediately stood up and said loudly, "Brother Guan, why didn't you announce it earlier or later? You just had to change it after Fang Yun came. Are you afraid of Fang Yun's poem title, so you changed it to a poetry competition?"
Guan Yaoyuan immediately bowed and begged, "Brother Gao, I was wrong. I was really wrong. Is that not enough? Come, I will go down and pour some tea for you. I really did not think that way. Even an idiot knows that since Fang Shuangjia can write three poems at the same time, his poetry skills should not be a problem. If you do not believe me, you can ask the shopkeeper of the Bright Jade Building, as well as the courtesan of the Bright Jade Building, Miss Pan 'er. Didn't I already say that the poetry competition every summer is too boring, and this year we must have a poetry competition? "
"Gao Minghong, poetry is not separated. You are too aggressive."
"Yes, Guan Yaoyuan is begging you. Don't push your luck."
"Brother Gao, where it is possible to make mistakes, one should forgive them."
Even some poor scholars helped Guan Yaoyuan.
Gao Minghong coldly snorted and sat down. Then he looked at Fang Yun with an extremely serious expression.
Fang Yun understood tacitly. Guan Yaoyuan's status was so high, but now he was acting like a grandson in front of Gao Minghong. He must have big plans.
"Could it be that Liu Zicheng is thinking of a way to ruin my reputation? To destroy my Literary Name? "Fang Yun thought to himself.
Guan Yaoyuan saw Gao Minghong sit down and said, "Wait for me to say the next news. You should all suspect that I am behind this. If you do not suspect me, then you are not men. This is because Miss Pan 'er has decided that she will offer her first night to the champion of this poetry competition! She will end her virginity! "
"What?"
"In the past, a high scholar wanted to redeem her and take her as his wife, but she rejected him. Why would she give her virginity to a poetry competition?"
"Could it be that she has her eyes on Fang Shuangjia?"
"Ai, it seems like she is targeting Fang Shuangjia!"
The Bright Jade Building was in chaos.
Gao Minghong was stunned. If this was arranged by Liu Zicheng, then the price was too high. Miss Pan 'er was the Bright Jade Building's money tree. She was proficient in poetry and could even discuss politics with other scholars. She could earn at least twenty thousand taels of silver a year for the Bright Jade Building. Her value was frighteningly high.
Gao Minghong hesitated for a moment and whispered to Fang Yundao, "This matter is hard to say. No matter how good Liu Zicheng is, it is impossible for him to persuade Miss Pan 'er. "
He Yu Tang, who had come with Fang Yun in a carriage, leaned over and whispered, "You must not leave now. If you leave early, they will definitely spread rumors that you are afraid and ruin your Literary Name."
Fang Yun smiled slightly. He had always been calm and indifferent, but now there was a slight change.
"If they want to ruin my Literary Name, then they will have to pay a higher price." Fang Yun finished speaking and took a sip of tea.
Fang Yun did not lower his voice. Everyone at the table could hear him, so they could only remain silent.
Gao Minghong sighed and whispered, "If your Literary Name is damaged after today, I will think of a way to compensate."
"Brother Gao, there is no need to be like this." Fang Yundao said.
Gao Minghong shook his head.
Without any more questions, Guan Yaoyuan began to announce the rules of this poetry competition. The rules were very simple. Write a poem on the spot with the theme "Spring". Then everyone would judge. If the composer was not convinced, then they would go to the Academy of Literature to test their talent.
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