The initiator was none other than the Qisi Poetry Society, an existence of tremendous weight in the entire world.
One must know that because of the great number of academies, poetry and prose flourished in this world; various storybooks and novels were likewise popular everywhere. This could already be seen from the lively bustle of the theater Xue An had visited earlier.
For only in an age where the literary current prospers to the utmost can such diversions and entertainments be so thriving.
Against this backdrop, the Qisi Poetry Society had bee one of the supreme halls in the hearts of countless students and scholars.
Although the years had passed for too long and the founder’s identity could no longer be verified, the rules had nevertheless been handed down without interruption.
Every year, the branch societies in various places would from time to time hold different literary gatherings, but these all belonged to ordinary gatherings of men of letters and could not attract much attention.
Only when the triennial term arrived would the Qisi Poetry Society convene its grandest literary assembly.
This was what all students and scholars truly fixed their eyes upon.
This literary assembly was first held by the branches in each region. If you were selected and produced mendable poems, you not only qualified to advance to the assembly held by the main society, but could also have your poems printed in the Qisi Poetry Society’s literary gazette.
Only then could it be called truly being famous in one stroke and known throughout the world.
This temptation was fatal for any student or scholar.
Soon, the scholar in the green robe could not help but sigh softly and say, "Enough. With your and my literary talent, we should not hope to shine at this assembly. Let us place all our hopes on Brother Zhuo instead!"
Everyone nodded in succession.
"Exactly. With the learning and talent you and I possess, we may barely be worthy of notice in this small Fangwai City. But I’ve heard that for this branch assembly, every city within the entire Ling’an Domain will participate. That can truly be called a gathering of talents; we need not entertain any illusions." The dark-faced scholar also could not help but say.
Having spoken, they all turned expectant gazes toward Zhuo Benzheng.
Zhuo Benzheng gave a wry smile. "You all need not pin too much hope on me. I have merely obtained the qualification to enter the venue. Once there, whether I can achieve any result at all is still uncertain!"
"Ah, Brother Zhuo, there’s no need to be so modest. Haven’t you devoted yourself to arduous study for so many years precisely for this chance to prove yourself? Moreover, I’ve heard that this assembly will differ somewhat from those in the past!" The fan-holding scholar said slowly.
"Oh? What is different?"
At these words, everyone’s spirits rose at once.
This was because the fan-holding scholar happened to be a scion of the Wu Family in Fangwai City, by the name of Wu Zizhang.
And there was an elder in the Wu Family who had long served in the General’s Mansion, so their information was naturally more well-informed than that of mon people.
"For this assembly, the Great General attaches great importance to it and intends to make it the grandest gathering in decades. Therefore he has specially invited Yun Lingxuan, Miss Yun of Lou Wai Lou!"
"What? Could it be that Miss Yun who is said to have learning that amazes the world, and whose zither playing startles gods and ghosts?" the man in the green robe exclaimed.
"How many Miss Yuns can there be under the heavens? Naturally it is her!"
Upon hearing this, everyone present’s expressions changed dramatically.
For no other reason.
It was simply that this Miss Yun’s renown was too great—so great that even their ears, tucked away in this remote corner, had long been filled with tales of her.
"So it’s actually her... If that is truly the case, then this time the Great General really has spent lavishly, for everyone knows this Miss Yun is a courtesan of world renown, one of the main pillars of Lou Wai Lou!" the dark-faced scholar muttered to himself.
Yet Zhuo Benzheng’s face showed a look of contemplation. "Why would the Great General value this assembly to such an extent?"
"Indeed! One must know that in the past the Great General was never of this temperament!"
"The reason is simple: in this assembly, the eldest young master of the Great General Mansion will also participate! In order to build momentum for his own son, he naturally has to exhaust his wits!"
"What? That silk-pants scion is going to participate as well? Don’t make me laugh. When it es to prowling brothels and seeking out flowers and willows, no one can match that fellow. But when it es to writing poetry... who does he think he is?" the dark-faced scholar sneered.
Yet everyone’s expression looked somewhat unsightly.
"You can’t put it that way. Since the Great General has arranged things thus, he must have his own plans. Otherwise, if he were to rack his brains and even go so far as to invite Miss Yun to build momentum, only for someone else to take the laurels in the end, wouldn’t that mean he had made wedding clothes for another?"
"You mean... plagiarizing poems?" the dark-faced scholar asked in shock.
"I never said that, only that such a possibility exists!"
"Impossible! You must know that the topics for the Poetry Society’s assembly are unknown to anyone beforehand. They are divined on the spot in front of the tablet of the Literary Sage, and there are also great powers of the Society present to examine the proceedings. If anyone plagiarizes, it will be detected immediately!" The dark-faced scholar shook his head repeatedly.
"Heh, do you think the Great General would not have considered everything you just mentioned?" The scholar in the green robe suddenly let out a cold laugh.
"This..." The dark-faced scholar also felt that what he had just said was somewhat naive and laughable.
For anything that has rules also has the possibility of cheating.
Although the Qisi Poetry Society was a behemoth-like existence and would not deign to put a mere fourth-rank Great General in its eyes, this was, after all, only a branch assembly.
The Great General was also the host. When the time came, it was entirely possible they might sell him some face.
If matters truly were so, then it was all the more cause for despair.
Just as everyone fell silent, they saw Zhuo Benzheng suddenly break into a smile.
"If that is truly the case, then this assembly is one I absolutely must attend. Not only must I attend, I must also win a good ranking there and strive to suppress that eldest son of the Great General’s household!"
By the time he finished speaking, a hint of steely resolve flashed through Zhuo Benzheng’s eyes.
Seeing this, the scholars present first fell silent for a moment, then burst out in an unprecedented fervor.
"Excellent! You truly are worthy of being the leading figure of our Fangwai Academy. This very courage to contend with the Great General’s son alone is worth a great brimming cup!" The scholar in the green robe said, his brows dancing.
"I’ll go buy wine right now. Today we must not return unless drunk!" The dark-faced scholar declared without the slightest hesitation.
Even Wu Zizhang, who held the folding fan, wore an expression full of admiration. "With such integrity, Brother Zhuo, how could your future studies ever fail?"
"Hahaha! You all flatter me. I merely cannot stomach the Great General Mansion’s wanton behavior. In the past, when he targeted the various powers, we were not in a position to say much. But now he has actually stretched his hand into the Poetry Society—how can we, as students, sit idly by?"
Zhuo Benzheng spoke with a face full of heroic spirit.
"Well said!" The gathered scholars all rose to their feet, praising him in unison.
And just as this group of scholars in Fangwai City were discussing the uping Poetry Society assembly—
A low-key, elegantly simple carriage slowly made its way into the territory under the jurisdiction of the Ling’an General’s Mansion.
"Miss, we’ve already entered the Ling’an Domain now!"
"Mm."
A slender, pale hand gently lifted the curtain. A little maid poked her head out to look toward the window, curiously surveying the surroundings before speaking softly.
"Miss, should we inform the people of the Ling’an General’s Mansion to e receive us?"
"No need. He said it would be enough if we arrived by the time of the assembly. There’s still plenty of time now; let’s just proceed at our leisure like this."
"Yes!"
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