Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 163: Poetry and Prose Create Waves

At this moment, after the song behind the pearl curtain was finished, the lingering sound of the clear sound seemed to linger in the ears, making people's hearts wander and their minds wander with a lingering aftertaste.

Jia Cong must be the person who has seen the most of the world among those present.

In my previous life, I have seen countless people who were packaged to the extreme, and I have witnessed countless brilliant and splendid scenes.

But this era does not have these things. A roll of pearl curtain, a pipa, and the clear sounds of lips and tongue, without any embellishment or enhancement, the clear sounds of the strings can penetrate the heart and linger in the ears.

This was probably the realm of skill close to the Tao as described in ancient legends. Jia Cong really wanted to meet this elegant lady with the heavenly voice of the jade-like pipa.

But after the song was over, everyone in the audience clapped and cheered.

There was total silence behind the pearl curtain. No one came out, and no one went to lift the pearl curtain to see the true face of the person behind the curtain. It seemed that everyone had great respect for this Madam Qing.

Jia Yucun praised: "Mrs. Qing's pipa music is truly divine, and brother Cong's song Man Jiang Hong is also very brilliant. They complement each other and are truly a perfect match."

……

Although Jia Cong has always been wary of Jia Yucun, he has to admit that this man is well versed in the art of being an official, well versed in the ways of the world, and able to understand people's hearts.

As long as it is beneficial to his career, he will take care of it very well.

At this time, the forty-year-old official sitting next to the drunkard suddenly said:

"Counselor Jia's "Man Jiang Hong" is indeed a rare masterpiece, but I have some doubts. I wonder if I can ask you a question or two."

Jia Cong frowned, this sounded a bit malicious.

You have to know that his title of Counselor of Prince Ning was only conferred by the emperor. Apart from people who were in the palace of Prince Ning, very few people called themselves by this official title.

Except for the day when he went to Zou Mansion to arrest someone, he once claimed this official position to prove his identity, but he rarely mentioned it in his daily life, and not many people knew about it.

I have never met this person before, but he specifically calls me by this official title. He must be someone who pays special attention to me. It is usually not a good thing to be secretly remembered by others.

Jia Cong asked calmly, "Who are you?"

"I am Ruan Hongcheng, the deputy minister of the Ministry of Rites in Nanjing. This poem "Man Jiang Hong, recalling the past of Nanjing" by Counselor Jia is so profound and elegant, and its rhythm is so sonorous that it deserves to be called a masterpiece handed down from generation to generation.

But the sadness and desolation, and the clear and vast spirit in this poem can only be expressed by people who have experienced many vicissitudes of life and have seen through the world.

"Counselor Jia is only a young man, full of youth and vigor, but he can write such vigorous and melancholy poems. Haha, it's really surprising."

These words were a bit harsh, and everyone sitting nearby turned around to look.

Everyone present here today has studied hard for ten years and has worked in officialdom. It is easy for them to fail to hear that Ruan Hongcheng's words are malicious.

Although it was not stated explicitly in the words, the implied meaning is that Jia Cong is young and ignorant, and cannot write such a gloomy and desolate work that deeply penetrates the world, and this poem "Man Jiang Hong" is suspected of plagiarism.

For scholars who make a living by writing essays, this kind of speculation and suspicion is a huge humiliation. Is Ruan Hongcheng crazy to put such a accusation on someone in such an occasion?

Moreover, listening to his words, we can only infer from the meaning of the words, and there is no actual evidence of plagiarism. Isn't this just making false statements and destroying people's reputation?

At this time, Jia Cong felt a little strange after hearing these words. He met this man for the first time and they didn't know each other at all. Why would he target him like this?

This kind of plagiarism was the most talked about among the literati. People at the table looked at each other, whispered to each other, and soon the news spread throughout the banquet.

Many people have looked at this side with strange eyes, even King Ning who was sitting in the main seat frowned.

This was beyond Ruan Hongcheng's expectations. He had not thought of taking advantage of Prince Ning's banquet to ruin Jia Cong's reputation. If he did so, he would definitely offend Prince Ning, and his career as an official would probably be over.

The reason why he expressed those doubts just now was because he had some unknown entanglements and grudges with Jia Cong.

Therefore, he could not bear to see Jia Cong being proud, but he just vented his anger with words, but he did not expect to cause a stir. In fact, Jia Cong's "Man Jiang Hong" is not from this world, but even if Ruan Hongcheng was given a hundred years to research, he could only find loneliness.

Jia Cong asked calmly, "What do you think of this poem Man Jiang Hong, Lord Ruan?"

"Of course it is a good poem, worthy of being handed down from generation to generation. However, it is doubtful that Counselor Jia, with his age and experience, could write such a poem."

Seeing the reactions of the people present, Ruan Hongcheng felt a little hesitant, but he could only continue to be tough and pretend to be discussing the matter at hand. Otherwise, he would be seen as being secretly jealous, which would damage his reputation.

Jia Cong sneered and said, "This is just a work I made for fun. I gave it to my relatives and sisters for their enjoyment. It is not worth mentioning at all. I don't know how it got out.

Lord Ruan actually said that such crude and inferior words were handed down from generation to generation. You are well-read and have passed the imperial examinations, but your literary talent and knowledge are too poor!"

These shocking and sharp remarks were like thunder out of the blue, shocking all the officials present.

Ruan Hongcheng ridiculed Jia Cong's lyrics for plagiarism, but he did not defend himself.

Instead, it was said that this poem was a work he wrote for fun, a casual plaything for the women in the harem, and a crude and inferior poem.

It is clearly a masterpiece that has been passed down through the ages, but Jia Cong himself devalued it to be worthless. Has he gone insane?

If a writer could create a poem like this in his lifetime, it would be a great honor for his ancestors, and it would be passed down through generations. How could he discard it like a worn-out shoe like he did?

Moreover, he used this so-called "crude lyrics" to humiliate Ruan Hongcheng for his poor literary talent and knowledge, which was quite harsh.

Jia Cong's strange remarks, and his insults in public as if he was worthless, completely infuriated Ruan Hongcheng. He no longer cared about his previous concerns, and stood up suddenly, speaking bluntly.

"You are such a dishonest and cunning boy. You deliberately described this masterpiece as a crude and playful work. This is your plagiarism. After I exposed your tracks, you deliberately devalued it to nothing. You are trying to cover it up!"

Jia Cong sneered and said, "I can easily write eight or nine poems like this. Why would I need to plagiarize? How ridiculous!"

These words not only stunned Ruan Hongcheng, but almost everyone present, and many people showed dissatisfaction on their faces.

Although it was indeed inappropriate for Ruan Hongcheng to make unfounded speculations on such occasions, Jia Cong's words just now were a bit too arrogant.

He actually described the song "Man Jiang Hong" which was sung in Jinling as worthless. He also said that he just wrote eight or nine poems casually. One can tell that he is bragging and it is really laughable.

To be able to write one masterpiece like this in one's lifetime is already a great blessing and talent, and he can easily write seven or eight more. Why doesn't this guy go to heaven?

At this time, after hearing Jia Cong's words, even Prince Ning came over from his seat, as if he couldn't stand it anymore.

"Chengshilang, all literary matters are important and should not be taken lightly. Be careful with your words."

"Jia Cong thanks Your Highness for your concern, but what I said was not empty talk.

Since ancient times, there are many poets who, with their seven-foot-tall bearded bodies, have written exquisite poems about the melancholy of the boudoir. This is because their literary inspiration allowed them to enter extraordinary realms and feel unprecedented emotions.

How come young people like me can’t write bleak and melancholy works?”

After hearing what he said, Prince Ning and the people around him felt that there was some truth in it. There are always extraordinary people and extraordinary feelings in this world, and they cannot be generalized with ordinary eyes.

Jia Cong also teased, "It's just that Lord Ruan is a frog in his own well, and he doesn't understand poetry. He sits in the well and looks at the sky, and he presumptuously criticizes others. It's really ridiculous."

Ruan Hongcheng, who was standing aside, was so angry that his face turned purple, as if he was about to die. Even if people in official circles had disputes or conflicts, they would always be reserved and implicit in their words, out of consideration for decency.

It was very rare for Jia Cong to confront the opponent as directly and directly as with a sharp knife or sword, and everyone present was stunned when they heard it.

After hearing what Jia Cong said, Prince Ning's mouth twitched, but he couldn't laugh. Why didn't he realize before that this kid had such a vicious mouth.

He then asked, "Can Chengshilang really easily write a poem as good as this one, Man Jiang Hong?"

(End of this chapter)