The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 382 Boarding the Boat (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Yuzhou City, Chunyu Street, Xinghua Lane.

As midnight approached, Zhao Ti held the invitation in his hand and finally made up his mind to attend the Yujiang Poetry Gathering.

If Yang Jian hadn't promoted his poetry, he wouldn't have gone. Firstly, he was focused on his studies, and secondly, participating in this matter wouldn't have been of any benefit.

But with Yang Jian making a name for him in the government and even among scholars, things are different.

The governor, the prefect, and the literary figures of Yuzhou all knew that he could write poetry. This time, the prefect's daughter specially invited him to a poetry gathering, but he did not go, which would seem a bit presumptuous.

If you promote your own reputation and the other party comes to you in response, it is only natural and a positive effect of promoting your reputation. If you refuse them, what is the point of promoting your reputation?

Moreover, attending a poetry gathering under such circumstances will bring different benefits than participating when one is unknown or obscure; the government and scholars will both pay attention.

Anyone who can compose good poems will not only receive great praise from the poetry gathering and the public after the event, but will also be the talk of the town among officials, scholars, and literary circles. The amount of fame they gain will be several times greater than if they had gone there normally.

Having made up his mind, Zhao Ti let out a soft breath, put the invitation away, and then went to bed to rest.

The next morning, after getting ready and having breakfast, Zhao's mother asked, "My son, have you decided whether to attend the poetry and literature gathering hosted by Miss Qin?"

Before Zhao Ti could answer, his father said from the side, "I think it's better not to go. You can make a name for yourself anywhere. Why go to an event organized by the children of wealthy families? These young masters and ladies are just looking for status and entertainment. It's not very useful, and they might even pick up some of the bad habits of the rich..."

Zhao Ti pondered for a moment: "Father, Miss Luo Fu is different. I have read her articles before, and they contain genuine talent and learning."

Mr. Zhao blinked: "You've read her articles before, why are you so interested?"

Zhao's mother rolled her eyes at him and coughed lightly, saying, "My son is grown up and can distinguish right from wrong on his own. Don't impose your principles on him."

Father Zhao said anxiously, "Why are you telling me all this? Isn't this the truth? Which of the eight great families isn't like this? The Qin family, I know the Qin family even better..."

Zhao's mother's expression hardened: "What do you know?"

Mr. Zhao glanced at her, then his voice suddenly softened, and he stammered, "Anyway, I understand. I understood it back then..."

Zhao's mother turned her eyes to Zhao Ti: "My son, you don't need to listen to your father. You can decide everything yourself. If you think that Miss Qin is really nice, it's fine to get closer to her. As the old saying goes, 'A fair maiden is sought after by a gentleman.' What's wrong with them associating with each other?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ti's face flushed red, and he explained, "Mother, it's not what you think. I was just discussing literature; there's nothing to it that's good or bad."

Mr. Zhao shoveled some rice into his mouth and muttered, "My son speaks so eloquently, why is he blushing?"

Zhao Ti's lips twitched, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "I'm just naive. By the way, Father, why do you have such great hostility towards the aristocratic families? Although everyone knows that the aristocratic families are corrupt and decadent, and that they hold the reins of power, they usually talk about the state and the well-being of the people. It doesn't sound like you're harboring personal resentment..."

Upon hearing this, Zhao's father said unhappily, "Why are you questioning me? I just don't like the aristocratic families. Although... although it has nothing to do with me personally, there's an old saying that goes, 'When you see injustice on the road, you should draw your sword to help.' The affairs of the world are for the people of the world to manage."

Zhao Ti paused, rubbed his temples, and sighed, "Father is right."

Zhao's mother said, "You do your own thing. Everyone has their own reasons. Hurry up and eat so you can go to school."

Zhao Ti nodded, and after finishing his meal, he carried his study box and headed out to the state school, while his father escorted Zhao Ling'er to the girls' school.

Although Li Meng had already left, many people in the state academy were still discussing his scholarship. Walking along the academy road, many voices were talking about his comprehensive learning and profound theories.

Zhao Ti listened and pondered, then entered the school hall and sat down in his seat.

Mo Xun stood beside him in a row, separated by a narrow aisle. After watching him put down his book box, he asked in a low voice, "Brother Zhao, what have you thought about it? Do you want to come with me to Miss Luo Fu's poetry gathering?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ti couldn't help but smile wryly. He was definitely going, but not to accompany the other party. Since he had an invitation, he would be considered to be going on his own.

He hadn't figured out how to explain it to Mo Xun yet, so he said, "Brother Mo, let's talk about this after we finish our studies."

Mo Xun said "okay" and didn't ask any more questions. He spent his days reading and answering the teacher's questions, with nothing else to do. Before he knew it, the day had passed and it was time to go home.

The two left the state school gate together, but Mo Xun still did not take a carriage and walked towards the Yujiang River.

Upon reaching the riverbank, Mo Xun smiled and said, "Brother Zhao, since you spoke of parting ways this morning, it seems you intend to attend the poetry gathering?"

Zhao Ti glanced at him. Mo Xun was extremely intelligent, insightful, quick-witted, and quick to understand. He was incredibly clever, but he didn't study hard and was terrible at his studies.

He said carefully, "I will go, but I can't really say I'm accompanying Brother Mo, so I'll disappoint him."

Mo Xun asked in bewilderment, "Brother Zhao, what makes you say that? Why are you going but not accompanying me..."

As he said this, his expression changed slightly, and he suddenly sighed softly, "I understand. Brother Zhao must have received a personal invitation from Miss Luofu. Miss Luofu loves poetry and literature the most. How could Prefect Qin not tell her about Brother Zhao's poetic talent? After telling her, Miss Luofu must have wanted to see it for herself, so she must have sent someone to deliver an invitation to Brother Zhao, inviting him to the Yujiang Poetry Gathering."

Zhao Ti glanced at him and said, "Brother Mo has guessed everything, which saves me the trouble of explaining. I was thinking about how to explain it to you, but now I don't have to rack my brains to explain it to you."

Mo Xun rubbed his forehead and said, "In that case, I can no longer push Brother Zhao to the front. Brother Zhao is Brother Zhao, and he is also someone invited by Miss Luofu. He is not considered part of me. I am me, and I still have to think of ideas to deal with the poetry questions at that time. Brother Zhao, please find a way to save me."

Zhao Ti shrugged: "Brother Mo, it's not that I'm abandoning you, but if the poetry gathering is to give you a topic on the spot, no one knows what it will be or what conditions it will have. Even if I wanted to help you, I couldn't come up with any good solutions."

Mo Xun said with a worried look, "I understand. But if I just make an excuse not to go, firstly, it would be disrespectful to Miss Luo Fu, and secondly, it would be like trying to hide something obvious. If I don't go, it would prove that the poems I composed on the spot in the past were all fake, and maybe they were bought. Otherwise, why wouldn't I even dare to go?"

Zhao Ti thought for a moment and said, "It seems that it's better to go."

Mo Xun said, “That’s true. If I don’t go, I might just be a complete idiot, with no ideas in my head and unable to even compose a doggerel on the spot. If I go, at least I can prepare some things in advance. Regardless of whether they fit the topic or not, I can just shamelessly do something perfunctory. Even if it will be seen through by everyone, facing it head-on is better than running away.”

Zhao Ti pondered, "Brother Mo's words make a lot of sense, and it's possible that the question he pointed out might even match what we had prepared beforehand."

Mo Xun said, "Brother Zhao is joking. How could it be perfect? ​​If even half of the conditions in the question are the same, I can cover it up with my silver tongue."

Zhao Ti smiled and said, "It's never wrong to think of things on the bright side."

Mo Xun said, "Then I'll take your kind words, Brother Zhao. I'll go back and quickly prepare a few poems about the current scenery and the riverside landscape, and then I'll present them to you."

Zhao Ti pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Mo, this matter is somewhat related to me, but I can't help you much this time. I wonder if you still need a poem? I can write one or two for you." "Oh..." Mo Xun hurriedly waved his hand with a wry smile upon hearing this, "I thank Brother Zhao very much, but I dare not ask for more. Brother Zhao's poetic talent is worlds apart from mine. If I present it and it doesn't fit the topic, it will only arouse suspicion. If I happen to get lucky and it fits, what will I do next time? And the time after that? I will be in a real bind, and sooner or later I will inevitably be exposed."

Zhao Ti said, "In that case, I will..."

Mo Xun said, “I will find a few mediocre poems to prepare. When the poetry gathering comes, I will try to find a way to decline. If I can’t decline, I will not attract attention and will get away with it. I think there are many like me. Since everyone is doing the same thing, let’s not laugh at each other.”

When they reached the Jade Belt Bridge, Mo Xun raised his hand to bid farewell, and Zhao Ti returned the gesture, watching as the other man climbed the bridge and headed north of the river.

He then turned to go home, where he ate, read, and rested. He got up, tidied up, and continued his studies. Before he knew it, several days had passed, and the day of the Yujiang Poetry Gathering had arrived.

This day was a day of rest and recline. Not only the state school and girls' school, but also other academies were closed. Even government offices and other places were on duty in shifts, with half of them taking a break.

The Yujiang Poetry Gathering was held on the north bank of the river. The Prefectural Governor's Office sent people to fence off a section of the river and carefully arrange it.

They used colorful knots and flower locks to block the river, and floated flower petals and flower baskets around to decorate the area, letting fishing boats or other vessels know not to get too close. Then the painted boat of the Prefectural Governor's Mansion pulled to the side to wait for the invited scholars to arrive.

The poetry gathering was scheduled for 3:45 PM, which is in the afternoon. People in the Great Qian Dynasty generally eat three meals a day, and the poetry gathering often ended when the moon rose. If it was held before noon, two meals would be provided, but if it started in the afternoon, only one meal would be needed.

Zhao Ti changed into the new clothes his mother had made a few days earlier at home, then tidied himself up a bit, looking neat and tidy, before taking the invitation and going outside.

People are judged by their clothes, just as Buddhas are judged by their gold plating. Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse. A gentleman is not a bookworm; a gentleman is like jade, gentle and refined. He should dress up when necessary.

A gentleman straightens his clothes and hat, and looks with dignity, so that people look up to him with awe. Is this not a sign of being dignified without being fierce?

The sage said that a gentleman's neat and tidy attire can display a demeanor that is "powerful yet not fierce, outstanding and extraordinary".

Zhao Ti left Chunyu Street and walked along the river. Before long, he arrived at the Jade Belt Bridge. When he got on the bridge, he could see a huge painted boat moored on the north bank of the Yujiang River.

This painted boat was the same one he had seen Qin Luofu on last time. It was ornately decorated, draped in red lanterns, shimmering with pearls, and adorned with auspicious beasts carved on its ridge. Its style and layout were not something that merchants could possess.

At that moment, the faint sound of music could be heard from afar, and people were boarding the ship one by one. Maids and servants were coming and going on the ship's deck, seemingly carrying tea, fruit, and other such things.

After crossing the Jade Belt Bridge, Zhao Ti traveled eastward along the riverbank and soon reached the painted boat.

Just then, he saw a person wearing a parrot-green silk robe beckoning to him. It was Mo Xun. He wondered why he wasn't wearing a scholar's robe, but this outfit. It was indeed luxurious, but it just didn't suit his temperament.

Zhao Ti naturally wouldn't point these things out. A gentleman doesn't take what others like, and a gentleman helps others achieve their goals. It also means that everyone has different preferences, and one shouldn't try to influence or change other people's aesthetics based on one's own views and perspectives.

What you think is good, others may not think is good; what others think is good, you may not appreciate. To each their own; there is never a universal standard for taste.

He walked over and raised his arm, saying, "Brother Mo, why didn't you get on the boat?"

Mo Xun also raised his hand and said with a smile, "I'm just waiting for Brother Zhao to come along. It's not that I want to use Brother Zhao's name to go with you, but I'm afraid that Brother Zhao is participating in a poetry gathering for the first time and may feel uncomfortable or uneasy. I'd like to offer my advice to Brother Zhao."

Zhao Ti, knowing Mo Xun's meaning, said, "I am ashamed to say that I have troubled you, Brother Mo. I am deeply grateful."

Mo Xun said, “Brother Zhao, we have been classmates for many years and have been close friends. There is no need for such formalities. Come, come, come with me to the boat. I will introduce you to my fellow enthusiasts and Miss Luofu.”

Zhao Ti nodded and said no more. He followed Mo Xun to the front of the gangplank and spotted a painted boat. From a distance, it looked magnificent, but as it got closer, he was shocked by its enormous size.

At this moment, guards from the Prefectural Governor's residence stood on both sides of the gangplank. Seeing the two approaching, they bowed and scraped, saying, "Are you two young masters here to attend the Yujiang Poetry Gathering? Do you have invitations?"

The two men showed the other the letter, and the servant hurriedly apologized. Then he gestured to the boat on the gangplank, and a pretty young maidservant immediately came down and said, "This servant will lead the two gentlemen onto the boat."

The two thanked each other and then stepped onto the gangplank to board the pleasure boat. At this moment, the music became clearer and clearer. It was not the kind of lively and noisy music, but an ethereal and quiet music. They didn't know what kind of tune it was, but even when it was played, they could still speak clearly to each other.

Upon arriving at the gate of the painted boat, a scholar came out for some reason and greeted Mo Xun with a bow, saying, "Brother Mo, you've arrived?"

Mo Xun smiled and asked, "What brings Brother Huangfu out here?"

The scholar shook his head and wiped the fine beads of sweat from his forehead: "Brother Mo, do you not know why I came out? This time, Miss Luofu gave me a topic of conversation, and I was really, really nervous."

Mo Xun said, "Brother Huangfu, why are you so nervous? I've been thinking about this for the past few days, and I'm afraid it's not just one or two people, but three or five people who can solve this problem. If we're going to die, we'll die together. Just swallow your pride and take it on."

The scholar, upon hearing this, exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Mo, is that so? I was quite taken aback by what you wrote last time..."

Mo Xun sighed, "Brother Huangfu, do you really think I can write such poems?"

The scholar breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "That's good, that's good, anyway, there are many people together..."

As he spoke, he looked at Zhao Ti: "This gentleman looks unfamiliar, I wonder who he is..."

Mo Xun immediately introduced the two men. This scholar was named Huangfu Duan, but he was a student from another academy. Upon hearing Zhao Ti's name, he was surprised: "Is this Brother Zhao, whose name is Zhao Ti? It looks like it will snow tonight. Would you like to have a drink with me?"

Zhao Ti cupped his hands and said, "It is indeed I."

Huangfu Duan hurriedly returned the greeting: "So it really is Brother Zhao. I didn't expect Miss Luofu to have invited Brother Zhao this time."

Mo Xun said, "Brother Zhao and I will board the boat. Brother Huangfu, will you stay outside for a while longer?"

Huangfu Duan said, "Let's wait a bit, let's talk about it later. Please make yourselves at home, I'll talk to you two later."

The two nodded and entered the boat, where they found it luxurious, spacious, and resplendent, like a grand palace.

There are sixteen windows on each side, making a total of thirty-two, all covered by flowing green gauze. Several feet above, there is a huge skylight made of countless crystal panels, which is not leaky in the wind and rain, yet allows sunlight to shine in.

In addition, the lights shone brightly, making the interior of the boat even brighter than the exterior.

Zhao Ti looked towards the innermost part of the room, where a slender young woman in plain clothes was standing. She looked over when the two entered, glanced at Mo Xun, and then her gaze fell on Zhao Ti.

(End of this chapter)