Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 134 Qixi Literary Gathering
Lu Zheng could see what Zhang Bo wanted to do with his Wenbao.

Since the other party wants to cultivate righteousness, he doesn't mind helping out.

Lu Zheng walked to the desk and prepared to write a letter of introduction for Zhang Bo.

Zhang Bo said quickly, "I have to attend a literary gathering later, so I can't tire Brother Lu out. I have a better study room at home, so I'll let Brother Lu start writing tomorrow!"

Zhang Bo had just spent a lot of energy and couldn't write anything. He was afraid that after Lu Zheng finished writing, he would not have the energy to attend the literary gathering.

Moreover, it is a pity to write such a cultural treasure on such ordinary rice paper.

Seeing Zhang Bo say this, Lu Zheng did not insist and nodded slightly and said, "Okay."

The student next to him was surprised and said, "Even Brother Zhang can't write it. It seems these words are really valuable!"

"I'm not kidding, am I? My father can write, but not as well as Brother Lu." Li Zhao said leisurely, "With Brother Lu's level, how can he not get first place in calligraphy?"

Zhang Bo couldn't help but shake his head after hearing this. It seemed that Li Zhao and the others didn't realize the trick.

The reason why Lu Zheng can write like this is not because of his calligraphy, but because of his great spirit!

The student setting up the stall looked at Zhang Bo and asked curiously, "Brother Zhang, who is this Mr. Lu?"

Zhang Bo was a very talented student in Changchuan County. He was so polite to a student from another county, which surprised the local students nearby.

Zhang Bo smiled and said, "Brother Lu is Lu Zheng from Kaiyang County, the scholar of heaven and earth!"

When everyone heard this, their expressions changed and they turned their eyes to Lu Zheng.

Someone shouted, "Scholar of Heaven and Earth! Master Lu is also going to attend the literary gathering tonight?"

The noise attracted the attention of some people nearby, who came over to watch.

Before Lu Zheng came, his deeds had already spread widely in Changchuan County.

Now that the real person has arrived, many people come closer, wanting to see his true appearance.

"Mr. Lu, may I ask how you became a scholar of heaven and earth?"

"Mr. Lu, who wrote your earlier poem 'Anchored at Qinhuai'? Are there any other poems?"

"Will Mr. Lu participate in the literary competition tonight?"

……

For a moment, many people came up, some to greet Lu Zheng, and some to ask him questions.

Even some people who were admiring calligraphy and painting in the pavilion not far away came out to take a look out of curiosity.

Seeing this, Zhou Yu's face darkened, feeling that someone had stolen his limelight.

He said with a grim expression, "Is that the scholar from Kaiyang County?"

A student next to him whispered, "That should be it."

Zhou Yu snorted coldly, "I heard that he had achieved the status of a scholar of heaven and earth, so he ran away to study and show off in order to gain fame. Now that the Qixi Literary Gathering is underway, is he still trying to make a splash?"

Everyone else was silent after hearing this. They didn't know Lu Zheng well enough to jump to conclusions.

However, Lu Zheng's appearance did surprise many people.

……

Lu Zheng remained calm in the face of the people who gathered around him, and tried his best to answer some of their questions.

After a lot of noise, many people satisfied their curiosity, said goodbye and left, and saw each other again at the literary gathering in the evening.

In order to avoid others coming up to chat with them and affecting their interest in having fun.

Li Zhao and his companions took Lu Zheng away from this place.

Li Zhao wiped his sweat and said, "The first time I went to your Changchuan County School, I didn't see those students being so enthusiastic towards me."

Zhang Bo smiled and said, "At that time, you were not famous and few people knew who you were. You were very different from Brother Lu."

"Yes." Li Zhao said with a smile, "It was thanks to Brother Lu that I was able to show my face in front of so many people. I can be even more proud tonight."

Zhang Bo looked at the sky and suggested, "We've been walking around for so long, maybe we can go on board and rest for a while."

Others had no objection. The night was the most lively time, and they couldn't use up all their energy.

The group came to the riverside and headed for the boat where the literary meeting was to be held.

This year, Changchuan County held a Qixi Festival literary gathering and prepared two large boats.

They are all large ships that are hundreds of meters long, with three-story wooden buildings on the deck, decorated with lights and colorful decorations, and luxuriously and exquisitely furnished.

Lu Zheng and the other five scholars came to the side of the ship and casually showed the invitation. Then a maid respectfully led everyone onto the ship.

As for the guards and servants Zhang Bo brought with him, they were not allowed to board the boat and could only wait by the river.

Li Zhao looked at the carriages parked on the riverside road and whispered, "It seems some people got here before us!"

The maid led everyone to the second floor, which was not a place for ordinary students to sit.

Zhang Bo is an outstanding student in the county. The invitation he brought was different, and he reserved a seat on the second floor.

The third floor is where only important people can go.

Lu Zheng and his companions had ordinary invitations, which allowed them to come to the second floor, but they could only sit at the same table with Zhang Bo.

Zhang Bo looked at the maid and said, "This gentleman is a scholar from Kaiyang County. Lu Zheng, shouldn't you arrange a place for him?"

The maid couldn't help but look at Lu Zheng, but she didn't doubt Lu Zheng's identity.

After all, those who are invited to the boat to participate in the literary gathering are all well-known figures. Who wouldn't be stupid enough to impersonate someone else and ruin their reputation?

The maid respectfully whispered, "Gentlemen, please sit down. I will go and ask for instructions..." The maid bowed and left quickly in small steps.

After a while, the maid came back again and invited them to change seats, moving to a position by the window on the second floor and close to the deck, so that they could better enjoy the river view.

At the same time, we put the table together, and it seemed spacious for five people to sit together.

There are several seats reserved on each floor for some people who may visit unexpectedly.

So they changed positions, not taking up other people's places.

The maid knelt beside them, making tea and serving the five people.

Li Zhao sat there, looking at the scenery outside the window, and said with a smile: "This is a good location... That ship over there must be the county lord's ship."

Everyone looked and saw that there was indeed a boat on the river not far away, and some people could be vaguely seen walking on it.

Zhang Bo turned to look at the maid and asked, "Is the Princess of Fengcheng County coming to watch the literary gathering tonight?"

The maid whispered, "I don't know, but I did hear that a distinguished guest is coming tonight, and they told us to be careful and not to make any mistakes."

"That's right!" Li Zhao said with a smile, "It's a pity that I don't have much talent, otherwise I would definitely show it well."

As he spoke, Li Zhao glanced between Lu Zheng and Zhang Bo.

Lu Zheng turned a blind eye, looked into the distance, and leisurely enjoyed the scenery.

After a while, footsteps were heard and someone came up the stairs again.

Li Zhao glanced sideways and found several students coming up, and they were people he was familiar with.

Jia Gu and his companions also glanced over and saw Lu Zheng and his group.

Jia Gu's eyes flickered as he bowed and greeted, "Brother Lu, Brother Li..."

Seeing this, Lu Zheng and others also stood up and greeted them.

Although the relationship between the two parties is not good, we cannot lose courtesy, so as not to be considered narrow-minded.

Of course, Lu Zheng did not regard Jia Gu and others as opponents or enemies.

He didn't care about the little fights in the past at all.

A gentleman should be virtuous and tolerant.

Jia Gu looked at Lu Zheng and said with a smile, "I never thought that Brother Lu would also come to participate in the Qixi Festival Literary Festival in Changchuan County."

Lu Zheng said, "I was originally traveling in the mountains. When I passed by Hongjiang, I happened to meet a friend. I also heard that there was a Qixi Festival literary gathering today, so I came to see it and broaden my horizons."

"I see." Jia Gu nodded.

Jia Gu brought a few people and sat in a seat not far away.

After a while, Jia Gu walked lightly towards Lu Zheng and the others.

He held up the tea and looked at Lu Zheng apologetically, saying, "I was rude to you at Mingyue Tower before, and I haven't had time to apologize to you yet. Today, I'll use tea instead of wine to apologize to you!"

After saying this, Jia Gu raised his cup and drank the tea in one gulp to show his sincerity.

Lu Zheng waved his hand and said, "I don't care about the past anymore. Mr. Jia, there's no need to be so."

Lu Zheng didn't care whether Jia Gu was sincere or not.

Jia Gu smiled and said, "Brother Lu is very generous!"

Li Zhao, who was standing next to him, saw this and wanted to say something but hesitated. However, he managed to hold back and said nothing.

Jia Gu paused, then continued, "Did you know that a student from the Wu Kingdom will be attending the literary gathering tonight? I heard he's also a talented scholar..."

"Huh?" Li Zhao was surprised when he heard that.

Jia Gu said, "He was brought here by a merchant from Wu. It's said that this scholar is quite famous in Wu, but I haven't found out exactly how much talent and literary talent he has."

Li Zhao said, "Isn't she some kind of courtesan? Where did you get the news?"

"There are scholars and courtesans as well," Jia Gu said. "I think the Wu people are here specifically to compete with us. We can't afford to lose at this Qixi Festival."

Zhang Bo frowned. Wouldn't this literary competition escalate to the level of a literary battle between two countries?

Normally, when Changchuan County holds such literary gatherings, no foreign writers will participate.

This time, the State of Wu came prepared, but these students had no preparation, and the Princess of Fengcheng County also came to watch the literary gathering.

If I really lose to the literati from Wu in the literary competition, it would be a huge loss of face.

Jia Gu looked at Lu Zheng and asked, "Brother Lu, have you made any preparations for the literary gathering?"

Lu Zheng said calmly, "I'm just here to watch. I don't have any preparations."

Those who participated in the Qixi Literary Competition were all scholars. Why did he, a scholar from heaven and earth, stand out? Was he bullying the weak?
Besides, he really had no preparation.

Lu Zheng didn't really care about this kind of competition, he just thought it was interesting and there would be some good shows to watch tonight.

Seeing that Lu Zheng was speaking seriously, Jia Gu realized that Lu Zheng really had no preparation and couldn't help feeling disappointed.

In such a literary competition, Jia Gu naturally stood on An Guo's side. He thought that Lu Zheng came here specifically for the literary competition, but it seems that he was overthinking it.

Seeing this, Jia Gu bowed and returned to his seat.

Li Zhao couldn't help but say, "Come to think of it, are there any other talented students here? We can't really lose to the Wu people."

Zhang Bo shook his head and said, "It's hard to say. Maybe the county lady also brought students from Fengcheng."

(End of this chapter)