A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 213 Why miss the land of gentleness?

"Yeah, Shi Er Lang hasn't come up with any new lyrics in a long time."

"Today is a beautiful day, so I deserve a poem for us to enjoy."

Naturally, everyone started to make a fuss and stir up trouble.

Anyway, Liu Sanbian is here.

Most of them would not easily reveal their poor poetry writing skills.

But it is still enjoyable to watch the fight between dragons and tigers.

Song Xuan laughed heartily and pointed at Liu Sanbian who was not far away:
"Everyone, please take a look at Brother Liu Qi's masterpiece first. He has prepared his writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. I haven't thought of this before. Please allow me to think it over."

"Let me think about it."

Song Xuan kicked the ball directly to Liu Sanbian, sat down, picked up the teacup and took a sip.

"Twelfth brother, you haven't thought it through yet, have you?"

"I'm too lazy to think about it."

Song Xuan pointed at the courtesan Yu Linglong on the stage with his folding fan:
"I don't like young ladies like her, so naturally I have no desire to write poetry."

"Besides, I, Song Xuan, wrote poems. Just because the madam lets you in for free, do I have to write one?"

"what?"

Everyone was a little surprised.

The oiran can be said to be both talented and beautiful.

Twelve Brother doesn't even look down on others, how high must his standards be?
"real or fake?"

Lu Lejian couldn't believe it for a moment.

He was also at the same age as Song Xuan, and he was very eager for women.

Especially since Song Xuan is so strong, could it be that he is practicing some kind of boy's kung fu?
That’s why the willpower is so strong!

Can you remain calm in the face of a woman?

"Well, I also think Miss Yu is pretty."

Zhang Fangping didn't quite agree with what Song Xuan said.

"Is such that."

Han Qi also agreed.

Zhu Yu looked at Song Xuan with confusion.

How could he not be tempted when such a beautiful woman is in front of him!
"Twelfth brother, are you trying to act as if you don't care and then come by yourself after we return to the academy?"

After Fan Xiang finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter.

Song Xuan shook his head:
"Yu Linglong is indeed good-looking, with a pair of alluring eyes."

"But I've met many young ladies on the street. Do you like them all?"

"Everyone has their own preferences!"

"I can only say that she doesn't meet my aesthetic standards."

"Okay, okay."

Wang Tai immediately grabbed the fruit and stuffed it into his mouth:

"In my opinion, Twelve Brother couldn't think of any Mid-Autumn Festival poems at the moment, so he deliberately changed the subject and said he didn't like Yu Linglong."

"Yes, yes, yes." Fan Xiang nodded repeatedly:
"I can't think of a suitable Mid-Autumn Festival poem at the moment."

"wrong."

Zhang Fangping understood Song Xuan's poetry better than anyone else. It was not that he had not thought of it, but that he did not want to!
"Mr. Yan's poem, Butterfly Loves Flowers, 'Helplessly the flowers fall, the familiar swallows return', was written by my twelfth brother. He is even known as the master of a single line. Have you forgotten?"

After listening to Zhang Fangping's words, several people felt that he was lying.

After all, they couldn't get a definite answer from Mr. Yan on this matter.

"Is this serious?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

Although Zhang Fangping had told this story a long time ago, they didn't believe it.

Even if Song Xuan knew the child prodigy Yan Shu, it would not be the case that Song Xuan called the child prodigy Yan Shu his teacher.

On the contrary, everyone is more willing to try to believe it.

It was Song Xuan's own good luck that Yan Shu became his teacher.

You have to know that Yan Shu was wearing a purple robe at such a young age. Now that he has been transferred from the central government to a local government, he is also a chief official.

Who doesn’t envy Yan Shu’s official career!
What’s more, Yan Shu is the “companion reader” of the current emperor!
In time, Prime Minister Yan will definitely return to the center and may even become the prime minister.

These are all set routes.

"It's really shocking. I still can't believe it."

Lu Lejian waved his hands repeatedly:

"If Mr. Yan tells me this himself, then I'll accept it. Even if Twelve Brother is talented in poetry, he can't be Mr. Yan's teacher."

Because this is a very difficult matter.

Not to mention Lu Le, Jian, Wang Tai and others, even Zhang Kang didn't believe it after hearing it once.

But it is what it is.

Because he had heard Song Shou tease Prefect Yan about this matter, and Prefect Yan did not refute it.

Zhang Kang was very puzzled at the time.

In particular, he was able to get acquainted with Song Xuan because he was ordered by Prime Minister Yan to go to Lema Town to catch a ruffian.

But Song Xuan did it.

"Believe it or not, it's true."

Song Xuan waved his folding fan and chuckled.

The key point is that Zhang Kang, the magistrate of Yingtian Prefecture, did not refute it either.

Lu Lejian felt a little uneasy. Could it be true?

"Unless Shi Er Lang can write a poem on the spot that surpasses Liu San Bian's, then I will believe it. Otherwise, I can't believe it!"

"Yeah, I think so too."

Song Xuan was about to say something when he heard a shout:
"Liu Qi has already written it."

Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to it.

The poetry is well written.

It is a very elegant thing indeed.
The madam saw that Liu Sanbian was indeed an expert and said happily:

"I hope Mr. Liu will read it to everyone and have fun together."

The Music of the Cup

"The moon is bright and round, the evening clouds are dispersing, and the night is as clear as day. Gradually, the remaining wine disappears. The coldness of the dangerous room spreads across my clothes and sleeves."

……

"What a pity, on such a beautiful night, you never even raised your brows or opened your mouth."

"When will I give it to you? My deep pity and sorrow remain the same."

"it is good."

There was no shortage of fans in the brothel, and they immediately started cheering loudly.

"I hope you can explain to me what is so good about Mr. Liu's words. We are all a little confused."

The madam said this on purpose.

She probably understood what Liu Sanbian's lyrics meant.

Isn't it just that a prostitute longs for affection, longs for a man who truly treats her well?
I'm lovesick.

How could there be such a man in this world!
He would lower his status for a prostitute.

The madam also went through youth and understood what they were thinking.

Actually, it will be fine after a few days. I won’t miss men that much.

A man's mouth, a liar.

Before getting you, they will say sweet words to you, but after getting you, they get tired of you and treat you coldly, and there are many people who will just sell you away.

Who made you a whore?
But the literati liked this tune.

Therefore, the words praising Liu Sanbian were also spoken at this moment.

"Liu Sanbian's poems are euphemistic, with simple words and profound meanings, and a profound and subtle charm."

Listening to Zhang Kang's evaluation of Liu Sanbian, Song Xuan raised his eyebrows slightly.

Because in his opinion, Liu Sanbian's poems were not recognized by the literati of the Song Dynasty.

Instead, it was sung among brothels and many people of the lower class.

After all, as a failure in the imperial examination, how could those successful people appreciate Liu Sanbian's poems?

Even if Liu Sanbian is a good writer, his status is still there!
Who would admit that the lyrics written by a person who failed the imperial examination are better than his own?
Such people are always a minority.

"Official Zhang has a very high appreciation for things."

"Hahaha." Zhang Kang laughed.

"Shi Er Lang, it's time to show off your talents and let us see your strength."

A brothel.

It’s not just about eating, drinking and having fun, but more about romance!

The one at the back is the big head.

Otherwise, how could it be priced so high nowadays and still attract so many people?

"Yes."

Wang Tai also advised:
"After all, we're here for some fun. What if your writing is good and you become Yu Linglong's lover? Then we can tell others about it and look good."

"It's not that interesting. Just come and watch the song and dance performance to broaden your horizons. A true man's ambition should be like the Yangtze River flowing eastward to the sea. Why dwell on the land of gentleness?"

As soon as Song Xuan said this.

Everyone understood that he was talking about Sun Shangxiang in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

But using Sun Shangxiang's words, that was also what Song Xuan wanted to say.

For a moment, everyone was stunned.

"No, we're not addicted to it, so why would we miss it?"

Fan Xiang said excitedly.

He had just stepped in and hadn't even enjoyed himself yet.

Why do you want to put labels on me? I don’t accept it!
But he always felt that Song Shier said this on purpose because he just didn't want to write lyrics.

"Hahaha."

When a few people saw Song Xuan laughing, they knew he was talking nonsense again.

Song Xuan couldn't help but laugh a few times:
"So I'm just joking, but I've already figured out how to write this lyric."

"Hehehe, I knew it."

Wang Tai put his hand on Song Xuan's shoulder: "You have already made up your mind and are just teasing me."

The madam had been keeping an eye on Song Xuan. She felt that Liu Sanbian's poem was unsuitable for her daughter. How could a courtesan like her have a lover?

Inappropriate.

On the contrary, people like Song Shier are talented, rich, and most importantly, good-looking.

There is still a great chance of passing the exam.

Even if the poems he wrote were inappropriate, it would still be extremely beneficial to his daughter's value.

After all, Liu Sanbian is just a person who has failed in many exams. How can he be compared with Song Xuan, the rising star?
If Yu Linglong were to be deflowered in the future, with Liu Sanbian's poems, perhaps she could earn even more money.

But at that time, the loss would outweigh the gain.

Mother Ding is now unwilling to let Yu Linglong go down this path.

After all, how can a woman in this line of work have so much time to live a leisurely life?

Most of the time, people over 30 are considered old and ugly, and it is difficult to meet any good patrons.

"Shi Er Lang, I believe you have a plan in mind!"

The madam stood on the stage with a smile on her face.

There is no way. These women have to rely on men to survive, and their lives are no longer their own.

If there is an opportunity, you must grab it tightly and hold on to it, only then can you escape from the sea of ​​suffering.

Otherwise, the fate of so many sisters would be the same as Yu Linglong's.

Mother Yu didn't want her "adopted daughter" to have such a miserable end.

Everyone's eyes turned to Song Xuan standing aside again.

Of course, someone asked, saying that Shi Er Lang would definitely be able to do it.

Behind the praise, there are also people, such as Xu Zheng who is hiding on the second floor and whispered:
"I think he just can't write it. If he really has the ability, how could he fail the exam last time?"

"Hey, that's not the way to say it." Lei Qi waved his hands quickly: "Shi Er Lang is still capable."

Xu Zheng curled his lips and said nothing.

Of course, he didn't dare to mock Song Xuan in person, for fear that the sandbag-sized fist would fall on his face.

Liu Zimo didn't say a word. Even if he wanted to mock Song Xuan, he did it in his heart.

"Once we pass the exam, we'll leave this place and never have to see Song Twelve again."

Liu Zimo consoled him: "Besides, your answers were pretty good this time, right?"

Lei Qi held onto the railing and nodded repeatedly:

"Of course, I think I did pretty well in the exam."

Xu Zheng glanced at the two of them. Didn’t they know their own strength?

How difficult are the questions asked by Mr. Yan?
Our three consecutive teams didn’t even make it into the second round!

And the answers are all pretty damn good.

Where do you get such thick skin?

Is it because you are fat?

Song Xuan chuckled and said, "Bring me some pen and ink."

"Good good."

The madam smiled and hurriedly asked someone to move the table up to the high platform and prepare writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone.

She invited Song Xuan to come on stage and write it, so as to create some hype.

Anyway, there are bound to be rumors that Song Shier and Liu Qi are jealous of each other and are competing to write lyrics for Yu Linglong, the top star of Hongtaifang.

The madam is well aware of this.

If no one is vying for a woman's support, it means that she has no value and can only be sold for her body and eventually die early.

Zhu Yu asked leisurely, "So you also want to become Yu Linglong's lover?"

"She is a courtesan who just wants to increase her status by writing a poem."

Song Xuan snorted and laughed:
"Besides, I, Song Twelve, have always been eager to help others and enjoy doing good deeds."

"Humph."

Zhu Yu immediately turned his head away, despising Song Xuan's words.

"I want to see what wonderful poems my twelfth brother can write."

Lu Lejian's eyes lit up and he was very excited.

"Let's see."

Zhang Fangping didn't care. He never thought that his twelfth brother would be nervous about this!

"Don't try to be so stubborn."

Wang Tai grabbed Song Xuan's sleeve:
"It's not shameful to say you can't write at this time."

Song Xuan stood up swiftly and walked to the front desk with a paper fan in his hand.

"Hey, he really is pretending with us." Wang Tai pointed his finger at Song Xuan and laughed.

Song Xuan sat down leisurely and put down the folding fan in his hand.

He glanced at the four treasures of the study and saw that they had cost a lot of money.

"Linglong, quickly grind ink for Master Song."

The madam gave Yu Linglong a look and a mouth shape.

She was betting that Song Xuan could pass the exam and become the top scorer.

That will definitely become a good story.

If he came after Song Xuan passed the imperial examination, it would not be of much help.

And it gives people a different look and feel!
Yu Linglong, wearing a veil, puffed out her lips, straightened her shriveled chest, and walked forward to grind ink for Song Xuan.

Song Xuan picked up the Xuanzhou Zhuge pen, dipped it in ink, and wrote on the Chengxin paper.

"Water Head"

On the Mid-Autumn Festival of Bingyin, I drank until dawn and got drunk. I wrote this poem and also missed my old friends.

Yu Linglong was reciting as she was listening, and she realized that Yu Mama's plan had failed.

Song Xuan did not write it to her, but to an old friend.

Yu Linglong also discovered that Song Xuan's handwriting was very different from that of others, and there was a hint of beauty in it.

"Yes."

The madam had a smile on her face as she gave instructions to Yu Linglong from behind.

But after Yu Linglong finished reading, everyone in the audience was stunned.

The private thoughts of the woman towards the man written by Liu Sanbian at least echo the temperament of the brothel.

But why did Song Xuan write to his old friend?
This old friend.

who is it?
"Why should Yu Linglong grind ink for him?"

Xu Zheng, who was on the second floor, immediately hammered the railing, unable to accept it for a moment.

"Could it be that Yu Linglong has taken a fancy to Song Twelve?"

Liu Zimo thought Song Xuan was good-looking and had a height similar to Zhuge Liang, which was obviously attractive to women.

"Impossible!" Lei Qi waved his hand and said:

"A top star would never fall in love with a man easily. Otherwise, she would be finished before she even makes a name for herself in her life."

"really?"

Xu Zheng wanted to see Yu Linglong's true appearance, but the threshold was too high.

"When will the bright moon come? Ask the sky for wine."

Yu Linglong's clear voice reached the audience.

"Well, Twelve Lang's beginning is quite interesting." Zhang Kang responded.

"I wonder what year it is today in the palace in the sky."

"I want to go back by the wind, but I'm afraid that Qionglou Yuyu will be too cold on the heights. Dance to find out the shadows, so it seems to be in the world."

After Yu Linglong finished reading, there was a look of surprise in her eyes.

Although she mainly focuses on pipa, she also needs to learn poetry and prose, otherwise how can she win the favor of the scholar-official community?
To put it bluntly, everything they learned.

They can only survive by satisfying the hobbies of a small group.

"Turning around the red pavilion, lowering the beautiful window, shining on the sleepless. There should be no hatred, why does the moon always appear when we are parting?"

"People have sorrows and joys, and the moon is cloudy and clear. This matter is hard to come by in ancient times."

"Nung, moon and new moon."

After Yu Linglong finished reading, the whole place was silent for a moment, and then it broke out into a heated discussion.

"Well, Song Twelve wrote this poem really well!"

"Is Twelfth Brother really that powerful?"

For a moment, Lu Lejian looked at Song Xuan on the stage in disbelief as he put down his pen.

"No, why does he write so well?"

Wang Tai was completely petrified. He looked at the courtesan Yu Linglong with an extremely incredible look in her big eyes as she looked at Song Xuan.

"it is good."

Lei Qi, who was leaning on the railing, shouted loudly when he heard the poem recited by Yu Linglong.

"Hey, you know what, this poem by Twelve Lang is really well written!"

Xu Zheng's face looked even uglier.

Compared to his own failure, the success of others makes him more uncomfortable.

After all, he spent money but didn't even get to see the top performer Yu Linglong.

Today, as soon as Song Xuan arrived, he asked the top performer Yu Linglong to grind ink for him. How could he compare?

"It's boring, go back and drink."

Xu Zheng spoke weakly, all the energy in his body drained away.

Because he found that Yu Linglong's eyes were always on the paper Song Xuan was writing.

The madam was extremely delighted after hearing this poem.

No matter who the old friends are, as long as it is written in Hongtaifang, it is written for his own daughter.

She was certain that Shi Erlang's poem would spread throughout Songcheng.

If you spread some more rumors, Linglong's value will definitely continue to rise.

That would save you a lot of trouble.

"Shi Erlang's talent is truly like a surging river, endless; his literary talent is like a splendid chapter, every word a pearl. The lyrics he wrote for our Linglong are even more inspiring!"

The madam naturally seized the opportunity.

They said a lot of flattering words just to make Song Xuan's poem the best in their family.

There are so many people who can write lyrics in the world, but how many of them are willing to write lyrics for a courtesan?

Although Yu Linglong didn't understand what her mother was doing, she knew in her heart that it was for her own good, so she also bowed:
"Thank you for writing the lyrics for Linglong."

(End of this chapter)