The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 45 He is quite smooth

"Why did this old thief from the Shi family make such a big fuss about this literary gathering?" Sitting in the seat that belonged to Shang Jia, Shang Zishu covered her face with a fan and whispered to Shang Mingshu.

This gathering of literati was held in the private garden of the Shi family. Invited were Prefect He, the magistrates of Fengyang and She counties; the deputy envoys, assistant envoys, and councilors of education who would oversee the Autumn Examination; the president of Ziyang Academy and several teachers, as well as students who had traveled from all over the country for the Autumn Examination.

"Be careful, it won't be peaceful today." Shang Mingshu also covered the lower half of her face with a round fan to remind Shang Zishu.

When this literary gathering was first proposed, it was sternly rejected by many teachers in Ziyang Academy. They believed that the Autumn Examination would be held the day after tomorrow and students should review their lessons and prepare for the imperial examination.

Half agreed, believing this was a grand event and that reviewing wasn't just a matter of a day or two. Many students were anxious about the upcoming exams, so why not connect with friends over literature and relax? Perhaps exchanging experiences today would help them perform better on the upcoming exams.

Shi Houqiong took great pains to make this gathering of literati possible and even invited so many officials to take charge.

Mrs. Shi and Shi Qingyu were surrounded by countless women and young ladies. Both of them were in high spirits and looked radiant.

Shang Mingshu's gaze lingered on Shi Qingyu for a few moments. She hadn't seen him for more than a month since the day when Japanese pirates broke into She County and plotted to murder him. She felt that Shi Qingyu's smile, which used to be decent and warm, had become even more profound.

"Why are you sitting here? Come, let's go see the young masters." Xiao Yu came over, took one of them by the hand and walked towards a corner of the attic, where many ladies gathered.

Outside the attic is a small courtyard with pine and cypress trees planted for people to appreciate. Only a welcoming pine stands tall in the middle, and autumn chrysanthemums are in full bloom around it. Shi Houqiong ordered people to hang many collected works of literature and provide writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone desks. There are also specially invited music teachers who play the piano and burn incense, which attracts most of the students.

Glancing down, one after another, young men with straight figures came into view. The young ladies all covered their faces with round fans, secretly peeking out a pair of eyes. Mistresses like Xiao Yu were as picky as selecting cabbages and radishes.

Shang Mingshu saw Cheng Mian at first sight. He was wearing an apricot-white robe with black patterns on the collar and cuffs, like a landscape painting. He was not wearing a square scarf on his head. He used a white jade hairpin to hold his hair up. The young man with his hair loose looked less obedient and gentle than before, and more indifferent and distant.

He is tall and slender, and looks just as majestic as the tall pines in the distance.

"Who is that young man wearing a long robe and with his hair tied up with a jade hairpin?"

"It's the Third Master of the Cheng family. He's handsome, isn't he? I only saw the Second Master of the Cheng family before, but this Third Master has been in the academy all year round. I heard he's a very good student of literature, and even the dean praised him."

"Mr. Cheng is still unmarried. Countless people have come to propose marriage to him. The Cheng family said they want to wait until Mr. Cheng passes the imperial examination before discussing marriage."

"I heard that Mr. Cheng will take the imperial examination this year. He hasn't even reached adulthood yet. If he can pass, he'll be a young talent!"

"Mr. Cheng San was a young genius. He passed the imperial examination at the age of fourteen. There are very few people like him in history!"

……

The young ladies talked in low voices, but the place was too small. Shang Zishu pulled Shang Mingshu's sleeve and winked at her.

Shang Mingshu didn't take this to heart when a high-pitched voice rang out from below: "I believe that writing should win with momentum, like Han Changli's writing, with its powerful writing force, like a surging river, so that it can awaken the deaf and awaken the world. Those articles that pursue ornate rhetoric and pile up allusions are nothing but empty embroidered pillows!"

"Who is this person?"

"You sound quite aggressive." "I think that makes sense."

……

This caused a lot of discussion among the young ladies, who seemed to be debating how to write the article.

Another voice retorted, "Brother Zhang, while there's truth in what you say, the beauty of writing is more than just one aspect. Elegance and momentum are not mutually exclusive. Take the parallel prose of the Six Dynasties, for example, which boasts exquisite rhetoric and harmonious rhythm. If one blindly pursues grandeur while neglecting literary grace, one's writing will inevitably become vulgar."

Then someone else commented: "What you two said is biased. The essence of writing lies in 'carrying the message.' Whether it's momentum or rhetoric, they all serve to convey meaning and thought. If they can't convey the true meaning, then no matter how powerful the momentum or how beautiful the rhetoric, it's like a tree without roots."

Scholar Zhang was unconvinced and argued, "Brother Zhao's words may make sense, but if the article lacks captivating momentum and literary grace, who would pay attention to the truth in it?"

Several people started arguing, and no one could convince anyone else. The young ladies next to them listened with great interest. They felt that everyone had their own reasons, and they wished someone could stand up and make the final decision, and tell them the real reason.

As if hearing the people's thoughts, someone spoke up, "Brother Cheng has always been favored by the headmaster. Why don't you tell us what is most important to you when writing about this?"

Suddenly everyone's eyes fell on Cheng Mian, including the ladies in the attic.

Cheng Mian wanted to refuse, but he glanced casually and met Shang Mingshu's eyes from a distance. They were very far away, and she was surrounded by other women, but her features were clear and bright in his eyes. He looked away and smiled gently, "Each school of writing has its strengths. We should learn from all the best when studying. Brother Zhang admires Han Changli's momentum, Brother Li loves the rhetoric of the Six Dynasties parallel prose, and Brother Zhao values ​​the meaning of writing. They are all passionate about writing, so why bother to judge who is better?"

The art of literature is enduring, and throughout the ages, there has been no established authority or leader. Some are magnificent and exquisite, their momentum piercing clouds and splitting rocks; some are exquisitely written, their rhetoric flowing with golden colors; some are profound and illuminate the past and present. All masterpieces command the admiration of the world and are passed down through the ages.

Shang Mingshu raised her eyebrows, she didn't expect this little idiot to be so smooth.

"Well said!" A majestic voice sounded, and Magistrate He and several adults, led by Shi Houqiong, walked in from the Chuihua Gate and faced the attic. The young ladies quickly retreated.

"Third sister, Master Cheng just saw you." Cheng Mian only glanced at Shang Mingshu, but the way his eyes were fixed on her caught Shang Zishu's eye. "Did he show off just to make you look up to him?"

Shang Mingshu glanced at her.

"I brought you here so that you can take a closer look. Why are you staring at your sister?" Xiao Yu said.

"Mother, I don't like scholars." Shang Zishu shook her head. "I'm not well-educated myself, and I can't even explain myself to a scholar."

A scholar needs to be paired with someone like Sanmei so that they won’t be talking at cross purposes.

"What kind of person are you looking for?" Xiao Yu asked directly. Although she was not as devoted to Shang Zishu as Shang Mingshu, she loved her sincerely, and the mother and daughter were equally close.

Shang Zishu knew that her elder sister and younger sister had been found, so she had to hurry up. After thinking carefully, she really couldn't think of anything, so she lowered her head and said, "I don't know either."

"Your father asked me to find it for you, so you should hurry up." Xiao Yu informed Shang Zishu.

(End of this chapter)