The prince is more stable

Chapter 286 Literary Leader
Zhao Xiaoqian was overjoyed as he had gotten such a huge advantage.

How many times must his descendants kowtow to his tablet and how much paper money must they burn every year?

What’s even more exciting is that Su Shi, who was taken advantage of, was completely unaware of it.

He probably didn't expect that his own handwritten work would be worth tens of millions hundreds of years later. If he knew, he might not have been so willing to give it to Zhao Xiaoqian.

As far as Zhao Xiaoqian knew, Su Shi, who had been exiled for many years, was not well off and often wrote letters to his brother asking for money.

Ordering his servants to properly keep Su Shi's handwritten poems, Zhao Xiaoqian decided to go to the street to frame them tomorrow and apply anti-corrosion and anti-termite film. Such a precious thing must not be treated lightly.

Su Shi came here today because he admired the author's reputation. Scholars like to visit each other and discuss articles, poetry and knowledge.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't have this problem. When he talked about literature, he would think of reading and reciting the entire text, which was very annoying.

But Su Shi obviously didn't think so. He rubbed his sore wrist and asked questions with interest.

"What were the thoughts running through your mind when you composed the poem 'Drunkenly, I look at my sword by lamplight'? When I heard it, I was astonished by its beauty. The charm of the poem resonated deeply with me."

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked and said, "Why don't you grit your teeth and try to live a few more years so you can talk to a man named Xin Qiji?"
"Master Su, talking about articles and poems is too vulgar. Any scholar can talk about it. How can you and I be willing to be reduced to associating with vulgar people?"

Su Shi was stunned: "The article and the poem are too, too... vulgar?"

What a fresh and unconventional sentence! Su Shi had never heard it in his life.

Zhao Xiaoqian leaned in closer and said with a smile, "How about we talk about food? Scholar Su has traveled extensively over the years, seeing the vast expanse of mountains and rivers. I'm sure he's tasted a lot of delicious food, right?"

"The sages said, 'Food and sex are human nature.' It seems that delicious food and beautiful women are the things that are closest to human nature, while writing and poetry have fallen behind. What do you think, Scholar Su?"

Su Shi's eyes lit up. He was indeed a world-famous young talent. This unique argument was truly elegant, both lofty and graceful.

"Your Excellency's remarks are profound, and I agree with them! Haha," Su Shi laughed, stroking his beard. "Speaking of food, Your Excellency, you are still young and lack experience. Over the years..."

Before he could finish his words, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly asked, "Is that mutton without any smell of mutton delicious?"

Su Shi paused, his face a little embarrassed, and said reluctantly: "...It's delicious."

"So, do I have a say in food?" Zhao Xiaoqian pressed on.

Su Shi glared at him, but could only nod reluctantly: "...Yes."

"Call me dad... ahem, call me brother. From now on, we can be friends as equals. I'll teach you how to make that mutton."

Su Shi was furious: "How can I humiliate myself for a mere pot of mutton? Brother Zi'an, you underestimate me!"

"Got it! I'll write down the secret recipe and give it to Brother Zizhan. How about that?"

Su Shi chuckled and said, "Very good. In that case, I'll trouble you, Brother Zi'an."

Zhao Xiaoqian also laughed.

The old man is in his sixties, but he has a really good personality. Except for the time when he almost got pushed into the pit of feces and got angry, he was very open-minded and casual at other times. He didn't mind any joke, and instead participated in it with great interest.

With this kind of personality, it is no wonder that he kicked Zhang Huaimin's door in the middle of the night and said something like "Huaimin hasn't slept yet", but Zhang Huaimin didn't get angry with him.

It was his character that saved him. Otherwise, Zhang Huaimin, who had just been demoted, would have been in a bad mood, and if someone kicked the door in the middle of the night, do you think he would have picked up a knife and killed Su Shi?

The two of them have the same hobbies and interests, and they had a lively and constructive discussion in the pavilion about delicacies from all over the world. The atmosphere in the pavilion was very lively.

Zhao Hao stood far away outside the water pavilion, watching his son and Master Su get along so well. He couldn't help but sigh sadly, his eyes full of envy.

Zhao Hao was a prince, but he was also an incompetent scholar.

He could also write articles and poems, but he just didn't have any outstanding works.

So when Su Shi came to visit Zhao Hao out of admiration, even though Zhao Hao was envious, he knew clearly that it was not his reputation that Zhao Hao admired, but his son...

Watching his son and Su Shi having a heated discussion in the pavilion, sometimes hugging each other and laughing heartily, sometimes arguing with red faces, Zhao Hao was so envious that his eyes turned red.

A son’s life is his father’s dream.

"They must be discussing new works. In the near future, the Song Dynasty will produce masterpieces that will be recorded in history. This is an elegant gathering that will determine the future direction of the Song Dynasty's poetry world. I am so envious!" Zhao Hao muttered to himself, his eyes obsessed, and the expression on his fat face was full of resentment.

In the pavilion, Zhao Xiaoqian laughed in anger, his mouth spitting.

Su Shi refused to give in and refused to compromise.

"How can you steam snake meat with the skin? Aren't you afraid of menstrual cramps? Of course, the meat and skin should be separated and stir-fried with ginger to make it delicious. Brother Zizhan, even if you're old, you can't take advantage of your age. Are you crazy eating like this?"

"Brother Zi'an, what you said is wrong! I dare not agree with it. Steaming snake meat and snake skin together will preserve the original flavor and is the authentic delicacy." Su Shi was so angry that his neck turned red.

"Bullshit!" Zhao Xiaoqian was furious. Suddenly, he remembered something and asked abruptly, "Do you like sweet or salty tofu pudding?"

Su Shi was stunned: "I am from Shu, of course I like salty food!"

"We can't chat anymore, let's break up!" Zhao Xiaoqian decisively gave up this budding friendship.

…………

It is quite pleasant to make friends with Su Shi, as long as we don't talk about food.

When it comes to food, Zhao Xiaoqian and Su Shi have deep differences. Sometimes, while chatting, they really want to fight and reveal the truth through fists.

Su Shi said goodbye angrily without even looking back. Instead, he shook his sleeves fiercely several times, showing that he was very angry, the kind of anger that even a meal of stewed radish and mutton could not appease him.

Zhao Xiaoqian did not go out to see him off. His attitude was simple: I love idols, but I love the truth more.

Instead, Zhao Hao smiled and sent Su Shi out the door.

Looking at Su Shi's angry look, Zhao Hao's heart was in suspense.

It seems my son and Scholar Su have a different approach to their writing. The future of the Song Dynasty's poetry world is about to split, with the graceful and unrestrained schools about to clash. My Chu Palace is a memorial site that bears witness to this tragedy...

Zhao Hao was lost in his own thoughts, while his son was still sitting in the pavilion, still furious.

When eating snakes, of course the meat and skin should be stir-fried separately. But steaming the meat and skin together is heresy. Burn them to death!

…………

When Su Shi returned to Beijing, he was very angry at the Prince of Chu's Mansion, but his return to Beijing caused a huge shock in the literary world of Bianliang.

Ma Xing Street in the inner city of Bianjing was Su Zhe's residence and the temporary residence of Su Shi after he returned to Beijing.

Early the next morning, countless scholars flocked to the mansion and stood quietly outside the gate, holding their masterpieces in their hands, eager to meet Master Su. It would be a blessing in life if they could receive guidance and instruction from Master Su in person.

Not only that, many famous courtesans in brothels also came to him with their faces covered with veils, just to ask Master Su for a good poem, and were willing to offer themselves to him to please him.

There were crowds of people on Ma Xing Street, and the entrance to Su Che's mansion was completely blocked.

This shows Su Shi's status in the literary world.

Unfortunately, Su Shi was still very angry at the Prince of Chu's Mansion yesterday, so he refused to see anyone today.

At the same time, Wei Jie came to the Chu Palace and asked to see Zhao Xiaoqian.

"The Duke of the County ordered someone to keep an eye on Miss Niaoniao who was drunk in the shade of flowers. We got a clue yesterday." Wei Jie reported.

Zhao Xiaoqian narrowed his eyes: "Is there really something wrong with her?"

"Yes." Wei Jie sighed softly, "Yesterday, the Imperial City Division's subordinates who were monitoring her followed her out of the brothel. After passing through Nanxun Gate, Miss Niaoniao went alone into Yujin Garden outside the South City. After a brief encounter with a man, she hurriedly left and returned to the city."

"That man was quite alert. After seeing Miss Niaoniao, he turned and disappeared into the dense forest of Yujin Garden. My subordinates went into the forest to look for him, but he was nowhere to be found."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled: "Isn't it a secret meeting with your lover?"

Wei Jie shook his head: "It can't be my lover. The two of them met for a very short time, and they didn't even talk. It was more like they handed over some information in person, and then they separated immediately. This is not the way to meet a lover."

Zhao Xiaoqian stood up and straightened his clothes.

"It's been a while since I've been to this place of entertainment. Today, I suddenly felt like sharing my feelings with the courtesan and, by the way, looking forward to the future of the literary world of the Song Dynasty..."

(End of this chapter)