Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 73 The Beauty Queen of Jiangzhou, Please Provide a Theme! (First Update)
The Star-Picking Pavilion was brightly lit.

During the poetry banquet.

Jiang Xingzhou listened to Han Yugui, Li Yunxiao, Lu Ming and other Jiangyin students whispering about Zhao Zilu, the top scholar in Jiangzhou Prefecture, and his carefully planned scheme, but he said nothing.

His gaze remained fixed on a plate of Hangzhou's famous dish, West Lake Vinegar Fish, on the table.

In this gilded food box, a West Lake vinegar fish gleams with an amber luster. The fish pattern is cut with a yin-yang divination knife, and the gills are still covered with golden dew from the crab roe topping.

"The knife skills and the ingredients are all top-notch. No wonder the chef is a descendant of the imperial chefs!"

Jiang Xingzhou used the tips of ivory chopsticks to pry open the snow-white fish's belly and picked up a piece.

Just taste it and stop.

A complex flavor, a blend of tender fish, sweet and sour sauce, and fresh crab, exploded on his tongue like a feast!
"Fresh fish raised in Tiger Spring water, the ingredients for Zhenjiang vinegar!"

He couldn't help but exclaim, "This famous dish truly lives up to its reputation; it's beyond words, it makes me question everything!"

I never had the chance to taste this famous dish in Hangzhou.

Unexpectedly, I ended up eating in Jiangzhou Prefecture.

"Today's poetry banquet is something I'm afraid I can't bring myself to talk about."

Jiang Xingzhou put down his chopsticks and said calmly.

"No banquet is a good banquet; this is probably a trap!"

Lu Ming thought Jiang Xingzhou was referring to something, and nodded in deep agreement.

"Since we're free anyway, let's see what kind of magic tricks Zhao Zilu can pull off tonight!"

Cao An stroked the remaining wine in his cup, sneered, and looked on with an air of anticipation.

A murmur of knowing laughter rippled through the room of students from Jiangyin.

Zhao Zilu stood up, and the maid poured a silver stream of wine from the spout, filling his wine cup to the brim.

"With the prefectural examination just around the corner, this is a rare opportunity to gather with my brothers from various prefectures and counties!"

Tonight, I, Zhao, have booked the Zhaixing Tower to host this poetry banquet, to welcome and cleanse the dust of the journey for the young masters and scholars from the five counties of the prefecture!

Brothers, please drink this cup to the brim!

Zhao Zilu raised his glass and laughed.

The attendant stood quietly under the corridor, holding a sandalwood poetry box. Inside the box was a piece of Xuan paper sprinkled with gold, containing the poem he had carefully prepared for the county examination.

Just as the banquet was about to end, the final climax of the performance was presented, stunning everyone present.

However, this is not the time for it to make its appearance.

First, take advantage of the first half of this poetry banquet to suppress the momentum of the other five top students from the prefecture and five counties.

Then, he could take the opportunity to present his poem from the county examination and promote his literary reputation.

"Since this is a poetry banquet, please allow me to first offer a short poem, 'Flower Lyrics,' as an appetizer to inspire you all and add to the merriment!"

He lightly waved his folding fan, took seven steps in the hall, and, feigning a carefree attitude, recited aloud:

"Ode to a Beautiful Woman":
Beautiful women are allowed to display their figures, but talented men are not allowed to compose flowery poems.

If not for the Holy Dynasty's prohibition against indecent writing, I would have poured out my wildest and most insatiable words.

Instant time.

The audience fell silent for a moment, then burst into cheers.

"it is good!"

"What a fine poem! The pen has poured out words as fierce and powerful as a tiger's and wolf's roar!"

"What a fierce and ruthless tone! Brother Zhao, are you trying to lead us to break the taboo against poetry?"

"Let's write down all the wildest and most insane words tonight!"

The entire building erupted in cheers and applause, the shouts so loud they made the bronze bells on the eaves ring.

Maids brought over twelve inkstones made of pine soot, ready for the students to compose poems. The candlelight in the pavilion seemed to flicker even more brightly amidst the laughter and commotion.

"We are having a small poetry gathering, all of us are classmates and brothers, and we will not share this with outsiders. Everyone, please feel free to write freely, there is no need to be too reserved!"

Zhao Zilu shook his head and laughed. The atmosphere eased considerably.

These playful little poems, written on a whim, are not fit for the imperial examinations, nor can they be used to gain fame.

We can only relax and enjoy ourselves here at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

"As you all know, the way of poetry has its own rules."

Today, the top scholars from the five counties of Jiangzhou Prefecture have gathered together. As the leaders of their respective counties, I'm sure you all have the desire to compete with each other.

Why not take this opportunity to have a literary exchange among the six of us scholars!
If any other princes or students present also have the interest, they are welcome to join in this grand event.

What are your thoughts?

Zhao Zilu squinted, scanning the assembled students, a faint smile playing on his lips.

The people from Jiangyin exchanged meaningful glances.

Cao An toyed with his wine cup and said in a low voice, "Brother Zhao Zilu, you've finally brought up the topic of sparring!"

Lu Ming sneered.

This so-called "exchange of ideas" was clearly a carefully orchestrated prelude by Zhao Zilu to showcase his poetry in Kouzhen—without a small competition to overshadow the top students from the other five counties, who would care about his Kouzhen essay?!
"Excellent!"

Cheers erupted inside the Star-Picking Pavilion.

At every poetry banquet,
The most anticipated event is undoubtedly the literary contest between the top candidates in the preliminary examinations!
"As for the title of the article!"

Zhao Zilu smiled slightly and said, "To show fairness, I, as the host, will not set any questions."

He clapped his hands lightly and said loudly, "Please welcome Xiao Mannu, the most beautiful courtesan of Jiangzhou Prefecture in the year of Gui Si, to compose a poem!"

Before the words were finished, music suddenly filled the Star-Picking Pavilion. Twelve Hu women, holding harps and pipa, lightly plucked the strings, producing melodious sounds.

Suddenly, a graceful figure of about seventeen or eighteen years old emerged from behind the curtain.

The courtesan Xiaomannu swayed her slender waist gracefully, her jade feet fluttering as if treading on snow, each step a lotus blossom.

Her eyes were like autumn water, her movements graceful and charming. Her dance was as light as a willow swaying in the breeze, and as fluid as a dragon soaring through the air, leaving the audience mesmerized.

The Zhaixing Pavilion fell silent for a moment, with only the faint sounds of the konghou, pipa, and other string and wind instruments, and the fluttering of robes.

"Isn't this Xiao Mannu? Three years ago, when I came to participate in the prefectural examination, she won the title of the most beautiful courtesan in Jiangzhou Prefecture. I even saw her then, and I was immediately awestruck by her beauty!"
Three years have passed in the blink of an eye!

Many of the older students stared wide-eyed, their breath catching in their throats.

Even young masters like Xue Fu and Xue Gui, who were usually strictly bound by family rules, rarely saw such captivating dance moves in a restaurant.

At that moment, they were completely unaware that their cups were tilting, their eyes fixed on the beautiful figure on the stage.

As the dance ended, her red sleeves were gently gathered.

"I am Xiaomannu, the most beautiful courtesan of the year Gui Si."

Xiao Mannu breathed slightly, bowed gracefully to the students of Jiangzhou, her eyes shimmering like autumn water, yet also concealing a trace of loneliness.

"Today, all the talented scholars of Jiangzhou Prefecture have gathered here. I dare to ask for a poem—if you can provide a good poem, I am willing to reward you with a thousand taels of silver."

Her voice was soft, yet every word was clear.

Clearly, this plea was not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Three years ago, she was crowned the most beautiful courtesan, her beauty surpassing all others, and her fame spread throughout Jiangzhou.

Back then, countless wealthy men would spend a fortune just to win a smile from her.

But in the world of romance, it's always the newcomers who laugh at the old ones; everyone's just looking for something new.

After a year of great fame, Jiangzhou Prefecture saw the emergence of new courtesans every year. Wealthy patrons flocked to the newcomers, and her door gradually became deserted. It is no longer as prosperous as it once was.

The students nodded secretly.

This little barbarian servant is quite clever.

Today, the top six students from the five counties of the prefecture have gathered together; they are all the most talented people in their respective counties.

If she could seize the opportunity of Zhao Zilu's poetry banquet and obtain one of their finest poems to spread, her value might just return to its peak.

After all, the most beautiful courtesans in the brothels always needed the praise of scholars to gain fame and increase their value.

(End of this chapter)