11: Chapter 11: Poetry That Shocks the Princess and Deputy Chief Steward! (Part 2)

"What do you mean by that?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi was puzzled.

Caiwei stared huffily at Zhao Zilong, her gaze suggesting she wanted to skin him alive.

"To avoid being dismissed from office, I, Zhao Zilong, can only continue to talk nonsense."

Zhao Zilong said, "Marquis Wulie rose from the ranks of ordinary soldiers, killing enemies and performing meritorious deeds all the way to earn his current title. Who doesn't praise Marquis Wulie as a true man and a great hero? Every time Daye faced an invasion by foreign enemies, wasn't it Marquis Wulie who led the troops into battle?"

"Unfortunately, in recent years, Marquis Wulie has been unable to lead troops due to the frequent recurrence of old injuries. Furthermore, he has been suppressed by the pro-peace faction in the imperial court, his military power has been stripped, and he can only live quietly in his manor, unable to take action."

"In my humble opinion, even if the court does not return military power to Marquis Wulie, they should at least establish him as a role model."

"Marquis Wulie has served Daye well, and his contributions are known to all. He is already a role model for many. Is that not enough?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi was confused.

Caiwei huffed.

Zhao Zilong said, "It's not enough, far from enough. In my opinion, we need to strengthen Marquis Wulie's influence."

"How do we strengthen his influence? By retelling his achievements to the world once more?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi was already somewhat displeased; this Clerk Zhao was simply talking through his hat.

"Clerk Zhao, if you're just here for empty talk, then there's no need to continue. Marquis Wulie's deeds are already known to everyone. No matter how much more you promote them, it will be the same."

Caiwei snorted, "Moreover, by saying all this now, you are clearly trying to dodge the issue. We are currently discussing Talented Scholar Song; don't try to change the subject."

Zhao Zilong said, "Miss Caiwei, please don't be anxious. Let me finish."

"Fine, I'll listen to what you have to say. Let's see what you can come up with. If you don't satisfy me, I will definitely file a complaint against you and have you stripped of your office."

Caiwei snorted, glaring intently at Zhao Zilong.

"Just now, the Princess asked me how to resolve the impact of Talented Scholar Song's poetry on Daye. As for whether Talented Scholar Song is a foreign spy, we have no evidence, so naturally, we cannot arrest him, nor can we stop him from writing such poems. While I may not have a perfect strategy, setting up Marquis Wulie as a role model can serve as a countermeasure, at least to mitigate some of the influence generated by Song Qiubai's poetry."

"As for how to strengthen Marquis Wulie's influence, his achievements are already known to all, so there is naturally no need to promote them further; that would be a waste of effort."

"However, I do have a method."

"What method?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi was very curious.

Outside the library pavilion, Cai Wenjing was also extremely curious.

Zhao Zilong said, "Although I am but a clerk, I have always looked up to Marquis Wulie as a role model. I also wish to charge onto the battlefield and slay enemies like him, to perform meritorious deeds for our Daye, and to protect the country and its people. Unfortunately, my abilities are limited after all; it is merely a pipe dream, and I cannot take action."

"However, out of my admiration for Marquis Wulie, I have written some poems for him, which I also use to encourage myself."

"You can write poetry? Clerk Zhao, you said Talented Scholar Song's poems were utter rubbish, but I'm afraid the poems you write are even worse."

Caiwei mocked.

Princess Zhu Yunxi didn't share that sentiment. She asked, "I'm a bit surprised that Clerk Zhao can write poetry. I'm just curious to hear what kind of poem you've written for Marquis Wulie."

"Princess, don't listen to his nonsense. What kind of poetry could he possibly write? If he had such talent, why would he be just a clerk in the Fuzheng Division?"

Caiwei didn't believe it.

Outside the library, Cai Wenjing didn't believe it either.

"Zhao Zilong clearly offended the Princess by slandering Song Qiubai. He's just talking nonsense to excuse himself because he doesn't want to be dismissed."

However, she was clearly listening more intently now.

If the poem Zhao Zilong was about to recite for her father turned out to be utter rubbish and tarnished her father's reputation, she would definitely teach him a harsh lesson.

"There's no harm in listening. Clerk Zhao, please go ahead."

Princess Zhu Yunxi said calmly.

Zhao Zilong recalled some poems he had learned in his previous life. He didn't know many, but he still knew a few well-known ones.

After all, he had watched plenty of web novels and short dramas; he could memorize some of the poems the protagonists used to show off.

Unfortunately, the protagonists in those web novels and short dramas—because the authors didn't write out the inventions in much detail and didn't show them thoroughly—left him unable to create any inventions in the Daye Kingdom.

There was no chance for things like guns and cannons.

Fortunately, he was now a martial artist. As long as he practiced diligently and grew stronger in the future to become a Grandmaster or even a Great Grandmaster, he himself would be a gun and a cannon, more powerful than a rifle and stronger than artillery.

That would be enough to make up for it.

Seeing that Zhao Zilong hadn't spoken for a while, Caiwei urged, "Clerk Zhao, you're not making it up on the spot, are you?"

"Miss Caiwei, I am building up the mood. Don't be in such a hurry."

Zhao Zilong gave Caiwei a sidelong glance. Even though I'm plagiarizing, you have to let me think. What's the rush?

"I'm afraid you'll still be building up the mood until dark without managing to feel anything."

Was Caiwei's family in the poison business? Her tongue was so sharp.

"Caiwei, do not disturb Clerk Zhao."

At this point, Princess Zhu Yunxi didn't believe Zhao Zilong could write any good poetry either. However, she wasn't in a hurry; she was waiting for Zhao Zilong to make a mistake and embarrass himself.

Outside, Cai Wenjing was a bit anxious and also didn't believe Zhao Zilong could produce a good poem. Having no reaction for so long and claiming to be building up the mood—this was clearly writing it on the spot.

But poetry was not that easy to write.

"Princess, I have finished building up the mood."

Zhao Zilong finally spoke. Princess Zhu Yunxi nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.

Zhao Zilong said, "The title of this poem is 'Praise for a Fine General: A Heroic Ode to Marquis Wulie'."

"A good title. Where is the poem?"

Caiwei mocked.

Zhao Zilong gave Caiwei a look, composed his emotions, and slowly began, "In tipsy state, I trim the lamp to view my sword; in dreams, I return to the camps where bugles blow. Roasted meat is shared among the ranks for miles; fifty strings play songs of the frontier. On the autumn field, the troops are reviewed."

"In tipsy state, I trim the lamp to view my sword; in dreams, I return to the camps where bugles blow..."

Princess Zhu Yunxi couldn't help but softly read along.

Caiwei's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.

Although she was a maidservant, she had read many books and possessed a decent ability for appreciation.

As soon as this poem came out, she knew it was a masterpiece. It gave her a powerful shock.

Her expression as she looked at Zhao Zilong became several degrees more serious.

Outside, Cai Wenjing also recited along, her heart surging with waves of emotion.

She couldn't help but think of the image of her father sitting before a lamp at night, unable to sleep, wiping his precious sword.

Every time, her father would sigh, "Though the sword is sharp, the man is old. How tragic, how lamentable!"

Seeing that both the Princess and Caiwei were shocked, Zhao Zilong felt smug.

This poem, 'Dance of the Cavalry', practically carried half of the short drama industry.

Once this poem was recited, who could fail to be shocked?

He continued, his emotions even fuller, his voice rising and falling with cadence. He even added gestures, making it even more infectious.

"Horses gallop as fast as the Dilu steed; bows snap like thunderclaps. To fulfill the sovereign's affairs of the realm, to win fame both during life and after death."

"Alas... white hair grows!"

Finally, tears even welled up in his eyes.

The emotional impact was terrifyingly strong.

Princess Zhu Yunxi and Caiwei stood there dazed, their eyes moist.

Outside the door, Cai Wenjing was already a mess of tears, her body trembling slightly from the intense emotion.