10: Crowned king early! Three poems at the age of five! Fame soars!

Chapter 10: Early Ennoblement! Three Odes at Five! Spreading Fame!

Cui Shen and Wei Bi were two different kinds of people, which could be seen from their emotional values.

Although he couldn't write poetry anymore, Cui Shen's emotional value still increased by twenty.

This Five-character Great Wall was indeed a true man of letters.

Prince Jing Li Zhi, Prince Jing's antics in the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests once again ignited a roar of laughter throughout the hall.

Only the Emperor's blood brother would dare to be so presumptuous in the imperial palace.

Wei Bi was so angry that he fumed, fearing that this nickname would truly spread.

"Li Zhi, Prince Jing! You! You disgrace scholars! You go too far!"

As the state banquet drew to a close, Cui Shen sighed deeply.

"Your Majesty, the more this humble official thinks about His Highness the Third Prince's three poems, the more I admire them!"

"The diction is simple and lively, the Concept is innocent and pure, and the poetic talent is natural!"

"ode to the goose, ode to snow, ode to the needle—three odes at the age of five will surely become a timeless tale!"

Emperor Qing nodded in satisfaction, "Your Excellency truly lives up to being Master Zhuang's Disciple; you have magnanimity!"

Cui Shen continued, "Your Majesty, this humble official is not talented, but I wish to help His Highness the Third Prince make connections."

"My teacher's name is renowned throughout the world, and this humble official wishes to recommend His Highness the Third Prince to become my teacher's Disciple. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission!"

Zhuang Mo Han was the leader of the literary world, and no one in Southern Qing could become his Disciple.

Emperor Qing smiled and said, "You, Five-character Great Wall, are trying to poach my brother!"

The Southern Qing officials discussed animatedly, their opinions divided.

Zhuang Mo Han was a recognized literary giant of the world, and he didn't accept just anyone.

This opportunity to become his Disciple was extremely rare.

However, if Emperor Qing's brother became a Disciple of a Northern Qi person, it would make the Southern Qing literary world appear too weak.

It was hard enough to produce a Genius, and he still had to go to Northern Qi to study.

The weakness in the literary world had always been a concern for Emperor Qing.

Scholars from Southern Qing and Eastern Yi both considered it an honor to participate in the imperial examinations in Northern Qi.

Although they couldn't hold office in Northern Qi after passing, they would definitely get an official position upon returning to their own country.

Because everyone in the world believed that if one could rank among the top three in Northern Qi, they would be qualified to hold office anywhere in the world.

Deep down, Emperor Qing did not want Li Chang'an to become Zhuang Mo Han's Disciple.

Even if Li Chang'an became a great poet in the future, everyone would say it was Northern Qi who taught him!

Emperor Qing turned to Li Chang'an and said, "Third Brother, are you willing?"

Li Chang'an shook his head, then bowed to Emperor Qing.

He said with a serious expression, "Your Majesty! Your younger brother wishes to become the Great Qing's Zhuang Mo Han!"

Li Chang'an's words once again caused the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests to fall silent.

Most of the people in the hall were scholars, and they knew how high Zhuang Mo Han's status was.

Even Southern Qing people felt that Li Chang'an's words were a bit arrogant.

However, Emperor Qing did not think so; the literary world was merely a tool of governance.

Doing good scholarship and writing beautiful poetry was far from being deified.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Emperor Qing's three consecutive "good"s were impactful!

"Scholars of Great Qing should have such aspirations!"

"How can the culture of poetry always rely on learning from others!"

Emperor Qing had long harbored the desire to revitalize the literary world, but it had never shown any improvement.

This kind of thing was like football; no matter how rich and powerful a country was, if they played poorly, they just played poorly.

Therefore, Li Chang'an was speaking to Emperor Qing's desires.

Even if everyone else thought it arrogant, Emperor Qing would agree wholeheartedly.

Only then did the Southern Qing officials react, offering congratulations to Emperor Qing one after another.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, His Highness the Third Prince has lofty aspirations!"

"His Highness the Third Prince's ambition is grand; this humble official and others are deeply impressed!"

"The Southern Qing literary world has hope for revitalization!"

Cui Shen shook his head, dismissive of Li Chang'an's arrogance.

"With such grand words from His Highness the Third Prince, this humble official will wait and see!"

Emperor Qing pressed his hands down virtually, his tone becoming serious.

"Stop calling him His Highness the Third Prince, His Highness the Third Prince!"

"When I have a Third Prince in the future, I won't be able to tell who is who!"

Emperor Qing's First Prince and Second Prince were his first and second children.

Emperor Qing's third son was made Crown Prince and was not in the sequence of princes.

His fourth son, Fan Xian, had not yet been formally recognized, so he was also not in the sequence of princes.

Therefore, the Third Prince he was referring to now was his fifth child, Li Chengping.

Upon hearing Emperor Qing's words, the officials seemed to understand the hidden meaning.

Not calling him His Highness the Third Prince meant he was about to be ennobled!

Li Chang'an had saved Face for Southern Qing today and had also made a grand wish to revitalize the Southern Qing literary world.

Emperor Qing was about to bestow a great reward!

Indeed, Emperor Qing continued, "Mr. Cui spoke well; my third brother composed three odes at five!"

"I shall borrow the 'Yong' (ode) character and ennoble Chang'an as Prince Yong!"

"From now on, my third brother shall be His Highness Prince Yong of Great Qing!"

"Meaning, the flourishing era of Great Qing, eternal joy and lasting peace!"

Emperor Qing's voice was resonant; as he spoke, it seemed as if the rafters themselves trembled!

As the state banquet neared its end, the Southern Qing officials were all stirred with emotion!

Li Chang'an's ennoblement as a Prince pushed the atmosphere to a climax!

All the Southern Qing officials prostrated themselves!

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, His Highness Prince Yong!"

"A flourishing era for Great Qing, eternal joy and lasting peace!"

With the atmosphere set, the Northern Qi Delegation also paid their respects and offered congratulations.

The Emperor's children would generally be ennobled as princes.

However, a son of the previous Emperor like Li Chang'an would usually be given a two-character princedom and sent to his fiefdom.

For example, Prince of Changsha, Prince of Lanling, Prince of Jiangxia, and so on.

But Emperor Qing directly ennobled him as a one-character Prince, which could be said to be extremely favored.

A childlike smile appeared on Li Chang'an's Face.

Tonight's goal had been overachieved!

He had originally thought it would be good enough if Emperor Qing rewarded him with a few eunuchs and palace maids.

He hadn't expected that Emperor Qing was so concerned about the weakness of the literary world.

How could an ambitious ruler, determined to unify the world, tolerate being culturally inferior to others!

At this banquet, Li Chang'an maximized his benefits.

Being ennobled as a Prince would surely greatly increase his power ranking!

Gaining fame through poetry would also increase his artistic ranking!

Li Chang'an's influence in this world would definitely increase significantly!

Once this matter fermented and spread, it might even trigger a System settlement!

A System settlement would reward Mortal World points, allowing him to continue growing stronger and even secretly develop his own forces!

This cultural competition at the state banquet concluded with Southern Qing's complete victory!

These three poems would stir up huge waves in the Qing Kingdom.

The Southern Qing people, who were culturally inferior to the core, finally vented their feelings... The next day, at Yi Shi Inn.

Yi Shi Inn, a restaurant, was one of the most luxurious and wealthy establishments in the capital.

Especially those who dined on the third floor were either rich and powerful, or talented scholars and beautiful women.

"...Flying into the plum blossoms, completely unseen, how ingenious! How did he think of that!"

""Asshole" Marquis made such a difficult challenge, and His Highness easily solved it! Amazing!"

"If it were me, I wouldn't be able to solve it even if I died!"

"The renowned Five-character Great Wall will never write poetry again!"

All the young scholars were eagerly spreading Li Chang'an's three poems.

"The diction is so childish, yet the Concept is lively and vivid!"

"Diction is merely an aid; the highest Realm of poetry is when words can convey meaning!"

"No! Not only must it convey meaning, but it must also be elegant!"

"Looking at it this way, except for the last ode to the needle, the first two are simply brilliant!"

"Not so! I particularly like the last one; although the poetic Concept is a bit weaker, it's so satisfying!"

The topic of discussion in several rooms among the scholars was the same!

"His Highness Chang'an was ennobled as a Prince at the age of five, and a one-character Prince at that!"

"Your Majesty's favor for this young brother is comparable to that for a prince!"

"His Highness Prince Yong's three odes at five can be said to be a great contribution to the country!"