119: The best poetry gathering in the world! Kill like crazy! (13)

Chapter 119: The Greatest Poetry Gathering Under Heaven! Going Wild! (13)

Zhan Doudou had a hint of a smile between her brows, wanting to see how Li Chang'an would answer this difficult question.

When a beauty asked if he would go up, Li Chang'an answered without hesitation.

"I'll go!"

Zhan Doudou then revealed a satisfied smile, and the scholars below began to whisper among themselves.

"So he was only pretending to be uninhibited; in his heart, he's still afraid of His Majesty!"

"If Li Chang'an dared to say no, his words would immediately reach Emperor Qing's ears!"

"The Son of Heaven calls, yet he doesn't board the boat. His tone is grand, but his courage is still lacking."

Just as the scholars were discussing animatedly, Li Chang'an suddenly spoke.

"Because you are not the Son of Heaven!"

He truly wouldn't rest until his words shocked everyone!

When these words came out, even Zhuang Mo Han was shocked!

To tell the Emperor to his face that he was not the Son of Heaven was even more presumptuous than the poem just now!

Below the steps, some Northern Qi scholars could no longer tolerate it.

"Li Chang'an, what are you saying!"

"How is Our Great Qi Emperor not the Son of Heaven!"

Zhan Doudou took a few deep breaths; she felt that Li Chang'an was putting a lot of pressure on her.

Since her ascension to the throne, she had never encountered such direct provocation.

"Oh? How am I not the Son of Heaven?"

Li Chang'an said expressionlessly, "You just said it yourself, that you did not come here in the capacity of an Emperor."

"Today, sitting here, you are merely this Prince's brother-in-law."

Hearing Li Chang'an's words, Zhan Doudou suddenly relaxed and smiled.

"Li Chang'an, you truly are eloquent!"

Zhuang Mo Han couldn't help but wipe the sweat from his forehead; this young brother was truly going to scare people to death.

The scholars attending the poetry gathering calmed down upon hearing these words and began to ponder Li Chang'an's poems.

These few lines alone were vastly different from Li Chang'an's previous style.

Everyone knew that Prince Yong of Southern Qing, Li Chang'an, was most skilled at romantic verses and melodramatic laments.

Just the first poem today was enough to make people look at him with new eyes!

Zhan Doudou's lips curved into a slight smile as she recited Li Chang'an's poem again.

"If any scholar of this dynasty had written this poem, I would certainly fulfill his wish and ensure he never steps into the imperial court for the rest of his life."

"Prince Yong also said, 'a fight of wine, a hundred poems.' Today's poetry gathering happens to have a hundred scholars."

"Why don't we change the rules? After each scholar presents a topic, no matter who else can compose a poem, you, Li Chang'an, must compose one!"

"In this way, you can compose exactly a hundred poems and fulfill your wish!"

Below the steps, a scholar from a prominent Northern Qi family immediately echoed.

"That's right, since you said you would compose a hundred poems, show them to us. Could it be that you're just bragging!"

"Even with the quickest wit, how can one compose a hundred poems in one night!"

"Prince Yong is a bit too arrogant!"

At this moment, Zhuang Mo Han, however, raised an objection.

"Your Majesty, such a rule is truly too demanding!"

"In previous poetry gatherings, the most poems composed by anyone were only five or six, which was already enough to be considered miraculous!"

"To make Prince Yong compose a hundred poems would make Our Great Qi seem to be bullying others."

Zhan Doudou also nodded, "Teacher is right; I was too literal-minded.

After all, how can a man's drunken boasts be taken seriously?"

Fan Xian listened to the fervent discussions in the hall and couldn't help but worry for Li Chang'an.

Memorizing a hundred poems wasn't difficult, but who knew what topics these people would present.

What if someone posed a tricky and unusual question, making it impossible to even copy a poem.

Thinking of this, Fan Xian suddenly realized.

Tonight's poetry gathering was an opportunity to test whether Li Chang'an was a true Transmigrator.

Ever since he saw Li Chang'an compose a poem for Zhan Pianpian on the spot, he had already harbored this suspicion.

If Li Chang'an was a Transmigrator, then there might have been a body double for Li Chang'an back then.

This was a conjecture he had gradually formed after working at the Supervisory Council for nearly a year.

Because when important figures travel, to prevent assassination, they always prepare a body double!

The words Wu Zhu heard back then might have been spoken by someone close to Li Chang'an to Li Chang'an's body double.

Today's poetry gathering could be said to be extremely challenging. If Li Chang'an could pass by copying poems, it would prove that Li Chang'an himself was a Transmigrator.

Because, unless he had a vast amount of poetry in his mind, it would be absolutely impossible to overcome today's challenge.

The difficult task Zhan Doudou gave Li Chang'an coincidentally created an opportunity for Li Chang'an to become famous.

Because Li Chang'an could not only copy poems but also compose his own.

For overly strange topics, composing a poem of average quality could also suffice.

According to Li Chang'an's plan, after participating in this poetry gathering, his literary ranking would top the charts!

In the past year, all his rankings had entered the top ten. If one topped the charts, it should trigger the System settlement.

Li Chang'an's words about composing a hundred poems over wine were also intentionally said to allow Zhan Doudou to seize upon them.

"No matter, just bring it on."

Li Chang'an's expression was calm, yet his voice was resonant.

Haitang Duoduo's eyelids couldn't help but twitch. What a show-off!

You're even better at showing off than I, the Saintess!

Zhuang Mo Han was also awed by Li Chang'an's confidence. Could there truly be someone with such quick wit in the world!

Zhan Doudou, however, felt relieved, and a hint of anticipation appeared in her bright eyes.

Li Chang'an, are you truly that extraordinary!

The scholars below rubbed their fists, one by one, and began to ponder topics.

Everyone saw the young Emperor's attitude; the direction was very clear!

Whoever could stump Li Chang'an would be more in line with His Majesty's wishes than composing a famous piece!

Dozens of Northern Qi scholars stared at Li Chang'an with eyes like wild beasts eyeing plump meat.

Achieving fame and gaining imperial favor was all for today!

Seeing Li Chang'an make such a grand declaration, Zhuang Mo Han also genuinely felt some anticipation.

"Your Majesty, it's your turn to present a topic."

Zhan Doudou was not modest; she looked at Li Chang'an with a smiling face, her eyes full of feminine charm.

"Cough, cough!"

Haitang coughed heavily twice, and only then did Zhan Doudou awaken as if from a dream, regaining her heroic and stern demeanor.

Li Chang'an was suspicious. What tricky and unusual topic had this little empress prepared that made her so proud of herself?

Zhan Doudou slowly said, "Orioles sing by the willows on the bank, playing in the clear spring, the night moon is bright."

After these ten characters, she said not a single word more.

Upon hearing these ten characters, the scholars with insufficient poetic skill were immediately bewildered, whispering to each other, not understanding why.

Some with high poetic attainment, however, pondered deeply, completely without a clue.

Guo Baokun had taken the hangover medicine prepared by Northern Qi, and his drunkenness had largely subsided.

"Does this little emperor even know how to write poetry? What kind of poem is it when ten characters are just strung together!"

Fan Xian's heart skipped a beat. This little emperor must have put a lot of effort into finding someone to design this topic.

This was a very tricky palindrome poem, a great test of poetic ability!

The theme of these ten characters was spring, containing a seven-character quatrain that was a palindrome.

"Orioles sing by the willows on the bank, playing in the clear spring, willows play in the clear spring, the night moon is bright. The bright moon at night, the clear spring plays with willows, the clear spring plays with willows on the bank, orioles sing."

After Fan Xian finished reciting, Guo Baokun's head was spinning!

He couldn't even understand the topic; composing such a complex poem was even harder than ascending to heaven.

Scholars of this era were considered talented if they could compose poetry.

Especially in Southern Qing, poetry had not developed to such a perverse degree at all.

But Zhan Doudou was the Emperor of Northern Qi; she must have gathered all the talented scholars under her command to concoct such a topic.

Zhuang Mo Han chewed on it repeatedly for a moment, then couldn't help but let out a wry smile.

Of all the scholars below, no matter how difficult their topics might be, the one who was best at making things difficult was this Majesty.

The scholars below whispered to each other for a long time, finally understanding the meaning.

Everyone was thinking that if they could solve it before Li Chang'an, they would surely achieve fame and glory.

But almost everyone found that the problem was too difficult!

"Your Majesty praises spring; does he want this Prince to sing of summer, lament autumn, or recite winter?"

Hearing Li Chang'an's words, Zhan Doudou smiled slightly. She knew this riddle wouldn't stump Li Chang'an.

But she still didn't believe that Li Chang'an could follow up with another identical poem.

"Today is Shangsi, and summer is not far off. Prince Yong, please continue by singing of summer."

Everyone was stunned. The little emperor recited spring, and you, whether it's summer, autumn, or winter, if you can compose one, then quickly solve this problem. Why are you asking?

Do you mean that you can solve for summer, autumn, and winter?

Li Chang'an seemed to barely think at all before reciting a poem.

"Fragrant lotuses in clear water, stirred by the cool breeze, water stirs the cool breeze, the sun and moon are long. Long moon, sun, cool breeze stirs the water, cool breeze stirs the water, fragrant lotuses green."

As this line came out, the entire hall fell silent!

The hundred scholars in the front row and the four hundred listening in the back row all fell into deep thought.

Zhan Doudou murmured softly, "Fragrant lotuses in clear water, stirred by the cool breeze, the sun and moon are long."

With each word she uttered, her eyes showed more surprise, more incredulity, more disbelief!

How could this be! He actually followed up!

The great talents she had found, renowned for many years, had barely managed to put together this topic, and they themselves couldn't follow it up.

But Li Chang'an followed it up so easily!

Zhuang Mo Han pondered for a while, then couldn't help but laugh out loud, "A good topic, and an even better solution!"

"Brother Chang'an, I truly admire you!"

At this moment, the more than ten Southern Qing scholars below couldn't help but cheer continuously!

"Good! Well done!"

"As expected of a poetry saint, truly a divine talent!"

"As expected of Prince Yong!"

Zhan Doudou stared blankly at Li Chang'an, ignoring Haitang's incessant coughing, her eyes fixed on him.

It wasn't until Li Chang'an turned to look at her that Zhan Doudou's face flushed slightly and she turned away.

"Li Chang'an has solved my problem; I am sincerely convinced."

With the little emperor leading the way, a round of applause erupted in the hall, lasting for a long time!

Fan Xian muttered to himself, 'I haven't memorized this one; it's too perverse.'

Zhan Doudou's problem was solved, and it was the next scholar's turn.

This Northern Qi scholar suddenly stammered; no matter how tricky he was, how could he compare to the little emperor?

"Prince Yong once wrote of snow without seeing snow, only plum blossoms. I wonder if he could do the opposite and write of plum blossoms without seeing plum blossoms?"

Li Chang'an casually said, "Ten thousand peaks and a thousand mountains carry white heads, heaven-bestowed rouge lightly daubs the cheeks. Remote, I ask where the orchids and bamboos of spring are, jade bones and icy skin, a hidden fragrance comes."

While everyone was still savoring it, Li Chang'an continued, "If that poem isn't to your taste, how about I give you another lyric?"

"By the broken bridge outside the station, lonely it blooms, ownerless... scattered into mud, ground into dust, only its fragrance remains as before."

As this famous piece emerged, the proud, cold plum blossom seemed to appear before their eyes, its stern, proud spirit inspiring awe!

Zhan Doudou felt her heart pound. This lyric was no longer the gentle and graceful style from before. "Teacher! This lyric has backbone!"

Zhuang Mo Han's gaze drifted, his thoughts seemingly floating from late spring to deep winter!

"It has backbone! It has proud backbone!"

While everyone in the hall was still savoring the famous piece, Li Chang'an's voice suddenly rang out.

"Next."

The next scholar didn't intend to make things difficult, because no matter how difficult, it couldn't be more difficult than Zhan Doudou's topic.

He picked up a wine vessel and drank it all, facing Li Chang'an, "Prince Yong, please take the golden goblet as your topic!"

Li Chang'an drank a cup with him, then praised, "Excellent topic!"

"Don't you see, the waters of the Yellow River come from the sky, rushing to the sea and never returning... Life's triumphs must be fully enjoyed, don't let the golden goblet face the moon empty!

Heaven created my talent for a purpose, a thousand gold coins scattered will return again! 'Bring in the wine,' do not stop the cups! I sing a song for you, please incline your ear to listen for me!

Five-flower horse, thousand-gold fur, call the boy to exchange them for fine wine, and let us drown ten thousand ages of sorrow together!"

Bold and uninhibited, transcendent from the mundane, for thousands of years, who could compare to Li Taibai!

The line, 'The waters of the Yellow River come from the sky,' made people seem to see torrents of muddy waves rolling down!

The line, 'A thousand gold coins scattered will return again,' made the scholars in the hall feel their blood surge and their heroism rise!

Nuclear war cannot erase human emotions and etiquette, so how can it erase the deep-rooted romance and passion of Chinese poetry!

The next scholar pointed out the window and immediately followed up, "Bright moon!"

Li Chang'an continued to copy the Immortal Poet's quatrains; this time, he had no reservations about copying poems!

"This topic is too simple; I'll give you three quatrains by the Immortal Poet!"

"Before my bed, the bright moon shines, I suspect it is frost on the ground..."

"Among the flowers, a pot of wine, I drink alone with no companions. Raising my cup, I invite the bright moon, and with my shadow, we become three..."

"Those who abandon me, yesterday's day cannot be kept. Those who trouble my heart, today's day brings much sorrow... All filled with lofty aspirations and grand thoughts, wishing to ascend to the clear sky to gaze at the bright moon."

Behind Zhuang Mo Han, three Disciples furiously wrote, afraid of missing any detail.

Zhan Doudou was completely immersed in the ocean of poetry. Just having been shocked by one quatrain, she was then stunned by the next famous piece.

The scholars in the hall were all dumbfounded, their minds racing, trying to keep up with Li Chang'an's thoughts.

Throughout the entire hall, only Fan Xian and Haitang Duoduo had the lightest mental burden.

Young Master Guo had already passed out again, unable to react.

Fan Xian rested his chin on one hand, filled with myriad emotions.

He's going wild! He's absolutely going wild!

If it were him, he wouldn't dare recite poems like this without being heavily drunk!

Haitang Duoduo watched everyone's dazed expressions, secretly eating the melon seeds in front of the little emperor.

"The poetry might be good, at least it sounds catchy and exciting!"

Suddenly, a resounding statement from Li Chang'an startled Haitang so much that the melon seeds in her hand fell to the ground.

"Who else!"

This shout made the hall reverberate!

At this moment, a Northern Qi scholar's eyes darted about, and he blurted out a word, "War!"

Seeing Li Chang'an's poetic passion, this scholar had other thoughts.

If Li Chang'an were to write poems about war, and then they were sent back to Southern Qing, it would certainly be very interesting.

Now even Northern Qi knew that Li Chang'an's prestige and status had already surpassed the Crown Prince's.

Presumptuously reciting matters of war would surely offend Emperor Qing's taboos.

Zhuang Mo Han quickly reminded him, "Prince Yong, be careful with your words, be careful!"

Zhan Doudou was drinking by herself, already a bit tipsy. She interrupted Zhuang Mo Han, saying, "Teacher, it's fine!"

"If Emperor Qing suspects Prince Yong, I will definitely keep him in Great Qi!"

Li Chang'an looked at the Northern Qi scholar with the shifty eyes and said coldly, "His intentions are punishable!"

But then he smiled calmly, "However, this Prince fears nothing!"