8: Zhuang Mohan's disciple's dilemma! Song of Snow doesn't show snow!

Chapter 8: The Challenge for Master Zhuang Mo Han's Disciple! An ode to snow without the word 'snow'!

Emperor Qing, knowing full well, asked, and Prince Jing answered truthfully.

"Your Majesty, this poem was composed by my third brother!"

Hearing this, Cui Shen nodded slightly.

"I imagine the author of this poem is still young, and his future prospects are limitless!"

"Prince Jing doesn't seem very old either, so this Third Highness should be under twenty, right?"

Hearing Cui Shen's words, Li Zhi, Prince Jing couldn't help but feel proud.

Marquis Changning, Wei Bi, the Northern Qi envoy, observed the situation and immediately added, "Back then, Mr. Cui composed a poem at the age of ten, shaking the world with his fame!"

"That poem was deeply loved by Master Zhuang, who then took Mr. Cui as his Disciple!"

"Since then, Mr. Cui's poetry and prose have improved day by day, and he has been revered as the Five-character Great Wall!"

The Five-character Great Wall!

Cui Shen was famous throughout the world for his skill in composing five-character poems!

Therefore, when he commented on poetry, everyone was convinced.

Marquis Changning, Wei Bi protected Northern Qi's Face at every turn.

The author of "ode to the goose" is young?

Our Northern Qi prodigy, Cui Shen, could compose poems at ten!

In Wei Bi's view, no matter how young the author was, could he be younger than ten?

The Southern Qing people, of course, knew that Li Chang'an was only five years old.

In their eyes, there was first shock and doubt, then excitement!

This was such a boost to their Face!

Li Zhi, Prince Jing was about to reveal Li Chang'an's age, but Emperor Qing interrupted him.

"Mr. Cui, may I ask how the poem you wrote at ten compares to this "ode to the goose"?"

Cui Shen replied, "It's far inferior!"

Wei Bi immediately said, "Your Majesty, the scholar who wrote "ode to the goose" must be at least sixteen or seventeen!"

"Comparing "ode to the goose" with the poem Mr. Cui wrote at ten is unfair!"

The officials in the Northern Qi Delegation all expressed their agreement.

"The older one is, the more experience one has, and of course, the better the poetry will be!"

"Back then, Mr. Cui's poem at ten was already considered a marvel!"

"Marquis Changning is right, such a comparison is indeed unfair!"

Emperor Qing smiled slightly and said nothing more.

Seeing Emperor Qing remain silent, Li Zhi, Prince Jing immediately said eagerly, "Marquis Changning, my third brother is only five years old!"

As soon as these words came out, the Southern Qing people burst into laughter.

"Your Majesty's young brother is only five years old, and he can already compose such good poetry!"

"Moreover, this poem is even better than what Mr. Cui wrote at ten!"

"Who dares say that our Southern Qing people cannot write poetry!"

The Northern Qi Delegation, however, did not believe that Li Chang'an composed a poem at five.

"How many characters can a five-year-old recognize!"

"Your Highness Prince Jing, you're exaggerating too much!"

"Southern Qing wanting to turn the tide in the literary world is simply insane!"

"This must all be a pre-rehearsed act!"

...Amidst a chorus of doubts, Cui Shen still offered a suggestion.

"Your Majesty, why not invite the Third Highness to meet us?"

"This humble official is very curious how he composed this poem."

Emperor Qing nodded and said, "Very well! Prince Jing, call your third brother over!"

Before long, Li Chang'an was roused from his sleep by Eunuch Hou.

As he stepped into the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, he felt the starkly different emotions of the officials from the two kingdoms.

The Southern Qing side was all jubilant, their expressions full of anticipation.

The Northern Qi side pointed and shook their heads repeatedly.

They simply didn't believe that a five-year-old child could write poetry.

And even if he could write, to produce a masterpiece!

Emperor Qing waved his hand, "Third brother, sit next to me!"

He was afraid that Li Chang'an would be intimidated and wouldn't even be able to express his true thoughts about composing the poem.

At this moment, Cui Shen politely said, "Greetings, Third Highness!"

Name: Cui Shen (Five-character Great Wall)

Age: 42 years old

Realm: None

Talents: Poetry and Prose (Seventh Grade), Politics (Seventh Grade)

Abilities: Poetry and Prose (Eighth Grade), Calligraphy (Sixth Grade), Politics (Third Grade)

Emotion: 10

Remarks: Ranked 5th in literature in this Joy of Life World!

It seems this person has some skill, ranking fifth in literature in the Joy of Life World.

"This humble official would like to ask, how did Your Highness conceive the 'ode to the goose' poem?"

Li Chang'an said, puzzled, "Oh? So that's what a poem is?"

"I just... described what the big goose looked like!"

Li Zhi, Prince Jing, hearing Li Chang'an's words, couldn't help but secretly praise him!

Amazing! He's so good at pretending!

He doesn't even know what a poem is, yet he can compose one on the spot!

Li Chang'an was, of course, doing it on purpose; he had to bring honor to the Qing Kingdom today.

If he did well, Emperor Qing would reward him with more eunuchs and palace maids.

At that time, he might even discover a few talented individuals.

Cui Shen smiled upon hearing this.

"So, Your Highness truly speaks in verse."

The Northern Qi Delegation discussed amongst themselves, further convinced that Emperor Qing and his two brothers were putting on a show.

Li Chang'an continued, "This esteemed official, do you not believe me?"

Cui Shen, relying on his status, naturally couldn't argue with a child.

He cupped his hands to Emperor Qing and said, "Your Majesty, the Third Highness's quick wit, this humble official admires."

"How about we ask His Highness to describe another object, to open this humble official's eyes?"

The implication was to have Li Chang'an compose a poem on the spot, so no one would have anything to say.

Emperor Qing glanced at Fan Jian, who immediately understood.

"Mr. Cui, you are mistaken!"

"Composing poetry requires the right setting. Yesterday, the young Highness was inspired by admiring geese, and his poetic inspiration surged."

"Mr. Cui is also a poet; he should know that brilliant ideas come by chance and cannot be forced!"

Fan Jian tried to smooth things over, but the Northern Qi Delegation was relentless.

Various speculations and doubts were ceaseless.

But at this moment, Li Chang'an spoke.

"Mr. Cui, what should I describe?"

Hearing Li Chang'an's confidence, the Hall suddenly fell silent!

This five-year-old child was challenging Cui Shen, the Five-character Great Wall!

Li Zhi, Prince Jing and Fan Jian couldn't help but become nervous.

Cui Shen was also a little surprised to see Li Chang'an so calm.

Emperor Qing smiled and said, "Since that's the case, then please let Mr. Cui set the topic!"

Even if Li Chang'an couldn't compose a poem, it didn't matter.

Anyway, Southern Qing had never won in poetry composition.

Cui Shen scanned the Hall and suddenly saw snowflakes outside the glass window.

"Young Highness, please describe snow!"

As soon as these words came out, Li Zhi, Prince Jing couldn't hold back.

"Mr. Cui, this is too much!"

"The Southern Qing capital only sees snow once every ten years or so!"

"This is the first time my third brother has seen snow since he was born!"

"Asking him to write an ode to snow is too difficult for him!"

Everyone in the Hall also spoke up, defending Li Chang'an!

But Li Chang'an murmured, "Snow, snow..."

He was thinking.

Which ode to snow should he copy that would sound like a child's work.

But as he muttered, Wei Bi became anxious.

"ode to the goose" started with "Goose, goose, goose!"

It wasn't impossible for Li Chang'an to come up with another "Snow, snow, snow!"

"Since Your Highness speaks in verse, how about we add a little difficulty?"

Wei Bi had heavy bags under his eyes and unfocused gaze, clearly the type who had a rich nightlife.

Name: Wei Bi (Marquis Changning of Northern Qi)

Age: 32 years old

Realm: None

Talents: Socializing (Second Grade)

Abilities: Socializing (Fifth Grade), Politics (Third Grade)

Emotion: -50

Remarks: Ranked 10th in romance in this world.

Indeed!

It's not easy to rank in the top ten for romance in this world!

His emotional value is even -50, this person is too petty!

Li Chang'an asked with apparent innocence, "How can describing snowflakes be made more difficult?"

Wei Bi smiled, then said, "Compose an ode to snow, without the word 'snow' appearing throughout the entire poem!"

Hearing this request, Li Zhi, Prince Jing immediately said, "Wei Bi, you are shameless!"

"You compose such a poem yourself!"

Wei Bi waved his hand and said, "I'm not a prodigy, I can't do it!"

Cui Shen then said, "This request is indeed a bit much."

"It's completely understandable if the Third Highness cannot achieve it."

Li Chang'an's childish voice suddenly came out.

"If I can do it, then what?"