Competition

Xu Wenwu nodded: "What remarkable composure! Facing such bitter words without the slightest sign of anger shows how steady his nature is."

Qian Xuedong and his friends agreed with nods.

Master Wen on the stage also saw that this person was different, so he took the initiative to bow and said: "Brother, I am so sorry. The words of this distant relative of mine can only represent himself, not me. Please forgive me."

"Master Wen, it's okay. He can't affect me." The young man returned the greeting.

"May I ask what your name is?" asked Master Wen.

"My last name is Zheng Yaoyang."

"It turns out to be Master Zheng. My name is Wen Yuan. If you have any problems in the future, you can come to the Wen Mansion to find me." Master Wen smiled faintly.

"Thank you, Brother Wen."

The middle-aged man said: "Okay, now all ten of us are here. Let's start the competition by drawing lots. Here are ten slips of paper. Each of you draws one. You have to write a four-character poem using the words on the slip of paper. Whoever can do it will advance!"

The servant brought over a wooden box containing ten rolled-up papers.

Each of the ten individuals on the stage drew a slip and opened it. Some frowned at their words, while others smiled.

"Each young master has only half an incense stick's time to write. Come up with an idea and jot it down. Let everyone below see it too."

Zheng Yaoyang was the first to start writing. His pen moved without stopping, and soon he put it down.

The middle-aged man was a bit surprised: "Young Master Zheng, you're done already? Impressive as always."

At the same time, Wen Yuan also finished writing, while some others continued to think and write.

"This 500 taels isn't easy to win. We only have half an incense stick's time, and we don't even know the topic yet. It's all on the spot." Qian Xuedong said.

The others nodded. It was indeed quite challenging.

When time was up, everyone had to put down their pens.

The middle-aged man took out Zheng Yaoyang's poem, since he was the first to finish: "Young Master Zheng drew the topic 'wind.' I'll read it aloud for everyone."

"Frost creates white chrysanthemums, fierce energy shakes the heavens. Dazzling beyond blue clouds, clear in cold streams."

"Excellent!"

After the middle-aged man finished reading, applause and cheers came from below.

"Weren't you looking down on Young Master Zheng on stage? Now you see there are people out there who are truly skilled." Said the man who had argued with Gao Yuan earlier.

"Hmph! My brother Wen's poem hasn't been read yet! It's definitely a thousand times better than this poor scholar's." Gao Yuan said, still as arrogant as before.

The man shot him a contemptuous glance. Even Master Wen has distanced himself, and here you are trying to claim a connection? How shameless.

"Master Zheng is truly impressive—he crafted such a meaningful poem in no time. You really can't judge a book by its cover." Qian Xuedong sighed.

"Yes, we're lucky the Dean brought us here. It's like trying to cross a river with all these knowledgeable people around." One of his classmates remarked.

"Brother Zheng, you have great literary talent! I admire you." Wen Yuan said.

"Brother Wen overstated it."

Wen Yuan appreciated Zheng Yaoyang's character, despite knowing he was the governor's son, he didn't try to curry favor with him, showing he was a genuine person.

"Next, let's read the poem that Master Wen made with snow." Said the middle-aged man.

"Snow after the river source, a hermit doesn't match. Flowers and moonlight on empty steps, heavenly radiance fills the palace."

"Nice! So clever!"

"Yeah, I didn't expect Young Master Wen to be so well-read!"

The middle-aged man looked pleased. He was a poetry lover who hosted this competition mainly to collect good verses. It seemed worth the 500 taels he'd spent.

Out of the remaining eight, six completed their poems, but they fell short compared to the first two.

Two contestants only managed half a poem. Without finishing, they had to leave with regret.

However, no one laughed at them. After all, it was a difficult task, not everyone could be as talented as the first two.

The middle-aged man spoke again: "Next, we'll move on to the next round. I will give ten upper couplets, and the two with the least correct answers will be eliminated."

"That sounds interesting. Are we racing to answer?" Qian Xuedong asked with a smile.

"Whoever raises their wooden plaque first gets to answer. Here's the first one: 'Green waters have no worries, waves formed by the wind.' Please match it."

"That's an interesting couplet. The ones I've heard before were much longer."

"Shorter ones are actually harder! You have to match it perfectly, it's not easy!"

"Come on, Brother Wen! Kick this poor guy off the stage!"

Although Gao Yuan was the son of a county magistrate, many other rich and powerful families' sons were present. Some of them came from backgrounds much stronger than his. Realizing he had angered everyone, he stopped talking. However, he stared at Zheng Yaoyang on the stage with resentment.

"The mountains are green from time to time, but they turn white due to snow." A faint voice was heard.

"Green water against green mountains, wrinkles against white hair, what a good match!"

"Yes, it's neat and rhymes. Master Zheng is really talented. I can't compare to him!"

The middle-aged man laughed heartily: "Great job! You got it, Master Zheng. Many people have tried to finish this line, but none did it as well as you. The first point goes to you!"

The others on stage were also impressed with Zheng Yaoyang. He didn't look very wealthy from his clothes, and they hadn't expected him to be better than someone who'd had a tutor since the age of five.

"Everyone, quiet down and listen to my next line." The middle-aged man said, holding up his hand.

"Watching the sky, sky watching, day after day watching the sky!" 

"This! Why is it so confusing? How can you...?"

Below the stage, students grouped in threes and twos whispered among themselves.

On stage, the competitors were also deep in thought.

"Seeking help is hard, it's hard to seek, everyone faces hard times seeking help." A voice spoke out.

"It's Master Zheng again!" The people in the audience were a little surprised when they heard it. They didn't expect that it was him who got the answer right this time.

Even the middle-aged man asked in astonishment: "Master Zheng, did you think of that answer so quickly?"

Zheng Yaoyang smiled wryly: "My response is based on my own experiences, so I suppose you could say it came from the heart."

The middle-aged man didn't pursue the matter: "In that case, this point also goes to Master Zheng."

Fuqiu, who was sitting in the audience, said: "If the young master goes up there, he will definitely be able to answer correctly!"

Qibao smiled and said: "Big brother doesn't want to be in the spotlight."

"Spring flowers and autumn fruits, God rewards hard work over a period of ten years, who will come to join in? Please!" Said the middle-aged man.

"This... The first line is full of lofty aspirations, so the second line can't be too plain. It's hard to match it if you haven't experienced it!"

"Yeah! This is getting harder!"

For a moment, everyone on the stage fell into deep thought and no one spoke for a long time.

After an unknown amount of time, the middle-aged man spoke again, somewhat disappointed: "If anyone below the stage can complete the verse, they'd also get a generous prize. Is there anyone willing?"