Chapter 321: Recruiting a Disciple

There was a dead silence inside and outside the Meridian Gate. Hundreds of officials seemed to have lost their voices, and this ironic poem echoed in their ears.

Only scholars can truly understand the irony in this poem, how sharp it is.

Scholars are not afraid of being scolded, nor are they afraid of quarrels. Some even regard quarrels as a discussion of the truth and are complacent. Those of low status like to quarrel with those of high status.

Those who have long been famous like to quarrel with people of the same level, and even like to quarrel with the emperor. Once the emperor is furious, they will point at the emperor and say: He is anxious, he is anxious......

The Jieshizhong is the best among them.

However, scholars, especially those in high positions, are afraid of being scolded by three things.

One, history books.

Two, articles.

Three, poems.

Because these three involve what scholars care about most: reputation.

Reputation before and after life.

Your body and name will be destroyed, but the rivers and streams will flow forever... This is a heart-piercing statement. No scholar can tolerate the ridicule of this poem. It is too malicious.

Hundreds of officials in Beijing felt a rush of blood to their faces at this moment, and they really felt a huge insult.

Not only the poem itself, but also because, and because the one who humiliated them, a group of scholars, was a vulgar warrior.

Until the tall figure with a short cloak walked farther and farther away, an official said in a trembling voice:

"A lunatic, a boy, a rude man... How dare you humiliate us like this. My lords, this is intolerable, quickly send troops to kill this dog thief."

The speaker was Yuan Xiong, the Left Censor-in-Chief. All his plans failed, and his mood fell into a trough. The whole person was like a powder keg. At this time, Xu Qian'an's deliberate waiting at the Meridian Gate to step on him made him angry and painful.

Yuan Xiong felt that Xu Qi'an's poem was mocking him and wanted to nail him to the pillar of shame.

The second person to go berserk was Qin Yuandao, the assistant minister of the Ministry of War. He rushed forward a few steps in anger and shouted:

"Guards, where are the guards? Stop that thief for me. He humiliates the officials in the court and is very disrespectful. Stop him for me!!"

Unfortunately, the palace guards only obeyed the orders of Emperor Yuan Jing, and even the princesses and princes had no right to be transferred.

Shangshu Sun was in a complicated mood. Anger was inevitable, but for some reason, he was relieved that Xu Qi'an did not name anyone.

He nailed everyone to the pillar of shame, and shared it evenly, so that the shame everyone suffered was not so sharp.

Shangshu Sun felt that there was something wrong with his mentality, but he could not summarize it. Shangshu Sun, who was well-read in poetry and books, had never read the book written by Lu Shuren.

"Duke Wei really cultivated a capable subordinate."

The corners of Wang Shoufu's mouth twitched, and he said in a weird tone.

Even the unfathomable Prime Minister Wang was angered, and the lethality of this poem can be seen.

The officials looked at Wei Yuan angrily and questioned him with their eyes.

Wei Yuan seemed to have just come to his senses and asked calmly: "What are you doing? Are you all taking the names?"

..... The officials were stunned, feeling that they were defeated by Wei Yuan's light words.

"Then, how should the history books write about today's incident?" A young lecturer of the Hanlin Academy said in a deep voice.

As soon as the voice fell, the officials turned their heads and looked at him dimly, as if their eyes were saying: Have you read books and made your brain stupid?

The lecturer of the Hanlin Academy shrank his head and said, "Such a small matter is not worthy of being recorded in the history books."

Wei Yuan said lightly, "The court meeting is over. It is not appropriate for you to gather at the Meridian Gate. Let's disperse as soon as possible."

After that, he left first. After walking a distance, Wei Yuan could no longer hide the smile on his lips and said "Hey" with gloating.

Leaving the palace gate and entering the carriage, Wei Yuan, who was in a very good mood, told Nangong Qianrou, who was driving, what happened at the Meridian Gate.

The adopted son with a feminine temperament said "Heh" and said, "Adoptive father, weren't you among the gentlemen at that time?"

The smile on Wei Yuan's face faded little by little.

Outside the Meridian Gate, Huaiqing and Lin'an still stayed where they were, looking at the figures of the civil and military officials dispersing.

Your body and name will be destroyed, but the rivers and streams will flow forever... Huaiqing murmured in her heart. The backs of the gentlemen were reflected in her pupils, but in her heart there was only the tall figure wearing the night watchman's uniform and holding a knife.

Xu Ningyan is different from ordinary warriors. He knows how to attack people's weak points and how to retaliate against the enemy with the sharpest attack without endangering himself.

Using poetry to pierce the heart and hit the weak points of literati is Xu Ningyan's unique ability.

"The dog slave is so majestic..." Bian Bian murmured.

There was only one scene in her eyes: the dog slave's light poem made the civil and military officials furious, but they could do nothing.

In Bian Bian's heart, this is something that even the father can't do. Although the father can use power to suppress people, he can't do it as lightly as the dog slave.

Her charming peach blossom eyes sparkled, and she proudly puffed out her chest, barely showing the usual size of Huaiqing.

......

In the bedroom, after finishing the morning court, Emperor Yuan Jing, holding the Taoist scriptures in his hand, silently listened to the old eunuch's report and knew everything that happened in the Meridian Gate.

"What a courage."

Emperor Yuan Jing smiled, and it was hard to tell whether it was praise or ridicule.

However, the old eunuch could confirm one thing, that is, Emperor Yuan Jing had no intention of punishing Xu Qi'an after learning about this matter and Xu Qi'an's arrogant behavior.

He could vaguely guess what Emperor Yuan Jing was thinking. Xu Qi'an's actions were moving him closer to the direction of a lone minister, following Wei Yuan's old path.

And lone ministers are often the most reassuring to the emperor.

A capable, gifted and talented young man, compared to him being able to get along with everyone and forming cliques everywhere, is of course more in line with your majesty's wishes to be a lone minister.

"Your body and name will be destroyed, but the rivers and streams will flow forever!"

Emperor Yuan Jing laughed with a joking expression on his face: "Good poem, good poem, our Dafeng Poet is worthy of it. My dear companion, pass on my oral order and order the Hanlin Academy to record this matter in the history books. I want to review it myself."

This is your majesty's revenge on the nerds in the Hanlin Academy... Both poems of the Xu brothers made your majesty very happy. The old eunuch took the order and left.

Your body and name will be destroyed, but the rivers and streams will flow forever!

Emperor Yuan Jing recited this poem again, and the pleasure on his face gradually faded, and his desire for immortality became more and more intense.

.......

At lunch, Chu Yuanzhen listened to his old friend at the dinner table talking about what happened in the court, and the scene at the end when Xu Ningyan blocked all officials with a knife and mocked the officials with poems.

This is actually the way to break the deadlock... Using nobles to fight against civil officials is a good idea, but it is extremely difficult. How did Xu Ningyan and No. 3 do it... No. 3 and Xu Ningyan are indeed brothers, and both have amazing talents in poetry.

Unfortunately, No. 3 is still immature and of low rank, far from his cousin Xu Qian'an. Otherwise, No. 3 must have been among those who went to the tomb that day.

Of course, the Confucian system has been weak for a long time, and it is understandable that No. 3 has a low rank.

Chu Yuanzhen praised No. 3's poem in the court and said no more. The poem is a good poem, but unfortunately the last sentence did not please him.

On the contrary, Xu Ningyan's poem mocking the officials made Chu Yuanzhen's blood boil, and he drank three cups on the spot.

"I have long wanted to scold those people who are in office for nothing, but poetry is not my forte. Xu Ningyan is worthy of being the top poet in Dafeng, and his words are very accurate." Chu Yuanzhen laughed.

He was so happy that he wanted to find Xu Ningyan and drink with him and get drunk.

But considering that he had just solved his cousin's imperial examination cheating case and there were still some trivial matters to deal with, he resisted the urge.

........

Wang's Mansion.

Wang Simu, who was paying close attention to the case, learned about the fierce battle in the court today and the satirical poem in the Meridian Gate through his own channels.

"I knew that Xu Huiyuan was so talented that he could not cheat in the imperial examination. Well, his cousin Xu Ningyan was even more powerful in this matter. He mediated and made Cao Guogong and Yu Wang speak for Xu Huiyuan, and made the nobles in the court speak for them.

"This connection is unusual. What surprised me most is that Wei Yuan did not take action. He stood aside from beginning to end. In this way, Xu Huiyuan will not be branded as a member of the eunuch party. This is a good thing for him with far-reaching influence."

Of course, it is also a good thing for me... Miss Wang smiled.

The maid Lan'er was beside her, pretending to listen very seriously, but in fact her mind was full of confusion.

"Lan'er, go to Xu's house again and make an appointment with Xu Huiyuan for me... No, it will seem unreserved and that I am seeking credit." Miss Wang shook her head and gave up the idea.

I thought to myself, at this time, silence can highlight my temperament and pattern. If I can't wait to go and seek credit, it will make the mistress of the Xu family look down on me.

Smart people don't need to do things too obviously, just keep it tacitly.

......

Si Tianjian

When Yang Qianhuan passed by the alchemy room on the seventh floor, he heard his fellow apprentices discussing what happened in the morning court. He originally disdained these court affairs and was too lazy to listen.

But when he heard the three words "Xu Ningyan", Yang Qianhuan slowed down his pace. His instinct told him that perhaps, this was another opportunity to increase his knowledge.

"Mr. Xu's poem is simply very satisfying. I think it can be called the first satirical poem in the history."

"Look at what you said, it's too exaggerated, but it's really cool, especially in front of all the civil and military officials, blocking the Meridian Gate, saying this..."

Poem? What poem.

Yang Qianhuan approached silently and said in a deep voice: "What are you talking about?"

The white-clothed alchemists were startled, staring at the back of his head and complaining: "Brother Yang, you are like this every time, it's scary."

Yang Qianhuan ignored him and asked: "What did Xu Ningyan do again, blocking the civil and military officials at the Meridian Gate alone? Why is it the first time in the history to mock poetry."

The white-clothed alchemist told Yang Qianhuan what happened today.

Yang Qianhuan was struck by lightning, and a picture emerged in his mind. After the court was dismissed, the civil and military officials slowly walked out of the Meridian Gate. At this time, he suddenly saw a white-clothed figure standing there with his back to the crowd, blocking the way of the ministers.

The officials were furious and scolded the white-clothed sorcerer for not knowing how high the sky is and how deep the earth is, and daring to block our way.

The sorcerer in white ignored the shouting and cursing, and suddenly, he chanted loudly: "Your body and name will be destroyed, but the rivers and streams will flow forever."

The civil and military officials were stunned and shocked on the spot.

Thinking of this, Yang Qianhuan felt like an electric current was flowing through his body, and he trembled uncontrollably, with goose bumps on his neck and arms.

"Why, why can Xu Ningyan always do one thing after another, one thing after another that is enviable. Yunzhou alone resisted 400 rebels, and fought against the Buddhist sect under the attention of the public... It's so unfair, so unfair.

"When is the next court meeting? I, I also want to go to the Meridian Gate, I must go. "

........

In the afternoon, at the Jiaofangsi.

Xu Qiyan and Fuxiang sat opposite each other drinking tea, chatting and laughing, and told Fuxiang about what happened in the court today, and attached the patriotic poem "written" by Xu Xinnian, as well as the half of his poem at the Meridian Gate.

Fuxiang was a person who loved poetry, and her heart was moved when she heard it, especially for Xu Qiyan's deeds of standing alone against all officials. She was full of admiration, and her eyes were full of tears.

"Please do me a favor, spread what happened in the court today." After that, Xu Qiyan put forward his own request.

The Jiaofangsi is the fastest and most convenient transit station for spreading information.

"Then, what kind of reward do you plan to give me, Xu Lang? "

Fuxiang would not have refused that year, her eyes were bright and clear, staring straight at Xu Qian'an.

You can't hide your love for someone, and Fuxiang's thoughts for Xu Qian'an were full of moisture.

Half an hour later, Xu Qian'an went to see Mingyan, Xiaoya and other familiar courtesans, and asked them to spread what happened in the court today during tea.

Then he rode the mare back to the mansion.

The imperial examination cheating case was a fatal blow to Xu Xinnian's reputation, especially after deliberate dissemination, the scholars and the people in the capital knew that Xu Xinnian had cheated to get the first place in the exam.

This impression will slowly settle in the subsequent time. Once it is formed, even if the court proves Xu Xinnian's innocence in the future, it will be difficult to reverse the image for a while.

Moreover, the imperial examination cheating case has not ended yet. The palace examination will be held in five days. Xu Qian'an has to guard against Sun Shangshu and others who are desperate and make trouble on the eve of the palace examination.

For example, inciting students from the Imperial College to make trouble.

If public opinion can be reversed in a short period of time, then the students of the Imperial College will have no reputation and will not be able to achieve great things.

When everyone knows that Xu Xinnian was wronged, even if you pretend to turn a blind eye, you will not get the recognition and support of the public.

Whether it is fighting a war or planning a business, the ancients attach great importance to having a legitimate reason.

"I have used up the favors from Prince Yu, but it is not a loss. Fortunately, Prince Yu has long lost his interest in fame and fortune, otherwise he might not stand up for me... I haven't given the benefits promised to Duke Cao yet. With the power of the Duke and the Deputy General of the King of Zhenbei, I will be retaliated against if I go back on my word..."

"The King of Zhenbei is likely to be unaware of this matter. It was the plan of the Deputy General and Duke Cao. However, I am just a small silver gong. Even if the King of Zhenbei knows, he will not blame the Deputy General. Moreover, the Vajra Invincibility of Buddhism will tempt even high-level warriors. After all, it can enhance defense, cultivate to a high level, and even bring a breakthrough in combat power. There is no reason for him not to be tempted.

"So, the promised benefits still have to be given. But, I can write the Nine Yin Manual backwards......"

.......

After dusk, the Xu family's dining table was filled with a joyful atmosphere. Auntie enthusiastically served Xu Xinnian and Xu Qi'an.

As if both were his own sons.

Although this attitude would not last long, when she was angry with her nephew in the future, Auntie would remember the old hatred and the relationship would be restored.

But at this moment, Auntie's gratitude was as sincere as 24k pure gold.

Xu Lingyue liked this family atmosphere very much and admired her eldest brother more and more. Her beautiful eyes were always on Xu Qi'an.

"Well, I have something to say."

Lina swallowed the food and looked at Xu Qi'an and Uncle Xu with a rare serious attitude.

"What's the matter?" Xu Qi'an asked while eating.

Uncle Xu picked up the wine glass, took a sip of wine, and looked at the little black man in Nanjiang with his peripheral vision.

Lina looked serious, glanced at Xu Lingyin, and said, "I want to take Lingyin as my apprentice."

"Puff..." Xu Qian'an spit out rice.

"Puff..." Xu Ershu spit out wine.

The family was caught off guard.

Xu Xinnian wiped off the rice with a look of disgust, moved away from his eldest brother, and then looked at Lina: "Tell me your reasons."