The banquet instantly quieted down, and everyone’s eyes turned towards him. Some people secretly thought that the main event of this literary gathering had finally arrived.
Ever since Xia Chen became famous in the capital a few days ago, many people had thought of this literary gathering. Therefore, some people specifically came for Xia Chen.
People are human. Xia Chen is already so handsome, he became a Prince Consort, and at a young age, he became a fourth-rank official. Is he also so cultured?
How could everyone not be jealous!
In other aspects, everyone had nothing to say, but on the cultural level, that was what they were good at, and whether Xia Chen was truly cultured was still questionable.
However, now almost everyone believed that Xia Chen’s knowledge was all for show, flashy but insubstantial, so they wanted to use this literary gathering, especially in front of Princess Yaoguang, to expose Xia Chen’s hypocritical facade.
Of all things to pretend, he chose to pretend in front of them, the cultured people. How could they tolerate this?
“That’s right, Xia Gongzi, your phrase ‘a ruler should be a ruler, a minister a minister, a father a father, and a son a son’ truly has the demeanor of a great Confucian. In my opinion, in a few more years, you will become the Great Wu Dynasty’s sixth great Confucian!”
“What do you mean in a few more years? Xia Gongzi’s talent is no less than Chief Minister Lin’s. I think Xia Gongzi already has the strength of a great Confucian now.”
...
People spoke one after another, their voices deliberately loud.
Lin Zihan, who had been sitting to the side, heard this person’s words, looked at him expressionlessly, and remembered the student’s face.
This person dared to speak of his father, Chief Minister Lin. Although Lin Zihan knew this person was deliberately trying to praise Xia Chen to his downfall, it also trampled his father’s reputation underfoot.
And it was in front of him! It was simply seeking death!
Yaoguang and Lu Tong naturally also heard these words of praise meant to bring him down. Lu Tong glanced at the expressionless Yaoguang, then looked at Xia Chen, watching how he would respond.
Xia Chen’s gaze was calm as he slowly stood up.
His gaze slowly swept over the few people who had spoken, making them feel uneasy. They all involuntarily took a few steps back.
It was then that they realized this young man was not only handsome but also possessed an incredibly powerful aura.
“I am a mere military man and not very proficient in poetry and prose. At today’s literary gathering, I merely wish to observe the young talents of our capital. Please compete among yourselves; I will not participate!”
Xia Chen picked up the wine cup in his hand, filled it, raised it in a toast to everyone from a distance, and then drank it all in one gulp.
Everyone truly did not expect Xia Chen to openly declare that he was not proficient in poetry and prose. Did he admit it himself?
Had their goal been achieved?
No, this was not enough!
If Xia Chen’s few calm words were to spread outside after the literary gathering, some people might say that Xia Chen was merely being humble and disdained to compete with them.
Therefore, Xia Chen had to be made to compose a poem so that everyone could mock him severely and make him infamous in the capital.
“Xia Gongzi is too modest. Everyone in the capital knows Xia Gongzi is talented. If you don’t make a move today, could it be that you look down on us students!”
“Director Xia is already a fourth-rank official, while we have not even attained official status and are merely humble juren. Naturally, you disdain to bully the small and associate with us!”
Two voices rang out one after another. Everyone followed the sound and found that two students from the Imperial College had spoken. One was named Li Chun, and the other was named Wang Ming.
They both had some reputation in the Imperial College and were popular candidates for this imperial examination.
Although their words were outwardly complimentary to Xia Chen, they were full of provocation.
Moreover, their words were sharp, occupying the moral high ground, and immediately drew a line between Xia Chen and the other students, as if they could represent everyone, and Xia Chen’s refusal to act meant he looked down on everyone present.
“Could it be that Xia Gongzi thinks our poems and essays are as childish as a child’s play, unfit for refined taste, which is why you disdain to make a move!”
Li Chun spoke again.
“I said I have no interest in poetry and prose, nor do I look down on any of you students. All of you are future pillars of our Great Wu Dynasty, with bright futures ahead. I came today precisely to meet all of you and witness the demeanor of our Great Wu Dynasty’s students.”
Xia Chen appeared quite soft, not getting angry, nor being provoked into participating in the competition.
This made everyone even more certain that Xia Chen had no real talent. Thinking of this, everyone was no longer afraid and began to step forward, wanting to kick him while he was down, to step on him. After the literary gathering, if this matter spread, they might even become famous in the capital.
No matter what everyone said, Xia Chen continued to shake his head. In the end, even Jing Xuan couldn’t help but stand out.
“Recently, there have been rumors in the capital, saying that Xia Gongzi’s talent surpasses Chief Minister Lin’s, causing a great stir. Xia Gongzi now controls one of the Nine Divisions of the Lantern Bearers. Could it be that Xia Gongzi ordered someone to spread this, intending to step on Chief Minister Lin to gain fame!”
Jing Xuan Gongzi’s words were meant to kill, directly leveling this huge accusation. He knew that Lin Zihan’s main purpose for coming today was to clear his father’s name. Chief Minister Lin was such a figure; there were some things he found inconvenient to do himself, but that didn’t mean he didn’t care.
Xia Chen took a deep look at Jing Xuan, then at the expressionless Lin Zihan beside him.
He understood that those students were like mad dogs, rushing forward to bite him, wanting to step on him a few times at the literary gathering, all to curry favor with this young Grand Secretary. The imperial examination was coming soon, and if they could be noticed by the young Grand Secretary, their future prospects would undoubtedly be bright.
And he, controlling the Nine Divisions of the Lantern Bearers and being a Prince Consort, while his status was noble, he had no authority over the imperial examination or the future promotions of officials in the Ministry of Personnel.
So they would rather offend him than displease the young Grand Secretary.
“Lin Gongzi, the recent rumors in the capital were not spread by me. His Majesty did casually praise me, but he never said that my talent surpassed Chief Minister Lin’s. I am clarifying this here today to avoid affecting Chief Minister Lin’s reputation. Whether you believe it or not, I will only explain this once. This cup of wine is my toast to Chief Minister Lin!”
Xia Chen stood up again, poured a cup of wine, smiled at Lin Zihan, and then drank it all.
Such a heroic demeanor made many people secretly nod in approval.
Immediately after, Xia Chen did not retreat and sit down as he had before. He looked around, his gaze sweeping over everyone’s faces.
Then he smiled slightly, took a deep breath, and said loudly:
“Everyone, I, Xia, am indeed not skilled in poetry. Because I believe poetry is merely a minor skill, a refined pastime for times of peace. But now, the world is divided into three, the Northwest situation is turbulent, and the common people are suffering. A true man should have the common people in his heart, thinking about how to strengthen the nation and enrich its people. Therefore, I disdain this minor skill of poetry and prose!”
Xia Chen’s words were resounding and clear, spreading throughout the entire hall. Everyone present was silent. Was Xia Chen scolding them?
Scolding them for not thinking about strengthening the nation and enriching its people, for not caring about the world, but instead indulging in refined pastimes?
Just as they were stunned, Xia Chen’s voice rang out again.
“The world is turbulent now. In the Eastern Wilderness, our Great Wu soldiers are still fighting valiantly on the front lines, and the northern and western borders are constantly on alert. I truly have no mood to compose poetry here, which is why I have been refusing until now.”
“I do not like poetry, but seeing you all immersed in this minor skill of poetry, and thinking of the turbulent situation in the Northwest frontier, I can’t help but feel something. So, I shall present you with a poem!”
Xia Chen’s voice was deafening, making everyone’s faces turn red. Some were utterly ashamed and shrank their necks.
Yes!
The soldiers on the front lines were fighting valiantly, yet they were immersed in this minor skill of poetry and prose, spending their days thinking about taking shortcuts and gaining fame in the capital.
This Xia Chen had scolded all of them!
...
【Emperor Taizu was learned in his youth, with extraordinary talent and the ability to govern the world. However, Taizu’s aspirations were lofty, and his heart was set on the common people of the world. He deeply understood the hardships of the soldiers fighting on the front lines and desired to strengthen the nation and enrich its people.
Therefore, he never liked to display himself through the path of poetry. At that time, all the scholars in the capital were engrossed in the minor skill of poetry, hoping to gain fame in the world through it.
During a literary gathering, the scholars wished to invite Taizu to compose a poem. Taizu repeatedly declined, but the crowd eventually forced him. Taizu then angrily rebuked them, saying: “Scholars should harbor grand ambitions! How can you spend your days indulging in this minor skill of poetry!” After he finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent, and all the scholars present were ashamed and embarrassed.
— Xia History, Volume 3, Annals of Emperor Taizu】