Young Master Fang produced a poem.
Cui Hao was stunned. He had wanted to find an opportunity to show off and humiliate this fellow, but he didn't expect the other party to come up with another poem that could be passed down for generations.
Cui Hao felt extremely frustrated and stifled, as if he had strength but nowhere to use it!
Several old men's eyes lit up.
They exclaimed, "What a line! 'It should be celestial intoxication, randomly kneading white clouds into fragments.' Truly a magnificent poem!"
The old men truly hadn't expected to hear two poems that could be passed down for generations in a single day.
How fortunate they were!
The other Tai Students present were completely shocked by Fang Yang.
Cui Hao's expression was gloomy and uncertain, but due to his status, he didn't say anything.
Song Yiran's red lips were slightly parted, and her gaze towards Fang Yang was filled with disbelief.
For the first poem, they could comfort themselves by saying Fang Yang cheated, but with this second poem, which could also be remembered for a thousand years, it was a heavy blow to them.
They all cried out in their hearts, "When did this Spendthrift gain such talent?"
Song Yiran's gaze towards Fang Yang was also full of resentment.
The old men began to question Fang Yang.
After learning that Fang Yang was a young master from the Duke Chengguo Residence, the old men all said they would arrange for servants to visit his residence for a detailed discussion after the event.
Fang Yang smiled and agreed to each one.
Clearly, these people were all interested in the celestial intoxication he had brought today.
These old men were all highly respected seniors in the field of Confucianism.
With their lead, the name of celestial intoxication officially entering the high-end ranks was only a matter of time!
With the matter of celestial intoxication settled, Fang Yang naturally lost the motivation to stay at the poetry gathering.
So, he prepared to turn and leave.
The two people in the corner saw this.
Prince Chu Neng quickly whispered, "Sister, you wait for me here. This guy's actions are one after another; he might just be able to help you solve that matter."
"Really?" Princess Changle's eyes lit up.
Prince Chu Neng nodded.
Then he quickly walked out.
He loudly proclaimed, "You are all dragons among men. A poetry gathering like this, only talking about poetry, wouldn't that be too boring? I have something here that everyone can express their opinions on."
Seeing this, everyone looked at him curiously.
He saw that Fang Yang had no intention of stopping.
So he said, "Is Brother Fang Yang, who wrote two poems that can be famous for a thousand years, leaving without listening?"
Fang Yang heard this, smiled slightly, and cupped his hands, saying, "No, I still have things to attend to."
"Even if you have things to do, it won't matter for this short while. Young Master, why not listen?"
The old men also spoke up to persuade him.
For no other reason than Fang Yang's poems were too good.
They were looking forward to more masterpieces from Fang Yang.
Seeing this, Fang Yang could only nod.
For no other reason, since his celestial intoxication needed these three old men to break into the upper class, he agreed, "Alright, then I'll listen."
Having achieved his goal, Prince Chu Neng smiled slightly.
Then he cupped his hands and said, "I am Chu Yue. I heard that the Northern Barbarian Envoy has arrived in the capital, wanting to marry a Great Chu princess and demand annual tribute. What do you all think should be done?"
Most of those present were seventeen or eighteen years old, a time of surging youthful blood.
Upon hearing the news from Chu Neng, they were all filled with righteous indignation, unleashing a torrent of abuse against the Northern Barbarians.
The atmosphere instantly became heated.
Everyone had the same opinion: the Northern Barbarians were going too far, and under such circumstances, war must be waged against them!
Prince Chu Neng merely smiled at these statements.
After all, everyone's perspective was different, and their insights varied.
And merely spouting off without substance could not convince others; it only led to more arguments.
Currently, the entire court, both civil and military officials, were embroiled in endless debates over whether to fight or make peace, let alone these Tai Students who had not yet ventured out into the world.
After a moment, Prince Chu Neng turned his gaze to Cui Hao.
Cui Hao slightly cupped his hand.
He glanced at Fang Yang.
Then he calmly stated, "Peace is hard-won and should be defended. I believe that at this time, negotiations should be the main focus. The matter of annual tribute can be considered, but the marriage of a princess is absolutely unacceptable."
"Although the Northern Barbarians have established a nation, they are ultimately barbarians. A princess marrying them is no different from being banished; it is absolutely impermissible!"
Prince Chu Neng nodded slightly. Cui Hao's words were quite conventional, and such opinions were the most common in the court at present.
It showed that this Imperial Examination Top Scholar of Great Chu was still capable.
Finally, Chu Neng looked at Fang Yang and slowly said, "Does Young Master have any profound insights?"
Fang Yang waved his hand slightly, "Not profound insights, but perhaps a few humble observations."
Upon hearing this, Song Yiran was about to mock him, but a glance from Cui Hao immediately made her obediently shut up.
Because Cui Hao knew that only the court officials knew about the Northern Barbarian matter at present, and he himself only learned a little by overhearing some adults chatting while on duty at the Hanlin Academy.
Therefore, the young master in front of him was definitely not ordinary.
However, the sight of Song Yiran falling silent with just a glance from Cui Hao left Fang Yang speechless.
He felt even more pity for his original self.
Poor child, don't take it to heart. After all, behind every goddess, there will be a man who has had enough of her...
Upon hearing this, Chu Neng's eyes immediately lit up, and he looked at Fang Yang, saying, "I'd like to hear the details."
"It's simple. Nations and peoples, like individuals, most need backbone. If the backbone is lost, a person collapses; similarly, so do a nation and a people."
"Our Great Chu has been passed down to this day. When has it ever relied on princesses and marriage alliances to achieve peace? As the saying goes, a person has dignity, and similarly, a nation has national dignity! A nation must strive for 'the Son of Heaven guarding the national gate, the monarch dying for the nation, no marriage alliances, no tribute, no ceding of territory, and no submission!'"
'Boom!'
Chu Neng felt something explode in his mind, and his entire bloodline swelled.
He truly hadn't expected to hear such a resounding statement at a mere poetry gathering.
A glint of light also flashed in the eyes of the old men.
With these words, their painstaking creations were sure to reach another level!
Princess Changle's eyes flickered with a different kind of light as she looked at Fang Yang.
After a good while, everyone finally recovered their senses and began to give Fang Yang a thumbs-up.
Cui Hao's body trembled, his heart filled with extreme complexity.
This Spendthrift, he was somewhat different from before!
Chu Neng took a deep breath, composed himself, and cupped his hands to Fang Yang, saying, "Young Master's words have greatly benefited me!"
Fang Yang smiled slightly and waved his hand, indicating it was nothing.
Chu Neng then composed himself and continued, "Although these words are inspiring, they are too difficult to achieve. Currently, among the court officials, there are even some who advise His Majesty to agree to the marriage alliance, to exchange one princess for peace under heaven."
"Heh heh."
Fang Yang let out a cold laugh.
Seeing this, Chu Neng quickly said, "Why is Young Master laughing?"
"I'm merely laughing at the narrow-minded ignorance of those who agree to the marriage alliance," Fang Yang replied indifferently.
Chu Neng looked as if he was all ears.
Fang Yang continued, "Relying on women to gain peace is truly wishful thinking. Since they believe they can achieve peace this way, then just give their wives and daughters princess titles and let their wives and daughters go for the marriage alliance."
There was an uproar in the audience.
They hadn't expected Fang Yang to say such words.
Chu Neng's expression was also stunned, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
Fang Yang cupped his hands to everyone and turned to leave.
Princess Changle watched Fang Yang leave until he was out of sight before she collected herself.
For some reason, Princess Changle always felt that this person was completely different from the Spendthrift rumored in the capital.
And the image of her future husband in her heart seemed to have subtly taken shape...
Upon leaving the Hundred Flowers Garden, a servant came forward to report.
It turned out that before attending the poetry gathering, Fang Yang had ordered someone to buy a shopfront, preparing to start selling celestial intoxication.
Now, the servant was there to take Fang Yang to see the location of the shop.
Half an hour later.
At the easternmost end of the East Market in the capital.
In a shop on the street connecting with Changlefang.
A broker was introducing the shop's location and environment to Fang Yang.
Fang Yang nodded frequently as he listened.
It was just that the price was a bit too high; to buy it, it would cost three thousand five hundred taels of silver.
Helplessly, Fang Yang could only choose to rent it for a period first, and then consider buying the shop once funds were recouped.
The price was agreed upon.
Just as the contract was signed,
A discordant voice sounded from the side.
"Oh, isn't this our capital's famous Spendthrift, Young Master Fang Yang? Not circling around Miss Song today, why did you come here?"
......