At first, the scholars looked at Fang Yang with an air of complete indifference.
When the first character appeared on the paper, the scholars were all startled, a look of admiration appearing on their faces.
They hadn't expected the Spendthrift's handwriting to be so beautiful.
Then came the second, the third...
It wasn't until the first line of the couplet was finished that the scholars suddenly snapped out of their daze.
The scholars, who had only been focused on the handwriting, began to study the couplet.
After all, their purpose wasn't to admire the calligraphy, but to see what kind of first line this Capital Spendthrift could write.
But as they looked, they were all struck as if by lightning.
Someone even murmured, "The lotus flowers in the painting are painted by a monk."
At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but a second glance was like being struck by lightning.
Fang Yang, on the other hand, acted as if he had done something insignificant, tossing the brush to a servant and having the first line held up.
He calmly looked at Song Yiran: "Miss Song said This Young Master is a crude barbarian and a plagiarist. I wonder if Miss Song can complete This Young Master's first line?"
Looking at the first line written by Fang Yang, Song Yiran's delicate brows furrowed slightly.
The simple seven characters had sharp strokes, pointed tail hooks, thin and elastic lines, and a strong, sharp brushwork with exposed tips, 전혀 unlike the writing of a Spendthrift.
"What's wrong? Miss Song, if you can complete the second line, then for your sake, not only will your drinks be free, but This Young Master can also release Xie Ping."
Seeing Song Yiran remain silent, Fang Yang spoke again.
After reading the first line and hearing Fang Yang's words, Song Yiran glared fiercely at Fang Yang.
Then she huffed, "I was just kindly reminding you, listen or don't listen!"
With that, she walked away without looking back.
In her heart, she had already memorized Fang Yang's writing style and the couplet.
Seeing Song Yiran, that plague, leave, Fang Yang suddenly had a fan in his hand.
'Whoosh!'
The fan snapped open.
He lightly fanned himself, his gaze sweeping across the entire hall.
He said with immense confidence, "Everyone! It's still the same offer: whoever completes the second line, from now on, all drinks will be free whenever you consume at my celestial intoxication!"
"Why aren't those few scholars in front hurrying up? Just now, you were the ones pushing the most eagerly to get to the front, why are you silent now!"
Someone shouted at the scholars who had taken advantage of the situation to push their way in.
The scholars all flushed red.
After stammering for a long while, one of them said, "We cannot complete this first line."
"Hmph, if you can't even complete a couplet, why were you pushing?" Everyone immediately showed disdain.
The scholars' faces turned even redder.
One scholar, trying to save face, said, "This couplet is not as simple as it looks."
He pointed to the characters above and continued, "If you don't believe me, you can try reading it backward! Moreover, this is a typical palindrome couplet; the meaning must be logical, and the structure, artistic conception, and part of speech of the second line must also match."
Hearing this, someone, not believing it, recited, "The painting on the lotus flower is by a monk!"
Then came a gasp of surprise: "Holy cow! Amazing! It really is the same!"
Everyone was in an uproar.
'Clap!'
Fang Yang snapped his fan shut, a smile playing on his lips.
He continued, "It's fine if you can't complete it. Since our establishment has just opened, I'll offer a benefit to all of you. If you can't complete it, then let someone talented you know come. As long as the person you introduce completes it, you yourself will enjoy a 50% discount on all drinks at the restaurant from now on!"
"If the person introduced by the person you introduce completes it, you'll get a 50% discount on top of the 50% discount, and so on."
Hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.
One person suddenly said, "My wife's great-uncle's son's uncle is a Xiucai; I'll go find him! Even if he can't complete it, he has connections, and as long as someone completes it, I'll get a discount!"
A single sentence awakened those in a dream; everyone present instantly understood the implications and many prepared to find reinforcements.
Even those few scholars had determined looks and prepared to leave.
Although they couldn't complete it, their network of connections was definitely stronger than these common people!
Seeing this scene, Fang Yang's lips curved into a smile.
You want my drinks, and I want your free promotion!
A sure win!
Just as Fang Yang was beaming with pride, Xie Ping, who was being held down by servants, roared, "Fang Yang! What are you showing off for? Isn't it just a bunch of commoners who want to buy your wine? Let me tell you, our Xie's wine is supplied to the upper class; you'll never be able to compare to us!"
"Heh heh, interesting. Young Master Xie is truly a dead duck now, all talk and no action."
Fang Yang chuckled, then said, "However, don't worry, my celestial intoxication will not only squeeze out your Xie's commoner market, but the upper class will also be mine!"
"What a joke, do you really think anyone will drink your broken wine?"
Although he was being held down by servants, Xie Ping's disdain was completely unconcealed.
Fang Yang merely smiled faintly: "Then let's wait and see!"
Just then, carriages began to arrive in an orderly fashion.
Then shouts rang out.
"Fan Yuqi of Xiangyang requests ten jars of celestial intoxication!"
Before the sound faded, another voice rang out.
"Bai Zihua of Shandong Province requests twenty jars of celestial intoxication!"
"Wang Xian of Baishui requests fifteen jars of celestial intoxication!"
...
Voices rang out, all shouting orders for celestial intoxication.
The common people were still wondering who could cause such a grand commotion.
The few scholars, however, were trembling with excitement.
"The contemporary great Confucian Fan Yuqi, Bai Zihua, and Wang Xian! All three are pillars of our Confucianism, and they have all come to purchase this celestial intoxication!"
Hearing this, the common people present were all astonished, not expecting that this celestial intoxication was drunk by such important figures.
At once, everyone was even more impatient to call people to complete the couplet.
They glanced at the carriages stopped in front of them, then quickly turned to find people.
Fang Yang, with a smile on his lips, instructed the waiters to start helping these three families move the wine.
These matters had been discussed with the housekeepers of the three old men after the poetry gathering.
Now, it perfectly met expectations; after these people spread the word, the reputation of celestial intoxication would undoubtedly rise to a new level.
Once he made glass bottles, he could specifically deliver high-end liquor, and then he would truly be counting money while lying down!
Watching the pre-ordered wine jars being moved onto the carriages one by one, Fang Yang felt a surge of heroic spirit in his chest.
He glanced at the ashen-faced Xie Ping, his smile widening, and with a wave of his hand, he returned to the Guo Gong Fu (Duke's Residence) with a few servants, holding Xie Ping down.
Xie Ping, who was being held behind, was ashen-faced; with such a display, he feared his Xie's restaurant was facing a major crisis!
In the courtyard, Xie Ping was tied to a door panel like a dead dog.
Fang Yang, meanwhile, was lazily sitting there drinking tea.
A quarter of an hour later, "Lian'er, has today's matter been spread?" Fang Yang asked Lian'er, who looked worried.
"Young Master, it has been done as you requested, the matter has been spread, but on Xie's side..."
Lian'er was full of sorrow; the Duke of Cheng was away on official business.
It had only been a few days, and This Young Master had already tied up the son of Marquis Yongping.
While she was thinking, a servant rushed in to report that Marquis Yongping, Xie Lin, had arrived!
Fang Yang waved his hand: "Hold him down and come with me to the front hall!"
At the same time, in the front hall of the Xie, Marquis Yongping, Xie Lin, upon arriving at the Duke Chengguo Residence, was led into the front hall, and upon seeing Fang Bo, the steward who greeted him, he immediately began to curse.
"Your Duke Chengguo Residence has truly great power! You've started kidnapping people right under the Emperor's nose! How does your Duke of Cheng educate his son? If you don't release my son today and give me an explanation, even if the Duke of Cheng is not here, I will impeach him!"
"Marquis, calm down, calm down. Our Young Master will be here shortly. There must be some misunderstanding. If there's truly something wrong, Marquis, rest assured, when our Duke returns, he will definitely give you an explanation."
Fang Bo quickly tried to appease him.
There was no other way. The Guo Gong Fu (Duke's Residence) was currently weak, even small cats and dogs could bully them, and facing such a powerful general, he could only carefully accompany him with a smile.
"Hmph! What misunderstanding! Quickly make that Spendthrift release my son Xie Ping, and then offer silver compensation, otherwise I'll report it to His Majesty and make sure you suffer the consequences!"
Marquis Yongping, Xie Lin's arrogance was boundless.
Fang Bo's forehead was sweating with nervousness.
The Master was not in the residence, and now there was only This Young Master; this old servant had to help!
After all, he had held This Young Master since he was a child!
So Fang Bo quickly said, "Marquis, let's talk properly. We will definitely satisfy you regarding this matter."
"Satisfy my ass!"
Before Fang Bo finished speaking, Fang Yang walked over with a few servants, holding Xie Ping down.
'Swish!'
Fang Bo looked at Xie Ping, who was bruised and swollen and tied with ropes behind Fang Yang, and felt as if the sky had fallen.
"Young... Young Master, what are you... what are you doing!" Fang Bo's face was full of misery.
"It's fine, I'll handle it myself," Fang Yang replied indifferently.
Marquis Yongping, Xie Lin, was about to explode with anger.
Looking at his good son beaten into a pig's head, he pointed a trembling finger at Fang Yang: "Good! Very good! This Duke of Cheng has truly raised a fine son!"
"Thank you for the compliment, he's always better than your Marquis Yongping's good son, who looks like a dead pig."
Fang Yang replied impolitely.
Fang Bo felt his head buzzing.
The Duke was not in the residence; This Young Master had truly stirred up trouble this time!