The talented scholars of Luochuan Prefecture arrived at the Reflecting Moon Poetry Club one after another.
Among them were many with considerable literary fame, but also some who were merely making up the numbers.
However, most people remained on the first floor of the Poetry Club.
Only a select few, such as children of officials or those with high literary renown, were granted access to the second-floor pavilion.
When most people had arrived, Guo Sheng quickly moved to the center, bowing to all four directions, "Today's poetry gathering, I am deeply grateful for all the talented gentlemen and ladies who have come to show their support. Guo Sheng is truly indebted..."
Guo Sheng spoke a long string of pleasantries, then clapped his hands.
A moment later, two waiters emerged, carrying two trays.
On the trays were gleaming silver ingots.
Seeing so much silver, many people's eyes widened.
Guo Sheng announced loudly: "As autumn's chill is upon us, today's poetry theme will be 'Autumn.' Anyone who can compose a poem or lyric worthy of a Class A, First Grade collection and win the top prize will receive two hundred taels of silver from Guo Sheng! Additionally, every poem or lyric selected for a Class A, First Grade collection will be rewarded with fifty taels of silver..."
Guo Sheng had truly gone all out.
Even poems that only made it into a Class A, Third Grade collection would be rewarded with five taels of silver.
If there were no good works on the spot, the rewards would be adjusted accordingly!
In any case, the five hundred taels of silver brought out would all be given away!
If there were enough excellent works, there was no upper limit!
Hearing Guo Sheng's words, the scene immediately became a buzz of excitement.
Many renowned scholars had come today, so winning the top prize would certainly not be easy.
But even poems selected for a Class A, Third Grade collection received a reward!
For those with some real talent, this silver was practically free!
"I thought he was going all out! Is this it?"
Shen Jing muttered in a low voice.
Su Yourong was speechless, "Do you think everyone is like you, casually giving out thirty taels as a monthly allowance?"
The price of one picul of refined rice was only three taels of silver.
In the early years of war, refined rice had indeed risen to nearly ten taels of silver per picul, but it had fallen back considerably in recent years.
And during the previous emperor's reign, one picul of refined rice was only one tael and five mace of silver.
He didn't even consider how much grain Guo Sheng's silver could buy.
Only he would think this silver was little!
No wonder, after all, he was someone who could squander hundreds of thousands of strings of cash!
While the two were whispering, some people could no longer hold back and began to compose poems.
Frost-dyed maple woods reflect the evening sky, cold crickets chirp at night, complaining to the west wind.
Leaning on the railing, gazing at the southward-flying geese, I lean alone on the high tower, my thoughts endless.
It was not a particularly good poem, but it still earned a round of applause.
To encourage everyone's enthusiasm, Guo Sheng immediately ordered two small five-tael silver ingots to be delivered.
This was considered to have placed the poem in Class A, Second Grade.
But in most people's eyes, this poem could at most barely be placed in Class A, Third Grade.
However, to compose a poem in such a short time was still quite good.
Of course, it also did not rule out the possibility that this person had already composed the poem earlier.
"If I were to write it, I'd change the last line to 'thinking of You Rong.'"
Shen Jing teased Su Yourong with a smile.
Su Yourong lightly kicked him, whispering, "Stop worrying about other people's poems, think about your own first!"
Shen Jing was speechless and began to ponder in his mind.
The autumn moon over the lake, both in harmony?
What was after that?
Damn it, he couldn't remember!
How many autumn chills in life?
Uh...
This lyric, it seems he had already sold it, right?
Hmm...
No, no!
He couldn't think of composing poems again today!
Even if he remembered a poem this time and got by, what about next time, and the time after that?
The little stock he had in his belly would eventually run out!
While Shen Jing was lost in thought, people began to compose poems one after another.
However, they were mostly poems that could only be considered barely passable, with no truly excellent works.
"Aren't you going to try?"
Li Zhao smiled at Shen Jing, who sat opposite him.
Shen Jing came back to himself and said, feigning composure, "You go first! I'll see what kind of poem Zhao Ying composes first!"
Damn it!
Putting on an act truly came with a price!
"Alright, then I shall offer a humble piece to invite more brilliant ones!"
Li Zhao chuckled, slowly stood up, and announced loudly: "The cold river shimmers, reflecting the setting sun, distant peaks are verdant, dyed in yellow hues. Wild geese scatter in the empty sky, cloud shadows in disarray, a boat rocks, shattering the full lake's light."
As Li Zhao's voice fell, the previously lively scene suddenly fell silent.
Even Shen Jing, the fake talent, couldn't help but savor it carefully.
A boat rocks, shattering the full lake's light?
Holy crap!
This guy... he has some skill!
Damn it!
Composing a poem on the spot, and with this level of skill?
No wonder Li Zhao could pass the imperial examination!
Crap!
No!
He absolutely could not pretend to be a scholar!
Otherwise, there would definitely be a time when he would be exposed and make a fool of himself!
"Good poem!"
Someone cheered first, and then, the entire Poetry Club erupted in applause.
"A boat rocks, shattering the full lake's light, this line is truly wonderful!"
"Yes, although the beginning was a bit ordinary, these last two lines are especially exquisite!"
"In my opinion, this poem can at least be selected for a Class A, Second Grade collection!"
"What Class A, Second Grade, just based on the last line, it's a Class A, First Grade work!"
Everyone cheered, full of praise.
Su Yourong also nodded secretly.
Li Zhao truly lived up to his reputation as a talent!
That last line was a stroke of genius!
"Quick, quick, present fifty taels of silver!"
Guo Sheng excitedly instructed the waiter, then bowed to Li Zhao from below the pavilion, "Thank you, Young Master Li, for your excellent work! Please, Young Master Li, take a seat for a moment. Once everyone has presented their excellent works, everyone present will jointly decide who is the champion..."
Guo Sheng's words directly placed Li Zhao's poem in Class A, First Grade.
Moreover, Li Zhao could participate in the final competition for the championship.
"Thank you, Shopkeeper Guo!"
Li Zhao bowed back to Guo Sheng, then sat down with a chuckle.
"You've been keeping a low profile!"
Shen Jing looked at Li Zhao with admiration.
"Where, where!"
Li Zhao smiled modestly, "I merely took a shortcut."
"How so?"
Shen Jing was puzzled.
"This is a poem I composed before, I just made slight modifications to fit the theme."
Li Zhao was honest, frankly admitting it.
The second line was originally "distant peaks are verdant, dyed in dark makeup."
But dark makeup was clearly not suitable for an autumn scene, so he changed it to "yellow hues."
"That's still very impressive!"
Shen Jing praised him sincerely, and couldn't help but look at Li Zhao with new respect.
To admit to taking a shortcut at this moment was already very rare.
"I can't compare to you."
Li Zhao smiled humbly, "When your great work comes out, my poem will probably be immediately overshadowed."
"Hehe..."
Shen Jing gave a dry laugh.
Thank you for your ancestors of eight generations.
You really think highly of me!
Alas!
He knew this day would come sooner or later, but he didn't expect it to come so quickly!
Li Zhao's excellent poem earned a round of applause and also stirred Zhao Ying's competitive spirit.
"Gentlemen, I too shall make a humble offering!"
Zhao Ying slowly stood up, "Since everyone is composing poems, I shall offer a lyric! Please, everyone, feel free to correct any imperfections!"
Composing a lyric?
Hearing Zhao Ying's words, everyone couldn't help but be surprised.
If it was a long lyric composed on the spot, the difficulty was not ordinary.
Was Zhao Ying fighting for his title of "First Scholar of Huaizhou" today?
Under everyone's expectant gaze, Zhao Ying began to compose his lyric: "The affairs of the world are a grand dream, how many autumn chills in life..."
Listening to the lyric Zhao Ying composed, Chi Chi couldn't help but look stunned.
What was going on?
This... wasn't this the lyric Young Master sold?
Could it be that the lyric was resold to Zhao Ying?