Chapter 041: The Best of the Best
As the poems, lyrics and music of the literati and scholars have basically been completed, it is time for the finale of the day, which is to select the best lyrics and have them sung by Dong Yujing, the master of Qinhuai opera.
"Miss Dong, which talented person's work do you think is more to your liking?"
Since Dong Yujing was going to sing the lyrics, Lin Zhen still asked for her opinion out of respect.
"Mr. Zhuangyuan is too polite. I am just a little girl, how dare I choose the works of talented scholars?"
Lin Zhen asked, but if Dong Yujing really took it seriously and chose for herself, then she would not be able to clearly see her own identity.
As a prostitute in a brothel on the Qinhuai River, if she didn't have this much insight and emotional intelligence, she wouldn't be able to become the top prostitute. So Dong Yujing still gave the right of choice back to Lin Zhen.
After Dong Yujing said this, Lin Zhen did not continue to be polite, but pointed out a few lyrics and music and said: "I personally think that these two lyrics and music are excellent works. I wonder what everyone here thinks?"
The two poems selected by Lin Zhen were by Wu Yingqian, a candidate from Suzhou, and Zeng Mengjian, a candidate from Yingtian. Shang Lu, who was favored by many people, was not among them.
The reason is that Shang Lu studied hard in the Imperial College for many years and was not good at romantic things, so the lyrics and songs he wrote were naturally inferior. In addition, compared with lyrics, Shang Lu was better at writing poems, and his works that were passed down to later generations were mainly poems.
"Mr. Zhuangyuan has a good eye. These two poems are excellent. You can pick one."
Lin Zhen's literary vision was unquestionable. Sun Tixue and Li Fuyin, who were present, both spoke up to agree with him.
"In that case, the one written by Zeng Mengjian, a candidate from Yingtian, seems to be more suitable for the scene. Why don't you just sing this one?"
"I have no objection, but I will obey your orders."
Dong Yujing's answer was very standard, but from the joy on her brows it could be seen that she actually preferred Zeng Mengjian's poems.
The reason is not only that Zeng Mengjian writes better, but also partly because Zeng Mengjian is a local, a young talent with a bright future.
Don’t think that Zeng Mengjian will never be able to turn things around just because he was suppressed by Shen Yichen twice. In fact, apart from a slight blow to his reputation, the actual damage is not that great.
In the eyes of outsiders, he is still a talented scholar who passed the imperial examination at a young age, and he studied in the private school of Duke Chengguo's Mansion. He has connections that ordinary people cannot match. In addition, he is a native of Yingtian Prefecture, and has obvious advantages as a local tyrant.
Even if a brothel
Even the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai, who were famous in the late Ming Dynasty, pursued this throughout their lives.
If Dong Yujing sang the lyrics for Zeng Mengjian, she could establish a relationship with this young talent. Even if he has not yet achieved success, he can at least be considered a potential stock. In comparison, Wu Yingqiannian, a candidate from Suzhou, is nearly 40 years old and already has wives and concubines at home. The gap is more than a little bit.
Seeing that the number one scholar Lin Zhen had chosen his own poem, Zeng Mengjian's face, which had been gloomy throughout the whole event, finally relaxed.
So what if an insignificant interlude like Fei Hua Ling was outshined by you, Shen Yichen? The most important lyrics of today's Winter Solstice Poetry Festival were taken by me, Zeng Mengjian. Whoever laughs last will be the real winner!
Not only that, even some local scholars who were on good terms with Zeng Mengjian began to congratulate him in advance.
"Brother Zeng's lyrics and music are unmatched, and he will take first place today."
"The number one scholar has high hopes for you, brother Zeng, would you consider becoming my disciple? In the future, you should consider yourself the number one scholar's disciple!"
"It's not just Mr. Zhuangyuan. I think even Mr. Dong has his heart set on Brother Zeng. Now he wants to get the beauty back."
After receiving so much flattery and compliments from everyone, Zeng Mengjian could no longer contain his inner pride and his face was full of smiles.
But soon he will have a deeper understanding of what it means to be the one who laughs last and is the real winner!
Just when the selection was about to be finalized, Liu Wan'er suddenly stood up, bowed to Lin Zhen and said, "Mr. Number One Scholar, I have another song written by Mr. Shen Yichen. I hope you can take a look at it."
What?
Shen Yichen turned his head and looked at Liu Wan'er with a confused look on his face. He never expected that the other party would do such a thing, and he didn't understand why she did this.
Liu Wan'er didn't care about Shen Yichen's surprised look, but held the lyrics in her hand and looked directly at Lin Zhen at the main table, wanting to get the expected answer.
"Oh... Yichen actually wrote it, then you show it to me, girl."
During the selection stage, Lin Zhen waited for a long time but did not see Shen Yichen's lyrics and music. He thought that this guy did not write it or did not intend to submit it.
Unexpectedly, when the selection was almost over, a musician suddenly stood up and said that she had the lyrics and music of Shen Yichen. It was really a surprise.
"Thank you, Mr. Zhuangyuan."
After getting the approval, Liu Wan'er came to the main table holding the lyrics. Lin Zhen took it and slowly opened it. What came into his sight was a song called "Jinming Lake·Ode to the Cold Willow".
There is a chilly tide, a ruthless sunset, and the rustling of the South Port. The wind blows, and the frosty branches are alone. I still remember the flying catkins in the old days. Moreover, it is late, the smoke waves and the setting sun, and I see the travelers, especially leaning their waists like dancing . There is always a kind of desolation, very haggard, but there are still good lines from Yantai.
Just by looking at the first stanza, the cold and desolate atmosphere can be felt. The lyricist expresses his sadness, just like the desolate and cold branches of a willow tree swaying in the cold wind.
However, in this sad and miserable atmosphere, one can still vaguely see the willow catkins flying and dancing in the spring light, which further highlights the sadness of the decline from prosperity.
This poem is written from a woman's perspective, so is Shen Yichen describing the brothel woman on the banks of the Qinhuai River?
Lin Zhen couldn't help but have this speculation in his mind, because the style of Shen Yichen's "Linjiangxian" that had been circulated before was very different from this "Jinmingchi".
"Linjiangxian" is heroic and sad, with a sense of a hero's old age, while "Jinmingchi" is graceful and implicit, expressing the loneliness and helplessness in the woman's heart.
To be honest, Lin Zhen has met countless people, but it is rare to see two completely different styles of lyrics and music in one person. And more importantly, both styles are portrayed so vividly that people can empathize with them.
What kind of genius is Shen Yichen to have such an amazing appearance?
Lin Zhen held the poem in his hands for a long time without saying anything. This abnormal behavior made Sun Tixue and Yingtian Prefecture Yin Li Min feel puzzled, so they came over with curiosity to see what Shen Yichen had written.
"This...is this really done by Yi Chen?"
Seeing the content on the rice paper completely overturned Sun Tixue's impression of Shen Yichen's style of poetry.
You should know that the previous poem "Linjiangxian" was written by Sun Tixue, who regarded it as a close friend. The ups and downs of life and the sense of being indifferent were all described in the poem by the older officials.
And now this poem describes the loneliness and sadness of a young girl just as vividly. Sun Tixue really couldn't believe that it was written by the same person.
"Your Excellency, it is absolutely true."
Liu Wan'er confirmed again.
Not to mention that the adults were shocked, if Liu Wan'er hadn't seen it with her own eyes, Shen Yichen wrote it stroke by stroke. She wouldn't have believed that this poem was written by a young scholar.
However, in comparison, Liu Wan'er quickly understood this poem. It was Shen Yichen who used the cold willows to describe his own situation.
I am now like the willow trees in autumn and winter, swaying in the cold wind, lonely and helpless.
"Mr. Zhuangyuan, it seems that we may have to choose another lyrics for today's song."
After seeing Shen Yichen's "Jinmingchi", Li Fuyin bowed to Lin Zhen and said something.
Zeng Mengjian's lyrics had basically been selected before, but when Shen Yichen's song came out, the delicate description of the character's inner world was immediately superior.
Even though the lyrics were a bit sad and did not quite fit in with the lively atmosphere of the poetry gathering, Shen Yichen was Lin Zhen's disciple after all. As long as the gap was not too big, Li Fuyin was still willing to give him this face, not to mention that he had come from behind and won.
Li Fuyin's words were naturally heard by the scholars and literati present. Many people were puzzled. What kind of words could make the chief judges change their minds temporarily? Was there some kind of shady operation?
However, according to the reputation and character of the top scholar, he would not do such a thing in public. So some of the brave ones stood up and stretched their heads, trying their best to see what Shen Yichen had written.
"This handwriting is so beautiful, is it possible that the reason why Shen Yichen failed to pass the examination is because he has been practicing calligraphy for more than ten years?"
I didn't read the content clearly, the first thing I saw was the words that looked like woodblock print. Among all the scholars attending the meeting today, none of them could compare to Shen Yichen in terms of the upright and reserved style of writing!
"Judging from his handwriting, Shen Yichen's basic skills are definitely solid. I don't believe the rumors that he was naughty in the past!"
"That's right. You are so ignorant and stupid that you can't write like this."
The appearance of ancient calligraphy is like the appearance of modern people. If it is good-looking, people will naturally feel close to it at first sight. If it is ugly and ferocious, people will avoid it.
Even when the emperor was selecting the number one scholar in the palace examination, the handwriting and appearance accounted for a large proportion of the score. In the Ming Dynasty alone, there were three people who won the first place in the palace examination, but were revoked the title of number one by the emperor because of their poor appearance.
So regardless of the content, just looking at the handwriting, Shen Yichen is the best in the whole place!
When Zeng Mengjian heard the discussions of the scholars present, it was like a blow to the head, and he instantly felt dizzy and dark.
If it was just Lin Zhen who was optimistic, he could still muster up the courage to argue for it. After all, Shen Yichen was his disciple, and it was hard to say that he had no partiality.
But everyone at the scene now supports Shen Yichen, and some even think his handwriting is beautiful!
This made Zeng Mengjian unable to let it go. How could Shen Yichen's handwriting, which was so awful like a dog's crawl, be called "beautiful"?
I admit that he has made progress in his knowledge, and I also admit that I lost in the poetry contest, but without years of practice, it is impossible to make great changes in calligraphy. When people say that Shen Yichen's calligraphy is good, I once disagreed!
However, when he set his eyes on Shen Yichen's paper, the little pride and sense of superiority left in his heart was shattered.
Because Shen Yichen's handwriting is truly impeccable !
