Volume 2 Chapter 41 Selected Poems
It is the Double Ninth Festival, and the weather is clear and cool in autumn.
In the afternoon, Wanqi, a military officer of the Privy Council, was ordered to go to meet Emperor Zhao, but before he left the camp, his colleague Hu Hongxiu caught up with him. After asking a little, he found out that it was Prime Minister Lu Yihao's previous words that came true. When the news of the fall of Nanjing reached the southeast, Prime Minister Li Gang immediately sent the rear army of the imperial camp to the front line. As a result, the troops mutinied before they even crossed the river. The commander Wang Yi directly broke away from the command, forcibly occupied Jiangning Prefecture, and allowed his soldiers to plunder. Li Gang had no choice but to try to quell the rebellion first.
The news had just arrived by express delivery, but no one knew what the current situation was.
Besides, this kind of bad news is similar to the siege of Tokyo. They were all prepared for it, but in fact, it still made people feel powerless. Wanqi Xie and Hu Hongxiu discussed it for a while, and they were both worried, but they couldn't help but speed up and prepare to tell the emperor as soon as possible.
However, when the two of them arrived at Mount Yu with due diligence, they did not see Emperor Zhao's concern for the country and the people as Wang Shuxiang had reminded him. On the contrary, the emperor was in casual clothes and without a hat, enjoying himself on the top of the mountain. On his left was his favorite concubine in military uniform, on his right were his poets drinking from cups, and even his trusted generals bent over and took off their helmets to accompany him, without any rules at all.
If we use a famous poem by Gao Changshi of the Tang Dynasty, which goes like this, 'The soldiers are half dead on the battlefield , while the beauties are still singing and dancing in the tent', I think it may not be a bad idea.
Seeing this, Hu Hongxiu felt depressed and was about to step forward to give some advice, but was stopped by Wanqi Xie on the side.
When Emperor Zhao, who was sitting cross-legged on the top of the mountain, saw the two, he was slightly startled, but then smiled and said, "What business has Lord Wanqi and Lord Hu brought you here for? Did Lord Wang or Lord Lu urge you to come, or is there some military intelligence?"
"Your Majesty." Without waiting for Hu Hongxiu to speak, Wanqi Xie quickly put away his thoughts and bowed to him. "I was indeed sent by Prime Minister Wang, but he did not urge me. He just asked me to accompany him. And Hu Canjun came here to inform the emperor that Wang Yi, the commander of the rear army of the Southeast Imperial Camp, did not obey orders and occupied Jiangning Prefecture and plundered without restraint. It turned out that Prime Minister Lu was right."
Zhao Guanjia, who was holding the wine glass, was slightly startled. He paused for a moment before slowly nodding his head: "I see. This matter was expected a long time ago. I will ignore it for now... Since you two are here, it's just right for you to come. Come sit down and drink with us."
General Wanqi, who had previously criticized the emperor in his heart, of course did not object. Instead, he immediately thanked the emperor, tidied his appearance, and then walked forward and carefully sat in the same row with Liu Yan. After Ban Zhi presented him with a wine glass, he took the initiative to hold the pot.
However, Hu Hongxiu was a little flustered by Wanqi Xie's actions. After hurriedly catching up, he seemed to be neither here nor there and was embarrassed for a moment.
"We are discussing poetry about the Double Ninth Festival. Both of you are students of the Imperial College, and Wanqi Qing has also served as a professor. So even though you were appointed officials through the temporary palace examination in the secondary capital, you should all be experts in writing. Let's listen to what you have to say." Emperor Zhao accepted a glass of wine from Wanqi Xie before he spoke casually.
Hearing that Emperor Zhao used the word "I" instead of "I", Wan Qi Xie, who had just poured a glass of wine, became even more excited. However, he suppressed his emotions and poured another glass of wine for everyone at the table except for Madam Wu who was holding the pot. Then he spoke: "I don't know what the emperor, Madam Wu, and Mr. Lin and Commander Liu had discussed before?"
"It's just nonsense." Zhao Jiu casually pointed at the people beside him and answered. "I am an unlearned person. This Madam Wu is said to be both civil and military, and has read a lot, but how many years of education has she had at her age? It's nothing more than that Lin Xueshi and Pingfu (Liu Yan's pen name) have good memory and mentioned some Double Ninth Festival poems. I randomly commented on them, and she brought a book of Tang Poems and flipped through it randomly... and just now we talked about the best Double Ninth Festival poems. Which poem do you think is the best? Which poem is the best for Double Ninth Festival?"
It is probably true that Mrs. Wu has not read many books and brought a book today to cram for an exam, but if Wanqi Xie believed that Mr. Zhao was "unlearned and incompetent", he would be stupid.
In fact, in Wanqi Xie's opinion, if the emperor who always quotes "Old Works of Yi'an Jushi" before him is considered unlearned, then there are not many people in the world who are talented in poetry... It can only be said that, because the image of the Taoist Emperor who was too talented was too impressive, the new emperor who inherited at least five or six levels of ability was obviously dissatisfied with the emperor, and did not want to show too many similarities, so he deliberately concealed it.
It's just a pity for Mr. Yi An and his wife. They are almost 50 years old, and when they get old, they have to deal with this official who makes random levies. The couple is now in discord because of this.
Back to the present, as Emperor Zhao said, Wanqi Xie is a cultured man after all. He does have some talent and is older. He is much better than Hu Hongxiu who likes to wield swords and sabers beside him.
Therefore, this person has gained something from his wild thoughts.
"I'm sorry... If we want to talk about poetry, we have to look for it in Tang poetry." Wanqi Xie glanced at Hu Hongxiu who was still thinking, then he slightly became serious and began to speak. "As the saying goes, 'As a stranger in a foreign land, I miss my family even more during festivals. I know my brothers are climbing high, but there is one less person wearing dogwood branches.' This poem written by Wang Wei at the age of 17 expresses the mentality of many wanderers, and it can be said to be the best among the Double Ninth Festival poems."
After these words were spoken, Liu Yan and Mrs. Wu laughed together, while Hu Hongxiu nodded in sudden realization.
As for Zhao Jiu, he also nodded slowly: "Wanqi Qing said it very well, and it is exactly what we discussed before. The great scholar Su said that Wang Wei's poems contain paintings and his paintings contain poems. This poem was written by Wang Wei when he was seventeen years old, but it already has both spirit and form. The so-called poetic meaning is repeated, but the beginning is simple. The key is that the homesickness described is something that everyone can have, so it is widely sung, enough to suppress other Double Ninth Festival poems and stand at the top position... What about the Double Ninth Festival lyrics?"
Wanqi Xie naturally echoed a few of Emperor Zhao's lofty remarks, and after a pause, he simply continued: "As for the Double Ninth Festival poems... poems are a different form of poetry, which has only become popular in this dynasty. Although there are a few Double Ninth Festival poems, they are only written by famous poets in this dynasty. But when I think about it casually, I only think of the line by Yi An Jushi, 'The curtains are rolled up by the west wind, and people are thinner than yellow flowers'."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone except Scholar Xiaolin and Emperor Zhao started laughing. Even Hu Hongxiu gradually got into the mood and chuckled awkwardly.
After Emperor Zhao finished laughing, he nodded again, "Yes, although this poem is a poem of boudoir complaint, it only mentions the word Double Ninth Festival, but it is written to perfection. With just this sentence, not to mention Double Ninth Festival poems, even the countless poems of boudoir complaint since ancient times are overshadowed by this one... In fact, as Scholar Lin just said, I'm afraid that Yi An Jushi's other poem "A Cut Plum" can only be compared with this one as a whole, and a single sentence cannot compare with this one."
"Your Majesty is right." Wan Qixie also laughed. "It seems that I have once again agreed with your Majesty, Madam Wu, Scholar Lin, and Commander Liu."
"Some people say that after the two generations of Liuyi, Anshi, and Su Xueshi, the lingering charm of our dynasty ended twenty years ago, and the only poets in the future are Ye Mengde and others." Emperor Zhao may have drunk a lot of wine, so he took over the conversation and continued to laugh. "Isn't this a joke? How can you pretend not to see Yi'an just because she is a woman? I'm afraid she will be on par with those people in the future. I just don't know where the world situation will go in the future? Can those who were supposed to take over Yi'an still come out, and can they still write "Looking at the Sword by the Lamp" after they come out..."
Wanqi Xie and Hu Hongxiu were completely confused by these words.
Firstly, out of instinct, these two people did not think that a woman like Yi An was qualified to be compared with Ouyang Xiu, Wang Anshi and Su Shi just by writing a few poems. Not even if there was an emperor praising her. Secondly, they did not understand what the emperor said afterwards, what about 'the ones who should take over after Yi An'? It sounded as if someone would definitely be able to stand up and follow Ouyang Xiu, Wang Anshi, Su Shi and Yi An... And what about 'looking at the sword under the lamp'?
It seems that the official is really drunk.
"Mr. Wanqi said this, what does Mr. Hu say?" After taking a glass of wine from Mrs. Wu, who was wearing leather armor sleeves beside her, Emperor Zhao continued to ask questions while holding the glass.
"I have nothing to say." Hu Hongxiu did not make the remonstrance in person because he wanted to keep his useful position as the country was in danger. How could he participate in the discussion?
"The poems are both suitable. It seems that the winner of the Double Ninth Festival poems has been determined." Emperor Zhao drank the whole cup and clapped his hands. "But these two poems are not appropriate to be placed here on Mount Yu, at a time when the two countries are at war..."
Isn't this nonsense?
Wanqi Xie and Hu Hongxiu almost laughed at each other in their hearts.
Let's say that Hu Hongxiu did not think much about it, but Wanqi Xie thought about it carefully, and broke out in a cold sweat - Yi An Jushi's poem of boudoir resentment was very good, but it was inevitably inappropriate, and "there is one less person among the people with dogwood branches inserted" was not only inappropriate in front of Emperor Zhao himself, but also a fatal remark!
I know that my brothers are climbing to a high place, but there is one less person wearing dogwood branches... I'm afraid I know that my brothers are living in the cellar, but there is one less person sitting in the well and looking at the sky?
No, there is another Prince Xin in Wuma Mountain. I don't know if it's true or not, maybe it's 'two people missing'. And, no wonder the cunning scholar Xiao Lin didn't smile all the time. It seems that he didn't know how to welcome and respect, but he had his own calculations.
While thinking, Emperor Zhao had already asked another question: "Before the two of you came, we were just about to discuss another poem that would be suitable for the situation here, regardless of the subject matter, but we still haven't come up with anything. You two might as well try to think about it..."
Wanqi Xie naturally did not dare to neglect him, but he was also alert, so he was careful to avoid making another joke like "Remembering the Brothers of Five Kingdoms City":
"Your Majesty, I would like to ask you, have you and the three of you gained anything before?"
"No." Zhao Jiu finished his drink and simply faced each other. He actually took out a book of Tang Poems from somewhere behind him and threw it to the two newcomers. "I thought of a few poems at first, but none of them fit. I was just about to look through Miss Wu's book. You can also look through it..."
Hu Hongxiu raised his hand to take it and look at it.
Wanqi Xie just found it funny. A student from the Imperial College had to look up books to memorize some poems?
But this person didn't dare to show any of his thoughts on his face. He held the cup while thinking hard, and soon came up with a song that was barely suitable for the occasion.
"Your Majesty." Wan Qi Xie responded sternly. "Li Bai has a poem called 'On the Ninth Day of the Ninth Month, I Climbed Baling to Have a Drink and Look at the Navy of Dongting Lake'. Today, Your Majesty climbed Mount Yushan. Although he could not see the navy, he could have a full view of the camp of Mount Yushan! As the saying goes, 'The singing of the brave men can destroy the evil spirits.' Isn't it appropriate?"
Everyone pondered, unable to say whether it was good or bad... First of all, this Double Ninth Festival poem rarely mentioned wartime and the army, and it also had a motivational meaning, which seemed very appropriate; but at the same time, most of the poem clearly talked about the victory of warships and navy, and it was a bit forced to say that it could deal with the large camp at the foot of the mountain.
"What do you think?" After Wanqi Xie recited the whole poem again, Emperor Zhao took the initiative to point at each of them and asked them one by one.
"I think it's okay." Mrs. Wu also used the folk name.
"I don't think it's appropriate." Liu Yan, who had always been taciturn, finally spoke, but he just waved his hand.
"I also think it is inappropriate." Scholar Kobayashi also frowned.
Emperor Zhao didn't care and continued to point at Hu Hongxiu.
"Your Majesty, I also think it is inappropriate." Hu Hongxiu, who had been flipping through the book, spoke up and handed the cover of the "Collection of Tang Poems" to the general. "But I just saw a poem here that might be suitable..."
Zhao Jiu nodded and took it casually. He couldn't help laughing after just one look, and then read out the title of the poem in front of everyone: "This is Cen Shen's "Accompanying Doctor Feng on the Ninth Day of the Ninth Month Climbing the Mountain"... Doctor Feng is Feng Changqing, right?"
"That's right." Scholar Xiaolin responded. "I remember this poem, which goes, "On the ninth day of the ninth month, I drank yellow flower wine, and heard it in the past when I climbed the mountain. The frosty power chased the second prime minister, and the murderous aura surrounded the central army. The transverse flute startled the migrating geese, and the sweet song fell from the clouds at the border..."
After reciting to this point, Scholar Kobayashi suddenly stopped talking, and Wanqi Xie turned pale and looked at Hu Hongxiu, the instigator who was already a little panicked.
Zhao Jiu didn't take it seriously. He picked up the book and read it carefully, shaking his head and reading: "Fortunately, nothing happened at the border. I am drunk and dancing for my king."
At this moment, Liu Yan and Madam Wu also looked strange...somewhat angry, and somewhat helpless.
There is no other reason, the poem "Fortunately, there is nothing happening at the border" is too sarcastic. Cen Shen and Feng Changqing took a break from their busy schedule to climb the mountain, but what do you think of yourself, Lord Zhao?
However, maybe it was because Zhao Jiu, an engineering student, had a low level of education and did not have muscle memory as a foundation like writing and archery, so after reading it once, he stared at this useless "Tang Poetry Collection" for a long time before he realized: "Is General Hu admonishing me?"
Being left out for so long, Hu Hongxiu was already at a loss... After all, he was born in a wealthy family. If he had the courage to advise the emperor in person, he would have written a letter with Chen Dong to "criticize the emperor" long ago. Why did it come to this? And just now, he handed the poem down with the intention of "concealing the advice". How could he have thought that Emperor Zhao would ignore it and speak out directly?
"No problem." Zhao Jiu continued to look at the poetry collection in his hand, obviously not taking it seriously. "General Hu also means well... Don't worry, we have to make a decision today, and I won't delay it."
Hu Hongxiu could only nod.
"In fact, if it weren't for the last sentence, this poem by Cen Shen would be extremely appropriate for the situation." Zhao Jiu continued.
"This poem is indeed a little inappropriate." Liu Yan also nodded solemnly: "However, this poem is inappropriate with Li Bai's poem just now. What else is appropriate? I really don't know what other poems there are!"
"It is indeed difficult." Scholar Xiao Lin also spoke calmly. "Now we are in wartime and in the army. There are not many poems related to Double Ninth Festival in wartime and in the army. These two are the most suitable. As for the fact that the Jin army is attacking Tokyo on the front line, and the army in the southeast has caused military chaos as soon as it set out, it is already a dangerous situation. Dangerous situation, wartime, and in the army, plus poems dedicated to Double Ninth Festival, I really can't think of it."
Wanqi Xie and Liu Yan all nodded, and even Mrs. Wu nodded as if she really understood. When Emperor Zhao heard this, he also nodded as if he really understood.
However, after Emperor Zhao nodded, he spread out the collection in his hand and placed it in front of him: "What do you think of this poem?"
Everyone went to look, but remained silent. Then they were moved slightly. It turned out that this poem was right next to Cen Shen's poem. It was a Double Ninth Festival poem by Gao Shi, but it was only twenty words long.
As the saying goes: I want to climb high, but no one brings me wine. I pity the chrysanthemums in my hometown, which should bloom beside the battlefield.
Wanqi Xie and the others were thinking about their own things, but Emperor Zhao had already stood up, still a little drunk, and then walked forward with his hands behind his back, obviously wanting to see what was ahead... and Liu Yan and Madam Wu did not dare to be negligent, and hurriedly followed beside him to prevent any accidents.
However, as the sun set in the west, Emperor Zhao stood with his hands behind his back, looking eastward. His sight started from the Baihe River at the foot of the mountain and gradually stretched out into the distance until the horizon became unrecognizable. He remained silent for a long time.
"Officials!"
Scholar Xiaolin probably thought enough, so he stood up and walked behind the emperor, then carefully prepared his words. "General Hu did not do it on purpose. He does not know the emperor's hard work and difficulties..."
Hu Hongxiu's face flushed behind him, but he didn't dare to interrupt. Wanqi Xie, who was also in a difficult situation, simply glared at Hu Hongxiu coldly.
After a while, Zhao Jiu came back to his senses, and then he shook his head and said, "It has nothing to do with Hu Qing. The difficulties I feel today are actually the same as the difficulties I encountered in the past two days. They were all expected, but it was still uncomfortable when the time came... In fact, since I experienced Zhang Yongzhen's death battle on Huai River and lit the Little Orange Lantern to enter Huai River, I have realized two things: First, the Jin people will definitely win, and we must be the winners; second, if we want to defeat the Jin people, countless lives must be sacrificed for this! But there is another difficulty, that is, as the official of the Great Song Dynasty, what basis should I have to let this one sacrifice and that one not? Or if this one doesn't sacrifice, what about that one?"
Not to mention the two soldiers behind him, even Scholar Kobayashi, who had thought a lot before standing up, was stunned.
"The deceased is gone, so I won't talk about Zhang Zizheng and Xin Tongzhi. At present, the situation of the Dongjing Zong garrison is extremely difficult, and the troops in the southeast cannot be used. The Privy Council naturally wants me to make the decision. Should Han Shizhong, who is still resting, go north to Shunchang Prefecture immediately?"
Emperor Zhao continued to speak in a low voice with his hands behind his back, as if he was mumbling to himself. "If Han Shizhong went to Shunchang Prefecture, which is south of Zhengzhou, Wanyan Wushu would have to divide his troops to deal with it. He might even be able to attract the fourth prince who had suffered a defeat that day. By then, Tokyo would be much more relaxed... But in that case, what about the sacrifice of Han Shizhong's troops who have not yet completed their rest? What about the people of Shunchang Prefecture? This is not about who should die between Zongze and Han Shizhong, and who should stay between the people of Tokyo and Shunchang Prefecture. It's a question of choosing one or the other, but if you say it with a little emphasis, countless lives will be lost."
"Your Majesty is kind and considerate." Liu Yan sighed. "Before, Commander Yang often told me that your Majesty was kind and considerate, and I often mentioned the incident in Mingdao Palace to show that I had known about it for a long time, but I didn't expect that I still...still...made your Majesty laugh at me."
"I am ashamed." Lin Jingmo lowered his head helplessly.
"Let's take it one step at a time!" Zhao Jiu shook his head again. "I'm not saying this to let you brag about it, but I feel heavy in my heart and hate myself for not being able to set an example and only letting others die in vain, so I feel a little ashamed... Two soldiers!"
"I am here!"
“Yes!”
Wanqi Xie and Hu Hongxiu, who were listening intently, quickly stood up in embarrassment.
"Go tell the two prime ministers that I have made up my mind and ordered Han Shizhong to go north to Yancheng!" Zhao Jiu said directly without even turning his head. "As for me, I will get back to you later!"
"yes!"
“Yes!”
The two of them shook their heads, saluted quickly, and then hurried away.
Just like that, not to mention that Emperor Zhao, who had seen too much military intelligence and drank too much Huanghua wine in the past few days, was rarely sad, let's just say that on the other side, Hu Hongxiu and Wanqi Xie hurried down the mountain, turned the corner, looked up and saw Emperor Zhao still looking into the distance with his hands behind his back, and they also had their own thoughts.
For example, Wanqi Xie, this official was thought to be young after all, and was forced by the cruel war to become self-destructive, and even to have an attitude of living for the moment... Such things have always been common throughout history... But unexpectedly, he did not lose his basic momentum from beginning to end, he was just a little too soft-hearted.
And this does not seem to be a problem for an official who was born into a feudal family and is only 22 years old this year. On the contrary, he can be called a "benevolent ruler."
As for Han Shizhong's decision to go north ahead of schedule, it was a new thing for others, but for the newcomers in the Privy Council, it was discussed very early on and was not worth mentioning.
However, there was still a major gain today, which was the poem that Emperor Zhao pointed out was "appropriate for the scene"... "I pity the chrysanthemums in my hometown from afar, they should bloom beside the battlefield"... Isn't it talking about the war in Tokyo? And the Emperor's final decision to let Han Shizhong lead the Huaixi Army into Shunchang Prefecture in advance, isn't it consistent with the Emperor's mentality of caring about his hometown in Tokyo?
But the question is, didn’t the emperor fall into the well and forget everything? How could he still cherish the chrysanthemums in his hometown?
"Brother Yuanzhong (Wanqi Xie's pen name), when the emperor fell into the well that day, did he really forget the past or was he just pretending to forget?" At this moment, Hu Hongxiu couldn't help but blurt out.
Wanqi Xie stopped and looked at the person beside him, speechless for a moment... Can I say this out loud? Can't I just keep it in my heart? Haven't I caused enough trouble today?
Hu Hongxiu was about to say something when he saw this, but Wanqi Xie stamped his feet repeatedly and ran down the mountain as if escaping.
At the same time, Emperor Zhao had no idea that the poem he casually wrote out of emotion about the devastation of the people's livelihood by the war had actually aroused the thoughts of the two Privy Council officials... He looked at the horizon for a long time, but it seemed vast and boundless. Finally, the alcohol started to get to him, so he turned around and slowly walked down the mountain.
