The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 1030 - 109 Appreciation

Chapter 1030: Chapter 109 Appreciation

"...Under the moon, speaking of forefathers by sweet-scented osmanthus, my ancestral oath binds me like new bamboos encircling the phoenix pond..." After Lord Zhang of the Ministry of Rites read the poem twice, he smiled and asked, "Do you all think this poem might be the best of the event?"

Everyone put down their poems and came over to look, then nodded slightly, "The wording lacks a bit, but the poem does show ambition and inheriting one’s father’s will is indeed a beautiful story."

Zhang Hui nodded, signing with a smile, "Not just that, guess who wrote this poem?"

Some were unwilling to guess and directly leaned over to look at the signature, "Bai Shan? Never heard of him."

Zhang Hui said, "I have heard of him, not just heard, I have met him once."

"Oh, did he send a letter to Lord Zhang?"

"No, from what I know, after he entered the capital, he hasn’t sent poetic letters to anyone." He smiled and continued, "He is one of the scholars graciously allowed by His Majesty to study in the capital this year. He was admitted to the Imperial Academy. Interestingly, he is the youngest among the three, only thirteen years old."

The judges were astonished and gathered around to read his poem again, then touched their beards and smiled, "Indeed rare."

"Not sure if his father died because..."

"It’s said when serving as County Magistrate Fang, he sacrificed himself to protect the people’s wealth while eradicating bandits." These students’ enrollment required communication with the Ministry of Rites, after all, that was their responsibility, and at that time Zhang Hui was precisely in charge of this matter.

Therefore, he knew the newly admitted Imperial Academy students the best.

The letter from Peng Zhiru was given by him.

Initially, it seemed like Peng Zhiru and Lu Xiaofu would shine the most, but Bai Shan, who usually kept a low profile and seemed to dislike social interactions, also came and even produced a fine poem.

Many attended the poetry gathering, like Peng Zhiru and Lu Xiaofu, who came with their classmates, and others like Bai Shan who attended with their mentors.

The former directly participated in the poetry gathering in the courtyard, where judges invited to the event would later choose the top three poems, with prizes to be awarded.

As for what the prizes were, few cared.

Even if the organizers picked up a rock from the flowerbed to give them, they would delight in it, after all, they weren’t there for the prizes but for fame.

Once their reputations spread, they could gain both name and wealth in the future.

The latter were divided into two groups; Mr. Zhuang left a few disciples and went to the side garden to participate in the literary meeting, which essentially was a debate and occasional poem appreciation among middle-aged and elderly people.

Manbao and others submitted their poems and then got bored, noticing that many people submitted several poems each, clearly to ensure no one surpassed them.

If they couldn’t win by quality, then they might as well try winning by quantity.

Thus, no one bothered with those who either submitted only one poem or gave up the struggle and didn’t submit any at all.

Bai Shan looked around and said simply, "Why don’t we go next door to see the mentor? I’m quite curious about what they discuss at the literary meeting."

Manbao, "Hmm, good to know in advance, to prepare for when you’re older and attend these kinds of poetry gatherings."

"...When I’m old, I’d rather not attend poetry gatherings," Bai Shan said, "I’d prefer to go hiking, appreciate flowers and grass rather than participate in poetry gatherings."

Peng Zhiru and Lu Xiaofu couldn’t help laughing, and were about to tease him when they heard Bai Erlang say, "Don’t worry about it, it’s not certain whether you’ll live that long."

Peng Zhiru’s expression stiffened for a moment, and he turned to look at Bai Shan. He expected him to be angry as it was quite an inauspicious thing to say, but Bai Shan’s expression didn’t change as he said, "So, we’re just here to join the fun. Haven’t you noticed that since coming to the capital, our mentor doesn’t like going out?"

"Yes, yes," Manbao said, "When we were in Yizhou, the mentor loved going out. He was often invited out for meals and drinks, and sometimes we couldn’t even make plans with him."

Peng Zhiru silently closed his mouth, feeling like he couldn’t join in the conversation between the three.

Lu Xiaofu also started thinking about finding an excuse to leave.

Just then, Manbao turned to them and asked, "Mr. Peng, Mr. Lu, does your teacher like attending literary meetings?"

The two paused then said, "We haven’t formally taken a teacher."

They had many instructors, but none that involved a formal tea ceremony to become disciples.

Previously it was because the timing hadn’t been right, but now that they were in the capital, it indeed might be time to seek a teacher for themselves.

The side garden was much livelier than their area, with groups of middle-aged and elderly people either sitting or standing. They didn’t strictly stick to any topic but fiercely debated face-to-face or chatted in groups of like-minded individuals.

So while some were red-faced and shouting in debates, nearly ready to roll up their sleeves and fight, others were bursting into joyful laughter, then several heads would come together, happily chatting about something.

Into this new world stepped four young men and one girl:...

The five blinked, feeling this was different from what they imagined their mentors’ literary meeting would be.

Thus, the five didn’t dare disturb these people and slowly sneaked in from the side, meanwhile searching for their mentor.

Finally, behind a cluster of flowering trees, they found Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Zhuang was sitting with two people, a light joyous smile on his face, enjoying tea together.

The person sitting opposite him saw the five young people approaching and couldn’t help but laugh and ask, "Whose younger generation are these? Why aren’t they playing in the central courtyard but came here?"

Mr. Zhuang glanced back slightly, then beckoned Bai Shan and the others with a smile, "Come and meet Mr. Jiang and Mr. Chen."

Manbao immediately led the two Junior Brothers forward to pay their respects, with Peng Zhiru and Lu Xiaofu following suit.

Mr. Zhuang first introduced Peng Zhiru and Lu Xiaofu, then pointed to Manbao and said, "This is my eldest disciple, this is my second, and this is the third."

Mr. Jiang looked at their height arrangement from short to tall and couldn’t help but laugh out, amused, "Your disciples are arranged quite systematically."

Mr. Zhuang then explained with a smile, "It’s based on the time they joined, and also something the kids decided among themselves."

Bai Erlang muttered softly, "It wasn’t really a discussion..."

Mr. Chen, however, looked at Manbao curiously and asked, "Mr. Zhuang, how did you end up taking a girl as your disciple?"

Mr. Zhuang replied with a gentle smile, "Confucius himself said, ’In teaching there are no distinctions.’ There’s much I can’t manage, but this is one aspect I can strive towards, even if just barely."

Mr. Chen didn’t say anything further.

Mr. Jiang, however, nodded approvingly, noticing how well-behaved the three were standing, and liked them even more. He felt around his person and, finding nothing suitable, smiled and said, "I was in a hurry when I left today and don’t have any gifts for you. How about I write you a few characters as a gift for our first meeting?"

Before Manbao and the others could react, Peng Zhiru and Lu Xiaofu’s eyes brightened, and they respectfully bowed, "Thank you, Mr. Jiang."