Although crab meat is delicious, it is not advisable to eat too much.
When Zhu Ping'an finished eating two crabs and was about to move on to the roast goose, everyone present stood up to greet the visitor.
When the students and scholars from Taihu, Wangjiang and other counties saw the visitor, they were ecstatic. They never expected that Zhou Xuezhen, the principal of the Anqing Prefecture School, would also come. Zhou Xuezhen was a very upright person, so this was going to be a good show to watch.
When Uncle Zhu Shouren and others saw Zhou Xuezheng, they were both excited and nervous. The county schoolmaster is not just the principal now, but also the official of the Education Bureau in the Ming Dynasty. They were excited because they thought they could perform well in front of the master. If they could be appreciated and given some advice, then the boy's test would be a piece of cake. But they were nervous because they knew why the students from other counties came here. They wanted to find our Huaining County. It's okay for us, but Zhu Ping'an will definitely be made difficult by people from other counties. What if he makes a fool of himself? It's not just a matter of a chance, but he will definitely make a fool of himself. It depends on how big the fool is. Maybe the poem Zhu Ping'an wrote when he was bitten by a snake and heard the cry of a bird was his best work... What should we do...
Zhou Xuezhen is a man of integrity and will certainly criticize the Huaining County examination. If this gets to the attention of the prefectural governor or even the Nanzhili education commissioner, it would be very bad. Not only would the people of Huaining County be affected in the prefectural examination, but even the academy examination would definitely be in bad shape.
Uncle Zhu Shouren and others felt even more resentful towards Zhu Ping'an.
A lot of people came, the first one was Zhou Xuezhen, followed by Li Lao, Zhao Lao and other famous people in the county. Li Lao, Zhao Lao and others were all juren in the county, and their reputation was no less than Zhou Xuezhen. They had originally agreed to meet for tea and chat about the prefectural examination, but halfway through they heard the news that Jingxian Tower was going to hold a Jingxian Poetry Meeting, and also heard people mocking that there was a mediocre young man in Huaining County who ate and drank in the examination room and took a nap in the middle of the examination, but yet he got on the top of the list. Then they heard about Zhu Ping'an's famous poem about being bitten by a snake and hearing the cry of a bird. Zhou Xuezhen was so angry that he blew his beard and glared. If Li Lao, Zhao Lao and others had not stopped him, Zhou Xuezhen would have gone to the prefectural master's house to report on the Huaining County examination.
When Zhou Xuezhen calmed down and heard people say that the gluttonous and mediocre person who was bitten by a snake and listened to the cry of birds was attending the Jingxian Poetry Meeting, he immediately changed direction with Mr. Li, Mr. Zhao and others, and went straight to the Jingxian Poetry Meeting instead of drinking tea and chatting.
We must pull out that good-for-nothing, fake-looking guy who is trying to take advantage of the situation and fish in troubled waters, and give him a good beating.
After the flogging, they have to report to the governor and have this incompetent person removed from the governor's examination, and they also have to urge the governor to investigate the Huaining County Magistrate for negligence!
Zhou Xuezhen, full of justice and with clean hands, walked up the stairs.
After Zhou Xuezhen, Li Lao, Zhao Lao and others came some scholars who had heard the news and came here. After them came the students and scholars from other counties, including several quite famous ones.
"Fortunately, I have accomplished my mission."
After going upstairs, several students and scholars bowed to the students and scholars who came to greet them.
The students from other counties who came to greet them were overjoyed. They punched the students on the shoulders and said with great joy, "It is more than living up to the reputation. It is beyond our dreams. It is perfect."
Everyone smiled at each other and sat down one after another.
The upstairs was redecorated. In addition to the addition of some elegant furnishings, the tables were also rearranged. Students and scholars sat on one side, while Zhou Xuezhen, Mr. Li, Mr. Zhao and other famous people sat on the other side.
As everyone took their seats, the Jingxian Poetry Gathering on Jingxian Tower officially kicked off.
The delicious food and wine were rearranged with the coming and going of gorgeously dressed maids and servants. Even the singing and dancing upstairs was raised to a higher level. The beauties were as beautiful as jade, yet they tried to cover themselves up yet were too shy. The song and dance were full of romance.
Because of the participation of Zhou Xuezhen, Li Lao, Zhao Lao and others, the purpose of the students and scholars from other counties was not just to embarrass Huaining Zhu Ping'an. They also wanted to stand out and leave a good impression in front of Zhou Xuezhen, Li Lao, Zhao Lao and others, with the idea of "taking advantage of the strong wind to send me up to the sky".
Although he came here to call for punishment, Zhou Xuezhen was not in a hurry seeing so many students gathered here. Anyway, the good-for-nothing was there and could not run away. He might as well take this opportunity to see the level of these young students.
As the music started, the singer slowed down her dance steps. Sheets of plain white rice paper were passed around the tables. In front of everyone was a writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone. Whoever had inspiration could write a poem and pass it on to everyone.
The beautiful and sweet-voiced singer softly sang the works of the students participating in the Jingxian Poetry Festival. Mr. Li and others would occasionally comment on them. The students whose works were commented on were overjoyed and bowed to express their gratitude politely.
From time to time at poetry gatherings, talented people would write an excellent work and boldly ask Zhou Xuezhen, Li Lao, Zhao Lao and others to comment on it. Whenever this happened, someone would copy the poem several times and distribute it to everyone.
Even my uncle Zhu Shouren stood up and wrote a poem, asking everyone to comment on it. Although only a few people praised it, my uncle still held his head high and was very happy.
The most unsociable person at this time is probably Zhu Pingan. When others write poems, he eats vegetables. When others comment on them, he eats vegetables. When others applaud, he eats vegetables...
If there were a competition for big eaters, Zhu Ping'an would definitely be far ahead of everyone else.
Zhu Ping'an's eating manner was like a pig standing among a group of cranes. Even without anyone's guidance, Zhou Xuezheng recognized it at a glance. This way of eating was the sign of a good-for-nothing.
A kind-hearted person helped Zhu Ping'an count and wrote it down on paper in a joking manner. He ate two drunken crabs, a goose leg, a bowl of lotus seed soup, a braised prawn, a lotus dessert... Then he told everyone about it in a funny way. As a result, it was circulated more widely than the poems written by ordinary people, and almost everyone present knew it.
Zhou Xuezhen frowned as he looked at the recipe Zhu Ping'an handed to him.
"It's insulting..."
"I am ashamed to be associated with this person..."
People understood the elegant meaning of the music from the sound of the strings, and comprehended the meaning from the frowning brows of Zhou Xuezhen and others, and began to mock them.
The atmosphere was just right, and if they didn't take action now, when would they? Students from other counties who had been prepared for this moment stepped forward, picked up a glass of wine, and fired the first shot of the night's attack on Huaining County at Zhu Ping'an who was eating at the next table:
"Could that be Zhu Ping'an, the top-ranked scholar in Huaining County? We all have poems to share, but why do you remain silent? Do you think I can't wait?"
Zhu Ping'an, who was thinking about what to try next, was stunned for a second by the sudden shout, but in the eyes of others, this was a sign of guilt.
At once, all kinds of playful and amusing looks, like spotlights, were directed at Zhu Ping'an.
(Speaking of those words about helmsman and monthly tickets, I remember them.)