Li Bai drank hundreds of poems after drinking, and slept in a tavern on Chang'an Street. He would not board the boat when the emperor called him, and claimed that he was a wine immortal.
—Song of the Eight Drinking Immortals by Du Fu, Tang Dynasty
In ancient times, wine and poetry were inseparable. When drinking alone, they would compose poetry. When drinking together, they would sing and sing. While modern people use "two little bees" and "visiting three gardens" to play drinking games, the ancients mostly played drinking games with poetry and couplets.
In ancient times, drinking parties among literati often naturally turned into poetry gatherings as they drank. This was very common, and many of them even became eternal lies.
When I drink alone, I get drunk; when many people drink together, we have a poetry gathering. This is often the case with the ancients.
Therefore, it is only natural that everyone at today's welcoming banquet unanimously agreed to accompany wine with poetry.
The "appropriate" suggestion of the official surnamed Wang about raising chopsticks was also "actively" agreed to by many people. They all wanted to take this opportunity to show off in front of Prince Yu, prove themselves, and try their best to suppress Zhu Ping'an.
If I could beat Zhu Pingan...
I believe that with such a heavy and tall stepping stone like Zhu Ping'an, they can stand higher and at least work seven or eight years less. This is a rare opportunity that only comes once in a century.
It’s exciting just thinking about it.
Therefore, after the official surnamed Wang made the proposal, many people responded positively. Thanks to their efforts, the proposal made by the official surnamed Wang became a formal topic.
Chopsticks, chopsticks, sticks...
Chopsticks are such common tableware that people cannot live without them every day, but poems with them as the subject are very rare in history, just like the darkness under the lamp. However, fewness also means difficulty and fun. Everyone at the banquet, even the officials who had no intention of "performing" or "suppressing Ping An", seemed to be very interested.
Seeing prey makes one happy.
This was roughly the feeling. Everyone was a literary master who had been tempered by the imperial examination. Poetry and songs were naturally no problem for them. But when they encountered such an unfamiliar topic, they were so excited that their toes were clenched with excitement.
Everyone was very interested, and Zhu Ping'an would not spoil the fun. The teasing and provocation of some people did not cause any ripples in Zhu Ping'an's heart, and he even found it interesting.
Haha, interesting.
Zhu Ping'an smiled slightly and glanced at the official surnamed Wang with interest.
"I've long heard that Lord Zhu is eloquent and knowledgeable. Today I finally have the opportunity to see it for myself. I'm really fortunate." The official surnamed Wang bowed to Zhu Ping'an without any hesitation and slightly raised the corners of his lips.
"Ping'an is not talented enough and has little knowledge, so I feel ashamed to accept the title." Zhu Ping'an shook his head and smiled, saying modestly.
"Poetry is just a trivial matter. Lord Zhu, please don't be so modest." The official surnamed Wang pressed the issue step by step, leaving Zhu Ping'an no chance to shirk his responsibilities.
Poetry trail
Why do you have to do that? In order to block my way out, you demoted all the adults who were eager to try at the banquet.
Zhu Pingan couldn't help but laugh.
Sure enough, the faces of several people around who heard the official surnamed Wang's words turned black, but they were all familiar with each other and knew that the official surnamed Wang's words were to provoke and block Zhu Ping'an's retreat, so they pretended not to hear it.
The official surnamed Wang realized later that he had said the wrong thing, and hurriedly explained it to the people around him in a low voice. Then, he took a heavy umbrage against Zhu Ping'an in his heart and blamed Zhu Ping'an for the mistake.
hateful
He deliberately led me to say something wrong. I must surpass Zhu Ping'an in today's poetry. I can't just vent my anger.
The official surnamed Wang glanced at Zhu Ping'an silently, like a cobra.
Forehead
Blame me?!
Zhu Ping'an noticed the resentful look in the official surnamed Wang's eyes, and was speechless for a while before condensing into one sentence: I have something to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not.
The poetry reading was confirmed and preparations began.
In line with the principle of sharing the appreciation of great literature, the servants of Prince Yu's mansion carried a three-meter-long and two-meter-wide screen into the pergola and placed it in the center of the banquet. The screen was covered with snow-white rice paper. Two tables were placed on both sides of the screen, and the four treasures of the study were placed on each table.
People can paint their masterpieces on the rice paper on the screen and display them for everyone to appreciate.
It can display calligraphy and excellent works, killing two birds with one stone.
After the arrangement was completed, Prince Yu asked someone to go to his study to fetch the two She inkstones awarded to him by Emperor Jiajing and placed them on the table in front of him.
"As the saying goes, a sword is given to a hero. Fortunately, my father gave me two inkstones to accompany my masterpiece today."
Prince Yu said in a loud voice, and used the two She inkstones bestowed by the emperor as prizes, and awarded them to the two best works of this poetry meeting.
When they saw the two inkstones in front of Prince Yu's desk, their eyes became teary, just like a general seeing a peerless sword.
A good inkstone is as important to a scholar as a peerless sword is to a general.
The She stone used in She inkstone is produced from the creek at the foot of Longwei Mountain at the junction of Wuyuan and She County, and is also called Longwei inkstone. The She stones of Longwei Creek were formed after 500-1 billion years of geological changes. The pattern structure of She stone is simple and prominent, the mineral particle size is fine, and the distribution of fine quartz particles is even. The inkstone made of this kind of She stone can release ink and is smooth without rejecting the brush, and the brush does not become sticky without stagnating. Dip the brush in ink and write, and it feels like being assisted by God. It has been praised by calligraphers of all dynasties.
Li Yu, the last emperor of Southern Tang, praised "She inkstone as the best in the world"; Su Dongpo said, "It is so astringent that it does not retain the pen, and so smooth that it does not reject the ink. It has the texture of a melon and the sound of gold and the virtue of jade"; Mi Fu said, "The Song inkstone with gold stars is of a firm and beautiful quality. When you exhale it, clouds appear, and it can store water without drying up."
Xi inkstones are treasures among inkstones. It is said that one inkstone is worth a thousand gold coins. The two She inkstones in front of Prince Yu's desk are even more precious. You should know that She County only presents at most ten Xi inkstones to the imperial palace every year, which shows how precious they are. In addition, if you look closely, you can find that the two inkstones are engraved with the personal seal of Emperor Jiajing, "Lingxiao Shangqing Tonglei Yuanyang Miaoyi Feiyuan Zhenjun", which makes them even more valuable.
The officials were already excited and interested in the opportunity, and now Prince Yu added such a huge jackpot, they were even more excited and eager to try.
"Haha, since this is the topic proposed by Lord Wang, how about letting Lord Wang take the lead first?" A close friend of the official surnamed Wang said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, the official surnamed Wang was secretly delighted and gave his friend a look of gratitude, saying, "It's worth it that I often invite you to dinner."
The first one to compose a poem is the most expressive. First of all, the first one took the shortest time, right? That shows how quick-witted he is. In addition, he took the shortest time and wrote an excellent poem, which is because I am good. If the poem is not good, it is understandable because I took a short time.
Besides, I do have a good poem about bamboo chopsticks. I wrote it by chance, and I was inspired. I never had the chance to show it, but now I have the chance. As the ancients said, it takes three years to write two lines, and tears flow when I recite them. Inspiration is so rare and precious. This is God's gift to me, Wang Yaozu.
certainly
You still have to decline politely, but don't make it too obvious.
So Wang Yaozu declined politely at first, but after his friend said another sentence, Wang Yaozu acted like he was being too good at talking and stood up with a helpless expression and responded: "Haha, in that case, Wang will start by throwing out some ideas and showing off my ugliness."