Zhang Zongshi drank tea silently. Around him were only a few good friends whom he had known for many years. From time to time, people looked at him, not hiding the envy in their eyes.
At this time, someone at the next table asked loudly: "Brother Zhang, why don't you go to Dongting Lake to look for Zhang Longxiang?"
Zhang Zongshi smiled slightly, put down the porcelain cup in his hand, and asked: "Do you want me to tell the truth or lie?"
The first floor of the restaurant suddenly fell silent. Among all the people in Wenyouju, Zhang Zongshi’s rank was not the highest, nor was his power the greatest, but he was definitely the most promising and the most eye-catching.
The man asked, "What if it's a lie?"
"Zhang Mingzhou is a master who keeps his whereabouts secret. If he wants to show up, we can see him standing at the foot of Yueyang Tower. If he doesn't want to show up, we can't find him even if we search the entire Dongting Lake. Instead of doing futile things, it's better to stay here and drink tea and chat, waiting for the Yueyang Tower Literary Meeting to be held." Zhang Zongshi said with a smile.
"What about the truth?" the man continued to ask.
"Zhang Mingzhou is bound to lose when he comes to Xiangzhou. We'd better not disturb his mind, otherwise scholars from all over the country will definitely say that Fang Xusheng's victory is not fair." Zhang Zongshi said with a smile.
Many people laughed along. As people from Jing country, people from Xiangzhou, and people who stood with Fang Yun, they should indeed have this kind of confidence.
"That's right. Fang Xusheng will definitely win this literary competition! Come, let's all toast to Fang Xusheng!" said a big man in a scholar's robe.
Everyone raised their glasses, either for tea or wine, raising their hands to express their full blessings and drinking away their warm hopes.
A scholar said, "Brother Zhang, the reason why we are not in a hurry to go to Yueyang Tower is because we can't get a good seat. We can just sit outside and watch the fun. Why are you still here? With your connections, you should be able to occupy a good seat, right? The four seats A, B, C, and D are not to be mentioned, and the last seat should be left for you."
Everyone in the restaurant fell silent and looked at Zhang Zongshi curiously.
The seats at this literary gathering were a very lively topic.
This literary gathering was jointly organized by Kongcheng and Xiangzhou government. Due to the large number of people, it was extremely difficult to arrange seats, so according to Kongcheng custom, five seats were allocated, namely Seat A, Seat B, Seat C, Seat D and the last seat.
Seat A is right under Yueyang Tower, and the seats behind it are getting farther and farther away. Until Seat D, everyone not only has a separate chair, but also a table of ten people with food on it.
The last seat has only individual seats and no tables, but everyone gets mooncakes given by the literary association.
Outside the last seat, there were a large number of long benches, with people sitting according to their respective regions. However, even these seats were already occupied. After all, the number of people attending this literary gathering would continue to increase, and would definitely exceed one million. Even if many people in Baling City brought their own benches and chairs, it would be impossible for everyone to sit down.
The big man at the side said enviously: "Why ask? With Brother Zhang's talent, he can definitely be ranked last."
A scholar in blue clothes nearby put away his fan and started talking incessantly.
"That's not necessarily the case. Needless to say, the A seat is occupied by monarchs, heads of aristocratic families, great scholars or powerful ministers of various countries. They not only have a say in the Holy Academy, but are also able to decide the affairs of a country. No matter how much money Ge Baiwan has, he can't get a seat there. As for the B seat, the people present are all university scholars or heads of wealthy families. They have a high status in various countries. Although they cannot decide the affairs of a country, they have a strong influence on a country. It's also not just money that allows you to sit there."
"The C seat is the seat of the Hanlin Academy. If one becomes an official, he can influence certain affairs of a state. It is said that Ge Baiwan is in the C seat. Although his literary rank is not high, he controls the Qingjiang Commercial Bank, which is enough to influence the people's livelihood of several states. It can be said that the C seat is the limit that people with low literary rank can achieve, and it is impossible to be promoted to the B seat. In addition to the Hanlin Academy and the heads of major commercial banks, there are also some children of aristocratic families in the C seat. They are either young talents or have higher seniority. Even if they are not Hanlin Academy, they can sit in it. The high status of the children of aristocratic families is obvious to all, so there is no need to say more."
"The Ding Seat is for Jinshi candidates. In addition to Jinshi candidates, ordinary children of noble families and elites of wealthy families can sit there. A few heads of famous families and the richest people in a city are also eligible to sit there. These people have a certain influence on the affairs of a prefecture."
"The last seat is for the Juren. The clan leaders of prominent families and wealthy people from all over the country can enter. These people can have an influence on a county. In the past, we might not be able to reach the status of the last seat in our lifetime, but with the skyrocketing power of Wenquxing and the great increase in the vitality of heaven and earth, we also have the opportunity to become one of them!"
"Although Brother Zhang is only a Tongsheng, he speaks very insightfully and has the talent of a Jinshi. However, this literary gathering is jointly organized by the Xiangzhou government and Kongcheng, and most of the invitations are sent in the form of letters. Brother Zhang has no official seal and no literary reputation, so the possibility of the person in charge of the literary gathering inviting him to attend is very slim."
The big man retorted, "That may not be the case. I heard from a friend who works as an official in Baling Prefecture that the last seat of this literary gathering not only invited juren, but also some famous old scholars and students, as well as dozens of famous students and scholars. It is not surprising that Brother Zhang was invited."
The blue-robed scholar smiled and said, "Someone on the list has already concluded that this Mid-Autumn Festival has surpassed all previous festivals in Kongcheng and is the most grand festival in the past decade. Only the Canonization Festival can be a sure win. In terms of scale and impact on the human race, it is equivalent to a competition among ten nations. Such an important festival cannot afford to be sloppy. Brother Zhang has no one in the government, and he only has a distant relationship with Fang Xusheng, so I believe it is difficult for him to be seated."
The big man said, "Forget it. I won't argue with you. I won't guess. I'll just ask directly. Brother Zhang, have you received an invitation to the literary gathering?"
The people present were looking at Zhang Zongshi. Some of them were even making a calculation. If Zhang Zongshi really didn't receive the invitation, it would mean that he had almost no relationship with Fang Yun. Even if he used some means to obtain the Xusheng Blood Poetry Wall, Fang Yun might not show up.
Zhang Zongshi smiled and said, "I didn't want to make this public, but since you asked, I'll tell you straight away. Yesterday afternoon, I received an invitation from the Governor's Office."
"See, I told you that Brother Zhang had the invitation to the last seat!" the big man laughed happily.
The people in the restaurant looked at Zhang Zongshi with envy. The blue-robed scholar was about to speak, but Zhang Zongshi smiled and said, "It's not an invitation to the last seat, it's an invitation to the third seat."
The restaurant was in complete silence. For a student to receive an invitation to the last seat was already a great honor, but Zhang Zongshi actually received an invitation to the third seat. There was no other possibility except that he was related to Fang Yun.
The innkeeper counted on his abacus, laughed, and said, "Brother Zhang is too tight-lipped, so I'll tell you the truth. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Brother Zhang will work as a clerk in the state government. If he does well, he will be admitted to the Governor's Office."
Everyone was shocked. They didn't expect that such a great figure would appear here.
"Congratulations, Brother Zhang!" Everyone present looked at Zhang Zongshi with eager eyes, and most of them were thinking about how to make friends with Zhang Zongshi.
Zhang Zongshi stood up, bowed and said, "Thank you all." He was not arrogant, and was no different from before.
The restaurant became lively again, with people discussing Zhang Zongshi's affairs. Suddenly, someone outside shouted, "Zhang Longxiang wrote a poem! Zhang Longxiang wrote a poem on the discussion board!"
.(To be continued.)