Everyone's attitude was extremely humble, not because Yi Zhishi was a literary giant, but because he would become a semi-saint in a few years.
Yi Zhishi looked around and walked directly to the chair where Fang Yun had sat before and sat down.
"Everyone, please take a seat. Today's protagonists are Fang Xusheng and Zhang Mingzhou. I have been looking forward to this day for a long time." Yi Zhishi smiled and picked up the mooncake on the table, broke it into two halves, took one half for himself, and gave the other half to the silly big rabbit.
The big rabbit didn't expect that such a big man would give him delicious food. He immediately stood up and took it with his two big paws, then bowed respectfully, just like a human.
Yi Zhishi smiled and took the other half of the mooncake and started eating.
Everyone looked at Yi Zhishi curiously. In their eyes, such a big shot should be out of touch with worldly things, but now he was eating mooncakes in public like them, which was really novel.
Yi Zhishi's movements were very elegant, as if he was defining the term "gentleman".
Some women from Baling City in the distance had shining eyes, because Yi Zhishi was a typical handsome man, with an upright figure and elegant temperament, neither too rough nor too thin. His eyes reflected the starry sky, mysterious and deep, as if they could hook people's souls away.
Many women would blush and their hearts would beat fast just by looking at Yi Zhishi's profile, and their eyes would be fixed on Yi Zhishi's face. They were fascinated by his thin black eyebrows, straight nose bridge, and even the curve of his lips.
Only Wu Jun curled his lips and whispered, "I used to hate his behavior. Tsk tsk, he can eat mooncakes so casually and calmly. He has no manliness at all! Shouldn't you pat your clothes to get rid of the crumbs when eating mooncakes? He ate the mooncakes without dropping any crumbs. Is that eating mooncakes?"
The people around Wu Jun rolled their eyes. Although Wu Jun and Yi Zhishi had been friends as king and subject for many years, they did not have any personal relationship.
After finishing half of the mooncake, Yi Zhishi looked around, smiled slightly, and said, "Why are you looking at me? Look up. By the way, where is Zhang Mingzhou?"
Zong Ganyu smiled and said, "Zhang Mingzhou arrived a long time ago. He may not be able to come forward for the time being because of the Lei family's visit. After all, Fang Yun's methods are abhorrent to both humans and gods. However, it is precisely because Zhang Mingzhou has not come forward that I want to ask Brother Zhishi, who do you think has a better chance of winning, Zhang Mingzhou or Fang Yun? I heard that you like Zhang Mingzhou very much?"
Yi Zhishi looked at Zong Ganyu and said, "Indeed, I love Zhang Mingzhou's poems very much, but Fang Xusheng's poems are also recited by me repeatedly. I dare not say anything about others, but the poems of these two people are far better than mine."
Zong Ganyu smiled and said, "If we talk about the meaning of the scriptures, the two of them are far inferior to you. As for poetry, it is nothing more than a minor subject. You came to Baling City not just for the literary competition between the two of them, right?"
"Of course. I am going out this time mainly to relax. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. This Baling City will be the first place."
Wu Jun, who was not far away, shouted, "Then Qingjing must be your second stop, right? Zhishi, although you have resigned as the Prime Minister of my Wu Kingdom, you still have the title and honor conferred by me personally, so you can't not go." After Wu Jun said this, he looked at Qing Jun provocatively.
"Since there is a great literary competition between the two countries, it is natural that I must go." Yi knows the way of the world.
Zong Ganyu added, "If Brother Zhishi comes to Qingjing, I will certainly welcome you with open arms and travel with you to all the scenic spots and historical sites. However, before that, this literary competition is the most important thing. Brother Zhishi, you don't have to hide it. Tell me who you think has a better chance of winning."
Many people present frowned. This was the third time that Zong Ganyu asked Yi Chisheng to express his opinion.
The first time, Yi Zhishi had not appeared yet. The second time, Yi Zhishi deliberately changed the subject. The third time, he continued to ask questions. His intentions were too obvious.
"Master Zong, I came here just to eat mooncakes and watch a literary gathering. Why do you want me to compare the two of them?" Yi Zhishi shook his head slightly with a wry smile, as if he was unwilling to get involved.
"I have no other intentions, I am just curious. After all, you are a literary giant of the human race, the first person under the semi-saint. If you can make a judgment before the literary competition, it will surely make this literary competition shine? Ladies and gentlemen, am I right?"
Zong Ganyu said this while turning to the rest of the people, and many of them nodded slightly.
Even some people who supported Fang Yun showed curiosity and wanted to know Yi Zhishi's attitude.
"Then, Brother Zhishi, you can make a prediction." Zong Ganyu said.
Fang Yun frowned slightly, then returned to normal.
Some officials of Jing State showed strange expressions to varying degrees, and they insisted on making it clear that there was still a slight contradiction between Fang Yun and Yi Zhishi.
In order to please Yi Zhishi, King Kang of Jing State prepared a gift. King Kang's followers went to Dayuan Mansion in Jiangzhou for the longevity fruit. The person they were looking for was Mr. Wang, who had taught Fang Yun.
Mr. Wang fought side by side with Fang Yun and sacrificed ten years of his life with his blood and loyalty. After Fang Yun returned from the Holy Ruins, he took out some longevity fruits as a reward and gratitude. But the disciple of King Kang actually wanted to take away the longevity fruits belonging to Mr. Wang. When Fang Yun found out, he was furious and personally broke the man's leg.
Not long after, Yi Zhishi's son Yi Mingtian went to the capital of Jingguo. Due to the instigation of the little duke, he had a misunderstanding with Fang Yun. Although Yi Mingtian had an excellent family education, he still had a rift with Fang Yun because of the little duke.
The officials of Jing Kingdom would not believe that Yi Zhishi knew nothing about this matter and did not care at all about his son's embarrassment in Qing Kingdom.
Moreover, countless people have compared Fang Yun with Yi Zhishi over the years. Except for a few scholars, most people who only look at the literary reputation think that Fang Yun has surpassed Yi Zhishi. Yi Zhishi would never care once or twice, but if he still doesn't care after many times, then he is a saint.
These officials were quite experienced. Seeing that Zong Ganyu kept asking Yi Zhishi to comment on the two of them, they guessed that Zong Ganyu knew about the conflict between Yi Zhishi and Fang Yun, and used Yi Zhishi's identity to attack Fang Yun.
These officials secretly sent a letter to Fang Yun, asking him to be careful of Yi Zhishi.
Fang Yun’s answers were similar.
"It doesn't matter. Everyone stands in a different position, looks at things from a different angle, and comes to different conclusions."
At table A, Yi Zhishi actually took another piece of mooncake and started eating.
"I came here to eat mooncakes!"
Everyone was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. It seemed that Yi Zhishi didn't want to offend anyone.
Zong Ganyu said, "Not right, not right! If a literary master comes to the literary gathering just for mooncakes, wouldn't that make people laugh? Today, I will sacrifice my dignity and force you to make a prediction before the two of them compete! As the person with the highest status in the literary gathering, do you really have the nerve to only eat mooncakes? This is the last piece. If you don't comment on the two after you finish eating, I will not give up!"
Most people found it funny to see Zong Ganyu laughing and joking, but some people felt that Zong Ganyu's true colors were revealed and that he was targeting Fang Yun instead of Yi Zhishi!
Yi Zhishi ate mooncakes silently.
After Yi Zhishi finished eating, Zong Ganyu said with a smile: "Brother Zhishi, whether I can keep my old face or have it torn away and put somewhere else is up to you! You can't let me lose face, can you?"
.(To be continued.)