Upon seeing this, the students on the pleasure boat immediately began to discuss it amongst themselves.
"This young master Lu is exceptionally talented. He studied under a renowned master, and three years ago, his poem 'Full House of Spring' was selected for the Great Li Anthology of Famous Works, making him the most outstanding writer in the capital!"
"Young Master Lu will surely be among those who pass the imperial examination this time."
"In my opinion, Young Master Lu has the potential to be a top scholar."
......
Hearing the praise from those around him, Lu Zhengping couldn't help but smile.
He could almost see the two beauties before him bowing down before his talent and fame.
However, before Lu Zhengping could even be happy for three seconds...
With a frivolous expression, Mu Zian raised his hands and pulled Liu Rushi and Ning Hongchen into his arms, one on each side.
Liu Rushi was startled, but she did not resist.
Mu Zian looked at Lu Zhengping with a provocative smile.
"How dare you lay a finger on my woman?"
Arrogant and domineering.
Mu Zi'an's behavior was even more dissolute than that of a spoiled brat.
He clearly looks like a playboy.
Holding a beauty in his arms, this scene broke the hearts of countless students around him.
Lu Zhengping's expression changed. Mu Zi'an was throwing his face to the ground and rubbing it back and forth. He immediately became furious.
"Who are you! Do you hold any official rank or title? This pleasure boat is a refined place; how can it tolerate such a despicable person as you!"
Mu Zian chuckled upon hearing this, saying it completely indifferently.
"Why can't one participate in this poetry gathering without official rank? Do you think this poetry gathering is run by your family?"
"Moreover, this young master is full of literary talent, as the saying goes: 'With skillful brushstrokes, I depict the seasons; with brilliant literary talent, I illuminate the land. My talent is astounding; my learning is vast, shaking the nine provinces.'"
Even a hundred of you combined are not worth a single one of my fingers.
This remark immediately caused a burst of laughter.
One student scoffed.
"Even the Third Young Master Pei, who is known as the number one child prodigy in the Great Li, wouldn't dare to be so arrogant!"
"You, a mere spoiled brat, dare to make such a boastful claim. Aren't you afraid of hurting your back with your big mouth?"
The others echoed this sentiment.
"I bet it's that nouveau riche young master again. Today, Her Highness the Ninth Princess's poetry gathering on the painted boat is a refined place, and you arrogant fool have disturbed the peace."
As the saying goes, "In literature, there is no first place; in martial arts, there is no second place!"
Lu Zhengping is arrogant and talented. If he can't save face today, won't he become a laughing stock in the capital in the future?
"Since you are so arrogant, I, this young master, would like to have a contest with you!"
Upon hearing this, the surrounding students immediately became excited.
"Excellent! I didn't expect to be able to appreciate Young Master Lu's masterpiece even before the poetry gathering has started!"
"Young Master Lu, teach this arrogant fellow a lesson! Let him know what it means to be outmatched!"
"For the sake of the reputation of the students of the capital! Please do not show mercy!"
Mu Zi'an's arrogant and conceited manner, with the two women in his arms, was truly repulsive.
Upon hearing this, Lu Yongping immediately clasped his hands in greeting.
"Fellow students, rest assured, I will make this madman lose face today!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Yongping took three steps at a time and walked to a bronze gong that had been set up.
Then he picked up a wooden mallet and struck it heavily.
A crisp clang echoed throughout the first painted boat.
"Someone's having a poetry contest?!"
"Everyone, go check out the excitement!"
"It seems this poetry gathering will be even more intense than in previous years!"
In an instant, the crowd that was admiring the night view gathered around.
Although the poetry recital had not yet begun, the atmosphere was already stirred up by the sound of the gong!
The contests between Confucian scholars were literary contests.
A battle of wits is not as clear-cut as a battle of wits, where the goal is simply to defeat the opponent.
This literary contest requires a person who can convince others to judge the quality of the articles.
The superior wins, the inferior loses.
The gong-beating is also meant to gather a crowd and serve as a fair witness.
Lu Zhengping put down the wooden mallet in his hand, looked around, and said loudly.
"My name is Lu Zhengping. My father is Pu, the current Minister of Revenue. Today I am going to have a poetry contest with this man. I wonder who would like to be a witness and judge who is better?"
Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged bewildered glances, for Lu Zhengping was renowned for his talent in the capital.
His father was a high-ranking official of the fourth rank in the imperial court. If one offended him, it would be difficult to get along in the literary circles of the capital.
Just then, an old voice came from the crowd.
"Haha, I didn't expect to encounter a poetry contest so soon after arriving here. If you two don't mind, how about I be the judge?"
The crowd parted to both sides, and the next moment an elderly man in his sixties walked over, stroking his beard.
Everyone exclaimed in surprise upon seeing this.
"It's actually Mr. Higashiyama!"
"Mr. Dongshan hasn't participated in poetry gatherings for many years. I never expected that the Ninth Princess could persuade him to come out of seclusion today!"
"Countless high-ranking officials in the imperial court are disciples of Master Dongshan! If one could gain Master Dongshan's favor, the future would be very promising!"
Upon seeing this, Lu Zhengping quickly stepped forward and said.
"Student Lu Zhengping, my father Lu Shangdao, pays respects to Mr. Dongshan."
Mr. Dongshan smiled upon hearing this.
"So it was Ziren's son."
Lu Zhengping was thrilled to hear this, never expecting that Mr. Dongshan would still remember his father.
"My father often told his students that being able to study under Mr. Dongshan was the most joyful thing in his life."
Mr. Dongshan laughed heartily.
"I have not left my mountain retreat for many years. Today, I take this opportunity to appreciate the demeanor of the students of my Great Li Dynasty. If anyone can compose a few fine lines, I can also help them polish them."
These words caused an uproar among all the students present!
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