Writers are a force, those who wield the pen, and those brimming with talent.
But not everyone can stand out from millions of students and win the top prize like Xu Mo.
To appease those who failed the imperial examinations and prevent them from making irresponsible remarks that could threaten the dynasty, the Dayu Dynasty established "Wenchang Pavilions" in different cities. Every three to five days, a banquet would be held to invite scholars from all walks of life to write and express their talents.
Some people found it hilarious, while others wrote their final words.
Currently, there are three most famous people in the entire Wenchang Pavilion: one is "Xiaoyao Gongzi" from Fengjing, one is "Fugui Sanren" from Huizhou County, and the other is from the distant Anshui County, whose pen name is "Fufeng Gongzi".
These three individuals were all exceptionally talented within the Wenchang Pavilion, captivating everyone with a single poem and becoming unparalleled figures within Wenchang Pavilions across various regions.
It wouldn't be difficult for Zhu Sihuan to rise to fame; he only needed to replicate the methods of these three and amaze everyone at the party.
Xu Mo picked and chose, finding one poem in his collection that was least like his usual style, and gave it to Zhu Sihuan. Just in case, he followed him around, pretending to be a pageboy.
It happened to be the fifteenth of October, and the two went to a banquet at Wenchang Pavilion in Fengjing.
As the most prosperous and largest capital of the dynasty, Fengjing Wenchang Pavilion was a gathering place for talented people. You could hear people reciting poems and composing couplets every few steps, and they were all excellent works.
Zhu Sihuan immediately became very nervous. "Am I really capable? Will no one doubt me after I finish this poem?"
Xu Mo patted him on the shoulder, "Don't worry too much, I'm here."
Those three simple words were like a spell that soothed Zhu Sihuan's heart. He put on the airs of a noble young master from Fengjing and swaggered into the Wenchang Pavilion.
Xu Mo followed behind him, all the way to the center of Wenchang Pavilion.
This is where the "literary duel" takes place. Scholars post their most prized poems, and anyone who disagrees can challenge them until they are undefeated and become the "literary champion."
However, poetry is something that pleases different people, and each person usually has their own readers and their own supporters. It is rare for a poem to be so brilliant that it can amaze the entire audience.
Zhu Sihuan appeared at a very opportune moment. The two men were locked in a fierce debate on the literary stage, while the audience below also held their own opinions and cheered.
"I think Young Master Jiang's is better. His writing is more elegant and his rhymes are more consistent, making him superior."
"I think Young Master Yuan is better; his insights are profound and his meaning is far-reaching."
A moment when both sides are deadlocked.
Zhu Sihuan coughed, took out Xu Mo's poem from his pocket, and slapped it between the two of them. "Why don't you all appreciate this young man's work?"
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