After Zeng Zhui settled down in Wubenfang, he either went to the Imperial Academy to attend classes or to the Imperial College to observe classes every day. Since he had literary knowledge, no one stopped him.
Also, because he had a cheerful nature, did not care about trivial matters, and was easy to make friends with, scholars and students all liked to hang out with him and they got along very harmoniously.
Within a few days, his name changed from Zeng Zhui and Wen Feng to the nickname Zeng Er.
While attending classes at the Imperial Academy and the Imperial College, Zeng Zhui did not forget to submit his essay to the Shiwen Yaji.
That day he specially selected two of his best works, borrowed a donkey from the innkeeper, and rode to Taikangfang.
Once you arrive at Taikangfang, you can see the magnificent bookstore on the corner at the most conspicuous street intersection without asking anyone.
When he arrived at the door of the bookstore, he saw a notice on the red board calling for essays from the Shiwen Yaji Collection. He then sent his donkey away, holding his essay, and strode into the bookstore.
As soon as he entered the bookstore, he did not rush to find someone to submit his article to, but instead browsed the books on the shelves.
In addition to famous classics, there are also many new articles and books on the bookshelf.
Zeng Zhui randomly picked up two books and looked at them. He felt that their writing was not as good as his own. His confidence suddenly increased, and he grabbed a waiter and asked about the essay contest.
The waiter looked him over and saw that he was dressed shabbily, so his expression became a little cold.
"Come with me." After saying that, he led Zeng Zhui upstairs.
The two men went upstairs, and the waiter first asked Zeng Zhui to wait in the corridor. After a long time, he finally invited a fat manager to come out to look at the man.
The fat steward glanced at Zeng Zhui and extended his hand towards him. "Submit your manuscript. We will review the list in five days. Only those who pass the initial screening can enter Xieyue Tower."
Strangely, when he went to Beijing to take the imperial examination, he did not look at the yellow list but wanted to look at the red list first.
Although Zeng Zhui was dissatisfied in his heart, he handed in the manuscript as he was told.
The fat steward took it and flipped through it. "Zeng Zhui, a native of Shu...just arrived in the capital?"
"Exactly."
Zeng Zhui was about to introduce himself when the fat steward closed the manuscript. He then waved at him impatiently, "Step aside. We'll review the list in five days."
After saying that, he left.
The waiter walked up to Zeng Zhui and frowned, "What are you looking at? Why don't you leave quickly?"
Would a glance at it cost him a piece of meat? Zeng Zhui had no choice but to follow the waiter downstairs again.
After going downstairs, he wanted to read some more books, but was urged to leave by the waiter.
Everyone in this bookstore is quite good at putting on airs.
Zeng Zhui suddenly wanted to go and retrieve his manuscript, but he held back and waited five days to check the list.
Five days later, Zeng Zhui arrived at the door of Jisheng Bookstore early, but the red notice was still not posted, so he had to wait at the door.
As time went on, more and more people arrived.
"Brother Zeng."
Zeng Zhui heard someone calling him, and when he turned around, he saw it was Feng Miao. "Brother Feng, are you here to see the list too?"
"That's right." Feng Miao came to Zeng Zhui's side and waited with him.
"Then do you know when the notice will be posted?"
"It should be at noon."
"It should be soon." Zeng Zhui waited patiently. Bored, he started chatting with Feng Miao, "How's the progress on Jiang Xiaoping's collection?"
Feng Miao sighed slightly, "We had already agreed on this, but who knew that the person who promised to help suddenly regretted it, so we had to call it off."
"Then Xiao Ping's wait was in vain, wasn't it?"
"He doesn't care. He is still immersed in his gentle love, not caring about the world."
Zeng Zhui frowned slightly, fearing that Jiang Gu was not as indifferent as he seemed.
"If it really doesn't work, let him leave the capital. With his talent and reputation, he can thrive anywhere."
"He has his reasons." Feng Miao's expression darkened.
Zeng Zhui was about to ask more when two people suddenly came out of the bookstore and posted a notice on the red board.
Feng Miao said happily, "My article was selected."
Upon hearing this, Zeng Zhui hurried to look for it and found his own name. "Mine won too." Although it was expected, Zeng Zhui was still happy.
The person who posted the list said to the crowd, "Those on the list, please come to Xieyue Tower in three days to participate in the final selection. The bookstore owners and prominent officials in the court will publicly select the top ten articles from the list. These will be printed and sold by Jisheng Bookstore. Therefore, please be sure to arrive at the tower on time for the Shiwen Yaji (Elegant Gathering of Essays) and don't miss out on the exciting selection and evaluation."
Cheers were heard all around. Zeng Zhui saw Feng Miao clapping his hands vigorously and clapped his hands twice as well.
After looking at the list, everyone dispersed. Zeng Zhui wanted to go into the bookstore to inquire about the situation of Shiwen Yaji, but when he thought of the faces of the fat manager and the waiter, he couldn't move his legs.
Never mind, whether it succeeds or not, we will know the answer in three days. Then he said goodbye to Feng Miao and returned to Wubenfang.
Three days later, Zeng Zhui arrived at Quchi. There were many people attending the Shiwen Yaji, including literati, nobles, and candidates for imperial examinations.
Zeng Zhui was squeezed among these people, thinking that he was about to make a name for himself in Kyoto today, and these people would all know his name, Zeng Zhui, the number one in Shu, so his expression could not hide his excitement.
He arrived at Xieyue Tower, presented his business card, and was taken to the third floor. He looked around and saw how grand the Shiwenya Gathering was, and his anticipation grew even greater.
"Brother Zeng."
When Zeng Zhui arrived on the third floor and was looking around, he heard someone calling him. He followed the voice and saw it was indeed Feng Miao.
There were more than a dozen scholars sitting next to Feng Miao. When they saw Zeng chasing after them, they all cast their gazes at him.
"This is Brother Wenfeng whom I told you about, the talented man from Shu who was once pursued by Zeng Zhuo." Feng Miao introduced him to everyone.
Zeng Zhui bowed to everyone and said, "I am Zeng Zhui from Shu. I have just arrived in the capital. Please take care of me."
Everyone bowed in return.
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