The imperial examination culture has a long history, and after passing the examination, candidates usually hold a banquet to celebrate.
The more famous ones are the Luming Banquet after the provincial examination and the Enrong Banquet after the palace examination. Of course, the Enrong Banquet is the official name of the Ministry of Rites in the Ming Dynasty, but the people are more accustomed to calling it the Qionglin Banquet.
Of course there can be a banquet after the college entrance examination, but it is not officially organized and not as large as the other two.
A total of forty-nine newly promoted scholars gathered at Haiping Tower to celebrate.
The only one missing was Zhang Yinian, who had just been stripped of his title of scholar.
Haipinglou is a famous restaurant in Ningbo Prefecture. Its name is taken from the famous line in Zhang Ruoxu's "Spring River Moon Night": "The spring river tide reaches the sea level, and the bright moon on the sea rises with the tide."
"Spring River Moon Night" is a poem that Xu Yan likes very much. The artistic conception and momentum of the poem are both at the peak of their powers. It is a rare masterpiece, so there is a saying that it surpasses all the poems in the Tang Dynasty.
People feel refreshed when good things happen to them. Although the small three yuan is much easier than the big three yuan, it is still an achievement after all.
This is certainly due to Xu Yan’s efforts, but more importantly, it is due to Qian Dehong.
Without Mr. Qian, Xu Yan's path to the imperial examination would definitely not have been so smooth.
After all, everywhere is a relationship-based society.
If you have talent but no connections, you are destined to get nowhere.
Let’s put all this aside for now, and instead talk about a group of talented scholars who booked the Haiping Tower. After they took their seats one by one, the first place in the imperial examination should have given a speech as usual.
Xu Yan knew this was unavoidable, so he cleared his throat and said, "We are all from Ningbo Prefecture, so to people from other prefectures, we are from the same hometown. When we take the provincial examinations in the future, people will only talk about how the scholars from Ningbo Prefecture performed, and not how those from Cixi County or Dinghai County performed. I also hope that you can unite as one and bring honor and glory to Ningbo Prefecture's culture and education."
There is indeed nothing wrong with what Xu Yan said.
During the prefectural examination, scholars from different counties might still compete with each other, but after the academy examination, they are both classmates and fellow townsmen.
During the provincial examination, they were the closest comrades-in-arms, and their interests were naturally the same.
To put it more broadly, all students in Zhejiang are actually from the same hometown.
However, this will only be fully reflected after the provincial examination is over and scholars from all over the country rush to the capital for the examination.
Sometimes things are just so wonderful. There will be different views at different stages. The happiest thing is to be able to hear the local accent when you are in a foreign land.
All the scholars were deeply moved.
Look at the case leader Xu and then look at Zhang Yinian, the difference is obvious.
I still remember that at the end of the provincial examination, Zhang Yinian attacked Xu Yan for being from Dinghai County, which caused countless scholars from Dinghai County to protest.
From then on, Zhang Yinian's reputation was ruined.
Xu, the first case leader, not only regarded the scholars of Ningbo Prefecture as fellow townsmen, but also encouraged everyone to join forces and work together.
This position and posture are much more superior than Zhang Yinian's.
At this moment, everyone was full of admiration for Xu Yan. If such a talented and virtuous person didn't take the top spot, who would?
Chen Maoli was very interested and chanted casually:
Sing loudly when you win and stop when you lose, no matter how sad and resentful you are, it will be a long time.
Drink today and be drunk today, worry about tomorrow when it comes.
This poem is good, but it belongs to someone else after all.
After Chen Maoli finished reciting, he looked at Xu Yan.
"Xu Anshou, please give me a song!"
I don't know who shouted first, but then all the scholars started to make a fuss.
Xu Yan has always been famous for his poetry, and since the Gushan Poetry Meeting he has become a famous little poet in Jiangnan.
Writing poetry is inevitable on occasions like banquets.
Xu Yan was already in this position and naturally couldn't refuse, so he cleared his throat and chanted:
I heard that Ji and Ruan Chou were addicted to rice juice.
Calling for wine is like putting out a fire, and five dou of wine is not even wet.
Clear words contain many wonderful ideas, which are often obtained while one is enjoying the moment.
I don’t know why Lord Sanlu is so anxious about sinking into Xiang River.
Like a swan in the clouds, looking at a duck in the pond.
Isn’t the universe vast? It makes people sad and helpless.
The fragrance of the garden continues to extend, and the pomegranate flowers are red.
Cook sorghum rice with green taro, calamus and white wine.
Wine moistens my lips, and flowers beautify my hat.
I follow the fisherman's song and cry when I mourn for the lonely one.
It is more painful to awaken the soul from old age, and to pour wine on it is to warn it of its shortcomings.
Today is a great banquet, with guests from thousands of miles away.
I hope that the guests will get drunk and not wake up, for worries will come when they wake up.
After reciting a long poem, the whole room cheered.
"Mr. Xu is truly extraordinary. Even if his poetic talent were placed in the Tang Dynasty, it would still be first-rate."
"Who says it isn't true? It's a great blessing for Ningbo Prefecture to have such a young poet!"
"This is not only a blessing for Ningbo Prefecture, but also a blessing for the Ming Dynasty!"
"One more song, Mr. Xu, one more song!"
"Yes, I won't go home until I'm drunk tonight!"
"Mr. Xu is the pride of Ningbo's talented people!"
Xu Yanzhi was speechless.
This is simply not giving anyone a way out.
But looking at the situation, it would be a big disappointment if he didn't agree to write a poem.
This is the last song, no matter what, this is the last song!
Xu Yan drank a cup of yellow wine and then chanted:
The moon is turning around Zhoulu and reflecting the night light, while the smoke from the Han Dynasty office leads the fairy lover.
When she first put on the yellow quilt of the imperial palace, she had already received the fragrance of the maid in heavenly clothes.
The bell in front of the window announces Changle, and the bell hanging outside is Jianzhang.
The silver bird first flew over the South Pavilion, and the imperial guards filled the surrounding pavilion.
The Sili army marched into the Forbidden City of Qi, and the Prime Minister stayed to discuss the matter and returned home late.
The pearl curtain is lifted high, ringing the bell in the pavilion; the golden key is hung suddenly, signaling the sound of the clepsydra.
The Tiger Viewing Pavilion is half covered by misty clouds, and the Dragon Pond is whimpering and the water is completely slanted.
Geese fly in the distant blue sky, and crows hide in the palace trees.
Dew drops on the willows in the sky street, and the wind blows back into the garden, bringing flying flowers.
The prime minister is so sincere and kind that he stays in the luxurious house, and he still lights the candle in the window late at night.
Who drafted the memorial to advise against hunting, and who wrote the song of Yangchun?
The world will praise the reign of Yao forever, and all nations will rejoice at the imperial banquet.
We all heard the Doctor of Shaoyin's report, and also heard the news from the officials about the precious food.
I am ashamed that I am eating the salary in vain. You will be given money at the banquet tomorrow.
After reciting a poem, Xu Yan took another sip.
"Mr. Xu, this is a description of the imperial banquet."
"Extraordinary! Case Master Xu's ambition is indeed extraordinary."
"How can a sparrow know the ambition of a swan? While we are still immersed in the joy of passing the college entrance examination, Xu, the first case, is already imagining the scene of the imperial banquet after the palace examination."
"Chief Xu is encouraging us. We can't be content to lag behind others."
In fact, Xu Yan didn’t think so much about it, he just recited it casually.
Chen Maoli sang to join in the fun. The song was "Yu Lin Ling", but he used the Kunshan dialect.
At this time, Kunqu Opera was still in its early stages of development and many things had not been finalized.
For example, the famous Shuimo Opera.
But Chen Maoli sang really well and his voice was very moving.
Xu Yan never thought that he had this skill, and was stunned.
"Brother Yishi, how do you think I sing?"
After singing a song, Chen Maoli said very proudly.
Xu Yan smiled and joked: "Brother Lu Qing can even go to the Pear Garden."
"Oh, forget it then."
Chen Maoli said angrily, "If the Grand Master saw this, he would beat me to death."
"Singing is also an elegant thing."
Xu Yan smiled and said, "The key is to meet the Grandmaster's liking. I'm afraid Brother Lu Qing's voice isn't what Grandmaster Lei likes."
Everyone in the Ming Dynasty loved Kunqu Opera, but the current tune is still a bit stiff and there is much room for improvement.
...
...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
