The golden age of poetry was during the Tang and Song dynasties, while novels were more popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
The Qing Dynasty's imperial examination system emphasized the eight-legged essay, so there was really no new ideas in poetry and lyrics.
Yinzhen and Yunrong found it all rather uninteresting. Although some of the poems were passable, overall they were all form and no spirit, and could only be described as neat and well-structured.
It has a symbolic meaning, but it's not profound, let alone memorable.
Yinzhen sighed, "Fortunately, their poetry skills don't reflect their ability to be officials, otherwise I don't know if the country could still count on them!"
Yunrong smiled and said, "Don't be too demanding. After all, the imperial examinations nowadays require candidates to write in the eight-legged essay style. You know how strict the rules are. It's already quite good that these scholars can write poetry."
Yinzhen thought about it and realized that he himself was not good at writing poetry.
Yinzhen and Yunrong had already given up hope for this poetry gathering. Just then, they heard someone below say: "To cherish the abundant branches, I cut them myself, the scissors swaying through countless clouds. Thinking carefully about how no one would give them to me, I'll keep them by my study window to keep you company."
As soon as the poem was recited, someone exclaimed, "What a wonderful poem! What a wonderful poem!"
"May I ask your honorable name, sir?"
At this point, the person who wrote the poem spoke up: "My name is Zhu Tao, courtesy name Yingjie."
At this moment, the person who asked the question exclaimed, "Brother Yingjie has a profound mind and is able to write such good poems. It is truly a case of talented people emerging in every generation! We are really not up to his level."
Some chimed in, "That's right, Brother Yingjie is truly talented!"
Then a lot of people followed up with compliments.
Faced with such high praise, Zhu Tao humbly replied, "Brother Yingjie, you flatter me. It is just a humble piece of writing. You are all too kind."
Yinzhen and Yunrong were also listening below. This poem was indeed a rare masterpiece. Although it could not compare with those famous works, it was refreshing in the Qing Dynasty when poetry was not popular.
Yunrong smiled and said, "This sounds alright. Although it can't compare to works from the Tang Dynasty, it's still worth preserving."
Yinzhen was quite pleased. After hearing so many truly "clumsy works," hearing such a decent poem was indeed very pleasing.
Even if writing poetry doesn't mean anything.
Yinzhen: "It is indeed acceptable."
Someone downstairs said, "Brother Yingjie's poem praises the plum blossoms for their selfless blooming, adorning the landscape, and pleasing the mind. The line 'I accompany you by the window' is very thoughtful. Instead of saying 'plum blossoms accompany me,' it says 'I accompany you,' referring to the plum blossoms as 'gentlemen.' The companionship with gentlemen is also a beautiful sentiment. Brother Yingjie takes the time to accompany the plum blossoms, and his elegant sentiment of loving, cherishing, and appreciating flowers is fully expressed, which is truly admirable."
Others echoed this sentiment, saying the interpretation was excellent and showering it with praise.
But what are the people being praised really thinking?
Zhu Tao maintained a humble demeanor on the surface, but inside he was overjoyed. He thought to himself, "I really am destined to be the male lead. Heaven sent me to transmigrate and gave me a literary system. I am destined to be extraordinary."
The poem about plum blossoms that he just composed on the spot was not his true talent, but rather something he found in the system. This poem came from a poet named Yuan Mei during the Qianlong era.
Yuan Mei was a famous poet of the Qing Dynasty and a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) during the Qianlong era. He served as the magistrate of Jiangning and other places. After resigning from his post, he lived in Jiangning and built a garden on Xiaocang Mountain, which he named Suiyuan.
Yuan Mei advocated that poetry should express one's true feelings directly, learn from nature, emphasize originality, and value drawing inspiration from folk language.
He was a poet who excelled at writing about plum blossoms and bamboo.
The reason why Yinzhen did not recognize it was because his soul remained in the Forbidden City after his death and could not leave the palace.
Furthermore, Yinzhen didn't pay much attention to poetry. This poem was alright, but it wasn't anything earth-shattering. He was more concerned with people's livelihood than with these poems that could be used for affectation.
As the organizer of the poetry gathering, Chen Lianming was also very interested in the person with such talent who appeared in the very first topic.
Chen Lianming was not the kind of jealous person. He admired Zhu Tao's poem, and Zhu Tao's humble and cautious demeanor suited the temperament of a scholar.
Chen Lianming smiled and said, "Brother Yingjie's poem is indeed excellent, beyond our reach. In that case, Brother Yingjie shall win the first prize in today's first question. Do you gentlemen have any objections?"
"We are completely convinced and have no objections."
"Brother Yingjie truly deserves the title."
Zhu Tao then humbly accepted the praise from everyone.
Zhu Tao's literary system is indeed quite useful. Next, he won first place in the "Childhood Fun" category with his poem: "In the second month of spring, the grass grows and the orioles fly, the willows along the dike are intoxicated by the spring mist. Children return early from school, busy taking advantage of the east wind to fly kites."
He then continued his efforts and won first place in both the "Lantern Festival" and "Stream" themed competitions.
Yinzhen and Yunrong listened and thought that perhaps this person really had some talent in poetry, and the two of them sighed from time to time.
Yinzhen was talented, but he valued "real talent and practical skills," such as in the governance of the country. So he had the ability to appreciate poetry, but when it came to writing his own, he was only so-so.
Seeing someone with such talent now makes me quite happy.
The next topic is "Snow".
Yinzhen and Yunrong are now very interested in this Zhu Tao, and his performance has raised their expectations for him to be very high.
Zhu Tao certainly did not disappoint Yinzhen and Yunrong.
A poem titled "Snow": At night, news arrives that clouds rise across the vast sky; at dawn, jade leaves flutter and fall. Every forest casts a silvery shadow; every mountain peak becomes a tapestry of ice.
The hotel flag flutters as you approach, the monks' bell tolls from afar. Twenty miles into the pass, autumn rain falls; north and south, warmth and cold, are separated by a single ridge.
It won a standing ovation.
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