As Cao Cao met the gazes of the crowd, he looked at the plum blossoms embroidered on the sachet in the emperor's hand, and his mind began to race.
Cao Cao smiled slightly, then addressed the crowd in a loud voice: "The poem Your Majesty just composed is actually a praise of the virtues of the plum blossom to all the loyal ministers present here!"
Upon hearing Cao Cao's words, everyone was taken aback, except for Liu Hong, who sat there smiling without saying a word.
Chen Fan couldn't help but ask, "Oh? What does that mean?"
Cao Cao bowed respectfully to Chen Fan and said, "Your Majesty's first two lines are: 'I have no intention of vying for spring's favor, and let all the flowers be jealous.'"
Its meaning is to praise the loyal ministers present, who, like plum blossoms, disregarded the prejudice and jealousy of treacherous villains both inside and outside the court, and stood up to follow and assist Your Majesty during this bitter time for our Han Dynasty!
Upon hearing Cao Cao's words, the expressions on the faces of those present softened considerably, and they all nodded in agreement.
Hu Guang chuckled and asked, "And what about the last two lines?"
Cao Cao said loudly, "Though fallen into mud and crushed into dust, its fragrance remains unchanged."
The meaning is: after the bitter cold comes spring. The efforts of all the loyal ministers will be like the petals of plum blossoms, turning into fertilizer to nourish the land of our great Han Dynasty. Although they cannot be seen, their fragrance will remain forever in people's hearts!
May those who smell its fragrance never forget the efforts of Your Majesty and your loyal ministers!
"Haha~, well said, Mengde!!"
After hearing Cao Cao's interpretation, Liu Hong couldn't help but burst into laughter and praised him generously.
He never expected that he had merely plagiarized two lines of someone else's poetry, yet Cao Cao had praised it so highly that he had flattered everyone in no time. He truly was a rare talent.
When the courtiers saw that the emperor had suddenly expressed his agreement with Cao Cao's words and compared them to plum blossoms, it was a very high compliment.
"Your Majesty, we thank you for your praise!"
Everyone stood up and bowed to Liu Hong. Although the praise just now did not come from the emperor himself, it did not prevent them from taking it as the emperor's affirmation of them.
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