Chapter 78: Poetry
Mu Wei argued with Liu Xiong for a few words before realizing that arguing with him was pointless. He turned and knelt again, "Sir, every word I say is true. If I lie even a single time, I will be struck by lightning and I will never pass the imperial examination."
For a scholar, this is the most vicious oath.
People in ancient times attached great importance to oaths. The onlookers who were originally suspicious of Su Fengzhang and Liu Xiong's words now turned their attention to Mu Wei, thinking that he would not swear a poisonous oath just to frame someone.
Even County Magistrate Lu frowned, looking at Su Fengzhang with a stern look: "Mr. Su, do you have any evidence?"
Su Fengzhang could only smile bitterly: "Lord Lu, it's easy to prove that someone has done something, but it's difficult to ask someone to prove that they have never done something. But if I didn't do it, then I didn't do it."
"Sir, he feels guilty!" Mu Wei shouted.
Su Fengzhang paused, then continued, "My ability to compose poetry and lyrics is my own. If I improve, I improve. If you have any doubts, you can just give me a topic and let me write a poem on the spot."
"This... is a solution." County Magistrate Lu felt that this was very true. If Su Fengzhang could compose good poems in court, it would prove that he had the ability. If he had the ability, why would he need someone else to write for him?
Mu Wei's face turned anxious, and he cried out, "How can this be possible? Who knows if he prepared the poem in advance and was just waiting to use it now? Even if he performed it in court, it wouldn't prove he wrote it himself."
County Magistrate Lu was displeased and shouted, "What do you mean by that, Mu Tongsheng? Do you think I'll bend the law for personal gain?"
Seeing his bad expression, Mu Wei quickly explained, "I have absolutely no such intention. I'm just afraid that this person is insidious and cunning and has made preparations."
County Magistrate Lu said, "He's been in jail these past few days, how could he possibly have prepared in advance? Besides, he's not a fortune teller, so how could he have known what questions I would ask in advance?"
Sun Zhubu also echoed, "That's right. Mu Tongsheng's repeated obstruction only makes him seem guilty."
County Magistrate Lu felt that Mu Wei was implying that he was partial, and he was very unhappy. He said, "Since you think I am unfair, then this is how it will be. Pick ten people from the crowd and let them choose the topic."
"These ten people cannot be students, cannot be scholars, and cannot be acquainted with Mr. Su. Are you satisfied with this?"
Mu Wei's face darkened slightly. The people around him didn't expect that they could get involved and give questions to a scholar. They were all excited and said, "This is indeed fair. It's impossible that these ten people all cheated for Scholar Su."
Mu Wei had no choice but to grit his teeth and say, "The students are satisfied."
County Magistrate Lu looked at Su Fengzhang again, his eyes softening slightly: "Mr. Su, do you have any objections?"
Su Fengzhang also nodded and said, "Your Excellency's method is very appropriate. I have no objection."
The reputation of a writer is extremely important. If he cannot clear himself of the ghostwriting incident, even if the murder has nothing to do with him, he will eventually fall into a toilet and get covered in shit. Even if he doesn't die, he will be covered in stench, which will have a great impact on his future career.
County Magistrate Lu then said, "Anyone present who would like to volunteer and pose a question please step forward."
The students and scholars who were watching the scene wisely stepped back, but the common people who came to watch the fun did not mind the trouble and stepped forward one after another.
County Magistrate Lu and Chief Clerk Sun selected ten people and asked them to sign and pledge that they did not know Su Fengzhang and Mu Wei. Knowing that they had to sign, several people backed off. Fortunately, many people joined in the fun, and finally ten people were gathered.
The ten people were whispering and discussing with each other, their faces flushed with anger.
Seeing this, Mu Wei struggled and shouted, "Sir, even if this poem was written by Su Fengzhang himself, it doesn't prove that the previous ones were. He was the first in the college examination, so it's possible that he occasionally had a flash of inspiration."
"Mu Wei, since you know that Brother Su ranked first in the college examination, why do you keep slandering him for hiring someone to write for him?" Liu Xiong shouted.
Even County Magistrate Lu said, "Although you swore and cursed, it was only one side of the story. We can't let Scholar Su be convicted just because of your one-sided statement. If that happens, why don't I and the foolish official pass it on?"
"Since you can't produce any concrete evidence, and Mr. Su doesn't have any either, I think this is the best way."
Sun Zhubu also said: "Indeed, do you have a better idea?"
Mu Wei glared at Su Fengzhang hatefully, and then said, "I just can't bear to see anyone get away with it."
Su Fengzhang turned his head and looked at him. He believed that even if he wrote good poems, this Mu Tongsheng would never admit that ghostwriting was a slander, and he would not give up until his reputation was ruined.
Suddenly, Su Fengzhang said in a loud voice: "My Lords, I have some things at home that can provide some evidence."
"What?"
Su Fengzhang said: "I learned to compose poetry from Changqing. At the beginning, my works were still lacking in spirit. At that time, Changqing saw my works and helped me revise them. These manuscripts are still in my study."
"What kind of evidence is this?" Mu Wei sneered.
Su Fengzhang said, "From the first poem I wrote a month ago to the most recent one, I have never discarded it. It contains both Changqing's revisions and my own incremental progress. I believe anyone who reads can see some of this."
County Magistrate Lu and Chief Secretary Sun looked at each other and felt that there was great potential. In fact, they did not want the county school to lose another good student. Lin Changqing was already dead, and if Su Fengzhang died again, their county school would have no students who could produce books.
Seeing the two adults wavering in their thoughts, Mu Wei scolded them again, "You still say you have no guilt. Who would keep a draft hidden for months, not even throwing away the revised version?"
Su Fengzhang sneered, "I'm not like you, Mu Tongsheng, who treats books like dirt and loves to destroy them at will."
"Sir, I have loved books since I was young. After entering the county school, I have become even more fond of copying and collecting books. Not only do I have drafts from the past few months at home, I can even find books from three years ago. If you don't believe me, just send someone to check and you will know."
This is not a lie. In fact, most scholars would not discard manuscripts at will. However, there are very few people like Mu Wei who destroy books, and even the people around him look down on him.
County Magistrate Lu ignored his opinion and gave a direct order: "Since that's the case, Zhang San and Li Si, the two of you go to the Su family immediately and bring back those manuscripts."
Zhang San and Li Si were about to leave, but Su Fengzhang called out again, "Wait a moment."
Mu Wei seized the opportunity and shouted, "Look, sir, he's scared. Those manuscripts must be fake."
Su Fengzhang ignored him and simply bowed to Zhang San and Li Si. "Two elder brothers, I only have my widowed mother and younger siblings at home. Please be patient and don't scare them."
When he said this, he won the favor of the people around him. They all felt that a filial son and a brother who cared for his younger siblings could definitely not be a bad person.
Even Sun Zhubu went to the side of County Magistrate Lu and muttered, "Su Fengzhang's father, who passed away early, was a clerk in the county government. We were somewhat acquainted. His father and eldest brother both died early, so his family had quite a difficult time."
County Magistrate Lu felt a little more sympathetic, and thinking of how Lord Cai had always valued Su Fengzhang, he said, "Be careful when you go there, and don't scare Madam Su and the child."
"Yes!" The two yamen runners agreed.
Su Fengzhang reminded him again, "My third brother Lanzhang has been studying with me since he was young. He is very familiar with the study. You can ask him and find out where the draft is. Thank you for your hard work."
Seeing him acting like this, and comparing him with the aggressive Mu Wei with a crooked nose next to him, County Magistrate Lu felt that there was a huge gap between the two. It was not without reason that Lord Cai valued Su Fengzhang. This man's demeanor alone was far superior to others.
The yamen runners hurried away, and the ten civilians finally decided on a topic. The leader stepped forward and shouted, "My lords, everyone, we have decided on a topic."
"Today's exam question is about butchers, or people who kill pigs."
Everyone was stunned by this question, but the man said smugly, "Since ancient times, scholars have always liked to write poems about love and romance. There are very few people who can kill pigs. Wasn't this Mu Tongsheng afraid that Su Xiucai had prepared something? Even if he did, wouldn't a scholar prepare a poem about killing pigs?"
When he said this, the others all thought it made sense. Although County Magistrate Lu thought it was vulgar, he nodded and said, "That's true. Who would prepare such a question?"
"Su Xiucai, the question is about butchering. How long will it take you?"
Su Fengzhang naturally couldn't compose a poem in seven steps, so he said, "Half an hour."
Half an hour later, his manuscript was brought back, and the evidence would prove that he had no ghostwriter.
County Magistrate Lu asked someone to bring the four treasures of the study. Seeing Su Fengzhang grinding the ink slowly and methodically, he was impressed.
It's just that originally this was a murder case, but now it seems like Mu Wei is making all kinds of false accusations against Su Fengzhang, bringing out all kinds of vicious charges. County Magistrate Lu himself is also a scholar, and he hates ghostwriting.
If Su Fengzhang really hired someone to write for him, County Magistrate Lu would punish him severely regardless of whether he committed the murder or not.
But if he had not hired someone to write for him, and was innocently accused, he would never let Mu Wei go. Such wanton slander of his classmates is really abhorrent and hateful.
Su Fengzhang was grinding ink while thinking. He was very glad that he had seen the scene of slaughtering a pig before, otherwise the question of a butcher would be very difficult.
Soon, Su Fengzhang had a sentence in his mind and began to write.
County Magistrate Lu stretched his neck to look, and after a while he could not help but walk down and stand beside him to watch. The people around him also peeked in, and even the illiterate ones joined in the fun. It was obvious that such a dramatic plot was very much in line with the aesthetic tastes of the common people.
The person sent out to get the manuscript had not returned yet, but County Magistrate Lu shouted "good" and personally held up the poem.
It reads:
Living in a small town, I rely on a sharp knife and am ashamed to talk about grease and cream.
The butcher kills a full pig in broad daylight, so be kind and don't differentiate between the rich and the poor.
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The author has something to say: Note: The last poem is modified from an ancient poem, not original, please forgive the author's limited ability to create and appreciate ancient poems
Well, I know everyone is waiting anxiously. If you feel upset, you can come back in two days. It is expected to be over tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
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