Chapter 340: Lanting Elegant Gathering 6
The tense atmosphere in the pavilion had not yet dissipated, but the competition area was already bustling with noise, like a pot of boiling water.
Points are calculated using special silver beads, each representing one point.
Each specially made silver bead is round and full, feels heavy in the hand, and makes a crisp sound when shaken. One bead is equivalent to half a month's expenses for an ordinary family.
Gu Yuhe held the bulging cloth bag in his hand. The gleam of silver beads leaking from between his fingers made his eyes sparkle. He couldn't help but grin from ear to ear, and the little calculations in his mind were crackling: "Chu Yan, what do you think if we secretly take this silver away..."
Before he could finish his words, Zhang Chuyan beside him interrupted. The young man was tying his indigo purse, his fingertips repeatedly stroking the knotted tassels, his tone as flat as if he were discussing the weather. "Well, perhaps you will be nailed to the pillar of shame by the entire literary community in Juzhou, and from now on you will have to avoid shops when buying pens, inkstones, and paper."
Gu Yuhe had expected some complicit agreement, but he was surprised by the other person's lack of understanding. "What are you afraid of? I want to open a shop in the future, and I don't want to hang out with these sour-minded people!"
He was just imagining using the silver beads as capital to open a grocery store at the village entrance, then take over a silk and satin shop in the county town, gradually building his own business empire, when he suddenly felt a sharp slap on the back of his head.
"Who? Who dares to attack your Master He!" Gu Yuhe jumped up, holding the back of his head. He turned around and was about to explode, but he saw his second brother Gu Yuchuan standing there.
The hem of his moon-white gown was lifted by the wind. His face showed no expression, but his eyes were as cold as ice in December.
That bit of arrogance instantly vanished like a punctured balloon. He scratched his head awkwardly, his voice dripping with flattery: "Hey, second brother, why are you still here? With your ability, you should have made it to the final level long ago, right?"
Gu Yuchuan glanced at him sideways, his eyes sweeping over the points bag in his hand, his tone filled with undisguised disdain: "You're useless. If you don't pay attention, I'm afraid you won't even be able to pass the third level." After saying that, he turned to Zhang Chuyan beside him, his eyes softening a little. "Chuyan, go ahead on your own. There are a few questions in there that involve variations of the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. They're worth a try."
How could Zhang Chuyan dare to disobey? He gave Gu Yuhe a look that said "May you be lucky" and turned to walk towards the next area. The corner of his green cloth robe flashed in the crowd and disappeared.
Even though Gu Yuhe stretched out his hand, he couldn't stop Zhang Chuyan from flying away like a butterfly!
"The third question in the second area was so simple, why didn't you answer it right away?" Gu Yuchuan's voice suddenly turned cold, like an icicle hitting Gu Yuhe's ears.
"I remember discussing a similar topic with you and Chu Yan under the old locust tree in the yard on the afternoon of March 18th, just as the sun was setting. At that time, you even drew a crooked five-pointed star on the key points book. Did you forget about it after you went home?"
Gu Yuhe's eyes almost popped out of his head when he heard this, and his mouth was half open so that an egg could fit in it.
He knew that his second brother had become smarter after recovering from his illness, but he didn't expect his memory to be so good.
It happened more than half a month ago, and he even remembered the exact time and the ghostly talismans he drew clearly.
This person is not a human being at all, he is clearly carrying a living calendar!
He opened his mouth but no words came out for a long time. His mind was in a mess, like a swarm of bees buzzing.
"Answer me!" Gu Yuchuan's tone became even deeper, carrying an unquestionable pressure.
Gu Yuhe shuddered with fear, his whole body frozen in place, like a frozen wooden stake. He didn't dare to move his hands or feet, and even his brain couldn't work.
"I... I was nervous, yes! I was nervous!" He quickly came up with a lame excuse, his voice trembling, "I forgot it when I was nervous, but I remembered it the next moment!"
Gu Yuchuan raised his eyebrows, the suspicion in his eyes almost overflowing: "Really? Now that you remember it, tell me the answer."
Wha…what?
Gu Yuhe looked at his second brother in disbelief. His usually gentle face now looked as ruthless as a judge in a temple.
He wailed in his heart: This is not my second brother, it is the King of Hell who is taking my life!
He opened his mouth, but his throat felt like it was clogged with cotton and he couldn't utter a complete word for a long time.
Gu Yuchuan waited a moment, then snorted coldly when he saw him stammering and unable to articulate his reasoning. "Naughty boy! Incorrigible! Go back and copy this question a hundred times. If you miss a single word, you won't eat!"
After saying that, he turned around and left, paying no attention to his brother who was about to cry behind him.
Gu Yuhe looked at his second brother's resolute back, and finally couldn't hold back his tears, which fell on the bluestone slabs with a plop.
He sobbed and wiped his tears, feeling as aggrieved as an overturned jar of vinegar.
Second brother, have you forgotten the friendship we shared when we dug ant holes together? Now that you've become smart, you've actually started to dislike me.
Have you forgotten who accompanied you when you were too scared to pee on your own? Have you forgotten who helped you fight off those kids who bullied you for being stupid?
You forgot everything! You cruel man!
But unfortunately, no one has time to pay attention to Gu Yuhe's mental activities.
By the time Gu Yuhe had cried enough and finally reached the ninth level with some difficulty, Gu Yuchuan and his team had already slaughtered all the challengers in the arena area and beat them to a pulp.
Qingyun on the high platform tightly grasped the folding fan in his hand, his knuckles turned white, his eyes were as bright as two searchlights, staring at the group of young men in green clothes on the ring.
His heart was pounding and he had a strong premonition.
The person the master is looking for is among these children!
They were so eye-catching. Whether it was their composure when answering questions or their tacit understanding when competing against each other, they all exuded a sharpness that was inconsistent with their age, like the edge hidden in a rough jade.
"Who else wants to challenge?" The teacher in charge of the ring competition shouted at the top of his voice, his eyes sweeping over the silent crowd below the stage. When he saw the people from Qiushi Academy who were as steady as a rock on the ring, he couldn't help but reveal a bit of admiration in his eyes.
He quietly took out a wrinkled piece of paper from his sleeve, the handwriting on it was a little blurred by sweat.
He had been studying this problem since the gathering, and even now he had only scratched the surface. Yet, these half-grown children were solving it as easily as if it were food or water. It was truly embarrassing. This made him wonder, was he really getting old?
The audience was so quiet that one could hear the wind blowing through the lanterns.
Although there is no first in literature and no second in martial arts, everyone present today knows that this group of students at Qiushi Academy have long been the best.
After this battle, I am afraid that all the prominent families in Juzhou will know that there is a school with hidden talents in that inconspicuous little place of Annan County, and everyone who comes out of there is a rare genius.
The Master waited for a moment, and seeing no one responded, he raised the copper hammer in his hand and was about to strike it down to announce the result when a slightly hoarse voice suddenly broke the silence: "Wait a minute!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a man in his early twenties slowly stepping out of the crowd. He was wearing a clean, elegant blue shirt and walking with a calm demeanor, waving a peach blossom fan in his hand. "I am Chu Mo from Wutong Academy. I have come to seek your advice!"
"It's Chu Mo!" A burst of exclamations suddenly broke out in the crowd, like a lake boiling with a stone thrown into it.
Obviously, this name carries a lot of weight.
All the children in Qiushi Academy looked at Master Du, their eyes full of desire for knowledge.
Master Du cleared his throat and explained in a low voice, "Chu Mo is a new student admitted to Wutong Academy this year. He is not only good at writing, but also proficient in arithmetic, music, calligraphy and painting. Some of his skills are even comparable to those of professional craftsmen."
Oh? There really is such a versatile person in the world?
Even Gu Yuchuan, who had always been calm and composed, sat up straighter and looked at the man in front of him seriously.
He has delicate eyebrows and eyes, and a gentle temperament. The ink bamboo painted on the fan is majestic and majestic, which is indeed extraordinary.
"He is so smart, he should be a scholar, right?" Gu Yuhe asked naively.
After all, although the Lanting Gathering does not restrict participation to people below the level of scholar, Juzhou is remote and there are not many people who can pass the imperial examination. Besides, juren generally have their own pride and naturally do not want to compete with a group of young people for the first place.
Master Du sighed. "Because he's a concubine's son, he was only recognized last year."
Everyone fell silent.
It's such a disgraceful identity.
Chu Mo bowed and smiled at Gu Yuchuan, tapping his chest with the tip of his fan: "Brother Gu, are you willing to spar with me?"
Gu Yuchuan put away his nonchalant attitude, stood up and bowed: "Of course! Please!"
According to the rules, Qiushi Academy has won many games in a row and will defend the title; Chu Mo, as the attacker, must first place a bet on points and then draw a question.
Chu Mo took off the brocade bag from his waist and casually threw it on the stone table in front of the stage. His voice was not loud but clear and powerful: "All in!"
Everyone in the audience gasped, their eyes fixed on the bulging treasure bag. "Oh my god, what a big deal! I just saw him answer all the questions in the eight outer sections. I'm afraid there must be hundreds of points in this!"
"Chu Mo is absolutely sure!"
"I'm still more optimistic about Chu Mo. After all, he's a talented man who has been famous for a long time."
"That may not be the case. Gu Yuchuan's performance today was also amazing. He might be able to catch us off guard!"
"Hmph, do you dare to take a gamble?"
"Let's bet, who's afraid of who!" For a moment, the discussion in the audience was even more lively than before, and even the academician in the pavilion in the distance leaned over with interest.
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