In ancient times, there weren't many forms of entertainment, so in Zhu Yunwen's opinion, these lanterns were quite interesting. Men and women walked through the streets and alleys, attracted by all kinds of lanterns.
Then they would try to guess the riddles on the lanterns, or write poems and couplets to continue the riddles. If some of the literati could write a decent poem on a good lantern, they would surely become the object of praise for men and women on these streets.
The lanterns made by the top courtesans outside the brothels were especially sought after by these literati.
If one could write a poem on the lanterns of these top courtesans that they would greatly admire, it would definitely become a topic of conversation for a long time to come.
After all, being cultured and refined is never out of fashion.
In ancient times, if men and women combined beauty and talent to the extreme, it might not have been any different from the hype and pairing of couples in later generations.
Haven't people always loved stories like this?
Therefore, the top courtesans in brothels, the most beautiful courtesans in the entertainment district, often liked to use their beauty to seduce a group of literary talents and scholars, so that they could compose a very beautiful poem for them.
She could use her beauty to satisfy the desires of those literary and talented men, such as accompanying them for drinks, singing, or even sleeping with them.
A talented scholar can use a good poem to help the top courtesan make a name for herself, which in turn helps to make her fame even greater.
With fame comes value, which is similar to the formula used by celebrities in later generations.
But generally speaking, people in ancient times were more reserved and elegant.
Indeed, it requires both great beauty and exceptional talent for the two to be perfectly combined.
Zhu Yunwen never thought he had any great talent. Even if he had some unique insights into handling certain matters, it was only because of his identity as a time traveler.
His extensive knowledge of history always allowed him to gain an advantage in historical situations.
However, the Ming Dynasty's ability to seize opportunities was ultimately limited. For example, poetry seemed to be its weakness.
If one were to travel back to before the Tang and Song dynasties, that would naturally be a different story.
Before the Tang and Song dynasties, there weren't many well-known and truly outstanding poems.
Especially Tang and Song poetry, which didn't exist before the Tang and Song dynasties. So if Zhu Yunwen had traveled back to before the Tang and Song dynasties, he might have been able to absorb some of the ethereal beauty of Tang and Song poetry and even try to copy it.
Perhaps he could become a so-called literary master.
It's a pity that in the Ming Dynasty, as everyone knows, Tang and Song poetry was probably not so easy to copy.
As for some of the poets of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yunwen really didn't know much about them.
Zhu Yunwen knew very little about poems from the Ming Dynasty and later.
If he accidentally reveals a poem that has already appeared, he will likely confirm his reputation as a plagiarist.
It's really not worth it.
However, Zhao Qingzhu didn't think so. Looking at the lantern with a blank space, she said to Zhu Yuntong:
"Young master, would you be interested in adding your own poem?"
Zhu Yunwen smiled and waved his hand, saying:
"I don't need to, I'm not very talented. But if you're interested, you can give it a try."
Zhao Qingzhu looked embarrassed and said helplessly:
"I've never studied properly since I was little, but I love wielding swords and spears. Asking me to write a poem is really putting me in a difficult position, young master. But I've heard that you are quite talented."
At that time, at the invitation of Li Yuanming, the former Minister of Rites, your poetry at the Hundred Garden outshone everyone present, earning you a reputation throughout the capital. Now, you claim to have no talent; perhaps you're just trying to appease me.”
Zhu Yuntong laughed and said, "You little rascal, you're just teasing me. These days, being able to come out and play is already a stolen half-day of leisure. Where would I find the leisure and elegance to write a poem? Don't make fun of me."
Zhao Qingzhu nodded, thinking that made sense.
The fact that His Highness the Crown Prince, who is in charge of all affairs of the world and plans everything down to the smallest detail, is willing to come out and play with me is already a sign that he is not neglecting his duties.
If he were to write a poem for those top courtesans, even if the poem was excellent, he would probably lose his reputation.
Thinking of this, Zhao Qingzhu felt relieved that Zhu Yunwen had refused.
The weather was cold, but the people's enthusiasm was very high. With the New Year approaching, the people were naturally quite happy.
This winter is very cold, but the people are not so cold anymore.
As Zhu Yunwen passed by a stall, he looked at the owner sitting behind the stall, whose arms and legs were curled up, but he didn't seem to be cold at all.
His face even turned red.
Zhu Yunwen casually picked out some jewelry from the stall, intending to give it to Zhao Qingzhu who was standing next to him, and said to the stall owner:
"It's so cold, yet you're sitting there motionless, and you seem quite warm. Why is that?"
The shop owner smiled, leaned back, and revealed a small brazier beneath him.
The coal was burning in the brazier.
Zhu Yunwen suddenly came to his senses and then smelled a faint coal odor, which made him laugh.
"Boss, you didn't buy this coal for a high price, did you?"
The boss smiled and said:
"The imperial court is doing a good deed by selling it at a low price. This thousand catties only costs a little over two hundred copper coins. I never imagined it would be so cheap, it's even cheaper than firewood. But this stuff burns much better than firewood, and we won't even use up a thousand catties this winter."
Zhu Yunwen said, "I see. So, how much do you burn in a day?"
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