Chapter 179 The Zhangzhou Gathering: A Fierce Gaze in Their Eyes…
Zhang Ting took everything in view and was satisfied with what she saw, but a strange feeling couldn't help but arise in her heart.
These are the seeds of Zhangzhou Prefecture's future prosperity and the flames that will turn its destiny around.
The gaze inevitably softens wherever it falls.
She suddenly dropped a bombshell: "Since everyone has gathered here today, I have something else to tell you. In half a month, Zhangzhou Prefecture will hold an elegant gathering, inviting talented scholars and famous figures from all over the country to tour the scenery of the prefecture, compose poems and paint pictures, and the winners will be ranked, compiled into a book, and spread throughout the world."
"The talented people of Zhangzhou Prefecture can also go together to see the mountains and rivers, compose poems and paint, let the talented people and famous scholars of the world see your style and show the literary spirit of our prefecture."
Good heavens! Will all the talented scholars and famous figures in the world come to my mansion for a literary gathering?
All the students in the room looked at each other in dismay. Some were extremely excited and wanted to jump up, but forcibly restrained themselves. Others were pale and were terrified by the overwhelming good news.
Just then, a student said nervously, "Your Excellency, our prefecture has consistently ranked at the bottom in both the provincial and metropolitan examinations. Even if we were to hold a literary gathering, we would be no match for others... I'm afraid we would embarrass you."
Not to mention the students in the counties of Zhangzhou Prefecture, even the students in the prefectural city were far inferior to those in the neighboring Tongzhou Prefecture, let alone those in the rest of the country.
But how can you constantly belittle your own people? Only careful nurturing can cultivate beautiful flowers. Besides, Zhang Ting always believed that while the students from Zhangzhou Prefecture might have a far weaker foundation, they wouldn't remain so forever; one day they would stand tall and proud.
Zhang Tingting encouraged them: "Even the humblest path will not lead to the destination if you don't walk it; even the smallest task will not be accomplished if you don't do it. Before everything is settled, everything depends on action and on taking one step at a time to reap the rewards of victory."
"Any effort toward a goal is commendable. Even if you fall short of others in the end, you can try again next time. Why worry about losing face?"
Her gaze was gentle as she smiled and said, "Zhangzhou Prefecture is fortunate to have students like you who are so talented and virtuous. Under my command, Zhang Ting, it is also my fortune to have students like you who are both virtuous and talented."
These words moved all the students present to tears, their hearts trembling with unbearable emotion.
"Your Excellency, Prefect..."
Having you as our prefect, our benefactor, is the greatest fortune we have ever had.
As the class drew to a close, Zhang Ting encouraged them to study diligently and strive towards their goals.
"No matter where we are, whether we go on to serve as officials, settle down to run a small business, or teach and educate people, the most taboo thing is to be fickle and indecisive. The most important thing is to go for the goal that suits us best and charge forward in one go."
"Perhaps we are not as good as those talented people who are famous throughout the world today, but one day we will be a thousand times better than them."
"You will always be the pride of Zhangzhou Prefecture."
"I will follow your teachings, sir—" The student bowed respectfully to her, deeply moved by the lesson and completely convinced.
Zhang Ting couldn't help but smile, and left leisurely with his servants.
Invitations to the gathering have been sent all over the world and have likely reached the designated recipients.
The gathering can take place in just half a month.
She had been preparing for this day for a long time, repairing or rebuilding buildings in various counties and the prefectural city, repairing the main roads in various counties, and rectifying the people's customs. She worked almost day and night to make Zhangzhou Prefecture a thriving place.
Everything is ready now, except for the final push.
...
In Kyoto, many people received her invitation.
Even Gao Qiu.
She found it utterly absurd.
Gao Qiu considers Zhang Ting his mortal enemy and has no idea what she's trying to do.
So she saw enemies everywhere.
This must be Zhang Ting's scheme.
Zhao Xi also agreed, saying, "This woman commands only wolves and tigers, and her methods of the underworld are countless, enough to terrify anyone. Her subordinates are all evil spirits from the netherworld, not to mention how ruthless she herself is."
She hissed softly, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and said with regret, "Xiao Gao suffered a lot in Fengxian, and he even got sick from all the torment."
Xiao Gao is Gao Yujie, the second legitimate daughter of Gao Qiu's collateral branch. Zhao Xi held her when he was a child and they were very close.
Chen Liu leaned against the couch, eating melon seeds and watching the expressions on the faces of the master and disciple with amusement.
"Why are you two so alarmed? I don't think Zhang Ting has any ill intentions."
Last time, she sent someone to deliver three boxes of gold, and the other party accepted them unopened. Doesn't that mean they intend to come under her control?
In Chen Liu's view, the invitation to this gathering of refined people was actually Zhang Ting's pledge of allegiance.
Using the guise of an elegant gathering for sightseeing and leisure, he could both avoid arousing the Empress's suspicion and gain fame for himself—a brilliant plan that killed two birds with one stone!
Gao Qiu looked at her, puzzled and suspicious. After being so humiliated last time, how could the Fifth Princess still speak up for Zhang Ting?
Gao Qiu was completely unaware that the lord she was loyal to had already secretly won over her mortal enemy and even intended to secretly conspire with her to "betray" her.
Having navigated the treacherous political landscape of the court for so many years, Gao Qiu still possessed a certain level of sensitivity. Although he didn't know the specific reasons, he clearly sensed that the Fifth Princess's attitude was problematic.
Her eyes darkened, but she kept quiet, preparing to investigate privately.
If we had known that Zhang Ting would grow into a major threat so quickly and could even influence the princess's thoughts, we should have sent someone to cut off her head when she left the capital.
The invitations also ended up in the hands of others.
Han Bingyue was playing chess with her daughter. "I feel like she's playing a very big game," she said.
Han Yunying picked up a white chess piece and placed it down, puzzled: "It's just a regular poetry gathering, at most a big event with a wide scope. Mother, you're overthinking it."
Han Bingyue waved his hand, gesturing for her to look at the current chessboard, "Yunying, what do you think of this situation?"
Han Yunying: "The black pieces retreated in a strategic move, completely surrounding the white pieces, creating a situation where they are surrounded and helpless. Was Mother trying to mislead me just now?"
"Your chess skills have improved even more since the governor returned to the capital."
Han Bingyue said, "You only see the black pieces surrounding and killing the white pieces, but you can't see how similar this situation is to the present?"
Han Yunying was even more puzzled. "Please enlighten me, Mother."
Han Bingyue pointed at Hei Zi, her words carrying a hidden meaning: "Hei Zi has experienced many changes in recent years, but she has suddenly risen to prominence, making her the envy of everyone. She is now the center of attention, and this is precisely the moment when everyone is most wary and attentive to her. Tell me, what should she do now?"
Han Yunying: "Being in the spotlight is not necessarily a good thing; it could very well lead to trouble. If it were my daughter, I would quietly settle down and secure my position before planning for the future."
Han Bingyue laughed: "But she's different. She insisted on using the attention others were paying to her at this sensitive juncture to play a huge game."
"Why do you say that, Mother?"
"Let me ask you this: what are we going to do after this poetry gathering?"
Han Yunying pondered carefully, "Whether we succeed or fail, Zhangzhou Prefecture will become famous." But then she didn't understand, "Being an official always requires being down-to-earth and achieving results, which is what you have always taught me. What can temporary fame represent?"
Han Bingyue: "That's exactly what I wanted to say." She picked up a white piece and placed it in a certain position on the board. It was inconspicuous, yet she felt it was inexplicably exquisite.
"It's alive!" Han Yunying stared wide-eyed at her mother in disbelief. The entire chess game had been completely brought to life, its movements fluid and dynamic, radiating boundless vitality.
Han Bingyue lowered his head and smiled, seemingly with a mix of sentimentality and satisfaction: "Culture and sports provide the stage, while the economy takes center stage. Don't you think this is a brilliant strategy?"
A fifth-rank official whose promotion speed astonished everyone, a wife of a top scholar who achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations (three times in a row), and a virtuous and talented person who stood out from the crowd—how could they be as simple as everyone thought?
While others were still laughing at and despising her, she had already mastered the rules and was adept at using them, reaching heights that others could hardly attain.
Once the answer is revealed, the stagnant Zhangzhou Prefecture will be completely revitalized.
Han Bingyue sincerely admired her. She was composed and calm, unmoved by the gossip of others, and could still set up this amazing game as usual. Such a calm mindset was truly... chilling, yet admirable.
"Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. Yunying, why don't you go and see it this time?"
...
Many talented scholars and celebrities who received the invitations set off for Zhangzhou Prefecture. Some were drawn by the organizer's prestigious reputation, some went with malicious intent to see a spectacle, and some genuinely wanted to hike, enjoy the scenery, and relax.
In short, Zhangzhou Prefecture, a prefecture that people rarely mention, has now become a popular topic and is deeply imprinted in everyone's minds.
The Zhangzhou Prefectural Government has also received many replies from those who will participate in the gathering, and is making preparations in full swing to ensure that visiting scholars and celebrities feel at home.
The guests were all renowned figures from various prefectures and cities, so the number of attendees was inevitably too large and preparations were not always feasible.
Zhang Ting worked tirelessly day and night, personally directing operations. When there weren't enough people, even Zong Suyi was pulled out to lend a hand.
Zong Suyi was calculating rapidly, cursing under his breath. The workload was heavy enough, but the working environment was also terrible—he was sitting opposite the person he hated the most.
"Sister, have some tea to soothe your throat," Luo Zijun said, her eyes sparkling as she brought over the tea.
While directing the arrangements for the gathering, Zhang Ting also had to handle official business throughout Zhangzhou Prefecture. He was so busy juggling both tasks that he quickly waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to.
Luo Zijun smiled happily and was about to ask her a few words of concern.
Zhang Ting then asked, "How are the counties of Li and Zhengze under Ziju's jurisdiction? Are preparations complete?"
Luo Zijun's face stiffened, and she forced a smile, "There was a landslide on the road in Li County recently, and we've sent people to clean it up, but they haven't returned yet..."
Zhang Ting was dissatisfied with her work attitude, saying, "As a prefectural magistrate, you should be extremely cautious and carefully supervise the work. If those clearing the roads encounter any obstacles, you should be able to provide rapid assistance."
Luo Zijun blushed with embarrassment and said, "Zijun knows she was wrong, and will go and follow up right away."
Watching the brat slink away, Zong Suyi couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, secretly delighted.
They had to come knocking on Lord Zhang's door when he was swamped with work; they deserved to be scolded!
"Have you finished checking the accounts?" He asked gleefully, his shoulders trembling. Suddenly, a face appeared in front of him, startling him so much that he jumped.
He leaned closer to her, tugging at her sleeve and pleading, "Lord Zhang, my hands are tired, let me rest for a bit..."
Zhang Ting smiled insincerely, "Get to work." His eyes flashed with an unyielding glint.
Zong Suyi shrank her neck, looked at her with a wronged expression, pouted, and turned her head back to continue calculating on the abacus.
Hmph, why are you being so fierce!
When you get old, just wait and see how I deal with you.
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