The Third Prince's murderous intent was impossible to conceal, because Li Zhu had said all the nice things and acted like an elder reprimanding a junior. How could the proud Third Prince bear such humiliation?
"My brother is truly a kind person..."
The Third Prince said sarcastically!
"My third brother understands me best; he knows that I am an upright and pure good person..."
Li Zhu didn't think the other person was mocking him at all; he thought the other person was just stating a fact!
The Third Prince really wanted to say, "You're truly shameless, unparalleled in the world..."
"Brother, you can't win a contest by being quick-witted..."
The Third Prince subtly mocked Li Zhu for being all talk and no action, but Li Zhu merely smiled and didn't take his words to heart...
In his mind, no matter what questions the Third Prince set, he, who was well-versed in Tang and Song poetry, couldn't possibly lose to a mere boy who had just come of age...
"Yes, we're waiting for you to give us the questions..."
Li Zhu's words were concise, but it was precisely this contempt that made the Third Prince feel as if he had punched thin air. Li Zhu had proposed a competition and even asked him to set the questions—wasn't this blatant disrespect? This contemptuous attitude infuriated the Third Prince…
However, this competition was related to his position in the struggle for the throne, so there was no way he could back down...
"Brother, how about we see who can compose a poem that will astound the entire audience within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn? Whoever does that wins."
The Third Prince said confidently that with Li Zhu's literary skills, he definitely couldn't produce any decent poems in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. The Third Prince often studied books and always had some poems in his mind, waiting to be shown off. The reason he said the time it takes for an incense stick to burn was to make everyone feel that he wasn't bullying Li Zhu...
He felt that for Li Zhu, whether it was a stick of incense or a whole day didn't matter, since he couldn't possibly produce any decent poetry anyway. That's why he was being so generous, hoping to gain a good reputation...
Moreover, he was confident that the quatrains Li Zhu had casually recited earlier were definitely copied from somewhere, otherwise why were they all just one line? Why wasn't any of the poems complete?
If Li Zhu truly possessed such poetic talent, he might as well have simply admitted defeat. He was certain that Li Zhu had plagiarized, and that was the source of his confidence!
Li Zhu understood the Third Prince's thoughts perfectly well: Didn't you want to show off?
Then I'll give you no chance to even pretend, I'll make you kneel down and sing "Conquer"...
"A whole incense stick's time is too long. The foreign envoys need to rest so they can be in good spirits for the banquet in the evening. How about half a cup of tea's time? What do you think, Third Brother?"
Seeing Li Zhu looking at him, the Third Prince was stunned for a moment, then couldn't hide his elation. This was an opportunity delivered to his doorstep. If he could make a name for himself and crush Li Zhu here, he would not only regain the face he had lost in the past few days, but also solidify his position in his father's heart. Even the civil and military officials would look at him with more respect...
But then he looked at Li Zhu with suspicion, a vague unease rising in his heart. He couldn't help but wonder if Li Zhu also had some hidden talent in his poetry? After all, so far, the other party had casually uttered quatrains, which made him unsure of the source of Li Zhu's confidence!
Are you sure you don't need a little more time?
The Third Prince frowned and asked. He felt that Li Zhu's gaze was strange, which made him even more uneasy!
"What does composing poetry rely on? It relies on the accumulation of knowledge. I know everything from astronomy to geography, and I am well-versed in Confucian classics. I can recite poems and songs off the top of my head. Where would I need time?"
Li Zhu said arrogantly, but what he said was indeed correct. After all, based on his accumulated knowledge, he was indeed far superior to people of this era. His statement was even considered conservative!
However, others didn't think so. They felt that Li Zhu's words were a bit arrogant, tantamount to disrespecting everyone present. If it weren't for the presence of foreigners, someone would definitely have stood up and spoken to Li Zhu to see if he really had anything to offer...
"Then you sing one. If it's truly amazing, I'll admit defeat..."
The Third Prince thought Li Zhu was showing off, so he didn't tolerate it and immediately challenged him to compose a poem. If he couldn't do it on the spot, the Third Prince would make him regret it the next second, because there were dozens of mouths behind him waiting to mock him and make him never be able to hold his head up again...
"Since you're so eager to see my work, I'll satisfy your curiosity. I'm definitely not doing this to show off. Everyone knows I'm upright and pure, and usually incredibly low-key. If it weren't for this situation, I would never easily display my talent. After all, too much charisma can always bring trouble..."
Li Zhu said with a melancholy expression, and everyone who heard him looked at him with constipated expressions, wanting to ask him one question: Where is your face?
The Third Prince looked at him as if he were a fool, his mind already filled with countless sarcastic remarks about Li Zhu, just waiting for Li Zhu to start composing a poem!
"My hair stands on end in anger, as I lean on the railing, the rain has just stopped. I raise my eyes, look up to the sky and roar, my heart filled with fierce ambition. Thirty years of fame and glory are but dust and dirt, eight thousand miles of road are but clouds and moon. Do not idly let your youthful head turn white, only to be filled with empty sorrow."
The shame of Chang'an remains unavenged. The hatred of the subjects, when will it end? I will drive my chariot, shattering the Helan Mountains. With lofty ambition, I will feast on the flesh of the barbarians when hungry, and laughingly drink their blood when thirsty. I will wait to reclaim our lost lands and return to the imperial palace!
After Li Zhu finished speaking, a surge of fighting spirit rose to the sky, as if he wanted to fight a great battle with the enemy. He replaced the shame of Jingkang with the shame of Chang'an being washed away, creating a grand artistic conception that made people's blood boil...
Even the emperor, seated on the dragon throne, gleamed with a sharp light in his eyes as he looked at Li Zhu, who was brimming with fighting spirit…
The military officers in the court instinctively straightened their posture, eager to immediately pacify the border regions and kill any enemy that dared to invade…
"Your Highness is truly talented..."
Xiao Meiren's eyes swept over Li Zhu as if he were looking at a lover, instantly extinguishing Li Zhu's fighting spirit. He was left standing there with an empty facade of arrogance, looking utterly ridiculous. Yet, at that moment, no one dared to utter a sound of mockery...
"Third brother, it's your turn..."
Li Zhu didn't forget to annoy the Third Prince at this moment, and seeing the other's ugly expression made him feel much better...
"I…"
The Third Prince knew he had lost, and lost utterly. This poem, with its profound meaning, and most importantly, the fact that the other party could recite it so readily, and the fighting spirit of being willing to shed blood for the new Tang Dynasty, was unmatched…
This poem already has an advantage in terms of its theme, and it is so well written, how can it be compared?
No matter what kind of poem he writes now, it will always be inferior to Li Zhu's, which puts the Third Prince in a dilemma...
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