249. Mid-Autumn Festival Literary Gathering - Water Melody - When Will the Moon Be Bright (Part 4) (Page 1/2)
Yuelu Academy.
The Cui family's carriages and horses departed into the distance.
In front of the mountain gate.
The scholars who had come seeking knowledge erupted in cheers of their fulfillment.
The clamor, like a surging tide, only served to make the students remaining at the academy even more silent.
They stood rooted to the spot like sinking stones.
Their expressions were incredibly varied.
They looked like a group of unlucky guys who watched others win the lottery while they threw their tickets away like trash.
"The key... the master's true teachings..."
One student stared blankly and muttered, "It flew away right under our noses."
A classmate immediately chimed in.
Her tone was so sour it could pickle cucumbers: "Exactly! We're sitting right next to a mountain of treasures, but we don't recognize them, while outsiders dig them up!"
"What do you call this? This is called 'darkness under the lamp,' meaning it's so dark it shines!"
If I had known this would happen, I would have at least pretended to be extremely respectful!
pity.
There are all kinds of medicines in this world, but there is no medicine to undo regrets.
The students of Yuelu Academy could only swallow a sour jujube pit called "serves them right".
They could only watch enviously as the immense literary success and glory fell into the hands of "others."
"Why?!"
Another student's voice erupted, filled with resentment and grievance:
"He's our headmaster! With such profound knowledge and earth-shattering skills, why didn't he teach us first?!"
"Why lecture at the prefectural academy first? Why write articles for outsiders?!"
Upon hearing this...
A weak voice timidly retorted, "Back then... back when Duke Huan passed the throne to the headmaster, who was it that spoke ill of him behind his back, saying he was young and lacked virtue?"
The courtyard fell silent instantly.
The students of Yuelu University shed tears of regret.
If we had known you were this awesome, we would have definitely bowed down and worshipped you. How could we dare to be disrespectful?!
But it was too late to regret it.
They can only wait.
When the headmaster returns someday, perhaps, just perhaps, he will take a look at them.
Not to mention the regretful students of Yuelu Academy.
The Cui family rode down the mountain in a horse-drawn carriage, heading to the Zheng family's residence in grand style.
Once the carriage entered Kaifeng city and reached Wangfu South Street, it couldn't proceed any further!
But now the entire street was completely devoid of road surface.
Instead, there's an endless stream of banquet tables!
The eight-immortal tables were lined up end to end.
Like a giant centipede, it meanders through the long street.
The table was covered with a brand-new indigo coarse cloth, and the bowls and plates, though not from famous kilns, were all snow-white and shiny, piled up like a mountain.
That's not all.
On both sides of the street, makeshift stoves stretched out in an endless line, with flames roaring and steam rising.
Dozens of cooks, shirtless, were sweating profusely.
The hot oil in the large iron pot sizzled, and whole fat chickens and large chunks of mutton tumbled in the boiling oil, their rich aroma domineeringly filling everyone's noses.
The servants and maids were bustling about.
Baskets full of fresh vegetables, baskets overflowing with live fish, and stacks of pork and beef were being continuously transported in and out through the side door.
The quantity was beyond what could be described as a "banquet".
It's more like feeding an army.
The crowd of onlookers was packed in layers, standing on tiptoe, craning their necks, their eyes wide with disbelief.
“Hey, damn it…”
An old man stared wide-eyed, his jaw nearly dropping. "How many animals must have been slaughtered? Even the emperor doesn't have this kind of extravagance for the New Year!"
"Look over there!"
A woman pointed into the distance.
More than ten large trucks were slowly driving by, covered with rags, but from their outlines one could tell that they were piles of fresh fruits and vegetables.
"And there's more! And there's more! This is truly... an unparalleled wealth, an unbelievable display of power!"
Amidst the hustle and bustle.
A sharp, high-pitched voice rang out: "Make way! Make way! The headmaster's grandmother is here!"
The crowd parted to both sides like a tidal wave.
Old Cui was seen holding the hands of her daughters-in-law Chen and Lin, dressed in ochre brocade that shimmered serenely in the autumn sun.
He walked steadily ahead, his eyes fixed straight ahead.
Behind her, the Cui family members all held their breath and composed themselves, yet they could not hide the triumphant gleam in their eyes and brows.
"It's Old Madam Cui!"
"Madam Cui! Thank you so much for reopening the Bianliang Gazette!"
"Madam, we still need you to decide on the arrangements for this banquet!"
The outcry was widespread, filled with expressions of gratitude and imploring sentiments.
There is also boundless curiosity and trust in this old lady who has suddenly been thrust into the spotlight.
Old Cui kept walking.
He merely nodded slightly, and his words, far from being polite greetings, went straight to the point:
"When will the banquet begin? Have the dishes on the main table been tasted? Which cellar of wine are we using? Bring me the purchase list immediately."
Her words were crisp and clear, and there was not a trace of the timidity of an old woman from the countryside.
She is clearly the matriarch who manages the household and oversees the overall situation.
The problem is—
If you can't even give a straight answer, what are you pretending for?!
At the entrance of the government office.
Seeing Old Cui's affected manner, the brothers Zheng Qizhen and Zheng Qixian were furious.
I wish I could tear this pretentious old woman to shreds.
However, some people are even better at pretending than Old Cui.
"Master Cui's mentor, who enlightened you, is here. Make way at once!"
These words drew gasps and astonishment from countless people.
Master Wu Qinglan, with his back straight, led the Pei, Gao, Zhuang, and Li families, along with the village head and Third Uncle, and made a dazzling entrance.
The two sides met outside the Zheng residence.
They hadn't even had a chance to exchange pleasantries.
(This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading) 249. Mid-Autumn Festival Literary Gathering - Water Melody - When Will the Moon Be Bright (Part 4) (Page 2/2)
The crowd parted once again like waves, even quieter than before.
There was the sedan chair of the Provincial Governor, adorned with lions and blue brocade; the sedan chair of the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, adorned with xiezhi (mythical beast); the sedan chair of the Prefect, adorned with wild geese; and the sedan chair of the Provincial Education Commissioner, adorned with white pheasants…
Several of the province's top officials, dressed in scarlet robes, arrived together at this moment.
The ceremonial procession, with its impressive array of ceremonial guards, slowly came to a stop in front of the grand gate of the Zheng residence.
Dozens of official sedan chairs followed behind.
This sudden display of force silenced the entire scene instantly.
Several high-ranking officials bowed and alighted from their sedan chairs, exchanging slight nods.
The crowds are still gathering.
Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants, and people from all walks of life were drawn to this unprecedented feast.
The discussion was deafening.
Manager Wang of the grain store pulled Mr. Li, the owner of the cloth shop, aside and began calculating the economics with great enthusiasm: "...Just today's purchases alone will increase the amount of cash circulating in the market by this amount! How many shops will be able to recover? This Headmaster Cui is a living god of wealth!"
A man dressed in official boots, clearly a minor official in the yamen, whispered to his companion, "It's not just money. Do you see those people over there? That's Provincial Treasurer Cen, Provincial Surveillance Commissioner Zhou, Prefect Ye, and Education Commissioner Yu..."
"Even they came."
"This Headmaster Cui is currently favored by the Emperor and enjoys great favor. I heard that a few days ago in the main hall of the Provincial Surveillance Commission..."
He lowered his voice even further.
However, the phrases "case resolved in one day," "intimidating all the officials in the hall," and "all the high-ranking officials in Henan accompanied the students to teach at the prefectural school" still reached the ears of those nearby.
It drew countless sounds of awe and admiration.
suddenly.
A louder commotion erupted on the outskirts of the crowd.
Several young scholars, their robes somewhat disheveled from running around,
Clutching Cui Xian's "From Yao and Shun to Tang" tightly in his hand, he pushed through the crowd and rushed to the gate of the Zheng residence.
Their faces were flushed red, whether from excitement or from running, it was hard to tell.
But his eyes gleamed with an almost manic light.
One of them knelt down on the steps with a thud, holding the official gazette high above his head with both hands.
His voice, broken and choked with emotion, was a desperate, desperate shout:
"Student...Student Zhang Cong, thank you so much for your guidance and instruction, Headmaster! After reading 'From Yao and Shun to Tang,' I finally understand the true path of literature! My mind has been enlightened, and I feel as if I have been reborn! This kindness...this kindness will never be forgotten!"
As he spoke, he kowtowed three times in quick succession.
Another scholar knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down his face: "I have studied diligently for ten years without finding the right path! Today, I have received the key from the headmaster, and the road ahead is finally clear! The headmaster's kindness to me is like giving me a second life! Please accept my bow!"
In a short time.
In front of the Zheng residence, seven or eight scholars and intellectuals knelt down.
Some of them expressed their gratitude incoherently.
All they did was kowtow repeatedly; their heartfelt excitement and reverence were genuine.
It infected everyone who was watching.
The people quieted down, their eyes filled with awe.
And then.
All the noise and all the gazes, as if drawn by an invisible magnet, slowly focused in one direction.
The two heavy vermilion doors of the Zheng residence finally opened slowly.
First to emerge were two rows of Zheng family servants in blue robes and small caps, their expressions solemn.
then.
A figure stepped over the high threshold with unhurried speed and appeared in everyone's sight.
The autumn wind arrived first, whipping up the dark robe of the person in the lead, making it flutter like a flag.
The young mountain chief stepped out of the threshold.
Young, sharp, and with an almost blinding brilliance.
The glow of the sunset fell on his face.
It revealed a bright and unpolished spirit, which blended with the profound and serene tranquility surrounding him.
Without looking to the side, Cui Xian first bowed to Old Madam Cui and said, "Grandmother."
Countless eyes turned to Old Cui.
Old Cui was so happy he felt like he was spiraling into heaven.
then.
Cui Xian turned to Wu Qinglan, bowing even more deeply: "Master."
Countless admiring and respectful gazes fell upon Wu Qinglan.
Master Wu felt thoroughly refreshed, as if drinking fine wine, floating on clouds, and joyfully riding the wind.
In short: He was so happy he didn't even care if the person next to him died!
That concludes the discussion.
Cui Xianfang turned his gaze to the Provincial Governor Cen Hongchang and others who were waiting quietly to the side, and simply nodded calmly: "Gentlemen."
He showed neither obsequiousness nor arrogance.
The group of high-ranking officials from Henan were disgusted, thinking to themselves that this guy was too pretentious and kept putting on airs.
They'll keep pretending forever!
Yet they dared not speak out against their anger, and could only grit their teeth and return the courtesy with a forced smile, feigning humility.
Amidst countless praises and exclamations.
The village head and Third Uncle of Hexi Village stepped forward, trembling, and grasped Cui Xian's hand, saying hesitantly, "Xian boy, we were afraid you would be bullied, so we rushed here..."
"Everything is well in Xian. Uncle Lao and the village are worried about you."
Cui Xian turned to face the entire audience, his voice clear as water: "This is my clan's village head, Third Uncle."
"Back in the village, a meal of rice with cured pork was the rarest of delicacies."
"Now, I am fortunate to have Kaifeng as our venue and you gentlemen as our guests."
He helped the two elders up by the arms, nodded and smiled at everyone: "The moon is full, and everyone is here—let the feast begin!"
The words fell.
The hall fell silent, then erupted in thunderous cheers.
Only the two of them, hiding their faces in the corner, were heartbroken and unable to breathe.
It was the brothers Zheng Qizhen and Zheng Qixian.
They watched helplessly as their own money flowed like water, paving the way for this extravagant display.
But all they could do was wail in their hearts.
"Take my family's silver reserves to feast your entire city's guests... You surnamed Cui, this is blatant robbery!"
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