Although Chen Qi made a firm promise in front of Sui Heng, but he was well aware that winning was not easy.
The Spring Banquet was organized by the Yan family, and half of the judges for the Six Arts Competition had intricate connections with the Yan family. Once the Crown Prince’s mansion and the Yan family publicly break off, as the Crown Prince Sui Heng competes, he will inevitably be targeted by those judges. To win the competition, he must ensure that he can receive full approval from the other half of the judges.
And the other half of the judges are basically disciples of Jimo Qingyu.
Jimo Qingyu was famous for his purity. He is a pure minister who practices no favoritism even when dealing with his own relatives. His disciples adhered to their teacher’s aspirations and were also known for only recognizing talent and not people. Even during the most intense conflict between the civil service officials and the Crown Prince Sui Heng, those disciples never deliberately hindered the Yan family’s disciples at the Spring Banquet. They even all appreciated and agreed with Yan Qi’s writings, sending the name of the literary leader to Yan Qi for many consecutive years.
Chen Qi is diligent and hardworking. Although he does not doubt his talent for writing, but Yan Qi is the top literary expert in Jiangbei, with a prominent family background and a young man’s fame. He has a high reputation in the Sui capital and has always been bestowed with the name of a literary genius. His influence is mainly in Jiangnan, and the dissemination of his articles in Jiangbei countries is far less than that of Yan Qi’s.
There is still one thing that cannot be compared to outsiders.
His appearance is not as handsome and elegant as his, and he is a renowned scholar.
In this era, people attach great importance to appearance. When selecting talents, the court should take “appearance” as one of the evaluation criteria. Two articles of the same level, with superior appearance, are more likely to receive high scores from judges.
Commonly known as the face.
Chen Qi had previously read Yan Qi’s articles, and his writing was magnificent, his words were exquisite, and he was able to express himself with substance. His writing ability was profound, and he was indeed a very competitive opponent, worthy of the reputation of being the top writer in Jiangbei.
Yan Qi is favored by famous scholars from Jiangbei and has a natural fondness among the judges.
To win against Yan Qi, he needs to have an advantage in strength that can crush the opponent.
This is a tough battle and a gamble as well. Once he wins, he will also have a real chance to soar to the sky.
“Right Prime Minister.”
When his trusted subordinate conveyed the Crown Prince’s true words to Yan Bing, he almost dared not look at his face.
Yan Bing was originally sitting in the chair, closing his eyes, and recuperating. Upon hearing this, he slowly opened his eyes and asked, “Did he really say that?”
“Yes.”
His trusted subordinate was also quite surprised. Although the Crown Prince had made numerous military achievements and relied on military force to dominate the court and fields, a successful heir could not have been achieved without the assistance of civil service officials. Where did the Crown Prince get the confidence to break off with the Yan family?
Yan Bing’s expression was quite calm.
“It’s normal for an eagle to grow hard wings and want to fly on its own.”
However, most people can only see the eagle that successfully broke out of the cliff and cannot see the thousands or even hundreds of corpses that fell to pieces at the bottom of the cliff.
His trusted subordinate asked, “So this list?”
The list of names was carefully selected, and they are the most talented people in Yan’s generation. The Spring Banquet is an excellent opportunity for them to establish their reputation. The Yan family will not let these disciples miss the competition.
Yan Bing closed his eyes and gave a faint command, “Hand it over to the Left Prime Minister.”
His trusted subordinate was startled.
The Left Prime Minister, Jimo Qingyu, is the backbone of the civil service officials and has been responsible for the participation of the civil service group. The master of the house is trying to bring the Yan family into the civil service team for competition.
This has never happened before.
Even three years ago…
The strength of the civil service group is already strong, and with the help of the Yan family, there is almost no chance for the Crown Prince to win in the Six Arts competition.
The head of the family is clearly doing this to teach the Crown Prince a lesson!
Empress Yan has a much more intense reaction than Yan Bing’s.
Empress Yan felt that her son must have gone crazy. He gave up on the Yan family’s disciples and had the delusion of forming a literary team on his own.
The Yan family has a deep and vast root system in the court that cannot be shaken overnight. Empress Yan was so angry that she became furious and called Sui Heng over to scold him.
After hearing this, Sui Heng raised his eyebrows and said, “Empress Mother, rest assured that even without the Yan family, Erchen will not lose.”
He was directly kicked by Empress Yan.
“I know you are very angry and don’t want to submit and be manipulated by the Yan family, but the Spring Banquet is not about leading troops to fight. Do you think you can rely on your group of reckless men to wield swords around the judges’ necks and let them give you the top spot? Be practical in your life, and in public and private, the Yan family is your best choice. Are you out of your mind? Making such a stupid decision.”
Empress Yan was not relieved by just scolding Sui Heng, so she called Xu Qiao over to scold them together.
In the eyes of Empress Yan, Xu Qiao was Sui Heng’s most trusted subordinate and an advisor. As an advisor, he did not stop his master from committing a crime and even fooled around with him, which was extremely derelict of duty.
Xu Qiao is in pain and dares not defend himself. He could only kneel on the ground and let Empress Yan scold him.
Finally, Sui Heng remained calm and said, “If Empress Mother talks about Gu’s affair again, Gu will really report it to Emperor Father. Empress Mother has interfered in politics without authorization.”
Empress Yan was furious and told him to get lost.
Sui Heng obediently gets lost with Xu Qiao.
Empress Yan caressed her chest, unable to recover for a long time.
Qin momo helped patting her back and said, “His Highness has just conquered the five kingdoms of Jiangnan. He is at an age where he is full of sharpness, and it is understandable to want to prove his strength. From this servant’s perspective, the Empress doesn’t need to be so angry. Perhaps His Highness is really confident, and he really has the chance to win.”
Empress Yan glanced at her, unhappy.
“Is that called confidence? That’s called arrogance, ignorance!”
“What sin did Bengong create in her previous life to give birth to such a scoundrel!”
**
Chen Qi, leveraging his former prestige, quickly recruited a group of talents from other countries in the Jiangnan region for Sui Heng. Among them were not only famous scholars who had been famous for many years, but also some extraordinary talents who were wandering around the world.
For example, a Daoist priest who specializes in chess is known as Xiao Yaozi.
Xiao Yaozi’s ancestral home was in the Jiang Empire. Previously, due to his humble background, he was looked down upon by others and was depressed and discouraged, so he retreated to the mountain to practice. Although chess is not among the six arts, it is also an important literary project. After receiving the important task entrusted by Sui Heng yesterday, Chen Qi immediately invited Xiao Yaozi out of the mountain as soon as possible.
Sui Heng summoned these people in advance.
Chen Qi introduced them one by one. When he introduced Xiao Yaozi, Sui Heng’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Gu has heard that the Crown Prince Jiang Rongyu likes to be humble and courteous. He always goes around recruiting subordinates for himself when he has nothing to do. Since you come from the Jiang Empire, why haven’t you been working for Jiang Rongyu?”
Xiao Yaozi could feel that the Crown Prince of Sui did not seem to like him very much.
The Jiang and the Sui Empire were bitter and mortal enemies, and this attitude of the other party was not incomprehensible.
Xiao Yaozi raised the horsetail whisk and answered sternly, “Answer Your Highness, this humble Daoist just doesn’t want to be loyal to a righteous hypocrite and only wants to serve a wise master like Your Highness.”
Sui Heng showed a look of interest.
“Do you also think Jiang Rongyu is a hypocrite?”
“That’s right, this person claims to be condescending to higher positions and honoring the virtuous and lower officials, but in reality, he is very arrogant and disrespectful, using his power to deceive others. This humble Daoist comes from a humble background, this humble Daoist was just like a pig or a dog in his eyes, unable to even touch his threshold. This person is also extremely jealous of those who are more talented than he is. He only wants to recruit those mediocre talents who constantly praise and flatter him. This humble Daoist is ashamed of those who are loyal to him.”
Sui Heng asked, “What can Daozhang bring to Gu?”
Xiao Yaozi replied, “In the chess section, this humble Daoist will definitely win the first prize for Your Highness.”
“Good, Gu is different from Jiang Rongyu. When it comes to talent, Gu has always been open to all sorts of talent. Only talent is useful. As long as Daozhang has real talent and knowledge, Daozhang won’t be buried as a pig or a dog here. It’s just…”
He changed his tone and said, “Although Gu’s Crown Prince’s mansion is spacious, but it does not support idle people. Gu hopes that Daozhang can show Gu his abilities.”
The other party gave a light glance, as if weighing a thousand pounds.
Xiao Yaozi broke out in a cold sweat uncontrollably, finally understanding how the Crown Prince’s notorious reputation spread among other countries in the south and north of the Yangtze River.
“This humble Daoist will do his best.”
Xiao Yaozi answered loud and clear.
Sui Heng nodded and walked down with his hands behind his back. As he passed by him, he suddenly said, “Gu doesn’t like godly things. Since Daozhang is under Gu’s tutelage, Daozhang will be Gu’s subject. From now on, don’t wear this Daoist robe.”
Xiao Yaozi was taken aback for a moment, then answered yes while trembling with fear.
By the time Sui Heng returned to the palace, Jiang Yun had already fallen asleep.
Jiang Yun was the most disciplined person that Sui Heng had ever seen. He didn’t turn over or talk in his sleep. If there was no one to disturb him, he could lie quietly all night.
But Sui Heng did not follow the rules.
As soon as Sui Heng returned, he couldn’t help but want to bully the little beauty as he looked at his thin and jade-like back, and his black hair spread out like silk. He grabbed Jiang Yun’s exposed wrist and placed it towards his chest.
He has just found a good place, and Jiang Yun was awakened by him.
Jiang Yun frowned and looked at him with great incomprehension, as well as the hand he was holding.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing.”
Sui Heng lay down, still domineeringly holding onto his little lover’s hand and pressing it against his own heart. “Just missed you.”
Jiang Yun is tired and doesn’t want to entangle with him.
He closed his eyes, wanting to sleep, but was caught off guard by a blow on his cheek.
Sui Heng smiled triumphantly.
“Won’t let you sleep.”
His eyes were particularly bright, and he seemed excited.
Jiang Yun couldn’t understand why this person was inexplicably excited in the middle of the night.
“The next few days will be especially important for Gu. Gu hopes that you can stay on the field and witness Gu’s special moments with your own eyes.”
“Special moments?”
“En.”
Sui Heng raised his eyebrows and said, “It’s as important as you giving birth to Gu’s children.”
“……”
Jiang Yun completely ignored him, withdrew his hand, and fell asleep on the inside.
Sui Heng knew he was tired, so he didn’t make any more noise. He got up, took off his clothes, and lay down again. He hugged the person from behind and went to sleep with him.
**
The Spring Banquet originated from the gathering of literary figures and is known as the private gathering.
The Six Arts Competition is the core of the Spring Banquet, and the first competition is also a literary competition represented by the Six Arts of the Gentleman.
The next morning, all the literati and disciples from various countries who participated in the competition crowded in. Emperor Sui and the angry Empress Yan also sat on the high platform early to prepare to watch the competition.
Compared to previous years, this year’s Spring Banquet is particularly eye-catching.
One was because Crown Prince Sui Heng has not participated in the Spring Banquet for three whole years, and at the Spring Banquet three years ago, there was an accident like that.
Because of the submission of the five southern kingdoms, the “Six Arts” literary projects brought a large number of strong competitors. For example, in the field of literature, Chen Qi, the former top literary master in Jiangnan, and many other well-known Southern literary masters have been added. In the field of music, there is also the “Prince of Music” among the Four Princes of the Southern Kingdoms, known as the music genius, Luo Fengjun, the Crown Prince of the Luo Kingdom.
The Four Princes of the Southern Kingdom, who are renowned among various countries except for Jiang Yun, the Crown Prince of the Jiang Empire, who is rumored to have suffered serious injuries from falling off the cliff, not sure how many days he will live, and seems to have no outstanding talents, all three of them have gone to the Great Sui and will appear at this year’s Spring Banquet, bringing considerable pressure to the northern countries.
But compared to a strong country like the Sui Empire, the talents of other small northern countries are relatively weak and withered, so the biggest pressure is still on the suzerain country, the Sui Empire. And the one who gets the most attention is, naturally, Sui Heng, the Crown Prince.
Early in the morning, the news of the Yan family’s disciples joining the civil service group and not representing the Crown Prince’s mansion in the competition spread rapidly.
Each subordinate country, including the literati group in the Sui capital, was both surprised and puzzled.
Everyone was quietly watching, waiting to verify the authenticity of the message. Amidst the attention of the crowd, Yan Qi, the eldest grandson of the Yan family, dressed in a crimson robe and walked off the carriage of the Yan family.
The servant held the umbrella for the young master.
The people in front of him immediately rushed towards him, some exchanged greetings, and some wanted to take the opportunity to inquire about the news. Yan Qi greeted everyone with a smile and did not provide a positive answer to the question of the Yan family’s participation.
Jiang Yun also got up early and was accompanied by Shi Fang and Fan Qi to watch the excitement. When they heard the news that Sui Heng did not use the Yan family’s disciples, they were slightly surprised.
Fan Qi lowered his face and said to Shi Fang, “I don’t believe in their nonsense. No matter what the Yan family does, Young Master Yan Qi will definitely stand by His Highness’s side. As long as Young Master Yan Qi is present, along with Chen Qi, His Highness will definitely have the chance to win.”
Shi Fang said he is too innocent.
“Do you think he will break off with the Yan family for the sake of His Highness?”
“Why not? Prime Minister Yan is used to being arbitrary and domineering, but Young Master Yan Qi is not that kind of person.” Fan Qi was not convinced. “If you don’t believe it, let’s wait and see.”
Before the competition, everyone must identify themselves and go to the judge to pick up the designated domino to clearly indicate which side to represent in the competition. This is the rule.
When Yan Qi walked onto the stage, everyone’s gaze was fixed on him.
The sun rises along the surface of the Qushui River, and the breeze and the willows make the spring scenery pleasant. Yan Qi’s scarlet robe flew, and his fingers fell down. Finally, he picked up a plaque engraved with the text, representing the civil service group.
