While Xuan Zhenzi and Old Celestial Master were talking, news of what happened at the literary gathering slowly spread throughout the capital.
"Consort Xia Chen went too?"
"Did he write any poems? How did he perform? Weren't some people saying he was a prodigy in scholarly pursuits a few days ago?"
"This was a banquet with ill intent, many scholars were eager to test whether Consort Xia Chen had any real talent!"
It was afternoon, and many people were enjoying afternoon tea in a teahouse. At this moment, they were curiously questioning an Imperial College student who had returned from the literary gathering.
Everyone surrounded him in the Central, but the Imperial College student's expression was not good. He stammered and did not answer.
"What's wrong? Li Zheng, we are your uncles, we watched you grow up since you were little. We even helped fund your tuition when you entered Imperial College to study. Now that you've achieved the Juren title and attended the princess's literary gathering today, do you look down on us uncles and disdain speaking to us?"
An old man, seeing that he couldn't get an answer for a long time, immediately said angrily.
"Uncle Chen, don't make it difficult for Li Zheng!"
Just then, another Imperial College student dressed in a scholar's robe entered the teahouse.
This student said with a smile.
"What happened?"
Everyone also saw that something was amiss, so they asked this student.
"Hahaha, Li Zheng, along with a group of Imperial College students, challenged Consort Xia Chen today, forcing Consort Xia Chen to compose a poem in public. I don't know what he was thinking.
Regardless of whether he has real talent, he is the Consort, the legitimate son of the Marquis's estate, and now the Director of the Lantern Bearers, holding a high and powerful position. He is not someone ordinary people like us can offend. But he, on the other hand, foolishly rushed up to be used as a tool for others. I tried to stop him but couldn't!"
Zhang Zhongyong shook his head as he spoke. If they hadn't grown up in the same alley, he wouldn't have said so much in advance, but Li Zheng didn't appreciate it.
"I was doing it for his own good, but he turned around and said I prevented him from making a name for himself in the capital, and he even wanted to break off our friendship. It's really hard to be a good person these days!"
Zhang Zhongyong sighed, looking at the neighbors who were listening attentively, and said helplessly.
"If he had truly embarrassed Consort Xia Chen in public, it would have been one thing, but Consort Xia Chen is clearly not to be trifled with. He publicly reprimanded them for being engrossed in trivial poetry and prose all day, yet not caring about national affairs, not studying diligently, and always trying to take shortcuts.
Finally, he even composed a poem in front of everyone to express his aspirations, slapping everyone's faces resoundingly!"
Zhang Zhongyong said with a hearty laugh, while Li Zheng looked ashamed.
"That poem was excellent. After today, I'm afraid no one will dare to say that Xia Chen lacks knowledge or literary talent. This is truly making a name for oneself in the capital, haha, a true man should be like this!"
Zhang Zhongyong laughed heartily, his demeanor incredibly heroic, yearning for the artistic conception in Consort Xia Chen's poem…
Consort Xia Chen once again made headlines in the capital, becoming a topic of discussion for everyone after meals.
Among them, the most discussed topic was naturally the poem he wrote, especially the last two lines: 'Only know to die for the country on the battlefield, why need a horsehide shroud to return!'
It made many people's hearts stir and yearn!
"Director Xia is right, poetry is but a minor art. Throughout history, which prime minister governed the country by relying on poetry?
Practical work builds a nation. Nowadays, the world is not stable. A major war could break out at any time on the Northwest frontier. What we need are capable officials, not so-called literary giants.
Why has Great Feng in the North declined in national strength over the years?
Isn't it because the entire country advocates civil governance? The scholars and literati there drink, make merry, and visit brothels every day, living in a drunken stupor, not caring about national affairs at all. With such a prevailing atmosphere throughout the country, how can they build an iron-blooded army?
Therefore, I can conclude that if Great Feng continues to develop like this, it will surely be swallowed by our Great Wu in about 50 years. Our Great Wu must not follow in Great Feng's footsteps; we must be wary of the corrosive effect of poetry on people's minds."
A student stood at the main entrance of the Imperial College and shouted loudly. Many Imperial College students surrounded him, listening to his words and nodding in agreement.
One should study the classics of the sages and also learn about national policy, but one must never waste too much energy on poetry.
Since ancient times, no prime minister has achieved that position by relying on poetry; they all relied on doing practical things!
For a time, Consort Xia Chen's name spread thoroughly among the literati, including the Imperial College. Many even regarded his poem, "Only know to die for the country on the battlefield, why need a horsehide shroud to return," as their motto, believing that a true man should be like this, loyal to the country, even if he dies on the battlefield.
Some even had the idea of joining the army…
Consort Xia Chen had not anticipated these subsequent events. At this moment, Consort Xia Chen had returned to his own courtyard, and a young boy was sitting in front of him.
From his build, he looked to be about fifteen or sixteen, but his face was extremely tender.
"Why are you here?"
"Third Brother, I've come to pledge my allegiance to you!"
Xia Wen sat on a stool, his face filled with excitement, looking around, a bit restless.
"You've come to pledge allegiance to me?"
Consort Xia Chen said, amused. Just then, Bi Zhu personally brought tea and served it to Consort Xia Chen and Xia Wen!
"Yes, if Sister Bi Zhu can follow you, why can't I!"
Xia Wen took the tea and said with a smile, while Bi Zhu looked a bit shy hearing this.
"No, you're too young. Besides, does Third Uncle know about this?"
Consort Xia Chen shook his head. If he remembered correctly, Xia Wen was not yet 12 this year.
"But I've already broken through to the Eighth Grade Refinement Realm! According to the rules of the manor, I can already enter the world!"
Xia Wen immediately stood up from the stool and said seriously.
"You broke through to the Refinement Realm so quickly?" Consort Xia Chen was a little surprised, and at the same time, he couldn't help but marvel at how truly monstrous this kid's talent was. Compared to the original body, his original body hadn't even broken through to the Eighth Grade Refinement Realm at 17, indeed, his talent was mediocre among the Marquis's children.
"Yes! And I have to thank Third Brother for it. If Third Brother hadn't improved the basic saber technique, I wouldn't have broken through so easily."
Xia Wen scratched his head, a simple smile on his face. He told Consort Xia Chen the whole story.
It turned out that originally, Xia Wen would have needed at least two to five months to break through at his normal cultivation speed.
But later, his Eldest Uncle, Xia Qian, personally taught him a saber technique called the Shouyang Demon-Piercing Blade. This saber technique could actually draw upon the energy of heaven and earth for body tempering. Therefore, he only took one month to break through this bottleneck.
"I originally wanted to go to the Imperial Guards, but they said I was too young. Then I thought about going to the border army, but my Eldest Uncle and my father, Xia Han, wouldn't allow it no matter what, so I decided to come and seek refuge with you, Third Brother!"
Xia Wen's expression was excited. Originally, Xia Qian and Xia Wen's father, Xia Han, intended for Xia Wen to continue refining his martial arts in the manor, preferably breaking through to the Seventh Grade, or even Sixth Grade, before leaving the manor. By then, Xia Wen would be a bit older, and they would feel more at ease.
But Xia Wen refused no matter what. Having finally broken through to the Eighth Grade, he naturally wanted to see the outside world. Even if it was just staying in the capital, he no longer wanted to stay in the boring Marquis's manor.
Consort Xia Chen looked at the young boy in front of him and couldn't help but sigh. Was this the trouble caused by having too much talent?
If Xia Wen had broken through to the Eighth Grade around 14, his parents wouldn't have been so worried and unwilling for him to leave the manor.
Coming out at 11, who wouldn't be worried? He was practically still a little kid!