"Young Master Du, please go to the second floor, there is a private room there."

Zhuang Shouren leads the way ahead.

When Du Ning heard that there was a private room on the second floor, he felt something was a little strange. Isn’t it just two people who drink tea? As for using the private room?

"Mr. Zhuang, I have a little doubt. Is it someone else who wants to invite me to have tea or is it that you want to invite me to have tea?" Du Ning asked.

Zhuang Shouren's face changed slightly and he smiled and said, "To be honest, it's a friend of mine who wants to see you, but his identity is a bit special, so I want to ask me to invite you on my behalf. Don't worry, my friend has nothing to do with the officials of the Xianwang Party, and he has absolutely no reason to be evil to you. I invite you in front of the juren class. If something happens to you, the National Academy of Sciences will not spare me. After all, this is under the sages' observation. My friend admires your literary name for a long time, and I really want to know you."

"I see."

Seeing that the other party was honest, Du Ning didn't bother with this matter.

I was just a little curious. I was not familiar with the place in the capital, so who wanted to see me?

Du Ning came to a private room where two people were sitting.

One is a man in his thirties, and the other is a teenager in his twelve years old.

There are many delicious and expensive snacks on the table, and a rich fragrance wafts out from the teapot.

Through the window, you can see the scenery outside.

This box is pretty good.

"Young Master Hao, Brother Yan, we are here."

Zhuang Shouren bowed to the two.

These two are Emperor Hongxuan and King Yan who visited privately on a private tour.

Du Ning noticed the order of Zhuang Shouren's name to the two, and guessed that the young man's status was probably higher than that of the man.

Either they are from a well-known aristocratic family, or they are royal relatives, nobles or kings, princes, generals and ministers in the capital.

Thinking of this, Du Ning said with a polite look: "I have met two literary friends in Du Ning."

Without knowing the other party's identity, Du Ning can only be called "literary friend".

"Don't...ahem..."

Emperor Hongxuan subconsciously wanted to say "no politeness", but found that his current identity was special, so he hurriedly changed his words: "Young Master Du doesn't have to be too polite, please sit down!"

Du Ning and Zhuang Shouren sat down opposite each other.

Then, Zhuang Shouren lifted the teapot and poured a cup of hot tea for Du Ning.

Du Ning could feel that the two people on the other side were looking around him.

"Mr. Du, Brother Yan and Mr. Hao are both from the capital. They admire your talent very much. I heard that you are going to the National Academy of Sciences to participate in the competition, so I want to take this opportunity to meet you. I hope you can forgive me if you are abrupt." Zhuang Shouren said with a smile.

"It's okay. I'm just here in the capital. It's an honor to be so respectful to you."

Du Ning said modestly, guessing that "Young Master Hao" and "Brother Yan" are just pseudonyms for the two. Generally, famous families do not use pseudonyms, so the other party is most likely to be people in the court.

If it has nothing to do with the Party of Virtuous Kings, it may be the power of other kings.

Thinking of this, Duning relaxed a lot.

Officials who are virtuous kings will assassinate themselves, but officials from other kingly forces are willing to make friends with them, so you can feel more at ease and bold when you come here, as long as you don’t say anything you offend the court.

Du Ning had a scheming in his heart.

The King of Yan said, "I have long admired Master Du's name, and I have a couplet here. I have been thinking about it for a long time but I can't find it. I hope you can give me some advice."

"Brother Wen, please speak." Du Ning said calmly.

The King of Yan said, "My first couplet is a painting that is not inscribed in the green mountains for thousands of years."

Zhuang Shouren smiled and said, "Brother Yan's first couplet has a very good artistic conception. The green mountains are scenery. You can use ink to paint for thousands of years. Good!"

Du Ning thought about it in place and said slowly: "Then I am right, the flowing water has no strings and the guqin."

"The flowing water is gurgling, and there is no string, it is like a guqin, haha... The second couplet I have been thinking about for a long time, Mr. Du made it in a moment, OK!"

The King of Yan was very satisfied and happy, and said with a smile: "It turns out that he is full of poetry and books. It is better to meet him than to be famous, which shows that there are no vain men under his reputation."

"Brother Wen has won the award."

Du Ning savored the jade-scented tea, and a refreshing fragrance suddenly penetrated his throat, making people feel refreshed.

It tastes sweet and is indeed a top-notch tea.

Zhuang Shouren said: "Zhuang has a poem called "Early Plum". When the poem was completed, it was nine in one foot. It was almost a little bit able to reach the mansion. If it could be modified slightly, it would definitely be a masterpiece of the mansion. It's a pity that he is stupid and feels it is difficult to modify. I wonder if Mr. Du can give me advice?"

After saying that, he took out the original manuscript of his poems from the universe in his sleeve.

Duning took over the tour.

The trees are frozen and about to break, and the lonely roots are warm and return alone.

In the deep snow in the Qian Village, several branches bloomed last night.

The wind passes the faint fragrance, and the birds come to see the plain beauty.

If you are in the right direction next year, you will start looking for the Spring Platform first.

"Brother Zhuang is outstanding in his literary talent, and I admire him." Du Ning said with a smile.

"In front of the number one talented man in Suzhou, this is nothing, it makes you laugh." Zhuang Shouren said.

King Yan said: "I have read this "Early Plum" and I also think that this poem has nothing to change, but I always feel that it is missing something. It depends on whether Mr. Du can make some modifications to the Dafu."

"Please consider it later."

Du Ning held the manuscript in his left hand and gently tapped the desktop with his right hand.

The others looked at Du Ning and didn't dare to say a word, for fear of interrupting his thoughts.

After a long time, Du Ning smiled, "I look at this poem, and it seems that there is only one word to change."

"What word?" Zhuang Shouren cast an anticipated look.

"In the deep snow in the village of Qian, several branches bloomed last night. The word "number" cannot fully reflect that the plum blossoms bloomed early. Changing it to the word "one" can make it look better to make the plum blossoms bloom early."

"The deep snow in the Qian Village, a branch bloomed last night..."

Zhuang Shouren recited it once, suddenly became enlightened and said happily: "Young Master Du, this word "Yi" is simply the finishing touch!"

"What a wonderful thing! Just modifying one word can improve the artistic conception of the poem to a higher level. He is truly the number one talented man in Suzhou." King Yan nodded silently, his face full of appreciation, and he was quite satisfied with Du Ning's performance.

Emperor Hongxuan also smiled, thinking in his heart that the old emperor attached importance to Du Ning. As expected, he was also impressed by Du Ning's literary talent.

Zhuang Shouren took out the paper and pen from the universe in his sleeve and rewrited the modified "Early Plum".

A talent of more than two feet long jumped instantly on the paper.

"It's true!"

Zhuang Shouren stood up and bowed to Du Ning: "Thank you, Mr. Du, for your advice. You can be my 'one-word teacher', please accept my bow."

"Brother Zhuang, you really don't dare to take it."

Du Ning helped Zhuang Shouren up.

"Ascending "Zhaomei" to Dafu can be regarded as fulfilling my wish. If Mr. Du is sent in the future, Zhuang will definitely repay you." Zhuang Shouren said gratefully.

"It's not worth mentioning."

Du Ning waved his hand and signaled that the other party not to take it to heart.

"You all ask Mr. Du for advice. Now, it's my turn to ask Mr. Du for advice." Emperor Hongxuan suddenly spoke.

"Mr. Hao, please tell me, I will definitely speak everything I know and say everything I can." Du Ning said.

"Mr. Du is in the National Academy Palace, and I believe he has heard of the grassland tribe visiting Yunchao, right?"

"It's no secret that you can hear in the National Academy of Sciences."

Emperor Hongxuan looked at Du Ning and slowly said, "Now I am fighting in the south and the north. The grassland tribes took advantage of the opportunity to force the royal family of Yun Kingdom in the name of marriage and marry the prince of the grassland tribe as a concubine. If they do not agree, the grassland tribe will marry the barbarians and the Xiongnu. At that time, the grassland tribe will launch an army in the Western Regions. Our country will be attacked from three sides, and it will be in danger. I wonder what Mr. Du has to have a high opinion of such a major event? Is our Yun Kingdom forced to compromise with the grassland tribe or to tear the skins with the grassland tribe?"

"In fact, this question should not be asked me, but the grassland people." Du Ning answered,

"How do you say this?"

Emperor Hongxuan was puzzled. He was clearly asking Du Ning for advice, but why did Du Ning ask about the grassland tribe?

"I think that the grassland tribe takes the royal princess of Yun Kingdom as a concubine is nothing more than a temptation."

Du Ning said: "If the grassland tribe wants to start a war while the barbarians and the Huns attacked Yun Kingdom, even if a feather from the grassland floats from the border of Yun Kingdom, it can be an excuse for the grassland tribe to attack Yun Kingdom. The grassland tribe wants to fight, even if the Yun Kingdom promises to marry the royal princess to the grassland princes as concubines, it is just a way for the grassland tribe to humiliate Yun Kingdom, and will further encourage the arrogance of the grassland tribe."

"Young Master Du's words are very reasonable and have clear ideas!"

King Yan and Emperor Hongxuan looked at each other, and both saw their admiration for Du Ning from each other's eyes.

If the grassland tribe wants to fight against the Yun Kingdom, is there any use for marriage?

It's just a joke.

The grassland tribe did this to test the Yun Kingdom. If the Yun Kingdom compromised, it means that the Yun Kingdom is a soft persimmon that can be pinched completely, and you can pinch it whatever you want.

If the Yun Kingdom refuses, it will not suffer any loss to the grassland tribe. The grassland tribe can still sit in the mountains and watch the tiger fight and enjoy the fruits.

Du Ning's explanation made Emperor Hongxuan and King Yan clearer.
To be continued...