The autumn weather in September is crisp, and the weather has been sunny these days. It is a rare good time to travel. ◎Literature Museum, as a whole, has been nominated for the township list, and it would be a shame to not hold a few gatherings for this beautiful time. Today there is There were two gatherings, one for scholars from Yanzhou Prefecture and one for local scholars from the provincial capital.
After the provincial examination, Hangzhou has held countless banquets and rallies, which can be described as severe aesthetic fatigue. But these two today are still eye-catching, because the core figure on one side is the uncrowned king Fang Yingwu, while the core figure on the other side is The character is the crowned king Jie Yuangong.
What's more, there is Lady Yuan, the courtesan of Hangzhou City, between them, which is enough to make all gossips keep their eyes open and pay attention. In other words, Lady Yuan, the courtesan, is just a small bonus, but it is also a very interesting one.
Not only did the two gatherings happen to be held on today, but they also happened to be held on the West Lake. What was even more coincidental was that the gathering locations for both gatherings were at the pier outside Qiantang Gate. The most coincidental thing was that both sides even gathered at the same time. .If so many coincidences come together, it is no longer a coincidence, it is really meaningful.
Xiang Chengxian stood next to Fang Yingwu and couldn't help complaining: "Our place is so shabby, what do you think?"
At this time, there were two men and horses on each side of the pier. On the other side of the provincial capital, the local scholars could see orchestras, music and music, a cloud of servants, beauties, and all kinds of household items piled up in mountains. Several painted boats on the shore were also decorated with carved railings and painted buildings, which were extremely luxurious. ; But the situation here in Yanzhou Mansion is much shabby, and it seems like you came in empty-handed and returned empty-handed.
Faintly hearing the ridicule and discussion coming from the other side, Xiang Chengxian was extremely unconvinced and complained to Fang Yingwu: "Why don't you ask Wang Dahu, who is familiar with you, to help? He doesn't lack these few coins." , this will completely disgrace me in the west of Zhejiang."
An official next to him laughed and said: "Xiang Tongnian is now in prime minister. You don't have to attach too much importance to external things. Luxury has never been a virtue. As the saying goes, you can live in poverty and be happy. Besides, don't we have an oiran lady here? That's Fang Tongnian's elder. Let’s make friends.”
Fang Yingwu looked normal, lowered his head and whispered a few words to Xiang Chengxian. Xiang Chengxian looked surprised after hearing this, but he didn't say anything.
Not long after, I saw a colorful sedan coming out of the city gate, and someone whispered: "Ms. Yuan is here!"
Everyone saw the well-dressed oiran get off the sedan, turn to Fang Yingwu and come towards her, making the Yanzhou Prefecture scholar who was also here beam with joy and glory. She seemed to have the upper hand.
In fact, the oiran woman is not necessarily a necessity in the minds of these new imperial examination candidates, but it is a symbol, which is related to the issue of face, so they can't help but be excited.
Miss Feng Xiao arrived in front of Fang Yingwu and said in a low voice: "Master Fang, please forgive me, but I can't serve you today..."
Everyone around was shocked, what did the court lady mean? They had always thought that Yuan Hua Kui and Fang Yingwu had an old relationship, and they would definitely support her today.
Fang Yingwu frowned slightly, raised his hand and pointed at the crowd of scholars in the provincial capital, and said in a deep voice: "You mean, where do you plan to go?"
Yuan Huakui explained: "I am also a local surname. They invited me warmly, and I couldn't refuse without bowing my head and raising my head..."
"No need to explain!" Fang Yingwu interrupted Yuan Fengxiao, "Everyone chooses their own path, and everyone will have a good reason. It doesn't matter whether you listen or not, so you don't need to explain anything. I hope you will do it in the future. Won’t regret it.”
Everyone watched as Yuan Huakui, accompanied by her maid, walked step by step to the opposite side to join the scholars in the provincial capital. Immediately, a burst of triumphant cheers burst out from there, which was very harsh to the ears of the people here.
Xiang Chengxian suddenly rushed over, stood a few steps away, and said loudly to Yuan Huakui: "I have an old saying that I want to give to Madam Yuan! The right way is to never bully young people into poverty. Madam Yuan, please remember it!"
Fang Yingwu sighed, cupped his hands in front of the surroundings, and said with a smile: "I have nothing to do in the lower reaches today. Please forgive me for being with you."
Then he turned around and walked away from the city, saying in a loud and random voice: "If life is just like the first time we met, why would the West Wind be sad to draw a fan? It would be easy to abandon the heart of the old man, but the heart of the old man is easy to change!"
The oiran lady fell in love with Li Jieyuan, and gossip spread immediately, causing scholars to talk a lot. Most people were surprised, and they had been more optimistic about Fang Yingwu before.
After all, Li Jieyuan is a latecomer, and he is the one who takes the initiative to win over love. Defense should be easier than offense. With his ability to respond to things, holding on should not be a problem. The worst result is just a tug-of-war.
But everyone didn't expect that Fang Yingwu would lose so neatly and without any delay.
If compared to a battle between two armies, Fang Yingwu can only describe it as a disastrous defeat like the annihilation of the entire army. Not to mention the face, the loser loses all his underwear, even if he reads a few very artistic words, what is the reality?
significance?
Celebrities are celebrities, and the slightest disturbance can stir up public opinion. During the discussion, everyone couldn't help but compare Li Jieyuan and Fang Yingwu in all aspects -
When it came to talent, Li Min was said to be well-read and well-remembered, and he was a talented person. However, Fang Yingwu was a prolific poet and frequently produced excellent works. Not to mention being recognized by the court, his talent was naturally extraordinary, so this was barely a tie.
In terms of merit, one is Jieyuan in the Jinke Township Examination, and the other is third. Although there is a difference in ranking, in general, they are still on the same level, and there is no essential difference.
Compared with performance, Fang Yingwu is far ahead. So far, Li Jieyuan is just a pure scholar. He is still in the stage of self-cultivation and family management, and there is no performance. Fang Sansan has already made a name for himself in the temple, and his performance is considered
recognized by the court.
Compared with age and appearance, Fang Yingwu still has the upper hand. Li Jieyuan's appearance can only be regarded as average, not to mention that he is already thirty-seven or eighty years old, and Fang Yingwu is still in his youth and handsome. Li Jieyuan can't even compare.
For example, no matter how disobedient a person is, he will not be able to disobey his will on this matter.
For example, before the provincial examination, Fang Yingwu had frequent scandals with the courtesan. Although Li Jieyuan is a local, he has not heard of any close contacts with Yuan Huakui.
The degree of intimacy is still a bit lower than that of Fang Yingwu.
Among the five most important hard indicators, two were barely tied, and in three, Fang Yingwu was ahead by a large margin, and Li Jieyuan was superior in none. Taken together, it can be said that Fang Yingwu surpassed Li Jieyuan with an overwhelming advantage.
So the question among the gossips is, why did the oiran ignore Fang Yingwu, a handsome young man, and choose Li Jieyuan instead, even though her overall quality was much higher and her relationship was more familiar?
Not to mention that the courtesan had an affair with Fang Yingwu before the provincial examination. How could she change her temperament in such a short period of time? Did she really plan to marry Li Jieyuan?
Immediately, someone started talking about Fang Yingwu’s friend shouting at Mrs. Yuan, “Don’t bully young people who are poor.” This immediately made many people feel enlightened - although in the above five comparisons, Li Jieyuan did not have an advantage over Fang Yingwu.
place, but it doesn’t mean that Li Jieyuan has no advantages at all!
Everyone in the provincial capital knows that Li Jieyuan comes from a wealthy family, and his family is very wealthy. Moreover, he lives in Hangzhou, a city where "there is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below." Needless to say, his life is comfortable. Otherwise, why can Li Jieyuan be able to study in peace and contentment until he reaches his thirties?
Qi Ba doesn’t have to worry about making a living? It’s not like rich families simply can’t afford such expenses.
Moreover, after Li Jieyuan wins the election, he will definitely accept a large amount of donated land, which is fertile and good land in Hangzhou Prefecture, so he can make further fortune soon.
As for Fang Yingwu, he came from a poor mountain village in a remote county. He was born into a truly poor family. Although his father was a Hanlin scholar, he was still a "clean" official who needed to survive for many years. Without benefits, he could not talk about getting rich.
Even if the Fang family and his son win the election one after another, how much land can be accommodated in a poor mountain village like their hometown? It would be good to have 180 acres of thin farmland, but after calculation, they may not earn one or twenty taels of silver throughout the year.
So in terms of money, one Li Jieyuan is enough to kill dozens of Fang Yingwu instantly...
At this point in the discussion, everyone suddenly realized that they couldn't understand more. No wonder the courtesan abandoned her old lover Fang Yingwu this time and chose Li Jieyuan!
No wonder Fang Yingwu's friends shouted angrily, "Don't bully young people into being poor!" The word "poor" really means what it sounds like, and that's where poverty comes from!
After all, there are only a few rich people in the world. For a time, many people out of righteous indignation protested against Fang Yingwu and cursed: "The so-called oiran in Hangzhou City is nothing more than this!"
Courtesans are mainly selected by scholars. Without the promotion of literati, there would be no such title as courtesan.
Therefore, oirans must also have the ideals and aesthetics of scholars entrusted to them. Perhaps there are a thousand oirans in the eyes of a thousand people, but some values are common.
You see, there are countless plots in the novels about gifted scholars and beauties, in which the beauty in the boudoir or the beauty in the brothel falls in love with the poor scholar. It is not an exaggeration to say that they are all the same, and they reflect the psychology of today's literati.
From another perspective, the courtesan is different from the ordinary brothel women. It represents a kind of taste and elegance, symbolizing the elegant taste of the guests. If the court lady herself is vulgar and smells like copper, what is the difference between her and ordinary prostitutes?
?What’s the point of others dating an oiran?
Now this oiran lady in Hangzhou City has openly broken up with her old love who was talented but poor, and turned to a new love who has no advantage except being rich. This is how she hates the poor and loves the rich!
It's okay to do it secretly. Everyone knows that when the water is clear, there will be no fish. However, Yuan Huakui's behavior is completely unconcealed and profit-seeking. This is not even a fig leaf. This is a blatant contempt for the main theme of the literati! This is
It’s not a loss of face for Fang Yingwu, it’s a loss of face for the scholar who holds the title of courtesan!
Yuan Huakui did not realize the seriousness of the matter, nor did she know that public opinion in the city had changed. In her mind, this was just the best choice she made after comparing the benefits and harms.
This is a very common thing. It just makes Fang Yingwu lose a little face, which can be made up for later, and has no decisive significance.
At this time, the oiran lady was sitting next to Xin Ke Jieyuan. Surrounded by a group of friends, she was boating on the West Lake, enjoying wine and food, singing, laughing and dancing, playing the piano and singing, reciting poems and writing lyrics. It was a very happy time.