At night, the Forbidden Palace of the Longtai Imperial City of the Jin Dynasty.
The dim lights illuminated the deserted main hall.
Liu Duan was leaning on the dragon chair, holding a book in his hand and reading fascinatedly.
Qi Shizhai stood aside, secretly glancing at Liu Duan's expression from time to time.
Liu Duan read carefully. After a long time, he was able to turn over two pages of the book.
Although the light is dim, it just illuminates the name of the book.
"Zhibai Poetry Collection".
"Okay! I'm really shocked! We have such a relegated immortal in the Jin Dynasty literary world, and his heart is devoted to the royal family. This is the great luck of the Jin Dynasty and the great luck of the world!" Liu Duan suddenly patted Long gently.
Writing desk, voice full of admiration.
Qi Shizhai's face was full of smiles, and he bowed and said, "Does Your Majesty also think Li Zhibai's poems are good?"
Liu Duan nodded, pointed to a five-character poem in the book and said: "This poem fully demonstrates Li Zhibai's talent, and it lives up to the reputation of being the best poem in the world!"
Qi Shizhai glanced at the poem and said calmly: "I wonder if your Majesty thinks this poem is better than Su Ling's "Spring River Flower Moonlight Night"?"
Liu Duan thought for a while and then said: "Each has its own characteristics, no distinction is made between superior and inferior! But when it comes to poetry that has been passed down to the world, Su Ling still can't compare!"
Qi Shizhai then asked in a low voice: "I wonder if the Holy Master is satisfied with the old slave's recommendation of this person as the president of this poetry meeting?"
Liu Duan nodded excitedly and said: "The officials misunderstood me, they misunderstood me! Such talented and beautiful people would have almost been buried if they were not recommended by Qi Banban. When the officials were selecting officials, why didn't they
Why choose Li Zhibai here? This is really unreasonable."
Qi Shizhai then raised his hand and said: "The Holy One does not know that such talented and famous people are not willing to become officials... The Ministry of Civil Affairs has also conquered many times, but this Li Zhibai did not
No matter what, I don’t want to accept it!”
When Liu Duan heard this, he hesitated in his eyes and said: "Since he is unwilling to become an official, can he really be used by me in this poetry meeting?"
Qi Shizhai smiled faintly and said with a confident look: "The Holy One was very worried. I originally wanted to ask Wang Zhongsu to come out to preside over it, but I was afraid that Li Zhibai would not know how to promote and would not come forward. But I never thought that after seeing the Holy One's edict, this
Li Zhibai, on the other hand, was full of promises, and even traveled day and night from Qinglian County to Kyoto. Judging from the importance he attaches to this time, he must be willing to serve the Holy Emperor."
Liu Duan was puzzled and said: "Didn't Qi Banban say that Li Zhibai is very self-reliant? Why is he so concerned about it this time?"
Qi Shizhai laughed loudly, with wrinkles on his face like an old chrysanthemum and said: "Your Majesty, since ancient times, some talented scholars have had strange tempers. Li Zhibai, for example, is the leading poet in the Jin Dynasty. His thoughts are even harder to guess.
of......"
Qi Shizhai paused and then said: "However, I have thought about the reason. I thought I could guess a lot."
Liu Duan raised his eyebrows and said, "Oh, Qi Banban, let's talk about it."
"Li Zhibai has been the leader of the world's poetry circles for a long time. It's too cold to be in high places. Invincibility means loneliness. In addition, Su Ling, a rising star who has been popular among the people of the Jin Dynasty recently, is very talented. "Dream of Jiangnan" and "Spring River Flower Moonlight Night" are even more so.
It is a famous article that can be passed down through the ages. The Holy One also deliberately added fuel to the flames and made Su Ling's four sentences of establishing a heart for heaven and earth a standard. How could he, Li Zhibai, not know about it."
Qi Shizhai said with a smile on his face, "Li Zhibai is famous all over the world. Suddenly there is a Su Ling whose fame is catching up with him. How can he not be curious and want to see with his own eyes who this Su Ling is?"
Liu Duan nodded with deep approval and said, "Qi Banban is right. Li Zhibai must have agreed to be the president of the Longhuang Poetry Society for this purpose."
Qi Shizhai whispered with deep meaning: "Your Majesty, scholars look down upon each other, especially when the person who threatens the best in the world is still a seventeen-year-old boy. This is even more unbelievable. Therefore, as long as your Majesty sees that Li Zhibai, he will be kind to him."
Appreciate his talents and then provoke..."
Liu Duanhu cut off the words and said with a serious look on his face: "Qi Banban, there is no need to go on. I held this Longhuang Poetry Meeting to promote the poetry and calligraphy culture of Jin Dynasty and to show the heritage of Jin Dynasty in building a country with literature.
, No matter it is Su Ling or Li Zhibai, as long as they are talented and capable, I will treat them equally."
Although he said these words solemnly, his face was filled with a seemingly meaningful smile.
Qi Shizhai saw this in his eyes, how could he not know, and then he smiled lightly and said: "The Holy One is dedicated to selecting talents for the country, but this old slave is narrow-minded!"
Liu Duan then smiled and said: "It is a great achievement for Qi Banban to promote talents for the country. I will be rewarded after the Longhuang Poetry Conference is over."
Qi Shizhai then bowed deeply with gratitude on his face and said: "I only hope that the Holy Master will be surrounded by talented people. The people in the court are all humerus who want to advance to me!"
Liu Duan nodded and said: "What my companion thinks is also what I wish for! Then when will Li Zhibai come to Beijing?"
Qi Shizhai hurriedly said: "He has entered Beijing during the day today, and Zhuque Street was quite deserted because of his appearance."
When Liu Duan heard this, he frowned and said, "Then why don't you arrange for him to meet me?"
Qi Shizhai's eyes were deep and he said slowly: "Your Majesty, this old slave can be sure that along the way, both Xiao and Shen Dingran paid close attention to Li Zhibai, and even tried to win over them in private. However, Li Zhibai is a noble person, and he must not
Will fall to either of them. The old slave has already deployed his hands and secretly conveyed the message to him.
He was even more flattered by the idea of being summoned in person. He originally thought of coming to see him as soon as he arrived in the capital. However, the old slave felt that Li Zhibai was already attracting attention. If he entered the palace during the day to meet the Holy Emperor, he would probably be inconvenienced.
It was difficult to do anything, so the old slave arranged for him to come late at night, thinking he would be on the way by now."
Liu Duan nodded with satisfaction and said: "Qi Banban is very thoughtful, very good. According to what Banban said, Li Zhibai should be here soon."
At this moment, someone hurriedly walked into a small yellow door outside the main hall and whispered to Qi Shizhai for a while.
Only then did Qi Shizhai smile all over his face and whispered to Liu Duan: "Everyone Li has arrived, and they are waiting outside the palace to wait for orders!"
When Liu Duan heard this, he was overjoyed and said: "Hurry, hurry up!"
After a while, a person walked in slowly in front of the main hall. His steps were neither fast nor slow, and his green gauze clothes were blowing in the wind. Although he didn't hold his head high and his chest high, he still felt that he could not hide his majesty and unparalleled strength.
But when he saw the man coming under the Long Book Table, he straightened his clothes, then he knelt down solemnly and kowtowed, and said in a loud voice: "Long live my emperor, Li Zhibai of Qinglian County, long live the emperor!"
Liu Duan straightened his body, then suppressed his excitement and said softly: "Master Li, please come and give me a seat!"
Qi Shizhai hurriedly winked at Xiaohuangmen, who moved a chair for Li Zhibai to sit on.
Li Zhibai was neither humble nor arrogant. After thanking him, he sat upright and lowered his head without looking at Liu Duan.
Liu Duan was quite satisfied with Li Zhibai's respectful attitude. He nodded and said loudly: "Everyone Li, raise your heads!"
Li Zhibai slowly raised his head.
By the light, Liu Duan carefully looked at Li Zhibai, who was known as the Immortal of Poetry in front of him.
Li Zhibai is only over thirty years old, but he is very handsome.
But I saw that this man's eyes were as bright as stars, clear and moving, and his eyebrows were divided into eight colors, flying sideways into his temples. Although he looked like a scholar, he somehow didn't have any aura of weakness, but his expression was quite bold and vigorous.
He has two long beards hanging around his mouth, red lips and white teeth. He wears a belt on his head, a jade scarf around his waist, and a green gauze gown. He looks so proud and suave!
The more Liu Duan looked at it, the happier he became, and he couldn't help but praise: "This is the character that I, the Jin Dynasty poet, should have when he banishes immortals!"
Li Zhibai then bowed his head in a hurry and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, your praise is ridiculous. The name of Poetry and Immortal is the love of the common people in the square. The common people can only write a few lines of poems that are not popular..."
Liu Duanzhan smiled and said: "If Li's poems and prose are not popular, then who else in the Jin Dynasty is famous for their poems and essays? Don't be too modest, Li! I said you deserve the title of Shixianxian, so you deserve it."
."
Li Zhibai hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your love!"
Liu Duan nodded, then suddenly changed the topic and seemed to be pointing out something: "Everyone Li has worked hard all the way, and it must have touched the hearts of many people along the way."
Li Zhibai smiled faintly, without concealing it, and told the truth: "Xiao Yuanche from Sikong, Shen Jizhou from Bohai, and Liu Jingsheng from Yangzhou all sent envoys, hoping that ordinary people would go to see them first after entering the capital."
Hearing this, Liu Duan appreciated his straightforwardness, nodded and said, "Then what choice will everyone Li make?"
Li Zhibai said sternly: "Although Zhibai is a grassroots citizen, he also knows that he is a citizen of the Jin Dynasty. He is not an aide of these people, so why do you want to see them? The grassroots people have refused."
When Liu Duan heard this, he even expressed his admiration: "What a great citizen of the Jin Dynasty. I really did not misjudge the Li family!"
Li Zhibai hurriedly cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, this is Zhibai's duty as a citizen. Today Zhibai came here wholeheartedly to select some talents for the Jin Dynasty and collect some famous articles in order to inspire us.
What a style of poetry and prose in the Jin Dynasty!"
Liu Duan then sighed: "Li's people really have different minds! I'm so relieved!"
He suddenly turned his head to Qi Shizhai and said, "Bring me the poems and essays that I personally copied."
Qi Shizhai turned around and came to the bookshelf. When he returned, he held a piece of paper in his hand.
He handed it to Li Zhibai with his own hand, and then said deliberately: "Everyone Li, you might as well read it carefully and see if this poem catches the eye of everyone Li!"
Li Zhibai took it with both hands, unfolded the paper and read it.
But it is Su Ling's famous poem "Spring River with Flowers and Moonlight Night".
Li Zhibai glanced at it briefly and then handed the paper back to Qi Shizhai.
Liu Duan asked doubtfully: "Why don't you guys look at Li more often?"
Li Zhibai waved his hand and said: "Your Majesty, I have read this poem countless times. Every time I read it, I am fascinated by the poet Su Ling. I always look forward to seeing him one day!"
Liu Duan nodded calmly and said: "Then I personally appoint Su Ling to participate in this Longhuang Poetry Festival. Everyone Li will be able to meet him then!"
Li Zhibai's face showed a look of joy and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for fulfilling the wishes of the grassroots people!"
Liu Duan nodded and said with deep meaning: "Do you all think Su Ling's poem is very good?"
Li Zhibai expressed his feelings directly and said with admiration: "It's not very good, it should be excellent! Cao Min has been immersed in the poetry world for many years and thinks he has written all the famous quatrains in the world. However, since Su Ling's "Spring River Flower Moonlight Night" came out, Cao Min
Only then did I realize that the common people were too complacent!”
Liu Duan asked in confusion: "Oh, what do you mean by Li's words?"
Li Zhibai's eyes were still full of admiration and he said: "The common people know that Su Ling is just a young man who has become famous recently. He can only write one article or one poem. Since the common people started to write poems, they have already written more than ten thousand poems. If
than quantity
Of course, he can't compare with him. However, if compared with the exquisiteness of poetry and prose, his "Spring River Flowers and Moonlight Night" can be regarded as the single most popular poem in Jin Dynasty! After reading his poems, the grassroots people felt that they had done this
More than ten thousand poems were written in vain!"
"What..." Liu Duan was speechless for a moment, looking at Li Zhibai in disbelief, and then said for a long time: "Everyone Li is too self-effacing. Su Ling, with just this poem, can actually push me to the sixth level."
All the poems and essays that have been handed down for more than a hundred years cannot compare with each other. Are you even ashamed of yourself?"
Li Zhibai nodded and said seriously: "What Cao Min said is indeed what he thinks in his heart, and there is indeed no exaggeration!"
Qi Shizhai glanced at Li Zhibai calmly and said secretly that before this man entered the palace, I sent someone to tell him to be careful with what he said. Wouldn't his words cause trouble for the Holy One?
After thinking about it, he snorted quite angrily.
Li Zhibai lowered his head and just didn't know.
Sure enough, Liu Duan's face was a little ugly. He thought that the literati looked down on him, and since he showed Su Ling's poems, Li Zhibai would definitely be competitive. After slandering him for a while, and then he would provoke him, his intention of asking Li Zhibai to do things for him would be fulfilled.
Unexpectedly, Li Zhibai praised Su Ling's poetry to such a high degree!
Liu Duan was silent for a long time, and his expression gradually became cold, and then he said calmly: "Li Zhibai, do you know who Su Ling, who wrote this good poem, is working for?"
Li Zhibai was startled, then lowered his head and said: "The common people only talk about poetry, other things..."
Liu Duan sneered and said: "If one's moral character is lacking, then what's the use of doing good poetry?"
When Li Zhibai heard this, he lowered his head and replied in a low voice: "The Holy One is absolutely right!"
Only then did Liu Duan's expression recover a little, and he still said in a cold voice: "As a commoner, you naturally know very little. Let me tell you, this Su Ling is a confidant of Sikong at that time..."
Li Zhibai looked stern and remained speechless.
Liu Duan then smiled faintly and said in a much calmer voice: "Of course I know that everyone in Li is dedicated to me and the Jin Dynasty! It is for this reason that I have appointed you as the president of this Longhuang Poetry Society!"
Li Zhibai hurriedly stood up, knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "The common people have no way to repay the kindness of the Holy One."
Liu Duan then stood up slowly, helped Li Zhibai up, and said with a smile on his face: "Since everyone Li knows my intention, you should understand that above the Longhuang Poetry Society, if Su Ling makes
Poetry, how should you cut it..."
Li Zhibai felt dark in his heart and was full of struggle.
But he knew that he was just a so-called poetry-exiled immortal, and he was just an ordinary person. This was the emperor, so what else could he say.
He could only sigh secretly in his heart and responded in a low voice: "Li Zhibai, a common man, must do his best to select talented and learned people for the saints who can truly serve the people and the country!"
Liu Duan then took his hand and laughed loudly: "I believe everyone Li will not let me down!"
He suddenly turned around and said loudly to Qi Shizhai: "Come on, bring me some wine. I'm going to give the Li family three royal wines!"
Qi Shizhai also turned to the back with a smile on his face and took out the three-legged royal wine that he had prepared.
Liu Duan even took care of it himself. He brought the wine glass to Li Zhibai and said with a faint smile, "Since everyone in Li is willing to share my worries, how about you drink the three cups of wine."
Li Zhibai was stunned in place, like a wood carving and a clay sculpture, his heart filled with gloom.
Liu Duan handed over the hand holding the wine for a long time, but Li Zhibai seemed not to hear it and remained motionless.
Liu Duan's face was full of embarrassment.
Seeing this, Qi Shizhai hurriedly coughed and urged: "Master Li, the Holy One has given you the Royal Wine, why don't you take it and drink it!"
Li Zhibai had no choice but to suppress the helpless hesitation in his heart, lifted his clothes and knelt down, raised his hands high in the air and said: "Li Zhibai, thank the Holy Spirit for the wine!"
Liu Duan nodded with satisfaction.
Li Zhibai took the wine and was even more worried, but he thought there was nothing he could do, so he closed his eyes, raised his neck, and drank the three glasses of wine one after another.
When the imperial wine entered his mouth, Li Zhibai felt that his mouth was full of bitterness...