The Literary Saint List in February made the entire Jin Dynasty feel an unprecedented crisis.
The destiny of the country is no longer an illusory existence, but has become a sharp blade suspended above the heads of the world.
Once the national fortune is dissipated, no, even if it is only half dissipated, it will be enough to plunge the Jin Dynasty into an irreversible decline.
By then, the entire Jin Dynasty's literati and warriors, as well as ordinary people, will become victims of this collapse of destiny.
It fell apart in just an instant.
The ordinary scribes were in panic, and faced with such a situation, they had no choice but to do anything.
It's not that I'm unwilling to work hard, but that even if I try my best, I can't see any chance.
Today's Literary Saints List is like a natural chasm, making it elusive for all scribes.
Only those few hundred people can reach the pinnacle that attracts the attention of the world.
In February, Jin Dynasty's competition for the Literary Saint List was a disastrous defeat.
Even with all the efforts of the country, poetry can only be pushed to the fifteenth place.
Now that February has just passed, the March Literary Saint List is coming one after another.
I have just experienced an exploit by luck, and now the next exploit strikes again.
Will Dajin still have a chance?
Many scribes only felt despair in their hearts.
Such a defeat is likely to collapse instantly like an avalanche.
The Fourth Hospital and the First Prison are thinking of ways to deal with the invasion of luck from other countries.
But the situation is not as simple as they imagined.
As soon as March arrived, the other five countries joined forces to open the door of the Jin Dynasty.
It's not that I didn't think of using any means to stop them, it's that I couldn't take action at all.
Because the ones who knocked on the door of the country were ten third-grade Confucian scholars jointly sent by the five countries.
Unless there is determination to break out a war immediately, there is absolutely no way to stop it.
These three-level scholars are euphemistically called "envoys to friendly countries".
But everyone knows what their real purpose is.
March,
The spring breeze sends away the cold, the earth welcomes spring, and everything revives.
However, the scribes in the capital of Shuntian Prefecture could not feel the warmth of the spring breeze at all, but instead felt the coldness occupying their hearts.
A piece of news spread throughout the capital and to the entire Jin Dynasty.
"The six countries have been one since ancient times. Now that their fortunes have gathered together, it is truly a blessing for the world. Therefore, after discussion by the six countries, the Six Nations Poetry Festival is held on the Shangsi Festival on the third day of March every year for fifteen days to congratulate the human race.
, Congratulations to the world, congratulations to all people!"
This news spread throughout the Jin Dynasty on the same day through Wenchang steles in various places.
Suddenly the whole country was in an uproar.
"Are you kidding me!?"
"If you can't compete on the list of literary saints, if you hold a poetry meeting at this time, aren't you asking for death?"
"Did you really think poetry could be that simple?"
"Once you lose in a poetry meeting, it's a double defeat."
"We have already failed miserably on the Literary Saint List. If we fail again at the poetry festival, it will definitely affect the Wenchang Monument."
"When the time comes, my luck in the Jin Dynasty will only be lost faster!"
Ordinary scribes did not know that the other five countries had already sent third-grade scholars to lead envoys to Jin.
I simply cannot understand such a decision.
If this isn't asking for death, what is it?
Any scribe with a little bit of brain can figure out the stakes involved.
Now the Jin Dynasty is like a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered. If it does not have any means of resistance, it will become a hunting ground for the other five countries.
And in the capital, in the Fourth Hospital and the First Prison, in the Sixth Department,
Everyone who knew the inside story fell into a deathly silence.
Now the Jin Dynasty does not have the courage to go to war decisively, so it cannot stop the convening of the Six Nations Poetry Conference.
For the first time, the Fourth Hospital and the First Supervisor sat down to discuss countermeasures.
In an ordinary room, five great Confucians and wise men were sitting.
They are all the principals who are currently in charge of the four courtyards and one prison.
"What should we do now?" Qin Zhenliang of Songyue Academy looked at the other four people.
Shen Shijun of Wansong Academy took a sip of tea and said, "The Six Nations Poetry Festival is imperative. We have no other choice but to fight with all our strength."
"Now I can only hope that this poetry meeting can gain some face for me, the Jin Dynasty."
Wu Zhanchun of Xiangshan Academy moved his cheeks and said, "This is their conspiracy. This group of envoys came to focus all the attention of our country on this poetry meeting."
"It will definitely put me in an unfavorable situation for the competition on the Literary Saint List."
"To disperse the fortunes of the Jin Dynasty and divide and conquer, this is their stated method."
"Even if the poems and essays in the poetry meeting can still be on the literary holy list, there is no doubt that it will distract us from our strength."
The atmosphere in the room became more and more depressing.
How could they, who are considered to be third-grade Confucian scholars and virtuous men, be in such a miserable state?
Now, because of poetry that I didn't pay much attention to before, I am in such a desperate situation.
If the Great Jin Dynasty disappears, then the Fourth Courtyard and the First Prison will also disappear.
Under the cover of the nest, are there any eggs?
It's so frustrating.
Zhao Hongshan sighed softly, "Now they are just testing."
"Once they discover that we have no ability to resist, they will definitely resort to thunderous measures."
"The failure in the Literary Saint Ranking in February doesn't mean much. If the situation remains the same in March, we will be really in danger."
"Their methods of harvesting luck will definitely become more and more unscrupulous."
Qin Zhenliang from Songyue Academy slammed the table, "It's so frustrating."
"It's better to fight with real swords and guns."
"If we really want to fight, we will definitely lose." Shen Shijun of Wansong Academy shook his head, "Although we use all possible means to fight for luck, at least we can maintain superficial peace."
"Once a war breaks out, it will be a hell on earth. I don't know how many casualties there will be."
"I'm afraid not many of us third-grade scholars can survive."
Wu Zhanchun from Xiangshan Academy smacked his lips, "That's not necessarily true."
"The country is gone, the academy is gone, but we can still go to the temple."
"It's just that our destiny in this world has nothing to do with us anymore."
Qin Zhenliang's eyes widened, "Then what kind of third level is this third level? You can't even touch the luck and grammar."
"To put it bluntly, the grammar of luck means using luck to shake the rules of heaven and earth, isn't it?"
Zhao Hongshan said, "Perhaps in the holy temple, we can understand more rules of heaven and earth, and even if we have no luck, we can still exert great power."
"Okay, everyone." The public relations officer of the Imperial Academy bowed his hand politely, "You and I have been fighting for decades, and who still doesn't know the temper of the other?"
"There is no need to say such depressing words anymore."
"It is only right to seize the time to discuss countermeasures."
Zhao Hongshan said to the other four people, "Have all of your fifth- and fourth-grade scribes come out of seclusion?"
“It’s no longer enough to let them study scriptures and classics.”
"In this current situation, poetry is the first line of defense against the loss of luck."
Qin Zhenliang nodded, "In March, in our Songyue Academy, all the scribes in the fifth-grade gentleman realm and the fourth-grade destiny realm will be called out."
"The same is true for me at Wansong Academy." Shen Shijun said softly.
"Don't worry, Xiangshan Academy will not hold you back." Wu Zhanchun said, "I will understand the priorities of the matter."
Over there, Guan Xianli of the Imperial College also echoed.
February has already failed, and it would be foolish not to pay attention to March.
"There is another breakthrough regarding this Six Nations Poetry Conference, and that is the theme of this poetry conference." Zhao Hongshan looked around the audience and said,
"If the theme finally decided happens to be within the scope of our expertise, we may still be able to fight."
"So we must not give in on the theme of the poetry meeting."
The other four people all nodded.
"This poetry meeting must be discussed at the court meeting, and we will also be present."
"If we hold on to March, we still have a chance to fight back."
"If we lose again in March, the situation will be really critical."
…
Early in the morning on the third day of March,
The Yong'an Gate in the outer city of the imperial city opened wide to welcome envoys from all over the world, as well as poetic and talented Confucian scholars from all over the country who participated in poetry gatherings.
On this day, the atmosphere above the capital gathered like a tide, washing away the sky.
There are no clouds in the sky and the sky is clear.
On the streets of the capital below, flags were fluttering and lanterns were decorated.
All the people in the capital took to the streets.
Today they can get as close as possible to the imperial city without being expelled.
Those scribes who have occupied the first place on Wenchang steles in various places can participate in this poetry meeting.
The first eunuch of the Fourth Courtyard and the imperial court became fierce and wanted as many scribes as possible to participate in the poetry meeting.
Use all available forces to keep the minions of the other five countries out of the country.
They must not be allowed to do whatever they want.
"Crash..."
Suddenly, a golden light bloomed in the sky, like a huge golden paper spread out in the sky.
"This poetry meeting is divided into six themes, corresponding to the numbers of the six countries."
"The Qin State has a 'Wind' list, the Jin State has a 'Water' list, the Zhou State has a 'Dream' list, the Zhao State has a 'Mountain' list, the Qi State has a 'Snow' list, and the Chu State has a 'Moon' list."
"All scribes can compose poems under the Liu Bang, as long as they fit the theme of the Liu Bang."
There is a sharp-eyed person below, softly reading the words on the gold paper,
"In order to ensure fairness and avoid interference from outside luck in this Liu Bang Poetry Contest, the luck of the Six Nations will be locked with the luck treasures of the Six Nations."
"The one who tops the list will get the luck contained in the Luck Luck Treasure."
"The amount of luck contained in each piece of luck treasure is equivalent to the total amount of luck in a mansion!"
The words on the gold paper appeared quietly.
Everyone who saw the rules exclaimed in surprise and widened their eyes in disbelief.
Ordinary people may not know what Qi Luck Lingbao is, but as long as they read these words, they will know its general meaning.
This is a bet on the fortune of the whole house!
The entire Jin Dynasty only has nineteen mansions!
If we lose, wouldn’t March be even worse?
…
Anfu, Tingxue Pavilion, a figure dressed in white raised his head and looked at the sky.
Her beautiful face, as cool as a fairy, becomes even more otherworldly against the backdrop of brilliance.
"Even the Luck Spiritual Treasures have been taken out. The five countries really won't suffer any loss."
While whispering, I heard the door to the courtyard outside the snow pavilion creak open.
An Zhonglou walked in, "Nan Zhi, why don't you go to the imperial city for a walk today? Staying here all day is not good for your health."
Over the past few years, Annan Zhi's body has become thinner and thinner, as if she could be blown away by a gust of wind.
If it weren't for the An family's profound foundation and the precious medicines that have always been there to sustain it, I'm afraid Annan Zhizhen would have faded away.
"I don't really want to go out, I don't have the energy." An Nanzhi leaned on the railing of the pavilion, looking at the ripples on the lake in front of her that were startled by red carp from time to time.
An Zhonglou sighed softly, his eyes full of worry and self-blame. He once blocked his daughter from meeting that Li Changan, but it resulted in such bitter consequences.
"Why didn't father go to the imperial city? This poetry gathering brings together the fortunes of the six countries and six prefectures. If you can get one of them, it will be a great blessing." Annan Zhi asked softly.
An Zhonglou shook his head. His usually dignified face now showed a lot of tenderness. He walked to Tingxue Pavilion and sat down.
"The other five countries were afraid that the Jin Dynasty would not lose enough, so they put their own destiny as a bet and forced the Jin Dynasty to follow suit."
"They are obviously confident that they will win. Your father and I are just average poets, and even after the fifth grade, we got into the scripture bag. How can we have the confidence to participate in the Six Nations Poetry Conference?"
After he finished speaking, everything fell silent in the Tingxue Pavilion.
After a long time, An Zhonglou said, "Nan Zhi...Li Changan..."
"Dad." An Nanzhi interrupted An Zhonglou, "Don't say it anymore."
In the past, An Zhonglou was reluctant to mention Li Changan, but now that his daughter is so weak, how can he continue to be cruel?
Therefore, he still told the news, "He is still alive."
Before she finished speaking, Annan Zhi's eyes suddenly lit up and she asked tremblingly, "Really...really?"
An Zhonglou nodded and said, "Your grandfather just used the method of summoning souls yesterday, but he failed to summon his soul, which means he is still alive..."
An Nanzhi's eyes turned red instantly, and big tears fell down. She nodded repeatedly, "That's good, that's good..."
"That boy from the Zhou family came over and asked you to go to the palace with him. Why don't you go out for a walk?" An Zhonglou took the opportunity to ask cautiously.
An Nanzhi was stunned for a moment, then nodded slightly, "Okay, please let him wait for a while."
"Oh, okay, okay..." An Zhonglou responded with a smile, then stood up and walked out of the yard, his steps becoming brisker.
Two quarters of an hour later,
With Cuiyue's help, An Nanzhi changed into men's clothing.
Chuchen, who was originally as cold as a fairy and frail, now transformed into a sick young man from a wealthy family.
Arriving at the inner hall, An Nanzhi met Zhou Ziyu.
"Brother Zhou, I haven't seen you for a long time. How are you these days?"
Zhou Ziyu also smiled and clasped his fists in salute, "Brother An, long time no see."
"I'm pretty good, but looking at Brother An, I've lost a lot of weight. You have to pay attention to your health."
Annan Zhi's lips were a little pale. She took a sip of the Strengthening Root and Nourishing Energy Tea and took the folding fan from Cuiyue's hand. "Let's go, Brother Zhou. Today you and I will take a trip to the capital."
Zhou Ziyu smiled and said, "Come on, I'm treating you today."
With that said, Zhou Ziyu bowed to An Zhonglou and said goodbye, and then walked out of An Mansion with An Nanzhi.
"I heard that you went to the north some time ago?" Annan Zhi asked.
Zhou Ziyu touched his face and said, "Yes, I went to the Northern Territory Army and worked in the army for more than half a year. I finally managed to meet the requirements before I could return to Beijing."
"What about you? How are you doing lately?"
Annan Zhi's face was as pale as paper, and she shook her head with a smile, "Still the same as before? This capital city lacks everything, but it just doesn't have the carefree happiness we had when we were in Dongyue."
"Yes..." Zhou Ziyu sighed with emotion, "In this huge capital, there are too many wealthy families and too many rules. People inside are like birds in a cage, unable to be free."
"Looking at your appearance, you definitely have no intention of going to the Imperial City. Why don't we go to Wangfuji for a hot pot meal first?"
An Nanzhi looked at Zhou Ziyu in surprise, "Is there a prosperous record in the capital?"
Zhou Ziyu nodded, "Isn't that right? It has been open for more than twenty days."
“Even Erguotou tastes the same as before.”
"But your body is too weak to drink, so hot pot is okay."
A heartfelt smile appeared on Annanzhi's face for the first time, "What can't you drink? I've already reached the fifth level, what kind of wine can't you drink?"
"You should take it easy. When Brother Li comes back, I will be heartbroken to see you like this." Zhou Ziyu curled his lips.
"He will feel sorry for me?" Annan Zhi's eyes were full of hope and sadness, "He doesn't even care about his wife, so what does he care about what I do?"
"You don't mean what you say, Brother An." Zhou Ziyu led the way, "Don't worry, when he comes back, I will escort him to apologize to you!"
While the two were talking, they came to Wangfuji, but they didn't expect that the place was overcrowded.
Wangfuji has been opened all over the country. This is the first store in Beijing, and it is also very popular.
The two of them walked into Wangfuji, and a person walked in front of them.
An Nanzhi and Zhou Ziyu were stunned for a moment.
"An... Young Master, Mr. Zhou." The visitor said with a smile and cupped his fists.
Annan Zhi and Zhou Ziyu also returned the greeting as if they were waking up from a dream, "Uncle Zhang, long time no see."
The person coming is none other than Zhang Fugui!
I used to be with Li Changan in Dongyue City.
They naturally know each other.
"Xiao Chen, quickly take the two distinguished guests to Wenbei Pavilion on the third floor."
Zhang Fugui greeted the waiters behind him, then smiled at the two of them and said, "You two go sit down for a while, and I will propose a toast later."
"Uncle Zhang is busy, don't worry about us."
Zhou Ziyu smiled and said, "We can just greet ourselves."
Saying goodbye to Zhang Fugui, Annan Zhi and Zhou Ziyu walked to the third floor under the leadership of the waiter.
Sit in Wenbei Pavilion.
Zhou Ziyu frowned slightly and said, "Do you think it's strange?"
"Why did Uncle Zhang come to the capital suddenly?"
"Even if this is the capital, it's just a shop. Why bother to travel all the way from Dongyue to this unfamiliar capital?"
Annan Zhi was also surprised.
And when she saw Zhang Fugui, she couldn't help but think of Li Changan.
Although she had not seen Li Changan for six full years, she still remembered that farewell on the battlefield of Fengchuan Three Thousand Miles.
My own cultural relics are still integrated with the fragments of Li Changan's innate cultural relics.
"Wangfuji suddenly arrived in the capital, and Uncle Zhang, who had been guarding Dongyue, also came to the capital. I always felt that there was something going on inside that we didn't know about."
Zhou Ziyu smacked his lips and said, "If I meet a few more acquaintances, I will doubt whether Brother Li is coming to the capital."
Annanzhi chuckled and said nothing, opened the window of the private room and looked out at the street.
The golden paper spanning hundreds of feet in the sky turned into six scrolls and hung down.
Each scroll represents a list.
There are six ancient seal characters written on it: "wind", "moon", "mountain", "water", "dream" and "snow", which are shining brightly.
"I say those five countries are also crazy. In order to further carve up the fortune of the Jin Dynasty, they have seized the fortune of their own countries and are going to make a big gamble."
Zhou Ziyu first poured himself a cup of Erguotou, and then gently tapped the copper pot. The grammar quietly flowed, the copper pot heated quickly, and the spicy soup inside immediately started to boil.
"Come on, let's eat and watch."
"All the poems and essays in this poetry meeting can be seen on this list."
Annan Zhi looked away, "This is a huge gamble, of course."
"In the February Literary Saint List, Da Jin lost at least one-twentieth of its luck. Coupled with the loss of local areas, it will basically be more, probably only slightly less than the luck of Yifu."
"Conservative estimates suggest that the March Literary Saint List will also lose this much, plus the fortune of this poetry meeting."
"Dajin's losses will be huge."
"To put it bluntly, it is just a test. If Da Jin can resist forcefully, they will be a little more restrained; if Da Jin cannot resist, then they will become more and more unscrupulous."
"If it can hold on in March, the Jin Dynasty will still have a way to survive. If it can't hold on, it will just wait to be slaughtered."
"Unless we launch a war and plunder the destiny of other countries through war, the destiny of the country will eventually collapse completely."
Zhou Ziyu made herself a bowl of hot sauce, added sesame sauce, boiled a piece of beef, dipped it in the thick sauce and threw it into her mouth, squinting her eyes in enjoyment.
"Hmm... I've been craving this bite for a long time."
"In the north, birds have faded out of their mouths. Finally, the capital city has prosperous fortune records. Finally, we don't have to worry about it anymore."
After eating several chopsticks, Zhou Ziyu smacked his lips and said, "Our poems and prose cannot be considered elegant. We can only wait until the war breaks out before we can use them."
"Although our Jin Dynasty is not good at poetry and prose, we are not bad at all in fighting and fighting."
"I dare say that the big shots above must have been discussing the possibility of war."
An Nanzhi ate hot pot and poured herself another cup of Erguotou. She had a vague illusion that she had returned to Dongyue, and a look of satisfaction appeared on her face.
"War can only be used as a last resort. If a war really breaks out, I don't know how many people will die."
"The key is to look at this time first, the so-called Six Nations Poetry Society."
"I hope Dajin can hold on."
Zhou Ziyu also moved his eyes from the six lists back to the hot pot, threw in a few hand-made fish balls, "It would be great if Brother Li could come back and suppress them all by himself."
"Damn it, I can't beat them in a fight for now... When I write poetry, Brother Li can kill them all!"
At the same time, outside the private room, other scribes were also heard talking.
"Son of a bitch, the five countries will end up in a war at worst!"
"If Uncle Zhongyong takes action, how can they be so arrogant?"
"One person, Uncle Zhongyong, can support the destiny of a country's poetry."
The corners of Annan Zhi's lips were slightly raised, as if there was a hint of pride.
Li Changan, you have disappeared for so many years, but everyone still remembers you.