The calligraphy club Su Yanming mentioned was called the Jiuyuan Poetry Club.
As the name suggests, it is a poetry club jointly organized by the nine academies on Zhejiang Road.
During the Northern Song Dynasty, academies in the south of the Yangtze River were far less famous than those of later generations. In terms of the number of top scholars, the Jiangnan and Zhejiang areas were far inferior to those in the Central Plains.
After the two emperors returned from hunting the Hulu in the north, the capital was moved from Bianliang to Lin'an, and the literary style in the two Zhejiang areas gradually became the mainstream.
Although these nine academies are very famous academies in Liangzhe Road, together they cannot win the top prize.
Although the bureaucrats in the court who were from Jiangnan wanted to support him, they were helpless.
The time for the poetry meeting was set on Xiao Sui's day, and there were still more than ten days before the poetry meeting started.
In these ten days or so, Xu Hanliang's life was quite leisurely.
In the morning, I went to the academy and played chess with Mr. Fan.
At first, there were many students watching the two of them playing chess.
But as the days passed, fewer and fewer students watched the chess games.
After all, it's really not interesting to know the winner or loser of a chess game without watching it.
When Xu Hanliang was playing chess, he brought paper and pen to the academy.
A copy of "The Romance of the West Chamber" was almost completed in just a few days.
Although some students turned their heads to see what Xu Hanliang was writing, Xu Hanliang would stop writing and cover it up every time.
If anyone knew that he, a grown man, was writing gentle and caring romance novels, even Xu Hanliang's shamelessness would not be able to withstand it.
As for Mr. Fan, Xu Hanliang didn't offend him too much.
In the last round of each day, I will skillfully pass the layout and lose to the opponent's one or two pieces.
Although Xu Hanliang wanted to save face for Mr. Fan, he was too deliberate.
"Mr. Fan, please give me some advice."
Xu Hanliang said with a smile while sorting out the manuscript.
"Little traitor, if you enter the court, you will definitely be a disaster in the future."
Mr. Fan looked at Xu Hanliang and said fiercely.
"Mr. Fan, as a young scholar, I probably won't be able to enter the court at your age, so there's no need to worry."
Xu Hanliang chuckled and joked.
"I think if you can't enter the court, you might go to Liangshanbo and become a rebel."
Mr. Fan snorted again and said through gritted teeth.
"Liangshan Bo? That's not bad. Recruitment is a good business."
Xu Hanliang raised his eyebrows and whispered.
At this time, most of the students had dispersed, leaving only Mr. Fan, but Xu Hanliang was bold.
In addition to playing chess these days, Xu Hanliang also casually discussed current affairs with Mr. Fan.
Unlike me, who has limited information, Mr. Fan's information is quite extensive.
Whatever happened in Bianliang one day will be told from his mouth the next day.
From Fan Lao's mouth, Xu Hanliang also learned that Liangshanbo had already gathered a group of thieves, but they only occupied the mountain as king and did not dare to rebel.
The reason for this is that the "reformist" Cai Jing set up the Xicheng Kuotian Office, confiscated all the Liangshan water areas, and plundered the people's wealth, leaving the fishermen and mountain people there with nothing to rely on.
When he mentioned Cai Jing, Mr. Fan was full of obscenities, which was completely different from his usual appearance.
Xu Hanliang didn't want to interrupt, but just listened to Mr. Fan's complaints.
Mr. Fan was also a member of the reformist faction in the court, and Cai Jing was also a member of the reformist faction.
But because Cai Jing's various reform methods were all about amassing money for himself and making the people's livelihood miserable, Fan Laocai targeted Cai Jing everywhere.
From time to time, Mr. Fan would say, "The reformists have no one who can raise their flag."
After coming out of the academy, Xu Hanliang took the manuscript and embarked on his way home.
A few days ago, Su Yanming had given Xu Hanliang a place in the Poetry Society.
Xu Hanliang is still somewhat interested in participating in poetry gatherings. Nowadays, participating in poetry gatherings is like opening a blind box. Who knows if he will meet any famous people in history.
Perhaps it’s because the New Year is approaching and the streets are still quite lively.
Vendors were coming and going, carrying all kinds of goods and selling them on the street.
The dazzling array of products made Xu Hanliang think that he should buy new year goods.
As soon as I walked outside the courtyard, I could hear the sound of quarreling coming from inside the door.
Xu Hanliang was slightly startled and quickened his pace.
Inside the door, Zhimiang was being grabbed by the wrist by a young man, with a look of panic on her face.
Next to the young man were two servants, who seemed to be coming with bad intentions.
"Master Hou, what are you doing?"
Xu Hanliang's face instantly darkened and he walked to Zhimiang's side.
When the young man heard someone speaking, he let go of his hand.
"Who do I think I am? It turns out he is the son of a guilty minister."
The young man smiled coldly and slapped the folding fan in his hand with a look of disdain.
When the young lady saw the man let go of his hand, she hurriedly ran behind Xu Hanliang and grabbed the corner of Xu Hanliang's clothes.
Sensing the slightly trembling body of the young lady, Xu Han's conscience became even more angry, but his expression remained calm.
"Master Hou is not in Wu County, why did he come to Changshu?"
Xu Hanliang placed the manuscript in his hand on the stone table aside and rolled up his sleeves.
After these days of exercise, Xu Hanliang's weak hands already had some muscles.
Although he is not as good as someone who exercises every day, he is not a weak scholar.
"Even if you tell me, you don't know that I am here just to participate in the Ninth Academy Poetry Recital."
After saying this, Mr. Hou held his head high and gave orders.
This Mr. Hou is the son of the magistrate of Wu County. He and Zhou Heng can be said to be in the same league. The two have a very good relationship.
His reputation in Wu County was not good, but at a young age he already had one wife and two concubines.
At first, he even fell in love with Zhimiang and wanted to buy Zhimiang from Xu Hanliang, but he flatly refused.
Mr. Hou liked the new and disliked the old. It is said that he often beat his wives and concubines till their bodies were covered with bruises.
Because of this incident, Mr. Hou gradually developed a hatred for Xu Hanliang.
But Xu Hanliang didn't expect that the other party would come to his door first.
Needless to say, the address must have been what Zhou Heng told him.
"Then Mr. Hou is really powerful, but now your breaking into a private house seems to have nothing to do with the Poetry Club, right?"
Xu Hanliang snorted lightly and said coldly.
Mr. Hou had not noticed the meaning of Xu Hanliang's words: "Let me tell you straight, I have seen your situation now. At first I wanted to buy your maid for ten taels, but now your maid is only worth ten taels."
Yes, what do you think?"
"According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, anyone who breaks into a house without any reason will be punished with twenty sticks. As the son of the county magistrate, Mr. Hou should not be unaware of this, right? Do you want me to send you away?"
Xu Hanliang's words were full of coldness and did not give Mr. Hou any face.
Mr. Hou, who was still proud at first, had a chubby face: "Xu Hanliang, you have to think carefully. After passing this village, there will be no more shops like this. If your maid doesn't sell it, can you make it through this winter?"
"If you keep talking more, I will report you to the official."
Xu Hanliang repeated it again.
Today is still a peaceful and prosperous age, and the laws and regulations of the Song Dynasty are still restrictive.
Mr. Hou flicked his sleeves: "I want to see how long you can last!"