Chapter 56

"Master Yue, come, come, come and sit over here! Miss Su, don’t leave either, come, come, come and have a drink with Master Yue. Perhaps he’ll be in a good mood and write a poem for you too!"

Zhang Junbei, relying on his superior martial skills and a group of generals supporting him, openly showed his fondness for Yue Heng in front of all the civil officials.

With a hand like an iron hoop, he pulled Yue Heng’s arm, and the rough man, trying to act like a scholar, invited Su Weiyi, which made the civil officials on the opposite side so angry that their beards stood up, but they were helpless. The generals and the neutral parties laughed heartily.

Yue Heng, who was no match, could only be dragged to the table of the military officials.

Zhang Junbei casually picked up his military helmet, poured a large bowl of strong liquor, and had someone pour a small cup for Yue Heng and Su Weiyi. His mountain-like figure stood in front of Yue Heng, and it was this imposing presence that had made Yue Heng lose face earlier.

"Master Yue, today I, Zhang Hanshan, will toast you three times! The first bowl, thank you for writing the war poems 'The Ballad of Mulan' and 'In Praise of Mulan,' and the war song 'Who Says Women Are Inferior to Men!' Although I personally gained nothing, I represent the military and all the female warriors in the Zhongyuan world in thanking you! Cheers!"

Zhang Junbei, without hesitation, drank the military helmet full of liquor in one go, then turned it over, not a drop left. He laughed heartily, "I, Zhang Hanshan, am a rough man, not like you literati who can speak so well. Don’t take it to heart!"

Yue Heng dared not take it to heart. He hurriedly picked up his wine glass, which held about two ounces. He looked worried but had to drink it. He frowned, gritted his teeth, and gulped it down, but drank too quickly and couldn't help but cough.

"Brave man! I, Zhang Hanshan, like you, a man who dares to act and take responsibility, a true man! Someone, pour more wine!"

Zhang Junbei still used his military helmet, while Yue Heng still had a small cup. The servants refilled both.

Su Weiyi came over, supporting Yue Heng and carefully wiping the alcohol stains from his body, softly asking, "Master Yue, are you okay?"

Yue Heng waved his hand, "Thank you, Miss Su, I’m fine... Lord Zhang, I want to eat something..."

Zhang Junbei waved his hand vigorously and said boldly, "Eat, I’ll speak! The second bowl, I apologize on behalf of all those who disrespected you today, whether they are new warriors, generals, civil officials, or craftsmen, anyone in this状元阁. I hope you won’t take it to heart!"

"Hold it!"

The head of the civil officials, feeling indignant, called out loudly, "Lord Zhang, you can’t speak for others!"

Zhang Junbei was taken aback, "Why can’t I speak for others? I’m a third-level warrior and the highest military official in Hong County. Who says I can’t speak for others? Step forward!"

County Magistrate Qi almost laughed out loud. Zhang Junbei seemed rough, but he was actually very cunning and had many tricks up his sleeve. He deliberately acted this way to play the role of a reckless man, to create chaos.

"Fine, if I can’t speak for others, then I’ll speak for myself! Master Yue, I formally apologize to you! I, Zhang Hanshan, promise that if you speak up, I will do my best to ensure your entry into the military, join the war poetry logistics department, and introduce you to my master and grandmaster at the Chuzhou Zhenyuan General’s Mansion. In no more than two or three years, you will be a vice-minister, and I will bestow you with a lifetime of glory!"

Zhang Hanshan, without waiting for a response, drank the wine in one go, turned over the military helmet, and stared straight at Yue Heng.

"Lord Zhang! Yue Heng is a student of the civil department, and you dare to poach him in front of us?"

"Rebellion! I will go to the Chuzhou civil department tomorrow, even if it means dying in protest, I will impeach you, Zhang Hanshan!"

"Lord Zhang, you’ve gone too far!"

All the civil officials stood up, throwing plates and pounding tables, shouting angrily. A few old civil officials even staggered out, ready to fight Zhang Junbei.

Zhang Junbei chuckled, "Everyone, calm down. This is just my personal wish. Master Yue hasn’t spoken yet! I can’t speak for others, and you can’t speak for Master Yue!"

This seemingly reckless but actually very clever man used his words to block the others, leaving the civil officials with no choice but to look anxiously at Yue Heng, fearing he would say "yes." After all, the promise from the Zhenyuan General’s Mansion was too valuable!

"Lord Zhang, I am a student from a humble background, having studied literature and classics for ten years. I love cultural heritage from the bottom of my heart. Whether I enter the civil department for further study or the military department to create war poetry, as long as I am a literatus, I will spare no effort. Moreover, I believe that if a scholar’s mind is confined to a narrow range, they will never see the broader world. Don’t you agree? Also, my alcohol tolerance is very low, I really can’t drink anymore..."

Yue Heng’s attitude was very respectful, expressing his true feelings in a tactful manner.

The surrounding civil officials breathed a sigh of relief. If Yue Heng entered the military, they would have nothing to say. Every year, countless talented literati were taken directly by the military. They just couldn’t bear to see the once-in-a-century talent, Yue Heng, follow this path. The decline of the literati!

"Good! No wonder you are a scholar, even your refusal is so tactful and pleasant. I won’t force you!"

"Thank you, Lord Zhang, for your understanding..." Yue Heng also breathed a sigh of relief.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Junbei’s eyes narrowed, and he smiled mysteriously, "If you change your mind one day, you can go to the Chuzhou Zhenyuan General’s Mansion and mention my name. Someone will receive you!"

"Zhang Hanshan, you old rascal!"

"Shameless! Savage bull Zhang Hanshan, I’ll fight you to the death!"

"Divine Palace power, 'Imprison'!"

Boom, boom, boom, a group of people started fighting again. This time, Zhang Junbei did not resist, being firmly trapped by Cui Shilang’s "Imprison" character. He couldn’t attack from the outside, and he didn’t draw his sword inside.

"Fine, fine, fine, all of you! I won’t say anything more about recruiting Master Yue, okay? After I finish the third toast, can I?"

"If you say one more word, there will be no me today!"

Under the watchful eyes of the civil officials, Zhang Junbei raised his hands in surrender. After the servants refilled the wine, he held it with both hands and said, "The third bowl, I apologize to Master Yue and Miss Su. I was a bit too rough earlier, startling the two of you. I was just too excited, ha ha. I hope you won’t hold a grudge against me! Cheers!"

Yue Heng was taken aback. Was this the reason for the third toast? He hoped no one would remember this, but Zhang Junbei brought it up again. This was not "I can only help you so much," but clearly "I will make you the target of everyone’s attention"!

Sure enough, many people remembered the details of Yue Heng tackling Su Weiyi, some envious, some jealous, and some making sarcastic remarks.

Su Weiyi, however, was graceful, her lips slightly parted, and she said softly, "How could I hold a grudge against Lord Zhang? I also want to thank Master Yue~"

Yue Heng said helplessly, "Lord Zhang is very strong, and I am a bit timid. I apologize for my rudeness... Miss Su, I am truly sorry..."

Zhang Junbei immediately chimed in, "Just an apology? With your talent in poetry, why don’t you write a poem for Miss Su? She sang your songs and spread your fame. You should show your gratitude! Everyone, isn’t this the right thing to do?"

"Yes!"

"Master Yue must write a poem!"

"And sign it with your name and fingerprint, and give it to Miss Su to frame!"

"Brilliant! This will surely be a beautiful story of a talented man and a beautiful woman!"

Seeing the commotion, Zhang Junbei started it, and many people joined in, urging Yue Heng to write a poem for Su Weiyi.

Yue Heng dared not write a poem. It was almost the end of the banquet, and he had already caused enough trouble.

He could only look to Cui Shilang and others for help. It wasn’t that he couldn’t write, but the poems and songs in his mind were all classic works that had been passed down for thousands of years. He couldn’t come up with anything ordinary.

Cui Shilang frowned, turned to discuss with Su Xunyan and County Magistrate Qi, and the head of the civil officials. Su Xunyan quietly retreated into the crowd, County Magistrate Qi shook his head in disagreement, and the head of the civil officials shook his head like a rattle, indicating a significant disagreement.

Zhang Junbei raised an eyebrow and asked, "Master Yue, are you really prepared to give Miss Su a poem?"

Yue Heng exclaimed, "Ah," and was about to say no, but seeing Su Weiyi’s expectant eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to say it. He had always thought Su Weiyi was a cold and proud woman, but she wasn’t a celestial being detached from the world. She had feelings and desires, and she hoped he would write a poem for her in front of everyone.

"Master Yue~ If it’s inconvenient for you..." Su Weiyi thought of something, her joy mixed with expectation, but she was still considerate enough to help him out of the situation.

"Heh! If it’s inconvenient for you to write it now, after the banquet, I’ll have someone take you to Miss Su’s boudoir, and you can talk late into the night!"

Zhang Junbei genuinely wanted to bring them together and shouted it out loud, making Su Weiyi blush and cover her face with her sleeve, and Yue Heng was so embarrassed he couldn’t say a word, not knowing whether to drink the wine or put it down.

"Ha ha ha!"

Cui Shilang and the head of the civil officials argued a few more times, seemingly taking completely opposite stances. In the end, Cui Shilang had the upper hand and said, "Yue Heng, if you are really prepared, why not write it? Today, we have new war songs like 'The King’s Farewell to His Concubine' and new war poems like 'In Praise of Mulan.' One more won’t hurt! Come, I’ll grind the ink for you!"

"Ah? Really write it?" Yue Heng asked in a low voice.

Cui Shilang’s eyes flashed with a fierce light, "Aren’t you very talented?"

Zhang Junbei laughed heartily, "Master Yue, if Lord Cui is willing to grind the ink for you, I’m willing to hold the paper for you!"

"Lord Zhang, are you trying to steal the poem Master Yue is giving to Miss Su?"

"Ha ha! What does Lord Cui grinding the ink mean?"

"Of course, to prevent you from being a scoundrel!"

"..."

Yue Heng was at a loss, watching the two argue again.

"Thank you, Master Yue~" Su Weiyi whispered in his ear.

Yue Heng felt her breath like a breeze, turned his head, and saw her genuine, heart-warming smile. He was captivated by her beauty and charm, and he couldn’t help but be entranced.