Chapter 69

As cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

Xia Hongsheng walked towards Yixiangju, turned back, and saw a carriage slowly moving in the opposite direction.

"Junior Brother, how did it go, did anything good happen?" Just as he was gazing at the carriage that was gradually moving away, Xu Qixian suddenly appeared from the side, put his arm around Xia Hongsheng's shoulder, and under the pale moonlight, several classmates from the academy gathered around, their eyes burning with curiosity, looking at Xia Hongsheng.

Xia Hongsheng shook his head and said, "Those two women brought me to meet their young miss. Her name is Yue Xian, a famous courtesan of the Qinhuai River. She is one of the most likely to win in the courtesan competition. She wants me to write some poems and lyrics for her to use in the competition."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qixian and the others were immediately shocked, then their faces were filled with excitement. A famous courtesan seeking a scholar's poetry was a romantic and elegant affair that many scholars aspired to. If word got out, it would bring him a reputation as a refined and elegant scholar. Strangely, in ancient times, such matters were not considered immoral or scandalous. For a scholar to be sought by a famous courtesan was a commendable and elegant affair, and countless legends of famous courtesans and scholars have been passed down through history. The relationship between scholars and famous courtesans almost spans the entire cultural history, from new scholars to literati, all admired elegance and romance, lingering in music and dance. Scholars were full of emotion, not just romantic feelings, but also feelings for the world, the moon, the mountains and rivers, and the people. Countless emotions shaped countless mindsets, whether it was grandeur and waves, or desolation and sorrow, or even joy and excitement, or deep-seated worries, all could be expressed in this gentle and warm world. "Ten years of dreams in Yangzhou, winning the reputation of a fickle lover," for scholars, the relationship with famous courtesans was more about spiritual communion.

Therefore, scholars not only did not look down on famous courtesans but also took pride in it, gaining a reputation as a refined and elegant scholar.

Of course, ordinary courtesans were not something scholars cared about. Those who could spiritually connect with scholars were the famous courtesans who were proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and could recite poetry and lyrics at will. And those famous courtesans would not look at ordinary guests; they were captivated by scholars with outstanding talent and romantic charm.

"An elegant affair! An elegant affair indeed! Junior Brother, if you write poems for the courtesan and she appreciates them, it will be a beautiful story! If you can help her win the competition, it will be a great honor!" Xu Qixian closed his fan, slapped it in his hand, and said excitedly, as if he himself had been sought by the courtesan.

The other classmates were also very excited. Master Wan patted Xia Hongsheng's shoulder and said, "All the courtesans who came to Luoyang for the competition are already famous in their respective regions. It's hard to distinguish them by appearance alone; they are all top-notch beauties. The only way to stand out is through their talents. Each of these courtesans is a woman of exceptional talent, so the content is the most important. If the poems are well chosen or if a famous scholar writes them, it can help her stand out and win the title. Ha ha, Junior Brother, with your talent, if you can help her win, it will be a beautiful story. If the courtesan admires your talent deeply, she might even offer herself to you. These courtesans are carefully trained, and most are still virgins. Junior Brother, I wish you good luck!"

As he said this, he gave Xia Hongsheng a lecherous wink, completely losing his refined and elegant demeanor!

"I just said I would consider it, I haven't agreed yet." Xia Hongsheng rolled his eyes at the group: "Why are you so excited?!"

"What? You didn't agree?!" Xu Qixian widened his eyes in surprise: "Junior Brother, are you feverish? How can you not quickly agree to something so many scholars dream of? This will be a beautiful story and a good reputation!"

Looking at their excited faces, Xia Hongsheng suddenly remembered what Wang Zike had told him a few days ago: "Reputation is very important, especially a reputation for talent. Many times, without a reputation, even if you achieve something, it will be seen as opportunism or seeking fame. But with a reputation for talent, it's different; it means you have real talent and ability."

Is reputation really that important? I just want to make a fortune quietly!

Previously, Master Yan had talked about leveraging influence, saying that to achieve something, one must leverage influence. Now, Xia Hongsheng finally understood what this "influence" was. This "influence" is your reputation, status, and charisma. As long as you speak, people will believe you; as long as you act, people will think it's reasonable; as long as you call, people will follow. With this influence, you can put your plans into action. In the modern world, Xia Hongsheng always disliked fame, preferring to be unknown and not attract attention, so he didn't have to worry about too many things, and could do what he wanted without being disturbed, living a carefree life. But now, he can't do that. His personality must change; if it doesn't, he can't fully integrate into Tang Dynasty life, can't consider himself a Tang person, and will be rejected by society.

Every place has its own rules. Since he's in the Tang Dynasty, he should follow the Tang rules!

Xia Hongsheng thought deeply on his way back and tossed and turned in bed. Should he be a carefree wanderer with money and leisure, or should he face the challenges and leave a significant mark in Tang history?

The answer seemed obvious.

Xunfang Pavilion... I'll go and see tomorrow... Xia Hongsheng closed his eyes.

But let's not talk about Xia Hongsheng in Luoyang, who once again overcame his mental barriers and understood the direction he should take. Far away in Chang'an, the lights in the Taiji Hall were still on.

Li Jia's second son was sitting on his imperial throne. The eunuch outside the door announced something, and the eunuch beside him hurriedly went out. Soon, he brought back a person who looked like a wandering Taoist, who walked into the hall and immediately knelt down on one knee.

"Your Majesty, the task you entrusted to me has been completed," the person who looked like a wandering Taoist said loudly after kneeling down.

"Your Majesty, it's late. I will ask the imperial kitchen to prepare some porridge for you," the eunuch beside him said with a bow.

"En, go ahead," the emperor nodded, and the eunuch hurriedly left the hall. Li Jia leaned back and said to the person dressed like a wandering Taoist, "Well, what have you found out? Tell me."

"Yes!" the person dressed like a wandering Taoist replied, "Xia Hongsheng, styled Jing Shi, is from Luozhou City, Luoyang Prefecture. He is thirteen years old, kind and benevolent, filial and sincere, and has a good reputation among his neighbors. His father and brother died in the military, and his mother died in childbirth. Only his elder sister-in-law and he remain. He was unknown until half a year ago when he and his sister-in-law went to Laojun Mountain in Luozhou City. After returning, he fell into a coma for several days, and his mind suddenly opened. Since then, he has shown talent, often making new statements, and was taken in by Master Yan. Xu Xiaode, the nephew of the county magistrate of Yinquan County, is his classmate and friend. He is not confined to Confucianism, is well-informed, and has the wisdom of an adult. On his way to Luhun County, he solved the Luhun case in one night, helping the county magistrate catch the criminals. Now, he is in Luoyang, where he drove away the Tujue troublemakers with a song, making a name for himself in Luoyang. Prince Han admired his talent and befriended him. During a banquet, he learned about the horseshoe incident and informed Duke Jiang. He personally taught the blacksmiths how to make horseshoes. Now, the blacksmiths and their workshops are being escorted by soldiers to Chang'an."

After saying this, the person took out a memorial and respectfully handed it to the emperor with both hands: "All the details about this person are in the memorial, please review it, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Taizong took the memorial, unfolded it, and read it carefully. The methods for salt production and horseshoe making were important matters for the state and the people, so he had to be cautious. He was even more cautious about rewards.

"This person is only thirteen years old?!" Emperor Taizong exclaimed in surprise, "He had no reputation for the first thirteen years, but suddenly became famous after returning from Laojun Mountain. Could he have had some kind of extraordinary experience there?"

"There are rumors that he received guidance from a celestial being, but I believe this is just a rural legend. Master Yan might know more, but I couldn't find out," the person dressed like a wandering Taoist replied.

"Ha ha ha... 'Laughing out loud as I leave, how can we be mere commoners?' What a good poem!" Emperor Taizong suddenly slapped his thigh, "With such poetic talent, no wonder he is famous in Luoyang. En, 'Hair standing on end with rage...'

Emperor Taizong looked at the poem, his eyes widening and his mouth opening wider, his face turning red with excitement. Suddenly, he slammed his hand on the table and stood up, "Good! What a great 'Full River Red'! It expresses my heart! Ha ha ha ha... At such a young age, to have such aspirations, good!"

Emperor Taizong was flushed with excitement, tightly gripping the memorial, overjoyed, "With such talent and knowledge of natural principles, and still humble and courteous despite his fame, not only contributing the methods for salt production and horseshoe making, but also the ability to extract water and ice from the earth, which is quite novel! Unfortunately, he is still young and cannot immediately assist me in planning! But this is good, it makes him easier to control and cultivate his loyalty for my use! Good, Xia Hongsheng, I want to see what you learned on Laojun Mountain! Bring me the draft! With such great contributions, I should reward him."

"Your subject congratulates Your Majesty on gaining such a fine horse. With time, it will surely become a thousand-mile horse under Your Majesty's guidance, serving the Tang Dynasty! Long live the emperor, long live the emperor, long live the emperor!" The person dressed like a wandering Taoist promptly flattered, and Li Jia burst into laughter.