Chapter 23

Everyone was still discussing non-stop.

"The imperial court has yet to react to the dual-jia rank before the Sage. It might wait for the approval of the literary plaque to reward them together. However, this poem will surely appear in the imperial court tomorrow. In theory, writing a poem that strengthens the nation should at least earn a noble title, but granting the title of 'Xiangnan' is too low. It should be at least 'Xiannan.'"

"This poem has a high chance of being recommended by Grand Secretary Li to the 'Holy Path' monthly journal, and 'Spring Dawn' will definitely appear in next month's 'Holy Path.' This is unprecedented, with two poems appearing together in a century."

"But I heard that among the three editors of 'Holy Path,' one is the youngest grand secretary of Qing State. Jing and Qing have been hostile for a long time. Will he cause trouble?"

"That's impossible. Even if the three grand secretaries are the editors, the final approval is still by the great scholars. There shouldn't be any problems."

"The issue is, Fang Yun also has another poem, 'End of the Year,' that has been recommended."

"Three poems together? Unprecedented. It's hard to say if it's a blessing or a curse. From the county magistrate's words, he doesn't want Fang Yun to become too famous and wants to temper him for a few years, but now it's impossible to hide him."

"He's going to be in the spotlight. A child writing a poem that strengthens the nation is completely different from a great scholar doing so. Whether it's a blessing or a curse, it's my good fortune to be his fellow townsman."

"However, Fang Yun, don't be arrogant. In the eyes of the sages, the classics are the great path, governance is the middle path, and poetry is the minor path."

"The times change. With the demons and barbarians threatening, using the minor path to carve out a semi-sage path might not be impossible." Su Juren subtly pointed out his view of the current situation.

"That's true. With Fang Yun's great talent, in a few decades, he might not fail to tread his own great path."

"Indeed."

Not long after, County Magistrate Cai secretly took out his seal mud, then asked for the poem page from someone else and placed it on the stone table.

"Fang Yun, come over. Your calligraphy is ten times better than in the county examination. The bone and form of your characters are very unique. I've never seen anything like it. It seems to have the potential of a master. Come, let's talk about it," County Magistrate Cai said.

Everyone had already finished reading, so they stepped aside to let Fang Yun walk to County Magistrate Cai's side.

Wang Yuanjun stroked his beard and smiled, "You are teachable. Although your calligraphy is still a bit immature, it's not bad compared to ordinary children. It already has the style of a master. In three years, you might surpass us. ... County Magistrate, what are you doing!"

Wang Yuanjun's eyes widened as he saw County Magistrate Cai suddenly grab Fang Yun's right thumb, press it into the fresh red seal mud, and then stamp it on the paper of "Early Morning in Jixian."

Fang Yun lifted his thumb in confusion, and a clear red fingerprint was visible on the paper.

Everyone looked at County Magistrate Cai in puzzlement. What was he doing?

County Magistrate Cai, with lightning speed, grabbed the page and ran, reciting a battle poem as he went.

"Young man on horseback, swift as the wind,

Selling scholar's robes for armor;

Old age brings no less vigor,

Dreaming of breaking the siege at night."

As he recited the poem, a strong wind surrounded County Magistrate Cai. With a light step, he took a stride of seven or eight zhang, gliding through the air at an incredible speed, not inferior to a galloping horse.

County Magistrate Cai laughed loudly, "Hahaha, this poem will be my family treasure! Fang Yun, go with peace of mind!"

Fang Yun almost spat out a mouthful of blood. Was this still a juren? Was this still a county magistrate? Could such a person become a provincial governor? Last night, he claimed to be a student of the literary prime minister. Could a great scholar teach such a student? Could they still happily discuss the classics in the future?

The others suddenly understood and were all envious!

Su Juren shouted, "Rogue, you're running away! Return my son-in-law's poem that strengthens the nation! What are you waiting for? Block him together!"

"Old Mr. Su is right. If he dares to tamper with the official seal, I will impeach him!" Wang Yuanjun said angrily.

"Blaze, how can you be so treacherous! Unfit to be a person! Unfit to be a person!"

Su Juren pointed at County Magistrate Cai's path and quickly recited the famous battle poem "Great Wind" by Emperor Gaozu of Han.

"Great wind rises, clouds soar,

Might extends across the sea, returning home,

Where are the brave warriors to guard the four directions?"

As he recited, a ten-zhang-tall green tornado appeared in front of County Magistrate Cai, rushing towards him. This battle poem-generated wind far exceeded natural tornadoes, with wind blades like knives. If caught in it, one would be shredded into pieces.

Wang Yuanjun was not to be outdone and recited the battle poem "Canglang" by Jing's semi-sage Chen Guanhai. A four-zhang-tall, nine-zhang-long wave appeared behind Cai He, attacking from both sides. This wave was even stronger than the power activated by the literary treasure badge.

"They're all crazy!" a scholar muttered.

Several old scholars smiled, watching the show. Unless everyone attacked with all their might, they couldn't stop County Magistrate Cai, who was a juren.

Fang Yun was disheveled in the wind, both amused and exasperated. He never expected to witness scholars using battle poems in such a situation, and it was all because of his poem.

"Haha, I'm taking this poem! Sword, out, open!"

County Magistrate Cai laughed and spat out his talent, forming an ancient talent sword.

The talent sword cut into the tornado, and with a loud boom, the tornado exploded into a cloud of green mist.

At the same time, the ox barbarian who was protecting County Magistrate Cai leaped two zhang high and punched the giant wave created by Wang Yuanjun.

"Boom!"

The ox barbarian was thrown back like a ball, but the wave's power was weakened, making it difficult to catch up with County Magistrate Cai.

The ox barbarian created a shallow pit on the ground, then shook his head, stood up, and brushed off the dust, seemingly unharmed.

"He's a barbarian general," Fang Yun was surprised by the ox barbarian's strength. A barbarian general was equivalent to a juren, capable of defeating a thousand-man army.

Although a barbarian general couldn't break a juren's battle poem with one hit, it was even harder for a juren to kill a barbarian general. In a one-on-one fight, a barbarian general had a high chance of winning, with unmatched individual strength.

"Hahaha, Fang Yun, come see Zhou the clerk tomorrow. I'll give you a small gift." Cai He laughed and ran into the city, completely lacking the dignity of a county magistrate, acting like a spirited and wild scholar.

Su Juren was so angry he blew his beard and eyes wide, helplessly scolding, "Cai He, you little fox! Why didn't I think of this! Fang Yun, if my daughter or granddaughter becomes your concubine, can you return that poem that strengthens the nation to me?"

Su Juren looked at Fang Yun with hopeful eyes, clearly fifty years old, but his eyes were more pitiful than a kitten's.

Fang Yun was also helpless, saying, "I didn't know County Magistrate Cai was so cunning. It's just a poem, forget it. I have to go, goodbye."

Wang Yuanjun reached out to stop him, asking, "Don't you have any new poems to write?"

"Is it that easy to write a poem that strengthens the nation?" Fang Yun almost rolled his eyes. This Wang Yuanjun was no better.

"Even a poem that strengthens the city would do. My appetite isn't as big as County Magistrate Cai's. A poem that strengthens the city would be a family treasure for me," Wang Yuanjun said.

Su Juren said, "I don't want a city-strengthening poem, just a prefecture-strengthening one. A poem or a tune would do."

A scholar whispered, "A county-strengthening poem would be enough for me. I'm worried about my second son's dowry."

Another scholar joked, "If you can really get a county-strengthening poem from Fang Yun, you can use it as a dowry for my daughter, known as Little Yuhuan."

"Deal!"

The people around them laughed.

Fang Yun, both angry and amused, glared at the two scholars and said, "Goodbye, everyone." Then he jumped into the carriage.

Su Juren said, "Don't go yet. My daughter or granddaughter's marriage can be negotiated. Can you leave your next poem that strengthens the nation to me? I have a good niece too."

Fang Yun was both amused and exasperated, just waving goodbye.

Wang Yuanjun sighed, "Cai He is insatiable. Not only did he get the gift poem, but he also took the 'first edition' poem that strengthens the nation! This can't be left alone! For a poem that strengthens the nation to be snatched by Cai He, that scoundrel, with a fingerprint, is outrageous! We must make him pay dearly; we can't let him off easily."

Su Juren said, "Of course, we can't let him off! But this fingerprint poem that strengthens the nation is too rare. In the future, Fang Yun will have his own seal and won't use fingerprints. That page of the poem is likely a unique treasure. If Fang Yun becomes a great scholar or even a sage, Cai He will have a huge advantage."

Wang Yuanjun's face turned pale, "Thinking of Cai He snatching the poem that strengthens the nation, I feel heartache. My heart is bleeding! I would rather trade my official position for that poem that strengthens the nation!"

"Let's go! Go to his house for breakfast, and lunch and dinner too, for three days! Otherwise, I can't relieve my anger!" Su Juren said angrily.

"Let's go!"

Everyone responded, laughing as they walked towards the county office.

Fang Yun shook his head, lifted the curtain, and entered.

The carriage was dim, but Fang Yun saw a pair of bright eyes looking at him.

Yang Yuhuan's eyes were filled with shock, joy, and relief, but mostly admiration and reverence.

"Xiao Yun, you're amazing!" Yang Yuhuan said excitedly, staring at Fang Yun.

"Thanks, I guess."

"How can you say 'I guess'? Even a woman like me knows the fame of a poem that strengthens the nation. Look at those officials, fighting over your poem. I've never heard of such a thing. You're... no, you are a great talent!"

Fang Yun couldn't help but smile, not expecting that writing a poem would make Yang Yuhuan act like a crazed fan. At this moment, she looked even more beautiful.

Fang Yun looked at Yang Yuhuan carefully, "Yuhuan, you look even prettier, but you're still too thin. You need to eat more."

"Stop it!" Yang Yuhuan blushed and lowered her head.

Jiang Pozi flattered, "Master Fang is truly a star of literature. Writing a poem that makes officials fight. What will happen in the future? But they won't really fight to the death, right?"

Fang Yun laughed, "You're overthinking it. Wang Yuanjun and Su Juren just lost their temper. It's not that serious. Isn't there a battle poetry meeting? It's like a friendly competition."

"That's good," Jiang Pozi said.

Outside, Fang Daniu said loudly, "Young master, I saw a battle poetry meeting a few years ago. The theme was 'fire,' and two scholars even signed a life-or-death agreement. One was burned to death, it was terrible."

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