eurekapd Chapter 114 His Heart is Despicable
Chapter 114 His Heart is Despicable
A thin old man wearing a red robe embroidered with the word "longevity" walked out of the door next to the main seat, surrounded by several people, followed by two women with white veils.
The old man in red sat down at the top center.
There were also two old men sitting on both sides.
There were two men and two women sitting below.
The old man in red looks like Mr. Deng, and the ones on both sides can’t be the two old men!
The old man in red stood up and waved his hand.
The hall suddenly became quiet.
"Dear friends, sages, and scholars, I am deeply grateful for the fact that you have all taken the time to attend my birthday banquet today, whether you have come from far away or live nearby!"
"Master Deng, you're too polite!"
Someone shouted loudly.
But Master Deng ignored him and continued, "It's rare for a person to reach seventy years old. I am deeply grateful for the grace of heaven and the kindness of my ancestors. I would like to use this banquet to thank God for the peace he has brought to the world, and to thank our emperor for the peace he has brought to the people. Although I am seventy years old, I am willing to do my best to give back to my fellow villagers and benefit our hometown!"
"This year's devastating disaster has left the people homeless, and I'm deeply saddened. I'm celebrating my birthday today, and I'm truly humbled. I hope all of you will contribute financially and physically to help overcome this difficult time together!"
Liu Zhao understood these words.
It seems that such prestige is not undeserved.
"This year's imperial examination, in accordance with court regulations, has increased the number of candidates for this county to forty-eight! Today, I am here with Elders Wen Yun and Wen Yuan. Whoever wins will be chosen, and it will be up to you all to demonstrate your talents!"
"Thank you, Master Deng!" The crowd cheered in unison.
"Today's exam questions were jointly formulated by me, Elders Wen Yun, and Elder Wen Yuan. We will take turns speaking in a moment. Please be patient!"
"Thank you, Master Deng!"
Everyone looked at Master Deng, wondering what the question was.
Mr. Deng picked up a roll of paper from the table and slowly opened it.
"Benevolence and Virtue!"
"This year, Henan County suffered a devastating disaster, and Luojing, the capital of our Jing Dynasty, was also deeply affected! However, our emperor is wise and has appointed Shangshu Du Zheng as the pacification envoy to provide disaster relief. The danger brought by this disaster will soon pass. To express our gratitude for the emperor's benevolence, today we will use benevolence as our theme. Friends, wise men, and scholars, please give yourselves your voice!"
"Thank you, Master Deng!"
"Everyone, enjoy the light wine on the table. Let's drink and write poems later. Even if you don't get selected, it will still be a pleasure in life!"
After Mr. Deng finished speaking, he sat down.
"Thank you, Master Deng!"
"Can you?" Liu Zhao asked Ma Zhuang.
Ma Zhuang shook his head.
The other six people started discussing.
Then people lined up in front of the door and stood by the tables.
Immediately afterwards, the waiters came in one after another carrying the dishes.
Soon, the table was filled with dishes.
Liu Zhao took a look!
Exactly eighteen dishes.
Lamb, chicken, pork, and fish are all available, and the difference from modern society is not too big.
Only there is no beef.
"Brother Xiong, you are the oldest and most talented among the people at this table. Please share your ideas with the brothers!" Xu Shao said first.
"Yes, Brother Xiong, give me some tips!"
The others followed suit.
Xiong Feng was very pleased and handed the wine pot to Liu Zhao: "Brother, pour some wine for the brothers. Without wine, there is no place to display this talent!"
Ma Zhuang hurriedly took the wine jug and poured the wine.
Xiong Feng didn't care. He nodded and thought for a moment before saying, "The Emperor often says that he governs the country with benevolence. I think this painting should just highlight the Emperor's benevolence!"
"That's right, how else can I write it?" Luo Tong nodded.
"Let's drink first! Drinking will bring inspiration!" Xiong Feng picked up the wine glass.
"Come on, drink first to show your respect!" Xiong Feng was not polite at all. After saying that, he drank a glass first.
Of course Ma Zhuang didn't drink, but Liu Zhao did pick up the glass and drink.
This cup is nice, with a hint of green in it, probably made of jade.
How much would that cost? It would be worth a lot of money to break one!
"Brother Dehua, have you thought about how to proceed?" Xiong Feng asked while picking up some dishes after finishing his drink.
"I won't!"
Liu Zhao answered very straightforwardly. He said that he had memorized some ancient Chinese texts when he was in school, and now he could only remember some famous quotes.
As for articles written in fu, I have basically no impression of them except Wang Bo's Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng.
However, an article like "Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng" is truly a masterpiece that will be remembered forever.
When I was in school, I memorized the poems by heart in order to please girls.
Even now I can recite most of it.
As for other articles I have read, although the words are gorgeous, the impression I made on them is already weak!
I can never write it myself.
"What will you do when you go on stage?"
Luo Tong asked.
“Everyone has to go on stage?”
"That's not the case, but if you don't come up to the stage, you'll lose face in front of all these people here!"
Xiong Feng explained.
"I don't care! Just listen to the brothers and go up to the stage! I'll applaud you from below!"
"Applause? You spent ten taels of gold and you come to applaud?" Xiong Feng was a little puzzled.
"Of course! I'll just drink and applaud you guys down there, is that okay with me?"
"Brother Dehua, I don't have any objections, but your actions are really puzzling!"
Luo Tong shook his head.
"Haha!" Liu Zhao laughed. "I really don't have much knowledge. I don't dare to go on stage, for fear of making a fool of myself!"
"Qiyang is a remote place after all. You've come all the way to Henan County. It seems that Brother Dehua has long known that Henan is a place with many talented people and it's difficult to make a name for yourself!"
Xiong Feng shook his head and said.
This tone clearly showed great contempt for Liu Zhao.
Liu Zhao smiled and asked, "Can this recommendation be extended across regions? I don't know!"
"Brother Dehua, the court didn't say you can't cross regions, but Henan has always been the place the court attaches the most importance to when recommending candidates. I'm afraid no one from other states would dare to come to Henan to grab a recommendation spot!"
Luo Tong explained carefully.
"Yeah, I wonder what talents there are in Qiyang? Have you heard of them?"
Xiong Feng asked others with some contempt.
Several people shook their heads.
Liu Zhao just made up a place name randomly, but they made a big deal out of it!
Ma Zhuang stared at Xiong Feng's face and said, "Being recommended is just an exam, not a direct appointment as an official. Besides, even if you pass the exam, you can only be a small official at best. What's so special about it?"
Ma Zhuang was obviously speaking for Liu Zhao.
Liu Zhao smiled and was too lazy to care about it.
But it’s good that Ma Zhuang stepped forward.
"Brother Dezhu, from your tone, it seems as if you are a high-ranking official!"
Xiong Feng was obviously a little unhappy.
"That's not the case. Although my brother and I are not officials, what Brother Xiong said about Qiyang being without talented people is absolutely absurd!"
"Haha!" Xiong Feng took a sip of wine. "What kind of talents does Qi Yang have? I'd like to hear more about them!"
"Brother Xiong, don't you know that the current emperor was once the governor of Qiyang?"
Ma Zhuang said this and snorted.
"The current emperor didn't ascend to the throne through recommendations. Brother Dezhu, you're trying to drag me into the emperor's shoes! You deserve death!"
"Yes, if you want to recommend him, then recommend him. Why bring up the Emperor? Brother Dehua, I really don't agree with your brother's approach!"
"Yes, the emperor is wise, and everyone in the world knows it. Brother Dezhu, you can drink as much as you want, but you can't say anything you want!"
For a moment, several people began to blame Ma Zhuang.
"Alright! My brother was wrong!"
Liu Zhao laughed.
After all, they are scholars and they would never dare to speak ill of the emperor.
"Everyone, drink! Drink, drink!"
Seeing that Liu Zhao changed the subject, the others stopped pursuing him.
After that, they started to drink and eat.
The dishes tasted really good, especially the lamb.
Liu Zhao even felt that the taste was better than the one in the palace.