Confucianism under Heaven

Chapter 93 The Number One Banquet in the World!

Chapter Ninety-Three: The Greatest Feast Under Heaven!

A clear shout echoed between heaven and earth, causing everyone to look up in shock.

"The esteemed officials of the National Holy Academy and the All Holy Academy have all come?"

"How is that possible? The Deer Cry Banquet for the young scholars can actually attract people from both the National Academy of Saints and the Academy of Saints! I've never seen anyone from the Academy of Saints in my entire life."

"Today's banquet truly deserves its reputation as the finest in the world. Which banquet of scholars or graduates can rival its splendor?"

Some people whispered among themselves, looking at the young man in the blue robe in the crowd with envy and awe.

"Congratulations, Chief Ye."

Two figures appeared from afar in the sky; two elderly men dressed in black scholar's robes and swords descended from the heavens on auspicious clouds.

"The Great Confucian Scholars in sword attire... there are actually two Great Confucian Scholars here?"

When the crowd saw the insignia on the sword uniform, they immediately erupted in an uproar.

Seeing such a great scholar felt like a dream to these students.

"I have met two adults."

Ye Ru quickly cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Greetings, Your Excellency, Great Confucian Scholar!"

Upon hearing this, the students quickly came to their senses and bowed.

Everyone in Ye Academy followed Ye Ru's example.

"Successful candidates in the provincial examinations, successful candidates in the imperial examinations, members of the Hanlin Academy, and great Confucian scholars are all gathered here. Your airs, Chief Ye, are certainly quite impressive."

Chen Changfeng looked at this group of people, shook his head and chuckled.

Ye Ru quickly replied:

"It is truly an honor for my Ye family to have you grace us with your presence amidst your busy schedules."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions softened.

"I have long heard that you, Ye, are a master of rhetoric, and perhaps even the most famous debaters are not as good as you."

Wen Lue suddenly spoke up.

Everyone looked at Ye Ru with envy. This was praise from a great Confucian scholar, far better than praise from a mere scholar who had passed the imperial examinations.

"This gentleman is from the Academy of Saints. He is a great scholar with profound knowledge and skills. When he saw the temple shake, he wanted to get to know this talented scholar who is known for his literary talent."

Chen Changfeng introduced with a smile.

"I have long heard of the great scholar Wenlue. When he was injured by the demonic poison, he was able to emulate the martial saint by scraping his bone to heal his wound. He is truly a model for us scholars."

Ye Ru bowed respectfully, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Oh?"

A look of surprise flashed in Wen Lue's eyes. He had thought the other party was just being polite, but the fact that the other party was able to recount his own deeds made him feel somewhat favorably towards him.

"Today is a banquet for students, not just for me. Please take your seats."

Ye Ru waved his hand, and everyone looked at each other, not daring to take a seat.

"When guests are welcome, we should follow the host's lead. We have come here today to trouble you, so we must listen to what Chief Ye has to say."

Chen Changfeng waved his hand, and the tense atmosphere dissipated, with everyone returning to their seats.

At this moment, the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), Juren (successful candidates in the provincial imperial examinations), and great Confucian scholars all sat around Ye Ru, causing them to look on in astonishment. This strange banquet was something they had never seen before in their lives.

These students regained their energy, and many of them started drinking, playing drinking games, reciting poems, and making a great commotion.

General Chen Tianjian, being a man of strong emotions, pulled Magistrate Zhang and the others into drinking, while Chen Changfeng and the others could only manage wry smiles.

"Chief Ye, the National Tournament for Young Scholars will begin soon. This is the invitation. The competition will be held in Zhongjie City, and the geniuses from all the holy families will be here. How are you feeling? Are you feeling any pressure?"

Chen Changfeng sat next to Ye Ru, drinking wine as he spoke.

"This matter concerns the life of the late Scholar Chen, so we must do our utmost."

Ye Ru's face was flushed after drinking Baiye Shengjiu.

Xiao Bai was already drowsy, and Su Tongyao, unable to attend the banquet, was working alone in her room.

This is a matter of propriety. With Ye Ru's current strength, it is not enough to reform these Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues. He can only proceed gradually.

Chen Changfeng nodded, then stood up, raised his wine glass, and said to everyone:

"Today is the Deer Cry Banquet, and the moon is so bright. We should compose poems and essays to celebrate this occasion. We will be the witnesses and offer our best. All students may compose poems and essays, and the best will be given priority."

"With a great scholar as a witness, this is a blessing that we students have accumulated over many lifetimes."

"We have to thank Chief Ye for all of this."

Everyone's eyes lit up, and they began to discuss it amongst themselves.

"Let Ye Anshou be the last one to be presented, otherwise it will be too much of a blow to us."

Liu Juecheng looked at Ye Ru and smiled.

"You are absolutely right. Once Ye Anshou's poems and essays are published, I'm afraid our humble works will be out of the running."

Countless people cheered, while some felt ashamed; this is the difference.

"Who comes first?"

"Let's go by the rankings on the gold list."

"Brother Zhao, please come in."

Liu Juecheng looked at Zhao Qingfeng and said.

"Then I shall make a fool of myself."

Zhao Qingfeng picked up his pen and wrote:

"The bright moon is reflected in the clear water,"

"Stars shine through the window."

"The wind blows for tens of thousands of miles,"

"Returning home, my clothes are covered in snow."

A poem was written, a poem of primordial chaos.

Although it was just a poem about the primordial chaos, it still aroused envy among many students.

"While the artistic conception is there, it lacks emotion, but it is still quite excellent."

Chen Changfeng nodded. Although the poem contained the words "Changfeng," he did not avoid using them.

"Ashamed."

Zhao Qingfeng cupped his hands in greeting, his face flushed. Then Liu Juecheng picked up his pen and began to write again.

Liu Juecheng's poetry is slightly better than Zhao Qingfeng's, but he still stops at the Hongmeng level.

Immediately afterwards, many more people picked up their pens and began to write, and for a moment the entire mansion was filled with the sound of pens scratching.

Without exception, their poems remained unchanged.

In the end, only Ye Ru hadn't written anything, which drew everyone's attention to him.

"Thank you all for your kindness. There are four joys in life worth celebrating: rain after a long drought, meeting an old friend in a foreign land, the wedding night, and passing the imperial examination. Today, I compose a poem to wish all my fellow students a pleasant occasion."

Ye Ru bowed to the surroundings, then picked up his brush and wrote:

"The evening clouds have dispersed, revealing a clear, cold sky; the Milky Way is silent as the jade disc of the Milky Way turns."

"This life, this night, is fleeting; where will we see the bright moon next year?"

After Ye Ru finished writing, an atmosphere of parting filled the air, and everyone fell silent.

In a few days, they will be going to other academies to study, so they are naturally reluctant to leave this place.

"This poem describes the joy of meeting people, but also touches on the sorrow of parting. It tells the story of everyone enjoying the moon together, but also expresses the sadness and emotion of having to part again soon after the gathering. This poem is probably amazing."

After a moment's thought, Wen said...

Everyone lowered their heads in shame. Ye Ru's casual poem had astonished the sage, and everyone was sincerely convinced.

"This poem is vivid and evocative, with a lofty vision, elegant language, and profound meaning. It is the work of a master. Ye Ru's words make us feel ashamed."

Chen Changfeng exclaimed in admiration, then stood up, raised his wine glass to Ye Ru, and said solemnly:

"Soon you will be going to participate in the National Children's Competition. This is a very important matter. I am here to wish you a victorious return."

Upon hearing this, everyone was startled, for they all knew about the National Scholar Competition.

Once they win the championship, Qingyun County will truly rise to prominence.

The next moment, they were all extremely excited. Everyone raised their wine glasses, looked at Ye Ru in his blue robe, and solemnly bowed. Their neat and loud voices immediately resounded throughout the world.

"We are here to wish Brother Ye a victorious return!"