Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
"Arrogant!" Mo Hongkuo snorted coldly. "You can just spit out poetry like that? Then why don’t you recite another one and let us see for ourselves!"
Mo Hongkuo completely ignored Li Jiancheng's drunken state, only wanting to embarrass this arrogant drunkard. His words garnered the agreement of most people around.
"Exactly!"
"Though he has talent, he's too arrogant!"
"Does he really think that just because he can compose a couple of poems, he can look down on everyone?"
"When others are drunk, they just talk big; it shouldn't be taken seriously..."
People shook their heads in disbelief. Such poetry could be recited off the cuff? If that were the case, wouldn’t they, who couldn’t even compose a single poem, be worthless?
This person was clearly drunk, spouting nonsense!
Li Yuanji felt frustrated. Why was his elder brother helping his second brother win over the crowd? And in such a drunken state, did he even remember those good poems?
"On the western city wall of the beacon fire stands a hundred-foot tower, as the autumn sea breeze blows at dusk. The Qiang flute plays under the mountain moon, while there is no golden chamber to ease my endless sorrow."
At that moment, Li Jiancheng's "drunken" voice rang out again.
Boom!
As they listened to Li Jiancheng's voice, the scene suddenly fell silent. Everyone stared blankly at him, hardly daring to believe their ears.
Especially that line, "The Qiang flute plays under the mountain moon, while there is no golden chamber to ease my endless sorrow," captured the desolation of the frontier perfectly. It illustrated how for the peace of the nation, soldiers had to endure not only bloodshed but also the loneliness of life.
This was his third poem! In such a short time, he had composed three poems? And all while being drunk! Each one was a masterpiece.
"Amazing! Truly amazing!"
"Tonight's champion must be this Young Master Wang!"
"With these three poems, all others pale in comparison..."
"Sigh, we are truly lacking in talent..."
In an instant, everyone expressed their admiration. Mo Hongkuo's face turned an even deeper shade of red. He had challenged him to recite another poem, and he had actually done it!
Moreover, it was a masterpiece filled with profound meaning!
How can this even compare?
Dan Bingbing's eyes sparkled as she gazed intently at Li Jiancheng, saying, "Young Master Wang is truly talented; I admire him immensely!"
"What talent? It's nothing but pointless lamentation!" Li Jiancheng continued to feign drunkenness, angrily retorting, "You all are here composing poetry, merely dreaming of the battlefield! Who among you is like Prince Qin? Now that is a true man of valor, who has fought bloodily against the enemy for years!"
"Prince Qin is a royal; he has truly battled on the field. What about you? You only know how to recite poetry here. Has anyone among you ever been to war?"
As Li Jiancheng's furious words rang out, the scene fell silent.
Many people lowered their heads, beginning to reflect on their own actions.
Dan Bingbing's cheeks, hidden beneath her veil, flushed with heat.
Only Li Yuanji looked at Li Jiancheng with a troubled expression, wondering what had gotten into his elder brother to praise their second brother so extravagantly.
He spoke so loudly! Wasn't this just helping Li Shimin win people's hearts?
His elder brother was drunk—very drunk!
If he was going to flatter someone, at least give some credit to me as Prince Qi!
Should I say something myself?
"You think Prince Qin really charged into battle? He was merely supervising from the back!"
Just as everyone was feeling embarrassed and Li Yuanji was growing more frustrated, an unwelcome voice broke in.
Li Jiancheng looked up; who else could it be but Mo Hongkuo?
"Do you really think Prince Qin has never been in battle?" Li Jiancheng's eyes were hazy as he shouted emphatically, "The current Emperor has already appointed Prince Qin as General of Heavenly Strategy! Do you think the Emperor would appoint someone who has never fought in battle as a general?"
Though he appeared drunkenly carefree, Li Jiancheng's mind was sharp.
Come on! Let's debate this! I can use this opportunity to let Father know about Li Shimin's influence in the military and make him wary of him!
Mo Hongkuo had no idea what Li Jiancheng was thinking and did not recognize the prince before him; he simply scoffed and said, "The Emperor appointed Prince Qin as General of Heavenly Strategy because he is a royal! The Emperor would never truly send a prince into battle!"
Hearing Mo Hongkuo's words, many nodded in agreement.
"A prince on the battlefield? How could that be possible!"
"Exactly! Their status is what matters! They just give orders!"
"I say, the Emperor previously allowed Prince Qin to lead troops just to help him gain some military merit..."
"Right, right! Perhaps the Emperor even wants to establish Prince Qin as the Crown Prince..."
"Brother, you can't say such things carelessly..."
The crowd murmured among themselves, buzzing with discussion.
It seemed that no one at the scene truly believed that Li Shimin had ever fought on the battlefield.
Li Jiancheng secretly chuckled to himself, but his expression suddenly turned grim.
“Bullshit! How could the current Emperor, wise and mighty, casually bestow rewards just because Prince Qin is a royal? The Crown Prince and Prince Qi are also princes; why hasn’t the Emperor made them generals?” Li Jiancheng leaned on Li Yuanji, glaring down at everyone with disdain.
Indeed, the Crown Prince and Prince Qi were also princes. Why hadn’t the Emperor granted them any military achievements?
Could it really be as one of the gentlemen mentioned earlier—that the Emperor intended to make Prince Qin the Crown Prince?
The crowd exchanged glances, their thoughts racing. They could think it, but they dared not voice it!
Li Yuanji nearly fainted; not only did his elder brother want to support their second brother, but he also wanted to trample on himself?
Before anyone could regain their composure, Li Jiancheng again feigned drunkenness and shouted angrily, “Currently, Prince Qin holds great prestige in the army. Can such a reputation be built merely by picking up military achievements?”
“Prince Qin possesses both literary and martial prowess, and coupled with his leading from the front, he has been able to quell various rebel kings and repel the Turkic!”
“Which of those rebel kings sent their own sons into battle? None! That’s why they cannot seize the throne!”
“Prince Qin fought valiantly for this land—what was it for? Isn’t it so that our common people can live in peace and prosperity?”
At that moment, Li Jiancheng resembled a master orator. Each word rang out powerfully, resonating deeply. If it weren’t for his drunken appearance, others might have bowed in reverence.
Even though he was speaking “drunken words,” many present found his arguments quite reasonable.
Indeed! Prince Qin’s high standing in the army could only be established through leading by example!
As a prince, why would Prince Qin work so hard? Was it truly for the well-being of the common people? Perhaps there was more to it—maybe it was for that position…
Those who thought this felt a sudden clarity but would not speak it aloud. This drunken Young Master Wang might just be one of Prince Qin’s subordinates.
“Your words, Young Master Wang, are like a sudden awakening for me!”
At that moment, a somewhat disheveled Talented Scholar bowed to everyone and said, “I feel as if I have awakened from a dream; I am too ashamed to flaunt my knowledge here. Gentlemen, I take my leave!”
With that, the Talented Scholar departed directly.
“The Emperor is wise! Long live Prince Qin!”
Comment 0 Comment Count