I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 95 Composing Poems at the Yuanhui Festival

Qiao Zhou, holding a wine cup, walked into the hall and bowed to Liu Shan.

Liu Shan didn't know what this spiritual leader of the Yizhou gentry wanted to do, but since the man had already volunteered, he could only smile and ask, "Does the Grand Master Qiao also write poetry?"

During the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period, the poetic style was centered around the "Three Caos" and the "Seven Scholars of Jian'an".

They inherited the Han Dynasty folk song tradition of "being moved by sorrow and joy, and expressing emotions based on events," but shifted the narrative towards lyricism, forming a generous, melancholic, vigorous, and powerful style, historically known as the "Jian'an style."

Cao Cao used old Yuefu titles to write about current events, thus initiating the tradition of using the past to write about new things.

Cao Zhi devoted himself to creating five-character poems, pushing the techniques of literati poetry to new heights.

Yizhou, situated in a remote corner of the country, lagged behind the Central Plains in terms of poetic innovation.

In this grand hall, only Zhuge Liang's "Liangfu Yin" can be considered a masterpiece, but it is fundamentally a Yuefu poem.

Qiao Zhou did not answer directly, but cleared his throat instead.

"The simple banquet held at the New Year's Eve feast is not because the national treasury is poor. But because of the hardships on the border, we dare not drink to our hearts' content. Every grain of rice represents the people's labor, and every thread is the result of hardship. This is our way of repaying the nation; why should we need a grand feast?"

Qiao Zhou's voice was loud and clear, which was invigorating.

After reciting the poem, he raised his wine cup with both hands, drank slowly, his face gradually turning red, exuding great authority.

Qiao Zhou, a great Confucian scholar, possessed neither the arrogance of youth nor the haughtiness of old age; his every action was extremely proper.

"good!"

Led by Liu Shan, the courtiers in the hall cheered.

Looking at Qiao Zhou, Liu Shan suddenly found the old man much more pleasing to the eye.

"Lord Qiao," Liu Shan raised his wine cup and said, "your poem is more substantial than Cao Zhi's. I'll toast you again."

Qiao Zhou quickly poured another bowl of wine, grinned, and said, "I am not good at writing poetry, but I am telling the truth."

Having said that, he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

Once Qiao Zhou started, the atmosphere in the hall became lively.

The civil officials, in twos and threes, began to compose poems and couplets.

Some praise the military farms in Hanzhong, some extol the talents of the Imperial Academy, and some sing the praises of the soldiers on the frontier.

The poem may be plain, but its strength lies in its sincere and heartfelt emotions.

Liu Shan sat at the head of the table, drinking and listening, nodding occasionally.

At this moment, Yin Mo stood up.

"Your Majesty, I also have a poem."

Liu Shan regained his spirits.

"Please, teacher."

Yin Mo walked into the hall, looked around at everyone, and slowly spoke.

"I once heard of the banquets in the Wei palace, where ten thousand dishes were laid out like hemp. Golden goblets reflected the sun and moon, and the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments mingled with the misty clouds. But one day, war broke out, and the people wept bitterly. Now, we, the people of the Han dynasty, feast with simple wine and coarse tea. As long as the granaries are full, why should we compete in extravagance? I will guard the state and not let the world weep."

After reciting the poem, he gave Liu Shan a deep look.

Liu Shan raised his wine cup and toasted him.

"Teacher, I have memorized this poem."

Yin Mo nodded and returned to his seat.

Just then, a voice came from the corner.

"I also have a poem, but... it's not very good."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Qin Mi, the Prefect of Yizhou.

Qin Mi was a scholar from Yizhou, and he was very talented even in his youth.

Previously, when Zhuge Ke was sent as an envoy to Yizhou, there was an official in his entourage named Zhang Wen, who was from the Zhang family of Wu Commandery.

The two exchanged clever answers, and in the end, Qin Mi's outstanding literary talent and eloquence convinced Zhang Wen.

If he were to compose a poem now, it would surely amaze everyone present.

It should be noted that Qin Mi was extremely arrogant when he was young. When the prefectures and counties wanted to recruit him as an official, he always claimed to be ill and refused to go.

Even after Liu Bei pacified Yizhou and wanted to invite him to serve in the government, he still pretended to be ill.

Qin Mi poured herself a bowl of wine and staggered out, clearly somewhat drunk.

Fearing he would talk nonsense while drunk, Xiang Chong quickly pulled him back and whispered, "No, you mustn't!"

It should be noted that when Liu Bei was preparing to attack Eastern Wu, Qin Mi argued that the timing was unfavorable and victory would be difficult, and was therefore convicted and imprisoned.

Liu Shan, however, was quite expectant. He waved his hand, indicating that Xiang Chong did not need to be stopped, and said, "Prefect, please!"

Qin Mi, holding a cup of wine, bowed to Liu Shan and slowly recited: "What does it matter to me if the Cao family is rich? I knew first that the Han Dynasty had no grain. Today, a cup of coarse tea and wine is better than ten thousand delicacies in the Wei palace."

There was a moment of stunned silence in the hall, and many people quickly covered their mouths and noses with their sleeves, chuckling softly.

This is the poem recited by the scholar from Yizhou.

The writing is not elegant, the context lacks depth, and it is too straightforward.

It sounds like a folk nursery rhyme.

Wu Ban laughed so hard he slapped the table: "Is this a poem or a rhyme?"

Qin Mi had a serious expression on her face, clearly not taking the ridicule of the crowd to heart.

"Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, the national policies you have implemented have all been pragmatic and beneficial to the country and its people. Just like this poem, it has no trace of bitterness and speaks the truth, and that is enough."

Liu Shan nodded and raised his wine cup.

"Very well. These words are more beautiful than poetry, and they resonate deeply with me. Come, let us drink this cup together."

The atmosphere at the banquet thus became lively once again.

Halfway through the banquet, Liu Shan noticed Li Yan standing to the side.

He didn't touch the wine in front of him, nor did he eat much of the food. He just sat there, watching the lively scene in the hall, his expression somewhat indifferent.

Liu Shan thought for a moment, picked up his wine cup, and walked over.

"Li Duhu".

Li Yan looked up and saw that it was Liu Shan, so he quickly stood up and bowed.

"His Majesty."

"Governor-General Li, do you think that my New Year's celebration was too meager?"

Li Yan remained silent for a while.

"Your subject dares not."

"It's not a matter of daring or not, it's a matter of wanting or not," Liu Shan said. "I'm asking you the truth."

Li Yan raised his head and looked at Liu Shan.

"I am indeed not used to it. In previous years, the New Year's gathering was a time of feasting and revelry. This year... it is rather quiet."

"I know," Liu Shan said solemnly, "but I ask you, after all that singing and dancing, all that delicacies, what's left?"

Li Yan thought about it.

"Is there still... excitement left?"

"Lively?" Liu Shan laughed.

"Can excitement feed us? Can it be used as a weapon? Can it save the soldiers on the front lines from dying?"

Li Yan fell silent.

Liu Shan patted him on the shoulder.

"Governor Li, it's not that I don't want a lively atmosphere. I want to wait until the world is unified and the people have enough to eat. Then, I'll join you in having a good time."

He looked into Li Yan's eyes.

"At that time, I will personally pour you the wine."

Li Yan quickly poured a bowl of wine and solemnly picked it up.

"Your Majesty, I await that day."

After the banquet, Liu Shan returned to the inner palace.

Zhang was sitting under the lamp reading.

"Your Majesty drank quite a bit of wine today." She came forward and helped Liu Shan take off his outer robe.

"Not much," Liu Shan said with a smile, "I'm happy today."

While helping Liu Shan undress, Lady Zhang said with a smile, "I heard that Your Majesty asked the civil officials to compose poems at the New Year's gathering today."

"Hmm. Qiao Zhou, Yin Mo, and Qin Mi have all done it. Qin Mi is the one I like the most. What does it matter to me if the Cao family is rich? I knew the Han Dynasty was short of grain first."

Zhang couldn't help but laugh.

"I cannot compose poetry," she said, "but I do have something I would like to say to Your Majesty."

"What did you say?"

Looking into his eyes, Lady Zhang said softly, "Your Majesty said at the New Year's assembly today that the grain and money should be reserved to buy winter clothes for the soldiers at the front, to build new classrooms for the Imperial Academy, and to repair irrigation canals in Hanzhong. Upon hearing this, I felt..."

She paused.

"I feel that marrying Your Majesty is the most worthwhile thing I have ever done in my life."

Liu Shan was taken aback.

Then he reached out and pulled her into his arms.

"Yun'er, your words are more beautiful than any poem."

Zhang leaned against his chest and smiled softly.