The Sage of Confucianism and Taoism

Chapter 1511: Not Talking to the King of Chu

"I, Wei Changxian, greet Lord Zhang!" Wei Changxian stood at the door, straight and upright, looking at Fang Yun arrogantly, but his words were very polite.

"Well, what's the matter?" Fang Yun knew that this person would definitely find fault, so he looked at him indifferently and continued to look down at the official documents. He was too busy with recent affairs, and even delayed his time for reading. Fortunately, he had a mind and a world of strange books, which allowed the second divine thought to study.

"Nothing, I just came here to take a walk and see how Lord Zhang was doing."

"Not bad." Fang Yun said casually.

"Since it's not bad, then I'm relieved. However, I advise you kindly that you'd better stay quietly in the official document room, don't walk around, and don't write poems at random. You have been in prison for ten years and have accumulated some literary talent, but it doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. Our marshal is very unhappy, and I heard that everyone above is also very unhappy." Wei Changxian looked at Fang Yun with a smile.

"Oh? If I behave myself and do nothing, will the above let me go?" Fang Yun asked.

Wei Changxian was stunned, and he smiled to hide the embarrassment on his face, saying: "If you behave yourself, you will live longer."

"I want to live longer!" Fang Yun said.

Wei Changxian's face changed slightly, and he said: "Don't be delusional! Do you think that if you continue to accumulate literary reputation, the King of Chu will not dare... cough, you can really clear the charges? No, even if you become a virtual saint, as long as you find out that Zhang Wankong is a traitor, you will be implicated! I think you should not waste your energy anymore. Your only way now is to ask the King of Chu for mercy, maybe you can live a few more years!"

"I only know today that General Wei is such a straightforward person. However, General Wei's arrival has made me know more, thank you!" Fang Yun said with a smile.

"You..." Wei Changxian didn't expect Zhang Longxiang to be so careful. It was because he found that Lumenhou was under increasing pressure that he came here. He didn't want Zhang Longxiang to continue writing poems to increase his literary reputation. Who knew that his intentions would be exposed instead.

"You... take care of yourself!" Wei Changxian said stiffly and left.

Fang Yun looked at Wei Changxian's back and his eyes gradually turned cold.

"Promoting literary reputation can not only make the Zong and Lei families trust me, but also make the King of Chu be cautious. How could I not know? Then, next, I will test the bottom line of the King of Chu!"

Fang Yun picked up a pen and wrote the three big characters "Xi Madam" on the rice paper. Just as he was about to write a poem, he stopped, left the official document room, and walked towards the main hall of the Marshal's Mansion to meet Lumenhou.

However, on the way to the main hall, Fang Yun was stopped by the guards.

As a last resort, Fang Yun went around to the backyard of the Marshal's Mansion again, but still could not enter, so he could only leave in dejection.

That night, a poem "Lady Xi" set off a literary discussion list, and scholars from all countries laughed and talked about it, while scholars from the State of Chu criticized Zhang Longxiang.

Don't be favored by the present,

and forget the old kindness.

Looking at the flowers with tears,

I don't talk to the King of Chu.

Lady Xi, also known as Lady Peach Blossom, was a famous beauty in the Spring and Autumn Period and the wife of Marquis Xi.

Lady Xi passed by the State of Cai, and Marquis Cai flirted with her. Marquis Xi was furious and joined forces with the King of Chu to let the King of Chu send troops to capture Marquis Cai.

Marquis Cai was resentful and told the King of Chu that Lady Xi was very beautiful, so the King of Chu went to the State of Xi on the pretext of a tour, suddenly launched an attack, and captured Marquis Xi.

Lady Xi wanted to commit suicide, but the King of Chu threatened Lady Xi with Marquis Xi's life, so Lady Xi had to marry the King of Chu.

However, Lady Xi never took the initiative to talk to the King of Chu.

The whole poem is simple and easy to understand, praising Lady Xi's firmness.

This poem has been constantly interpreted by people from all over the literary world on the discussion list.

"Yesterday, 'a branch of red apricots came out of the wall', today 'looking at the flowers with tears', oh, how bitter Zhang Mingzhou has gone through."

"This poem has a lot of meaning. I think, 'now's favor' refers to the current Lumen Marquis, and 'old favor' refers to Zhang Wankong. This is advising Lumen Marquis to forgive others when you can. If Lumen Marquis falls out of favor, he will not be much better than Zhujiang Marquis."

"I am afraid you have misunderstood. I personally think that this is Zhang Mingzhou expressing his loyalty. "Favor" is an irony. The meaning of the whole poem should be 'Don't let yourself forget the kindness of the King of Chu because of the hatred now. I and Mrs. Xi both miss the old feelings. However, looking at the spring flowers and thinking of being excluded, I am afraid that I will be unable to talk to the King of Chu like Mrs. Xi back then.' This poem should be Zhang Longxiang's hope that the King of Chu will show leniency and not force the monarch and his ministers to be speechless."

"Nonsense, I think not only 'favor' is an irony, but even 'favor' is also an irony. In my opinion, the meaning of the whole poem should be ‘Don’t be afraid of the threats from the King of Chu and the Marquis of Lumen, and forget the great hatred of ten years in prison. When you see the spring flowers, you can’t help but shed tears and think of the pain of this year. You should be like Madam Xi, and never talk to the King of Chu even if you die! ’”

“No, the original intention of the whole poem should only describe Madam Xi. The first two sentences are spoken by Madam Xi: ‘Don’t think that the current favor can make me forget the old kindness. ’ The last two sentences mean that even in the face of the beautiful scenery of flowers and full moon, Madam Xi is determined not to talk to the King of Chu. The poet praises Madam Xi’s loyalty, and at the same time implies that if the King of Chu does not clear his name, he will break with the King of Chu! ”

“Zhang Longxiang is simply treasonous! He actually attacked the ancestors of the King of Chu, and he should be stripped of his official position and title!”

“He is too presumptuous. How dare he treat the King of Chu like this?”

“As a Hanlin, what’s wrong with ridiculing the King of Chu? This shows that Zhang Longxiang has integrity!”

On the list of articles, various interpretations came one after another, in all kinds and very confusing.

However, because this poem was full of controversy, Zhang Longxiang's literary reputation continued to rise.

After writing this poem, Fang Yun continued to read. When he woke up, he saw some people passing him books and telling him about the current situation in the capital.

This morning, the King of Chu read this poem and was furious. He blamed Lumenhou for not governing his subordinates strictly.

Fang Yun, as usual, washed up and ate. Halfway through the meal, Wei Changxian rushed in with his guards.

"Bold lunatic! How dare you criticize the King of Chu!" Wei Changxian was furious. The King of Chu was angry, and Lumenhou was naturally in a bad mood. He was also scolded by Lumenhou for this, and was suspected of angering Fang Yun yesterday.

"When did I, the Hanlin of Confucius and the literary world, not discuss the princes? Whether it is the King of Chu or other kings, they are all ministers of the Zhou Emperor like me. Come again when I criticize the Zhou Emperor." Fang Yun continued to eat slowly.

Wei Changxian snorted coldly and said, "I have brought the Marshal's oral order, and you have six hours to write a letter of apology!"

"I think that writing this poem is not a crime!" Fang Yun said.

"I knew you would quibble! However, the Marshal's reason for apology is not because of this poem, but because of your incompetence! The first crime is that the family letter is delayed, which arouses the dissatisfaction of the soldiers and may cause a mutiny in the camp; the second crime is that the official documents are repeatedly reissued or missed, which may cause serious consequences! Just for these two crimes, the Marshal can deprive you of your military position, but considering that your ancestors have served the country for generations, the Marshal will temporarily keep you in charge of official documents."

"Then I have to thank the Marshal!" Fang Yun said.

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