Spring Sows a Single Grain; Autumn Reaps Ten Thousand Seeds

The speaker had a loud voice, and as the voice entered, a long-haired man in Colorful Garb walked into the flower hall. Behind him were five or six burly men, and the words just spoken were spoken by one of them.

"Hmm? There's a fragrance in this hall; it smells quite nice."

As soon as the burly man entered, he stretched out his arms and pulled a woman next to him into his embrace. The woman screamed, but couldn't break free.

Upon seeing this, many Confucian scholars paled, yet none uttered a word, only wondering, "Why are they here? Didn't these Marshfolk refuse to come to the previous poetry gatherings?"

Upon seeing this, Qi Xin stepped forward and said to the long-haired man, "Geluolan, keep an eye on your people!"

This long-haired man was none other than Geluolan, the Marshfolk's young prince.

Before Geluolan could reply to Qi Xin's rebuke, the burly man yelled, "What? So what if you dragged a woman along?"

Prince Geluolan of the Marshfolk spoke up, "Song Gaosu, Miss Song invited us, so we should give our hostess face and follow local customs. Let's release them first."

"This... as you command." The Marshfolk, Song Gaosu, was somewhat reluctant, but he still obeyed and released the woman from his arms. The woman immediately ran away in a panic and was helped down by others.

Song Qian stood up, first instructing someone to help the fallen servant to his feet, then stepped forward and said, "Geluolan, I know you don't like these kinds of occasions, but Mr. Zhao invited you today, so don't go too far."

"Don't worry, Miss Song. We Marshfolk always keep our word and do what we say." Geluolan nodded.

"Alright!" Song Qian smiled slightly. "You used to avoid poetry gatherings, saying they were boring. But today is different. Even my father and Mr. Zhao are here. All the talents of Wuxin City are gathered here. I heard that you wrote some poems when you were studying at the Imperial Academy. Why not show off your skills?"

"Since you have given the order, I shall give it a try." Geluolan's cold face revealed a confident expression.

Across from her, Song Qian glanced at the group behind Geluolan and smiled, "Those following you are all Marshfolk warriors, so there's no need for them to go out." As the daughter of a military governor, she knew the art of winning people over and was aware that her father was trying to win over Geluolan's tribe. So she took the opportunity to let the burly men stay.

"Why is he here too!" Suddenly, the arrogant Song Gaosu's gaze fell on a certain spot, his expression changed, and he revealed a look of concern and fear.

"Hmm?" Noticing this, Geluolan also looked over and saw Qiu Yan in the corner of the flower hall. Her expression immediately turned cold, and a sinister look appeared in her eyes. "Oh? What's this person doing here? Is he here to compose poetry too?"

When he said this, the others were initially confused, but after following his gaze, they understood.

Then Fang Ziyan said, "Does the little prince also recognize this person? Qiu Yan has truly made a name for himself today; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the number one talent in Wuxin." Fang Ziyan was asking a question he already knew the answer to. He had already learned about the conflict between Qiu Yan and Geluolan from Zhang Sheng and Liu Sheng, and his words were deliberately provocative.

Geluolan listened without saying anything, just sneered. He glanced at Fang Ziyan, but instead of being provoked into causing trouble for Qiu Yan, he led a few subordinates and went straight to find some seats to sit down.

Song Qian clapped her hands, and soon food was served. The Marshfolk had different customs from those of the Central Plains, so she had to appease them with delicious food so as not to spoil the atmosphere of the literary gathering.

"Delicious!" Na Song Gaosu took the pastries and ate them one after another, laughing heartily. As he ate, he glanced at the scholar beside him and noticed the fear in the other's eyes. He felt that the courage that had been shattered by Qiu Yan had recovered somewhat.

"You scholars are all cowards! Look at our prince, although he studies, he has practiced martial arts and killed people since childhood, and he is still exceptionally brave. Compared to him, the difference is obvious." Song Gaosu wanted to regain face by comparing himself to the other Confucian scholars. "A few days ago, I met two scholars, and I raised my fist and they were trembling with fear, haha!"

After saying this, the burly Marshfolk looked at each other and burst into laughter, a sense of heroic spirit immediately spreading out.

However, while they were full of pride, many Confucian scholars looked embarrassed.

At this moment, Fang Ziyan stepped forward and said, "It's because your perspective has broadened, brave warrior. I've heard that you are all rare warriors who have fought alongside the little prince and visited the Imperial City, witnessing the riches and treasures of Great Rui. Your State of Minds have been transformed, and naturally you possess an awe-inspiring presence."

He first complimented the Marshfolk, but without falling into the trap of Great Rui. Then he changed the subject, saying, "We who study must also climb the ladder step by step. As long as we have ambition, we may still have the opportunity to rise to the position of prime minister. At that time, things will be a completely different story."

This implies that the scholars are not afraid of the Marshfolk, but rather that Song Gaosu and others are exceptionally knowledgeable and have an imposing presence. It suggests that once the scholars become officials and develop their own authority, things will be different; they will be neither servile nor arrogant.

Upon hearing this, the scholars regained their composure, feeling as if they had won back their pride, and straightened their backs a bit.

"Indeed, it is precisely because of the difference in status and momentum that we are able to lead an army. We cannot compare to them now, but once we pass the Golden List, it will be a completely different story. It is precisely because of the change in momentum and fortune that we will be able to achieve this."

"Indeed, after ten years of diligent study, he has become Xiucai, and his status has changed. Compared with farmers and commoners, he is now superior."

"Brother Luo, you really know how to make comparisons. Common farmers are busy with petty scheming all day long. It's an insult to our culture and completely inappropriate for you to compare us to farmers."

"We study hard every day so that our relatives and clansmen can escape poverty and no longer have to do hard farm work."

"Well said! That's a lofty ambition! However, when we become officials and own vast tracts of fertile land, we must treat the farmhands well and let them work in peace."

They were using farmers as a comparison and evidence to elevate themselves and regain face. Although there were Xiucai among the Confucianists who had come from poor families, upon hearing this, some spoke up in agreement, while others remained silent, and no one uttered a rebuttal.

Song Gaosu was unwilling to lose, and laughed, "You farmers from the Central Plains are indeed useless. As soon as you charge, they scatter like birds and beasts. Those who can't escape are caught and can only beg for mercy. They're too spineless."

"A rustic villager, ignorant of the teachings of Sages, is not worthy of consideration. The future of the nation rests on the shoulders of us," Fang Ziyan replied calmly. For a moment, the two engaged in a heated exchange, a veritable battle of words.

Just then...

Snap!

A soft, crisp sound rang out, carrying far and wide, silencing the few people who were speaking.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Qiu Yan stand up from his seat; the soft sound was from when he put down his pen.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Qiu Yan walked straight up to Song Qian and said, "I have something I'd like to ask Miss Song."

Song Qian was startled by his action, but still nodded and said, "Please speak, young master."

If this had happened before today, Qiu Yan had come to her like this, saying he had something to ask, even if Song Qian didn't say anything, others would have said that Qiu Yan didn't know his place. But now, after the riddle-solving and writing contest, Qiu Yan's status and prestige have changed, so even if he suddenly came, it wouldn't seem abrupt.

Qiu Yan asked directly, "Two years ago, your mother sent people to villages in Southern Border to arrest scholars with official titles. Are you aware of this, young lady? What happened to those scholars afterward?"

"Arrest? What do you mean? Those people were invited by Mother's people," Song Qian's face turned somewhat unpleasant upon hearing this, but she still patiently continued, "After they arrived in Wuxin City, they were treated with courtesy by the city officials, but later many of them suffered from acclimatization issues, and Mother sent people to send them away."

Because of the large number of people around, some things couldn't be said outright, but after hearing this answer, Qiu Yan understood the gist of it, so he nodded and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Song Qian, Qi Xin, and the others. "I have other matters to attend to today, so I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, he actually turned and left.

"Stop!"

Geluolan, who was sitting nearby, suddenly spoke up. This Marshfolk prince knew why he had come here. Even if he had no intention of making peace, it would be too embarrassing for him to let Qiu Yan leave like this.

But Qiu Yan ignored him and continued walking.

Geluolan's gaze grew increasingly cold. He turned to look at Song Gaosu, who was startled. Despite his lingering fear, he forced himself to shout, "My prince told you to stop! Didn't you hear? Don't you know that if you anger us, even if we kill you, the emperor and the military governor will have to pardon your crimes and appease us?"

Qiu Yan finally stopped, turned around and smiled, "Pardons are a blessing for the petty and a misfortune for the virtuous. You are not ashamed, but proud, always talking about the court's pardons. How pathetic and pitiful." After saying this, he shook his head, turned around and walked out the door.

The outspoken Geluolan gritted his teeth, making a grinding sound, but forcibly suppressed it.

After Qiu Yan left, the entire flower hall fell silent. After a long while, Human Path finally said, "What a thankless task!"

The sound brought everyone back to their senses, and they immediately began to discuss it. At that moment, voices came from upstairs. It turned out that Song Yuan and Zhao Bingcheng had received the notice and came down.

Fang Ziyan witnessing this scene, Fang Ziyan, recalling Geluolan's earlier behavior, immediately understood.

"I see. It seems the governor or Mr. Zhao wanted to play peacemaker, so they invited the Marshfolk Prince. But Qiu Yan left without saying goodbye, refusing to listen to reason and having to suffer the consequences." Upon realizing this, Fang Ziyan smiled.

Fang Ziyan wasn't the only one Fang Ziyan thought of this; Qi Xin also grasped the key point and couldn't help but shake his head.

"Qiu Yan has taken a wrong step. This peacemaker style is not in line with the General's style. It must have been Mr. Zhao's idea." Thinking about this, he turned to look at the table beside him. "Considering the handwriting, he shouldn't be too harsh. Hmm? The poem on this paper?"

Upon closer inspection, he discovered a five-character poem written on the top sheet of paper.

"Sow a single grain in spring, reap ten thousand in autumn. Even with fertile land under heaven, farmers still starve."

He read the poem aloud in a low voice, Qi Xin immediately sensed a hint of Pity the Farmers and a subtle reproach in it, which aroused his suspicion.

"This poem doesn't seem to have been written by the scholar who was here tonight..." Recalling what had just happened, Qi Xin had a sudden Spiritual Light and a guess. "Could it be Qiu Yan's work? The poem's imagery is straightforward and concise, which is in line with his style. Even I can understand it at a glance, yet it has a deeper meaning. At least that rude scholar from earlier will lose face after seeing it." (To be continued)

P. S.: Thanks to "Blue Requiem" for the monthly vote!