In an instant, the banquet became immensely lively. Three State-Ringing poems had appeared in succession, each more impassioned than the last. Each seemed to tell the story between Zhang Longxiang and the Deer Gate Marquis, or even the King of Chu, stirring the interest of everyone present.
"That lad Zhang Longxiang spent ten years in prison, yet misfortune proved a blessing."
"Judging by these three poems alone, he does not seem to be one of the rebel species."
"A few days ago, a friend from Jingzhou told me that he had taught his son so well that the head of Zhurong Academy personally wrote a biography for him. I thought it was merely a teasing joke. Only after hearing these three poems today do I realize what a great talent Longxiang is."
"Deep reserves bursting forth at last, a brick polished into a mirror. Those ten years of honing were not in vain."
"But... his third poem was too ruthless. He pointed straight at the Deer Gate Marquis's nose and accused him of utterly disregarding whether his soldiers lived or died. What will those soldiers think?"
"I suspect Zhang Longxiang spent years brewing these three poems. The connections between them are simply exquisite. The first opens with a blow to the head-'When will the singing and dancing on the eastern river cease?' He charges straight in, throws open the door to reveal the mountain, and points directly at the Deer Gate Army's failings, provoking everyone's criticism. But in the following Second Inscription on the Deer Gate Army, he seals every mouth with 'Though my station is low, I dare not forget my country's woes.' By then, everyone has been thoroughly persuaded. After all, he is the Pearl River Marquis and a Hanlin Academician. Even commoners may discuss affairs of state,