The prefect of Guangzhou stood on the raised platform, his expression composed, but inwardly he was as frantic as an ant on a hot pan.
He had been trying every means to find a flaw in Fang Yun, then keep attacking until he exposed an even greater weakness. Who could have imagined that Fang Yun would not only maintain his composure, but handle the matter so deftly? He had bluntly stated that the new Jieyuan's abilities were inadequate, then presented him with a poem that won his wholehearted admiration. This was no sowing of discord-it was practically guiding the new Jieyuan step by step toward taking Fang Yun as his teacher.
What infuriated him most was that the poem was simply too good. Among poems of its kind, nothing so far could compare.
The poems of earlier generations each had their strengths. Some were exquisitely beautiful, some magnificent and heroic, and some rich with deep feeling. Yet this poem blended beautiful scenery and profound truth to perfection. Its wording, rhythm, and artistic conception were all outstanding. Moreover, the entire poem was uplifting, without a trace of private sorrow or bitterness. It could already stand shoulder to shoulder with any poem.
The prefect of Guangzhou stood on the platform for a full half hour before the discussions of the poem began to subside. But then someone read aloud the Poet-Addict Old Man's assessment on the Discourse Ranking, and the literary assembly grew lively once more.
"...Finally, the Poet-Addict Old Man summed up this poem in eight characters: 'Supreme scenery, supreme truth, supreme beauty, supreme courage!'"
"The Poet-Addict Old Man truly is extraordinary! I thought we had discussed just about everything, but only after reading his commentary did I suddenly understand. Climbing one story higher-isn't that fearless courage?"
After a long silence,