Poetry Gathering, Ci Gathering

The Literary Academy bookshop was bustling early in the morning, but Liang Yuan's roar stunned everyone into silence, and all eyes turned toward him.

There were at least six hundred people here, yet at this moment, not a sound could be heard. They were all staring at Liang Yuan alone.

Liang Yuan froze. He was, after all, only a young man in his early twenties. His face flushed bright red, and after a while, he repeated in a far quieter voice, "Read The Western Wing and learn of love; read The Pillow Chronicle and become a Great Scholar!" Then he pointed helplessly at the banners and streamers on the ox carts.

Many scholars snorted coldly. Having received the Sacred Way's education, they naturally looked down on people like Liang Yuan, who sought to attract attention with grandstanding. Still, the banners bore Fang Yun's name, and that piqued their curiosity.

"Fang Yun is Double-A Honor and Before the Sages, but what is this Three-Poem Radiance?"

"I heard from a book peddler that Sacred Way has Three-Poem Radiance, something unprecedented."

"They dare say that before Sacred Way has even gone on sale? Could there be something fishy going on?"

"Hard to say. Let's wait and see."

As far as advertising went, Liang Yuan's roar earned full marks. Everyone knew he was selling books, but with Sacred Way about to go on sale, no one left the queue to buy The Western Wing.

The Sacred Academy publications soon went on sale. Four licentiate constables from the Sacred Academy sold the books, and all four knew that Fang Yun had achieved Three-Poem Radiance in Sacred Way. At first, they managed to hold themselves back, but as they kept selling, they could no longer contain themselves.

"You've come on the right day! Today's Sacred Way has four poems and essays from our Jing Kingdom, three of which belong to Fang Double-A of our Dayuan Prefecture—and there's even a Nation-Quelling Poem!"

"I've sold Sacred Way for so many years, but this is the first time I nearly cried while selling it. Fang Yun has helped us people of Jing Kingdom hold our heads high!"

"When you get Sacred Way, turn straight to page one hundred and one! Fang Yun of Dayuan Prefecture has Three-Poem Radiance, and one poem quells the nation. There's no need to read any of the other poetry!"

The words of the four book-selling constables were like sparks that ignited the several hundred people present.

One man raised Sacred Way and shouted, "It really is Three-Poem Radiance! Fang Yun of Ji County—he's Fang Double-A! There really is a Nation-Quelling Poem!"

"Amazing! Amazing! It was actually commented on by a Great Scholar—far too rare!"

"Hurry up and buy, those in front! I want to read the Nation-Quelling Poem! I want to read the Great Scholar's commentary!"

"Don't shove, don't shove!"

Those buying books were frantic, while those who had bought them were overjoyed. Many began reading as soon as they stepped out of the crowd.

"Wonderful! Wonderful!"

Some people wearing licentiate robes, even academy student robes, did not leave. They gathered together and excitedly discussed the poems, then began composing "imitative poems" on the spot—altering a few words in "Cockcrow over the thatched inn moon, human tracks on the plank bridge frost" to make new lines.

Some changed it to "Birdsong by the thatched inn trees, leaves floating over plank bridge waters," while others made it "Crane cries by the thatched inn rain, wild hues on plank bridge spring." Yet after revising for a long while, no one felt their work could compare with the original.

Everyone knew they could not match Fang Yun, but they were still satisfied, because Fang Yun was from Dayuan Prefecture.

Liang Yuan had kept his eyes on those academy students and licentiates. Seeing that they were about to disperse, he let out a roar. "Fang Yun's new books are on sale! The Western Wing and The Pillow Chronicle are combined in one volume—read May's The Pillow Chronicle in Sacred Way ahead of time! Come buy them!"

Previously, many people had not believed in this so-called Three-Poem Radiance. But now April's Sacred Way, opened to page one hundred and one, was in their hands. It was an ironclad fact, leaving them no choice but to believe.

The scholars who had bought Sacred Way walked toward Liang Yuan and the ten connected ox carts, half believing and half doubting.

"Is it really written by Fang Double-A?"

"Of course. Look, Registrar Zhou of the Literary Academy wrote the preface for this book. If we dared fake it, would we still want to live? You may read ten pages for free. If it isn't as good as the popular novels from before, I'll chop off my head and let you use it as a polo ball!"

"Then let's have a look first."

More than ten scholars picked up copies of The Western Wing stacked on the carts and began to read silently. When they saw Registrar Zhou's preface and Fang Yun's signature, they no longer doubted and continued reading.

"This punctuation is quite innovative. It makes reading so convenient—everything is clear at a glance."

"Not bad. It really is different from the rest."

"It feels a little strange to read."

Before long, someone suddenly snapped his book shut and said, "I'm buying it! I can't keep reading. If I do, I'm afraid I won't be able to bear going home!" He then took out five large coins and tossed them directly to Liang Yuan, clutching the book as he left.

"It's nothing much, really. Just more interesting than ordinary tales of spirits and monsters." Though he refused to admit it aloud, he still counted out fifty copper coins and handed them to Liang Yuan.

"This book is truly rare. It sweeps away the Ten Kingdoms' trend of ghostly and monstrous tales. Other than Fang Yun, who could possess such great talent?"

"Actually, I believed from the start that this was no scam. Lord Swordbrow may now be the head of the Prefectural Academy, but back then, with a single Wind-and-Rain Sword Poem, he slaughtered the wolf barbarians until they let out Ghostly Wails and Wolf Howls. His Talent Qi Ancient Sword even grew several streaks of blood, and even those old soldiers did not dare approach him. The Empress Dowager called him Lord Swordbrow not merely because his brows were like swords, but because his literary qi was like a sword. Even if I wanted to die, I would not dare misuse his name."

"That's true. Grand Academician Li Wenying's reputation for killing is known to all. No one would dare misuse his name."

Once everyone realized that The Western Wing was truly good, they began defending the book of their own accord.

These licentiates and academy students became the best advertisements. Many who had not been especially determined before began buying books.

Under the influence of Fang Yun's literary fame, more and more people began buying The Western Wing.

From morning until after eight, there was still an endless stream of people before the Literary Academy bookshop. These people had originally come only to buy Sacred Way and the Literary Gazette, but the ten ox carts kept circling nearby, and even those who did not buy books remembered Three-Flavors Bookstore and Fang Yun's new books.

The ten ox carts remained before the Literary Academy bookshop, while the more than twenty book peddlers pushed their carts throughout Dayuan Prefecture City, hawking their wares along the streets.

The Western Wing and The Pillow Chronicle began circulating in a small range. Within a few days, every scholar in the city would know that Fang Yun had published new books.

As usual, Fang Yun went to teach at the Fang Clan School. Near noon, he set out with He Yutang, a teacher who had also received an invitation, for the Start-of-Summer Literary Gathering.

After getting into Fang Yun's carriage, He Yutang looked around and said, "Fang Yun, this carriage is rather nice. It must have cost at least a hundred taels of silver."

"You are an academy student in good standing. Does this carriage even catch your eye?" Fang Yun asked with a smile.

"If I were willing to return to my county and serve as an official, giving up the Imperial Examination, a hundred taels of silver would be nothing. But now I'm making a living in the prefectural city. Though I have income besides teaching, my expenses are also high. There are no poor academy students in the Ten Kingdoms, but neither are there many wealthy ones. I'll keep taking the examinations for another five years. If I still cannot become a Provincial Graduate by thirty-five, I'll return to my county and compete for a lecturer position at the Literary Academy. If I still fail after another three years, I'll pull some strings and become a minor official. I have some connections at the Fang Clan School and in the prefectural city. That is the advantage of staying in the prefectural city."

"That makes sense." Only then did Fang Yun understand the difficulties these academy students faced.

"By the time I return home, you'll at least be a county magistrate of one region, perhaps even a prefect. Maybe I'll have to make a living under you," He Yutang said.

"How could I possibly become a prefect in seven or eight years? Besides, Brother He thinks too little of himself," Fang Yun said.

He Yutang's face reddened, however. "I have to plan for my own future and for my children and grandchildren. You simply have no estate or industry now; otherwise, I truly would like to seek refuge with you."

"Huh?" Fang Yun looked at He Yutang in confusion. An academy student wanted to rely on a licentiate?

He Yutang gave a light cough. "I may not be as good at studying as you, but I am never wrong when judging people. Even if I were wrong, the general would not be. Not even academy students or Provincial Graduates would be worth his personal visit, let alone a licentiate. If you ever lack manpower in the future, you may as well ask me."

"Since Brother He has said so, if I ever have something to entrust to you, I hope you will lend me a hand," Fang Yun said. He had not expected someone to draw close to him so soon. More than ten thousand licentiates in Dayuan Prefecture took the Prefectural Examination each year, yet only fifty to eighty academy students were admitted in total.

"Case First Fang is too courteous." He Yutang secretly let out a breath of relief.

"To tell the truth, my bookshop really does lack people, especially talented men of high literary rank like Brother He," Fang Yun said.

"Once a bookshop grows large, it becomes no small enterprise. The literary culture of the Ten Kingdoms is too flourishing. Aside from food, clothing, housing, and travel, anything related to reading can become a major business and be passed down through generations," He Yutang said.

"Whether I can afford to hire an academy student like you depends on how well the books sell today," Fang Yun said.

"Since you are overseeing the bookshop, they will certainly sell well."

"In the long run, I have confidence. I just do not know what the short-term profits will be," Fang Yun said.

He Yutang frowned slightly. Fang Yun did not seem like a shortsighted man, so why would he say such a thing? Still, he was not displeased. Instead, he consoled him, "A bookshop needs to flow like a thin stream for a long time, slowly building its reputation. Before three years have passed, one cannot tell whether it is losing or making money."

Fang Yun caught the unspoken meaning in his words and did not wish to continue discussing the bookshop, so he changed the subject. "I have never attended the Start-of-Summer Literary Gathering. What are its customs?"

"Customs? They are neither especially important nor insignificant. Around Start of Summer, the weather still resembles spring, so poems at the Start-of-Summer Literary Gathering are often written on the theme of 'spring.' Usually it is a poetry gathering, though it is occasionally held as a lyric gathering. However, there has not been a lyric gathering in more than ten years. After all, academy students have limited literary qi, and old-style poetry is easier to compose than lyrics. The Start-of-Summer Literary Gatherings for Provincial Graduates in the evening often include lyric gatherings. In truth, these gatherings exist to make the descendants of prominent families famous."

"There is such a thing?"

"Think about it. How could ordinary people have the money to host such a literary gathering? They need to choose a venue, provide wine and food, hire singing girls to accompany the drinking, and there must always be some prize as a reward. A single gathering costs no less than two thousand taels of silver, and even the greatest family fortune cannot withstand such spending. Their poems and lyrics are all commissioned from famous masters in advance for high prices, with at most a few words changed. How can ordinary people compete? Ninety percent of literary gatherings have no suspense over who takes first prize, unless someone is unlucky enough to encounter a fierce dragon crossing the river—like you." He Yutang laughed as he finished.

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother He. Since others have spent so much money on this gathering, we should simply eat and drink for free. Stealing someone else's limelight would be beneath a gentleman's bearing. I'll just go take a look. Once the gathering's champion is decided, I'll leave. If I leave too early, the person who invited me will lose face," Fang Yun said.

After pondering for a moment, He Yutang said, "Forgive me for judging a gentleman's heart with a petty man's mind, but the seven or eight academy students from the Lishan Society who came to invite you were probably being used as brushes by someone else. It should have been some important figure from the Lishan Society's main branch who sent them. Otherwise, merely inviting you would not have required so many people to come together."

"How do you mean?" Fang Yun had vaguely formed some guesses, but he had only recently arrived in the prefectural city and did not know the hidden details within, so he did not dare be certain.