Chapter 367 - Two rounds down! (1/2)
In the back yard.
The atmosphere was lit up!
The shades-wearing youth's poem had amazed everyone!
Zhang Ye went back to sit down and had another sip of tea. Only he knew that this work was not any ordinary poem. This was the fourth of the ”Missing You” five-part series. It was Yuan Zhen's work. The first line of the poem was known by everyone in his world. Many artistic and video productions had used it before. The value and influence of this poem was obvious. It was one of the most precious poems in his world's history.
How could this not win?
If it didn't win, then Zhang Ye might as well kill himself!
Master Zhou coughed aloud to motion for silence. Then he said, ”The first match is over, yes, I will announce the winner now.....”
Teacher w.a.n.g said with a wry smile, ”Elder Zhou, you don't have to speak further. He beat me fair and square.”
Master Zhou smiled as he nodded. ”Little w.a.n.g, your calligraphy is also very good. It has more depth than last year. Let's discuss more when you have the time.”
Teacher w.a.n.g cheered up, ”I happen to have a lot of questions that I need your guidance on.”
He went back to the side of Master Wei's team to the teasing of many of his team mates.
”Old w.a.n.g, are you OK?”
”Hur Hur, lost to a junior.”
The good natured ridiculing was because they were all rather good friends.
Teacher w.a.n.g said helplessly, ”I had no hope, the youngsters these days are really too good. The new generation has surpa.s.sed the older ones. Everyone should be a little more careful from here on.”
The first match ended.
The next match was beginning.
Zhang Ye and Teacher w.a.n.g's calligraphy had been taken away for drying and the table had new Xuan paper scrolls laid on it.
Wu Zeqing was smiling and sat beside Zhang Ye, ”Little Zhang, you've given me yet another surprise. Didn't you say your calligraphy skill was lacking? Then who wrote those words just now?”
Zhang Ye said nervously, ”I just blindly wrote it.”
Wu Zeqing asked, ”The compet.i.tion from now on won't be easy.”
Zhang Ye answered, ”It'll be fine. I got lucky and won the first round. Let's see how the rest goes. I still have you to back me up anyway.” He even took the chance to curry favor with Wu Zeqing.
Look buddy, this bro's getting more street smart by the day!
Seeing President Wu and the youth chatting happily, Master Wei's team of dozens of calligraphers turned serious. They no longer took their opponents lightly and prepared to take him on instead. Actually, with their literary standards, at least 70-80% of them could spontaneously compose ancient poems that met the requirements of a random draw. They would not be limited to works of the ancients, but creating something new had its risks. Firstly, it had to be relevant, secondly, if they lacked the inspiration, it was difficult to produce something good. They had all witnessed the youth's talents already. That poem was definitely a one-off inspirational piece and could not be repeated again. So they did not fear much as they had more people on their side! So many of them could not compete against just two people? Wouldn't that be a joke!?
Master Zhou smiled, ”Let the second round begin. Draw your topics.”
This time, it was Wu Zeqing who picked a random topic. It was an empty slip, without any words on it. This probably meant there was no topic restriction for this round.
Master Wei also chose one — Courtyard Flowers*.
Zhang Ye took a look, wondering why there would be such an erotic kind of topic?
Master Zhou said, ”The second round's topic is limited to 'Courtyard Flowers'. You can begin.”
”Let me go up this round.” Wu Zeqing smiled and went forward to pick up a brush to begin writing.
The people on Master Wei's side was slower by a tiny bit, but a man in his fifties quickly stood forward. ”Leave this round to me.”
”Mr. Feng?”
”You want to go up?”
”You will absolutely not have a problem.”
”Mr. Feng will definitely clinch victory!”
It was unknown why Mr. Feng was in such a rush. He hurriedly walked forward to write. He only hastily dabbed his brush into the ink. So although he stepped forward after Wu Zeqing, he had written it faster. It was cursive script!
Su Na knew this person. ”Eh? Isn't Uncle Feng adept at regular script?”
A person in the know beside her said, ”Yes, but you will know why if you carry on watching.”
Wu Zeqing was using running-standard script, so she was slower!
Only then did Zhang Ye realize that the two of them were writing the same thing!
”Courtyard Flowers” or ”A Song of Courtyard Flowers” was about an author's disappointment at the rulers and his deep worries about the impending danger to the state. The poem was describing the process within the palace during the downfall of a dynasty. Zhang Ye's world also had ”A Song of Courtyard Flowers”, but it did not receive rave reviews. It appeared like this world also had similar works. With a scan, Zhang Ye realized it was not very similar to his world's ”A Song of Courtyard Flowers”. The phrases used were different, but the meaning was about the same. It was all about debauchery and extravagance!
Suddenly, Mr Feng smiled and put down his brush. ”Sorry about that Little Wu, I finished writing it first.”
Master Zhou glanced at Mr Feng and then said, ”According to the rules, our calligraphy compet.i.tion does not allow the use of similar works. Since Old Feng finished writing first, Little Wu, your calligraphy cannot be used.”
Heh!