Chapter 369 - Zhang Ye’s Great Capacity for Drinking and Poetry! (1/2)
Chapter 369: Zhang Ye’s Great Capacity for Drinking and Poetry!
A total of ten rounds.
Winning six rounds meant overall victory.
Quite a number of people on the team behind Master Wei could no longer sit still. This was no longer a compet.i.tion where friends.h.i.+p came first, and compet.i.tion came second. If the other party was a master, it was still alright. They would not say anything about it as they wouldn't feel ashamed of losing. However, with their opponent being some n.o.body, this made these calligraphers feel that they had lost face. It was too shameful.
”Heh, I don't believe it!
”If it were ancient melody poems, I'll go up myself!”
”If it's five word poems, leave it to me!”
”Just a kid, yet he doesn't give any face to us seniors!”
”Haha, Old Yu and Old Lu, the both of you want to go up? Sure, then count me in too. No matter what, we need to get serious, or there's no where to put our faces.”
”I really don't believe he is so all-powerful.”
”At such a young age, how deep can his knowledge be!?”
These calligraphers began to sharpen their weapons, ready for a fight.
When Zhang Ye saw this, he sought Wu Zeqing's view. ”President Wu, should we lose a few rounds? Of course we will definitely have to win the rest, but in this process...” According to Zhang Ye's intent, he didn't mind. This was after all Wu Zeqing's birthday and it was her circle. Zhang Ye was afraid President Wu found it inappropriate, so he sought her opinion to see what her att.i.tude was.
Wu Zeqing retorted, ”Why should we lose?”
Zhang Ye said, ”The other side are all seniors of the calligraphy world. I'm afraid you would...”
Wu Zeqing gave a faint smile and said, ”In art, there is no modesty. If you are really lacking in ability, which results in your loss, then that's just too bad, but if you can win, why don't you win?”
Zhang Ye blinked his eyes as he said, ”It's fine even if we win?”
”What problems would there be?” Wu Zeqing sipped her tea.
Zhang Ye got an idea of her att.i.tude. ”Alright, I was just waiting for those words of yours!”
Offend people? Since when was Zhang Ye afraid of that? This fellow had never concerned himself with this. He was afraid Wu Zeqing would eventually be put in a tough spot, however, President Wu's words wiped all his concerns away. He finally understood why he liked Old Wu so much. Just like back when she invited him to teach, any typical President of an esteemed school of higher learning would never dare to take such risks. Furthermore, he had such a shocking theory about ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’, yet Wu Zeqing did not even ask him about it before supporting him. She never doubted the person she chose. From a certain point of view, Wu Zeqing was even more bold than Zhang Ye. She was indeed very different from a typical woman!
Win?
That was of course not a problem!
If you want to win, I'll win it for you!
”I'll do the draw.” Zhang Ye took the initiative and went over.
The fourth round's topic came out. An ancient melody poem, and the last word had to have the word 'liu' (flow).
This sort of topic was a little more difficult. If it was just the first word, it would have been easy. Just giving it some thought would allow people to recall one. After all, everyone read a poem from beginning to end. However, if it was the last word, even if it were a poem one knew inside out, not everyone would be able to remember it. They would have to go from the first word all the way down to the last word. This increased the difficulty due to the time constraints.
”Finally the number of words are limited. I'll do it!” Teacher Yu came forward.
However, Zhang Ye had already picked up a brush and began writing.
”Lady Yu, the Royal Beauty”
Spring flowers and autumn moon, O when will all these end?
How much of my past I comprehend?
Last night, to my loft once more, the vernal east wind came;
In moonlight, I could not bear to look back towards my homeland rid of my name.
Jade steps and carved railings may still as ever be there,
Though changed are the faces fair.
O how great, how grave, I ask, can my woe and sorrow be?
Just like the River's swelling spring-tide waters rolling east to the sea.
Zhang Ye put down his brush, having finished writing it. Then he looked at his opponent.
Teacher Yu came over with a smile while br.i.m.m.i.n.g in confidence. He was in no hurry, and took a cursory glance at the melody poem that Zhang Ye had written. Then, his smile transformed into another expression. His face alternated between red and green. In the end, it changed into an action as he smacked himself in the forehead!
F**k!
You can even write melody poems?
And this is another impromptu creation!?
Teacher Yu wished he had not spoken just now. I'll do it? Doing nothing but fart! After a few seconds of silence, he turned around at a loss of whether to laugh or cry before running back dejectedly towards Master Wei's side.
Master Zhou was amused. ”Old Yu?”
Teacher Yu waved his hand. ”I'm not writing.”
”Then you have abstained?” Master Zhou asked.
Teacher Yu felt that was nonsense. ”It will be pointless to continue writing it, so forget it, I give up.” This melody poem's literary value was too shocking. His calligraphy was also written very beautifully. Teacher Yu believed that even though his calligraphy attainment was higher than his opponent’s, it was not much higher. However, no matter what he wrote, it would definitely not be better than his opponent's ”Lady Yu, the Royal Beauty”. It would only incur ridicule on himself.
The surrounding crowd was dumbfounded. Even Teacher Yu admitted defeat? He was a famous calligrapher who won first place at this year's calligraphy compet.i.tion!
Master Zhou said, ”Then let's begin the fifth round.”
The fifth rounds topic was reminiscing and remembrance.
The topic was very broad, but the broader it was, the harder it became to come up with something appropriate.
No one from the other side came forward, as if they were waiting to see what Zhang Ye had to write.
Zhang Ye drank a mouthful of wine and without any further ado, he grabbed the brush and dipped it in ink without any thought.
”The Lavishly Decorated Zither”
The lavishly decorated zither, for no reason, has fifty strings; each string, each bridge, reminiscing a magnificent year.
Master Zhuang lost himself in the morning dream of being a b.u.t.terfly; Emperor w.a.n.g's amorous spring heart was entrusted to the cuckoo.
Deep under the vast azure sea, reflected the bright moonlight, pearls cry tears; In Indigo Mountain, bathed under the warm sunlight, jade releases smoke.