The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 616 Zebei Wannian
"My minister kowtowed to the Supreme Emperor, and wished the Supreme Emperor a happy life every year, and a bright future every year."

Although almost all the people in the Chonghua Palace had heard of Jia Lian's name, many of them had never seen Jia Lian's real face.

Therefore, when Jia Lian appeared in front of the hall, many people couldn't help secretly praising him when they first saw him: What a handsome young man!

It is indeed a young man, and Jia Lian is definitely one of the youngest people who can enter the palace, regardless of the clan or civil and military relatives.

Just when all the elders in the hall were amazed by Jia Lian's appearance, they saw that the Supreme Emperor, who had been sitting on the high dragon chair from the beginning to the end, stood up and stepped down after staring at Jia Lian for a few seconds. steps.

Seeing this, everyone ignored the surprise and stood up one after another to show their respect.

"You are Jia Lian?"

"Back to the Supreme Emperor, this humble minister is Jia Lian."

Even Jia Lian felt a lot of pressure facing the Supreme Emperor, the Supreme Emperor, face to face.He quietly raised his head and looked at the Supreme Emperor who was only a few steps away in front of him, and saw that his body was already so old that he was quite thin.

However, it is such a frail-looking old man, his random actions can affect the hall, which represents the thoughts and behaviors of the top dignitaries in the entire Wei Dynasty.

"Sure enough, you are suave and elegant, with extraordinary appearance. It seems that the queen mother is right. You are indeed the most outstanding young talent in my generation of Great Wei."

The Supreme Emperor made no secret of his praise for Jia Lian, and the mention of the Empress Dowager in his words made everyone who heard it feel jealous.

This Jia Lian didn't know what kind of luck it was, not only Emperor Ningkang valued him in every possible way and regarded him as a confidant, but even the two old saints, the Supreme Emperor and the Queen Mother, had such a good sense of him, which can be said to be a blessing up.

You know, even if you are the crown prince, you definitely don't have this kind of treatment.

Jia Lian was not stunned by the sudden favor of the Supreme Emperor, instead he first glanced at Emperor Ningkang standing above him.Noticing that his complexion has not changed at all, still as cold as water, his heart thumps.

While withdrawing his gaze, he glanced at the empress dowager who was aloof, but happened to meet those bright eyes.It's just that the latter immediately turned indifferent at that moment, even adding a bit of coldness to that beautiful face.

Jia Lian didn't dare to do anything wrong, and quickly bowed in response: "The Supreme Emperor and the Empress Dowager have praised him so much, I am ashamed of myself."

The Supreme Emperor looked around Jia Lian with great interest, and suddenly said: "Although the pair of unicorns given to me by your Rongguo Mansion are good, they are nothing to me. Compared with this jade unicorn, my I want to see more, you are a real unicorn with real talents.

I have heard a thing or two about the poems you wrote before, and I think they are okay.So today, I want to test you face to face. I don't know if you have the courage to show off your talent and learning in front of me, the princes who are full of palaces? "

Hearing what the Supreme Emperor said, many people in the hall became interested.They all know that Jia Lian is a martial artist, but they have also heard that Jia Lian was very popular in poetry when he was betting with others in the prince's courtyard. Such glorious deeds as taking 1 taels of gambling money.

Seeing is worse than hearing, today I may have the opportunity to witness with my own eyes, whether it is the rumors or Jia Lian, who is really talented and versatile in both civil and military affairs!
Of course, there are also many people who are secretly jealous.The Taishanghuang, an old man, has not asked about foreign affairs for many years. Usually, even the princes and grandchildren can see his dragon face, let alone test him personally.

It is definitely a great honor to be tested by the Supreme Emperor, let alone on such an important occasion as the Supreme Emperor's birthday banquet.

It is conceivable that if any child in the clan can get such an opportunity, he might be able to wake up laughing in his sleep.

Jia Lian knew a long time ago that if he chose to show off his talents at the beginning, such things would be inevitable in the future.This is actually the reason why even though he chose to join the martial arts later, he still devoted some of his energy to studying poetry and songs, not just to pick up girls...in order to be able to blend into the atmosphere of talented women at home, so as not to lose his reputation.

I don't know if what I have learned in these years can pass the level of the Supreme Emperor.

In fact, in his capacity, if there are any inexplicable people asking him to write poems and lyrics, he can just ignore it.Or just like he did to the Zhou brothers back then, asking for 1 taels of gambling money to get rid of his thoughts...

But these moves are obviously ineffective against the Supreme Emperor.

"The humble minister has little talent and learning, and I'm afraid that the ears of the Supreme Emperor will be polluted."

"You don't have to be humble, I have something to say first, if you do a good job, I will reward you heavily."

Hearing the Supreme Emperor say "There are rewards", Jia Lian almost couldn't help but want to start the mode of reciting poems desperately.After all, it must not be an easy reward for the Supreme Emperor to specifically emphasize a heavy reward.

Maybe he can be made a prince directly...

But there is a big problem... the boss Ningkangdi is not sure why he is uncomfortable now, showing his face in front of the Supreme Emperor at this time, and even taking his reward, is unpredictable.

Change doors now?Come on, Jia Lian doesn't think life is long.

Arranging all causal interests in his heart, Jia Lian didn't show any expression on his face, he was still modest and cautious, "Thanks to the love of the Supreme Emperor, I condescend to test my teachings, and I am willing to give it a try."

"very good."

The Supreme Emperor was very satisfied with Jia Lian's performance.He had indeed read all of Jia Lian's poems back then, and he had a good feeling for this kid in his heart, so today he temporarily thought of teaching him.

Seeing Jia Lian's agreement, he pondered, and with a glance, he had already decided on the topic.

He raised his finger and pointed to the entrance of the main hall, and said with a smile: "It's the beginning of winter now, so let's use snow as the theme. If you have an idea, no matter whether it is a verse or a quatrain, you can use it as you like."

Everyone looked in the direction indicated by the Supreme Emperor, only to find that at some point, snowflakes had already fallen in the sky.Snowflakes accumulated on the tops of trees outside the hall, forming a floating snow-white world.

Many people sighed in their hearts: Colleagues outside the temple, are you all right?
Jia Lian had no time to care about those people outside the hall who were drinking and feasting in the snow. He also followed the instructions of the Supreme Emperor, his brain and thoughts were running at full speed, and he considered how to deal with the situation before him in the most appropriate way.

Seeing Jia Lian thinking, the Supreme Emperor didn't urge him at all, he turned around and sat back on the dragon chair.

The entire hall was very quiet, with hundreds of pairs of eyes staring at Jia Lian.Suddenly Jia Lian turned around, walked to the desk brought by the eunuchs nearby, dipped his pen in the ink, and as he wrote the pen, he also read aloud:
"Great Snow Presses Green Pine"

Very imposing opening sentence, opening question.Just listening to the first sentence, many people have a feeling that this Marquis of Zhenyuan is definitely not someone who has earned his fame.

"The green pine is straight and straight"

Well, taking snow as the topic, but mentioning "pine" in two sentences seems to be a crime.

Some educated people frowned slightly, but because of Jia Lian's reputation, they didn't dare to make a conclusion easily, thinking that maybe there might be a clever turning point behind him.

"Know Song Gaojie"

Loose again?Some people couldn't help but doubt, but some people thought, could it be that Jia Lian is going to do the five-character law?Even so, the first half of the Que is already clearly strong and weak, so how can the second half of the Que turn around to come back?
"Wait until the snow melts"

……

Those who were waiting for Jia Lian to read the second half of the que were all startled when they saw Jia Lian stop writing. Is this the end?

Perhaps because of preconceptions, everyone knew that Jia Lian was going to write "snow", so he didn't understand this poem with "pine" in the first place.

They didn't react until Jia Lian finished writing, and then they couldn't help but think deeply.

Looking at the rows of pine trees whose branches were bent under the weight of snowflakes outside the main hall, anyone with a bit of literary appreciation can feel the praise of the character of the pine trees in the four lines of poems read by Jia Lian.

As one of the "Three Friends of Suihan", it is not surprising that Song has been written and praised by literati since ancient times.

The strange thing is, if it is really what he thinks, isn't Jia Lian going off topic?
Many people find it incomprehensible.If Jia Lian can't do it, his writing in these four rounds is pretty good. If the theme is loose, it's probably a rare masterpiece.

Could it be that there is something else profound in this.

Perhaps because of the uniqueness of Jia Lian's poem, after he finished reading, the hall remained silent for a long time.

until……

"What's wrong, Your Majesty?"

Sitting next to Emperor Ningkang, the gentle empress suddenly noticed that the dragon body that had been motionless almost since she sat down suddenly trembled, and she couldn't help asking with concern.

"nothing."

Emperor Ningkang replied in a low voice, but his gaze was fixed on His Highness, Jia Lian who stood in front of the case with his hands down after he stopped writing.

"What a 'You must know Song Gaojie, wait until the snow melts'!"

Emperor Ningkang was very shocked.After a few years, he once again felt the brutal oppressive force from the Supreme Emperor.

He worked hard to formulate the national policy that is about to be promulgated, and he has prepared and arranged almost all the preparatory work in the early stage.

However, because of today's simple sentence from the Supreme Emperor, all his arrangements were broken, and all his hard work and planning were wasted.

He didn't listen to the emperor's high-sounding reasons at all, he firmly believed that he was right, so he was angry inside.

But just as he was angry, he vaguely sensed a problem.

He seemed to remember that before facing the interference and suppression of the Supreme Emperor, he could only instinctively choose to obey, and he did not dare to resist in his heart.

But today is different. Facing the interference of the Supreme Emperor today, he not only argues with him, but also has a huge impulse in his heart, wanting to break the imprisonment in front of him desperately and say no to the Supreme Emperor.

Fortunately, the sliver of rationality left in his heart made him barely suppress the anger in his heart and resisted it from erupting.

He didn't quite understand why he had such a change at first, but after hearing Jia Lian finish reading his poems, he suddenly understood a little bit.

That's right, in the past, when he first ascended the throne, everything was bestowed by the Supreme Emperor, and he could not resist.

Now it is different from before, he has been imperial for seven years.These seven years of hard work in state affairs have made him unknowingly like a pine tree that has grown from the ground, with its own strength and solid foundation.

However, he forgot that no matter how strong his foundation and strength he was, he could never surpass the Supreme Emperor.Just like that green pine, no matter how tall and strong it is, as long as the snowflakes are falling, it is destined to be bent by the white snow.

And the only way to break this bondage is when the sun shines brightly and the branches melt away, can the green pine truly reveal its noble character to the world.

When will the sun shine brightly and the snow accumulated on the branches melt?Emperor Ningkang glanced at the overlord who was hunched over above, and he took a deep breath to calm down his irritated mood for a long time.

Then he looked at Jia Lian again, and Jia Lian also met his gaze.The pair retreated immediately, but silently expressed their loyal eyes, making Emperor Ningkang narrow his eyes.

It can be said that Jia Lian's poem really fit his state of mind at this time.Is it a coincidence, or did Jia Lian do it on purpose?
A coincidence, what if it was intentional?He knew that Jia Lian was suspected of being a monster, so it was not too surprising that he was able to persuade him in a new way. This kid has always been able to cater to his wishes.

He just felt that if this was the case, then Jia Lian would be too courageous!In other words, if he has the slightest dissatisfaction with Jia Lian, he can be brought down and punished now.The crime is disrespect, and the evidence is the phrase "when the snow melts".

But obviously, Emperor Ningkang couldn't possibly have this idea.

First of all, these are just speculations that he personally feels. Moreover, if Jia Lian is charged with this crime, will he not explain to the public that he also regards the existence of the Supreme Emperor as a heavy snow on his branches, and has committed the crime of disrespect and disfilial piety?

Therefore, not only did Emperor Ningkang have no intention of punishing Jia Lian, but he felt an indescribable tenderness in his heart.After all, just now, he experienced a betrayal from civil and military officials.

Among those who opposed him, many of them were usually loyal to him, but when it was about their own interests, they chose to stand on the side of the Supreme Emperor.

And when he faced the pressure of the Supreme Emperor alone, no one could share it with him.Now, knowing that Jia Lian has such a heart of loyalty to the emperor, he feels relieved to some extent.

Regardless of Emperor Ningkang's turbulent thoughts, the other people in the hall finally couldn't help whispering.

The Supreme Emperor also read Jia Lian's poem at this time, and he finally said: "The heavy snow is pressing on the green pine, and the green pine is straight and straight. You must know that the pine is noble and clean. When the snow melts! It is really a good poem. The most profound, the reading is thought-provoking.

However, although the poem is good, I haven't seen how much it has to do with 'Snow'.Could it be that you didn't hear what I said clearly? "

Jia Lian immediately knelt down and said, "Reporting to the Supreme Emperor, it's not that I didn't hear the Supreme Emperor's holy will clearly. At the beginning, I also wanted to use 'Song of Snow' as the theme. While thinking hard, I suddenly saw a green pine standing tall and straight outside the hall. , Even if it is crushed by the heavy snow, it still stands unyielding, and I feel it in my heart.

Because I think that the Emperor Taishang's examination of teaching is to consider the talent and learning of my ministers, and the good lines are just accidental, so I dare to write this poem, and I also ask the Emperor Taishang to forgive me for my lack of talent and learning. "

Jia Lian's meaning can be summed up as, I didn't think of anything else at the time, but I thought of this.

It is true that there are so many poems about snow, even those poems about snow that do not exist in this world, but can be called eternal famous poems, are also in Jia Lian's mind.

But he doesn't want to write.He didn't intend to curry favor with the Supreme Emperor now, but only thought about how he could dismiss the Supreme Emperor tactfully without annoying Emperor Ningkang.

He didn't lie either, he was indeed looking at the scene outside the palace, and suddenly thought of this masterpiece by Chen Shuai.

He thinks it is very good, the poem is good, although it is not particularly stunning, it is rare to have a lofty intention and a long-sounding spirit, and it seems to be able to block the mind of the Supreme Emperor.

As for going off topic, as he thought, off topic is not important, anyway, the Supreme Emperor probably just wanted to see if he had real talents, not to make things difficult.

And the suspicion about Emperor Ningkang is indeed not completely groundless.Jia Lian really thought of using this metaphor to remind Emperor Ningkang not to be impatient.

What are you so anxious about? You are still young, the emperor is in his seventies or eighties.When he burps, why can't your old man do what he wants?

As for why he dared?He didn't dare, no, he didn't say it.

Those meanings were all extended by Emperor Ningkang himself.As for the Taishanghuang, an old man, he may not think that his interference with Emperor Ningkang's behavior today is a kind of oppression to Emperor Ningkang. He may still think that he is right, and he would not think of "snow pressing on green pines".

As for the others, even if they had a clear mind, they were sure that Jia Lian and Emperor Ningkang were "iron buddies", so they could relate to this level, but who would dare to say?

Provoking the father-son relationship between the Supreme Emperor and Emperor Ningkang is a death penalty!
Even if someone doesn't like him, they are not afraid to spread rumors about him afterwards. Anyway, there is no real evidence. When he is obviously well-off in the royal family, using such pretentious things to deal with him will be slanderous to a discerning person.

After all, he is just a small courtier.In other words, if Emperor Ningkang wrote such a poem backhanded after he went back today and it was exposed, it would be a real hammer.

As for him, even if he was hammered, it can only be said to be a coincidence, and those who are guilty are those with ulterior motives who dare to make such associations.

Next to Jia Lian, Jia Zheng, who once again felt the ruthless oppression of Jia Lian's nephew, smiled bitterly in his heart for a long time, seeing that Jia Lian had disobeyed the imperial decree, fearing that he would suffer, he hurriedly urged: "Lian'er, since you remember that the Supreme Emperor asked you to It's 'Snow', so hurry up and write another song."

Faced with Jia Zheng's anxiety, before Jia Lian could respond, the Supreme Emperor laughed first.

"What a 'wonderful mind', he really deserves to be the most outstanding young talent of my younger generation in Dawei. This talent and character are equally outstanding and eclectic.

Forget it, there is no need to write another one, I think this one is very good.Tell me what reward you want. "

The Supreme Emperor seemed very happy and generous.Not only did he casually give Jia Lian the title of the number one talent of the younger generation of Wei, but he also immediately wanted to redeem his promise.

Seeing the Taishanghuang's reaction, Jia Zheng's anxiety and sluggishness hung on his face.I still remember that when he first came to the imperial court, he was just a small head of the Ministry of Industry, and he was not even qualified to go to court.

Later, I had it, and I could only stand in the ranks behind the civil servants, feeling the supreme power of the Supreme Emperor from a distance.

When did he enjoy such gentle treatment.So for a moment he was both happy and looked at Jia Lian with envy and jealousy.

Alas, I originally thought that relying on my daughter's power this time, I would have a chance to be promoted, and I might be able to overtake Jia Lian in the official position.Now it seems that everything is in vain.

Just looking at the attitude of the two saints towards this kid, one can tell that his future career will definitely soar like a rocket.Really, the old man has nothing to compare with this brat, it's boring.

Facing the sincerity of the Supreme Emperor's inquiry, Jia Lian really wanted to say for a moment: If you are not the Supreme Emperor, why don't you just give me the title of the first-class Rong Guogong of our ancestor...

After thinking for a while, Jia Lian bowed: "Since the Supreme Emperor sincerely rewards you, the minister will not be respectful. I dare not hide from the Supreme Emperor. Now I really have a wish in my heart."

"Well, you said."

The Supreme Emperor seemed to have no pressure, and was not at all afraid of Jia Lian's lion opening his mouth.Perhaps for him, there is no reward in the world that he cannot give, it just depends on whether he is willing to give it or not.

"My minister's wish now is that the Supreme Emperor and the Empress Dowager will always live happily ever after, so that we, the people of Wei and Limin, will be blessed for thousands of years!"

……

(End of this chapter)