The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 408 Plagiarism
Zhu Houzhao felt the deep malice towards him from ordinary scholars, and at the same time knew that if he did not become famous, there would be no good fruit for him to return to the palace.

Whether forced or voluntary, he has to accept Zhang Zhou's "goodwill".

"How do you want to become famous?" Zhang Zhou didn't arrange for Zhu Houzhao, but gave the choice to this bastard.

Zhu Houzhao said: "You can give me some of the articles and poems and songs they talk about. I will convince them."

"Let's forget about the article. Let you write stereotyped essays. It's good if you can write a few essays in the proper format. Do you want to compare the essays with those who have been immersed in essays for more than ten years or even dozens of years?" Zhang Zhou said.

"Aren't you the champion? Your talent must be better than theirs." Zhu Houzhao admired Zhang Zhou's talent and learning very much.

Zhang Zhou shook his head: "When writing an article, the key point is the topic. I will give you a piece of sage's words. If you can write an article based on each piece of sage's words, then I won't have to do other things in my life."

"Is there any other way?" Zhu Houzhao also felt the pressure.

Zhang Zhou said: "Then poetry."

"Yes, yes, poetry is also good." Zhu Houzhao smiled, but he seemed to be thinking of something troublesome, and then said with a sad face, "But poetry...you say it is good, but there are always people who say it is not good. Some people think the rhetoric is beautiful, but most people think it is ordinary without depth."

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "If it is the poems of Li, Du, Su, Lu, etc., others will think that they are not deep and ordinary?"

Zhu Houzhao shook his head and said, "It must be different, but the problem is..."

"The problem is that I can't write poems with that kind of depth. Is that what you want to say?" Zhang Zhou asked.

"Uh...hehe, Mr. Zhang, I don't mean to look down on you, but...you know that famous line is not common, and...even if I can write it, they will think that I am young and have no experience, and they will think that this line is not from me."

After Zhang Zhou heard it, he felt that this kid seemed to be messing around, but he still had basic self-knowledge.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Then, based on your talent and learning, and your situation, I will tailor poems for you...don't forget to write poems, and let you write poems. What do you think of the seven-character quatrains?"

"Hmm. Very good." Zhu Houzhao said, "How can I say that Mr. Zhang treats me well? Hehe, what kind of quatrains are those?"

"Bring a pen."

Zhang Zhou gave an order.

Zhu Houzhao looked around, smiled wryly and said, "There is no pen, ink, paper or inkstone."

Zhang Zhoudao: "You claim to be studying in the south, and you don't even have a pen, ink, paper and inkstone? Let them borrow it for you!"

"Okay!" Zhu Houzhao ran to the door and shouted, "Who is that, find the Four Treasures of the Study."

……

……

The Four Treasures of the Study were placed in front of Zhang Zhou. Zhu Houzhao was afraid that the news of Zhang Zhou writing poems for him would spread, so he even drove out Liu Jin who was planning to study ink.

"Sir, come here." Zhu Houzhao asked Zhang Zhou to study ink.

Zhang Zhoudao: "What I wrote is something in my head, or is it yours?"

"Then... let me write?" Zhu Houzhao was taken aback, "Mr. Zhang, are you playing with me? I can write it, can I use you?"

Zhang Zhou said unhappily: "Let me tell you, you write it. Your handwriting has always been good. Don't rush to publicize it after you write it. Give me another copy, and I will give it to others for you."

"Gift?" Zhu Houzhao looked puzzled.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Everyone is innocent and guilty, and it is futile to tell you in detail. If you want to make a name for you, you'd better find a few famous Confucian scholars to help you taste it, such as Cheng Minzheng Cheng Bachelor, Ying Tianfu Yin Wuxiong, Nanjing Military Minister..."

"Who is it?" Zhu Houzhao asked.

"Me!" Zhang Zhou said.

Zhu Houzhao opened his mouth wide and said, "You say I'll write it, and I'll give you a taste after it's finished? This..."

Zhang Zhoudao: "Are you still not satisfied that someone from me, Zhang, can taste it for you?"

"No, sir, don't get me wrong. I just want to express my feelings. You say, I will write it." Zhang Zhou said, "Listen well, Li Du's poems have been passed down by mouth, and it is not new."

"Slow down...I write slowly."

After Zhu Houzhao finished writing two sentences, he scratched his head and said, "This... this is not very good."

Zhang Zhoudao: "What you need is to explain the profound things in a simple way. If you talk about it, others will doubt whether the poems are written by you."

"That's it? I even look down on Li Du's poems, don't you call them high-spirited?"

"Stop talking nonsense! Continue to write... Talented people come out from generation to generation, each leading the way for hundreds of years."

Zhu Houzhao picked up the pen, and before he finished writing, he stared at Zhang Zhou in a daze and said, "The last two sentences are good, they sound very high-end, Jiangshan...what's the matter?"

"Talented people come out from generation to generation...Hurry up and write, I still have things to do, and I don't care at all. If you are like this, if you say you are famous, who will believe it?"

"Mr. Zhang believes it or not? Hehe."

……

……

After finishing the first poem, Zhu Houzhao read the poem silently many times, and the more he read it, the more he felt a sense of accomplishment.

"Sir, you are still awesome. Such a poem feels like ordinary words. It doesn't have the rhetoric, but it seems to have a lot of depth. I think it will make those people dare not underestimate me." Zhu Houzhao looked smug.

Zhang Zhoudao: "This song is your expectation for scholars in the world, or you use the past to discuss the present, reflecting your admiration for the sages."

"Yes, yes." Zhu Houzhao squinted and smiled, and now Zhang Zhou said that farts are delicious, so he would nod.

Zhang Zhou coughed and said, "You write another one. This one reflects your expectations for reading and firm will, as well as your confidence."

"Is there anything else? Hurry up..."

"Stay firm on the green hills and not let go, the roots are originally in the broken rocks. Thousands of blows are still strong, let the east, west, north, south wind wind."

Zhang Zhou deliberately spoke slowly this time, but found that Zhu Houzhao could completely understand the words he said, without raising his head to ask himself.

It also shows that the words and intentions of these Qijue poems are very simple, but they can be sublimated from the conception.

When Zhu Houzhao finished writing, he fell into a very bad state, and shouted: "Sir, you are too good. This poem...is just such a few lines. How can I feel that my character has been improved? Let Er wind from east to west, and the wind from north to south, it is really refreshing, it is so refreshing."

"Stop talking nonsense, and I'll give you another song."

"Uh-huh."

"Kyushu is angry and relies on wind and thunder, and it is sad to see thousands of horses in silence. I urge God to cheer up and send down talents regardless of style."

"I'm going, I'm so awesome!"

The more Zhu Houzhao wrote, the more excited he became.

But this time, unlike the first two songs, it was completely straightforward, with a little ambiguity, and some of them needed Zhang Zhou's guidance before he knew which words they were.

"Sir, is there any more?" After Zhu Houzhao finished writing, he was not in a hurry to brag, but looked eagerly at Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou said, "Why, aren't three songs enough?"

"Enough is enough!" Zhu Houzhao stuck out his tongue, "Don't talk about three songs, even one is enough. I think the third one is the best, and the second one is also good...the first one...it's pretty good."

Zhang Zhou got up and said, "Copy each song for me a few times, and then recite it carefully. Don't wait for others to ask, you will forget what you wrote."

"Will not."

Zhu Houzhao seemed like an obedient student this time, and he wrote as he asked.

After transcribing a few copies of the three poems, most of them were taken by Zhang Zhou.

Zhu Houzhao said, "Mister, are you trying to make a name for me?"

"Yes, I went back and framed it and hung it on the wall. When someone came to visit, I told them that it was given to me as a gift, and then asked them to comment on the poem. Recently, all the people I have come into contact with are famous Confucian scholars in Nanjing." Zhang Zhou said.

Zhu Houzhao said gratefully: "Sir, why are you so kind to me? Even if I don't know poetry, I can see that if you take out these poems casually, you will be famous. If you don't make your name yourself, but give me...I...I don't know what to say."

Zhang Zhou said coldly: "It will save you from being spanked when you return to the capital, and that's my kindness as a gentleman."

"Yes, yes, sir, you are always thinking of me. Don't worry, sir. When I return to the capital, I will study hard and live up to your expectations." Zhu Houzhao made a promise there.

Zhang Zhou snorted and said, "Just you? It's not that I look down on you. You really don't have the potential to concentrate on studying, but to you, reading is nothing more than knowing the world's affairs. What you want to learn is not necessarily the classics, but the way of governing the country."

Zhu Houzhao said: "Are these poems also the way to govern the country?"

"Emphasis on talents, emphasis on character cultivation, and governing people means governing the country to you." Zhang Zhoudao, "Similarly, I gave you poems to show your reputation and convince scholars all over the world. Now His Majesty's actions to rectify Yan Shenggong's lineage have also aroused the dissatisfaction of scholars all over the world. If you can become famous in the literary world, it can be regarded as letting scholars all over the world know that the prince of Ming Dynasty can also be talented."

"It's so profound." Zhu Houzhao's face was full of question marks.

Probably talking.

What bible are you talking about?Why can't I understand?
Zhang Zhoudao: "Okay, recite it a few more times, and show it to others. After gaining fame, you will be able to show your face at literary meetings. I will think of some poems later, and write them for you."

"Okay, okay. Please trouble Mr. Zhang to worry about the students. The students will send you out."

……

……

Zhu Houzhao was like an obedient elementary school student, while secretly elated, he followed Zhang Zhou out of the house.

Before they could go downstairs, they saw Sun Che and Gong Yeping coming back from outside.

The two were surprised to see Zhu Houzhao coming down with Zhang Zhou. Sun Che said, "Young Master Zhu, who is this?"

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "My husband."

"Young Master Zhu's husband? Then..."

Both Sun Che and Gong Yeping were philistines who traveled all over the world. Seeing that Zhang Zhou was dressed in extraordinary clothes, he didn't look like a peddler teacher at all, and he was full of pride, so he felt that Zhang Zhou was not an ordinary person.

Zhang Zhoudao: "My student came all the way to Nanjing, but he refused to visit him, so I had no choice but to come and see him in person."

Both Sun Che and Gong Yeping felt embarrassed when they heard it.

The students don't rush to pay homage to the teacher, but let the teacher come to see the students?Then I thought, isn't this guy blaming us for bringing his students down?
"Sir, you are joking. The students will definitely visit you when they have time. I am afraid that your lintel is too high to get in." Zhu Houzhao smiled secretly.

Sun Che asked, "Where does this brother get a job?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "You don't need to go into details, we'll talk about it later. Zhu Shou, do your best to learn, and don't disappoint your teacher's expectations of you."

"Yes, students remember it." Zhu Houzhao saluted respectfully like a good baby.

This also made Sun Che and the two of them feel that something was wrong.

Zhu Houzhao usually bluffs, it seems that only in front of this "sir" can Zhu Houzhao act like a serious child.

……

……

Zhang Zhou left the inn.

Sun Che also accompanied Zhu Houzhao to see people out, and turned around and asked, "Mr. Zhu, who is the commander? It seems that he has a strong background."

Zhu Houzhao said: "Oh, don't talk about it, he has a lot of background, but he never lets me tell outsiders."

Gong Yeping recalled what had happened before, and said: "By the way, young master, we went to the county government office to see, and it was said that Brother Hu had come out of the Gongmen, did you come to visit him?"

"I didn't see anyone else." Zhu Houzhao said excitedly, "By the way, you two, I wrote a few poems here, you can help me read them, but can they be on the stage?"

"Poetry? The young master wants to show his name? Then you have to appreciate it carefully."

Gong Yeping said so, but he naturally didn't think Zhu Houzhao's literary talents were so good.

When the three of them went upstairs and entered Zhu Houzhao's room, Liu Jin and the others also came in together.

When Zhu Houzhao presented a collection of three poems that he had transcribed in front of several people, Gong Yeping's wide eyes showed that...he was shocked.

"This……"

Gong Yeping glanced at Sun Che who was at the side.

Sun Che also seemed incredulous and said, "This is... written by Mr. Zhu?"

Zhu Houzhao said with a proud face: "Who else is it if it's not me? Of course, my husband came here and gave me some advice, but that's not important. Do you think that if these three poems are released, will others think that I have some talent?"

"Which one is so talented? It's okay to say that you... the crown is full of capital. Young master, you are really..."

Gong Yeping didn't know what to say.

Liu Jin and the others on the side were also literate, and they also looked at each other.

Based on their experience in life, they naturally knew that none of these three poems were written by Zhu Houzhao himself. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that such a powerful poem came out when Zhang Zhou came?

And what is Zhang Zhou's background, they are very clear, he was born as the No.

"Young master Zhu, such a good poem should be passed on to the streets and alleys immediately, why not show it today." Sun Che was also extremely excited.

It seems that this poem is also written by him.

Zhu Houzhao said: "Arrangement, I will arrange a small literary meeting today. At the literary meeting, I will show the poems. If anyone dares to say that my son has no talent, I will use these three poems to silence them!"

……

……

After Zhang Zhou saw Zhu Houzhao, the carriage drove to Cheng Minzheng's mansion.

When Cheng Minzheng heard that Zhang Zhou had come, he thought it was something important. When he saw Zhang Zhou took out a piece of paper with three poems written on it, he was surprised and said, "This is it?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "These three poems, Cheng Shilang will judge and see how well they are written?"

Cheng Minzheng knows what to do.

After he finished watching, his reaction was not much better than that of Sun Che and Gong Yeping. He was very surprised and said, "Duke Lai, you are really talented."

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "Don't say that, this is written by the prince."

"Cough, cough, cough..." Cheng Minzheng coughed violently when he heard it, and asked after he calmed down, "Was... written by the prince?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "In the theater building, you will not forget what you said to Cheng Shilang?"

Cheng Minzheng was stunned for a moment as if he had been hit on the head with a hammer.

When he figured it out that Zhang Zhou was in the theatre, in front of Tang Yin and Xu Jing, and told him that the prince was coming to Nanjing and was going to help the prince to make a name for himself...Cheng Minzheng realized that the so-called "famous name" was originally used in this way.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Academically, no matter it is the study of the mind or the study of Neo-Confucianism, there are biases. People in the world may admire or disagree, so it is difficult to form a consensus. As for the articles, it is even more difficult for the prince to make a name for himself."

Cheng Minzheng said: "That's why Duke Lai thought of helping him with poetry..."

"Cheng Shilang, don't talk nonsense. This is written by the prince himself. You haven't seen his handwriting in the past two years, but at least you think it wasn't written by me, right?" Zhang Zhou laughed.

Cheng Minzheng immediately realized that Zhang Zhou might have sacrificed his fame and donated his poems to Zhu Houzhao.

But he didn't dare to make a conclusion.

Take out three poems at once, all of which seem simple and unpretentious in terms of rhetoric, and there will be no objection if they are written by childish children, but their intentions are very lofty...

Cheng Minzheng was also thinking.

If this is all written by Zhang Bingkuan, then how incredible is his talent?It is so easy to create such a poem for the prince... Then why is the Peach Blossom Temple song he wrote two years ago, not as good as any of these three songs?
That was an opportunity to make a name for himself, he didn't grasp it?

Or... These three capitals were written by him recently, and they were given to the prince directly before they became famous?
Such a reputation can be handed over to people...

or...

Could it be that His Majesty asked someone to write it for the prince?But who has the spirit of self-sacrifice?
Cheng Minzheng asked himself, if he were the author of these three poems, he would not be able to surrender his reputation.

Zhang Zhoudao: "But the crown prince doesn't quite understand the reason why it is a crime to conceive a bi."

Cheng Minzheng thought it over in an instant, and he said, "Are you afraid that someone will steal the name of the poem after learning about these three poems?"

"En." Zhang Zhou nodded.

Cheng Minzheng said: "But that's the prince..."

It means that others dare to plagiarize the prince's poems?

Zhang Zhoudao: "But now except for a few people who know his identity, who else knows? Even if Xiaoxiao is suppressed with the prince's prestige, the world will think that the prince is bullying others and taking other people's poems as their own."

Cheng Minzheng frowned and said: "That old man will publish this poem to the public and tell the prince that it was written by him."

"No need." Zhang Zhoudao, "As long as Cheng Shilang names these three poems in the Nanjing literary world, and shows the poems written by the prince himself to everyone, so that the world knows that these poems came from your hand, it will be fine!"

(End of this chapter)