Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 307 - 143: A Starting Point
Fang Huai was polite in his demeanor, and his words already showed admiration for Gu Chengyu. The scholars nearby saw this and all displayed expressions of envy and jealousy towards Gu Chengyu.
After paying respects to the Master, Gu Chengyu also paid respects to the two Vice Examiners, the co-examiner, and the Chief Examiner, receiving many words of encouragement and praise.
The officials also felt that Gu Chengyu had limitless potential, thus showing enthusiasm, and these alone were enough to make the other scholars green with envy.
Gu Chengyu hardly completed the round of visits, and the banquet had already reached halfway, a special honor for him as the top scorer. Other scholars also needed to pay respects, but those officials merely went through the motions, saying a few words of encouragement, just for formality.
Min Feng and Fu Yanshan were also notable figures at the banquet, both being young scholars, not very old, and ranking in the top three, their future naturally promising. Even Huang Junheng was quite noticeable, after all, the people backing him would not be lightly ignored.
Gu Chengyu was eating and thinking about the opening of Juxiang Building today, but then heard a Vice Examiner suggest that everyone should compose poetry to add to the excitement.
"Congratulations to everyone for being listed in the second rank! Today’s Lu Ming Banquet has gathered talented and scholarly individuals, how about composing some poetry to enliven the event!"
This has always been part of the Lu Ming Banquet’s entertainment, as a way for a group of unfamiliar people to break the ice. If everyone focuses solely on eating and drinking, it can become awkward, hence poetry is needed to liven up the event! After all, when a group of literary individuals gathers, it’s mostly poems and songs.
Composing poetry at the Lu Ming Banquet is also a good method of gaining fame. Those who write well will certainly have their work spread, and readers will pass on the verses, widening their circulation.
Another Vice Examiner immediately spoke in agreement, "Excellent! I wonder what the esteemed gentlemen here think?"
As the Chief Examiner, Fang Huai was naturally expected to express his stance first, and of course, he did not dissent, leading all officials to unanimously approve.
"Why not compose a poem about the Lu Ming Banquet! It would be timely and fitting!" Fang Huai suggested, occasionally glancing at Gu Chengyu.
Gu Chengyu did not pay attention, and upon hearing this, merely smiled without speaking. Writing poems about the Lu Ming Banquet year after year lacks novelty. Everything that can be written has already been done by predecessors, making it difficult to stand out even if composed.
However, wouldn’t the scholars have strategies? Of course they would; they likely have been pondering for days and composed countless verses, choosing the best ones to present. This is something every student would prepare for, as there’s simply not enough time to think on the day of the results announcement.
"So, who will go first?" Fang Huai glanced down from the head seat, catching sight of Gu Chengyu from the corner of his eye, yet not calling him by name.
No need for the top scorer to be the first to compose poetry; it is according to one’s own willingness.
"Then let me, Mr. Liu, take the lead!" Liu Haonan, having lost face in front of the inn over a month ago, wanted to recover it. Though not quick-witted, if given a few days to contemplate, his poetry could still be decent; otherwise, he wouldn’t be one of the Three Great Scholars of Jiangnan, albeit with some exaggeration.
Gu Chengyu wasn’t interested in this; he was thinking about what to bring home for Gu Wan. When they returned, they would choose a good day as soon as possible.
After all, Sun Xian was no longer young, and marrying after becoming a scholar was timely. If they didn’t set the date early, they might not make it; none of them had been to the Capital, who knows when they would return?
In the family, only Da Ya was married, and it happened last year! Others could wait a few more years; Er Ya is only thirteen!
Coincidentally, after some twists and turns, Da Ya was married to Brother Dongzi from Huichun Hall in the county.
Originally, Mrs. Fang had a matchmaker introduce proposals for Da Lang and Da Ya, but nothing suitable was found. With the Gu Family’s high standards, finding a match of equal status wasn’t easy.
It was a case of aiming too high yet settling for nothing. Fourth Brother, having opened a medical hall in town, usually procured supplies from Huichun Hall in the county. After a while, Fourth Brother became familiar with Dongzi, considering him a nice, progressive person, despite having previously spent much of the family fortune on a sick mother.
But now the mother was recuperated, otherwise, they wouldn’t have thought of matching Da Ya with him. Though Dongzi’s family was living difficultly, the Gu Family wasn’t unable to lend a hand. Given his cleverness, they could lend some silver for the couple to start a small business; with diligence, they could live a good life.
After consulting with the family upon returning, the Gu Family approved, except Mrs. Fang was somewhat dissatisfied. However, in the end, Gu Chengyu suggested giving the couple a chance to see each other once, and Da Ya agreed.
Da Ya had initially been somewhat introverted, but as the family’s fortunes improved in recent years, she got better. She remained quiet, but diligent in nature, not extravagantly beautiful, yet somewhat delicate.
With satisfaction from both parties, Mrs. Fang had to agree. Now Dongzi was no longer a clerk at Huichun Hall. He had opened a small eatery in the county, a suggestion from Gu Chengyu, akin to the fast food restaurants of a previous life. Though tiring, business was reasonably good!
When Da Ya got married, Gu Chengyu gave her a dowry of one hundred acres of land and some jewelry. This was the standard for every niece’s marriage in the Gu Family.
Da Lang was engaged to a girl from the town’s general store family, and their life after marriage was pretty good. Gu Chengyu was considering that Prefect Jiang’s assessment would surely be excellent again this year, thus his position might get transferred. In that case, Da Lang would be unsuitable to follow him, and it was uncertain what Da Lang planned.
As for the second son...
While Gu Chengyu was pondering future arrangements for the family, he didn’t expect his daydreaming look to catch the attention of some newly appointed scholars.
Being the top scorer, he naturally attracted a lot of attention; whether from scholars or officials, none would truly overlook Gu Chengyu.
In fact, Gu Chengyu hadn’t been daydreaming for long, yet by this time, several poems had already been composed at the banquet, and everyone’s enthusiasm was at an unprecedented high. They had prepared these poems beforehand, thus reciting them came naturally and swiftly. Some poems even garnered a chorus of applause.
"Gu Jieyuan, now that everyone’s creative spirits are high, how about Gu Jieyuan composing a poem for everyone to admire your masterpiece?"
After a scholar finished his poem, receiving some commendation, he noticed Gu Chengyu sitting expressionless and felt miffed.
This Gu Jieyuan seemed indifferent, could he possibly think the scholar’s poetry was unworthy?
"Indeed! Gu Jieyuan has such quick wit, we’d really like to witness it too. Before, everyone was leading off, now Gu Jieyuan should have already brewed a masterpiece by now; everyone’s eagerly awaiting!"
It must be said, this comment was rather sarcastic, as it’s unheard of for anyone to produce a masterpiece at the Lu Ming Banquet annually.
Gu Chengyu snapped back to reality, seeing the examinee looking at him with a full smile, yet Gu Chengyu noticed it was a forced smile.
It’s not surprising; winning the top scorer title would inevitably make some envious. Isn’t there a saying that those not envied are all ordinary talents?
Seats at the banquet were arranged by ranking, with Min Feng seated next to Gu Chengyu, and then Fu Yanshan. Sun Xian and Ye Zhiqiu were a bit further from Gu Chengyu, thus they couldn’t remind him.
