Dao Fruit

"This Wen Zhizhen likes to preach, and he always wants to instill his own views into others."

A few feet away, Luo Jiayun, Zhou Guan, Gao Jing, Gu Yanzhi and others were watching the scene in front of the door, and Zhou Guan couldn't help but say.

These people all came from Jiannan Road, and they all had friendships with Qiu Yan. They also received invitations and happened to meet halfway.

"Since I met Wen Zhizhen, he has been giving lectures every time, just like this time. He talked about the examination over and over again. If you don't know, you would think he was going to establish a school of thought." Zhou Guan seemed very dissatisfied with Wen Zhizhen.

"It's wrong to criticize behind your back." Luo Jiayun was familiar with Zhou Guan, and he was a few years older. He acted like a brother and said something to wake him up.

Zhou Guan also knew that there were many people talking, so he temporarily kept quiet. Although he was also a juren and had participated in the imperial examination, he was not very old. After walking a few steps, he couldn't help but say: "Recently, Wen Zhizhen has been talking to our guests several times, always pretending to mention Brother Qiu unintentionally, hinting at something, and obviously has ulterior motives. This is the case in the inn, and it is probably the same in other places. I heard that he is often seen in several taverns in this city. If this spreads, it is inevitable that everyone will be dissatisfied with Brother Qiu."

While speaking, Wen Zhizhen in front of him had already walked into Anyang Villa surrounded by the crowd.

Looking at his back, Luo Jiayun shook his head: "We can't control this matter. We can only see how Brother Qiu handles it. Didn't Hu Qi just say that Brother Qiu had come here in advance? I believe that with Brother Qiu's methods, this rumor must be broken."

When attending the banquet, Qiu Yan asked Hu Qi to notify Luo Jiayun and others.

Zhou Guan looked into the courtyard and whispered, "I wonder how Brother Qiu is doing in there. These days, there are many rumors that are unfavorable to Brother Qiu. After all, he is linked to Wen Zhizhen for no reason, and this Wen likes to show off everywhere and hides evil intentions. It is inevitable that he will be compared with Brother Qiu, but Brother Qiu is low-key..."

As he spoke, several people walked in, walked around the screen wall, handed over the invitation, and then looked into the courtyard, but they were all stunned-

At the end of the line of sight, there was a picture of Wen Zhizhen smiling and saluting Qiu Yan.

There were many Confucian scholars around Wen Zhizhen, and they looked like they were confronting Qiu Yan with him as the leader. This was not surprising. Wen Zhizhen now had some supporters.

What really surprised Luo Jiayun and others was that many Confucian scholars gathered around Qiu Yan, and they even had the meaning of being a star to support the moon. They were helping Qiu Yan to stabilize his momentum and not lose to others.

"Looking at this situation, are those people behind Brother Qiu protecting him?" Zhou Guan said what he was thinking.

Gao Jing narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Qiu Yan. A barely perceptible light flashed in his eyes, and he said, "I have some impression of the man next to Brother Qiu. He is a talented scholar from Huainan Road, named Gao Mian. He is humble, but he doesn't make friends easily. Judging from his expression at this moment, he seems to respect Brother Qiu very much."

Gu Yanzhi also saw a familiar figure, so he said, "The man behind Brother Qiu is Ye Yun, the champion of Lingnan Road. His father and my teacher Yan Wu are old friends."

Gu Yanzhi's teacher Yan Wu is a world-famous calligrapher who settled in Shuzhong. But he also had some experiences when he was young. Although he failed in the imperial examination, his connections were not simple.

After listening to what the two said, Luo Jiayun was confused: "When did Brother Qiu become friends with these people? He has not left his house these days except for the day of the examination. How could he know the candidates from Lingnan Road and Huainan Road?"

The same question also appeared in Wen Zhizhen's mind, but he was shrewd and would not show it easily. He talked to Qi Yan as if nothing had happened.

"Two days ago, Wen went to visit Brother Qiu at the inn where he was staying, but failed to see him. I have always regretted this and wished I could have a long talk with Brother Qiu. Now at Miss Pang's banquet, I finally got what I wanted and I am happy." These words were spoken sincerely.

Qiu Yan responded with a smile: "I am honored to have your concern, Brother Wen. I have long heard of Brother Wen's name. I will definitely ask for advice when I see you today."

"No, no," Wen Zhizhen shook his head and smiled faintly, "Speaking of asking for advice, I wonder what Brother Qiu thinks about the policy essays for this imperial examination?" He asked, but he was organizing his words in his mind, preparing to combine his own learning and start with the policy essays to suppress Qiu Yan first.

Wen Zhizhen came here this time to take advantage of the opportunity. In recent days, he has tried his best to show his talents and made a great reputation in Xingjing. This is a good thing, but someone tied his name with Qiu Yan's, saying that the two are equally famous, but Qiu Yan ended up enjoying the fruits of their labor.

This kind of thing can only happen once, and Wen Zhizhen naturally doesn't want to. He has long wanted to separate himself from Qiu Yan, and today's dinner is a good opportunity.

But for some reason, the scholar in the academy stood on Qiu Yan's side, adding momentum to the other party. Wen Zhizhen had an idea and wanted to suppress him directly.

He had guessed the content of the essay before the exam. Now he knew it by heart and could prove his point of view with classics. With his own trump card, he was not afraid even if he faced a monkey mind and a wild horse.

This question was to use his strengths to counter Qiu Yan's weaknesses.

However, Qiu Yan just shook his head and replied: "The exam has passed, the dust has settled, and the essay is only on the paper. What is there to think about?"

Wen Zhizhen's face froze when he heard this, and he couldn't say the words he prepared, as if he punched cotton.

Fortunately, he was thoughtful and immediately calmed down, saying with a smile: "Brother Qiu, you are joking. Policy essays are related to government affairs. Although they are written in the examination room, they can show one's ambitions. If the policy essay is written perfectly and comprehensively, if it is recognized by the examiner, won't we have a direction for serving as officials in the court in the future?"

After hearing this, Qiu Yan nodded first, and then said: "Brother Wen has a far-sighted vision and sees ten steps at a time, which is admirable. But the words on the paper are just what you and I know in our hearts. They may not be in line with the welfare of others and can be used as a policy." , but don’t implement it rashly, otherwise it will affect not only your own future.”

When Wen Zhizhen heard this, a cold light flashed in his eyes, knowing that Qiu Yan was implying that he was thinking too much, too far, and talking out of touch with reality, but he remained calm on the surface: "Oh? Brother Qiu's words are thought-provoking. But this is a bit biased..."

He was about to say more, but a maid came over, smiled slightly, and said: "Two young masters, my lady knew that you two were coming, so she specially asked me to invite you into the hall."

The maid also knew that there were other scholars nearby and did not say anything to irritate others.

"Did your lady send someone to invite you again?" Qiu Yan asked. Turning his head, his eyes fell on the young man in Tsing Yi not far away. The latter was still stunned on the spot. When he saw the maid, he was frightened and knew what was going on. It was a failure, but when I think about it, I feel aggrieved.

The maid also glanced at the young man, showing no signs of expression, but just urging Qiu Yan and Wen Zhizhen.

She came to invite him in person, which made it clear that Qiu Yan and Wen Zhizhen were different. The Confucian scholars who were admitted to the hospital with Wen Zhizhen had not seen Qiu Yan's methods, how could they be convinced? Someone actually whispered about it.

But before the man could finish speaking, several people headed by Gao Mian spoke up to defend themselves. This made the newcomers confused. After they came into contact with Wen Zhizhen, they listened to the latter's speech and were unknowingly affected by it. , naturally developed a bad feeling towards Qiu Yan.

At this time, after listening to the words of Gao Mian and others, the thoughts in their hearts, which were unknowingly affected, gradually changed. They faintly reflected on their words and deeds, and suddenly there were vague fluctuations of thoughts floating out from them.

"Oh?" A strange color flashed in Qiu Yan's eyes. He glanced at Wen Zhizhen and noticed that his expression had changed slightly and his expression was stiff.

"This Wen Zhizhen seems not to be simple, nor is he just a talented person. I haven't realized it before, but this time I came here and experienced things before and after, I can clearly feel that everyone is very resistant to me. They have been studying for many years, and they must have some skills in cultivating their Qi. Yes, it’s impossible that he doesn’t have the heart of the city at all, but now someone actually slanders him in person, which is really weird, like someone who has never experienced anything in the world!”

Looking around, Qiu Yan's heartstrings twitched, and the will of the surrounding city fluctuated, catching every trace of change in his thoughts.

"Study and cultivate your mind. Even if you are dissatisfied, you can't show it easily. Why are everyone here acting with one mind? But when someone said it, after the thoughts changed, another vision appeared. And Pang Qianru, who set up this situation , there are also deliberate traces, but when I saw her before, I vaguely felt that this woman Hongluan was upside down, and I wonder if she behaved abnormally because of this..."

With this thought, the two of them were led into the lobby by the maid.

The furnishings in the lobby are quite elegant, but the layout is no different from the outside. There are also several low tables arranged in sequence, but there are not many of them. After all, only a few people can enter the lobby.

Since ancient times, literati have looked down upon each other and are most afraid of being looked down upon. Most of the people who come tonight are the best among many candidates. Although there are differences in reputation, they are all candidates in terms of status. If there are differences in chair specifications, then people will be offended.

Even if Pang Qianru doesn't understand this truth, the stewards of the Hou Mansion will understand it, and of course they have arrangements.

After Qiu Yan walked into the lobby, he was led to sit down behind a table, opposite Wen Zhizhen. It was obviously carefully planned. There was also an acquaintance sitting next to him.

"Brother Qiu, long time no see." Qi Jiulian looked at Qiu Yan with an embarrassed look, and then looked at Wen Zhizhen, as if he was sitting on pins and needles.

Qiu Yan nodded in return. He knew that Qi Jiulian used his name to compete with Wen Zhizhen. Since they met today, they had to talk about it, but not now -

Since Qiu Yan entered the hall, several spirits in his body were eager to try, and they were vaguely connected to something in the hall.

Following the induction, he cast his gaze over, and what he saw was a sandalwood box placed on the innermost table. At the same time, Wen Zhizhen actually looked towards the box, with a strange color flashing in his eyes.

This box doesn't seem to have much novelty, and there are no unusual carvings on the surface, but it is full of brilliance and looks like jade at first glance. You can smell a little fragrance from a distance.

In Qiu Yan's perception, there seemed to be something hidden in the box, which gave people a sense of mystery and aroused the spirit of several saints.

"In this box..." He slowly narrowed his eyes, feeling a little surprised. (To be continued. Please search Piaotian Literature, the novels will be better and updated faster!)