"Oh?"

Jiang Chen looked at the speaker with satisfaction.

This person was indeed quick-witted, knowing his true purpose.

Jiang Chen nodded to the man and said, "So, what do you think?"

Encouraged by Jiang Chen, the man said, "I believe that His Majesty and Consort Shu's actions are a grand undertaking for the sake of the people! It is a model worthy of our emulation!"

"Hahahaha..."

Jiang Chen couldn't help but laugh. Although there was a lot of flattery in this person's words,

for Jiang Chen, the beneficiaries of this matter were indeed the people.

If someone could really be inspired by this proposal to take action and do something beneficial for the people, that would be for the best.

"What's your name?" Jiang Chen asked.

A hint of joy flashed in the man's eyes, "Reporting to Your Majesty, my name is Tao Zongxing."

Many people immediately cast envious glances at Tao Zongxing.

This man had seized the opportunity and actually had His Majesty ask his name.

This was practically writing his name on the list for promotion and wealth!

Many people were eager to try, hoping that Jiang Chen would ask another question.

"Tao Zongxing, hmm, a good name."

Jiang Chen smiled and nodded, then said, "Tao Zongxing, then We shall test you. Today's event is an autumn poetry gathering, so compose a poem on the theme of autumn."

As soon as Jiang Chen said this, many people present were overjoyed.

After receiving the invitation, they had begun to ponder what theme the poetry would be based on.

And the most guessed theme was naturally autumn.

Unexpectedly, they had guessed correctly.

The scholars who had already prepared themselves couldn't help but tense up, waiting for Tao Zongxing to finish so they could show off.

Tao Zongxing had also prepared in advance, and upon hearing this, he was delighted and said, "How dare I disobey His Majesty's command?"

He pondered for a moment, feigning contemplation, and then said, "The west wind is bleak this autumn, yellow leaves flutter and fall all over the river, white catkins drift with the passing water, red maples sway with the crying cuckoo."

While reciting, Tao Zongxing pointed to the fallen leaves on the ground and the fiery red maple leaves.

After he finished reciting, someone couldn't help but praise, "Good poem!"

Yuan Buyi stroked his beard and said, "Although the artistic conception of this poem is straightforward, it is very consistent with the current situation, which is rare."

Receiving Yuan Buyi's praise, Tao Zongxing quickly said, "Thank you for the praise, Grand Tutor Yuan."

Although he spoke modestly, the smile on his face fully revealed his joy.

Afterward, he looked at Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen had the highest status present, and Jiang Chen's evaluation was what everyone was most concerned about.

Feeling everyone's gaze, Jiang Chen was a little speechless.

Perhaps in other aspects, he could fool these people with his advanced ideas and knowledge.

But in terms of poetry, he really didn't know as much as these people.

Clearing his throat, Jiang Chen nodded and said, "Passable."

The joy on Tao Zongxing's face immediately disappeared for the most part.

The other scholars also had a stagnant expression.

In their opinion, this poem was already of above-average quality.

But in His Majesty's eyes, it was only passable?

Originally, many of the scholars who were preparing to follow Tao Zongxing's lead and showcase their talents immediately dismissed the idea.

They needed to observe further.

However, some people were very confident in the poems they had prepared in advance and said, "Your Majesty, my name is Lu Kai. I have also composed a poem, please Your Majesty and the esteemed sirs judge it."

"The rain ceases, and the summer heat enters the mountain breeze, blowing away the hibiscus in ten thousand acres of red. A leaf flutters suddenly and simultaneously, startling to see the autumn water in the setting sun."

After speaking, this person waited proudly for the evaluation.

He was very confident in his poem.

Because it was written by him last year, and he was praised by his teacher at that time.

Unexpectedly, after Yuan Buyi heard it, he shook his head repeatedly, "Not good, not good."

The man's proud expression turned into astonishment, "What's not good?"

Before Yuan Buyi could explain, someone beside him asked, "Brother Lu, may I ask when was the last time it rained in the capital? When did it stop being hot this year? Where are there hibiscus flowers?"

After asking a few questions, Lu Kai blushed and sat down awkwardly.

He only cared about thinking that this poem was good, but he didn't expect it to be completely inconsistent with this year's autumn.

Jiang Chen also said at this time, "Yes, you need to think about it more carefully."

Although it wasn't a good evaluation, it was an encouragement to the scholars.

His Majesty won't criticize even if the poem is so poorly written, what am I afraid of?

Immediately, a third person stood up and said, "Your Majesty, my name is Pang Changge. I have also composed a poem, please Your Majesty and the esteemed sirs judge it."

"Autumn is a touch of faintness like water, why is the clear wind discordant? Swallows want to return, but the mud is slippery, yellow flowers are masterless, what can spring do?"

Wei Zhengli said, "The style of this poem is slightly higher than the first one, not bad, not bad."

Pang Changge was very excited to receive the praise from the Minister of Works, "Thank you, sir."

But everyone's eyes were still on Jiang Chen.

The evaluation of the current emperor was the most important.

Jiang Chen's mouth twitched, and he nodded, "Passable."

Still passable?

Not only were the scholars present surprised, but several ministers were also surprised.

Especially Yuan Buyi, who had once taught Jiang Chen, had a hint of doubt in his eyes.

Jiang Chen's learning attitude and learning results at that time, to put it bluntly, were so bad that even dogs would shake their heads when they saw it.

Could it be that His Majesty didn't think that these two poems were not of a high standard, but could only say that?

Yuan Buyi thought it was very possible.

At this moment, Yuan Buyi also became nervous.

Although he was very dissatisfied with Jiang Chen's previous lack of serious learning attitude, on this occasion, he had to maintain His Majesty's dignity.

He couldn't let His Majesty be embarrassed!

At this time, the fourth person stood up and said, "Your Majesty, my name is Liu Yu. This poem was obtained by me last night, please Your Majesty and the esteemed sirs appreciate it."

"The autumn wind arrived at the courtyard last night, the leaves rustled and fell from the wellside wu tree. The jade zither in the sky is nowhere to be seen, the clear air and the bright moon are lonely."

As soon as this person finished speaking, Yuan Buyi said, "Yes, although this poem is also descriptive of scenery, it has an emotion in it. And you are very honest, rare, rare."

Receiving Yuan Buyi's praise, Liu Yu couldn't help but be overjoyed, "Thank you for the praise, Grand Tutor Yuan."

After thanking him, Liu Yu, like the other scholars, also looked at Jiang Chen, waiting for Jiang Chen's comments.

Jiang Chen smiled stiffly, "Yes, not bad."

It was still a brief two-word comment.

Although it was a better evaluation than the previous three poems, it always felt a bit perfunctory.

Liu Yu wanted to ask Jiang Chen to elaborate, but when he thought of Jiang Chen's identity, he could only sit back.

Some keen-minded scholars also noticed that something seemed wrong.

It was clearly an autumn poetry gathering held by His Majesty and Consort Shu, so why did His Majesty say so little?

This won't do!

A scholar stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I remember that the invitation said that the main purpose of this autumn poetry gathering is to raise a charity fund, I have an idea."

"After everyone composes poems, those who think they are good will be rewarded with silver. However, the silver obtained by the poets must be donated in full."

"I wonder what Your Majesty thinks?"