The buzzing sounds, the gathering of hundreds, a strange atmosphere.

This Liqiu poetry gathering had developed with twists and turns in the few hours since it began.

Starting with Lu Tuizhi's suggestion to write poetry, the cold atmosphere that had arisen from the brawl was already gradually dissipating. Those who could thrive in officialdom and the arena of fame and fortune, whether it was Lu Tuizhi or the elders who could steer the overall situation, were all quite skilled at enlivening the atmosphere. When Lu Tuizhi proposed Hangzhou as the theme, the ensuing scene could be envisioned as a gathering where everyone would produce excellent works, comment on and appreciate each other's efforts in harmony and joy. Originally…there shouldn't have been any unexpected events.

As it turned out, the atmosphere began to turn strange again, though it was somewhat different from the previous discord and oddity.

"Southeast is a place of scenic beauty, a metropolis of the Three Wu regions, Hangzhou has been prosperous since ancient times…this *Wang Hai Chao* is magnificent, but…"

"I haven't seen it before…"

"The rhyme scheme…"

Whispered discussions buzzed through the crowd. Forty-two round tables, occupied by some merchants, some scholars, and women accompanying their husbands, exchanged hushed opinions. At this moment, in front of the main hall of the ship, scholars gathered together, frowning and discussing. Some who were originally writing poetry had even stopped, unable to resist pausing. What they were discussing…was very strange.

Lou Shuwan and her husband, Song Zhiqian, moved closer to the front, lightly greeting several acquaintances of their generation or elders along the way. Just now, Ning Yi had completed his poem amidst the crowd. This was his first poem composed in Hangzhou, straightforward and serving as a standard by which everyone cautiously assessed his reputation as the "Top Talent of Jiangning". From the moment he put pen to paper, the poem he was composing was transmitted from the people around him and spread in all directions. Logically, it should be easy for these scholars with high literary standards to quickly judge whether a poem was good or bad. However, the strange atmosphere had spread from the moment the poem was gradually being composed. By the time half of the poem was written, the entire hall was enveloped in an indescribable murmur.

By this time, his poem was completed, and the atmosphere persisted. Although Lou Shuwan and her husband had listened to the entire poem in fragments, they still couldn't resist going over to take a closer look. Among the surrounding scholars, the piece of Xuan paper on which Ning Yi had written his poem had been presented to Lu Tuizhi, who couldn't resist coming over to examine it. Lu Tuizhi looked at it, frowning and pondering, occasionally glancing at Ning Yi, saying phrases like, "This poem is magnificent…*Wang Hai Chao*…" but never giving a loud evaluation. This was already somewhat inconsistent with his original intention of trying to mobilize the atmosphere.

After Ning Yi finished writing, he said, "I invite everyone to correct this *Wang Hai Chao*." This was originally a polite remark, but in the current atmosphere, it truly felt as if he was being corrected by a group of people.

Lou Shuwan peered over, the Xuan paper still placed on the table, the calligraphy nimble and unrestrained. However, Lou Shuwan had never seen such calligraphy before. She didn't dwell on this, focusing instead on the content. The title was naturally *Wang Hai Chao*, and she could now see the complete poem on the paper, reciting it softly.

"Southeast is a place of scenic beauty, a metropolis of the Three Wu regions, Hangzhou has been prosperous since ancient times…Smoke willows and painted bridges, wind curtains and emerald screens, scattered among a hundred thousand households. Clouds and trees encircle the sandy embankment, raging waves roll up frost and snow, a natural chasm without end…Markets lined with pearls and jewels, households filled with silk and embroidery, vying for extravagance."

The poem's grandeur and splendor struck the eye almost from the first sentence. The subsequent sentences outlined and depicted a feeling almost like a painting. It was magnificent, but not frivolous. The first stanza alone outlined the features of Hangzhou unmistakably. Even Lou Shuwan, who had always lived in Hangzhou, was fascinated by it.

She looked at Ning Liheng, who was leading his wife to the side. Out of curiosity, she had repeatedly read the poems he had composed before, and despite having a deep impression of his magnificent poetic talent, she couldn't help but feel a slight tremor for this poem. After all, she was witnessing the creation of such a poem firsthand, and she felt somewhat strange about the pensive expressions of the surrounding people. She looked at the second stanza.

"Layered lakes and stacked peaks of pure beauty, with osmanthus blossoms in the three autumns, and lotus flowers for ten miles. The *Qiang* flute plays in the clear sky, the *Ling* song floats at night, joyfully fishing old men and lotus children. Thousands of riders surround the high banners…Riding drunk, listening to flutes and drums, chanting and appreciating the misty rosy clouds. One day, I will paint this beautiful scene, and return to the Phoenix Pond to boast…"

It was still an extremely gorgeous style, like fireworks or amber. She softly recited the poem, looked at her frowning husband. Over there, Lu Tuizhi was already walking towards Qian Xiwu and others with the Xuan paper. In fact, several elders were already murmuring something, their eyes complex, even tapping on the table rhythmically with their fingers. At this time, on one side of the hall, several courtesans holding *pipas* and *guzhengs* were also leaning this way, some craning their necks, eager as swans—after all, they were of lowly status. In this situation, they didn't dare to go too far forward, only waiting for someone to officially copy the poem and bring it over.

"Husband, that poem is very good, what exactly is wrong? Everyone is like this…"

Among the crowd, Su Tan'er had the same doubts as Lou Shuwan. In fact, Ning Yi producing a poem at this time didn't mean there would immediately be excellent evaluations. After all, the poetry gathering wasn't solely for him, and others were also writing. Whether others would make evaluations was their business. Su Tan'er only understood a little, and while she understood the meaning, it was difficult for her to evaluate the heights of top-tier poems. Moreover, this was the first time she had accompanied her husband to such a gathering, and it was also the first time Ning Yi had truly displayed his talent beside her and in front of everyone. For her, who admired and longed for the romanticism of a talented scholar, this was a highly anticipated occasion. After Ning Yi finished writing the poem, she felt that the sentences were definitely excellent, but the reaction of the crowd was beyond her expectations.

Afterwards, Ning Yi led her, who was looking down and feeling apprehensive, to a round table and sat down. Her hand was still being held by Ning Yi at this time, and only when she saw that the surrounding scholars hadn't approached much did she dare to say softly, "How…what's wrong with that poem…" Xiao Chan, who was behind her, also asked curiously, "Yes, yes, what's wrong? Is it not well written?" Ning Yi glanced at the two of them, then smiled without answering. Su Tan'er frowned and pouted, her face full of confusion. Su Wending, who had been following, leaned his head over from a chair on the side.

"Second Sister, have you ever heard of the *Wang Hai Chao* lyric title before?"

"Uh…no, I don't think so, what's wrong with that…"

Su Wending looked at Ning Yi with a complex expression, not knowing whether it was admiration or sighing, and said softly, "Brother-in-law, is that lyric title your own new creation?"

Ning Yi glanced at him, then looked at Su Tan'er again, and smiled, "Yes, there wasn't this lyric title name before…"

"A newly created lyric title?" On the other side, Lou Shuwan also widened her eyes, somewhat unwilling to believe what Song Zhiqian was saying. Song Zhiqian frowned, "Yes, his poem is extremely gorgeous and magnificent, the rhyme scheme…is also excellent. And it's actually a lyric title he created himself. This move of his is trying to crush people…Even if this lyric title was made by him before for Hangzhou, taking it out at this time is frightening…"

At this moment, no one dared to judge whether the poem was good or bad, or rather, no one was willing to make an immediate judgment.

This *Wang Hai Chao* with "Southeast is a place of scenic beauty, a metropolis of the Three Wu regions" was originally created by Liu Yong. Before this poem, there was no lyric title name called *Wang Hai Chao*.

The origins and sources of various lyric title names are varied. Starting from the Tang Dynasty, even the Han Dynasty, lyric titles evolved from various *Yuefu* songs. In the Tang Dynasty, the mainstream for literati was composing poetry, and various songs were just minor arts, not valued. However, gradually developing, by the Wu Dynasty, it had formed a scale that could rival poetry, just like in the Song Dynasty. Lyric poems correspond to songs. The length and rhyme scheme, when placed in the mouths of singers, have fixed singing styles. Someone creates a pattern once, and it is fixed once. Many lyric title styles are gradually transformed through countless refinements. However, one thing is certain, it doesn't mean that you can casually write a crooked poem and say that this is your own original lyric title.

The sentence length and rhyme scheme planning of a lyric title must be very testable. Everyone reads it out in a fixed way, just like a song, rhyming and pleasant to hear. And in the mouths of those singers, even if there is no sheet music, they can sing these lyric poems. Ancient poetry and lyrics actually already contained a way of chanting.

This is also why those courtesans are so sensitive to this lyric poem.

To create a new lyric title on the spot—even if it's not on the spot, a person who can create a lyric title must be a master in poetry and lyrics. Originally, everyone thought that even if it was writing about Hangzhou, even top-tier poetry and lyrics, it wasn't lacking here. But Ning Yi suddenly revealed such a hand, and no one present thought they could do it.

They couldn't and were unwilling to immediately evaluate the merits of this poem. And precisely, they couldn't even find the faults of this new lyric title. This was the most complicated thing.

The draft was passed to Qian Xiwu, to Mu Bochang, Tang Xiuxuan. Several elders pondered over the length and rhyme of this lyric title. Lu Tuizhi and others were also thinking about and discussing this lyric title. In fact, Lu Tuizhi liked it very much. He was the prefect of Hangzhou. He used Hangzhou as the theme, and everyone wrote praises, which was also equal to his achievements. He couldn't help but sigh for a while, shaking his head and chanting, "Thousands of riders surround the high banners, riding drunk, listening to flutes and drums, chanting and appreciating the misty rosy clouds. One day, I will paint this beautiful scene, and return to the Phoenix Pond to boast…" These sentences intoxicated him the most, but then he felt a bit of surprise. On the side, Tang Xiuxuan also laughed softly.

"One day, I will paint this beautiful scene, and return to the Phoenix Pond to boast…Lord Qian, he refused your proposal just now, but I didn't expect that he also has such ambition in his heart."

Qian Xiwu shook his head and smiled, "If judged by lyric skill, these sentences are perfect, but writing them at this time is a bit pretentious."

Mu Bochang, with a relatively rigid face, also smiled, "Just now everyone worked hard, he is also deliberately yielding, writing for us Hangzhou talents to see. After this poem, it's enough to laugh and bury the hatchet…"

In this poem, the sentences "Thousands of riders surround the high banners, riding drunk, listening to flutes and drums, chanting and appreciating the misty rosy clouds. One day, I will paint this beautiful scene, and return to the Phoenix Pond to boast" roughly mean that thousands of cavalry surround the commander, riding drunk, listening to flute and drum performances, admiring and chanting the misty rosy clouds. One day I'll draw this wonderful scene and return to the capital, the Phoenix Pond, to boast of it. This kind of writing is naturally the best expectation for those scholars or officials who have ambitions and diligently pursue fame and fortune. However, Ning Yi's actions just now in refusing Qian Xiwu's proposal were inevitably somewhat hypocritical. Of course, after thinking about it, everyone naturally understood that Ning Yi didn't want to offend everyone for this reason, so he used such sentences to praise everyone, meaning mutual reconciliation.

Among the scholars, many people also understood this meaning at this time, revealing a slight smile towards Ning Yi, and some came over to greet him, praising a few sentences: "Brother Ning has good talent, the poem is very good, it will definitely be sung by everyone…" After all, after Ning Yi showed such talent, it was still okay to befriend him and lift his sedan chair.

And in this moment, Lu Tuizhi also came out smiling and speaking, juxtaposing Ning Yi's poem with the poems of the others. The superiority and inferiority were naturally distinguishable, and the others were mostly foils, but since they were meeting friends through literature, and the atmosphere of meeting friends was even stronger at this time, there was no need to eagerly delineate the high and low. Anyway, those who knew in their hearts could always see it, so it was good to keep it in their hearts. But in this moment, another strange atmosphere that ordinary people couldn't detect flowed among everyone, as if someone had suddenly realized something, causing many people to stare at Ning Yi's side in astonishment, then look away again.

The beginning of that feeling actually appeared among the most famous talents in Hangzhou. Here in Hangzhou, He Qiming, Yu Lanzhi, and Geng Huoran are called the top talents. These people are mostly parallel names, and everyone has different opinions on them. There are also second and third… These people may have some literary biases on weekdays, and occasionally compete, but they still have private relationships with each other. When they knew the weight of this new lyric title, several of them gathered together, exchanged views, and judged each other. They knew in the end that Ning Liheng intended to reconcile with everyone, so they didn't say anything strange for a while. Some people also said: "This lyric title has harmonious and mellow rhyme, magnificent and gorgeous, and has a long lingering charm. I am not as good as him in lyric composition."

But also in the mutual comments, someone suddenly vaguely realized something. It was difficult to say who thought of it first, but in the silent gazes, many people who realized this, even had a tingling scalp for a moment. Many years later, when these people were old men, and talked about this event again, someone used the description of a tingling scalp…

If that cognition were to be summarized, it would roughly be like this: If this person had created this lyric title a month or two ago, how could his poem have the sentences at the end that express reconciliation with everyone?

Everyone present mostly had a desire for fame and fortune. They had a heart for fame and fortune, wanting to read the books of sages and do great things. Honestly, they found it hard to believe that there was a young man in the world who didn't have this kind of expectation, but Ning Yi's refusal of Elder Qian's proposal just now made them have to face this fact. Because even the craziest person wouldn't use the identity of a live-in son-in-law to cultivate reputation. At most, it would be the identity of a hermit.

Ning Yi's previous poems had already spread throughout Hangzhou. Just now, these top talents had also taken them out and examined them many times, and they could roughly understand his style. Such a person, if this poem wasn't composed on the spot, but was made by him within a month or a few days ago, how could he write "One day, I will paint this beautiful scene, and return to the Phoenix Pond to boast"? Right now, everyone could see that this person couldn't possibly write such sentences full of expectations for fame and fortune for fun in his leisure time.

This was composed by him on the spot…

When everyone was thinking about taking out the poems and lyrics they had meticulously crafted in the past, this person wrote such a poem on the spot, and it could be so mellow to this extent. The new lyric title could actually be so amazingly mellow! Whether the lyric title was created by him before or now, this poem was written by him now. He nodded and agreed to write a poem at that time, even without thinking, without even walking seven steps. And realizing this, everyone was already somewhat unwilling to think about the possibility of whether the lyric title was created by him at that time or before.

This was almost not in the category of genius. To this extent, it was enough to make people's backs chill.

Ning Yi sat there, tilted his head, and scratched his face with his fingers. He had been hit there, and now there was a small patch, somewhat bruised.

No one said such thoughts and conjectures, but they were all smart people, and gradually some people felt this disharmony. After a while, Song Zhiqian, who was sitting far away, suddenly raised his head and stared at the couple on one side of the hall: "No, he, he…his poem was written on the spot…"

Lou Shuwan turned her head to look at him. Song Zhiqian's face was full of disbelief, but his cheeks twitched once, and then twitched again: "He…no wonder he doesn't write poetry, he doesn't participate in poetry gatherings not because of indifference, it's simply, that's simply…" That's simply that others have no way to play with him at all… Song Zhiqian didn't say the words, Lou Shuwan looked at him suspiciously a few times, then turned her gaze back boredly.

Many people present couldn't predict the extent to which Ning Yi's talent would reach after the news of this poetry gathering spread…

Ning Yi and Su Tan'er sat there, one of their hands held together under the table, like a pair of celestial beings, occasionally someone came over to greet them, and even a few courtesans came over timidly to ask Ning Yi for advice, their appearances looking extremely pious. Before long, music was heard, singing the *Wang Hai Chao* that Ning Yi had just written, and then singing other songs.

"After today, business in Hangzhou may not be easy to do…"

Having experienced such a poetry gathering and received various praises, Su Tan'er was actually very happy in her heart. Of course, that lovely vanity was also quite satisfied. She was experiencing the first true feeling of being the "wife of a great talent" in her life, her heart pounding, and smiling gently and quietly on her face. However, she also maintained a trace of calmness, allowing her to say some digressions.

Ning Yi was also smiling, looking at everything around him: "Today was hard for you, I'm sorry."

"I am your wife." Su Tan'er replied with a smile, her eyes looking at a woman playing the *guzheng* over there, "However, there's no need to compete with the Lou family anymore. We won't take advantage of their place. When we go back today, I'll finish up the business here in Hangzhou, and then we'll go back to Jiangning…and then I'll accompany my husband to the capital."

"Well, then we'll collude with officials and do business, and become a money-grabbing couple. I'll help you earn back what you lost here."

"Haha." Su Tan'er laughed happily, "Actually, when I was talking earlier, I had an idea, but I thought you wouldn't allow it, so I gave up."

"Hmm?"

"I wanted to tell everyone that I was pregnant with your child."

"Really?"

"It's fake, anyway…not yet. I originally wanted to arrange an accident when we go home today, and say to the outside world in a few days that I lost the child because I was angry this time. In this way, the Lou family would bear the infamy of forcing a child to death, and they wouldn't dare to touch us." Saying this, the smile on Su Tan'er's face subsided, cold and beautiful like clear frost. This was her ruthless mode as a decision-maker.

Ning Yi squeezed her palm: "There's no need to do that, making everyone unhappy."

"Well, I thought about it later, and I'm not happy doing this either. However, it was only because there were many doctors nearby at that time." Su Tan'er smiled sweetly.

The beginning of the gathering continued like this. Over there in the main guest position, Lu Tuizhi also gradually realized the possibility that the poem was actually written by Ning Yi on the spot. He hinted to everyone, looked at Ning Yi's side several times, and said to Qian Xiwu: "Being able to have such talent and mind, it's no wonder Prime Minister Qin wants to invite him to the capital to help, and he is both civil and military…" Talent naturally refers to poetry and lyrics, and mind refers to the sentences at the end that reconciled with the Hangzhou scholars.

Qian Xiwu also smiled, simply responding: "This old man doesn't know whether his talent is good or his martial arts are good. I heard that not long ago in Jiangning, there was an assassination attempt by Liao assassins, and he was the one who saved Prime Minister Qin."

"That's…a life-saving grace?"

"Yes, it should be a life-saving grace."

Qian Xiwu said faintly, and didn't say more. Lu Tuizhi glanced at him, and a chill ran down his back again. He had previously prepared to give up on Ning Yi, also knowing that Ning Yi had a relationship with Prime Minister Qin, but he only thought it was a simple relationship. These interests naturally had room for weighing. Since Qian Xiwu knew that Ning Yi had a life-saving grace for Qin Siyuan, he probably had decided long ago that he would go all out, but this old man only gave a slight reminder, and didn't say more. If he really went in the direction of convicting Ning Yi, then…he would really offend people miserably. Offending Qin Siyuan at this time, no matter how far his political achievements go afterwards, how much credit he has, I'm afraid he won't be able to handle it… Although he is the prefect, this old man is basically warning and knocking on him.

The harmonious atmosphere continued, and no one could know the undercurrents surging beneath the surface. Lou Jinlin had also come over at this time, laughing and talking with some people. Those who were writing poems were still occasionally writing, but at this moment, no one mentioned a challenge to Ning Yi. The setting sun gradually appeared in the sky, lanterns were hung on the big ship, waiting to be lit later. Afterwards, the dishes from Fuqing Restaurant were also served one after another.

The magnificent glow of the sunset dyed the western sky, clouds, lake water, and mountain colors with magnificent orange-red. The slightly refreshing wind in the evening blew from the lake, blowing into this open hall on all sides. Someone stood up, looking at the distant mountains and rivers in this warm wind and glow, and someone recited poetry, wearing a headscarf and white robe, with elegant demeanor. On Ning Yi's side, a talented scholar from Hangzhou came over to talk to him, and Ning Yi also stood up and chatted with him. The banquet was about to officially begin, and some servants went to the top of the ship, preparing to light the lanterns later.

A magnificent, refreshing, clean, and harmonious evening. Ning Yi looked at that sunset, and was also fascinated by such a view for a moment, becoming slightly intoxicated in the wind.

A flock of geese flew across the sky in the sunset.

The person next to him said something, and Ning Yi frowned slightly. Although his attention wasn't focused on the conversation, the response was simple. He was probably going to say the next sentence. Ning Yi felt something, but it was difficult to describe. Perhaps it was an illusion, those slight touches scratched in his heart, like ants, if an ant colony, and then like mosquitoes. That illusion…rose from the soles of his feet!

Under the sunset, there was a moment of silence, as if experiencing the beginning of the universe, and then…

The bottom of the feet suddenly moved!

Countless table legs "squeaked" for a moment. Ning Yi grabbed the scholar next to him who was about to fall. At this moment, he didn't know what had happened. However, in the next breath, the big ship rippled.

With a loud "boom", the big ship on the lake first tilted to the left, then crashed into the ship workshop on the other side. The sound of wood breaking, the shipwright was probably lighting lanterns above, a lantern suddenly turned into a ball of fire, along with a shouting worker who shouted “Ah--!” falling off on the side of view.

With a violent shake, tables and chairs swayed. Su Tan'er grabbed him. Ning Yi threw away the scholar, grabbed Xiao Chan and Su Tan'er's wrists. With bangs, the sound of bowls and chopsticks falling to the ground could already be heard. In the hall under the sunset, many people fell to the ground unprepared, in a panic. No one knew what had happened, and the ship was shaking. Some people were shouting "What's wrong, what's wrong", and there were also various strange sounds, the sudden screams of women, the broken strings of the *pipa*, and women being cut by their fingers. The rumbling sound came from far and near like a mountain overturning the sea.

"What's wrong—"

"Steady—"

Someone shouted outside in a hurry, and someone shouted something, vaguely "younger brother" but then realized it was "earth dragon..."

Then, like a trumpet sounding an alarm, a panicked voice tore apart that sunset.

"Earth—Dragon—"

"The earth dragon is turning over—"

"Turning over—"

The ship was still shaking. Ning Yi looked outside. The field of vision was shaking. It wasn't because the ship was shaking too fast, but because of the difference between the not-so-fast shaking of the ship and the faster shaking outside. Rumbling rumbling rumbling. The water on the lake at this moment seemed to be boiled and boiling. The distant mountains, cities, and the nearby Xiaoying Island were all shrouded in a violent shock.

The sunset was like blood. On this evening with a magnificent sunset, the huge power spewed out from the depths of the earth turned into a tangible nightmare, carrying violent shockwaves and swallowing the primordial world within sight and even the entire continental plate that was out of reach...

********************

The disaster begins. This is the turning point from the "family" line to the "country" line in the "Plum Nanny" story.

Cough, I've updated seven days in a row. It's a hurdle, it's really not easy. As usual, I'm asking everyone for monthly votes ^_^

I would also like to recommend two books to you. One is "Entering the Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio", the writing is quite good. Many people say it's like "Xu Xian's Ambition". I read it, and although I don't think it's similar, it's still very good. The other is the wasteland opener's "Godly Radiance". This guy is also the most adept at that technique of suppressing before praising, erupting into a climax in a state of depression. Well, he exploded one a few days ago, very refreshing. Both are in the new book monthly vote period, everyone may wish to try, vote for me, or vote for them, both are fine.

Well, today I finally finished writing this small series on disaster, and I feel very lingering. I can't come up with any very passionate or funny vote-grabbing declarations. If everyone is still satisfied, just watch and vote, thank you all ^_^

ps: The main text is over seven thousand. (To be continued. Your support with recommendation votes and monthly votes is my greatest motivation.)

Support (Complete Book God Station) share this site with those friends who need it! Please leave a message if you can't find a book!