Chapter 65: Young provincial soldiers, who doesn't yearn to establish merit?

The next day.

Heavenly Official Office.

Council Hall.

Glazed palace lanterns hung high from the ceiling, casting a dim, yellowish light.

In the massive incense burner, the smoke of dragon saliva incense rose in curls, circling and winding.

Yuwen Hu sat high on the gilded sandalwood chair at the head of the hall. The back of the chair was towering, carved with ferocious taotie patterns, as if silently manifesting his supreme authority.

The high officials attending the meeting sat on both sides, all dressed in magnificent robes, waiting for the superior to speak.

"Everyone, what is your take on yesterday's poetry gathering?" Yuwen Hu rotated the jade thumb ring on his right hand and asked unhurriedly.

As he spoke, his sharp gaze swept across the left and right.

The high officials seated there were all at the power center of Great Zhou.

"Drunkenly fighting Wang and Xie, breaking the jade ring with strength, suppressing the North and South with poetry..."

Upon hearing this, Pei Xun phrased his words slightly and praised: "Chen Yan's bearing is stunning and brilliant, he can be called a Wenqu Star descended to the mortal world!"

In his short words, there was nothing but appreciation for Chen Yan.

Pei Xun, of the He Dong Pei Clan, Nayán of the Heavenly Official Office, served as an attendant, participated in decision-making for confidential affairs, and held a high and powerful position.

He was also the father of Pei Suiwan and Pei Xilou.

Having learned about the poetry gathering yesterday and chatted with his son about the marriage alliance, he was extremely satisfied with that grandson of Chen Lao Zhuguo...

"Is Nayán Pei exaggerating?"

Yuwen Hu rested his chin on his hand, a smile appearing in his eyes, and asked again: "That kid is only seventeen, hasn't even reached his capping age, how can he bear such a great reputation?"

"Nayán Pei is not speaking empty words!"

Wei Jianshen waved his hand and said solemnly and seriously: "My son Heqing also attended the poetry gathering and couldn't stop praising the talent of Mirror Keeper Chen!"

As he spoke, Wei Jianshen couldn't help but recall the praise Wei Heqing had for Chen Yan after returning from the poetry gathering last night.

His beloved son, who was usually proud and arrogant, even said that Chen Yan's talent far surpassed his own.

Moreover, there was more gratitude toward him...

If Chen Yan hadn't stood up, their Jingzhao Wei Clan would have become a stepping stone for the Xiao Liang people and would have had their reputation ruined.

Wei Jianshen, of the Jingzhao Wei Clan, Minister of Personnel of the Summer Office, was responsible for electing officials and managing personnel appointments and removals, holding great power.

"For the Grand Chancellor to be able to discover and cultivate this piece of unpolished jade, his eye is truly ruthless!"

Shang Ting cupped his hands and smiled: "This official admires it!"

Although these words had the intention of flattery, they were also the truth.

As the Grand Imperial Rectifier of the Heavenly Official Office, Shang Ting could be said to have watched Chen Yan rise step by step...

He understood this child's ability far better than the world understood through the poetry gathering.

Now in Chang'an, the saying "one should have a son like Chen Yan" was also circulating.

"Hahahaha!"

Yuwen Hu laughed heartily, feeling a secret thrill in his heart.

As a talent scout, it would be a lie to say he wasn't proud and happy that the kid he cultivated with his own hands was so promising.

Yet he quickly controlled his emotions, pressed his hand down, changed the subject, and continued: "But the reason I invited you all here this time is not for these compliments..."

"But to discuss how to use Chen Yan as a turning point to reverse the weak literary situation of our Great Zhou!"

Yuwen Heng, who had already been briefed, took over the conversation and said: "Since the North-South opposition between Former Yan and Xiao Liang began, the Southerners have been slightly inferior in martial power, but have ultimately suppressed our Northern land by a notch in literary lineage..."

"You are all great talents, do you have any wonderful strategies?"

It was obvious that Chen Yan's performance at the poetry gathering had allowed the Yuwen brothers to see an opportunity...

A once-in-a-millennium opportunity to break the suppression of their literary lineage!

It must not be missed easily.

Therefore, he specifically summoned his trusted high officials to brainstorm and explore a good prescription!

"Wang Zhixu is called the number one romantic of Jiang Zuo, and Xie Ang is hailed as a genius..."

Wei Jianshen nodded, also realizing the importance of this, and after careful consideration, his gaze was like a torch as he said solemnly: "And Chen Yan was able to defeat these two, his strength is beyond doubt..."

"We can build momentum for him, shaping him into our Great Zhou's Poetry Immortal, a seed of scholarship, and a successor of literary lineage!"

The Langya Wang Clan wanted to use Wei Heqing as a stepping stone, and Great Zhou could do the same.

Stepping on the two men Wang and Xie, as well as the families behind them, as an endorsement for the Great Zhou Poetry Immortal Chen Yan.

Forming a star effect that siphons talent, attracting scholars from all over the world to come and defect...

"Lord Wei's words are very true!"

Pei Xun clapped his hands, expressing deep agreement, and proposed a more detailed strategy: "On this basis, we can adapt Chen Yan's romantic anecdotes—defeating Wang and Xie with poetry talent, and breaking the Nine-Lock Jade Ring with strength—into picture books and operas..."

"And together with those few handed-down masterpieces, promote them throughout the North and South!"

Pei Xun understood deeply that since ancient times, dramatic stories have been easier for the common people to talk about with relish.

Plus the handed-down masterpieces, and the secret pushing by the Great Zhou court, the name and anecdotes of the Poetry Immortal Chen Yan would have a very high probability of spreading throughout the North and South like bamboo shoots after rain...

Shang Ting's eyes lit up. He tapped the armrest of his chair and smiled: "Our Great Zhou has a Poetry Immortal, who can be a banner, and can even inspire these scholars in our country!"

"Good, very good!"

Yuwen Hu listened to this perfected good strategy, the corners of his mouth hooked into an arc, extremely satisfied. His gaze fell on Pei Xun, and he said: "Nayán Pei, this matter is fully entrusted to you to handle!"

Upon hearing this, Pei Xun's gaze burned. He stood up immediately, cupped his hands, and said solemnly: "This official will definitely not fail the Grand Chancellor's heavy trust!"

That was building momentum for his future son-in-law; regardless of which aspect it was from, he would naturally do his utmost.

Once the marriage between the Chen and Pei families was finalized, the benefits the He Dong Pei Clan could obtain would definitely not be reflected merely on the level of interests...

Yuwen Heng seemed to have thought of something and reminded: "Nayán Pei can start from the brothels and willow districts, sprinkle more silver, and get twice the result with half the effort!"

Pei Xun was stunned at first, then suddenly realized, and smiled: "Very wonderful!"

Brothels are not only places for pleasure-seeking, but also places where news gathers and disperses.

How many romantic stories in the world have spread from there...

"Why don't men carry a Wu hook, to collect the fifty states of the frontier mountains?"

"This poem is catchy to recite, and very inspiring..."

Wei Jianshen chanted it, savored it slightly, looked at Yuwen Hu, and suggested: "Grand Chancellor, in this official's humble opinion, we can use Chen Yan's poetry in the army to enhance the cohesion and fighting spirit of the provincial soldiers!"

"Good idea!"

Yuwen Heng nodded, deeply agreeing, and smiled: "Young provincial soldiers, who doesn't yearn to establish merit?"

"Just take this opportunity to set up a unified goal..."

"Collect the fifty states of the frontier mountains!"

After saying this, his emotions surged, and he clenched his fists.

As the Grand Marshal of the Summer Office, the main official in charge of the army, Yuwen Heng knew very well what Wei Jianshen's suggestion meant...

It meant that morale and ideology were guaranteed!

They no longer needed to worry about morale.

"Not just that!"

Shang Ting rubbed his chin, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he extended: "It can also be used for the recruitment of provincial soldiers!"

He paused and continued: "Invite the gentleman to temporarily ascend the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion; which scholar would not want to be a ten-thousand-household marquis? Bundle and concretize titles, honor, and interests!"

Besides boosting morale, that poem also had extremely strong positive-oriented incitement.

Shang Ting could foresee that there would be no lack of soldiers in the future...

The quantity would be endless!

"That's right!"

Yuwen Heng clenched his fists tightly, "The provincial soldiers created by Taizu can reach a higher level of combat power!"

"Biding one's time, attacking the North and South, unifying the Nine Provinces, is just a matter of time!"

At that moment, through "collecting the fifty states of the frontier mountains," Yuwen Heng seemed to see the hope of unifying the world and ending the three hundred years of chaotic times...

Yuwen Hu exhaled a turbid breath, cast his gaze toward Yuwen Heng, and said solemnly: "Grand Marshal, this matter is of great importance, you will personally supervise it!"

"Understood!"

"Younger brother will definitely not dare to be slack."

Yuwen Heng stood up and said sternly.

Yuwen Hu pressed his hand, signaling him to sit down, and continued: "We have discussed so many of Chen Yan's contributions, we can't chill the heart of a meritorious official, right?"

"We must also talk about the court's reward for Chen Yan!" ===== CHAPTER 66 =====