Chapter 287: Invitation to the Thatched Cottage Poetry Gathering, Great Ancestor Sacred Ape Stake!

【Although you don't know what inheritance of the Second Teacher is in the characters "Hong" and "Jing."】

【"The 'courtyard' character contains the ghost-slaying sword, and the other two characters must be extraordinary. After you fished the characters out of the lake, you seemed to have a response to these two characters, sharing your heart.】

【The lake surges with waves, and sword qi from nowhere goes with the flowing water, running wantonly.】

【Falling into the bottom of the lake, which is like a deep pool, suddenly it seems as if a huge dragon eye opens, flashing with cold light.】

【Under the lake water, the ink flood dragons expand from the size of a big carp to dozens of zhang, their scales undulating under the ripples of the lake bottom.】

【A violent wind rises, rolling up thousands of piles of snow-like water waves, and the small boat is swaying in the wind and waves, eventually squeezed to one side, far from its original position.】

【The old boatman grips the oar tightly, rowing hard, his face full of solemnity, gasping for air, secretly marveling at the sudden change, his face full of suspicion.】

【"Damn it, could it be that the earth dragon has walked!"】

【Six years ago, on the White Horse Road not far from Above Bianjing, the earth dragon walked once. That scene was truly heaven collapsing and earth cracking, houses collapsing like building blocks, sinking five or six zhang into the ground, not knowing how many people died, leaving only a field of sorrow.】

【Above Bianjing also had tremors, waking up many people who walked onto the streets.】

【Fortunately, it stopped after a gust of wind and waves.】

【At this moment, the rain in the lake falls like broken beads, falling on the lotus flowers that are yellow and green, slightly desolate.】

【You have already pulled Sister Wu Tong into the boat shed, avoiding the rain.】

【The old boatman rows hurriedly, not daring to stay in the lake anymore.】

【You just took one last look at the pavilion you pointed at, and a piece of lake rain fell; as for what happened later, you didn't look.】

【The small boat docks, and you and Sister Wu Tong get off the boat.】

【After stepping on solid ground, Sister Wu Tong covers her chest and whispers: "Young Master, I just seemed to see something swimming in the lake."】

【You hear this, just smile faintly, and say: "You must have seen it wrong; besides fish and shrimp, what else could be in this lake?"】

【Sister Wu Tong hears this, tilts her head, and doesn't pursue it further, just thinking she saw it wrong.】

【When the two of you are about to leave, a shout comes from behind.】

【"Is that Young Master Guan?"】

【"Please stay."】

【Four or five servants and several maids are rowing boats in the lake to catch up, their bodies all wet, their hair wet and sticking to their foreheads, looking very embarrassed.】

【Someone stands at the bow of the boat, hands together in front of their mouth like a trumpet and shouts:】

【"My master is Young Master Su Yun, please stay."】

【A group of people rushes over in a hurry. Sister Wu Tong looks strange, wondering who Young Master Su Yun is.】

【At this time, a green-clothed servant gets off the shore and runs over in a hurry. A delicate-looking little servant hurriedly takes out an invitation from his sleeve. He is soaked all over, but the invitation in his hand is dry, clearly carefully protected by him.】

【You turn your head, only to see "Thatched Cottage Poetry Society" written in gilded characters on it.】

【The little servant sees you finish reading the invitation and hurriedly explains: "We were ordered by our master, and we waited at the entrance of Hongjing Courtyard. Seeing Young Master Guan come out of the courtyard, we hurriedly chased after him."】

【"Who knew that a gust of wind and waves in the lake just now would capsize the boat, nearly missing the big event."】

【Speaking of this, the little servant's voice actually carries a bit of grievance, making Sister Wu Tong unable to help but laugh.】

【But what is the Thatched Cottage Poetry Gathering? And who is Young Master Su Yun?】

【The young master entered the Grand View Garden once and got to know so many people, a Military Governor General Sima, and now a Young Master Su Yun.】

【Hearing the name "Thatched Cottage Poetry Gathering," your heart moves slightly.】

【This Thatched Cottage Poetry Gathering is exactly what Su Yun created. It also gathers Hu Hu Yunniang, a talented woman from one of the eighteen families of Above Bianjing, as well as Xie Xuan, Li Li Shuwan, and other figures with quite a reputation in Above Bianjing.】

【The little servant sees that you don't seem to have the intention to take the invitation, and his face becomes more and more anxious. He knows deeply that if he doesn't complete the master's order today, they won't be able to avoid a board beating and skin-tearing.】

【"If the master wasn't in a hurry to attend the banquet, he would have come to invite you personally," the little servant explains anxiously, fearing you will refuse.】

【"Young Master Guan, even if you don't join the poetry society, take the invitation; we servants also have an explanation."】

【A group of people sees that you still have no reaction, and the leading little servant hardens his heart.】

【"Young Master Guan, if you don't take it, we will kneel here until we die."】

【In Sister Wu Tong's eyes, four or five people kneel straight down.】

【The little servant sees that you still don't express your attitude, and adds: "If Young Master Guan finds it troublesome, hanging a name is also fine. Many great Confucians and famous scholars in the poetry society only hang a name, and the monthly allowance is over a hundred taels."】

【"How much?"】

【"Over a hundred taels?" Sister Wu Tong hears this, her eyes widen suddenly, her face full of disbelief. She never thought that just hanging a name could have such a generous income.】

【Young Master Guan's monthly allowance in the Xie mansion is only six or seven taels of silver.】

【"If you think it's too little, every time the poetry society gathers, if you can win the poetry head, there is a reward of a thousand taels of silver. Even if you don't win, there is reward money, and you will never come for nothing."】

【Facing this matter... you ponder slightly and decide.】

1. Agree to this matter. (Hint: Practicing martial arts and cultivating the spirit cannot be separated from money, which might be favorable for the future.)

2. Refuse this matter. (Hint: It might cause no small impact on the future.)

3. Only take the invitation, don't talk about joining or not. (Hint: It is unfavorable for future development.)

4. Participate personally. (0/3)

The treasure light on the great cauldron flows again, and the characters freeze slowly.

Yu Ke looks at the four options above.

Judging from the hints, if you only take the invitation and don't talk about joining or refusing, you will definitely cause unnecessary trouble.

Refusing this matter has no small trouble.

Joining can also get money, practicing martial arts and spirit cultivation methods, it seems that you cannot do without money.】

It seems that no matter where you are, "money is what nourishes people."】

Yu Ke does not hesitate and chooses directly.

1. Agree to this matter. (Hint: Practicing martial arts and cultivating the spirit cannot be separated from money, which might be favorable for the future.)

【You nod slightly, and Sister Wu Tong understands, taking the invitation.】

【The little servant presents it with both hands respectfully.】

【"Please tell Young Master Yun, I am honored to be invited to join the poetry society."】

【You ask again: "When does this Thatched Cottage Poetry Gathering usually gather? And what are the rules?"】

【The little servant answers hurriedly: "The poetry society gathers regularly once on the 15th of every month. Although the location is not fixed, it will be notified in advance each time. The rules are quite simple, nothing more than chanting poems and answering, and winning or losing by talent. The winner of the poetry head can not only get generous rewards but also become famous in the literary world."】

【You nod upon hearing this, and you have already made a plan in your heart.】

【The little servant leaves happily.】

【Sister Wu Tong looks at the invitation in her hand and cannot help but ask: "Young Master, is this invitation really worth over a hundred taels of silver?"】

【You smile slightly and say: "If you think it's worth it, it's worth it; if you think it's not worth it, it's not worth it."】

【"Over a hundred taels of silver is not small in our eyes, but in the eyes of those luxurious young masters, it's just drizzle flowing out of the gaps in their palms."】

【"The capital of the Great Qi is the most prosperous place in the world, with golden goblets of clear wine worth ten thousand, and jade plates of delicacies worth ten thousand. This doesn't just exist in poetry books, especially those prominent families of the nine major surnames, which are even richer than the country."】

【A banquet for the rich, half a year's food for the poor.】

【Sister Wu Tong is happy anyway; if the young master joins the poetry society and has money, then many old things in the small courtyard can be replaced.】

【You and Sister Wu Tong walk toward the West Garden of the Xie mansion, the way home.】

【Walking to your own small courtyard!】

【Sister Wu Tong looks at the two people sitting on the steps at the door sighing, her heart slightly surprised.】

【"Physician Hua An, Mr. Zhang, why are you sitting here?" Sister Wu Tong asks, stepping forward.】

【Physician Hua An is smoking a dry pipe, full of melancholy between puffs.】

【He sees Sister Wu Tong return, stands up with a thud, and asks with concern: "Sister Wu Tong girl, are you okay?"】

【Sister Wu Tong smiles, "Physician Hua, what could be wrong with me?"】

【Physician Hua An turns his head to look at you standing behind Sister Wu Tong with a smile, "Fortunately, heaven hasn't gone completely bad."】

【You understand in your heart that the two of them haven't left since you entered the Grand View Garden, so you step forward and bow: "Thank you, Physician Hua and Mr. Zhang. You have been worried about this matter."】

【Mr. Zhang Yuanlai waves his hand, "I couldn't help much, I'm truly ashamed."】

【However, Zhang Yuanlai feels for the first time that this Young Master Guan with a steady temperament has truly accepted him, and his smile reveals more sincerity.】

【"Sister Wu Tong, make a good meal today."】

【After the three of them finished their afternoon meal, Hua An and Zhang Yuanlai said goodbye.】

【Zhang Yuanlai mentioned a piece of news: the Thatched Cottage Poetry Society founded by Su Yun actually has a mediocre reputation in Above Bianjing, only attracting some people because of his generosity, but those great Confucians and famous scholars with backbone mostly disdain it.】

【Among the literati in Above Bianjing, it is known as the "Poetry Society smashed by money" and the "Money Bag Poetry Society."】

【Although Su Yun is a member of the Su family and no one dares to ridicule him to his face, there is a lot of gossip behind his back.】

【There are several poetry societies competing with the Thatched Cottage Poetry Society. Su Yun has frequently gathered poetry gatherings this year to improve his reputation, but the effect is minimal, and no widely circulated masterpieces have been produced. On the contrary, several poetry societies formed by children from poor families have had several masterpieces taken by the academy for discussion.】

【You don't care, the sun sets in the west.】

【It was a night without words!】

【Early the next morning, you woke up early and heard knocking at the courtyard door.】

【Sister Wu Tong was curious who was so early, pushed open the door, and her eyes lit up.】

【The green-clothed little servant of Su Yun yesterday had already sent over a hundred taels of silver wrapped in red cloth.】

【"I won't disturb Young Master Guan anymore. If there is a poetry gathering later, I will come to notify you in advance."】

【The little servant's eyes carried a trace of strangeness, sweeping over this small courtyard that looked "unremarkable." He spent a lot of effort to find this place this morning, not expecting that a descendant of the Xie family would live in such a simple place.】

【He felt surprised in his heart, but didn't show it on his face, and left after saying goodbye.】

【Sister Wu Tong held the heavy silver in her hand, seeing so much money for the first time, and couldn't believe it. The silver was a full three jin heavy, making her quite excited.】

【The courtyard door that was originally open was also hurriedly closed by her.】

【"Young Master, we are rich!"】

【Sister Wu Tong excitedly walked into the house with the red cloth, her face blooming with smiles, "It really sent silver."】

【You had already started reading at this time, just glanced at it casually, and said: "Sister Wu Tong, you just keep it."】

【"Young Master, don't you want to look at it?"】

【"What's there to look at!" you answered without raising your head.】

【"Then I'll put it away, it will be used for the young master to marry a wife in the future, and the young master will have money to buy books later," Sister Wu Tong said with a giggle.】

【You sat by the window, holding a book, shaking your head lightly. With Sister Wu Tong's little habit of "loving money like life," she is afraid she will count it several times tonight before she is willing to sleep peacefully.】

【Before long, there was knocking at the door outside again.】

【Sister Wu Tong walked to the courtyard door.】

【You had already heard the movement at the courtyard door, so you put down the book and walked out.】

【A burly middle-aged man with sharp eyes stood at the door.】

【"Young Master Guan, my name is General Sima Pan, my master ordered me to send you these martial arts classics, as well as a copy of annotations."】

【Sister Wu Tong stood in front of him and spoke, only feeling a scorching breath piercing through.】

【You looked carefully, this person seemed like a vigorous beast lying at the door.】

【This person's blood was vigorous, his muscles were bulging, and his temples were bulging; he must be a martial arts expert, but you don't know which realm of martial arts he is in.】

【"My master also asks Young Master Guan to write down the understanding of a person of virtue and ambition from yesterday."】

【You let Sister Wu Tong take the package, and without hesitation, you prepared to find pen and ink in the courtyard to start writing.】

【"Young Master Guan, no trouble, my master let me bring silk paper."】

【The middle-aged man took out a two-chi-long silk cloth from his bosom, spread it out in his hand, and the silk cloth was pulled tight. His palm seemed to be dragging qi, and he only held one end, but the other end was actually suspended in the air without falling, as if placed on a desk, steady and secure.】

【You praised: "Good kung fu!"】

【Being able to be bestowed with the surname "General Sima" as a servant, he must have some hard skills and unique skills.】

【You let Sister Wu Tong bring a pen, and you wrote it word by word.】

【The big man took a look and praised: "Young Master Guan, what a handsome handwriting."】

【The big man didn't stay, said goodbye, and left.】

【At this time, it was noon, and the sunlight sprinkled on the stone table through the gaps in the leaves, mottled.】

【You returned to the stone table under the Sister Wu Tong tree and opened the martial arts classics sent by General Sima Ting.】

【On the cover, "Great Ancestor Sacred Ape Stake" was written in large characters, and there was also a detailed annotation beside it, clearly General Sima Ting's painstaking work, covered with detailed markings and explanations.】

【A different brilliance flowed in your eyes; the road of practicing martial arts is the foundation of standing in the world, which is extremely important to you.】

【You opened the title page, where a few lines of text were recorded.】

【"The human body is weak, predecessors watched the forms of strange beasts, learned their spirit, and tempered their tendons, bones, and blood."】

【"The Great Ancestor of the Great Qi watched the intention of the giant ape fighting, realized the method of the Sacred Ape Stake, and established the foundation of the martial path."】

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 288 =====