Chapter 777

First Volume, Chapter 777: Doggerel Poem

Although Huijuan Lou had only three stories, in an era where wooden structures dominated architecture, it was already considered a towering edifice.

After all, wooden construction inherently limited height.

As Yucheng's tallest building, it had long been a favored haunt for talented scholars and beauties seeking refined elegance, and today, Huijuan Lou was packed with people.

Every prominent literary figure had come to Huijuan Lou to join the spectacle; even the streets and the opposite Wine House were thronged with crowds, bustling with energy.

These people shared one common goal: to witness Qin Feng humiliated, toppled from his pedestal.

Several low-status, obscure literati—who couldn't even enter the building—stood outside the Door, solemnly shaking their heads and swaying their bodies.

"Brother Chen, today our Yucheng Bai He has set up the Fen Xiang Wen Tan at Huijuan Lou to challenge the villain Qin Feng in literary combat—how confident are you?"

The young master surnamed Chen, despite the bitter cold, still waved his folding fan, exuding the airs of a "poetic rogue."

"Qin Feng has been famous for years; his poem 'Out of the Frontier' stunned the entire Jiangnan and Beijiang regions and has long been included among the masterpieces of our age. Ordinary men naturally cannot match him."

"But Li Yuhang is no ordinary man; as a Yucheng Bai He, his literary talent stands among the finest of the younger generation—if not for his humble origins, he would have long since entered Jingdu to serve in office."

"Moreover, the Fen Xiang Wen Tan has five trials; besides Li Yuhang holding the central post, five of the city's top talented scholars and beauties guard the other gates. Even if Qin Feng possesses eight measures of literary talent, passing all five trials and slaying six generals will be as difficult as climbing to heaven."

"Therefore, in my humble view, Qin Feng will be utterly disgraced today!"

At these words, everyone present surged with hot-blooded passion; when they first heard that Qin Feng was coming to the Great Capital as a diplomatic envoy, the court and populace alike had been filled with hatred, wishing to tear the dog-like villain apart by five horses just to relieve their fury.

Yet everyone knew deep down that revenge was merely a fantasy—impossible to realize.

But today, the opportunity had finally arrived.

Even merely defeating Qin Feng in literary combat, stripping him of his title as literary titan, would both elevate Da Di Kingdom's prestige and weaken Qin Feng's influence—a two-for-one victory!

Everyone tightened their resolve, ready to vent their Hatred.

At that moment, noise erupted from the direction of the City Gate; in an instant, every eye turned toward it, where, protected by several soldiers, a young man in white robes walked forward with his hands behind his back, striding in measured, dignified steps.

Although nearly everyone present had never seen this young man before,

from the chorus of curses and spitting, they instantly recognized: this young man, dressed like a Wanfu, was Qin Feng—the man who had made Da Di suffer endlessly.

Before this moment, all had inwardly warned themselves to display the dignity of a great nation.

But the instant they saw Qin Feng, they all broke down; shouts and curses rained down upon him.

"Qin the villain deserves no mercy from heaven!"

"Damned Qin Feng, how dare he show his face? We, the ten million people of Da Di, wish to eat his flesh and drink his blood!"

"What kind of Tianlu Marquis of Liang? Just a beardless brat!"

"Hmph, truly, hearing is not as good as seeing—look at that arrogant, insolent swagger! I'd love to beat him to death right here on the Street."

"Despicable dog villain, on our Da Di soil, still daring to flaunt himself? He's clearly never known death."

Hearing the surrounding curses and the surging mob, Qin Feng maintained a calm smile, utterly unperturbed.

Long before entering the city, Qin Feng had anticipated the "warm welcome" from the locals, and had already made Preparation.

Recalling how the Northern Di Envoy Group had been treated upon arriving in Jingdu, this was merely a return of courtesy.

Qin Feng ignored the hostile stares and walked straight toward Huijuan Lou; just before stepping through the Door, a scholar in blue robes blocked his path.

The blue-robed scholar delivered a Downward Warning: "This Huijuan Lou is not for just anyone to enter. Even we literati of this city cannot enter without permission. As a foreigner, Qin Marquis, you're even less worthy than us. If you wish to enter, prove your true talent—we'll then be convinced."

As he spoke, the blue-robed scholar waved his hand, and his companion pushed forward a desk bearing paper, ink, brush, and inkstone, signaling Qin Feng to leave his mark.

"Marquis Qin, compose a poem on the theme of 'snow' as your entry ticket—how about that?"

"Afraid you won't be able to, Marquis Qin?"

At these words, the literati gathered to watch burst into laughter and agreement.

Ning Hu crossed his arms; had Qin Feng not held him back, he would have already punched the fool—what nerve, blocking the path of a Marquis of Liang without even knowing his own station.

Qin Feng signaled Ning Hu to calm down.

The female young master had entered the city ahead to prepare; Qin Feng knew she had laid many traps, waiting for him to walk into them.

Now the entire city waited to see Qin Feng humiliated—so he would do the opposite of what they expected.

Let's see who ends up picking up the stone and smashing their own foot.

"A poem about snow? What's hard about that!"

"No need for paper or brush."

Without hesitation, Qin Feng blurted out: "A single cage over the river, a black hole over the well. The yellow dog's body turns white, the white dog's body swells."

This "Snow Poem" was written by Zhang Dayou, an obscure Tang dynasty literary figure, later celebrated by posterity.

Qin Feng had read countless poems and texts; he naturally recited them effortlessly—plagiarizing poetry? Who can't do that?

The crowd fell silent. After a long pause, the blue-robed scholar's face flushed red. "Is this even a poem?"

Qin Feng spread his hands. "It rhymes, follows tonal patterns, and uses parallelism. If Young Master finds fault, point it out."

The blue-robed scholar tried several times to rebut, but each time the words died on his tongue.

This doggerel poem was unfit for Da Yao Zhi Tang—but it was composed on the spot by Qin Feng, and the blue-robed scholar had never forbidden doggerel.

Those who had come to mock Qin Feng now stared, speechless, caught between laughter and dismay.

An old man shook his head and sighed: "Though doggerel, it's clever—throughout the poem, snow is described without once using the word 'snow.'"

"Its form and spirit leap vividly; the final word 'swell' is masterful."

"Rustic and crude, yet uniquely charming—most precious of all, it was composed effortlessly, spoken as verse. This Marquis Qin truly deserves the title 'eight measures of literary talent.'"

The blue-robed scholar's face flushed alternately red and white; he had never expected to trap Qin Feng with a single "snow" theme, yet Qin Feng's instant composition left him both astonished and furious.

Was today's goal to make Qin Feng humiliated—or to let him shine?

The blue-robed scholar threw caution to the wind, waving his hands frantically: "That doesn't count! Write another one!"