"Zhou Mou has just had an inspiration and composed a new poem. I invite everyone to appreciate it!"
As Zhou Bangyan spoke, he took a brush from a waiter, dipped it in thick ink, and began to write vigorously on the paper.
"Parallel blades like water, Wu salt whiter than snow, slender hands break new oranges. The brocade curtain is newly warm, the beast-shaped incense burner's smoke is unending, sitting face to face, we tune the zither."
As he wrote, someone behind him followed with a soft chant.
Meanwhile, in a private room, Li Shishi, upon reading this, felt a blush creep onto her pretty face.
This fellow really dares to write anything...
This wasn't exactly what happened a few days ago when the Emperor visited her room, and Zhou Bangyan was hiding under the bed?
"Whispering low: To whom do you stay the night? The city watch has struck three times. The horses slip on the thick frost, it's better to desist from going, for there are truly few people traveling!"
After finishing the last line, Zhou Bangyan threw the brush he held onto the ground.
Then, he turned and glanced directly at Li Shishi's room, his eyes filled with pride.
"As expected of Mr. Qingzhen!"
Indeed, although this was a sensual poem, it still elicited a cheer from the crowd.
Besides gambling, what Song Dynasty people loved most was visiting courtesans.
When sung by those charming young ladies, these licentious and beautiful verses were absolutely a beautiful sight!
"Brother Han, do you have a plan? Although this poem is sensual, it clearly shows his mastery in this art. Shall I cover for you for a while?"
Seeing the provocative look on Zhou Bangyan's face, Zhong Yanchong said in a low voice.
"That's not necessary, it's just a pity!"
Han Mo smiled but said no more.
This was a case of good advice falling on deaf ears; this old fellow was truly seeking his own demise tonight.
On such an occasion, what he wrote was clearly mocking the Emperor.
Although the Taizu had left a sworn tablet, stating that the dynasty would not kill officials or those who wrote to express their opinions, it did not say that troublesome individuals could not be cast far away.
Given this fellow's annoying nature, not to mention the foolish Emperor Song Huizong, any emperor would likely be unable to tolerate it.
Wasn't this writing about the events between Song Huizong and Li Shishi?
And it was about what happened between Song Huizong and Li Shishi in the room. Could it be that this fellow really hid under Li Shishi's bed?
If that were the case, it would be too exciting...
"Brother Han, have you got something ready?"
After winning the admiration of the entire hall, Zhou Bangyan felt even more pleased.
Even the grievance of being cuckolded by the Emperor was now vented through this opportunity.
"Brother Han only just arrived. Even Cao Zijiang needed seven steps to compose a poem back then. Mr. Zhou is already urging him on. Do you really think everyone is as prolific as you, Mr. Zhou, with poetic inspiration flowing all night?"
Zhong Yanchong said sarcastically.
"Mr. Zhou also wrote a new poem, didn't he? Why? If Mr. Zhou can do it, why can't he? If he can't write one, I think it's best to admit defeat early!"
If Han Mo won, he would have to pay out over a million strings of copper coins. Cai Shu naturally wished for Zhou Bangyan to win immediately.
"Alright, alright. I think we should give Brother Han some time. After all, things like poems and essays cannot be crafted hastily!"
Zhou Bangyan wore a look of confident victory. After all, this poem had been brewing in his mind for more than a day, and the process of refining it took more than half a month.
If Li Shishi hadn't suddenly uttered such a comment yesterday, he wouldn't have brought this poem out.
"But we can't just drag this on, can we? How about we set a time limit of one incense stick?"
Cai Shu also seized the opportunity to press the issue, wanting to limit Han Mo's performance with time.
"One incense stick? I'll give you three incense sticks, and if you can write a poem, I'll kowtow and admit my mistake right now!"
Zhong Yanchong exploded. What kind of joke was this? It was clearly setting a trap!
Even if Han Mo could write two masterpieces, how could he possibly write a third one so hastily?
"If you can't, then you can't. Stop talking nonsense! I'm not some talented scholar, am I!"
Cai Shu, however, was righteous. With Zhou Bangyan's poem as a foundation, he was truly confident now.
As long as he could hold out for the time of one incense stick, no matter how great Han Mo's abilities were, he would be labeled a loser.
Furthermore, if he caused Liang Shicheng to lose money, Liang Shicheng's own retribution would be enough for him to handle.
"One incense stick? Is that necessary?"
Just as Zhong Yanchong was arguing heatedly, Han Mo coughed lightly and stepped forward.
"Brother Han!"
This was no laughing matter. Zhong Yanchong quickly called out to him.
"Don't worry!"
As Han Mo spoke, he strode forward.
Walking to the center of the venue, Han Mo still kept his hands clasped behind his back.
"Brush!"
Just as Zhou Bangyan was about to say something, Han Mo suddenly extended his right hand and called out to a waiter behind him.
"Coming!"
Zhong Yanchong quickly pushed the waiter aside, took the brush from his hand, and personally handed it to Han Mo.
"Thank you, brother!"
Han Mo smiled and gestured for him to grind the ink.
Without further ado, Zhong Yanchong stepped forward to grind the ink for Han Mo.
Under everyone's gaze, Han Mo showed no signs of stage fright.
After dipping the brush in thick ink, he rolled up his sleeves and began to write vigorously on the paper.
The scene suddenly became quiet, and everyone held their breath.
This was not only about hundreds of thousands of strings of copper coins, but also about the reputation of the two new and old talented scholars in the entire city of Bianliang.
"If life were only like the first meeting,"
"When would the autumn wind grieve for the painted fan."
...
"Hiss—"
These mere fourteen characters had already conveyed all the joys and sorrows of human love.
After hearing these two lines, Zhou Bangyan's bones felt numb.
Li Shishi, who had been quietly sitting in the private room, could no longer help herself after hearing these two lines and pushed open the door to come out.
These short two lines were enough to put Zhou Bangyan's poem miles behind!
How could anyone in this world write such lines!
Li Shishi, despite her young age, had seen countless people in her life as a courtesan.
Han Mo's simple two sentences actually made her feel an urge to cry!
Were these truly lines that could exist in the human world?