"I lie stiffly in a deserted village, yet I still think of defending the frontier."
"Late at night, I lie listening to the wind and rain, and in my dreams come cavalry and icy rivers!"
"Cavalry and icy rivers enter my dreams..."
After a brief glance, Zhao Huan couldn't help but recite.
The entire study fell silent. To produce such a poem in such a short time.
This young man truly has great talent and great courage!
"I have long heard that Prime Minister Han was courageous in his time. Today, meeting Brother Han, I know that what the world says is not false! Zhong Yanchong thanks Brother Han on behalf of my ancestor!"
Before Zhao Huan could finish his evaluation, Zhong Yanchong stood up with tears in his eyes and bowed respectfully to Han Mo.
The classmates who had initially looked down on Han Mo now regarded him with complex expressions.
Originally, this poem, "Raining Heavily on the Fourth Day of November," was written by Lu You when he was ostracized by Qin Hui and had to give up his official career to return to his hometown.
The mood of this poem was remarkably similar to Zhong Shidao's situation of being ostracized by Cai Jing and subsequently shelved for ten years.
Besides expressing the author's patriotic fervor and concern for the nation and its people, it also subtly conveyed the author's unwillingness to yield.
Furthermore, Zhong Shidao did indeed recall defending the country at that time, and his intention to withdraw from court disputes.
Therefore, looking at it now, the poem felt entirely fitting.
Especially the last two lines: "Late at night, I lie listening to the wind and rain, and in my dreams come cavalry and icy rivers!"
These simple lines truly and vividly captured the hardships Zhong Shidao had endured over the years.
The same situation, the same unrecognized talent; the difference was that Zhong Shidao was fortunate, while Lu You could only die in dejection.
Regarding Zhong Shidao's past, even the high officials in the court were reluctant to speak of it.
After all, Cai Jing's oppressive influence was an open secret in official circles.
Han Mo's poem indeed stirred a sense of melancholy in everyone present.
Listening to this poem was like truly seeing Zhong Shidao of that year, who was ostracized and could only lie stiffly in a deserted village.
Though clad in coarse cloth, he refused to bow to the powerful; though dwelling in the common world, he never forgot defending the frontier.
What noble sentiment this was!
At this moment, even Zhao Huan did not know what to say.
I merely asked you for a brief assessment of Zhong Shidao, but you, kid, have produced a timeless masterpiece!
This gave Zhao Huan a headache. If not for the crowd, he would have loved to grab Han Mo by the neck and ask if he was playing dirty!
Even Qin Hui, the instigator of this matter, now looked at Han Mo with a complex expression.
He had originally thought that Han Mo would surely fall into his trap this time, but instead, the young man had not only avoided it.
He had turned the trap into a fishpond and was now raising fish in it.
He didn't know what the future held for Han Mo, but he was certain that this young man's achievements in poetry would soon spread throughout the land with this poem.
Zhong Shidao was undoubtedly a renowned figure in the northwest, and indeed, throughout the Great Song Dynasty.
The Zhong family's army was famous, and even the Western Xia and Liao people held Zhong Shidao in high regard.
It was likely that before long, this poem would spread far and wide along with Zhong Shidao's reputation.
This young man, at such a tender age, not yet capped, already possessed such literary fame.
It was probable that in time, he would be able to lead the literary world like Su Dongpo of old.
"Truly a great poem. In terms of talent, artistry, and theme, it is a masterpiece! I did not expect that the Imperial Academy would indeed harbor such hidden talents!"
After being stifled for a long time, Zhao Huan finally offered his official evaluation.
"Your Highness praises me too highly. I merely wrote what I felt at the moment!"
Though his face remained impassive, Han Mo was internally muttering.
Old Lu, oh Old Lu, I'll have to deal with the copyright fees after I find your family. But rest assured, once I prosper, I will definitely pay every bit of your copyright fees.
"These writings are for eternity. I am not speaking falsely! Since you have finished answering, why don't you come out with me for a chat? Let us not disturb these scholars with their examinations!"
Han Mo was mentally prepared for Zhao Huan's attempt to win him over today. After all, ever since Emperor Huizong bestowed that jade ruyi, he had become a target of contention among the princes.
Even as the Crown Prince, Zhao Huan had to consider the Emperor's intentions at this moment.
Furthermore, Prince Yun, Zhao Kai, was at the height of his popularity, especially among scholars and literati, his reputation growing day by day.
If he did not act soon, his position as Crown Prince might truly be taken by his good third brother.
However, the Emperor's vigilance towards him, the Crown Prince, was exceptionally strict.
Besides secretly instructing Cai Jing and Tong Guan to suppress him, any civil official who dared to get close to him would generally meet a bad end.
Under these circumstances, the difficulty of his situation was truly imaginable.
Therefore, he was now desperately seeking talented individuals like Han Mo. Apart from Han Mo's own capabilities, he particularly needed the Han family's subtle influence within the scholarly circles.
Of course, if he could leverage Han Mo's connections to the Zhe family, with the eldest princess as his internal support.
With the Han family acting as intermediaries to connect with the scholarly circles, and the Zhe family assisting him externally, his position as Crown Prince could truly be stabilized.
"Yes!"
Regardless of the circumstances, since the Crown Prince Zhao Huan had spoken, Han Mo could only agree now.
Smiling at Cai Shu, Han Mo turned and walked out.
Following Zhao Huan to the courtyard, Zhao Huan had tea served, dismissed all attendants, and then motioned for Han Mo to sit.
However, facing this Crown Prince, Han Mo maintained a cautious demeanor, even his posture was quite restrained.
"You need not be so nervous. There are no outsiders here. After all, we are both juniors of Aunt. If you don't mind, may I call you Brother Mo?"
Zhao Huan spoke first.
"Your Highness, etiquette must not be discarded!"
Although the Crown Prince's intention to recruit him was very clear, he was obviously a sinking ship, and Han Mo's current humble status meant he was not qualified to get involved in their princely disputes.
Therefore, no matter what, he would not easily side with Zhao Huan.